History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 14

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 840

USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 14
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 14

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Captain Levi Holden early enlisted in the Ameri- can cause. le came of the same stock which pro- dneed boys in Boston whose liberty-loving spirit is said to have touched the heart and won the admira- tion of the British commander, General Gage, prior to the evacuation. He was a native of the suburbs, but was hemmed in in Boston when the British landed there in force. He made several unsuccessful attempts to escape from the city by secreting himself in scaven- ger boats. In the same house with him, on friendly terms, stopped a British officer. The latter displayed a deep interest in Holden's business, that of chocolate dealing, and seemed disposed to engage in it. One day he procured a horse and chaise and started with Holden for a drive in the outskirts of the town, be- yond the line of the British sentrics. Holden saw that his time to strike for liberty had come. Com- manding all his resolution, he seized the reins, and told the officer in tones admitting of no doubt as to his determination that he must alight and allow him (Hollen) to pursue his own way. Courteously, but with great firmness, he informed the officer that he was going to fight against him, was going to take up arms and join the American forces under George Washington. Taken wholly by surprise, the officer made no resistance, and did as directed. Ile walked back to Boston and Holden pushed on to his native village. Before nightfall Holden had begun to enroll a company of brave young spirits like himself. With- in two weeks he had a band of seventy-four, the youngest being but fourteen years of age, and the oldest not yet out of his teens. Captain Holden's company is said to have borne a reputation for gal- lantry second to none in the service. With their spirited commander they served in nearly every battle of the Revolution except Bunker Hill. When that was fought the Captain was still in Boston. The Captain's name is regularly down in the official roster of the Jersey line as compiled at Trenton, in 1872, and is eredited to Essex county ; but his family state that he did not come to Newark to settle until about the year 1800. They are also our authority for mention- ing him as of Washington's Life or Body Guard, whose commander at one time was Captain William Colfax, of Pompton, and whose motto was "CONQUER OR DIE." For twenty-five years after settling with his family in Newark, Captain Holden conducted a profitable business here. He died in 1825, and was buried in Trinity church-yard at the rear of the chapel

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY. NEW JERSEY.

in Rector street. The tooth of Time has eaten away much of the legibility of the inscription on his marble head-stone, so that it was with difficulty the following lines were deciphered :

SACRED

To the memory of

LEVI IHL.DEN

Whod parte 1 this life 19th of April 1825 in the Toth Year of his age.

He was a revolutionary soldier, a tried and gallant officer, a man of temper firm and resolute, of affection, temperate, steady, and benevolent, of industry, urtive and uureserved. His amiable character shone most conquenous in the domestic circle. He adorned the several relations of husband, father, aud neighbor. Through a life of nnvaried integrity, his ratelor, frankness, and love of truth, endeared him to all. Those qualities, united with faith in the Redeemer, upon whose merits he alone rohel, and whose pressure supported him in his last moments, afford persuasive evidence that his spirit has entered that mansion of the blessed. und that in the morning of the resurrection his body will rise to immor- tal life.

Returning again to the main thread of our narra- tive, we find that as regards the effects of the war on the material interests of Newark, in fact could be cited showing the inroad made on the prosperity of the place more suggestive than this: The people- that is to say, the major portion of them, the Presby- terians-were unable to properly provide for their esteemed and greatly loved pastor. The records of the Board of Trustees of the First Church, under date of March 11th, 1779, contain this minute :

At a meeting of the Board hebl ou the 11th of March, 1779, present Joseph Alling, President ; Caleb Wheeler, Samuel Pennington, Benjamin I've, Jr., and Sunnel Curry it was decided as follows.

Whereas a quantity of wood has been ent off the Parsunage for the usu of the Troops and no regular account kept thereof, and whereas the pre- went high price of every article of life render- it very difficult for our worthy minister to subsist, it is agroup by this Board that the Rev. Dr. Alexander M'Whurter be authorized to agree and compound with the Quarter Master for the wid wood or take such other steps as he thinks prayer for the recovery thereof and apply the money to his own usr.

The good man's means of support had become entirely inadequate to his wants.

To prevent surprise by British incursionistas, during the war, and secure some measure of protection, Dr. Macwhorter was obliged to have a sentinel ahnost constantly in front of the parsonage when he was there. In the year above quoted he accepted a call from a congregation at Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, the North Carolina "rebel hornet's nest," whence emanated a Declaration of Independence carlier even than that adopted in 1776 at Philadelphia. Thither with his family he proceeded in October. Singularly enough, he had scarcely become settled in his new quarters when he was forced again to fly from the approach of the British, and under the same Corn- wallis before whom he had fled with Washington from Newark in 1776. Lord Cornwallis took possession of Charlotte, and Dr. Maeshorter lost his furniture, library, and almost everything he possessed. With-

in a year he made his way back as far as Abington, Pennsylvania, where he remained until the spring of 1781, when, in accordance with an urgent invitation from his old flock, he returned to Newark, where he remained until his death.

It may readily be imagined from such a general outline of popular character as this, as well as from the closer knowledge we already possess of the mar .- ner of people inhabiting this community, that they were the reverse of indifferent to the important events which occurred at home and abroad, during the period immediately forerunning the Revolution. While, as has been made apparent, the people here were thor- oughly British in their governmental ideas and aspi- rations, even to the liberal and voluntary expenditure of their means, and the shedding of their blood in England's service, it is unquestioned, nevertheless, that the temper and spirit of the settlers of 1666 were by no means extinct. The forefathers were almost if not quite as willing to be subjects of Holland as of Britain, provided they were protected in their origi- nally guaranteed rights and liberties, civil and eccle- siastical. Doubtless their descendants felt with James Otis, one of the earliest and ablest of Massachusetts' patriots, that "it would be of little consequence to the people whether they were subjects of George or Louis, the King of Great Britain or the King of France, if both were arbitrary, as both would be, if both could levy taxes without Parliament."

As regards the public opinion of this community touching the passage and repeal of the odious Stamp Act, an exciting scene is said to have taken place at the November (1774) term of the Supreme Court, held in the Court House here in Newark, which in- dicates accurately how the popular pulse throbbed, and which, at the same time, furnishes an interesting moiety of local and State history. In charging the Grand Jury of Essex county, Chief Justice Smyth re- ferred to the questions then agitating the British Em- pire, and, a- tradition informs us, said : "The imagi- nary tyranny three thousand miles away, is less to be feared and guarded against than real tyranny at our own doors." With a spirit and patriotism worthy of American freemen, the jury thus addressed made re- ply-presumably through their foreman, Uzal Ward -in the following brave and manly words: "No bias of self-interest, no fawning servility to those in power, no hopes of future preferment would induce any man to lend his helping hand to the unnatural and diabol- , ical work of riveting chain- forging for them at a dis- tanre of three thousand miles!" With such a Grand Jury Roland as this for the ermined Oliver, it is risk- ing little to say that Newark mingled her sentiments, her sorrows and her joys in common sympathy with those of her New England sister, Boston. This, cer- tainly, was the case in 1774, when the foolishly advised George crowned his tyrannous conduct toward Amer- ica, by the ena- ment of that hill of iniquity and abominati ms known as the Boston l'ort-bill. In

ESSEX COUNTY IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

common with the towns and villages of Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, South Carolina, and, indeed, of all the colonies. Newark felt that the blow dealt Boston was aimed at all AAmerica : that the insidious stab at the freemen of one section was a venom ats thrust at the rights and liberties of all. On June 1, 1774. the Part-bill went into effect. Massa- chusetts having proposed the meeting of a General Congress in Philadelphia, in September, Governor Franklin was vainly requested to convene the New Jersey Legislature for the purpose of appointing del- egites thereto. His refusal incensed the people, and here in Newark, soon after, a meeting of the people of Essex county was held, which directed the issu- ance to the several countries of a circular letter, re- questing delegates to be chosen to meet a general committee at New Brunswick, on the twenty-first of July ensuing. The meeting likewise passed resolu- tions in strong disapprobation of the aggressive acts and spirit of the home government. When, a year later, an appeal to arms was forced, and the memor- able atfair of Lexington and Concord precipitated the Revolution, a Committee of Safety was appointed in Newark, the members of which were Dr. William Burnet, Justice Joseph Hedden, and Major Sammel Hayes. The committee held daily sessions and was presided over by Dr. Burnet. The doctor was a grandsom of the distinguished English Prelate, Bishop Burnet, and, like the grandsire, was a man of great decision and force of character. To serve hi- coun- try, he promptly relinquished a lucrative medical practice, and abandoned the pleasures of a delightful home-life. After establishing a military hospital in Newark, he became Surgeon-General of the American army and was stationed at West Point at the time of the discovery of Benedict Arnold's treasonable com- pact with Sir Henry Clinton, the British commander. It is also related, on good authority, that when the news of Major Andre's capture at Tarrytown was brought to the Point, the Doctor sat at table while Arnold read the note from Lieutenant Colonel Jame- son announcing the fact. Arnold preserved his countenance, but immediately exensed himself and withdrew " to attend upon an urgent and important service." Very soon he was hurrying with all speed to the ship of refuge which lay at anchor in the Ilud- son, below the Point, and which, with singular ap- propriateness, happened to be named the " Vulture." The Doctor's son, Major Ichabod Burnet, was an aid on General Greene's staff, and was selected to hear to Andre, after his conviction as a spy, the ofli- cial announcement of his fate. He also attended the brave and handsome, but unfortunate British Adju- tant-General upon his excention at Tappan. Dr. Burnet gave to his country, besides his service as a true and valued patriot, n posterity distinguished for its public and private worth. Jacob, one of his sons, settled in the North-Western territory when it had but 15,000 inhabitants, and when Cincinnati, where

he made his home in 1796, contained but fifteen rough finished houses. Jacob served as a magistrate. a legislator, and, ultimately, as a United States Son: - tor. Another son, David Burnet, achieved even greater distinction. After filling many important public trusts, he, finally, became the first Presiden of the short-lived Republic, Texas, now a brilliant star in the constellation of American States. Dr. Burnet, himself, upon the close of the war, resumed his practice, likewise the pursuit of husbandry. He also filled the position of JJudge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas, and was President of the New Jersey State Medical Society. He died suddenly, in 1791. in his sixty-first year.

Daring Adventure .-- One cold, dark, wintry night towards the close of the war, another small party of dauntless fellows figured in an incident which fur- ther illustrate the mettle and dash of the Jerseymen of '76. The ground was covered with a deep -now. Captain John Kidney, Captain Henry Joralemon, Jacob Garland and Halmach Joralemon started from their homes in Bloomfield, (then within the town limits of Newark), in search of adventure. A pair of swift steeds and an ordinary wood-led soon brought them into the neighborhood of Bergen Heights. Here, at the time, was stationed a British garrison. On the night in question, it happened that the officers and men of the garrison were enjoying themselves in a dancing and drinking frolie. Having dismounted from their sted, and tied the horses to a fence, the adventuren- Bloomfield spirits proceeded to recon- noitre, and discovered the state of affairs with the garrison. Each of the four was fully armed. A plan was quickly arranged for capturing a portion, at least. of the British soldiers. Stealthily Captain Kidney and his men approached the schoolhouse where were gathered the royalist roysterers. After the manner of the men at Lyons Farms, who surprised the Hes- sians, Kidney and his companions suddenly made all the noise possible. Orders were given by the Captain in a loud voice, as though he was manœuvring a large force. He then sprang to the door, forced it open, and cried out to the surprised and terror-stricken soldiers within : " Every one of you are my prisoners ; surrender or you die!" Kidney's associates were behind him, so arranged with bristling bayonets that those inside could not tell but that a whole regiment was outside. Kidney ordered the red-coats to fall in line and pass out one by one. He picked out an officer tirst, then a refugee, and havl them muffled and hurried to the sled, warning all that "the first one who attempted to escape was a dead man." The Captain and his daring companions next made a dash for the sled, started off' at the swiftest pace, and baffled the pursuit which promptly followed. The prisoners were secured in the Morristown jail. The chagrin of the captives and the garrison on discovering how they had been so cleverly outwitted may readily be im- agined.

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

CHAPTER XIV.

ESSEX COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1861-65.1

THE canses which led to the gre it Slave-holders' Re- bellion of several of the Southern States in the very early part of 1861, have been so often repeated, that it is unnecessary at this time to go into the details of that accursed suicidal act of a few disappointed poli- tical aspirants of a once powerful system of oppression, conceived in sin and born in iniquity, and whose final overthrow was brought about by the indomita- ble energy and perseveranec of a free and independent people, guided by the hand of Him who created all men free and equal, and who gave to each the in- alienable right of free thought, free speech and a free and pure ballot.

From the earliest period of our history as a nation the principles of slavery and freedom had been in conflict, cach silently but desperately struggling for the mastery.

Civilization buikls itself up slowly, but the law of its growth is sure, and so it came to pass, that out of the long, dismal years of feudalism, "in which there had been but little talk of human right, but little obedience to divine reason," the Republic was slowly emerging at last into a nobler life and a grander destiny. The Hand of the Supreme, wheeling for- ward with stately purpose the chariot wheels of Pro- gress, and heating down whatever opposed the ele- vation of man and the enlarged recognition of his rights, would not stay at the bidding of any class, or lords of such hellish misrule.

He who established us a people, and laid broad, deep and strong the foundation of universal freedom, did not mean that the nation's life should remain for- ever wrapped "in the ancient cerecloths and stiffen- ing in the stony sarcophagus of a by-gone age of tyranny." The Free States, with their schools, col- leges, churches, manufactures and agriculture, their active and intense thought; with their deopening culture, their concentrated population, and their appreciation of the principles under which they had grown and flourished, grew steadily in strength and in influence in society and in the government; while the states, that under their feudal and sin-cursed in- stitutions would dam the currents of national free- dom and human progress, were hopelessly declining in power and respectability. At length, in 1860, the dom- inance of the Free States became politically, complete, and the key to the portal of power, so long worn at the girdle of the slave power, was transferred absolutely to other hands. Then, seeing their downfall at hand, realizing that the government could no longer be em-

ployed to shield or promote a system of involuntary servitude; that it would be administered for the good of all, rather than for the advantage of a few slave- holders, the minority, burning still with a lust of power-inflammable, petulant, audacious, cager to as- sail-rose in rebellion against the voice of the ma- jority, threw off their allegiance to the constitutional authority, and madly attempted the dissolution of the I'nion, to the end that some fragment, falling to their share, might give them a new lease of power, and a foundation for a new empire dedicated to the perpetu- ation of those doctrines and ideas which, though re- jected by all the world, were by them cherished as divine. This was the slave-hokler's tendency and condition, seen and known of all men, tending more and more to barbarism, which cannot possibly share the destiny of civilization; vigorous and healthy life cannot be bound to disease and decay.

These principles-principles of misrule, of discord and death, embodying intrinsically all the perils of anarchy-had long been in possession of the Southern mind. The whole Southern people had been educated in this faith, and Southern society everywhere was permeated by its influence.

It was but natural, therefore, that when, in the in- evitable attrition of these hostile principles, those who recognized no restraints of law or fealty demanded the dissolution of the Union, the people of the North, educated to regard that I'mion as the embodiment of the national aspirations and the safeguard of the national interests, and as necessarily by the organic laws of its structure perpetual, should resist resolutely, even as one resists an attempt to strike down those of his own household.

New Jersey Brigade .- Thus, when on the 12th day of April, 1861, the first shot of the slave power was fired upon a feeble garrison of Federal soldiers in Fort Sumter, the hearts of the people of Essex County, New Jersey, were fully aroused to such a pitch as never before in the memory of mar.

The population of the whole state at that time amounted to only six hundred and seventy-six thou- sand, and of this number, ninety-eight thousand eight hundred and six were liable to military duty, though without military experience, and to a great extent ignorant of the use of arms. But when the call came for men to defend the nation's capital, there was no delay or hesitation in the people's response. New Jersey, from her Revolutionary battle-fields, answered the nation's call with eager pledges of help. The old flag, displayed aforetime only on fair holidays when no storms beat, flung out its folds in every town and hamlet, and over secluded country homes, and became a perpetual sign of covenant-keeping faithfulness, a pledge to all the world that the cause it symbolized should be maintained at whatever cost. It had gone down torn and soiled at Sumter, but it should be raised again, some day, triumphant and with new stars shining in its azure field. In every town and

"angled from John Y. Foster's "New Jersey and the Rebellion." and " Record of Office and Men of New Jersey in the Civil War, 1×61-5," hy Gien. W. S. Stryker.

ESSEX COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1861-65.

village of old Essex County, the people assembled in directed all his energies, which were warmly and ably public meetings, and pledged their utmost resources seconded by all the regimental commanders. The troops came gradually to understand the necessity of subordination, and when the order came to move, the brigade was in all respects well calculated to re fleet honor upon the State, as well as the several localities individually represented. in behalf of their imperiled Government. The Banks of the County came forward with liberal offers of money;1 leading citizens proffered their assistance to the authorities; every fireside shone with the lustre of patriotic feeling. It was a carnival of patriotism all through the county, and in fact all through Now Jersey.

Upon the first call of President Lincoln for troops, made April 15, 1861, the people became thoroughly aroused to a sense of their danger and duty, and everywhere responded with an alacrity and enthusi- asm unequaled in any age of the world. The then existing military companies, though few in number, at once opened recruiting offices, and in a brief period of time were enabled to march forward in defence of their homes and firesides.

This first call of troops required four regiments from New Jersey: Essex County furnishing its full share, 2 were soon mustered into the service, and awaited orders to move forward. The brigade organization was completed by the appointment of Theodore Run- von, of Newark, as Brigadier-General, with Major Alexander V. Bonnel as Brigade Inspector, and Cap- tain James B. Mulligan as Aide-de-camp.

General Runyon was a prominent lawyer of Newark, aged about thirty-eight years, and had for some years manifested a deep interest in military affairs, laboring earnestly to establish the militia system upon a vigor- ous and efficient basis. He was, however, without experience in the marshalling of troops, having never " set a squadron a-field," or participated in active ser- vice. But he possessed fine executive capacity and marked firmness of character; understood the value of discipline, comprehended the gravity of the situa- ation, and was, by virtue of his identification with the military of the State, peculiarly entitled to the distinction of the supreme command of the volunteer contingent from this State. His commission was dated April 27, 1861, and he at once took command of the brigade, thus giving Essex County the honor of furnishing the first General officer from this State. The task before him was by no means an easy one, as it involved the whole business of organizing, disci- plining and equipping three thousand troops, many of whom had never handled a musket, most of whom were totally ignorant of drill, and none of whom knew anything, practically, of the rigors and discom- forts of service in the field. These volunteers, though inexperienced, had the spirit of veteran soldiers, and to the development of this, tieneral Runyon promptly

I Newark Banking Company. $30,000

State Bank of Newark . .

Mechanics' Bank of Newark

Newark City Bank

Essex County Bank 20,400M

The first regiment of this pioneer brigade was highest at Vonark, at this route and method of transportation.

she especies of the State.

Hostilities Commenced .- Before the first of May, communication with Washington by way of Balti- more had been cut off by the burning of bridges and the destruction of sections of the railroad running through Maryland, and it became necessary, there- fore, that the New Jersey Brigade should proceed thither by way of Annapolis.

It was determined, after consultation, to employ the propellers plying on the Delaware and Raritan Canal in their transportation by this route, no other means of conveyance being available. 3

Accordingly, on May 2, an order was issued to General Runyon, directing the embarkation of troops " as soon as possible ; " and on the same day, final in- structions were issued to the Commandant for his government while en route to the field. In these in- structions, General Runyon was directed to proceed by way of the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal to Annapolis, and there report to the officer commanding, for further orders. As soon as possible, he was directed to ascertain, by careful inspection, any defi- ciencies which might exist in the arms, equipments, and hospital stores of the brigade, and to notify the State as to what was needed, if the deficiency could not be supplied by the Government. The instructions closed with this injunction: "The honor of New Jersey is in your keeping." The day following, the fleet (Captain R. F. Loper in command), left Trenton, and on the night of the fourth. arrived off Annapolis, having been greeted all the way along the route with manifestations of pleasure. The arrival of the bri- gade was at once reported to General B. F. Butler, who, after some ceremony, ordered its advance to Washington,' and on the fifth, the First Regiment, with six companies of the Second and nine companies of the Third, started forward in two trains of cars. The first of these trains reached Washington about midnight, and the second at eight o'clock the next morning. The same evening, the Fourth Regi- ment and the remaining company of the Third, renched the capital. The four companies of the Secund, left at Annapolis, were detailed, by order of General Scott, to the service of guarding the telegraph and railroad between Washington and Annapolis Junction,

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 14

Author: Shaw, William H Publication date: 1884 Publisher: [United States :] Number of Pages: 840

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 840