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Posted by staff on January 15, 2003 at 19:01:25:
In Reply to: The Family History of William Paterson of New Jersey posted by Robert PATERSON Currie (Bob) on October 28, 2002 at 10:01:04:
William Paterson was born in County Antrim, Ireland on December 24, 1745. The Paterson family immigrated to the United States in 1747. They settled in Princeton where his father became a shopkeeper. The family prospered in New Jersey and William was able to attend the College of New Jersey, what would later become Princeton University. William studied law and was accepted to the bar in 1769. In 1775, he was chosen to represent Somerset County in New Jersey's Provincial Congress. : An aunt on my maternal side who died in her 90s only last years told me that the town of Paterson New Jersy was named in honour of one of our Paterson family members. It is easy to be sceptical about that sort of statement but it is equally true to say that there is usually at least an element of truth in family folklore. On a visit to the USA two years ago I accessed the Family History Research Library in the Mormon Temple of Mesa (I am not a Mormon, but I know the value of their research). There I found a tome which verified what my relative had told me that Paterson New Jersay was named after William Paterson who was brought to the US as child by his family who came from County Down, Northern Ireland. I am endeavouring to prove or disprove the connection with my Paterson family. My Great Grandfather namely, Hugh Paterson was born in County Down, Northern Ireland in 1825 and his father (my Great Great Grandfather was namely William Paterson. There is every possibility of a connection between this William and the New Jersey William and I'd like to prove or disprove it. Can anyone out there help. Is there a family tree of the William of New Jersey who father is said to have been a tinsmith from County Down, Northern Ireland. : Hope somebody will reply to this plea! : Bob Currie
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