USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 31
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In addition to his many other qualifications Mr. Wright has literary ability, and possesses a facile pen. Owing to the fact that he has composed many a beautiful poem and clever bit of blank verse, which have found ready publishers, both in the local press and in leading reviews of the period, Mr. Wright, has been dubbed the "poet laureate of Cape May Point." From his ancestors he inherited strong patriotic tendencies, and from his boyhood up he took great interest in assisting his father in collecting military relics of the Revolution. His maternal great-grandmother, Hannah, wife of Jere- miah Stump, was a heroine of the Revolutionary war, as she served faith- fully as a nurse in hospitals in Philadelphia and New Jersey, and really gave her life for her country and for love of her suffering fellow patriots, as her death, at the close of the war, was directly traced to her devoted labors on behalf of the soldiers,-a labor of love which extended over a long period, in which she spared herself not in the least.
Politically Mr. Wright is a Democrat, and fraternally he is a Master Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 30. He is a deacon in the Baptist church, the superintendent of the Sunday-school, and takes a very active part in the
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general work of the denomination. His marriage, March 14, 1860, united his destinies with those of Mary Fowser, a daughter of Samuel Fowser, a farmer of Salem county. Three children were born to our subject and his estimable wife, but none of them survived infancy.
HENRY J. FREAS.
Henry J. Freas, deceased, was one of the substantial and most highly re- spected citizens of Salem, Salem county, New Jersey, and the eminence at- tained by him in the business world gave evidence of his shrewd perception and sound judgment in matters of business in no less a degree than his promi- nence in social and religious circles spoke of his kind and benevolent nature. He was a son of Johnson Freas and was born January 20, 1845, at Penn's Neck, Salem county, New Jersey. His boyhood was similar to that of other lads of his time; his earlier years were spent in the private schools of Salem and he then became a clerk in the dry-goods store of Charles Rumsey, of that city. He remained in this position for several years, winning the confidence of the proprietor and customers alike, and making friends who were glad to assist the young man by their patronage and good will when, at length. he embarked in his own dry-goods establishment. This step was taken in 1876. when he had just passed his majority, and was begun on a moderate scale. which was enlarged from time to time as the business demanded until at his death he had one of the best stocked stores in this vicinity. He purchased the George Garrison property, into which he moved his stock of goods and there he continued until his death, one of the most successful and popular mer- chants of Salem. His thrift and economy enabled him to lay by a consider- able sum, which he invested judiciously from time to time as opportunity offered, and he became possessed of considerable property aside from his store. The sound common sense displayed by him in business transactions was used to no less advantage by him in domestic and social life, making his home one of the happiest and most attractive, and the center of a large circle of friends. He was a member of the Baptist church, to which he con- tributed liberally both of time and money. A Democrat in politics, he was tolerant of the views of others, and for eight years served on the board of education, and was also a member of the board of trade.
He was married September 25, 1872, to Miss Elizabeth A. Hand, by whom he had four children,-Walter J., Francis Hand, Helen Cleaver and Alice Elizabeth. Mr. Freas died January 23, 1895, at the age of fifty years. when in the zenith of a successful life. Since his demise the business has been
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carried on by Mrs. Freas and her son Walter. The ability displayed by Mrs. Freas in this connection is something remarkable for a woman and excelled by few men. As is often the case, the qualifications for a successful business career were not suspected by the lady herself until the demand was made upon her to continue the large business of her husband's estate, and this she has done in a manner that has been a surprise to her friends and a credit to her sex.
Jacob Freas was the founder of the family in this country. He was born in 1715, in Friesland, Holland, and with his brother Phillip came to America to seek a home. On board the same steamer was a young girl, an acquaint- ance of Jacob, Margaret Herkin, some eight years his junior. The acquaint- ance begun in the Fatherland was augmented by the close companionship aboard the vessel until it deepened into love, which was culminated in their marriage upon their arrival at Pennsylvania. From Philadelphia they came to Salem county and settled at the location now known as Friesburg. Their children were Jacob, born October 14. 1741; Margaret, born February 5, 1744; John, born March 26, 1746; Frederick, born October 12, 1748; George, born September 3, 1750; Henry, born December 22, 1752; Mary, born March 4, 1755, and drowned January 2, 1756; Phillip, born January 29, 1757; Peter, born July 29, 1759; and Elizabeth, born June 20, 1763. The wife and mother died July 30, 1770, at the age of fifty-one years, and a few years later Jacob Freas chose as his second helpmate Dorcas Halter, a widow, and their chil- dren were Mary, born February 22, 1776; Ann, born September 1, 1777; Elizabeth, born August 16, 1779; Margaret, born July 14, 1781 ; Phoebe, born May 25, 1783: and Sarah, born January 1, 1786. Jacob Freas lived to a good old age, dying March 21, 1801, in his eighty-sixth year, a Lutheran, and was laid beside his wife, Margaret, in the Lutheran cemetery at Friesburg, New Jersey.
Frederick Freas, one of his children, married Catherine Miller, a daughter of Peter and Barbara Miller and a granddaughter of John Michael Miller, who advanced passage money to both Jacob and his wife when they came to America, and for whom they worked, after landing here, until the amount was repaid. Their children were Henry, born April 6, 1777; Elizabeth, Han- nah, Nancy, Lydia, Frederick and John. Henry married Hannah Ray, a daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Holmes) Ray, on June 22. 1802. The children by this union were Samuel, Ann, Louisiana, James, John. Henry, Johnson, William, Daniel, Reuben and Elizabeth. Judge Henry Freas, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the most prominent men of his time and took an active part in framing the laws of his state. He was elected to the office of sheriff of Salem county in 1810, and at the joint meet-
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ings of the legislature held February 9, 1814, February 7, 1819, and October 30. 1828, respectively, he was elected justice of the peace. He was elected Judge of the court in 1828 and again in 1833. He was a member of the legislature in 1813, 1826, and 1827, and a member of the legislative council in 1829 and 1831. During the war of 1812 he raised a company of volunteers, of which he was commissioned captain. They were mustered in on September 27, 1814, and stationed at Billingsport, on the Delaware river, where they did good service in the defense of Philadel- phia during the three months thus situated. They were mustered out Decem- ber 21, 1814. He was a man of sterling worth who looked only to the inter- ests of his state when in the executive council, and was above the many petty considerations which influence many of the statesmen (so-called) of to-day. When in the senate he was one of two members who voted against legalizing horse-racing in the state of New Jersey. He was the president of the board of trustees of the First Baptist church of Salem, where he was an honored member for many years. His death occurred August 1, 1856, when he was of the age of eighty years, and was universally mourned as a public calamity. He is well remembered by many of our older residents, and his career is a matter of personal and justifiable pride to his descendants.
AARON G. RICE.
Aaron G. Rice was born September 1, 1861, at Townsend's Inlet, in Mid- dle township, Cape May county, his parents being Charles and Hannah Jane (Brower) Rice. His father was born in Dennis township, Cape May county. and resided for many years at South Seaville. He was a sea captain and commanded vessels engaged in the coasting trade. He married Hannah J. Brower and they became the parents of the following named children: Liv- ingstone, who is engaged in the oyster business; Anna, the wife of Charles Eldridge, a surf-man of Sea Isle City life-saving station, by whom she has two children: Frank, a railway employe, and Walter, now deceased: Charles, who wedded Mary Townsend and is engaged in dealing in oysters: Aaron Godfrey, of this review; and Hattie, the wife of John Douglas, who is the captain of a vessel. The father of this family died at the age of forty- eight years and the mother is still living, at the age of seventy.
Aaron G. Rice attended the public schools to a limited extent, but largely acquired his education through study at night. He was only two years old when his father died and when a very young lad began to earn his own living. He resided with his maternal grandfather until eighteen years of age, when
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he engaged in the restaurant business in Philadelphia. He also became con- nected with the same enterprise in Reading, Pennsylvania. While at home ne had acted as a reporter for the various county papers and after locating at Sea Isle City he was for some time a correspondent of the Philadelphia papers. In that work he displayed marked ability and his services therefore were in demand by many leading journals. At one time he learned the drug and prescription business. In October, 1892, he opened a hardware store in Sea Isle City, where he carries a large and complete line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves and ranges, paints and oils. He also does a plumbing and tin-roofing business and has a large stock of general house-furnishing goods. occupying two stories of a business block thirty-two by sixty-five feet. In the hardware business he is connected with James T. Chapman, the firm name being A. G. Rice & Company.
Mr. Rice was united in marriage to Miss Anna Simpson. He votes with the Republican party and has frequently been a delegate to its conventions. Of the Methodist Episcopal church he is a member, is now holding the posi- tions of steward and trustee. In his business dealings he has manifested those qualities which insure prosperity, his efforts having been confined to the legitimate channels of trade and have not been extended to the fields of speculation, and as a result of his enterprise and unflagging industry he has become one of the leading and successful merchants of Sea Isle City.
SAMUEL E. TOMBLESON.
Mr. Tombleson is a leading agricultural implement dealer of Cross Keys, Gloucester county, New Jersey, where he is also engaged in general farming. This farm was the scene of his birth, January 23, 1854, his parents being Sam- nel and Sarah A. (Nicholson) Tombleson. The grandfather, Samuel, was a German and took part in the war of 1812. The father took possession of this farm in 1844 and engaged in the lumber business, having been previously in that business in the state of Pennsylvania. He had also made hoops, large quantities of which he shipped to Cuba, twenty men being employed by him to fill the demand made for them by that island. He was a good business man and owned large tracts of land around here, the village of Cross Keys being built almost entirely upon his property. He was a prominent Demo- crat and an honorable and honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was married to Mary A. Nicholson, who presented him with three children: William M., a freeholder of Williamstown; Samuel E .; and Joseph, a resident of Vineland. His death occurred at his home in this village in 1877 and that of his wife the following year.
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Samuel E. Tombleson received his education in the public schools and early in life assisted his father in his outside business operations. For nine years he conducted a stage line from Cross Keys to Woodbury and in all that time lost only twenty-six days from duty, except from sickness. He then conducted a stage line from Cross Keys to Grenloch for five years. His next venture was in the mercantile world, in which he engaged in selling farm implements and fertilizers and in which he has been very successful. He is energetic and enterprising and has built up a large trade in this section, where he is well known and every one is his friend. He owns thirty acres of fine land, which he devotes to general farming, and owns as much or more real estate besides.
He was married May 18, 1880, to Miss Mary A., a daughter of Moses Pease, of Cross Keys. They have but one child, a son, Elvin. Mr. Tomble- son is a member of the Methodist church, of which he is a steward and a trus- tee, and is a Granger.
J. SPICER LEAMING.
J. Spicer Leaming, an attorney and counselor at law, of Cape May City, New Jersey, was born in Lower township, Cape May county, November 16, 1853, and is the son of Jacob and Melvina (Eldredge) Leaming. This family represents one of the oldest in the southern section of the state, their repre- sentatives having settled here in early colonial days, and their descendants have since contributed to the upbuilding and substantial improvement of the county.
Christopher Leaming, the great-grandfather, was born in Cape May county and there resided throughout his life. He married Sarah Spicer, a daughter of Jacob Spicer, who also is largely identified with the early history of the county, and died about the year 1788, and left surviving him several children, one of whom, Spicer Leaming, is the grandfather of our subject. The said Spicer Leaming was born in Lower township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits, owning considerable land. He was appointed ensign of a company of light artillery of the Cape May battalion of militia by Major Nathaniel Holmes, and his commission, dated June 28, 1794, and signed by Richard Howell, Governor, is in the possession of the family. He married Hannah Swain, and at his death left surviving him seven children, namely: Swain, who married and had two children,-James and Spicer; James, who was three times married and had a large number of children; Thomas, who married, late in life, a Miss Renolds and made his home in Philadelphia, his death occurring in 1876; Israel, who married twice, and left but one daughter,
J. Sicer Leaming
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Abigail, who became the wife of Dr. William Sheppard, whose children are now living at Cape May City; Lemuel, who married and left surviving him at his death a daughter, Hannah: she married Wilmon W. Whilldin, who is largely engaged in real-estate speculation at West Palm Beach, Florida, and is now the mayor of that place; Martha, who was twice married, her first husband being David Cresse: they had several children, who are now living at Cape May; and Jacob, who was the youngest and the father of our subject.
Jacob was born on January 16, 1812, in Lower township, Cape May county, where he lived the greater portion of his life, and was identified with the agricultural pursuits of that locality, living on a farm just outside the limits of the city of Cape May, which has been in the Leaming family ever since Cape May was first settled. It was one of the oldest properties, if not the oldest, in this section of the state, the farm still being owned by his son, J. Spicer Leaming, our subject. A few years before his death he retired from the farm and spent the remainder of his life in the city of Cape May. He was always a Republican in his politics, as had been all of the family before him, although never an aspirant for office. He married Miss Melvina Eld- redge and to them were born three children: Teresa E. Townsend, the wife of Edward F. Townsend, an architect and contractor at Cape May City; Amanda M. Townsend, the wife of F. Sidney Townsend, who also resides at Cape May City; and J. Spicer Leaming. The father of these children died January 10, 1888, at the age of seventy-six years, and the mother was called to her final rest January 13, 1899, also aged seventy-six.
J. Spicer Leaming spent his boyhood days at his parental home and ac- quired his preliminary education in the common schools, after which he continued his studies in Pennington Seminary and in Dickinson College, being graduated in the latter institution with the class of 1874. He then entered the law office of Hon. F. Carroll Brewster, of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and in 1875 was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar as an attorney, and in 1879 was admitted to the supreme court of that state. He practiced law in the city of Philadelphia until 1888, having his office at 623 Walnut street, with Samuel E. Cavin, who was then assistant city solicitor. In 1888, on account of the declining health of his father, he came to Cape May, where, after being admitted to the New Jersey bar, he established an office and has since been engaged in general practice. At present he is the corporation counsel for the city of Cape May, also county solicitor, and solicitor for the Lower township and several of the boroughs.
Mr. Leaming is a Republican in his political affiliations, and for three years served as a member of the board of education. He belongs to the Baptist church, is one of its trustees and its financial secretary, and takes an
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active and zealous interest in its work. His devotion to the interests of his clients is proverbial, and he invariably seeks to present his argument in the strong, clear light of reason and sound logical principles.
On June 20, 1889, Mr. Leaming was united in marriage to Miss Helen, a daughter of Dr. Jonathan F. Leaming, of Cape May Court House. They lost their only child in infancy.
Mr. Leaming has in his possession an old ring, which is known as Wash- ington's ring and which was given by George Washington to Lieutenant Richard Somers, of the early United States navy, who presented it to his sister, Sarah Keen; she gave it to her niece, Sarah S. Corson, who gave it to her son, Dr. Jonathan F. Leaming, father-in-law of our subject. In the set which adorns the ring is a lock of Washington's hair, protected by a transparent plate. Following is a copy of the affidavit concerning this ring:
State of New Jersey, jersey,}ss Cape May County,
Jonathan F. Leaming, of full age, being duly sworn according to law. on his oath says that he is the son of William Leaming and Sarah Sophia Leam- ing, who was the daughter of Constant and Sarah Somers, of the county of Gloucester, now Atlantic county; that the said Constant Somers was the brother of Sarah Keen, wife of Jonas Keen, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and of Richard Somers, of the early United States Navy; that the said Rich- ard Somers, then a lieutenant in the navy upon his departure to the Mediter- ranean under Commodore Preble, in the war with Tripoli, in 1803, deposited all his valuables with his said sister Sarah Keen. In this war Lieutenant Somers lost his life September 4, 1804.
Constant Somers being dead, all the personal property of Lieutenant Somers passed to his sister, the said Sarah Keen; the said Sarah Keen died intestate and without issue, and her estate fell to her niece, the said Sarah Sophia Leaming, who had intermarried with Nicholas Corson, of this county (Cape May), and deponent administered the estate of the said Sarah Keen, deceased. Among the personal effects of the said Sarah Keen was a peculiar, antique finger ring, which was always called Washington's ring. It is a flat, gold ring, with a square setting of dark-blue enamel. On the outside edge of this dark-blue enamel square is a small stripe of white enamel, and in the centre of said square is a round box and glass containing hair surmounted by thirteen pearls. On each side of said square, on the shanks of the ring, are alternate gold and light-blue enamel stripes, within which field of stripes, on each side, is a small circle of dark-blue enamel. The hair contained in this ring is said to be that of George Washington.
This deponent avers that he has frequently heard the said Sarah Keen declare that this ring was presented to her brother, Lieutenant Richard Somers, by George Washington, the first president of the United States, and that the hair within the setting was that of Washington, and that her brother
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had left the said ring in her care when he embarked for Tripoli. The said Wash- ington's ring was given to this deponent by his mother, the said Sarah Sophia Corson, and is now deposited with his son-in-law, J. Spicer Leaming, of Cape May City, New Jersey.
Sworn and subscribed December 25, 1891.
JONATHAN F. LEAMING.
No history of southern New Jersey would be complete without the record of the Leaming family, for no other has so long been identified with Cape May county or borne so conspicuous and worthy a part in its substantial progress and development. About the year 1670 Christopher and Jeremiah Leaming, brothers, sailed from England to the New World; but the latter died on the voyage. Christopher Leaming landed in Boston and in 1674 married Esther Burnett, a daughter of Aaron Burnett, of Sag Harbor, East Hampton, Long Island. He came to Cape May county in 1691, located a tract of land of two hundred and four acres in 1694, and died on the 3d of May, 1695. His wife died November 5, 1714. They were the parents of seven children,-Thomas, Jane, Hannah, Christopher, Aaron, Jeremiah and Elizabeth; and Jeremiah and two of the daughters removed to New England.
Thomas Leaming, the eldest son of Christopher and Esther Leam- ing, the progenitors of the family in America, was born at Southampton, Long Island, on the 9th of July, 1674, and came to Cape May in 1692. locat- ing on a farm. He married Hannah Whilldin, a daughter of Joseph Whilldin, who was then in her eighteenth year. He died December 31, 1723, at the age of forty-nine years. His children were: Esther, born July 2, 1702; Mercy, born September 10, 1704; Jane, born October 15, 1706; Phebe, born Novem- ber 4, 1708; Priscilla, born June 15, 1710; Christopher, born April 18, 1712; and Thomas, born in 1714.
Christopher Leaming, the sixth child of that family, married Deborah Hand and died in 1757. They had two children, Christopher and Esther Y., but the latter died March 12, 1749, at the age of twelve years. The former married Sarah Spicer, the eldest daughter of Jacob Spicer. and their children were Spicer, Jacob, Christopher, Humphrey, Allison, Deborah, Hannah and Esther.
Christopher Leaming, the son of Christopher and Deborah Leaming, went to the west, was married there, carried on a prosperous business and eventually died.
Christopher Leaming, the sixth, was the son of Jacob, who was the son of Christopher (4th) and Sarah Leaming. He married Ann M. McCray, a
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daughter of John and Hannah (Eldredge) McCray and a sister of Jeremiah and James McCray. Her husband died November 3, 1865, but she is still liv- ing, in the eighty-third year of her age.
Aaron Leaming, who was the son of Christopher and Esther Leaming and the founder of another branch of the family, was born at Sag Harbor, near East Hampton, Long Island, October 12, 1687, and when twenty-seven years of age married Lydia Shaw, the widow of Captain William Shaw and a daughter of John Pearson. Their wedding took place October 12, 1714, and Aaron Leaming died in Philadelphia June 20, 1746, at the age of fifty- eight years, while his widow died October 2, 1762, at the age of eighty-three years. Their children were Aaron, Jeremiah, Matthias, who died in 1732, at the age of fourteen years, and Elizabeth, who became the wife of Thomas Leaming, and had two children,-Thomas and Lydia.
Aaron, the eldest son of Aaron and Lydia (Shaw) Leaming, was born July 6, 1715, and died in 1780, at the age of sixty-five years. He married Mary Foreman, who was born March 23, 1729, a daughter of Jonathan Fore- man. By this union there were six children: Jonathan, who was born July 5, 1738; Aaron, born August 28, 1740; Sarah, born February 21, 1743; Math- ias, born September 19, 1749: Mary, born October 19, 1753; and Persons, who was born July 23, 1756, and died March 24, 1807.
Of this family, Jonathan Leaming, the eldest, married Margaret Stites, the only child of John and Priscilla Stites, on the 3d of March, 1763, and they became the parents of a daughter, Priscilla, who was born October 9, 1764, and married Humphrey Stites. Of this union five children were born: Mar- garet, the wife of Philip Cresse; Eliza, the wife of Jeremiah Cresse; Hannah, the wife of Aaron Leaming (6th); and Mary, who first married Eli Town- send and after his death became the wife of Humphrey Stites. After the death of his first wife, Jonathan Leaming wedded Judith Hand, a daughter of Jere- miah Hand, and they had two sons,-Aaron (4th), born July 9, 1768; and Jonathan (2d).
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