Major John NEARPASS

Born: 1765? at ?, Germany
Died: 18?? at Goshen?, NY

Father: Jacob NEARPASS (1720-1???)
Mother: Rachel RAKIEN

Spouse: Sarah SQUIRL (176?-18??)

Children:

  • Walter
  • Rachael
  • Catherine
  • Michael
  • Jacob
  • William
  • Mary

    John and Sarah (SQUIRL) NEARPASS lived in Goshen, NY (Orange County) at the time of their daughter Catherine's wedding to James SAWYER (17 Dec 1812). Major John NEARPASS, a native of Germany, was a distinguished officer in the Revolutionary War. He was taken prisoner at Beaver Brook, NY.

    There is a grave at Machackemack Cemetary near Minisink, NY marked "Sarah, wife of John NEARPASS, d. Feb.11, 1856, aged 84 y., 11 m., 5 d." Her birthdate would then have been 6 Mar 1771. This could be Sarah SQUIRL, wife of the John NEARPASS of this page.

    The same cemetary includes a grave for a John NEARPASS, d. 18 Jun 1834, age 78 y., 9 m., which would correspond to being b. 18 Sep 1755. Possibly this is the John of this page.

    Elaine MASON found the following reference in the OCGS newsletter, Vol. 10, 1980, pg. 22, More Where They Went:

  • John W. SAWYER to Cayuga Co., NY
  • Moses SAWYER to Muscatine Iowa
  • John NEARPASS to Milford, PA

    I assume that these are the brothers John W. and Moses SAWYER and their brother James' father-in-law Major John NEARPASS of this page. If so, Major John likely moved to Milford, PA sometime after his daughter's wedding.

    Sources: Dear Folks and family papers.