USA > New Jersey > Burlington County > Burlington > History of Burlington and Mercer counties, New Jersey : with biographical sketches of many of their pioneers and prominent men > Part 20
USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > History of Burlington and Mercer counties, New Jersey : with biographical sketches of many of their pioneers and prominent men > Part 20
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522D
HISTORY OF BURLINGTON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
and give his undivided services to the public. Ac- cordingly he divided his premises into two farms, placing a tenant upon one and a foreman upon the other, which he continued to do as long as he lived.
Being thus relieved of the management of his farms, he went regularly into the surveying and conveyan-| eing business; he soon enjoyed an extended reputation ; for honor and accuracy. He, together with his father, Charles Stokes, did most of the publie business in a radius of five miles of their homes, and also mueh business beyond. He ran out most of the town of " Progress," now Riverside, for Samuel Bechtold. He did the general business of that neighborhood for many years, as appears from the original surveys and miseellaneous notes in connection therewith in his handwriting, now in the possession of his son, Charles Stokes ..
In 1855 his services were sought as eivil engineer by parties interested in large traets of land in Cam- den and Atlantie Counties of New Jersey. The work · was such as comprehends a labyrinth of difficulties : him firm in the midst of their severest opponents. for a surveyor. It came from the entanglements which were difficult to avoid in the first settlement Trouble and conflicting elaims had existed for several years previous in conncetion with the traets in ques- tion. Various surveyors and engineers had under- taken to mark the division lines, and given up the job, when Jarrett Stokes was applied to and undertook the task.
In 1739-40, by virtue of two separate warrants of the Council of Proprietors of West Jersey, the sur- veyor-general was required to survey and loeate for the West Jersey Society "eighty-five thousand nine hundred and seventy-three and thirty-five hundredth acres (85,97335;), with allowanees for highways, and excepting therefrom twenty-two prior included sur- veys, to the number of seven thousand nine hundred and thirteen acres. These two loeations comprehended what was known as the " Weymouth" tract, which Jar- rett Stokes was employed to survey and run the lines of the included surveys. He was some three years en- gaged in tracing titles and establishing disputed lines, and was gratified in the end of making a final survey. He established a reputation as a surveyor in the lower counties, and was employed in the running out of new towns.
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In 1859 the country had become distinetly divided on the subjects of the institution of slavery and State rights. Political excitement was raging every- where. Alarming and disloyal speeches were made by eminent men who were leaders of powerful factions and sections. The destiny of the Union appeared · hung in the balances. The name of Jarrett Stokes became prominent in political cireles. He was held in high esteem by the party with which he was identified, and was inneh abused by the radical aboli- tion leaders and organs.
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of the republic the Conservative Republican party consolidated with the Abolitionist, the conservative and radical factions of the Democratic party sepa- rated. The conservatives declaring their allegiance to the Constitution of the United States at all hazards, while the Radicals, afterwards the Secessionists, de- elared their intentiou to dissolve the Union rather than submit to the aggressions of the Abolition party, and which threat was officially announced in 1860 by States declaring ordinances of secession.
Of the four distinet original faetions, Jarrett Stokes was always in principle a member of the Conserva- tive Democratic party, and always believed that as soon as the radical faction of the Democratie party disavowed the Constitution of the Union, they ceased to be exponents of Democratic principles, and were no longer members of the Demoeratie party.
At this rebellious step of the Southern States, which before, in their respective rights under the Constitution, had had his sympathies, they found By referring to the war records of his township his name will be found conspicuous among the most of the country where large locations were made. " active and loyal workers in complying with the then rigorous demands of national law, and in procuring volunteers to put down the Rebellion.
From early manhood he had been a close student of the political history of the United States. His purpose was to get to the foundation of our republi- . can institutions, to understand the principles which brought about the original Union of the States.
He studied the history of the colonies, the aggres- sions of the mother-country, and the oppressions which caused their rebellion and "the Declaration of Independence." He followed them in history through the sufferings and hardships of battle. He followed them home rejoicing, crowned vietors and independent sovereignties in themselves.
He studied well the origin, character, and defects of the " Artieles of Confederation," and rejoiced over the convention called " to form a more perfeet Union." He studied thoroughly the proceedings of each State in the appointment of its delegates to attend the great Constitutional Convention. He studied the proceed- ings of the convention, and followed the States home, and studied their proceedings in the ratification of the Constitution formed. He there learned that con- flicting views on State institutions always existed ; that the Constitution of the United States was the result of compromises, and that it would never have been ratified if it had not meant, strietly construed, exactly what it said.
In the convention ealled to form it, it was seriously and carefully read, every elause analyzed, and every word weighed in the balanecs, and such as were found wanting struek out.
Jarrett Stokes was always a strict constructionist, and bold in his opposition to the invasion of State
At that serious and important crisis in the history | right -. In his political addresses, and in public and 1
522E
WILLINGBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.
private discussions, he would never submit to the. establishment of the respective institution or institu- tions involved as the issue between the Democratic and Abolition parties, but that the one and only issue was the Constitution and the reserved rights under it.
His long opposition to what he believed to be the disloyal measures of the "American Anti-Slavery Association" caused them to misrepresent and stig- matize him as an advocate of the institution of slavery, when no one in principle was more opposed to it than lic, and no one more plainly saw and ac- knowledged its ravishes upon the Commonwealth of the States wherein it was tolerated. Had the insti- tution of slavery existed in New Jersey, he would have been foremost iu the ranks of those who sought to abolish it. He was a warm friend of the colored man, and they esteemed him in return.
In the fall of 1863 the Democratic party of the Third Legislative District of the county of Burlington · conferred upon him the nomination for Assembly. The convention was held in the large hall of the Farnum School in the city of Beverly. Excitement was running wild. It was a terrible time in political history, but notwithstanding Jarrett Stokes, upon ' being escorted to the platform, fearlessly delivered one of his strongest of political orations, which ad- print, and will go down in history as truth and an campaigu was a heated one from the platform, and resulted in the election of Jarrett Stokes. The fol- lowing fall the same opposing candidates were nomi- nated; the same hotly-contested campaign ensued, which resulted in the election of Charles C. Lathrop. Again the following fall Jarrett Stokes yielded to the persuasious of his friends, received the nomination, and headed the campaign with as much vigor as be- fore, not the third time with a view to an election, ! but to embrace the opportunity to bear his testimony to what he conscientiously believed to be the true principles of the American republic.
Jarrett Stokes did not long survive the war, but long enough to enjoy seeing peace and good will re- established and war feuds blotted out among friends and neighbors, which was one of the features of the : war most regretted by him, as he never allowed po- litical differences to disturb him in personal relations with his fellow-men.
, He was a warm friend and kind neighbor. He enjoyed the admiration and respect of all who knew him. His position as a man of ability and usefulness was questioned by none, and his status in society as a brilliant and interesting member was acknowledged by all.
Jarrett Stokes was a member of the religious Society of Friends, and served for many years in the capacity of clerk of the Preparative and Monthly Mectings. He believed in the Christian religion as taught by George Fox, William Penn, and John Hunt.
He was a publie-spirited man, and was always prominent in the enterprises of the neighborhood, whether charitable, educational, social, or otherwise. He always found time to share the enjoyments of young society. He was charitable and indulgent. They loved and welcomed him, and he was fond of them.
In January, 1869, he had occasion to visit Burling- ton, N. J. As was his custom, he drove two of his fine horses, in which he took much pride. He did not start to return home until evening, when it was raining and very dark. In driving along the railroad the sparks from the locomotive frightened his horses, which both began to run, and became unmanageable, and were halted by plunging into an open culvert upon the railroad-track at the easterly end of Bur- lington. The cars following in hot pursuit tore over the carriage and horses with demon-like speed, and the occupaut of the wagon was all that was saved from a total wreck. Both horses were killed and carriage demolished. It was believed that he never recovered. from the internal injuries then received.
He died at his residence near Raneocas, in the forty- eighth year of his age, apparently in the prime of life. His funeral was a great outpouring of friends and admirers from all parts of the State. The feel- parting look at his remains spoke more eloquently of write. He left a widow and three sons,-Hillyard, Charles, and Rowland, all of whom have grown to men's estate and survive him.
When his death was announced the journals throughout the State expressed feelings of regret, condolence, and sympathy, and public men sent let- ters to his family to that effect.
The following brief obituary from the Camden Democrat at the time of his death is expressive of his general character, viz. :
"Seldom has the death of a citizen of Burlington County produced more surprise and regret than that of the Hon. Jarrett Stokes. Hi, dis- ease was plenro-pneumonia, a dangerons one even to those most likely to witlistand it. In his case it fell with double force upon a lung that was injured in the terrible accideut of Jannary, 1869, in Burlington. Ilis death was caused by one of the sometimes suddenly fatal sequels of the original disease.
" In his manners he was courteon-, sociable, familiar, and attractive. At his beautiful residence near Rancocas his numerons friends andl fre- qnent visitors ever received cordial welcome and unbounded hospitality. He had a decided predilection for politics, and was thoroughly Demo- cratic. Hle venerated and studied carefully the supreme law of the land, and was familiar with it all. Argument was his principal forte and pleasure, and no man ever better preserved his equability of disposition during a discussion with his opponent than he. His reasoning powers were superior and cultivated, with which an opponent seldom success- fully coped. In religion he was a member of the Society of Friends, a kind husband, an affectionate father, a warm friend; of valne to the State, and an ornament to the community was Jarrett Stokes.
" De mortuis nil nisi bonum."
At the time of his death Jarrett Stokes was sin- moned on the grand jury of the county of Burlington, which met at the court-house in Mount Holly on the
dress was severely criticised, but it still exists in : ing manifested and the multitude gathered to take a
irrefutable statement of facts and conclusions. The : his worth and influence than his biographer ean
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522F
HISTORY OF BURLINGTON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
appointed date, and who first passed the following resolutions, viz. :
" Resolved, That this grand jury has learned with sincere regret of the death of Jarrett Stokes, Esq., who was summoned as a member of this body ; a citizen long known to a circle of ardently attached friends, and prominently known both in the county and State.
" Resolved, That this grand jury desire to give expression to their sin- cere sorrow at the sudden affliction thus brought upon his family, and do cordially tender to them their sympathy and condolence in their bereavement.
as in that to come. This has been the foundation, dear children, as you well know, upon which has been based all the religions instruction which I have felt it right for me to bestow npon you ; and at this moment, when contemplating the final issue of all things on earth as regards myself, I again reiterate it, with a full conviction of its everlasting truth. Fare- well."
" Resolred, That the clerk be requested to send a copy of these resolu- tions to the fannly of the deceased, and to furnish a copy to the county papers for publication. His carlier years were spent in the pursuit of agri- culture, laboring on his father's farm during the sum- mer months, and teaching school the balance of the " Attest : " FRANKLIN W. EARL, Clerk." year. This he continued for a number of years. At the age of seventeen he commenced a long aud active career as a practical surveyor, performing most of BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. the work of that character in the section of Burling- ton County adjacent to the Delaware River, and his collection of draughts, titles, and miscellaneous papers CHARLES STOKES. prove very valnable to that seetion of the country. Charles Stokes, son of David and Ann Stokes, was born 8th month 12, 1791, in the township of Wil- At the building of the Camdeu and Amboy Railroad, in 1833, he acted as agent of the company, surveying lingborough, now Beverly. He was a descendant of ; the route of the road from the Rancocas River to the Thomas aud Mary Stokes, of London, England, who city of Burlington, purchasing lands, and transacting the general business of the company between these points. In 1847 he surveyed and laid out in streets, building-lots, etc., a large portion of Beverly, then Churchville. In 1852 he surveyed and laid out the until twenty-five years of age, when he married Tacy . town of Delanco, then called Delaranco; in 1853, the town of Edgewater, then called Willington; in 1856, the town of South Beverly. He did most of the surveying of the old Willingborough township, the accuracy of which has since beeu clearly proven. In connection with surveying he was the principal conveyancer of his locality, and kept the records of his township for nearly twenty years. As member of the township committee he served the township off' and on through life, and as freeholder for fifteen years. In 1830 was one of the five commissioners appointed by the county to superintend the building of the bridge across the Rancocas River at Centreton. Residing near the work, the superintending of the entire structure devolved upon him, aud it was suc- cessfully completed. Was also one of the six com- in 1676 came to America in the ship "Welcome," and settled in Burlington County, N. J. With the exception of nine years spent in Beverly, he remained with his parents on the old Stockingham homestead Jarrett, daughter of William and Aun Jarrett, of : Montgomery County, Pa. He occupied new build- ings erected on lands set apart for him by his father on the original tract, where he remained until 1863, at which time he removed to Rancocas, where his wife departed this life, in the ninety-second year of her age. He died on Second day, the 27th of the 2d month, 1882, in the ninety-first year of his age. His early education was received at the Friends' school of Rancocas. ITis natural taste for study and the acqui- sition of knowledge led hiui to seek for books of a character at that time few and difficult to obtain. He was innch assisted in this direction through the kind- ness of Joshua Wallan, a venerable citizen of Bur- lington, who tendered him the free use of his private library. In his opinion, the existence of an infinite : missioners selected to construct the pier bridge over Creator is manifested by his works, and his attributes the Rancocas River at Bridgeborough. by the gracious impressions and teachings made upon The temperance question claimed his attention at an early age. He being convinced that the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage was wrong, the fol- lowing out of his convictions subjected him to much ridicule and eveu censure on the part of some friends, as at that time spirituous liquors were considered a necessity, particularly among farmers. He frequently narrated the circumstances associated with this im- portant period of his life, and often mentioned a meeting held at Rancocas, which he considered as the turning-point in his life, and he has always been enabled to carry out. the resolutions he then made concerning the use of spirituons liquors. When farming on his own account he offered his harvest the mind. He did not seek to imagine from or to de- termine locality, but to be satisfied with Scripture doe- trine " that such things as are revealed belong to us, but such as are secret and not revealed belong to the Great Fountain of knowledge." Harmonizing his Alife and actions with this power was the purpose of his life. The following extract from his will exem- plifies his views on these subjects: " And lastly, with a desire as fervent as conld be uttered, were it possi- ble for an affectionate father to speak from the grave, would enjoin upon all my dear children to be obedient to the teachings of divine truth in their own minds in all things, as the only and alone means of securing happiness aud true respectability in this life as well | hands additional wages if they would dispense with
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PhatInky ._
522G
WILLINGBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.
liquors, which in almost every case they acceded to, until the practice almost entirely ceased in the neigh- borhood. Though holding positive convictions as to his duty on this question, he was very careful not to force his views on others, as he held that the cause was often retarded by striving to advance it too rapidly. In enthusiasts or extremists he had no con- fidence.
In the fall of 1830, in opposition to his desires, the party professing the principles of government which he advocated elected him as their representative to the House of Assembly. He served but one term, and objected to a renomination until the public mind became much divided concerning the policy pursued by Andrew Jackson in regard to the old United States Bank. That there might be no doubt as to his opinion on that subject, he permitted his name to appear as candidate for Council in the State Legisla- ture, in connection with others who dared to approve . of the policy of the President. He was defeated, as he had expected to be, but public sentiment changed so on this subject that in the fall of 1835, and again in 1836, he was elected a member of the Legislative Council.
He was a great admirer of Andrew Jackson, was personally acquainted with him, and on two occasions dined with him. During his legislative service he ; always opposed monopolies and infringements upon personal or religious liberty. His unselfish demeanor and disregard of popularity, and his determination to uphold the right, enabled hin to command the re- spect and confidence of his opponents, and laid the foundations of many valuable friendships. Governor Vroom, in 1836, in capacity of chancellor, sent him a commission of master in the Court of Chancery, with the following message: " A token and evidence of a long and appreciated friendship which shall be as long as life." In 1844 he was a member of the con- vention which assembled at Trenton, fifth month 14th, to prepare a Constitution for the State of New Jersey. Here, as elsewhere, he was ever true to his principles, whether referring to public affairs or individual in- terests. He opposed the resolution suggesting the calling of hireling ministers to open the session of the convention with prayer, as well as the adminis- tration of oaths, which he considered unnecessary, and of a demoralizing tendency. He believed that the rights of conscience in regard to the performance of religious worship should be inviolably maintained, and he prepared and had inserted a clause in the bill of rights and privileges to this effect, which was unanimously adopted by the convention. His object was ever to perpetuate that spirit of free government set forth in a letter dated London, England, the 26th of sixth month, 1676, from the proprietors in New West Jersey, North America, to Richard Hartshorn, who had previously sailed for the new province, con- cerning the grants and concessions they had framed for the government of New West Jersey, to wit: | Laird, and John R. Sickler.
"Thus we lay a foundation for after-ages to under- stand their liberty as men and Christians, that they may not be brought in bondage, but by their own consent, for we put the power in the people, -that is to say, every man is capable to choose or to be chosen, etc." 1 He was a consistent advocate of peace prin- ciples, and bore a faithful testimony against the wars of 1812, 1848, and 1860.
In 1828 he was one of the principal participants in the great Quaker trial in the Court of Chancery at Trenton, and the venerable Eli K. Price, of Phila- delphia, is the only survivor of all the lawyers, chan- cellors, judges, and other citizens who participated therein. He was one of the originators and stock- holders of the Mount Holly Insurance Company, an institution organized in 1831, with which he was identified from its commencement, and served until his decease as a member of its finance committee. He filled many positions in various organizations of less magnitude creditably. At intervals during the past twenty-five years he wrote a number of philo- sophieal essays, as well as interesting sketches of un- published history pertaining to the county and its various institutions. He contemplated the compila- tion of some extensive researches which he had made for a proposed history of Burlington County, but his sudden illness and death prevented their completion. His life was one of remarkable activity, rarely inter- rupted by sickness. He was systematic, regular, and temperate in his habits, a consistent member of the religious Society of Friends, and seldom failed to at- tend its appointed meetings for worship ; was elder in the society for many years, and for more than sixty- five years was chosen as one of the representatives of its Quarterly Meeting in the Yearly Meeting held in Philadelphia, in which he filled an important place. His funeral took place on the following Sixth day after his decease. 2d month 3, 1882, from the Friends' mecting-house at Rancocas; the interment was made in the Friends' burial-ground near Rancocas. Here rest side by side all the ancestors of Charles Stokes who have died in America. By his death a vacancy is made which can never be filled. The res- olutions adopted at the annual meeting of the board of directors of the Mount Holly Insurance Company. held on Seventh day, 5th month 6, 1882, is an evi- dence of the high esteem in which he was held by those with whom he was associated :
" Whereas, Since our last meeting as a Board it has pleased God to call to Ilim-elf the venerable CHARLES STORES, a Director of our Company ; " Resolved, That this Board thinks it due to themselves and the de- ceased to place upon record its high appreciation of his services, and its deep regret that the course of nature removes from us our best and dearest associate, and one whom the members of the Board were accustomed to look up to with uufrigued respect and veneration ;
"That in the death of our fellow-member, CHARLES STOKES, we have lost the last of the original Directors of this Company,-one who for
1 Of the members who composed that convention but four now (1º-%) survive him, viz .: Abraham Browning, Alexander G. Cattell, Robert
522H
HISTORY OF BURLINGTON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
more than fifty years was in constant attendance upon its sessions and the Chairman of its Finance Committee, and by his connsel and advice founded its present prosperity ;
"That his personal relations to the members of this Board were so pleasant, so kind, so unselfish and generous, that we look to him as a pattern of what a Director should be;
"That his long continuance here, past ninety years, coming to ns from the past century, and freighted with the wisdom and knowledge of. su long a period, makes our loss still greater and more difficult to bear;
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