USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume I > Part 62
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Second deed .- This is under the jurisdiction of the monthly Meeting at Wood- bridge and specifies that this property is for "a place to bury their dead in forever and for no other purpose or use." Dated sixth day eighth month 1758. This relates to the Cemetery.
Third deed .- From John Shotwell, Amos Vail, Adelbert Vail, and Robinson Pound, Trustees, To James W. Brotherton and Rachel B. Vail, in which the parties of the first part, trustees of the Rahway and Plainfield Monthly Meeting give up all claim and transfer title to the parties of the second part, October 14, 1897 John Shotwell was a resident of Belmar, Amos Vail of Dunellen, Adelbert Vail and Robinson Pound of Plainfield.
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Fourth deed .- This transfers title to the Trustees of The Friends' Meeting House and Cemetery Association of Randolph Township, October 22, 1898.
In J. Percy Crayon's Records of Families in and about Rockaway there is mention of Sergeant Noah Veal, the Quaker patriot, who in spite of Quaker principles of non-resistance, participated in the Revolutionary War. He was born 1749 and died 1801. He was related to Hartshorne Fitz Ran- dolph by marriage. The Quakers came from Long Island. The Vails came from county Worcester, England, to Salem, Massachusetts, in 1639, then to Connecticut, thence to Long Island, thence to New Jersey. The name was once spelled Vale and Veal. This may account for the old name Veal- town, now Bernardsville, New Jersey. Alfred Lewis Vail of telegraph fame came from this family. Enos Cole, a skilled workman in his employ, contributed to the success of the discovery.
Hartshorne Fitzrandolph :
1672, May. R. Hartshorne memorialized Gov. Carteret for confirmation of title rights, 500 acres. See The N. J. Coast in 3 Centuries by Wm. Nelson, 1902.
From Smith's History of New Jersey, p. 63 .- In 1672 Richard Hartshorne, a considerable settler at Middletown who came over in this year, had like to have experienced some disadvantages from neglect to purchase his lands from the Indians for sums inconsiderable, as a protection. In a letter he says :- The Indians came to my house and laid their hands on the post and frame of the house and said that house was theirs, they never had anything for it and told me if I would not buy the land I must be gone. They would kill my cattle and burn my hay if I did not buy the land nor be gone.
1677, Oct. 27. R. Hartshorne obtained lease of 3 acres for cattle on Sandy Hook. He also wished to establish a fishery there.
1684, Nov. 26 & 1695 R. Hartshorne was a member of the Council of New Jersey. He was a witness and executor of many wills.
1682. Hugh Hartshorne a Quaker, was one of the 24 proprietors to whom the Duke of York confirmed the sale of the province. William Penn was one of these proprietors.
Hugh Hartshorne was a citizen and skinner of London, an upholsterer of Houndsditch-a member of any one company being at liberty to engage in any business.
1708. Thomas Fitzrandolph was a member of the assembly at Perth Amboy and went to meet John Ford Lovelace, successor of Lord Cornbury as Governor of New Jersey.
The name Fitz Randolph is spelled in many ways-Fitchrandolph, Fits- randol, randel, etc.
That silver spoon mentioned in the codicil of Hartshorne Fitz Ran- dolph's will, with the initials "R. H."-did it hark back to this first settler, Richard Hartshorne of 1672?
Thomas Dell's letter to Anna Fitz Randolph, March 14th, 1807:
Friend Anna I found about twenty three acres of vacant Land between thy fathers line and John Coopers Meadow which was Supposed to be Covered by thy fathers Deed but was not and when I found it out I had it Surveyed im- mediately without consulting any body, and I think I had a Right so to do as I had thy fathers business to Settle, but it is only Surmise that I was a going to Secure it to myself, for I never expected to take it to my own Separate use.
* * came to my house day before yesterday quite out of humor about it and I did not give him much satisfaction for I thought it did not much concern him. I expected to have been on the ground with Charles before this time (but the weather has been to bad) and then I intended to shew it to him and have told him the whole circumstance of the matter.
March 14th 1807.
THOMAS DELL.
Thomas Dell was a Quaker of the time of Hartshorne Randolph and the Anna Randolph to whom he wrote the letter was a daughter of Hartshorne.
E. W. L.
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MORRIS COUNTY
Another old paper relates to an account of Hartshorne Fitz Randolph against Prudden Alling, in 1801. It shows the signature of Israel Canfield.
Friend Condit I wish the to make the deed for that lot of Land the surveyed for me near John Coopers the 17th Feb'y last, to me & Charles F Randolph equally, and oblige thy friend, June 2d 1807.
To Edward Condit
T. DELL.
ARTICLES of vendue, held this 20th day of October 1806, at the house of Hartshorne F. Randolph, late dec'd are as follows, viz. The highest bidder is to be the buyer. Any person buying to the amount of Two dollars, or upwards, will be entitled to six months credit, on giving his Note with approved scurity. All under that amount to be cash immediately. All persons buying must comply with the aforesaid articles, as the goods struck off to them will be set up at a second sale, and the first purchaser must make good all damages arising thereby.
No goods are to be removed off the premises, untill the articles are fully com- plied with, on penalty of the money for the same, to come immediately due. All persons purchasing at said vendue, are to apply to the subscribers for settlement, at least within twenty four hours after Sales are closed.
NOTICE
All persons having any demands against the Estate of Hartshorn F Randolph dec'd are requested to exhibit them for inspection & Settlement. Those indebted are requested to make immediate payment and save cost. June 10th 1807
THOMAS DELL CHARLES F RANDOLPH Ex'rs
Messrs. T. Dell & C. F. Randolph
Gent-As I have an opportunity by Mr. Tuttles Waggion, wish you to send the articles I purchased at Vendue, which are, I believe, Barrel, with lime, Scale beam, and Iron pot, with a whoop on. 28th October 1806. Yours
SAM'L ARNOLD
Letter of Charles F. Randolph to Mahlon Griggs:
Respected Friend: I rec'd yours of the 2d Inst. the 18th by Peter Peer stating that you were willing to bargain with George Moore provided that you could get them on terms that would answer, and have such a character of them as would be agreeable, as to their character, when they liv'd with my Uncle, and when his former wife was living, they both esteemed them much especially Caty, Peter was considered to be too forward, or rather impertinent at times, Peter has been too fond of spiritous liquors heretofore, but I cannot say that I ever saw him using the common term dead drunk.
After my Uncle got his second wife she and the blacks could not agree, and Uncle to have peace concluded to part with them, since that time they have had several owners and I cannot say so particularly about them they say that they never had a place since they left Uncles that suited them untill now, and Peter has promised me faithfully to do everything in his power to make you satisfaction, Peter understands farming business well and I dare say can suit you if so minded, I have nothing more to write feel gratified to hear that they are likely to get a place that suits them, this from your friend
Mahlon Grigg,
CHAS. F. RANDOLPH.
Randolph, Morris County, N. Jersey.
The above relates to the purchase of two slaves.
The will of Hartshorne Fitz Randolph is recorded in Book A, page 120, in the Surrogate's Office at Morristown. It mentions two sons, Phineas and Richard, and says that the land is to descend to them, their heirs and assigns forever, as tenants in common, each having one-half. Phineas has the portion lying on the northerly side of the turnpike road leading to Suckasunny, and Richard has the part lying on the south side of the road, amounting to 200 acres, with some part beside. Ebenezer Coe's line to
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Josiah Hurd's big brook is mentioned in the description of the tract that comes to Richard. Charles F. Randolph is a grandson of Hartshorne. The mines and mineral rights are divided equally. The children named include the following daughters of Hartshorne: Anna; Catherine Ross, wife of John Ross; Sarah Marsh deceased, who leaves two sons; Eunice Moore, deceased, who leaves a son; and Elizabeth, who has four sons; each daugh- ter's share being one-fifth. The will is made March 31, 1806, Hartshorne then being indisposed in body, but of sound mind. Jacob Losey is a witness.
In a codicil it is provided that Catherine Ross shall receive his gold sleeve buttons and one silver sugar cup with two handles and one silver table spoon engraved with the letters R. H. To a grandson, Hartshorne Moore, "my silver shoe buccles and silver knee buckles." The will was sworn to before a Surrogate on October 11, 1806.
From The Genius of Liberty, Oct. 9, 1806:
VENDUE
To be sold at Public Vendue, on the 20th inst., at the house of Hartshorne Fitz Randolph, late of the township of Randolph, dec., all the personal estate of said deceased, consisting of Horses, Cattle, Hogs, Sheep, Beds, Bedding, Furniture, Grain, Hay &c &c. The Sales will begin at 9 o'clock in the forenoon of said day, when the conditions will be made known, and attendance given by Thomas Dell and Charles F. Randolph, Ex'rs.
Randolph, October 1, 1806.
NOTE .- Postponed from 14th to 20th on account of election.
The inventory of his personal estate is filed in the Surrogate's office, Morristown. Mention is made of his beaver hat, 75 cents; his silver shoe buckles, $1.50; knee buckles, 75 cents; desk, $7.50; beds and bedding, candlesticks, tables, tools, kettles, pots, spoons, dishes, rye, oats, wheat, flax, straw, hay, 9 geese and 6 ducks, 7 horses, 18 cows and such cattle, 30 sheep, pigs, bees, indicate a patriarchal estate; while notes of hand indicate financial affairs, the whole summing up to an estate of $10,436.23, aside from real estate.
A study of the list in detail would suggest the real old-fashioned homestead of a well-to-do man on that noble tract of land, fit residence for a nobleman. It is a peaceful, retired spot of earth with pleasing prospects. We shall trace this estate a little further, presently, and speak of the mysterious letters "R. H." on the silver spoon.
From The Genius of Liberty, August 6, 1801.
From a Philadelphia Paper.
AN ADDRESS from a convention of Delegates from the Abolition Societies established in different parts of the United States.
To the Citizens of the United States:
Friends and Fellow Citizens: Various Societies having been formed in different parts of the Union for the purpose of promoting the Abolition of Slavery, they have several times met in convention. * * We, the Seventh Convention deplore the late attempts at insurrection by some slaves in southern states, and we par- ticipate in the dreadful sensations the inhabitants must have felt on so awful an occasion. * * A system of gradual enmancipation would be a security against revolt. The severity of treatment should be lessened. Hope of freedom as a result of good behavior should be held out as an inducement. They should be instructed in religion and otherwise. Kidnapping is inhuman. 200 vessels are employed to bring slaves from Africa. This is due to avarice. A plea is made for better things.
Above is a brief outline of the long address, which is signed by Richard Hart- shorn, President. At Philadelphia, June 6, 1801. Othniel Alsop, Sec'y.
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MORRIS COUNTY
While the above is of interest primarily for the light it throws on the early movement in behalf of the liberation of slaves, it suggests also that Hartshorne Fitz Randolph may have received his unusual first name in honor of some member of this Hartshorn family one of whom is a prime mover in the Abolition cause. And the letters "R. H." on the silver spoon that is passed down as a special heirloom may have something to do with a Richard Hartshorn, whether this one or an earlier one.
Hartshorne Fitz Randolph :
From a further study of the inventory of Hartshorne Fitz Randolph's estate we gain these details:
I Bed in large front room, with bedding. $28.00
I Bed in back room &c. 35.00
I Bed in small room up stairs &c .. 22.00
I Bed in room over the front room &c. 22.00
I Bed up Chamber over the back room &c.
6.00
Making six bedrooms in the house.
9 Fiddle Backed Chairs
2.81
2 Brass Candlesticks
1.50
I pr. snuffers .25 2 Iron Candlesticks .37.
.62
I pr. Sheep shears .18 I Warming pan 1.50 ..
1.68
2 pr. Handirons 3.00 I pr. Tongs & Shovel .75. 3.75
Large Brass Kettle, small kettle, copper kettle, iron tea kettle.
I Bell metel Mortar & Pestel 2.00
I Cedar Tub 2 Oak Tubs
1.25
II Puter plates, I Puter platter, I Puter tunnel, 2 Puter pt. Basons, 3 Puter spoons
3.62
3 doz. tea spoons I do sugar Tongs
2.00
1 blowing horn 12 cheeses I Trunk I oxyoke 1.25 6 hayrakes 1.25 the Barrel 60 wt. 7.50.
8.75
II 1b. Tow & Linnen yarn 4.00 15 1b. flax & 5 wt Tow 2.25.
6.25
2 Decanters 6 tumblers I Wine Glass.
.62
I Beetle & Wedges 4 Plows &c &c ..
All corn now in the field next to Isaac Hance's. 130.00
All the Green Rye now growin in the field next to Isaac Hance's. 150.00
The corn at the house behind the barn. 7.50
12.50
Yarn & Wool in Roles & the box. 55.00
I Bay Horse with star on his forehead
Other horses & colts, sorrel, black &c &c.
I Red Cow without horns 16.00
Other Cows, calves, bulls, heifers.
I long ladder 1.00 I small Dye Tub .12 3 Ox chains 4.00. 5.12
Garden Treck around the house 3.00
Such a list shows the variety of work, forms of industry, skill, manual training, kind of life, self-reliance and sources of wealth of this patriarchal plantation.
From The Genius of Liberty, October 1, 1801. Morristown :
The Seventh Convention of Delegates from the Several Abolition Societies of the United States now address you on the subject of their appointment. To adopt the language of the Convention of 1795: "When we have restored the African to the enjoyment of his rights, the great work of justice and benevolence is not ac- complished. The new born citizen must receive that instruction and those powerful impressions of moral and religious truth which will render him capable and desirous of fulfilling the various duties he owes to himself and to his country."
The increase of kidnapping is an enormous evil. It must be rooted out. We
6.00
4 Silver table spoons Meat in
Soap cask with soap 3.00 I grind stone 1.25.
4.25
I windmill &c 7.00 Shovels & farm implements.
The potatoes in the field behind the barn
13.50
I Bed up Chamber over the kitchen &c. 17.00
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have appointed a committee to prepare a History of Slavery in the United States. The next meeting will be held January, 1803.
RICHARD HARTSHORNE, Pres. OTHNEL ALSOP, Sec'ry.
Philadelphia, June 6, 1801.
From The Trenton True American, March 19, 1802.
A meeting of the Abolition Society of Trenton was held February, 1802. It was resolved to address the Public through the Newspapers.
DAVID WRIGHT, Pres. G. CRAFT, Sec'ry.
The Constitution of the Abolition Society is given. Its motto is, "Lay then the axe to the Root and teach Governments Humanity." Bondage is contrary to the Designs of Sovereign Wisdom, "Who hath made of one blood all nations of men" and to the command of our blessed Saviour that "We should do unto others as we would that they should do unto us." It is also inconsistent with free government and especially opposed to a solemn declaration of the American People "That all Men are born equally Free and have an inherent and unalienble Right to Liberty."
* * We. the subscribers, inhabitants of the County of Hunterdon and vicinity, have resolved to associate ourselves under the name of The Trenton Association for promoting the Abolition of Slavery, to meliorate the condition of slaves, to secure the gradual abolition of Slavery, and to help all Blacks and other people of color among us.
The Constitution provides for a Chairman, a Treasurer, a Clerk, and a yearly meeting in August and a half yearly meeting in February.
Rules .- Members, male or female, shall be admitted on subscribing to the Con- stitution and paying a fee of $1.00.
I. They shall also inspect the morals and conduct of Free Blacks &c and advise and protect them, rendering friendly help.
2. They shall instruct the young and see that they attend school.
3. They shall place out young persons and children to learn trades and become self-supporting.
4. They shall procure employment &c
Slavery is at variance with Christianity, Justice, Humanity, and Benevolence. We may not, in our day, see our cause completed,, but we shall enjoy the de- lightful consciousness of having assisted in its foundation, and future generations of the present degraded race of Africans may, from the seed we are sowing, reap Freedom, Knowledge, and Social Happiness.
Signed DAVID WRIGHT, Chairman. G. CRAFT, Clerk.
The above brief extracts show' the scope and purpose of the Abolition move- ment at this early date in American History. Who started it?
From The Genius of Liberty, Nov. 6, 1801.
Extract from The Pittsfield Sun. On Domestic Slavery :
Franklin, the Patriot and Philosopher, made the abolition of Slavery a great object of his exertions through a long and useful life. As one of the means to effect this end, he formed an Abolition Society among the Quakers of Pennsylvania, whose example has been followed by other associations of Philanthropists in different parts of the United States and Europe.
Washington freed his slaves, at his death. Jefferson has promoted the instruc- tion of slaves, equal protection by law, the melioration of the condition and eventual emancipation of slaves. His sentiments are seen by the following elegant extract from his Notes on Virginia, published during the American Revolution.
"The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions-the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this and learn to imitate it."
(Above is a brief extract from a long and well written argument by the states- man, Jefferson.)
The article is signed HUMANUS.
In the same issue of The Genius of Liberty and on the same page with the Constitution of the Trenton Society, March 19, 1802, we find in the Foreign News, from the French Republic, a Proclamation of Buonaparte, the First Consul, to the
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Island of San Domingo, assuring to the Blacks liberty and prosperity. "His promises will be faithfully fulfilled. To doubt it would be a crime." By order of the Gen- eral in Chief, LENOIR.
PROCLAMATION.
Inhabitants of St. Domingo, whatever may be your origin and your color, ye are all Frenchmen, ye are all free and all equal before God and the Republic. * * *
Signed BUONAPARTE, the First Consul.
HUGUES B. MARET, Secretary of State
LE CLERC, Capt. General.
Do these extracts on the subject of the Abolition of Slavery seem re- mote from our history of Dover and Randolph township, New Jersey? They show what Dover people were reading in their newspapers, if any Dover people took a newspaper in those days. They show what were some topics of conversation up here in the hills, when the stage coach came through with the mail and the latest news from foreign parts. No doubt these things were talked over at the home plantation of Hartshorne Fitz Randolph and by the Quakers who attended the Meeting House on the hill. They are a commentary on the letter of Charles F. Randolph to his friend Mahlon Gregg or Griggs. They are an echo of the thought of Europe and a reverberation that lingers among these hills after the last shot of the Revolution has died away. They are a prelude to the terrible Civil War that arose sixty years later, in which many brave men from Dover were engaged.
Slavery in Morris County: Notes copied from a day book in posses- sion of Arthur Goodale.
Sold in Dover, N. J., Jan. 25 & 26, 1817. $41.00
one Blackwoman Jule & child Hannah.
one do. Dinah & child 5.00
one Black Girl Mary 81.00
to Ralph Hunt.
To Gabriel H. Ford
one Blackman James 36.00
Mr. Edward S. Hance of Wharton told me that he had heard many stories about "the underground railroad" at Randolph, as carried on by the Quakers there. I made an appointment to call on him and hear about this, but he was taken sick and I never had the opportunity. Some have said that the Quakers did not have anything to do with such attempts to help runaway slaves escaping to Canada. From old scrap-books, which reflect the history of the Abolition movement, and from their writings, it is clear that the Quakers of Randolph, as well as in other parts of New Jersey, were strongly in sympathy with anything that pertained to the emancipa- tion and relief of the oppressed. They were among the earliest to demand a "square deal" for every human being. In 1696 they used their influence against slavery. They were pioneers in such matters. Witness John Wool- man's Journal and the life of Whittier, the poet. Whittier's poems on these themes were clipped from New England newspapers and cherished by our friends and neighbors, the quiet Quakers of Randolph. It was their purpose to apply the principles of Christianity in all the relations of social and civic life.
August 27, 1913.
Mrs. Wm. H. Goodale, born in 1843, and now 70 years old, is the mother of James Goodale, the druggist, and the daughter of Elias Millen,
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who lived in the Hartshorne Fitz Randolph homestead from 1845 until he rented it to Richard Bassett. Her mother's grandfather, Nathaniel Clark, left this house to his granddaughter before 1845. Elias Millen was then living at Baskingridge. He disposed of his place there and moved to Ran- dolph. Mrs. Wm. H. Goodale was then hardly two years old, but she re- members various circumstances about the moving. Her name was then Sarah Millen. The name Millen may be short for an earlier form, Mc- Millan. Her mother's father, Ebenezer Clark, lived in this house for a time after the death of his father, Nathaniel Clark, in 1836, at the age of 69. Richard Bassett was living in this house in 1876 when it burned down. ; In The Morristown Herald of July 29, 1816, we find a notice of a Vendue Sale of the Homestead Farm of Richard F. Randolph, late de- ceased. Richard received the house and land at the death of Hartshorne Fitz Randolph, about 1807. So we now have a pretty complete story of the old place, from its first appearance on the stage in 1713, until 1876, as follows: Latham, Jackson, Hartshorne Fitz Randolph, Richard F. Ran- dolph, Nathaniel Clark, Ebenezer Clark, Elias Millen, Richard Bassett. And possibly Freeman Woods came in somewhere.
Elias Millen lived at Mine Hill forty years. For nine years he lived up the glen above Indian Falls. He had twenty-two acres of land there, ex- tending down to Indian Falls. He liked it there. He was fond of reading, rather than farming, and used to take books from William Young's library. He was a well-read man and a great friend of Mr. Stevenson, the school- master. So we find, out here, above Indian Falls, a man who loved to read solid books, such as were found in William Young's library, and one who had the artistic sense to appreciate and enjoy the beauty and quiet seclusion of the glen. There is a human history to be traced out in this glen. We have caught glimpses of it from time to time. The place where Elias Millen lived was known as the Clark Place. A man named John Clark of a differ- ent family of Clark lived above Indian Falls on the left of the stream as you go up. He drank a great deal (this does not refer to the waters of the stream) and when thus affected he cut some queer antics. He used to say that it was very cold in winter at his cabin. One window was broken out and the cold came in so that they could not have stood it except that a window was broken on the other side of the cabin and the cold went right on through and out and didn't stay to bother them. I wonder if this was the man whom his wife used to escort home at night with flaming firebrands, to keep the wolves away. This glen has been haunted by wolves. Otherwise it would be the most charming place for a hermitage. Elias Millen liked it here and found it haunted by better spirits. (It is a veritable home of the fairies.) He was born at Mendham in 1810 and died in 1890. His son, Clarke Millen, is now (1913) one of the proprietors of the Iron Era.
Elias Millen's life was saddened, in 1850, by the loss of three sons at about the same time. One was killed by a horse. The horse had been frightened by the elephants in Van Amberg's circus and became unman- ageable. The other two died of an epidemic that broke out that year.
The Nathaniel Clark mentioned above was a descendant of Henry Clark who was born in England (or Scotland) about 1695; came to Suffolk county, Long Island, thence to Elizabeth, New Jersey, thence to Morris- town in 1724; thence into the wilderness a mile above Brookside toward Mt. Freedom. He cleared land and built a log house in 1725, brought his wife there from England and died in 1792. We see that human life is like
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