Seventh Generation

1578. Abraham Joseph Skillman was born on 26 September 1826 in Trenton, Mercer, NJ. From 1850 to 1870 he was a farmer in Montgomery Twp., Somerset, NJ. He lived East Hanover in Trenton, Mercer, NJ in 1900. Abraham died on 14 May 1907 at the age of 80 in Trenton, Mercer, NJ. He was buried on 17 May 1907 at Greenwood Cemetery in Trenton, Mercer, NJ. Services at his home at 49 Yard Ave., Trenton, NJ. From SOA:
...a civil engineer and contractor, Trenton. From him Skillman station on the Bound Brook line of the Reading R. R. in N. J. got its name.

Abraham Joseph Skillman and Mary Van Dyke were married on 14 November 1848. They appeared in the census in 1850 in Montgomery Twp., Somerset, NJ. They appeared in the census in 1860 in Blawenburg, Montgomery Twp., Somerset, NJ. Abraham and Mary appeared in the census in 1870 in Harlingen, Montgomery Twp., Somerset, NJ. They appeared in the census in 1880 in Montgomery Twp., Somerset, NJ. In the 1880 Census he, Mary and Eleanor were boarders with Benjamin Hill, farmer, and his family. They signed a marriage contract on 12 November 1898 in Trenton, Mercer, NJ. A Golden Wedding -

Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Skillman's Joyous Celebration

A golden wedding, followed by a shower of rice and a bridal tour, is a rare occurrence, but such was the experience of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Skillman, of 218 East Front street, last Saturday evening.

The coming of the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage had been loooked forward to with great interest by the friends of the bride and groom of so long ago, but a recent death in the family prevented aught but a quiet celebration among the immediate relatives. They assembled Saturday afternoon and a seson of pleasure followed.

Mr. and Mrs. Skillman received many handsome gifts in gold, and after a bountiful collation the happy old couple started for the station for a few days visit with relatives in Philadelphia.

As they entered the train they received a shower of rice from the hands of their friends, to the amusement of the other passengers, and the consternation of Mr. Skillman, who is noted for his sedateness.

Mr. and Mrs. Skillman are enjoying excellent health. The husband is 73 years old and his wife is 69. They formerly resided near Hopewell, but have lived in Trenton several years. Edward V.D. Skillman, president of the Skillman Hardware Company, and E.V. Skillman, who travels for the company, are their sons. Mr. E.M. Moore, with whom the old couple reside, and Mrs. J.H. Newman, of Arlington, N.J., are their daughters.

The senior Mr. Skillman was one of the prime movers in securing the right of way for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway through his district, and Skillman station was named in his honor.
Mary Van Dyke was born on 14 September 1829 in New York. 1950, 60, 70 Census have Mary born in New Jersey. She died on 3 April 1912 at the age of 82. Obit from Trenton (NJ) Sunday Times, 4/7/1912. Funeral was Saturday, 4/6/1912, at home of her son, E.V.D. Sk. 532 W. State St. Rev. Ralph Urban, pastor of All Saints' Episcopal Ch, conducted the services. The bearers were sons-in-laws and near relatives of the deceased woman. They were: Wm. T. Wherry, Dr. John B. Garrison, Percy L. Lanning, Charles E. Lawton, A.J. Moore and Howard LaBaw. She was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Trenton, Mercer, NJ.

Abraham Joseph Skillman-862 and Mary Van Dyke-871 had the following children: