He was married WFT Est. 1669-1716. John Divine was a "Huguenot" member of the "Weaver's Company". He settled in Piscataway, NJ in 1667. Children were: Abraham Divine.

He was married to Joanna (Divin) WFT Est. 1622-1674. William Divine lived at Churston Ferrers, England, in 1631. Children were: John Divin.

He was married to *Harriet Low in 1819. From a letter from Carolyn Sykes to Albert Divine, dated Aug. 4, 1963:

"David Divine lived on South Hill where all the family were born - later ran a hotel in Grahamsville ... a large colonial type house now known as the Anna Hastings Home. Stoddard Porter also told me that at one time he had a hotel farther up in the village. Later went to a place located at Montela partly in Ulster Co. and half in Sullivan making it convenient to evade the law of whichever county was enforcing it."

David Divine and his family are found in the 1850 U.S. Census in the Town of Neversink, Sullivan County, New York.

From Time and the Valley by Katharine Terwilliger, etal:

"The County Line Farm at Montela seems to have figured in the seesaw of wet and dry in the town of Neversink. Early reports have it that David Divine kept a 'gug' tavern there. David was a son-in-law of Cornelius P. Low. Of course there were other taverns on up the valley, one at Eureka and several in Grahamsville." ...pages 59-60.

"County Line Tavern was built at Montela on the Sullivan-Ulster County Line about 1836. David Divine owned and operated the old-fashioned inn that made available lodgings, meals, liquor, and horses for hire. When the Divines wanted to retire from this family business, Samuel Porter bought the building and land and gave it to Harrison Smith, his son-in-law, who had no desire to be a tavern keeper. The Smiths turned County Line into a farm, and it remained as such until they sold it to Bruce Gillette." ...page 92.

The former village of Montela was on Rondout Creek at the Sullivan-Ulster County Line, but was flooded by Rondout Reservoir after the construction of Merriman Dam in 1939. David and Harriet Divine were originally buried in the cemetery at Lackawack, but their remains were moved to the Grahamsville Cemetery when the dam was built. Children were: Kate Divine , Eliazer Divine, Samuel Divine, *Peter Divine, Jane Divine, Cornelius Divine, Elizabeth "Betsy" Divine, Nancy Divine .

He was married to *Bessie Bell Brundige on 14 Jul 1915 in Joliet, Illinois. Clyde was born on the Sholes farm near Burlington, Illinois, and came to the LaFox area at the age of 8 or 9. He was hard-of-hearing like many of the members of his mother's family. He got his first hearing aid at the age of 17, and used a hearing aid for the remainder of his life. When Clyde was 19, he had a cyst on his neck and had the doctor operate on it. The doctor charged $7.00 for the operation and a couple of calls. Clyde didn't tell his father because he didn't think it was too harmful. Clyde rented the Brown farm (later owned by Donald Dillon) until 1914, when he bought the adjoining farm to the east, for $22,000 with a mortgage from the bank in Elburn.

Bessie was born on the family farm on Brundage Road, a mile east of LaFox. She attended the LaFox School up through the middle of the 7th grade. Then she stayed home a year, and then went to Jennings Seminary in Aurora for 3 years to finish both grade school and high school. At her graduation, she recited the poem "Night Hath Stars", just as her mother had done upon graduating from the same school. When Bessie was 18 and starting to teach school, she bought herself a piano. Her uncle George Linington of Aurora, signed a note for her. She paid $5.00 a month on it to the furniture store. She taught in rural schools near Batavia and Newark, Illinois.

Clyde and Bessie went together for a long time, and eventually eloped to be married in Joliet, because Bessie wanted to continue teaching, and it was not allowed in those days for teachers to be married.

When Merilyn was 4, she fell down the basement stairs. She then had to learn to walk all over again. When Merilyn fell, Mrs. Keslinger was called to tell Clyde, for he was pulverizing at the South Farm (his father's farm). She offered him a ride home in her car, but he took off by himself, and all the people in LaFox were surprised to see him in such a hurry. He beat a train that Mrs. Keslinger would've had to wait for. Bessie got quite excited about Merilyn's accident, and it is believed that this is the reason she gave birth to Bill earlier than expected.

In 1926, Bessie served dinner to her relatives. The event was called the "take-in" dinner, because all of the Brundige family was there along with their take-ins (in-laws), Clyde, Alta, and Judith. It was the only time ever when all of Bessie's siblings were together at once, even though they all lived until 1935.

In the fall of 1937, Bessie served the "tail-end" dinner. Present were Ralph Gregory (who soon later was burnt up in his house in a fire that was supposedly set by his wife), Frank Root, Ed Cole, Carl Smith of Dundee, Paul and Mary Brundige, John Brundige, Christine Linington Brundige, and Scotty Brundige. Each of these people was at the tail-end of his family.

Ramon was killed in 1939 in a tragic accident on the farm, when a team of horses pulling a load of hay was spooked.

In the 1950's, Clyde retired and rented the farm to the Foremans and Coxes who owned the Farm Service & Supply Company in LaFox. He later decided to begin farming again, and ran the farm until Bessie died.

After Bessie died, Merilyn and Lois had a new home built at 1501 Evergreen St., St. Charles, Illinois, and Clyde went to live with them there.


Newspaper clippings:

"Raymond Devine, 11, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. clyde Devine, of LaFox, was killed today when a team of horses he was driving became frightened and lurched, pulling him forward off his seat onto the ground and dragging a hay mower over his chest and stomach.

The youth, who was helping his father harvest, died before Dr. R.G. Scott of Geneva arrived at the scene of the accident. His body was taken to the Skoglund undertaking parlors at Geneva and the inquest will be held tomorrow at 10 o'clock. Deputies Walter Honert and Charles Anderson investigated the accident for the sheriff's office.

The accident, which occurred at 10:30 o'clock this morning, was occasioned by a faulty connection between the mower and the horses, according to Sheriff Marcus Damisch, versed in such matters by virtue of his life as a farmer until he took over the duties as sheriff.

The connection to the mower broke, frightening the horses, according to the sheriff. The team lunged forward pulling the 11 year old lad off the driver's seat in front of the mower which passed over his body as the horses charged forward.

He died of internal injuries within a few minutes."


"Mrs. Bessie B. Divine, 74, of LaFox, died Friday morning at St. Joseph's Hospital, Elgin, after a lingering illness. She was born in LaFox July 25, 1887, and lived in the area all her life.

Survivors are her husband, Clyde; three daughters, Merilyn and Lois of LaFox, and Mrs. Jay (Lyla) Johnsen; one son, William of LaFox; two sisters, Charlotte Lane of Los Angeles, Calif., and Vera Haines of Geneva; one brother George Brundige of Burlington, Mich., and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Christine Brundige, one son, two brothers, and one sister.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Conley Funeral Home, Elburn. The Rev. F. Hoisington, pastor of Geneva Methodist Church, will officiate with burial in Garfield Cemetery, north of LaFox.

Friends may call at the funeral home anytime Sunday."


"Miss Merilyn Devine, 59, of St. Charles, died Tuesday at home. She was born Feb. 23, 1919, in Geneva. She was the daughter of David C. and Bessie Brundige Devine. She attended Geneva schools. She was employed at Burgess Norton Manufacturing in Geneva for 35 years, retiring in December, 1977.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Geneva and served on the administration board, the mission commission, and the education committee of the church. She was also a member of the board of directors of Garfield Cemetery, Campton Township.

She is survived by her father of St. Charles; a brother William of Lancaster, Wis.; two sisters, Lois Devine of St. Charles and Mrs. Jay (Lyla) Johnsen of LaFox; several nephews, one neice and one grandnephew.

She was preceded in death by her mother and one brother, Ramon.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Conley Funeral Home, Elburn. The Rev. Albert C. Chamberlin of the United Methodist Church of Geneva will officiate. Burial will be at Garfield Cemetery.

Visitation will be after 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to her favorite charity, the Denver Inter-City Parish."


"David Clyde Divine, 92, of St. Charles, formerly of LaFox, died Tuesday in his home. He was born April 22, 1886, in Burlington, Ill. Mr. Divine farmed in the LaFox area until his retirement three years ago.

He is survied by two daughterrs, Lois Divine of St. Charles and Mrs. Jay (Lyla) Johnsen of LaFox; a son, William of Lancaster, Wis.; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie, a son, Ramon in 1939 and a daughter, Marilyn Divine in April.

The funeral will be a 2 p.m. Friday at the Conley Funeral Home, Elburn. Burial will be in Garfield Cemetery near LaFox.

Visitation will be after 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Contributions in Mr. Divine's memory may be made to Denver Inner City Parish." Children were: Merilyn Ruth Divine, Lois Verdelle Divine, William John Divine, Lyla Yvonne Divine, Ramon Duane Divine.

He was married to *Lydia Biettlebrundt WFT Est. 1780-1809. Eleazer Divine is found in the US Census 1790, Newburgh, Orange Co, NY.

From History of Sullivan County by James Eldridge Quinlan, Liberty, NY 1873, pp 464-465:

"Previous to 1788, except the few families located in the valley of the Lackawack, it may be said there were no white residents of Neversink. In that year, the owners of Great Lots No. 4 and 5, and those who held large tracts in Great Lot No. 3, induced settlers to locate on their lands. Among these settlers were John Hall, Robert Aldrich, Nathaniel and Eleazer Divine, Jonathan Jones, Nowell Furman, Josiah Goldsmith, Peter Donaldson and others of Upper Neversink... as the Claryville region was then called. Such of these men as occupied land held leases from Desbrosses." .. pages 464-465.

From Albert Divine's letter to Lois Divine, dated February 14, 1992:

"Eleazer stayed on at his father's homestead lands near Montela (County Line, Sullivan Co., NY). As the youngest member of the family he was the only son still at home, and he stayed. Nathaniel Jr., probably moved to the vicinity of Pittsburg where he died (orphan records of West Virginia). Eleazer's only son David, stayed also, having inherited his father's estates. He was the only member of the family to remain there. His family is all buried in the region around Grahamsville." Children were: Jane Divine , Elizabeth Divine, Polly Divine, Phoebe Divine, *David Divine, Sally Divine, Nancy Divine.

He was married to *Ruth Babcock in 1695. From Albert Divine's letter to Lois Divine, dated February 14, 1992:

"Their father, Srgt. John Divine died in 1746 from wounds suffered at the Battle of Louisburg in 1745."

"Nathaniel, William, James, and John, were sons of Srgt. John and Ruth Babcock Divine of Boston. Srgt. John was b. 1672; m. Ruth Babcock in 1695. He was a surveyor for Boston, having learned the trade from his father, who was also a surveyor, first of Lynn, MA, and then he was hired by the City of Boston, and moved there. Srgt. John Divine became a soldier for the English probably as an extension of matters relating to mapping and surveying. His father John Divin, Jr. was also a surveyor for the Town of Lynn, MA. For a while father and son worked together as surveyors." Children were: Ruth Divine, John Divine, James Divine, *Nathaniel N. Divine, Joseph Divine, William Divine.

He was married to *Ruth Morton in 1728 in Boston, Massachusetts. Nathaniel Divine lived at Kent, Litchfield Co, CT from 1743 until his death, belonging to the Congregational Church. He owned and lived on land surrounding Waramaug Reservoir.

Nathaniel Divine sells property, June 27, 1751:

"Know ye, that I, Nathaniel Devine of Newmilford In ye County of Newhaven & Colony of Connecticut In New England ... For the Consideration of one hundred and fifty pounds money of ye 6ft tenner... Received to My full Satisfaction, of Ebinezer Hogkis of Newfairfield in the County of fairfield & Colony before said ... Do Give, Grant, Bargain, Sell, and Confirm unto the said Ebinezer Hogkis a Certain Tract or Pearcel of Land Situat In Said Newmilford Lying ye East Side of ye Greate River Near ye Greate Falls Bounded as followeth beginning at a heep of Stones by ye highway then runing southward twenty Nine rods to a black oake stadel. Then runing East ten rods & a half to a black oake stadel. Then runing North twenty Nine rod to a heep of Stones. Then runing westward to ye first mentioned Corner twenty three rods & a half Bounded neylward[?] on a highway South and North on undivided Land and East part on Jonathan Bearey Land and part on undivided Land but more or Less with a Dwelling Hous Standing on said Land the Same.

To have and to hold the above-granted and bargained Premisses, with the Appurtenances thereof, unto him the said Ebenezer Hogkis his Heirs and Assigns for ever, to his and their own proper Use and Behoof. And also, I the said Nath'll Divine Do for my Heirs, Executors and Administrators, Convenant with the said Ebenezer Hogkis his Heirs and Assigns, That at and until the Ensealing of these Presents, I am well Seised of the Premisses as a good indefeasible Estate in Fee Simple; and have good Right to Bargain and Sell the same in Manner and Form as is above-written; and that the same if Free of all Incumbrances whatsoever. And farthermore, I the said Nathaniel Divine do by these Presents Bind my self and my Heirs for ever, to Warant and Defend the above-granted and bargained Premisses to him the said Ebenezer Hogkis his Heirs and Assigns, against all Claims and Demands whatsoever. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the 27th Day of June in the 25th Year of the Reight of Our Sovereign Lord George ye Second of Great-Britain, &c King.

Annoque Domini, 1751 his
Nathaniel N. Divines Seall
marke
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered
in Presence of June ye 27th 1751 then pearsonally
Sam'll Canfield appeared ye Grantter Signer & Sealer
Abigal Canfield of ye above written Instrument and
acknowledged ye Same to ...
Recorded June ye 27th before me
1751 pr Sam'll Canfield Samuel Canfield
Register Justice of peace



The "Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society", for the year 1891, shows Nathaniel Divine listed in the muster roll of Capt. Dimock's Company at Durham, New York in 1755. (Nathaniel lived in Kent, Connecticut, which is only 3 miles from the New York border.) The same collections, Vol. X, 1905, shows Nathaniel, Joseph, and Timothy Divine in Capt. McNeal's Company, Third Regiment in the Campaign of 1759. Nathaniel enlisted April 2 and died Aug. 10; Joseph enlisted March 30 and was discharged Dec. 1; Timothy enlisted April 6 and was discharged Dec. 1.


From Albert Divine's letter to Lois Divine, dated February 14, 1992:

"In August of 1759, these two above mentioned brothers, Samuel and Joseph, along with a third, younger brother, Timothy, with the father Nathaniel, were with a small party of continentals on patrol, a little north of Fort Ticonderoga. They were ambushed by a group of French & Indians. Nathaniel was killed outright; and Timothy was taken prisoner to Quebec. Samuel and Joseph were among the few survivors to escape that day, and they fled back to Ft. Ticonderoga. They were immediately released from further duty and returned home to Waramaug (near Kent), Connecticut. They were of course devastated. Before the winter was over they settled up their father's estate and assuming their younger brother Timothy had also been killed, they probated his small estate and left immediately for unsettled territory on the Pennsylvania border of New York State, then called Wallkill. They were there in 1760, where Joseph married in the local Dutch Reformed Church. (The Dutch spelling of his name was not immediately recognizable.) Samuel also married around this time, and Eleazer and Nathaniel are but two of his ten children. Both Samuel and Joseph were very reluctant to participate in the War of the Revolution because of their personal loss at Fort Ticonderoga, and Joseph was able to claim exemption because of age (born 1728-30); Samuel was a little more vocal, got into trouble, swearing and cursing the war, he was accused of being a Tory and sentenced to be hung at Kingston; but then Gov. George Clinton of New York knew them personally because they had been under command of his brother Col. James Clinton at Fort Ticonderoga. He wrote a reprieve, and Samuel, along with another younger brother James, spent the early part of the Revolution in jail at Kingston, and later was sent to a Prisoner of War camp in New Hampshire.

"My grandfather told me that Samuel lies buried under what is now the Neversink Reservoir, Sullivan County. His brother Joseph was buried in a small family cemetery at Divine Corners in which all the stones were eventually removed by a farmer shortly after 1900. Joseph died in 1802 and Samuel died only a few years later. When I visited the site in an attempt to locate this cemetery in 1958, the site had grown into a forest, and its general location could only be pointed to by my grandfather."

From Public Records of Connecticut, page 595:

[424] Upon the memorial of Joseph Divine, of Kent in the district of Litchfield, administrator on the estate of Nathaniel Divine lat of said Kent, deceased, shewing that the debts due from the said estate with the charges &c. allowed surmount the personal estate of the said deceased the sum of L27, 7s, 9d. and praying for liberty to make sale of so much of the real estate of the said deceased as to answer and pay the said sum with the incident charges arising on said sale, as per memorial on file: Resolved by this Assembly, that the said Joseph Divine have liberty and he is hereby impowered, to make sale of so much of the real estate of the said deceased as to answer and pay the said sum of L27, 7s, 9d. taking the advice of the court of probate for the district of Litchfield.

Inventory of the estate of Nathaniel Divine, April 30, 1760:

"A true inventory of all & Singular the goods and Chattels and Presents of Nathaniel Devine Late of Kent Deceased Prised [priced/appraised] in Kent ye 30 day of April A.D. 1760 by Eb Palmer and Wm Guthrie as followeth [Amounts are shown in pounds (L), shillings (S), and pence (d), with 1L = 20S and 1S = 12d.]

Imprimis his apparrel

one hat 2S 00.10.02
a Loose Coat 3S 9d
another Coat 5S
one vest 2S 6d 01.05.06
one ditto 9S
Clothes sold at ye Camp S14
to Le[?] leather for a pair of britches 00.18.00

Item his Cattle

to one mare 3L 05.10.00
to one two year old Colt 2L 10S
to a Yearling Colt 1L 5S 02.03.00
one Calf 18
three Sheep 1L 4S 02.05.00
one Sow and two pigs 1L 1S
to 3 Geese 00.06.00

Item his husbandry tools

one plow with irons 5S 6d 00.15.06
Eleven harrow teeth 10S
one hand Saw 7S 00.10.00
one augor 3S
a Yoak for horses 2S 6d 00.04.00
a hatchet 1S 6d
one adds 2S 00.03.00
a Gimblet 3d
a piece of Chain 9d
one hammer 8d 00.01.08
an old hoe 1S
an old Saddle and bridle 00.10.00

Item his household stuff

one fether bed 1L 10S 01.16.00
a bolster and 2 pillows 6S
one Rug 8S 00.16.00
a pair of Sheets 8S
one duffel Blanket 4S 6d 00.10.00
a dutch blanket 5S 6d
one old fether bed 4S 01.04.00
one gun 16S
a dagger 4S
two old dutch wheeles at 4S apiece 8S 00.09.00
a powderhorn 1S
one Woolling wheele 4S 00.05.00
to a Scale beam 1S
one old Grid iron 3d 00.05.03
to a trammel 5S
to a trammel Rod 1S 00.04.09
to a Spit 1S 3d
fire shovel 2S 9d
an old pair of tongs 9d 00.02.00
one Chair 1S 3d
ditto 9d 00.02.05
ditto 8
to one powder tub 1S
to a wash tub 1S 00.03.09
one Cask 1S 3d
a Chest 1S 6d
to one small Chest with draws 5S 00.05.00
two glass bottles 8d 00.02.11
one Churn 2S 3d
one pair of hand irons weigt 27 pound 00.15.00
a tin tankard 1S 00.07.07
to a pepper box 7d
to a teapot 6S
to Cannister 6d 00.01.03
a Coffee pot 3d
a tin tunnel 6d
a tin cup 2d 00.03.02
a large puter platter 3S
to 2 deep plates 2S 2d 00.03.02
a quart pot 1S
to 2 puter plates 6d a peace 1S 00.01.00
1 pound two ounces old puter 00.00.07
to a puter bottle 1S 6d 00.02.00
an old black tin teapot 6d
one pottage pot 5S 00.07.04
to 18 pound & 3/4 old iron 2S 4d
to a Clevis & pin 1S 00.04.00
to five pound of iron at 3d pr pound
2S 3d
one knot Dish 6d
to a Sugar box 6d 00.05.09
to a money purse 9d
a meal Sack 4S 6d
to a Knife and fork 1S 00.02.02
ditto 8d
ditto 6d
to a Candle Stick 8d 00.02.03
to a pair of mittins 1S 7d
to boards 5S 00.05.06
to Lock and key 6d

Items his lands

to one twenty acre Lot number 22 in ye
fifth Division 30.00.00
to half a twenty acre lot in Sd fifth
Division number 30 14.00.00
to one acre of Land in ye 28th lot 03.00.00

item Debts Due to him

his wages in part 06.08.08
Due from Elisha Clark 00.08.06
from Eb. Palmer 00.08.00
from John Bibbelt 00.16.08
from Benjamin Swan 00.00.09

Sundry articles of household stuff

a small trunk 3S 00.05.03
half a taned Calf skin 2S 3d
to 2 lb & 3/4 of wool at 1S 6d pr pound 00.04.01:2
to whippletree Chain 1S 8d 00.03.06
one horse Chain 1S 10d
one Riddle Sive 2S 00.03.03
ditto 1S 3d
to one bell with Strap and buckle 00.03.00
to an auger 10d 00.01.00
an old Chisel 2d
to an iron Goose 2S 6d 00.03.01
a pair of beetle rings 7d
an iron wedj 1S 10d 00.02.03
three lb of old iron 5d ________
L 80-16- 8

William Guthrie
Ebenezer Palmer Children were: Joseph Divine, Hannah Divine, Ruth Divine, *Samuel Divine, Timothy Divine, Agnes Divine, Mary Divine.

He was married to *Katherine A. "Kate" Decker WFT Est. 1846-1875. Before moving to Illinois, Peter had a towboat on the Delaware & Hudson Canal, near Ellenville, New York, and a boy riding a mule on the towline. Three men cut the towline, so Peter called them SOB's, and they came after him. He knocked the first two down, and the third was afraid to come near. (It was usual to cut the towlines of somebody who was in the way.)

A map of the Town of Wawarsing, Ulster County from 1875 shows a "P. Devine" living next to the school house, 2 miles east of the Sullivan County line, and 2 miles north of Rondout Kill. Using today's landmarks, this would be on Yagerville Road (Rte. 46), about 1 1/2 miles north of Route 55A. This is probably where our Peter Divine lived just prior to moving to Illinois.

Peter Divine and family moved to Illinois in 1878 and settled near Burlington to be near Peter's brother Elezar (who lived in Sycamore Township, DeKalb County). In 1886, they relocated in Dakota Territory. After moving to Bridgewater, South Dakota, Peter drank too much alcohol, until his son-in-law forbade the barmen to sell him liquor.

David Divine (son of Peter and Kate) died of pneumonia when still a young man. Children were: Harriet "Aunt Hat" Divine , Cornelius "Case" Divine, David D. Divine, *William Divine, Nancy Divine, Elijah "Mack" Divine , Carrie "Aunt Cadd" Divine, Dell Divine.

He was married to *Sarah Jones WFT Est. 1751-1786. Samuel Divine was born in 1735, according to Albert Divine, who references the military record of Connecticut service. He was a member of the Wallkill (Orange County, NY) Baptist Church.

From Third Annual Report of the State Historian of the State of New York, 1897:

Page 712 shows Samuel Divine as a member of Captain James Clinton's muster roll, Ulster County, Enlisted April 10, 1762, Age 27, born Massachusetts Bay, Trade: Labourer, Statue 5 feet 6 inches, Description: Brown Complexion, Grey Eyes, Brown Hair.

Page 737 shows Samuel Devine as a member of Captain James Clinton's Company, enlisted November 25, 1763, born New England, Farmer, age 29, Stature 5 feet, 5 inches, Description, Brown Hair, Brown [complexion?].

From the Public Papers of George Clinton, page 602:

"[No. 357.] SAMUEL DEVINE SENTENCED TO DEATH

For Mutiny, Sedition and Using Violence Against His Superior Officers.

At a General Court Martial held at ye house of ye Widow Hills near good will meeting House in Ulster County ye 17th & 18th of Fabruary, 1777...

Came on ye tryal of Sammual Devine of Capt. Roudiwyn Tearpening Comp'y in Coll. Hasbrouck Rigm't in Ulster County.

Who Being Charged Before this Court of Disobaying of orders and abusing his Superior officers as also of Speaking Disrespectfull of all authority Under ye Congress adeing and assisting the King.

Abraham Scutt Sworn Deposeth & Sayeth, That he whent By order of Capt. Tarpening to Warn Sammual Devine to come to the training. Devine said that he the Deponant ......... with the order and further said is the D____d Reble not ..ered to warn me yet, he has warned me from time to time and I will not train under him; this Deponant farther sayeth that Devine has of Late not attending training and the Devine's General Carractor is that he is a torey and keeps out of ye way to screan him Self of Doing Duty and further Saith not.

Capt. Boudewyn Tarpening Deposeth & Sayeth, that some time after ye militia had made a Draft to go under the Command of Coll. Pawling he whent to see Samuel Devine in order to ask him what Reasons he had for not attending, he said he whould not attend and wished that ye Capt. and Coll. Hasbrouch where ............... and that he has not appeared But once or twice this Summer at ye training and at one time In particular when the Roll was called he answered here I am ... you, and at the time when the company was called together in order to Sign the association, this Devine called out he that was for ye King, must follow him and Drew the greater part of the Company after him and has Ever Since Behaved him self unfriendly to ye American Cause and farther sayth not.

Capt. Drack Sworn Sayth, That at the time of the Signing of ye association Sammual Devine was a Sergt. in Capt. Tarpening's Comp'y and after ye comp'y had Been inbodied, this Devine Discharged the men without Leave of ye Capt. and told the Capt. he had as good Right to Do that as he had, and some time after when the Comp'y meet together ye King Proclamation was Read, this Deponant was then a Leut. under Capt. Tarpening and said that it Should not Be Read, Devine Swore By his maker it should Be Read; the Capt. Came to them Devine haveing a Club in his hand the Capt. intending to take hoult of it as he was Lefting it up and so Laid Hoult of Each other, and when this Deponant had tacken him in order to Bring him Before this Court he Called to ye people in the house to come out and assist him that ye Rebles had tacken him and that his Behaviour has Been Very Refractory this Long time in ye company and farther Sayth not.

Benjamin Buyenberg Deposeth and Sayth, That some time about ye 5th of Fabruary Last, he whent to warn Sammual Devine to go in ye two months Service, By Virtue of an order of Capt. Tarpening, he the said Devine D....d him and ye Capt. for Rables and Said, what makes the Captain warn me for he knows well anough I will Do no Duty under him and he farther D....d ye Congress and said that he was a good subject and Hoped to Se the Capt. Henged in two months time and he whould Dance under ye gallows and that thay whould soon Distroy the wiggs and farther saith not.

Dene Relja Sworn Deposeth and Sayth, That Sammual Devine Came to his house with one Horton; thay where talking that ye Regulars whould Be soon at Newburgh and that Capt. Tarpening had no Right to Command ye Comp'y and that ye Capt. had Laid Down his Commission and had taken a Rebles Commission But he had his yet and farther Sayth not.

The Court Haveing tacken in to Consideration the cause of Sammmual Devine of Capt. Boudewyn Tarpening Comp'y in Coll. Hasbrouck Rigmt' in Ulster County,

And duly Examined ye proofs and alligations of ye Evidance Do fiend him guilty of mutiny, sedition and useing Violance against His superiour officers and Do adjudge him to suffer the pains and pennalties of Death.

Attest. John Hathorn, Judge Adv'te.

The within are the proceedings of thie Court Martial in the Tryal of Samuel Devine.

Jesse Woodhull President.

From the History of Marlborough (Ulster County, New York), page 129?:

"January 12, 1776 - In Committee of Safety.

Ulster County - Stephen Seymour of full age, being sworn on the Holy Evangelists, this 4th day of Jan'y, 1776, saith, that on Monday evening, the first inst., at the house of Daniel McGiden, he heard Samuel Devine repeatedly drink damnation to the Congress and all the Whigs; that last year was Whig year, but this would be Tory year; and likewise that all the Whigs would be hanged in the spring; and furthermore called the Whigs a pack of damned rebels -- and further saith that he would not obey his officers more than he would a dog.

Ulster County - Henry Lockwood, of full age, being duly sworn, saieth, that on his way home from Newburgh he met with some persons, among whom was a certain Samuel Devine, who then asked him if he did not know there was a reward for taking up a Committee man and sending him on board a man-of-war; who then threatened to take this deponent, he being one of the Committee of Marlborough Precinct, and that he would have 40 lbs. cash, or 50 acres of land, for delivering him, &c.

Devine was released under this charge, but in 1777 was court martialed and sentenced to be hanged. He was afterward pardoned by Governor Clinton. Devine and others made the following petition:

Gentlemen:
Famine more formidable than the sword and pestilence united, now presents itself to us, the gaoler informs us that he has orders to decline Supplying us with provisions. Is it possible that a Council of Safety for the State of New York can issue so horrid an order? Perish the ungrateful suggestion, we cannot believe it, to keep man in close confinement with all the precautions practicable by human ingenuity and at the same time deny them the necessaries of life is unprecedented amon them we call savages. There are many among us destitute of money and of every means to preserve existance. There possibly are some who can supply themselves, but let a scrutiny be made and let not them who cannot, perish. We have not, we wil not pursue any violent measures, we trust in God, and the humanity of your honorable board and are Gentlemen, Your Distressed humble Servants.

Robert Nickolesson
Harrow Wilkinson
his
Jacob x Scoulenar
mark
Silas Gardiner
Samuel Devine
James Beggs
Thos. wilkinson
Wm. Orr
his
Alex. x Campell
mark


From the History of Marlborough (Ulster County, New York), page 132:

"To the Hond. Council of Safety for the State of New York.

The Humble petition of divers of the Inhabitants of New Borough and New Marlborough, Precinct of Ulster County; Most humbly Showeth, That we the Neighbors and acquaintances of Samuel Devine, now in confinement at Kingston, and seeing the distress to his wife and young family are reduced by reason of his absence, and also to what they will be reduced to if they can get no assistance from him in Provisions and Provender for the approaching season, We hereby humbly pray that he may be relieved from his confinement and sent to his family under such restraint as you in your wisdom shall think proper, and we with truth assure you, that as friends to our Country's cause we would not be thought to ask Liberty for an Enemy, and have not the least cause of Suspecting that he will do anything for the prejudice of the United States of America, what he formerly has done, we rather believe has been from passion more than from principle, all of which we submit to your wise and gracious judgment..." Signed by 20 petitioners, including Joseph Devine and James Devine. Children were: *Eleazer Divine, Roliff Divine, Samuel N. Divine, Sarah Divine, Nathaniel Divine, Elizabeth Divine, Henry Divine, Naomi Divine, James Divine.

He was married to *Addie J. Keyes on 22 Dec 1881 in Geneva, Illinois. Will Divine was born in Ulster County, New York and came to Burlington, Illinois with his family as a young man, where he met his wife, Addie Keyes. Her family had already been in the Hampshire area for many years.

The children were born on the Sholes farm on the Burlington Blacktop, just north of the intersection with the road to Plato Center, and attended the Sholes School there. They moved to the LaFox area when Clyde was about 8 or 9 and lived on the Jeff Garfield farm (later the Garfield Harley farm). The Garfields lived in the larger house on the north side of the road, and the Divines lived in the smaller house on the south side (where Earl & Ida Key later lived).

Will Divine was known locally in the LaFox area as a good wrestler. In 1900, he purchased an 80-acre farm southeast of LaFox (now site of Richardson Electronics). Later, he convinced Arnold Bentley to divide up his farm on the northwest corner of Keslinger Road and Brundage Road, so Bentley sold the portion north of the railroad to Levi Brundage, Jr., and the southwest 24 acres to Will, increasing the Divine farm to 104 acres.

Will Divine's parents and many other relatives moved from Illinois to Bridgewater, South Dakota. Will Divine visited there at least once, to see his father on his deathbed.

After Addie died, Will married Jennie Lawrence of Elgin. They lived their later years in Elgin, and vacationed in Florida.

William, Addie, Irma, Eda, and Madge are buried in the cemetery in Hampshire, Illinois. These are the gravestone inscriptions:

William Divine, Feb. 7, 1859 - Dec. 18, 1941

Addie Keyes His wife, Dec. 6, 1863 - Aug. 22, 1905

Irma Divine Wood, dau of Wm. & A.K. Divine
Jan. 5, 1885 - Oct 18, 1963

Madge, dau of Wm. & A.K. Divine, Jan. 13, 1894 - Aug. 17, 1897
Little baby has gone to sleep

Eda, dau of Wm. & A.K. Divine, Jan. 6, 1892 - Oct. 10, 1900
Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven Children were: Irma Divine, *David Clyde Divine, Eda Divine, Madge Divine.

He was married to Jennie Lawrence after 1905.

He was married to Martha Eldse in 1724. Abraham Divine settled at Newtown, Flatbush District, Long Island, NY. Children were: John Divine, Anne Divine, Abraham Divine, John Divine, William Divine, Mary Divine, Magdalene Divine.

He was married to Hannah Percell in 1768. Children were: Archibald Divine, Asher Divine, Elsie Divine, Jannetje "Jane" Divine , John Divine.

He was married to Martha (Cousin) Divine WFT Est. 1781-1814.

She was married to James Sanford WFT Est. 1753-1786.

He was married Private. Children were: David Divine.

She was married to A. L. "Jerry" Cole Private.

He was married to Ann D. Mason WFT Est. 1834-1864. Children were: Nina Divine, Martha Divine, Winfield Divine, Isabel Divine.

She was married to Christopher Benj. Sykes Private. Children were: Ann Elizabeth Sykes, Benjamin Divine Sykes, John Joseph Sykes.

She was married to William R. Johnson WFT Est. 1879-1909. Children were: Spencer Johnson .

She was married to Hugh Dell WFT Est. 1852-1885.

He was married to Jessie B. Donaldson WFT Est. 1889-1923. Children were: Millicent T. Divine, Frances D. Divine.

He was married to Emma May Harding WFT Est. 1881-1915. Children were: Charles H. Divine.

She was married to Harry Danford WFT Est. 1883-1923.

He was married to Louise (Divine) WFT Est. 1847-1880. From a letter from Carolyn Sykes to Albert Divine, dated Aug. 4, 1963:

"I should be able to tell you about Cornelius Divine but so far all that my subconscious can dredge up is that he apparently was not in the good graces of the family. He lived in a place known then as Brownville - a lumbering community I believe - back of Sholam." Children were: Louise Divine, Edward Divine, Vennie Divine, Lyman Divine, Milt Divine.

He was married to Lydia "Libby" Lock WFT Est. 1871-1900. Cornelius Divine moved from Burlington, Illinois to South Dakota, then back to Burlington, and later moved to Dakota again. Children were: Irving Divine , Earle Divine, Ethel Divine.

He was married to Annette Dean on 7 Jan 1868. Children were: Cora Divine.

He was married WFT Est. 1963-1982. Children were: Jennifer Divine, Jason Divine.

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