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 52
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
4
About the year 1788, quite an excitement was created in this section by the Morris- town Ghost. One Ransford Rogers, a school-teacher froin Connecticut, professed to have a "deep knowledge of chemistry." This, he pretended, gave him the power of raising or dispelling good or evil spirits, through whose agency he could obtain hidden treasures. There had long been a tradition among the superstitious of certain treasures being hidden in Schooley's mountain. Rogers, taking advantage of it, assured certain persons that there were immense sums deposited in this place, and that several persons had been murdered and buried with it, to keep guard ; and, moreover, that it was abso- lutely necessary that their spirits should be raised and consulted, ere the money could be obtained. Rogers, having formed his dupes into a company, held secret meetings, and, by the exercise of considerable cunning, and through the assistance of some whom he let
395
MORRIS COUNTY.
into the secret, impressed them with a belief of his supernatural powers. He would fre- quently get them into lonely places at midnight, draw them into "a charmed circle," when compositions of gunpowder would mysteriously explode,-which trick wonderfully increased their confidence in his power. He pretended to converse with the spirits, from whom he ascertaincd it was necessary for each of the company to raise 12 pounds, and as much more as they could, in order to give to the spirits, before the treasure could be obtained. In this way he obtained upwards of $1,300. In order to carry on the decep- tion, and strengthen their faith, he appeared disguised as a ghost to various members of the company. On one occasion, having drunk too freely, he blundered so much that suspicion was aroused, and, " the ghost" being trackcd to his residence, the whole plot exploded. Rogers was imprisoned, but, being bailed out, absconded to parts unknown.
DANIEL MORGAN, a distinguished officer in the American army in the war of the revolution, was a native of New Jersey, and, it is believed, was born at Morristown. " He removed into Virginia when quite young, for he had been residing there about 20 years when the war began. Little has been recorded of his family or his education ; but it is said he was destitute of property, and drove a wagon some time for a living. In the expedition of Gen. Braddock against the French and Indians on the Ohio, which was un- dertaken soon after, he served as a private, at the age of 22 or 23, and was wounded. On a charge of contumacy to a British officer in this campaign, he is said to have received 500 lashes! One can hardly conceive of his surviving such a severe punishment, and perhaps there was some favor " shown by the men who gave them. It is mentioned to his honor, that, in the war of the revolution, he was humane and generous in his treatment of the British officers who fell into his hands. After Braddock's unfortunate expedition he resumed his former occupation, and soon acquired property to purchase a small farm. For some years after he was 20, he was much addicted to boxing and gambling, but soon became frugal as well as indus- trious, and lamented the excesses of his early years ; yet his boldness and courage were retained.
" When the war began, he was early appointed to command a troop of horse in Virginia ; and with this company he marched to the American army at Cambridge, in the summer of 1775. Gen. Washington, who knew him well, had great confidence in his bravery and patriotism ; and he de- tached him to join the expedition against Canada, the following autumn. No officer was more distinguished than Morgan on that memorable occasion ; and when Arnold was wounded in the first assault, the command fell on him. Soon afterward, when Gen. Montgomery was slain, Morgan, with others, was taken prisoner. While in the hands of the British, he was offered the rank and pay of a colonel in that service, which he indignantly rejected. The following year Morgan was exchanged, and immediately joined the American army. Washington gave him command of a rifle corps, with which he was detached to the assistance of Gates, then opposing the British army in its advance from Canada. He bore a distinguished part in the bat- tles which preceded the surrender of Burgoyne, near Saratoga, in October, 1777. When he joined the main army after that glorious event, he was employed by the commander-in-chief in several perilous enterprises, which he conducted with equal courage and judgment. In 1780, he found his health declining. and retired from the army,-but was again induced to join the army in the south, where the British were making depredations on the inhabitants. He now received a commission as a brigadier-general, and followed Gates into South Carolina. But Gates was obliged to retire with- out accomplishing any thing, for the British were far the most numerous.
.
2
396
MORRIS COUNTY.
Yet this did not discourage Morgan. He commanded in the attack on Col. Tarleton at the Cowpens, who was defeated ; and. Morgan, Col. Howard, Col. Washington, and Gen. Pickens, were honorably noticed by Congress for their brave conduct on that occasion. When Gen. Greene was after- ward appointed to the command of the southern army, Morgan continued some time with him. The army was obliged to retreat, for want of men and provisions ; and, it was said, Greene and Morgan did not agree as to the route best to be taken ; and soon after, he retired from the army, -some said, in disgust, but others, with more probability of truth, (for on a former occasion he had yielded to Gen. Greene's opinion, and the latter had nothing arbitrary in his deportment,) that his state of health made it necessary for him to return to his family. Gen. Morgan served one term in congress, from Frederick co. ; and he appeared in the field once more, having com- mand of the Virginia militia, against the whiskey insurrection in Pennsyl- vania, in 1794. He died in 1799, the same year in which the death of Washington occurred."
The oldest graveyard at Morristown is in the rear of the 1st Presbyterian church. The following inscriptions are from monu- ments in this yard :
This monument is erected to the memory of Silas Condict, Esq., who was born March 7th, 1738, and departed this life Sept. 16, 1801, in the 64th year of his age.
Thy fatal stroke, O Death! who can evade Or 'scape the terrors of thy dreadful shade ? The friend, the saint, the patriot, and the sage Are turn'd to dust by thy relentless rage.
This tomb is dedicated to the memory of our beloved brother, Richard Brinckerhoff Faesch. He was second son of John Jacob and Elizabeth Faesch. Was born 19th of July, 1778, and departed this life 25th of October, 1820. Man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets : or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cis- tern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was ; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
+ I. H. S. 1
Ici reposent les restes d'Elizabeth Madelaine Siette de la Rousseliere, epouse de Louis Paubel ; née à St. Bénoit, Isle de Bourbon, le 6me Août, 1763, et décédée à Bottle Hill, Nouveau Jersey, le 12me Mars, 1818. Sa grande piété et sa résignation à la volonté de Dieu font la consolation de son mari et de ses enfants, qui ne cesseront de la pleurer.
[Here repose the remains of d'Elizabeth Madelaine, wife of Louis Paubel; born at St. Benoit, Isle of Bourbon, the 6th of August, 1763, and died at Bottle Hill, New Jersey, March 12th, 1818. Her exemplary piety and resignation to the will of God, was the consolation of her husband and her children, who cease not to weep for her.]
The three following inscriptions are copied from those in Alden's Collection of Epitaphs :
Sacred to the memory of Colonel Jacob Ford, jun., son of Colonel Jacob Ford, sen. He was born 19 February, anno Domini 1738, and departed this life 10 January, A. D. 1777, and being then in the service of his country, was interred in this place with mili- tary honors.
In vain we strive by human skill ." The friends who read our tombs and mourn, To avoid the shafts of death. And weep our early fall,
Heaven's high decree all must fulfil, Must be lamented in their turn,
And we resign our breath. And share the fate of all.
-
397
MORRIS COUNTY.
In memory of Colonel Chilion Ford, who departed this life on the 19 of October, 1800, aged 42 years, 9 months, and 23 days. He early showed his attachment to his country by entering into her service at the commencement of her struggle with Great Britain, and continued during the war an able and active officer in the artillery. He was a warm friend, a tender husband, a kind father, and an honest man.
In memory of the Reverend Doctor Timothy Johnes, who was born on the 24 day of May, A. D. 1717, and died on the 15th day of September, A. D. 1794, in the 78 year of his age and 54 of his ministry.
As a Christian, few ever discovered more piety ; as a minister, few labored longer, . more zealously, or more successfully, than did this minister of Jesus Christ
PEQUANNOCK.
This township is named from the Pequannock tribe of Indians. It is the largest in the county, being 16 miles long, 11 wide, and containing an area of 74,000 acres. It is bounded N. by West Mil- ford and Pompton, Passaic county ; E. by Manchester, Passaic co., and Caldwell, Essex co .; S. by Randolph and Hanover, and W. by Jefferson. The surface is much broken up by hills, and agriculture is but little attended to, excepting in the eastern part, where there is an extremely fertile strip, known as the Pompton Plains, in the valley of Pompton river, which at some remote period was pro- bably the bed of a lake. The plains are about 6 miles long, con- tain an academy and a Reformed Dutch church, and are inhabited by thriving, industrious agriculturists. The wealth of the town- ship consists in the immense beds of iron found in the hills. In 1840 there were within its limits 2 forges, and there was produced 1,375 tons of cast iron, 3,283 of bar iron ; there were employed in the business 241 men, and a capital invested of $237,000. There are in Pequannock 22 schools, 873 scholars. Population 5,190.
Copperas was formerly made at the Copperas Works, at the Cop- peras mountain, in the NE. part of the township. The Green pond, on the summit of this mountain, is a favorite resort, abound- ing in fish, and surrounded by wild, romantic scenery. At Mt. Hope iron works, shot and shell were made for the American army in the war of the revolution.
The village of Pompton contains a Reformed Dutch church and a few dwellings. Montville lies in a deep valley, through which passes the Morris canal by 2 inclined planes. It contains a Re- formed Dutch church and a few dwellings.
Rockaway, 9 miles N. of Morristown, is situated on undulating ground on both sides of Rockaway river, here the boundary line between Pequannock and Hanover, and also on the line of the Morris canal. It derives its name from the Rockawack tribe, who, when the country was first settled, dwelt in the vicinity. Before the war of the revolution there was here a Presbyterian church, a forge, a grist and saw mill. In the war, a part of Sullivan's army, on their expedition against the New York Indians, passed through this place. The soldiers encamped in an orchard belonging to James Jackson, on the E. side of the river, while the officers were billeted in the
0
7
398
MORRIS COUNTY.
four or five dwellings then constituting the settlement. From that period the village has grown to its present thriving condition, the greatest element of its prosperity being the extensive iron mines situated N. and W. of it. Since the Morris canal was constructed it has doubled in population. A post-office was established in 1791. In 1794 Joseph Jackson, Esq., was appointed postmaster under Washington, and continued in office nearly half a century, until 1842. Rockaway contains 2 churches, 4 stores, 1 grist, I saw, and 2 rolling mills, 1 steel furnace, 1 iron foundry, 1 machine shop, 2 forges, 3 blacksmiths, 2 cabinet and 2 carriage makers, and about 400 inhabitants.
+
Få
View of the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, Rockaway.
The foregoing is a view of the churches in Rockaway, situated a few rods east of the centre of the village, on the line of the Morris canal. That on the left is the Methodist church, a neat edifice of wood, erected in 1834; the other, the Presbyterian, a handsome brick structure, built in 1832. From an interesting discourse de- livered at the dedication of this church, Sept. 6th, 1832, by the pastor, the Rev. Barnabas King, the following facts, respecting the history of this society, were obtained. The first church built in the village was raised in 1752, although not completely finished until 1794. The first settled pastor was the Rev. James Tuttle, installed in 1768 over this church and the one at Parcipany. He died April, 1771. In April, 1784, Rev. Mr. Baldwin was installed over this congregation, and continued pastor eight years. " He was a worthy man, faithfully served the cause of his Lord and Master, but his efforts were weakened by unhappy differences of his peo- ple in regard to singing." From " the Brief History of the church at Rockaway," the following extracts show the common though singular feature, of a want of harmony in those whose peculiar duty it is to produce it. "That part of divine service pertaining to the singing of psalms, and what version of psalms should be
-
ـ الــ
الر
399
MORRIS COUNTY.
used in worship, having made great uneasiness and inquietude, in April, 1786, it was voted to appoint four choristers to set the tunes : · that Benj. Jackson, Francis McCarty, and Jacob Lyon be appoint- ed choristers, that they sing in the afternoon without reading the psalm line by line, and David Beeman to sing the forepart of the day, unless otherwise agreed on by Mr. Beeman and the other choristers ; and that they sing any tunes that are sung in the neigh- boring churches, as they shall judge proper. . ... April, 1789, some further difficulty having arisen respecting the singing in church, it was voted at a parish meeting to have the psalm read line by line, or by two lines, in singing in future, except on particular occasions." At a parish meeting, May 14, 1792, " The mode of singing was again adjusted by the appointment of Benjamin Jackson. Russel Davis, and Daniel Hurd as choristers, and that they act discretion- ary when to sing without reading the lines." In January, 1793, the Rev. Mr. Carle was installed and ordained pastor over the church, and continued until his dismission in 1801. Rev. Barnaba's King was installed and ordained pastor Sept. 25, 1808 ; though he had previously, for a short time, supplied the pulpit.
RANDOLPH.
Randolph was formed from Mendham in 1805. It is 7 miles long by 5 wide, and is bounded N. by Pequannock, E. by Hanover and Morris, S. by Mendham and Chester, and W. by Roxbury. The surface of the township is generally mountainous, Trowbridge mountain crossing it on the SE., and Schooley's mountain on the north. This is a manufacturing township, and in 1840 there were produced 900 tons of bar iron, and 100 of cast iron ; 35 men were employed in mining, and a capital invested of $100,000. It has 7 schools, 267 scholars. Pop. 1,792.
The village of Dover is 8 miles NW. of Morristown, in a beau- tiful valley enclosed by mountains of a romantic character, near the N. boundary of the township, and on the Rockaway river and line of the Morris canal. The annexed view was taken near the powder-house, about a quarter of a mile from the village centre. The large building on the right, near the spectator, is the Method- ist church, erected in 1838 ; and that in the distance with a tower, the Presbyterian church, built in 1842. There is an academy, erected in 1829, in which formerly public worship was held. Do- ver has been a locality for the manufacture of iron for nearly a century. In 1792 it contained but 4 dwellings and a forge. During this year a rolling-mill was erected by Israel Canfield and Jacob Losey. In 1810, it contained 10 or 15 dwellings. In 1826, the village was incorporated, and about that time laid out into build- ing-lots, since which it has rapidly progressed. There are 3 houses now standing that were here in 1792, viz. : the Beman, Augur, and Doty dwellings. The first tavern was commenced in 1808, in the building known as "the old tavern-house," when the Augur
I
7
n
- ------
400
MORRIS COUNTY.
dwelling was enlarged for that purpose. In 1820, the post-office was established. The Rockaway river here furnishes abundance of water-power; the fall in the two dams being 17} feet, and by the construction of a canal three quarters of a mile long, is capable
Northern view of Dover.
of much further increase. Dover has 2 rolling-mills, 1 chest for converting steel, 1 foundry and turning-lathes, machinery for the manufacture of spikes, rivets, nails, &c., 1 forging-shop with trip- hammers, 1 circular saw, 4 blacksmiths, 3 wheelwrights, 2 canal- boat yards, 1 saddler, 1 watchmaker, 1 cabinetmaker, 3 shoema- kers, 1 tailor, 4 stores, 3 groceries, an academy, 2 churches, and about 400 inhabitants. When in full operation the iron-works em- ploy about 50 men.
Hon. Mahlon Dickerson, late Secretary of the Navy, resides on a beautiful situation about 3 miles SW. of Dover. Adjacent is the celebrated Suckasunny iron mine, remarkable for its excellent ore. The deposits appear inexhaustible ; it is highly magnetic, yielding by chemical process 82 parts in 100 of iron. Shafts have been sunk to the depth of 70, and drifts driven over 120 feet. The first ore obtained in the county was taken from this mine, from whence it was carried to Morristown, Hanover, and Essex co., in leathern bags on the backs of horses, to be manufactured. The land in the vicinity was first taken up in 1717 by Joseph Kirkbride ; previously the ore was free to all. For the last 30 years it has been owned and skilfully wrought by the Hon. Mahlon Dickerson. In the adjoining fields, Indian axes, arrows, and other relics, are found, made from the ore.
ROXBURY.
Roxbury is 10 miles long, with a variable breadth of from 3 to 10 miles. It is bounded NE. by Jefferson, E. by Randolph, S. by
-
T
la str al
401
MORRIS COUNTY.
Chester and Washington, W. by Independence, Warren co., and NW. by Byram, Sussex co. There are in the township 9 stores, 1 forge, 2 fulling and 2 grist mills, 1 woollen factory, 1 tannery, 1 pottery ; cap. in manufac. $8,300 ; 14 schools, 587 scholars. Pop. 2,230.
Nearly the whole of its surface is covered by Schooley's moun- tain, excepting on the east, where the Suckasunny Plains occupy a tract two or three miles wide, and several miles long. On the summit of the mountain is Budd's pond, a small, but clear and beautiful sheet of water, a favorite resort for visitors at the springs, . and for the baptismal rites of a Baptist church in the vicinity. The Morris canal passes through the township, and here finds its summit level at an elevation of 900 feet above the level of the sea. It is supplied by a feeder from an outlet of the Hopatcong lake. The project of the canal was originally conceived by Geo. P. M'Culloch, Esq., of Morristown, while on a fishing excursion to this lake, and through his exertions this stupendous enterprise, so beneficial as an outlet to the manufactures of the country, but ruinous to the stockholders, was commenced and carried through. The natural obstacles were overcome by the adoption of a series , of locks and inclined planes of great lifts, adapted to boats of great magnitude. The surveys were commenced in 1822, and the canal completed in 1836.
On Lake Hopatcong there is a regular causeway of stone, run- ning from an island nearly across to the shore, a distance of about a quarter of a mile. It was no doubt made by the Indians, and was a work of great labor, the lake being very deep. The water is now a little above it, occasioned by the raising of the lake for the Morris canal. On the opposite shore are found great numbers of Indian arrows of beautiful shape, axes, and broken jars ; and ap- pearances indicate it was the site of an Indian village. Drakesville, on the Morris canal, Drakestown, on the S. boundary, and Flan- ders in the southern part, are small villages, the latter containing 20 or 80 dwellings. Stanhope, on the line of the Morris canal, and partly in Byram, Sussex co., 12 miles S. of Newton, and 16 NW. of Morristown, is a village containing 50 or 60 dwellings, and the manufacture of iron has been extensively carried on there. Suckasunny, 10 miles NW. of Morristown, is a small village in the E. part of the township, situated on the plains of the same name. After the surrender of Burgoyne, his park of artillery was deposited for safe-keeping in the Presbyterian church at this place. Some soldiers were also quartered there.
There were a few families of Rogerines, who located themselves in secluded spots on Schooley's mountain at the first settlement of the county, in the neighborhood of the springs, and also between Suckasunny plains and Hopatcong lake. This fanatical sect had their origin in Connecticut, some time previous to the revolution- ary war. Tradition states that some 80 years ago, a company of them, men and women, came one Sabbath to the Presbyterian
51
40 ₪
402
MORRIS COUNTY.
church in Mendham, where they disturbed the congregation by their conversation, and the females by knitting, consequently they were thrust out of the church. The sect became extinct during the war of the revolution .*
JEFFERSON.
Jefferson was formed from Pequannock and Roxbury, in 1804. It is 12 miles long, 4 broad ; and is bounded NE. by West Milford, (Passaic co.,) SE. by Pequannock, SW. by Roxbury, and NW. by Hardiston, (Sussex co.) The surface is covered by mountains, excepting a long, deep, and narrow valley, in the east part, running the whole length of the township, through which courses the main branch of the Rockaway river. The scenery of the mountains enclosing the valley is bold and wild. There are not any villages in the township, but a small settlement at Berkshire valley, con- taining a Presbyterian church, and a few dwellings. There were in the township, in 1840, 11 iron-works, (587 tons of bar-iron pro- duced, and a capital invested of $40,150 ;) 5 schools, 175 scholars. Pop. 1,412. Agriculture is comparatively little attended to, the chief wealth consisting in iron and wood
WASHINGTON
This township is bounded N. by Roxbury, E. by Roxbury and Chester, S. by Lebanon and Tewksbury, (Hunterdon co.,) and W. by Mansfield and Independence, (Warren co.) There are in the township 17 stores, 1 lumber-yard, 1 forge, 1 tannery, 4 flouring, 6 grist, 8 saw, 4 oil m .; cap. in manufac. $127,900; 15 schools, 753 scholars. Pop. 2,451.
The greater portion of the township is covered by Schooley's mountain, t which rises to an elevation of 1,100 feet above the level of the sea, and 600 above the adjacent country. The south branch of the Raritan flows through the east part of the township. The land is there very rich, and was early settled upon by Germans. German Valley, Springtown, and Pleasant Grove, are small locali- ties in this township. The last contains a Presbyterian church, and a few dwellings ; the first a Presbyterian and a Lutheran church, and 12 or 15 dwellings. In the place stands a church, built in 1775, by Lutherans and Presbyterians. It has a singular, antiquated ap- pearance, is constructed of stone, and stands in a graveyard con- taining tombstones, on some of which are inscriptions in German.
Hier ruhet in Gott der alle entschlafene CHRISTOPH KERN. Er ist geboren den 16ten December, 1728, und ist gestorben den 22ten Julius, 1796. Er brachte sein alter auf
* For an account of the origin of this sect, the reader is referred to the His. Collec- tions of Connecticut, by the senior compiler of this volume.
t" Schooley's mountain, sometimes called Schugl's hills, derives its name from a family once proprietors of the soil thereabouts. The latter name is probably a corruption or abbreviation of the former."
403
MORRIS COUNTY.
67 Jahr, 7 monat, und 6 tage. Leichen text, Psalm Ixxxiv., verse 11 : " Denn ein tag in deinen vorhöfen ist besser, denn sonst tausend. Ich will lieber der thüre hüten in meines Gottes hause, denn lange wohnen in der Gott. losen hütten."
[Here rest in God the mortal remains of CHRISTOPHER KERN, who was born December 16, 1728, and died July 22, 1796, aged 67 years, 7 months, and 6 days. His funeral ser- mon was preached from the text of Psalm Ixxxiv. 10 : " For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand: I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."]
Schooley's Mountain Spring House.
The celebrated spring on Schooley's mountain is on the western declivity of the eminence, in a deep defile, between two beautifully- wooded mountains, about 50 miles from New York, 22 from Som- erville, and 20 from Morristown. This chalybeate was originally known to the Indians, and used by them for rheumatic complaints and cutaneous eruptions. It has been a place of fashionable resort for about forty years. Previously, visitors erected tents and shan- ties, for temporary accommodation. Now there are two splendid hotels, pleasantly embowered by trees, usually thronged in the summer months with strangers, drawn thither by various attrac- tions, not the least of which is the fine bracing mountain air, and the delightful landscape scenery in the vicinity. The spring is a small rill, not larger in diameter than one's little finger, issuing from a rock by the roadside, covered by a small, neat, wooden structure, with a single apartment, and seats for visitors. The water is pleasant and cooling to the taste : while drinking, one scarcely perceives the difference from common water, the mineral taste being but slightly perceptible.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.