Slack Family History
It is a definite fact that two separate lines of SLACKs immigrated to this country, one from England in the late 17th Century (about 1670) and the other from Holland in 1661 or 1663 thereabout. One settled in Massachusetts and the other settled in New York, then called New Amsterdam.
The name SLACK is said to have been derived from the records of its first bearers "at the slack or slagg", that is a place where the road becomes less steep, a gap in the hills. It is found on the ancient records in the various forms of Slake, Sclake, Slagge, Slegge, Sleght, Slegg, Slag, Slaught, Slacke and Slack. The last is the most accepted form in America.
Our first Slecht came from Woerdon, Holland, with his wife and at least four children in or about 1652, settled at Kingston, New York, and was regarded as one of the founders of the settlement and the builder of its stockade. He was appointed to the Board of Schepens (colonial assembly) by Gov. Peter Stuyvesant, before New York was yielded by the Dutch to the British. His occupation was listed as a brewer and owner of land in the New Paltz Grant. In Holland he was married to TRYNTJE TYSSE BOS. In their new homeland she served as a midwife. The names of both Mr. and Mrs. Slecht appear on a marble plaque in the vestibule of Old Dutch Church in Kingston, along with the names of the others who were first communicants there. The records show that Mr. Slecht fought against the British in 1666 and, as a ressult, was banished (perhaps imprisoned) for three years. In 1684, Mr. Slecht was married to Elsie Jane, widow of Henrick Jochensen Schoonmacher.
Descendants of Cornelius Barentsen Slack/Slecht
Generation No. 1
CORNELIUS BARENTSEN SLACK-SLECHT was born Abt. 1616 in Of, Woerden, Zeeland, Netherlands, and died November 5, 1697 in Kingston, Ulster, New York. He married (1) Elsje Jans. He married (2) Trynje Trysse Bosch Abt. 1636 in Of, Woerden, Zeeland, Netherlands, daughter of Tysse Bos-Bosch. She was born Abt. 1620 in Woerden, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, and died September 26, 1684 in Kingston, Ulster, New Jersey.
Children of Cornelius Slack/Slecht and Tryntje Bosch are:
- Chieltje Charlotte Slack/Slecht, b. Abt. 1637.
- Cornelia Slack/Sleght, b. Abt. 1641.
- Henrick Cornelius Slack/Sleght, b. 1641, Woerden, Zuid, Holland; d. September 23, 1690, Flatbush, Richmond, New York.
- Jacomyntie B. Slack/Sleght, b. 1642, married 3 times and listed in the ancestry of the Roosevelt family in America.
- Jan Slack/Sleght, B. 1643. Captured and later killed by Indians in America.
- Matthys Cornellissen Slack/Sleght, b. 1644, Holland, married Marie Crespel.
- Annetje Slack/Sleght, b. Abt. 1647. Married Cornelius Hoogeboom.
- Mattys Slack/Sleght, b. Abt. 1649.
- Petronella Slack/Sleght, b. 1650, married Jochem Schoonmacher.
- Cornelius Slack/Sleght, b. Abt. 1659.
- Abraham Vosburg Slack/Sleght, b. Abt. 1672.
- Maria Magdelena Slack/Sleght, b. Abt. 1672.
- Trijtje Slack/Sleght, b. Abt. 1674.
Generation No. 2
HENRICK CORNELIUS SLACK/SLEGHT was born in 1641 in Woerden, Zuid, Holland, and died September 23, 1690 in Flatbush, Richmond, New York. He married Elsje Barentse Lieveling, August 8, 1666 in Kingston, Ulster, New York. She was born 1645 in Kingston, Ulster, New York. and died in Flatbush, Kings, New York.
Notes for Henrick Sleght:
He took the oath of allegiance on September 26, 1687, declaring that he had been a resident for thirty-five years. He lived in Flatbush (Brooklyn) in 1675 and is listed as a member of the Dutch Reformed Church there in the year 1685. His will dated September 23, 1690 is included in the Flatbush records. Records list him as a wheelwright from Woerdon, Holland.
Children of Henrick Slack/Sleght and Elsje Lieveling are:
- Barent Hendrickse Slack, b. 1667, Holland.
- Son Slack, b. 1668, d. 1672 in Flatbush (Brookland), New York.
- Barent Henrickse Slack, b. 160 married Hilletje Jans.
- Infant Slack, b. 1671.
- Cornelius Hendrickse Slack, b. 1676, Brooklyn, NY; d. 1746 NJ.
- Johannes Hendrickse Slack, b. 1680; d. 1712 NY. Married Jannetje Van Der Haven.
- Anna Catharina Slack, b. July 12, 1685, NY married Jarran Hofs.
Generation No. 3
CORNELIUS HENDRICKSE SLACK was born 1676 in Brooklyn, New York, and died 1746 in Maidenhead, Hunterdeon, New Jersey. He married (1) Joanna Van Der Water on April 11, 1696 in Staten Island, Richmond, New York, daughter of Jacob Van Der Water. She was born 1678 in Kings, New York, and died Abt. 1733 in Hunterdon, New Jersey. He married (2) Dorothy Hunter Abt. 1719 in NJ.
Notes for Cornelius Slack:
He lived in Brooklyn in 1708 and then moved to Maidenhead, Hunterdoun (now Mercer) County, New Jersey. He purchased the farm of William Wellin at Maidenhead, was elected constable in 1719, and Lawrenceville. Records show his name with a yearling on January 29, 1729 and with the sale of land in 1730. He is said to be the owner of The Severns in Trenton in 1732 and is shown as the payer of a debt in Hopewell, New Jersey in 1734.
Children of Cornelius Slack and Joanna VanDerWater are:
- Engeltije Slack, b. 1699
- Hendrick Cornelius Slack, b. 1702, Brooklyn, New York; d. Bef. May 15, 1785, NJ.
- James Slack, b. 1708 Long Island, NY; d. Abt. 1791, Ewing. Somerset, NJ married Elizabeth Price.
- Benjamin Slack, b. 1712, Maidenhead, Hunterdon, NJ; d. 1786, Hunterdon, NJ.
- John Slack, b. April 17, 1715, Maidenhead, Hunterdon, NJ; d. August 12, 1785, Lower Makefield, Bucks, PA.
Child of Cornelius Sleght/Slack an Dorothy Hunter is:
- Abraham Slack, b. 1720, Lawrencevill, Mercer, NJ; d. August 30, 1802, Lower Makefield, Bucks, PA.
Generation No. 4
JOHN SLACK was born April 17, 1715 in Maidenhead, Hunterdon, New Jersey, and died August 12, 1785 in Lower Makefield, Bucks, PA. He married Jane Winder 1741 in New Jersey, daughter of Thomas Winder and Sarah Bull. She was born 1720 in lawrence, Mercer, NJ and died 1784 in Muskingum County, Ohio.
Notes for John Slack:
Shortly after he married, John moved from New Jersey to Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania (about 1754). He was a yoeman and farmer. On the 1742 Tax List, John and his brother Abraham were listed as residents of Lower Makefield Twp, Bucks County, PA. In his will August 12, 1785 he lists brother-in-law Thomas Winders Jr. as executor.
Children of John Slack and Jane Winder are:
- Elizabeth Slack, b. Abt. 1738, Lower Makefield Twp, Bucks County, PA; d. Abt. 1760 age age 22. She married Reverend Martin.
- Cornelius Slack, b. July 1742, Lower Makefield, Bucks, PA; d. October 10, 1819, Lower Makefield, ucks. PA.
- Thomas Slack, b. 1744, Lower Makefield, Bucks, PA; d. Abt. 1816, Chester, PA.
- Joseph Slack, b. 1746, Lower Makefield, Bucks, PA; d. 1815, Upper Oxford, Chester, PA.
- Timothy Slack, b. 1748, Lower Makfield, Bucks, PA; d. 1793, Lower Makefield, Bucks, PA.
- Noah Slack, b. 150, Lower Makefield, Bucks, PA; d 1792, Lower Makefield, Bucks, PA.
- Phillip Slack, b. 1752, Lower Makefield, Bucks, PA; died unknown, Montgomery, PA.
- John Slack, b. June 27, 1754, Lower Makefield, Bucks, PA; d. April 17, 1838, Muskingum, Ohio.
Generation No. 5
JOHN SLACK was born June 27, 1754 in Lower Makefield, Bucks, PA and died April 17, 1838 in Muskingum, Ohio; Burial: Senora, Muskingum, Ohio. He married (1) Sarah Lapose 1785 in Loudoun, VA. She was born 1764 in Loudoun, VA and died Abt. 1800. He married (2) Elizabeth Swank about 1804 in Loudoun Co., VA, daughter of Johann Schwenck and Eva Catharina. She was born January 1, 1766 in Loudoun Co, VA and died Aft. 1839 in Muskingum Co., Ohio, burial in Bower's Cemetery, Sonora, Washington Twp., Muskigum Co., OH..
More about John Slack:
In the Revolutionary War, John played the fife for the troop. His first drafting was in Captain Jacob W. McConkey's company, commanded by Major James McMasters, which was stationed generally in the area of Amboy, New Jersey. His second drafting was under Major James McMasters in the Pennsylvania troops. His third drafting was in 1778 under James McMasters. He moved to Loudoun Co., VA in about 1778-1779 apparently folowing a relative, Cornelius Slacht and other Slack relatives. In 1780 John was again drafted from VA and served under Captain Adam Vinsell under command of Captain Thomas Lewis and Col. Somers. In 1781 John was again drafted for his fifth three month hitch as the only fifer in the battalion under Major Bisbee (Aka Risbie, Bisbie) in the Virginia troops.
After his war service, he married Sarah Lapose. Upon her death, probably childbirth of Margaret their seventh child, he married Elizabeth Swank and removed to Ohio in November of 1806. They traveled on the "Zane trace", an old buffalo trail also used by the Indians, that had been made into a road by Colonel Zane and used by Johnny Appleseed, then known as the Old Wheeling Road. He built a large log cabin with a shingle roof, the second in the country with such a luxury, about 5 miles northeast of Zanesville, in Washington Township.
Children of John Slack and Sarah Lapose are:
- John S. Slack, b. 1786, Loudoun, VA; d. February 20, 1841; married Pamela Shaw.
- Henry Slack, b. 1788, Loudoun, VA; d. December 10, 1825, Muskingum Co., OH, married Mary Jones.
- Jacob Slack, b. March 19, 1788, Loudoun Co., VA; d. July 4, 1876, Muskingum Co., Ohio; married (1) Mary Sarah Hawk-Houck, b. 1789, d. May 3856 in OH; married (2) Catherine Spurgin, November 30, 1837; b. Abt. 1792.
- Mary P. Slack, b. 1790, Loudoun, VA; d unknown, married John Parkinson.
- George Slack, b. March 28, 1790, Loudoun, VA; d. October 18, 1880, Muskingum Co., OH, married Mariah Wells.
- Sarah Slack, b. November 7, 1798 Leesburg, Loudoun, VA; died April 10, 1841, Washington Twp. Muskingum, Ohio, married Henry Mutchler.
- Margaret Slack, b. 1800, Leesburg, Loudoun, VA; d. Bef. August 31, 1826.
Children of John Slack and Elizabeth Swank:
- Elizabeth Betsy Slack, b. February 25, 1806, Loudoun, VA; d. October 6, 1884, Muskingum Co., OH, married Samuel Sutton.
- John Slack, b. 1808; d unknown, married Sarah Burley.
- Isaac Slack, b. 1810, Loudoun, VA; d. April 23, 1848, Muskingum Co., OH, married Mary Ann Howard in 1834.
- Philip Slack
Generation No. 6
Jacob Slack was born March 19, 1788 in Loudoun County, VA, and died July 04, 1876 in Muskingum County, Ohio. He married (1) Mary Hawk/Houck born abt. 1789 and died 1836. He married (2) Catherine Spurgin November 30, 1837. She was born Abt. 1792.
Children of Jacob Slack and Mary Hawk/Houck are:
- John Bernard Slack, born 1814 in Newton Twp., Muskingum, Ohio; died August 17, 1890 in Ohio.
- Robert Slack, born 1818.
Child of Jacob Slack and Catherine Spurgin is:
- James Alonzo Slack, born June 1847.
Generation No. 7
John Bernard Slack (Jacob) was born 1814 in Newton Twp., Muskingum, Ohio, and died August 17, 1890 in Muskingum Co., Ohio. He married Margaret SHAW October 09, 1834. She was born August 25, 1814 and died December 17, 1901 Muskingum Co., Ohio.
Notes for John Slack:
John Slack was a prosperous farmer living near Adamsville, Ohio, a village not far from Zanesville on the 2 mile pike road. He was considered in those days to be in good circumstances. They had a large farm house with orchards and bee hives.
There are some names of sons-in-law but I do not know which girl to put them with: Noah Shrigley, James Hoge Sr., Lloyd Adamson, Elias Fisher, Gresham Vandenbark.
Children of John Slack and Margaret Shaw are:
- Ada Anna Slack.
She married a wealthy man who was lost at sea. She had two children, a boy and a girl, James and Bessie.
- Bernard Slack.
- Charles Slack.
- Clara Slack.
- Henrietta Slack.
- Lucy Slack.
- James Slack, born Abt. 1844.
- Alva B. Slack, born Abt. 1846.
- William H. Slack, born Abt. 1850.
- Charles Bernard Slack, born 1851; died 1887 in Zanesville, Ohio.
Robert Slack was born 1818. He married Sarah Jane Victor May 04, 1845.
Child of Robert Slack and Sarah Victor is:
- Josephina Slack, born Abt. 1850. She married Unknown Fox.
Generation No. 8
William H. Slack was born Abt. 1850. He married Mollie Unknown.
Children of William Slack and Mollie Unknown are:
- Bern Slack.
- Evelyn Slack.
- Ed Slack, born Abt. 1880.
- Gordon Slack, born Abt. 1884.
- Isabel Slack, born Abt. 1886.
- Annie Slack, born Abt. 1888.
- Clarence Slack, born Abt. 1890.
- Margaret Virginia Henryetta Slack, born Abt. 1892.
Charles Bernard Slack was born 1851, and died 1887 in Zanesville, Ohio. He married Martha Ellen HUGHES Abt. 1875, daughter of Henry Hughes and Mary Ellen Winn.
Notes for Charles Slack:
He was well educated and "went away" to school. He was a good musican and played the violin by ear. He and his brother Will had a slaughter house. Once a week Martha and the children went to the city (Zanesville) in a horse hitched buggy with no top to bring out a Jewish Rabbi to cut the throat of an animal that was to be meat for the Jews. After his work was done, they took him back to the city. Charles died of Pneumonia when he was 36 and Martha died the next year of typhoid feaver at the age of 37 and the children were taken in by the relatives.
Children of Charles Slack and Martha Hughes are:
- John Bernard Slack, born October 1876; untraced.
- Mary Grace Slack, born March 18, 1878 in Dresden, Ohio; died August 01, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois.
- Nellie Slack, born Abt. 1880; died Abt. 1884.
- Virginia Elizabeth Bess Slack, born 1882, died 1902.
Generation No. 9
Mary Grace Slack was born March 18, 1878 in Dresden, Ohio, and died August 01, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois. She married John Wilbur Phillips December 17, 1894 in Ohio, son of John Phillips and Leanna Passmore.
Children of Mary Slack and John Phillips are:
- Infant Phillips.
- Leila Virgina Phillips, born November 24, 1897 in Coshocton County, Ohio; died November 16, 1988 in Branson, Missouri, never married.
- Bess Leanna Phillips, born December 28, 1899 in Coshocton County, Ohio; died January 02, 1999 in Branson, Missouri. She married Josef Persson December 28, 1940 in Johannesburg, South Africa, no issure.
- Gene Edwin Phillips, born August 25, 1902 in Coshocton County, Ohio; died September 14, 1977 in Cipio, Indiana.
- Fredrick William Phillips, born October 07, 1909 in Coshocton County, Ohio; died November 17, 1989 in Branson, Missouri.
- Frances Grace Phillips, born September 20, 1915 in Coshocton County, Ohio.
Virginia Elizabeth Bess Slack (Charles Barnard, John Bernard, Jacob) was born 1882. She married G. Richard McFarland.
Children of Virginia Slack and G. McFarland are:
- Isabel McFarland. She married Byron Hull.
- Virginia Bess McFarland. She married (1) Jack Bonifield. She married (2) Wilson T. (Ace) Axline.
Generation No. 10
Gene Edwin Phillips was born August 25, 1902 in Coshocton County, Ohio, and died September 14, 1977 in Cipio, Indiana. He married Inez Pearl Perry September 12, 1928, daughter of Arthur Perry and Helen Reisinger.
Fredrick William Dale Phillips was born October 07, 1909 in Coshocton County, Ohio, and died November 17, 1989 in Branson, Missouri. He married Vivian Bill Agee November 06, 1936 in Paragould, Arkansas.
Frances Grace Phillips was born September 20, 1915 in Coshocton County, Ohio (Source: birth certificate for Frances G. Rehfeldt.). She married Remiss Richard Rehfeldt September 21, 1937 in Coshocton, Ohio, son of Phillip Rehfeldt and Anna Cowsert.

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