Cornelius or Cornelis was the son of Lucas Bogert/Bogart and Dority Vander Hoef or Dorothy Van Der Hoef. He fits into my family tree as my fifth great-grandfather through his son David Bogert (1776-1860).

Birth

Christened on 15 Aug 1742 in Hunterdon, New Jersey.

Marriage

He married Catherine Westfall.

Children

David Bogert (1776-1860)

Military Service

Cornelius fought in the Revolutionary War but apparently was not enamored of soldier life as he deserted, was caught, and condemned to death for treason. Following is an article from the Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey by Ellen R. Callahan that transcribes a document wherein his wife Catren Bogart and his mother-in-law Mary Westfall enter a plea for his pardon.

Following is the transcript:

Mercy for Cornelius Bogart
ELLEN R. CALLAHAN* (* Mrs. Callahan is Collection Manager at the New Jersey State Archives.)

The following is a transcription of an original manuscript found among the papers of Governor William Livingston in the collections of the New Jersey State Archives, Trenton. The document, dated 17 November 1777, petitions the governor and Legislative Council of New Jersey with a plea for the life of Cornelius Bogart, who had been condemned to death for treason. Bogart’s wife “Catren” and mother Mary Westfall ask for mercy on their own behalf and on behalf of the Bogarts’ “tender infant.”

Cornelius Bogart’s conviction is mentioned in The Papers of William Livingston, Volume 2, July 1777 – December 1778 (Trenton: New Jersey Historical Commission, 1980), p. 114 & 188. This source also notes that he was of “Knoleton,” aged 23 with no trade, and that he was pardoned on condition of enlisting in the army but he later deserted. After his re-capture, he was brought before the New Jersey Council of Safety, where on 4 August 1778 he gave evidence against fellow deserters. See Minutes of the Council of Safety of the State of New Jersey (Jersey City: John H. Lyon, 1872), p. 268.

Since published references to this petition omit several genealogical details and the names of those who signed in support of the plea, transcription of the document is offered here. Note that spellings are retained as they appear in the original.

To his Excellency William Livingston Esqr Gove[r]nor Capt General & Commander in Chief in and over the State of New Jersey and Territories thereunto belonging Chancellor and Ordinary in the Same —
And to the Honourable Council of the Said State
The Petition of Catherine Bourghart and Mary Westfall both of the Township of Knowlton in the County of Sussex Humbly Sheweth —
That your Petitioners are the Unhappy wife and Indulgent mother of Cornelious Boughart Now a Prisoner and under the Sentance of Deth in Morris Town Goal for the Crime of High Treason Committed against the State of New Jersey above Sd — Your Unhappy Petitioners are Under the deepist Sinse of the Unmerited favours of the Said Cornelious, and are Sorry to Say they have nothing to offer in Mittigation of his offence Yet permit Us to Say We can not but have Some flattering hopes that a Pardon May be Obtaind Under the Consideration that Mercy has an Onbounded limmit, Especially when it is Considered that Notwithstanding a poor Unhappy Criminal May have Justly forfitted his life by the Laws of his Country, Yet we vew with Pleasure a Constitution Giving power to a Set of worthy Gentilmen to Extend there acts of mercy fir beyond what might Reasonably be Expected — we would beg lieve to offer to his Excellency, and the Honourable Council the Onfained Sorrows of an affectionate wife, the futir grife of a Tender Infant — and the Tears of an Ancient Mother whose Sorrows On this Mornfull Occation is left for your Honours Reflection being More that can be Exprest — Your Humble Petitioners therefore conclude not in the least Doubting but if it can be found Consisting with your worthy Strugle for the Rights and Liberties of Your Country You11 will be Graceously Pleased to Grant your free and General Pardon and Save ye life of one allthough OnDeserveing your Notice — which we pray May ad Honour and Luster to your Cause and Intitle Your honours to the Blessings of Heavin which May god grant — for which your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray —
Catren Bogart
Mary Westfall

These may Certify to his Excellency & to His Honourable Council that we the undernamed Subscribers in favor to the Onmerited Cornelious Bourgart, and in the behalf of his suffering friends Do with Reluctency, hold him up as Object of Mercy in hopes that every act of Mercy May Serve to Mollify the Hearts of Our Enemies, and in time be the Means of y[i]elding to Our Now Destressed Country A Joyfull and Lasting peace we therefore pray that if it can be thought Consisttant with the Safety of our Country, Your Excellencies Pardon Joind — with your Council (granted as above Sd) will be Agreeable to your Honours Most Obedient Humble Serls —

Knowlton the 17th of November 1777
E[p]hraim Manning
Samuel Kikendall Esq
John Smyth
Abanezer Scoot
Hookes Roy
Nathl Drake
Matthias Garrison
Andrew Waggner
Daniel Vaughn
Lewis Fortneax
Abm Bescherer
Abraham Smith
Thomas Blair
Reuben Manning

Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey
Volume 79, Number 2, Whole Number 272, May 2004
© 2004 Genealogical Society of New Jersey

Biography

“Cornelius Bogert, son of ______ and Charity Bogert, was born in New Jersey, between 1730 and 1740, and died shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war, in which he was a participant. He followed farming in New Jersey, later purchased a farm in Canada, near London Bridge, and removed to that place, but after a few years residence there returned to New Jersey, where he resided until his death, at a ripe old age.” (From the Genealogical and Family History of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania (1906), Volume 1, by Horace Edwin Hayden. Published by New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company.)

Death

1800

Sources

Correspondence with B. Smith and E. Holtzman, Bogert Researchers