The Ghosts of Somers Point
This is intended to be a cache and dash - unless you want to learn a little about Somer's Point. Then stay a while and visit the family cemetary of the Somer's Family Grave Site. You just need to SIGN on the BACK of the log and replace the cache exactly where you found it. There should be parking as soon as you approach the GZ. Be careful as there will be muggles as this near apartments/condos - so be stealthy. Enjoy the Jersey Shore and one of the founders John Somer. This isn't meant to be difficult...so the cache isn't buried with a body, or behind a tombstone or has a magic spell. Use you geocaching senses and you'll POST up and find it right away
John Somers was born 1623/24 in Worchester, England. He left the birthplace of his forefathers for conscience sake as he was fully persuaded of the principles of George Fox. Much has been written about John’s ancestors, among which were several knights with fascinating stores surrounding their lives. One such tale is about Sir George Somers, born 1554, whose ship the “Sea Venture” bound for Jamestown, Virginia, with supplies for the famishing Colony, sprang a leak, forcing them to land on the “Isles of Devils.” Shakespeare’s “Tempest” is believed to have been about this adventure of the Somer’s family.
John Somers emigrated from England, with his first wife (who died on the voyage), in 1681/82 and settled in Upper Dublin, now Somerton, Pennsylvania. He married for a second time, Hannah Hodgkin. The marriage is recorded in the Abington Friends Meeting records “ye 2nd of 1st mo. 1684.” Hannah was born in Worchester, England in 1667. John and Hannah were both ministers, so their house was used as a Meeting House for the Friends. In 1691/93 the family moved to Greater Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Records indicate that John purchased 3000 acres in New Jersey, in what became known as Somers Point, on 11 Mar 1695. As shown by the Journal and Votes of the House of Representatives of New Jersey he was appointed supervisor of roads at the first court held in Cape May County, Justice of the Peace 1698, assessor for Egg Harbor 1708, and a member of the fourth Assembly of the Province Assembly of 1709.
John and Hannah Somers had eight children, all of whom led productive lives in Somers Point. John died October 1723, and Hannah died in October 1738 at the Somers Plantation, Somers Point, New Jersey; both were buried in the family cemetery on the estate.
Although he once belonged to the Church of England, when he came to America he became a preacher, as did his wife, with the Society of Friends (Quakers). John Somers built a log house at Somers Point and resided in it until he died in 1723. He and his wife Hannah had seven sons and three daughters: John (died young); Richard; James; Samuel; Job; Isaac, Edward (or Edmund); Bridget; Hannah; and Millicent. His son Richard was the builder of "Somers Mansion" which is still extant and can be visited by tourists.
