Jacob (3) Married, May 17, 1674 (at New York), Femmetye Williams, of Flatlands, L. I., a native of Mieppel, Holland. The couple lived at Flatbush, where they joined the Dutch Church in 1694, Jacob bought a farm at New Utrecht, to which he must have removed, as his name appeared on the assessment roll there for that year and in the census of 1698. The census recites that he had then seven children. In 1709 his name appears on a petition for an additional ferry to Brooklyn. His children were Barbarba, Wilhelmus, Thomas, Maria, Jacob, Jannetje, Femmetje. Dirke, and John.

Of these nine Wilhelmus (4) transplanted the name in New Jersey. Be was born at Flatbush in April, 1680, and married Elizabeth ---, of New Utrecht, L. I., where he resided until his removal to this State. On the erection of the new church at New Utrecht, in 1700, he was allotted three men's and three women's seats. In 1726 he was a deacon, and in 1738 an elder, in the sauce church. he removed to Bergen County, N. J., as early as 1743. On the 10th of March, 1749, he made his first purchase of a tract of 470 acres of land at Closter from Henry Ludlow. On this tract he settled and built his family mansion west of the present residence of Ben S. Smith, northeast of Closter. Be bought other lands of Ludlow north and east of his home tract, until he owned over 1,000 acres. The surname of his wife and the dale of his death are unknown. His children were John, William, Elizabeth, Dirke, Abram, John (2), and Phebe. His farm after his death passed to the ownership of his three sons, John, William, and Abram. and his numerous descendants spread over Bergen and Rockland Counties.

Of the above children, John Ferdon (5), born at Closter, August 5, 1761), died there July 29, 1827, married, December 20, 1784, Marytie (or "Marishy," as she was called) Sickles, born August 31, 1764, died June 11, 1824. John was a farmer and always lived on part of his father's farm. His children were Braekie (married John A. Haring), Nicholas, and Abram (dead).

Nicholas Ferdon (6), born October 18, 1787, died December 22. 1862, married, in 1809, Jemima Westervelt, born October 10, 1791, died February 19, 1870. By the will of his father all the latter's lands, including the old homestead of his father, went to Nicholas.

Abraham N. Ferdon (7), son of Nicholas (6), was born at Closter, October 5, 1810, and died there in 1883. He married (1) Maria Demarest and (2) Leah Ferdon. He was a farmer and resided on the old homestead at Closter. His children were eight – six by his first wife and two by his second wife: Caroline, John D., Margaret, Abraham, William, Martha, Jesse W., and Samuel.

Jesse W. Ferdon (8), the subject of this sketch, was born at Closter, N. J., October 14, 1848. He has been a life-long resident of Bergen County. He was educated in the public schools at Closter, leaving, however, at the age of fifteen, to earn his own livelihood. When eighteen years old he left farm work, at which he had been employed, to learn the carpenter's trade, and by steady application soon mastered every branch of carpentering, joining, and building. But circumstances and inclination finally led him, after some four years, to abandon the trade and return to farming, which he has since followed with success.

As a resident of Bergenfield, Bergen County. Mr. Ferdon has been more or less active in public affairs, but has invariably declined to accept political office, even when urged to do so by hosts of friends. He is deeply interested in every problem or movement affecting the welfare of the community, and in a quiet, unostentatious way contributes liberally for the support of all worthy objects. In religion he is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and in all the relations of life has displayed great mental ability, unswerving integrity, sound judgment, and a patriotic spirit.