History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 122

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 122
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 122

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).

The disposition on his part to deal squar ly with every question upon its own merits, irrespective of ulterior party ends, was manifested by Mr. Harden- bergh in the stand he took on what was known as the Robeson impeachment matter in the House of Representatives in 1-76. It was advised to impeach the Secretary, and that the resolution should be passed at once, but not pressed to trial till the next ses ion, so that the impeachment might hang over the Secretary, as a member of the administration, during the coming Presidential contest. Mr. Hardenbergh made a strong speech against the injustice of such a course, taking the unassailable ground that if the findings of the committee justified the impeachment of the Secretary he should be impeached and his trial proceed at once, and it found guilty he should forthwith be punished. if not found guilty he was entitled to the benefit of an acquittal at the earliest duy ; that it was equally unjust to the country for the Secretary to hold the office a single day longer than necessary for his trial and removal if he was guilty, and that no party necessity I justify the course proposed by the committee simply for the purposes of political capital. Probably no single act of Mr. Hardenbergh's life more clearly illustrates his char- acter ; certainly none more strongly comments him to the good opinion of the chivalrous and high- minded of every party than his outspoken opinions and courageous action in this matter. Mr. Harden- hergh has been strenous in his efforts to secure ex- emption to the several lines of steamers which have their public dock- and landings upon the New Jersey side of the port of New York from the operations of the law which proposed their removal to the barre-

One of the last important services rendered by Mr. Hardenbergh in the Forty-fifth Congress was to see cure the passage of a bill creating Jersey City a port of entry, and having it, together with that part of his district fronting on New York Harbor Attachedto ! office and for such efforts was awarded a publie din-

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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ner by the citizens of Hoboken, and upon his retire- meot from Congress a similar honor was conferred upon him by his constituents, without regard to party. In 1883, Mr. Hardenbergh was appointed by the mayor of Jersey City a member of the Board of Finance and Taxation, and in 1884 by Governor Abbott a trustee of the New Jersey State Indus- trial and Reform School, situated at Jamesburg, and subsequently was selected by the Democracy as Presidential lector in the eanvass of 1884.

First National Bank,-This institution suceceded the Mechanic- and Traders' Bank, and was organized Feb. 19, 1564. The first directors were John S. Fox, M. B. Bramhall, A. O. Zabriskie, James S. Davenport, Ephraim Marsh, S. Alotsen, P. Rafferty, H. G. Eilshemius and A. II. Wallis. John S. Fox was elected president and M. Sandford cashier. On Jan. 1, 1865, two additional officers were elected,- James S. Ogden, vice-president, and Edward F. C. Young, assistant treasurer. In 1871, Mr. Fox died, and A. Il. Wallis became president. In 1871, Mr. Sandford resigned his position as cashier, and E. F. C. Young was chosen to fill the vacancy, George W. Conkling being appointed assistant cashier. In 1879, Mr. Wallisdied, and E. F. C. Young succeeded to the presidency, Mr. Conkling to the cashiership and John W. Omberson was elected assistant cashier. These are the present officers. The present directors are Joseph L. Ogden, Andrew Clerk, Bennington F. Reynolds, Benjamin G. Clarke, W. A. Weichers, Alfred 31. Fuller, James D. Bedle, E. F. C. Young, Hamil- ton Wallis, Charles Leichler, Thomas MI. Gopsill. The bank has a paid up capital stock of four hundred thousand dollars, and a surplus of about equal amount, while its average deposits are two million three hundred thousand dollars.

The Second National Bank, which has its house at the corner of Montgomery and Washington Streets, was organized December 23, 1864, the first directors being Blakeley Wilson, Joseph MI. Brown, 11. MI. Traphagen, Daniel T. Hoag, Robt. MeLaughlin, Joseph Medoy, I. I. Vanderbeek, II. N. Ege, John Neilson, William Pearsall and Joseph MI. Fuller. The first president, Blakeley Wilson, served eleven years and was succeeded by William Hogencamp. who was the original cashier. llis place as cashier was taken by James (. Hasking, the present incum- bent. I. 1. Vanderbeek was chosen vice-president, and still holds that position. The present directors are William Hogencamp, I. I. Vanderbeek, H. N. Ege, William Force, A. A. Lutkins, Thomas E. Bray, MI. II. Gillett, Marcus Beach and James G. Hasking. The bank was established with and now has a capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Provident Institution for Savings .- This house was incorporated Feb. 27, 1839, and its first officers, elected Dee. 6, 18.11, were as follows: President, D. S. Gregory ; Vice-Presidents, John F. Ellis, Jonathan Jenkins, John R. Goodwin, Cornelius Van Vorst,

Peter Bentley ; Trustees, David Henderson, Henry Traphagen, John Gilbert, Cornelius Kanouse, J. Dick- inson Miller, Phineas C. Dummer, Thomas A. Alex- ander, Job Male, John Dows, D. F. Rockwell, Stephen Garretson, David Jones, John Frazer, H Van Wag- gonen. A. Van Santwood, Peter MeMartin, John Griffith, James W. Palmer, Luke Hemmingway, Wil- liam B. Jenkins, Thomas Kingsford, Thomas Weklon, William Glaze, Timothy L. Smith.

Thomas W. James was elected treasurer Sept. 29, 1843, and held the position until May 12, 1856, when he resigned. E. W. Kingsland was upon the latter date chosen secretary and treasurer, and still retains that position. President Gregory died Dee. 8, 187-4, and Andrew Clerk was subsequently chosen to the office, which he yet holds. The institution now has assets amounting to almost five and three-quarters millions of dollars, and a surplus of nearly half a million. The present officers are : President, Andrew Clerk; Vice-Presidents, David Smith, David Taylor, Benjamin G. Clarke, R. C. Barot, Isaac I. Vander- beck; Trustees, James A. Alexander, Thomas C. Brown, Peter Bentley, George W. Clerihew, John D. C'arseallen, N. W. Condiet, Jr., John E. Cronham, Henry S. Drayton, Horatio N. Ege, Benjamin Edge, Smith W. Haines, John W. Harrison, Francis Jen- kins, William Keeney, John Lamb, John McBride, Minot C. Morgan, William E. Pearson, Freeman A. Smith, William F. Taylor, James B. Vreedenburgh, Jacob Weart, W. B. Williams, Richard C. Washburn.

ROBERT COCHRAN BACOT is a descendant of the Hugenot families of Bacot-De Saussure, who settled in South Carolina about the year 1670, together with a large number of other French families.

Ilis grandfather, Thomas Wright Bacot, was the first postmaster of Charleston, having received his appointment and commission from President Wash- ington, and was continued in that position under the ten succeeding administrations of the government,-a period of over forty years.

Mr. Bacot was also president of the Bank of South ('arolina ; his son, Peter Bacot, (father of Robert (.), was cashier of the Branch Bank of the United States at Charleston from its establishment in that eity to its termination, during the administration of Gen. Jackson, after which, upon receiving an appointment as head of a financial institution in the city of New Orleans, he left his native city, and while on his way thither died while temporarily sojourning in the city of New York. IFis family then took up their residence in Jersey City, N. J., where they have since resided.

On the maternal side, the great-grandfather of Mr. Bacot was Capt. Robert Cochran, a native of Mas- sachusetts, who settled in Charleston previous to the Revolutionary war, and held an important military position under the provincial government of the col- ony. On the breaking out of the war he immediately threw up the King's commission, and was appointed

1171

JERSEY CITY

by the State government to the command of one of its In 1974-75 be was elected by the aldermen of Jersey t'ity a member of the Board of Finance. armed cruisers, the " Notre Dame," and sent to I rance to procure supplies and equipments for the State troops, He is a director of the Hudson County National which duty, aided by the diplomacy of Dr. Franklin, Bank, one of the vice-presidente of the Provident then the representative of the interests of the colonies at Paris, he successfully accomplished, returning full- freighted with all articles essential for the impend- ing struggle.

Upon a mission to Gen. Washington, who was encamped with his army at Valley Forge, he then heard of the intended descent by Sir Peter Parker with his squadron upon Charleston, then in a defense- less condition. He procured relays of horses and after a ride of twenty-one days reached Charleston, and gave information of the intended attack, which re- sulted, from the timely preparations made to receive the enemy, in the memorable victory of Fort Moul- trie.

Capt. Cochran received from the State of his adoption full recognition of the distinguished ser- vices he had rendered to his country on the termina- tion of the war.

Robert (. Bacot, was born in Charleston, S. C., Sept. 18, 1818. After receiving his education at the College of Charleston he commenced the prae- tice of his profession, that of a civil engineer, and was engaged in railroad explorations in New Hampshire, and subsequently in the t'arolinas, Tennessee and Kentucky, surveying and laying out the contemplated extension of the South Carolina Railroad to the Ohio River.

Ile settled in Jersey City in the year 1538. The rity then comprised but few inhabitants, who resided out of Warren and south of York Streets.

In 1541 he married Mary, a daughter of the late Robert Gilchrist. He was elected city surveyor of Jersey City in 1840, and in 1861 published, by re- quest of the corporation, the map of Jersey City, embracing the territory lying east of Mill Creek, then the westerly limit of the city. In 1857 he was elected registrar and soon afterward chief engineer and super- intendent of the Jersey City Water-Works, which position he held until 1854, when he resigned to take charge of the examinations ordered to be made by the Legislature to determine the extent and value of its riparian lands. His report on this investigation was made to the Legislature in 1865.

He was a member of the State Assembly from Hud- son County, representing the district composed of parts of Jersey City and Hoboken, during the sessions of 1857 and 1858. His report as chairman of the com- mittee on the geological and topographical survey of the State led to the reconstruction of that depart- ment, and placed the work on its subsequent efficient basis. Upon the reorganization of the Riparian Commission of the State, in 1868, and the adoption of the recommendation contained in his report of 1565, he was appointed chief engineer of the commission. which position he now holds.

Institution for Savings in Jersey City and president of the Hackensack Water Company, which furnishes water from Hackensack River to the city of Hobo- ken and North Hudson County. This company and its works he was chi fly instrumental in promot- ing and constructing.

Through all his varied public services Mr. Barot has retained the public confidence and respect ; his career has been eminently a useful one, and yet with- out other ambition than such as attaches to the faith- ful performance of those duties which have been from time to time assigned to him in the community in which his lot has been cast, and in which it is hoped many years of active usefulness will remain for him as the wise counselor and public spirited citizen.

llis family consist of three daughters-Eugenia, wife of John Roundey, since deceased ; Anne, wife of Benjamin B. Roundey ; and Elizabeth ; and five sous, -11. De Saussure, Robert C., Jr., John Vacher, Wil- liam S. and Richard Wainright.

Hudson City Savings-Bank .- This institution was incorporated March 27, 1868, and commenced business on the 15th of the following August. Benja- min P. Sawyer was the first president, George .A. Tolley vice-president, G. D. Van Reipen secretary and treasurer and John .I. Toffey assistant secretary. The trustres were G. D. Van Reipen, Benjamin F. Sawyer, George V. De Mott, Joseph E. Culver, Charles Gobisch, Andrew McLane, Charles J. Roe, Jno. R. MePherson, Pat'k. MeNulty, Jno. Roemmele, George A. Totley, Andrew Leight, Joseph Montgomery, Corne- lius J. Rooney, Frederick A. Goetz, Jno. Leitz, C'lin- ton W. Conger, Willson M. Hosier, Thomas E. Bray, Alex. II. Laidlaw, Charles Kamlah, Jno. Hogan, Jno. Bott, Jno. B. Stanton, George Glaubrecht, Arend Steenken, George Och, Asa W. Fry. G. D. Van Reipen was elected president Jan. 9, 1873, and still holds the position. John Hedden, Jr., became secre- tary Jan. 8, 1974. The present officers and trustees are : President, G. D. Van Reipen ; Vice-President, E. II. Davey; Secretary, John Hedden, Jr .; Trustees, G. D. Van Reipen, Joseph E. Culver, Jno. R. MePher- son, Patrick McNulty, Andrew McLane, Jno. Leitz, Alex. H. Laidlaw, Jno. Bott, Arend Steenken, George Deh, Asa W. Fry, Jno. J. Totley, Jno. Hedden, Jr., Daniel Toffey, William Beach, R. II. HI. Steel, Edl- mund Il. Davey, William Gemmel.

German Savings-Bank .- This institution was chartered March 29, 1871, and opened for business on May 21st following. The first officers were : President, Michael Lineau; First Vice-President, F. O. Matthies- sen ; Second Vice-President, Louis A. Lineau ; Secre- tary and Treasurer, C. M. E. Schraeder. The present otheers are the same as the above, with the exceptions of Louis A. Lucien as first vice-president and D'r. A.

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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Kirsten as second vice-president. The assets of the bank amount to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

CHAPTER

JERSEY CITY. Continued. )

RELIGIOUS INTERESTS.

Bergen Reformed Church.1-Probably about the year 1660 the pious emigrants from the New Nether- lands received permission from the Classis of Amster- clam to organize a church under the Reformed faith and loyal to the established church of their Father- land.

The earliest record of any such movement is an item in a document on file in the office of the Secre- trary of State, Albany, showing that in the township of Bergen, N. J., four hundred and seventeen guilders had been raised by tax for the erection of a church. This is dated 1662. The earliest church record is a list of church members, nine male and eighteen female. dated 1664. The li-t is in Dutch character and im- possible to copy. It is headed by Nicolas Verlett, Governor Carteret's private secretary.

From this date baptismal, marriage and communion records have been preserved, with the exception of a few years, from 1769 to 1793.

The church received a charter from George III. of England in 1771, under Governor William Franklin.

For more than ninety years the church was under the care of a voorleser, or lay reader, who was usually clerk, sexton, chorister and schoolmaster. Official services were rendered by the pastors of the church in New York City.

The first pastor was Rev. William Jackson. Ile was called in 1753, sent to Holland to complete his studies and receive ordination, and, returning, was installed Sept. 10, 1757. He was also pastor of the church on Staten Island. In 1789, his mind having become enfeebled, he consented to surrender his call, and the use of the parsonage, with four acres of ground attached, was guaranteed him during his life. He continued to reside in this house until July 25, 1×13, when he died, in the eighty-first year of his age.

The second pastor was Rev. John Cornelison. He was installed May 26, 1793, and died May 20, 1828, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. It was his first and only charge.

The third pastor was Rev. Benjamin C. Taylor, D.D. Ile was installed July 4, 1828. In the autumn of 1870 he was forced by increasing infirmity to relin- quish the active duties of his pastorate, but continued to reside in the community, and, as pastor emeritus. took such part in the church service as his health per-

mitted. He died February, 1881. The mortal re- mains of these first three pastors repose in the come- teries contiguous to the church.

The fourth pastor, Rev. James L. Amerman, was in- stalled May 7, 1871, and continued until June 1. 1876, when he was released to go to Japan as a missionary under the care of the Reformed Church Board of Foreign Missions.

The fifth pastor and present incumbent is Rev. Cor- nelins Brett, installed Aug. 1, 1876.

The first church edifice was built of logs, probably on Vroom Street, east of Bergen Avenue. It served the purposes of the congregation until 1680, when a stone building was erected, octagonal in shape. It was replaced in 1773 by a more elaborate structure ou the same site, corner Bergen Avenue and Vroom Street.

The present building was dedicated July 14, 1842. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Taylor, the pastor, who was assisted in the service by the Rev. Edward H. May, of New York, Rev. Nicholas I. Mar- sellus, of New York, Rev. John Garretson, of Belleville, Rev. Thomas E. Vermilye, D.D., of New York, and Rev. Ira C. Boice, of Bergen Neck. The portal stones and many of the other stones of the two earlier churches are incorporated in the present structure.

A substantial annex was dedicated Jan. 29, 1882, for social meetings and Sunday-school services.

A beautiful parsonage stands a few feet south of the church. It is the fourth which has been built by the congregation to accommodate its pastors.

The present membership is about three hundred. It is hard to estimate the value of the church property.

Church Officers, June, 1884 .- Pastor, Rev. Cornelius Brett (parsonage, 509 Bergen Avenue . Members of Consistory . Elders, John Drinkerhoff. H. N Van Wagenen Albert Romaine, termo expire Easter, 1885, Joel W. Brown, C. C. Van Reypen, G. D. Van Riepen, terms expire Faster, 18KG ; Deacons, Henry Fitch, Jr., T. P King, J. P. Landrine, terms ex- pire Faster, 1885 ; Horace lean, Walter Brinkerhoff, Benjamin F. Brit- tan, terms expire Easter, loso Clerk, T. P. King. Treasurer, " C. Van Reypen. Sexton, J. J. Phillips tresidence, Corner Bergen Avenue and Montgomery Street).

First Reformed Church.2-As carly as 1807 an attempt was made to constitute a Reformed Dutch Church in Jersey City, under the jurisdiction of the Classis of Bergen, but the committee reported that there was an insufficient number of male communi- cants to form a consistory. Another attempt was subsequently made, with no better suceess. In 1828 the Associates of the Jersey Company deeded the land on the south side of Grand Street (previously offered to the Classis) to the First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City for the purpose of erecting a place of worship thereon, to be occupied by the congregation then worshiping in the old town hall. In 1830 this society, having parted with their pastor, Rev. Mr. Olcott, decided to unite with the Classis,

1 By Rer. Cornelius Brett.

2 By Henry Farmer.

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JERSEY CITY.

and measures were immediately taken to accomplish Co., the Classis granted the regent, whereupon that purpose. On the 16th of February the petition was favorably acted upon, a consistory was elected and ordained, and the Rev. Stephen 1. Mecker, of Bushwick, Long Island, N. Y., was called and duly installed as pastor on the 9th of May. On the 20th of October the connection was dissolved, and he returned to Bushwick.

During the pastorate of Rev. Matthias Lusk, which extended over a period of near fifteen years, the church had been neatly refitted, and a convenient lecture-room constructed under it. The indebted- ness of the church was entirely liquidated.

On the 22d of September, 1:53, the corner-stone of a new brown stone edifice was laid, but owing to financial embarrassments and the fact that the church could not be built for the sum stipulated, the work was delayed for two years. In 1854 the Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church of New York rendered valuable aid, and a new subscription of fifteen that. sand dollar- was raised, with which the sanctuary was completed. The dedication service was performed on Sunday, April 5, 1857, the Rev. Matthias Lusk, A. W. Mcclure, D. D., John Garretson, D.D., and David Riddle, D.D., officiating.

The first building was removed to the opposite side of the street in 1-53, and converted into Park llall. It was destroyed by fire on the 12th of De- vember, 1864

The pastoral record of this church is as follows.

Revs. Stephen 11. Meeker, from May 9, 1×30, to Oet. 20, 1830; James R. Talmadge, from Feb. 8, 1×31. to Jan. 30, 1833; Matthias Lusk, from Nov. 19, 1833. to Oct. 26, 1848; John Austin Yates was cal al July 31, 1×49, but died August 26th before the date fixed for his installation ; Daniel Lork, from June 16, 1850, to May 5, 1851; Alexander W. MeClure, from May 19, 1852, to April 15,1854; David 11. Riddle, from April 19, 1857, to Dec. 22, 1862; Henry ME. Scudder, from Dec. 5, 1864, to May 23, 1865 ; George H. Pecke, from Aug. 1. 1865, to Dee. 6, 1869; William W. HIal- loway, Jr., June 11, 1871.

First Reformed Dutch Church of the Township of Van Vorst.' (now know as Second Reformed Church of Jersey ('ity) was organized March 15, 1540, with the following-named persons as constitu- ent members : Antoinette Van Vorst, Mary Brower, Maria Brower, Ann Craig, B. W. Ryder, Earl B. Sippell, Lavinia Sippell, Lydia Baxter, Stephen Garretson, Hester Garretson, John Garretson, Cath- arine Ann Garretson, Sarah Traphagen, Henry Trup- hagen, Anna Traphagen, Clarrissa B. Anderson, Eliza Gough, t'lara R. Cobb, Benjamin Bell, John Berry and Sarah Berry. These, with others, making twenty-two families in all, having privately petitioned the Classis of Bergen to authorize the formation of a church in the then township of Van Vorst, Hudson

the petitioners proceeded to cloet a consistery, as follows : Ellers, Barzilli W. Ryder, Earl B. Sippell. Stephen farrelson and John Garret-on ; Deacon-, John Berry and Benjamin Bell. On the 15th of March of the same year they be mine incorporate 1 as " The First Reformed Dutch Church in the Town- ship of Van Vorst." The first services were held in the Congregational Church, a small frame building on the southeast corner of fireve Street and Rail- road Avenne. The new church on organizing called Rev. William J. R. Taylor to the pastorate. This elergyman was installed on the 27th of September, 1846. As the congregation had as yet no edifice of their own the installation services were hell in the First Church, in Grand Street, Rev. A. Il Warner, Rev. B. C. Taylor, D.D., and Rev. James Scott, D.I>., officiating. Having secured a pastor, the next pressing requisite of the congregation was a church. A subscription was opened for the raising of the necessary funds, but these for a time care in slowly. At length the much-needed stimulus was afforded the enterprise by a donation of three valuable lots of land on Wayne Street, between Grove and Barrow, together with the handsome som of one thousand dollars in cash. The gift was thankfully accepted, and on the 24th of August, 147, the corner-stone of the present church was laid by the pastor, assisted by Rev. James Romeyn, Rev. J. C. Gulden, and Rev. B. C. Taylor, D.D. On the 16th of January, 1845, the lower story was so far com- pleted that services were held in the lecture-room, and on the 28th of May following the entire building was completed and dedicated.

The present church editice is a substantial one of brick, with brown stone trimmings. The main au- dienre room will seat about five hundred and fifty persons, The pews are grained in oak, trimmed with mahogany, and the frescoing of the walls and coil- ing, while of single design and "quiet " color, is characterized by general symmetry and good taste.

Under Mr. Taylor's energetic ministration the church grew rapidly in numbers and resources. The failing health of the pastor's wife, however, compelled the former's resignation on the 4th of October, 1549. The congregation had at this time increased to ninety families. About one month after Mr. Taylor's resignation an unanimous call was ex- tended to Rev. Paul D. Van Cleef, then pastor of the Second Reformed Dutch Church of Coxsackie, N. Y. The call was accepted, and on the 30th of December, 1849, Mr. Van Cleef was formally installed. The sermon was preached by Rev. W. V. V. Mabon, the charge to the pastor was given by Rev. B. C. Taylor, D.D., and to the congregation by Rev. John Garret - son. tmn the first Sabbath in January, 1550, the pastor preached his inaugural sermon, from 1 Corin- thians iv. 1 : " Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of

1 From data furnished by Res. I. D. Van Cleef, D.D.

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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY. NEW JERSEY.

God." Thu- began a pastorate which is now the oldest The officers of the church for 1884 were as follows. in the city. At that time the corporate limits of Jersey Pastor, Rev. Paul D. Van Cleef ; Elders, A. A. Lutkins, M.D., Theo- dore F. Morris, M.D., M. 1 .. Senderling, Isaac I. Vanderbeek ; Deacons, N. D. Wortendyke, Peter Van Deripe, William S. Newell, William J. Hough. City extended only as far west as Grove Street. The region north and west was known by the names of Harsimus and Pavonia, but was actually the township of Van Vorst. whence the name of the church. The Third Reformed Church.1-1 meeting of persons population of Jersey City was then about eleven , friendly to the organization of a Third Reformed thousand. The first serious check to the growing congregation now took place. On the night of Dee. 13. 1851, the church building took fire, and the interior, with the organ, was almost wholly destroyed.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 122

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