William Edwards

There is a lot of mystery still surrounding the early years of William Edwards. According to census documents, he was born in New Jersey, New York or Massachusetts and his parents have not yet been determined.
William first shows up in the 1850 census and is living in West Milford, Passaic county, New Jersey.

He had married Mary Ann Vanderhoof Edwards on May 30, 1844 and had three children at the time. This census document also shows that Hester Edwards and Sarah Edwards were living with William and his family, though searches into their backgrounds have yet to yield any information. They could be William's sisters or cousins and may hold the key to finding his parents when more information becomes available.
William and Mary Ann would eventually have ten children; Malissa (m. Henry Hopper), James William, Garret, Sarah Catherine, William Henry, John, Edward, Martin K, Frank and Susan A (m. Philip Henderson).

Between 1850 and 1860 the family moved to Hardyston where William worked as a farm laborer.

William and his family lived in Hardyston up until his death in 1889. According to his death certificate, William died from complications of pneumonia and is buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in West Milford, Passaic, New Jersey, though no headstone has been discovered.