USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > Perth Amboy > Contributions to the early history of Perth Amboy and adjoining country : with sketches of men and events in New Jersey during the provincial era > Part 1
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
1
Ber
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02236 7335
. 6 .
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/contributionstoe00whit 0
CONTRIBUTIONS
TO THE
EARLY HISTORY OF PERTH AMBOY
AND
ADJOINING COUNTRY,
WITH
SKETCHES OF MEN AND EVENTS IN NEW JERSEY DURING THE PROVINCIAL ERA.
BY
WILLIAM A. WHITEHEAD.
AUTHOR OF "EAST JERSEY UNDER THE PROPRIETARY GOVERNMENTS," EDITOR OF "PAPERS OF GOVERNOR LEWIS MORRIS," ETC.
WITH MAPS AND ENGRAVINGS.
NEW YORK : D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 346 & 348 BROADWAY. 1856.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year. 1856, by WILLIAM A. WHITEHEAD, In the Clerk's Office of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
JOHN F . TROW, PRINTER AND STEREOTYPER, 377 & 379 Broadway.
1206068
TO THE MEMBERS
OF THE
NEW JERSEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
THIS IMPERFECT ATTEMPT TO
"Copy Fuir bohat Time hath Blurr'd,"
AND THEREBY AID THEM
IN ADVANCING THE OBJECTS OF THEIR ORGANIZATION,
IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED
BY THEIR FRIEND AND ASSOCIATE
THE AUTHOR.
WILLIAM A. WHITEHEAD.
Mr. William A. Whitehead died at his summer residence, Daisy Lawn, at Perth Amboy, N. J., yesterday morning. Mr. Whitehead in 1830 was Collector at Key West and he held this position until 1838. Since then he had been a broker in Wail street and had held positions in the New York and Harlem and the New Jersey Railroad companies. When the American Trust Company, of Newark, N. J., failed, he, was the president of the 7
f
i
company and his anxiety SO weakened
him as that his health steadily declined.
Mr. Whitehead was born in Newark in 1810. In 1834 he married Margaret Elizabeth Parker, daugh- ter of the late James Parker, of Perth Amboy, and sister of Cortlandt Parker, of Newark. Mr. White- head had strong literary tastes and wrote a great deal about the history of the State of New Jersey. He was one of the founders, and was secretary for many years, of the New Jersey Historical Society.
Slike from the Newyork Herald of Aggthe 1884. He and the father of Bishop White riced of Pittsburg pa S.H.
-
Goodspeed $ 10,00
ERRATA.
Page 16, Line 16. For " Il se"
read sell.
64, 9.
66 "Dorkwra "
Dockwra.
66
68, 16. "Hamer ley "
Hamersley.
66 109, 8. "Jotham " 66 Joel.
66 110, Note 81,
6
"Lady Clinton "
Lady Clayton.
112, Note 66 "Risco's"
Rusco's.
122, “
"Chapter X " 66 Chapter XI.
"'Wayne"
Wolcote.
136, Line 41. 146,
" Chapter IV" 66 Chapter V.
66 212, Note 7. "John Fletcher "
Seth Fletcher.
66 240, Line 17. 66 " Gelding"
Golding.
329, Note 9.
"Elwers "
Elmers.
* On Page 320, " February 24, 1820, " is given as the date ofthe Act conferring freedom on every child born of Slave parents subsequent to July 4th, 1804. That, however, only re- enacted the provision referred to, among others, of previous acts relating to Slaves the origi- nal date being February 15th, 1804. The importation of Slaves into the State was prohibited as early as 1786.
PREFACE.
ON a promontory of commanding height, overlooking the broad bay formed by the junction of the Raritan River with Arthur Kull Sound, and dividing their respective waters, stands PERTH AMBOY. Although the prominent position it once occupied among the towns and cities of the land, has long been lost, yet there are associations con- nected with it as the former seat of government and the place of resi- dence of many of the most eminent citizens of New Jersey in other days, which must ever render its history worthy the consideration of the people of the State. To many, who cherish for the ancient city an attachment based upon personal acquaintance with its many pleasing scenes-for
"The very Autumn of a form once fine Retains its beauties,"-
-a reference to those who long since gazed upon those scenes, and a recurrence to events to which they can give, so readily, " a local habi- tation," will afford more than ordinary interest.
No apology is therefore offered by the author, for presenting to his fellow Jerseymen these crude memorials of the past, which, favored by occasional leisure and opportunity, he has been enabled to collect. The result gives little evidence of the time and labor expended in his researches ; and although he feels some satisfaction at the success of his undertaking, he regrets that abler hands, at an earlier period, had not entered upon it; while yet individuals were living, who, from personal knowledge, or traditions recollected, could have supplied so much of interest to the " snapper up of unconsidered trifles : "-those trifles which constitute so large a portion of the warp and woof of local history.
The illustration of the early history of Perth Amboy and the Adjoining Country, is not, however, the only purpose of the volume.
vi
PREFACE.
It serves as the thread on which is strung much miscellaneous matter bearing upon the general history of the State, accumulated while engaged in the preparation of other works, which is given to the pub- lic at the request of gentlemen whose genealogical and local re- searches have been facilitated by reference thereto ; it having been suggested that such publication would render the information thus collected more available, and preserve, in a proper form, what was likely otherwise to be printed by others in a disconnected and un- satisfactory manner. The author's delay in so doing may lead to the supposition that, in some instances, he has failed to give credit to others, when, in fact, he has merely resumed possession of the results of his own researches. He has endeavored to make due acknowledg- ment in all cases, in connection with the specific topic, whenever indebted to books or written communications for the facts stated ; not being disposed to adopt the practice, sanctioned by some recent writers of reputation, of summarily cancelling all obligations to others by giving a list of the works consulted. Niebuhr would not allow himself even to quote at second hand, without naming the author through whom he had obtained the reference, although he may have examined the work himself ;- " He who acts otherwise," he says, " gives himself the appearance of greater reading than he possesses : " and the labor bestowed upon historical researches is assuredly deserving of the trifling recompense of an acknowledgment from those by whom the results are appropriated.
No attempt has been made to clothe with the importance of his- tory, these desultory gleanings from the fields of the past ; and col- lected, as the items have been, during brief periods, which, amid many cares and under the pressure of various pursuits, have now and then been presented, they have been allowed to retain in most in- stances the form in which they were at first arranged; no attempt being made, by skilfulness of combination, to supply any deficiencies in their interest or value. To bind together the scattered sheaves, how- ever, has been a recreation rather than a task, and the author will consequently be doubly compensated should they prove acceptable to those for whom they have been gathered, and to whose service they are now dedicated.
NEWARK, New Jersey, February, 1856.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I .- THE SETTLEMENT.
PAGE
The selection of the site-Origin of the name of Amboy-Proposals for building and peopling the Town-Plans of Samuel Groom and Gawen Lawrie-Views of the Proprietaries in reference to the Seat of Govern- ment, 1
CHAPTER II .- THE SETTLERS.
Thomas Rudyard, Gawen Lawrie, Samuel Groom, William Haige, William Dockwra, Benjamin Clarke, George Keith, The Campbells, The Scotch Immigrants by the "Henry and Francis," John Forbes, James Emott, John Barclay, Stephen and Thomas Warne, Thomas and Robert Fullerton, John Reid, Miles Forster, David Mudie, Garret and Walter Wall, - - 12
CHAPTER III .- THE CITY.
Its first Charter-Its progress under it-Notices of the place by different writers-Its second Charter-Last act of Incorporation-Population at different times, . 50
CHAPTER IV .- THE CITIZENS.
None of the original families left-Causes, of the change -- The Gordon Family-The Johnstone Family-The Sonmans Family-The Willocks Family-The Lyell Family-The Harrison Family-The Kearny Family-The Farmar Family-Elias Bland-The Skinner Family- The Nevill Family-The Barberrie Family-The Watson Family-The Parker Family-Thomas Bartow-The Sargant Family-The Stevens Family-The Bryant Family, - 59
CHAPTER V .- RESIDENT GOVERNORS.
Robert Hunter-William Burnet-John Hamilton-Francis Bernard- Thomas Boone-William Franklin, - 147
CHAPTER VI .- RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
Protestant Episcopalians-Presbyterians-Baptists-Methodists-Roman Catholics, - 208
CHAPTER VII .- PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND PLACES.
The Town or Court House-Jails-The Stocks-The Old Market-The Barracks-The Office of Provincial Records-Brighton House-Inns and Taverns-The Spa-The Cove-Tower Hill-The Wreck of the Caledonia,
250
viii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII .- TRAVELLING FACILITIES.
PAGE
Early routes and roads through the Province-Ferries at different points -Transmission of the Mails-Establishment of Post Offices-The Carriage of Passengers and Transportation of Merchandise-Different Stage Routes-Intercourse between Newark and New York, 267
CHAPTER IX .- MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS.
Early Educational Schemes-Commercial Projects-Fairs and Races- The Public Bathing Day-Fires and Engines-The Pirates and Their Hidden Treasures-Slavery-Lotteries, - 290
CHAPTER X .- EVENTS DURING THE REVOLUTION.
Operations of the Armies in the district of country north of the Raritan- Predatory Excursions-Local Incidents, 325
CHAPTER XI .- WOODBRIGDE.
Its Settlement and subsequent History-Allotment of land among the Set- tlers-Their names-Lists of the Deputies to the General Assembly and of Town Officers-Notices of the Old Families-Historical Sketches of the Presbyterian and Episcopal Congregations-Educational Schemes-Appropriations for Schools and for Support of the Poor- Miscellaneous Items, 355
CHAPTER XII .- PISCATAWAY.
List of the Settlers-Their respective quotas of land-The Town Officers -Religious Congregations-Extracts from the Town Books, &c. 401
Appendix, 415
Index, 421
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PORTRAIT OF GOVERNOR FRANKLIN,
MAP OF PERTH AMBOY AS ORIGINALLY LAID OUT,
52
MAP OF PERTH AMBOY AS IT WAS IN 1823, ·
57
GEORGE WILLOCKS' RESIDENCE, .
82
THE GRAVES OF THE BILLOP HOUSEHOLD,
98
PORTRAIT OF JOHN WATSON THE PAINTER, .
127
VIEW OF THE PARKER MANSION,
137
PORTRAIT OF GOVERNOR BURNET, 168
THE SEAL OF THE EASTERN PROPRIETORS,
209
PORTRAIT OF REV. EDWARD VAUGHAN, 216
VIEW OF OLD ST. PETER'S CHURCH, 227
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 243
THE BAPTIST CHURCH AS FIRST BUILT. 247
THE METHODIST CHURCH, 248
THE OLD COURT HOUSE, 252
THE OLD JAIL, 253
THE OLD MARKET, 255
THE BARRACKS, 256
THE OFFICE OF PROVINCIAL RECORDS, 258
BRIGHTON HOUSE, 259
THE LONG FERRY TAVERN, 262
TRINITY CHURCH, WOODBRIDGE, 391
PAGK
Frontispiece. 9
THE SEAL OF PERTH AMBOY, .
EARLY HISTORY OF PERTH AMBOY
AND
ADJOINING COUNTRY.
.
Chapter I .- The Settlement.
" He view'd the woods that spread around, The wide extent of various ground, The verdant lawns, th' embosom'd glades Which court the branchy sylvan shades. * * *
* * Scarce need I say his eye pursued With warm delight the place he view'd."
THERE are few places in the United States whose history, in its chief characteristics, corresponds with that which we are now about to consider. Generally, a retrospective glance at the existence of our growing and opulent communities, pre- sents to the observer only a series of successful years through which they passed to ever-increasing eminence and prosperity : there may have been checks and misfortunes, but their pro- gress was still onward,-the past shadowing forth the future- the improvement of one period giving sure promise of further improvement the next.
In the case of Perth Amboy a different view is presented. It has no crumbling castles, no time-worn battlemented walls, nor monuments of fallen greatness, such as excite the venera- tion and sympathies of the traveller among the dilapidated cities of the eastern hemisphere, but there are mementos of
1
2
THE SETTLEMENT.
disappointed hopes, of defeated projects, of mistaken policy, and of the consequences of war, less striking to the eye, but equally as potent in their addresses to the understanding- telling of the instability of earthly enterprises, and the fee- bleness of man's exertions. We have not only to lament that its founders died without the realization of their hopes, but also that, while we see not, in its present condition, the object of their care, enjoying the eminence they imagined it would attain ; we yet look back upon years already fled for the most renowned, perhaps the most prosperous period of its history, although the population at the present day may be greater.
Little did its fathers anticipate that the boasted " settle- ment on Ambo Point," the future capital of the Province, the intended London of America, would, after the lapse of one hun- dred and seventy years, come so far short of their expectations. Let us trace the events which have preceded this result.
The point at the mouth of Raritan River is first men- tioned in the deed to Augustine Herman, granted by the In- dians December 8th, 1651, by the name of Ompoge.1 In the subsequent deed to Bailey, Denton and Watson, in 1664,2 no particular name is given either to the point or country ; but the next year, Bailey, on transferring his right to Philip Car- teret, calls the country " Arthur Cull, or Emboyle "-which in 1666 was written Amboyle. From these names, most pro- bably from the first, the name Ambo, conferred upon the point for some time after its settlement, was derived.3
The proprietaries, in their concessions, having directed that, "in laying out lands for cities, towns, villages, or other ham- lets, the said lands should be divided into seven parts, one seventh part whereof to be by lot laid out " for them, it was provided, on granting the charter to Woodbridge, June 10th, 1669, "that Ambo Point be reserved towards the thousand acres of upland and meadow that is reserved, to be disposed of
1 East Jersey under the Proprietaries, p. 19.
2 Ibid, pp. 37, 42.
3 Heckewelder in a catalogue of names communicated to the Philadelphia Phi- losophical Society, in 1822, gives Em- boli as the origin of " Amboy," and, as
its meaning, "hollow inside." This meaning, if correct, does not apply as well to the topography of Amboy Point as to the district of country included in the deeds mentioned in the text. Ompoge is the more probable deriva- tion. See Note A in appendix.
3
THE SETTLEMENT.
by the lords proprietors, in lieu of the seventh part mentioned in the concessions ;" and that "the nine hundred acres of upland are to be in and about Ambo Point, as it is now sur- veyed by the surveyor-general, and the hundred acres of mea- dow is to be laid out by the said surveyor, in the most convenient place nearest adjacent to the said Ambo Point."
This reservation of " Ambo Point," at this early period, for the immediate advantage of the Lords Proprietors, is no slight proof of the sound discrimination and judgment of Governor Carteret. Its position, certainly, presents facilities for almost › every pursuit that an enterprising people might adopt ; and the failure to make it a place of extensive trade takes nothing from his credit for selecting so eligible a situation for a town : for that such was his object in reserving it there can be no doubt, although immediate steps were not taken to effect a settlement.
In a letter to James Bollen, dated Elizabethtown, July 9th, 1680,4 he mentions having made Amboy the subject of a spe- cial communication to Lady Carteret, and it is not improbable, that the establishment of the chief town of the province at this point was then in contemplation. The opposition to his authority which had been shown at Elizabethtown, may well "be presumed to have had weight with the Governor, and in- duced him to recommend the removal of the seat of government to some place where the interests of the proprietaries would be more regarded.
The transfer of the province into other hands, and the sub- sequent death of Philip Carteret,5 prevented his realizing the fulfilment of the plans he may have formed. The new pro- prietaries, however, appear to have been made fully aware of the advantages the point afforded, and of the intentions of their predecessors respecting it ; for the first twelve associates, on receiving their title, directly made known their purpose, " if the Lord permit, with all convenient expedition, to erect and build one principal town, which, by reason of situation, must in all probability be the most considerable for merchan-
4 Grants and Concessions, p. 684. 5 East Jersey under the Proprie- taries, pp. 83, 85.
4
THE SETTLEMENT.
dise, trade, and fishery in those parts ; to be placed upon a neck or point of rich land, called Ambo Point, lying on Raritan River, and pointing to Sandy Hook Bay, and near adjacent to the place where ships in that great harbor commonly ride at anchor," 6
This was followed by their " proposals " for building and settling the town, as follows :-
"FORASMUCH as Ambo Point is a sweet, wholesome, and delightful place, proper for trade, by reason of its commodious situation, upon a safe har- bor, being likewise accommodated with a navigable river, and fresh water, and hath, by many persons of the greatest experience and best judgment, been approved for the goodness of the air, soil and situation.
"We, the proprietors, purpose by the help of Almighty God, with all convenient speed, to build a convenient town, for merchandise, trade and fishery, on Ambo Point; and because persons that hath a desire to plant there, may not be disappointed for want of proposals, we, the proprietors, offer these following :
" First. We intend to divide fifteen hundred acres of land upon Ambo Point, into one hundred and fifty lots; which lots shall consist of ten acres the lot ; one hundred of the lots we are willing to sell here, and fifty we reserve for such as are in America, and have long desired to settle there.
"Secondly. The price of each lot will be fifteen pounds sterling, to such who purchase before the 25th of December, 1682; and to such who pur- chase afterwards, before the 25th of December, 1683, twenty pounds sterling.
" Thirdly. Every lot is to be as equally divided as the goodness of the place doth require, and the situation can admit.
" Fourthly. The most convenient spot of ground for a town, shall be divided into one hundred and fifty equal shares, and set out into streets, according to rules of art ; and no person shall be preferred before another in choice, whether purchaser or proprietor.
"Fifthly. We reserve four acres for a market place, town-house, &c., and three acres for publick wharfage.
"Sixthly. Each purchaser is obliged to build a dwelling house in the place designed for the town, and to clear three acres of upland, in three years, or else the proprietors to be reinstated in such lots wherein default is made, repaying the purchase money.
"Seventhly. We, the proprietors, do within a year hope, by God's as- sistance, to build for each of us one house upon Ambo Point; which we intend shall stand in an orderly manner, according to the best and most convenient model.
" And in pursuance of the design of the propositions abovesaid,
" Eighthly. And for the encouragement of carpenters, joiners, brick and tile makers, bricklayers, masons, sawyers, and laborers of all sorts, who are willing to go and employ themselves and servants, in helping to clear ground, and build houses upon the general account of and for the pro- prietors.
" The said proprietors will engage to find them work, and current pay for the same, in money or clothes, and provision, of which there is plenty (as beef, pork, corn, &c.), according to the market price at New York, du -
6 Smith's N. J., p. 542. East Jersey, &c., p. 211.
5
THE SETTLEMENT.
ring the space of one year at least, next after the 25th of December, 1682 ; in which time (through God's blessing and their industry), they may have got wherewith to buy cows, horses, hogs, and other goods, to stock that land, which they in the mean time may take up, according to the conces- sions ; neither shall such persons pay rent for their said land, so long as they are employed in the proprietors' work ; and their wages shall at all times be so much as other such artificers and laborers, in the said province usually have ; nor shall they be obliged to work for the proprietors longer than they find encouragement so to do.
"Ninthly. And for the more ready and certain employing those work- men and laborers that shall transport themselves to East Jersey, this is to let all laborers and persons that shall transport themselves know, they must upon their arrival upon that place, repair to the register of the above- said province, and enter themselves according to their respective qualities and designs, and thereupon they shall be entered into the service and pay of the proprietors." 7
That " Ambo Point is a sweet, wholesome, and delightful place," cannot be denied, even at the present day ; but, when reposing in all the freshness and beauty of a new creation, its trees, its vines, its soil, yet undisturbed by the intruder Man -how rich, how attractive to the lover of nature, must have been its aspect.
The proprietaries contributed twelve hundred pounds in furtherance of the project, to erect each a house,8 and Thomas Rudyard, their first deputy governor, appears to have been in- structed to carry out this, and other plans, respecting their new town. "Upon our view and survey of Amboy Point," he wrote under date of 30th May, 1683, "we find it extraordi- nary well situate for a great town or city, beyond expecta- tion .* * The point is good lively land, ten, some places, twenty feet above the water mark .* * * We are now build- ing some small houses, fitting to entertain workmen and such, who will go and build larger. The stones lie exceeding well and good up the Raritan River, a tide's passage, and oyster shells upon the point, to make lime withal, which will wonder- fully accommodate us in building good houses cheap, warm for winter, and cool for summer."
Samuel Groom, surveyor-general, who accompanied Rud- yard to the province, wrote, under date of August 11th, 1683, that they had erected three of their houses, and had "three
7 Smith's N. J., p. 543. East Jersey, &c., p. 211.
8 MS. arguments of Counsel-Earl of Perth vs. Earl of Stirling, in my pos- session.
- 6 .
THE SETTLEMENT.
others ready to be set up ; but," said he, " workmen are scarce, and many of them base ; the best will work but when they can spare time out of their plantations ; " and he adds-mark the prophetic spirit-"if no help comes, it will be long ere Amboy be built as London is." It is to be presumed that help came not.
The houses then being erected were thirty feet long, and sixteen or eighteen feet wide ; "ten feet betwixt joint and joint," says Groom, " with a double chimney, made with tim- ber and clay, as the manner of this country is to build." Such were the humble edifices at first contributed by art, to set off the natural beauties of the spot. Such the tenements which the proprietaries agreed should " stand in an orderly manner, according to the best and most convenient model."
Groom surveyed the harbor, and sounded the channel, from Amboy to Sandy Hook,9 laid out the town into one hundred and fifty lots, and sent to England a draft of it, for the exami- nation of the proprietaries there. Upon him, as well as upon Rudyard, the situation of Ambo Point, or Amboy, as it now began to be called, made a most favorable impression ; but it was not the happiness of either to witness the permanent foun- dation and growth of the new settlement.
In February, 1684, Gawen Lawrie arrived, as deputy go- vernor, superseding Thomas Rudyard, and fixed his residence at Elizabethtown. By him came from the proprietaries the name of PERTH, for their new town, in honor of James, Earl of Perth, one of their associates ; 10 and the title of Amboy was, in a measure, dropped for some time, excepting when applied to the point.
Immediately after his arrival, Lawrie proceeded to adopt measures for the advancement of Perth. His instructions, re- ferring particularly to the building of the town, were as follow :---
" As to the Lotts at Ambo Point, and the Towne of Perth,
9 " I find it," says he, " to be a broad and bold channel, in no place less than three fathom at high water-in ordi-
nary tides four, five, or six fathom, ex- cept in one short place."
10 See appendix, Note B, for a notice of the Earl.
THE SETTLEMENT.
there to be built, wee Desire that due Care may be taken that it may be made regularly according to a scheme which is in- tended herewith to be sent. To be sure that the Streets be large. That the Houses be not Crowded one upon another, but that Each House have backwards a considerable voyd for a Yard and Garden, that so no street be laid closs to the Back- of another without an Intervale of at least a Paire of Butts, and that the Key and Market Place be also immediately ordered." 11 To these instructions, dated July 20th, 1683, is the town probably indebted for its broad streets and ample gardens ; but the care taken to prevent too close a proximity in the houses was, perhaps, unnecessary.
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