USA > New Jersey > Historical collections of the state of New Jersey : containing a general collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, etc. relating to its history and antiquities, with geographical desciptions of every township in the state. > Part 20
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Among the Dutch it was considered a bad omen to sweep the house after sunset, or to sweep dirt into the fire. It was a good omen, when using eggs, to sprinkle salt on the shells and throw them into the fire ; and bread they thought would not be light, unless the sign of a cross was made on the dough.
MILLVILLE.
Millville is in extreme length N. and S. 16 miles ; E. and W. 15; and is bounded NE. by parts of Atlantic and Gloucester counties ; southerly by Maurice river, and Downe; and westerly by Fair- field, Deerfield, and Pittsgrove, Salem co. The township contains 5 stores, 5 glass-houses, 5 grist-m., 9 saw-m .; cap. in manufac. $183,920 ; 5 schools. Pop. 1,771.
Millville is at the head of tide, and principally on the E. bank of Maurice river, 20 miles from its mouth, and 11 E. of Bridgeton. The village and vicinity consists of about 150 dwellings, and 1 Bap- tist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Presbyterian church. The land on which it stands was purchased about the year 1796, by Joseph Buck, Eze- kiel Foster, Robert Smith, and Eli Elmer, by whom improvements were commenced. Previous to this period it was known as the Maurice River bridge; a tavern having been here a greater part of a century. At that period rattlesnakes abounded on the mar- gin of the river, but now have disappeared. The Methodist church, the oldest in the village, was built in 1822 ; and the dedication ser- mon preached by the Rev. Charles Pitman. The Presbyterian church was built in 1838, and the Rev. John M'Coy was the first settled clergyman.
The following view was taken on the western bank of the river.
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Northwest View of Millville
a short distance above the bridge. On the left are seen the exten sive glass-works of Scattergood, Harverstick, & Co .; on the right the central portion of the village ; and on the extreme right, the large glass-works at Shutterville, in the lower part of the village. There is also near the village an iron furnace, belonging to D. C. Wood, Esq. These three establishments unitedly employ about 300 men. About 3 miles above Millville is a dam in the river, from which a canal is cut to the village, for the supply of water- power for the works. Large quantities of wood, lumber, and char- coal, are exported from here ; and the river is navigable for vessels of 100 tons. Millville is thriving, and inhabited by a hardy, indus- trious population.
The following extraordinary incident was communicated to the editors of the Christian Advocate and Journal, by the Rev Mr. Purdue, of Millville, in Jan. 1843.
Mary Coombs, the subject of the following biographical sketch, was born in March, 1794; and when about 10 years of age, she was convinced of her sinful state, and brought to serious reflection and prayer by hearing her mother read the Holy Scriptures. One passage particularly, the recollection of which she still retains, made, even at that tender age, an indelible impression upon her mind. It is Isaiah iii. 11 : " Wo unto the wicked, it shall be ill with him ; for the reward of his hands shall be given him."
At the age of 13 years she experienced a clear sense of God's pardoning mercy, at a Methodist quarterly meeting at Tuckahoe. For two years after this happy change, so strong were her religious consolations, and so uninterrupted her peace, that, to use her own language, she " had neither troubles nor trials." This truce, however, was succeed- ed by a season of severe trial ; and she was reduced to " great heaviness through mani- fold temptations." She was much harassed with a fear that she should never again en- joy the same consolations, or be able to endure the trials and difficulties of life. At a class-meeting, held at the dwelling-house of Richard Penn, about 5 miles from this place, on the 20th of November, 1808, she was unusually blessed, fell under the power of God, and remained for seven days and nights, in one of the most remarkable raptures of which I have ever read or heard.
There was an unusual coldness of the extremities, and an unnatural rigidity or stiff- ness of the muscular fibre of the whole body. But a very singular phenomenon was, that every day, precisely at 6 o'clock, P. M., consciousness, and the powers of speech, and voluntary motion, returned for a short time.
This was gradual, however, and always preceded by paroxysms of trembling, in which her whole frame was violently agitated, accompanied by opening of the eyes, half-artic- ulated words, and other signs of returning animation. The first words which she usually
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uttered so as to be distinctly understood, were, " Blessed Jesus !" " Lord, give me more strength !" and some others of a like description.
This intermediate state was generally of about from 30 to 45 minutes duration ; and as soon as she could sit up on the bed, she would commence exhorting those about her, particularly the unconverted, to forsake their sins, and " flee the wrath to come." This was done in the most earnest and serious manner, with an almost unearthly pathos, and in the use of language, appeals, and arguments, altogether beyond her degree of mental cultivation and intellectual capacity. This will seem the more remarkable, when it is i. considered that she had scarcely any education, said but little on all occasions, and was naturally diffident and retiring in her manners.
The singularity of the case, as might reasonably be expected, produced great excite- ment in the neighborhood, and attracted crowds of people, even from a distance, to wit- ness her exercises. The knowledge of " sins forgiven" was not considered the privilege of believers, even by a majority of those who made a profession of religion in the neigh- borhood. The miseries of the damned ; the necessity of immediate repentance ; and the fact that sinners mnight know their sins forgiven in this life, were the principal themes of her discourses. The effects produced by these exhortations were truly astonishing. From Wednesday until the close of the week, the house was filled to overflowing every night ; and but little was heard except the cries of the penitent, the prayers of the pious, and the shouts of new born souls till long after midnight.
Such was the state of excitement upon this occasion, and such the influence that at- tended these exhortations, that persons, upon approaching the house, would be seized with conviction for sin at hearing the sound of her voice, before entering the door. Af- ter speaking about one hour, if the interval lasted so long, her voice would gradually be- come more and more faint, until it ceased to be audible, and she would fall back upon the bed, and remain apparently insensible to all external objects till the same time the next evening. The sister, at whose liouse she remained, (now an old and worthy member of the church at Port Elizabeth, in this state,) assured me that she asked for neither food nor drink during the week ; and that the only nourishment she received was a few spoonfuls of thin gruel, which was forced into her mouth at three different times. This she received reluctantly, and would finally resist their efforts to force it upon her by closing the teeth firmly together.
One circumstance which served greatly to excite the curiosity of the people, and draw them to the place, was, that early in the week she stated that she would be exercised in this way every evening till the next sabbath, and that at the same hour on that day that she had fallen into this rapture the previous sabbath, she would have finished her work, and would return home. That consciousness, and the powers of speech, and voluntary motion, should return every evening precisely at 6 o'clock, (as was found to be the case,) when she could by no means have access to any time-piece, was perfectly unaccounta- ble upon natural principles. Upon the following sabbath, (November 27, 1808,) the day which she had designated for her return home, it was estimated that not less than five hundred people were present to witness it.
At 2 o'clock precisely, one week from the time she had fallen into this rapture, she seemed to recover as out of a sweet sleep, and quietly returned home with her friends. On being asked, before she left the house, some questions relative to the subjeet which had occupied her whole attention during the preceding week, she calmly replied that she had nothing more to say-that she had finished the work assigned hier for the present. I inquired particularly what influence this circumstance had upon her appetite and gen- eral health, and was informed that there was no perceptible change.
A physician from Bridgeton, who visited her during the rapture, was asked his opinion, upon which he remarked that he did not "understand the case." Sister Surran (her name by marriage) is still living ; and although she has been called, in the providence of God, to pass through the fires of temptation, and the waves of affliction, still retains her integrity, and sustains an unblemished reputation for consistent piety. I sought an op- portunity to converse with her, and requested to know all that she felt free to communi. cate concerning her feelings and spiritual perceptions at the time.
She is, and always has been, reserved on this subject. So much so, that her nearest relations have seldom ventured to converse with her concerning it. . She stated to nie, however, that while speaking, she seemed altogether under the influence, and subject to the control of a supernatural power ; that to speak required no effort, either of thought or reflection, on her part. To use her own language, "The words were all put into my mouth, and I had to speak them."
She described her sensations during the seasons of repose as peculiarly agreeable. She beard the commingling of distant but harmonious sounds, such as would be produced by
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numerous voices and instruments of music ; which seemed to be wafted upon every breeze of heaven, and fell upon her ear in tones of enchanting melody. With reference to this world, she was in a state of perfect intellectual abstraction. Not one of its difficulties, cares, or even thoughts, intruded upon the sanctuary of her heart. In conclusion, I would remark, that the circumstances of the case utterly preclude the suspicion of col lusion.
STOW CREEK.
Stow creek is about 5 miles long E. and W., and 4 broad N. and S. It is bounded NW. by Upper and Lower Alloways creek, Sa- lem co .; E. by Hopewell ; S. by Greenwich ; and W. by Lower Alloways creek. It is 4 miles W. of Bridgeton ; soil and sur- face diversified ; the township abounds in excellent marl. It contains 2 grist-m., 1 saw-m .; cap. in manufac. $32,220 ; 4 sch., 100 scholars. Pop. 846.
A considerable trade is carried on in this country in the skins of muskrats, which sometimes are sold as high as two dollars fifty cents per dozen. This animal is a native of almost all parts of Ameri- ca. It is about the size of a small rabbit, and has a thick short head, resembling that of a water-rat ; its hair is soft and glossy, and beneath the outward hair is a thick, fine down, very useful in the manufacture of hats; it is of a reddish brown color; its breast and belly are ash, tinged with red; its tail long and flat ; its eyes large ; ears short and hairy ; and it has two strong cut- ting teeth in each jaw,-those of the under jaw are about an inch long, but the upper ones are shorter. In their habits they in many respects much resemble the beaver, and are remarkable for sagacity and cunning. They are amphibious, and their tails being broad and feet nearly web-footed, enables them to swim with great facility. In travelling near the seashore, their houses are seen numerously scattered over the salt marshes, resembling so many hay-cocks in miniature. At the approach of winter, several families associate together, and build their little huts, commonly from three to five feet in height, composed of herbs and rushes cemented with clay, forming a dome-like covering, ex- ternally covered with rough reeds. They have each several cells, whose tops are above high water, and are lined with soft grass : in each of which there is, in the time of breeding in the spring, a pair with their progeny, usually consisting of three or four young ones. These dwellings are commonly built near the margin of a creek or ditch ; from which there are usually two passages, one near the top, and the other under ground from the bank of the creek. In fresh marshes they have no houses, but burrow in the banks. This animal lays up a stock of sedge roots for winter con- sumption. They are neat in their habits, and wash these roots very clean previous to storing them, by holding them in one paw and rubbing them in the water with the other. They are caught in traps or speared in their cells. The hunters sometimes take
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them in the spring, by opening their holes and letting the light suddenly in upon them. At that time their flesh is excellent. They make good pot-pies, and taste much like ducks. In summer, the scent of musk is so strong as to render them unpalatable. When hard pressed they run to the water, and dive to the bottom; but soon come up to breathe. If taken when young, they are easily tamed, very playful, and perfectly inoffensive. Their mor- tal enemies are minks.
ESSEX COUNTY.
ESSEX COUNTY was first formed in 1675, and its boundaries were definitely fixed by the act of Jan. 21st, 1709-10, comprising the ter- ritory then known as Elizabethtown and Newark. Its original limits have since been reduced. It is now about 20 miles long, with an average breadth of 12 miles, being bounded N. by Passaic and a small part of Morris counties; E. by Hudson co., Newark bay, and Staten Island ; S. by Middlesex co .; and W. by Somerset and Morris counties. The face of the county is generally level ; the soil well cultivated, and highly productive. Two trap ridges, known as the first and second mountains, (the latter sometimes called the Short Hills,) enter the county on the SW. and cross the western part in a NE. direction, and pass into Passaic co. The Passaic and Rahway rivers are the principal streams. In 1840 there were produced in the county 34,692 bushels of wheat ; rye, 34,244 ; Indian corn, 225,314 ; buckwheat, 39,588 ; oats, 181,261 ; potatoes, 178,193 bushels. There were 203 stores, with a capital of $524,650. Capital in the fisheries, $60,000 ; 6 fulling, 20 grist, 21 flouring, and 25 saw-mills ; 18 paper factories, 3 woollen, and 2 cotton factories ; 4 dyeing and printing establishments ; 10 tanne- ries, and 6 potteries. Capital invested in manufactures, $3,170,568. 16 academies, with 680 students. The county is divided into the 13 following townships :
Belleville, Elizabeth, New Providence, Springfield,
Bloomfield, Livingston,
Orange,
Union,
Caldwell, Newark, Clinton,
Rahway, Westfield.
The population of the townships now composing Essex co., was in 1810, 23,961 ; in 1820, 27,455; in 1830, 34,201; in 1840, 44,621.
BELLEVILLE.
Belleville was formed from the eastern portion of Bloomfield in 1839. It is 5 miles long, with a width of 2 miles ; bounded N. by
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Acquackanonck, Passaic co .; E. by Harrison, Hudson co., from which it is separated by the Passaic river ; S. by Newark ; and W. by Bloomfield. The township contains 12 stores, 4 fulling m., 1 cotton and 2 woollen factories, 1 dyeing and printing establishment, 2 flouring-m., 1 grist-m. Cap. in manufac. $479,450. 7 sch., 316 scholars. Pop. 2,466. The soil of the township is well cultivated and productive. It is the seat of extensive manufacturing establishments
Eastern View of Belleville.
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The village of Belleville is beautifully situated on the W. bank of Passaic river, 3 miles N. of Newark. This place was anciently called Second river ; and as early as 1682 had a considerable pop- ulation. The annexed engraving shows the prominent portion of the village, as seen from the eastern bank of the river. The bridge and the Reformed Dutch church are seen on the right-the Episco- pal church, a Gothic structure, on the extreme left ; the Methodist church is partially shown in the central part, and the Catholic church in the distance beyond, on the hill. This is a pleasant place of resort during the summer months, besides being one of consid- erable business., There are in the village 4 churches, about a dozen stores, many mechanic shops, several manufacturing establishments, and about 200 dwellings. There are a number of vessels here, en- gaged in transporting raw and manufactured products to New York and elsewhere. Franklinville, formerly called Spring Garden, a flourishing little manufacturing village, contains about 25 dwel- lings, and a Methodist church.
The following biographical sketches are from the 5th vol. of Alden's Collection of Epitaphs, Notes, &c.
The Rev: GERARDUS HAUGEVORT came, with his consort, from Holland to America, a little before the middle of the last century. By the influence of Col. John Schuyler, he was removed from the place of his first settlement, in the interior of New Jersey, to the Reformed Dutch church at Second river, now Belleville, in the township of Bloomfield. He was a man of talents, and for a considerable time was highly acceptable to the peo- ple of his charge. Being, however, of an irascible temper, he at length, by some un- guarded speech, offended his principal patron. To get rid of the dominie, the Col. de- clared himself an Episcopalian ; and invited the Rev. Daniel Isaac Browne, rector of
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Trinity church at Newark, to officiate at Second river. For some time Mr. Browne per- formed his ministerial functions in a private building near the margin of the Passaic, to accommodate the Dutch people, many of whom showed a reluctance at changing their de- nomination. Col. Schuyler was at the expense of a Dutch and English impression of the Common Prayer Book. This was for many years used at Second river, but at pres- ent it is not known that a single copy of it exists. Mr. Haugevort, for some time after the unpleasant rupture, kept possession of his church, and statedly preached to his adhe- rents ; while the new society, having left the private building, worshipped in the academy. At length the doors of the Dutch church were clandestincly fastened. Mr. Haugevort, not disposed to flee to another city, then preached from sabbath to sabbath to a few warm friends, on the steps of his church door. His salary ceased, and his reduced flock could do but little for him. He must have suffered for want of the necessaries of life, if he had not brought property with him from his native country. He died about the close of the Revolutionary war, leaving a son and grandson, both of whom bear his name, and several daughters. He and his patron, who was a distinguished character in his day, have long since left a world of imperfection, where good men sometimes unhappily dis- agree, and, it is to be hoped, have entered that state in which no discordant passions ever interrupt the pleasures of harmony and love.
AARENT SCHUYLER came to this country, from Holland, in early life, depending upon his industry alone, under Providence, for a support. He at length, by his diligence and economy, acquired so much property as to venture on the purchase of a considerable tract of rough and wild land, on the banks of the Passaic, opposite to the mouth of the Second river. Here he toiled for years, till almost discouraged at the difficulty with which he gained a subsistence. He was about to negotiate for the sale of his placc, when one day his old negro found a ponderous mineral substance on the farm, which so attracted his curiosity that he carried a specimen of it to his master. Mr. Schuyler was impressed with the idea, from its appearance, that it must be something valuable. He immediately carried it to New York, where it was ascertained to be copper ore. Hc then gave up the purpose of selling his estatc, and turned his attention to the riches which his land embosomed. The ore was found in abundance, and was sent to Eng- land to be wrought. Seldom has a mine been discovered, in any part of the world, con- taining so great a proportion of pure metal. It is said that every ton of ore exported vielded eighty per cent. of copper. Before the Revolutionary war vast treasures were drawn from this mine, till the principal shaft was sunk to the depth of 150 fcet. For many years this fountain of wealth has been neglected, but at a future day will no doubt claim the attention of some enterprising proprietor.
Mr. Schuyler was the father of Col. Peter Schuyler and Col. John Schuyler, both of whom were highly respectable in life. The former was a distinguished officer in the Provincial forces sent against the French and Indians of Canada, and his name is fre- quently mentioned with great and just respect by the historians of his day.
The Hon. JOSIAH HORNBLOWER, [who died Jan. 21st, 1809, at the age of 88 years,] a man of most respectable and unblemished character, whose life was highly valued, and whose death is deeply deplored, was a native of Staffordshire, in England. Without the aid of a liberal education, but with a strong mind and studious habits, at a very early period of life, he became perfectly acquainted with some of the most intricate, and at the same time most noble branches of science. Mathematics, magnetism, electricity, optics, astronomy, and in short the whole system of natural and moral philosophy be- came his favorite studies. At the age of between 23 and 24 years, he was engaged to come to this country, for the purpose of erecting a steam-engine at the copper-mine then belonging to Col. John Schuyler; in the execution of which, as well as a mineralogist generally, he discovered eminent industry, capacity, and genius, and received the most unbounded confidence. Shortly after he was established in this country, he connected himself in marriage with one of the most respectable families, and had a numerous issue. In our Revolutionary struggle, he took a firm and decided part in favor of the indepen- dence of this country ; and this was so well known, that he was early honored as a representative in congress. He was for several ycars successively a member of our state legislature, and speaker of the house of assembly. He was appointed a judge of the court, and sat on the bench with dignity, uprightness, and solidity of judgment. . In his last illness, which was of the most painful kind, the exercise of every Christian grace shone with peculiar lustre.
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BLOOMFIELD.
Bloomfield is 5 miles long, 3 wide ; bounded N. by Acquacka- nonck, Passaic co. ; E. by Belleville ; S. by Orange and Newark ; and W. by Caldwell and Orange. The soil is highly productive ; the surface on the W. mountainous. The Second and Third rivers, on which are numerous manufacturing establishments, have their sources near the foot of the mountains, and flow into the Passaic. The Morris canal runs through the E. part. There are in Bloom- field, 3 paper, 1 cotton, and 2 woollen factories; 1 dyeing and print- ing establishment ; 1 fulling, 1 copper rolling, 2 grist, and 2 saw m .; and 1 button factory ; cap. in manufac. $111,000. There are 3 academies, 8 schools, 255 scholars. Pop. 2,528.
View of the Presbyterian Church at Bloomfield.
The annexed is a view of the Presbyterian church on the milita- ry common in Bloomfield, 3} miles NW. of Newark. It is a sub- stantial stone edifice, erected in 1796. The village of Bloomfield may be considered as extending about 3} miles in a NW. direction, including West Bloomfield. The number of houses within these limits is about 300. There are also 2 Presbyterian and 2 Meth- odist churches, 7 or 8 stores, and several manufacturing establish- ments. Bloomfield was early settled by part of the colony of New Englanders which founded Newark. Stone House Plains, in the northern part of the township, was settled by the Dutch. It con- tains 30 or 40 houses, and a Dutch Reformed church. Speertown, in the same vicinity, is a somewhat smaller collection of dwellings. The "Bloomfield Collegiate and Commercial School," the " Bloomfield Female Seminary," and the " Mount Prospect Boarding School" for boys, are respectable literary institutions in this township.
During the Revolutionary war, all this section of country was subject to frequent depredations, by bands of marauders and free- booters from the British posts, and especially from the garrisons at
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Bergen heights, opposite to New York. These acts of violence and plunder were not permitted to pass without a suitable retribution. The following well-authenticated incident illustrates the noble daring which animated the true friends of their country in these times of trial .- It was upon a cold, dark, wintry night, near the- close of the war, that a party of dauntless spirits, consisting of Capt. John Kidney, Capt. Henry Jaroleman, Jacob Garlaw, and Halmach Jaroleman, left their families and their firesides in search of adventures. A deep ,snow covered the earth, and the howling wind gave admonition to all to remain within ; but our party were bent on having prisoners that night. Having provided themselves with a pair of fleet horses, attached to a common wood sled, they left the neighborhood of the above village, and laid their course towards the heights of Bergen. They soon arrived in the vicinity of the garrison ; and leaving their horses tied to the fence, they went out to reconnoitre. They returned shortly after, having ascer- tained that a school-house, some distance from the forts, was filled with officers and soldiers rioting and dancing. Their plan of tak- ing prisoners being matured, the company started, with Kidney at their head. Coming upon the house, Kidney commenced giving his orders to his different divisions to surround the house, while he, immediately forcing himself in at the door, took good care that his guard should show themselves and their bayonets at the threshold. Those within were struck with astonishment. "Every one of you are my prisoners," cried Kidney ; " surrender or you die !" Having ordered them into line, he selected first a British officer, and then a refugee-passed them along to the door, where they were muffled and hurried away to the sled ; Kidney taking care to warn them that " the first one who attempted to escape was a dead man." When they reached the meadows they heard the alarm-gun fire, but they were too far for pursuit. The prisoners were secured in the Morristown jail, and our heroes returned well pleased at the night's adventure, leaving their prisoners much chagrined at the way they were taken.
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