History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 34

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 34
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 34

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tion of a chapel in Myrtle Street, which was opened for service by Dr. C'arter Jan. 30, 1570. In the spring of 1875 the lot upon which this chapel stood was sold, the present site was purchased, the chapel re- moved to it and considerably enlarged and improved. This chapel remained a part of the parochial work of Christ Church, Bloomfield, until Eastertide, 1876, when the con, regation decided to sever all connection with the Bloomfield parish, and take position as an in- dependent mission. The parochial organization was effected Nov. 17, 1876. Nov. 22, 1876, the new parish was admitted Into union with the Diocesan Convention under its present name. May 14. 1576, Rev. W. W. Wilson took charge of the chapel and remained until June, 1880. The following October Rev. Daniel I. Edwards became rector, and remained in active ser- vier until he was stricken with paralysis, in January, 1543. In August, 185%, his son, Rev. George H. Edwards, was called as assistant, and has been in active discharge of the duties of the parish since. There are at present one hundred and fifteen com- municants.

CHRIST CHURCH (PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL) .- This church was organized in 1969, and has been ministered to from that time to the present by Rev. 11. S. Bishop. The house of worship was built the same year that the society was organized, and has been enlarged several times since.

OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS CHURCH (CATH- ((()-For the erection of this church Rev. M. 1. O'Connor began receiving subscriptions in June, 1882, and with such success that the corner-stone was Jaid on the 20th of the following August. Father ()'Connor was succeeded as priest, in November, 1883, by Rev. P. Mel'arthy.

Educational. - The township of East Orange is divided into three school districts, the boundaries of which were described in section 6 of the art of the State Legislature erecting the township. Said sce- tion reads as follows :

"6. And be it eno tes, That the territory in the township of East Orange shall be comprised and divided into three show I districts, as follows all the territory bing most of the centre of Cherry street, from the Bloom- Nell Hue to the Wain stroet, and ou from the mid point on Main Street to the cast tale of the town farm on the south Orange line, shall be the Eastern when citrist, all the territory bing north of a lin . drawn from the fun tion of t'herry street and the BI . mithold line to the june- tion of Park and Washington Street, and on through the centre I l'ark street to the line between the town of Orange and the township of East Orange, shall by the Franklin m he d distri t. all the remaining territory in and town hall to the Ashland alu I district, and the mid districts shall hald elections to school trustees in their respective schon altri to avec pling to the provisions of the general when I law, on the first Man- duy in April, ut t'it nonal hour '

These three districts correspond very nearly with the school districts organized under the old school law, and, indeed, with the neighborhood organiza- tions that existed before any systematic organization was effected. An net passed by the Legislature of New Jersey, Nov 27 1794, and entitled ' An Act to Incorporate Societies for the Promotion of Learning,"

826

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

furnished the occasion and provided the means for the organization of the first schools of a public character.

Three school hboses were built within the bounds of what is now East Orange township, -- one, called the Eastern School-house, in the district still bearing that name; another, called the White School-house, lo- cated at Brick Church. in what is now Ashland Dis- triet ; and another, known as Doddtown School- house, in what is now Franklin School District.

The following sketch of the Eastern District can be truthfully applied to the other two, except that por- tion relative to the building of present school-houses. The original book of minutes relating to the Eastern District shows that the money to buy the lot and build the school-house was raised by a large number of small subscriptions, the subscribers becoming stockholders. In addition to the names of all the old families living in the vicinity, this venerable subscription list shows also the names of several eminent citizens of Newark, -Frelinghuysen, l'ennington, Whitehead and others. The government was vested in a board of seven trustees, chosen at the annual meeting of stockholders, The trustees held title to property and managed all affairs of the school. These schools were, of course, small, each engaging but a single teacher. but served an excellent purpose. They gave way. in time, to the school districts, which were organized under the gen- eral free-school law. Their places are now occupied by modern brick structures, the Ashland District har- ing two. The Eastern School building is of brick. three stories, was built in 1570, cost, with lot and furniture, forty-six thousand dollars. They are all provided with the most modern appliances for the training and comfort of pupil -.

The Ashland District has two school buildings, viz. : Ashland and South Ashland Schools, under the care of one principal. The first-named school is located on Mulberry Street, with the following teachers : ther- trude F. Adams, preceptress and teacher of Latin and literature: Mary M. Gile, teacher of higher mathe- matics; Grace E. Coan, teacher of history and algebra ; Clara M. Whitaker. teacher of natural and physical sciences; Katherine E. Day, teacher of fourth grade; Mary L. Fonby, teacher of fifth grade; Amelia G. Beers, teacher of sixth grade; Holen D. Mecker, teacher of seventh grade; Emma L. Codey, teacher of eighth grade; radie E. Hall, teacher of ninth grade ; tiertrude Greenwault, teacher of tenth grade : A. Huldah Palmer, teacher of kindergarten; Theodore F. Seward, teacher of vocal music; H. E. Twining, teacher of penmanship and drawing; Emma S. Con- dit, teacher of elocution and gymnastics. Adam Rob- inson, janitor.

The South Ashland School building is located on ('linton Street, with the following teachers: Mary R. Plaisted, preceptress and teacher of Grammar Depart- ment ; Ida Roos, teacher of Primary Department; Theodore F. Seward, teacher of vocal music; H. E. Twining, teacher of penmanship and drawing.

The school buiklings are both of brick, the Ashland built in 1871 and valued at fifty thousand dollars, and the South Ashland at six thousand dollars. The number of pupils enrolled at the former for 1884 was five hundred and sixty-nine, and at the latter was ninety. Trustees, Edward Mreker (term expires March, Is85), Woolsey R. Hop- kins, district clerk (term expires March, 1886), Joseph P Thompson (term expires March. 1887).

The principal of these schools is E. R. Pennoyer, A.M., who has held that position since 1869.

The Franklin District has a large and commodious brick school building, located on Dodd Street, between Midland and Glenwood Avenues, and was built in 1873, and now valued at $22,000. The total enroll- ment of pupils for 1883 was 325, with an average attend- auce of 177,9%. Principal, Charles I. Webster, High- School Department ; Assistants, Miss Virginia E. Hooper, Grammar Department ; Miss Emilie L. Foss, First Intermediate Department ; Miss Lillian Bush- nell, Second Intermediate Department; Miss Ida .1. Eaton, Primary Department.

This school now has four departments,-a High- School or supplementary class, a Grammar Depart- ment, First and Second Intermediate Department, and Primary Department.

The trustees of the district for 1884 were Lucius Me- Adam (district clerk), George Sutphen, Van Zant Dodd.

Eastern Public School, School District No. 36, for 1884 reported as follows: Vernon L. Davey, A.B. principal, has been in the service of this district since 1877. Teachers :- Higher Department, Miss G. Ste- venson, Miss M. E. Humphreys (elocution and gym- nasties), Miss E. W. Peck; Grammar Department, Miss J. Cutler, Miss E. Stockton, Miss N. M. Arnold ; Primary Department, Miss M. L. Petersen, Miss C. Welsh, Miss L. Wallace, Miss M. Hetzel, Miss M. D. Baldwin. Vocal music, Theodore F. Seward.

The enrollment of pupils for 1884 was five hundred and five, with an average attendance of four hundred and eighteen.

Societies. HOPE LODGE, No. 124, F. and A. M., was chartered Feb. 5, 1872, with the following-named persons as charter members. Thomas W. Topham, Nelson G. Ballwin, C. F. R. Moore, George Booth, John D. Toppin, C. B. Day, Albert E. Hedden, John G. Truesdall, Henry A. Hottenroth, J. C. Wills, George H. Suydam, Joseph Booth, David Myers, Oliver Lebby, George H. Keith, C. W. Anderson, James Booth, E. S. Poucher, George W. Hedden, William Porter, Francis W. Hunt, t. H. Gellespie, R. W. Seaman and A. S. Woodland.

The first officers were Thomas W. Topham. W. M .; Nelson G. Baldwin, S. W .; C. F. R. Moore, J. W. ; George Booth, Treas. ; John D. Toppin, Sec. ; C. B. Day, S. D. ; Albert E. Hedden, J. D .; George W. Suydam, S. M.off .; Henry Hottenroth, J. M. of C .; Henry V. Wills, Tyler; Trustees, R W. Seaman, (. H. Gellespie and Oliver Libby.

P. S. Sadd

BIOGRAPHICAL.

The officers for 1884 were James A. Silvey, W. M .; Guide, F. J. Griffith; Warden William Kean, Jr. ; 1. 1. Wetmore, S. W. ; Benjamin Hilton, J. W ; Sentry, A. O. Limes hlo s ; Me heal Examiners, F. A. George Booth, Treas. ; Elijah Doremms, See .. W. I. GI, M.D. T. S Gay MD .; Trustees, N. Devie. Lighthipe, S. D. ; A. I. Freeman, J. D. ; J. D. Bar Thomas Keating. C. V. Leonard; Representative to row, S. M de; . P. Davis, J. M. f . A. Grand Council, F. . ] Griffith ; Alternate, W. H. Ruggles, Tyler.

This lodge worked V. D. from Oct. 5, 1871, until J_ Grithth, C. \ Leonard.

the above date, when the first officers were duly in stalled by Mow Worshipful Grand Master, William L'. Pine, assisted by W. A. Pembrook Fr. G. W ; U. A. Parsons, Jr. G. W. ; J. E. Saunier, G T. : D. S. Battery. G. S . C. H. Ingalls, Sp.G. D .; J HI. Mahew, and (. A. Farce, Jr. ( D's. ; G. A. Edwards, M. ; Rev. Henry Velelage, Chap. ; William Mead, Lecturer.

The Past Masters have been Thomas W Topham, Georg W. Fortmyer, C. W. Anderson, I. E. Jepson, Andrew Vantyle, V. B. Williams,

Regular communications are held on the first and third Monday evening of each month in Masonic Hall. Membership in December, 1584, forty-three.

EAST ORANGE COUNCIL, NO. 16, ORDER OF CHOSEN FRIENDS, WAS organized March 11, 18SI, with the following-named officers and twenty-seven charter members: S. M. Long, P. C. C ; William B. Graves, M.D., C. C .: Richard Purdue V C. ; William S. Wilkinson, See., Charles S. Williams, Treas. : Cierre Hansley. Prefate: Thomas Hyde, Marshal . Mrs. W. F. Wilkinson, Warden; Owen Ford, Gnar 1; Il. J. Reichey, Seutry.

Regular meetings of the council are held in Ran- dall's bu'bling on the second and fourth Thurs lay evenings of each mor th.

LONGFELLOW COU VAL, NO. 675, ROYAL AREA- Occurred at his home in Last Orange in Joj9. Hisson,

NUM, was organized April 19, 18-2, with the follow ing-named charter members : F. W. Coolbaugh, ('. ... Leonard, Hiram Devoe, & L. Wyman, F. C', Hoyt, F. N. Johnson, S. M. Loro. J. J. Moore, W. B. Leonard, J. N. Applebaugh, F. J. Griffith, F. \ Gile, M. D., B. Gardinier.

Among the first members of this council were Charles Starr, Jared N. Hosted, John Edwards, Henry V. Mecklem, Wbert Sibley, William 1. laght- hipe, Thomas P. Whiterack, William Kean, Jr., Allan Thomson Smith, David George, Charles Colyer, Thomas Keating, M. F. Dickerson, Jr., Richard Coyne, S. Il. Garis, William A. Prinen, E. J. Phillips. J. E. Trippe, Jr., George Perdue, Richard C. Clark, Jonathan Green, S. C. Osman, L. F. Hovey, I. D. Gallison, William G. Sinclair, F. C. Hopper, William II. Force, R. M. Sanger, F. B. Griffith, John 11. Palmer. A. Walton, M D., J. O. B. Harrison, T. N. Gray, M.D., Rev. George F. Flichtner, Charles F. Force, Samuel W. Force, Alfred O. Limeschloss and William J. R. Hegeman.

The officers for 1884 were as follows : Regent, S. MI. Long; Vice-Regent, R. M. Sanger ; Orator, H. C' Merklem ; Past Regent, C. A. Leonard, Secretary, J. J. Moore; Collector, M. F. Dickerson, Jr. ; Treas- urer, W. H. Force; Chaplain, F. A Gile, M.D. ;

Force. Past Regents, B. Giardinier, W. H. For, F.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOSÉAtt F. DODE.

Pamel Dodd, the progenitor of the funily mu America, settled soon after his emigration, in 1646, in Branford, Conn. Daniel Dodd, Jr, prior to the year 1671, became a resident of Newark, N. . I, where he wiebled considerable influence as a leading citi- zen and an extensive land-owner. In the line of descent was David, the grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, who was born in 1733 and died in 1817. He married Sarah, daughter of Joseph Harrison, and became the father of David, Jr., whose birth occurred in 1773, upon the ancestral property, in East Orange township, now owned by his son, Jostah F. Dodd, which was his home during his lifetime. He married Lydia, daughter of Samme L. Ward, of Bloomfield, N. J., and had children, Joseph C., Eliza W., Mary Ann, Ellen M., Reuben W., Mar- garet E., and Josiah F. The death of Mr. Dodd Josiah F., was born on the 19th of February, 15]5. on the homestead which, in the direct line of inheritance. is now his property, having been in the family for successive generations. Ile received such educa- tional advantages as the neighboring schools uf- forded, and early decided to render himself indepen- dent of the vicissitudes of a changing fortune by becoming master of a trade. He chose that of a car- ringe-builder, and removed to Newark for the purpose of completing his apprenticeship. At the expiration of this period circumstances influenced Mr. Dodds ret irn to his home, where he became interested in the eu tivation of the land embraced in the family estate. That portion on which the homestead stands became his by inheritance, and is his present residence. In Ist] he partially abandoned the quiet pursuits of the agri- culturist, and became engaged in business in Newark us a manufacturer of prussiate of potash, which has since absorbed much of his time and attention. Mr. Dodd was married, on the 24th of November, 1542, to Sarah Maria, daughter of Elijah Ward, of Morris- town, N. J. Their children are Matilda W., (Mrs. John Brower, of New York), Mary Eliza and Julia Frances. the last two being deceased. Mrs. Dodd's death - curred in May, ISA1, and he was again married, Ang. 16, 1862, to Elennor, daughter of Ellis Carhuff, uf

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Pennsylvania. Their children are Sarah E., Virginia W. Jenny and Joseph A., (deceased), and Mary E., the only survivor, wife of J. Ward Grummon, of Bloom- field. Mr. Dodd is in politics a Republican, and while interested in advancing the principles of his party has a disinclination for the excitements of political life and no ambition to share its honors. Questions of public policy are carefully considered, and measures tending to benefit the community receive his cordial support. He is a director of the Orange National Bank of Orange. His religious interests lie with the First Presbyterian Church of Orange, of which he is a member, though he has liberally aided in the erec-

B., the subject of this biographical sketch, whose birth occurred Aug. 9, 1806, in East Orange, which has been his lifetime residence. After a period of attendance at the district school, he was appren- tieed to the hatters' trade, in which he became pro- ficient. In 1821 he formed a copartnership with William Pierson, of Orange, and conducted the business for several years, after which, on the dissolution of the firm, he, for a brief interval, managed the enter- prise alone. He then returned to the homestead and assisted in cultivating the farm, which became his by inheritance, and on a portion of which he now resides. Mr. Harrison, though engaged iu other business oper-

R. B. Harrison

tion of the Bethel Presbyterian Church of Dodds- town.

RICHARD B. HARRISON.

Stephen Harrison, the grandfather of Richard B. Harrison, was a resident of Orange, (now East Orange,) in Essex County, N. J. Among his children was Abial, born May 20, 1765, whose death occurred Oct. 16. 1833. Ile married Elizabeth Lyon, who was born Nov. 9, 1764, and died May 2, 1855. Their children were Lydia, born in 1792; Stephen, in 1793; Sally, in 1794; Abby, in 1797; Hannah, in 1799; Elizabeth, in 1801 ; Eliza, in 1803; and Richard

ations, had been principally devoted to the labors of a farmer. He was, in 1831, married to Mary B. Porter, of Orange, whose children are Elizabeth (deceased), John (deceased), Mary E. (Mrs. Samuel Condit), Sarah (Mrs. Edwin Harrison), Joseph D., James T., and Caro- line (Mrs. Henry Ward.) Mr. Harrison was formerly a Whig in politics, and now votes the ticket of the Republican party. He has held varions offices con- nected with his township and been frequently sought for positions of trust. In religion he is a l'resby- terian and member of the Second Presbyterian Church, familiarly known as the Brick Church, in which he has served as Trustec.

829

CALDWELL TOWNSHIP

CHAPTER LXVI.

CALDWELL TOWNSHIP .!

Geographical. Caldwell township occupies the northernmost portion of Essex County. It is Founded on the north by Little l'alls township, Passaic Co, and Pequannock, of Morris County, east by the township of Montelair; south by West Orange and Livingston townships, Essex d'o. ; and west by Han- over and Montville townships, Morris to. It con- tains an area of twenty-eight square miles or seven- teen thousand nine hundred and twenty acres.

Dutch Occupation of the Territory. - Up to the close of the seventeenth century no settlements had been made in C'allwell. The country west of Wat- chung, or First Mountain, in 1700, had but a sparse population of Indians of the Delaware nation Be- tween the years 1710 and 1720, it appears that several Dutch families settled in that portion of Caldwell now known as l'airhebt. The first distinctive men- tion made of the lands beyond Watchung, or Orange Mountain, in connection with Local affairs, is found in the town records of Newark. An item under date of Oct. 2, 1699, indicates that a Mr. Pierson and Ensign Johnson were appointed a committee by the town authorities to negotiate the purchase of the "tract lying westward of our bounds to the Passaick River." It seems, however, that these parties did not succeed in acquiring a grant or deed from the propri- et ors. It appears further, as a matter of record that Sir Thomas Lane and others, under the title of the West Jersey Society, secured the conveyance by letters patent, pearing date June 10, 1701, of a tract of land lying at Horseneck, which clearly refers to a section of country located west of First Mountain and extending to the Passare River. An Indian deed to a Dutch company in 1679, given by Captahem to Hans Deiderick, Garret Garrison, Walling Jacol s. Hendrick George and company, of Bergen, was roll firmed by another from Governor Carteret and Connell in 1681, which clearly included that portion of fald- well lying west and north of a " Fraight L'ue drawn from the month of Pine Brook a little to the north of Cedar Grove, extending to the village of Acqua kon- onck." It is doubtless the case that a number of the very early settlers of Fairfield seemed the title to their lands from this source.

Land Troubles of 1740-50. - In 1702 the ng tation and excitement of the people, who found the way of progress blocked by the jealousies and rivalries of the East Jersey proprietors, culminated in disturbance and confusion. The proprietors finding their ombar- rassments inerensing, voluntarily surrendered the right of government, with which they had been invested, to the crown, which was accepted by Queen Anne, April 17, 1702. At this juncture, the settlers of Newark, still

intent upon the possession of the tract beyond the l'irst Mountain, an ! unmindful of the claire of the proprietor , made purchase direr ly from the In lians of the land " westward er northwest of Newark within the compass of the Passick River, and so south- warl unto Minenk Path, viz. all lands as yet un- purchased of the heathen." The dead was executed by Lantique, Taphow, Manshun and divers other Indians. This document was lost by fire in the heu-e of Jonathan Pierson, in Newark, aSont the year 1744. It bore date March, 1701-2. This leed was con- firmed through renewal by King Quichtoe, King Tischewokamin, Shaphoe and Yaupis, as the sue a sors and heirs of the original granters. It was executed March 14, 17 H-45. The amount paid for the truet of thirteen thousand five hundred acres was one hundred and thirty pounds New York currency, or bout three hundred and twenty-five dollars. This tract inchided the section from Fullerton's brook, below swine field Bridge, to a point near Little Falls, and between Second Monetain and Passaic River

The towns-people of Newark, to the number of one hundred and one individuals, a sumed themselves to be joint proprietors of this tract lying west of First Mountain, which they cause I to be divided in lots or shares. During the period to 1749, the section acquired a very limited population. The northwest portion of what is now included in the boundary of Caldwell, in 1740, had the largest settlement. From 1740 to 1750 the settlers were greatly harassed by the several proprietors, who demanded payment for the lands occupied. The titles which had been ac- quirol through the Indian deed of 1702 were pro- nouneed void, in accordance with an act of His, which made it a criminal offense to negotiate trans- fers of lands from the Indians. The proprietor used reasonable persuasion to induce the settlers to pur- chase or lease their hollings, but a long controversy followed Several riots occurred. The jail at Newark was railed upon several occasions to release those who had been imprisoned for unlawful transactions in opposition to the rights and claims of the proprie- The jail was broken open on Jan, 1, 1746. when the regering party were led by Mr. Thomas Could in person, who carried a flag. On Nov. 13, 1740, the house of Abram Phillips, of Horseneck, one of the parties who recognized the proprietors' claims. was broken open, the owner turned out and a stack of wats burned. The people became very much ex- cited at this juncture, and in the March following the rioters entered general alarm.

Prominent among the settlers who were parties to this controversy were Francis Splar, Thomas Gould, Saunders Sanders, John Condiet and JJohn Law The general proprietors referred their claims to the courts, and the long suit-at-law following resulted disas. trongly to the settlers. Many lost their homes, while others were reduced to extreme't straits in ropur- chasing the lands for which they had previously paid,

i By Hus. G. M. Hwirsmooth.

=30

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

and which they had improved by years of toil. There was formed from Springfield and Caldwell, and again were thirty five families, however, found in the north- in 1863, when the township of West Orange was west portion of Horseneck, several of whom were formed. Within its present boundaries, Caldwell em- braces a section of beautiful country. bona fide purchasers from other proprietors, whose transactions dated as far back as 1716. Their titles Topography .- Its topography is pleasantly diver- were confirmed. The remaining families shared the sified. Its southeastern boundary is First, or Orange perscentions and disasters of their neighbors to the east and south, whose titles were held to be void, and all were dispossessed.

The foregoing, historically considered, is pertinent to all that portion of Essex County now included within the boundaries of Caldwell, Livingston and West Orange townships, and of a portion of Acquack- ononck. Caldwell was not set off' as a township until 179%, when it embraced Livingston and West Orange townships.

Boundary of Township .- An act of the Legisla- ture approved Feb. 16, 1798, entitled " An act for dividing the townships of Newark and Acquackon- onek into three separate townships," gives the fol- lowing as the boundaries of the " Township of C'allwell :" " Beginning at Cook's bridge, on the Pas- snick River : thence running down the ohl Canoe- brook road along the Springfield line, until it comes to where said line turns off to Keen's Mills; from thence on a straight line to within five chains to the west of Joel Condit's quarry on the Springfield Road, near the top of Second Mountain ; thence north fifteen ! ridge of Second Mountain to the west. In the valley degrees cast, twenty chains along said mountain ; proper there are limited areas of excellent land. Both these mountain-sides present many picturesque situa- tions, and they afford a large area admirably adapted to building purposes. thence on a straight line to the top of First Mountain to where a certain road laid out along the line of lands of Stephen Crane, deceased, intersects the top of said mountain ; thence along the same until it comes to the Paterson line : thence along the said line to the Passaick River; thence up the middle of the stream, the several courses of the same, to the place of begin- ning."

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 34

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