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NARRATIVES OF NEWARK IN NEW JERSEY
BY DAVID .L. PIERSON
M. L
Gc 974.902 N51p 1225216
yat 7
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02255 9873
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/narrativesofnewa00pier_0
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK (IN NEW JERSEY)
HONOR OF THE GOOD AND LEARNED
ABRAHAM PIERSON FIRST PRESIDENT
VALE COLLEGE ITO1-1707 PASTOR OF FALLINGWORTH CHURCH NOW CLINTON 1834-1707 THE TIME OF HIS DEATH BELOVED AND REGRETTED BY ALL
Statue of Rev. Abraham Pierson in Clinton, Conn. Second pastor of Newark's Meeting House
NARRATIVES 0
OF NEWARK (IN NEW JERSEY)
From the Days of Its Founding
BY DAVID LAWRENCE PIERSON Historian General, Sons of the American Revolution
.4
CITY
SE
A
CO
I836
R
1666-1916 .
PIERSON PUBLISHING CO. 756 BROAD STREET NEWARK
Copyright, 1917, by PIERSON PUBLISHING CO. All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages, including the Scandinavian.
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1225216
TO THE PURITAN MOTHER,
WHO REARED THE FIRST GENERATION OF NEWARK CITIZENSHIP AND ENDURED SUFFERING IN A RIGOR- OUS ERA FOR THE SALVATION OF THE MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD ENTRUSTED TO HER CARE,
THIS VOLUME IS REVERENTLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER
PAGE
I. Puritans Arrive in the Wilderness 3
II. The Fundamental Agreement 10
III. Indians Sell Land to Puritans 18
IV. Instituting Provincial Government 21
V. Rev. Abraham Pierson, First Pastor 26
VI. Building the Meeting House . 34
VII.
Rev. Abraham Pierson, Second Pastor 40
VIII. The Corn Mill 47
IX. System of Taxation Inaugurated 53
X. Exterminating the Wolf 58
XI.
Lessening of Puritan Restraint 62
XII. Care of Domestic Animals 67
XIII. XIV. XV.
Captain Treat Leaves Newark 71
Preparing Against Indian Invasion 76
Rules of Conduct 80
Beginning of Newark's Industries 84
The Proprietor's Quit Rent 89
Newark Under Dutch Rule 95
Governor Carteret Resumes Control Over New Jersey 101
XX. XXI.
Unprofitable Land Speculation 107
The First School 112
XXII.
Governor Andros Has Designs Upon New Jersey 117
XXIII. Abduction of Governor Carteret . 122
XXIV.
Governor Carteret's Trial 127
XXV.
End of Proprietary Government 132
XXVI.
Puritan Sympathy Displayed 139
XXVII.
A Terrestrial Canaan 144 .
XXVIII. Newark's First Historian
149
XXIX. The Third Pastorate
152
V
XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER
PAGE
XXX. Mining Copper and a Sunday Harvest . 158
XXXI. Settlers Rise Against Landlord Tyranny 164
XXXII.
College of New Jersey in Newark 173
XXXIII. Approaching the Revolutionary War 179
XXXIV. Perils and Trials of Early Revolution- ary Days . 188
XXXV.
Ravaging of Newark 195
XXXVI. Night Raid by King's Troops 203
XXXVII.
Reconstruction Days 219
XXXVIII. At the Threshold of the Nineteenth Cen- tury 226
XXXIX. Orange Separates from Newark
234
XLI. Second War with Great Britain
245
XLII.
After the War of 1812 .
253
XLIII.
A Captain of Industry .
258
XLIV.
Newark Becomes a City
265
XLV.
Louis Kossuth Entertained 273
XLVI.
A Period of Hardship 279
XLVII.
Lincoln Visits Newark
284
XLVIII.
Civil War Sacrifices 290
XLIX.
Marcus L. Ward Institutes Hospital 299 .
L. Newark's 200th Anniversary . 307
LI. The Famous Industrial Exposition 316
LII. Dedication of Kearny Statue . 324
LIII. A Memorable Summer 330
LIV. The Old Burying Ground . 334
LV. Newark's Water System 339
LVI. A Modern City 346
LVII. The 250th Anniversary 355
.
XL. Battle Over County Seat
240
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Statue of Rev. Abraham Pierson in Clinton, Conn.
Frontispiece
Indian Village at Hackensack
FACING PAGE 8
Map of Town by "Ye Pesayak River"
16
William Meeker Homestead 56
Amahikan, Indian Chief 64
Governor Edmund Andros
100
Samuel Harrison's House . 116
Colonial Kitchen 148
Rev. Jonathan Dickinson 168
Rev. Aaron Burr 176
Three of Newark's Distinguished Visitors 200
Rev. Dr. Alexander Macwhorter. 208
Founder's Statue . 216
Home of Captain Samuel Uzal Dodd .
224
Governor Bloomfield 232
First Newark Bank Notes
240
William Halsey-Newark's First Mayor
248
Park House 256
Statue of Seth Boyden 264
The Old and New Court House 272 Statue of Lincoln 280 General Philip Kearny 288
Broad and Market Sts., 1865 296
Soldiers' and Sailors' Plot 304
Home for Disabled Soldiers
312
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viii
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
FACING PAGE
Kearny Statue
320
George Washington Statue
328
Branch Brook Park
336
Newark Public Library
344
Market and Broad Sts., 1916.
352
Barringer High School . 360
Parade Passing City Hall
368
FOREWORD
PLEASANT indeed has been the pilgrimage of the author through the decades to the misty past of "Ye Towne by ye Pesayak River," and if in the Narratives a story has been told as plainly as revealed the pages will be entertaining and instructive to the reader. The history of Newark will ever be of absorbing interest to the studiously inclined. Interwoven therein are splendid types of manhood and womanhood consecrated upon the altar of religious and civic freedom. The heritage cannot be excelled by any munici- pality on the Continent. The Puritans built well, their chief characteristics being service and loyalty. Through the years their influence has lasted and to the credit of their descendants may it be said that appreciation is not withheld for their "works do follow them," even to the last generation.
The Narratives were revised from a series of articles appearing in the Newark Evening News, written by the author in the winter of 1915-1916, anticipatory of the 250th Anniversary Celebration. Aninterest wasimmediately awak- ened in them and numerous requests for their preserva- tion in book form were received by the writer.
Letters expressing the hope that this step would be taken were written by Hon. Franklin Murphy, former Governor of New Jersey, and Chairman of the Committee of One Hundred of the 250th Anniversary Celebration; Rt. Rev. Dr. Edwin S. Lines, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark; Rev. Dr. Lyman Whitney Allen, former pastor of the South Park Presbyterian Church and Poet Laureate of the celebration; Judge Charles S. Pilgrim, former Speaker of the House of Assembly of the New Jersey Legislature; Wil- son Farrand, headmaster of the Newark Academy, John Cotton Dana and others.
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FOREWORD
The author has received valuable assistance from Rev. Dr. Allen, who read the text of the book; Mr. Dana as Librarian of the Newark Public Library; Colonel Austen Colgate, of Orange; Rev. Joseph F. Folsom, correspond- ing secretary, and Miss Maude E. Johnson, Assistant Librarian, of the New Jersey Historical Society; G. F. Wettlin, photographer, of Newark; Charles Starr, of the Orange Chronicle Publishing Company; Frank P. Jewett, photographer, of Orange; George H. Harrison of West Or- ange; John Lenord Merrill, Rev. David O. Irving, and William R. Britton, of East Orange.
Permission to use the articles was kindly given by the Newark Evening News.
The reader must bear in mind that New Year's Day occurred on March 25 and not on January 1, while reading the early records. The Julian calendar, ordered by Julius Cæsar in the year 45 B. c., remained in vogue till 1752, when Pope Gregory's was substituted. The year 1751, therefore, lost the months of January, February, and the first twenty-four days of March.
From the past an inspiration leads us on and the future is full of promise of a rising generation's competency to manage the affairs entrusted to its care and to uphold the good name of Newark.
David Laurence Person
Old perfumes wander back from fields of clover, Seen in the light of suns that long have set; Beloved ones, whose earthly toils are over, Draw near as if they lived among us yet. Old voices call us through the dusk returning; We hear the echoes of departed feet; And then we ask, with vain and troubled yearning, What is the charm that makes old things so sweet ? -SARAH DOUDNEY
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NARRATIVES OF NEWARK (IN NEW JERSEY)
CHAPTER I
PURITANS ARRIVE IN THE WILDERNESS
S "LOWLY a group of vessels, of the general type sailed by explorers and others who traveled over the high seas in the Seventeenth Century, made their way up the Pesayak River on an early May day in 1666. This Puri- tan company of about thirty families was nearing the end of the pilgrimage from Milford, in the Connecticut colony, to the Promised Land in the wilderness, about which little was known except that it was of great richness of field and forest, with streams aplenty irrigat- ing the soil.
Comfortable homes, close relation of kindred and friends, and well- tilled lands were all forsaken in this migration. Tradition, always un- certain as to reliability, has associ- ated two ships with that historic voyage. Perhaps there were more. After the craft left the broad ex- panse of bay and followed the river's course, the countenances of the Sailing vessel of type used by Puritans in sailing from Milford to Newark men and women were illumined, as rich verdure on either side was unfolded. This evidence of Nature's luxuriance was gratefully accepted as a welcome relief from the monotony of the voyage. Stretching away to the westward, the vista made a most pleasing picture to Puritan eye and mind. Undulating acres of wooded land, clearings of wide areas and lowlands thickly covered with growth of tender grass swept before the gaze till the view was lost in the blue haze of mountain-top.
In a northeasterly direction (now known as the Hacken-
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NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
sack meadows) a dense growth of cedar trees was noted. This provided generous shelter against the winter's cold blasts. The Puritans thought also of the excellent oppor- tunity offered for securing sustenance from a soil promising rich harvests.
The mists of time have blotted out the place where the vessels anchored. Along the western shore a high bluff extended a considerable distance and the point selected was no doubt at the most convenient depression. During the 250th anniversary celebration a memorial fountain was erected in Landing Place Park, at Saybrook Place, marking the historic incident.
A party of Hackensack Indians were interested ob- servers of the scene of (to them) strange intrusion. They had long watched the unfamiliar craft laboriously moving along the tortuous course of the stream. Intently did they view the high prows, cumbersome sails, and other clumsy appointments of the vessels drawing near. Prosperous people they saw standing upon the decks-uncompromising religionists-determined upon erecting a government ac- cording to their idea of correct living.
Governor Winthrop, in 1665, secured a charter from Charles II, which merged New Haven and Connecticut into one colony. This was displeasing to the strict church members in the former jurisdiction. Liberty of churches, in fact, their safety, was now in danger, they avowed, when the Half-way Covenant was adopted as part of the new Constitution. Baptism of children was thereby allowed, irrespective of parents' church membership. The Puritan practice permitted this ordinance only for children of "the elect." The combining of the two colonies and the adop- tion of the obnoxious covenant had been anticipated by the more discerning of the "disaffected."
Robert Treat was chairman of a committee acting for them in their desire to migrate from this intolerant religious environment. Several desirable tracts back of Staten Is- land, in the vicinity of Raritan River and under the juris-
5
PURITANS ARRIVE IN THE WILDERNESS
diction of Governor Stuyvesant of New Amsterdam, were inspected. Negotiations with the Dutch ended, however, principally because sufficient liberty was not guaranteed the Puritans in the proposed settlement. Ships, filled with English soldiers and sailors, soon afterward appeared in New York harbor, whereupon Governor Stuyvesant, sur- prised and overwhelmed, surrendered to the invaders, with- out resistance, all the dominion known as New Netherlands.
Charles II, who assumed possession of the land by right of discovery, granted it to his brother, James, Duke of York. The latter then sent out the expedition which so thoroughly bewildered the Dutch authorities. The Duke's estate extended from the west bank of the Connecticut River to the east shore of Delaware Bay and was named New Albion. Sir George Carteret and John Lord Berkley were assigned that portion now known as New Jersey, but first named Nova Caesarea. Ten shillings and an annual rent of one pepper corn to be paid on the day of nativity of St. John the Baptist, if legally demanded, was the con- sideration asked of and agreed to by Carteret and Berkley. The transfer was effected on March 12, 1663. Three months later, on June 23 and 24, 1664, the land was formally possessed.
Philip Carteret, cousin several times removed of Sir George Carteret, was commissioned Governor of New Jersey. Headquarters were established on a commanding plot of ground back of "Achter Koll," as the narrow body of water separating Staten Island from the mainland was named by the Dutch. Four families were living near the site when Governor Carteret and retinue of thirty persons arrived in August, 1664. The settlement was named Elizabeth Town, in honor of Lady Elizabeth, wife of Sir George Carteret.
Flourishing growth was expected of this aristocracy; but it was, as will be shown in another chapter, a source of much trouble to the owners living 3,000 miles across the sea. " Governor Carteret sent agents to New England, seek-
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NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
ing homesteaders for his colonization scheme. They carried the constitution of the new Government, entitled "The Concessions of the Lord Proprietors of New Jersey," which granted the essentials, religious and otherwise, sought by the Puritans. Eagerly did Robert Treat and Rev. Abraham Pierson (noted Congregational minister) accept the over- tures for settlement on the river "back of Achter Koll," where 40,000 or more acres of land were at the disposal of settlers. A yearly quit-rent of half-penny per acre, to be paid the Lord Proprietors, was agreed upon. Treat's glowing report of the country's agricultural possibilities, after a visit there in the late winter of 1665, was the incen- tive for immediate preparations by the Milford group for the exodus. And now the aborigines beheld the zealous people braving the hardships of an unknown region in ad- herence to their religious principles.
According to family tradition, Elizabeth Swaine, daughter of Samuel Swaine, gained the distinction of being the first white woman to step ashore, being assisted by Josiah Ward, who afterward became her husband. The unloading of sundry articles of household necessity and other requisites for the pioneer life was quickly accomplished. This was followed by prayer, offered by one of the men, for safe de- liverance from the misfortunes of the sea and for safe de- barkation in the new home-this branch of Zion planted in the wilderness. 1
An Indian, who had stolidly watched the scene, then stepped forward and demanded payment for the land about to be occupied. The claim was advanced that it was the red man's property, and these Puritans, dressed in small clothes, and wearing queer, steeple-crowned hats, were interlopers. At least that was thought to be the probable explanation of the speaker's vehement language. The Puri- tans, by enlisting the services of an interpreter, John Cap- teen, a Dutchman, who lived at Hackensack, learned the cause of Indian ire. They were quickly apprised of the fact that the Governor had not attended to the treaty price
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PURITANS ARRIVE IN THE WILDERNESS
with the Indians, as he had guaranteed. Reluctantly it was decided to return to Milford.
Alas! the migration was in vain, and visions of a Temple erected in yonder clearing to the glory of the Great Jehovah were now ruthlessly shattered.
"I had expected the Governor had cleared the plantations from all claims and encumbrances," said Captain Treat to the Indians through the interpreter, "and had given us quiet possession, which he promised to do; but no sooner are we on the place and having our goods landed, than I and others of this company are ordered off. You claim right as Hackensack Indians by being first here. We have the Governor's order to take the land, but you say that it is unpurchased."
The captain was very much exercised. Carteret appeared upon the scene as the vessels were being reloaded. The fate of the expedition now hung in the balance. Addressing the Governor, Captain Treat said that he did not under- stand his position. Had not the company agreed to pay the half-penny annual quit-rent per acre? Had they not come into the land determined to settle and even end their days here, cultivate the soil and glorify the name of God? The Puritan blood of the speaker was rising. Every word was listened to with profound interest by his associates, for he was a man of wisdom and of much. experience in worldly and spiritual affairs. The interpreter communi- cated the statement to the Indians. They then knew the truth was told, if suspicion to the contrary had been enter- tained by them.
The Governor acknowledged failure on his part to fulfill the contract, but implored the people to remain. Consent to this appeal was finally granted by heads of families (women had no voice in public affairs). The partly-loaded goods were again brought ashore and preparations made to spend the night as comfortably as the limited means per- mitted.
The precious tinder box containing flint, steel and woolen
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NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
cloth was ever ready. The two hard substances were brought together with dexterous motion till sparks were produced. These ignited the cloth, then placed under the stack of wood, and in this manner the fire was kindled.
Symbolical indeed! Here was begun a fire of vital strength and usefulness which figuratively speaking was to burn on through the years till a great company, not numbered by tens, but by hundreds and even hundreds of thousands, were to receive the benefits of the heroic, sacrificial spirit of the pioneer group!
Perro, a minor chief, acting as spokesman for the Indians, informed the Puritans that Oraton, the great chief, was four score and ten years of age, and would, therefore, be com- pelled to leave the business details to younger men. Not a little surprise was expressed by the captain and his com- mitteemen, upon visiting the village at Hackensack, to note the well-cultivated gardens planted with corn, peas and other vegetables, all faithfully tended by the women while the men were absent on hunting trips, fishing excursions or engaged in warring upon other tribes. The principal style of dwelling was the lodge. Bark of the chestnut tree, grass, and other material were woven in the construction, making it quite impervious to the inclemencies of the seasons. The roof was usually dome-shaped; the oblong building was also used.
The antecedents of the Hackensack band, Unami Di- vision, of the Delaware or Leni Lenape tribe, with whom the Puritan Fathers negotiated, are unknown, but there is no doubt of long possession. Implements of stone and other material were found in the soil and the evidences of long settlement at landing places and the character of the abodes, all tended toward this belief. The Hackensacks were not warlike, were scantily clothed, and always ready for a run over the fields in search of game. The principal garment of the women had more the appearance of a bag than a dress, consisting of a square piece of buckskin, wrapped about the waist and allowing a bulge, into which articles needed in the daily life were placed while on a march.
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Indian Village at Hackensack, 1666. Return of a Hunting Party. Courtesy Newark Public Library
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PURITANS ARRIVE IN THE WILDERNESS
Oraton, through Perro, assured the committee that the settlers would not be disturbed in their home making. The bill of sale, it was agreed, should be held in abeyance till after the Branford and Guilford companies arrived in the spring of 1667.
Opportunity was thereby given to secure the purchase price at leisure-sundry useful articles, of more value to the Indians than silver and gold.
CHAPTER II
THE FUNDAMENTAL AGREEMENT
"Such was their creed-a life and not a name
And here to found their perfect State they came."
A. D. F. RANDOLPH.
U TPON the settlers rested the weighty responsibility of final trial in the New World of "carrying on spiritual concernments, and also civil and town affairs according to God and a Godly government." Humor had no place in their daily routine, and life on this mundane sphere was continually a serious matter.
The religious spirit finds expression in positive manner in the Fundamental Agreement or constitution upon which the town was founded. Unanimously adopted at the first town meeting on May 21, 1666, by the Milford company and delegates representing Branford and Guilford, the document was then forwarded to the two latter places for signatures of residents of those places contemplating the pilgrimage. Credit is therefore given the men of Branford and Guilford of signing first.
THE AGREEMENT
"October 30, 1666.
At a meeting touching the Intended design of many of the inhabitants of Branford, the following was subscribed:
1st. That none shall be admitted freemen or free Burgesses [Deut. i-13] within our Town upon Pesayak River in the Prov- ince [Exod. xviii-21] of New Jersey but such Planters 'as are members [Deut. xvii-15] of some or other of the Congregational Churches, nor shall [Jer. xxx-21] any but such be chosen to magis- tracy or to Carry on any part of said Civil Judicature, or as deputies or assistants, to have power to Vote in Establishing laws,
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THE FUNDAMENTAL AGREEMENT
and making or Repealing them or to any Chief Military Trust or Office.
Nor shall any But such Church Members have any Vote in any · such elections; Tho' all others admitted to be planters have Right to their proper Inheritances, and do and shall enjoy all other Civil Liberties and Privileges, According to all Laws, Orders, Grants, which are or shall hereafter be made for this Town.
2d. We shall with Care and Diligence provide for the mainte- nance of the purity of Religion professed in the Congregational Churches. Wherefore unto subscribed the Inhabitants of Bran- ford.
Jasper Crane
Abraham Pierson
Ebenezer Canfield
Samuel Swaine
John Ward, Sr.
Laurence Ward
Edward Ball
Thomas Blacthly
John Harrison
Samuel Plum Josiah Ward
Delivered Crane
1
Samuel Rose
Aaron Blatchly
Thomas Pierson
Richard Laurence
John Ward
John Catling
Richard Harrison
mark
And upon the reception of their Letters and Subscriptions, the present inhabitants, in November following, declare their consent and readiness to do likewise, and at a meeting the twenty- fourth of next June, following, in 1667, they also subscribed with their own hands unto the two fundamental agreements ex- pressed on the other side, their names as follows:
Robert Treat
Obadiah Bruen
Edward Rigs Robert Kitchell
his
John B Brooks mark his Robert V Lymens mark
his
Francis F Linle mark
Daniel Tichenor
John Bauldwin, Sr.
John Bauldwin, Jr.
Matthew Canfield Samuel Kitchell Jeremiah Peck
Jonathan Tompkins George Day Thomas Johnson
John Curtis
Ephraim Burwell his
Robert R. Dennison mark
Michael Tompkins Stephen Freeman Henry Lyon John Browne John Rogers Stephen Davis
Thomas Huntington
John Crane
John Johnson his
Thomas L Lyon
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NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
Nathaniel Wheeler
Ephraim Pennington
Martin Tichenor
Zachariah Burwell William Camp
John Brown, Jr.
Joseph Walters
Jonathan Seargeant
Robert Dalglesh
Azariah Crane
Hauns Albers
Samuel Lyon
Thomas Morris
Joseph Riggs
Hugh Roberts
Stephen Bond
The texts of Scripture incorporated, emphasized the com- plete obedience to an overruling Providence:
"Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you."-Deut. i-13.
"Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens."-Exod. xviii-21.
"Thou shalt in any wise set him King over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose; one from among thy brethren shalt- thou set king over thee; thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother."-Deut. xvii-15.
"And their nobles shall be of themselves and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them."-Jer. xxx-31.
The Surveyor-General of Elizabeth Town arranged "Middle highways in the length and breadth of the town (Broad and Market streets of our day) to be eight Rods wide and the Rest four." Mulberry and Washington streets, included in the first map of road laying, were named respectively East Back Lane and West Back Lane.
Three ranges were provided "with due preparation and solemnization," one each for the people of Milford, Bran- ford, and Guilford. Drawing for home lots was adopted as the most expeditious and harmonious method of settle- ment. These lots consisted of six acres, except that of Captain Treat. He was allowed not only two additional acres, but also the privilege of first choice. This honor was in return for his skill and expense in negotiating the purchase of the land. He selected the lot at the southeast
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