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John Christian Pontius of New York City, NY
In the earliest records of New York City, a Christian Pontius or Puntzius is listed as a tailor in the Manhattan area. While little is known of him, he and his family are listed in a number of publications and were apparently Lutherans active at Trinity Church in Manhattan. Below are some of the listings that are suspected to be associated with this family.
21 April 1762
Pontius, Christian, Lutheran, of NYC, tailor Certified by Minister J.A. Weygand Witnesses: William Mucklevain, Henry Ustick
From Denizations, Naturalizations, and Oaths of Allegiance in Colonial New York: Naturalizations, and Oaths of Allegiance in Colonial New York. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1975.
29 Oct 1765
John Christian Pontius, Taylor, listed as a freeman of New York City (Fee was Paid)
From The Burghers of New Amsterdam and the Freemen of New York, 1675-1866 Published 1886, Printed for the Society, 678 pages (Google Books; Original from the University of Michigan; digitized Aug 18, 2006)
23 July 1768
A marriage license was given to John Christian Puntzius and Darkas Adlington.
From 1903 Yearbook of the Holland Society of New York.
16 Oct 1776
John Philip Puntzius of New York City signed a petition swearing allegiance to George the Third, requesting that "his Majesty's Protection and Peace" be restored to "this city and county." .It was addressed to Admiral Richard Howe and General William Howe, following their forceful occupation of New York City. The book indicates that not all signers added their names willingly. Among the hundreds of other signers were Peter Grim, Alexander Ogsbury, and William Mucklevain, all of whom were associated with John Christian Puntzius in various documents.
From New York City during the American Revolution : being a collection of original papers (now first published) from manuscripts in the possession of the Mercantile Library Association of New York City., by H B D, New York, Published in Private Print for the Association, 1861, 197 pages.
13 December 1777
John and Dorothy Puntzius are named in the will of Francis Foy, mariner, of New York
"In the name of God, Amen. I, FRANCIS FOY, of New York, mariner, being sick. All debts to be paid. My executors are to pay to my cousin, Dorothy Puntzius, wife of John Puntzius, of New York, taylor, the interest on one-half of my personal estate during her life, and to my cousin, Abigail Ogsbury, wife of Alexander Ogsbury, cordwainer, the interest on the other half. I leave to my said cousins each one-half of my real estate for life, and then to their children. I make Alexander Ogsbury and John Puntzius and Matthias Wymans, executors." Dated December 13, 1777. Witnesses, Abraham Tooker, Samuel Meeker, Jr. Proved, May 29, 1780. (Matthias Wymans was then dead.)
From New York City Wills, 1777-1783, page 245
(Researcher's Note: Alexander Ogsbury married Abigail Adlington. John Puntzius married Darkas Adlington. They are probably sisters. No explanation for "Dorothy" here, but this is an abstract and it could be a transcription error.)
1783 John C. Puntzius listed as a fireman in New York City, the foreman of Engine #3 with 16 men.
I784 John Christian Puntzius signed a petition for a separate church. From A History of the Parish of Trinity Church in the City of New York, Edited by Morgan Dix, 1901 G.P. Putnam Sons, Knickerbocker Press
1790
US Census Records: John C. Punchis was enumerated in New York City (North Ward), New York. His household included five males over 16 and five females.
1791
New York City Directory listing:
Puntzius, John C., taylor, 23 John Street Puntzius, John, baker, 23 John Street
[Researcher's Note: 23 John Street is two streets away from the World Trade Center site.]
26 Nov 1792 John Christian Puntzius, tailor, witnessed the will of Andrew Merrell, tanner, of New York: Page 110.---Andrew Merrell, New York, tanner, to the Trustees of the Congregation of the United Lutheran Churches in New York, and their successors forever, £50 to be paid by my executors within two years after my decease; the said sum to be placed out at interest by the said Trustees; the interest thereof shall be applied by them for the education of poor children belonging to the said congregation; to my wife Eve, the use, profits, rents, and issues of all the remainder of my estate during her natural life; at her decease I give the residue of my estate, real and personal, to my son-in-law, Jacob Grim, of New York, tanner, to him, his heirs forever. I appoint my wife, executrix, and the said Jacob Grim, executor. Dated November 26, 1791. Witnesses, John Christian Puntzius, tailor; Philip J. Arcularius, Francis Child. Proved, November 21, 1792. From Collections of the New York Historical Society for the year 1905, page 223.
1800
US Census Records: John Pontziuz in New York City (Ward 5). At that time his household included two males of 26 and under 45, and one female of 26 and under 45. Since this could not possibly be the John C. Puntzius who was married in 1768,
1820
John Punches, enumerated in Ward 10 of New York City, NY. Household was comprised of one male and one female, both age 45 and over.
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New York City - Early Pontius Births, Deaths & Marriages
Marriages
Catharine Puntis, female Spouse: George Arthur Marriage: 17 Sept 1763, New York, New York
(Researcher's Note: On 11 June 1764, the New York Mercury reported that Catherine, wife of George Arthur, mariner, of NYC, had "eloped from her husband." It may be the same person.)
Caroline Pontius, female Spouse: Johann Michael Seiz Marriage: 8 May 1752, Christ Lutheran, New York, New York
John Christian Puntzius Spouse: Darkas Adlington License: 23 July 1768
(Researcher's Note: Based on an 1868 marriage date, John Christian Puntzius may have been born between 1735 and 1745. His brother-in-law, Alexander Ogsbury, was born about 1836 according to his death record at Trinity Church in Manhattan. The Trinity Church records also show that Mrs. Ogsbury died in 1781 at the age of 43, placing her birth about 1738. )
Births & Christenings
Christian Pontius, male, christened 11 Feb 1760, Lutheran Church, New York, New York Father: Christian Pontius Mother: An.__ Elis. (From LDS microfilm 1002777, Church Records)
(Researcher's Note: If this is a son of John Christian Puntzius, Darkas Adlington may have been a second wife.)
John Puntius, male, christened 17 Feb 1771, Lutheran Church, New York, New York Father: Joh. Christian Puntius Mother: Dorcas (From LDS microfilm 1002777, Church Records)
Elisabeth Puntzius, female, christened 8 July 1778, Trinity Church Parish, New York, New York Father: John Puntzius Mother: Dorcas (From Trinity Church Parish Births & Christenings, 1749-1809)
Rebekah Puntzins, female Born 16 August 1780 Christened 6 Sept 1780, Trinity Church Parish, New York, New York Father: John Christian Puntzins Mother: Dorcas Puntzins Sponsors: Peter Grim, Elizabeth Grim, Rebekah Grim (From Trinity Church Parish Births & Christenings, 1749-1809)
Deaths & Burials
Trinity Church Burial Ground
Mr. Pontius Date: 5/30/1781 Age: 37
Susan Pontis Date: 7/21/1804 Age: 27
Francis Pontsett [Questionable name, may not be associated with this family] Date: 11/27/1804 Age: 45
Child [Note: Based on dates, this could be Rebekah, b. August 1780] Parent: Mr. Pontius Date: 1/30/1781 Age: 6 mo.
Child Parent: Mr. Pontius Date: 8/25/1779 Age: 12 Disease: Flux
Child Parent: Mr. Pontius Date: 7/11/1777 Age: 1
New York, Death Newspaper Extracts, 1801-1890 (Barber Collection)
Francis Punteius, publish date 7 Mar 1815 From Ancestry.com. New York, Death Newspaper Extracts, 1801-1890 (Barber Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005.
Researcher: Len Niesen
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