John, John and Mary Ann’s first born son, was baptised at St. Nicholas Church, Brighton on 15th Mar 1846.
Leaving England for America
In October 1860, when he was a little over 15 years of age, John accompanied his mother, father, and six of his siblings on their journey to New York.
Early Days in America
I am still trying to ascertain the Harmer family’s movements during their first few years in America. We know from the 1880 U.S. Federal Census that Mary Ann gave birth to a ninth child, Ada Harmer, at New York (or Hudson, Harrison, N.J.) in Oct 1862, and that she was baptised in March 1863 at Newark, New Jersey. 1862/3 therefore seems to be the time that the family settled in the Newark area.
John Harmer Snr. is listed in Holbrook’s street directory for Newark, New Jersey for 1869 at ‘h Pike rd n Bridge, South Newark’, with the occupation of ‘Ornamental Plasterer’.
In Holbrook’s 1871 street directory for Newark, New Jersey for John Jnr. has his own entry at the same address, in addition to John Snr.’s. John Jnr. was clearly still living at the family home, but had between 1870 and 1871, when he turned 25, established himself as a plasterer in his own right (his work is not described as ‘ornamental’).
By 1872 John Jnr. was no longer living at or operating from the Pike Road address.
Marriage
John married Susan / Susie B. Oakes around 1871. Susan was born in New Jersey in June 1849, the daughter of a New Jersey-born father and an English mother.
Life at Basking Ridge
By the time of the U.S. Federal Census of 16th June 1880 the couple were living at Basking Ridge, Bernards Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, where they would remain for most of their lives. They had three children; Mamie, 8, John, 6 and Ada, 2, and John’s occupation is given as a mason.
In the 1885 New Jersey State Census John, Susie and the children were still at Basking Ridge. Daniel Oakes, who’s age is given as over 60, was staying with them – he was probably Susie’s father. The 1900 U.S. Federal Census again lists John as a mason, and he had been out of work for three months which implies that he was not self employed. All the children had left their rented home, except for Leon aged 10, who had been at school for 9 months. John had been naturalised as a U.S. citizen.
The 1905 New Jersey State Census indicates that Ada, 27, was back at home with her parents, and was single. Her brother Leon, 16, was also still at home, and working as a plumber. By 1910 only Leon, 20, was living at home; he has no occupation listed. An Ada M Harmer, born in 1877 to an English father and a N.J. born mother appears in the 1910 U.S. Federal Census in Bronx Assembly District 34 (New York), working as a nurse at a ‘Home for Incurables’. By 1915 John Jnr, 69 and still working as a mason, and Susan now 66, were living at 100 Main Street, Basking Ridge, their five children having all flown the nest. They were still renting their home.
Passing of John and Susan
Susan passed away at 708 High Street, Newark, on November 28th 1929 [Episcopal Diocese of Newark Church Records 1825-1970]. She was 80 years of age.
I have not yet found a death record for her husband John.
