History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 35

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 35
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 35

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).

Naming the Township .- The name Caldwell was given the township as an expression of the affee- tion and reverence in which the people held the memory of that sterling patriot and devoted minister of Christ, Rev. James Caldwell. Ile frequently visited the territory above described, and ministered to the spiritual needs of the poor and struggling set- tlers. The murder of his wife, a most estimable lady, at her home, by a British sokhier, on June 25, 1780, and his own tragic death at Elizabethtown Point, on Nov. 24, 1781, where, while on a mission of mercy, he was shot by a sentinel, had prodneed a widespread feeling of profoundest grief. His devotion to God and country, attested by countless deeds of mercy and daring, his eloquence, which had stirred all hearts, and hi- patriotism, which had been a bulwark of defense to his country,-these had made his mem- ory glorious and imperishable. In the adoption of the Dame, Caldwell, the settlers felt they were honoring alike themselves and their town.

Mountain, while at a distance of two miles northwest, extending north and south, parallel with this range, is Second Mountain. These mountains are formed of trap rock, which has issued. not through fractures in the sandstone, but has been forced up between the layers of the latter and formed into long ridges of trap, varying in thickness of deposit. It has the dip toward the northwest, characteristic of the sandstone.

VERONA VALLEY situated between these parallel ranges, presents many features of interest. The Peck- man River, which has its rise in West Orange, flows through the entire length of this valley, and unites with the Passaic below Little Falls, Verona Lake, covering ten acres of land, and the MeConnel and Bronze Pow- der Company's ponds, give the Peekman Rivulet its prominence in local geography. The western slope of the First Mountain is casy and gradual of descent to the Peekman stream, in the valley below, and the soil, though of drift formation, ranks as fairly medium for agricultural purposes. The same holds true of the section embraced between the Peckman River and the

The most elevated table-land of large area is ocen- pied by the village of Caldwell. It has an elevation of four hundred and fifty feet. The easy undulations both to the south and north of Caldwell, and the long stretch of slope to the Passaic River, which flows through the bottom-lands to the west and northwest of Caldwell village, give this portion of the township pre- eminence as ta favorable location and surroundings. From the more favored points, the eye sweeps a large territory of richly-diversified country. Boonton, on the eastern side of Boonton Mountain, with its irregu- lar ain elevated streets, and dwellings seemingly ranked on terraces, stands out in clearest relief in the morning sun. The churches and prominent dwellings of Morris help to curich the scenery presented by the valleys and hills to the west.

This entire western slope is an immense sand and gravel deposit. In many places the gravel covers the underlying rock to a depth varying from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet. For this reason the local atmosphere is dry and healthful.

THE PASSAIC VALLEY, which includes the villages of Clinton and l'airfiekl, is largely of alluvial forma- tion, and embraces the area from the foot-hills, west of C'aldwell to the Passaic River, west and north. The soil is of the best for cropping in Essex County.

The boundaries as defined in the act of 1798 were subject to change in 1813, when Livingston township The three extensive natural meadows which border

$31

CALDWELL TOWNSHIP'

on the Passary constitute an interesting feature of this section. The first is known as Hettich Swamp. and has five hundred and eighty-six acres of meadow and forest Its hay product probably exceeds four hundred tons yearly. It also yields valuable hard timber. The Little Piece." containing three hun- dred and eighty -nine a res, has been very la poly de- mailed of its groves, and is devoted manly to hay- growing and pastarage. It- vield of hay is estimated at five hundred tons yearly. Further on to the north is the largest of these meadows, known as the Caldwell:

"treat The It Has thirteen hundred and thirty me aeres, a third part of which is woud and timber land. Its products of hay will reach fif- teen hundred tons yearly. These meadows are frequently submerged during the prevalence of the rainy seasons. It is authoritatively stated that the Passaic River, from the Swinefield Bridge to Little Falls, a dis Ance of twelve mins, does not average a fall of two inches per mile. The trap rock reet at Little Falls, which is, in fart, a section of the ridge of rack that constitutes - could Mountain, over which the Passie flows, is the great natural obstacle in the way of drainage. Fine . the erection of a dam at the reef for manufacturing purposes, however, the over- How's have been more frequent and prolonged.

In this eminection, a brief mention of thesorga used efforts which have been made to remove these ol- structions is pertinent. In Ist4, the owners of the low meadow lands contributed om thousand dollars by voluntary assessment, to be used in lowering the reef at Little Falls. Calch D. Harrison, one of the landowners, was intrusted with the superintendente of the work ; and, during the dry season of summer and antumin, he effected the removal of a section of rock across the be lol the channel, one hundred feet in length, twenty in width, and one foo in depth. Beneficial effects were at once apparent. Junda- tions were less frequent. The water, which overspread the meadows, did not remain long enough to become stagnant, as had been the case before, and the course water-grasses, after the lapse of a year, were in pro- cess of displacement by better varieties. The pe Beval of the rock, as above stated, was experimental, but the results gained proved the plan practi- ticable. Its for her prosecution, however, was forbidden by the mill-owners, who had erected a dam below the reef of rock. A special law, s cured by these mi )-owners in 1568, authorizeal the repair and extension of the old dam, which, when completed, proved a greater obstruction than the reef had been. At the suggestion of Dr. George H. Cook, State goal- ogist, as the result of a careful survey of the Passaic River, prosecuted under his direction, efforts were again made for the reclamation of the low meadows. During the year 1872, by enactment of the Legisla- ture commissioners were appointed, who were author- ized to remove the obstructions at Little Falls ; but legal difficulties interposed in the matter of a satisfac-

tory adjustment of the claims and purpose of the land holders, as opposed to the legal rights of the manufacturers at Little Falls and Paterson, which, coupled with the discouragements met by the rom- masjones in their endeavors to negotiate the sale of the bonds, whose the the act referred to had author- ized, has, up to this time, presented the realization of this needed improvement.

Civil Organization. The following is a transcript from the town- book of the first town-meeting held at

. At a ir ting it the Inhabitants of the few whip of & alde Il, in the

V ril -, 1799

. Ralph C'est, Faq. Moderator ; Innur Burnet, 1 ] 5 % de Goulet, has | Newbie, From alders Jane . I'm Your, Ralph lust, I Hector

Sach savre, Samme Fairehold, Contable Richard Mane, altele, salas Whit d, Enon Masih, Nat same Dong un, Town Committe , Jobs

" Votel that t . Fortie it hdits first day at Jimah G uld's and

" Viled, that all the Mi ere J the Tow- ex pt tes Nerveyes of the highway and the therewere of the I'd have one Dollar per Isy

" Vote I, that the Found Master atloue their fun tions for the forme metlid.

" Tofeed that the Annual Town-meeting be he'd att al we'll at the but we where Beny min Wordin a now bve th, the soy and We play h April peut ". Fotoal, that the game for farmed out regulat ly the me you

" Voted that the poor to sold this day

. Voted, that there le two hundred Ihillary rod to defray T was

" May 6th, 1.99. "Ilave warned Samuel Draman and his Family out of Caldwill Township

. Juststi Got 1.1, Overseer of the l'our,

In the following may be found a complete list of moderators, assessors, collectors, freeholders, clerks, ete, for t'aldwell township, from 1800 to 154

Halyılı Piet, 14:1, 19434, 1~ ,

Justus Barnet, I, Ii.

William 1, 001, 181-16. 1821-22, 1520

Caleb D. Burnet, 1- 3-24. 15 6, 15.0, 1-4

J.mathalı Bomul, 1927-29.

Henry Il Van Now, 1:30-31, 18 %.

Nathantels Croa, 1x2, 11 5, 18 ..

VAN'IN B. Toplam, 18.3.

Jonathan Provost 1-11- 1 .

Caleb D Barnet, 1841-2.

Daniel H Burnet, la44.

Henry H. Pr re, 1 17-19, 1803-5.

William Bush, 18M. 150

Willium Pierce 101- 3, 129.

Peter T. Speer, 1&15- 58.

tulvin G Buy kun, 1~til-63. Sarılius Stuart, 1861

Jonathan It amp, 1400.

Augustus Fowler, IN.

Girarget Burnett, INT-0, 1870-71.

832

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ASSESSORE.

James Post, 1800-2, INH- Justus Burnet, 1×03. David Har ison, Jr., Esq., 1807-29, 1832. Noah Baldwin, 1830-31. Marcus B. Douglass, 1833. llenry H. Van Ness. 1834-36. Caleb D. Burnet, 1837-39, 1841-43. Peter Speer, 1× 10. Nicholas Stagg, 1×11-45. Caleb D. Harrison, 1846-48, 1851-53. Amos (' Gonld, 1849-50. William Bush, 1854 56, 1861-62, 1866-67, 1872-73.

George C. Burnett, 1857, 1870-71, 1474-75, 1882-84. Jelah Speer. 1:58-60. Manuel ( rane, 1863-65. Cornelius Van Ness, 1968-70. Asher Crane, 1876. Theod re Vincent, 1877 79. Caleb M. Harrison, 1883-81.

COLLECTORS.

William Gould, 1800 Ralph Post, 1801 Joseph Harrison, 1802. Samuel Gunb1, 1803-16, 1818-21. John A Kierstead, 1817 Noah Baldwio, 1822-29.

David Harrison, 18.30).

.Henry R Van Ner, 1X32-34, 1836. Suninel Bond, 1835. Caleb 11 Baldwin, 1837-39. Nicholas Stagg, 1811, 18 11. Heury Il. Van Now, 1842, 1841-4.

Peter Speer, 1847-49. Henry H. Pear e, 1850. Sant'el ('rane, 1851-53. Joseph T Hopping, 1856. Matthias S. Canfield, 1x27-59, 1x04-75, 1880-84. Marcos Harris m, 15.0, 1876. Joel D Mead, JNr'1, 18 . Juthum M. Williams, 146_ 14, 1566. Augustus Fowler, 1×6". Thomas T. Sprer, 1877. Lewis G. Lockward, 1x75-79.

FRE FHOLDERS.

18000, Richard Nesfie, Sonel Gould. 1801, John Could, Josiah Steele. 1×02, Juwelth Steele. Samuel Goukl. 1803, Josinh Strele, Joseph Green. 1804, Richard Neafic, Ralph Post. 1865, David Harriman, Jr., Noah Sayres. 1806-7, Silas Whitehead, Enow Martin. 180x, Richard Nesfie, Joamh Steele. 1809-10, Richni I Neafie, Demas Harrison, 1814-15, Richard Neaffe, Cyrus t'rano 1816, Juhu A tierstead, William Conkl. 1817, Jonathan Becch, Cyrus Crativ. 1818, John A. Kierstead, Noah Sayros. 1819-21, 1822, William Gould, John & Kjentend. 1821, 1824. John A. Kierstoud, Caleb D. Buroet. 1823, Calebs D Barnet, William Goubl. 1×25-21 George P' Martin, Peter Sprer 1827-20, 1833, l'eter Sper, Jonathan Bowl. 1830-31, Henry 11 Van Ness, Joho R. Jacobhuis. J-32, John R Jacobus, Henry R. Van Nesw. 1834, Peter Sper, John R Jacobs 1×35, Henry R. Van Ness, Nathaniel & Crana. 1836-37, Poter Speer, Nathaniel S. Crane. 1838, 1944, 1850, Justus A Burnet, Peter Speer. 1×33-40, 1843, Henry 11. Van Ness, Justus A, Burnet. 1841, 11 11. Van Nes, Josiah Sprer. 1×42, Gorge I. Martin, Noah 4 . Baldwin. Jada, Peter Speer, Je b Bush. 1844, Peter Stwar, John L. Ward. 1847, Corno hum Van Nes, Samuel Crane. 184%-49, Cornelius Van Ness, Justus A. Huruet.

1×51-52, Amox C. Gould, Cornelius Van Ness. 1853, Amos C. Gould, Peter Francisco. 1854, Jacob Hush, Jonathan Provost. 1855-56, Samuel O Harrison, Jounthan Provost. | 1857, Samuel (. Harrison, William Bush, 1858-59, Willuun Bush, Amos C. Gould. Isen, Amos ( Gould, William Fierce. 1861-62, Jonathan Provost, William Pierce. 1863, Asher Crane, William Pierce. 1864-65, Asher Crane, William E. Vau Ness.

1866, Samuel Crane, William E. Van Ness. 1867-Gh, Nuntel Crane, Henry Dey. 1800, Henry Dey, Joel D. Mead. 1-70-72, George Lane, William B. Allen. 1-73, Eilgar Williams, Lewis G. Lockward.

1574-75, L. G. Lock ward, Jotham E. Williauns. 1876, Morris B. Lindsley, Jotham E. Williams.

1877, 1. 6. Lockwanl, M B. Lindsley.

1875 79, Thomas T Speer. Marcus Y Baldwin.

1880-81, Mahlon Speer, Marcus Y. Baldwin.

1882-54, Mahlon Sprer, Henry Ahlboro.

TOWN CLERKS.

Justus Barnet, 1800-2. Josiah Steele, 1803.

William Gould, 1801-05.

David Har ison, Jr., 1806.

Dr.mas Harrison, 1807.

Murens B. Douglass, 1808-9.

Noheminh Crane, 1819-15.

John L. Hudson, 1×16-20. Stephen R. Grover, 1821-26. t'alvin $. Crane, 1827-30.

George C. Ste le, IN 1-33, 183G.

Caleb D. Harrison, 1×31-35, 1837-38.

Smith (. Ward, 1839-41, 1851-52.

Amos (. Gould, 1842-44. Joseph T. Hopping, 1845-47.

William S. Burnett, 18$8.

Alfred C. Gould, 1850.

George C. Burnett, 1853-54, 1803.

. Caleb 6, Prane, 1855-57. I'llmuler S. Pierson, Isas.

Samuel Gran . 189-62. William H1. Bush, 1864-66.

Charle G. Jacobus, 1x67-69, 1880-83.

Jacob B. M Chesney, 1>70-73.

George M. Canfield), 1871-75.

Thomas Gould, 1.76-79, 1884.

Extracts from Early Records .-

" Reed i ablwell April 9th, 1801, of the following Gentlem" Certificates of their Ouths of Office which are fill'd und reported with the other papers of the Town, viz. . James Post, Jacob Vanness, Timothy Gould, Jewish Steele, Nonh Sayres, Philemon Bates, Peter Vanriper, Israel Pier, Joseph Tomkins, JJacob C'orter William Gould. "

" Rock Y'allwell May 3th, 1801, of the Town Committee a Certibento urker hand and Seat of the appointment of Israel Pier, Overseer of the Highway, in a certain district of Road thereon specified."

In 1805 the following ordinance was made one of the local laws of the township:

" Voted, first, that the Freeholders of the Town be instructed to use their influence when inconvention with the Freeholders of the County to build a work-homme at malar contement place for the use of said County.

" Second, that any person who shall kill a wolf in the Township of Caldwell shall be entitled to the sun of fifteen dollars ou his presenting the head of the wolf to u Justice of the Peace and making outh that he killed said wolf himself in the hounds of said town, a certificate of which made out by the Justice adounistering said oath shall be sufficient Yolieber for him to receive the above sum, aod the said Justice is hereby reque ted to take off the ears of the head of the wolfto prevent fraud.

"Third, that Cornelius JJacobis & Co. receive from the town of Caldwell ten dollars for killing a wolf in Fairfieldl. That two shillings per week bo given to Williamn Force, extra for keeping Chambers Chikl a limited time.

#33

CALDWELL TOWNSHIP.

Fourth that one h tulred and fifty dollars for mai-Id running Dear for the use of the poor.

. Fifth, that thed . the be appr printed to pay the wolf the

" Sixth Lat the jeen be e Id o the day ul T .wum ting. JUST · HURNET, Munerator

"tallw .. ] T washij. F.b. 2 .. 1Mm

. This may certify the I dowland n is right to a thick Wild horn the

Ite mother's nanie is Hak r. The name of Le hold in Bet

" I I certify the alone t + lan tro .. fr "WILLIAM IH LI, TừW ·1 k

In 1807 it was voted by the town that the " Bounty on wolves be reduced le five Dollars at this Meeting. "DIEMAS HARRISON, Clerk."

In Faus, it was " Resolved, that for security of papers, instruments of writing belonging to the town- ship, Matthias Canfield be directed to procure a suit- able trunk and receive such papers, instruments uf writing, Etc. as may be presented to him on deposit. at all times to be under the direction of the Town Officers at present and future elections.

" MARULS B. Dot GHAss, Clerk."

Public Roads .-- The several sections of roads that constitute Bloomfield Avenue were originally old roads, established in 1730, each section being under the care of the villages, and were known as the "old road to Newark " Later, Israel Crane ob- tained a charter for the Newark and Pompton Turn- pike. He followed the line of these roads, purchas- ing rights of way of several citizens for the purpose of establishing a direct road from Mount Prospect to the vicinity of Pine Brook, on the Passaic River. This and the Pompton branch were purchased by the Essex County Road Board. The Pompton road reverted to the township, but the Caldwell road was regraded and the road-bed macadannzed.

The road in Fairfield heading to Ir . Falls, on which the tetagonal Church was mitunter, was laid out as cally w IT ...

The Dutch Lathe Road, Frukto Avoue wie land My 2 1;

Tory Lane was laid out Nov. 24, 17" and was relail April 24, 1976,

Supet Svetime was a very di red, and was roland June 1 . 1. 4 feet wide

Pakman Lane, how could Lane, na of the earliest rock in the

Bushtown Road, or read from 31. (Dohbins' to J. B. Davenport's, is

Central Avenue was laid out 2 rods wide in 1792 related 's feet wide in 1>"4.

Mach Avenue land ont March 11, In"0; GA feet wide.

Pier Lanne laid out (ht. 1. . 1797 , 3 rods wide

Rulge Ranul fall out very early, relail June 2, 1803 _ _ nuls while

Lindsey Ival laid out Aug. 1. 1797 ; 2 rolls wile.

Raul from May. W Him Could - lara to Caldwell meeting-how land vnt May 19. 1207 , 4 Fonds wide

Boa fr m T. ( Sindles print mil to Dutch Lane laid out Fel, 11, 1773 ; 2 rods wyle

Road from J. A Fromhow's to S. N Crone & saw mill, laid on Aug. 4 1772, 3 rud« wide.

Road from Livingston to Caldwell parwinage henne laid out June 5, 17- thew Rowland Arenur , 4 roda wule

load from Gould's Laue, and along the east side of Prekin River. laid out July 11, 1-50 ; 3 rods wide.

tre i Hr-k mr ut inl . aut Ang 7, 12 72, 2 1 » wife ; relaid June 11,

feet w1

huker Avenue la 1 oit in 1×50

Courter R .l ist Fairti Flis |: it Jan 14, 1)

Small Avenn , In the sjf. f Chilwell, lidl ent sont 9, 15" 00 fort w de

Had hon faldwell to I'mne Hn k ww milli la | t July _ , 1805 ;

Ralta Farfield gast th Pare aler . 1, la ut June 3, 14.

in the east side of l'es kommun Haver land wat Jun 11, 1- 3, 3 rode wide. Permette Areune Fud imt Feb 1, 1= 3, rode w 1.

R ulte = udle s wrist mi reljud \n ., 14 : 4 nds wide Vorderhof road, Interest P'n , late att March 21 1-47 3 role wide wath Aveune ('i ar ar ive, laid out Marc 4, 1871, feet wide.

Academy Ar nue, in the volage if Us dwe Il, laid out Dec IN, 1-74 ; 11 fint wide

Vand 1 Avenue laid out In 1576, 60 feet wide itu the vila e of

I'rune street, Hetfield street llarri u street, Forest Avenue Hill- made Arrive and Arlington Avenue, fall out to feet w'le on binde of the First Iralisterian church para oage of Caldwell, and delint & to

Railroad Efforts .- There have been several gen- eral efforts made to secure the building of a railroad. Difficulties, however, have interposed in these endeavors and defeated the worthy schemes. In 1872 a charter was obtained for a railroad to connect with the Bloomfield Branch at Montelair. A company was organized, and Jonathan Provost was chosen to negotiate terms with the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company. He had completed the negotiations with this company, and was engaged in se- curing the necessary subscriptions, when proffers were made by parties in the interest of the Montelair and Greenwood Lake Company to take the majority of the capital stock and build the railroad, extending it to Morristown. The proposition proved a delusion. The Montelair and Greenwood Lake Company obtained control of the charter, and after a showing of activity, abandoned the undertaking. The suc- ressors of this defunct company hold the Caldwell charter still, through compliance with the technicali- ties of the general railroad law.

County Penitentiary .- The Caldwell Penitentiary, ns it is generally known, was erected in 1873, and opened for the reception of prisoners in 1$74. The first warden was John D. Vermilye. It is a county institution.

The building is commodious and admirably adapted to its purpose. Its sanitary arrangements are very superior. Its drainage system was that recommend d by Col, Waring.

The prisoners are occupied in farming and in stone- breaking. They produce the material for the repair of the county roads. They belong to the younger and less obdurate of the criminal classes.

834

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Thomas T. Speer succeeded Mr. Vermilye in 1878, and is the present warden. The management is highly commended by the authorities.

Soldiers in the War of 1861-65 .- Names of sol- diers from Caldwell township who served in the war of the Rebellion.

James Avery, John C. Biggs, George Baldwin, George Beam, Daniel Baldwin, Marcus F. Baldwin, George D. Ball, Cyrus Beach, William II. Biggs, Walter 11. Bishop, Charles Bash, Cornelins Bush, Charley W. Bond, William H. Bond, Andrew Bowman, George M. Bush, Harvey Baldwin, Ira Baldwin, Alfred MI. Baldwin, John Baldwin, Paul K. Burton, Theo- Jore F Bailey, Egbert Bush, George W. Bush, James H. ( ampiwell, Wesley Canfield, Ruben JI. Coudit, Thomas C. Courter, Charles Courter, Joseph Charter, Joseph W. Crane, Cornelius Cadmus, Henry P. Courter, Abram Calmuns, Emmons Canfield, John H. Dobbins, John Donalson, George D .venport, William Davis, David N. Dobbins, Perrival Dewey, Cornelius Dry. John B. Dey, George Elwood, George H. Evans. Joseph Feltey, John R. Force, Jonathan Force, William F. Grove, John Guitner, Bethuel Gold- rich, James H. Harrison, Alfred Husk, John M. Haynes, George Haley, Henry F. Harrison, Thomas llogge, Peter E. Jacobus, William G. Jaco- bus, Wilson B. Jacobus, William HI Jacobus, George W. Johnson, Charles Il Jacobus, Samuel Jeffries, Ji hn E. Kunsmau, August Kling, Adam Keeth, John s. Kiestead, William Kerris, Louis F. Kussmal, Phineas .A. Mathews. George Mann, John J. Maun, William J. Meleek, Ezekiel Mel'eck, David Mintonyen, James MeClellan, David McDonal, Arthur O Neil, George II. O'Neil, Elward O'Neil, Charles Ongheltree, Willinmt Personette, Alfred Prior, Milton Peir, John A. Peir, Austen K. l'eir, t'urk J. Pierson, William HI. Philips, David Highy, Monroe Schoon- make, Oscar Smith, Peter J. Smith, Thomas M. Speer, James C. Stagg, John Smally, Alfred Stagg, Cornelius Stager, Marens M. Tompkins, George N. Tompkins, Nichols B. Williams, Charles Wilson, George 31. Williams, George E. Williams, William Welshinan, Peter Vanness, They- dore Vreeland, William II. Vanderhoof, William M. Vanderhoof.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Henry M. Bush, Henry D. Crane, William II. II. Condit, Matthias C. Dobbins, Jewis C. Grover, Jr, Moses A. Hogge, Aaron Crane (quarter- Inter Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, GeorgeW Ougheltree. William J. Harrison.

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS

1880. John M. Mead succeeded him in the general store business at Caldwell.

Jonas Crane located on the west of the village during the middle of the last century. Ile possessed a section of valuable timber and meadow land. This property passed to his son Amos. Calvin S. Crane, another son, who had received a liberal education, established a select school at Caldwell. The property is now held by George R. Crane. The other old es- tates of this vicinity are possessed by Aaron O. Kent, Josiah A. Francisco, I. N Canfield, all of whom are thrifty farmers. Mr. A. (). Kent is a retired school- master, having taught, with uniform success, in the schools of Franklin and Clinton for upwards of forty years.

As far back as 1735 what is now the main business portion of the village belonged to a Mr. Lewis. Andrew Ray purchased a part of this tract, perhaps in 1780. Shortly afterward, he introduced laec-wear- ing in the village. He sold his property and busi- ness to Thomas Cochran early in this century. Mr. Cochran came from Paisley, Scotland. He soon oc- cupied a position of trust with his employer. Ilis skill, his devotion to business trusts, his integrity, never marred during his long career by an untoward act, and his genial, though quaint. methods of expres- sion and action, which were characteristic of him in all his relations, have given him an enviable repute in local history. Ilis management of the lace industry was successful, and he retired with moderate wealth. In 1846, he removed to Bloomfield. llis property was owned afterward by Joseph Carman, from whom it was purchased by the Rev. H. P. Blair, a Campbellite preacher. He removed to Danbury, Conn., in 1857. Some of the property was sold in villa lots in 1858, and Hassel Garrabrandt, William Bond, Jacob Bush and James Garrabrandt built dwelling-houses there- on just previous to, and during, the Rebellion. Am- brose Bush bought the homestead, and has recently opened a grocery-store on the property.

Franklin -FIONCER SETTLERS. - The village of Franklin, one mile west from d'aldwell township, had a few inhabitants in 1740. Of many of these pioneers there are no records. The estate which at the pres- ent time constitutes the farms of Anthony and Wil- liam Cadmus, Richard S. Francisco and Robert Mor- ton, was purchased originally in 1754 by John Mead. llis date of settlement in this section was prior to the Philemon Bates owned another section of the Lewis property on the north of the old Newark road. Mr. Bates built a eider mill and distillery, and was a hard- working and ambitious citizen; but he became in- volved in transactions outside his business, and failed. Some of his property was afterward held by Nathan- iel Douglass and Thomas Cochran. Mr. Douglass also obtained title to other portions of the Lewis property, and became a resident of Franklin in 1790. He built the dwelling now occupied by Philander S. Pierson in 1800. He built the brick store at the same time, and dealt in a general variety of goods, including drugs, dry goods and groceries. In 1806 he built the tobacco factory, which has had a remark- ably successful career. purchase. He came from Holland in 1730. His property embraced a large area of natural meadow, and of rich, fertile soil. His sons, Aaron and John, shared this property. The former removed to New- ark, while .John remained in possession of a part of the homestead. John's sons were John, Allan and Aaron. John purchased a property in North Cald- well, which he sold to 11. S. Hewitt, of New York ; Allan settled in the western part of Franklin, on the old Newark road. His sons-George E., Joel D., James R. and John M .-- have occupied prominent positions as merchants, and all except James R., have been closely identified with the progress and pros- perity of the township. Joel D. Mead rendered valuable service in the promotion of educational in- To Mr. Douglass belongs the credit of introducing enterprises which have contributed greatly to the prosperity of Caldwell. In his intercourse with his terests. Never, strictly speaking, a politician, still he was influential in political circles, and was honored in the councils of his party. He removed to Florida in | neighbors, he was dignified, resolute and influential.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 35

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