History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 138

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 138
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 138

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 writer is largely indebted to ex-Governor Bedle, of New Jersey, and Hon. A. A. Hardenbergh for the material frets of this sketch, and the latter says of him, " Wealth has detracted nothing from the severe simplicity of his character, nor circumstance or posi-

It is by such self-made men the character of the community is conserved, the better interests of the State made safe and the happiness of the republic assured. There was one in particular who, while living, gave impress to the State, and who, at every fitting opportunity, gave voice to the character of Mr. Winants, and was his warm and devoted friend,- Hon. Dudley S. Gregory. Mr. Gregory was himself a self-made man, and his sympathies always leaned towards such.

Together they matured plans which gave devel- ojunent to Jersey City, and attracted to its water- front the steamships of Europe, and pronounced for all time that in the near future the county of Hudson

Jonu Van Bostick

tion palsied any energy in his devotion to the com- mon weal. lle is of the stuff of which the 'really great ' are made; masculine in temperament, yet the child unbends him; a liberal contributor to all worthy objects brought to his notice, honest, defiant in his nature, the outgrowth of physical manhood, yet kind and genial in his disposition, and a friend indeed to the young starting out in life who seek his counsel. He is devoted to his family, faithful to his friends, and ever ready with his sacrifice when neces- sary for the public good, yet without other ambition or aspiration than the respect of his fellow-men, the modest citizen and the Christian gentleman.

could only be outranked by its near neighbor, the metropolitan eity of the continent.

JOHN VAN BUSKIRK.

The Van Boskirk family are of Holland descent. James, the grandfather of the subject of this bio- graphical sketch and the son of John Van Boskirk, married Sarah Vreeland, and had children,-John, Nicholas, AAnu and James. John, of this number, was born nt Constable's Hook (now known as Van Boskirk's), which has for generations been the home and burial-place of the family. He married Ara-

1244

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

bella, danghter of Garret Van Riper, whose chil- dren are Catherine (Mrs. Garret Vreeland), Sarah (MIrs. Henry G. Newkirk), Jane (Mrs. Jacob Van Wagenen). Ann Elizabeth (Mrs. Cornelius P. Vree- lan b. and John. The last-named and only son of Mr. and Mrs. Van Boskirk was born Ang. 80, 1832, on the homestead, where he has during his lifetime resided. His earliest educational advantages were derived from the country school, after which a year was spent at Keyport, N. J., in the pursuit of his studies. He then returned to Constable's Hook, and became associated with Joseph Elsworth in shad- fishing and the planting of oysters, devoting his at- tention also to the cultivation of the farm. He has since retired from active business pursuits, though the superintendence of the land on which he resides still occupies a portion of his time. Mr. Van Bos- kirk was married, on the 19th of November, 1-51, to Mary Catherine, daughter of William Elsworth, of Bergen. Their children are John W., William E., Edward E., Margaretta ML. (deceased), Mary, Gardetta, Arabella, Jenny (deceased), Philip, Eva and James W. Mr. Van Boskirk is a Republican in hi- political convictions, but not sufficiently active in the ranks to be regarded as a politician. He has, however, been a member of the City touncil of Bayonne, served on the township committee and as commissioner of as- sessments. He was also appointed by the Legislature of 1:53 oyster commissioner for the State of New Jersey. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and connected with Bayonne Lodge, No. 99, the charter of which he aided in obtaining.

CHAPTER XLIII.

TOWN OF HARRISON.'

HARRISON lie- directly east of the great manufactur- ing city of Newark, and is most directly and naturally considered as a part of that city. Although separated by the placid waters of the Passaic, yet East New- arkers are in such close proximity to the very heart of the city of Newark that the term suburb would even indicate a much greater distance from the central part of the city. Many parts of the suburban sections w! Newark, which are largely and thickly populated, are much farther from the centres of trade and travel than any portion of Harrison. This fact combined with it- manufacturing and commercial facilities has given, in the recent past and present, a healthy impetus to East Newark's general prosperity. Inas- much as the larger most generally absorbs the smaller, it is most likely that at no distant day the term Har- rison must legislatively surrender to the progressive march of the great city of Newark, and that what is now Harrison will become an additional ward of that city.

Indian and Pioneer History .- The present terri- tory of Harrison and Kearny, and as far north as a . small rivulet called Sandford's Spring, was known to the Indians by the name of Mighgecticock. Here the Indian loved to roam in his native wildness, the terri- tory being exceedingly productive in fish and game, and also possessing great natural richness of vegeta- tion. Tantaqua, known also by the name of Jaspar, was the chief, and was very friendly to the whites. When asked the cause of his unusual kindness to the white population, he replied by saying, "I have always been inclined from my youth up to do good." What a lesson this answer from the simple child of the forest teaches to the boasted humanity and civiliza- tion of this nineteenth century! Manito, the Great Spirit, he said, constantly whispered to him to be kind to the whites. Capt. William Sandford came from the West Indies, from that section known as the Barba- does Islands, in 1668, and bought of the proprietors, on July 4th, for the sum of twenty pounds sterling, all the territory now known a- Harrison and Kearny, and as far into Bergen County as Rutherford Park now extends. The condition of the sale was that be- fore three years wonkl have elapsed he would settle at least six or eight families on the land so purchased from said proprietors. In a short time after Capt. Sandford purchased all the reserved right and title from the Indians, which was still held under the proprietors to this section. In this deed, drafted un- der the eye of Capt. Sandford and the Indian chiet Fantaqua, the tract purchased is described as "lying between the Hackensack and Pasawack Rivers, he- ginning at the mouth and proceeding northward seven miles till it come to what is now known as Sandford's Spring." For the Indian right and title to the fish- ing and hunting-ground of theirs, Capt. Sandford paid "one hundred and seventy fathoms of Black Wampum, two hundred fathoms of White Wampum, nineteen black coates, sixteen guns, sixty donble hands of powder, ten pairs of breetches, sixty knives, sixty- seven barrs of lead, one anker of brandy, three and one-half Fats of Beer, eleven blankets, thirty axes, twenty howes and two cooks of dozens. " 2

Wampum was a term applied to small beads made of shells, used by the North American Indians as money, and also wrought into belts and other instru- ments as ornaments. The wampum was of two kinds, one being white and the other black, or of a dark purple color. It consisted of cylindrical pieces of the shells of testaceous fishes, a quarter of an inch long, and in diameter less than a pipe stem, drilled length- wise so as to be strung upon a thread. The heads of a white color rated at half the value of the black or violet colors, and passed each as the equivalent of a farthing in dealings between the natives and the planters. An anker is a Dutch liquid measure for- merly used in England, and containing ten wine gal-

1 By Prufemor Julın Dwyer

: Winfield, " Land Tilles, 324.

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TOWN OF HARRISON

Jons; cookes of dozens may probably Deaf coats of of contentment which One wealthy ever fail to dates, duffels meaning a course kind of cloth out of discover or realise corn the copper mine on the which clothing was made. This was the original dis- position by the native population of the territory now know as Fast Newark, which transaction took place two hundred and six een years ago. " hisler property was in i lourdes, and the first stears-engine ever need in the county came from Eng- Tagad, and w - used in 1758 in werking The mine. With the chyme em Engineer J - ah Hornblower, who was the father of the alt war Lock brate I t'hief Justice Hern dose.

I apt. William San for 1, the purchaser, was a mem- bet of the ( angil of Newark in the years Jeel, His andi Just, and complied with the conditions of joycheese by & ttling six or eight families on th tract within the prescribed limit of time. He requested to be buried on las owy plan ation and may fored some of In- friend "'1. aast and favor the concerns of a pont ignorant widow and five innocent children with their bed alvin, help and counsel to preserve them then the culture and Harpies who pres on the carcasses of wild- and the blood of orphans." Ile died in 16.2 leaving the new settlement in a pros- perou- shape for futurity Sem Barladies Neck ( called by Capt. Sandford, from Barladoes, in the West Indies, whener he came, was, up to 1710 : part of Essex County, and belonged to Newark that date (January, 1710) it became a part of bergen County.

The Schuyler Purchase and Discovery of Copper- Mines .- In 1719, Arent Schuyler bought a plantation opposit Belleville, frogs Edmund Kingsland, for three hundred and thirty pound sterling This plantation must have occupied the present site of Arlington and the land northward toward King-land. A negro slave, while employed in the field, turned up a greenish heavy stone from the soil, which attracted his untu- tored attent on not only on account of fa gre ne olur. but also for its unusual weight. He took the stone to Mr. Schuyler, who had it forwarded to England to be analyzed, and find what were the component parts of the sadie. To the great surprise and delight of Mr. Schuster, he was informed that eighty per cent. of the store was pare copper. This discovery opened a road to watch and independence for Mr. Schuyler, and in the ecstasy of his delight he requested the negra who made the discovery to ask for the three things be most desired, and if possible, they should be granted. The negro's first wish was that he be permitted to re- main in the cuples of his good " massa " during his life. The second was that he be supplied with all the tobacco he could smoke, and the third was that he might have a dressing gown like his master's, with big brass buttons The trithing nature of these re- que ts, and the easiness and simplicity of complying with them, impelled the master to urge the negro to make a fourth request, and make it something of im- furtance, -- something valuable and substantial; the winnl old negro, after mature reflection, filled the measure of his earthly happiness by making his fourth request, which consisted of "a little more tobaren," after being granted already as much as he could use during his life. Verily the wants of this poor negro were few and easily satisfied, this is the great secret

Brent Senso les, having his I fen .. did not work the man with such energy and profit as his son John forward did, set I Sent to the Brits Copper End Brass Foundry, England thirion hundred and ochty - to- of rich copper of The stream- engage cost three thousand pounds stering, together with cost of transportat , and was ala to pump from the min eighty hop-heads of water per minute. The carine and work of the some were destroyedby fire in 1772, and lay in ruins caring the Revolution. Mr. Schuster incloud two fine deer parks on the round new menpied or Arlington, and Forthward to Kig-land, where song thousand der sporter their bemtifol forne at that early period.

l'hai schuster, a son of Arent, we are to presume had patriotic impulses towards self-governing kong before the tea was thrown verward at Boston or l'atrick Henry made his tam mi- speech, for we are told that Philip was expelled frien the New Jersey AAssenday in colonial days for drinking a health "to the damnation of the government and notices of the pace." He was samequently restored to his sent.

The Schuyler family ranked as the most proteinent residents of New Jersey during pre-Revolutionary day . and t'il Peter Schuyler takes the lead in importance. Peser was one of the sons of Arent, the original copper mine settler. Peter took an active part in the invasion of Canada in 17to, but by the peace of Aix-la Chapelle, Its, returned to his home on the Passaic. Hostilities began again in 174, and the New Jersey forces were again placed under control of Col Peter Panvier. After seeing to the safety of New Jersey from India and other deprestations, he was called by Governor Shirley, of New York, to the defense of Fort Ontario, in that State. Gen. Montreal, with overpowering man- bers, invested and captured the fort, notwithstanding the brave defense of Col. Schuyler and his Jersey Blues, who were taken prisoners and sent to Montreal and tucher Our soldiers receive of the title of Jersey Blues in 1747, on account of the blue color of the uniform. Col. Schuyler was released on parole in 1757, and returned to his New Jersey home in East Newark. He was so popular that he was the occasion of the wildest demonstration at the mgh New York and New Jersey. Bonfires, Banks, processions, speeches, and delegaties from cities and boroughs were wild with joy, and eagerly manit sted thee leve and esteem for " the brave old Peter - husker of New Jersey," the plucky soklier and Christian gentleman. But the period of his par de haveog expired without

1246

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

being satisfied, he was compelled, Regulus-like, to go back to captivity. His stay this time was, however, brief, as the war having ceased, an exchange of emi- nent prisoner- was duly executed. In 1759 he a third time led his Jersey Blues to Canada, and entered Montreal a vietor in 1760. He died at his home in East Newark in 1762, full of years and honors, and though much of his life was spent on the tented field, his heart was never hardened to the cry of distress and poverty, as he left a reputation full of kindness, generosity and humanity.

Pioneer Town of Petersborough .- In 1815 the present site of East Newark (known then as Peters- borough, or Kennedy's Farm) resolved itself into the village of Lodi, a name derived, no doubt, from the European epithet "Bridge of Lodi." Archibald Kennedy inherited all of Col. Schuyler's property by marriage with his only daughter, and hence the term "Kennedy's Farm." This Kennedy was at- tached to the British Royal navy, and was in com- mand of the ship "Coventry," lying in New York harbor on the breaking out of the Revolution. He was afraid of losing his East Newark property, and for further security he came and lived during the early days of the Revolution at his East Newark resi- dence. The Newark authorities, however, being in favor of the Revolution and separation from England, and not liking Kennedy's action, ordered his expul- sion from the city to a place of security near Cald- well, where he was detained until he left for England, and left his farm, " Petersborough " (now East New- ark), in charge of some tenants. All the Schuyler property, or Kennedy's Farm, was soon in litigation between the Bergen County authorities on one side and the representatives of Archibald Kennedy on the other. Finally a compromise was etlected by the sale of the entire plantation to John B. Coles, of New York, Kennedy receiving $20,000 and Bergen County $14,2-5.75. Archibald Kennedy succeeded to his great-grandfather's title of eleventh Earl of Casseles, in the Scotch peerage.

Name of Township Changed from Lodi to Har- rison .- In the early part of 1776 a company of Conti- nental troops was formed on New Barbadoes Neck. Jacobus Jerolaman was captain, Peter Sandford first lieutenant, Elijah Sandford second lieutenant, and John Jerolaman ensign. In 1825 the Legislature, whose attention at that time was chiefly occupied in cutting up territories into townships and counties, changed the name New Barbadoes Neck into the township of Lodi, in the county of Bergen. Lodi at this time included the present township of Union. In 1840 the inhabitants of the townships of Bergen and Lodi and the villages of North Bergen, Seean cus, Greenville, Harsimus, Weehawken and New Dur- ham petitioned the Legislature to create a new county on account of the great distance which the petitioners had to travel to reach the county-seat, which was at Hackensack. This appeal resulted in

the creation of Hudson County, and the first mention of Harrison occurs in the law which was passed Feb. 22, 1840.

Section & reads,- "And be it enacted that the present township of Bergen, and that part of the present township of Lodi within the present County of Hudson, and the inhabitants thereof, are consti- tuted bodies corporate and politic, Bergen inhabitants to be ealled the inhabitants of Bergen, and the inhab- itants of Lodi to be called the inhabitants of Har- rison." Harrison was so named after William Henry Harrison, the ninth President of the United States, who was elected in 1840. The first meeting and form of government as a township appears from the records of the first meeting, held April 16, 1810.

Original Road Districts. - " First District. Ilenry Van Emburgh, Newry Morgan, Arent H. Schuyler, Moses Doty and John J. Vreeland, to work in Dis- triet No. 2. The Second District begins at John .I. Vreeland's north line and ends at Jacob Van Ripen's north line. Jacob Van Ripen and Walling Van Ripen to work in District No, 3, as before.

"According to previous arrangement, l'eter H. Kipp, Cornelius C. Jerolaman, Enoch E. Vreeland, Isaac Van Winkie and James Jerolaman convene this day, at 10 o'clock A.M., as the town committee of the township of Harrison. Peter H. Kipp is elected chairman and John L. Condit is elected clerk.

"The recent separation of the township from the township of Lodi requiring some modification of the boundaries of the several road districts, the commit- tee do hereby proceed to the arrangement of the same, and upon consideration it is determined on that it is more convenient to divide in the following manner into six districts: The First District to begin at Mr. Ogden's (now Watkins' Tavern) and ends at John V. Vreeland's north line. All the inhabitants on both sides of the Newark Turnpike, cast of Mark Davis' tavern, to work in this district.

" The Second District begins at John V. Vreeland's north line, and ends at Garrit Van Riper's north line.

"The Third District to commence at the line he- tween Frederick Yeriance and Garrit Van Riper's, thence running to the line between Hassel Yeriance and Isaac Van Winkle, thence from Richard Out- water's to the turnpike, and thence from the railroad to the Quackanonk bridge.

"The Fourth District beginning at the line between Hassel Yeriance and Isaac Van Winkle, thence to the railroad, thence south along the river to the line between Henry Brown and Nicholas Jerolaman.

" The Fifth District beginning at the line between Henry Brown and Nicholas Jerolaman and termi- nating at Belleville Bridge. The inhabitants of Kingsland to work in the latter district.

" District number six to commence at Belleville Bridge and to terminate at the Newark Bridge. Mark W Davis and all the inhabitants west of his

1247

TOWN OF HARRISON

house on both sides of the Newark turnpike, to work in this di riet."

Settlement of Township Accounts. Mr Abra- ham Van Winkle upon presenting his bonds as col- leeter and constable, they were upen examination approved. The committee adjourned to meet the committe of the townslap of Lodi on Saturday, May the 9th, Is10, at Ed. Vreeland's tavern.

The second meeting of the committee of Harrison township was held on the above date at Vreeland's tavern in conjunction with the committee from the township of Lali; the following business was trung- acted :

. After anultation by the two committed, both spelat ly and cons- sistin . fon . member som cach 1 the respective mint t ex . f Harrisen and land, wherehe old be empowered tus let the dnes wing to the Old 1 .wnøhijo, te else longe it debts and to Jetermin upm th allo In which the blame shall bedivided, if this should notamin aft Heutdating

wh had to resign of conquest ref not being a frechheit Peter Kip and J a ph Hunld were app di I overs ore of the poet, in the plan posted on the part of the Townley f Harrison. It hard Ontw ater was

is appointed const die, in the place of thems M seward, declining, and Nathan '. Aber over mor of the way, in the place of Poter Mack

" Jons " CONGIT, Clerk."

Civil List -1-41. - Township Committee. P. Il. Kipp, Isaac Ackerman, Abraham Brown and Stephen Kingsland, Jr .; Overseer of the Pour, Cornelius C. Brinkerhoff; Lac I. Van Winkle, collector and constable.

1842 .- Town Committee, P. H. Kipp (chairman), Abraham Brower, stephe : Kingsland, Isaac Acker- man Nathan 1. Am ; A H. Schuyler. asesor ; Ed. Vreeland, collector and constable; John S. I'mdit, clerk ; Nicholas Jarolan an, overseer of the poor.

1×13 .- Town Committee, Peter 11. Kipp (chair- man) Cornelius S. Brinkerloff, Iran is A Brown, Samuel Williams and Isaar Ackerman ; Isaac 1. Van Winkle, collector; William S Ogden, constable; .I. En s Condit, clerk.

1844-lown Committee, Joseph Budd. Thomas Watkins, Isaac 1. Van Winkle Johi V. S. Van Winkle, Edward Van Solinger, (chairman).

1.45,-Town Committee. P. H. Kipp, C. C. Brink- erhoff, Thomas Watkins, Land I. Van Winkle, El- ward Van Sollinger (chairman); John V. S Van Winkle, collector and constable ; Abraham Tuers. overseer of the poor.

The following res dution appears on the minutes of the year :

Book I, Iunanu h as the damage to sheep. was done during the for- mer year, and should be paid from the dog tax of that year that the balance of that has remaining unagy ortioned at the last annual report le appertioned to th, payment of the heep bills of John H. and Henry Van Emburg , at the rate ( den co is to the which will give llens Van l'inburgh $7.";12 for Fr estimate of dasinge, and to. John II Vall kubu gh $1 .12 For his Palinu te

It would appear from this resolution that the dog tax of those days served the same purpose as the

license tax of the present day. When was appro- priation is there dnes ion out, the way out of the difficulty was to take it out of the dog tax but at the present time & smiles difficulty is mandie by a resolution appropri ng somthis may be needed ant of the bronse money

If, lown Committee Joseph Bold, Enoch Vreeland, Thomas Watkin -. Isaa Van sollinger an 1 C. C. Brinkhotf (chairman ; J hon V. S Winkle, con table and collector, Abraham Tuer , overwer of the poor John S. Condit, clerk.

1-47 .- Town Committee, CL C. Bunkerhott, FAl- ward Van sollinger, Thone's Watkins. Euoch Vrre- land and Richarl Outwater (chairman) ; Julen V. S. Van Winkle collector and cartable, Abraham Tuers, overseer of the poor . John S. Condit, clerk ; John A. Kiker, overser of highways.

1×Js .- Town Committee, Rechar ] Outwater . hair- man), V. V. Brinkerhoff, Edwardl Van > inger, Stephen King-land, Thomas Watkin . C. Jerolaman was appointe I township superinten lent of public schools. This is the first time that th's office ame in to notice or received any attention from the com- mittee. We are not, however, to infor from this that the schools were neglected, as a resolution appears on the mines of 1543 distributing a surplus interest fund received by the town-bip from the Board of Freeholders equally between the townships of Har- rison and Lodi. The following resolution also ap- pears at this period in the records of the town-hip

"Readred, That here after the town samittee char . for the services one dollar per day, dinner and lor . vender to i. larged by the laind] pil to The Town "

John S. Condit, who Had been clerk under the differ- ent committees since the organization of the township in 1-10, died in 1945, and was succeeded by Filward Van Sellinger. The township took auch action as was appropriate on the death of a true, trie l, and faithful officer, such as John ~. Condit invariably proved himself.

149 -Town Committee Henry H. Yeriase. Dan- iel Van Winkle, Elwarl Van Slipger. Thomas Watkins and Cornelius (. Brinkerboth ( harman).

Subsequently Edward Van - illu zer, being elected committeeman, resigned the position of town clerk, and F. C. Watkins was appointed to fill vacades.

150,-Town Committee, Cornelius C. Brinkerhoff, Isaac 1. Van Winkle, William Mcbeth. Herry H. Yeriance and Cornelius I. Jeroloman; Stephen K. eroloman, assessor and collector ; Abraham Tuers, overseer of the poor; and F. C. Watkins, town clerk.

1×51 .- Town Committee, William MeBeth chair- man), Thomas Watkins, Robert Rutherford, Cornelius (' Brinkerbott and Cornelius Shepherd ; Andrew F. Kingsland, assessor and collector : Robert & Seward, commissioner of appeals ; and F. ( Watkins, town clark ; Peter Muckett, overseer of the pour.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 138

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