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 79
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 79
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At the regular annual meeting of the society, Dec. 25, 1869, the building committee reported the com- pletion of the basement of the new house, and its oc- cupancy for church purposes, and an expenditure of . Samuel Ellis, Austin A. Wright, Charles M. Perrine, trustees ; S. C. Johnes, treasurer ; C. M. Norton, secre- tary ; J. R. Norton, collector.
seven thousand two hundred and twenty-two dollars.
During the year 1870 arrangements had been made with Rev. A. A. Thayer, of New York, for supplying the pulpit. During this year also the society had erected upon its grounds, at a cost of eight hundred and eighty dollars, a building to be used for the pur- poses of a select school, which was duly opened under the charge of Professor W. W. Swett, a gentleman of high repute as a teacher of youth.
Feb. 21, 1871, the new church edifice was dedicated by the following order of services : Reading of hymn by A. C. Thomas : selections, led by Rev. Sumner Ellis, with congregational responses ; prayer by Rev. F. S. Bliss ; sentences by Dr. Chapin, Revs. S. Ellis, A. C. Thomas, and Moses Ballou ; hymn by Rev. F. S. Bliss ; sermon by Rev. E. H. Chapin, D.D., from Eph. iv. 6, " One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all;" prayer of dedi- cation and sentence of the same, by Rev. A. C. Thomas ; selections by Rev. M. Ballou, with re- sponses; anthem and benediction.
Following the services of dedication, Rev. A. C. Thomas made a brief statement of the finances of the society, saying that, after expending fourteen thou- sand dollars, they still found themselves seventeen hundred dollars in debt. Good-humored remarks were made by Revs. Thomas and Ballou, and the Hons. Horace Greeley and P. T. Barnum, when E. C. Taylor led with one hundred dollars, followed by J. C. Ward with another hundred dollars, and the Ladies' Sewing Circle, which had already given one thouand dollars toward the church and one thousand dollars towards its furnishing, added another one hundred dollars. Hon. Horace Greeley, who had al- ready given two lectures, added fifty dollars, and P. T. Barnum, who had also given two lectures, gave a check for one liundred dollars. The collectors soon announced that they had one thousand dollars, lacking only thirty-seven dollars, which balance was claimed by Adamn Exton, of Trenton. In the after- noon Rev. S. Ellis preached from the subject, "Love
is the fulfilling of the law." Before the evening ser- vices Hon. Horace Greeley gave an impromptu ad- dress, by request, to a crowded house. The day's ser- vices were closed by a sermon from Rev. M. Ballou, from the text, " It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
maining till the autumn of 1880. In May, 1881, Rev. W. E. Copeland, the present pastor, took charge, in response to a unanimous call.
The present officers of the society are William R. Norton, president ; W. R. Norton, Joseph Snedecker,
The Sunday-school connected with the First Uni- versalist Society was organized in 1840; Jane 16, 1858, it was reorganized, and a constitution was adopted for its more systematic management. The following officers were elected: Superintendent, Charles W. Mount; Librarian, Charles M. Norton ; Treasurer, Charles Keeler. In April, 1864, E. C. Taylor was elected superintendent, which position lie held until his resignation in June, 1871. In July following C. W. Mount was elected to the position, which he filled to June, 1873, when E. C. Taylor was re-elected, serving to June, 1878. Mr. Taylor de- clining to serve longer, Mrs. Emma Keeler was elected, serving until June, 1879, and was succeeded by the pastor, Rev. O. L. Ashenfelter, who filled the position until the close of his pastorate in September, 1880. After his departure and for the balance of his term of office Mrs. Emma Keeler, the assistant super- intendent, resumed the position of superintendent. In June, 1881, Richard D. Norton, the present in- cumbent, was elected.
The present officers of the school are Richard D. Norton, superintendent; C. Keeler, treasurer ; Henry A. Norton, librarian ; C. M. Norton, secretary.
Trinity Chapel and Mission .- Some time prior to 1850, Rev. William Passmore, then rector of Christ Church, Allentown, was appointed missionary to this then unpromising field. A hall, the second story of a mechanic's work-shop, was sub-rented of a benevo- lent society, and there the missionary organized a Sunday-school, and catechiised and instructed such children as came to him each Sunday before morning prayer.
A number of children were baptized, among them one now rector of a prominent church in Wisconsin, the Rev. William Daftor, whose parents are now living in the adjoining village of Cranbury. The public services were well attended, and an interest was awakened that was unfortunately without other
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
permanent result than a kindly feeling toward those who at various times in subsequent years repeated Mr. Passmore's attempt to establish the Episcopal Church in Hightstown. Mr. Passmore's labors were suspended on account of his illness and removal from Allentown. His successor at Allentown. Rev.
In 1858, Rev. Dr. Foggo, since rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia, was employed by the New Jersey Missionary Society to officiate at Hightstown, which he did for a considerable time on each alter- nate Sunday afternoon. When Dr. Foggo com- menced his labors the Misses Morrison were the only two members of the Episcopal Church in Hightstown. It was owing to their efforts, coupled with those of Mr. Bennington Gill, of Allentown, that the church services were revived in Hightstown. They were usually well attended. Dr. Foggo's removal from Allentown again interrupted the work until in 1861 Rev. Thomas Lyle, of St. Peter's Church, Spotts- wood, was appointed by the bishop of the diocese to take charge of the mission. The use of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church was kindly tendered on this and the former occasion. Rev. Mr. Lyle was con- veyed to Hightstown on alternate Sunday afternoons by one of his parishioners residing at Jamesburg, some members of whose family usually accompanied him. Mr. Lyle continued in charge of the mission until Lent, 1864, when he removed to Cairo, Ill. His successor was the beloved and lamented Rev. Wilbur F. Nields, then rector of St. Peter's Church, Free- hold, whose memory is still green in many hearts. With his departure closed in failure and discourage- ment the third attempt to establish the service of the Episcopal Church in Hightstown. During the latter portion of the time the mission occupied a hall which was furnished for the purpose, and Rev. James H. Smith, of South Amboy, and afterwards of Brooklyn, N. Y., assisted the clergymen in charge of the mis- sion.
The movement which resulted in the establishment of a permanent place of worship and the prospect of regular Sunday services was initiated in 1871, and has been promoted chiefly by the earnest and untir- ing efforts of Messrs. W. H. Howell and S. M. Schanck. Rev. F. M. Bird, since rector of a church in Indianapolis, had charge of the mission until his removal to the West, and at his suggestion a public · meeting was called, a parish organized, and a vestry "elected. With the almost certain prospect of a per- manent loan of several hundred dollars, a very valn- able and eligible lot was obtained, and subscriptions were secured amounting to about two thousand dol- lars. Subsequently opportunity offered to secure by purchase the building formerly occupied by the Cen- tral Bank, together with an ample lot surrounding the same.
The lower room of this building was fitted up for
church purposes, and the opening service was held in August, 1874, under the direction of Dean Rod- man, of the New Brunswick Convocation.
A number of clergymen were present who took part in the services, among whom were Revs. Mr. Dealy, of Red Bank, Baker and Bolmar, of Prince- John A. Parsons, continued the work for a few ' ton, Petit, of Bordentown, Wills, of Burlington, Dr. months.
Stubbs, of New Brunswick, and Dr. Parker, of Shrews- bury. The sermon was preached by Bishop Tuttic, of Montana, and his able discourse was happily pre- faced by a few congratulatory and encouraging re- marks. Rev. Messrs. Dealy and Stubbs followed the bishop with brief but appropriate remarks relative to the history and success of the mission.
Rev. Mr. Baldwin began to officiate at Hightstown in 1874. Rev. Frederick M. Bird succeeded him in 1876, and Rev. Mr. Clair two years later. For a time services were conducted by lay readers. Rev. M. A. Hyde, rector of the church at Allentown, has officiated since 1880. The present wardens (1882) arc and M. A. Rue. The vestrymen are S. M. Schanck, B. Gill, I. P. Davis, J. M. Smith, and W. W. Swett.
First Presbyterian Church .- The boundaries of the membership of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury originally embraced Hightstown. In April, 1857, the residents of Hightstown and vicinity pre- sented a petition to the Presbytery of New Bruns- wick for the organization of a Presbyterian Church at that place.
The Presbytery appointed a committee to visit Hightstown and organize a church there if the way be clear. This committee, consisting of Rev. John Hall, D.D., of Trenton ; Rev. J. M. Macdonald, D.D., of Princeton ; Rev. George Hale, of Pennington, with Ruling Elders Brearley, Baker, and Sheere, met pursu- ant to appointment and organized the First Presby- terian Church of Hightstown, May 6, 1857. The members of the church then organized were as follows :
Elias Riggs, Mrs. Rachel Riggs, Spofford W. Mount, Mrs. Alice Mount, William S. Riggs, Mrs. Cornelia Ann Riggs, Charles Tindall, Mrs. Mary Tindall, Sering Shangle, Charles Robbins, Mrs. Rachel Shan- gle, Mrs. Catherine Robbins, Mrs. Mary S. C. Wyckoff, and Mrs. Ann Smock.
On the same day Elias Riggs and Sering Shangle were elected and ordained as ruling elders.
The crection of the church edifice, which is of wood, located on Main Street, between Bank and Wilson Streets, was immediately begun and completed in 1858. The church was dedicated June 17, 1858. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. A. T. McGill, D.D., LL.D., of Princeton.
Oct. 5, 1857, Rev. Rufus Taylor was called to the pastorate of the church, and December 27th following he began his labors as pastor. He was succeeded, Sept. 7, 1862, by Rev. Samuel S. Shriver, who re- mained until July 1, 1869. In November, 1869, Rev. J. B. Davis was installed pastor, and has continued in that relation to the present.
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EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP.
In the fall of 1870 a new and commodious chapel of its original proprietors, who conducted it until January, 1854, when Messrs. Stults and Mount took of a year Mr. Mount retired from journalism and sold his interest in the Record to his partner, Mr. Stults. was erected for lecture and Sabbath-school purposes, costing about two thousand five hundred dollars. : possession of the establishment. At the expiration The ruling elders of the church at present are Sering Shangle, Thomas C. Mc Donald, A. B. Wyckoff, J. V. D. Beckman, William T. Smock, and Levi C. Updike.
The present membership of the church is two hun- dred and fifty-five. In 1881 a parsonage was pur- chased, which is located on Main Street, nearly op- posite the church.
The African Methodist Church. - The first meet- ings of African Methodists in Hightstown were held in the house of Stephen Bronaugh in the spring of 1867. In 1868 a church forty feet by forty was built on Summit Street, at a cost of thirteen hundred and ' sixty dollars.
The original members of the church were George Martin, Stephen Bronaugh, James Augustus and Mary Jane Dillon. . The present (1882) membership is seven.
The successive pastors have been Revs. William W. Grimes, Isaiah Taylor, James V. Pierce, Abra- ham C. Crippen, Edward Laws, Charles C. Green, John W. Whittaker, Gilbert C. Waters, and Jeremiah H. Pierce.
Physicians and Lawyers .- The medical profes- sion has been well represented since the earliest set- tlement. Drs. Enoch Wilson and George McRoy were the earliest resident physicans of whom the his- torian has been able to obtain any knowledge. Tra- dition says that these two men were here prior to 1800, and when called to visit a patient would go on foot, often walking from five to eight miles. Drs. Ezekiel Wilson and Applegate were also early physi- cians in this locality, and practiced medicine here many years. They were succeeded by Dr. Charles McChenesey and Dr. J. H. Wyckoff, who remained several years. Other physicians, whose names cannot now be recalled, have located here from time to time.
The present practitioners are Drs. Lloyd Wilbur, G. R. Berthonew, J. J. Curry, Wallace McGeorge, . A. Williamson, Joseph P. Johnson, A. H. Dey, J. P. Davis, Titus, and Pomaye.
Among the prominent resident members of the bar at the present day are Joseph J. Ely, S. M. Schenck, R. M. J. Smith, and A. M. Applegate.
The Press .- The first newspaper published . in Hightstown was issued June 30, 1849, by James S. Yard and Jacob Stults, both then young men, and was called the Village Record. At the end of six months Mr. Yard's health failing, he sold his interest in the enterprise to E. C. Taylor. In the spring Mr. Stults sold his interest to Mr. Taylor, who continued the business six months longer and then sold the es- tablishment to Dr. B. H. Peterson, a homoeopathic physician of the village, who carried on the business until May 12, 1852, when he disposed of it to Mr. Taylor. After a few numbers of the paper had been issued by Mr. Taylor, he sold it to James S. Yard, one
In 1857 a well-remembered and very acrimonious controversy occurred between the Methodist and Uni- versalist ministers of Hightstown, and the paper, perhaps unwisely, became involved in the strife. The result was the establishment of an opposition organ called the Hightstown Excelsior, which flourished for four years. The first year it was under the manage- meut of C. M. Norton, who was succeeded by Daniel Taggart, a journeyman printer, who conducted it the second year. Charles W. Mount was at the helm a year, and was succeeded by C. MI. Norton, who was in charge during the fourth year.
At the close of the fourth volume of this paper, the Village Record and Hightstown Excelsior were con- solidated under the name of the Hightstown Gazette, of which Messrs. Stults and Norton were joint pro- prietors until September, 1863, when Mr. Norton with- drew from the newspaper business and engaged in inercantile pursuits. Mr. Stults continued the busi- ness until April, 1870, when Thomas B. Applegate became editor and proprietor, and has carried on the business since. All the proprietors of the papers above referred to are still living and engaged in the active duties of life, which, considering the numerous changes here recorded, is a remarkable fact.
The Hightstown Independent, a twenty-eight-column paper, was established in June, 1876. It is independ- ent in politics, having for its aim the best interest of the community, and is under the editorial manage- ment of R. M. J. Smith.
Industrial .- THE OLD GRIST-MILL .-- The pioneer grist-mill on Rocky Brook, in the borough of Hights- town, was erected prior to 1753, as shown by the fol- lowing clause from an old will bearing date March 31st that year : "Godfree Peter, of Windsor, in his last will desires that the Grist-mill in Hightstown be sold to pay his debts." This mill, having undergone many revolutions and improvements, is now owned and operated by W. R. Norton & Son. It has had numerous owners.
AN ANCIENT TANNERY .- James Cook carried on the tanning business previous to 1806 in an old tan- nery which stood near the site of the Railroad House. This tannery was abandoned and a new one erected in about 1812 by Robert T. Purdy, who continued the business until 1840, when R. R. Forman was taken in as partner, and the firm was styled Purdy & Forman. In 1844, Mr. Purdy withdrew from the business, and it was conducted by Mr. Forman until 1846, when he retired, and was succeeded by his former partner, Mr. Purdy. In 1849 the latter was succeeded by Joseph Rue. Two years later Rue was succeeded by Coward & Ely. At the end of three years the establishment
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
was purchased by Kenneth Applegate, who caused it to be torn down and moved away.
SHANGLE'S IRON FOUNDRY .- The business of Se- ring Shangle & Son, iron founders and machinists and manufacturers of plows, plow castings, cider- screws, etc., and agents for the Kirby mowers and reapers, was established in 1856 by Sering Shangle, who in 1871 admitted his son to partnership in the enterprise. The works of this firm, on Academy Street, cover an area of about three-fourths of an aere.
DEY & SAVIGE'S PLANING- AND MOULDING-MILL AND LUMBER-YARD .- The Hightstown planing- and moulding-mill was established in 1857 by J. and E. Dey & Co., who engaged in the manufacture of sash, blinds, doors, mouldings, window-frames, house-trim- mings, and brackets. Six months later, J. Dey & Co. withdrew from the firm, and for twelve years E. Dey was sole proprietor. At the end of this period he bought the lumber-yard and trade of S. C. & R. Diven, and admitted Mr. E. T. R. Applegate to partnership in both the manufacturing and lumber business, the firm taking the name of Dey & Applegate. Four years later Mr. Applegate was sneceeded by A. B. Wyckoff. At the end of another year the member- ship of the firm was augmented by the admission of E. H. Savige. The business was conducted by Dey, Wyckoff & Savige during the next four years, when Mr. Wyckoff withdrew from the enterprise, which has since been carried on by the firm of Dey & Savige. The mill of Messrs. Dey & Savige, a wooden building fifty feet by thirty, with two additions measuring re- spectively thirty-six feet by twelve and twenty-four feet by ten, is located at the corner of Mercer and Ward Streets, and with the lumber-yard covers an area of an acre and a half. A twenty horse-power engine is employed in the factory, which has a ca- pacity to turn out an annual product of seventeen thousand dollars.
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MCDONALD'S FOUNDRY .- The foundry and manu- factory of agricultural implements now owned by Thomas C. McDonald, and located on Mercer Street, near the freight depot, was established by William S. Riggs in 1863. In 1869, Mr. Riggs formed a copart- nership with A. B. Wyckoff, under the firm-name of Riggs & Wyckoff. In 1870, Mr. Riggs withdrew from the business, and in 1871, Thomas C. McDonald be- came a partner of Mr. Wyckoff's .. The business was conducted by Wyckoff & McDonald until 1880, when the former disposed of his share in it to the latter, who has since been sole proprietor.
SHIRT MANUFACTURE .- For the past three or four years a branch of the immense shirt manufacturing business of Messrs. Downs & Finch, of Jamesburg, Middlesex Co., has been located in the place, now giving employment to hundreds of persons, its busi- ness reaching a large yearly aggregate.
THE HIGHTSTOWN CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY .- This . enterprise, which is conducted in a two-story
building, forty feet by thirty-six, on Ward Street, was established by E. Embly in 1881, and is rapidly coming into prominence.
Societies .- WINDSOR LODGE, No. 9, I. O. O. F .- This lodge was instituted Feb. 4, 1847. The charter members were John Butcher, Isaac Pullen, R. M. Smith, Thomas Butcher, Charles C. Blawalt. and Hiram Pullen. The lodge-room, with its contents, was destroyed by fire March 5, 1866.
The lodge was reorganized Nov. 22, 1866, with the following officers : Thomas C. Pearce, N. G .; Francis P. Carr, V. G. ; John M. Dey, Sec .; John H. Ford, Treas.
The membership is now ninety-one. The officers are T. M. Serogg, P. G .; George E. Titus, N. G .; Adolphus Messler, V. G. ; Isaac Wolcott, Rec. Sec. ; C. H. Pembrook, Per. Sec .; Joseph McMurran, Treas .; J. Shotwell, R. S. to N. G .; D. W. Morton, L. S. to N. G .: John H. Ford, W .; George M. Dey, C .; Jonathan H. Dey, R. S. S .; Enoch L. Cole, L. S. S .; J. V. D. Beekman, R. S. to V. G .; S. H. Miller, L. S. to V. G.
The lodge meets Thursday evening of each week in Hutchinson Hall, at the corner of Main and Stock- ton Streets.
MASONIC LODGE, No. 41 .- The charter for Hights- town Lodge was granted by the Grand Lodge of the State of New Jersey, at its regular communication held in Trenton, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 1856, on the pe- tition of Edward C. Taylor, of Harmony Lodge, No. 18; James S. Yard and Jacob Stults, of Trenton Lodge, No. 5; John Patterson, Charles Bennett, and William D. Davis, of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 16; and Francis S. Wolfe, of Brearley Lodge. No. 2, and was organized in the Odd-Fellows' Hall, Hightstown, on Wednesday, March 19, 1856, by D. G. M. Theo- dore R. Varick and other grand officers.
The charter members were Edward C. Taylor, James S. Yard, Jacob Stults, William D. Davis, Charles Ben- nett, Jehu Patterson, Rev. Francis S. Wolfe, Charles Keeler, Ira Smock, Thomas Appleget, and others.
The first officers were Edward C. Taylor, W. M. ; James S. Yard, S. W .; Jacob Stults, J. W .; Thomas Appleget, Treas. ; William W. Taylor, Sec. ; Isaac S. Buckelew, S. D. ; John S. Robbins, J. D .; George H. Jones, M. of C .; J. H. Wikoff, M: of C .; Charles Keeler and Ira Smock, Stewards; and Thomas C. Pearce, Tyler.
The present membership is one hundred and sey- enteen. The officers are George E. Snedeker, W. MI .; John M. Malsbury, S. W .; George R. Robbins, J. W .; Enoch Dey, Treas .; John R. Shangle, Sec. ; W. S. McCowan, Chaplain; D. H. Cunningham, S. D. : William H. Carr, J. D .; William W. Embly, M. of C .; William T. Smock, M. of C .; Sering Shangle and Charles H. Pembrook, Steward,; E. C. Taylor, Organist ; and William T. Lott, Tyler.
The lodge meets weekly at their lodge-room at the corner of Main and Stockton Streets.
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EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP.
MERCER LODGE, NO. 22, K. OF P .- Mercer Lodge was instituted June 4, 1869, with the following charter members : Frederick J. Kinsler, Charles E. Woodward, E. C. Richardson, Joseph H. Smith, Robert M. Early, Burtiss Magill, I. P. Goldy, A. Reed Ogborn, Charles H. Pembrook, John M. Dey, James A. Exton, George W. Eldridge, George E. Pierson, C. C. MeMichael, Samuel L. Wright, William H. Carr, Francis P. Carr, Howard Ashton, and George M. Kinsler.
The first officers were I. P. Goldy, V. P .; F. J. Kinsler, W. C .; Charles E. Woodward, V. C .; Sam- uel L. Wright, R. S .; Robert M. Early, F. S .; James A. Exton, B .; George W. Eldridge, G .; Joseph H. Smith, J. S .; John M. Dey, O. S. S.
The stated conclaves of this body are held every Wednesday evening. The present officers (1882) are as follows: William F. Lott, P. C; W. H. Hampton, C. C .; Ambrose C. Zehnder, V. C .; Isaae Woleott, K. of R. and S .; George T. Wood, MI. of F .; Sering Shangle, MI. of E. ; George M. Dey, P .; William J. Cole, MI. at A .; C. H. Pembrook, I. G .; Joseph H. Smith, O. G.
The lodge has a membership of forty-three. Its lodge-room was destroyed by fire Feb. 5, 1882. The present place of meeting is at Odd-Fellows' Hall, at the corner of Main and Stockton Streets.
HIGHTSTOWN LODGE, NO. 27, I. O. OF G. T., was instituted in the old Baptist Church, March 25, 1868, by the then Distriet Deputy Grand Worthy Chief Templar Denison, of Vineland, with fourteen charter members, as follows: Rev. Lyman Chase, W. H. Chase, Mrs. Dell S. Chase, MIrs. O. H. Reed, Mrs. J. C. Norris, Miss Addie Silvers, Miss Laura Silvers, Miss Almira Silvers, Charles W. Mount, John C. Johnson, Joseph R. C. Johnson, George Allshouse, John Wooley, and Miss Maggie Paxton.
The first officers were W. H. Chase, W. C. T .; Mrs. O. H. Reed, W. V. T .; Charles W. Mount, Sec .; Miss Almira Silvers, Asst. See. ; Miss Laura Silvers, Treas .; John C. Johnson, F. See .; John Wooley, Chaplain ; Lyman Chase, P. W. C. T. At last elec- tion, Feb. 11, 1878, the following officers were ehosen : T. M. Seroggy, W. C. T .; Lizzie Shangle, W. V. T .; Thomas B. Appleget, C .; Julia V. Schuyler, Treas. ; B. A. Farr, F. See .; Enoch Perrine, See.
This lodge suspended in the fall of 1878.
The Post-Office .- The post-office at Hightstown was established prior to 1800. The first postmaster of whom information is obtainable was Robert Purdy, : who kept the office in a small store on Stockton Street, Among his successors have been C. G. McChesney, . C. C. Blauvalt, I. Smith, Thomas Appleget, Joseph Perrine, and Samuel Holeomb. The present post- master, Charles Keeler, who previously held the office from 1861 to 1866, has served continuously since 1869. The office was kept in stores, here and there, until 1875, when it was removed to its present quarters near the Railroad House.
Burial-Places. - THE OLD BAPTIST GRAVEYARD. !
-The graveyard attached to the Baptist Church of Hightstown is the oldest burial-place in the borongh. : It has doubtless been in use more than a century. though few of the memorial stones now standing bear such early date. Among the earliest inseriptions are the following :
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