History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 98

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 98
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 98

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The document thus signed by the people of Bran- ford was dispatched to Milford, for by that name. endeared to them by many interesting associations, was the town designated by those first upon the ground, and in the ensuing month, the inhabitants "declared their consent and readiness" to conform to its requirements. Subsequently, at a meeting on the 24th of June, 1667, shortly after the arrival of the Branford families, the Milford men also subscribed the document ; their names were as follows : '

1. Robert Trent.

2. Obadinh Bruen.

3. Matthew Camfield.

4 Sammuel Kitchel.

5. Jeremiah Pecke.

6. Mcluel Tompkins.

". Stephen Freeman.

8. Henry Lyon.

9. John Browne.

26. Nathanie Whveler.

2 .. Zurharish Burwell.

28. William L'ampe.

19. Joseph Walters.

30. Robert Dalglish.

31. llaun Alber -.

32. Tlmanas Morris,?

33. Ilugh Roberts.

34. Eph'm Pennington.

35. Martin Tichenor.

36. John Browne, Jr.

37 Juna. Scargrant.

38. Azariah ('rane.]

39. Samuel Lyon.

18. John Bauldwin, Sen.

19. John Bauldwin, Jr.

20 Juan. Tompkins.

21. Gen. Day

22. Thiom. Johnson.

23. John Curtis.

24. Ephraim Burwell.

his

25. Robert R. Dennison. mark.

10. John Rogers.

11. Stephen Davis.

12. Elward Rigs.

13. Robert Kittchell.

lais

14. J. n. Brooks. mark.

15. Robert v Lymens.

mark. bia

16. Franci« F. Linle. mark.

17. Daniel Tichenor.

4. Jeph Riggs.

41. Stephen Bund.

Although not as numerous as the settlers from Mil- ford and New Haven, yet the more perfect organiza- tion of the Branford people as a church appears to have given them sufficient ascendancy in the new settlement, although the latest comers, for it to re- veive from them, or their pastor individually, the name of Newark; Mr. Pierson's early associations with Newark, in England, when preparing for the ministry, prompting its conferment.

The people from Milford and New Haven had located themselves temporarily before the arrival of their friends from Branford, for the most parton what

are now known as Broad, Mulberry, Washington and Market Streets, their lots, with a few exceptions, ly- ing south of Market Street; and the Branford people established themselves on their arrival north of that street, on Broad and Washington Streets. By a sub- sequent resolution of the town all were allowed to select their home lots in the respective districts thus temporarily occupied, but the "neighbors from Mil- ford and New Haven." thus testifying to his per- sonal worth and their deep sense of obligation to him, " freely gave way that Capt. Robert Trent should choose his lots," and be allowed eight acres for his home lut, two acres more than were allowed to others, and he selected what is now the southeast corner of Broad and Market Streets, taking in the whole dis- tance between Broad and Mulberry Streets, and ex- tending south to beyond the site of the First Presby- terian Church.4

The earnest desire felt to render themselves secure in their possessions led to an immediate settlement of their bounds. The arrangement entered into with the Indians through the agency of Samuel Edsal, which preceded the settlement, was perfected by the execution of a more formal instrument at a con- ference with them hell "at the head of the Cove of Bound Brook " on the 11th of July 1667,5 by which they obtained the Indian title to all the lands between the bay on the east, the foot of Watchung Mountain on the west, a branch of l'assaie named " Yauntakah" on the north, 6 and Elizabeth bounds on the south. The consideration for this extended traet, within the limits of which are now situated Belleville, Bloomfield, Orange, Caldwell, and a number of other towns and villages, consisted of " fitty double-hands of powder, one hundred hars of lead, twenty axes, twenty coats, ten guns, twenty pistols, ten kettles, ten swords, four blankets, four barrels of beer, two pair of breetches, fifty knives, twenty hors, eight hundred and fifty fathoms of wampum, two ankers of liquors [about thirty-two gallons ] or something equivalent, and three troopers' coats."

Eleven years Inter, on the 13th of March, 1675. the western limits of the tract were extended to the top of the mountain by a deed from two other Indians, the consideration for the extension being "two guns, three coats and thirteen cans of rum.": The boon- dary line of the town on the south, separating it from Elizabethtown, as agreed upon on the 20th of May, 1668, ran from "the top of a little round hill named Divident hill; and from thence to run upon a north- west line into the country " until it reached the Watchung Mountain." The commissioners appointed

1 Town Iloronly we Chapter XXXV). The figures here, as before, represent the number of their respective home lite.

" Thum. Morris is presumed to have been John Morris, as the name nowhere ole appears. The error was probably made when the old town book was truuwribed.

" Daniel Tichenur and Azariah Crane did not become lot-owners time. liately.

4 Town Records fre Chapter XXXV).

& E. J. Records, Liber 1. fol. 63 ; Town Heconle fer Chapter .X.X.X V). Jonathan Tirh Dor' affidavit, bill in Chancery, app 113.

"The " third river" above the town , "Jill-Book" being the " first " and the stream at Belleville the " woond river "

TE. J Records 1.1b. 1. fol. 107 ; Town Recorda me Chapter .L.\T). Town Records re Chapter XXXV .

382

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

for this work from Newark were Jasper Crane, Robert Treat, Mathew Camfield, Samuel Swaine and Thomas Johnson; from Elizabethtown, John Ogden, Luke Watson, Robert Bond and Jeffrey Jones.

fied by prayer " cease to be one of the landmarks di- viding Elizabethtown from Newark.

Thus briefly is told why, when, and how the settle- ment of Newark was effected.

DIVIDENT HILL.

The narrative of one of the spectators of the scene when the little congress of worthies from the two towns met to establish this boundary is of interest. It is contained in one of the docu- ments connected with the legal difficulties between the Elizabethtown people and the Proprietors in after years,-an affidavit of an old man, taken in 1743. He states "that he heard Governor Treat tell after what manner the line was settled between the two towns, and that it was done in so loving and solemn a manner that he thought it ought never to be re- moved, for he (the Governor) himself being among them at that time, prayed with them on Divident hill (so-called) that there might be a good agreement be- tween them ; and the Governor said that after the agreement Mr. John Ogden (being one of the first purchasers) prayed among the people, and returned thanks for their loving agreement, and the Governor also said that if the Newark people dif- fered with the Elizabethtown people concerning that line that he believed that they would never prosper." 1

It is gratifying to know that not until the township of Clinton was formed, in 1834, did this " hill ? sancti-

1 Answer to hill, p. 47, Fast Jenny under the Proprietors, p. 46 ; Town Becurile, p. 10.

" The following lines, by Mrs. E. C. Kinney, were quoted from, when the memoir was read. They are now inserted at length, as nout appropri- ately preserving the poetical features of the event alluded to in the text. They were written at the suggestion of Mr. Whitehendl in 1846, shortly after the publication of " East Jermy umler the Proprietory Guvern- menta," in which the circumstances were unrrated :

"DIVIDENT HILL .. . Punee here, ( Muse ! that Fancy's eye Muy trace the footprints still

In conclusion, so far as relates to the material prosperity resulting from the marvelous progress

Of men that, centuries gone by, With pruyer ordained this hill. As lifts the misty veil of years, Such visions here arise As when the glorious Past appears Before enchanted eyes.

" I see. from midst the faithful few Whose deeds yet live sublime, Whose guileless spirits, brave as true, Are models ' for all time,'

A group upon this height convened, In solemn prayer they stand, Mon on whose sturdy wisdom lenned The settlers of our land.

" In mutual love the line they trace That will their homes divide, And ever mark the chosen place That prayer hath sanctified. And here it stands, a temple ohl Which crumbling Time still braves,

Though ages have their cycles rolled Alove theme patriots graves.

" AM Christ truusfigured on the height The three beheld with awe, And tear his radiant form, in white, The ancient prophets saw ; So, on thissumint 1 behold, With hentific sight, Oure more our praying sires of ohl, As spirits clothird in light.

" A hnlo crowns the surred hill, AAnd theure ghul voices THÔNG A song that duth the concave fill, Their prayers are turned to praise !

Art may not for theme saints of okl The marble urn invent,

Yet here the Future shall behold Their Henven-built monument."

383

CITY OF NEWARK.

af the mechanic arts through the instrumentality of improved machinery and the discoveries of science, much undoubtedly is to be attributed to the ac- tivity which has prevailed in the fields of both intellectual and physical investigation during the present century ; but we should look beyond the range of our own time for many of the elements which have ensured success. The men whose enterprise and skill set in motion the wheels which, with accumula- ting velocity, have rolled hither this abundant pros- perity, this firm aubstratum of religion and morality, were not of this era exclusively, but will be found deriving their characteristics from those who consti- tuted the human freight of the little barks that an- chored in the Passaic over two hundred years ago. The tottering attempts at locomotion in the child, his enutious movements, his discouragements in the face of difficulties, may not be traceable in the vigorous movements, the bold and successful achievements of the man, but, nevertheless, the latter are the legitimate results of the feeble efforts that preceded them.

If we properly estimate the advantages which this inheritance of ours confers upon us, we will cherish a grateful remembrance of the fathers whose self-denial, persevering industry, active energies and moral worth were the seminal principles from which they were evolved; and it is due to them, ourselves and our posterity to see that in no respect the inheritance is impaired while we are in occupancy, and especially that its moral characteristics should not suffer through our indifference or neglect.

The community at first, as we have seen, was an exclusive one. Habitancy was made dependent upon a full assent and subscription to their fundamental agreements, among the most prominent of which we find an obligation to bear a due proportion of the expense of maintaining a Christian ministry, and conformity to the established faith and worship. The language in which the last requisition was clothed is worthy of notice,-

"Item, it is agreed upon that in case any shall come into us or arise up amonget us that shull willingly or wilfully disturb us in our Peace and Settlementa, and especially that wonkt sutivert un frein the true Religion and worship of thel, and cannot or will not keep their opinions to them- M'1ve or be reclaimed after dun Time and awans of Conviction and re- claiming hath been naed ; it in unanimously agreed upon and Consented unto, as a fundamental Agreement and Order, that all [much] Persons 50 ill disposed and affected shall, after Notice given them, from the Town quietly depart the place seusmably, the Town allowing them valuable Considerations for their Lands or Houses na lindifferent Men shall price then, or else leave them to make the best of them to any Man the Town shall approve of." 1

We now see how utopian was this scheme, how altogether at variance with the natural tendencies of the race; yet we must admit that there was nothing unjust or unreasonable in these terms thus specifically set forth prior to settlement. Having voluntarily entered the community with u full knowledge of its constitution, why should any member of it construe

the liberty accorded to him so broadly as to warrant the toleration of licentiousness, moral or political ? Many are the communities at the present day un- doubtedly suffering from the cause which the fathers of our city thus carly endeavored to guard against. The liberty and toleration which the apirit of the age now advocates too frequently lead to the virtual enactment of the scene described in ÆEsop's fiction of the Farmer and the Frozen Adder, -the nurture, pro- tection and numerous advantages extended to those seeking an asylum from misfortune and oppression being repaid by injurious influences and a prejudicial exercise of the privileges conferred.

It was emphatically a Christian community that was established here, by no means faultless, but one that recognized the truth that "it is the river from which men drink and live, not such as they bend over to see themselves reflected in before they die, that flows untainted and perennial," ?- a community in which religion was no abstraction, but a living, active, vivifying principle ; as a Christian community have the successors of the first settlers prospered, and as a Christian community should we be zealous in sus- taining the characteristics of so high a profession. As when, in the days of old, the sounds of the drum that young Johnson caused to re-echo in the streets of Newark called rach inhabitant to the church or to the council board indifferently, 3 there should now be but one bugle-call, one common watch-word, and our banner should bear but one motto, all indicative of the one common cause,-the upholding with entire unanimity the cardinal truth that the affairs of the church and the affairs of the town, the happiness of the people, the diffusion of education, the prosperity of trade, manufactures, commerce, all are alike dependent for their "crown of rejoicing" upon those principles "according to tiod and a godly govern- ment," which are as applicable and efficacious in our day and generation, in this "our Town upon Passaick River," as they were in sixteen hundred and sixty- six."

Indian Bill of Sale .- The following copies of deeds, covering not only the present city of Newark, but nearly or quite all the present county of Essex, were taken from Vol. VI. "Collections of the New Jersey Historical Society," to whom we are indebted for their appearance in this work. They are those referred to in the foregoing sketch.

"INDIAN DEED OF SALE AND CONFIRMATION TO THE TOWNE OF NEWARK.

" Entered Irth March. E. J. Records, ilb. 1, fol. Inc.]

" WEness In the original deed of slo made by the Indians to the in- habitants of the town of Newark, barving date the rlevent dny of July, 1667, it in said to the foot of the Great Mountaine, called Watchung, alias Atrhunick, Wek Winokeep and Showertom, Indians and owners of the onid Great Mountaine, for aud In consideration of two Guns, three f'rates, and thirteen kans of Kum, wo us in hand pid the receipt Wereof

1 Town Recorda, isee Chapter XXXV.)

* Eliot's " Roman Liberty."

See Town Records (Chapter XXXV.)

384

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

wee doe hereby acknowledge doe Covenant nud declare to and with Mr. Joho Ward and Mr. Thomas Johnson, Justices of the peace of the said towne of Newark, before the Right Hoo'ble Phillip Carteret, Esq., Glover- neur of the Province of New Jersey, and the other witnesses here under written, that it is meant, agreed, and intended that their bounds shall reach or goe to the top of the said Great Mountaine, and that WEr the said Indians will marke out the same to remaine to them the sail in- habitants of Newark, their heires or Asignes for Ever. In Witness livreof WEE the s'd Indiaus have hereunto sett our hands and Seales the 13th of March, 1677-8.

"WIN CKOPP,

his marke. SAGIT.]

his marke. [st.IL. ]

" Signed, scaled and Delivered in the presence of "JAMES BILLEN, Secretary, "HENDRICK DROGESTAADT, " SAMUEL HARISSUN.

"This acknowledged before me the day And yeare above written,

" PH. C'ARTARFTT."

"THE INDIAN BILL OF SALE TO THE NEWARKE MEN. "Entered 2d March, 1676-77. [E. J. Records, Lib. 1, fol. [! ]

" Know oll men By these presents, that WEr, Wapamnck the Saka- maker, aud Wamesane, Peter, Captamin, Wecaprokikan, Napeam, Pe- rawne, Sessom, Maminstome, Cacanakque, and Harish, Indians belong- ing now to Hakimark, the known acknowledged proprietors of a certain trart of Land Lying on the West of Pesayak river boing parties on the one Side, and Mr. Obediah Bruen, Mr. Samuel Kitchell, Michael Tom- kios, John Browne and Robert Denison, with the consent and advice of Capt'n Philip Carteret, Governeur of the Province of New Jersey, and in the behalf of yo Inhabitants now being or to be ye possession of the Tract of Land Inserted in this Deed of Sale the other parties, Due make this Indenture the eleventh day of July in the year of our Lord 1667 (being the enlarging und perfecting of a deed of Sale made With the Indians the year before the present), in mnner and form follow- Ing. viz. :

"THAT WEE, the raid Wapamuck the Sukamaker, and Wamesane, Peter, Captamin, Wecaprokikan, Napeam, Perawac, Sersom, Mamus- tome, Cacanakque, and Harish, doe, for ourselves and With l'onsent of the Indians, Bargain, well and deliver, a Certain truet of Land, I'plan, and Meadows of all sorts, Wether Swamps, Rivers, Brooks, Springs, fishing, Trees of all sorts, Quaries and Mines, or Metals of what sort soever, With full liberty of hunting and fouling upon the same, Except- ing Liberty of hunting for the above said proprietors that were uppon the apjer commons, and of fishing in the above said Pesuyak River ; which said tract of Land is bounded and Limited with the bay Enat ward, and the great River Pesnyak Northward. the great Creke or River in the meadow running to the head of the Cove, und from thence bareing n West Line for the South hounds, wh. said Great Creke is Cummouly Called and known by the name Weequachick, on the West Line back- | wards in the Country to the foot of the great mountaine called Watch- Qlag, being as is .Fudged nbout seven or right miles from l'esayak towne ; the mid Mountaine as Wee are Informed hath one brunch of Elizabeth towne River running near the above wid foot of the mountaine ; the bouwels northerly, viz. : Pemyak River reaches to the Third River above the towne, yo River is called Yauntakah, and from thence upon a northwest line to the aforesaid mountaine ; all which before mentioned Lands for the several kinds of them, and all the singular benefits and Priviledges belonging to them, with ye several bounds affixed and ex- prewel herein, as also free liberty and runge for Cattle, horses, hogys. and that though they Range beyond any of the bounds in this deed Ex- presse, to feed and pasture Without Molestation of or damage to the owners of the cattle &. , alerte said. Was the alive said Indians, Wa- pamuk, &c., dor rell, Alienate, make over and Confirm all our Right. Title and Interest of us, our heires, and Ance-mor forever Unto the said Lands, Ac., as above mentioned t, Mr. Olaylinh Bruen, Mr. Samuel Kite hell, Michael Tomkins, John Browne, nud Reddert Denimm, towns- men and Agente for ye English luhabitants of P'esyak, to them, their heures and averlates for Ever, to have, hold, and dispose of, Without Claim, Let, or Molestation from onnelses or any other Whatwever. These Lands, &c., are thus solde and delivered for and in consideration of fifty double-handa of powder, one hundred bnrre of lead, twenty axes, twenty Cates, ton Giona, twenty l'istalls, ten kettles ton Swords, four

blankets, four barrells of beere, ten paire of breeches, fifty knives, twenty howes, eight hundred und fifty father of wumpem, two Aokurs of Licquers or something Equivolent, and three troopers Coates ; these things are received, only n stuall remainder engaged to them by hill. To the true and just performance according to ye true intent of our har- gain, Wra ye said Obediah Bruen, and the rest above said, doe for our- selves and heires, Ex'tors, Adını'n'tors or Assigns, to the said Wapamuk, ke., the true proprietors of the said Lands do bind and Covenant. WEE the said Wapumuk and the rest of the Indians above said doe fully sur- render, pas over and Yeild up all our Right, privilege and power in the same, and to free the above Nud Lands from Claim, Incumbrances, of What kind soever; all the otrove mentioned purchase Wee doe Grant and deliver to Obediah Bruen and yo rest above said, to them, their ar- ciates, heires, and all the lawfull possessors. And for the full Ratifica- tion and testifiention of the above said bargain and agreements about the aforesaid truet and parcells of Land so bounded, Wec, the said parties above mentioned have hereunto Enterchangeably sett our hands and scales, the day and year alune said, in the presence of U's Witnessing. Moreover Wee doe grant them free liberty to take what timber and stones they please in any of our Lands, where Wee the abova said Indians have yet propriety.

" OBEDIAH BRIEN,

" MICHAEL TOMKINS,

" SAMICEL KITCHELL,

" JOHN BROWNE, " ROMERT DENISON.

" WAPAMUK,

his marke.

bis marke.

"I'AFTAMIN,

bis marke.

" HANTSTONE,

his marke.

"l'ETER,

hls marke.

"WAME-ANE.

his marke.

" WEKAPHOKIKAN,

his marke.

" C'ACANARAUE,

hi- marke.

his marke.

" PERAWAE,

his marke.

" signed, sealed and delivered in presence of "SAMTEL EDFALL,

" PIERWIMI, ye Sachum of Pan, X his marke. " EDWARD BURROWES.

" mark of R RICHARD FLETCHER, "I'LASSE, X his marke. "

"DEED FROM THE PROPRIETORS.

F. J. Record«, Lib. F, fol. 166-168.]

" THE PROPRIETORS of the Province of EAST NEW JERSEY, To all per- Rolex to whome these presents shall come GikkTING. Know ye, that WKE the sayd Proprietors for and in consideration of the Kents and sur- vives herein After Reserved and for severall other good causes and con- siderutiones us hereunty moving, HAVE Given, granted, bargained und sold, And by these presenta Ho give, grant, bargaine nud sell anto John Curtis, John Treat, Theophselus Peirson and Robert Yong, all of the Towne of Newark in the Countie of Faux and Province afore ward, ALL those weverall tracts of Land and meadow hereafter Expressed, gritnate, Lyeing and belog with in the sayd Towneship of Newark :

CITY OF NEWARK.

"Ist. A Home Lott, In Length tenn chaines, in breadth at the east and middle three chaines back wit first And att the west end four" chaine and three quarters of A C'haine, bounded North by John John- KHI, south by Daniel Browns, east and west by high waysg.

"ALSy A truct Lyeing Abow Daniell Doda Homie lott Reasivo at Daniel Should's South-west corner, theme runing North at the East End twenty Eight chaines to the highway , thener ns the highway runes twentie mx chaines 1 the branch of the Mill Brook ; thener Abmg the Bro ko weaver chaines at the west End to Sammell Homington's line bounded west by the syd branch, North by the highway, Fant by Hanco Alberta, Samuel mint Daniel 14 1, nipl by the other Lotts South.

"Another trust beyond the Mill brooke branch Bestvisa At a Chest- but true markt un foure sides who h is John Ward's erner ; thener run- Ing north west Solventeone chained to a maple tree markt as before at the swamp side ; thenew south and by west seventy to another tree markt as before ; thenen Fast and by south twenties chaine tu Mr. ( runes corner, founded North by Land unsurvogel, Fast by other Latte, west by theSwamp und fre h meadows, south by other Latte.

" Atsu a preece of meadow at the Lower tide pond, in Length waventeene chaines, In breadth se aven haines, bounded cast by the clocks that runs into the tile pond, south by Hugh Roberts und Thomas Staples, north by the Pond, West by Oyster t'recke.

"Also a piece of swamp Lying at the Great swamp in the Neck, begin- Ing at the Bugg bridge, in the survey ] and running in Length twentie chaines north, and at the south end fifteen chaines, bounded south by the bridge, eust by the bogen, west by uther Lotts.

" Also another perce of meadow at the head of the Great Meadow, Braving at samuel Potter's South west corner And running North twentie chaines in breadth to Aaron Blackley's line, in length twenty chinins, bounded enst by Samuel Potter, north by Aaron Blackley and John Johnson, west by the swamp, south by Eliezer Lampson and unsur- veyed Land ; containing in all the above said tracts of npdand and meadow after Allowuners for barrens, highways, &r. ) two hundred acres, tring allotted for the parsonage.

"Difly. All that small tract alotted for the bureing place, takeing in the Pund and meeting house, Iwing saven chaines in Length and foure chaines in breadth, bounded west by John Treat, south by John John- son, North and East by High ways.

" 3dly. A triangle power aloted for n Markett place, six chaines widr at the month end, on the west side nine chaines in length, and in the cast wide eleven chaines in length, lumnded un all sides by highways.

"Athly. Another triangle pre alottrd for a training place, in length on the wrat sile senventeen chames, on the south-east side fifteen chaines. and on the east end sraven chaines and a half», bounded on all sides by Highways.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 98

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