Eldridge Jonathan

JONATHAN ELDRIDGE may have come from England to Burlington County in 1678; or he may have sailed from London on the “Success” and arrived in West New Jersey in April 1679 and served as Council member in 1708.

This latter Jonathan may have been the partner of Martha WAGSTAFF who were both condemned at the Burlington County Quaker meeting in 1679/80 for adulterous practices. The couple married, a record of Martha ELDRIDGE’s burial 4 mo 1, 1713, was recorded by the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.

Jonathan lived in Evesham, Burlington County, NJ in 1704, when he was father of Thomas ELDRIDGE in marriage records of the Phila MM. His name appears on a letter to the PMM dated 12 mo 23, 1735/6 stating son Obadiah’s intention to marry.

It’s possible that Joseph ELDRIDGE who died in Sussex County, DE, whose will proved in 13 May 1762 was the son of Jonathan ELDRIDGE.

On 2 March 1736, Jonathan ELDRIDGE’s will was proved. He named wife, Elizabeth, dtr Phoebe, sons Jonathan, Joseph, James, and Obadiah. Son Thomas, was not mentioned. Parents often made early financial settlements with their older married children. Jonathan, father of Thomas, appears to have been a Quaker at his death.