History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 147

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 147
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 147

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).

that our township will be liberal to the levies upon its loyalty, and that its patriotisin in this crisis will never be questioned.

"ABM W. DIRYEE, " JOHN STORGESS, "HENRY VON GLAHN,

" A. II. RYDER, Secretary.

" Committee. "

At the spring election in this township a ticket ap- peared with the American standard in its true colors, and measures were consummated by which the tami- lies of such men as enlisted in the military service should not experience the pressure of want. About this region, as in others, there were utterances made that neither pure patriotism nor the sternest loyalty could sanction. The sentiment of toleration, how- ever, prevailed, and the injudicious expression had no further effect than is ordinarily the result of similar indiscretion. There is no better antidote to much of that sort of imprudence than to pass it by, allowing it to evaporate as something evanescent. Life with the dullard, as with the blind aborigines, passes away with merely the narrowest conception of the loyal dig- nity to which human nature, under more genial auspices, is led to aspire. The years of the civil war passed with a popular eagerness here to suppress the evil of insubordination. Among the martyrs to the country's cause, dying in the service, were Edward A. Danielson, Garret Earle, Joseph Greenleaf, John Snyder.

In his proclamation of Oct. 8, 1866, the Presi- dent said, "The civil war that so recently elosed among us has not been anywhere reopened. Foreign intervention has ceased to excite alarm or apprehen- sion. Intrusive pestilence has been benignly miti- gated. Domestic tranquillity has improved. Senti- ments of conciliation have largely prevailed, and the affections of loyalty and patriotism have been widely received." And he adds, " these great national bless- ings demand a national acknowledgment."

Autumn Holiday .- Thanksgiving met with no ordinary celebration under these impressive circum- stanees. The aggregate of the populace must unite in a rendering of thanks. Without these, this central combination of thought, there is a repleteness of deso- lation. The tree needs something, the nourisher of its roots. The moon has a centre towards which it grav- itates. The earth has a sun to sustain it, to bathe it in its beautiful light and give it warmth. So the intelligent creature derives life from, and randers his annual thanks to, the source of all goodness, the eternal Being, the benign Father. In 1613 a company of traders from Holland established themselves at the site of the present metropolis of which this region is an environ. Happily, with them came ideas in no degree tinctured with superstition. We have the best of evidences going to show the settlers in due time made spiritual matters objects of regard. They were careful to extend and to preserve "the blessings of education and religion."

The mind_within a republie is active. We rerog-

12-5

NORTH BERGEN TOWNSHIP

nize times for thought and for thankfulness. Intellect was not bestowed to lie dormant ; it faculties merit exercise. More people die annually from a want of sufficient brain-work than from an excess of it. Many are inclined to think that it is good to give the mind full play, to expand the powers of thought by reading and observation. A great deal depends upon the mind's having its full share of activity,' In no depart- ment is it more sublimely exercised than when in- voking the favor of heaven. Here it harmonizes with the most renowned of politics early engrafted upon our judicial system, and which marches in the front ranks of human progres -. It is a system that bears inscribed upon it principles of everlasting fidelity to the recorded laws of God. No publie sentiment extant, to any degree noticed here or in our vicinity contravenes these enuneiations. Two stanzas of a metrical piece sung in one of the public schools within the township in 1957-38, yield poetic expres- sion to pleasing ideas,-

. Hay stream of krowh Ige Now Thre nghont the land, Thus shalt the light et lfo

Ch rus " Lương have Sur ran, laut Ethic free; Firmly stand, fre dom's Intdl, Long life to then *

" fatal save America !

W'ershadowe levertnors Father, by Thee c'hurun. " Long live, etc.

Testament Reading Class. The members of a Testament reading class, about the year 1857, within this township were

Samuel 1 Greculeuf.

GForge W W. Donald

Juln 11. Woolmington.

David T Erkersen.

Charles W Wwolmingtoft. Elgur I. F'erry Philip P Smiths. George W. Stanton.

Nancy Greuleaf.

A. F ( Holstein.

Alvah F Perry.

Margaret Williana.

Witam Il. Van Giraen.

M A. V.n tilabu.

luhn S. Eckenen

E. M Brulguan.

Charles W Bullen.

Martha F. Sturgew.

Adolphus Holstein.

John Collins

R wert Green I.

sruh 1. Thail ielson.

Houry colline.

( M. Donald.

August Apja.l.

Auna Mi smith.

Il Ackararını, Jr.

J. A. Panne I+ D.

Mary K. Williamne.

Attendance at this school, No, 4, at dates men- tioned were as follows :

Boxy. Girls.

Bwvw. Girls.

1857, May 12

33 18

1857, Muy 25.

1857, May 29

187 June 3.

187 June 15.

-1

1> .k. Feb, la. GU

1857, Ort. 23

1.9

The fact is, knowledge purified, refined, is the attribute of Goal his will. - Scho I Superintendent B. I. collins, in School Report of Isini, page .

The following is a list of the meritorious awards attained by superior recitation-, giving the date, class, prize and name of pupil gaining the award:

JA'7, The 1. Intermediate, Youthe Day Spring," J. 11. Rw-

Der 24 .- Number two, " Mo Bi ; Ramble, ' W' H Pust.

The 24 Number one, com, Rerest Allen.

Doc 30. Number four, ' And ri an - tiguter - Samuel II Greenmi

Jan K. Nutsler three, " Cha- Book . William If Van Growth

Jan. 1 .- Nuudw three, 'Normal Bruder, Sansh . ane Daniel~

Jan 1. Intermediates, lunch of poetry, John F. Daniel is

Jan. 1 - Number tw , " Rulan R. IR 1, lbsbert Ramsey

Jan. 1 -Nunder one, n, Billy Pat-len. Jan. 20 - Number two , soin, samuel Masters.

Fab. . - Number two, colu, George W E horas.

Fab. 02. Numberone n, Fretra ad het n.

Fel 19. Number two, illuminate! and. Catherine Von Glalit

Fot 2 -Number one, Both Egbert 1-1, Jr

March 5. Number one, a, Whom It Danielson Ir. Mai h 12. Number our most, Aaron MI Payne

Mach 19,-Number one, - In, Frdir a Jot 1 B.

March 26 -Number two, Iluminat-fcard, Georg W Erkerw o

March 20 .- Intermediate " Rodinu more, Henriette . Smh

March 26 Number three, . Robin Hood. ' J hn ( besley.

March 26 - Number for, ' Sal mind Bender, Jon II Wolltb. tolt. Spr 12 Number tis . " Bank of Fables " ('bailes W Hullen

April 30 Number one, du, Frederia J. huntela

April 30. Number to ,, Hummuste | ard, 1 Greenleaf

Max 51 -Number two, illuminate1 ard, C. V .n Glahn.

June 4 - Numtar two, Huminstodcard, P E Erkopen.

June " Number one coin, W Event Green leaf.

Inne 7 - Number three, Gulliver # Voyages, ' > J Danielem

Inte - Intermediate, " Mart'ul Senen, Wind .Id >. Danielen.

Inne ? Number four, "The Boy & True Jmy,' Samuel II. Or Ial

Educational .- A view of the school interests taken in the year 1856 presented an exhibit of six die- tricts, which were, excepting one, wholly within the township. There was but one township at that time having a greater number, and that was Bergen, which numbered seven, with an aggregate of thirteen hundred and eighty-five school children. North Bergen reported thirteen hundred and nineteen children. Hoboken and Harrison each numbered three districts, although the former exhibited four times more children than the latter. The report touching Jersey City showed one district, and yet the number of children there was more than four times the number reported by Hoboken. Two of the schools in the township here were each provided with two departments, the more advanced pupils attending in the one, and the primary pupils in the other. Such arrangements made eight public schools. The superintendent speaks of select and parochial shools. Among the former were these kept by Mr. l'enfield and by Miss Augusta Fredericks.

WEAVERTOWN DISTRICT .- At present there is no district by this name. Quite a considerable number of scholars attended a school here many years. The frame building used as a school-house was removed when Hudson City became a separate municipality. The school-house stood alone as a solitary object a number of years at the southwest corner of the Wea- vertown or Bergenwood road, and the road leading

Eng hemin Williama Susan M. Donald. Penelope & smith.

William F. Greenleaf.

Jubn J Greenleaf.

1286

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

down the slope to Secaucus. The grounds about the premises had a rural aspect till the tide of immigra- tion and real estate speenlations wrought out great changes. An early list of the parents in this district and the number of school children, signed by trustees Jacob Newkirk and Thomas Taylor, will show the range of the district. The record is as follows :

Parents.

No. of Children"

Mr. Kerrigan

MIr. Masker .

Mr. Francojs

Mr. F. Eyth.

Mr. F. Guppner

Mr. T. Roceman

Mr. F. Schaupp.

Mr. Julius Reichhelm

Mr. J Bernhammer

Mr. A. Hollinger.

Mr. Stewart

Mi. George De Morte.

Mr. W. Die z

Mr. Bustiger

Mr. Dubois

Mr. Jacob \ wkirk

Mrs. Hemtage

Mr Seifert.

Mr Kuhl .

Mr stort

Mr. Weiser

Mr. sharon

Mr John Zabriskie

Mr .Jar ab Zabriskie

Mr. William Adamı.

Mr. Thomas Taylor

Mr Grorzze William

Mr Jacob Andersen 3

Mr Robert Twee 1.

Mr. Alexander Gambettie 2

Mr Wallwerker 2

Mr Graffenhorst

The designation given this region arose from a domestic industry at an early period in vogue among the inhabitants. Many of the dwellings of the people inhabiting that neighborhood were provided with the convenience- for weaving. The fabrics used were home-made. Citizens still residing there have recol- lection of this feature amongst the old folks, all of whom knew well the use of the spinning-wheel and to what purpose flax was raised. In conversation with a resident near by, at one time the occupant of the old stone house, she said recently she had been accustomed to spinning. the families all about there following that old-time industry. The girls there, when they married and migrated to new homes, in some instances took their spinning-wheels along with them. Of course the use of these machines had had their dlay, and other household conveniences soon sent them into the garrets, where many of the obsoletes remain to this day. As one of our poetic observers remarks,-

To podding-tick, to, which our grand-ires made,

The broom, which they shape i in the birch tree's shade, The staff - buzz and the old quill wheel,

The thump of the loom, and the twirl of the reel,- Yine them rarely, and then they may, Fasi. away, jmuwing away "" ""

School Districts .- The successive changes in town- ship boundaries varied those of the school districts. By a supplement to the act dividing this township all the territory was declared to be one district, and au- thority was given in that supplement (which was approved Feb, to, 1502) to subdivide the township

into four districts. These were created under the authority of that act, as follows: 1. Bull's Ferry ; 2. Secaucus ; 3. South New Durham; 4. North New Durham. Another district (East New Durham, No. 5) came from a division of No. 4 a few years afterwards. The latest school census shows the number of children to be in No. 1, 206; in No. 2, 235; in No. 3, 346; in No. 4, 139; in No. 5, 144. The latest school erected is that of No. 5. Each district has its chronicles. Bull's Ferry is memorable for being the site of the noted Block-House, a Revolutionary landmark. Se- caucus is memorable for many Revolutionary events. Snake Hill, near by, is the seat of the county's alms- house.

Old Time Deer-Chase .- Modern chronicles give us no moose- hunting. And yet in the far back the deer was not unknown in this region. There are still here , standard representatives of the ancient monarchis of the forest. In front of the late Cornelius Doremus' mansion and in front of the late Michael Fisher's, I along the Bergen turnpike, are two tall elms having commanding aspeets. A brace of tall oaks and a noble elm are to be seen to-day on Richard Stanton's place. Similar trees were numerous, from all accounts, in the Bergen Woods decades ago, and the deer was enjoying the shelter of these primitive oeru- pants of the soil. Here the brisk animal reveled amidst the sylvan retreats of centuries gone by, a swarthy race sharing with him the vast area around them. How readily one at all acquainted with such scenes can conjecture the exhibitions presented here? The line ear of the American moose is known to deteet, even at a great distance, the snapping of the smallest twig or any noise foreign to the natural sounds of the forest.1 Fancy a young quadruped startled by some alarm. Instantly you hear the twings shap and the rustling of his feet in the lanrels, for he has the fleetness of the wind. It is easy to contemplate these beautiful animals in every variety of posture, whether in repose or in brisk action. Some are at the river's brink supplying themselves with Nature's choicest beverage: others may be seen grazing along the grassy slope; others stand serenely or loiter slowly. snatching a tuft of grass by the way. This is an animal that has often been the solid game of our North Bergen sportsmen, graphic accounts of the hunt being often narrated in the region. The venison feast of itself arises from expeditions to localities to which such sterling denizens of the wood retreated as habitations of our race have multiplied. A number of the native inhabitants still with us upon this mun- dane sphere, and, indeed, living at present within the bounds of the township now meeting notice, can portray the deer-hunt by a reference to incidents taken from their own experience. The moose so

" The least weder mule by a hunter, with as the rustling of dry leaves or the breaking of a wmull branch, will be heard by this animal at a great distance, and will alarm it.

1257

NORTH BERGEN TOWNSHIP.

much admired in our American forests is a captivat- ing animal, - me of the tenants of the wilderness 'tis a pleasure to contemplate. No other animal that runs in the woods is so difficult to approach, and fow are said to equad the moose in swiftness. Its flesh is exceedingly good food, casy of digestion, nourishing and palatable. The two species of deer talked about making variable features from the moose comprise a common sort, and the red deer, or elk. The latter are well proportioned, have gigantic horn- and present at majestic appearance. They shed their horns in February or March and by August new ones are nearly at their fill growth. They have branches extending front and rear. These noble animals feed on grass and buds and the twigs of trees. The Beach of the deer is tender and of a fine flavor.

Along the Hackensack the reports of fowling- pieces were frequent. Game there in certain seasons was abundant. James 11. Earle is still an authority in matters referring to that region. Hunting is his hobby. He is a resident of New Durham, and holds trophies of his skill. J. Frazer Kinzie, of whose experience hi torian- may still avail themselves, led his fancy in leisure hours to some extent in these directions. He has called the taxidermist to his assistance, and preserves a few momentos of his gun- ning days. Of these, with several varieties, still appear the robin, oriole and wren, with blackbirds, bluebirds and meadow-larks. Earlier observers talk of Conrad Rapp, whose skill and quickness gained many a partridge. He found the quail without ditli- Pulty. " I have seen him " remarks a neighbor " come in with fifteen gray squirrels and other game." Conrad, it seems, made his living out of this pursuit for many years. He took to the hunter's life, and on Sundays the boys would make a visit to the hermit.

atit so well be has bromme convinced that for milk and butter choice sa quality no breed ex e . the Al- derney. The Holstein and other Freeda may he . ; - , yield a larger quantity of milk ; yet the quality of the t milk is by no means the same as is the quality of the milk of the Alderney www. The crema and the butter are correspondingly superior. Engaged in the dairy business at one period were Van Dine, at Secaucus, and Samuel Peck, at Bull's Ferry. The busines has Ich energetically pursued by David Van Vorst, of Weavertown, and receives at present considerable at- tention from Sammel H. Greenleaf, of North New Durham.

Pomology .- Both at Bull's Ferry and at Seradeus much attention was at certain periods given to or- chards. In fact, the fruit tree received the care of the early settler to such an extent as to evoke the frequent comment of a successor. The aren is not limitel alto- gether to the places named, where care was shown in this art. Tracesof the carly planting of fruit-trees are scattered all over North Berfien. A few of these were years ago obliterated by incursions of new enterprises; yet here and there stands a straggling sentinel, telling of the departure of his companions. The old apple- tree is a familiar expression in this township. One is readily seen without going very far. The old folks selulously guarded themselves against any future apple famine. Some of this fruit was very fine. The orchards of the late John Meeks were supplied with trees that bore very choice fruit. At Baker smith's old place were fall pippins. the Van Dine and other superior apples. The Doremus, the Downer, and the Job Allen property, the Post farm, at Secanteu-, the Peck place, at Bull's Ferry, Van Vorst's, near West Hoboken, were all noticeable in this particular. The orchard of Mr. Richard Meyer, but particularly that of Mr R. Stanton, at East New Durham, deserve nu- tive. That, too, of Mr. Williams, and the orchard of Mr. Wragg, at North New Durham, merit mention as yielding excellent apples, Mr. Duryee in 1>44 had an unusually prolific yield from the orchard then on his farm. The apples he has ate chiefly Newtown pippin -. In the autumnn and winter of the year just mentioned Mr. Duryce sold at least four hundred bar- rels, the fruit being all in fine condition and fit for shipping to foreign ports.

Domestic Animals. Rearing of sheep is not among profitable speculations undertaken here. The animal 1 seldom seen here. The late Philip Greenleaf gave at one time considerable attention to the raising of sione, a business he relinquished at a subsequent period. No limited attention has been given to the cow in this region. The dairy at Secaneus and in neighboring localities sixty years ago gained a large measure of notice. Butter was among the common marketables going from this region sixty years ago. Of other fruit, as plums, quinces, peaches, Mr Duryee has no market supplies. His pears-bert by the blight a few years ago-are now fine. Jie names among varieties the Bartlet, Duchess And Viear of Wakefield. By the way of cherry sales, the neighbor of Duyree, W. J. Danielson, can have lew peers. His yearly crop is heavy. He sold last your (1554) eight thousand pounds. Ho mentions among luis varieties the Black Eagles, Dickemans, Napo- leons, Ox-hearts, Richmonds and others. Milkmen now find a ready sale for most of the milk produced. Jacob Reiner has been twelve years in the latter business. In 1884 he was keeping about a dozen cows at his homestead in New Durham. He avails himself of the fine pastures in the vicinity. Henry J. Perry, for many years the keeper of a dairy, and re- siding at New Durham about thirty-nine years, con- fers upon a theme of this kind rather cheerfully. Mr. Perry claims to have owned a cow for forty-three years, and surely the animal he now has is a choice The cranberry and the wortleberry ure indigenous here. The latter, commonly called the huckleberry, one. It is an Alderney, and his fifth cow of that bread. Finding a heifer he bought six years ago turn , may be found in large quantities about the Secaucus

1:23%

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY. NEW JERSEY.

swamps. Ther are two or three varieties of this berry, the blueberry being the largest and of the finest flavor. All the garden fruits gain considerable cultivation in this lat tude, as currants, gooseberries, lawtres, raspberries and strawberries. John McFar- lane, of South New Durham, is zealous in cultivating the latter. Dr. Seidhof, some years ago, gave com- siderable care to the cultivation of the grape. He edited a work on the subject and superintended a nursery for several seasons. Robert Seimer, of North New Durham, has quite an extensive vineyard. It is upon a high slope. Wild grapes grown in wet localities are not compared to those grown in dry soils. The wild grape here has a thick skin, hard pulp. large seeds. The cranberry improves in many respects by a transfer from marsh to upland. As to grapes, by culture in dry situations the seeds and skin become less large and thick and the pulp almost dis- appears. So early as 1839, or thereabouts, .I. W. Pants, subsequently a resident of this township, made known a method, inaugurated in Hamburg, of forring grapes in hot-houses. The method embodied three features,-it required no outlay after the first year, did not weaken the vine and produced ripe fruit in the middle of the winter.

Sociabilities .- Records of cordial gatherings of the young folks could be made very elaborate. Years ago the social chat was sometimes carried on in the Hol- land language; less so, however, here than in South Bergen. The late Thomas Rosman (he owned and occupied of the old stone house at Weavertown) was among the number who conversed in that lingo very flu- ently. He was, like many a neighbor of his far and near, a devotee to whatever is styled social. The occasion for raising a new building was at one period made a social event. Neighbors collected together, the work was done, and a little festival followed. What was called a husking-bee often had social features. These meetings were sometimes hastily formed, and young and old united not the less merrily on that account. At the work there was a quiet way pursued. Yet in the sports there were pranks enough to diffuse good cheer. Old inhabitants mention the quilting-party and the sewing-eirele as having had their pleasantries. Birthday parties and holiday occasions won the social attention. Neighbors name the nuptials of several of the older residents as having been celebrated with Svine degree of festivity. Good cheer was abundant at the Huyler abode in 1856, the occasion being the marriage of Michael I. Fisher and Mrs. Sophronic Huyler. Mrs. Huyler was a daughter of Thomas Me- Donald. Miss MeDonald was born at Peas' Point, well known throughout the community ; and the evening entertainment is still spoken of by the guests that participated in it. The host and hostess upon that happy occasion did the honors in the most acceptable style. Mr. Fisher was many years a resident of New Durham. It was his custom to gather his friends around him on the first of the year, a famous festal

day with him. The family-circle convened at the homestead was on that occasion a scene of sociability. Children and grandchildren joined in the festivities.

Mr Fisher was frequently a member of the town- ship committee. He was one of the grand jury first convened in Hudson County. He represented the township in the Board of Chosen Freeholders during the year> 1846 and 1×47, and served at one period as the treasurer of the county. Occasionally a jaunt took his fancy, and his subsequent account of that tour was always interesting to his auditors. A few years since a granddaughter of his, Miss Tracy, passed a year or two on a visit to the East, taking Japan among the countries through which she traveled. Upon her return she exhibited the curiosi- ties of travel gathered on the route, and her grand- father evineed considerable interest in these and in the narrative of her travels. The present history set before our readers is to some extent indebted for facts gleaned from Mr. Fisher's memory. Fisher Avenue in the town of Union and at New Durham were named in his honor. The old gentleman met friends socially on the occasion of his eighty-sixth birthday, April 29, 1880. His death, which was that of a patriarch surrounded by attentive kindred, oe- curred the following November. The dwelling he occupied was assumed by the West Shore Company a year or so after his demise, and it served in the occupancy of that company for an office, in which the engineers matured their plans. Mr. Fisher left two daughters, one a resident of the township. The dwelling she occupies is one of the most eligibly located among the residences that are rural and suburban within the county. It is some distance from the highway, occupying an elevated site, with fruit and ornamental trees dotting the declivity front and side, and altogether just the home one would choose who desired a sylvan abode. The curtilage includes ample grounds that are carried to a high state of culti- vation. North of this dwelling are the fine residences of A. M. Duryce and of James MeFarlane, and to the south are the dwellings at one period occupied by the late John Lovet and his son-in-law, the late D. HI. Wilson.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 147

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