USA > New Jersey > Union County > Elizabeth > History of Elizabeth, New Jersey : including the early history of Union County > Part 34
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* Allison's Laws of N. J., pp. 198-201.
t Ibid., I. p. 203-14.
N. Y. Mercury, No. 209.
383
ELIZABETHI, NEW JERSEY.
thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." The discourse was published, with the Title,-" A Servant of God dismissed from Labor to Rest." He spake of him as having had, before he was deformed by paralysis, " a peculiar Beauty and Gracefulness of Person, in which he was excelled by no Man in his Day." He adds :-
The Scholar, the accomplished Gentleman, and the true Christian, were seldom ever more happily united, than in him. Ilis unshaken Integrity and Uprightness, in all his Conduct, his Zeal for Justice, and Care to have it equally distributed, have rendered him the Admiration of the present as they will of future Generations. The Prospect of worldly Interest, earnest Solicitations of Friends, or Fear of Loss, seem to have had no Influence to move him from what appeared to be his Duty. . . No Man was ever more thoroughly Proof against all Kinds of Corruption and Bribery. . . His distinguished and unaffected Piety, spread a Glory over all his other Endowments, and rendered him a peculiar Blessing to the World. .. By his sacred Regard to the Lord's Day, his steady and conscien- tious Attendance on all the publick Ordinances of his House; he has left a noble Example, worthy of the Imitation of all Rulers in a Christian Land. .. This Practice he continued even when his great Weakness of Body, and growing Infirmities would have been thought by every Body a sufficient Excuse for his Absence. . . In his declining Days, he seemed to ripen fast for the heavenly State ; had his Conversation much in Heaven, and would frequently speak of the Things of another World, as Things that were quite familiar to him. . . His approaching Dissolution he kept daily in view, lived in a continual Expectation of it, and would often ex- press his Desires, that it might be hastened .*
His will was dated, July 14, 1755. It refers to the Mar- riage Articles between him and his wife Louisa, executed, Sep. 9, 1748 ; makes mention of his son Andrew (whom he appoints his Executor), his son, Jonathan (Chief Justice of Nova Scotia), and his daughter, Sarah, the wife of Byefield Lyde, Esq. Elizabeth, the wife of his son, Andrew, is also remembered. Samuel Woodruff and Robert Ogden, Esqs., are appointed Executors in trust, until Andrew can come on from Mass. Matthias Hatfield, Esq., Cornelius Hatfield, Esq., and John Radley are witnesses.
His decease created a great chasm in the town, followed as it was by the removal, also, of the seat of government.
* Burr's Sermon, pp. 14-19.
384
THE HISTORY OF
He was universally lamented, as his administration had been eminently successful, and his personal character had com- manded unbounded respect.
Of another distinguished citizen, who preceded him, about three years, to the world of spirits, the following notice was taken at the time :
Elizabeth-Town, August 15, 1754. Wednesday morning last [7th] departed this Life, after a short but painful Illness, JOHN Ross, Esq ; one of the Judges of Essex County Court, and a Master in Chancery : He was a Gentleman of a very affable and obliging Disposition, of steady and unshaken Principles, a strict Observer of Law and Justice, and a truly honest Man. In his Death the Country have really a sensible Loss, and a worthy Family an irreparable Damage; which nothing can so much alleviate, as the lively Hope and Assurance of his being translated into a State of blessed Immortality :- This Testimony is now given of him, by a Friend to his Person and a Lover of his Virtues .*
Judge Ross was the son of George Ross, who died in October, 1750 ; and the grandson of Deacon George Ross, who came here from New Haven, about 1670, having mar- ried there, in 1658, Constance Little. The grandson was one of the original Aldermen of the Borough, so named and ap- pointed in the Charter of Feb. 8, 1739.
The concluding years of the first century of the town pre- sent but little of particular interest, save in respect to its religious history, yet to be related. On the death of Gov. Belcher, the government of the Province devolved on Lieut. Governor Pownall, ad interim. At the time, he was, also, Governor of Massachusetts, and was residing at Boston. Learning that the old Governor was dead, he came hither to look after the royal interests in the Province, and to prevail upon the Senior member of Council, Mr. John Reading, to act as Governor. On his arrival here, Sept. 21st, he was formally received and made welcome, by the Corporation, on which occasion, an Address, signed by Robert Ogden, Recorder, was presented him, in which they speak of the place, as " the oldest and largest town in the Government of New Jersey." +
* N. Y. Weekly Post Boy, No. 204.
1 N. Y. Mercury, No. 269.
385
ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
In like manner, when Francis Bernard, Esq., was pro- claimed, at Amboy, Governor of New-Jersey, a formal Address was presented, to his Excellency, June 17, 1758, by the Corporation of the Borough of Elizabeth. When Chief Justice Nathaniel Jones came to reside in this town, he was made welcome by an Address from the Corporation, Samuel Woodruff, Mayor, " a genteel Entertainment " having been provided on the occasion. Governor Thomas Boone was re- ceived, July 3, 1760, at E. Town Point by Capt. Terrill's troop of horse and escorted to the Woodbridge line on his way to Amboy. On the 7th, the Corporation of E. Town presented their Address and were publicly entertained by the Governor. So, too, his successor, Josiah Hardy, Esq., on his landing at E. Town Point, Oct. 29, 1761, was received by the Council and some of the chief gentlemen and magis- trates of the Borough, and escorted by Capt. Terrill's troop. The presentation of the Address followed, as in the former cases .*
From the County Account Book, it appears, that, during the last thirty years of the first century of the town, the follow- ing persons sat in the Justice's Court as Chosen Freeholders : Cornelius Hatfield, John Halstead, Samuel Woodruff, Daniel Potter, "Wm. Winans, John Stiles, John Chandler, Joseph Morse, and Ephraim Terrill.
The following were Justices : Andrew Joline, Joseph Bon- nell, Thomas Price, Matthias Hatfield, John Halstead, Jo- seph Mann, John Blanchard, John Stiles, Samuel Woodruff, Thomas Clark, and Jacob DeHart.
The office of High Sheriff was filled successively by Wmn. Chetwood, Matthias Hatfield, Stephen Crane, and Matthias Williamson. The following were Collectors for the county :" Cornelius Hatfield, John Harriman, and Ephraim Terrill.
The old Account Book shows, that, May S, 1745, they " allowed to William Chetwood for hanging Negro John and Burning Harry Hartwel's Hand, £5. 0. 0, proc."-May 13, 1752 : " Allowed to Samuel Mecker 4 / proc" a day for ye 39
* N. Y. Mercury, Nos. 306, 882. Whitehead's Amboy, pp. 171, 7, 183.
25
386
THE HISTORY OF
days which he spent in taking the list of ye Estates of Elizth town to be paid out of ye next County tax proc" £7. 16. 0."- Dec. 18, 1753 : " Allowed to Mr hatfield the high Sheriff for the Indightment & Whiping John Williams proc" £3. 6. 3. Allowed to the Widow Conger 33 /4 for Getting a 100 loads of Stone at /4 p. on her land for Elizth town brig," [bridge]. -Feb. 20, 1759 : "allowed Capt. terrel for plank & Work on a brig over Raway River by John Morises Cury £10. 2. 0." -June 19, 1759 : " allowed Ezekiel Ball for Building a Pil- lory at Elizabeth Town, £2. 2. 0."
The Provincial Tax for 1753 was for E. Town, £116. 16. 1 .; for Newark, £79. 2. 6 .; for Acquacknong, £35. 2. 10. Of the £200. County Tax, E. Town paid £99. 6. 11. Of 155 " arms " to be furnished by the county, 78 were required of E. Town.
Of the Advertisements and Notices in the New York Weeklies, the following pertain to this town :---
(Dec. 24, 1744.) An Indian Wench named Sarah, absented some time ago from her Master the Rev. Mr. Simon Horton, at Connecticut Farms : She formerly belonged to Mr. Samuel Bayard, Merchant in New York, and has been seen lately in this City : She is a short thick Wench, about 24 Years of Age, and has lost some of her Fore Teeth. Whoever can take up the said Wench and commit her to the Workhouse, or other- wise secure her, shall be well rewarded by Simon Horton .*
(April 27, 1747.) To be Sold, The Mill in Elizabeth Town, near the Bridge, with the bolting Cloths, and other Utensils thereto belonging ; and also a House and Lot, convenient for the same. Whoever has a Mind to purchase the aforesaid Mill and Lot, may enquire at the House of Wil- liam Chetwood near the Premises, and be informed of the Title and Con- ditions of Sale.t
(Nov. 23, 1747.) Aaron Miller, Clock Maker, In Elizabeth Town, East New-Jersey, Makes and sells all Sorts of Clocks, after the best Manner, with Expedition :- He likewise makes Compasses and Chains for Survey- ors; as also Church Bells of any size, he having a Foundry for that Pur- pose, and has cast several who have been approved to be good; And will supply any Persons on a timely Notice, with any of the above Articles, at very reasonable Rates. #
(Jan. 25, 1747.) To be Sold, a very good House and Lot, lying in Elizabeth Town, containing 7 Acres, and a good Orchard, in the
* N. Y. Weekly Post Boy, No. 101.
# Ibid. No. 253.
t Ibid, No. 223.
387
ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
Heart of the Town, near the Church, very well situated for a Store ; and also a one Horse Chaise, at a reasonable Price. Enquire of Elias Grazeillier. *
(Jan. 2, 174g.) Whereas about 6 or 7 Weeks ago one Samuel Smith, of the Borough of Elizabeth, in New-Jersey, came to this city, and bought sundry Goods ; but in his Way home was lost near Elizabeth-Town Point : The Persons who sold him the said Goods are desired to inform the Printer hereof, that his Friends may know their Contents and which of them remain unpaid for. t
(June 26, 1749.) Through the excessive hot Weather of Sunday last, many fish died on Monday in Elizabeth Town Creek. t
(Feb. 19, 17¿9.) William Pool's plantation is to be sold, on Tuesday, the 27th inst. about a mile from town on the Woodbridge road. §
(July 16, 1750.) We have an Account from Ash Swamp, near Elizabeth Town, that about ten Days ago, a Shower of Hail, incredibly large, fell in a Vein of some Miles in those Parts, which laid waste and entirely con- sumed every Field of Wheat and Corn that was within its Compass ; Limbs of Trees broke to Pieces, and Birds and Fowles, scarce one within its Reach escaped. 'Tis said some of the Hail Stones were as big as HIen's Eggs. []
(Sept. 24, 1750.) Ran away the 10th of September, Inst., from John Cooper, of Elizabeth Town, in East New-Jersey, a young Negro Man, named Cæsar, between 20 and 25 years of Age; is small of Stature, and speaks good English ; he is as black as most any in the Land. Had on when he went away, a grey Linsey Woolsey Waist-Coat, with one or two Buttons on the Sleeve, a Pair of Tow Trowsers, and a Leather Jockey Cap instead of a Hat. T
Mr. Cooper, Caesar's master, was the son-in-law of Rev. Mr. Dickinson.
(Aug. 12, 1751.) We hear from Elizabeth Town, that two Women have been killed within these few Weeks past, near that Place, by falling out of riding Chairs .**
As specimens of the domestic Slave Trade, the following advertisements, by one of the most prominent citizens, an active member of the Presbyterian church, President of the Board of Trustees, and subsequently, an Elder, for many years, are worthy of notice :-
(April 27, 1752.) A likely Parcel of Negro Boys and Girls from 12 to 20 Years of Age, who have all had the Small Pox, To be sold by Cornelius Hetfield, in Elizabeth Town.
* N. Y. Weekly Post Boy, No. 262. t Ibid. No. 811. + Ibid. No. 336.
§ Ibid, No. 370. I Ubid. No. 891. Ibid. No. 401. Ibid. No. 447.
388
THE HISTORY OF
(June 4, 1753.) To be sold very reasonable by Cornelius Hatfield, at Elizabeth Town, East New Jersey, A Parcel of likely healthy Negro Men and Women, from between 14 and 22 Years of Age .*
(June 8, 1752.) Matthias Williamson offers for sale his Dwelling House and Kitchen, Garden, Yard, Barn, Stables and Chair House.t
(Nov. 20, 1752.) Run away from Dr. Matthias Dehart of Elizabeth Town, an Irish Servant Man named William Davis, but changes his name to Davison, a small Fellow, lanthorn jaw'd, his left shoulder out of joint, pretends to be an Englishman and a Sailor, red complexion, red Hair and Beard, about 24 Years old, had on an old Bever Hat cut across the Crown, a light Ratteen Jacket, a striped under-Jacket, new Shirt, Leather Breeches and new Shoes ; 'tis like he has Tar-Spots on most of his Cloaths, as he workt on board a Vessel for some Time.
Also run away with him, a Servant Irish Woman, named Mary Kelley, belonging to Capt. Jonathan Hampton, of the same Town, a likely Girl, about 20 Years old; 'tis supposed they will pass for Man and Wife; She is short and well-set; had on an old short red Cloak, old brown Calli- manco Gown, no Bonnet, and otherwise but very poorly cloathed. They were lately advertised in the Pennsylvania Gazette, have ran away twice before this since last May, once from Newcastle, and once from Glouces- ter County. They used to travel by Night and steal Fowl, &c. for Sustenance. Any Person that shall bring them back to their Masters, shall have Three Pounds Reward, and all reasonable Charges, paid by Matthias Dehart and Jonathan Hampton.#
(Dec. 25, 1752.) Robert Milburn, Blacksmith, advertises a Runaway Servant, Samuel Cooper, & a journeyman, Daniel Eaton.
(Oct. 1, 1753.) Cooper has run away again, and Richard Brown an Irishman, has also absconded from Milburn.§
(June 4, 1753.) Imported in the Samuel and Judith, Capt. Griffiths, from London, and the Grace, Capt. Nealson from Bristol, and to be sold by Capt. Jacob Dehart, in Elizabeth Town, A large Assortment of European and East India Goods.|
(April 5, 1756). Last Monday morning [5th] about 8 o'clock, the House of Mr. Edward Sears of Elizabeth-Town, in New-Jersey, was burnt to Ashes, occasioned, 'tis Conjectured, by some Sparks of Fire getting through a Crack in the chimney, and falling on the Roof. T
(Aug. 27, 1757.) Three affidavits, before Robert Ogden, Esq., are pub- lished, from which it appears that Samuel Woodruff, of Elizabeth Town, was part owner of the Schooner " Charming Betsey," Wm. Luce, Capt., which was loaded at E. Town, in Feb., 1757, with provisions and lumber, and sailed from the Point to St. Christophers, W. I. Joseph Jelf, at that time, was of full age, and had been Clerk and Book-keeper, upwards of
* N. Y. Weekly Post Boy, Nos. 484, 540.
§ Ibid. Nos. 517, 557. Į Ibid. No. 540.
t Ibid. No. 490. # Ibid. No. 512.
T N. Y. Mercury, No. 192.
389
ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
three years, for Mr. Woodruff. Soon afterwards he became his partner in business .*
(Oct. 24, 1757.) On Tuesday, the first Day of November, Will be sold at public auction, at Elizabeth Town, in New-Jersey, the househould furniture, plate, cattle, &c., of his late excellency governor BELCHER. Also, if not before disposed of at private sale, a good coach, and four very fine black coach-horses.t
(June 24, 1758.) Captain Jonathan Hampton, of Elizth-Town, writes from Cole's Fort, on the Frontiers of New Jersey, giving an account of the progress of the war against the Indians.t
(Aug. 21, 1758.) Run away On the 13th of August, from William Per- tree Smith, Esq .; of Elizabeth-Town, in New-Jersey, a Negro Man, called Prince, &c.
The same date, is advertised a Horse Race to take place at Elizabeth-Town, in East New Jersey, on Tuesday, Oct. 30th ; three two mile heats; for £20. Horses entered by William Euen.§
(Jan. 8, 1759.) To be Let, the noted Tavern, in Elizabeth-Town, kept by the late Widow Chetwood, known by the Sign of the Hogshead, being very convenient for a Tavern, Merchant, Shop-keeper, or Tradesman. Apply to Matthias Williamson in Elizabeth Town near the Premises. Mr. Williamson has, also, to sell a good House, Barn, Storehouse, Garden and six acres near the Bridge in Elizabeth Town. |
(Dec. 31, 1759.) A Lottery for making an Addition to, and repairing St. John's Church, in Elizabeth-Town : Erected and to be drawn near Schuter's Island, about two miles from Elizabeth-Town Point. 3334 Tickets, at $4 each. One Prize of $1000; 2, of $500; 4, of $200; 8, of $100; 16, of $50; and 30, of $20. Drawing to begin, Feb. 5, 1760, under the Direction and Management of Jonathan Hampton and John De Hart, Esqs.
(Feb. 4, 1760.) The Drawing of the above Lottery postponed to March 14. Tickets to be had of (among others) the Reverend Mr. Chandler, in Elizabeth-Town. T
It was contrary to law to draw a lottery in the Province; and to evade the law, it was common to have lotteries drawn at or near Schuter's Island.
(Feb. 18, 1760.) Choice Deer Skins, of all Sorts to be sold by David Ball and Matthias Swain, at Springfield, in the Borough of Elizabeth, New-Jersey, for cash only.
* N. Y. Mercury, No. 265. t Ibid. No. 271. + Ibid. No. 308.
§ Ibid. No. 814.
I Ibid. No. 334.
T Ibid. Nos. 385, 390.
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THE HISTORY OF
(The same date). To be Sold, a likely Negro Wench, about 18 Years old ; enquire of William P. Smith, Esq., at Elizabeth Town. She has had the Small pox and Meazels .*
(June 10, 1760.) Last Wednesday evening [5th] the Son of Robert Ogden, Esq., of Elizabeth-Town, a Boy of about 10 Years old, was drowned in the Creek, in the Place, as he was bathing.t
(Dec. 8, 1760.) Edward Arnold, near the Bridge in Elizabeth-Town, Has imported a general Assortment of Goods fitfor the Season, (&c.), all which he will sell wholesale and retail, as cheap as they are to be had in New York.#
(Feb. 1, 1762). To be sold at publick Vendue, on Monday the 14th Instant, at Mr. Thomas Tobines in Elizabeth-Town, for the benefit of his Creditors, an Assortment of Goods fit for the Season.§
(Feb. 22, 1762.) To be let and entered upon the first day of May next, at Elizabeth-Town in the province of New-Jersey, a large commo- dious Dwelling house in which Cornelius Hetfield, Esq : now lives : Said house is two story high, has six rooms on a floor, with seven fire-places, and a very good cellar under the whole house, with a large kitchen, and a good garden, about six acres of good land, a young orchard on the same, and an excellent good living spring near the house, and is very pleasantly situated in the Town. Said Hetfield has to dispose of a good assortment of Dry Goods, Ironmongery and Cutlery ware, which he will sell at prime cost, for Cash ; and all persons that are indebted to him, are desired to dis- charge their respective accounts in a short time. N. B. He has likewise to dispose of a quantity of choice seasoned two inch planks.||
(Sep. 13, 1762.) On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 5th 6th & 7th of October, horse races are to be run on the Course of Elizabeth Town, in the Field of Isaac Hatfield, about a mile from the Bridge. T
(Nov. 15, 1762.) Moses Ogden of Elizabeth Town advertises three Apprentice Lads, who had run away on Sunday evening, Oct. 31st. :- James Anderson, Tanner, 19 years old, 5 feet, 7 inches high; Uzal Wood- ruff, shoemaker, 18 years old, 5 feet 6 inches high ; and Epenetus Beech, shoemaker, 5 feet, 5 inches high. Reward, £15 .**
(May 16, 1763.) Samuel Meeker's Negro, Sampson, has run away.
(Sept. 19, 1763.) Margaret Johnston (Formerly the Widow Chet- wood), Who, for many Years, kept the Nag's Head Tavern, near the Bridge in Elizabeth Town, begs leave to inform her old Customers and Friends that she now keeps a Public House near said Bridge, in Elizabeth- Town, in the large and commodious House, lately belonging to the Estate of Col. Peter Schuyler, deceased, commonly called the White House, at the Sign of the Nag's Head, (&c.) tt
* N. Y. Mercury, No. 392. t Ibid. No. 409. # Ibid. No. 434.
§ Ibid. 496.
il Ibid. No. 499. T Ibid. No. 528.
** N. Y. Mercury, No. 587.
tt N. Y. Gazette, Nos. 231, 249.
-
391
ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
Elizabeth Town (in New Jersey) Jan. 23, 1764. Last Friday departed this life, Miss Mary Eldrington, an old virgin, in the 109th year of her age. She was of an ancient family, born at Eldrington-Hall, in Northumberland, Old England, and on the next day she was decently interred in St. John's Church-yard, at Elizabeth-Town .- It is remarkable, that, notwithstand- ing her great age, she was very desirous of getting a husband before she died ; and not two years since, nothing could offend her so highly as to tell her that she was too old to be married .*
(Jan. 30, 1764.) Last Friday, as Robert Ogden, Esq., of Elizabeth Town, with his wife, Son, and President Finley's wife, &c., were passing over on the ice at New Brunswick, it gave way with them, and it was with the greatest difficulty, their lives were saved.t
(May 14, 1764.) John Graham, who formerly kept the sign of the Duke of York at Whitehall, in New York, now keeps the Sign of the Marquis of Grandby in Elizabeth Town, in the most publick part of said town, and the most noted tavern for many years past. It was formerly kept by Mrs. Chetwood, but latterly by Mr. John Joline.#
During the troubles consequent on the long war with the French, extending from 1754 to 1763, repeated calls were made on the town for recruits; and these requisitions were answered by numerous enlistments. A military policy, also, was adopted, requiring that soldiers should be quartered in some of the principal towns of the province, ready for the emergencies of war. At first, the troops, while in winter quarters, were billeted upon private families ; but, it being " found by Experience," that this practice was "not only at- tended with a very heavy publick Expence, but many other pernicious Consequences to private Families," an Act was passed, by the Legislature, April 15, 1758, providing that substantial Barracks, each sufficient to accommodate three hundred men, should be constructed at Burlington, Perth- Amboy, Elizabeth-Town, New Brunswick and Trenton. The Act was carried into effect in the course of 1759.§
The Barracks in this town were erected on the rising ground fronting on Cherry st., near Jersey st., and extended from the street cast towards the Creek, fronting the South. They were constructed in a substantial manner, and were probably not much unlike the Barracks at Perth Amboy,
* Mass. Gazette and News Letter, of Feb. 16, 1764.
t N. Y. Mercury, No. 641. # N. York Gazette, No. 254.
§ Allinson's Laws of N. J., p. 218. Whitehead's Amboy, pp. 256, 7.
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THE HISTORY OF
which survive to the present day. They were occupied, soon after their completion, by British soldiers, some of whom were almost constantly quartered here-the 44th and 47th regiments in particular-until the War of the Revolution. The presence of the troops had, for the most part, a demoral- izing effect on the society of the town. The Barracks were destroyed by the British during the war."
At the close of the first century of the town's history, the event was celebrated, Oct. 28, 1764, by a centennial dinner, on which occasion an ox, roasted whole, in the centre of the town, opposite Barnaby Shute's house, was served to the guests.+
* Murray's Notes, p. 99. t Ibid. p. 164.
393
ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A. D. 1747-1760.
ECCLESIASTICAL .- Rev. Elihu Spencer - Early Life - Ordination and Installa- tion - His Marriage - Public Services - Removal -Subsequent History - His Death - His Family -Rev. Abraham Keteltas - Early Life - Licensure, Call and Ordination - Chh. Clock -Removal to Jamaica, L. I. - Subse- quent History - Death - Children.
THE death of the Rev. Jonathan Dickinson was a sad and deplorable event in the history of the First Presbyterian church. It was not to be expected, that a successor could be obtained of equal capacity. The church Wardens of St. John's wrote " home," Dec. 26, 1747,-"The Dissenters can with great ease be supplyed with a Teacher; but alas ! our infelicity is such that we must have recourse to a distant aid." The facts were that St. John's was supplied, at least in part, almost without delay,-while the "Dissenters " were with- out a pastor, or stated supply, nearly two years .*
No record remains, by which it can be learned, who sup- plied the Presbyterian church during the first of these two years. The eccentric James Davenport was settled over the church at Connecticut Farms at this period, and probably officiated here occasionally. The Rev. Elihu Spencer began to supply the pulpit in the spring of 1749. Pres. Edwards writes, May 20, 1749 ;-
Mr. Spencer is now preaching at Elizabethtown in New Jersey, in the pulpit of the late Mr. Dickinson,-and I believe is likely to settle there. He is a person of very promising qualifications : and will hopefully in · some measure make up the great loss, that people have sustained by the death of their former pastor.t
* Clark's St. John's, p. 58.
t Edwards' Works, I. 274.
394
THE HISTORY OF
THE REV. ELIHU SPENCER
was a townsman and a beloved kinsman and friend of David Brainerd. He was the son of Isaac Spencer and Mary Selden, and was born at East Haddam, Ct., Feb. 12, 1721. He was the seventh child of his parents. His father was the grand- son of Jared Spencer, who came to Haddam as early as 1665. Samuel, the son of Jared, was his grandfather, and Hannah, the daughter of Jared, was the grandmother of David and John Brainerd, who consequently were his second cousins. Jerusha Brainerd, sister of David and John, was the wife of his eldest brother Samuel; and Martha Brainerd, a third sis- ter, was the wife of his second brother, Joseph Spencer, after- wards Maj .- General of the Army of the Revolution, and Mem- ber of Congress. A peculiarly close intimacy, therefore, existed between Elihu Spencer and the two Brainerds. It was at the house of Samuel Spencer, Jerusha's husband, that David Brainerd found a home, whenever, in his public life, he visited his native town. To this sister Brainerd was greatly attached, and the news of her death, brought him shortly be- fore his own departure, deeply affected him. John Brainerd was about one year, and David about three years, older than Elihu Spencer. They grew up, and fitted for College, to- gether. Spencer and John Brainerd entered Yale College at the same time, and graduated in 1746, in the same class with the Rev. Dr. Ezra Stiles, subsequently President of Yale Col- lege, and with Lewis Morris and John Morin Scott, after- wards members of Congress. The Rev. Dr. Thos. B. Chandler of this town, and the Hon. Wm. Smith, the historian, pre- ceded them one year .*
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