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 47
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The noted highlands of Navisink extend along Sandy Hook bay for nearly five miles. The range is about 300 feet in height, and comes boldly down to near the water's edge. It is covered with a forest, in which deer and other game find a covert. The annexed engraving is a representation of the lighthouses on Beacon hill, near the southern termination of the highlands. They are called the Highlund Lighthouses, in contradistinction to the one on Sandy Hook, five miles distant. They were erected in the administration of John Quincy Adams, and are the first beacons seen by European vessels entering the port of New York. Latterly they have been
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fitted up with new and improved lights, of French construction, which are seen by the mariner at a distance of 25 miles. About a mile north of Beacon hill is a locality known as Gravelly Point,
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View of the Lighthouses and Telegraph on Navisink Hills.
where deep water is found near the shore. This is the spot where the British army embarked after the battle of Monmouth, and where the unfortunate Capt. Joshua Huddy was barbarously mur- dered by the enemy.
In the spring of 1782 a slide of earth happened at Greenland bank, the highest point of the highlands, situated two miles north of Beacon hill. The noise was heard for a distance of several miles. The annexed account was published at the time :
On the ridge of mountains, commonly called Navisink hills, in Monmouth co., East Jersey, a considerable quantity of land, some say 40 acres, gave way, in April last, and sunk directly down, a considerable depth ; forming a cavity equal in circum- ference, at bottom, to the void space above. The tops of the trees, that sunk with the soil, and which were mostly of considerable bulk, are now nearly level with the edges of the remaining ground. Round this again the earth opens, in one continuous fissure, a foot or more in breadth, for a considerable distance ; and, as is conjectured, from its present appearance, will shortly go down also-the foundation being perhaps but a loose quicksand. It is supposed, by the country people thereabouts, to have been occasioned by the washing and undermining of the sea, to which it was contiguous.
The proximity of this part of the county to New York rendered it, in the war of the revolution, peculiarly liable to the incursions of British troops. Many of the inhabitants, although secretly fa- vorable to the American cause, were obliged to feign allegiance to the crown, or lose their property by marauding parties of refu- gees, from vessels generally lying off Sandy Hook. Among those of this description was Maj. Kearney, a resident near the present site of Keyport. On one occasion, a party of 30 or 40 refugees stopped at his dwelling, on their way to Middletown Point, where they intended to burn a dwelling and some mills. Kearney feigned gratification at their visit. and falsely informed them there were probably some rebel troops at the "Point," in which case it would be dangerous for them to march thither. He ordered his negro servant, Jube, thither, to make the inquiry; at the same time se- cretly giving him the cue how to act. In due length of time, Jube,
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who had gone but a short distance, returned ; and hastily entering the room where Kearney and the refugees were, exclaimed, in a short, broken manner, as though out of breath, "Oh, massa ! mas- sa ! the rebels are at the Point. thick as blackberries ! They have just come from the courthouse, and say they are going to march down here to-night." The ruse succeeded ; the refugees, alarmed, precipitately retreated to their boats, leaving the major to rejoice at the stratagem which had saved the property of his friends from destruction.
A similar anecdote is related of William Parker, a member of the society of Friends. The late Gov. Howell, then a major in the American army, was on terms of intimacy and friendship with him ; and when in the neighborhood accepted the hospitalities of his house. One evening he abruptly entered the room where Parker and about a dozen refugees were at supper. Parker, with presence of mind, promptly exclaimed, "Good evening, Dick ! why so late ? I cannot attend to that business to-night-I am engaged with some friends. Call in the morning, and I will settle it." Howell took the hint, and sought a less dangerous shelter.
SHREWSBURY.
Shrewsbury is 14 miles long, N. and S., and 13 wide, E. and W. and is bounded N. by Middletown, E. by the Atlantic ocean, S. by Howell, and W. by Freehold. The surface is level ; the southern part sandy, and covered mostly with pines; the northern fertile, and containing excellent farms. There are in the township 34 stores, 1 furnace, 4 grist-m .. 3 saw-m., cap. in manufac. $16,240; 8 schools, 405 scholars. Pop. 5,917.
Shrewsbury was first settled by emigrants from Connecticut, in 1664. In 1682 several thousand acres were under cultivation, and the population was estimated at 400. " Lewis Morris, of Barba- does, brother of Richard Morris, the first settler at Morrisiana, New York, and uncle of Lewis Morris, subsequently governor of New Jersey, had iron-works and other considerable improvements here." The village of Shrewsbury is in the north part of the town- ship, 12 miles east of Freehold, and is situated in a thriving agri- cultural district. In the annexed engraving, the building on the right, partially hidden by locust-trees, is the Episcopal church. In the distance, on the right side of the street, is shown the Presbyte- rian church-a plain structure, without a spire ; and nearly opposite, on the left, the Friends meeting-house. There is another house of worship for Friends in the northern part of the village; also an academy in the place, and about 30 dwellings.
There is no authentic record of the Presbyterian church in Shrewsbury, until the year 1735, when Rev. Samuel Blair preached here, in connection with Londonderry, Pa. In 1749, through the influence of Gov. Belcher, a charter was obtained, in connection with Frechold and Allentown. From 1757 to 1785, it is believed that the Rev. Mr. M .: Knight,
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for most of the time, officiated as pastor. From this period till the erection of their present building, in 1823, the society were only occasionally supplied with preaching. Rev. Nathaniel A. Pratt took charge of the congregation in 1823, and continued until 1825. The next minister was the Rev. James M. Hunting, who, in 1830, was succeed- ed by Rev. James Woodward; and he, in 1830, by Rev. Rufus Taylor.
Central View in Shrewsbury.
Although the township was undoubtedly first settled by Presbyterians, or rather Con- gregationalists, from'Connecticut, yet the society of Friends was first organized. From the best sources of information now to be obtained, it is evident the first members of the society, most if not all of them, must have been emigrants from England. The family of Hartshornes were already members of this meeting as early as 1672, only eight years after the first settlement of the town. And at this time there were organized a " month- ly and general ineeting, and a place of meeting being built."* The society was also visited in the autumn of this year by George Fox, who is believed by some of the mem- bers of the society to have performed a miracle while on this visit. by setting a man's neck, which it was believed by the inhabitants was broken or dislocated by his being thrown from a horse. It is true the man revived while Fox was working his head, and was enabled to pursue his journey the following day. In the fall of 1702, the society appears to have been disturbed by a visit of the Rev. George Keith to this place, who had formerly been a minister in their society at Burlington, and had visited them when such, but was now a missionary from " the Society in England for the Propagation of the Gosp:I in Foreign Parts," and succeeded in drawing several families from them into the Church of England-among whom was the family of William Leeds, to whose lib- eral bequest the Episcopal church in this place is indebted for the large glebe, and the funds they now possess. The cause of disturbance and secession appears to have origi- nated in a difference of opinion in reference to the fundamental principles of the gospel.t From this time until 1827. the society appears to have been quiet and prosperous, be- coming one of the most numerous in the state. Here, however, as among the Friends throughout the Union, a division has taken place. In the fall of 1827, the two parties separated ; and from that to the present time two distinct meetings have been kept up-those termed by their opponents the Hicksites, occupying the original building, being the most numerous, and those called the Orthodox purchasing a building in which they held their meetings until the fall of 1842, when they erected a new building, in which they now assemble. By the decision of the Court of Chancery. confirmed by the Court of Errors in 1833, in the case of Stacy Decaw and Joseph Hendrickson versus Thoinas L. Shotwell, the Orthodox Friends are entitled to all the property originally be longing to the society in the state of New Jersey; but in this place they have waived
Vide Fox's Journal. By general meeting is meant the " quarterly meeting."
t Vide Keith's Journal also Leslie's Snake in the Grass ; also the writings of Friends generally.
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their legal right to the property, being content, as they say, in establishing in this trial what were the true, original, and present principles of Friends ; while the other party are equally confident that they are in principle and discipline the true successors and follow ers of George Fox and his associates.
The Episcopal church in this town, though not chartered until June 3d, 1738, was es- tablished, and enjoyed at least occasional services, as early as 1702. In the autumn of this year, the Episcopalians were visited by the Rev. George Keith, who had formerly Deen a minister in the society of Friends, and had visited theni in that capacity in this place. He appears to have been a man of considerable notoriety, as he for some time filled the office of surveyor-general of the province, and run what is now known in the public records of the state as "Keith's line," dividing East and West Jersey.
After his leaving the Friends, Mr. Keith united himself to the Church of Eng. land, and returning to his native country, was ordained by the Bishop of London, and soon after sent out by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, on a mission to this country. He was accompanied in this visit most of the time by the Rev. John Talbot, who afterward became the first rector of St. Mary's church, Burlington, in this state. His success in this place, as well as most others, in winning converts to the church, appears to have been considerable. Some of the principal fami- lies in the church were brought in through the instrumentality of his ministry. Among these was William Leeds, who was baptized by Rev. William Talbot. It was through the generous munificence of this individual that the church now possesses a glebe of nearly 600 acres of land, and also funds to considerable amount. The Rev. Mr. Innes, who resided at Middletown at this time, performed occasional services in Shrewsbury as well as at the place of his residence .* The earliest records of this church commence with January, 1733, when the Rev. John Forbs, a man of an excellent spirit, a mission- ary from the society in England, officiated in this and the neighboring towns, particu- larly Freehold and Middletown. In 1738 he was succeeded by the Rev. John Miln. After whom, in 1746, the Rev. Thomas Thompson followed in the missionary labors of this county, travelling from 60 to 70 miles, ministering the Word and Sacraments to the thinly scattered inhabitants. In this manner he labored until 1751, when his missionary spirit was directed to benighted Africa, where he went, under the direction of the so- ciety, as the first missionary from the American continent to the inhabitants of the coast of Guinea ; among whom he labored two years, when he was compelled by impaired health to return to England, his native country, where he soon died. He published a journal of his mission both in Shrewsbury and Africa-a work both rare and valuable. In this parish he was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Cook, in 1751, the last missionary from the society in England, who continued to labor here until the commencement of the revolutionary war, when, feeling it his duty to continue his allegiance to the British government, he retired to the province of New Brunswick, where, in a short time after, himself and son were drowned in attempting to cross the river St. Johns. From this time to 1788, the parish remained vacant, being occasionally visited by the clergy of other towns, and also enjoying occasional services from the lay readers. In 1788 the Rev. Henry Waddell was formally inducted into the rectorship as the first rector of the parish, by the senior warden, there being no canonical provision for the institution of a minister in the diocese at this time. He was succeeded in 1799 by the Rev. Andrew Fawler, who continued in the rectorship of the parish until 1806. Mr. Fawler, in addi- tion to his ministerial labors, prepared and published a Practical Exposition of the Book of Common Prayer, as well as several smaller works, designed to advance the interests of the church. In 1809, the Rev. John Croes, jun., succeeded to the rectorship of this parish, in which he remained until 1824, when he was followed by the Rev. Eli Wheeler, who was succeeded in 1830 by the Rev. Harry Finch, the present incumbent.t
The village of Red Bank is pleasantly situated on Navisink riv- er, 2 miles N. from Shrewsbury, 5 from the ocean, and 35 from New York. It is, with the exception of Keyport, in this county, the most rapidly increasing village in the state. In 1830 it con- tained but two houses, viz : the old tavern-house, on the river bank, and the small dwelling now owned by John Tilton, Esq., about 12
* Vide Keith's Journal.
t For the preceding ecclesiastical histories the compilers are indebted to a gentleman in Shrewsbury.
£
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rods W. of the above. The principal source of its prosperity is the trade with New York. Thirteen sloops and schooners sail from here with vegetables, wood, and oysters, for that market; and a steamboat plies between here and the city. Vessels, week after week, have taken oysters to New York, and returned with $600 or $700 for their cargoes. Red Bank contains 7 mercantile stores, 1 hat manufactory, 2 wheelwrights, 2 lumber-yards, 2 blacksmiths, 2 shoe stores, 2 ladies' fancy stores, 4 tailors, 1 bakery, 2 tinners, 1 lime-kiln, 1 sash and blind factory, a Forum, for public meetings, an Episcopal chapel, and 60 dwellings.
The southern cape of Raritan bay, known as Sandy Hook, be- longs to this township. It changed its character from a promonto- ry to an island in 1778, by an opening forced by the sea, termed the old Shrewsbury Inlet. In 1800 the inlet was closed, and the Hook again became a promontory until 1830, when it was re- opened, and is now an island. Vessels pass through the inlet. At certain stages of the tide, the waters rush through with a tremen- dous roar. The Hook is 41 miles in length, and varies in breadth from 1 to 1 mile in width. It is a low, sandy tract, a great part of it covered with low trees and shrubs, principally red cedar, interspersed with holly, wild cherry, &c. The accumulation of sand fast extends the cape, so that two lighthouses have become useless, being left too far inland. There are upon it two dwellings, and a lighthouse near its northern extremity.
Sandy Hook was purchased by Richard Hartshorne, an early settler in Middletown. It remained in the possession of his de- scendants until 1816, when the United States, who had previously owned 125 acres, where the lighthouse is, purchased the remain- ing portion. The first lighthouse was erected about the year 1762, which, in the American revolution, was fortified by the British and refugees. An attack was made upon it by a party of Monmouth county militia, under Gen. David Forman, with two six-pounders ; but their artillery being too light, and a British armed vessel ap- proaching, they were obliged to retreat.
The following, copied from a curious document, relates to an agreement between Richard Hartshorne and the Indians, in rela- tion to plumming and fishing on Sandy Hook.
The 8th of August, 1678. Whereas the Indians pretend that formerly, when they sold all the land upon Sandy Hook, they did not sell, or did except, liberty to get plumbs,* or to say the Indians should have liberty to go on Sandy Hook to get plumbs when they please, and to hunt upon the land, and fish, and to take dry trees that suited them for cannows. Now know all men by these presents, that I, Richard Hartshorn, of Port. land, in the county of Monmouth, in East Jersey, for peace and quietness sake, and to the end there may be no cause of trouble with the Indians, and that I may not for the future have any trouble with them as formerly I had, in their doggs killing my sheep, and their hunting on my lands, and their fishing, I have agreed as followeth :
These presents witnesseth, that I, Vowavapon, Hendricks, the Indians sonn, having all the liberty and privileges of pluming on Sandy Hook, hunting, fishing, fouling, get- ting cannows, &c., by these presents, give, grant, bargain, sell, unto Richard Hartshorn,
* Great quantities of beach plums are gathered to the present day.
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his heirs, and assigns forever, all the liberty and priviledge of pluming, fishing, fowling, hunting, and howsoever reserved and excepted by the Indians for himn, the said Richard Hartshorn, his heirs and assigns, to have, hould, possess. and injoy forever, to say that no Indian, or Indians, shall or hath no pretense to lands or timber, liberty, privileges. on no pretense whatsoever on any part or parceil of land, belonging to the said Richard Hartshorn, to say. Sandy Hook or land adjoining to it, in consideration the said Harts- horn hath paid unto the said Vowarapon thirteen shillings money ; and I, the said Vowavapon, do acknowledge to have received thirteen shillings by these presents Witness my hand and seal.
· Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of John Stout.
VOWAVAPON, ; his mark. TOCUS, his mark.
Many vessels, at various times, have been wrecked on Sandy Hook; and money and other valuables found cast upon its shores. Tradition affirms that it was a favorite resort of the famous pirate, Capt. Kidd, to bury his ill-gotten treasures.
The following inscriptions are from monuments in a small grave- yard, about forty rods northeast of the lighthouse :
Here licth the body of THOMAS KENT. of Longport. Staffordshire, England, who de- partedi this life suddenly, on the 2d of May. 1828, on board the ship New York. Capt. Bennett. near Sandy Hook ; in which vessel he had left the city of New York, with his wife and family, only the day before, to return to his native country.
Capt. JAMES SWAIN, of Cape May, aged 49 years, was wrecked and drowned. together with his sons, WILLIAM and JAMES, and three other inen, at Sandy Hook, Jun. 23, A. D. 1808.
On the inner shore of the Hook, about a mile south of the light- house, once stood an elegant monument to the memory of a young British officer, and thirteen others, cast away in a snow-storm. in the war of the revolution. They were found frozen, and were buried in one common grave. The following was the inscription :
Here lie the remains of the Honorable HAMILTON DOUGLASS HALIBURTON, son of Shoto Charles, Earl of Morton, and heir of the ancient family of Haliburton, of Pitcurr, in Scotland ; who perished on this coast, with twelve more young gentlemen, and one com- mon sailor, in the spirited discharge of duty, the 30th or 31st of December, 17:3-born October the 10th, 1763 : a youth who, in contempt of hardship and danger, though pos- sessed of an ample fortune, served seven years in the British navy, with a manly cour- age. He seemed to be deserving of a better fate. To his dear memory, and that of his unfortunate companions, this monumental stone is erected, by his unhappy mother, Katherine, Countess Dowager of Morton.
JAMES CHAMPION, Lieutenant of Marines. ALEXANDER JOHNSTON,
GEORGE PADDY, ROBERT HEYWOOD, 1 WILLIAM TOMLINSON,
Midshipmen.
CHARLES GASCOIGNE,
ANDREW HAMILTON, --
JOHN M'CHAIR, WILLIAM SCOTT, WILLIAM SPRAY,
DAVID REDDIE, ·n. Young
- ROBERT WOOD.
GEORGE TOWERS, Sailor.
Cast away, in pursuit of deserters ; all found dead, and buried in this grave. Of his Britannic majesty's ship Assistance : Mr. HALIBURTON, First Lieutenant.
About the year ISOS, some barbarians, from a French vessel-of- war, landed, and destroyed this beautiful monument of maternal affection. Some few traces of it still exist.
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The annexed is from a paper published at New York, during the late war with Great Britain, entitled "The War :"
A Coup de Main .- On Sunday morning, July 4th, (1813,) the fishing-smack Yankee was borrowed by Com. Lewis, who has command of the flotilla stationed at the Hook, for the purpose of taking by stratagem the sloop Eagle, tender to the Poictiers 74, cruis- ing off and on Sandy Hook ; which succeeded to a charm. A calf, a sheep, and a goose were purchased, and secured on deck. Thirty men, well armed, were secreted in the cabin and fore-peak. Thus prepared, the Yankee stood out of Musquito cove, as if go- ing on a fishing trip to the Banks; three men only being on deck, dressed in fishermen's apparel, with buff caps on. The Eagle, on perceiving the smack, immediately gave chase ; and after coming up with her, and finding she had live stock on deck, ordered her to go down to the commodore, then five miles distant. The helinsman of the smack answered, " Ay, ay, sir!" and apparently put up the helm for that purpose, which brought him alongside the Eagle, not three yards distant. The watchword, Lawrence, was then given, when the armed men rushed on deck, from their hiding-places, and poured into her a volley of musketry, which struck her crew with dismay, and drove them down so precipitately into the hold of the vessel, that they had not time to strike their colors. Seeing the enemy's deck clear, Sailing-master Percival, who commanded the expedition, ordered his men to cease firing ; upon which one of the men came out of the enemy's hold, and struck the colors of the Eagle. She had on board a thirty-two- pound brass howitzer, loaded with canister-shot ; but, so sudden was the surprise, they had not time to discharge it. The crew of the Eagle consisted of II. Morris, master's mate of the Poictiers, W. Price, midshipman, and 11 seamen and marines. Mr. Mor- ris was killed ; Mr. Price mortally wounded ; and one marine killed, and one wounded. The Eagle, with the prisoners, arrived off the Battery, in the afternoon, and landed the prisoners at Whitehall, amid the shouts and plaudits of thousands of spectators, assem- bled on the Battery to celebrate the anniversary of our independence. Mr. Morris was buried at Sandy Hook, with military honors. Mr. Price was carried to New York, where, on Thursday, he died ; and was buried with military ceremonies, on Friday, in St. Paul's churchyard.
Trap is a small village in the southern part of Shrewsbury. On the seashore is the popular watering-place known as Long Branch. 'The land adjacent to the ocean rises perpendicularly from the beach about twenty feet. The boarding-houses are a short distance back from the water, in front of which are pleasant lawns. In summer, a line of stages run between here and Philadelphia, and communication by steamboat is had with New York. Its inhabit- ants truly dwell at
" the noise of the sounding surge! when the dark rolling wave is near with its back of foam !"
Eatontown is a mile and a quarter S. of Shrewsbury. It con- tains 4 stores, a grist-mill, an academy, and 35 dwellings. It derives its name from an Eaton family, who were among the early settlers of the township.
The following is traditionary. About the year 1670 the Indians sold out this sec- tion of country to Lewis Morris for a barrel of cider, and emigrated to Crosswicks and Cranberry. One of them, called Indian Will, remained and dwelt in a wigwam between Tinton Falls and Swimming river. His tribe were in consequence exasperated, and at various times sent messengers to kill him in single combat ; but being a brave athletic man, he always came off' conqueror. On a certain occasion, while partaking of a break- fast of suppawn and milk at Mr. Eaton's with a silver spoon, he casually remarked that he know where there were plenty of such. They promised if he would bring them, they would give him a red coat and cocked hat. In a short time he was arrayed in that dress ; and it is said the Eatons suddenly becanie wealthy. About 80 years since, in pulling down an old mansion in Shrewsbury, in which a maiden member of this family in her lifetime had resided, a quantity of cob dollars, supposed by the superstitious to have been Kidd's money, were found concealed in the cellar wall. This coin was
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