History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 28

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 28
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 28

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).

Abel W. Haves Jr., 18Is.

Oliver Hayes, 1-25, '27, 28, '32. John (. Hayes, 1875.

Stephen Headley, 1x23, '25, 30, 34, 46, '38, '39,

V'aleb B. Headley 1850.

> R. Hendl y, 1>74, '75, '76.

Cyrus Hedden, IK;s, '39.

W. l' | Headley, Iss], "82.

Iliram Ingalsbe, 1847.

Abner Jolinson, 1×18.

James P. Andson, 1851, '53, '54.

Henry W Nichols, 1x42, '>3.

Ellis C. Kitchen, 1826, '27.

Jonathan Osbern, 1818, '19, 20.

Parker Parcels, 1819.

Eleazer B. Porter, 1827, '17.

JJ weph H. Osborn, 1877, '78, '79, '80, '81, '82, '83. Joseph Price, 1836, 39. Samittel Price, INIs.

Pet & Kelyra, IN38.

John M Reeve, Isol, '+2, '63, '64. '65, '66. '6.7, '68, '69.

Vitor I' Kreve, Ist. '68.

Thomas Roland, 1x50.

Julius. nahorn, 1-23.

William IT. Osbern, 1859, 60, 61.

Alvah Sherman, 1823, '31, 35. John Sonthard, 1847

Charles(', Stewart, 1863, '64. 0, 06, 67, 68, 17, 78, 79, 80, 81, 183

Eleazer (. Townley, 1850, '51.

Aaron & smith, 1868, '69, 70, 171, 172, 73, 74, 76.

William M. Summers, 1539.

Thomas R. Smith, 187%, '79, 50. Peter Van Vese, ININ, 121. 127.

John II. Van Nem, 1871, '72, 73.

James M Van Nome, 1:76

( aleb B. Van Nom, 1813, "14, '48. '51, '53, '58, '59.

James H. Van Nes, 1×73, 74, 7%.

Robert M Wale, 1542, '] ...

t' wwoll Wilkinson, 1819, 120, '23, '26, 27, '28.

% s. Williams, 1s2:

John D. Williams, 1826 M mex Widmen, 1827, 132.

SETON HALL COLLEGE .- This institution is located on what was formerly known as Chestnut Ridge, and occupies a commanding and magnificent site opposite to and cast of the mountain, near South Orange Ave- nuc, formerly the turnpike road, but now one of the six or eight boulevards under charge of the Essex Pub- lie Road Board.

The college was founded in 1856, at Madison, N. J., by the Most Rev. J. Roosevelt Bayley, D. D., the first bishop of Newark. During the summer vacation of 1800 it was removed to its present location at South Orange. The Legislature of the State, during the session of 1861, passed an act of incorporation, granting it all the rights and privileges enjoyed by other colleges in the State.

The college buildings arcof stone and of architect- ural beauty, large and commodious, thoroughly venti- lated, heated by steam and lighted by gas.

The aim of the faculty is to impart a good educa- tion in the highest sense of the word, to train the moral, intellectual and physical bring. The health, manners and morals of the students, all of whom are

required to live in the college are objects of constant rare. The system of government combines strict discipline with kind and gentle treatment. The stu- dents are instructed thoroughly in the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church and trained in its prac- tices.

This college was appropriately named in honor of the late Archbishop Bayley's aunt, the saintly Mother Seton, who introduced the Sisters of Charity into the United States, and to whose prayers he attributed the grace of his conversion to the faith.

The selection of the healthful and attractive site of the college, so justly admired by visitors to South Orange as the most beautiful within many miles of New York, is due to the cultivated taste and sound judg- ment of the late archbishop, who had the consolation of seeing his work firmly established and the seeds he planted bearing abundant fruit.

Churches .- Reference has been made to the orig- inal connection of the residents in South Orange with the mother settlement in Newark.

The Second Church of Newark (now the First Pres- byterian Church of Orange) was organized about 1720, and one portion of the people of South Orange be- came connected therewith. The people of North Farms (now Hilton) were connected with, and a part i of, the churches at Elizabethtown and Connecticut Farms, while the residents of Vauxhall and Jetfer- son Village naturally gravitated to the church at Springfield. The local centres thus alluded to were situated about two miles apart, and comparatively the same distance from the respective places for public religious worship.

BAPTIST CHURCHES .- The earlier churches of the Baptist denomination were at Lyons Farms and at Northfield. The congregations were small in num- ber, but full of zeal and determination, and to them belong the credit of organizing the first church, and creating the first house for worship in the township.

The records of the congregation are probably lost.

On the 6th day of October, ISJJ, Caleb Durand conveyed to himself, William Brown and Enoch Ball, trustees of the Baptist Church of Jefferson Village, and to their successors in office, a tract of land, which is described, in brief, as follows :

"On the northwesterly side of the road that leads from Orange to Springfield, beginning at the centre of the well of said Chleb Durand, and from thence south 20º W four chains from the well to the place of beginning. (1) N. 48º W. 3.72 up the middle of the road called ' Bare' Lane. . (2) X 34 E. 1.28. . . (3) S. BR° E. 3.60 into the road sterensid. . (4) along ruud road s. 23° W. 1.28 to the beginning, containing ido of an arre; Bounded sonth- easterly by the middle of the road to Springfield, S. by the middle of " Bare Laine . .. N. W. and N. E. by said Caleb Durand ". . . .

Upon this lot they erected their church edifice. The lot was also used as a burying-place. 1

The congregation, however, failed of being self-sup- porting, and the building was unoccupied for several

I See No. 19, township map.

799

BIOGRAPHICAL

years, and about 1423, it was conveyed to the Moth- odist Episcopal congregation.

I'NEVERSALIST CHURCH .- The next church in Ransom, J W .. Charles E. Lum, Treas. ; Benjamin order of time was created at North Farms (now Ihl- 1. Chandler, Por. Regular communications are held on the first and third Tueslay evenings in each month. ton) in 182% by the Universaliste. This empregation also shared the fate of their Baptist brethren, hecame disbanded, and the building remained mocenpie I as a regular place for worship for several years. It 14 now owned and occupied as a Methodist Church.

A small number of interments have been made on the lot.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .-- At a meeting of the Columbian School Association, held at the house of B. Harrison, on the evening of Jan. 23, 1525, Mores Lindaley was chosen chairman, and I. T. Squier see- rotary, when the following resolutions were passed :

Und. Thus Devad Brown La gad six centseach evening he may lur- the wound to warn the room with for the power of regions worship From the first of January last to the first of April nest ensuing

"2d That want A Mirroran . be publ me shifting for rich vening he this the ball, lights and warms the house for the purpose of religion w phip, and i kewir for performing all other duties ad & xtou until the lirlot Anl w xt ensuin

"Al. That for the panguse of robbing & found to pass theos expres a, Be. more , Thusportoni taken in each and every evening the hour

The room was used for purposes of religious wor- ship until 1542. The Presbyterian Church of South Orange was organized Jone 18, 1531, the congre- gation meeting in the school-house until their church was erected, in 1×42.1

April 19, 1543, application was made by the trus- tres of the Presbyterian Church in this place for a lease of the upper room in the school-house for a number of years. The room was accordingly rented to the trustees of the church for fifteen years, for the sim of ten dollars a year, or such sunt as shall he necessary for the keeping of said room in good repair.

March &, 1859, the use of the room was granted to the Episcopal clergyman of Millburn for services on Saturday evenings.

Det. I. Isis, the room was leaved to the Church of the Holy Communion.'

March S. 1859, permission was granted to Rev. Mr. Reml, Episcopal clergyman, of Millburn, to use the upper room on Saturday evening».

In 1859 the room was leased to the Church of the Holy Communion; the termis agreed upon were " that the Church should put the room in good condi- tion and pay a rent of $20,00 for the second year, No other charge to be made for two years' rent."

In 1Nul the room was leased to the Columbian Guards for one year, at a rental of three hundred dol- lars per annum.

Societies. CENTURY LODGE, NO. JOO, F. AND A. M., was constituted January, 1870, the following-

I see No. 1.1, township map.

2 ste No 4.4, low nstup mmp.

named being the first officers thereed Daniel T. ( Mark, W. M .; Joseph W. Wildey, S. W. ; Anson A.

Hope LANGE, No. 179, 1. 0. 0. 1 . instituted April, 1×74, the otherrs being Aaron H. smith, N. G .; Joseph W. Wilde, V. C .: Most P. Smith, Sec. ; A. Bishop Baldwin, Trew. The lodge meets every Wednesday evening.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

PHILANDER BALL.

The ancestors of Mr. Ball were of Welsh de- recent, his great-grandfather, Aaron Ball, having resided in what is now South Orange, Essex Co., where he pursued the mason's craft. The eldest of his six children was Joseph, whose children were three son -- Eleazar T., Israel, Joseph B .- and three daughters-Haunah ( Mrs. Porter), Mary ( Mrs. Robert ('aldwell), and Mary (20). The birth ot Joseph B. occurred in 1778 in South Orange, on ancestral land still in possession of the family. Though acquiring a trade, as was the custom in those early days, Mr. Ball devoted his energies to the cultivation of a farm, now in possession of his son. He married Eunice daughter of Richard Harrison, of Orange township, whose children are Amzi, Eleazar T., Mary, Philander, Hannah (Mrs. Joseph Vance| and Richard II. Philan- der was born on the sth of January, 1814, in South Orange, and received such educational advantages as the neighboring school afforded, after which he chose the healthful employment of a farmer, and has dur- ing his active lifetime been regarded as one of the intelligent and enterprising agriculturists of the county He was married, in 1819, to Sarah A., daughter of Aram Gnerim, of Morris County, and has children,-Edward P. (deceased), John ti., Anna Il., Lizzie M. (Mrs. Augustus 1. Whitehead), and Warren P. Mr. Ball was in his political preferences formerly a Democrat, with strong Abolition tendencies, which later influenced him to join the Republican ranks. He has held various offices of a local character, such as chosen freeholder, commissioner of deeds, member of the township committee, etc. His known integrity. coupled with much executive ability, has caused his services to be frequently employed as executor and trustee where important interests are involved. His religions creed is that of the Presbyterian Church, his membership being in connection with the church in South Orange, of which he has for years been a trustee

800

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

RICHARD H. BALL.

Edward Ball, the progenitor of the Ball family in New Jersey, removed at an early date from Connecticut and settled in Newark. His descend- ant, Aaron Ball, the great-grandfather of the sub- ject of this biography, located in South Orange during the year 1741. Among his sons was Joseph Ball, who served in the English army and assisted in the capture of Martinique. Ile was afterward a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and assisted in the cap- ture of Stony Point under Gen. Anthony Wayne. He inherited the paternal estate, and married Rachael Tompkins, whose children were Eleazar T., born in

from labor. At twenty-two he came into possession of bis patrimony,-fifty-six acres of the homestead farm,-which he has since cultivated. He was married, on the 10th of September, 1862, to Miss Mary Francis, daughter of Frazee Harris, of Union County, N. J. Their children are Frederick H. (deceased), Joseph I'., George Il., Fannie May, Laura M., Amzi and Edward (twins, the latter of whom is deceased), Jennie E. and Alice 11. Mr. Ball is a Republican, and strong in his political convictions, though not an aspirant for office. He is a supporter of the Presbyterian Church at Connecticut Farms, of which Mrs. Ball is a member.

Jameel o troum

1767; Hannah, in 1768; Israel, in 1770; Mary, in SAMUEL P. BROWN. 1772; Mary (2d) in 1773; and Joseph B., whose Phineas Brown, the grandfather of Samuel P., who resided in South Orange, married Easter Gillam, and had children,-Charles, Stephen, Nathaniel, Isaac, William, Anna and Sarah. Stephen Brown, also a native of South Orange, was by trade a cooper, and, besides, conducted the business of a butcher. He married Sarah Gillam, whose children were Phincas, Samuel P., Nancy and Jabez B. By a second marriage, to Prudence Hand, were chil- dren,-Anelia, Mary, David, Henry Phebe and Wil- lianı. The birth of Samuel P. occurred Oct. 15, 1805 birth occurred March 15, 1778. He was a farmer on the homestead, which came to him by inheritance, and also learned the trade of a shoemaker. Ile married Eunice, daughter of Richard Harrison, of Orange township, and had six children, of whom Richard II. was born Nov. 13, 1820, on the land which has passed in direct succession to him, and where his life has been spent in the occupations of a farmer. When a lad he was accustomed to habits of industry, and found little time for attendance at school other than the winter months afforded, when the farmer enjoys a respite | in South Orange (then known as Orange township)

Philander Ball

801

BIOGRAPHICAL ..

where his whole life has been spent. He had no eu- cational advantages in early youth, and was obliged to become self-supporting at the age of eight years, his father having enlisted as a soldier in the war of 1×12. He in youth developed a business taet which, combined with great industry, has made his life a successfil one. Mr. Brown learned the trade of measure-making, and for many years found it profit- able. Butchering at a later date proved more lucra- tive, as also the purchase and sale of eattle. lle invested his earnings from time to time in land, add- ing, as opportunity offered, until the productive farm on which he resides was secured. He has for many years devoted his time to the cultivation of this farm.

had children, -- Aaron, Zadoe, Job, David, Jonathan, Hannah, Eleanor and Abigail,-all of whom grew to mature years. Aaron, the eldest, was born July 22, 1779, in South Orange, where he was an indus- trions farmer, and identified officially with the town- ship as justice of the peace. He married Dorcas Ball, whose birth occurred June 4, 17) her father having been Aaron Ball, of the same township. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Brown were Betsey, born in 1805; Sarah, in 180%; John S., in 1811; AAaron B .; Eleanor, in 1×17; Joseph, in 1819; Abigail, in 1526. The subject of this sketch, Aaron B., was born on the 15th of February, 1814, in South Orange. The pub- lic school enabled him to acquire an elementary edn-

A B Brown

Mr. Brown was married, in 1844, to Eliza, daughter of William Smith, of Jefferson village, in South Orange township. Their only son, Isaac, is deceased. In politics Mr. Brown is n Democrat, and has held various township offices, being now commissioner of appeals. Though advanced in years, he still superin- tends the work upon his farm.

AARON B. BROWN.

Mr. Prown is descended from English stock. ITis grandfather, who resided in South Orange, where he was a farmer, married Jane Tompkins, and 51

cation, when his attention was directed to farming which has since been his life-work. On the death of his father he inherited the homestead farm, where he now resides. He was married, in 1841, to Miss Cath- erine M., daughter of Job Crowell, of Sonth Orange, and has children,-Ashbel (., Abby Caroline (MIrs. Theodore F. Taylor, David (deceased), Jay C., Henry M., Mary Olive (deceased), and Charles N. Mr. Brown has never departed from his legitimate calling to engage in doubtful business schemes, nor found time to devote to public enterprises. He has, however, as a Republican, held minor township offices, which have been filled with fidelity and acceptance. lle is a zealous Presbyterian in his religious belief, and is now

802

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

an elder in the church of that denomination in South Orange, where his membership has extended over a peri »l of more than fifty years.

ABIJAH F. TILLOU.

Mr. Tillou is of Huguenot descent. His grand- father. Peter Tillon, resided in New York, where he conducted the business of a chairmaker. He married Mary Brown, whose children were Joseph, William, Walter, Phoebe and Nancy, there having

triet school in winter at a later date, after which the work of the farm demanded his time and energies. When twenty-one years of age he left the paternal roof, but continued to labor as a farmer in other parts of the township.

At the age of thirty Mr. Tillou was married to Miss Pamelia, daughter of Samuel Brown. Their children are Samuel B., Daniel W. and Mary Ellen, both sons being married and reared to the health- ful occupation of the farmer. Mr. Tillou, on his marriage, removed to property owned by his wife, which he has since cultivated, and where he at present

Abych F. Tillow

been by a previous marriage children, -Peter, James, John and a daughter, Ilester. Joseph Tillou was born Dec. 18, 1773, in New York City, and re- moved to South Orange, where he became a far- iner. His wife was Mary, daughter of Amos Freeman, of South Orange, to whom were born children,- Joseph M., Mary, Abijah F .. Charles, Job B., Daniel B. and Lucetta (twins), and Rodney W. Abijah F., whose birth occurred Oct. 3, 1810, in South Orange, has been a life-long resident of that township. His chief advantages of education were gained before ten years of age, with occasional sessions at the dis-

resides. Ilis political sentiments were formerly those of a Whig, the Republican party now claiming his allegiance. lle manifests much interest in the devel- opment of his township; has been trustee of the vil- lage of South Orange, a member of the township committee and member of the board of assessments. He is also a director of the Orange National Bank. He has been frequently ealled to fill the position of executor, and on many occasions acted as the guardian of important trusts. Mr. Tillou is a Presbyterian in his religious faith and member of the First Presbyte- rian Church of South Orange.

R .H. Ball

803

WEST ORANGE TOWNSHIP

CHAPTER LXIN.

WE-T ORANGE TOWN-HIT

THIS IS One Of the interior townships of Essex County, and is bounded on the east by Montelair township and the city of Orange, on the south by South Orange and Millburn, on the west by Living- ston and C'aldwell, and on the north by Caldwell and Montelair townships, and contained in Issn a popula- tion of three thousand three hundred and eighty-five. The township embraces within 19 boundaries four thousand six hundred and twenty -one acres of land, through which are some of the most beautiful and picturesque drives and avenues to be found anywhere in the county, and along which are some of the most elegant and costly villas and cottages in Essex County. There is not, however, a post-office in the township.

Natural Features .- The surface of the township is mountainous, conta ning but very little, if any, first- class farming lands. Two mountain ranges cross the township, running nearly parallel with each other, from northeast to southwest, forming what is com- manly known as First and Second Mountains. The former, however, also bears the Indian name of " Wat- chung," and after it is named the Watchung Branch of the New York and Greenwood Lake Railroad, this branch having its western terminus on Main Street, Orange, at the foot of the mountain. The eastern slope of First Mountain is covered from base to summit by Llewellyn Park, containing the beautiful vading the whole is an atmosphere of culture aud villas and summer residences of a large number of people, among whom those of tien. George B. Metlellan, Gen. Randolph B. Marcy, George V. Hecker, J. O. Gimbernet, Miss Mary ti R. Binney. Dr. Dwinelle, Douglas Robinson, Mrs. Dr. W. Adams, John Crosby Brown, AA. P. Pillot, Mrs. P. Sanford, F. M. Hoag, Mrs. Georgiana Heckshore, S. O. Rollin- son, J. W. Field, E. W. Timpson, T. K. Gibbs, John M. Hare, T. A. Fowler, Mrs. James M. Ward, H. B. Auchineloss, Dr. Stockton, E. Barnet, J. C. Babcock, 11. C. Pedder, Egbert Starr. L. P. Store, Mrs. J HI. Green, A. ( Force, John Burke, James W. Judd, Wendell P'. Garrison, J. W Little, George Lethbridge, Mrs. Agnes J. Vincent, Frederick Worth, William P. Woodhull, William A. Gallatly, Dr. Fowler Ormsby, Some of the older places are occupied by families who are the direct descendants of the original owners, who laid out and built upon them over two hundred years ago. Cornelius Bramhall, Charles J. Martin, James Lan- eey, David E. Green, Daniel A. Heald, William Barr, J. Caddington, R. t. Browning, O. S. Carter, Davis Callamore, Dr. A. F. Bissell, W. C'. Lee, 11. A. Page, A. D. Williams, C. A. Haight, Lowell Mason, Mrs. Dr. Lowell Mason, and many others of equal value and beauty.

The summit of the Second Mountain forms the boundary line between West Orange and Livingston townships. Between the two mountains is quite a

pleasant valley, thinkly settled, but inproductive as , an agricultural district.

The principal stream of the township is the west branch of the Rahway River It ro . in the north- eastern part of the township and flow- southwesterly between the two mountains isto Millburn township. The east branch of the Railway River rises in the « ty of Orange, and forms a portion of the boundary hne between the city and the township of West Orange, Howing southwesterly into South Orange. Wigwam Brook also er ases the northeast corner of the township, flowing southerly into Orange t'in.

Points of Interest. - Any per on loving the beau- ties of nature, and traveling eastwardly on the range of hills known as the Orange Mountains, who should come unexpectedly upon the Eagle Rock Bluff, and take in with bird's eye-view the broad sweep of terri- tory extending to and beyond the Hudson River, would receive an impression of cultivated and natural beauty in landscape, that would linger in his mind, as long as memory should last, as one of the most charming sernes that had ever filled his soul with delight. Frem either point of view the lover of nature beholds a sweet and peaceful picture of pastoral loveliness, and in either direction that one might wend his way he finds that not only is the vision of the whole not dispelled, but rather enhanced by the ucarer view of any one of the many attractive localities. It is one of the distinctive features of the Oranges that in all parts is its beauty maintained, and that a different phase of natural beauty meets one with every turn. Per- refinement seldom met with in the same proportionate degree in any part of the world. From the in untain ridge, where Gen. Met lellan, the Mareys, the Heck- ers and other equally prominent families reside, to the southern, eastern, or northern Innit one will meet a succession of tasteful villas, some of them palatial in point of costliness, while nearly every one shows some distinctive feature of attractivenes. There is, too, a sufficient sprinkling of the staid old homes of the original settlers, together with some built half a century ago, to give the place freedom from the faint- est suspicion of newness, while among them can be found costly villas constructed and furnished in the very latest and approved style.

LLEWELLYN PARK .- It may be said with simple truthfulness that the fame of Llewellyn Park is workl- wide. Its praises have been spoken in foreign lands by travelers who have visited the famous places in the Old World and the New, and it is universally con- ceded to be a most remarkable example of cultivated natural beauty. Here the natural elements of the picturesque have been wrought by an artistic hand into a scene of loveliness more truly satisfying to the

1 Formerly Fairmount.

504

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

poet soul than many far-famed products of foreign taste and skill. About fifteen miles of carriage-drives lead through shaded glen and over terraced knoll. The clastic clay roadways, which are always kept in perfect condition, reifler the sound of hoof's and wheels so noiseless that the babbling brooklet's quiet ripple or the thrush's joyful song can be heard as the beholder glides along, now between an archway of tall okl chestnuts ur again between dense rows of pine or arbor riti. The park residences are, for the most part, quite in keeping with the beauty of their situation, and their fortunate owners have made by gradual improvement such charming grounds of their villa plots that when rambling through the wood- paths which skirt their borders, and listening to the melodious notes that pour from the throats of hun- ‹Ireds of feathered songster- in the tree-tops near, one involuntarily exclaims, "Am I, too, in Arcadia?" The | project of these grounds originated in the fertile brain of Llewellyn S. Haskell, who came to Orange in the spring of 1855, and saw with an artist's eye in the forest> and glades of the mountain-side the foundation of a beautiful park. He purchased from the various owner their wooded tracts and farms, amounting in all to over five hundred acres, which he proceeded to lay out in winding roads, villa sites, rustic rambles, cascades, lakes, etc., the whole forming one grand garden of rare poetic beauty. To the original tract about three hundred aeres have been added and simi- larly laid out.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 28

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