John received his title of Esquire for being the Justice of the Peace for Salem County in the years of 1727-28, 30, 37, 40-43. On March 5, 1735, Jane Hart sent a petition to the Governor of the provinces of New York & New Jersey to let John be her guardian. On February 24, 1702 articles of agreement were drawn up between Margret Braithwait, widow of Manning Braithwait, and John.

It says that John was of the New Netherlands farm and he was heir by law of Manning, who died intestate. John is to have Manning's plantation of 544 acres unless Margret has a child in the next 9 months. I believe that Manning was the son of William and Joane Lefevre Braithwait and that would have made John and Manning cousins. John is also mentioned in the will of Henry Roberts, written in 1713. Henry says in his will "to Ann my beloved wife all of my estate both moveable and unmovable that is to say for her natural lyfe and after her Decease to become holy unto my beloved cousin John Pledger Junyor for him and his heirs and assigns for ever." Henry Roberts' wife Ann is possibly the daughter of Joane Brathwaite, John's aunt.

John Pledger, born in England abt. 1645-1650? Ships carpenter. Arrived in Nieuw Nederland from Portsmouth BEFORE 1674 on a Dutch ship to arrange the purchase of Varkens Bloed, a Dutch whaling colony on Hudson's South River (Delaware R), renamed Fenwick's Colony (now Salem, NJ).

In June of 1986, Dr. Robert W. Harper, history professor at Glassboro State College, now Rohan University in Glassboro, NJ, confirmed earlier "speculation" that John Pledger and his "cousin" (brother-in-law) Hippolet LeFevre arrived in Nieuw Nederland in advance of the colonists who founded the first permanent Quaker colony in the New World.

John Pledger's wife, Elizabeth Lefevre, a French Huguenot from St. Martins-in-the-Fields, Middlesex County, England, arrived at Fort Elsborg at the mouth of the Salem River, home of the new Quaker colony on March 13, 1675, with son Joseph (age 2) on the "Joseph and Benjamin," Matthew Paine, ships master (captain).

John Pledger, Esq. (1680?-1743/44), one of the sons of Elizabeth Leferve Pledger, was the owner of Nieuw Nederlands Farm (a vast plantation) when he and Hippolet Lefevre (his uncle) purchased an additional 6000-acre tract. Dorothy Roberts was the first wife of John Pledger, Esq. He married Hannah Champnes (2nd wife) in 1731.

Articles of Agreement February 24, 1702: John Pledger of New Netherlands Farm is to have Manning's Plantation Mannington) of 544 acres unless Margret Braithwait has a child in the next 9 months. (The deceased Manning Braithwait was a "cousin" of John Pledger, Esq,).

Will of Henry Roberts 1713: "... leaves all of estate, both moveable and immoveable to wife (Ann) for her natural lyfe, and after her decease to my beloved cousin John Pledger Junyor for him and his heirs and assigns forever."