USA > New Jersey > Somerset County > Centennial history of Somerset County [New Jersey] > Part 11
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and as the effect of all this there was a great deal of har- mony of action between them ; even in the most instances, a mutual and zealons co-operation in business and in so- cial necessities in all the important matters of life, and also so much amity and attachment in all actions, that serions collisions seldom occurred. The slaves, in most instances would have defended their masters and their master's house- hold with their lives. Indeed it is remarkable in how few instances theft, or arson, or murder occurred, as the effect of having such persons in so many families. Pilfer- ing in various forms, there always was, but it was of a petty character. and perpetrated generally for the purpose of obtaining some luxuries or personal indulgences, not al- lowed them, because not beneficial or unnecessary to their comfort,
We have notice of a case of arson succeeded by a pub- lic execution, and also one of the murder of one slave by another. We have obtained the relation of another of a white man by his slave, as the consequence of which the slave was burned at Millstone, then the county seat in the presence of a large concourse of negroes, who were express- ly brought there to witness it. We give the narrative as it was written out for us. The same thing also occurred in other places about the same time.
Jacob Van Nest was murdered in what is now Branch- burgh township, by his black man, somewhere about the year 1753. The occasion is said to have been, taking a leaf of tobacco out of the negroe's box by his master as he was going up the kitchen stairs. Mr. Van Nest had been out on horseback and returned home at night. The ne- gro stood inside of the stable door, and struck him with an axe as he came to put his horse in his place. He then turned the horse loose with the saddle under him, but bur- ied the body under some leaves and brush near the house. He was an athletic fellow, and when taken had on his per- son his master's pocket knife. He was purposely sent cut of doors to bring in a back log, and was then taken by the officers when he could not defend himself. What form of a trial was instituted is not related, but when condemned he was publicly burnt at the stake as a punishment for his
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crime. It is noticed that the effect upon the slaves present was so great that they did not eat any meat for a long time afterwards.
The property where this murder occurred is now in po- session of Gilbert Kershaw, son-in-law of Andrew Hage- man, who purchased the farm from Peter D. Vroom, a son of Hendrick D Vroom. The barn in which the murder was committed was removed to make room for a better some thirty years since. Hendrick D. Vroom who possess - ed it, married Jemimah the only daughter of Jacob : Van Nest, and came into its possession in right of his wife. Jacob Van Nest was a son of Peter-the son of that Peter who originally purchased the 600 acre traet of land from the Proprietors first north of the junction of the Branches, and was in his day one of the most popular men in Somer- set County, if we may judge so from his representing the county almost constantly in the Legislative Council and in other public trusts during his life time.
The peaceful con tition of the negroes, notwithstanding these exceptionable executions, is universally attested ; and yet there had been a sort of rebellion among them along the Raritan in 1734, in consequence of which, one at least, if not more was hung. It is called a "rising," and the design was to obtain their freedom, kept from them, as they believed, contrary to the express directions of the king ; and the plan was to murder all "the whites," and then join the Indians in the interest of the French, but it failed to do any real harm or have any results. That slaves were numerous in Somerset is not to be questioned; nor is it doubtful that as a general thing they were human- ly treated ; and yet circumstances also show that crimes were committed, and their punishment was meeted out to them swiftly and not always considerately. Burning was not an exceptionable mode. At Perth Amboy two were burnt within two weeks of the the time after which the crime-the murder of their mistress-was perpetrated ; and as in the case of Millstone. the negroes were all summoned from their homes to witness it, under the belief not yet exploded, that the effect of it would be salutary.
There seems to be, and there no doubt was, a connection
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between these transactions, and the famous "negro plot." in New York, in 1741. The public mind had been great- ly excited with fear by the developments then made and the instinct of self-preservation is not apt to be, either tol- erant or considerate They believed in the wholesomeness of terror as a conservator of the peace of society, and em- ployed it freely.
Another "rising" among the negroes was feared in 1772, but precautionary measures were adopted and the excite- ment passed off. In connection with this disturbance an "abolitionist" appeared, and in the public prints and oth- erwise, urged the propriety of the passage of a law by the Parliament in london, obliging every master to free his slave and secure his being sent back to his native place. It made the slaves for a time dissatisfied and dangerous, but it effected no good-rather the contrary.
An act had been passed as early as 1713 levying a duty on the importation of negroes, but it seems not to have been enforced. The tariff was forty shillings in East New Jersey, and £6 in West New Jersey. This inequality in levying the tax was obviated by another act in 1767, and again by another act in 1749, which was in force at the time of the revolution.
When Sunday Schools were introduced the negroes were largely benefitted by them and received the religious in- struction given in them extensively. In christian familes, also, they were brought under christian influences, and many of them became members of the different Christian Churches. When properly cared for at home, they main- tained generally a creditable course of conduct ; but like the missionary converts in heathen lands, for the most part in time of temptation they were but weak christians, and liable to fall under the passion engendered by strong drink ; and yet there is no doubt, many of them were tru- ly pious, and sought to be better than they were. All the churches in the country had them among their members ; but in the old Church of Raritan, after the Great Revival there was the largest number. At one communion season, sixty eight colored persons came down from the galleries and sat down at the table, spread then, according to ol ler
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customs, in the middle aisle of the church. Most of these are now no more, but during their life they maintained a consistent demeanor and died in the hope of a better condi- tion.
We make these references because we think them of practical importance in the future ! Slavery is happily abolished in our beloved state ; but the questions, having reference to the future of the descendants of slaves, are yet living questions ; and their solution will press upon the future, more than they do upon the present. To ig- nore them is not more proper for us, than it is for the wel- fare of the unfortunate: creatures, to whom they relate. God has been in this part of history, as in all others, and his designs, when wraught out, will be worthy of his wis- dom and purity. We rest our anxieties all upon this foun- dation.
It ought to be noted also as an evidence in favor of the gentleness and amenity of domestic slavery in our country that when the slaves were invited by the British in the revolution, to abandon their homes and seek refuge in the armies, so few of them took advantage of the opportunity to abscond. If there had not been attachment on their part, to those whom they served, it would not have been so. There were, in fact slaves enough in the country to have decided the contest against us, if they had generally entered the army of our enemies. The Indians were de- ceived into activity, and fought bravely for their natural enemies, but the slaves remained in quietness ; aiding on- ly as their attachments influenced them to do-and for the most part favored those who had been called their tyrants and oppressors. Their course indicated clearly what they thought, and what in fact was the truth. They would not trust strangers as against their national protectors and friends; and who will say it was not the course of prudence and wisdom ?
The first Legislative action looking to the abolition of slavery in New Jersey, occurred on the February 24th, 1821. It determined that the children of all slaves in the state, born after July 4, 1804 should be free-the males at 25 years and the females at 21 years. Under this wise
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and safe provision the evil ceased of itself, so impercepta- bly and gradually, that no interest or feeling was in any way disturbed by it. The sentiment of Somerset county was largely in favor of this law, and rejoiced in the effects ·of it upon an unfortunate race of human beings, whose happiness has been too much the sport of unprincipled pol- iticians. They had treated them humanely while in bond- age and they rejoiced to see them making successfully the attempt to provide for their own well being.
It will always be accounted as a special honor that Dr. Finley, a Somerset man, was the first to move in the for- mation of the American Colonization Society ; an institu- tion which has already done so much for the colored neo- ple and for Africa, but whose work is just beginning to show its real grandeur, and to demonstrate its immense im- portance in the developments of the plans of mercy to this our world. It will christianize Africa and save at least a remnant of her children given over to bondage, from all extermination.
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CHAPTER XI.
HISTORICAL HOUSES.
We cannot, in our new country, make any- pretentions to the possession of historical localities, such as abound in England, Scotland and on the continent of Europe, gener- ally. We have, as yet, no "hoary antiquities" to boast, no castellated crags or hill-top forts and strong-holds. Comparatively, we are but of yesterday, and know nothing; and yet we are beginning to possess some things in which we may take a little pride-a very little, perhaps-on ac- count of the historical associations connected with them. We have, on this account, ventured to name a few histori- cal h uses in Somerset County. Notice has already been taken of Kell's Hall, (Archibald Campbell's house), Phil's Hill, (Philip Van Horn's house), the Codrington house, the old house of John Campbell on the river side, just above the Bound Brook turnpike bridge. There are oth- ers besides these around which memories cluster, also, which will live long-long after the houses themselves have moul- dered into dust and are visible no more.
The old Abraham Staats house, just below Bound Brook on the east side of the turnpike and near the river, in which Baron Steuben had his winter quarters in 1778-9, stands yet in a comfortable state of preservation. Here that noble Prussian, whose love of liberty induced him to give the aid of his personl influence to our almost fainting cause, slept, and thought, and planned, during those long winter nights, when hope had hardly yet dawned upon the struggling efforts for American liberty. His dignified man-
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ners, his splendid gold medal set in diamonds, a present from old Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, designating the order of "Fidelity," are visible to our imagination when we visit the sacred spot ; General and Mrs. Washington coming to dine with him, and other gentlemen and ladies accompanying them-the entertainment of "the Bar," giv- en by the American officers, when the tables were spread in a grove near by, all give the old Staats house an abid- ing interest in future times. This was early in June, 1779, just before the encampment at Middlebrook was broken up, and was a great display of its kind. Yes, the old Staats house is "an historical house."
We append the following account of the Unveiling of the Steuben Monument, September 30, 1873 :-
Large delegations from near Utica, with several repre- sentatives of the press and German societies of New York, went to Remsen and Steuben this morning to be present at the unveiling of the Steuben monument. A line of wagons nearly three miles long, extending from Reisen to the monument, were furnished by farmers for the convenience of visitors. The Citizens' Corps, of Utica, guarded the speaker's stand at the monument. About 4,000 per- sons were present. Mayor Butterfield, of Utica, was the chairman, and prayer was offered by the Rev Owen F. Perry, after which followed the presentation of the monu- ment to the people of America, by Carl Sixtus Kapf, of New York, on behalf of the Steuben Monument Associa- tion. As Mr. Kapf concluded the ceremony of presenta- tion, the clouds cleared away for an instant, and a single shaft of sunshine fell on the monument. Ex-Gov. Seymour received the monument on behalf of the people, and ad- dresses were made by Ellis H. Roberts in English, and W. Zarth, in German The benediction was pronounced by the Rey. Dr. Brown, of Hamilton College. The ceremo- nies having ended, the party went on an excursion, and on the return attended a pic nic at Trenton Falls. There were no accidents, and the day was pleasant though cloudy. The excursionists returned to Utica at forty-five minutes past six P. M.
The house in which Hendrick Fisher resided below
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Bound Brook, on the road to Middlebush, is yet in a good state of preservation, and will long be remembered as hav- ing a memory not to be lost. We have given a brief ac- count of him in another place.
Passing over "the mountains we visit Lord Sterling's mansion" house, on the flats south-east of Baskingridge, built about 1761, as a summer retreat, but adopted after- wards as a permanent residence. Sterling, when coming to Baskingridge, had just returned from Europe, and told the following anecdote of his having been introduced to a Mrs. Drummond, by her husband, at a dinner, after he had informed her that he had that day invited "a native American" to dine with him. When the introduction took place the good woman, mystified by the words "na- tive American," exclaimed in broad Scotch, "Mie God ! the awnimaal is wheete." She expected to see the "cop- per color" of an American Indian. Sterling resided at Baskingridge improving his manor and developing the manufactory of iron in Morris county, until the war of the revolution called him to the field. The place was long known as "Sterling's buildings."
Another is the house in which Gen. Charles Lee was ta- ken prisoner by Col. Harcourt, leading a scouting party of British cavalry on the 11th of December, 1776. It was then called "White's Tavern," and kept as a public house by a widow lady named White. It is the last house on the south end of the main street of the village, and since destroyed. Lee was blamed greatly for his dilatoriness and disregard of orders. He was completely surprised when he imagined himself secure ; taken out of his bed and hurried away in a most unceremonious manner as a prisoner, into the British camp. Though exchanged in 1778 for General Prescott, he never recovered the lost con- fidence resulting from his capture, and was finally court- martialed for his conduct in the battle of Monmouth.
In Bedminster Township, on the south bank of the North Branch. half a mile below Kline's Mills, and formerly the residence of Job Lane, Esq., stands the house in which re- sided the Rev. Mr. McCrea, minister of the Presbyterian Church of Lamington, and the father of Jane McCrea,
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murdered by the Indians near Fort Edward, July 27, 1777, when Burgoyne was on his way to Saratoga, and defeated and surrendered there. The Rev. Mr. McCrea had pre- viously lived in a house on the west side of Lamington river, which was removed to be joined to another, and formed a part of the old mansion, since burned, in which the Rev. Dr. Messler was born. The kitchen standing a few feet from the mansion house was always said to have been Rev. Mr. McCrea's study. The romance connected with Jennie McCrea's death, gave it a wide notoriety, and had no little influence in exciting indignation against Burgoyne for em- ploying the savages against the peaceful inhabitants of Washington county ; many of whom were in fact " royal- ists," and even Captain David Jones, the lover of Jennie, and the McNiels, in whose house she was staying, were all inclined to the British side. Mrs. McNiel, was in fact. a cousin of General Fraser, of the British army, killed at Saratoga, and strongly sympathized with Burgoyne.
The Miller house in Somerville, built by William Wal- , lace, and inhabited by General and Mrs. Washington, in the winter of 1778-9, and kept in exactly the state in which it, was then, is a proud historical monument. How many fond memories cluster around it; and what a pity, that that large old white-oak tree, under which Mrs. Washington so often sat in the spring of 1779, was sacrificed to " the woodman's axe," It would have been a precious relic now, if it had been spared from destruction.
The old parsonage in Somerville, built in 1750-1, by Rev. John Frelinghuysen, with bricks imported from Holland; in which Dr. Hardenburgh resided during the whole of the revolution, sleeping with a. loaded gun beside his bed, and where Gen, Washington so often visited him and his ac- complished wife. What. a pleasure to recall these com- munings between two such noble men! What an interest they would inspire now, had they been preserved! We should probably be entirely satisfied in reference to the truly religious character of the Commander-in-Chief, if we had a narrative of these conversations. Dr. Hardenburgh probably knew him more intimately than any other minister of the, gospel, except his own pastor in Virginia,' Here
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Hardenburgh, Leydt, Van Nest, Jackson and others, stud- ied theology with J. Frelinghuysen. It was, in fact, the first Theological Seminary in the Dutch Church.
The Paterson house, unfortunately raised to the ground, where Mrs. Stephen Van Rensellaer spent her youth, and which she remembered so fondly; where Aaron Burr, Gen. . Morton, of New York and John Young Noell studied law, and probably also, Frederick Frelinghuysen, Andrew Kirk . patrick, and George M. Troup, Gov. of Georgia. It ought to have been spared by the spirit of improvement. In the Old Countries they do not sacrifice such precious relics, but keep them as a sacred trust; and so we should do --- on pride ought to be their protection; for the memories around them are precious. How many years Gov, Paterson lived on the Raritan is not known to the writer. He removed "after the war to New Brunswick, and died there in 1806. His name is one of our proud and most favored possessions.
On Rock Hill stands at the present time the former man- sion of Judge Berrien, in which Washington wrote his farewell address to the army, Congress being in session at Princeton, Nov. 2d. 1783. The President of Congress, it is said, addressed him in a complimentary manner, to which he replied, and then retired. A house was provided for him at Rocky Hill, where he resided, holding conference . from time to time with committees and members of Con- gress and giving counsel on such subjects as were referred to his consideration. A large part of the officers and sol- diers had been permitted, during the summer, to retire from the army on furlough, and Congress issued a proclamation on the 18th of October, discharging them from further du- ty. together with all others who had been engaged to serve during the war. The army was, in effect, disbanded. A small force ouly remained, consisting of such troops as had been enlisted for a definite tine till the peace estab- lishment should be organized. This house is a landmark which ought to be preserved .. Time is working changes enough without destroying these' old homes of history. This proclamation was followed by washington's farewell address to the army and then his circular to the States. To his cordial and affectionate thanks for' the devotedness
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of the officers and soldiers to him through the war, and for the manner in which they had discharged their duty, he adds reasonable advice as to their conduct in resuming the characters of private citizens and in contributing to the support of civil government. "Let it be known and remembered," said he, "that the reputation of the Feder- al Armies is established beyond the reach of malevolence ; and let the consciousness of their achievements and fame, still incite the men who composed them, to honorable ac- tions ; under the persuasion that the private virtues of economy prudence and industry, will not be less amiable in civil life, than the more splendid qualities of valor, per- severance and enterpise, were in the field. Every one may rest assured that much very much of the future happiness of the officers and men will depend upon the wise and man- ly conduct which shall be adopted by them, when they are mingled with the great body of the community. Al- though the General has so frequently given it as his opin- ion, in the most public and explicity manner, that unless the principles of the Federal Government were properly supported, and the powers of the union increased, the hon- or, dignity and justice of the nation will be lost forever ; yet he cannot help repeating on this occasion so interesting a sentiment, and leaving, as his injunction to every officer and every soldier, who may view the subject in the same serious point of light, to add his best endeavors to those of his worthy fellow citizens towards effecting these great and valuable purposes, on which our existence, as a nation, so naturally depends.
On the east side of North Branch there stands a brick house in which resided Capt. Isaac Brokaw, killed in the battle of Germantown. To this house Washington went while he was living in Somerville, on a visit of condolence to the widow. We have always thought this incident one of the most beautiful exhibitions of his most extraordinary life. What a heart the great man had ! and he could well conceive of the grief of a lone widow, made so in one of his battles, and ride several miles to see her and express his sympathy for her great loss. Of what other hero is the same tenderness recorded ? The house is now owned
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by Mr. Nevius, whose wife is a great-grand daughter of Captain Brokaw.
On the south side of Raritan near the junction of the North and South Branches, is the former residence of Col. Peter D. Vroom, and the birth place of Governor P. D. Vroom. The old house remains just as it was in early days, only an addition has been annexed to it. It deserves to be remembered among the venerated localities of our beloved country.
While General and Mrs. Washington were living in the Miller house, Gen. Knox and .Gen Green and their wives were also quartered in the vicinity of Somerville ; but where exactly, we have not been able to ascertain .- There were officers at Van Horn's, near Middlebrook, at Van Veghten's on the Raritan, and at the Dumont house owned at present by Mr. Gildersleeve, Capt. Esty recol- lected carrying messages from the latter place often to Washington, but did not state from whom they came. It is remembered that one of them was a French officer, but the names are lost.
For a short time, during the Revolution, Queen's Col- lege was located at the John Protest Dumont House, near the junction of the Branches in 1779, and Col. John Tay- lor, who was the principal instructor in the institution, wrote from thence Sept. 25, excusing his delay in render- ing a full report of the officers and the condition of the va- rious regiments in the State, on account of his duties in the College, and the imperfect reports he had received from subordinates. Indeed, the College had for several years quite a perapatetic character, being temporarily lo- cated in more than one place, At one time, at least, it was at Millstone.
Then we are reminded of Tusculm, the residence of Dr. Wetherspoon, and Morven, the seat of the Stocktons for three or four generations, standing yet as land marks in the flowing tide of time.
The Kirkpatrick house at Mine Brook built by David Kirkpatrick, as if it was to stand forever with solid two feet stone walls, and a double white oak floor of two inch planks, is also worthy of remembrance.
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The Linn house, the old Boyd house at Lamington, neg- lected and almost. in ruins, where so many young men were trained for college by the good Domine before acada- mies were known ; Dr. Finley's house and the Southard house in Baskingridge, the Ludlow house on Long Hill, the Frelinghuysen honse at Millstone, and that in which Dr. Lawrence Vanderveer resided in Roycefield, and the Schenck house below Millstone, are all worth remembering by the generation to come.
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