James L. Decker

     James L. was born on Saturday, 2 March 1822 in Sparta Township, Sussex County, New Jersey. James married Eleanor McCoy in 1846 in Sparta Township, Sussex County, New Jersey. James and Eleanor had children: James [1848] [m. 12/23/1869 Melvina Bockover], Cleveland [1850], Laura [1859], Jackson R. [9/12/1862], Roy [1865]. 2 September 1850, James and his wife, Eleanor, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Sparta Township, Sussex County, New Jersey. Enumerated in this household were James Decker [28 New Jersey], Eleanor [25 New Jersey], James [2 New Jersey], Cleveland [2/12 New Jersey], Robert Norman [19 New Jersey] & Jane Adams [16 New Jersey].² 4 August 1860, James and his wife, Eleanor, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Sparta Township, Sussex County, New Jersey. Enumerated in this household were James L Decker [38 New Jersey], Eleanor [35 New Jersey], James [11 New Jersey], Cleveland [10 New Jersey], Laura [1 New Jersey] & Nancy McConnel [14 New Jersey]. He is a farmer and has real estate valued at $5,000 and personal estate valued at $1,100.³ 13 December 1870, James and his wife, Eleanor, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Sparta Township, Sussex County, New Jersey. Enumerated in this household were James Decker [48 New Jersey], Eleanor [44 New Jersey], James [22 New Jersey], Melvina [23 New Jersey], Morris [19 New Jersey], Laura [12 New Jersey], Jackson [7 New Jersey], Roy [6 New Jersey] & a servant: Eliza Gunderman [20 New Jersey]. James is a distiller with real property valued at $13,000 & person property valued at $6,000.⁴ 20 June 1900, James and his wife, Eleanor, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census. Enumerated in this household were James L. Decker [78 New Jersey - May 1822] [New Jersey - New Jersey], Ekeanor [73 New Jersey - April 1827], Roy [35 New Jersey - July 1834] & a granddaughter: Bessie Van Brummel [17 New Jersey - October 1882]. They own their home free and clear. They have been married 54 years having had 5 children 4 living. Roy is a distiller and Bessie is in school.⁵ James departed this life on Thursday, 11 September 1902 in Sparta Township at age 80 years, 6 months and 9 days. He was buried at Sparta Township, Sussex County, New Jersey, in Sparta Cemetery.