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 25
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Sacred to the memory of the Rev. ALEXANDER MACWHORTER, D. D. In him a vener- able aspect and dignified manners were united with a strong and sagacious mind, richly stored with the treasures of ancient and modern learning. For a long course of years, he was among the most distinguished supporters of literature and religion in the Amer- ican church. He was a zealous assertor of his country's rights, a wise counsellor, a pious and skilful divine, a laborious, prudent, and faithful minister, and a great benefac- tor of the congregation over which he presided forty-eight years. To his influence and zeal the congregation is greatly indebted for this house of God, the foundation-stone of which he laid, Sept., 1787. In gratitude for his distinguished services, and from an af- fectionate respect to his memory, the bereaved church have erected this monument. He was born 15th July, 1734. He departed this life 20th July, 1807, aged 73 years. The memory of the just is blessed.
Mary, the wife of Isaac Ogden, Esq., here rested from the hurry of life, on the 15th of March, 1772, aged 26 years.
Could the softness and elegance which adorned,-could the piety and benevolence which endeared human nature,-could tenderest friendship or purest love disarm the king of terrors,-she had not died.
When every pain and every joy is o'er- When fortune, age, disease, can wound no more ;
Virtues like hers with radiant lustre glow,
And breathe refulgent through the clouds of wo :
Kind spirits sooth the pangs of parting breath,
And strew with softest down the bed of death.
In memory of Hon. PETER I. VAN BERCKEL, Esq., of Rotterdam, late minister pleni- potentiary from the states of Holland to the United States of America, who departed this life 17th December, 1800, in the 77th year of his age.
To the memory of William S. Pennington, who died the 17th day of September, A. D. 1826, in the 69th year of his age. He sustained the office of governor and chancellor of the state of New Jersey, and various other important public stations, honorably to himself and usefully to his country. His bereaved children, in grateful remembrance of an affectionate and revered parent, have erected this memorial.
Hoc marmore commemoratur-vir in sacris peritus, nec in literis humanis minus sciens :- Rebus divinis a prima ætate deditus,-Fidei Christianæe strenuus assertor,-
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Et pietate nulli secundus. Moribus facilis, vita beneficus,-Omnigenæ charitatis ex emplar :- Mille virtutibus instructus, quas sacra celavit modestia.
TRANSLATION .- This marble is erected to the memory of a man imbued with sacred lore, and no less experienced in all human knowledge. From his earliest youth he was dedicated to holiness-a strenuous advocate of the Christian faith, and second to none in devotion. Of easy manners-humane in his conduct-an exemplar of every charity -adorned with a thousand virtues which his modesty concealed.
NEW PROVIDENCE.
New Providence was formed from Springfield in 1809. It is 7 miles long and 2 wide, bounded NE. by Springfield, SE. by West- field, S. by Warren, Somerset co., and NW. by Chatham and Mor- ris, in Morris co. The surface is hilly, and in the eastern part mountainous. The Passaic river forms the western boundary. The township contains 4 stores, 1 paper fac., 1 saw-m. ; cap. in manufac. $16,700 ; 1 school, 25 scholars. Pop. 832. The princi- pal portion of the population is in the western part, where there is a village, about 12 miles SW. of Newark, containing 4 stores. a Presbyterian and a Methodist church.
ORANGE.
Orange is about 5 miles long, 3 wide ; bounded N. by Caldwell and Bloomfield, E. by Newark, S. by Clinton, and W. by Livings- ton. The surface on the west is mountainous, being crossed here by the First and Second mountains : the eastern part is rolling, and the soil well cultivated. Near the centre of the township is situ- ated the "Orange Mineral Spring," formerly a place of considera- ble resort. The Morris and Essex railroad passes through the township. Capital employed in manufactures, $76,750 ; 8 schools, 330 scholars. Pop. 3,261.
The village of Orange, 33 miles NW. from Newark, is a settle- ment extending 2 or 3 miles on the turnpike, passing through the township in a westerly direction, and on the Morris and Essex rail- road. It contains 2 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Methodist church, 10 stores, and about 200 dwellings.
The annexed engraving shows the main entrance to the cemetery, about a mile from the village. The land for this purpose has an undulating surface, consisting of 10 acres, and was laid out in the autumn of 1840. The whole is designed to be arranged with walks, adorned by a variety of trees, shrubbery, and evergreens. These tokens of respect to the memory and ashes of the venerated dead are in accordance with the best feelings of our nature, and it is to be hoped that this laudable example will be more generally followed in other places.
The village of South Orange lies on the turnpike from Newark to Morristown, 5 miles W. from Newark. It contains a Presbyte- rian church, and about 30 dwellings.
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Entrance to the Orange Cemetery.
The following inscriptions are from monuments in the old grave- yard, excepting the last two, which are from monuments in the Orange cemetery.
Survivors, let's all imitate the virtues of our Pastor, And copy after him, like as he did his Lord and Master. To us most awful was the stroke, by which he was removed Unto the full fruition of the God he served and loved.
Here lie the remains of the Rev. Mr. DANIEL TAYLOR, who was minister of this parish -- years. He deceased 8th January, Anno Domini 1747-8, in the 57th year of his age.
This stone was erected as a monumental token of love and gratitude to our late pas- or, the Rey. CALEB SMITH, who died 22d October, 1762, in the 39th year of his age. Beneath this tomb the precious relics lie, Of one too great to live, but not to die. Indued by nature with superior parts, To swim in science, and to scan the arts, To soar aloft, inflamed with sacred love,
To know, adniire, and serve the God above ; Gifted to sound the thundering law's alarms, The smiles of virtue, and the gospel's charms ; A faithful watchman, studious to discharge Th' important duties of his sacred charge ; To say the whole, and sound the highest fame, He lived a Christian, and he died the same. A man so useful from his people rent, His babes, the college, and the church lament.
Sacred to the memory of Doctor JOHN CONDIT, a patriot soldier and surgeon during the struggles of his country for freedom ; a member of the N. J. Legislature, and a Representative and Senator in the Congress of the United States for thirty years in suc- cession. His honors were awarded him by grateful constituents for his sound and vigor- ous intellect, stern integrity, and unwavering patriotism, in times of peril, and through- out a long life. . On the 4th of May, 1834, he died in Christian hope, revered, respected, and beloved by all who knew him, aged 79 years.
In memory of AMos DODD, who departed this life Sept. 20th, 1839, aged 71 years and 8 months. This stone records the name of an idiot, familiarly known as the Dumb Boy. Though he exhibited nothing of man but the material form, under its coarsest aspect, and always required the care of a child, his protracted life attests the affection. ate and dutiful kindness of the family to which he belonged. Twenty years ago a fond mother resigned this object of yearning solicitude, under Providence, to a brother, who closes his fraternal obligations and sympathies by raising this monument to the memory of Poor Amos.
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Dr. ISAAC PIERSON, born Aug. 15th, 1770, died Sept. 22d, 1833. He received hi academic education at Princeton College, and was subsequently admitted a Fellow or the College of Surgeons and Physicians, New York. During nearly forty years, he practised medicine in this village, and was a Representative of the State in the 20th and 21st Congresses. The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
Rev .. ASA HILLYER, D. D., was graduated at Yale College 1786, ordained a minister of the gospel 1790, installed pastor of the Presbyterian church in Orange 1801, where he continued to labor until his decease, Aug. 28, 1840, in his 77th year .- Erected by the Second Presbyterian Congregation of Orange, as a tribute of affection and esteem for the deceased.
RAHWAY.
Rahway was taken from Westfield and Elizabeth in 1804. Its average length is 6, and breadth 3 miles, bounded N. by Elizabeth
HOTEL
Central part of Rahway.
and Union; E. by Staten Island Sound ; S. by Piscataway and Woodbridge, Middlesex co., and W. by Westfield. The surface of the township is very level, the soil well cultivated and produc- tive. The Rahway river passes through and partially bounds the township on the south ; on this stream are numerous mill and man- ufacturing establishments. There are in the township 1 paper-m., 14 flouring-m., 4 grist-m., 5 saw-m .; cap. in manufac. $355,525; 1 acad., 41 students, 7 schools, 244 scholars. Pop. 2,533.
Rahway was originally settled by the descendants of the set- tlers of Elizabethtown. The first dwellings appear to have been built about 1720. The lower part of the village was almost entirely settled by Friends. The place is supposed to have de- rived its name from an Indian chief named Rahwack, who is said to have lived where the town now stands.
The annexed engraving is a view of the hotel and some other buildings in the central part of Rahway- a stopping-place for
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cars of the New Jersey railroad, 10 miles SW. of Newark, 19 from New York, 11 from New Brunswick, and 38 from Trenton. The town or village of Rahway lies at the head of tide water, 5 miles from the mouth of Rahway river. Schooners of the largest size are able to ascend the whole distance. It is divided by the county line, which mainly follows the river, into two parts, called Upper and Lower Rahway. The latter, formerly known by the name of Bridgetown, lies within the township of Woodbridge, Middlesex co., and includes Leesville ; the former is a part of the township of Rahway proper, and includes the small village of Mil- ton. The population of the village in all its detached parts is 4,500. There are in the town 5 houses for public worship, 2 for Friends, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist ; an Episcopal church is now about being erected. Rahway enjoys excellent advantages for a liberal education for youth of both sexes. It has a classical boarding-school, where boys are prepared for college. The Rahway Female Institute, an excellent boarding-school for young ladies, has been for several years in successful operation. There are in the place a bank, an insurance-office, and about 30 stores.
Rahway derives its principal support from its manufactures. These are chiefly carriage-making, in all its branches, hats, and clothing. Previous to the late commercial embarrassments, there were 12 large factories for making carriages, several large hat factories, and the value of ready-made clothing amounted to about half a million of dollars yearly. There are also manufactured here stoves, earthen and stone ware : there is an extensive factory for the dyeing, dressing, and printing of silks; another for print- ing calicoes, and a third for fulling cloth and the manufacture of satinets. An iron foundry has been recently established.
ABRAHAM CLARK, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born about one and a half miles from Rahway village, on the upper road to Elizabethtown, Feb. 15th, 1726. He was the only child of Thomas Clark, one of the aldermen of Elizabethtown. He had naturally a weak constitution and a slender form, which, though educated a farmer, prevented him from engaging in any very laborious pursuits. His principal occupations in early life were surveying, conveyancing, and giving legal advice. He was not by profession a lawyer, but gave advice gratuitously, and by his gen- erosity procured for himself the honorable title of the " Poor Man's Counsellor." He successively held the offices of high sheriff, com- missioner for settling undivided lands, and clerk of the colonial assembly. In 1776 he was appointed one of the delegates to the continental congress. He continued to be elected to a seat in congress most of the time during the continuance of the old con- federation ; and after the adoption of the federal constitution was elected a member of the house of representatives of the United States. Mr. Clark retired from public life in June, 1794, and in the autumn of the same year experienced a coup de soleil, or stroke of
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the sun, which caused his death in two hours. " In private life he was reserved and contemplative. Limited in his circumstances, moderate in his desires, and unambitious of wealth, he was far from being parsimonious in his private concerns, although a rigid economist in public affairs."
The feelings which actuated Mr. Clark during his public life ap- pear to have been very remarkably disinterested. He scrupulously refrained from exerting his influence with congress in favor of his sons, who were officers in the American army. In one instance, however, paternal feeling was exercised with propriety. Thomas Clark, one of his sons, a captain of artillery, was taken prisoner and immured in a dungeon, with no other food than that which was introduced by his fellow-prisoners through a key-hole. On a representation of this fact to congress, retaliation was resorted to upon the person of a British captain ; the desired result was pro- duced, and Capt. Clark's sufferings were mitigated.
The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the graveyard at Rahway:
Sacred to the memory of the Rev. AARON RICHARDS, of Raway, who deceased May 16th, 1793, aged 75 years, and in the 45th year of his ministry.
All who knew the man will join Their friendly sighs and tears to mine ;
For all who knew his merits must confess,
In grief for him there can be no excess. His soul was form'd to act each glorious part ;
Of life unstain'd with vanity or art. No thought within his generous mind had birth,
But what he might have own'd in heaven and earth.
In memory of ABRAHAM CLARK, Esq., who died Sept. 15th, 1794, in the 69th year of his age. Firm and decided as a patriot, zealous and faithful as a public servant, he loved his country, and adhered to her cause in the darkest hours of her struggle against oppression.
Mr. JOHN LAWRENCE, who, Nov. 6th, first drew his breath, and Oct. 16th, 1766, yield- ed to death.
From London truly famed came I ; Was born in Stains, a place near by ; In Ra. way at old age did die ; And here intomb'd in earth must lie, Till Christ ye dead calls from on high.
SPRINGFIELD.
Springfield was formed from Newark and Elizabeth, in 1793. It is about 6 miles long, and 4 wide ; bounded N. by Livingston, E. by Clinton and Union, SW. by Westfield and New Providence, and W. by Chatham, Morris co. The surface is generally hilly ; the Short Hills passing through it centrally. Rahway river, with sev- eral branches, is on its eastern boundary, on which are numerous mills and factories. There are in the township 11 paper-m., 3
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grist-m., 2 saw-m .; cap. in manufac. $158,694; 7 schools, 453 scholars. Pop. 1,651.
The village of Springfield is on the turnpike road from Eliza- bethtown to Morristown, 6 miles from the former, 11 from the lat- ter, 8 SW. from Newark, and 50 from Trenton. It is at the foot of the Short hills, or First mountain, near Rahway river. It is a
Western View in Springfield.
leasant village, containing about 200 houses, a Presbyterian and a Methodist church, 5 stores, 10 paper-mills, with a number of hat and shoe manufactories. The annexed engraving shows, on the right, the Presbyterian church ; on the left, the Methodist church and the ancient parsonage. The parsonage was one of the few dwellings preserved, when the British burnt the village and church, in 1780. After the church was destroyed, public worship was for some months performed in the parsonage, until the barn was ren- dered in a measure convenient for that purpose ; where meetings were held until the present Presbyterian church was completed, in 1790 or 1791.
The following historical items were derived from two manuscript sermons : one delivered by the present pastor of the Presbyterian church, Rev. J. C. Hart, July 4th, 1840 ; the other by a former pas- tor, in 1823.
The time the earliest white inhabitants established themselves in Springfield, cannot now be ascertained with certainty. The earliest accurate date is the year 1717, when the Briant family came here, from Hackensack. The next authentic date is from a tomb-stone of Mr. William Stites, in the old burying-ground, hav- ing the date of 1727. When Mr. Briant's family came, there were only three houses between Elizabeth and Morristown. Springfield originally belonged both to the township and parish of Elizabeth- town; and it is said that the people were accustomed to walk thither to church, from this place, Union, and Westfield. In 1738, it is believed that there were only three houses in the village of Springfield ; which were occupied by Thomas Denman and the
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. Van Winckle and Whitehead families. It is probable that the northern part of the township was first settled, inasmuch as the first meeting-house and burying-ground were situated there, about half a mile north of the present residence of Mr. Aaron Dean.
The first Presbyterian church in this place was organized by the presbytery of New York, in 1745; and was originally a branch of that at Connecticut Farms. About that period the first church was built. In 1746, the Rev. Timothy Symmes became pastor, in connection with the church at New Providence, and continued un- til 1750. He was the grandfather of Capt. Symmes, whose novel theory of the structure of the earth excited so much attention, a few years since. The second house of worship was probably erected in 1761 or 1762, on the site of the present church. After a vacancy of 13 years, the Rev. Mr. Ker, a native of Baskingridge, was settled over the congregation, in 1763. He remained only two years. In 1774, he was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Vanarsdalen, who was dismissed on account of ill health, in 1801, and died in this place, in 1803. His successor was Rev. Gershom Williams, installed Aug. 1803, and dismissed in 1818. He was succeeded by Rev. James W. Tucker, of Danbury, Conn., who was installed Aug. 1818, and died in 1819.
The following account of the battle fought at Springfield, June 23d, 1780, and some of the previous events, are from newspapers published at the time :
Extract from a Letter from Morristown, June 9 .- The day before yesterday the ene- my came out from New York via Staten Island, and landed at Elizabethtown about 5,000 men. Our army all moved to meet them. The militia turned out with spirit : skirmishing in abundance. One militia-captain, with four men, took sixteen British. It is said the enemy intended for this town. They have been between Connecticut Farms and Springfield, and burnt every house in the former, (about twenty in number,) except one. They have been driven back to Elizabethtown Point, where they lie behind our old intrenchments. Our army is at the Short Hills, this side of Springfield. The militia are near the enemy, and keep a constant popping at them. I believe New York is very bare. of troops. The tories were so sure of the enemy's succeeding, that they sent word to their friends in Elizabethtown that they should pay them a visit the day after the enemy came over. . They are balked ; the affair is not settled yet. Mr. Lud- wig, of your city, and baker-general of the army, was in the action, and taken a pris- oner.
Extract from a Letter from Baskingridge, dated June 10, 1780 .- On Tuesday night, the 6th inst., the enemy landed at Elizabethtown Point, and early on Wednesday morn- ing advanced in force as far as Connecticut Farms, within about two miles of Spring- field. The Jersey brigade, which lay at Elizabeth, skirmished with them all the way up ; and such of the militia as could collect joined in opposing their progress, and fought in such a manner as does them great honor, and if possible exalts the reputation of the Jersey militia. Their progress was stopped at a small bridge, by a single cannon, aided probably by their own apprehensions.
The skirmishing was very smart and bold on our part, so as to do them considerable damage; but as they continued to advance, but few of their killed and wounded fell in- to our hands. They wounded four officers of the Jersey brigade, and killed one-a Mr. Ogden. I am uncertain of the number of men killed and wounded; and two of them (British) have come to this place, which is the nearest hospital.
Gen. Knyphausen commanded in person, and it is said they brought with them seven days' provisions, a great number of wagons, &c., as if they intended to make a stand at some distance in the country, perhaps on the First mountain ; but a detachment of our army, marching down as far as Springfield to meet them, arrived in the evening within
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two or three miles of the enemy, and halted until next morning, when a battle was ex. pected. The enemy, in the mean time, not by moonlight, but under cover of a dark cloud, attended with some rain, retreated to Elizabethtown Point, where they have re- mained quiet ever since. Gen. Washington remains, with the main body of our army, at the Short Hills. Gen. Maxwell, with some militia, lie as an advanced party, at or near Elizabeth.
Since the enemy have been at Elizabethtown Point, a party of sixteen of our militia have been out upon a scout-fell in with seventeen of the enemy, whom they brought off, with their arms, without firing a gun.
We are informed that the enemy still continue at Elizabethtown Point, inactive, ex- cept scouting parties, that are daily skirmishing with our militia ; in several of which the militia have fought with great spirit, and been successful. Our loss is computed to be about thirty killed and wounded, Capt. Reves being among the former. The enemy's loss is said to be 150 killed, and as many more wounded.
Annexed is the report of Gen. Greene, relating to the action at Springfield, and the burning of it by the British, June 23d, 1780. In communicating this report to congress, Washington remarked :
The conduct of the enemy giving us reason to suspect a design against West Point, on the 21st the army, except two brigades and the horse, (left under the command of Gen. Greene, to cover the country and our stores,) was put in motion, to proceed slowly towards Pompton. On the 22d it arrived at Rockaway bridge, about 11 miles from Morristown. The day following the enemy moved in force from Elizabethtown toward Springfield. They were opposed, with great conduct and spirit, by Maj. Gens. Greene and Dickinson, with the continental troops, and such of the militia as had assembled. But, with their superiority of numbers, they of course gained Springfield. Having burnt the village, they retired the same day to their former position. In the night they aban- doned it, crossed over to Staten Island, and took up their bridge. I beg leave to refer congress to Gen. Greene's report for particulars.
The enemy have not made their incursion into this state without loss. Ours has been small. The militia deserve every thing that can be said, on both occasions. They flew to arms universally, and acted with a spirit equal to any thing I have seen in the course of the war.
Major General Greene's Report. SPRINGFIELD, June 24, 1780.
SIR : I have been too busily employed, until the present moment, to lay before your excellency the transactions of yesterday.
The enemy advanced from Elizabethtown about five in the morning-said to be about five thousand infantry, with a large body of cavalry, and fifteen or twenty picces of artillery. Their march was rapid and compact. They moved in two columns ; one on the main road, leading to Springfield ; the other on the Vauxhall road. Maj. Lee, with the horse and piquets, opposed the right column, and Col. Dayton, with his regi- ment, the left ; and both gave as much opposition as could have been expected from so small a force.
Our troops were so extended to guard the different roads leading to the several passes over the mountain, that I had scarcely time to collect them at Springfield, and make the necessary dispositions, before the enemy appeared before the town; when a cannonade commenced between their advance and our artillery, posted for the defence of the bridge. The enemy continued manœuvring in our front for upwards of two hours, which induced me to believe they were attempting to gain our flanks. My force was small, and, from the direction of the roads, my situation was critical. I disposed of our troops in the best manner I could to guard our flanks, to secure a retreat, and oppose the advance of their columns.
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