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 54
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From Alden's Collections, we take the annexed account of the death of Mrs. Cumming. who perished at this spot about 30 years since :
Mrs. Sarah Cumming, consort of the Rev. Hooper Cumming, of Newark, was a daughter of the late Mr. John Emmons, of Portland, in the district of Maine. She was a lady of an amiable disposition, a well-cultivated mind, distinguished intelligence, and most exemplary piety ; and she was much endeared to a large circle of respectable friends and connections. She had been married about 2 months, and was blessed with a flat- tering prospect of no common share of temporal felicity and usefulness in the sphere which Providence had assigned her ; but oh, how uncertain is the continuance of every earthly joy !
On Saturday, the 20th of June, 1812, Mr. Cumming rode with his wife to Paterson, in order to supply, by presbyterial appointment, a destitute congregation in that place, on the following day. On Monday morning, he went with his beloved companion to show her the falls of the Passaic, and the surrounding beautiful, wild, and romantic scenery,-little expecting the solemn event which was to ensue.
Having ascended the flights of stairs, Mr. and Mrs. Cumming walked over the solid ledge to the vicinity of the cataract, charmed with the wonderful prospect, and making various remarks upon the stupendous works of nature around them. At length they took their station on the brow of the solid rock, which overhangs the basin, six or eight rods from the falling water, where thousands have stood before, and where there is a fine view of most of the sublime curiosities of the place. When they had enjoyed the luxury of the scene for a considerable time, Mr. Cumming said, " My dear, I believe it is time for us to set our face homeward ;" and, at the same moment, turned round in order to lead the way. He instantly heard the voice of distress, looked back, and his wife was gone!
Mrs. Cumming had complained of a dizziness early in the morning ; and, as her eyes had been some time fixed upon the uncommon objects before her, when she moved with the view to retrace her steps, it is probable she was seized with the same malady, tot- tered, and in a moment fell, a distance of 74 feet, into the frightful gulf! Mr. Cum- ming's sensations on the distressing occasion may, in some measure, be conceived, but they cannot be described. He was on the borders of distraction, and, scarcely knowing what he did, would have plunged into the abyss, had it not been kindly ordered in provi- dence that a young man should be near, who instantly flew to him, like a guardian angel, and held him from a step, which his reason, at the time, could not have prevented. This young man led him from the precipice, and conducted him to the ground below the stairs. Mr. Cumming forced himself out of the hands of his protector, and ran with violence, in order to leap into the fatal flood. His young friend, however, caught him once more, and held him till reason had resumed her throne. He then left liin, to call the neighboring people to the place. Immediate search was made, and diligently con- tinued through the day, for the body of Mrs. Cumming ; but to no purpose. On the fu.
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lowing morning, her mortal part was found in a depth of 42 feet, and, the same day, was conveyed to Newark.
On Wednesday, her funeral was attended by a numerous concourse of people. Her remains were carried into the church, where a pathetic and impressive discourse, happily adapted to the mournful occasion, was delivered by the Rev. James Richards. Solemn indeed was the scene. A profound silence pervaded the vast assembly. Every one seemed to hang upon the lips of the speaker. In every quarter, the sigh of sympathy and regret echoed to the tender and affecting address.
POMPTON.
Pompton derives its name from the Pompton tribe of Indians. It is 11 m. long, with an average width of 5 m. It is bounded N. by part of Orange co., New York ; E. by Franklin, Bergen co. and Manchester ; S. by Pequannock, Morris co., and W. by West Mil- ford. The surface is hilly and mountainous, and a good proportion of it covered with forest ; the soil is mainly clay and loam. Iron ore abounds in the hills. The Ringwood river passes through the township from N. to S., and the Ramapo river courses partially on its E., and the Pequannock on its S. boundary. There are in the township 8 forges, 1 furnace, 3 grist-mills, and 6 saw-mills ; 5 schools, 186 scholars. Pop. 1,437.
Ryerson's, on Pequannock river, in a fertile valley about 9 miles NW. of Paterson, contains 2 stores, a furnace, 3 grist-m., a Re- formed Dutch church, an academy, and about 20 dwellings, con- siderably scattered. Ringwood, Boardville, and Whinokie, are lo- calities on Ringwood river, where there are forges.
In the winter of 1780-'81, some of the Jersey troops were sta- tioned part of the time at Pompton. After the successful mutiny of the Pennsylvania line at Morristown, a part of the Jersey bri- gade, composed chiefly of foreigners, revolted, on the night of the 20th of January, and demanded the same indulgence as that given to the Pennsylvania line. On receiving the information, Washing- ton dispatched a body of troops, under Gen. Howe, to bring them to unconditional submission. Thatcher, who accompanied the de- tachment, thus minutely relates the circumstances :
Marched on the 27th, at one o'clock, A. M., eight miles, which brought us in view of the huts of the insurgent soldiers by dawn of day. Here we halted for an hour, to make the necessary preparations. Some of our officers suffered much anxiety lost the soldiers would not prove faithful on this trying occasion. Orders were given to load their arms-it was obeyed with alacrity, and indications were given that they were to be relied on. Being paraded in a line, General Howe harangued theni, representing the heinousness of the crime of mutiny, and the absolute necessity of military subor- dination, adding that the inutineers must be brought to an unconditional submission, no temporizing, no listening to terms of compromise, while in a state of resistance. Two field-pieces were now ordered to be placed in view of the insurgents, and the troops were directed to surround the huts on all sides. General Howe next ordered his aid-de-camp to command the mutineers to appear on parade in front of their huts unarmed, within five minutes ; observing them to hesitate, a second messenger was sent, and they instant- ly obeyed the command, and paraded in a line without arms, being in number between two and three hundred. Finding themselves closely encircled and unable to resist, they quietly submitted to the fate which awaited them. General Howe ordered that three of the ringleaders should be selected as victims for condign punishment. These unfortu- nate culprits were tried on the spot, Colonel Sprout being president of the court martial,
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standing on the snow, and they were sentenced to be immediately shot. Twelve of the most guilty mutineers were next selected to be their executioners. This was a most painful task ; being themselves guilty, they were greatly distressed with the duty im. posed on them, and when ordered to load, some of them shed tears. ' The wretched vic- tims, overwhelmed by the terrors of death, had neither time nor power to implore the mercy and forgiveness of their God, and such was their agonizing condition, that no heart could refrain from emotions of sympathy and compassion. The first that suffered was a sergeant, and an old offender : he was led a few yards distance and placed on his knees ; six of the executioners, at the signal given by an officer, fired, three aiming at the head and three at the breast, the other six reserving their fire in order to dispatch the victim, should the first fire fail ; it so happened in this instance : the remaining six then fired, and life was instantly extinguished. The second criminal was, by the first fire, sent into eternity in an instant. The third, being less criminal, by the recommendation of his officers, to his unspeakable joy, received a pardon. This tragical scene produced a dreadful shock, and a salutary effect on the minds of the guilty soldiers. Never were men more completely humbled and penitent ; tears of sorrow and of joy rushed from their eyes, and each one appeared to congratulate himself that his forfeited life had been spared. The executions being finished, General Howe ordered the former officers to take their stations, and resume their respective commands ; he then, in a very pathetic and affecting manner, addressed the whole line by platoons, endeavoring to impress their minds with a sense of the enormity of their crime, and the dreadful consequences that might have resulted. He then commanded them to ask pardon of their officers, and promise to devote themselves to the faithful discharge of their duty as soldiers in future. It is most painful to reflect, that circumstances should imperiously demand the infliction of capital punishment on soldiers, who have more than a shadow of plea to extenuate their crime. These unfortunate men have long suffered many serious grievances, which they have sustained with commendable patience ; but have at length lost their confidence in public justice. The success of the Pennsylvania insurgents, undoubtedly encouraged them to hope for exemption from punishment. But the very existence of an army de. pends on proper discipline and subordination. The arm of authority must be exerted, and public examples be exhibited, to deter from the commission of crimes. The spirit of revolt must be effectually repressed, or a total annihilation of the army is inevitable. Sir Henry Clinton on this occasion had his hopes again excited ; ever ready to profit by treachery or revolt, lie dispatched an emissary to encourage the insurrection, and to make the most tempting offers to induce the mutineers to desert, and join the British standard; but the messenger himself frustrated his hopes, by delivering the papers to our own offi- cers.
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WEST MILFORD.
West Milford was formed from Pompton in 1834. It is situated NW. of Paterson 15 m. It is 13 m. long, with an average width of 7 m. ; and is bounded N. by part of Orange co., New York, E. by Pompton, S. by Pequannock and Jefferson, Morris co., and W. by Hardiston and Vernon, Sussex co. There are in the township 10 forges, 2 tanneries, 2 grist-m., 5 saw-m .; 11 schools, 408 schol- ars. Pop. 2,108.
The surface is generally hilly or mountainous, and it is watered by numerous small streams. There are several small ponds in the south part,-their outlets flowing into Pequannock river : they are Mackepin, Hanks, Cedar, Buck, and Dunker's ponds. Long Pond, a favorite resort for anglers, extends from Orange co. into the N part. The manufacture of iron is extensively carried on in the . township. New Milford is a thickly-settled agricultural vicin- ity, in the central part. There is at that place a Presbyterian church, and the surrounding country is fertile.
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SALEM COUNTY.
SALEM COUNTY,* the southwestern county of the state, is bounded W. and S. by the Delaware river and bay, (the former merging into the bay a few miles from the southern termination of the county,) N. by Gloucester co., and E. and S. by Cumberland co. Its extreme length, N. and S., is 28 m. ; breadth, E. and W., 25 m. The coun- ty was named by John Fenwick, and distinguished as his tenth, in 1675. The name and jurisdiction were settled by a proprietary law in 1694. In 1709-10, the boundaries were definitely fixed, and then included Cumberland co. within the limits; and in 1748, this latter county was formed from it. The prominent streams are Sa- lem river, Alloways creek, Stow creek, on the line of Cumberland co., and Oldman's creek, on that of Gloucester co. Salem river rises in the eastern part of the county, and empties into the Dela- ware river 32 miles below Salem. It is navigable for shallops about 30 miles, and vessels of 100 tons come up as far as Salem. The county is of alluvial formation, and generally level ; the soil, mostly light sand, occasionally mixed with clay or loam. That part bordering on the Delaware, is principally marshy land, strips of which extend many miles up the country, on the borders of Stow and Alloways creeks, and Salem river. The prevailing religious denomination in the county is the Friends; the Methodists and Baptists rank next in numbers. The trade of the county consists of wheat, rye, Indian corn, oats, and vegetables, for the Philadel- phia market ; lumber, wood, clover, timothy, and particularly herd- grass seed, large quantities of which are exported to New Eng- land. The following is a list of the townships, which are nine in number :-
Upper Alloways Creek, Mannington,
Pilesgrove,
Lower Alloways Creek,
Upper Penn's Neck,
Pittsgrove,
Elsinborough,
Lower Penn's Neck, Salem.
In 1810, the population of the county was 12,761; in 1820, 14,022 ; in 1830, 14,155 ; in 1840, 16.035.
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UPPER ALLOWAYS CREEK.
This township is about 8 m. in length, 7 m. in breadth, and is bounded NE. by Pittsgrove and Pilesgrove, SE. by Deerfield, Hope- well, and Stow creek, Cumberland co., SW. by Lower Alloways Creek, and NW. by Elsinborough. There are in the township 1
* A large portion of the historical matter relating to Salem co., and part of that of Cumberland co., is from the History of Salem, by R. G. Johnson, an 18mo of 173 pages published in 1839.
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woollen fac., 6 grist-m., 7 saw-m .; cap. in manufac. $29,800; 8 schools, 400 scholars. Pop. 2,235.
Alloways creek, which runs through the township, derives its appel- lation from an Indian chief, named Alloways, who lived in this coun- try at the period of Fenwick's arrival, in 1675. The township was early settled. About the year 1748, a German Lutheran church, called Emanuel's, was established at Freasburg, the constituents of which are believed to have been all Germans. Their names were Freas, Trollenger, Meyer, Hahn, Born, Wentzell, Mackassen,
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Northern Entrance into Allowaystown.
Heppel, Ridman, Dillshoever, Sowder, Kniest, Tobal, and others, with their families. These people worked at Wistar's glass-works, 2} miles above Allowaystown, which are said to have been the first glass-works established in the Union. The church records were kept in German, until 1832, when the Rev. Mr. Harpel took the oversight of the same. In 1836, he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Reynolds. In Sept. of the same year, he was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Duy, and he, in 1839, by the Rev. Mr. Town.
The above view of the northern entrance into Allowaystown, taken near Reeves and Brother's mills, which appear on the right of the engraving, shows the principal street in the place. This thriving village is at the head of navigation, on Alloways creek, 6 m. E. of Salem. It contains a Baptist and a Methodist church, several stores, and about 800 inhabitants. Ship-building is carried on here to a considerable extent ; besides many small vessels, one or two large ships of 600 tons burden have been constructed. The white-oak of this region is said to be nearly equal, for ship timber, to the famous live-oak of Florida. There are a few localities in this township, known as Quinton's Bridge, Freasburg, Stockingtown, and Guineatown ; the first of which contains 2 stores, a lime-kiln, and about a dozen dwellings.
The annexed account of military operations in this vicinity, in the revolutionary war, is from Johnson's History of Salem :-
It was about the 20th Feb., 1778, that a detachment of British troops
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were sent from Philadelphia, by water, to Salem. They were in number about 500 men, under the command of Col. Abercrombie, of the 52d regi- ment. They came by water, and returned the same way, after remaining a few days, and helping themselves to whatever they wanted. It was gen- erally believed that they were sent here on a reconnoitering party, and to ascertain the resources of the county.
On the 17th March, 1778, another British regiment, which had been se- lected from the 17th and 44th regiments in the city of Philadelphia, and mostly Scotchmen, under the command of Col. Charles Mawhood, and his majors, Simcoe and Sims, said to have been from 1,200 to 1,500 strong, marched into Salem early in the forenoon, having encamped the night be- fore near Sharptown, and anticipating that they might surprise Col. Anthony Wayne, the commander of the Americans, before he was aware of their approach. But Wayne was too vigilant an officer to be surprised here. He made good his retreat without any loss. As soon as the town was in pos- session of the enemy, the tories hastened hither, and as many enlisted as to make up two companies, who were called refugees. British officers were put in command of them, and that they might be known from the foreign troops, whose uniform was red, these refugees were dressed in a. uniform entirely different from the foreign, which was green, faced with white, and cocked hats with broad white binding around them.
. Col. Mawhood, having now an addition of two companies to his regiment, composed of the most desperate and abandoned wretches that ever drew the breath of life, and obtaining from them all the necessary information, learned that our militia, under the command of Col. Benjamin Holmes, were about 300, who were posted on the south side of Alloways creek, at Quinton's bridge, about 3 miles from Salem, and were determined to hold good their standing there, and prevent him, if possible, from crossing into Alloways Creek township. He resolved, therefore, to beat up their quarters, and, as he publicly declared, chastise the insolent rebels, as he was pleased to call our people, for having the impudence to dare to show resistance to his maj- esty's arms. He sent out into the country around, and took from the farm- ers as many horses as to complete a troop, which he had immediately mounted with his best men, and attached it to the regiment. Col. Holmes, anticipating a visit from the enemy, went on an exploring party with some of his officers to Allowaystown, about 2 miles above Quinton's bridge, for the purpose of appointing a few trusty persons as videttes, with directions to advance on the road from thence towards Salem, and watch the motions of the enemy, lest he might send a detachment that way, cross the creek at the bridge there, and attack him from that quarter.
Col. Mawhood, on the 18th March, sent out Major Simcoe from Salem before daylight in the morning, with his battalion, who came undiscovered within half a mile of the bridge, and there placed his men in that ambus- cade which proved so fatal to a portion of our militia but a few hours after- ward. On the left of the main road leading to the bridge, and within half gunshot of it, there ran up a ravine leading from the creek, at that time a thick swamp, grown up with maples and bushes of every kind ; this swamp continued its course to where the road made a short turn ; at about half way between this turn in the road and the bridge on the Alloways creek,. was a two-story brick house, with a barn and other outbuildings ; this house was then in the occupation of Benjamin Wetherby ; the main road to Salem ran close to the south end of the house, and the barn directly on
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the opposite side, while the swamp, with its thicket of bushes, came within 80 or 100 feet of the north side of the house. In this swamp, dwelling- house, and barn, the British troops were secreted. The family were driven into the cellar. At the upper end of the lane, where the road made a turn, there were woods ; from these, some few of the redcoats, (as the enemy were sometimes called,) with a small number of light-horsemen, would show themselves, and march down the road in a taunting manner, as if challeng- ing our people to a contest, and now and then advance near to the brick house, and then retreat to the woods again.
During these petty manœuvres of the enemy, the spirit of our soldiers was excited to such a degree, as that there appeared to be an almost unan- imous disposition in the militia to go over the bridge and chastise them. The most wary of the officers opposed the movement proposed, because the orders of the commanding officer had been peremptory, that they were to stand their ground, and defend the bridge to the last extremity, should the enemy attempt to force a passage in his absence.
During this parley among them, a little Frenchman by the name of De- coe, a lieutenant, who was full of fight, represented to Capt. William Smith, then the senior officer present, how easy it would be for them to go over and " drub those insolent rascals." Capt. Smith being equally animated, forthwith mounted his horse, and called upon his men to follow. They immediately obeyed and marched on, or rather huddled promiscuously along the road, with scarcely any military order. The decoying enemy, seeing the confused manner in which the militia were approaching them, feigned a retreat. Captain Smith, being in advance of his men, was call- ing upon them to hasten on, saying, " We will have them before they get to Mill-hollow,"-a ravine over which the then road leading to Salem passed, and about two miles from Quinton's bridge.
During this higgledy-piggledy marching, if I may so call it, no one · thought, while passing, to examine either the barn, dwelling-house, or swamp in the rear of it. When the militia had advanced some yards be- yond the house, the enemy rose up, and poured forth upon our people a most destructive fire, from the swamp, house, barn, and fences, under which many of them were secreted. The militia were thrown into confu- sion. It was at this moment that Capt. Smith displayed great bravery and presence of mind in attempting to rally his men, but they were so com- pletely surprised that he could not form them into line. The light-horse from the woods now came dashing among them ; but their horses, being untrained, soon frightened at the clash of arms and report of guns, and could not be brought within striking distance of the sabre, except in a few instances. Our people retreated fighting in small squads, and although at first surprised, and attacked in flank and rear, they made good their retreat across the bridge, but with the loss of between thirty and forty of their .comrades.
Col. Hand, of the Cumberland militia, being informed by Col. Holmes that the enemy were in Salem, put his regiment in motion, and was hasten- ing to join Holmes at Quinton's bridge, and by an unforeseen Providence, as designed, he arrived there at the very moment when the enemy was deal- ing death and destruction among our people. Immediately on his arrival, he placed his men in the trenches which our soldiers had but a little while before left, and opened upon the pursuing enemy such a continued and well-directed fire, as soon put a stop to their career, and saved our people
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from being cut to pieces. Hand had with him two pieces of artillery, which, when they opened, soon obliged the enemy to face about. Capt. Smith had some of his hair shot away from the back part of his head, a bullet grazed his loins, and his horse received two bullets in him, yet he carried his rider safe over the bridge, and then fell dead under him.
One extraordinary act of consummate bravery and desperate daring during the fight, deserves to be recorded. It was that which was performed by Andrew Bacon, of the militia, a man whose life was protracted until he was past eighty years of age before he died. After our militia had effected their retreat across the creek to their works, Bacon seized an axe, and set to with all his might, with a determination to cut down the draw of the bridge, as it was apparent the design of the enemy was to beat and drive our soldiers from their trenches, if possible ; he persevered in chopping, (while the enemy were directing their shot at him,) until he cut away the draw, and rendered it impassable ; as he was hastening to the trenches, he received a wound, which, poor fellow, rendered him a cripple for life. The enemy being now foiled, notwithstanding all their exertions to cross the creek, and seeing the draw of the bridge cut away and destroyed in their presence, were reluctantly obliged to give up the contest, and return to Salem.
. Colonel Mawhood, exceedingly chagrined that Major Simcoe, with his fine battalion, could not drive our people from their intrenchments, was determined not to permit them to bid defiance to his majesty's arms any longer, and resolved on the morrow to make one desperate effort, with all his disposable force, to dislodge the militia from their stronghold, and crush them for their insolence. Our troops being well aware that the pride of the enemy was excessively mortified in being thus foiled by a raw and undisciplined militia, in their attempt to take the bridge, employed the re- mainder of the day in strengthening their breastworks and other defences- in administering all the comfort in their power to their wounded comrades, and in burying of the dead. Their feelings being now wrought up to the highest pitch, on that night they entered into the most solemn resolutions, that no " British soldier should eat bread or set his foot on that side of the Alloways creek," as long as there was a man left to defend it. Accord- ingly, as it was anticipated, on the next morning about ten o'clock the whole British force appeared, approaching in battle array.
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