USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > Woodbridge > History First Presbyterian Church, Woodbridge, New Jersey 300th Anniversary May 25, 1975 > Part 8
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In September 1753 Benjamin Franklin prevailed upon Parker to open a printing shop in New Haven, Connecticut. This operation did not go along smoothly and after many trials and tribulatons, Parker sold out in April 1762.
Parker returned to Woodbridge where he had been appointed printer to the province of New Jersey. He became active in the Church of England, acted as lay reader in the Trinity Episcopal Church of Woodbridge.
In 1765 Parker moved his press to Burlington to accommodate Samuel Smith, the historian in the issue of the history of New Jersey, the manuscript of which is preserved in the library of the Historical Society at Newark, New Jersey. Parker then moved the press back to Woodbridge after the completion of the work.
He was soon to become postmaster of New York as well as comp- troller and secretary of the postal department for the Northern District of the British Colonies. He continued his business as a printer and was working at Burlington when his health began to fail. He died in 1770 at the age of 56.
His remains were brought to Woodbridge. His funeral services were conducted by the Chaplain of a regiment of British foot soldiers, and he was interred in the White Church Cemetery. 2
On September 28, 1969, as part of the Tercentenary of Wood- bridge Township a monument was placed in our cemetery in honor of James Parker.
Rolph (Fig. 38)
This fieldstone monument. placed in memory of Richard Rolfe, is one of the oldest in our burial ground, being dated Septem- ber 1711.
The Rolph family is a most interesting one.
HERE LIESTHE BODY OF PICHARD ROLPH WHG DI ED SEP: THE: /TH :1711:
Fig. 38
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A Henry Rolfe came from England to Newbury, Massachusetts in 1638. Henry's son Moses removed to Woodbridge where he changed his surname to Rolph. Moses married in 1702 the widow Higgins, nee Hale.
The Woodbridge Rolphs were related to John Rolph of James- town, Va., who married Pocahontas, the native Indian princess. She was presented at the Court of King James in London where she out- shone all the celebrated royal beauties. She died at Gravesend, En- gland, immediately prior to her intended departure for the plantation in Virginia.
In addition to the Richard Rolfe interment there have been sev- eral other members of this family buried in our cemetery.
Paton (Fig. 39) (7-8; H-J)
Harriet C. Cutter Paton was born 1794, died December 11, 1876, age eighty-two years. With the help of Sally and Jane Potter, she or- ganized the Sabbath School or as it is now called the Sunday School in June 1818. This school, records show, was one of the first, if not the First Sabbath School organized in New Jersey.
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DAVID E. PAT
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Fig. 39
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Fig. 40
Roe, Rebecca (Fig. 40)
She was the first wife of Rev. Azel Roe and daughter of Isaac and Mary Foot of Branford, Connecticut, died at age fifty-five on September 1, 1794.
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Of unusual interest regarding this interment is first, the excellent condition of the red sandstone monument and the clarity of the en- graving. Secondly, the engraving was done at a local Woodbridge monument works. Down on the lower right hand corner of this monu- ment is the name, "H. Osborn." Mr. Osborn is an ancestor of Miss Rae Osborn who is known to many of our readers.
Mr. H. Osborn and his successor Mr. Courtland Parker Osborn had a monument works on Main Street, Woodbridge, just slightly east of Christensens Department Store. 4
Other monuments also bear the names of the engravers, E. Price and Johnathan Acker about whom we have no additional information.
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Section 5
Town Doctors Interred in Our Cemetery
Freeman, Ellis Barron, M.D., born 1807, died 1877 (Fig. 41).
Freeman, Samuel Edgar, M.D., son of Dr. Ellis.
Freeman, Barron, born 1835, died 1904.
On the death of Dr. Samuel Edgar Freeman in 1904 the news- paper of that day printed the following:
"A Tribute"
"To the Memory of Dr. Samuel Edgar Freeman"
In the death of Dr. Samuel E. Freeman, which occurred last Saturday evening at his home on Prospect Hill 5 from an attack of apoplexy, Woodbridge loses a skillful physician - one who stood high in his profession, and who had practiced here for over thirty years - and a valued citizen. 6 Dr. Freeman was born and had always resided in Woodbridge, with the exception of his years at college: of Woodbridge stock; a descendant from a union of two old Woodbridge families, whose names were identified with the early history of the old town; a grandson of the late General Samuel Edgar, a son of the late Ellis B. Edgar.
Dr. Samuel E. Freeman has always been recognized as a man of strong and positive ideas, fearless and independent in the expression of his views, not in sympathy with superficialities of society, but genial and social in his nature. His kindly nature and Christian principles as made evident in his practice, for he was as faithful and untiring in his ministrations in the homes of poverty where there was no hope of remuneration as he was in the homes of the wealthy.
Dr. Freeman was married early in life to Miss Kate F. Ran- dolph, who only lived a few years to gladden his home. She left two little ones - a son and daughter, now grown to manhood and womanhood - Miss Mabel Freeman and Mr. Ellis Freeman. Four sisters and one brother also mourn him - Mrs. John Anderson of Elizabeth, Mrs. J. H. T. Martin, Miss Phoebe Freeman, Miss Susie Freeman and Mr. Ellis B. Freeman - all residents of town. Fu-
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neral service was held Tuesday afternoon from the Freeman home- stead 7 on Rahway Avenue. The Rev. Dr. McNulty officiated and spoke very impressively from the words: "I have finished my course." The Rev. W. H. Jackson offered prayer. Several appro- priate selections were beautifully rendered by Mr. Louis Potter, Mrs. Seth Lockwood, accompanist. The beautiful flowers that covered and surrounded the casket were tributes from loving rela- tives and friends.
The committal service was private, attended only by the relatives.
It is a somewhat remarkable fact that for more than a cen- tury there has been a Dr. Freeman practicing in Woodbridge.
The death of Dr. Samuel E. Freeman, who was the fifth doc- tor bearning the name Freeman leaves Woodbridge, for the first time in one hundred years without a Doctor Freeman. 8
The sixth physician of the name - Dr. James Freeman - recently left here to practice in Jacksonville, Florida. 9
Fig. 41
Fig. 42
Harned, Samuel P., M.D., born 1836, died 1898.
Pierson, John, M.D., born 1723, died 1772. He was the son of Rev. John Pierson who was the minister of our church from 1714 to 1754 (Fig. 42). He was also a grandson of the President of Yale Col- lege, as it was known in those years. His mother, Ruth Woodbridge
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Pierson, was a granddaughter of Rev. John Woodbridge, after whom Woodbridge was named.
On September 8, 1756 our Congregation obtained a Royal Char- ter from King George Il at the hands of the then governor of the Province, Governor Belcher. It was largely through the efforts and influence of the Piersons, father and son, that the Royal Charter was granted.
Van Wagner, A. B., M.D., born 1846, died Feb. 8, 1890.
Wall, John Galen, M.D., born Dec. 17, 1729, died Jan. 14, 1798. On his tombstone was found the following:
"In memory of Dr. John Galen Wall, thirteen years Physician of Woodbridge and Perth Amboy. Born at Middlesex, Monmouth. If Physick's aid of friendship balm could save from death, thou shall had lived."
This monument is no longer in existence.
Wilkinson, James, M.D., born 1670, died Jan. 15, 1749.
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Section 6 Former Pastors Interred in Our Cemetery
Reverend Azel Roe was ordained and installed in the autumn of 1763 and labored in our church until his death in 1815, a period of fifty-two years. He was a Long Islander by birth. In 1756, at the age of eighteen, he was graduated from the College of New Jersey. In 1800 he received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Yale. 10
Although he did not serve as a uniformed soldier during the Revo- lutionary War, he certainly ranks with our greatest patriots of that era.
The original monument that marked his grave has long since eroded so badly that none of the original engraving is legible: but from a survey made in 1849, the following appeared legible at that time. 11
"Sacred to the memory of Rev'd. Dr. Azel Roe, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Woodbridge, who after a life cheerfully, faithfully, and affectionately devoted to the services of Jehovah Jesus. his Saviour and his God, and to the eternal interests of his flock fell sweetly to sleep in the bosom of that Saviour on the 2nd day of De- cember 1815 in the 77th year of his age and the 53rd of his ministry."
Luke 2:29, 30.
Lord now let thy servant &c I have fought a good fight &c
II Tim'y 4:7, 8."
Rev. Roe's remains lie near those of his first wife Rebecca Foot Roe who died September 1, 1794 and of his second wife, Hannah Bostwick Roe, who died November 28. 1815.
Rev. William B. Barton was pastor of our church from 1822 to 1852. He died at the age of fifty-nine on April 7, 1852. His remains lie next to those of his son, Brevet Brig. General, Col. 48th Reg. N. Y. State Vols .; Commander 2nd Brigade 2nd Div. Army Corp., Army of the James in the Civil War (Fig. 43).
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Rev. Joseph M. McNulty was pastor from 1874-1906. On his tombstone is engraved:
Fig. 43
Fig. 44
"But in his duty, prompt at every call, He watched and wept, He Prayed and felt for all" (Fig. 44).
Rev. Robert W. Mark (Fig. 45) was pastor from 1906 to 1918; died age seventy-five on February 5, 1955. Under his pastorate the church grew in strength and number. He was largely responsible for the building of the so-called church parish house to the rear of our former manse on Rahway Avenue, which for many years was a center for township athletic activities. This parish house was razed during the fall of 1971.
Rev. Earl Hannum Devanny was born April 23, 1894 - died April 21, 1962. He was a veteran of World War I; when World War
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DEVANNY
Fig. 45
Fig. 46
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Il involved the United States he applied for and was granted leave of absence. He enlisted in the Armed Services and served with honor and distinction. At hostilities end he was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his pastorate in 1955-1956 Fellowship Hall was erected and completely paid for. On his tomb- stone is found this engraving:
"Minister, Old White Church 1933-1959. Pastor, Soldier, Chris- tian Gentleman" (Fig. 46).
The church bulletin board in front of the church was given in his memory by a member of our church.
The bronze plate in the brickwork at the bottom of the bulletin board reads, "In memory of Earl Hannum Devanny, Pastor, October, 1933-March, 1959."
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Section 7 Epitaphs on Tombstones in Our Cemetery
Gravestone verses reflect the feeling of the times,12 dire warn- ings to the living; Biblical quota- tions and later sentimental render- ings extolling the virtues of the person entombed. One of the most common verses in use during colo- nial times was some variation of the familiar, "As you are now, so once was I." which had appeared in England as early as 1376 on the tomb of Edward, the Black Prince. 19
Edward was buried in the east end of Canterbury Cathedral on September 29, 1376 where his magnificent tomb, erected in ac- cordance with the instructions in his will may still be seen.
Fig. 47
The epitaph on his tomb is identical with one found in our burial ground with a date Aug. 24, 1809 (Fig. 47).
"Look and see as you pass by As you are now so once was I, As I am now so you must be Prepare for Death and follow me."
Many other epitaphs covering a diversity of moods are also found in our cemetery.
April 10, 1758 (Expressing Hope)
"The World's a Bubble, a mere show But the next World to which we go, Hath Joys eternal and sincere O May she rise and enter there."
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June 29, 1811 (Ode to the Great Physician)
"Affliction sore short time 1 bore Physician's art was all in vain, Till God above did hear my moan, And cured me of my pain."
April 1806
"My flying years time urges on, What's mortal must decay, My friend, my dear companion gone Nor came I long expect to stay."
1907
"Rest in peace, thou gentle spirit Throned above, Souls like thine with God inherit Life and Love.
1806
"Sleep lovely child and take thy rest Both young and old must die, God called thee home. He thought it best To sing his praise on high"
1889
"Their minds in death, were calm, serene, No terror in their looks were seen A savior's smile dispelled their gloom, And smoothed the passage to the tomb."
1808
"Father, I give my spirit up And trust it in thy hand, My dying flesh shall rest in hope, And rise at thy command."
1782
"As bright Sol the equator Past, Death cut her down as with a blast And in Death's fetters must lie bound Till raised by the last Trumpet Sound."
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1758
"My heart dissolves with Pangs unknown In Groans I waste my Breath Thy heavy hand has brought me down Low as the dust of death Father, I give my spirit up And trust it in thy hand, My dying flesh shall rest in hope And rise at thy command."
1786
"Sweet sacred Dust, sleep in the Tomb While here the World was not her home Now she's removed to Realms above To endless bliss and boundless Love." Ye glittering toys of earth adieu A nobler choice be mine A real prize attracts my view A treasure all divine."
1761
"Our days begin with troubles here Our life is but a span And cruel death is always near So frail a thing is man." 1756
"Thus falls ye generous and the brave A captive Prisoner to the grave And till the last trumpets awful sound Shall thru the rending tombs resound Then may our moulding dust arise Ascend and reign above the skies."
1808
"Death like an overflowing stream Sweeps away our life, a dream An empty tale, a mourning flower Cut down and withered in an hour."
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1809
"My loving friends, I bid all farewell Prepare yourselves with God to dwell In a few more days it will be said That you are numbered with the dead."
1832 (child 2 months old)
"Ere sin could blight or sorrow fade Death came with friendly care The opening bud to heaven conveyed And bade it blossom there."
1833 (child 1 month, 23 days old)
"This lovely bud, so young, so fair Called hence by early doom Just came to show how sweet a flower, In paradise would bloom."
1871
"See the leaves around ye falling Dry and withered to the ground, Thus to thoughtless mortals calling With a sure and solemn sound."
1907
"There is a blessed home Beyond this land of ours Where trials never come No tears of sorrow flow."
The spelling in the preceding Epitaphs is exactly as it appears on the tombstone.
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Section 8
Miscellaneous Comments
In making a study of the various facets of our burial ground, attention is attracted to names, both surnames and Christian names.
Some surnames or family names found in our burial ground are rarely heard at all in our Township today, viz: Ashbill, Appleyard, Pain, Ryno, Mabie, Bunn, Clinch, Nightingale, Playfoot, Gallander, Dezendorf.
It is true also of Christian names, which seem to follow a pat- tern. In the early days of our church Bibilcal names influenced par- ticularly male names.
How often today is a male child called Jothan, Gideon, Jabez, Ephraim, Ichabod, Phineas, Abraham, Eliphilet, Cyrus, Rufus, Isaac, Seth, Moses, Joshua, Azel, Adam, Jeremiah, Everts, Enoch, Zebulon, Socrates, Sebastian, Titus, or Marmaduke?
Female names seemed to have a quaintness all their own, seem- ingly associated with the early times. Names such as the following seem today to be passe - Jobatha. Prudence, Letitia, Indiana, Mal- vina, Sabra, Ursula, Phebe, Jannet, Effic, Experience, Ezebel, Ginnet, Jaenke, Mercy, Gettie, Tabitha, Charity, Euphemia, Abigail, Sabina, Elizer, Huldah, Deliverance, Sisfal, Katurah, Mahalia.
Names, like styles in garments, change with the time.
Someone has said that gravestones with their inscriptions and imagery possess an eloquence rarely matched in literature. The monu- ments speak directly to all who face them, echoing of the past. On their sometimes crumbling surfaces one can trace the lives and experi- ence of past generations, its wars, its epidemics, the opulence of cer- tain families.
The cemetery records reveal that the then dreaded smallpox dis- ease caused mortality back in 1709. Samuel Hale, Esq., one of the original Freeholders, who was granted in 1670 a plot of 167 acres, was one of the victims. This dreaded disease also struck in January 1732 13 and in the winter and spring of 1774-1775.
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During the early 1890s a diptheria epidemic was experienced in the town.
The influenza epidemic in 1917-1919 struck with disasterous re- sults. Hospitals in this area were so overcrowded that our Parish House building on Rahway Avenue was turned into a nursing center.
One of the most distressing facts read on the monuments is re- vealed in the number of infant and childhood deaths.
In one family plot there are seven interments of children, six sons and one daughter, all who died in infancy.
In still another plot, 14 J, born 1900, died in 1900; W, born 1902, died 1902; E, born 1890, died 1893; F, born 1887, died 1890; J, born 1870, died 1873; A, born 1863, died 1864; Ta, born 1871, died 1872; KT, 1889-1890; L, 1901-1904.
Graves of over forty children who died before reaching six months of age can be counted; thirty others before their first birthday; fifteen before age two, and about fifty others between ages three and ten.
In a number of instances two children of the same family passed away the same day.
Such happenings are unheard of today. What was the cause back then? Diptheria, Scarlet Fever, the so-called "Summer complaint," who knows?
The question is raised repeatedly as to whether or not there re- mains space for additional burials in our cemetery. The answer is "Yes!" There is still space for an additional three to four hundred new plots and room for many additional interments in plots already assigned to families in past years.
In going through the old cemetery records one will come across items of a tragic nature, viz:
"Henry Clay Smith, son of Edgar R. and Phebe Smith, lost his life at Rahway, January 22, 1833 in his efforts to rescue his playmate from a watery grave. Henry was in his fourteenth year."
Another example:
"Timothy Bloomfield, son of Timothy and Sussanah Bloomfield, lost at sea by falling overboard from his ship, "America" on a passage from New York City to Batavia, Indonesia, in the Pacific Ocean on the 21 of July 1819; age eighteen years, one month, four days."
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In the first paragraph of this chapter we termed our Burial Ground as "consecrated and hallowed." We would also hope that the reading of this discourse would engender a greater appreciation of our ceme- tery as a truly historical site knitting our church to the life and work of our Community, State, and Nation. It has often been said that the history of America is here.
Fig. 48 shows the author gathering data from one of the old red sandstone monuments.
The author gives deserved thanks to Mr. Clyde Williams for the generous amount of time given by him in taking the many photo- graphs and for his recording the many epitaphs shown herein. Also, thanks to a quartet of our teen- agers, Charles and Mat Barany, Dan Natale, and Bill Gardner who saved the author many steps in gathering data.
John M. Kreger, Author
Fig. 48
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FOOTNOTES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Monnette, Orra Eugene, Ye Plantation of Piscataway and Woodbridge.
2. Ludwig, Allan I., Graven Images-New England Stone Carvings and Its Symbols. 3-10. Ludwig, Allan I., op. cit.
11. American Heritage Magazine, "Graven Images, Sermons in Stone"-Aug. 1970.
12. Graustad, Edwin S., A Religious History of America.
13. Graustad, op. cit.
SECTION 11
1. Wolk, Ruth, The History of Woodbridge, N. J., 1970 Edition.
2, 3. Monnette, op. cit.
4. Savage, General Dictionary of New England.
5. Wells, Albert, American Family Antiquity, Society Library, New York City, 1880.
6. Bryant, Blanch B. and Baker, Gertrude E., Compilers, Geneological Records of the Founders' and Early Settlers of Plymouth, Vermont.
7. Monnette, op. cit.
8. The late Mr. Leon McElroy, attorney and historian of Woodbridge, was one of a group who claimed that the town of "Woodbridge" was not named in honor of Reverend John Woodbridge of Newbury, Massachusetts. Mr. McElroy stated that there was no record that Rev. John Woodbridge had ever visited Wood- bridge, New Jersey. He claimed that Woodbridge was named after a town in England. The writer takes no sides in this issue. It is, however, purely coinci- dental that Thomas Bloomfield, who came to Woodbridge as early as 1665 and who was one of the most influential of the first settlers, came from Woodbridge, England.
9. Monnette, op. cit.
10-11. Monnette, op. cit.
12. Annals of Yarmouth, Mass.
13-16. Monnette, op. cit.
17. New Jersey Historical Society Third Series VI.
18. Ludwig, F. D., Timely Told Tales of Woodbridge Township.
19. Savage, op. cit.
20. Monnette, op. cit.
21. Potter, Frank D., a descendant.
22. Whitehead, William A., 1856.
SECTIONS IV, V, VI, VII, VIII
1. Evening News, Perth Amboy, N. J., June 30, 1964.
2. Parker, Captain James, History of the Parker and Kearney Families of Perth Amboy, 1896.
3. From Correspondence with Mr. Barbour Rolph of West Union, Ohio.
4. Breckenridge, Amy E., Disappearing Landmarks of Woodbridge.
5. This home is presently 123 Prospect St. The writer and his family resided in this home from December 1930 to October 1957. This home since 1957 has been the manse for the Woodbridge Gospel Church.
6. Dr. Samuel Freeman also operated a drug store and was also at one time the town postmaster.
7. The so-called Freeman Homestead was the Thayer Martin home on Rahway Avenue since razed to make room for the apartment complex, corner Freeman Street and Rahway Avenue.
8. Research revealed a Dr. Matthew Freeman and the date 1808 but no other details.
9. Wade, John P., and Pirkersgill, Harold E., History of Middlesex County.
10. Weber, Thomas, "The Heritage of the First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen, 1967.
11. Whitehead, William A., assisted by his son, William, Monumental Inscriptions of Dates Prior to 1800, translated for the N. J. Historical Society, 1849.
12. Neal, Avon, American Heritage, 1970.
13. New York Gazette, Jan. 18, 1732.
14. Monnette, op. cit.
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Chapter 5 Church Organizations
The women of the First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge, which is affectionately known as "The Old White Church," first or- ganized in 1856 under various names and for various projects.
At the present time the women of this church have the privilege of deciding in which of three organizations they will be most useful to the Lord in His work. Just as there were Martha and Mary long ago, each with her own particular talent, so in our church there are many Marthas and Marys who are fortunate in being able to choose the organization in which they can best use their particular talents. There are a few women who have chosen to work in two organizations, but most concentrate their efforts by working in just one.
A short description of the goals and accomplishments of these three groups will be found on the following pages.
White Church Guild
In May of 1946, eighteen of the young women of the church organized the White Church Guild with the goals of working for the Old White Church and of helping the minister. Because this group was comprised of young mothers and career women, the meetings were held in the evenings semi-monthly.
The first officers were President, Mrs. Andrew Lockie; Vice- president, Mrs. Russell Demarest; Secretary, Mrs. Oakley Blair, and Treasurer, Miss Lorna MacCrory. In 1948 when Miss MacCrory married and left the United States to be with her husband who was in foreign service, Mrs. Wesley Heiselberg became treasurer, a position which she has filled ever since with painstaking care and devotion. Mrs. Earl H. Devanny, our pastor's wife, accepted the position of Counselor, a post which she had held in the Lillian Buschman Guild, to which a majority of the members of the newly organized group had belonged prior to 1942. For a short time meetings were held at the
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home of Mrs. William Gardner, the Assistant Counselor. However, due to her failing health, she was forced to relinquish her active part in the organization. After this the Guild meetings were held, at Mrs. Devanny's invitation, at the manse, until Fellowship Hall was avail- able in 1956.
Mrs. Devanny's indominitable spirit, combined with her love for the church, proved an inspiration to many of the Guild members and helped to strengthen their two-fold purpose for being part of this or- ganization. Mrs. Devanny had two maxims by which she and the Guild were governed: the first. "Nothing for the Lord Is Impossible," and the second, "A Guild Girl Never Says, 'No!'" If one were in doubt about her ability to accomplish what seemed to her an impossible task, she thought of Mrs. Devanny's maxims and accomplished it! This gallant and beloved lady was Counselor of the Guild until 1959 when Mr. Devanny and she retired to their farm at Cream Ridge, N. J. Upon Mrs. Devanny's retirement Mrs. Andrew S. Lockie Sr. became Adviser to the Guild.
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