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 23
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Here lies the body of the Rev. Mr. JONATHAN DICKENSON, Pastor of the First Presby- terian Church in Elizabeth Town, who died 7th October, 1747, ætatis suæe 60.
Deep was the wound, O Death, and vastly wide,
When he resign'd his useful breath, and died.
Ye sacred tribes, with pious sorrows mourn, And drop a tear at your great pastor's urn ! Conceal'd a moment from our longing eyes, Beneath this stone his mortal body lies ; Happy the spirit lives, and will, we trust,
In bliss associate with his pious dust.
Sacred to the memory of the Rev. JAMES CALDWELL and HANNAH his wife, who fell victims to their country's cause in the years 1780 and 1781 .- He was the zealous and faithful pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this town, where, by his evangelical labors in the gospel vineyard, and his early attachment to the civil liberties of his country, he has left in the hearts of his people a better monument than brass or marble.
STOP, PASSENGER !
Here also lie the remains of a woman, who exhibited to the world a bright constella- tion of the female virtues. On that memorable day, never to be forgotten, when a Brit- ish foe invaded this fair village, and fired even the temple of the Deity, this peaceful daughter of Heaven retired to her hallowed apartment, imploring Heaven for the pardon of her enemies. In that sacred moment, she was, by the bloody hand of a British ruf- San, dispatched, like her divine Redeemer, through a path of blood, to her long-wished- for native skies.
Sacred to the memory of General MATTHIAS OGDEN, who died on the 31st day ot March, 1791, aged 36 years. In him were united those various virtues of the soldier. the patriot, and the friend, which endear men to society. Distress failed not to find re. lief in his bounty ; unfortunate men, a refuge in his generosity.
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ESSEX COUNTY.
If manly sense and dignity of mind, If social virtues, liberal and refined, Nipp'd in their bloom, deserve compassion's tear, Then, reader, weep ; for Ogden's dust lies here.
Weed his grave clean, ye men of genius, for he was your kinsman. Tread lightly on his ashes, ye men of feeling, for he was your brother.
In memory of MARIA, wife of Doct. Paul Micheau, who departed this life August 15th, 1793, aged 20 years, 9 mos. and 18 days. Closed are those eyes in endless night, Fair as the break of op'ning day, Calm as the summer's evening ray, Truth, virtue was her guide. When sister spirits call'd her hence, Obedience bow'd at life's expense, She sigh'd, she sunk, she died ! No more to beam with fond delight, Or with affection roll ; Eternal silence seals that tongue Where sense and soft persuasion hung, To captivate the soul.
Oh, she was all that thought could paint, The mortal rising to the saint, In every deed of life. At once, the fatal arrows end The fondest child, the kindest friend, And most endearing wife.
Immortal saint ! supremely bright ! Look down through skies of purest light, And bid affliction cease. Oh, smooth thy husband's lonely bed, In visions hover round his head, And hush his mind to peace.
Sacred to the memory of Gen. WILLIAM CRANE, who died July 30th, 1814, aged 67 years,-one of the firmest patriots of the Revolution. In the darkest period of his country's oppression and danger, he volunteered in her cause, and was wounded in her defence. Probity, benevolence, and patriotism characterized his life. He lived be- loved, and died lamented .- His sons have caused this monument, a faint tribute of gratitude and affection, to be erected over his grave.
In memory of SHEPHERD KOLLOCK, Esq., an officer of the Revolution, who, after hav- ing aided in the establishment of the liberty of his country, and for many years filled with usefulness various civil stations, died in the full assurance of a glorious resurrec- tion and blessed immortality, July 28th, 1839 ; aged 88 years.
The two following inscriptions were copied from monuments in the graveyard of the Episcopal church :
Here lieth the body of PETER SONMANS, Esq., one of ye Proprietors of this Province, who departed this life the 26th day of March, Annoque Domini 1734, in the 67th year of his age.
Sacred to the memory of JOHN CHETWOOD, M. D., who died of cholera on the 13th of August, 1832, in the 64th year of his age. He fell a victim to that untiring benevo- lence which for more than 40 years marked his professional course. The meridian sun found him administering to the suffering poor ; its next morning beams fell upon his grave. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
LIVINGSTON.
Livingston was formed a township in 1812. It is 5 miles long, and 42 wide ; bounded N. by Caldwell, E. by Orange, S. by Spring- field, and W. by Chatham and Hanover, in Morris co. The sur- face on the east is mountainous, elsewhere hilly, except on Passaic river, which forms its western boundary. There are in the town- ship 3 stores, I saw-mill ; cap. in manufac. $9,515; 5 schools, 158 scholars. Pop. 1,081. Livingston, 10 miles west of Newark, Centerville, Squiretown, and Northfield, are small settlements, at the latter of which is a Baptist church.
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ESSEX COUNTY
NEWARK.
The town of Newark was settled in the month of May, 1666, by emigrants from Connecticut. The first English settlement this side the Hudson was commenced at Elizabethtown in 1664, two years previous. In August of the following year, Governor Car- teret arrived, and sent agents into New England to publish the " concessions" or terms of the proprietors, and to invite settlers to the new colony. These terms were liberal ; and early in the suc- ceeding year (1666) agents were dispatched from Guilford, Bran- ford, and Milford, in Connecticut, to view the country, and to learn more particularly the terms of purchase, as well as the state of the Indians in the vicinity. They returned with a favorable report ; especially of the district " beyond the marshes, lying to the north of Elizabethtown;" and were forthwith sent back with power to bargain for a township, to select a proper site for a town, and to make arrangements for an immediate settlement. To the good judgment of these individuals, who were Captain Robert Treat, John Curtis, Jasper Crane, and John Treat, are we indebted for the plan of our town - our wide main streets, (the only ones then laid out,) and the beauty and extent of our public squares.
These preliminaries being arranged, thirty families from the above towns, and New Haven, embarked under the guidance of the exploring agents, and after a passage as long and tedious as a voyage at this time across the Atlantic, arrived in the Passaic river early in the month of May. At this point, however, their progress was impeded. The Hackensack tribe of Indians, who claimed the soil granted to the agents of the emigrants by the governor, met them here, and opposed their landing, until full compensation should be made to them.
The manner in which this difficulty was disposed of, is set forth at large in an affidavit by Capt. Robt. Treat, dated March 13th, 1687, which we find among the documents accompanying the long " Bill in the Chancery of New Jersey," filed in April, 1746, by James Alexander, at the suit of John Earl of Stair, and other claimants under Carteret and Berkely, against certain settlers in Elizabethtown, for the recovery of the lands in that vicinity. This bill* recites at great length the history of the English settle- ments in East Jersey. The affidavit-which may be found on page 118 of the bill-contains the following interesting narrative. After setting forth that he was then, at the date of the affidavit, "about 64 years of age," and was " one of the company that first settled at Newark," Capt. Treat proceeds :-
"That from my discourse and treatise with the governor, I expected that he would have cleared the plantation from all claims and incumbrances, and given quiet posses- sion, which he had promised to do ; but no sooner were we on the place, and landed
· Commonly called " the long bill in Chancery." It was printed in folio form, in the city of New York, in 1747, by James Parker, and with its appendix, comprising a great variety of valuable documents concerning the first settlement of East Jersey, makes a mlume of 150 pages.
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ESSEX COUNTY.
some of our goods, when I and some others were warned off the ground by the Hack. ensack Indians, who seemed angry that we had landed any of our goods, although we told them we had the governor's orders ; but they replied the land was theirs, and that it was unpurchased ; thereupon we put our goods on board the vessel again, and ac- quainted the governor with the matter, and he could not say it was bought of the In- dians. I and most of the company were minded to depart, but the governor, with other gentlemen, were loath to let us go, and advised and encouraged us to go to the In- dians, and directed us to one John Capteen, a Dutchman, that was a good interpreter, to go with us ; and I with some others and said Capteen went to Hackensack to treat with the Sagamores and other Indian proprietors of the land lying on the west side of Passaic river, about purchasing said lands ; and one Perro (an Indian) laid claim to said Passaic lands which is now called Newark ; and the result of our treaty was, that we obtained of a body of said Indians to give us a meeting at Passaic, and soon after they came, all the proprietors, viz., Perro and his kindred, with the Sagamores that were able to travel ; Oraton, being very old, but approved of Perro's acting. And at that meeting with the Indian proprietors, we did agree and bargain with the said Indians for a tract of their said land on the west side of Passaic river to a place called the Cove, by the said governor's order and allowance, and upon information thereof he seemed glad of it; and I with some others solicited the governor to pay for the purchase to the Indians ; which he refused, and would not disburse any thing unless I would reimburse him again ; and a bill of sale was made, wherein the purchase of said land will appear, and I can and do testify that the said Indians were duly paid for it according to the bill wherein we became debtors to the Indians, and not to the governor, as I judge, and Perro af- firmed that he had not sold his land to any before this time. "
This tract, thus purchased of the Indians, is more particularly described in a certificate from Samuel Edsal, who appears to have been one of the negotiators, dated March 5th, 1687, which we find on page 117 of the same " Bill in Chancery." In this certifi- cate the writer sets forth the purchase to be a "parcel of land lying and being on the west side of the Kill Van Coll, beginning at the mouth of a certain creek named Waweayack, (Bound creek,) upon the bay side ; and from thence running up the said creek to the head of a cove, and from thence westward to the foot of the (Newark) Mountain, called by the Indians Watchung ; thence running along the said foot of the mountain, until it meets by an east line with a small river coming from the hills into Pas- saic river, named Jantucuck, (3d river,) from thence running down Passaic river, and Arthur Kull Bay, till it meets with the mouth of Waweayack, as above said."
These limits formed the original township of Newark, compre- hending the present township of that name, and the townships of Springfield, Livingston, Orange, Bloomfield, and Caldwell. The price of this purchase was 130l. New England currency, 12 Indian blankets, and 12 Indian guns.
It must be satisfactory to every townsman thus to know that every foot of land lying within our bounds was honestly and open- ly purchased of its original proprietors. However unjustly the aborigines may have been dealt with elsewhere, no act of our an- cestors can be pointed to with the slightest reproach by the most jealous advocate of Indian rights.
The settlers first located themselves according to the towns whence they came, in separate neighborhoods; but the sense of mutual danger soon induced a change in this respect. On the 21st of May, 1666, delegates from the several towns resolved to form
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ESSEX COUNTY.
one township, to provide rules for its government, and "to be of one heart and hand, in endeavoring to carry on their spiritual con- cernments, as well as their civil and town affairs, according to God and godly government." And for the more speedy accom- plishment of their desires, " a committee of eleven were appoint- ed to order and settle the concernments of the people of the place." This committee consisted of Capt. Robert Treat, Lt. Samuel Swain, Samuel Kitchell, Michael Tompkins, Morris Say. Richard Beckly, Richard Harrison, Thomas Blatchly, Ed. Rigs, Stephen Freeman, and Thomas Johnson. The articles of government which they formed, possessed a full portion of the strict religious spirit of the people. "No person could become a freeman or bur- gess of their town, or vote in its elections, but such as was a member of some one of the Congregational churches: nor be chosen to the magistracy, nor to any other military or civil office." "But all others admitted to be planters, were allowed to inherit and to enjoy all other privileges, save those above excepted." Disregarding the right of the English proprietors of New Jersey, and apparently with a resolution of disclaiming all fealty towards them, and of depending on their Indian grants, they also resolved " to be ruled by such officers as the town should annually choose from among themselves, and to be governed by the same laws as they had, in the places from whence they came."
In Nov. of this year, "many of the inhabitants of Branford" appear to have joined their associates in the enterprise. The fol- lowing document, which we copy from the town records, appears to have been signed by them on this occasion, and to have been subsequently endorsed (in June, 1667) by the other male settlers. It will be seen by this document that in June, 1667, the whole pop- ulation of the town consisted of sixty-five efficient men, "besides women and children."
'October 30th, 1665.
' At a Meeting Touching the Intended design of many of the Inhabitants of Brand. ford, the following was subscribed :
Deuter. i. 13.
Exod. xviii. 21. ' Ist. That None shall be Admitted freemen or free Burgesses within Deut. xvii. 15. our Town, upon Passaick River, in the Province of New Jersey, but Jer. xxxvi. 21. such planters as are Members of some or other of the Congregational Churches ; nor shall any but such be Chosen to Magistracy or to Carry on any part of Civil Judicature, or as deputies or assistants to have power to Vote in Establishing Laws, and making or repealing them, or to any Chief Military Trust or office. Nor shall any But such Church Members have any vote in any such Elections ; Tho' all others admitted to Be planters have Right to their proper Inheritances, and do and shall Enjoy all other Civil Liberties and priviledges, According to Laws, orders, Grants, which are or Hereafter shall Be Made for this Town.
' P. 2d. We shall with Care and Diligence provide for the maintenance of the purity of Religion professed in the Congregational Churches. Whereunto subscribed the In- habitants from Brandford-
Jasper Crane,
Josiah Ward,
John Ward, senior, Ed. Ball,
Delivered Crane, Aaron Blatchly, Samuel Rose,
Richard Johnson, Ebenezer Canfield,
Abraham Pierson, Samuel Swaine, Laurance Ward,
John Harrison,
Thomas Pierson,
Richard Lawrance, John Johnson,
John Crane,
John Warde,
Thomas L. Lyon,
Thomas Blatchly, Samuel Plum,
Thomas Huntington, John Catling,
(his mark.)
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ESSEX COUNTY.
'And upon the Reception of their Letters and Subscriptions, the present Inhabitants in November following, declare their Consents and readiness to do likewise, and at a Meeting the 24th of the next June following, in 1667, they also subscribed with their own Hands unto the two fundamental Agreements expressed on the other side. Their names as follows :
Robert Treatt, Edward Rigs,
George Day,
Hauns Albers,
Obadiah Bruen,
Robert Kitchell,
Thomas Johnson,
Thomas Morris,
Matthew Camfield,
J. Brooks, (mark J. B.) John Curtis,
Hugh Roberts,
Samuel Kitchell,
Robert Lymens, Ephraim Burwell,
Ephraim Permington,
Jeremiah Pecke, (mark V.) Robert Denison,
Martin Tichenor,
Michael Tompkins,
Francis Links,
(by his mark R.)
John Browne, jun., Jonathan Seargeant,
Henry Lyon,
Daniel Tichenor, Zachariah Burwell,
Azariah Crane,
John Browne,
John Bauldwin, sen., William Campe,
Samuel Lyon,
John Rodgers,
Stephen Davis,
John Bauldwin, jun., Jonathan Tomkins,
Joseph Walters, . Robert Daglesh,
Joseph Riggs, Stephen Bond.
Stephen Freeman,
(mark F.) Nathaniel Wheeler,
It will be perceived by these names, comprising the whole number, that a great majority of the original settlers of the town are still represented by a numerous posterity, as may be seen by - consulting the Directory.
At the first distribution of land, each man took by lot six acres, as a homestead ; and as the families from each of the several original towns had established themselves at short distances from those of other towns, the allotments were made to them in their respective quarters of the new settlement. Seven individuals, se- lected for the purpose, assessed on each settler his portion of the general purchase-money. The lands were eventually divided into three ranges ; each range into lots, and parcelled by lottery-first setting apart certain portions, called tradesmen's lots ; one of which was to be given to the first of every trade who should settle per- manently in the place-reserving also the present Upper Green of the town, (now Washington-square,) for a market-place, and the Lower Green, (now called the Park,) for a military parade ; and that part of the town in and adjacent to Market-st., where the tan- neries now are, (then a swamp,) for a public watering-place for cattle. This last portion, having been sold by the town, is alto- gether in possession of individual owners.
In 1667, the Rev. Abraham Pierson, the first minister, com- menced his official duties here. He is said to have been " episco- pally ordained," at Newark, in South Britain, and to have named this town after that of his ordination ; by which name it was some- times called abroad, but was known at others by that of Milford. In the next year, the first "meeting-house," 26 feet wide, 34 long, and 13 between the joists, was erected ; the town voting thirty pounds, and directing that every individual should perform such labor as a committee of five might require, toward its completion. It was a small frame building, and stood near the centre of the town, fronting on Broad-st., on the lot now known as the old town burying-ground, opposite to the present building of the First Pres- byterian church. Mr. Pierson emigrated to the new world in 1655, and, with a few followers, settled in or near Guilford, Conn. He was one of those who were dissatisfied with the corrupt and arbi-
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LOWER GREEN, OR MILITARY COMMON, NEWARK, N. J.
This beautiful Public Ground is situated in the northern part of Broad street. The Episcopal Church is seen on the left of the Engraving.
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ESSEX COUNTY.
trary character of church and state in England, and annexed him- self to the party then called moderate Presbyterians. He was an old man when the colony settled Newark, and appears to have been eminent for his learning, wisdom, and piety. His salary was fixed at £30.
Arrangements for the "meeting-house" having been completed, the town meeting next appointed Henry Lyon to keep a tavern, for the entertainment of travellers and strangers, and instructed him " to prepare for it as soon as he can." At the same meeting, in the year 1668, Robert Treat and Sergeant Richard Harrison were appointed to erect a " grist-mill on the brook at the north end of the town ;" setting apart the second and sixth days of the week as grinding days. John Rockwell, of Elizabethtown, was at the same time voted a member of the community, upon condition " of his moving here forthwith, and maintaining his present or other sufficient boat, for the use of the town."
Robert Treat and Jasper Crane were chosen the first magis- trates, in 1668, and representatives to the first assembly of New Jersey, convened at Elizabethtown, 26th May of the same year ; by which the first state-tax (£12 sterling, of which the proportion of Newark was 40 shillings) was laid .* Mr. Treat was also chosen first recorder, or town-clerk ; and after a residence here of many years, returned to Connecticut, where he became governor, and died. The town also established a court of judicature, holding annually one session, on the last Wednesday of February, and an- other on the second Wednesday of September ; having cognizance of all causes within its limits. On the 24th May, 1669, the first selectmen, five in number, were chosen. The number was subse- quently increased to seven, who continued to administer affairs un- til 1736, when the present township officers were created by law. And in this year Indian hostility appears to have displayed itself in petty robberies and depredations, the increase of which, in 1675, induced the townsmen to fortify their church, as a place of refuge, in case of general attack ; and to take proper measures of watch and ward.
About this period the Rev. Mr. Pierson had become so infirm, that the town made out a call to his son, Abraham Pierson, Jun., to become his colleague. He had been educated at Cambridge, and was distinguished for his talents and accomplishments, but had neither the meekness nor prudence of his father. He contin- ued here only a few years after his father's death, which occurred in 1680, but removed to Killingworth, Conn., where he died in 1708. His reputation for learning was so high, that he was chosen the first president of the College of Connecticut, (now Yale College,) on its institution in 1701. Mr. Pierson was succeeded in the pas-
* This assembly consisted of seven in council, besides the governor, and ten burgesses ;. two from Bergen, two from Newark, two from Elizabethtown, two from Woodbridge,. and two from Middletown and Shrewsbury.
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ESSEX COUNTY.
toral office at Newark by Mr. John Prudden, who finally relin- quished it, after serving twelve or thirteen years, in favor of Mr. Jabez Wakeman, a young man of distinguished attainments. Mr. W. died in 1704, and was succeeded by Mr. Nathaniel Bowers.
The year 1676 was distinguished by the establishment of the first school ; and the selectmen "agreed with Mr. John Catlin to instruct their children and servants in as much English reading, writing, and arithmetic as he could teach." Mr. Catlin was also chosen attorney for the town, and appears to have been the first lawyer settled here. About the same time, measures were taken to invite mechanics to the place. The first shoemaker appears to have been Samuel Whitehead, of Elizabethtown, who was form- ally admitted a member of the community, on condition of his supplying it with shoes. The first tannery was established in 1698, at the " swamp or watering-place."
The town appears to have been early celebrated for its cider. Gov. Carteret writes to the proprietors in England, in 1682 :- " At Newark are made great quantities of cider, exceeding any we can have from New England, Rhode Island, or Long Island," which is the first mention we find of this famous article. The governor also speaks of the place at this time, as a compact town of about one hundred families, and that it is the only place in the province provided with a settled preacher, following no other em- ployment. The town appears also to have obtained the character abroad of being an unhealthy place, subject to fever and agues and intermittents, which is supposed to have retarded its growth.
During the ministry of Mr. Bowers, a new and larger church was agreed upon The walls were put up in 1708, a few steps north of the first building on the same lot. This was a heavy un- dertaking, much beyond the means of the people. Although the place had been settled forty years, it is said that when the walls were knee high, the whole population, men, women, and children, " could have sat upon them." The interior was not entirely fin- ished within thirty years. It is said to have been the most ele- gant edifice at that time in the colony.
On the 23d October, 1676, a warrant was granted by the gover- nor, for 200 acres of land and meadow, for parsonage-ground, and also for so much as was necessary for landing-places, school-house, town-house, market-place, &c .; and in 1696, a patent from the proprietaries to the town covered all the lots, in various parts of the township, called "Parsonage Lands;" which have been since divided, with some difficulty and contention, among five churches, viz .: three of the Presbyterian, and the Episcopal, at Newark, and the First Presbyterian church at Orange.
The London Church Missionary Society, about the year 1732, sent out a number of missionaries, some of whom settled at Eliza- bethtown, and other places in the neighborhood of Newark, where they occasionally preached. This gave rise to serious contentions among the colonists on the subject of church government. In this
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