I am descended from Pieter TON (1823 - 1874), born in Nieuwerker, Zeeland, the Netherlands. In 1857, he emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, USA with his wife Maria Marina VAN LINKEN, his sister Suzanna TON Pape and brother-in-law, Izak PAPE.

Between 1870 and 1874, Pieter and Maria removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Pieter died in 1874. Maria re-married, but died in 1878, leaving her and Peter's three daughters orphans. One of these daughters was my great-great-grandmother, Jennie TON Hoekstra.

I have traced Pieter's ancestry to his grandfather Geert TON (c. 1746 - 1812). I am interested in connecting with anyone who has ties to this family. I've often wondered if my TONs somehow connect to all the TONs of Illinois...but also realize that "ton" is a Dutch word for barrel or bouy, and is the equivalent of the English word "cooper".

More can be found on my website at:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~kidmiff/ton.htm

or on my database:
http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~kidmiff