USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > Englewood > Englewood : its annals and reminiscences > Part 2
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ron Murray boarded with the same family. In this house was born the first child that was a native of Englewood after the place was named.
Englewood has to-day over six thou- sand inhabitants. On the 15th day of August, 1859, a map of Englewood was filed, of which the one shown in this
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volume is a copy. On this map there are shown but three houses, one on the east side of the railroad, and two on the Ten- afly road. These were all farmhouses.
The only roads used by the old in- habitants that were laid out when this map was filed was the road now styled Grand Avenue, which ran north to Pali- sade Avenue; thence to the old "Liberty Pole Tavern," where one branched off to Schralenberg, another southwesterly to- ward Teaneck, and one to Tenafly.
Hudson Terrace was to have been a beautiful drive along the margin of the Palisades, but for some unfortunate rea- son was abandoned.
The names on this map are those of the owners of the land when it was filed. Mr. J. Wyman Jones soon con- trolled, either by contract or deed, the most of these lands, but others soon be- came interested with him in the pur- chase and development.
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ENGLEWOOD.
XII.
WELCOMED BY THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS.
THE people that occupied their farms in the vicinity of Englewood welcomed the new settlers with friendly hospitality, and allowed them the freedom of their fields and gardens. The following are among those who are entitled to thanks for assistance rendered the founders of this village:
Thomas W. Demarest, John Van Brunt, James Vanderbeek, Garret A. Lydecker, Cornelius Lydecker, Henry J. De Mott, William H. DeRonde, Solomon Banta, J. J. De Mott, R. P. Wurtendyke, and many others.
These gentlemen have always taken a deep interest in Englewood affairs.
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Mr. Cornelius Lydecker became inter- ested at once in the purchase and sale of property, and in assisting to advance the interests of the town. He was a state senator at one time, and became a lead- ing politician in Bergen County.
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ENGLEWOOD.
XIII.
THE CHURCH REMEMBERED.
A PLACE of worship was one of the first things to be thought of after the name of Englewood was given to this town. Mr. J. Wyman Jones and I. Smith Homans, Jr., donated the most beautiful spot in the town for a church, which will ever remain a monument to their foresight and generosity. The little stone chapel that stands at the entrance of the Brook- side Cemetery was built on the site of the present Presbyterian Church, and completed in the spring of 1860.
As time passed on and the numbers of worshippers increased, it was enlarged twice, but was soon found to be too small, when it was removed to the ceme-
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tery grounds and re-erected, stone by stone.
The worshippers in the little chapel came from every point of the compass and represented many different denomi- nations. There were Episcopalians, Bap- tists, Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, and Congregationalists. A meeting was called to determine the denomination to be adopted. The Presbyterians being in a majority that form was decided upon. It was organized the 30th day of May, 1860. A call was immediately placed in the hands of the Rev. James H. Dwight, who had been minister to the Union Con- gregation. The call was accepted and on the 20th of June, 1860, Mr. Dwight was installed first pastor. He continued in office until 1867, when in consequence of ill health he was obliged to retire and seek rest. On the 19th of September, 1867, the Rev. Henry M. Booth was or- dained and installed as minister of this
ENGLEWOOD.
church. His pastoral relations continued twenty-five years with wonderful suc- cess. Dr. Booth was very much beloved by his people, who parted with him be- cause of failing health. His departure from Englewood was very much regretted by all, without regard to creed or de- nomination. Although absent his influ- ence remains, and will continue for years to come. He was a true Christian teacher, whose footsteps led to the cot- tage of the poor as well as the mansion of the rich.
This religious society was formed with eighteen members from different churches. From this body three elders were chosen as follows:
Charles B. Nicholas, James Vander- beek, Sheppard Homans. The first deacons elected were John J. DeMott and J. Wyman Jones. The names of the persons organizing this church are as follows: Mrs. Isabella S. McCulloch,
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ENGLEWOOD.
M. H. Church, Mrs. Caroline H. Church, Sheppard Homans, Mrs. Sallie S. Ho- mans, William B. Dwight, Charles A. Nichols, Jeffrey A. Humphrey, Mrs. Julia F. Humphrey, John E. Jones, Mrs. John E. Jones, J. Wyman Jones, Mrs. Harriet Dana Jones, Mrs. Margaret Fisher, James Vanderbeek, Mrs. Mar- garet Vanderbeek, Mrs. Margaret Van Brunt.
The Rev. James H. Dwight came from Cherry Valley, New York, where his first ministerial work was performed. When he came here the outlook was not bril- liant for a young minister. His faith in the growth of the town was all he had to encourage him. The little church he started had but seventeen members, but through his earnest and devoted labors it rapidly increased in numbers until his resignation through ill health in 1867. He was much beloved by all his parish- ioners who parted with him with regret.
REV. JAMES HARRISON DWIGHT.
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XIV.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIRST CHURCH.
I HAVE before me the original paper circulated in October, 1860, by the trus- tees of the first church organized in Englewood for the purpose of raising money to complete and furnish the same at once. The names and amounts sub- scribed are in the handwriting of the con- tributors, and as I survey this time-eaten document I am reminded that out of seventeen signers but four are living. This chapel was occupied seven or eight years when it was removed to the ceme- tery. I will only copy a part of the paper presented for subscribers. It reads as follows: "The undersigned trus- tees of the Englewood chapel are desirous
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of having it completed and warming and lighting the same building, the stone wall, grading the grounds, etc." This amount was raised and the chapel turned over to the trustees free from debt. The following were the trustees and the amounts subscribed: I. Smith Homans, Jr., John Van Brunt, J. Wyman Jones.
SUBSCRIBERS.
J. Wyman Jones, $250; I. S. and S. Ho- mans, $150; John Van Brunt, $100; Nathan T. Johnson, $100; J. A. Hum- phrey, $100; C. A. Nichols, $50; B. Murray and R. Bayles, $50; George S. Coe, $50; F. Howland, $50; John J. De Mott, $50; Blauvelt & Bogart, $25; Will- iam Blanchard, $25; W. A. Bremer, Jr., $10; S. S. Wood, Jr., $10; H. Van Zandt, $10; J. H. Lyell, $10; Hiram Slocum, $10.
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XV.
BUILDING IN THE PALISADES FOREST.
THE first house erected in the forest of the Palisades was in the fall of 1860. This house was about one-half mile from the Hudson River and was built by Nathan T. Johnson. It was framed in Boston, brought to the foot of the Pali- sades by water, taken to the foundation prepared for it and completed. After occupying it several years Mr. Johnson disposed of it to Colonel Henry W. Banks. This house was later destroyed by fire and an elegant stone mansion was erected in its place by Colonel Banks.
Mr. Nathan T. Johnson was one of the most active and enterprising men ever in this town. He gave up his business in
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New York and devoted the rest of his life to the advancement of Englewood inter- ests.
Much of his time was given to public affairs, and he filled many offices of public trust; he also became with others greatly interested not only in property in this village, but in lands beyond the borders of the township. He never had an enemy and died beloved and respected by all.
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XVI.
A LARGE UNDERTAKING.
MR. NATHAN T. JOHNSON, Mr. J. Wyman Jones, Mr. I. Smith Homans, and the writer undertook in 1861 to purchase all the lands on the Palisades, running north from the avenue to "Clinton Point," a distance of two miles, and extending back to the valley. Every farm was purchased but one. As the sequel proved our prophetic judgment was at fault, for the shadows of these forests deepened and very little improvement followed.
This is now and always will be a beau- tiful spot, and the want of easy comuni- cation is the only cause of its remaining a forest.
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The following is a copy of a legal docu- ment signed by these four gentlemen for the purchase and sale of this large tract of land. I copy it to show what advanced ideas for the future of the Palisades we had at that time. The document reads as follows:
"This indenture, made the first day of March, 1860, between Nathan T. Johnson and Jeffrey A. Humphrey, both of the City of New York, parties of the first part, and J. Wyman Jones and I. Smith Homans, Jr., of Englewood, New Jersey, parties of the second part, witnesseth that the said parties of the first part have heretofore purchased by the agency and personal assistance of J. Wyman Jones and I. Smith Homans, Jr., comprising said party of the second part, several parcels of land situate in the County of Bergen, fronting on the Palisades herein mentioned, for the purpose of selling such lands at an advanced price, and
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upon speculation, and such lands were purchased under an agreement that the said parties of the first part should ad- vance and furnish the money for the pay- ment of the price thereof, and the parties of the second part should attend to the purchase thereof, and that the profits should be equally divided." The agree- ment goes on to describe each parcel separately. The price paid for said lands was from one hundred to one hun- dred and fifty dollars per acre.
The agreement was witnessed and signed by each in a legal manner This extensive purchase, especially as Engle- wood was in its infancy, and as I did not know but we might be induced to include the whole of Bergen County, rather startled me. So in October, 1860, I sold out all my interests to Nathan T. John- son. Not that I doubted the wisdom of the purchase, but being in business in New York I concluded to sell my interest
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and improve lands in the village. At this time the same four gentlemen bought three acres of land on Engle Street, and built the Englewood House.
The building of the Englewood House was a grand conception, as from its por- tals a large percentage of its guests issued into homes they had built here and became valuable members of its society. It has never been in any sense a hotel. It has been a family home. It has fulfilled its mission by enriching the town if it has not always returned large dividends to its proprietors. It was the real estate exchange of Englewood.
This house was the social center of Englewood for many years, and was the means of making the village known to a great number who remained and became valuable citizens.
Among the first proprietors was Mr. Kingsley, who kept the Irving House in Broadway, New York, and later the Con-
THE ENGLEWOOD HOUSE.
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tinental in Philadelphia. Many a de- lightful social gathering took place at this house in these days.
There was hardly a family in Engle- wood twenty years ago that had not spent a certain time within its walls. Receptions and dancing parties were often held here; billiard tables and bowl- ing alleys were well patronized.
Of the many summer hotels that flour- ished along the railroad from New York to Nyack, the Englewood House was the only hotel that escaped destruction by fire. Many hotels were erected through this valley that are deserving of much credit for the part they performed in colonizing the different towns from New York to Nyack. Many dwellings were built in 1860. J. S. Messenger, Henry Van Zandt, Mr. Crowell, R. K. Cook all built on the avenue west of the Presby- terian Church. J. S. Messenger now occu- pies the house built by him years ago.
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CHAPTER XVII.
BUILDING A NEW TOWN.
ENGLEWOOD having spread her sails for a-voyage of life, there was a great de- mand for mechanics and laboring men of all kinds. Houses had to be built for the occupation of all sorts and conditions of men, and material for their construc- tion must naturally be brought from a distance. Many inconveniences had to be endured for a long time. Wells and cisterns must be excavated, fences built, hedges, trees and shrubs planted.
There was scarcely a tree to be seen on the land now occupied in this village. Our professional men and mechanics came from a distance.
The Rev. James H. Dwight and Wil-
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liam B. Dwight came from Utica, Mr. Fowler from Cherry Valley, Mr. Henry Jones, John E. Jones and William C. Davis from Utica.
In 1860 the valley beween the Teaneck Ridge and the Palisades, south to New York Bay and Snake Hill was free from obstructions of any kind. It was neces- sary to import the laboring man. To provide him a home a piece of land was purchased in the valley, and about a dozen small double houses were hastily erected. They were scattered over six or eight acres of land which might have been sold for water lots, as there was no drainage, and this land was overflowed several times a year. The landlord often collected his rent in rubber boots on a raft, and often not at all. These scat- tered houses were finally removed to a less conspicuous locality and look like a row of bath houses on a sandy beach as you enter the town from the south.
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ยท ENGLEWOOD.
One of these houses was once a scene of an attempted Irish eviction. The landlord found it impossible to collect his rent, the New Jersey laws being too slow for the owner's purpose. So a car- penter was employed to take out the doors and windows, remove the roof, carry all to his shop and repair them some time. The windows and doors were removed, but the spectators increasing rapidly, the removal of the roof was countermanded. The occupant of this humble dwelling stood in the opening where the door should have been, using language not proper to repeat. The car- penter with his load returned to his shop, the owner to his other duties, to await developments. These came in the form of a summons to appear at "Fort Lee," as Englewood's justice of the peace had not arrived. The landlord appeared be- fore Judge Fitzgerald, where, having po- litical influence, he came off victorious.
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Developments continued, as the owner was summoned to appear at Hackensack before Judge Knapp. When asked whether he was guilty or not guilty he pleaded ignorance of the law and escaped with a fine of five dollars. This expe- rience was enough for a lifetime. The landlord ordered the windows and doors restored. The tenant left and he was happy.
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XVIII.
MALARIA AND MOSQUITOES.
As New Jersey is said to be the home of the mosquito it is not strange that upon arriving we found a few in this val- ley. We did not encourage or cultivate that aggressive, musical insect, as he lives on foul air, malaria and human gore. Since our town has been thoroughly drained and our lawns well trimmed, this disturber of our peace has disappeared to South Jersey, with headquarters at Bergen Point. We had trouble with this insect in early days when inviting emi- gration to this town, as we all know they are the enemy of man and beast, have no friends, and are despised by a mule.
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ENGLEWOOD.
"Are there mosquitoes in Englewood?" was the question asked and repeated by all contemplating a residence here. Fortunately that question is seldom asked to-day.
Malaria departed about the same time as the mosquito, and is seldom heard of at the present time. It was disagree- ably present for several years after Englewood was founded. Want of drain- age and bringing decayed vegetable matter to the surface caused this nox- ious disease to come to the front. This is always an objection to emigrants to a new location, and Englewood was no exception.
We went as far as the law allowed to- ward denying its presence to any extent. It never kills but tortures, and one never knows whether he has malaria, is tired, seasick or in love. This disease does not take to civilization, and with our im- provements it has disappeared.
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ENGLEWOOD.
XIX.
WHEN OUR WELLS RUN DRY.
For a long time we suffered for want of water and drainage. Our tanks were supplied from wells and cisterns, as all the water used must be pumped to the tops of our houses. This often consumed the time of our servants many hours each day. Our wells frequently ran dry, and we were compelled to purchase water, paying one dollar for each load. We seemed to have long periods of drouth in those days, and suffered very much for the want of refreshing showers. Lawns were almost destroyed, as they were newly made. For want of paved watercourses and culverts our streets and walks were badly washed by fresh-
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ets. But we did not complain. The seasons went their merry rounds, life had a rosy hue. We knew in time all things would come to us when we would enjoy the fruit of our labors.
I am not sure but there was far more pleasure in that busy life with all its dis- comforts than at the present time when we have so many comforts at hand and so little to do.
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XX.
EFFECT OF THE CIVIL WAR.
THE Civil War checked the growth of Englewood for several years, and its in- habitants became imbued with the spirit of patriotism, when every city, village and hamlet turned from peaceful pur- suits to war.
This village made very slow progress during the period of the rebellion.
A military company was formed under the captaincy of Nathan T. Johnson. Mr. Andrew D. Bogart tendered the second story of his carpenter shop on Palisade Avenue for a drill room. Some time after Mr. W. B. Dwight offered a room in his school building. The town was on fire with patriotism, and nearly all
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able-bodied men joined the ranks and ap- peared with their muskets regularly for drill. Many members of this company volunteered, entered the Twenty-second New Jersey regiment and marched to the defense of their country.
In the autumn of 1861 the Rev. Mr. Dwight obtained leave of absence to serve as chaplain of the Sixty-sixth Regi- ment of New York volunteers. He was presented with a military outfit, includ- ing a fine saddle horse, by his friends. He entered the army with enthusiasm and earned the name of fighting chaplain. He served under Burnside, Mcclellan and General Richardson, and acted in many capacities as chaplain, aid-de- camp, surgeon, etc. He was a brave soldier and highly respected by his regi- ment.
Captain William P. Coe, brother of Mr. George S. Coe, is a veteran of the Civil War, where he saw much hard service.
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He entered the army as captain of Com- pany A, One Hundred and Sixth New York State Volunteers, and was stationed under General Banks at New Orleans. He was captured in one of the engage- ments and suffered twenty-two months' imprisonment at Tyler, Texas. Captain Coe was in several battles under General Banks. He was a stranger to fear, as has been proven on several occasions.
Captain Coe came to Englewood to live in 1866, and made his home on Teaneck Ridge, near the residence of William Walter Phelps. He organized and became captain of Company B, Second Battalion, National Guard State of New Jersey, and brought it to a high state of efficiency.
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XXI.
OUR FIRST TONSORIAL PROFESSOR.
WITH the different business enterprises in the early years came the barber, whose life here was a failure. He was a half-witted foreigner, who became un- popular by his indiscretions and queer actions. His departure from town was hastened by a gathering of citizens who had prepared a bucket of tar and feathers for a dress suit. The tar and feathers were ready, but in the excitement a few citizens took pity on him and ran him through a building to the depot, put him into a box car and sent him out of town.
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XXII.
A RAILROAD EXPERIENCE.
I Do not recall but one accident on our railroad where any one was seriously in- jured. In 1860 the down train when near New Durham left the track and ran some distance over the ties. Every seat was destroyed in one car; people were thrown in every direction and against each other, and many were badly in- jured. I was hurled against a red-hot stove and received an injury that confined me to my house nearly two weeks. We had no smoking-car, and several of our Englewood boys, not to be deprived of their cigars, occupied a box car that was not provided with seats or chairs of any kind. When the performance was over and the doors unfastened these young men were found very much mixed and
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with many bruises. They were exceed- ingly grateful to be released from their dangerous position.
Our trains have been running to and fro like a weaver's shuttle for forty years, and the history of the road has been very free from accidents.
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XXIII.
THE LIBERTY POLE TAVERN."
ONE of the most interesting and historic landmarks in this neighborhood was the old "Liberty Pole Tavern." This old inn antedated the Revolution, and was one of the numerous Washington headquarters. It stood in the center of Palisade Avenue, where it intersects the Tenafly road. This was the political center for spring and fall elections for some years after the village was established. The prin- ciple liquid that stimulated discussion was apple jack, a strictly New Jersey business beverage that has practically gone out of use.
The old hotel and bar were always wide open on election day, and there was
LIBERTY POLE TAVERN.
ENGLEWOOD. 73
no limit to the quantity of apple jack one might wish to consume. Tickets were not deposited in boxes as at present. Voters passed in line, calling out their names and the ticket they wished to vote.
Until 1858 the Democrats had no oppo- sition and there was but one Prohibition vote cast, which was deposited by Mr. Coxhead, who came all the way from Fort Lee to vote.
Mr. J. W. Deuell deposited the only Republican vote at this time.
Many exciting scenes took place at these elections after the war, and hand to hand encounters were frequent.
One I shall never forget. The war was over and soldiers had all returned. Spring election was being held at the "Liberty Pole Tavern."
The polls and the bar were both open. Apple jack was the rallying spirit, and many knockouts were taking place.
Colonel Jardine, who had returned
-
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with the army, appeared on crutches, having lost a leg on the field of battle.
The fighting colonel overhearing a re- mark not complimentary to the Union soldier, cast aside his crutches, and added another victory to his laurels.
The Stars and Stripes were unfurled from the top of the old "Liberty Pole" that stood near the hotel on every pa- triotic occasion. The old tavern and its banner having served their purpose, they were removed and the hotel changed to a private dwelling, where it stands a silent monument of the past, unrecog- nized and forgotten. History tells us that the old "Liberty Pole Tavern" stood on a triangle, on one side of which was the tavern, on another Washington's headquarters, and on a third a stone schoolhouse. This school building was taken down and removed to Highwood in 1848, where it stands at the present time. It was removed to a more thickly
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settled farming district. Could they have looked fifty or even twenty years into the future the school building would have remained.
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XXIV.
OUR FIRST POSTMASTER.
ENGLEWOOD existed some time before it was considered worthy of a post office. Its citizens were obliged to go to Hacken- sack or New Durham for their mail, as Englewood was a part of Hackensack township until 1871, and the government of this community was carried on at Hackensack until then.
Our township extends from the Hack- ensack River to the Hudson River, or did until reduced by boroughs east and west, and was created in 1871. Our first town- ship committee was elected April 10, 1871, consisting of Albert J. Bogart, James Venderbeek, Samuel J. Demarest, John W. DeRonde, and Peter R. Christie.
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The number was afterwards reduced to three members. The last committee to vern the township was Oliver D. Smith, James Harris, and J. M. Gulnac. Mr. John Van Brunt was the first post- master of this village. He erected the large building on the avenue near the railroad, in which he kept the post office, also the first grocery store. This building is now owned, and a part of it occupied, by Mr. Henry J. De Mott.
Offices in this building were occupied a long time by Squire Joseph B. Miller, who was justice of the peace, magistrate, lawyer, trustee of small estates, school- master, etc., etc. Squire Miller was our protecting power in the early years of Englewood. Previous to this period he taught school near Schraalenbergh two years. He was justice of the peace twenty-five years, also was confidential adviser and transacted business for a great many of the old inhabitants in this
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vicinity. He was judge and jury, prose- euting attorney and general superintend- ent of the affairs of the village. He, as a rule, discharged the restless element with a fatherly reprimand, and was most always present to witness the ar- rival and departure of trains. For many years he occupied a peculiar position-a position now extinct.
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