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 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS.
War between Great Britain and France had been going on for some time, but was not declared until March, 1744. The King of England and his ministers called upon the Provinces through the governors to co-operate with the mother country in the conquest of Canada. An expedition was conducted from New England to Louisburg, in two months, showing the pluck and the steadiness of tried and disciplined troops ; an achievement for which the Crown was apparently loath to give the colonists the great credit they deserved. In May, two years later, the Provincial governors were called on to do their part in organizing a movement on Canada by way of New York. The New Jersey Assembly resolved to raise a force of five hundred men. The people responded almost instantly, for in less than two months six hundred and fifty men had offered themselves for enlistment.
COLONEL PETER SCHUYLER.
This little command, the first in the history of New Jersey to be organized and equipped for service without its borders, was led by Colonel Peter Schuyler, a patriotic and public-spirited
.
222
HISTORY OF NEWARK
gentleman and a gallant soldier, a resident of Newark as it was then constituted. He is the most striking and inspiring character in all Newark's early history after the founders, from the days of Robert Treat and the Rev. Abraham Pierson. He was a son of Arent Schuyler, whose father, Peter Schuyler, afterwards the first chief magistrate of Albany, first took up ground in what is now Arlington, whose homestead covered a large part of the territory now within that section's limits, as well as much of Kearny. The first manor house is believed to have stood about where what is now Cromwell avenue and the road from the Belleville bridge cross, and east of where for many years there was a reservoir for Jersey City's drinking water.
It was in the time of Colonel Schuyler's father, Arent, that copper was discovered on the estate and the mine known later as the "Belleville copper mine" was started. Colonel Schuyler's elder brother, John, inherited the homestead and the mine, but the Colonel fell heir to a splendid property, which made him one of the richest men in the upper section of Jersey. He used his wealth in the defense of his country and for the betterment of mankind about him.
THE FIRST CAMPAIGN.
Colonel Schuyler and his command of five companies marched to Albany in the early fall of 1746, where they arrived only to learn that the proposed expedition into Canada had been abandoned because of the failure of England to keep her promise and send troops to co-operate in the movement. Schuyler and his men remained throughout the winter and for about a year, guarding the frontier, with the New York volunteers, (to whom this Province had contributed one company. representing the surplus of enlistment over the five hundred asked for by the Jersey Assembly).
We may be certain that many of Colonel Schuyler's soldiers were recruited from Newark and Essex county, where he was universally known and held in the highest esteem. In a letter written in June, 1747, we read: "just now came to town [New York] advice that the Fort of Saraghtoga is besieged by the enemy.
223
HISTORY OF NEWARK
Col. Peter Schuyler, a gentleman who seems to have the welfare of his country well to heart, I hear is to-morrow to march up with the Jersey forces to the relief of the garrison, which I hope he may effect." Nothing was accomplished, however, and not long after- wards the Jersey regiment returned home, the peace of Aix la Chappelle being declared in 1748.
The effort failed chiefly through the miserable management of the home government, which neither sent reinforcements nor instructions for the advance of the Provincial forces. "This affair," says Gordon, in his History of New Jersey, "was one of the thou- sand instances of incapacity and misrule which the parent state inflicted upon her dependent American progeny." And which, we may add, was just one more influence in the preparation of the colonies for the coming struggle for independence. The Jersey and New York forces were disbanded in the fall of 1747, but the Jersey- men would not have remained in the field nearly so long, had not it been for the generosity of their leader.
For months the men were unpaid. They chafed under this and because of the lack of employment, until they mutinied. Colonel Schuyler sympathized with his men, and, failing to induce the Jersey Assembly to provide the pay, it already having expended more than £20,000 in equipping, transporting and provisioning the command, he paid his soldiers himself .. He expended several thousand pounds.
THE SECOND CALL TO ARMS.
The French paid little attention to the peace treaty. They were constantly active along the frontier, and were exceedingly suc- cessful in inflaming the Indians against the English colonies. These activities caused great unrest. On New Year's day, 1755, President Burr, of the New Jersey College, and then pastor of the original church in Newark, preached a fiery sermon which was printed and circulated widely. This synopsis of it serves to indicate to us the temper of the times: "This piece contains some reasonable reflec- tions upon the following topics: On the growing and dangerous
224
HISTORY OF NEWARK
power of France under the House of Bourbon. The ambitious attempts of that house for the establishment of universal monarchy. The present treacherous designs against the British Colonies in America. The severities executed upon French Protestant subjects. * And the importance of immediate, united and vigorous measures for repelling the insults of our enemies and defending our country and liberties."
Colonel Schuyler was at once ready to buckle on his sword again. "We also hear from New Jersey," remarks the New York Gazette or Weekly Post-Boy for March 10, 1755, "that the worthy Col. Peter Schuyler, near Newark, has requested and obtained leave of the Governor, to raise 400 men at his own charge, to be in readi- ness to the assistance of the city of New York, or any place in their neighborhood, if it should happen to be attack'd by the French or other enemies of Great Britain. Is not this patriotism indeed ?"
His offer does not appear to have been actually accepted, but a little later the Assembly decided to raise a battalion of five hundred men, whereupon the Governor promptly nominated Schuyler for its colonel, "and the gentlemen's popularity was such," writes Gordon, "that the battalion was not only promptly filled, but a much larger number of men presented themselves for enlistment than were required." As a matter of fact, while five hundred were asked a thousand appeared. The arms were obtained from Virginia. Later, New Jersey was asked to increase her quota, but declined, because of the Indian outrages on the western frontier, many savage bands invading the State and murdering numbers of the people of Sussex county and along the eastern side of the Delaware. Newark and Essex County sent many men out on this Jersey frontier work. The colonies were greatly upset at this time. In October, 1756, the Presbyterian Synod of New York, in session in Newark, fixed the following Thursday as a "Day of publick fasting and prayer," because of "the dangerous situation of the publick at this juncture."
Colonel Schuyler and his men were sent to the New York frontier, and garrisoned the fort at Oswego, which was captured by Montcalm, on August 15, 1756, and all the command then there was
3
2
225
HISTORY OF NEWARK
thrown into prison. Schuyler was at the head of the garrison of 1.400 at the time Montcalm overpowered it with 5,000 French and Indians. Schuyler's superior, Colonel Mercer, had been killed by a cannon ball.
There was intense excitement in New York and New Jersey. "After an anxious suspence for several days," ran a letter from Albany, "'tis now past all doubt that we have lost Oswego. * * How it came to be lost is a question which no man in this colony will take upon him to determine-New Jersey has lost a regiment. She has lost more; she has lost Col. Schuyler, a brave and loyal sub- ject who despised his own ease and all the delights of an affluent fortune for the service of his country. Who had greater induce- ment to content himself at home? None."
A GENTLEMAN AND A SOLDIER.
Colonel Schuyler was paroled, but on condition that if a French officer of his rank was not produced by the English, he would have to return to prison. He made his way to New York and subse- quently to Newark and his home at Petersborough across the Pas- saic where Kearny Castle now stands (1913). But he was soon informed that the French had received no one in exchange, and that he must return. His friends and neighbors urged him to disregard this insistment of the French, but he would listen to none of them. Like the true soldier and gentleman that he was, he obeyed the con- ditions of his parole to the letter.
He joined his men in prison at Montreal and spent thousands of dollars in caring for them and others during their captivity, hav- ing arranged before his departure for letters of credit. He provided them with clothing and at times with food. He ministered to their needs, while sharing their confinement, with such constancy, that they came to fairly idolize him. He was released in August, 1758, together with all the other prisoners, he having charge of the exchange for the English. Strenuous efforts for his release had been made in the meantime. The King of England had directed his officers to do their utmost to get Colonel Schuyler out of captivity.
x
226
HISTORY OF NEWARK
His action in the campaign of 1748, when he paid his men out of his own pocket, had been disapproved by Governor Clinton of New York, who had striven to have Schuyler disciplined for his gen- erosity, declaring that such conduct had a bad effect upon the morale of the troops. But the king seems to have paid no heed, and to have admired Schuyler for his high-minded and generous conduct.
COLONEL SCHUYLER'S WELCOME HOME.
"During Colonel Schuyler's captivity in Canada," read one newspaper account of the time, "his gratitude to his unfortunate countrymen was without bounds, his table being ever open and free to those in distress ; and we hear he has out of his own private purse expended upwards of 20,000 livres among his distressed country- men in redeeming them from captivity."
Schuyler was welcomed as the hero that he was, upon his return to Newark in November, 1757, and in the following, from the New York Mercury of November 23, we have an account of the first demonstration in this community in honor of any individual of which there is any record :
"Last Sunday evening the Hon. Peter Schuyler, passed through this place [Newark] in his way to his Seat at Peterborough. Upon his arrival at his house he was saluted with the discharge of 13 pieces of cannon. The evening following the inhabitants of Newark, upon his coming into the town, attended by several gentlemen of distinction, saluted him as before. There was a large bonfire erected and the houses of the principal inhabitants were illuminated the remainder of the evening, as an honour due to his great attach- ment to the interest of his country, and uncommon zeal for his Majesty's service. The principal gentlemen met together on this occasion, where the loyal healths were drank, at the discharge of several rounds of cannon, and a general joy appeared among the inhabitants." Another account concludes:
"Joy was conspicuous on every Countenance, and each one manifested his regard due to the merit of that gentleman, whose kind and humane treatment of his fellow-sufferers while in cap-
227
HISTORY OF NEWARK
tivity, as well as his great attachment to the interest of his country, and uncommon zeal for his Majesty's service merits universal esteem."
The whole Province warmed to him. A few weeks after his return this appeared in the New York Mercury :
"The following lines were wrote by a young lady of the Prov- ince of New Jersey, during the few minutes Col. Schuyler staid at l'rince-Town, the last week, in his way at Trenton, and presented him in the most agreeable manner. As they discover so fruitful and uncommon a genius in their fair author, I doubt not that their communication to the public thro' the channel of your paper, will be acceptable to all, but more especially to your female readers :
TO THE HONOURABLE COL. PETER SCHUYLER.
"Dear to each Muse, and to thy Country dear, Welcome once more to breathe thy native air; Not half so cheering is the solar Ray, To the harsh rigour of a Winter's Day; Nor half so grateful fanning breezes rise, When the hot Dog Star burns the Summer skies; Caesaraes Shore with Acclamation rings, And Welcome Schuyler, every Shepherd sings. See for thy Brows, the Laurel is prepar'd, And justly deem'd a Patriot, thy Reward; Ev'n future Ages shall enroll thy Name, In sacred Annals of immortal Fame."
LATER ENLISTMENTS-COLONEL SCHUYLER'S DEATH.
The calls for another regiment from New Jersey were urgent. In the spring of 1759 a command of one thousand men was raised and, with Colonel Schuyler at its head, saw hard service beyond Albany, returning in November of the same year. Still another regiment of the same size was demanded in 1760, and again the gallant Schuyler organized and led it back to New York State, returning like its immediate predecessor at the close of the year and after arduous campaigning. This ended Colonel Schuyler's service to his State and country. He was no doubt worn out by his experiences at the front and in the field, for he was stricken with a severe illness in the spring of 1761. He died, in March, 1762, at his beloved Petersborough.
F
228
HISTORY OF NEWARK
"Yesterday morning," says the Pennsylvania Journal of March 8, 1762, "Col. Peter Schuyler departed this life, at his Seat at Newark in East-Jersey, greatly and justly lamented. He did honour to his Country, and gave a noble Example to others: And it will be allowed by all who knew him, that he was a sincere Friend, humane, beneficent and just to all Mankind." Samuel Smith, New Jersey's first historian, wrote as follows of him, about 1765:
"He had the command of the province troops against the French of Canada, in divers campaigns in the last two wars; and by the best judges of military merit was allowed to rank high in that character. He had qualities besides that greatly recommended him to his acquaintance, being of frank, open behavior, of an exten- sive generosity and humanity and unwearied in his endeavors to accomplish whatever appeared of service to his country. *
. As to person, he was of a tall, hardy make, rather rough at first view, yet a little acquaintance discovered a bottom of sincerity, and that he was ready to every kind office in his power. In con- versation he was above artifice or the common traffick of forms, yet seemed to enjoy friendship with its true relish; and in all relations what he seemed to be he was."5
A half length portrait, in oils, of Colonel Schuyler, is preserved in the rooms of the New Jersey Historical Society.
"JERSEY BLUE."
It has long been said that the expression "Jersey Blue" was originated during the War for Independence and that it came into being at the time a band of patriotic Newark women were engaged in fitting out a company of volunteers with uniforms in which blue played a prominent part. This is an error. The expression origi- nated thirty years before the War for Independence, and was applied to Colonel Schuyler's hardy men, as early as 1747. From that time each succeeding regiment throughout the French and Indian Wars was spoken of as "Jersey Blues." In a letter written from Lake George, in June, 1759, we read:
"Your favours came to hand the first few days before we left Fort Edward, and the last Saturday morning, the day we marched
" Smith's "History of New Jersey," p. 494.
5
229
HISTORY OF NEWARK
for Half-Way Brook, where we encamped, and left it yesterday, and are now encamped here: as is likewise the Royal Scots, and the Jersey Blues."
Another instance is taken from a letter, written a few weeks later at the same place. It is most dramatic. Part of it is as follows:
"The second Instant, 16 of the Jersey Blues were sent without the camp to gather a little brush for General Baker, but were not an hour gone before they were surprised in sight of the camp by a party of the enemy, consisting of about 240, who killed and scalped six, wounded two, took four prisoners and only four of the party escaped. They showed themselves plainly to the whole Army after they got the scalps, gave a Hollow [halloo, or warwhoop] and then made off to their battoes" [boats or canoes]."
Information as to the precise origin of the expression "Jersey Blue" is exasperatingly brief. How it came to be used, we do not know and probably never will know. The inference that the "Blue" was derived from the distinguishing feature of their uniforms is plain enough, but beyond that we cannot go. We have, in fact, but meagre knowledge of the actual doings of the Jersey soldiers during the French and Indian Wars. The hardships they endured must have been most severe, but little or no complaint has come down to us from them. One or two things we do know, although the State has all but lost sight of them for the last hundred years: New Jersey sent several thousand men to the frontier in New York under Colonel Schuyler, at various times, who did their duty with patience and fortitude. These men held their commander, Colonel Schuyler, of Newark, as it then was, in the highest esteem, and were ever ready to rally to the colors whenever he called; and, finally, these men, veterans, were, unknown to themselves or the King whom they served, training themselves for a sterner and infinitely more important struggle that was to come a decade or so later and which was to end in the complete separation of the colonies from the mother country. Colonel Schuyler was making soldiers for the War for Independence, but neither he nor anyone else so much as dreamed of it.
' From New Jersey Archives, vol. xx, p. 364.
·
230
HISTORY OF NEWARK
NEWARK'S GROWTH, 1750-1760.
Newark increased very slowly in population previous to the War for Independence. It developed its resources gradually. Much of the old Puritan conservatism still remained. But it was, thanks to the masterful foresight of its founders, strategically placed, and the old newspapers of the 1750's and 1760's carried many an item about the town and its affairs, showing that it was slowly but surely expanding to meet the changing conditions. The first mention of a store in Newark appeared in a newspaper in November, 1751, which reads as follows: "Just imported from Bristol, in the ship Two Friends, Capt. Wadmore, by John and Uzal Ogden, and to be sold cheap wholesale and retail at their store in Newark, for ready money or country produce at market price, a choice assortment of European goods fit for the season." How long this business had been established we have no means of knowing. In 1759 Gabriel Ogden opened a "ware-house of a great variety of goods imported in the ship Old Grace and the last vessels from England, to be sold very cheap for ready money."
THE OLD PLANK ROAD.
The town had paid very little attention to the opening of roads to connect with other communities outside its borders. In 1765, however, the old Plank Road was provided for by act of the Assem- bly ; that is, the road which ever since the founding of the town had supplied communication with the marshes and the lower reaches of the river, was made part of a system of communication with Powles' Hook (now Jersey City). The announcement of the Assembly's action read, in part, as follows :
"A road from New-Ark to the publick road in the town of Bergen, leading to Poulos Hook, and establishing ferries over the two small rivers, Passaiek and Hackensack, which makes the dis- tance from Poulus Hook to New-Ark eight miles, and will be a level and good road when the cause-ways are made ; and as said road will be very commodious for travelers, and give a short and easy access of a large country to the markets of the city of New-York
231
HISTORY OF NEWARK
and be of a general benefit both to city and country, it is hoped they will unite in the necessary expence of rendering said road for travellers and carriages, more especially since by said law the pub- lick interest alone is regarded."
Thus was the accessibility of Newark from New York and its value as a place in which to assemble the products of the whole region around it for further shipment, being recognized. This enterprise was supported largely by leading residents of Newark, who became the trustees for the venture and were incorporated, with authority to receive donations, build the necessary causeways and supply the two ferries over the Passaic and Hackensack rivers.
Work upon this road was going on almost to the time of the War for Independence, and it is said that Colonel John Schuyler, the brother of Colonel Peter Schuyler, defrayed a considerable part of the expense, and roads from Petersborough connected with it. Brissot de Warville, a French traveler, was much impressed with the road. "Built wholly of wood," he wrote, "with much labor and perseverance, in the midst of water, on a soil that trembles under your feet, it proves to what point may be carried the patience of man, who is determined to conquer nature."
Another thus described his experience on the new highway: "All the way to Newark (nine miles) is a very flat, marshy country, intersected with rivers; many cedar swamps, abounding with mosquitoes, which bit our legs, and hands, exceedingly ; where they fix they will continue sucking our blood, if not disturbed, till they swell four times their ordinary size, when they absolutely fall off and burst from their fulness. At two miles we cross a large cedar swamp; at three miles we intersect the road leading to Bergen, a Dutch town, half a mile on our right; at five miles we cross Hacken- sack [a little below the site of the present bridge at what was known as Dow's Ferry] ; at six we cross Passaic River (coachee and all), in a scoul, by means of pulling a rope fastened on the opposite side."
-
232
HISTORY OF NEWARK
THE NEW YORK-PHILADELPHIA ROAD.
The same year (1765) a law was passed providing for the appointment of road commissioners "to run out straight public roads leading through said province between New York and Phila- delphia, and empowering them to raise a sum of money by public lottery, not exceeding £500 towards defraying the charge thereof." Ephraim Terrill and Abraham Clark, Jr., were the commissioners for both Elizabethtown and Newark. The new departure was thus commented upon at the time :
"The shortening and improving of the public roads through this Province will be a great advantage to the commercial interest and general convenience of the inhabitants thereof, as well as a very great advantage to the neighbouring Provinces, particularly to Pennsylvania and New York; and as it is the first thing of the kind that has been attempted on the Continent, it is not doubted but every public-spirited person in this, as well as the neighbouring Provinces, will generously contribute to the undertaking, tending so greatly to the advantage and ease of men of business and pleas- ure ; as it is judged the distance between New York and Philadelphia will be shorten'd 12 or 15 miles, and the roads all made more passable and convenient for travelers in the winter season than at present."
The first New York-Philadelphia stage was established in November, 1756, by way of Perth Amboy and Trenton. The second line was started in 1765, the same year the straightening of the road was decided upon. The stages took three days to travel one way and the charge was twopence a mile. Two trips were made every week, each way. Newark did not benefit much from these early developments, for, while New York-Philadelphia stages began to pass through Newark as early as 1769, Newark was not really considered on the main stage line between New York and Phila- delphia until after the War for Independence. Travelers to and from New York usually preferred to use the ferry between New York and Elizabethtown Point.
4
233
HISTORY OF NEWARK
THE FIRST NEWARK-NEW YORK STAGE LINE.
It is not probable that stages were run between Newark and New York before the laying down of the old Plank Road and ferries, in 1765. In November, 1767, Matthias Ward "acquaints the pub- lick that he still continues his stage from Newark to Powle's Hook, as usual, except that after the 20th of November he will return from Powle's Hook at eleven o'clock for the winter." The business evidently prospered, because, a year later, in 1768, Matthias Ward had a partner, John Thompson, and in July of that year they announced an expansion in a somewhat lengthy advertisement in the New York newspapers, as follows:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.