James Brintzinghoffer ← Theodore C. Brintzinghoffer ← Catherine Forman ← William Spencer Forman ← Robert Forman ← William Forman ← Lewis Forman ← Aaron Forman ← Samuel Forman
Samuel Forman is my 8th great-grandfather. He was born in Hempstead, Long Island in 1662 and moved with his brothers, Thomas and Alexander, to Freehold, Monmouth County, Province of East Jersey. This is the text of his appointment as High Sheriff. The office, originally called ‘Shire Reeve’, dates back to the Saxons. It is an independent, unpaid, royal appointment to manage the monarch’s interests, with respect to tax collection and law enforcement – with authority to both pursue and judge criminals – for a term of 1 year.
The Forman Genealogy by Anne Spottswood Dandridge. Published 1903. References his commission as seen in ‘Commissions, Acts of Assembly, Book C, p235, at State House, Trenton’. 29 NOV 1695.
COMMISSION OF SAMUEL FORMAN AS HIGH SHERIFF OF MONMOUTH CO., NEW JERSEY, NOV. 29, 1695. The Governour and Proprietors of the Province of East New Jersey—to all persons to whom these presents shall come—Greeting.—Know yee that wee have Commissionated and appoynted and by these presents Doe Commissionate and appoint Samuell fforeman of ffrehold of the Countie of Munmouth—Gent. High Sherriffe of the said Countie of Munmouth for and during the time and terme of one whole yeare now next ensueing. And wee doe hereby in the King’s name, and by his Authoritie Comand all Justices of the peace, Constables and other officers—And all the freeholders and Inhabitants of the said Province to be Aiding and Assistant to the said Samuell fforeman, in all things as Sherriffe of the said Countie, which to his office doth belong and appertaine. Given under the Seale of the Province, this twenty ninth day of November, in the seaventh year of the Raign of our Soveraign Lord King William over England, Etc. Anno Dom. 1695.
By order of the Governour,
Andrew Hamilton. [L. S.]
John Barclay, Deputy Secretary.