USA > New Jersey > Somerset County > Centennial history of Somerset County [New Jersey] > Part 15
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Out of this tract the proprietors took 1,170 acres, em- bracing the site of the village ; and after being surveyed by Phillip Wells, surveyor, September 25th, 1683, it was patented to Thomas Rudyard, an eminent lawyer of Lon- don.
The only one of the proprietors under this Indian grant who actually settled on any part of it, was Thomas Cod- rington. He had 877 acres apportioned to him Septem- ber 25th, 1683 ; and built a house upon it soon after, and called his place Racawackhana. He also owned 1,000 acres more, lying on the rear of his farm, running up to the apex of the mountain.
Thomas Codrington was living at Racawackhana on the 26th of November 1684, and was at that date appointed one of Governor Barclay's council. He was a man of in- fluence in his time, and received the same appointment
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from Lord Neil Campbell, Oct 18th. 1686, and again from Governor Bass, May 6, 1698. The place was owned about the commencement of the present century, by Alexander Campbell.
Thomas Rudyard, who owned the land upon which the village now stands, was one of the twenty-four proprietors . to whom the Duke of York confirmed March 14th, 1682, the previous sale of the Province of East New Jersey, 'by giving them a new grant. Under this grant Robert Bar- clay was appointed governor for life, September 16th, 1782, with permission not to reside in the Province, and Thomas Rudyard became his deputy. He arrived in the Province November 13th, of the same year-having with him as Surveyor General, Samuel Groome, also one of the. Proprietors. He was superceded in 1685 and went to Jamaica, West Indies. He resided at Amboy and had with him two of his daughers, ladies of education and cul- ture named Anne and Margaret. They were great. prizes in such a land, and were soon "woo'd and won," by two gentlemen from New York City. Anne married John, West ; Margaret became the wife of Samuel Winder, and resided on a plantation near Middletown, in Monmouth county. The Episcopal Church at Perth Amboy is even at this day enjoying the fruits of her liberalitv. It does not a pear probable that Thomas Rudyard ever resided in. Bound Brook-not even that he ever visited it.
As early as 1700, or before that, the lands of Rudyard, with 877 acres adjoining it, belonging to John Royce, Were purchased by a company consisting of George Cussart, Samuel Thompson and Jacob DeGroot. Rudyard's orig- inal 1,170 acres were divided between Thompson and DeGroot equally, but the Royce land was held in company. There is no authentic record of their having sold any part of this land previous to 1720. The highway through Bound Brook was laid out by this company, and was known as the "Great Raritan Road," previous to which the travel had been on the banks of the river near the stream. The Thompson residence, built at an early day, stood on the road just where the railroad now crosses it, and was pur- chased by the company and demolished to form their
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roadway, This property was conveyed first to Thomas Clawson, then to William Wortman, then to David Mc Kinney, then to Michael Shooley, and then March 27th, 1786, to Clarkson Freeman, M. D.
On the Royce plot, lived as early as 1720, John Ander- son, whose residence was just south of the lane leading to the late Thomas Codrington residence, and on the east side-some remains of this house are still standing Then Israel Brown built a house where Peter Brown now resides. Then next Joseph Bonney lived in the present Rockafellow house. The rear part of this building is the old Bonney homestead. Then next was the residence of Garret Van Wagener, M. D., next below Bonney's on the opposite side ; and then Daniel Van Corts, where A. Cammann at present resides. These were the first houses in Bound Brook
On the Codrington plot was the house of William Har- ris, who built the Middlebrook Hotel. It continued in possession of the Harris family as late as 1815, when Isra- el Harris, sheriff of Somerset county, was its landlord. On the same plot resided Thomas McElworth, in the house where Stephen Brown lived.
The Codrington homestead, "Racawackhana," was own- ed in 1700 by Aaron Lazarder ; then about 1720 by his son Moses Lazarder ; then by his son David Lazarder ; afterwards by Michael Van Tyle, Alexander Campbell and Samuel Swan, M. D.
Jacob DeGroot's land, including 1,023 acres, extended to the mountain ; and the old house, in which Jacob De- Groot, Esq., a grandson lived, and died there July 22, 1843, aged 94 years, was only recently burned to the ground.
George Cussart's house is now the Bound Brook Hotel. He sold three hundred acres to Ebenezer Trimbly, which was inherited by his son Peter, who died May 20, 1797, and left it to his two daughters, one of whom married Tu- nis Ten Eyck, and the other Col. John Staats.
Wm. Dockwra resided below the village on the South side of the Raritan, as early as 1703-he had purchased 900 acres of the Proprietors in 1682. The house is still
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standing It was long the residence of Hendrick Fisher, and is now owned by A. J. Brokaw. Dockwra returned to London, and died in 1717. He was a Scotchman, but before becoming interested in lands in Somerset County, had been employed in merchantile pursuits, Some of the first permanent settlers in Bound Brook, besides those al- ready named, were Hendrick Hendrickson, Hendrick Van- derbelt. Fletcher Van Nortwick, Jan Van Doren, Pieter Jansen Van Deventer. Garret Garretson, Jan Anten.
In the year 1700, the 1,171 acres of the original propri- etors were purchased as we have said, by George Cussart and Jacob DeGroot. In 1720 Ebenezer Trimbly, Hen- drick Harpending, Cornelius Prant, Hendrick Fisher, William Riddle and John R. Meyers had become purchas- ers of parts of this original tract, and subsequently, in 1746. Peter Williamson, James Hude, Esq., Anthony Blackford, Bartholemew Kelso, Charles McEvers, Thom- as Irvine, Joseph Stansberry. David Cussart, Tobias Van Norden, Thomas Cooper and John De Groot occupied parts and parcels belonging to it ; the particulars cannot be more minutely specified.
In the days succeeding the revolution there were three public houses of entertainment kept in Bonnd Brook, viz : The Middlebrook Hotel kept by Israel Harris, the Fre- linghuysen House, the site of which was occupied by the house of B. B. Mathews. It swung out a great sign con- taining a portrait of Major-General Frederick Frelinghuy- sen, and was kept by Peter Harpending, son of Hendrick Harpending, a cord-wainer from Lingery, Holland ; and thirdly the Washington Hotel. At this house Col. Sim- coe halted on his way to Van Veghten's Bridge and Mill- stone
John Campbell's house built as early as 1685, on the banks of the Raritan, has long since disappeared. It was a mansion of some pretentions in its day, and served to shield an unfortunate exile from turbulent Scotia. during many a lonely year. His remote descendants are yet among the citizens of Bound Brook.
Major-General Benjamin Lincoln had his quarters at the house yet standing at the east end of the village. It was
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. the only house having two stories which Bound Brook could boast. It was inhabited at the time by Peter Williamson. General Lincoln himself, when giving an account of his retreat from this place uses the following language : "Being stationed at Bound Brook on the Rari- tan, he had an extent of five or six miles to guard, with a force of less than 500 men fit for duty. On the 13th of April, 1777, owing to the negligence of his patrol, he was surprised by a large party of the enemy under Cornwallis and Grant, who came upon him so suddenly that the Gen- eral and one of his aids had barely time to get on horse- back ; the other aid was taken. as were also a few pieces of artillery."
Near this house, a blockhouse or fortification had been erected commanding the crossing over Bound Brook creek, connected with an earthwork reaching to the banks of the river.
It stood on the ground occupied at present by the old shop which Mrs. Giles owns. When Gen. Lincoln retreat- ed, the inhabitants all fled to the mountain leaving a dead soldier's corpse in the block house, as the only occupant of the village. It would be possible to detail a great variety of reminiscences of family and personal history belonging to these times, but properly they do not belong to our sub- ject.
The'first school house in Bound Brook stood a little west of the Presbyterian Church, Its site is now included in the church grounds. It was a low one story building, and used also as a meeting house by the early settlers. The first teacher was called John Wacker. His name oc- curs as early as 1742. When he came, and when he re- tired from his position, are things not known. He was succeeded by William Hedden, who resided in a small ยท house standing on the site of the lecture room of the Pres - byterian church. Hedden sold this property to Thomas Coon, who again sold it to Ambrose Cooke, M. D. The house was subsequently removed to the rear of the lot, and forms part of a carriage house. Hedden continued to act as principal of this school until 1768, when he removed to
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Newark. An interesting notice of him was published . in tue Newark Sentinel during the last winter.
He was succeeded by Peter Walsh, a Scotchman, who continued to teach in the same building, until the erec- tion of the building known as the "Academy." This house, like others, has been demolished and bas
made room for a better structure. It was a respectable building of two stories, with a small cupola ; and the old bell of Kell's Hall, rang the children to their morning and afternoon exercises. It was built in the year 1800 in part from money bequeathed for that purpose by Michael Field. The object of the bequest is conveyed in the words of his will. "I give the sum of $500 lawful money of the State of New Jersey, towards a free school, that may be erected hereafter within the Presbyterian congregation of Bound Brook, which my executors are hereby required to put in- to the hands of the trustees of the congregation aforesaid, and the trustees are required to put the same at interest, and to keep the interest money arising therefrom in their custody and possession, until the said "Free School House" shall be built, and then apply the said interest money for that purpose, and supporting said school, and for no other uses." This was dated on October 14th, 1791. and Mr. Field died on the 13th of January, 1792, aged 97 years. Peter Walsh was the first teacher employed after the acad- emy was built ; and wa; succeeded by Isaac Toucy, Presi- dent Buchanan's Secretary of the Navy. During the pe- riod in which Mr. Toucy was in charge a female depart- ment was in existence on the second floor, under the super- vision and instruction of Miss Joannah Deeds. This ven- erable structure, so long a land mark in the village, was finally demolished in 1857, and succeeded by the present building.
Religious services were commenced in Bound Brook, as early as 1700, and resulted in the formation of a Presbyte- rian Church, which has been among the most respectable and intelligent congregations in the State, but as our prov- ince is not to write the ecclesiastical history of our county we forbear. We give however a single remeniscense. The Rev. Mr. McCrea, the father of Jane McCrea was ordain-
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ed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, August 4, 1741, served the church at Bound Brook until 1749, when he Was succeeded by Rev. Israel Reed, who was installed pas- tor December 6th, 1749
The story of Jane McCrea, as told by Lossing, who had it from a grand-daughter of her friend Mrs. McNeil, with whom she was staying at the time of her death. is a simple tale of love and misfortune ; and her death an accident of the war of the revolution, not premeditated even by the Indians, and, resulting from the effort made by her in- tended husband, Capt. David Jones, of Burgoyne's army, to rescue her from the dangers by which she was surround- ed. Her father was also for a time the minister of the Presbyterian Church at Lamington, and died a widower previous to the unfortunate death of Jane, his daughter ; et Paulis Hook, now Jersey City, May 10, 1769. It was the occasion of her going to Fort Edward to reside with Mrs. McNeil. Jones was a neighbor of the McNeil's, and inclined to the side of the King. When the revolution opened he joined the party of the British and obtained the position of Captain in Burgoyne's army. He was so affected by the death of Jane McCrea that he left the army, went to Canada, and never saw Fort Edward again.
Rev. Israel Read, installed pastor of the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church in 1750, sleeps quietly in the rear of the church, over which he had presided for nearly half a century, commencing his pastorate at a time when the frontier line of civilization was within bow shot of the tombstone that now marks his grave. During his ministry the wilderness around Bound Brook was changed to fruitful fields, in which thousands were added to the settlement, in which hundreds of marriage ceremonies were performed by the minister-children were baptised and the word of God planted in the hearts of many. Mr. Read was thrown from his carriage near Raritan Landing, on November 25, 1793, and fatally injured. He died three days afterwards, aged 75. His monument records that he was the first settled minister of this church, in which he was faithful to his divine master to death." He left one daughter named Mary, who subsequent to the
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death of her father, became the wife of Capt. John Pow- ers. John Powers was born in North Carolina, and com- manded a company in a regiment from that State, during the revolution. He bore a distinguished part in the for- lorn hope at the battle of Stony Point, July 15 and 16, 1779, for which he, in an official document, received the thanks of Gen. Wayne. He came to Bonnd Brook at the time of the disbandment of the army, and was soon after- wards united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Bonney, who at that time was the widow of Benjamin Bonney, whose tragical death by the hand of the notorious Tory Bili Stu- art, is still chronicled among the traditions of the place. She died September 10th, 1795, aged 45 years, Capt. Powers afterwards wooed and wed Mary, daughter of the Rev. Israel Read. She died May 4th. 1819, and sleeps by the side of her father.
At the time of the Revolution the inhabitants of Bound Brook were, with a few exceptions, on the Patriot side, and suffered as much, if not really more than others, from the war. The army was quartered near them twice. and during the military operations in Somerset County in 1776, they were for a time almost directly between the two ar- mies, and exposed in every possible way to annoyance from both
Perhaps one of the most interesting incidents illustra- ting what we have said, may be told in the following words: While a party of Washington's army was stationed at Pluckamin, a company of British cavalry made a raid from New Brunswick through Bound Brook, accompanied by a number of 'Tories,' among them the noted Bill Stewart. On reaching the house of Benjamin Bonney, he took his little son Peres, then about four years of age and secreted himself in the cellar of his house. Stewart prowling round the house saw him sitting on the steps of the cellar and fired upon him while the child was on his lap. The ball took effect in his left groin, just missing the child. Bon- ney died of this wound after the third day. This catas- trophe occurred in what is now the Rockafellow house, and the room to which he was taken and in which he died, ex- ists still in the rear of the building. From Bonney's resi-
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dence they went to DeGroats, broke open the cellar, con- sumed all the provisions, threatened and attempted to strike DeGroat with a sword which his wife turnel aside by seizing it, but cut her hand ba ily. They then obliged him, by threatening his life, to swear allegiance to the King, and also committed violence upon Archibald Van Norden. On their return however, they were met below Bound Brook by Col. John Staats, attacked so fiercely that they lost all their plunder and their prisoners escaped. Mischief had been done, life sacrificed and property de - stroyed ; but any benefit to either of the contending par- ties it is difficult to indicate.
During the 'troublesome times' the sabbath worshipers in Bound Brook often came to church on Sunday armed, and their muskets could be seen at the end of their pews or perhaps some leaned upon them when in the act of prayer. They had faith in God, but like Cromwell. be- lieved in keeping their powder dry, and in the safety of a good musket held firmly in hand as a defense from enemies,
On the Sabbath day two services were attended before the people were, dismissed. During the intermission of half an hour an old colored woman remembered as "Old Susanna," stood ready by the side of the church to refresh customers with ginger cake and spruce beer The young gentlemen and their sweethearts were her best customers, and to spend sixpence in 'treating the girls' was considered an act of noble generosity, if not really a little extravagant. How things do change.
The prosperity of Bound Brook dates from 1830 when the Delaware and Raritan Canal was begun. Previous to this time it was as ragged a little town as one would wish to see. What the canal began, the railroad completed, and Bound Brook is now one of the most prosperous vil- lages in the State.
We append a note endeavoring to offer a meaning to the four Indian names associated with Bound Brook.
1. SACUNK seems to be a compound of cisqua, muddy and conk or tonk or tunk, a stream, a slow sluggish stream,
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and so means the stream of mud, or stream flowing through the mud.
2. RACA-HOVA-WALLABY. Raca is a loomy piece of land, hogua bent like a fish hook, wallaby, deep water, i. e., The round plain by the deep crooked water.
3. RHA-WEIGH-WEIROS. Ragaweighweros running from a deep hole or gorge.
4. RACA-WACK-HANNA, Raca loomy again, waqua, flat or low, hanna rivulet or brook, a loomy flat by a running brook or by a rapid noisy rivulet.
And so we see all these words are expressive of the nat- ural features of the places which they designate.
CHAPTER XVII.
In the brief space which is left me, a few words can only be said of
BASKINGRIDGE.
It was settled by imigrants from Scotland and the north of Ireland, probably as early as 1730. Alexander Kirk- patrick came to Mine Brook and built a log house in 1736. In his memoir no mention is made of any families in that vicinity. He travelled on foot from Bound Brook over the mountains and through the woods, reaching at last a spring of water on the South side of Round Mountain, he admired the out look and determined to settle there. The title to his land was not secured until Nov. 24, 1747. At a later date, 1762, Lord Sterling (Wm. Alexander) com- menced to build a mansion on his property, which was long known as Sterling's buildings. Between these datos the lands seem to have been taken up and settlers located. The first names include the Southards, Linn. Barkely, McEown, Guerin. McMartin, Ayres, Johnson, Whitecar, Conklin, Cross, Mehelm, Dayton, Annin, Lewis, Gaston, and others. A Presbyterian Church was organized, and was served by Rev's. Cross, Kennady, Finley, Brownlee, &c. Its most prominent feature was the Academy, commenced by Fin- ley, and continued by Brownlee, in which many young men
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afterwards eminent in the learned professions, received their early training. The region has always been distin - guished by the intelligence and the decided christian char- acter of its inhabitants.
LAMINGTON
Had a Church organized as early as 1740. Its early set- tlers were of the same nationality of those at Baskingridg . Henry, Logan, Suydam, Mckinstry, Kennadv, Dunha'n, McDowell, Sloan. Boylen, Todd. McBride, Field, Blair, Blackwell, Vandervoort, and others, are names which are to be found engraven on the monuments in the grave yard beside the church. Rev. James McCrea, Jeremiah Halsey, William Boyd, Horace Galpin and Wm. Blauvelt have , served this church. Boyd, like Finley, devoted himself to teaching the classics, and prepared a number of young men for college, who were eminently useful in their day, in church and state. We may mention John and Win. Mc Dowel, J. T. Field, Sloan, J. C. Vandervoort, and Brown as among his students ; then subsequently S. C. Henry, Oliver Ogden, Abm. Hageman, who served in the christian ministry and did honor to their native place.
Somerset County has from its first days been distin- guished for its religions character, its pure morals, its in- dustry and thrift, and its general prosperity. It embraces - a population which in wealth, intelligence, virtue, respect for law, and general culture is not excelled by any other community in our State. Fewer great crimes have been committed, fewer public executions have taken place, few- er great scandals have occurred. Its public men have been eminent, filled places of honor which are a source of pride to all right thinking men. Occupying a central place, it has been denominated the garden of New Jersey, it is cer- tainly not behind the foremost or the best. Its churches, schools, roads, and public improvements are abreast of the times, if not actually in advance. Hence its verdant plains are being sought as a residence by many from the overflowing cities on its borders. Its climate is mild and healthy, not subject to contamination from malarial influ- ences. In a word it offers as many advantages and enjoy-
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ments to those who are seeking homes as can be found iu any portion of our proud old State.
The Rail Road facilities of the County are abundant. We cannot say that every man has them at his door, but he at least has them within an easy distance. Hence prop- erty has advanced in every part of it, and capitalists who have invested their funds have not had occasion to regret their action. Its future is bright and encouraging. It will not be long before many of its choice locations will be occupied by mansions, and improvements which will at once gratify and enrich its prosperous inhabitants. In- deed. when all its advantages are properly estimated, it presents attractions to the public which few can offer to an equal extent. All honor to our goodly land-may its future be equal to the highest wishes of those who love it best.
Its past memories are a proud inheritance, and we fondly hope its future may not develope anything to mar or de- preciate them ; and when another Centennial has arrived, may those who celebrate it feel as much pride in their an- tecedents as we really feel now in ours. Let them emu- late our example, and they will not fail to enjoy the ani- inating distinction, which has been so unanimously conce - ded to us, their antecedents.
Industry never looses its reward. Public virtue is a public blessing. Temperance and good morals are essen- tial elements in the prosperity and happiness of every com- munity. Political integrity is as important as the equal administration of justice. As long as these virtues are cultivated by a people and demanded from those trus- ted with influence and called to offices of profit and honor, we may hope to see our good county advancing and pros- pering as she has until now done. The school, the church and the law, can operate in perfect harmony, and be made to combine in maintaining correct principles and public in - tegrity ; and all those who have intelligent conceptions of their own best interests, will unite in upholding them and extending these influences in their separate fields of opera- tion.
Somerville June 17, 1878.
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APPENDIX .
When the spirit of resistance to British oppression had formed itself into a resolution to contend, preparations were made to organize, and to call ont the military of the country. The first public act looking to a "plan for regulating the militia of the colony," was passed in the Pro- vineial Congress, at Trenton, June 31, 1775. Under this act two Regi- menta were raised in Somerset Co. ; August 16. 1775, five compe nies from Somerset were added to the former enrollment.
When the first Batallion was formed, William Alexander (Lord Ster- ling) was made Colonel, Stephen Hunt, Capt, Col .; Frederick Freling- huysen, Capt. Col. ; Abraham Ten Eyck, Lieut. Col .; Derrick Middah, 2d Maj. Liet. Col ; James Linn. Capt. 1st Maj .; Rich. MeDonald, Capt. 2d Maj .; Thomas Hill, Capt. 2a Maj.
Of the 2d Batallion, Abraham Quick was made Col .; Hendrick Van Dyke, Col .; Benj. Barrd, Ist. Maj .; Peter D. Vroom, Capt. 1st Maj. Lieut. Col .; William Verbryck, Capt. 2d Maj .; William Baird, Capt. 1st, Maj .; Enos Kelsey, 2d Maj. For a complete list of all the officers and mnen who served in the Revolutionary War, we can only refer our readers to Adj. Gen. Stryker's official Register, published in Trenton, in 1872.
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