USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 11
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
ship of New Barbadoes. It is not known at what date Captain Berry came to the province, although he became possessor of the land in 1669. There are deeds recorded in the Clerk's Office in Hackensack giving by him and dated 1696, showing that he was living and able to transact business at that time. Captain Berry's son-in-law, Michael Smith, who was the first Sheriff of Bergen County, 1683, owned a plantation adjoin- ing that of Captain Berry, and it is probable that these were the first lands in the township which had any considerable improvements, espe- cially since these are prominently mentioned in a historical and descrip- tive account published in Edinburgh in 1685, by George Scott.
The island of Barbadoes became an English possession in 1625. Both Captain Sandford and Captain Berry were Englishmen, and both
93
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
came from the West Indies. Captain Berry may have been, as some sup- posed, captain of a merchant vessel, but it is a matter of record that he was a Captain of Militia in Bergen County.
Captain Sandford lived in Newark in 1675, and was a member of the Provincial Council from 1681-84. He died in 1692, having requested to be buried on his own plantation. His children were Ardinah, who mar- ried Richard Berry, Constable of New Barbadoes in 1695; Peregrine, who married Fytje, daughter of Enoch Michielse ( Vreeland ); William, Grace and Elizabeth, who married Captain James Davis.
CIVIL ORGANIZATION.
The civil organization of this township was effected in 1688, when the General Assembly at Perth Amboy passed an act empowering the inhabitants of Hackensack and New Barbadoes to build pounds, "the charge whereof to be paid by the inhabitants of each of the respective out plantations." This was in the fourth year of the reign of James II. In 1692 the fourth year of the reign of William and Mary, an act was passed by the General Assembly at Perth Amboy, dividing the counties of East Jersey into townships. This act was so defective in its provis- ions as to become inoperative, and a supplementary act was passed in 1693, by which the Townships of "Acquikanick and New Barbadoes." were know for the first time in legislation, having apparently been united to form one township. The boundaries included "all the land on Pissiack River above the third river, ( Yantacaw ) and from the mouth of the said third river, northward, to the partition line of the province. including also all the land in New Barbadoes Neck, between Hackinsack and Pissiack Rivers, and thence to the partition line of the province." From this it would appear that Acquackanonk was included in the orig- inal township with that of all the territory lying between the Hacken- sack and Passaic Rivers to the northern boundary of the province. If this be true, the township then comprised all the present organizations of Hohokus, Washington, Franklin, Saddle River, Midland, Union, Lodi and the present New Barbadoes, besides Acquackanonk including the site of the present City of Passaic. Other proofs that Acquackanonk and New Barbadoes were united in one township are to be found, in a record of December 3, 1683, when the "inhabitants of Aquaninoncke," are authorized to join with those of "New Barbadoes Neck" in the "choyce of a Constable." At another date Major William Sandford of New Barbadoes Neck was ordered to "appoint an officer to exercise the inhabitants of Aquaninoncke." During the following two hundred years, the one ancient township was divided and subdivided until the present boundaries cover the small space, before noted.
The government of a county at that time differed greatly from that of the present forms. Each township or plantation was theu governed by a Board of Selectmen, exercising judicial and legislative powers of a restrictive kind, confined to the local affairs of their respective planta- tions, and limited in their jurisdiction to "small causes." On May 1st. 1688, a bill was drawn up by the Provincial Secretary to constitute a
94
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
"Court of small Causes for the out plantations of Bergen County, and for Aquackinick and New Barbadoes in Essex County." This was sent to the House of Deputies by Major John Berry of the Council, was signed by the Governor, and became a law May 22d, of the same year. No records of these courts were kept and all we find is an occasional allusion to them. They granted licenses to sell liquors and keep ordin- aries, fixing the rates for "man and beast," in detail, and also super- vised the roads and bridges. Sometimes these judges of the "Court of small Canses," overstepped their authority, when an appeal could be carried to the Governor and Council, or even to the King and Parliament if necessary.
In the Provincial Council, William Sandford, John Berry, and Isaac Kingsland were Legislators for New Barbadoes and vicinity .- Sandford from 1682 to 1703; Berry from 1682 to 1692, and Kingsland from 1684 to 1696. The following is a list of the chosen Freeholders of the town- ship from 1794 to 1899 inclusive.
1794-95, 1802, Isaac Vanderbeck, Jr .; 1794-95, Arendt Schuyler ; 1796-99. Chris. A. Zabriskie; 1796-97. Abraham W. DePeyster; 1798- 1805, Edmund Wm. Kingsland; 1800-1, Garret G. Lansing; 1802, Joost Bogert; 1803-6, Luke Van Zaen ; 1806-8, John I. Hopper ; 1807-8, Cas- perus Bogert ; 1809-14, Henry I. Zabriskie ; 1809-11, Henry Van Dolsem ; 1812, John Berry; 1813-16, Henry P. Kipp; 1815-16, John D. Romeyn; 1817, John A. Schuyler; 1817-18, Jacob J. C. Zabriskie; 1818, Philip Berry: 1819-21, John J. Hopper. Peter A. Terhune; 1822, John T. Banta; 1822-23, 1825-27, John A. Boyd; 1823-27, Albert G. Hopper; 1824, Jacob J. Brinkerhoff ; 1828-33, John Zabriskie; 1828-32, Henry W. Banta; 1833, David I. Christie: 1834-35, Andrew Zabriskie: 1834-35, John D. Romeyn; 1836-42, Albert A. Brinkerhoff: 1836-37. Andrew Demarest; 1837-39, Albert G. Doremus; 1838-40, John J. Van Saun; 1841-43, George Voor- his; 1843-45. Ralph Westervelt; 1844-46, Richard T. Cooper; 1846-48, 1852. William Winant; 1847-49, Jacob I. Zabriskie; 1849-51, Christian De Baun; 1850-52, John A. Zabriskie; 1853-54, 1856, Richard R. Hawkey; 1853-54, William Blair; 1856-58. Peter A. Terhune; 1857-59, Wilhelmus Berry; 1859-61, Abraham I. Demarest; 1860-62, Abraham A. Banta; 1862-64, Lucas A. Voorhis; 1863-64, 1866, Garret G. Ackerson; 1866-67, Garret A. Hopper: 1867-69, William De Wolfe; 1868-70, Nicholas A. Demarest; 1870, Henry C. Harring; 1871, Garret G. Ackerson; 1872-74, Jacob Yereance: 1875-78. Wm. Huyler; 1879, Frederick Steinle; 1880-89, John (. Grode: 1889-92, Jacob L. Van Buskirk; 1892-94, Jacob H. Fank; 1894-96, Jacob L. Van Buskirk: 1896-99, W. W. Curry; 1899, Charles Conklin and Cornelius E. Eckerson.
It is not definitely known at what date the first settlement was made in this township. According to tradition. Dr. Van Imburg erected the first dwelling house in Hackensack. This house. it is said, stood on the creek just back of the site of the present courthouse. Another of the very old houses is said to have stood on what was formerly known as the Varick property. Among the first families to settle in this locality were :
95
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
Albert Zabriskie, and Lawrence in 1662; Lourie in 1685; Houseman in 1695, while Kipp came a little earlier ; Van Buskirk 1697 ; Van Giesen. 1689; Dismarie. 1695. The records of the Church on the Green, note in 1694, the reception into membership of Martin Powelse, Jan, Christyn and Lena, also Maria Etsal and Rachel Jackse. In the following six years there were more than sixty members added, showing an increase in the number of inhabitants.
HACKENSACK.
Hackensack, as a place of residence, is unsurpassed by any other suburb of New York City.
Beautifully situated on the west bank of the Hackensack River, from the commanding heights on its western border can be seen the river wind- ing through the valley, with the range of the Palisades beyond and New York twelve miles in the distance. A population of 10,000 covers an area of 2,000 acres, thus affording wide streets, ample grounds and abundance of air and sunshine to the inhabitants.
The sandy, porous soil has a substrata of gravel and is well drained by the most approved system of sewerage. The outlet sewers are large and constructed of brick with pipe laterals, furnishing means for good drainage to buildings, as well as the soil. In all there are about 20 miles of sewers, thoroughly flushed twice daily by tide water. The compara- tively few cesspools are required to be laid up with cement and made water tight. They are emptied by scavengers and the odorless excavat- " ing company.
The streets and walks are well kept under the supervision of a com- petent street superintendent. Gas and electricity Edison's system , are used for street and general lighting purposes. There are about 60 miles of flagged walks and 40 miles of macadam. which work the Improvement Commission is extending as rapidly as the appropriations will allow.
The water supply, furnished by the Hackensack Water Company, is shown by careful analyses from time to time to be of excellent quality. It is obtained from the Hackensack River at New Milford, far above the influence of tide and sewerage or other contaminating matter. The rever- voir is at an elevation of 110 feet, with sufficient pressure to be utilized by the fire department in throwing a stream over the highest building. It is to be regretted that few of our wells are free from organic matter : and as this is a possible source of disease, it is desirable that the river water should entirely supplant the use of wells.
The climate is mild yet variable. The snowfall is usually light rarely sufficient for lengthened sleighing. The health of the town will compare favorably with that of any other in the State. Statistics of 15 7 and 1898, showing it to be first in point of health, with the county rank- ing second among the counties of the state.
Malaria prevails to some extent, though many of the oldest inhabi- tants have never been affected by it. Typhoid fever and diptheria, the great terrors in many localities, are very rare here.
96
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
VIEW OF HACKENSACK FROM GROUNDS OF C. E. ECKERSON.
Epidemics are not common, and as they are generally of a mild type, are readily controlled by the vigilance of the local physicians and effi- ciency of the Health Board. Each case of contagious disease is reported to the Board by the attending physician as soon as he learns its charac- ter. It is endeavored to isolate such patients, and none of the children of the family are allowed to attend school while any danger of contagion exists. A certain sum is appropriated each year for the use of the Board of health, which is doing a good work. A very noticeable feature is the general cleanliness of the town, it being absolutely without the usual dirty quarters.
The dwellings are chiefly built of wood, many of them surrounded by large lawns pleasantly shaded. There are no crowded tenement houses. The markets are clean and free from any evil influence to Health. The public school buildings are the pride of the community. In their ventilating, heating and plumbing a careful regard has been given to sanitary laws. The other public buildings, including the Hos- pital, Court House and Jail are also in good condition. The Health Board is composed of intelligent, progressive men, representing several professions.
RESIDENCE FOR DR DAVID ST JOHN HACKENSACK NO
WM A LAMBERT ARCHITECT 99 NASSAV UST New York
100 100
......
..... .
" Seccoofinan han
FIRST Finom PLAN
98
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
" The word Hackensack has been so variously spelled and defined it may be an open question to-day as its orthography and signification. From Hackensack or Ackensack, either of which is spelled probably correct according to the original Indian pronunciation, it has wandered through Aackingsack, Ackinghassack, Akkingsakke, Ackenkishacky, Ackenkeshacky, Hagensack, Haghkinsack, Hackensacky, Hackingke- shacky, Hackingkasacky, Hackinsack, Hackquinhacq, Hackquinhacq, Hacquinkacy, Hackinsagh, Haghkingsack, Hackkensak.
SCHOOLS.
The township of New Barbadoes is divided into four districts known as Nos. 10, comprising Fairmont and Cherry Hill, and a portion of Midland township; 31, all the township between the commission line or boundary between Fairmont and the New York Susquehanna and West- ern Railway, and 32, all the territory of the township south of the last named line, to Kansas Street and the southern commission line, while 33, contains the remaining territory in the township to Little Ferry. 31, and 32, are largest and most deserving of notice.
In 1825, Cornelius C. Bogert, Dr. Abraham Hopper, and Archibald Campbell were appointed trustees to take steps toward the establishment of a school in which all the branches of a classical education could be obtained. They first secured ground upon which to erect a building, and for this purpose purchased a lot formerly owned by James Hill, on the west side of Main Street, and north of the lands of Henry Berdan. This was to be held in trust for the use of stockholders for the proposed new academy. Lafayette, having not long before passed through on his visit to the scenes of his earlier years when he fought side by side with Washington, the patriotic and grateful people named the new institu- tion. Lafayette Academy, in his honor. The building was erected by Benjamin Oldis, twenty feet on Main Street and forty-five feet deep, with an upper story for lectures and religious purposes. This was sur- mounted by a cupola and bell from the old Passaic Church. The first teacher was John Wash, Professor of Languages, from New York, fol- lowed by William Lynn, Michael Doyle, Simon Zabriskie, M. S. Wick- man, Jacob Vanderbilt, Hugh Norton, William C. Smith and J. G. Williams.
The old academy was sold in 1853, when a new and more commodi- ous brick building was erected on the northwest corner of State and Berry Streets. J. G. Williams was the first teacher (1853), followed by James B. Burlew, Isaac J. Willis, Thomas H. Gimmel, B. F. Shaffer, A. Rider and G. T. Probst, followed by S. G. Lippincott. This house was forty by fifty feet, with an addition of twenty by forty feet, and with accommodations for five or six hundred scholars. The whole was valued at $10,000. In 1877, a new three-story building was erected on the same site.
In early colonial days a law was passed rating the inhabitants for public instruction in the various towns of the province.
99
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
A meeting was held in Hackensack in 1767 at which was discussed the locating of Queen's (now Rutger's) College, the two places before the meeting being Hackensack and New Brunswick. After it was de- cided to locate at New Brunswick, the people of Hackensack were aroused to a greater interest in the cause of education.
Two years later (1769) Reinen Van Giesse, an old and extensive land owner, gave a site to the old Washington Academy, on the north- west corner of Main and Warren streets. Upon this site was erected a large stone building, seventy-five by thirty-five feet and two-stories high, with a belfry in the centre. In this belfry was hung the bell which became famous, and on which was the inscription, "Presented to Washington Academy by William Bayard, 1776." This institution be- came famous through a line of able instructors of that day, Dr. Peter Wilson being the first on the list. He was a distinguished Scotchman. who came to this country in 1763. Next came Henry Traphagen, John Traphagen, Bayard Bayard, Thomas Geaglian, Christian Zabriskie, John Hayward, Henry Blackman, William Howell, John Bogart, Henry Howell and John Vanderbilt. The first trustees elected (1790). were Solomon Fræligh, scholar and theologian; John Van Buren, Isaac Van- derbeck, Jr., and the two able lawyers, Robert Campbell and Nehemiah Wade. The building was remodeled in 1846, and again in 1858. In 1865 the school was made free, and in 1869, the necessary books and papers were supplied free of charge to all scholars. In 1873 a story was added to the building, but, the number of pupils increasing, it became neces- sary to have greater accommodations, and, in 1878, the building at the corner of Union and Meyers streets, was erected, and first occupied on December 2d of that year. Dr. Nelson Haas, preceded by a list of emi- nent educators, became principal of this school in 1871, and continued in the work for a period of nearly a quarter of a century. In 1895, upon the establishment of a separate high school, he was made its principal, and in 1897 was made Superintending Principal of all the schools in the township, and is at this time holding these two offices.
The Hackensack Academy was erected about the year 1869, but was never a prosperous enterprise, financially. This building was located on State Street, near Central Avenue. Dr. John B. Hague was its first principal. He was followed by Professor Charles Hasbrouck, he in turn by Professor W. W. Richards, and next came Stephen Brooks, who was succeeded by Charles W. Boyd. About 1882 the academy was closed.
The Fairmont school house was built in 1890, and for some time was utilized for both Fairmont and Cherry Hill, but this was not found to be satisfactory, and the Board of Education was authorized to sell the property and build a house for Fairmont.
The Hudson Street school was enlarged and newly furnished in 1893.
The High School, formerly conducted as a separate department in the Union and State Streets schools, was, from 1895 to 1590, placed in
666312 A
100
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
the State Street school, but later in the Union Street house, awaiting the construction of the new High School building, which was opened on Thanksgiving Day, 1897. The High School prepares for admission to the Freshman class in college, or to the second year in the State Nor- mal School.
The Board of Education consists of nine members, and by the school law enacted in 1866, all the schools of the township are placed under the supervision of this board. A uniform course of study has been adopted requiring eight years of work, beginning with the kindergarten. This includes a course of manual training and preparation for entrance to the High School.
In addition to these, there are two private kindergarten schools in the village, and also one parochial school, established in 1871 by Rev. J. Rolands, in connection with the parish of Holy Trinity. The present County Superintendent of Schools, Mr. John Terhune, is doing a good work in the county. The city owns school property to the amount of nearly $100,000.
HACKENSACK CHURCHES.
No history of Bergen County would be complete without a record of the First Reformed Church of Hackensack. She claims to be the fruit- ful mother of all the English speaking Reformed Churches of the county, and the benevolent step-mother of all the other Protestant Evangelical churches. She survives to-day after the storms and vicissitudes of over two hundred years, one of the oldest and staunchest of the denomination in America. Like an old, gnarled oak she has sent her roots all through the religious soil of the county and nourished the ecclesiastical growth in all her hamlets.
Two earliest records give the date of the organization as 1686, when under the ministry of Dominie Petrus Taschemaker, thirty-three persons united to lay the foundation of this ancient church. The original officers of the organization were Hendrick Jorense and Albert Stevense, elders ; and Hendrick Banta and Volkert Hansen, deacons. Dominic Tasche- maker was settled at New Amstel (now New Castle), on the Delaware River, serving the feeble congregation at Hackensack, with a good deal of sacrifice and devotion. He came four times a year to administer the Lord's Supper and baptize the children. Never their settled pastor, he did however excellent service.
The first settled pastor was Guilliam Bertholf, a very pious man who acted as "voorleer," in the absence of a regular pastor. He was sent to Holland by the people at their expense, where he fitted himself for pastoral work and came back a regularly ordained minister. For nearly thirty years this first pastor labored incessantly among his own people, and cared for the scattered colonies of Dutch settlers in New Jersey and New York States, laying the foundation of the present Home Missionary work of the Reformed Church. In 1696, ten years after the organization of the church, a building was erected on the spot where the present venerable sanctuary stands. Having been altered and enlarged
101
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
several times, it is still known to-day as " the old church on the green." After Dominie Bertholf died in 1724, there came several pastors, all of them to the Dutch manor born and bred. Time forbids to enter into particulars, put the work of Curtenius and Goetschius, Errickson and Coens abides in its influence until the present time. The congregation which was scattered over a large territory erected another house of wor- ship at Schraalenburgh where the pastor preached every other Sabbath to accommodate the worshippers in that part of the county. In common with all the other Dutch congregations of that time, the church passed through the disturbing waters of ecclesiastical strife which weakened and rent in twain elements that needed all adhesion possible in order to flourish.
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, after the death of Dominie Goetschius, Rev. Theodorick Romeyn ( usually shortened into Dirck Romeyn), came as pastor, when peace and prosperity returned. He did not stay long however, leaving to settle in the old Dutch Church of Schenectady, N. Y., where he became instrumental in founding Union College. In 1799 the church called Rev. James V. C. Romeyn as col- league with Rev. Dr. Solomon Froeligh. The progress of theological thought in New England had begun to be felt in these staid old Dutch Churches. The younger men felt the impulse of the new doctrines and antagonized the older preachers. In 1823 this same Dr. Froeligh started in the old church a secession, partly from disappointed ambition and partly from aversion to new methods which were coming in vogue. Several other ministers took umbrage at the preaching of the new views. alleging that it was a departure from the good old ways. These seced- ing parties were suspended by their respective classes for insubordina- tion and schism. For the time being, it engendered a good deal of strife and bad feeling; families were divided and churches broken up. But being a conservative and combative secession it did not make much headway, and to-day it is passing into oblivion. Dominie Romeyn lab- ored in the church over thirty years, repairing the breaches of the seces- sion and strengthening the church work. He was followed by his son James who continued the work for the short period of three years. Then followed the fruitful ministry of Dominie Alexander Warner who labored with his flock for over twenty-eight years and was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Theodore B. Romeyn, a grandson of Rev. James V. C. Romeyn. This church has had what no other church. as far as is known, has ever had, viz., a succession of three generations of preachers of one name and family. Dr. Theodore B. Romeyn continued as pastor for eighteen years when he died and left as his monument, a strong united church. In 1886 the present pastor, Rev. H. Vanderwart assumed charge. For over thirteen years he has labored to keep this venerable old church true to her record and she stands to-day foremost in the county, having a large and growing membership, a flourishing combi- nation of several societies, large congregations both morning and even-
102
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
ing, verifying the promise of God that instead of the fathers shall be the children.
THE SECOND REFORMED CHURCH
was a swarm out of the old hive; settling in the upper part of Hacken- sack, on State Street. It was organized in October, 1855, and has had a steady, vigorous growth ever since. Its first pastor was Rev. James Demarest. Jr., who was followed by Rev. G. H. Fisher, under whose pastorate the church developed in every department of activity. Failing health compelled him to resign and hand the reins to Rev. C. B. Durand, who continued for twelve years. when he changed his ecclesiastical views and entered the Episcopal ministry. The present incumbent is Rev. Arthur Johnson, who has labored with much success in this im- portant field, since December 12th. 1884. He was graduated from Prince- ton College in 1872, and at Union Theological Seminary in 1875.
A building site having been donated by Mrs. Maria Berry, the corner- stone of the new church-house was laid on July 30th, 1856, by Rev. John Knox, D. D. The church edifice was erected in 1860, at a cost of $3000.
THE THIRD GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH
was organized, as its name imports, by our German citizens, in Jan- uary, 1858, in that part of Hackensack known as the Plank Road, in order to supply the religious needs of the increasing number of Ger- mans in our midst. During the forty years of its existence, owing to weakness, it has been served by eleven pastors. At the present time it is not strong, owing to the death of many of its old supporters. Its present pastor. Rev. John Bombin, a scholarly man and an earnest and devoted worker, has under his care about eighty members.
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.