In the records of the stately and historic First Presbyterian Church in Morris Co., NJ was found a reference to a Susannah Sturgis, widow of a David, in the session notes of 1795. She was cited for moral character and reports; primarily she was indigent 2 May 1804 and not on the church roll for 1804. Early Presbyterians - and others - viewed poverty and homelessness as a moral failure, a sign of a lack of God's favor or electedness. They had charity but only for members.
What made this interesting is I have an alleged Susannah Sturgis who married Philip Cochren (or any of the variations noted above) 18 Oct. 1806 in Morris Co., NJ (It was recorded in 1811; probably when an older book or set of records was transferred to a fresh "book." Some early searchers found this confusing and marriage dates sig-zagged between 1806 and 1811 until the digitized versions became easier to access.
Now, "our" Susannah is believed to have been born ca 1789, so if she was a widow in 1804, she would have been about 15. Not unheard of, but, young nonetheless. Now, other researchers have claimed she was the daughter of a John Sturgis and Susannah Pope but oddly I have not found any evidence of this mentioned anywhere. It is a bit frustrating.
Ancestry DNA seems to support the connection but the lack of evidence is still noticeable.
"My Philip and Susannah Cochran/Cochren" die in Delaware Co., Indiana where they had moved after marrying in New Jersey. They may have made a brief stop in New York before the thrust into the "west".
Philip was the apparent son of Daniel Cochren in New Jersey who was born in New York and was in the Revolution.
At some point along the line the last name became "Cochren" for some and "Cochran" for others (often in the same family group!!).
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