USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the Colonial History of the state of New Jersey, Vol. XX > Part 14
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He commenced Master of Arts, and served the Col- lege for some Time as a Tutor. He soon entered into the Ministry, and was settled with his Grand-Father, the famous Mr. Stoddard at Northampton.
As a Preacher, he was well known; neither quick nor slow of Speech: His Language was pure, but not orna- mented. He regarded Thoughts more than Words; Precision of Sentiment and Clearness of Diction, formed the principle Character of his Style: In middle Life he appeared emaciated (I had almost said mortified) by intense Study and hard Labour; hence his Voice was a little too low for a large Assembly, but much helped by a proper Emphasis, just Cadence, and great Distinct- ness in Pronunciation.
He knew to arrange his Ideas in an exact Method; and the Exuberance of his Genius, enabled him to ex- haust every Subject that he took under Consideration.
He always attempted in his publick Addresses, first to enlighten the Understanding, and convince the Judg- ment of his Hearers; and then to persuade the Will, engage the Affections, and excite the active Powers of the Soul. And in this Way his Ministrations were at- tended with remarkable Success.
He was a Divine of the first Rate, and well versed in Didactic, Poloemic, Experimental and practical Theol- ogy. He had diligently employed the latter Part of his Life, in defending the great Doctrines of Christian- ity, against the Errors of the Times, and for such a Work he was abundantly qualified.
His Writings will perpetuate his Memory, and have procured him the Eulogium, not only of British, but also of eminent foreign Divines. Several Professors of Divinity in the Dutch Universities, very lately sent him
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their Thanks, for the Assistance he had given them, say- ing he had carried his Enquiry into some uncontro- verted Points, further than any Author they had ever known. No Man seemed to be better acquainted with the divine Life, or undertook Religion, and felt its Power more, than he. His internal Sense of the Inter- course which subsists between God and the Soul, being brought by him to the severe Trial of Reason and Rev- elation, guarded him both in Sentiment and Conduct, from the least Ticture of Enthusiasm.
He was a bright Star in the Orb of the Church, and in the strictest Sense, a most rational Divine. So great was his real Worth, that he conferred on the College more Honour than he could receive from it. The Great- ness of the Loss which it hath sustained by his Death, cannot be estimated.
When he perceived the Symptoms of his Distemper to be mortal, he was a little perplexed about the Mean- ing of divine Providence, in taking him from his Re- treat at Stockbridge, and in translating him to the Presidentship of the College, and removing him so soon from thence; but at length he saw the Wisdom and Goodness of God in such an Event, and yielded to the Will of Heaven, with the most placid Submission.
When we see a good Man in the full Exercise of his rational Faculties, conquering Death, while dying, and by the Efficacy of a divine Faith, triumphing over that last Enemy, we behold a glorious Evidence of the Truth of Christianity, its Excellency and Importance. We are convinced that true Religion has a sovereign Power to relieve MAN in the Time of his greatest Exigence and Distress. 'Tis hoped that some good Hand will at- tend his Character at large.
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Great EDWARDS dead ! how doleful is the Sound ? How vast the Stroke! how piercing is the Wound ? Heaven now impatient of our num'rous Crimes, Scourges the bold Rebellion of the Times : The fatal Messenger commission'd first, To bring the learn'd and pious BURR to Dust, Scarce gave us Leave to dry our weeping Eyes, And bid the Dawn of glimm'ring Hopes arise, When lo! with dreadful Aim and pointed Dart, The Arrow flies, and pierces EDWARDS' Heart. O! painful Stroke! distressing Hand of Death ! No vulgar Mortal then resign'd his Breath, Nor can the Muse in deepest Numbers tell,
"How Lion trembled, when this Pillar fell.
"Sure Natures self, with all his ample Store,
"Can furnish such a Pomp for Death no more.
-The New York Mercury, April 10, 1758.
Lancaster, April 1, 1758.
CHARLES MORSE, Attorney at Law, intending to re- move to New Brunswick, in East New Jersey,1 in about six Weeks, desires all his Clients to come and take up their Bonds, Bills, Notes, Accounts, Deeds and other Writings in his Hands, and to pay the Fees due to him for prosecuting Actions thereon. And all other Per- sons, who are indebted to him for Fees, by Bonds, Bills, Notes or otherwise, are required to make Payment with- in one Month from the Date hereof, otherwise they may expect to be sued. And any Persons having any De- mands on him, are desired to bring the same in, that they may be settled and paid.
Taken out of the Stable of Job Lippincott, in Spring- field Township, Burlington County, a grey Mare, with a short bob Tail, about 13 Hands one Inch high, six Years old; also a hunting Saddle, with a snuff coloured Broadcloth fringed Housing. It is supposed that one
1 He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar, August 10, 1758.
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Christopher Wetherill did take said Mare and Saddle and was seen at Martin Ashburn's Ferry in the City of Philadelphia, on Monday the third Instant, he had on a Snuff coloured Broadcloth Coat and Jacket, and black Leather Breecehes, work'd with white on the Knees, he is about five Feet seven Inches high, fresh coloured, with brown Hair, his fore Finger on the Left Hand has been cut off. Whoever takes up and secures said Weth- erill, in any of His Majesty's Goals, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and Forty Shillings for the Mare, paid by
Job Lippincott -The Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 1529, April 13, 1758.
Philadelphia, April 18, 1758.
All Persons indebted to the Estate of Samuel Barnes, late of Fairfield Township, Cumberland County and Province of West-New-Jersey, deceased, are desired to make speedy Payment : And those that have any De- mands against said Estate, are desired to bring in the same that they may be settled by
Abraham Barnes, Executor. -The Pennsylvania Gasette, No. 1530, April 20, 1758.
NEW YORK, April 24.
Wednesday last arrived at the Hook, his Majesty's ship Winchelsea, Capt. Hayle, in three Weekes from South Carolina, and brought under her Convoy, the Lyon, Ruby, Tamerlane, Duke William, Brittania and Success Transport Ships having on board Colonel Bo- quet, and his Part of the first Battalion of Royal Amer- icans.
Saturday last arrived at Sandy Hook, his Majesty's Ships the Devonshire, of 64 Guns, Capt. Gordon; the
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Hind, Capt. Bond, of 20 Guns; and the Hunter, of 16 Guns, Capt. Lafory, from England, with 35 Sail of Ves- sels under their Convoy.
Trenton, in New-Jersey, April 18, 1758.
WHEREAS there is a Proclamation issued out by the Honourable John Reading, Esq; President of His Maj- esty's Council, and Commander in Chief of New-Jersey, for the Raising a Regiment of One Thousand Men, pay- ing them a Bounty of TWELVE POUNDS, to have one Coat, a pair of Cloth Breeches, a white Shirt, a check Ditto, two Pair of Shoes, two Pair of Stockings, one Pair of Ticken Breeches, a Hat, Blanket, Canteen and Hatchet, and to serve till the 15th Day of November, and receive One Pound Thirteen Shillings and Sixpence a Month. All those that are free and willing to serve His Majesty King GEORGE in the above Regiment, by repairing to Trenton at the Sign of the Wheatsheaf, or to the House of John Cummings, where William Doug- lass is beating up to raise a Company, shall on their Enlistment, receive a Dollar to drink His Majesty's Health, enter into present Pay, and have good Quarters provided for them by
William Douglass. - The Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 1531, April 27, 1758.
Gloucester April 15th, 1758.
NOTICE is hereby given to the several creditors of Henry Roc, deceased, and Abraham Roc, to appear at the house of William Hugg1 in the town of Gloucester,
1 William Hugg was a great-grandson of John Hugg, who came from the parish of Castle Ellis, in the County of Wexford, Ireland. He was a Friend, and refusing to pay a tax to repair the church at Rosanellis, Queen's County, in 1669, was imprisoned. In 1683 he bought 500 acres of land of Robert Zane, on Little Timber creek, near the Delaware. His house is supposed to have been on the site of Fort Nassau, constructed by the Dutch in 1623 .- Clement's First Settlers of Newton Township, 284.
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on the 31st day of May next, at ten o'Clock in the morn- ing, with their several bonds, notes and accounts against the said Henry Roe deceased, and Abraham Roe, in order that the Trustees may be enabled to make a destribu- tion amongst the said creditors of all the estate of them the said Henry Roc deceased and Abraham Roe, which has come to their hands for that purpose.
P. S. All those who have brought actions against the said Roc, are desired to bring an account of cost of each action.
ROBERT FRIEND PRICE Trustees. EDWARD HOLLINSHEAD
All Persons having Subscribed for the Books of the Original Constitution of New-Jersey, may have them by applying (within three Months after date hereof) to Samuel Smith,1 Esq; in Burlington, Joseph Yard? and William Mott,3 Esqrs; in Trenton, The Honourable
1 Samuel Smith, of Burlington, was the author of the History of New Jersey, published in 1765.
2 For a sketch of Joseph Yard, see N. J. Archives, XIX. Quite a full account of the Yard family is given in Cooley's "Genealogy of Early Settlers in Trenton and Ewing."
3 William Mott was a descendant of Adam Mott, of Essex, England, who married, at New Amsterdam, July 28, 1647, Jane Hulet, of Buck- ingham, England. He was in New Amsterdam as early as 1644, and received a grant of twenty-five acres of land on Mespath Kill (New- town Creek, Long Island), April 23, 1646, from the Dutch Government of New Netherland. On March 17, 1657, he was chosen one of the townsmen of Hempstead, L. I. His wife, Jane Hulet, died, after bear- ing eight sons, the youngest of whom was Gershom. Adam married, 2d, Elizabeth Richbell, daughter of John Richbell, of Mamaroneck. She bore him five children, one of whom was baptized Adam, although his father's eldest son, Adam, was still living. In his will, proved in 1689, Adam Mott speaks of his eldest son Adam, and his youngest son Adam.
Gershom Mott, the youngest son of Adam Mott and Jane Hulet, was born about 1663. In early manhood he removed to Monmouth County, N. J., where he is mentioned in the records in 1685. He was Sheriff of the county, 1697-8, and a member of the Assembly, 1708-16. He married, in 1695, Catherine Bowne, daughter of Captain John Bowne. His will, dated Feb. 15, 1730, was proved March 30, 1733. In it he describes himself as "Gershom Mott, Gentleman, of Middletown, Monmouth County." His second child was William, born November 9, 1699. He was elected to the Assembly in 1743, and when the Governor repeatedly dissolved that body, in hopes of securing one more favorable to himself, William Mott was re-elected each time-in 1744, 1745, 1746, 1749 and 1751-sitting in that body until its dissolution in June, 1754. He is mentioned in the newspapers of the day as one of those who would receive subscriptions for Nevill's Laws, Vol. I., and for Leaming and Spicer's compilation of the Grants and Concessions, etc. He married Margaret Harts- horne, daughter of William Hartshorne (born January 22, 1679). His
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Robert Lawrence,1 Esq ; James Holmes2 and John Taylor, 3 Esq; and Mr. Thomas Eatton,4 in Monmouth County ; Robert Ogden, Esq ; in Elizabeth Town, and Mr.
will is dated Middletown, May 14, 1742. His oldest son was John, born January 18, 1734; married Eleanor Johnston, June 17, 1784. He served in the French and Indian War, and in the Revolution, attaining the rank of Captain. He was the grandfather of General Gershom Mott, of New Jersey, who commanded a Brigade of Jerseymen in the War of the Rebellion .- For the genealogical data above, the writer is in- debted to a well written article by Miss Kate A. Mott, in the N. Y. Genealogical and Biographical Record, XXV., 49-56. See also N. J. Hist. Soc. Proc., V., 25-26; N. J. Archives, II., 363; III., 212; IV., 126; VI., 202; VIII., Part II., 151; XII., 690; XVI., passim.
1 For a notice of Robert Lawrence, see N. J. Archives, XIX., 390.
2 For a notice of James Holmes, see Ibid.
3 A sketch of John Taylor is given on page 152, ante.
4 Thomas Eaton was doubtless a grandson of Thomas Eaton, 1st, who came to America from Goodhurst, Kent, England, and landed in Rhode Island, where he married a widow, Jerusha Wing. About 1670 he located in Monmouth County, N. J., where he built a grist mill on one of the headwaters of South Shrewsbury, in the present village of Eatontown, four miles west of Long Branch. He died October 26, 1688, leaving his mill property to his widow in trust for their unborn child. John Eaton, his son, was born March 26, 1689. He married Joanna, daughter of Eliakim Wardell, who lived at the present Mon- mouth Beach. He was elected to the Assembly in 1727, and was re- elected in 1730, 1738, 1740, 1743, 1744, 1745, 1746, 1749, serving continuously for twenty years. He sold the mill property April 26, 1716, to Gabriel Stelle. He died October 25, 1750. In his will, dated Dec. 2, 1745, proved May 11, 1750, he gives to his son Thomas £600 in money, also his "big Bible big Dicksonary Nelsons Justice and my Sord and Pistils." To his son Joseph his "small gun, small Dicksonary Church history and Conductter generall [Conductor Generalis] and ten shillings in money." -E. J. Wills, E, 485. His widow made her will May 25, 1769; it was proved January 15, 1770 .- Ib., K, 163. His children were:
1. Thomas, who lived on the paternal acres. In 1749 he was a mer- chant in New York. He was baptized in the Old Tennent Church, Monmouth County, in Old Shrewsbury, on profession of faith, August 20, 1749. In 1754 he advertised for sale a lot of thirteen and a quarter acres, about a quarter of a mile from the centre of the township of Shrewsbury. A Thomas Eaton, perhaps his son, was living at Eliza- bethtown, where his first wife died, and several of his children, 1774-1795.
2. Joseph, a physician, who died April 5, 1761, in his 44th year.
3. Valeria, married Dr. Joseph Le Conte, of Middletown Point.
She
and her husband joined the Old Tennent Church, May 4, 1744. He subscribed £10, March 16, 1749-50, towards the erection of the present meeting-house. He died January 29, 1768, in his 66th year, and is buried in the Presbyterian cemetery, near Matawan. His widow died in 1788. and is buried at Orange, where she had made her home for several years with her daughter Margaretta, the second wife of the Rev. Jedidiah Chapman, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at that place. 4. Sarah, married Tole.
5. Lydia.
6. Joanna, married, October 15, 1750, the Rev. Elihu Spencer, a Pres- byterian clergyman, who was temporarily supplying Shrewsbury and Middletown. She died at Trenton, November 1, 1791, aged 63 years. He died at Trenton also, December 27, 1784, in his 64th year.
7. Elizabeth. She and her sister Joanna, both being "Young women grown," were "baptized on profession of their own Faith," August 5, 1750, in the Old Tennent Church.
8. Margaret, married - Berrien .- Hist. Monmouth County, 876; N. J. Hist. Soc. Proc., V., 36; N. J. Archives, XIX., 437; Hall's Pres. Church of Trenton, 288; Wickes's Medical Men of N. J., 242, 310: Wickes's History of the Oranges, 198; Hist. of Old Tennent Church. Freehold, 1897, 122; Inscrip- tions in First Pres. Church Yard, Elizabeth, 106.
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William Bradford, in Philadelphia; Paying for each book Thirty Eight Shillings and Six-pence, Proc. including the subscription Money advanced, which is the Price we have been allowed by the Public for One Hun- dred and Seventy Volumes: And as a Number yet re- main on hand, not Subscribed for, any Person may be supplyed therewith by applying to Mr. William Bradford and paying for the same as above by the 17th Day of July next, after which we shall not further extend the Sale.
The said Book contains the Original Constitution of East and West Jersey. The several Grants for the Soil and Government. The Concessions and Constitutions by which they were Settled. . The Elizabeth Toren Title. The Monmouth Patent.
The Laws pass'd during the Proprietary Govern- ments. . The Proceedings previous to the Sur-
render thereof. . The Instrument of Surrender. Queen. Ann's Formal acceptance of the same. A Blank Commission for a Governor. And Lord Cornbury's Instructions. And is nec- essary for those who have Occasion to know the Powers of the New Jersey Government, or the Liberties of the People ; or to deduce the Title of Lands from their Orig- inal foundation, or preserve them against Resurvey after Seven Years peaceable Possession. . And those concerned in Location of Proprietary rights, may see how far their proceedings are warranted by the said Laws, which prescribe several regulations for taking up, leasing and selling Lands. But its Utility will be better understood from the contents thereof, than from this brief Description, which however may be inferred from the Legislature's having ordered the sev- eral Materials that Compose it to be collected from the Original Instruments, or authentic registers in England
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and such Parts of America where they were to be found, and Printed for the Benefit of the Public; and finally are the first Volume of the New-Jersey Laws. 1 April 17th, JACOB SPICER,
AARON LEAMING. 1758.
- The Pennsylvania Journal, No. 803, April 27, 1758.
Perth-Amboy, February 27.
We have advice from the county of Gloucester in this province, that a few weeks ago one Andrew Lashly, a flat-man, who plied between Mantua-creek in the said county, and Philadelphia, was found in his flat in the said creek, in a miserable condition, having a large bruise on his head, several marks of violance upon other parts of his body, the rim of his belly very much scorched, and his back bone about the kidnies burnt to a cinder, notwithstanding which he lived some days; and at intervals, often spoke, and said he would tell who did the mischief; but his senses never continued so long at one time, as to name the persons, the manner how, or the place where it was done. Several persons have been taken up on suspicion, tho' no discovery hath as yet been made who committed this horrid villainy; but
1 The title of this invaluable work relating to the first governments of New Jersey, is as follows, duly lined off: THE | GRANTS, CON- CESSIONS, | AND | Original CONSTITUTIONS | OF THE PROVINCE OF | NEW-JERSEY | THE ACTS | Passed during the Proprietary Govern- ments, and other ma- | terial Transactions before the Surrender there- of to | QUEEN ANNE. 1 | The Instrument of Surrender, and Her for- mal Acceptance | thereof. 1 Lord CORNBURY'S Commission and In- structions conse- | quent thereon. | Collected by some Gentlemen em- ployed by the GENERAL ASSEMBLY And Afterwards | Published by Virtue of an ACT of the LEGISLATURE of the said Province | With proper Tables alphabetically digested, containing the principal Matters in | the Book. By AARON LEAMING and JACOB SPICER. PHILA- DELPHIA : | Printed by W. BRADFORD, Printer to the King's Most Excellent | Majesty for the Province of New-Jersey. | 8vo. Pp. (4), 763. There is nothing on the title page nor in the book itself to indicate when it appeared, and the date has been conjectured to be anywhere between 1750 and 1775. The above advertisement sets all doubt at rest, and shows conclusively that the volume was issued in 1758. An interesting account of this compilation is given by Francis Bazley Lee, in 14 N. J. Law Journal, 137.
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the strictest enquiry is still making to find them out, that they may be brought to justice.
A few days ago one Bourns, a private soldier belong- ing to the 44th regiment, was shot at Elizabeth-town for desertion. It seems he had been an old offender; and saw three soldiers shot for the like crime at Albany; and at the same time he himself received 500 lashes; notwithstanding which he soon deserted again.
Last week a corporal belonging to the 22d regiment, was found hanging upon a tree in the woods near New- Brunswick: He was much esteemed by his officers for his good behavior: No other reason can be assigned for his committing murder upon himself than gaming: It seems he had lost about five pounds at cards, which affected him very much; and he was observed to be mel- ancholy the evening he disappeared .- Drunkenness and gaming are the two principal springs that give motion to all the disorders committed by the soldiers. And I would have all retailers of spirituous liquors seriously to consider what an absurdity as well as iniquity it is, first to admin- ister to them such pernicious potions as must certainly deprive them of their reason, and then complain of the outrages they commit in its absence. These retailers do an injury to the publick, by turning loose such madmen of their own making, to terrify and insult his majesty's peaceable subjects : They do an injury to their officers, by making them uneasy upon hearing these complaints. and putting them to the disagreeable necessity of punishing the offenders ; and they do an injury to the poor fellows them- selves, by not only bringing them to the halberds, but often to an untimely end ; and may therefore be justly esteemed accessaries before the fact.
On thursday evening last, a boat belonging to Mid- dletown, overset and sunk a little below Prince's-bay, with four men in her, who got upon a part of her quar-
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ter-deck which continued above water; but they must have inevitably perished with cold in that severe season, had not a boat belonging to this city, fortunately com- ing by, took them all off when almost spent, and brought them into the harbour .- The New American Magazine [Woodbridge, N. J.], for February, 1758.
To the Author of the New American Magazine.
Mr. AMERICANUS,
I went a few days ago to pay a visit to an old gentle- man whom I very much respect. Among other talk, we fell into discourse upon the benefits arising from trade, &c .- "Mr. - , said he, when I was formerly in trade, I took delight in studying matters of commerce; and in every light I always found them of supreme ad- vantage to a country. As I was born in New-Jersey, I directed my researches with a more immediate eye to that province. It has often grieved me much to see a colony abounding in fine ports and excellent harbours, as well as for the most part with fertile lands, lie dead without any shipping almost, and sunk in inglorious poverty; while the inhabitants suffer New-York and Philadelphia to run away with their markets, and main- tain always a large balance against them, which must of necessity keep them low and indigent, in comparison of the other trading colonies."
"Wherever this is the case, public spirit is wanting, the laudable endeavours for support of private families greatly crampt, and irregular and illegal methods of liv- ing are too frequently sanctify'd by necessity. New- Jersey has not near half the number of people, settling the present quantity of inhabitants at 60,000, which it is computed she could maintain in good circumstances, upon a moderate North American trade only; tho'
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some think otherwise, and tho' some of her land is bar- ren, in the western division especially. The numbers she might support in affluence by a free european traffic are immense. Population always follows trade, and trade ever excites a spirit of agriculture and good husbandry. It is remarkable, that the ancient kings of Persia had so many millions of subjects, only by means of that arti- cle in the religion of the Magi, that the most pleasing action to God which man could do, was to get a child, to manure a field, and to plant a tree; and we may add a fourth axiom, to load a ship. It is a settled point, that the species multiplies where matrimony is encouraged, and matrimony is encouraged, wherever there is a suffi- ciency for the children without lessening the substance of the parents; and this sufficiency is the sure conse- quence of a large foreign trade. It is thought too com- monly, that an abundance of people do but oppress the state, and that the fewer they are, the better they get their bread: our tradesmen mostly think so, and bishop Cumberland was of that opinion; and it is granted to be true enough, where trade and all the superfluities of life do not increase in proportion with the people; but it can be proved to a demonstration, that the people are indeed the riches of any country, but not without they are industrious; for as every idle man is a draw- back on the public wealth, so industry is the mistress of convenience, and source of plenty; and every body knows plenty is strength. Have we not seen petty states, Holland, for instance, and Venice, who have lit- tle produce of their own, by being the factors of the world, arrive at prodigious opulence and power. It is said too, that the cultivation of the superfluities of life cannot fail to introduce voluptuousness and corruption, by which the manners of the people will be abased, and
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