USA > New Jersey > Union County > Elizabeth > History of Elizabeth, New Jersey : including the early history of Union County > Part 55
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1868. Benjamin Kelley, James J. Boswell, Sanford Van Benschotten.
Among those, to whose labors the Society, in its infancy, was under greatest obligations, was the
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THE HISTORY OF
REV. THOMAS MORRELL.
He was the eldest child of Jonathan Morrell, and was born at New York, Nov. 22, 1747. His father was a native of Newtown, L. I., and a grandson of Thomas Morrell, who was at Gravesend, L. I., in 1650, and at Newtown, as early as 1655, where he died about 1704, leaving four sons : Thomas, Samuel, Joseph and Jonathan. One of these four was the father of Jonathan, and the grandfather of the Rev. Thomas Morrell. The father was a merchant, and from the time of their coming to this town in 1772, the son had a partnership in the business. When tidings of the battle of Lexington reached the town, a company of volunteers was immediately gathered, of which he, being among the foremost, was chosen Captain. He was in command of one of the boats that cap- tured the Blue Mountain Valley, off Sandy Hook, Jan. 23, 1776. He took an active part in the measures that were adopted to protect the town and neighborhood, during the following summer and autumn, against the British and Hes- sians.
In June, 1776, he received a captain's commission, with orders to muster a company of seventy-eight men, and report to Gen. Washington, then at New York. Two companies of militia were parading in front of the Presbyterian church. Young Morrell gave them an earnest talk, and then called for volunteers. So effective was his eloquence, that in five minutes his quota was filled-many of them being of the most respectable families in the town. They were equipped, and ready, at New York, for service, six days after the Declaration of Independence. They were attached to the N. Jersey Brigade, under Gen. Heard of Woodbridge, and in the fatal engagement at Flatbush, Aug. 27, 1776, were nearly cut to pieces. Capt. Morrell fell, severely wounded, and barely escaped with life. He was removed first to New York, and then to his father's house in this town, where he remained, unable to report for duty, until the advent of Cornwallis and his army of invasion, when he found a refuge at the house of Rev. Jonathan Elmer at New Providence.
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ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
Soon after he was appointed a Major in the Fourth Jersey regiment, and served through the campaign of 1777, or until the attack on Germantown, Pa., Oct. 3, 1777 in which he took an active part. He also distinguished himself in the battle of Brandywine, Sept. 11, 1777. His health had now become so much impaired, that, with the reluctant assent of Washington, who highly esteemed him, he withdrew from military service, and resumed his mercantile pursuits, in which he continued thenceforward nearly ten years.
The change which then ensued is best told in his own words, as recorded in his Journal :-
In the month of October, 1785, I was awakened by the preaching of the Rev. John Hagerty,* and in March, 1786, received the witness of God's Spirit of my acceptance. In June, 1786, I began to preach as a local preacher in Elizabeth-Town, and in several parts of the circuit. In March, 1787, I began to ride as a traveling preacher, and rode on Eliza- beth-town Circuit [twenty months] with Robert Cloud. At the Confer- ence in New York, in October, 1788, I was ordained deacon [nearly 41 years old], and appointed to the Trenton Circuit, with John Merrick and Jethro Johnson. At the June Conference in N. York, 1789, was ordained an Elder, and appointed for that city, with Brother Cloud, who was with me twelve months, and Brother Merrick four months.
He continued at New York, most of the time, for nearly five years, residing at No. 32 John st. During the first six months, he built the Forsyth st. church, the funds for which he raised himself. The church was dedicated, Nov. S, 1789. A great revival followed, resulting in 400 conversions, and 200 accessions to the society, within nine weeks from Jan. 1, 1790. At the Conference in 1790, he was appointed Pre- siding Elder for the district, including N. York, E. Town, L. Island, New Rochelle and Newburgh Circuits.
In the winter of 1791-2, he traveled with Bishop Asbury through the Southern States. He was stationed several months at Charleston, and returned to New York in June, 1792. In March, 1794, he left the city, and retired to Elizabeth Town ; having found in the society at New York in 1789, about 300 members, and left above 850. The
* Then stationed at New York City, and the following two years Presiding Elder of the . District.
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following winter he was stationed at Philadelphia, but, in consequence of a severe illness, was laid aside about four years. His excellent mother was taken from him, July 30, 1796, in her 68th year. In 1799, he was stationed at Balti- more, Md., and remained two years. In May, 1801, though appointed to New York, he returned home and remained a year. In 1802, with his newly-married wife, he consented to be stationed at New York, but in February, 1804, he retired from the itinerant connection, and became a per- manent resident of this town. His venerable father closed a long and useful life, Sept. 25, 1805, in his 80th year, having been a consistent member of the church for 40 years.
The " meeting house " of the Methodist society had been built, soon after the organization of the church, directly east of and almost adjoining his own house, on Water st., a short distance below the Adelphian Academy, that occupied, in early days, the site of the present spacious Market-House. It was a small, unpretending frame building, adapted to the wants of a feeble congregation. In this humble structure, Mr. Morrell took delight, once at least every Sabbath, in preaching " a free and full salvation " to all who came. At the time of his return to the town, Mr. Austin was preach- ing in the Presbyterian church. When the congregation voted against continuing him in their service, his friends procured for him the use, during the afternoon and evening of every Sabbath, of the Methodist church, and, at an ex- pense of £50, obtained by subscription, finished the gallery of the church. The division in the Presbyterian church brought quite a number of families to attach themselves to the lively and energetic ministry of Mr. Morrell, after Mr. Austin's final removal from the town.
During a period of more than thirty four years, from the time of his locating here, Mr. Morrell continued in the faith- ful discharge of his duties as a Christian minister, rarely failing to preach once every Sabbath, until his 87th year. As "Father Morrell," he was known, revered, and greatly honored by all classes of people in the town, many from the · other churches, the young as well as the old, resorting fre-
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ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
quently to hear the old soldier discourse of the great salva- tion. He took an active part in all measures for the improve- ment of the town, and especially for the advancement of re- ligion. On all patriotic occasions,-Fourth of July celebra- tions, and the like,-he was sure to be present. During the war of 1812-15, his counsels and other services were freely tendered, and were invaluable. So late as July 4, 1828, at fourscore years of age, he delivered an oration in the Presbyterian church, full of patriotic fire, and worthy of the occasion.
After the completion of his fourscore years and ten, he wrote, January 1, 1838, in his admirably kept journal, as follows :-
Through the tender mercy of God, I have lived to see the beginning of another year, being now ninety years, one month, and nine days old,- a longer period than any of our family have lived. I have many things to be thankful for,-my life being prolonged to so advanced an age, having the faculties of my mind in perfect exercise, my health tolerably good, sleep sound, appetite good, my wife in health, my children all religious and in health, my son successful as a preacher, my soul devoted to God, and every thing in plenty of temporal things. Would to God I was more thankful, more holy, more heavenly-minded. This morning I have devoted my soul and body to God; and though I am unable to preach as formerly, yet I am endeavouring by grace to walk with God. The church here is in a low state. Lord, revive thy work in my soul, and in our and the other churches, for Christ's sake. Amen and Amen.
On the 9th of August, 1838, after a severe illness of six months' duration, he fell asleep, in perfect peace, having lived ninety years, eight months and seventeen days, and having been a faithful and honored minister of the gospel more than fifty-two years.
He was a man of marked personal appearance :-
He was rather short in stature, but strongly built. His neck was short, his head not large, his eye bright and blue, his lips thin, and his whole appearance indicativo of much more than ordinary firmness. He always wore a covering on his head, like a smoking cap, from beneath which his hair fell gracefully on his neck. For his age, his step was quick, and his conversation vivacious. He was neat in person, and always appeared as if dressed for company. He wore a long frock-coat, buttoned to his chin, and, without the least ostentation, was a man of
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THE HISTORY OF
the Old School. His memory was retentive to the last, and his senses unimpaired by years.
He was thrice married. The name of his first wife, whom he married about Oct. 1, 1769, has not been preserved. She was the mother of two children : Elizabeth B. (born, July 22, 1770, and died, Feb. 2, 1799), and Catharine (born, Feb. 29, 1772, married Benjamin Wade, and died, Nov. 21, 1800, "rejoicing in the hope of a blissful immortality)." The date of her death has not been ascertained.
He married again (Bishop Asbury officiating), May 24, 1802, Lydia, a daughter of George Frazee, of Westfield. She was born, March 20, 1774, and had three children : Francis Asbury (born, June 4, 1804, and died, Sep. 11, 1805), Cath- arine (born, Oct. 31, 1805, and married to Rev. Wm. A. Wilmer), and Francis Asbury, 2d (born, July 27, 1807, and married Mary, a daughter of Jonathan Griffith). The latter is a worthy minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Lydia Morrell died, Oct. 11, 1808.
The bereaved husband then married, at Belleville, N. J., October 4, 1809, Eunice, the widow of Theodorus James Hamilton, a well-known merchant of this town. She was the daughter of Mr. Uzal Woodruff and Elizth. the daughter of Samuel Ogden and Hannah Hatfield. Their only child, Eunice Theodosia (born Dec. 13, 1811), became, Ap. 12, 1838, the second wife of the Hon. Apollos Morrell Elmer, of this town, a grandson of Rev. Jonathan Elmer. Mrs. Morrell out- lived her husband about 12 years .*
* Sprague's Annals, VII. 145-150. Wakeley's Lost Chapters of American Methodism, 397-401, &c. N. J. Journal, Nos. 892, 1142, 1144, 1354. N. J. Conference Memorial, pp. 9-22. Ms, Letters of Rev. F. A. Morrell and Mr. F. King. Littell's Passaic Valley, p. 150.
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ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
CHAPTER XXIX.
A. D. 1735-1856.
ECCLESIASTICAL-Township of RAHWAY -Presb. Chh .- Rev. Messrs. Cleverly, Grant, Strong, and Watkins - First Pastor - Rev. A. Richards - Rev. R. II. Chapman, D. D. - Rev. B. Carll - Township of UNION - Presb. Chh. - Rev. S. Horton - Rev. J. Davenport - Rev. D. Thane- Rev. J. Darby, M. D. - Rev. B. Hait - Rev. P. Fish - Rev. S. Smith - Rev. S. O. Thompson.
RAHWAY.
A FURTHER reduction in the extent of the territorial area of the town was made, by Act of the Legislature of New Jersey, February 27, 1804. It was then enacted,
That all that part of the townships of Westfield and Elizabeth Town, lying within the following lines, to wit: beginning at the bridge that crosses Rahway river, a small distance below Elias Williams's saw-mill, from thence running south, thirty-eight degrees and five minutes west, one hundred and seventy chains and nine links to John Ross's mill-pond, on Robertson's branch ; thence south-westerly along up said branch as it runs until comes to the county line between Essex and Middlesex ; thence along the said county line, as it runs, north eighty-seven degrees east, three hundred and fifty-five chains and thirty-three links to Mordeca Marsh's mill-pond on Rahway river ; thence along down the said Rahway river to the sound; thence up the sound to the mouth of Thompson's creek, near Halstead's point ; thence along up said creek to Dr. Isaac Morse's mills ; thence continuing along up said creek to a bridge crossing the same in the lower road leading from Rahway to Elizabeth-Town ; thence along the lower road as it runs, north thirty five degrees and thirty minutes west, forty six chains and seventy links, to land late of Ben- jamin Winants deceased ; thence running north, fifty one degrees and forty eight minutes west, one hundred and five chains and thirty one links to where formerly stood the sign post to the eastward of the wheat sheaf tay- ern ; thence crossing the main road to the road leading to Raritan ; thence along said road by the dwelling house of Abraham Clark, esquire, deceased,
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and Robert Clark, until it comes to the school-house, standing on the westermost corner of the plantation, formerly belonging to Samuel Wil- liams deceased, by the road; thence running north seventy degrees west, one hundred and eighteen chains to Rahway river, near Jeremiah Garth- waite's dwelling-house; thence running along down Rahway river as it runs to the aforesaid bridge, the place where it first began, shall be, and hereby is set off from the townships of Westfield and Elizabeth-Town, and made a separate township, to be called "The township of. Rahway." *_
As already intimated, a considerable portion of the early settlers of the town were attracted to the fertile valley watered by the Rahway river to the west and south of the town proper. Much of the Quaker population, that came in hither under the Proprietary rule, found homes in this quarter, and at an early date were organized into a religious society. As early as Oct. 11, 1706, Mr. Brooke, the Episco- pal missionary at E. Town and Amboy, asks the Propaga- tion Society "to send a minister to take the charge of Eliza- beth Town and Rawway upon him." The latter was one of his preaching places. Mr. Vaughan, his successor, wrote Feb. 28, 1712, that his " labours were divided between Eliza- beth Town and Raway; " and speaks of his "monthly lec- ture at Rahway where " he was wont to "preach to a small congregation and catechised their children." It is likely, that something of the kind was continued throughout his long ministry. Mr. Chandler, on succeeding him, writes, Dec. 20, 1749,-
Particularly that part of the congregation which lives in Raway. ... I have occasionally read divine service at a Private House in Raway, and have been surprised at seeing the great concourse of People on that occa- sion. There are several Families there that make a part of our congre- gation, one Family in particular of good Repute has in the summer past deliberately and heartily conformed to our Holy Church and behaves with a Zeal very becoming. I find there numbers of the Dissenters well af- fected towards the Church ; and I doubt not by the Industry of a faithful clergyman in Elizabeth Town a considerable part of the Presbyterian meet- ing in that place might be gained over to the Church.t
" The Presbyterian meeting in that place " was then in its infancy. The most of the people were of that persuasion.
* Bloomfield's Laws of N. J., 112-118.
t Clark's St. John's, pp. 22-3, 40, 63.
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ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
But, for nearly, or quite, fourscore years, they and their fathers had remained in connection with the First Presbyte- rian church of E. Town, whither they resorted regularly for public worship. The pastors of that church were wont, also, occasionally or statedly to perform divine service and preach the word here in private houses, and sometimes in barns for greater convenience. This is particularly affirmed of Mr. Dickinson, but was, doubtless, true of his predecessors. As early, however, as 1739, the project of building a Presbyte- rian church at Rahway had been entertained. Samuel Oliver (who had died, in June, 1744) made provision, in his will, dated Nov. 1, 1739, that, in case his cousin, Margery Oliver, to whom he bequeathed one third of his moveables, should die under age without lawful issue, her portion should be given "towards the building of a presbyterian Meeting House in Elisabeth Towne Raway." Tradition says, that
About the time of the memorable winter, known familiarly as the "hard winter," A. D. 1741-1742, the people made their first effort to- wards building a church. It is said that the enterprise was carried on with great unanimity, both by Episcopalians and Presbyterians, their pas- tors affording an example of united effort. The people, even in that try- ing season, gave liberally to the house of the Lord. Each one, both young and old, seemed anxious to do to the extent of their ability, what they could to the advancement of the great work in which the people were engaged.
Their first house of worship was, doubtless, erected in 1742, or 3, and their organization as a church must have taken place about the same time. No record, however, remains of the fact. The first, who statedly supplied their pulpit was Mr. JOHN CLEVERLY, who had just retired from the supply of the church at Turkey [New Providence], of whom mention is made on a previous page. It is probable that his first en- gagement was not renewed, and he retired to Morristown, where he became a teacher. Mr. JOHN GRANT, a young man of much promise, succeeded him, but left, after a short time, to take charge of the church of Westfield. He was succeeded by a Mr. Strong of New England,-probably Rev. NATHAN STRONG, of Woodbury, Ct., who graduated at Yale College in 1742, and settled at Coventry, Ct., Oct. 9, 1745. A Mr. Wat-
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kins, probably Rev. HEZEKIAH WATKINS, who graduated at Yale, in 1737, was employed for a short period .* They suc- ceeded, at last, in obtaining the pastoral services of the
REV. AARON RICHARDS.
His great-grandfather, Thomas Richards, born, about 1602, in England, came to America, and settled at Hartford, Ct., about 1637, where he died, the following year. His son, John, born in 1631, married, as early as 1686, Lydia Stocking, and died, in 1712, at Newark, N. J. One of his sons, John Richards, was born, in 1687, and married, in 1717, Jane, daughter of Deacon Azariah Crane, of Newark, N. J., and died at Newark, Mar. 16, 1748, Mrs. Jane Richards, his wife, died, Sept. 12, 1741, in her 56th year. They had three sons, Moses and Aaron, (twins), born, 1718, and David, born, 1720.
Aaron Richards, the son and grandson of John, and the great-grandson of Thomas, graduated at Yale College, in 1743, having associated there with such men as William Livingston (Gov.), Samuel Hopkins (D. D.), Samuel Buel (D. D.), James Sproat (D. D.), Noah Welles (D. D.), Wil- liam Peartree Smith, Eliphalet Williams (D. D.), Wm. Samuel Johnson (Pres. and LL. D.), Wm. Smith, and Thomas B. Chandler (D. D.). Caleb Smith, of Orange, N. J., was his classmate. He was ordained, by the Presbytery of New York, Nov. 15, 1748, and installed the first pastor of the Presbyterian church of Rahway, of which church he retained the pastoral charge more than forty-two years.
His usefulness and happiness were much impaired by a morbid hypochondria, to which he was more or less subject during the greater part of his ministry. He is spoken of, in 1753, as "a pious minister, under the deepest melancholy and temptation, harassed with perpetual suggestions to cut his own throat." Naturally, however, he was "gay and lively."
Having espoused the cause of his country during the war
* Church Manual of 1st Pres. Chh. Rahway, N. J., pp. 3, 4. Wills, Trenton, N. J., D. Sprague's Annals, II. 34.
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ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
of the Revolution, he was compelled to flee from the British invaders in 1776, and to reside, a few months, at South Hanover, N. J., where he ministered to the Presbyterian church, until he could return to his home in safety. With ad- vancing years, he became more than ever a victim of the most distressing hypochondria, so that at length, at the age of seventy-two, he desisted entirely from preaching. The pas- toral relation was dissolved, Nov. 2, 1791 .* He died, May 16, 1793. The inscription on his tomb-stone is as follows :
Sacred to the memory of the Rev. AARON RICHARDS of Raway, who deceased May 16th, 1793, aged 75 years, and in the 45th year of his min- istry.
All who knew the man will join Their friendly sighs and tears to mine ; For all who knew his merits must confess, In grief for him there can be no excess. Ilis soul was form'd to act each glorious part ; Of life unstaind with vanity or art. No thought within his generous mind had birth,
But what he might have own'd, in heaven and earth.
His wife, Susannah Smith, a native of England, survived him but a few months. Her epitaph is remarkable :
In memory of SUSANNAH, wife of the Rev. Aaron Richards, who died, 18 February, 1794, aged 68 years.
On God for all events depend, You cannot want, when God 's your friend. Weigh well your part and do your best, Leave to omnipotence the rest. God is alike both good and wise, In what he grants and what denies. Perhaps what goodness gives to-day, To-morrow, goodness takes away.
They had seven children : (1.) Smith. (2.) Alexander. (3.) William. (4.) Samuel Vroom. (5) Susan, married to Peter Smith, of Flanders, N. J. (6.) Mary, married to Joseph Barnett, of Rahway. (7.) Betsey, married to James Brown, of Woodbridge, N. J. +
* Ms. Records of the Presbytery of New York, III. 105-6, 109-10.
t Aldon's Epitaphs. Webster's Presb. Chh., p. 552. Morse's Genealogy of the Richards Family.
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After the removal of Mr. Richards, the pulpit was sup- plied for a while by " a Mr. Cooley," who had sought admis- sion to the Presbytery, " but not producing satisfactory Tes- timonials, could not be admitted."* He was followed by Mr. Henry Cook, a Licentiate. Supplies were furnished, from time to time, by the Presbytery. The vacancy con- tinued more than five years. In the autumn of 1796, they gave a call to the
REV. ROBERT HETT CHAPMAN.
He was then in his 26th year, a son of the Rev. Jedidiah Chapman, and a descendant, in the seventh generation, of Robert Chapman, who was born at Hull, England, in 1616, came to Boston, Aug. 1635, and settled at Saybrook, Ct., April, 1642. His son, Robert, had a son, Robert, who was one of the first settlers of East Haddam, Ct. He was the father of Robert, the 4th, and the grandfather of Jedidiah, of Orange, N. J., who was born at East Haddam, Ct., Sept. 27, 1741, and died at Geneva, N. Y., May 22, 1813.
Robert Hett Chapman was the second son of the Rev. Jedidiah Chapman and Blanche Smith, and was born at Orange, N. J., March 2, [or 5,] 1771. Both dates are given in "the Chapman Family." He graduated at the college of New Jersey in 1789, in the same class with David Hosack, Mahlon Dickerson, Isaac Pierson, and Silas Wood. After a full course of theological study, he was licensed to preach, by the Presbytery of New York, Oct. 3, 1793. In the winter of 1794-5, he visited the Southern States on a missionary tour. On his return, he supplied, for a while, the newly- organized church of Wardsesson [Bloomfield], N. J.
The call from Rahway was laid before the Presbytery, Oct. 12, 1796, and accepted. The ordination and installation took place, Jan. 5, 1797. The Rev. Messrs. Woodruff, Roe, Chapman, Austin, Fish, Hillyer, Condict, Cook, Richards,
* This was the Thomas Cooley, who sought admission, Dec. 20, 1791, to the Presbytery of Redstone, with credentials from the Presbytery of Charleston, and testimonials from several dissenting ministers in England. He was taken on trial, as a minister from foreign parts, and his credentials referred successively to the Synod of Virginia, and the General Assembly of 1793. The latter body pronounced his credentials a forgery. What became of him is not now known. "Old Redstone," 130, 427, 437, 453. Minutes of G. Assembly, p. 71.
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ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
Armstrong, and Force were present. "Mr. Hillyer preached the sermon from Luke ii : 14. Mr. Chapman presided. Mr. Condict gave the exhortation to the people." *
He was married, a few weeks later, Feb. 14, 1797, to Hannah, daughter, and sixth child, of Isaac Arnett and Hannah White. She was the sister of Mrs. Shepard Kollock, of this town, and the grand-daughter of James Arnett, who was one of those who were admitted Associates of the Town, in 1699. They had twelve children, four of whom were born at Rahway, the eldest living but a few weeks, and dying, at Rahway, in May, 1798.
His first pastorate was short ; Oct. 2, 1799, he was dismiss- ed, for want of adequate support, the people being unable to fulfill their engagements. He was subsequently the honored President of the University of N. Carolina, received the degree of D.D. from Williams College, in 1815, and died, on a journey, at Winchester, Va., June 18, 1833.+
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