History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 118

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 830

USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 118
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 118

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Ex-Governor .Joseph D. Bedle, Hon. John R. McPher- son. Hon. L. A. Brigham, Hon. A. A Hardenbergh. Hon. 1. W. Scudder, Hon. Robert Gilchrist, Hon. Rudolph F. Rabe, Hon, Leon AAbbett, Hon. John J. Mayor Henry J. Hopper presided, and after prayer by Rev. Paul D. Van Cleef, D. D., he made the open- ing address. He was followed by James B. Vreden- burgh, Esq., and then the platform was occupied by the Hon. Charles H. Winfield, who delivered the principal oration of the day, the historical account of Totfey, Hon. Asa W. Fry, Hon. Jonathan Dixon; lon. B. F. Randolph. Hon. J. N. Davis, Hon. John Garrick, Hon. W. T. Hoffman, Hon. J. Owen Rouse, Hon. T. J. MeDonald, Hon. S. W. Stilsing, John G. Fisher, Abraham P. Newkirk, James Reid, John E. Smith, Dr. T. R. Varick, Dr. D. L. Reeve, Dr. Wil | the battle of Paulus Hook (which is reproduced in

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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

this work). B. W. Throckmorton, Esq., delivered a brief address. and the exercises were concluded with the benediction, pronounced by Rev. R. M. Aber- crombie, dean of the diocese of New Jersey.

The parade of civic and military organizations, the Police and Fire Departments, at 3.30 o'clock p.M., was probably the most popular feature of the day's pro- gramme. At an early hour the various organizations that intended to participate in it assembled at their respective rendezvous and mustered. Maj. Gen. John Ramsey, the marshal of the occasion, established his headquarters at Taylor's Hotel, where he received reports and issued orders to the derachments under his control. He was assisted by a staff consisting of Maj. D. A. Peloubet and Capts. William B. Mason, Frederick T. Farrier, Robert Clark, Henry E. Farrier, Thomas J. Armstrong, Roderick B. Seymour, Fred- erick Payne, L. E. Brown and Michael Nathan. Cas- par Speck acted as staff bugler. At half-past two o'clock the different organizations marched to the ground assigned to them and effected their formations The first division, Col. Dudley S. Steele commanding, with staff, formed with its infantry on Grand Street, right resting on Washington Street, the artillery on Mercer Street, right resting on Henderson Street, and the carriages on Washington Street, right resting on the south side of Girand Street. The second division, Marshal William A. Fisher commanding, formed in Sussex Street, right resting on Washington Street. The third division, Col. John G. Fisher commanding, formed on York Street, right resting on the west side of Washington Street. The fourth division, Chief of l'olive Murphy commanding, formed on Washington Street, the right resting on Grand Street. The fifth division, Capt. John Hart commanding, formed on Newark Avenue. The sixth division, Chief Coyle commanding, formed in Bright Street, right resting on Grove.

Maj. Gen. Hancock, though prevented by his other engagements from being present, sent three com- panies of the Third and one company of the First United States Infantry from Governor's Island, under Maj. Gibson. They presented a magnificent appearance, and their execution of the manual ex- cited general admiration among the throng of specta- tors that assembled to witness the exhibition. One battery of Bragg's artillery from Fort Hamilton was also in attendance, and contributed largely to the military effect of the parade.

At three o'clock Marshal Ramsey and his aids rode to the head of the first division, and the march com- menced. The procession passed through Washing- ton Street to Sussex, to Greene, up Montgomery to Newark Avenue, thence through Grove Street to Ninth, around Hamilton Square into Jersey Avenue, to Mercer Street, to Barrow, to Grand, thence to Washington Street, where the commands were dis- missed.

The reviewing stand had been erected across Fourth

Street at the junction of Jersey Avenue, and was hand- somely draped with flags, streamers and bunting ot every description. The windows of the houses along the line of march, and especially opposite the stand, were occupied by ladies in brilliant costumes. On the grand stand were Mayor Hopper, Maj. Gen. Mott, Maj. Gen. Ward, Hon. A. A. Hardenbergh, ex-Gov- ernor Price, Aldermen Wood and Reardon, Free- holders Gannon, Dean, MeArdle and O'Gready, Mayor Besson, of Hoboken, the committee of ar- rangements (F. G. Wolbert, George H. Farrier and B. W. Throckmorton) and a large number of the mem- bers of the municipal government of this city and Hoboken.

The parade, preceded by Sergt. Wilson and a platoon of police, marched past in the following .order :

Marshal John Ramsey and Staff.

First Division. Col. Dudley S. Steels coanaandiag, with Staff. Buad.

Fourth Regiment National Guard, commanding Lieat .- Col. W. B3. Shaffer. Niuth Regiment Band. Ninth Regiment National Guard, C'ol. B. F. Hart, commanding. Jersey City Schutzen Corps, Capt. B. Lippmann. Regular Infantry, Maj. Gibson commanding. Battery, Second Regiment, I'. S. A., Capt. Sinclair. Capt. Ehler's Battery. Carriageo containing Guests and Committee of Arrangementa.

Second Division. Marshal William .S. Fisher and Aids. Fiak's Band. Washington Battalion, No. 1, L'aiformed Patriarchs. Loges of I. O. of O F. of the Third, Fourth and Fifth Districta. Washington Band, Chapter No. 4, Patriotic Sous of America.

Third Dirision. Marshal John G. Fisher and Staff. Muller's Baad.

Van Houten, Wilson, Thomas, Zabriskie and Ellsworth Poete. G. A. R., forming One Battalion. Veteran Battalion, commaaded by F. T. Farrier Van Honten C'adets. Wilson Ginard.

Fourth Division. Benjamin Murphy commanding. Muller's Band.

l'arriages containing the Police Commissioners, Clerk McAghon and ex-Sheriff Lnverty. Police Department. Jersey City Grocer ' Association, Capt. H. F. Newman. Jenny City Turners.

Fifth Division. Finck's Baad. Ilibernia Rifles, C'apt. John Hart. Emerald Zouaves, Cupt. Richard Gill. Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Sixth Dution. Blanchard's Band. Carriages containing the Fire Commissioners, l'Jerk Doremus and Superintendent Ashhurt. Fire Department, commanded by its Chief, John Coyle.

The crush of people at the reviewing stand was very great, and at one time it seemed as if a serious accident was inevitable. Several women were nearly

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JERSEY CITY.

crushed to death, and many of them who were carry- ing babies handed up the little ones to gentlemen on the platform for protection. Sorgt. Wilson, how- ever, succeeded finally in forcing back the crowd, and opened a passage for the procession. Most of the de - tachments marched sixteen file front, and it is com- puted that nearly five thousand must have been engaged in the parade.

After the parade a collation was served at Taylor's Hotel to a large number of guests invited by the committee. Toasts were there responded to by Col. D. S. Gregory, ex-Governor Price, A. A. Hardenbergh, Esq., Rev. Dr. Abercrombie, Rev. P. D. Van ('leef, Mayor Hopper, Maj. D. A. Peloubet, Maj. Gen. Ramsey, Hon. John A. Blair and others, and Capt. George Il. Farrier read an original poem of much merit.

In the evening a grand display of fireworks was made, and thus the festivities were concluded.

The Heroes of Paulus Hook .- Following are sketches of the heroes of the affair at Paulus Hook, taken from the memorial pamphlet published soon after the centennial celebration of the event.

" LIGHT-HORSE HARRY LEE."-Henry Lee was born in Westmoreland County, Va., Jan. 29, 1756. He received his early education from a private tutor, and was afterwards sent to Princeton College, New Jersey, where he graduated in 1774.

Though young, at the breaking out of the Revolu- tion, he at once espoused the cause of the colonists, and soon became noted, under the soubriquet of " Light- Horse Harry," as one of the most vigilant, daring and successful cavalry officers. His troop of horse,

" Lee's Legion," were famed throughout the land ber their fearless bravery, as well as for their sterling patriotism, and it was undoubtedly the most cour- ageous and effective body of troops raised by the struggling patriots. In the famous retreat of Gien. Greene before Londl Cornwallis, it formed the rear- guard, the post of honor, and covered itself and it's intrepid leader with glory ; at the battles of Guilford Court-House and Eutaw Spring- the corps were par- ticularly distinguished ; Lee's signal bravery at the sieges of Forts Watson, Orier-on, Motte, Granby and Augusta made his name conspicuous where all were brave, and through Georgia and the Carolinas is, to this day, a synonym for fearless courage and in- trepid leadership.

At the age of twenty-three he led the attack on Paulus Hook, one of the most daring and brill ant events of the war ; so hazardous was the attempt con- sidered that Washington's prudence and caution gave but a half-willing eunsent to it Lee's energy and skill carried it through successfully ; with less than two hundred men, he surprised the British works and brought off'one hundred and sixty prisoners, although the forts were covered by the guns of the enemy's fleet lying in the bay, and was within a short distance of their headquarters in New York. Congress quickly appreciated the value of the achievement, and one month subsequently voted a gold medal and resolu- tions of thanks to Lee. a id also thanked those en- gaged with him in the enterprise.

After the war he was sent to Congress as a delegate from his native State ; he soon became eminent as a debater, and was instrumental in the adoption of the Federal Constitution. In 1792 he was elected Giov- ernor of Virginia, and his administration was marked by wisdom and prudence. He was an eloquent speaker, and was chosen to deliver the public oration at the obsequies of Washington, extracts from which might, with impartial justice, be applied to himself:

" How, my fellow-citizens," said he, "shall I signal to your faithful hearts his pre-eminent worth ? Where shall 1 begin, in opening to your view a character throughout sublime? Shall I speak of his warlike achievements, all springing from obedience to lis country's good ? . He commiserated folly, dismayed treason, and invigorated despondenty. . . He was second to none in the humble and en- dearing seenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate and sincere ; uniform, dignified and com- manding; his example edifying to all around him, as were the effects of that example lasting. To his equals he was condescending, to his inferiors kind, and to the dear objeets of his affection exemplarily tender. Correct throughout, vice shudderel in his presence, and virtue always felt his fostering hand ; the purity of his private character gave efulgence to his publie virtues."

He was also the author of the resolutions passed by Congress on the demise of Washington, in which

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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

originated the glowing eulogium which has since be- come so familiar, " First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

T, few men are given talents so varied, and fewer still use them so worthily. His whole life was de- voted to his country. He was a deep thinker and trenchant writer, and in 1809 published a valuable work entitled " Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department ofthe United States." which had a wide circulation, and is now highly prized by all students of Revolutionary history. In 1812 he was lamed for the remainder of his life while striving, during a riot in Baltimore, to protect the life, and property of a friend; Gen. Lingan, who was with him at the time, being killed.

Lee's eventful life peaceably closed at Cumberland Island, Ga., March 25, 1818. He was a devout Christian, a firm patriot, a brave soldier, a learned scholar, a wise statesman and a kind parent; not a meteor, whose sudden brilliancy dazzles for a moment but a star whose radiance scintillates across the page of history

Hirling

WILLIAM ALEXANDER, EARL OF STIRLING,- There are few of our Revolutionary generals about whom so little is known as Lord Stirling. To attribute a reason for this fact is difficult, unless it be ex- plainable by his dying in the last year of the war; for his services to his native country and adopted State were so many and devoted as to entitle him to a far higher position than is accorded him.

His father, James Alexander, a native of Scotland, in consequence of being involved in the political dis-

turhances of his time, came to this country in 1716. and shortly after received an appointment under the crown in the office of the secretary of the province of New York. He soon became prominent, and, with Benjamin Franklin, Francis Hopkinson and others, founded the American Philosophical Society.

William Alexander, his only son, the subject of this memoir, was born in New York City in 1726. He received an ordinary school education, with private tuition from his father, commencing life as clerk to his mother, and subsequently entering into partnership with her. The firm supplied the king's troops with clothing and provisions, and he thus became ac- quainted with many army officers, acquiring by this association a knowledge and love of the military art. Being offered the position of aid-de-camp and private secretary to Gen. Shirley, then commander-in-chief, he accepted it, and served in that capacity during the French and Indian campaigns.

In 1756 he accompanied Gen. Shirley to England, and leaves the succeeding darkness more profound, | where he won the friendship of many of the states-

' men and nobles of the kingdom, particularly the Duke of Argyle and the Earl of Bute, and was advised by them to assert his hereditary right to the vacant earl- dom of Stirling, in Scotland. We cannot in this brief sketch give the reasons why he failed to establish his claims; but probably his sympathy with the col- onists, who had begun to remonstrate against the arbitrary acts of the crown, finally prevented his being awarded the title and estates which belonged to him.

Lord Stirling returned to America in 1761, and set- tled in New Jersey, making Basking Ridge, Somerset Co., his home. Being elected to the Provincial Council of the State shortly afterwards, he was one of the first to oppose the odions Stamp Act, and warmly defended the rights of the colonists. Upon the organization of the independent State govern- ment, two battalions of infantry were ordered to be raised, and Stirling was appointed to the command of the first, with the rank of colonel. The language of his first "General Order," dated Oct. 18, 1775, is unigne; we extract the following from it :

"Every man to bring with him the best arms he can ; and those who have no firelurks are, not withstanding, desired to attend, as other arms will be furnished for them."

The arms were furnished at his own expense. Hle was soon after commissioned by t'ongress and received or- ders to watch the British forces around New York ('ity, during the performance of which duty he was in constant correspondence with President John Han- rock. Congress, on Jan. 29, 1776, passed resolutions of thanks to him for capturing a British armed trans- port off Staten Island. The same year, while in com- mand of two thousand men, he was made prisoner in the disastrous battle of Long Island, but was ex- changed for Gien. Montford Brown.

On Feb. 19, 1777, by recommendation of Washing- ton, he was appointed major-general, and commanded

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divisions at the battles of Brandywine and forman- town, acting also under the commander-in-chief during the terrible winter of 1776-77. at Valley Forge. lle it was who made public the funous conspiracy against Washington-called in the language of the day the "cabal"-initiated by Gien- Conway, Gates and Mifflin, who secretly endeavored to influence leading members of Congress to remove the con- mander-in-chief on the ground of what they were pleased to form his " Fabian policy." At the battle of Munmonth, fought June 2s, 1775, Gen. Nathaniel Greene commanded the right wing of the American forces, Gen. Lafayette the centre, and Lord Stirling the left. The first attack was made by the British against the latter's command, who repulsed and drove them on Greene, he repulsing them in return, and they retreated in hot haste during the night to Fandy Ilook. After the battle stirling was detailed lo preside over the court-martial which tried and con- demned Maj. Gen. Charles Lee for disobedience of orders.

In August of the same year he arranged the attack on Paulus Hook, in conjunction with Maj. Henry lee, for which he received the thanks of Congress. In 1781 he was appointed to command the Northern Department, with headquarters at Albany, N. Y., Washington fearing a British attack from C'anads. The second battle of Saratoga was fought by the forces immediately under his command, the enemy soon after retiring from that part of the country.

Lord Stirling died at Mbany on Jan. 15. 1783, while in the performance of the active duties of his department. The whole country deplured the loss of so brave and energetic an officer, and the State of New Jersey, most especially, one of its firmest patriots. No man had rendered more efficient service in that grand struggle for liberty. He had commanded every brigade in the Revolu- tionary army except those of South Carolina and Georgia. He placed his fortune and his life on the altar of his country, and sacrificed both. There are few who have done so much ; no man can do more.

Congress, upon being notified of his death, passed the following resolution :

"New feed, That the President signify to the Commander-in-Chief, in a huishner mvet reste iful to the memory of the late Major-General the Last of stirling, the cause Congress entertain of the early and meriter- itis exertions of that General in the common cause, und of the bravery, Provenance and military talents be porwed, which, having fixed their esteri for his whole living, induce a propertomate regret for the loss of an afver who has remleres such constant and important servie t. his country "

We cannot close our short memoir of this famous- Revolutionary general without showing the estima- tion in which he was held by Washington. In his letter of condolence to his widow, the Countess of Stirling, the " Father of his Country" writes as follows :

" It only remains, then, as a small but just tribute to the menany of

land stirlos, tun wd ils ) can'thin u a affli tien, on twins deprived of the pulir and pine tina amistrz well as the private friendship, of an m & m ligt rank, with ut m. I had lived in the air teet habits of anty, an how much the military merits of hin landely which r oddered him rej lin bulfe i are b w re- gretted by the wi le arany

As an eminent anthor has remarked: "The man thu- spoken of by Washington needs no other epitaph or monument."

" The Lay of Paulus Hook."- In this connection the following poem by Capt. George Il Farrier, pro- Jured on the occasion of the celebration, may prop- ers be inserted :

" THE LAY OF PYLLES HOOK " I " une jiincurry Iwo

" Are und this post, where now we hear the bunny bum ft Was a Battle fought for free lom,- our city'n halle w I se il Here juitri t- the fue repelled, and mul a tyrant That i will u quer poen Late whu fight for liberty.

" Where the wild Huumm y aler , the grandly to the way A str n lheet of British war-whije at ancher proudly lay ; From the staples of Manhattan St. Georg's lager new- It had at and the at rum for agen ; it's might the whole world knew

. Within that park when fo mag glints mouth the all to m'ael, Where reais the weary artists, bis daily lainer done, And the little children jottle as merry as the Far la, Wus heard the Bid .n & rese lle, his sentry , warning w ris

"Where points that tapering chung mire, the Christian' was to Gel, The red nos pouilly Buttered and hin ing ligt ne trol There in the battlements In neath, their I ud-mouthed m ring gune The ich wiof the hills an ke, atd frowned at tresh mi's na.

". Many patri t be ris had scarred to hurt that craigh downs Sind mathe wird ww innf sugestie against the rimblom of the Crown Ail kurw dlrath ww futures forfelt, time bronight at length the day And the h to two, t lead them, and well he Ird the way.

" Ir un er the quiet Hack uma k the daring band had com , Fow war their numbers, a thy mus hed che red not by file or

The Bergen win I they que kly passed, and thre shing I was the I'll, Wary, frotte, let un wanted, they halted by the mill

" . stund von ready men, bir ni re, por sotts will wewon report If the road is cher before it and all's still with o the fort Ii. mas now thon luck who wish & their leader to them and But to fill in all we're rend. , when fight Horse Harry lendl.

H thanke I the in, and with swelling brart knelton the de wy oud, And prayed, 'Lelke our shield tonight, and help Thou us, oh God Thine the power is, only The, through Thee comes victory And Thy will bed'or, our Father, Thine all the glory be '

*** AnteT' was - ftly xanl ho al thit fervent y n wi , heard, As they cally sfind thee wuting the brave commander . ward ; And rach prosent his market firmly against has the thing heart, T. w hed his , umrwie soll in huhtis, ali nuly for the start

" They all fedt that in the darktess for the i was stuldn ru strife, Vi't ry th 's thought wonbl ut them mau) a prevt us life ; But love of liberty inquest-ut mose the mind of than, And nerves the heart I ' meritre, ou no other pirpor can

" Far n their left Harsims lay all- lent in the night, Thẻ sh ren ( f / 1 ( moninipan slederth to ning light ; The hills of Ber en were behlmul where tusny a Tory slupt- Before the me try of the te hty Int one night watch kope.

" The plot came in t nes autodued lik . to a m Mol drum-

' Now forward, men, we'll w n to-night or our last battle's com . ; And quickly must the work be don let i min qwak aw rd. Sur musket fire, for all depends on has stand on in."

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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

" They hastened w'er the marshy road and reached the strong barred gate, Which would not open readily, and 'twus dangerous to wait ; clearing ditch and abattis, they rushed upon the fue,

'The fort is onrs, hurrah ' hurrah !' almost without a blow.

""" Hurrah for Lee and victory, the Hook is ours to-night ! Take all the prisoner you can, spare those who do not fight ; The morning sun begins t gild the steeples of New York, The foe swarms o'er the river, and his guns begin to talk.

"' We've scourged the lion in his den, and he may snarl and roar, Ile'll ne'er feel safe on Jersey soil, as did he heretofore ; Now, as Washington has ordered, we'll secure a safe retreat, Back to the Hackensack we'll march, and reinforcements meel.'

"'Twas but a little spark, and yet a great blaze from it spread, For from hearts that had responded all doubt and fear soon tled ; Too long they'd feared the tyrant's power, but then blessed Harry Lee, Who on that Angust morning taught them how they might be free.

" A hundred years have flown since then, but lingers round this sput, The spirit which inspired our sires ne'er by their sons forgot ; And often when in deadly strife our starry banner shook The first to rally round it were the suns of l'aulus Hook " "

CHAPTER XXXIII.

JERSEY CITY. (Continued. )

INDUSTRIES.

IN all probability the pioneer mill or manufactory of any kind in or around what is now Jersey City was the old wind-mill built by Isaac Edge. Win-

OLD WINDMILL, JERSEY CITY.

field, in his History of Hudson County, says, "This old landmark was built in 1815 by Isaac Edge, who for a long time was miller and baker for, and distrib- ntor of bread to, the people of Jersey City (then Pau- lus Hoeck). Burmley & Oakes were the contract-

ors and millwrights who built it. It was conducted in all particulars like the mill of Mr. Edge's father, in Derbyshire, in England. Its location was about seventy-five feet north of Montgomery Street and fifty feet cast of Green Street. It was a prominent feature on the Jersey shore. At first the fans on the wings were of canvass, but the severe storm of Sept. 3, 1821, tore them to pieces and broke one of the fans. Then Mr. Edge put in iron fans. When the track of the New Jersey Railroad (now Pennsylvania) was changed from the south side of Montgomery street to its present location in 1839, the mill was taken down, its material put on vessels and conveyed to Town Harbor, Long Island, whence it was taken to Mill Hill, in the town of Southoll. Hlere its walls were reared again, and it started anew upon its old career of usefulness. It was there known as "The Great Western Flouring-Mill." At one time a steam- engine was put in, but it was soon removed and the old machinery restored. It was in use until between one and two o'clock on Saturday morning, June 25, 1870, when it, with two hundred and thirty dollars' worth of grain, was consumed by fire. R. Villeferr was then the owner.

ISAAC EDGE .- The influence of the French revolu- tion was strongly felt in England, and many had imbibed the most radical notions of liberty and equal- ity. Isaac Edge, a resident of Derbyshire, where he was born, Feb. 26, 1777, was one of the most pro- nounced of liberty-loving Englishmen. Finding that his ideas were not congenial to his neighbors or the Tory government, then engaged in a desperate strug- gle with France, Mr. Edge, with his wife, formerly Miss Frances Ogden, and infant son, came to the United States in 1801. His business was that of miller, in which he engaged shortly after his arrival in South Brooklyn. In the year 1806 he came to reside permanently in Jersey City, then known as Paulus Hook. At that time there were but three houses in what is now old Jersey City,-the tavern kept by Maj. Hunt, near the ferry at the foot of Grand Street, or terminus of the Newark turnpike; the house of Richard Lyon, near the corner of York and Greene Streets, and the barracks. Mr. Edge started a bakery, and soon did a large business. In those days life in Paulus Hook was simple and quiet. The river washed the sand-hill on the top of which the old fort had been built in the Revolution, and the meadow which lay between it and AAhasimus was crossed by but one road (known as the Causeway) now Newark Avenue. Mr. Edge was naturalized Jan. 26, 1810. He built, near the corner of York and Greene Streets, a residence for himself, and lived in it till it was destroyed by fire, in 1811 ; he rebuilt it, and the building is now standing. He served as a private soldier during the last war with England, and although not continuously away with the army, at various times he performed active duty in the neighborhood of New York.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 118

Author: Shaw, William H Publication date: 1884 Publisher: [United States :] Number of Pages: 830

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 830