USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > Early Dutch Settlers of Monmouth County, New Jersey > Part 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
In Book P of deeds, p. 599, in the Monmouth County Clerk's office, is record of a deed dated March 9, 1805, from Stephen Barkalow and Margaret, his wife, of Howell township, to Wil- liam Barkalow of the same township, which shows that he must have married again in a few years after his first wife's death. Stephen Barkalow was a soldier of the Revolution, and distin- guished himself by his cool courage at the battle of Germantown where the Monmouth militia under Col. Asher Holmes was engaged. He died March 15, 1825, and is buried in the yard of Bethesda church, near Blue Ball. His will dated January 29, 1825, proved April 6th, 1825, is recorded in Book B, p. 433, etc., Surrogate's office of Mon- mouth county. Samuel Forman, John Hulsart and Jonathan Errickson are the witnesses.
His first bequest is to his grandson Stephen, son of his son David. He gives to him "his gun and all the accrutre- ments." This was the weapon he car- ried during the war and spoken of in the story republished by Edwin Salter in Old Times in Old Monmouth. He evidently prized it highly, in thus first naming it in that solemn hour when a man executes his will and realizes that he can take nothing out of this world . except the good will of immortal minds.
He next mentions Mary Sagers and John Sagers, two of his grandchildren, and then ordered all his property sold and proceeds divided in eight equal shares, and gives one share to each of his children who are named, I presume, in order of their ages, as follows: John, William, Cornelius, Richard, David and Jane. One share to the three daughters of Hannah Sagers, so they have their mother's share between them, and one share to his grandson, John Sager, equally with his children. He also gives to his grandson Stephen, son of David Barkalow, his silver knee and shoe- buckles. From the fact of possessing such ornaments he must have taken some pride in his personal appearance. His sons William and Cornelius, and his grandson John Sagers, are appoint- ed executors.
John, his eldest son, removed to New York city, where he lived until his
death, September 15, 1854. I am in- formed that one of his daughters named Margaret was married in this county October 11, 1828, to Robert Havens, by John Saplin Newman, an elder of the Independent Methodist church. This, however, may be a mis- take. William, the second son, learned the business of a miller in his father's mill. When a young man he was either employed in or rented the grist mill lying east of Colts Neck, and in that part of Atlantic township which was taken off of Shrewsbury township. They were formerly known as the "Jake Pro- basco Mills" to distinguish them from the first Probasco mills, which are located west of Colts Neck. During the present generation they have been known as the Snyder and Mulinbrink mills. While living here he married a daughter of Thomas Parker, who resid- ed near Smithburg, in Freehold town- ship. He was the father of Charles Parker, sheriff of Monmouth county, and grandfather of Joel Parker, twice governor of New Jersey. Rev. John Woodhull, D.D., married them and he has thus entered it on record in Mon- mouth county clerk's office in Book A of marriages: "William Barkalow of Shrewsbury township, to Lydia Parker of Freehold township, February 1, 1798."
William Barkalow died August 16, 1849, aged 77 years, 7 months, 28 days, according to his headstone in the yard of the old Baptist cemetery at Freehold. His name is here given as William S. Barkalow. His wife is interred by him and the date of her death given as Oct- ober 4, 1834, aged 61 yrs, 10 mos, 8 d. They had three children to grow up and marry, two daughters and one son, viz:
Ann, the eldest married Job Emmons, who owned and lived on the farm in the township of Freehold which lies hetween the farm now owned by Nathan J. Conover and the farms of Koert and Elisha Schanck, sons of Henry Schanck. deceased. This old Emmons farm was considered one of the best farms in Freehold township.
Amy, the second daughter, married Daniel D. Denise. She was his second wife.
Thomas Parker, the only son, was born near Colts Neck March 21, 1811; married, November 3, 1830, Ann, daugh- ter of John Woolley of Long Branch, (born November 9, 1808, died October 1st, 1891.) Thomas P. Barkalow died August 11, 1872, and was buried in Maplewood cemetery at Freehold, He left four children, of whom more here- after.
117
EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.
Cornelius S., third son of Stephen Barkalow, was born February 22, 1774, married August 11, 1799, Jedidah Er- rickson, (born July 8, 1780, died May 6, 1860), and died February 8, 1842; buried in Bethesda church yard. He lived and died on the farm now, (1900) owned and occupied by Wilson Hendrickson in Howell township, about a mile south of Buckshootem bridge. In Book O of Deeds, page 974, Monmouth County Clerk's office, is record of a deed from this Cornelius Barkalow and Jedidah, his wife, of Howell township, to his brother Richard Barkalow, of the same township, dated September 29, 1804, and conveys one equal undivided third part of a tract of 30 72-100 acres in same township. It is described as beginning at a sapling on the north side of Polly Pod brook; and where Polly Pod brook and Haystack orook empty into Mete- teecunk river, is called for in the boun- daries. Cornelius S. Barkalow and Jed- idah Errickson, his wife, had the fol- lowing children:
Hannah Stout, born April 1, 1801, died May 22, 1803.
Hannah, bor- September 22, 1804; married January 19, 1826, to Jesse Cow- drick by James M. Challis, pastor of Upper Freehold Baptist church; died July 20, 1871. Jesse Cowdrick died May 21, 1857, aged 57 yrs, 7 mos, 27 d. This couple had thirteen children, of whom only one, the wife of Brittain C. Cook, who keeps the well known hostelry at Toms River, is now living. Among their children was Cornelius, born October 8, 1826, and was associated with Brit- tain C. Cook in keeping this hotel. John B., born December 17, 1828, and David. born January 13, 1831.
Cornelius C., born August 24, 1812, married first March 29, 1837, Catharine. daughter of John Errickson; married second, January 4, 1863, Angeletty Clay- ton, a widow, and daughter of William Bennett. Cornelius C. Barkalow is now, 1900, in his eighty-eighth year, but in full possession of all his mental facul- ties. 1 am indebted to him for this in- formation about his near relatives. The dates he furnished me from two family Bibles in his possession. He now, 1900, lives on the old Havens farm near Blue Ball, which he bought a number of years ago. Prior to this he lived on the old homestead of his father mentioned above, and now occupied by Wilson Hendrickson. Cornelius C. Barkalow by his first wife, Catharine Errickson, had three sons, but no children by his last wife.
Silas, born May 16, 1839; married and settled at Jackson, in the State of Mich-
igan. He is still living and it is said has accumulated a very large fortune.
Cornelius S., named for his grand- father, was born February 8, 1842, and now deceased.
John E, the youngest son, now resid- ing at Blue Ball.
Cornelius S., the second son, deserves more than a passing notice. Like his great grandfather, Stephen Barkalow, who distinguished himself at the battle of Germantown, so this descendant, by his cool courage and activity distin- guished himself in several battles dur- ing the late civil war. He enlisted in Company A, 14th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, when he was about 21 years old. U will be seen from the Barkalow genealogy, he was almost of unmixed Dutch blood, for the Erricksons, al- though of Swedish origin, are neverthe- less a kindred race to the Hollanders. In his physical appearance he bore a general resemblance to his cousin, · Wicoff Barkalow. Standing full six feet in height, with broad, square shoulders, and deep chested, with a natural mil- itary carriage, he attracted attention wherever he went. He was made first sergeant July 31, 1862, of Company A, then commanded by Austin H. Patter- son; was promoted to first Heutenancy September 10, 1864, and captain of Com- pany 1. December 1 of the same year. Brevetted Major for gallant and meri- torious services before Petersburg April 2, 1865, to date from April 2 of that year. See pages 663, 668 and 1712, Rec- ord of Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Civil War, 1861-1865. Brought up on a Monmouth county farm with only such education as our country schools could give, yet he made as gal- lant and heroic an officer as any ever turned out by West Point. Naturally good natured and kind of temper, with a jovial, fun loving spirit, he at the same time was very considerate of the feelings of others and always ready to extend a helping hand to those in trouble or need. Those traits made him one of the most popular men in the 14th regiment. His rapid promotion was due to his zealous discharge of duty and his cool courageous conduct in battle.
At the battle of Monocacy in Mary- land, July 9, 1864, he was shot through the body just below the heart, and left unconscious on the field as our men fell back before the Confederates. Then occurred an incident well worthy of remembrance, for it shows that grat- itude and chivalry sometimes flourished in rebel hearts as among the knights of
11×
EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.
old. That even in the wild frenzy of battle where men seek to slay, that in- fluenced by gratitude they can turn trom slaughter and try to save life in- stead of destroying it. I have this ac- count from Colonel Austin H. Patter- son and John H. Hurley, both of whom are still living, and both had personal knowledge of the facts.
After the battle of Antietam Captain A. H. Patterson with part of his com- pany was detailed to conduct some rebel prisoners to Fort Delaware and deliver them to the officer in charge. Cornelius S. Barkalow was one of the non-commissioned officers selected for this duty. These prisoners were taken by railroad to the city of Baltimore, and from there transported in a steamboat to this fort. Captain Patterson stated to me that these rebel prisoners were in most wretched condition from want of food, exposure, and from vermin. Some of them too were suffering from malarial fever and so emaciated that they looked like living skeletons, Others, wretched and despondent, had made no effort to relieve their persons from vermin, and had holes eaten in their necks and backs. While on the cars they could do nothing for them, but at Baltimore Sergeant Barkalow managed in some way to have suitable provisions, with some medicines and delicacies, and clean shirts sent to the steamboat on which they were to em- bark. On their passage Barkalow went among them in his frank and friendly way distributing provisions to those who could eat, and medicines and deli- cacies to the sick, and clean shirts to all. When the Confederates were de- livered at Fort Delaware they all shook hands with our men and expressed great thanks for the kindness shown. Now at the battle of Monocacy it hap- pened that among the Confederates was an officer who had been among those prisoners and had been exchanged. He at once recognized Barkalow as he lay unconscious on the battlefield. He or- dered a private to go for a rebel sur- geon whom he knew and who was near at hand. The surgeon came at once and was requested by the rebel officer to examine Barkalow. This he did and found that the ball had passed through his body just beneath his heart, and that he was bleeding internally. A silk handkerchief was torn in strips and one of these strips passed through this wound so as to cause the blood to run out. He was treated with the greatest care and it was this which saved his life. Other wounded soldiers lay
around, but Barkalow was the only one who received treatment from the rebels and it was due to his generous and kind attention to those rebel prisoners. The following affidavit also gives the facts:
STATE OF NEW JERSEY, ,
County of Monmouth. SS.
John H. Hurley, being duly sworn, on his oath saith that he was a private in Company A, 14th N. J. Vols. That he was in battle of Monocacy on the 9th of July, 1864. That he was wounded by a rebel sharpshooter so badly that he could not walk and was left on the battlefield as the soldiers fell back. That Cornelius S. Barkalow. then an orderly sergeant, was also wounded in same fight. That a ball passed through his body just below his heart and he lay near this deponent. That as this de- ponent lay there a force of the Confed- erate soldiers came up, who, or some of whom, recognized said Cornelius S. 'Barkalow, as said Barkalow had before that time shared part of his rations with some rebel prisoners who were half starved. That said rebels saw con- dition of said Barkalow, that unless he bled externally he would die. That some of them went to said Barkalow and passed a silk handkerchief through the wound and caused it to bleed exter - nally, which deponent thinks saved his life. That said rebels treated him with great consideration and pains, but did nothing for this deponent. That they left said Barkalow and this deponent there and we were taken off by our people afterwards. This deponent fur- ther saith that said Barkalow was one of the best and bravest of the under officers of said regiment. That he was always full of fun and jokes and did all he could to make his men comfortable and to see to their wants. That every- body in the regiment liked him and respected him.
JOHN H. HURLEY.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 16th day of May, 1899.
JOHN W. HULSE, Justice of the Peace. The testimony of above soldier is that of every man in this regiment. He recovered from this wound but before it was entirely healed he was back with his regiment and served until war closed, when he came back to his father's farm. He died from blood poisoning, caused by what was thought a trifling wound in his foot. His death occurred only three weeks after his marriage. He was buried in the yard of the old Bethesda church, near Blue
119
EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.
Ball, and his grave there will always be honored by the people of Monmouth county. His name will always be re- membered and cherished. If the flow- ers, strewn each Decoration Day on his grave, had the faculty of speech they would truly say:
"Blossoms there are for day of troth, And blushing bride array ;
Blossoms to make for trembling feet, A rosy marriage way.
Daisies that star the early fields For chubby hands to hold, And buttercups which God has sent To be the babies' gold.
But we, a higher fate is ours ; Ordained from bud to bloom,
To lie amidst the green, young grass, Above a soldier's tomb.
And when upon his quiet grave, With love and tears we're laid. And music swells from martial bands, He heard when on parade.
And when the tattered flags are raised He fought and died to keep, We feel a stir, through tangled growth, A thrill from hearts that sleep.
And when the dew falls silently. With throbbing drums gone by,
We are on guard, we flowers, and proud, Upon his grave, to die."
The fourth son of Cornelins S. Bark - alow and Jedidah Errickson, his wife, was John C., born February 16, 1820. married Mary Irwin, a sister of the well known squire, Levi G. Irwin, who died a few years ago. John C. Barkalow died at his residence in the village of Colts Neck, June 28, 1892. His will was proved July 19, 1892, and recorded at Freehold in Book V of Wills, page 372, etc. His wife and one son, Wil- liam, survives him and still reside at Colts Neck.
Richard, (Derrick) fourth son of Stephen Barkalow, married February 14, 1807, Margaret, a daughter of Alex- ander Low, a prominent citizen of Free- hold at that time. Richard Barkalow and Margaret Low, his wife, were the parents of two sons, William D. and Alexander L., and two daughters, Mary Ann and Cornelia, who died unmarried. The two sons lived together in a house on the right hand side of the Blue Ball turnpike on the outskirts of Freehold town and were strongly attached to each other, but not in any demonstra- tive way.
William D. died unmarried, but his brother married Rebecca A., widow of William Emmons and died leaving one
son, William F., surviving him. The two brothers, as many people now liv- ing will remember, were plain, prudent, and reliable men, just what they ap- peared to be without cant, quack or pretentions.
David, the fifth and youngest son of Stephen Barkalow, was born December 22, 1780; married March 2, 1805, Mary Borden, (born April 6, 1785, died April 25, 1862) and removed to Wayne county. N. Y., where he raised a family and died there April 27, 1864. It was to Stephen, son of this David, that the famous gun was bequeathed.
I have but little information about Jane, the daughter of Stephen Barka- low, and who is named in his will. Cor- nelius C. Barkalow informed me that she married one Stoffel (Christopher) Probasco and removed with her hus- band to the state of Ohio and there settled. Neither do I know anything of the Sagers family in which the daughter Hannah married.
Thomas P. Barkalow, the only sur- viving son of William S. Barkalow and Lydia Parker, his wife, seems to have learned the miller's business in his father's mill at Colts Neck." Soon after his marriage to Ann Woolley he pur- chased and moved to a farm near the village of Toms River. He also bought
the mill which his grandfather Stephen, owned on Squan brook, now known as Wyckoff's mills. After residing on the farm at Toms River a number of years he removed to Forked River in Ocean county, and became associated with his cousin, Stout Parker, in the business of building schooners for the coasting trade and in shipping cord wood to the New York and other markets. In 1858 he bought at Sheriff's sale the famous old hostelry in Freehold known as the Union hotel. Prior to and during the war of independence it was called the "White Hall Tavern." John Longstreet. a zealous loyalist, owned and conducted this tavern when the war began. He was active in raising a company for the battalion of Jerseymen which Sheriff Elisha Lawrence commanded in Skin- ner's brigade, and was made a captain or lieutenant in the British army. If this old part of the Union hotel could have spoken many interesting and ex- citing tales could have been told of those days which tried men's souls. Our county records show that on an inquisition taken June 9, 1778, John Longstreet was found guilty of joining the king's army. Judgment was en- tered and execution issued directing seizure and sale of his real estate. The
120
EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.
White Hall \tavern was purchased at this sale by Major Elisha Walton. The deed to him is dated June 10, 1779, and recorded in Book R of Deeds, page 558. etc., Monmouth county clerk's office.
From this time on down to 1834, when Barzillai, son of Daniel Hendrickson and Elizabeth Grover, 'his wife, became the owner and landlord, there were sev- eral different owners and landlords and the name was changed to the "Union Hotel." From 1844 to 1850 it was run by the well known Nathaniel S. Rue, who is still living at an advanced age in the township of Upper Freehold. About 1842 an addition was put up be- tween the old building and South street which was used until 1856 for a gen- eral country store, but in that year it was made a part of the hotel by Sheriff Holmes Conover and John Vanderveer Carson, who were then the owners. The deed from Sheriff Samuel Conover to Thomas P. Barkalow was dated March 23, 1858, and is recorded in Book G 6 of Deeds, page 126, etc. Mr. Barkalow carried on the hotel business here until November 18, 1865, when he sold the property for $14,000. It then included all the land In the rear of the buildings along South street as far as the rail- road track. This part of the property was covered with sheds, barns and stables. The entrance to this rear yard was about where the front of the brick store now stands from South street. September 11, 1886, the hotel was des- troyed by fire which started in the ad- joining building. The Belmont hotel now stands on the site of this old build- ing.
Many changes in methods and cus- toms of the old fashioned taverns have taken place since the day when Mr. Barkalow was the landlord. I now know of but one hostelry conducted in the old way and that is the one at Toms River of which the well known Brittain C. Cook is landlord.
When Mr. Barkalow moved to Free- hold in 1858, he brought with him his wife and two daughters. He had the following children:
Lydia, born August 21, 1831; married George Cowperthwait, who came of the well known Quaker family of this name in West Jersey. Mr. Cowperthwait re- sided at Toms River and for many years conducted a general country store at that place.
William, born December 27, 1833, died young.
John Woolley, born February 12, 1835; married Mary Catherine Conover, at Forked River, N. J.
Elizabeth, born July 11, 1837, and
still resides in the old home on Main street in Freehold, where her father and mother lived the last years of their lives.
Eleanor Laird, born March 20, 1840; married December 25, 1861, Joseph Still- well Conover, who, prior to his death, was associated as a partner with Hon. George W. Shinn in a general country store at Freehold. Mr. Conover was a very affable and pleasant man and pop- ular with the people. She married in 1875, Mr. Charles L. Holmes, and died April 25, 1900, leaving three children by her first and one by her second hus- band surviving.
During the period when Mr. Bark- alow conducted the Union hotel there was but one railroad running from Freehold, that to Jamesburg. Stages ran to Toms River, Long Branch and Keyport. The sound of a bugle early in the morning and about sunset in the summer, announced the departure and arrival of the Keyport stage. The fare to New York city by stage and steam- boat was fifty cents, or about half what it is today. During the first week of the regular terms of our county courts the Union hotel would be overcrowded with jurymen, witnesses, and persons with law business on hand. The over- flow were lodged at various private houses about town but they all boarded at the hotel. Mr. Barkalow personally looked after the comfort of each guest and presided at the regular meals. He was a man of rotund, portly figure. broad, square shoulders and ruddy com- plexion. Of courteous address and dig- nified manners he was the very ideal of a landlord. The stirring times of the great rebellion began and ended during his occupation of this tavern.
The political excitement and discus- sions, enlistment of men and later the draft, the departure and arrival of officers and men from the front, news of battles, men killed or wounded, and the thousands of wild rumors gave un- usual animation to the daily occur- rences at such a public house. The first meeting of the citizens of Freehold to enlist men for the three months service under President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men was held in the room adjacent to the bar-room. The Freehold news- papers of that date give an account of this meeting and the names of the men who enlisted. One tall thin fellow en- listed that evening who wore a pair of new and heavy cowhide boots. Some one inquired what he got such boots for. He very earnestly replied "to stamp the bowels out of the d- rehels." In the news of the first battle
121
EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.
the report came back that this chap had hidden behind a big log. So the rebels never suffered any from those boots. During this period Mr. Richard Davis, generally called "Uncle Dick:" Mr. Thomas M. Vanderveer and his son, D. Augustus Vanderveer, Lewis Hoffman, Rev. Wilbur F. Neil, the young and pop- ular rector of St. Peter's church, and several other bachelors and widowers boarded and lodged there.
The utmost harmony and good feel- ing prevailed among them for there were no "lady boarders." They all be- came warm friends of Mr. Barkalow and family. While there was no glit- ter, tinsel or pretensions, yet every- thing was substantial and comfortable and kept scrupulously clean and neat under the watchful supervision of Mrs. Barkalow and her daughters. Domestic affairs in a private home could not have moved along more quietly and orderly. In the fall and winter the bar-room was a kind of social club for the business and professional men of Freehold. Well supplied with cushioned seats along the whole side next to South street, and comfortable armed chairs with a great stove in the center of the bar-room,
hardly an evening passed but what they were occupied. The war, politics, law suits, horse races and horse trades, in- terspersed with stories and anecdotes were the principal subjects of conver- sation. Governor Parker, Dr. John Vought, A. R. Throckmorton, Sheriff Sutphen, Sheriff Sam Conover, William V. Ward, Joseph D. Bedle, and many others of our leading citizens, dropped in nearly every evening. Their stay would be short or long, according to persons present and the subject dis- cussed. A wonderful change in the social relations of Freehold has taken place since then. The adjacent room was used for public meetings, trials of justices court cases, auctions, etc. Mr. Barkalow was respected by everybody. Good natured, frank and consistent in his dealings, he had no enemies. Gen- erous and kind hearted, he had many friends. I never heard a profane or vulgar word fall from his lips, nor any harsh criticism or condemnation of others behind their backs. In many solid qualities of heart and head Thomas P. Barkalow, the landlord of the Union hotel, had few equals and no superiors among the people of Freehold.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.