S.R. Durand: "'Geneaology and Memorial History of the State of New Jersey,' Vol. III, 1910, compiled by Francis Bazely Lee, published by Lewis Historical Publishing Co., New York, pp. 1191- 1196 and 1114-1116 has a good account of the New Jersey branch of the Durand family founded by Samuel Durand. In this account, the statement that Dr. Jean Durand's name had originally been Jean Durand Durapee, and the last name Durapee was discarded when he supposedly immigrated to England in 1684 and was naturalized, had no basis in fact and is apparently erroneous. From this reference the life of Samuel Durand is recorded, as follows: 'Samuel, son of Jean Durand, was born July 7, 1713; died at Newark, NJ, January 27, 1787, in that part of the town called South Orange. He learned the art of watch tinker, as they were then called, and followed this through life. About 1740, he removed from Connecticut to New York City with his family, where a farm of considerable area was then situated at the present location of Sixth Avenue and Amity and Sullivan Streets. Here he practiced his trade, having his bench in the homestead. During the season, he cultivated the farm, raising large quantities of wheat and grain. After a time (in 1750), he removed to Newark, NJ, where he had farm tracts. About 1756 he is recorded as a landowner at South Orange, which was about the time that he removed his family there and settled on what is now Jefferson Avenue, near the railroad. Here he built the old homestead where, in later years, his granddaughter, Betsy (Durand) Beach, lived and died. Fred, son of Asher B. Durand, afterwards purchased the property of the heirs. It was near the spot where John [?] Durand's homestead was destroyed by fire. Here, in what was then called Jefferson Village, Samuel Durand followed his trade. Rev. John S. Chapman, husband of Jane Durand, who was daughter of Cyrus Durand, and Samuel's great-granddaughter, in his history of Clinton Township, speaks of Samuel as 'the skillful and modest watchmaker of the village.' He was a man of genial manners, a great hunter, and fond of his applejack, which he used moderately.'"

Facts about this person:

Record Change June 18, 1999

Burial Abt. February 1726/27 Springfield, NJ