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 64
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A Mr. Decker had gone out into a field which lay some distance from his house, and on elevated ground. Ere he was aware, two Indians were creeping stealthily around him, intending to intercept his retreat homeward, and capture him. On his making an attempt to escape, both Indians fired their guns at him, but fortunately missed. A chase now commenced of some quarter of a mile-Decker to reach his house, and the Indians to overtake him previous to his gaining that point. The family of Decker observed the pursuit, but did not at once recognise the characters, when the eldest son, a boy of 14 years old, eyeing narrowly the foremost of the three individuals, exclaimed, "That's dad !" and quick as lightning snatched the old loaded musket, ran into an orchard towards which the chase was proceeding, and placed himself behind a tree, by which the runners soon passed. One of the Indians was now almost at the heels of Decker. As they passed the boy behind the tree, he pulled trigger, but the old musket snapped. Instantly the Indian stopped, hearing the snap of the gun, and looking round about, not discover- ing the boy, yet apprehensive that danger was nigh, he turned and fled, leaving Decker to reach his house and family in safety.
The additional particulars given below respecting the history of Wantage were furnished by an aged and worthy clergyman of the place.
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The early settlers of this town are of a mixed origin, some of German, and others of New England descent. It would perhaps be as near the truth to say, that some of the first families that emigrated to this region were de- scended from the confines of France and Germany, claiming an alliance with both countries, or either, as the locality of their ancestors might de- termine .* We are thus brought into close affinity with the Huguenots and Waldenses, as well as the Pilgrims of New England, and the well-known Wallkill marks the line, and commemorates the name of freemen of whom the world was not worthy. One hundred years carries us back to the period when the fierce Algic tribes claimed our fertile fields as their own hunting-grounds, and dense forests waved in primitive glory, and the deer, the bear, and panther bled, where now milk and honey flow.
The lady by whose side I now sit, (Mrs. Catharine Vanauken.) well remembers, and relates with intense feelings, the famous battle of Minisink, that clad in the weeds of mourning the young colony, stretching from Wan- tage over Orange co., N. Y., along the foot of the Kittanny mountain.
* As the family names of Neapos, Consauls, Winfields, Vananwigens, Wildrichs, Westfalls, Westbrooks, Jobes, Shumars, Deckers, Vanaukens, Fitzworths, Meddaughs, Cuddabachs, and others, sufficiently indicate.
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486
SUSSEX COUNTY.
This massacre of the whites was announced in the morning, when the set- tlement on the Navisink, where three states join, was assembled to pay their last respects to a deceased neighbor. As the procession left the Ma-hak-a- mack meeting-house, the smoke of their barns and dwellings, mills and church, just vacated by the pastor and his little flock, sufficiently marked the track of a savage band approaching with hostile intent. The name of Brant, their leader, was a terror to the whites, as when the lion is known to prowl about an African hamlet. But an occurrence took place here which shows that a spark of sympathy still glowed in the fierce warrior's heart. His party had invaded the school where, at a stroke, the hopes of the set- tlement were to be crushed and annihilated. Jeremiah Vanauken the teacher was taken from the house, and, at about half a mile, killed. Some of the little boys were already cleft with the tomahawk ; others had betaken themselves to the woods for concealment from the merciless pur suers, while their little sisters stood by the wayside, near the corpse of their teacher, trembling and weeping, not knowing whether death or captivity awaited them, when suddenly a brawny Indian approached, and with his brush of black paint dashed it across their aprons, bidding them to " hold up the mark if they saw an Indian, and they would be safe," and with a savage yell he plunged into the forest and disappeared. It was Brant. The little ones were safe. The Indian saw the mark, and passed on. But their brothers, could not this sign be made to avail for them too ? It could, by a process simple, innocent, and childlike, that would render their own escape doubly joyous, and that beguiled many an after hour of sweet con- templation, and still lights up with expressions of delight the countenance of my respected informant, after the lapse of more than half a century. The dispersed children were soon found and collected, over whom their little sisters threw their outer garment, and again held up their apron, the palladium of safety, while the Indians passed and repassed. They were spared, to the joy of their parents and friends. Mrs. Catharine Vanauken's mother, Leah Vanauken, escaped the fury of the Indians by concealing herself in a ditch .* The next day left the bones of some 80 of the inhabit. ants of Minisink to bleach in the valley of the Delaware. This occurred in July of 1781, about 62 years ago. After about 40 years had elapsed, in 1822, their bones were collected, and, on the 4th of July, interred at Go- shen, Orange co., N. Y.
Would it not be well for our young ladies to spend a little time in re- flecting upon the perils, the toils, and hardships, endured by their fathers and mothers, to gain the patrimony, the luxuries, refinements, and privi- leges, with which their daughters are now so richly blessed ? Think of the day when females put on their hats and paraded in the forts thrown about their dwellings-when they beat the drum, when they handled the rifle, at least to awe their savage foes, and when they rode miles as an express, through the lonely forest of the Kittanny, to give the alarm to the distant settlements upon the east of the Blue mountain, while their fathers, hus- bands, and brothers, were facing the dangers of an Indian warfare. Could such reflections fail to inspire the sentiments uttered by the Psalmist, " Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler ; the snare is broken, and we are escaped ?"
* Elijah Vanauken, father of D. Vanauken, was wounded slightly ; his uncle James Vanauken, and his own brother Jeremiah, were killed.
487
SUSSEX COUNTY.
It is about 60 years since the first church in Wantage, then known as the Clove church, was organized under the preaching of Rev. Von Ben Schoten, whose congregation then embraced Wantage, Montague, and Minisink. Perhaps few settlements can be named where the gospel has been preached with more success, and this region may be added to the many other in- stances recorded to attest that the covenant mercies of God have continued to roll down the line of the Huguenots, Waldenses, and Pilgrim Fathers, in a manner that fully verifies the promise of Him who said to Abraham, I will. be " a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee."
Although Wantage has long been celebrated for the wealth of its inhabitants, it has not until recently fostered literature within its own precincts. Formerly, the wealthy citizens who wished to educate their sons and daughters, sent them off' to boarding- schools in some different section of the country. Common schools were also in a low condition. No select school of any permanency had been sustained in the township until near the close of the year 1833, when an enterprise was undertaken by Win. Ran- kin, in the village of Deckertown. A few circumstances relative to the establishment of the school at Deckertown, will serve to throw light on the subject of education in this region. When the above-named gentleman proposed to open a select school in the central and main village in this township at the time mentioned, so little interest was felt in the proposal, that he could procure no room but a small building about 14 feet square, in an inconvenient part of the village. This, however, he rented, and com- menced his first term with a single scholar ; and this lone pupil was not of the state of New Jersey, but from New York. This discouraging commencement did not arise from want of knowledge of, or confidence in the teacher, for he had been favorably known in the county for several years previous as a classical instructor. Neither was it because the inhabitants were averse to education ; but it stands as an illustration of the strength of habit on communities, and the difficulty of breaking over the barriers of long-continued custom. They had never fostered education within their own limits, and therefore they had no faith in this infant institution. It was universally looked on as a romantic and totally impracticable undertaking. But the school went on, and for the first week with one scholar only, who accompanied his preceptor to and from the school-room at regular hours, resembling a hen with one chicken. However, before the ensuing spring, the school numbered 20 scholars. Ore anecdote further concerning this school at its commencement,-when the school had been in operation about 2 months. The teacher had locked the school-room door one evening, and walked out of the village, and did not return till about eleven o'clock ; he was surprised to see his school-room lighted, knowing that he had left it locked. Upon approaching a window, he perceived the room to be filled with well-dressed, gentlemanly-looking men ; some standing, others seated round a table, which was almost covered with money of various kinds-all giving profound attention to the game that was in progress with cards. He then unlocked the door, and stepped in ; no seeming notice, however, was taken of him, and after ob- serving the scene for a few minutes, he observed to a gentleman standing near him, that he would be thankful if, when they were done using the room, they would leave it in good order. He then retired, and in the morning, upon returning, found the room divested of men, money, and table, the door locked-all in good condition. He subse- quently learned that this room had been the regular meeting-place of an extensive circle of gamblers, who met from time to time pursuant to their own appointments. They had assembled in the evening, found the door locked, obtained a key, opened the door, carried in a table, and constituted the last regular-built gambling scene that has, and, it is hoped, that ever will disgrace the village of Deckertown.
The following is extracted from an advertisement in the Sussex Register of May 22, 1843, and will serve to show the results of an institution which, ten years ago, we have seen struggling, under such adverse circumstances, for existence.
" The Principal of the school at Deckertown commenced his career of instruction in this county about fifteen years ago, and since that period the youth that have been under his charge number about one thousand. Few years within this time have elapsed, without more or less of his pupils becoming prepared to enter college, or commence pro- fessional studies ; and a large proportion of the schools in the surrounding country have been, and are, conducted by teachers qualified from the same source of instruction. Few cases occur of a bias of mind so strong and exclusive towards a particular pursuit, as is evinced by this individual in his favorite occupation of instructing youth. This
488
WARREN COUNTY. ,
has been manifested from the increasing zeal and ardor which has existed in this insti tution for the last year, to keep pace with the most recent and best methods of instruc- tion, and to cultivate an acquaintance with the most useful and interesting developments of science."
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WARREN COUNTY.
WARREN COUNTY was originally the southern part of Sussex co. : it was formed into a distinct county in 1824. It is about 32 miles long, with an average width of about 13 miles. It is bounded NE. by Sussex co., SE. by Hunterdon and Morris cos., and W. by the Delaware river. The county is well watered by many streams emptying into the Delaware ; among which are the Musconetcong, Pohatcong, Lopatcong, Pequest, and Paulinskill. The surface of the county is generally mountainous or hilly, with fertile val- leys intervening. The most prominent ranges are the Blue moun- tain on the NW., and the Musconetcong on the SW. boundary. There is a great variety of soil in the county, generally fertile ; and in the valleys of some of the streams peculiarly so. Lime is much used as a manure ; and some parts of the county are very productive in wheat. As a whole, this is one of the best agricul- tural districts in the state ; and husbandry is in an improving con- dition. The Morris canal commences at Philipsburg, on the Dela- ware, runs through the SE. tier of townships, and leaves the county at its NE. angle. The following is a list of the townships, which are ten in number :
Franklin, Норе,
Mansfield,
Greenwich, Independence,
Oxford,
Hardwick,
Knowlton,
Pahaquarry.
Harmony,
The population of the county, in 1830, was 18,627; in 1840, 20,366.
FRANKLIN.
Franklin was recently formed from Mansfield and Greenwich. It is about 5 miles square ; bounded NE. by Mansfield, SE. by Bethlehem, (Hunterdon co.,) W. by Greenwich, and NW. by Har- mony. There are in the township 6 schools, 440 scholars. Pop. 1,348. .
The surface is mountainous, with broad fertile valleys. Broad- way and New Village, on the line of the Morris canal, in the NW. part of the township, contain each about 20 dwellings. Asbury, a flourishing village on the Musconetcong creek, about a mile from the base of the Musconetcong mountains, and 12 miles from Bel- videre, in a fertile limestone valley, contains 2 stores, 1 plaster, 1
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ГУВАЛИО КАЗБЕК ть
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489
WARREN COUNTY.
saw, 1 fulling, and 2 grist m., a woollen factory, several mechanics, a Methodist church, and about 40 dwellings. In olden times there was a grist-mill on the north side of the creek, and a dwelling on the site of Van Antwerp's mill ; and the place was called Hall's Mills. In 1800, the corner-stone of the old Methodist Episcopal church was laid, by the venerable Bishop Asbury, in honor of whom this village received its name. This was a small edifice, only 28 by 30 feet. It having been long in a dilapidated state, a new and handsome church, 38 by 48 feet, has recently been erected, with a neat steeple, and dedicated on the 22d of December, 1842.
The following inscription, to the memory of one of the founders of this village, was copied from a monument in the graveyard ad- joining the Methodist church :
Sacred to the memory of Col. WILLIAM MCCULLOUGH, who departed this life Feb. 9, 1840, aged 81 years, 1 month, and 19 days. He was a friend and promoter of internal improvements ; a member of the legislative council, for a number of years ; served up- wards of thirty years as one of the judges of the court of common pleas, in Sussex and Warren counties. He attached himself to the Methodist Episcopal church in the year 1786, and continued a useful member until his death. His end was peace.
There is an excellent mineral spring near the NE. line of the township, said to nearly equal that of the celebrated Schooley's mountain, though not much frequented.
GREENWICH.
Greenwich is about 7 miles long, 6 wide ; and is bounded N. by Harmony, E. by Franklin, SE. by Alexandria, (Hunterdon co.,) and W. by the Delaware river. There are in the township 17 stores, 4 flouring-m., 6 grist-m., 8 saw-m., 4 oil-m .; cap. in manufac. $127,900; 13 schools, 911 scholars. Pop. 2,902. Its surface is mountainous, with fertile valleys.
Philipsburg, where the Morris canal connects with the Delaware, is a village containing about 35 dwellings, on the Delaware river, at the base of a high hill, opposite Easton, Penn., and 13 miles S. of Belvidere. The annexed view was taken from Lehigh hill, a bold bluff on the Pennsylvania side. Immediately beneath is seen the Lehigh river, at its junction with the Delaware and the Pennsyl- vania canal, which connects with the coal-regions of that state. Further on is the bridge across the Delaware-a splendid struc- ture, with stone piers, erected at an expense of about $80,000. On the right, part of Philipsburg, and on the left a portion of Easton, are shown. In the distance the Delaware is seen, for several miles, until lost to view by high, picturesque mountains. The scenery in this vicinity is uncommonly bold and beautiful.
Stewartsville, a flourishing village, 13 miles from Belvidere, con- tains a neat academy, used as a place for public worship, several mechanic shops, stores, &c., and about 45 dwellings. Finesville, where there is a church, open to various denominations, near the
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490
WARREN COUNTY.
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View of the Bridge across the Delaware, at Philipsburg.
SW. corner of the township, and Hughesville, both on the Musco- netcong creek, are small manufacturing villages, each containing about 20 dwellings. Reigle's Mills, Middleville, and Kennedy's, are smaller places. At the latter is a substantial stone Presby- terian church. Bloomsbury, 16 miles from Belvidere, on the county line, is described on page 243 of this volume.
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HARDWICK.
Hardwick is about 10 miles long, with an average width of 4; and is bounded NE. by Stillwater and Green, (Sussex co.) -- which two townships, previous to the formation of this county, were part of Hardwick-SE. by Independence, W. by Hope and Knowlton, and NW. by Pahaquarry.
The face of the township is uneven, and the soil in the valleys fertile. The Blue mountain skirts on the NW. boundary, and the land in that section is stony. There are in the township 3 stores, 1 cotton factory, 2 tanneries, 6 grist-m., 3 saw-m .; cap. in manu- fac. $32,800 ; 16 schools, 769 scholars. Pop. 1,957.
Johnsonburg is near the centre of Hardwick, on the stage-road from Newton to Easton, Pa., 15 miles from Belvidere, and 10 from Newton. In olden times it was the seat of justice for Sussex co., and at an early period was called "the Log Jail," from the cir- cumstance of the jail being constructed of logs. Through the in- fluence of a large landholder, a member of the legislature, the county seat was removed to Newton about the year 1765. The village contains 2 stores, a grist-mill, a tannery, a coach manufac- tory, several mechanics, an Episcopal church, free for other de- nominations, and about 200 inhabitants. Marksboro, on the Pau- linskill, contains a grist, saw, clover, and plaster mill, a cotton
491
WARREN COUNTY.
factory, a Presbyterian church, and about 20 dwellings. The White Pond lies near this place : its sides and bottom are covered with a small white shell composed about one half of lime, and considered by some an excellent manure. Paulina, 2 miles W. of Marksboro, on the same stream, contains a store, tavern, grist-mill, carding- machine, tannery, &c., and 10 or 12 dwellings. The first white inhabitants who settled this township were the Greens, Hunts, Shafers, Dyers, Armstrongs, Wilsons, Lundys, &c., many of whose descendants still remain.
HARMONY.
Harmony was formed from Greenwich and Mansfield in 1839. It is about 6 miles long, 5 broad, and is bounded N. by Oxford, SE. by Franklin, S. by Greenwich, and W. by the Delaware river. The surface is generally hilly, and the soil in the valleys fertile. There are in the township, 2 Hlouring-m., 3 grist-m., and 4 saw-m. ; cap. in manufac. $30.360 ; 6 schools, 386 scholars. Pop. 1,602.
In the central part of the township, on the road from Belvidere to Easton, 7 miles from the former, and 5 from the latter, is a small village where there is a large Presbyterian church and about 20 dwellings. This village is divided into two parts, called, re- spectively, Upper and Lower Harmony. Roxburgh, on the same road, 4 miles south of Belvidere, contains about a dozen dwellings, a foundry, grist-mill, &c.
HOPE.
Hope was formed from Oxford and Knowlton in 1839. It is about 7 miles long, and - 5 wide ; bounded N. and NW. by Knowl- ton, E. by Hardwick and Independence, SE. by Mansfield, and SW. by Oxford. The surface is mountainous, and the soil, in the valleys of the Beaver brook and Pequest river, is fertile. Cap. in manu- fac. 84,150 ; 6 schools, 311 scholars. Pop. 1,690.
-The first settlers in this region were Mr. Samuel Green and family, from Long Island. He was the first surveyor employed in this vicinity, and came here about the commencement of the French and Indian wars. The family were on friendly terms with the Indians, who, being grateful for their kindness, warned them of the approach of hostilities, so that they temporarily removed until the war was over.
The annexed engraving shows the appearance of the village of Hope, as seen from the Jenny Jump mountain, an elevation of 600 or 800 feet. The notch or depression in the distant mountain is the Delaware Water Gap, distant 12 miles. The village is 16 miles from Newton, and 9 from Belvidere. It contains 1 Methodist, 1 Christ-ian, and 1 Episcopal church, 7 stores, many mechanic shops,
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492
WARREN COUNTY.
and about 60 dwellings. The churches and many of the other buildings are constructed of blue limestone. The Episcopal church, erected in 1832, is one of the most elegant specimens of the Gothic style of architecture in the state.
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Hope, from Jenny Jump Mountain.
Some years since an act of incorporation was obtained for an association called the " Warren County Mining Company." They commenced operations at a locality in the mountain about 3 miles from the village. A shaft 100 feet in length was sunk at an angle of 45 degrees. After working it, at various times, at considerable expense, it was abandoned. It seems they were deceived by iron pyrites in that locality, a substance which, from its resemblance to gold, has often misled those unacquainted with mineralogy.
In 1769, the Moravians from Bethlehem, Penn., purchased a tract of about 1,000 acres at this place of Mr. Green, who lived in a log house on the hill, a few rods from the Christ-ian church. The Moravians who removed here were remarkably honest in all their dealings ; but by trusting too much to the honesty of those with whom they had business, suffered in their pecuniary affairs. In 1805 or '6 they returned to their settlements at Bethlehem and Nazareth. While here, they erected a church and a tavern, which last stood where the Christ-ian church is now erected, and was burnt a few years since. The annexed engraving is a representation of the Union Hotel in the village, built of limestone. This structure was erected.in 1781, and was originally the Moravian church, being surmounted with a cupola, which has since been taken down, and a · portico added.
493
WARREN COUNTY.
The United Brethren, or Moravians, derive their origin from the Greek church, in the 9th century. The society, as at present, was placed on a permanent foundation in 1722, by Count Zinzendorf, a German nobleman. At the commencement of the last century, after more than two hundred of their congregations had been de-
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UNION NOTEL.
Hotel at Hope, (the Ancient Moravian Church.)
stroyed or dispersed by persecution in Moravia, a small remnant found refuge on his estates in Saxony, and through his patronage built Herrnhut, now their largest settlement. Count Zinzendorf, the instrument of renewing their church, was subsequently consecrated one of their bishops, and from thenceforward devoted his life to the cause. Individuals of all religious denominations united with them, and gave rise to such diversity of sentiment, that it was considered judicious to unite upon some general rules of agreement. Accord- ingly, under the guidance of the count, certain articles of union were concurred in, which, omitting the distinctive doctrines of the various Protestant denominations, adopted only the generally ad- mitted fundamental truths of scripture. The United Brethren, therefore, object to being considered as a separate sect, inasmuch as their own peculiarities arise principally from their social organiza- tion. Individuals of all Protestant denominations, consequently, have always been freely admitted into their communities without renouncing their peculiar creeds. , Discussions relating to the Trinity, and other speculative truths, are carefully avoided ; but they make the merits of the Saviour the principal theme of their dis- courses, and the only ground of salvation. High-wrought emotions, engendered by momentary impulses, are not considered as sure tests of piety as a daily upright and humble deportment. The Moravian church is Episcopal, and has a liturgy ; but their bishops possess no pre-eminent authority.
The brethren early turned their attention to this country, with a view of propagating the gospel among the Indians. In 1735, they temporarily established themselves in Savannah, but abandoned it and returned to Pennsylvania, in consequence of being obliged, if they remained, of taking up arms with the Spaniards against the
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