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 50
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near the river Tweed; Joseph and Abraham Kitchel, brothers, and Francis Lindsley, all from England.
The first church, a Presbyterian, in Morris county, was built in Whipany in 1718, on the N. bank of the river, on a portion of the land* since occupied as a public burying-ground. The congrega- tion extended over a considerable portion of the territory now occu- pied by those of Morristown, Madison, Parcipany, Hanover, and Chatham village. The first clergyman was the Rev. Nathaniel Hubbel : he was succeeded by the Rev. John Nutman, about the year 1730, who left in 1745. The Rev. Jacob Green was installed in Nov., 1746, and preached in the original church edifice at Whip- any until 1755, when a new meeting-house was erected at Hanover Neck, and also one at Parcipany. The congregation vacated the old church and divided between the two new ones. A few years previous, in 1740, the people SW. of here withdrew and formed a church at Morristown, and, about 1748, those in the S. part of the parish formed one at Bottle Hill, now Madison. The Rev. Mr. Green, for about two years, preached at Parcipany and Hanover, when he remained solely with the latter until his decease, May 24th, 1790, thus making his ministry a duration of nearly 44 years. He was an active and devout man, and did much to enstamp upon that generation a high moral and religious character. Rev. Calvin White succeeded, June 29, 1791, and was dismissed at his request Nov. 17, 1795. His ministry, though brief, was useful. Not long after he was connected with the Episcopal church, and, as reported, finally became a Catholic clergyman. The venerable Aaron Con- dit, who had some years previous been installed pastor of a church in New York state, commenced his ministerial labors at Hanover, in July, 1796, and was installed the 13th Dec. following. Having held the pastoral office upwards of 35 years, his health so far failed that, at his request, his relation with the church was dissolved in October, 1831. In a recent half-century sermon preached by him to the people of his late charge, it was stated, that in the course of his ministry he had preached there and elsewhere about 4,300 times ; attended 643 funerals; administered the Lord's supper 166 times ; baptized 170 adults and 765 infants ; and received to the communion of the church 627 persons. During his pastoral rela- tion ten young men, who professed religion there, became ministers ; and nine pious females the wives of clergymen. The Rev. Mr. James Tuttle (it is believed) was the first clergyman settled at Parcipany ; he was ordained April, 1768. His successors were
* The following is extracted from an ancient deed of this ground : " I, John Rich- ards, of Whipponong, in the county of Hunterdon, schoolmaster, for and in considera. tion of the love and affection that I have for my Christian friends and neighbors in Whipponong, and for a desire to promote and advance the public interest, and especially for those who shall covenant and agree to erect a suitable meeting-house for the public worship of God, 33 acres of land, situate and being in the township of Whipponong, on that part called Percipponong, on the northwestward side of Whipponong river : only for public use, improvement, and benefit, for a meeting-house, school-house, burying-yard, and training-field, and such like uses, and no other. Dated Sept. 2d., 1718.
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Dr. Darby, Rev. Joseph Grover, Rev. Mr. Benedict, Rev. Samuel Phelps, and the present pastor, (1843,) the Rev. John Ford, settled in 1816.
Boonton, 11 miles N. of Morristown, on the N. boundary of Han- over, and on the line of the Morris canal and on Rockaway river, has the most extensive iron manufactories of any village in the state. The works belong to the East Jersey Iron Manufacturing Company. "They were erected in 1830-with some important addi- tions at a later period, at the original cost of $283,000-and consist of a blast furnace 42 feet high, which produced at its last blast 1,650 tons good pig-iron ; and four blooming forges, capable of making 1,000 tons annually of malleable non. The rolling depart- ment of this establishment consists of a train for rolling sheets ; one for hoops ; one for braziers' rods; one for band iron ; one for the various sizes of merchant bars, including nail bars and nail plates, and also including tires for locomotive engines ; one set of slitters, for rods and shapes of various sizes ; and a large train of prepara- tory rolls sufficient to furnish stock for the action of all other trains. The sheet mill is one of the best in the United States, and has turned out, in a single month, 112 tons of good sheet iron.
" This company annually produce pig-iron to the amount of 40,000 dollars, and wrought iron, of the various sizes and kinds, of the value of 280,000 dollars. Of this sum, more than two hundred thousand dollars is paid out, directly and indirectly, for home labor. The materials of which iron is composed are of little comparative value, in their primitive state. They consist principally of ores, limestone, coals, 'fire-sand, and clay ; all of which are estimated at low prices until labor has been bestowed on them in mining and transportation." There are also in the place a Presbyterian church, established in 1831, 3 stores, and 31 dwellings. The scenery here is uncommonly picturesque ; the river descends in a cascade of about 30 feet fall, and furnishes abundance of water-power. The population is about 350, and is composed principally of English emigrants.
Whipany, anciently spelled Whipponong, is pleasantly situated in the valley of the river of the same name, 4 miles NE. of Mor- ristown. It contains 8 mills, viz. 1 clothing, 4 paper, and 3 cotton mills; 1 machine and 3 blacksmith shops; 3 stores, a tavern, 2 churches, and, within the circle of a mile, 600 inhabitants. In 1833 those of this village connected with the Presbyterian church at Hanover left, and organized as the first Presbyterian church of Whipany by the Presbytery of Newark, with 40 members, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Wm. W. Newel, of South Boston. They withdrew from the Presbytery, and united, July 31, 1837, with the Congregational association of New York. Their church edi- fice was dedicated June 19, 1834. The Methodist chapel was built in 1825. The first military company in Morris co. was formed in this vicinity, under Capt. Morris, in the fall of 1775. Many of the young men volunteered for a year's campaign to the north. The
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inhabitants of this place, excepting a single family, were ardent patriots.
Parcipany, formerly named Parcipponong, 7 miles N. of Morris- town, contains a Methodist church, built in 1830, a Presbyterian church, founded in 1755; 5 stores, 2 taverns, an academy, 2 grist- mills, and about 40 dwellings scattered along the road. Hanover Neck, Littletown, Troy, Denville, and Monroe contain each a few dwellings.
In the spring of 1842, while a well was being dug on a declivity e which rose in its rear about 20 feet in 50 rods, and had been exca- vated to the depth of 22 feet, a roaring noise was heard. The per- son. at work in it was drawn up as soon as possible, swiftly pur- sued by a gushing tide, which has since been running over the top in a strong and rapid stream. In the same year there was born in the township a pair of twins, not connected like the Siamese, by an umbilical ligament, but by the whole breadth of their bodies, from the middle of the breast to the bottom of the abdomen. Although not separate, their persons appeared entirely distinct and perfect in organization. They survived their birth only a short time.
MENDHAM.
This township is about 6 m. square ; bounded N. by Randolph, E. by Morris, S. by Bernard and Bedminster, Somerset co., and W. by Chester. The surface is generally hilly, and on the N. moun- tainous. The soil is fertile, productive in wheat and grass, and great numbers of peaches are raised. Limestone is quarried to a considerable extent on the North Branch of the Raritan. The township is well watered, and important branches of the Raritan and Passaic take their rise within a mile of each other. There are 2 grist, 1 saw, 1 fulling m., 1 woollen, 1 cotton factory ; cap. in manufac. $29,800 ; 3 academies, 95 students ; 5 schools, 183 schol- ars. Pop. 1,378.
The earliest regular settlement in Mendham was on the North Branch of the Raritan. As early as 1713 there were some few squatters' cabins. At that time land was taken up by the Wills family, but they did not settle until many years after. The village of Mendham is in the central part, 64 miles SW. of Morristown. Among the first settlers in the vicinity were the Byram, Cary, Thompson, and Drake families. The grave-stone of the elder Eb- enezer Byram, which is now standing in the graveyard, records his death Aug. 9th, 1753, aged 61. When he came, the locality bore the Indian name, Roxiticus. The name of a tavern which he established was " The Black Horse," from its sign. Tradition as- serts the neighborhood was rendered famous by the pranks of a wild crew of fellows who lived there. Mr. Byram having been told the nature of the society he had settled in, replied, " I'll mend 'em,"-an assertion he carried out literally : hence the name, Mendham.
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The village of Mendham contains a Methodist and a Presbyte- rian church, an academy for males, and the " Hill-top" Seminary, for females ; several stores, 2 carriage establishments, and about 50 dwellings. When a young man, the Hon. Samuel L. Southard taught school in Mendham. A considerable number of young men have been prepared for college in this place, who finally entered into the ministry of the Presbyterian church.
Presbyterian Church, Mendham.
The Presbyterian church, standing on a beautiful and command- ing elevation in the southern part of the village, is seen, in some directions, for a distance of many miles ; and it is asserted that when the atmosphere is very clear it can be discerned from eleva- ted land in Pennsylvania, distant 30 or 40 miles. The oldest stone in the ancient graveyard adjoining this church, is that of Stephen Cooke, who died Dec. 16th, 1749. The first person there buried was Mrs. Drake, in 1745. There are two other burying-grounds, though unused for many years. One is on a hill a quarter of a mile E. of the N. Branch of the Raritan, within a few rods of the Washington turnpike ; the other a mile S. of the village, on the Baldwin farm,-which latter is now a cultivated field.
Some time previous to 1740, a small building was erected for public worship by the Presbyterians, on the Morris turnpike, about a mile and a half west of the village. In October, 1743, Mr. Eliab Byram, from Bridgewater, Mass., commenced preaching. In 1745 a new church was erected on the hill, which remained until a new one was built in 1816. In 1835 it was burnt, and the present handsome edifice reared. The following are the names of the pas- tors of this society, with the dates of their settlement. Eliab By- ram, May, 1744 ; John Pierson, (son of President Pierson, of Yale College,) spring of 1753 ; Francis Peppard, 1764 ; Thomas Lewis, spring of 1769 ; John Joline, May, 1778 ; Amzi Armstrong, Nov. 29, 1796 ; Samuel H. Cox, July 1, 1817 ; Philip C. Hay, June 19, 1821 ; John Vanlieu, June 19, 1824; and Daniel H. Johnson, the present pastor, June 27, 1826. Ralstonville and Water Street are
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small collections of houses in the township,-the first 12 miles W. and the last 3} m. NE. of Mendham.
There was anciently an Indian village on the farm of Col. J. W. Drake, on the hill-side about 40 rods from his dwelling. The houses were scattered continuously around the hill. Indian arrow- heads, stones, and other relics, have there been occasionally ploughed up. In the winter of 1779-80, when the American head- quarters were at Morristown, a portion of the army were barracked in rude log huts, in this and Morris townships. The head-quarters of two of the officers, Col. Robinson and Chevalier Massillon, a French officer, were at the dwelling now occupied by Col. J. W. Drake, about a mile from the village, on the road to Morristown,- at that time the residence of his grandfather. On the breaking out of the mutiny in the Pennsylvania line, the officers were ex- tremely alarmed, and, in one or two instances, ran from their camp barefooted in the snow for 2 or 3 miles. Despairing of their coun- try's cause, some of them wept. When here, the soldiers lived miserably : broken down by disease and want, they depredated upon the inhabitants, became filthy in their persons, and infested with vermin. When the sickness was at its height, no less than forty coffins were brought at one time, and piled against the barn of Mr. Drake, which, together with the church, was used as an hospital,-the latter having been divested of its seats for that pur- pose. Callous and inured to the horrors that beset them, the sol- diers, regardless of all, were seen playing cards upon coffins con- taining the remains of their deceased comrades.
MORRIS.
Morris is bounded N. by Hanover, E. by Chatham ; S. by Warren, Somerset co., and New Providence, Essex co .; W. by Mendham and Bernard, Somerset co. It is about 13 m. long, and 5 broad. The surface is generally hilly and rolling, with occasional plains ; the soil clay and sandy loam, and much of it highly cultivated. Besides Morristown, there are several small villages or localities : they are Logansville, New Vernon, Morris's Plains, and Spring Valley. There are in Morris 2 paper-m., 5 grist-m., 6 saw-m. ; cap. in manufac. $137,380 ; 3 academies, 116 students ; 10 schools, 341 scholars. Pop. 4,013.
Morristown, the seat of justice for Morris co., is situated on an elevated plain, 50 m. from Trenton, 19 from Newark, and 26 from New York. It is one of the most beautiful villages in the Union. It is laid out into streets crossing at right angles, in some instances adorned with trees, and many fine private dwellings, with ample yards and garden plots, giving an air of neatness and comfort. In the centre of the town is a beautiful public square, on which front many stores, the first Presbyterian church, and one of the most mag- nificent hotels in the country. The village is supplied with pure spring water by an aqueduct, the head of which is over a mile dis-
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PUBLIC SQUARE AT MORRISTOWN, N. J.
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tant. Through it pass several stages, and the Morris and Essex railroad, which has lately been fitted up with an H rail, connects it with the city of Newark. Cars commenced running on this road in January, 1838. There are in the village about 25 stores, several extensive carriage manufactories, "the Speedwell iron works," many mechanic shops, 2 newspaper printing-offices, 2 banks, the county buildings, 2 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopal, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist churches, and a population of about 2,000.
Morristown was probably settled between the years 1700 and 1720, and in 1740 the first Presbyterian church was established. In the war of the revolution, the village numbered a population of about 250. The first courthouse in the county was built in 1755: it stood on the N. corner of the green, 2 or 3 rods south of where the U. S. Hotel now stands. The green was then an open common. This building was a plain wooden structure, with a cupola and bell. Its sides, as well as roof, were shingled. The present court- house was built 18 or 20 years since, at an expense of $25,000 ; and it is one of the handsomest in the state, being finished finely both externally and internally. It stands on rising ground, at the foot of a hill, and has a neat yard in front, adorned with shrubbery. Immediately back of the courthouse, on the hill, are the ruins of a fort built in the revolution.
The American army under Washington had their winter-quar- ters at Morristown and vicinity, on two different occasions. The first time was in Jan., 1777, immediately after the battles of Tren- ton and Princeton. The second was during the winter of 1779-80. The Pennsylvania line were also stationed here in the succeeding winter.
The first season, Washington quartered in the old Freeman tav- ern, which stood on the north side of the green. While here, he was initiated into the mysteries of free-masonry, in the Morris ho- tel, in the room over where the bar-room now is. That building was built for a commissaries' storehouse, and the upper part reserv- ed for a ball-room and a masons' lodge. The dwelling occupied by Washington as his head-quarters, in the winter of 1779-80, is situated about half a mile east of the public square, on the New- ark and Morristown turnpike, and is now the residence of Gabriel Ford, Esq. It is of brick, covered with wood, and painted white. Then it was the residence of the widow of Col. Jacob Ford, (the father of the present resident,) who commanded the 1st regiment of Morris co. militia during Washington's retreat through the state. The house fronts the south. The general and his suite occupied the whole building, excepting the two rooms east of the entry, which were retained by the family. The front room, west of the door, was his dining-room, and that east, in the second story, his sleeping apartment. There was a small log kitchen attached to the eastern end, used by Washington's cook, and also a larger log structure at the west end, in which Washington, Hamilton, and
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Tilghman had their offices. Two sentinels paraded in front, and two in the rear constantly, day and night. The life-guard, com- posed of about 250 men, under Gen. Wm. Colfax, were barracked in about 50 rude huts which stood in the meadow formed by the angle of two roads a few rods SE. of the dwelling.
Washington's Head-quarters, Morristown.
Several times in the course of the winter false alarms were giv- en of the approach of the enemy. First, a distant report of a gun would be heard from the most remote sentinel, and then, one near- er, and so on, until the sentinels by the house would fire in turn. From them, it would be communicated on towards Morristown, until the last gun would be heard far to the westward at camp. Immediately, the life-guard would rush from their huts into the house, barricade the doors, open the windows, and about five men would place themselves at each window, with their muskets brought to a charge, loaded and cocked ready for defence. There they would remain until the troops from camp were seen marching, with music, at quick-step down towards the mansion. During one of these alarms, an amusing incident occurred, tending to show the coolness of Washington. One evening, about midnight, when some of the younger officers were indulging themselves over their wine, in the dining room, an alarm was given. A guest, a young man from New York, something of a bon vivant, was in much trepida- tion, and rushing out into the entry, exclaimed, " Where's the gen- eral ? where's the general ?" Washington, just then coming down stairs, met him, and in moderate terms, said, " Be quiet, young man, be quiet !"
Those who knew Washington, while here, have a vivid recollec- tion of him. He was reserved, and his mind appeared continually in exercise. He united sound judgment with an extraordinary de- gree of caution. These traits, with his commanding person, in-
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spired awe, and gave a natural dignity, of a far different kind from that evinced in the bearing of inferior military men. The lady of the general was here with him, and they both frequently spent their evenings with the family. On these occasions, although reserved, he was more free than when in company with his officers. He sometimes smiled, but is not recollected to have been seen laughing heartily, except on one occasion. This was when he was describ- ing Arnold's escape, and giving an account of his ludicrous appear- ance as he galloped from the Robinson House, near West Point, to embark on board the enemy's vessel.
He was generally accustomed to invite a certain number of offi- cers to dine with him every day. An officer, who was with the army while in New Jersey, thus gives his impressions of the commander-in-chief, while partaking of the hospitalities of his table :-
It is natural to view with keen attention the countenance of an illustrious man, with the secret hope of discovering in his features some peculiar traces of excellence, which distinguishes him from, and elevates him above his fellow mortals. These expectations are realized in a peculiar manner in viewing the person of Gen. Washington. His tall and noble stature, and just proportions, his fine, cheerful, open countenance, simple and modest deportment, are all calculated to interest every beholder in his favor, and to com- mand veneration and respect. He is feared even when silent, and beloved even while we are unconscious of the motive. The table was elegantly furnished, and the provisions ample, though not abounding in superfluities. The civilities of the table were performed by Col. Hamilton, and the other gentlemen of the family, the general and lady being seated at the side of the table. In conversation, his excellency's expressive countenance is peculiarly interesting and pleasing ; a placid smile is frequently observed on his lips, but a loud laugh, it is said, seldom if ever escapes him. He is polite and attentive to each individual at table, and retires after the compliments of a few glasses. Mrs. Wash- ington combines, in an uncommon degree, great dignity of manner with the most pleas- ing affability, but possesses no striking marks of beauty. I learn from the Virginia offi- cers that Mrs. Washington has ever been honored as a lady of distinguished goodness, possessing all the virtues which adorn her sex, amiable in her temper and deportment, full of benignity, benevolence, and charity, seeking for objects of affliction and poverty, that she may extend to the sufferers the hand of kindness and relief. These surely are the attributes which reveal a heart replete with those virtues so appropriate and esti- mable in the female character.
Count Pulaski frequently exercised his corps of cavalry in front of the head-quarters. He was an expert horseman, and performed many feats of skill. He would sometimes, while his horse was on full gallop, discharge his pistol, toss it in the air, catch it by the barrel, and throw it ahead as if at an enemy. With his horse still on the jump, he would lift one foot out of the stirrup, and, with the other foot in, bend to the ground and recover the weapon. Some of the best horsemen in the army, the Virginia lighthorse, attempt- ed to imitate the feat. Once in three or four trials they would succeed in catching the pistol ; none, however, were able to pick it up from the ground, but in their attempts got some terrible falls.
Washington frequently rode out on horseback, accompanied by Col. Hamilton and his mulatto servant Bill. On these occasions, he was mounted on a light bay horse, so small that his feet nearly reached the ground.
Hosack, in his Life of Clinton, gives the following anecdote, tend-
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ing to show the liberal sentiments of Washington in relation to re. ligion :
While the American army, under the command of Washington, lay in the vicinity of Morristown, it occurred that the service of communion (then observed semi-annually only) was to be administered in the Presbyterian church in that village. In a morning of the previous week, the general, after his accustomed inspection of the camp, visited the house of the Rev. Dr. Jones, then pastor of that church, and, after the usual pre- liminaries, thus accosted him : " Doctor, I understand that the Lord's supper is to be celebrated with you next Sunday. I would learn if it accords with the canons of your church to admit communicants of another denomination." The Doctor rejoined, " Most certainly : ours is not the Presbyterian's table, general, but the Lord's ; and hence we give the Lord's invitation to all his followers, of whatsoever name." The general re- plied, " I am glad of it : that is as it ought to be ; but as I was not quite sure of the fact, I thought I would ascertain it from yourself, as I propose to join with you on that occasion. Though a member of the Church of England, I have no exclusive partiali- ties." The doctor assured him of a cordial welcome, and the general was found seated with the communicants the next Sabbath.
The following is one of Washington's " General Orders" while at Morristown : 1
Head-quarters, Morristown, 8th May, 1777.
As few vices are attended with more pernicious consequences than gaming,-which often brings disgrace and ruin upon officers, and injury and punishment upon the sol- diery,-and reports prevailing, (which, it is to be feared, are too well founded,) that this destructive vice has spread its baleful influence in the army,-and, in a peculiar manner, to the prejudice of the recruiting service,-the commander-in-chief, in the most pointed and explicit terms, forbids ALL officers and soldiers playing at cards, dice, or at any games except those of EXERCISE, for diversion ; it being impossible, if the practice be allowed at all, to discriminate between innocent play for amusement, and criminal gaming for pecuniary and sordid purposes.
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