USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > A History of the city of Newark, New Jersey : embracing practically two and a half centuries, 1666-1913, Volume I > Part 11
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BUILDING THE CHURCH.
The first church building was begun in 1668. It was always spoken of as the "meeting house," with all of the good old demo- cratic significance of the phrase. Its construction was arranged
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for at a town meeting in September,+ two years after the settle- ment, which no doubt indicates that the settlers were by that time more or less comfortably housed. There is no doubt but what church services were held in the homes of individuals from the very first. All the details for the church building, its dimensions, etc., are laid down with great particularity in the Town Minute Book.5
THIE CATTLE POUND AND ITS IMPORTANCE.
It is impressive to note that at the very next town meeting the task of building of a cattle pound is taken up with fully as much seriousness and with almost as much exactness of detail as was required for the building of the church. It was located near the Frog Pond, which means that it stood either on Market street, east of Washington, or on the latter street near Market. Stephen Bond was chosen at the same time as the first "common brander in our town for all horses, according to our law for branding settled in our Province; and also to keep the records for the same for the year Insueing." John Ward held the same office with reference to cattle.
The pound was not completed until 1669, and we get a further insight into the reason for the shrewd old Puritans' apparent anxiety to have it in commission as soon as possible (and it was ready for use about as soon as the meeting house), from the fact that the owners of stray cattle had to pay a fine into the town treasury for each of their beasts impounded. It was one of the few comparatively certain sources of revenue that the town possessed, since the cattle were forever straying. The settlers were even required to set up poles and bushes at the foot of their meadow lots and in the water to prevent the swine from swimming around them into the lower river or bay. The first poundkeeper was Robert Denison, "and he is to have a penny by the head for
4 See the chapters on Churches in the present work; also Stearn's "History of the First Church."
& "Meeting house" is an almost exact translation for "synagogue."
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turning the key, or reception of any cattle trespassing, into the said pound." Poundage ran as high as five shilling per head, and as low as a penny, ranging from unruly horses and cattle to the shy and gentle sheep.
LADDERS FOR FIRE PROTECTION.
The wise old founders seem to have neglected no detail to insure the comfort and safety of the people. In 1668, for instance, the town directed that every man provide himself with a good ladder, within two months, or pay a fine of five shillings, "and so maintain the same under penalty of 1s. by the month." Thus were the first measures for protection against fire taken, for it goes without saying that the ladders were needed for the common safety against fire, as well as to safeguard the family against prowling savages or more pronounced attacks, in conveying them- selves to their attics and other places of vantage. They were also essential in raising the roofs upon the framework of their buildings.
The first auditors of the treasurer's accounts (1668) were "Mr." Camfield and Thomas Johnson, the constable and innkeeper.
THE FIRST COURTS.
The two town magistrates held court twice a year, in February and September, "to hear and try all causes and actions that shall be necessary and desired within our compass and according to our articles [the "Fundamental Agreements"] ; and that the same shall pass by a verdict of a jury of six men." This practice was inaugurated in 1668. A few years later courts were held quarterly.
PREPARING FOR COMMERCE.
It fell to the lot of John Rockwell to become the town's first boatman and to take up the lot set aside for this functionary, at the river's edge south from what is now Bridge street and six acres in area, "upon consideration that he doth this very spring season [1669] come and settle here in our town and maintain this or such like sufficient boat for the use of the town or particular persons in
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the town * * so long as the Lord shall enable him thereto." Thus was the commerce of Newark first provided for, and it may be added that its shipping was highly subsidized, as it was agreed that the town would "forbear him for some time the present rate of purchase money," for the land from the Indians.
THE TOWN'S MEN.
Although the New England town meeting form of government was in operation even while the pioneer settlers were on their vessels awaiting the perfecting of an agreement with the Indians in the spring of 1666, it was not until May, 1669, that the first body of selectmen, or as they were then called "town's men" or "townsmen" were chosen. They were Matthew Camfield, Sergeant John Ward, Richard Harrison, Sergeant Edward Riggs and Robert Denison. Their functions were those of a town executive com- mittee, and their first duties were: to see that the meeting house was finished according to the specifications, to supervise the fur- ther erection of the common fence, the setting out of highways in the fields, the herding of cattle, etc. The number of selectmen was later increased to seven. This form of government continued until 1736 when the township of Newark was organized, the town- ship officers being created by law. There was no further material change in the local government for the next hundred years, until the city was organized, in 1836.
By 1669 the land in the immediate centre of the territory was quite well taken up, and the town decided to ask Captain Treat to make a complete and exhaustive record of the entire real property distribution, and the treasurer was directed to procure him a suitable book in which to set it down. The book disappeared ages ago, if, indeed, it was ever prepared. In the same year the town meeting passed a rule definitely setting aside the various "commons" as "not to be disposed of to any man's property, without the consent of every free-holder or received inhabitant of the town." These parcels included South or Lincoln Park, Military Park ("that which lyeth in the middle street toward
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the landing place") Washington Park, then the market place, and the watering place, southeast of the present County Court House. EARLY INDIFFERENCE AS TO EXERCISING RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE.
Men were quite human in those days, as now. The settlers, intensely concerned as they were in every step taken for the upbuilding of the town, were many of them inclined to shirk attendance at town meeting. We groan to-day at the indifference of thousands to exercising their right of suffrage, but it is, indeed, an ancient failing. In the "good old time" of 1671, the town meeting of Newark voted that thereafter, until further order, twenty freeholders, together with the clerk and one magistrate, should constitute a quorum, with full powers. This, in effect, notified the voters that if they did not care to attend meetings things might be done of which they might not approve, but from which they would have no redress. All this did not have the desired effect and, in 1676, the town voted as follows: "Town meetings may be called by the town's men, and 24 hours shall be accounted legal warning. The drum is to be beaten twice in fair weather; the first drum is to be beaten as far as Sergeant Harri- son's gate, and the second at the meeting house about half an hour after, at which every planter shall be at the place of meeting to answer to his name." Joseph Johnson, the drummer, probably started out thumping his drum from his father's home at Broad and Walnut streets. The half-hour interval between the first call and what was the virtual call to order of the meeting is significant, as it shows every settler was within easy half-hour walking dis- tance of the meeting house. Johnson, the drummer, was 25 years old at the time, and lived to be 83.
If anyone was tardy he was to be fined six-pence. If he was absent half a day, the fine was fifteen shillings, while for a whole day's absence a half erown was the penalty. It did not at all suflice to go to the meeting, answer to roll call and then go back to your business, for a two-shilling fine was imposed if you left before meeting was dismissed. If you were absent for any part of the day you lost your vote, besides being fined.
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This seems to have had a tonic effect upon the attendance, for three or four years; but it was found necessary to renew the above rule in 1680, 1683 and in 1690, which was done each time by a unanimous vote.
THE TOWN'S DEFENSIVE FORCE.
The first training day in Newark, of which there is any record and which means the first mobilization of the community's defensive force, including all able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60, was held on June 5, 1671, five years after the settle- ment. It took place in the rear of the church or meeting house, and not upon Military Park or Common, which the settlers had named the "training place," although it manifestly had not been cleared sufficiently to permit of its use for that purpose in 1671. The order was for "every soldier to appear at the beat of the drum, to show his arms and ammunition, and to spend that day in exercising their arms, as they shall agree among themselves." The fine for absence was 2s. 6d. The soldiers thus assembled were to divide themselves into squadrons, "for the carrying of arms to meeting, and warding on the Lord's days during the time of publick exercise; which is the town's mind and order, that it be strikly observ'd and attended." Captain Treat, who was town clerk and recorder as well as commander-in-chief of the military forces, probably put all the unction possible into the last phrase, for it was without a doubt left to him to express the meet- ing's idea in his own language.
THE FIRST GRIST MILL.
After the meeting house was built, and the cattle pound established, the founders turned their attention to the building of a grist mill. At first no one was ready to volunteer for the work and the town meeting formally asked Lieutenant Samuel Swain, who was a millwright by trade, to submit a proposition. It was agreed to pay him "twenty shillings by the week and three pounds for his skill," unless, as the Minute Book quaintly and
1
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shrewdly puts it, "he shall see cause to abate it, which, if he should see cause to do, the town will take it thankfully." IIe agreed to "give his best advice about the building of the dam and leveling the ground as the town shall need him," and together with "Mr." Robert Treat, Henry Lyon, John Brown and Stephen Davis, the town's committee in the business, who were "to appoint and oversee the work, and that, as near as they can, in an equal and propor- tionate way, and to keep a clear and distinct account of each man's work and layings out about the work." Thomas Pierson and George Day were chosen to summon the men of the town to the Mill Brook at the proper time, to do the actual work of construc- tion. A committee was also appointed to search the country 'round for suitable mill-stones.
Despite all these preparations, the work lagged for a year. The settlers were busy getting their own homesteads in order. They were practically all farmers and it was not easy for them to leave the fields at the beck and call of the committees, without great personal sacrifice. So it was arranged that Captain Treat and Sergeant Richard Harrison should construct the mill and its equipment and supply a miller who should "grind all the town's grist into good meal." Treat and Richards were to have exclusive rights to all mill privileges on the brook, with the guarantee of having all the town's grist to grind. The town was to aid them by giving them thirty pounds value in goods, sole possession of all timber and other material already prepared for the mill, and "two days' work of every man and woman that holds an allotment in the town." What the women lot owners did in the building of the mill does not appear; they probably hired men to do their share.
ROBERT TREAT'S LAST IMPORTANT SERVICE.
Captain Treat never failed the founders when they called on him, and it usually was his lot to unravel their hardest problems. Under his direction the mill soon became a reality. It was ready for business some time in the summer of 1671, as the following item in the Minute Book goes to show: "It is agreed that the 2d
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day of the week and the 6th day of the same week and the next days if the town need and the work can not be well done on those days that are appointed and agreed upon by the Town Meeting and the owners of the Mill to be their grinding days, upon which days the Miller is to attend his grinding and the town are to bring their grists, and the Miller promiseth to do his * * as for himself, secure the same [from damage or other loss] until it be inclosed and under lock and key."
The mill remained the property of Treat and Harrison for thirteen years, until 1684. Then, with the consent of the town, the property was conveyed to three sons of Sergeant Harrison, Samuel, Joseph and George, the father having bought Treat's interest. Captain Treat had long before this sale returned to Connecticut to grapple with far greater problems than the building of mills.
This mill was probably the "corn mill," for which a lot was set aside on the Mill Brook, at the junction of High and Clay streets. The Miller's lot, on which he had his home, was on the southwest corner of Broad and Clay streets. Two other mills were built later, in the neighborhood. It is significant that Azariah Bush [probably Beech], who was received in the town as a boat- man, a little later than John Rockwell, was assigned a home lot close to that of the miller, as it was the intention, probably, that he should transport such grains as were intended for shipment, to New York, Elizabethtown or elsewhere, in his boat.
Within a year after the completion of the mill, Robert Treat bade farewell to Newark and returned to Connecticut, in 1672, so that its erection stands as his last conspicuous service to the community. No mention is made in the town records of his departure, although it is probable that the records of the First Church, which were destroyed during the War for Independence, no doubt contained some account of his formal leave-taking. If he ever again saw the little community for whose existence he was to so large a degree responsible, history does not disclose the fact. It is quite probable that he expected to return, since he was not formally dismissed from the Newark church until several
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years after his departure. Just why he went, too, will probably never be known. One belief is that he was urged by persons high in power in Connecticut to give that colony his aid in meeting the difficulties consequent upon the rapidly growing unrest among the Indians and which was presently to culminate in the sanguinary King Philip's War; but no substantial proof of this is so far forth- coming. Certain it is, however, that he was almost immediately given one of the most responsible posts in the military organiza- tion of the Connecticut colony and from that time on was never free from the gravest responsibilities of state for many years.
Jasper Crane now became the leading citizen, and Lieutenants Samuel Swain and Thomas Johnson were, in August, 1673, named for the posts of captain, the intent of the town being apparently to have two thereafter, possibly because of there being no one man among them who could fill the place of Captain Treat, and partly perhaps because of the increasing fear of an Indian uprising in this section of New Jersey. Sergeant John Ward and Josiah Ward were nominated for lieutenants, at the same time, and Sergeant Richard Harrison and Samuel Harrison were named for ensigns. All were confirmed in office, as the Minute Book subsequently refers to them with their new titles.
APPREHENSION OF WAR.
While there was very little fear that the New Jersey savages, the Lenni Lenape, who were the friends and allies of the settlers, would become involved in the war now about to begin in New England, the white men knew the volatile nature of their dark- skinned neighbors, and they had some reasons for believing also that the fierce tribes in the wilds of Pennsylvania might sweep across the country, spreading terror and ruin. For September, 1673, we find this in the Minute Book: "It was also by the Magis- trate's order published, that in consideration of the present danger and fear of what may further ensue, we do therefore require that every man in our town under sixty and above sixteen years of age, shall meet together with their arms well fixed, upon eight of the clock, on the first day of October, which is this day Sennight,
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upon the penalty of five shillings. The ammunition for each man to bring with him being half a pound of powder and twelve bullets fit for his gun, or two pounds of pistol bullets, and upon that day the soldiers shall chuse the rest of their officers." The sum of thirty pounds was, a few days later, at another town meeting, set aside to meet public expenses, no doubt an emergency fund. For the town to hold town meetings within a week or so of each other was most extraordinary. Clearly, Newark was preparing for war.
FORTIFYING THE CHURCH.
In the summer of August, 1675, while the church was being repaired and strengthened, partly as a stronger citadel of defense, no doubt, the twelve men detailed each day to give that period to this work were directed to bring their arms with them.
The fortifying of the church or meeting house consisted of lathing the interior and filling in part of the space between this and the outer wall with thin stone. Flankers, or little towers, were constructed at diagonally opposite corners of the structure, in which men were to stand ward, while the others were at divine service, or town meeting within. Palisades or stockades were also constructed, but whether these were made to surround the entire structure, or simply placed around the flankers, the Minute Book does not make clear. The cattle that were accustomed to range on the meadows during the open season were brought in earlier in this particular year. The strengthening of the settlement's forti- fication continued for months thereafter. Early in 1676, the town ordered: "John Ward is chosen to procure a Barrel of Powder, and Lead answerable to it, as reasonably as he can, for the town's use; provided that the town pay him at once, within this week, in corn, fowls and eggs, or any way to satisfy him." Pastor Pierson, who was ordinarily exempt from most taxes, was specifically informed that he must pay his share, as this was evidently deemed a time of great public emergency.8
" The settlers were occasionally prodded by the Governor and Assembly to organize for defense, and Newark's alertness in this regard was no doubt in some measure due to this inspiration.
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The possibility of war quickened the settlers along many lines. They now proceed, in 1676, to provide for the laying out of a highway and a landing place by the river. The highway was probably Centre street and the landing place was close to the very spot where the rapid transit railroad bridge now crosses the Passaic, and where the old Centre street bridge stood. This gave the people in the centre of the town the shortest and easiest access to and from the river. A line of retreat was thus prepared; and it was good generalship, even though, as we well know now, there was to be no war. Before the year 1676 was very far advanced, the war scare subsided.
EARLY PROTECTION OF SHADE TREES.
At the end of the first ten years Newark was beginning to take definite physical form; the people were becoming alert to improve its general appearance. Now began to appear the pretty little village that was to be the admiration of all travelers a little later. "The town," says the Minute Book, "seeing some trees spoiled in the streets by barking, or otherwise; the town hath agreed, that no green tree within the town as is marked with N. [for Newark] shall be barked or felled, or any otherwise killed, under the penalty of ten shillings so killed. The town's men are chosen to mark such trees as are convenient for shade in the town streets." Here we have Newark's first Shade Tree Commission work.
At about the same time, children above the age of fourteen were authorized to bring in stray cattle to the pound. In this year, 1676, the town laid its plans and apparently started its first school. John Catlin, one of the founders, was active in this work and is believed to have taught it. The settlers had conquered the soil; they now knew their town-building was a success, and they proceeded to make it a more comfortable abiding place.
QUARANTINE AGAINST NEW YORK SMALL-POX.
In 1678, the community took the first steps in its history to conserve the general health. There was in that year an epidemic of small-pox in New York. A special town meeting was called in
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Newark and this edict adopted: "Upon a report that many are sick of the pox in New York, it is thought fit to prohibit persons from going thither upon every small occasion as formerly. The town has therefore chosen as a committee [its first Board of Health] Mr. Ward, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Swaine, Deacon Lawrence and Sarj't Harrison, to whom persons shall repair for Liberty ; and this committee or any three of them to consider whether persons' occa- sions are of urgent necessity, and as they find, to give Liberty or prohibit. If any person or persons shall presume to go without approbation from some one of these three, shall forfeit the sum of 20s., to be distrained by the Constable."
The community, as has been said on a preceding page, was under a kind of martial law for a long time after the settlement ; indeed, it was little short of imperative that it should be, and it is because of this swift-moving and absolute power of the people that the foundations were laid so quickly and so well. The above paragraph from the old records is illuminating, for it shows us that the habit of "running over" to New York was laid at the very beginning of things in Newark.
THE NIGHT WATCH.
The town became a little disturbed over another rumor of an Indian uprising in 1679, and the martial side of its government was quick to act, the town meeting adopting the following: "For the better security of the town it is agreed to have a watch kept in this town, three in a night, at some house appointed by the serjents, and one of the three to stand Centry, one at one time and another at another; and at the break of day or thereabouts all three of them to be walking, that if there be Danger it may be timely discovered and prevented, and about half a hour after Daybreak to call the Drummer, and he is to beat the drum. It is also agreed that one-fourth part of the town at a time, and so taking their turns, shall carry arms to meeting on the Lord's Day, and two to ward and one to stand Centry."
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Some months later a call to arms was devised as follows: "It is agreed that the Drum, being begun to be beaten at Joseph Rigg's gate [on what is now Clinton avenue nearly opposite the end of High street], and so all the way up the street as far as Sam'l Harrison's gate [just north of Military Park], and at the ceasing of the beating of the drum three guns being distinctly fired of [f] -it shall be sufficient warning for all as are in the Military list, forthwith to meet at the Meeting House in their Arms."
This seems to have been the last Indian excitement which Newark had to pass through. In 1680, the Assembly directed that each community fortify itself against the Indians, but Newark had already taken all necessary precautions.
A TANNERY IN 1676.
The first shoemaker to reside permanently apparently arrived in June, 1680, for the town then announced that it was "willing Samuel Whitehead should come and inhabit among us, provided he will supply the Town with shoes, tho' for the present we know not of any place of land convenient." The town was now pretty well supplied with manufacturers to fill its modest needs, and in its desire to foster the industries thus early we see the infant settlement laying the foundations for Newark's industrial great- ness. It had been tanning hides and making leather since 1676, if not before. Deacon Lawrence was chosen the first sealer of leather, under an act of the Assembly which also provided for the appointment of a meat packer, Joseph Walters, being the first to hold that office in Newark.
KEEPING OUT STRANGERS.
When the town was less than fifteen years old, its leading men began to fear that strangers would get in, somehow, and remain. They were still striving to preserve their Puritan the- ocracy and they viewed the possibility of those of other ways of thinking and living getting a foothold among them, with genuine alarm. In 1680 it was decided by solemn vote of the town: "To
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