No. 121 East 24th Street
Mr. E.M. Dey
My dear Mr. Dey, your kind favor of the 11th inst., enclosing
additional records of descendants of the Deys viz: James Perrine Dye and of
Randolph Freeman Jr. addressed to Spring Station was forwarded and duly received here.
I am glad to learn that you knew the proper degree of fahrenheit to apply for the
thawing (out of those Jersey people) but for perseverance they might have died without leaving
any traces of there whereabouts. I tried my skill but like physicians, my remedies failed for a
want of ____ ____ diagnosis of those cases. It is, to me, remarkable that these people hold
back and take so little interest in their family history.
Mr. Willisford Dey, if he had put the
quarter part of interest you do, could have long since have collected the whole of his
great grandfather's record. This James Perrine Dye was the full brother of his grandfather,
Randolph
Dye. The copy of the record of his great grandfather Seth Dye, although I copied what purported
to be the original record myself, is very unsatisfactory to me, while it may be absolutely
correct I don't like its appearance in this. Seth Dye and Abigail Perrine were married 5
January, 1803. Their first child was born in 1804, second in 1806, third in 1807, James Perrine
Dey in 1809. Then there is a gap of seven and a half years when William Tennent Dye is born viz: September
1816. Then a gap of three years and eight months viz: 7 May 1820 when Lewis Bonaparte Dye was
born. I sometimes doubt this being the original record and then I think it may be the original
but that old Seth failed to write the births of all his children as they were born. It is a comparatively
easy matter for a member of the family to obtain trace of old records, while it is a hard task for
a stranger. I have spend considerable money "chasing shadows" over New Jersey in quest of family
records and gained very little knowledge compared with the time and expenses, I would heed
neither if I could accomplish results. Now as I have said, Mr. Willisford Dey could have obtained
all the records of his great grandfathers descendants with very little trouble to himself, then he
could have applied to me and I would have given in exchange the records of Seth Dye's father and
grandfather and a copy of the Will of John Dye showing who his children were, as well as my theories with the
evidence to support those theories, then he could have judged for himself whether or not he was
descended from Dirch Siecken or Laurens Duyts.
It is very easy to be satisfied with
statements of persons who "jump" at conclusions, it those conclusions form whatever cause, are as we would
like to have them. I know this by personal experience. If all these Deys & Dyes would "put their
shoulders to the wheel" and do one little of what you have done, the record could be completed
in one year. Just stop, and look and realize what you have accomplished in a comparatively
short time, sitting in your office engaged in business, and in addition, collecting almost
the entire records of the progeny of a man born at least one hundred and twenty five years
ago, besides the progeny of collateral relatives. Now please tell me who and where located
is the person related or descended from anyone of the other numerous lives who has done anything
towards collecting? I defy any one to produce another of your race who has had sufficient family
pride to learn his family history and collect it. It is true when applied to, you can find people
who will graciously give you such information as will put them to no further trouble than getting
out the old family Bible and reading off the family records for you to write down from dictation but
to sit down and copy a record they have and mail it to you, on no, it is too much trouble. I
advertised asking all Deys and Dyes to copy and send me their family records. This I did four or
five years ago in both Middlesex and Monmouth County papers, to which I have yet to receive
the first response, except in the way of enquiries asking who my ancestors were. The proper course
would have been hinted there was a huge estate in the upper part of this city
now partially built over which to obtain these Deys and Dyes would only have to prove their
genealogy satisfactorily to entitle them to a share when the courts decided in their favor.
An adroit advertisement would have awakened the whole race and a dozen clerks could not have
kept up with the correspondence.
On my way home I came through Ohio collecting Dye data in Piqua, I was informed there were some
people in that place spelling the name Dey. Upon calling at one place I recognized the name at
once, told the gentleman who accompanied me what the initials stood for, calling upon
another who I saw enquired who the other person was who I did not see, he replied he was his
brother's son as I supposed. My friend turned to me and said, "Mr. Dey, you certainly know
who everybody is bearing the name". After coming home I wrote and received prompt reply, in my
second application I was rewarded with the names and post office addresses of two uncles
of the person I saw in Piqua. I wrote them both received reply from but one, and I
now think I have one of a family. I have done my utmost to find, although these DeBows in Birdsall, I think
belong in the same line, but I admit I am "stalled" for once, the gentleman who wrote me from
Brighton, Iowa sent me a copy of his father, Lewis Dey's record born 21 January, 1779. While
in Ohio I was unable to learn the name of the grandfather, and I placed these people in either
the line of John Dey of 1741 or his brother Benjamin of 1744 but upon learning the name I found
I was wrong. Now there is but one place for this Lewis Dey of 1779 and that is in the line
and a son of William Dey of 1732 unless I have struck a family of Deys, of whose history I
have no accounts.
Now I am under the necessity of writing to learn who were the parents of this Lewis Dey, and I
sincerely hope I am not mistaken as to William Dey of 1742 being his father, in which case
I will have found at least one who I know was William Dey's son & two who I think were his sons.
This Lewis Dey had nine children two living in Brighton, Iowa. One born in 1812, the other in
1821. The letter I received from the latter, the record sent gives dates of death of all
except three, with places of deaths. Therefore, I conclude these three are all living. Of course
one was living less than a month ago, and I hope that all three are alive and I get
the whole account, but I am anything than well and I ought to go back to Kentucky now, but am
not well enough to go. Before returning to Kentucky I wish to go to Englishtown and
obtain complete records of the descendants of Matthew Rue Dey so that I can enter all
collected material of the descendants of Lawrence Dey and Anne Dey in a bound book which I
have in Kentucky for the purpose. This Matthew Rue Dey was the oldest son of Joseph Dey
and Elizabeth Rue, and comes among the first of the descendants of Lawrence Dey and Mary
Cheeseman.
very truly yours,
J. Warren S. Dey
New York, March 19, 1901
St. Louis, Mo.