USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume I > Part 35
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The Church of the Assumption (Roman Catholic )-The first Catholic church in Morristown was built in 1847, a wooden structure, seating 300 people. At that time the nearest church was at Madison, to which many living at a distance as great as twenty miles attended, frequently on foot. The parish was unable to support a pastor for several years, priests from Madison supplying them with religious services. Finally a priest was stationed there, also having charge of the churches at Mendham and Bask- ingridge. In 1871 the congregation had grown so large that these churches were given to others and Father James Sheeran was appointed to the sole care of the parish. The wooden church was converted into a school room, when the present church was erected in 1872 at a cost of $40,000. The parish members maintain a parish school and all the institutions of the church. Father Sheeran ministered to his people until his death April 3, 1881, and was succeeded by Father Joseph M. Flynn. The next pastor was Rev. George F. Brown, who succceeded in May, 1910, and died in March, 1914.
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St. Margaret's (Roman Catholic )-This is an Italian mission under the care of the Church of the Assumption.
The Congregational Church-This church was organized May 18, 1880, with thirty-three members, twenty-one from the Methodist Episcopal Church and twelve on profession of faith. The congregation was dependent on sup- plies until May 1, 1881, when Rev. C. H. H. Pannell, of Brooklyn, New York, accepted a call. The society meets in a hall on Market street, and maintains regular services and Sunday school. At present (1914) they are without a pastor.
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church-This church meets in the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church, and although a small congregation is use- ful and fills the need for which it was organized. The pastor is Rev. F. D. Hjertberg.
Calvary Baptist Church-This is the leading colored church in Morris- town, the congregation numbering 350, with a church building entirely paid for. Rev. George E. Morris served the church faithfully and efficiently for twenty years, then accepted a call from the Camden (New Jersey) church. At present the church is without a pastor, but a call has been made and accepted.
The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in December, 1843, and worshipped in their own small building on Spring street until 1874, when the present place of worship was erected. Rev. John P. Sampson is the present pastor. The Barber Presbyterian Mission (Col- ored) is presided over by Rev. Joseph Summers.
Other religious bodies in Morristown are: The Church of Christ (Scientist) ; Collinsville Union Chapel, on Evergreen avenue; Full Gospel Mission, 23 Spring street ; Morristown Band of Christian Workers, and Barber Presbyterian Mission.
Young Men's Christian Association-For a number of years before the organization of this splendid association, its various branches of work had been carried on by the young men of the First and South Street Presby- terian churches. The reading room was over the store of W. S. Babbitt and all expenses were borne jointly by the two churches named. The association had its inception in a meeting of the young men of the different churches, held in a private house in December, 1873. This led to the formal organiza- tion of a Young Men's Christian Association, at the Baptist church, January 2, 1874, one hundred men being in attendance and sixty-one enrolling their names as members. The first president of the association was J. V. Bentley ; the first recording secretary, M. W. Stoll; the first treasurer, George L. Hull; the first executive committee consisted of George E. Voorhees, J. J. Davis, L. E. Miller, E. E. Marsh, Isaac R. Pierson, Levi J. Johnson, W. F. Gay, J. Searing Johnson, W. S. Babbitt and E. A. Muir. In 1876 the asso- ciation assumed the responsibility of freeing Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church from debt, raising in the town $3,800 for that purpose, acquiring the church property and vesting its official control in the associa- tion, and freeing the church from all but the cost of its upkeep. In the same year the association held 361 prayer meetings in Morristown and vicinity ; induced the citizens to provide Thanksgiving Day dinners for the poor at the expense of $200; prepared the way for the Mission Chapel movement ; distributed 100 Bibles and 1,500 tracts. In 1877 the association became an incorporated body. In 1880 the "Coffee room and Gymnasium"
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and "Evening School" movements were inaugurated, both being highly suc- cessful. The receipts during 1880 were $1,589.58, expenditures, $909.32. On October 10, 1889, after years of preparation and accumulation of funds, a Y. M. C. A. building, on South street, three stories in height, erected at a cost of $30,000, was formally dedicated, 2,000 people visiting the building during the day. The building was well adapted for the work of the asso- ciation at that time and served well its purpose until the present building was dedicated.
The old building, after twenty-two years of usefulness as a center of association work, was sold in 1911 for $31,000, and the beautiful site at the corner of Washington street and Western avenue purchased for $14,000. Then began the campaign for a building fund that terminted in October, I9II, with a total of subscriptions secured amounting to $102,000. Plans were drawn, builders secured and work pushed until the building, handsome without and wonderful within, was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on December 3, 1913, amid general rejoicing that the work of years had been so gloriously consummated. This building, erected and furnished at a total cost of $115,000, is one of the finest to be found anywhere in a town of Morristown's size. It is three stories, with a basement in which swimming pool, lockers, bowling alleys, billiard rooms and lunch counter are located, all of the best modern construction. On the first floor is the main lobby, reading, social and game rooms; the secretary's office, gymnasium and the boys' social and game room.
On the second floor are school rooms, dormi- tories and baths; on the third floor, dormitories and baths. The school- rooms for educational and Bible study, with the twenty-nine dormitories, occupy two floors of the building. Adjoining the building a playfield with running track and tennis courts is being provided. The adult membership is 543, the boys' department numbering 306. The basis of membership is not social, not religious, not financial, but moral, and the association as agent of the churches is doing grand work and one which the churches individually cannot do. The religious idea is paramount and well sustained, as is the edu- cational department, under trained leadership. The physical department is conducted on a scientific basis, with the cooperation of five physicians of the town, each applicant being subjected to an examination before being admitted to the privileges of the "gym" and baths and pool. This department under a trained director provides health-building exercises for business men, young men and high-school boys, grammar-school boys, employed boys and boys of younger years. All departments are well supported and in building up body, mind and morals, the association is an agency whose importance can- not be overestimated. The present officers of the association are (1914) : Board of Directors-D. Hunter McAlpin, president; Edwin P. Ford, vice- president ; Stephen C. Griffith, Jr., recording secretary ; Henry C. Pitney, Jr., treasurer ; John R. Brinley, Charles D. M. Cole, John N. Conklin, Wil- lard W. Cutler, Wilbur F. Day, Jr., Charles W. Ennis, George P. Fiske, Samuel H. Gillespie, William R. Halliday, F. Landon Humphreys, Frederick A. Trowbridge, Ernest C. Ward, Frederic R. Kellogg, and J. Burton Wiley. The secretaries are : Charles H. Nuttle, general; Frank E. Lippman, associ- ate; A. Shuart Reed, boys' work; Byron G. Sherman, physical director. The trustees are: John B. Vreeland, president; Harry B. Hoffman, secretary ; James R. Voorhees, treasurer ; John R. Burr, Samuel H. Gillespie, Harrie T. Hull, Aldus H. Pierson, Henry C. Pitney, Jr., Henry M. Smith. The building committee that had in charge the erection of the new building was composed of seven members: Dr. D. Hunter McAlpin, J. B. Vreeland,
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Edwin P. Ford, Frank E. Stults, Samuel H. Gillespie, John R. Brinley, Charles D. M. Cole.
CEMETERIES.
Prior to 1855 the Presbyterians buried their dead in the graveyard in the rear of the First Church, the Baptists in the rear of their church, the Episcopalians buried their dead in the graveyard of St. Peter's Church, and the Methodists in the cemetery on the Baskingridge road. A list of burials in the first two graveyards named was kept between the years 1768 and 1806, and was published in a quaint old book called the "Bill of Mortality," of which the following is a copy of the title page :
BILL OF MORTALITY
Being a register of all the deaths that have occurred in the Presbyterian and Baptist congregations of Morristown, New Jersey, for thirty-eight years past. Con- taining (with but few exceptions) the cause of every decease. This register for the first twenty-two years was kept by the Rev. Dr. Johnes, since which time by William Cherry, the present sexton of the Presbyterian church at Morristown.
Time brushes off our lives with sweeping wings-Hervey. Morristown-Printed by Jacob Mann, 1806.
A supplement was added bringing the list down to 1812. The "Bill of Mortality" contains a mournful list of 1,675 burials between the years 1768 and 1806. After the formation of Evergreen Cemetery Association burials in the Baptist and Methodist graveyards were discontinued. The Roman Catholic ·dead were buried in a graveyard near their church until 1875, when they secured fifteen acres on the Whippany road, a mile and a half from Morristown, which was dedicated as a cemetery. It is called Holyrood Cemetery.
In the First Presbyterian yard, the oldest of Morristown burial places, there have been more than 4,000 interments, of which there is no complete record. Large numbers of soldiers were there laid to rest during the Revo- lution, of which the church kept no record, and this is true of the Baptist burial ground. Long trenches were dug and the dead laid in them in rows. Quantities of military buttons have been dug up in both yards. The oldest stone in the yard of the First Church is that of the wife of Abraham Pier- son, "Martha, died Jan. 2, 1731, aged 23 yrs." Another stone is that of John Doughty, "A captain of Artillery in the American Revolutionary Army," died "Sep. 16, 1826, aged 75 yrs." Another is sacred to the mem- ory of Peter Dickerson, a member of the First Provincial Congress of New Jersey, in 1775, a captain in the Third Regiment of the New Jersey Brigade in 1776. Another, Colonel Jacob. Ford, Jr., born 1738, died 1777, being then in the service of his country and buried with military honors.
Evergreen Cemetery-This cemetery is situated about one mile north- east of Morristown, on the Horse Hill road, known as Water street. The Cemetery Association was organized in May, 1855, under the Act of Legis- lature authorizing the incorporation of rural cemetery associations. The first twenty acres owned by the association came as a gift from George T. Cobb, and to this many acres have been added by purchase. The location is well chosen, the view being highly picturesque and embracing a large por- tion of Morristown, its churches, large buildings and handsome residences. The Whippany river flows in its windings near the base of the grounds, and Mount Washington, or Kimball Mountain, with its historic interest and varied undulations, is visible as far as New Vernon. The Loantica Hills, the Orange, Shongum and Watnong mountains, in the distance, fill up the background and present to the visitor a scene of landscape varied in interest
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and of extraordinary beauty. The natural beauties of the spot are enhanced by the skill of the landscape gardener, who with rare good judgment has used his art. There are many handsome and imposing monuments, among them that of George T. Cobb, who may be styled Morristown's greatest bene factor.
MORRISTOWN HOSPITALS.
All Souls Hospital-The need of an institution such as All Souls' Hos- pital was apparent to those interested in the welfare of Morristown, and after considerable effort the enterprise was committed to the care of the "Grey Nuns" of Canada, an order especially devoted to such work. This hospital is the earliest in time of organization.
On January 4, 1892, a meeting of clerical and lay representatives was held in Bayley Hall, Morristown, at which "All Souls Hospital Association" was organized with Paul Revere, president, and Francis Kluxen, vice- presi- dent. The object of the association, to quote from the constitution, is: "To assist the Sisters of Charity, known as the 'Grey Nuns,' to establish and maintain in Morristown, New Jersey, an institution for the care of the diseased, disabled and infirm, and for such other charitable work as may be approved by the board of managers." The building purchased for the use of the hospital was the old Arnold Tavern that sheltered Washington during the winter of 1777. The historic structure was converted to the uses of the sisters and now for twenty-three years, the old building whose rooms resounded to the clanging of sword and spur has been the abode of the white-robed sisters of mercy, who silently move on their errands of com- passion. The hospital was under the management of the Grey Nuns until, on April 2, 1913, the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth assumed its man- agement. The hospital is beautifully located on Mount Kemble avenue, and is one of the worthy institutions of Morristown.
Morristown Memorial Hospital-By the last will and testament of Miss Myra B. Brookfield, of Morristown, the testatrix devised a house and lot situated on De Hart street, in Morristown, to certain gentlemen, in trust, for the uses and purposes of a hospital. By an amicable arrangement with the residuary devisees, the property was sold and the proceeds of the sale, supplemented by liberal subscriptions from the public, were used in pur- chasing the present site of the hospital on Morris street. The General Hos- pital was opened for the reception of patients, October 17, 1893, and the Barker Pavilion but a few days later. On September 10, 1898, the hos- pital was removed from the old building to the first section of the New Memorial Hospital building, called the Anna Margaret Home for Conva- lescents, erected by the liberality of George G. Kip, Esq.
The Anna Margaret Home for Convalescents is of fireproof construc- tion. On the first floor are meeting rooms for the directors, physicians, and Woman's Association, superintendent's office, nurses' dining room, pantry, and kitchen. The second and third floors contain ten rooms each for private and convalescent patients. The operating, etherizing and sterilizing rooms are also in this building, and are thoroughly equipped, ready for instant use. An x-ray machine of the newest pattern, a pathological laboratory and a room for the treatment of diseases of the nose, throat, eye and ear, are in this building. All floors are reached by electric elevator.
In February, 1909, the West Wing of the Hospital was opened for the admission of patients. This building is also of fireproof construction and contains four wards, two surgical and two medical, for male and female
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patients respectively, of eight beds each, ten private rooms, sun parlors, bath rooms and other apartments containing various facilities for special work. The Children's Ward is on the third floor, and contains ten beds. A roof garden, enclosed by screens in summer and by glass in winter, for the use of the Children's Ward, is easily reached from this ward.
On May 2, 1908, the Stone Memorial, a gift of grounds and building for a Nurses' Home, was presented to the Hospital by the late Mrs. George F. Stone.
The Barker Pavilion for Contagious Diseases, situated well in the rear of the main building, is heated with hot water, lighted by gas and electricity and has in separate wings a Suspect Ward, containing two beds, a Scarlet Fever Ward of twelve beds and a Diphtheria Ward of eight beds. This building has apartments for nurses and several bath rooms and is connected by telephone with the main building. It is named for Phanet C. Barker, M.D., one of the first physicians of the staff of the hospital. There are three ambulances, one for general hospital use and two for contagious diseases.
All proper subjects for hospital treatment, including all cases requiring surgery from any part of Morris County or vicinity, may be admitted on application to and certification by any member of the medical staff or by a member of the committee on patients. Maternity cases and cases of tuber- culosis, together with chronic cases which offer no prospect of improvement, can be received only by the special authority of the board of directors. The care and treatment of patients in the general hospital is committed to the medical staff, including all attending, assisting and consulting physicians and surgeons appointed by the directors.
The Barker Pavilion is always in readiness for the reception of cases of contagious disease other than smallpox, in Morristown. The written con- sent of the Morristown Board of Health will be required for the reception of any case of contagious disease from beyond the corporate limits of the town. Patients in the contagious wards may be treated by their regular attending physicians.
Ward patients able to pay will be charged from five to seven dollars per week, according to circumstances. The rates for private rooms are from ten to forty dollars per week. For the use of the operating room a charge of from two to ten dollars will be made to such patients as are able to pay. The rates for ward and private apartments in the Barker Pavilion will be given upon application to the hospital.
In May, 1914, a fund of $102,000 was raised by voluntary subscriptions for enlargement, equipment and maintenance of the general hospital building.
Officers, 1914-John E. Taylor, president; Edward L. Dobbins, vice- president ; Edward Howell, secretary ; H. Ward Ford, treasurer ; Charles S. Bird, assistant treasurer; Frederick G. Burnham, Henry C. Pitney, Jr., counsel. Board of Directors-Samuel F. Beach, John H. Bonsall, Fred- erick G. Burnham, Douglas S. Bushnell, Edward L. Dobbins, Charles W. Ennis, H. Ward Ford, Edward Howell, Harrie T. Hull, F. Landon Hum- phreys, Woodbury G. Langdon, James G. Lidgerwood, J. H. Maghee, Ed- ward P. Meany, Edward K. Mills, Henry K. Morgan, Jr., John Mulligan, Henry C. Pitney, Jr., Charlton A. Reed, Gordon E. Sherman, John I. Water- bury, Ridley Watts, John E. Taylor.
Medical Staff, 1914-G. A. Becker, M.D., president ; Samuel C. Haven, M.D., H. A. Henriques, M.D., F. H. Glazebrook, M.D., Clifford Mills, M.D., George H. Lathrope, M.D., James Douglas, M.D., A. A. Lewis, M.D., J.
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B. Griswold, M.D., F. W. Flagge, M.D., L. L. Mial, M.D., H. A. Henriques, M.D., secretary. Assistants-W. G. McCormack, M.D., M. E. Scott, M.D. Consulting Surgeons-Edward J. Ill, M.D., John C. McCoy, M.D., Joseph Fewsmith, M.D. Consulting Physicians-F. W. Owen, M.D., St. Clair Smith, M.D. Gynecologist-Edward J. Ill, M. D. Assistant Gynecologist- Charles Ill, M.D. Neurologist-Pearce Bailey, M.D. Gastro-enterologist -H. A. Cossitt, M.D. Nose, Throat, Eye and Ear-L. L. Mial, M.D. Resident Pathologist and Anaesthetist-Jennie A. Dean, M.D. Surgeon Dentist-A. B. Osmun, D.D.S.
The Woman's Association of the Morristown Memorial Hospital was formed to cooperate with the standing committees of the board of directors of the Hospital, and otherwise to aid in the work in the Hospital. The services of the Association have been indispensable and the hospital has been enlarged and maintained mainly through the energy and devotion of this band of bighearted women.
Officers of Woman's Association, 1914-Mrs. Samuel V. Hoffman, president ; Mrs. George C. Fraser, Mrs. Wm. E. Wheelock, Mrs. F. W. Merrell, Mrs. James A. Webb, vice-presidents; Miss Elizabeth N. Little, treasurer ; Mrs. Robert W. Locke, secretary. Chairmen of Committees- Surgery and Medicine, Mrs. F. W. Merrell; Housekeeping and Supplies, Mrs. E. K. Mills; Patients, Mrs. George C. Palmer ; Delicacies and Flowers, Mrs. J. H. VanDoren; Visiting, Mrs. Fred R. Kellogg; Religious Services, Mrs. F. G. Burnham ; Reading Matter, Mrs. F. S. Hoyt.
In addition to the personal services of the members, the Association raised for the Hospital during 1913 the sum of $2,500.
The officers for 1914 of the Young Woman's Guild for the Children's Ward of the Morristown Memorial Hospital, are: Mrs. F. W. Merrell, president ; Mrs. A. Filmore Hyde, vice-president; Miss E. G. Bushnell, treasurer ; Miss Florence Lidgerwood, secretary. This society for the year 1913 raised for the uses of the Hospital, $3,572.97, and expended $3,141.43.
The treasurer of the Hospital reported for 1913 receipts from all sources, $32,526.05; general expenditures, $32,296.30. The Endowment Fund now amounts to $78.769.37. A special effort is now being made to in- crease that fund to $100,000. The Hospital has received for memorial legacies and endowments of rooms and beds, during its operation, $125,- 819.37.
The Old Ladies' Home and Mary Louise Home-These dual institu- tions, working with one aim under one roof and one management, are as the name implies, a Home for elderly ladies. The workings of the institution are quite unlike those of other Homes for the Aged. There is no admittance fee charged, but the managers require that each inmate shall have at least ten dollars monthly income, or that amount be guaranteed by some respon- sible person, church or society. Comfortably furnished rooms heated by steam and lighted with electricity with small gas ranges for cooking are provided, but each inmate is expected to care for herself and prepare her own meals. The home is non-sectarian in so far that it admits any Protest- ant, preference being given to residents of Morris county.
The general management of the Home is by a board of managers con- sisting of fifteen members who choose a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. The income from the endowment fund does not meet the expenses of the management, the balance being met by subscriptions. The Mary Louise Home was added to the Old Ladies' Home as a memorial to Mrs. Alfred R. Whitney, by her husband. The principal founders of
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the original home were Mrs. Rachel A. Ayers and Mrs. William S. Babbitt, the former having been also for many years president of the board of man- agers. A brass memorial tablet has been placed in the Home to her memory, the gift of several of her friends. The Homes are situated on Mount Kemble avenue.
Morristown Summer Shelter-Another noble philanthropy, by which Morristown shows her depth of feeling for the unfortunate, is the Summer Shelter, a beautiful home open in the summer season for city children who otherwise would remain in the city during the heated months. Each person is allowed to remain in the Shelter for two weeks, and from the beginning until the ending of the season there is a constant succession of guests.
Female Charitable Society-This, one of the noble philanthropies of Morristown, was organized August 13, 1813, Mrs. Samuel Fisher, wife of the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, becoming the first directress ; Mrs. Israel Canfield, second directress ; Mrs. Arden, treasurer ; Miss A. M. Smith, secretary. In the year 1830, Mrs. George P. McCulloch was elected first directress, remaining the honored and beloved head of the society for nearly thirty-four years. At her death in 1864, Mrs. George T. Cobb was chosen to fill her place, and holding until 1879, when she resigned to be succeeded by Mrs. J. W. Miller, who had been a member of the society for sixty years, and filling the various offices her mother, Mrs. Geo. P. Maccul- loch, the honored directress just mentioned, had filled. In 1863 the society celebrated its semi-centennial, and in 1913 its centennial anniversary.
The Woman's Employment Society-This is another valuable society, organized in 1873 for the purpose of aiding worthy women to secure suit- able employment. In this respect the society has done praiseworthy work, in which it still usefully continues, and has added materially to the incomes of many deserving women.
Woman's Work and Art Exchange-The Woman's Work and Art Ex- change was founded in 1884, the object being to "furnish a depository for the reception, exhibition and sale of fancy articles consigned by ladies desir- ing to aid themselves." The society has had a very successful existence under most capable management. The treasurer's report for 1913 shows payments to consignors in Morristown of $4,950.47, and to out-of-town consignors, $2,745.07. The total receipts from all sources for the year were $II,041.22.
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