History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 46

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 46
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 46

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CHAPTER LYIX.

BELLEVILLE TOWNSHIP. 1

General Description of the Township .- Belle - ville is beautifully situated on the west bank of the

1 1ly Theodore Manif-nl, Ery.

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Passa i River having for a southerly boundary See -! wod River, a stream averaging forty feet in width.' irre_ lar in its course emptying into the Passaic, and furnishing within the limits of the township a manu- 1. turing moter of five hundred horse-power. This stream also forms the northern boundary of the city of Newark, The western boundary of the township is the township of Bloomfield, from which it was set of in 199. Franklin township forms its northerly boundary, and was set off from Belleville Feb. 18, 1874; the township has a population of three thousand and jour.

Its settlement was contemporaneons with the set- tlement of th old township of Newark, of which it was originally a part, Bloomfield township was set o! iu 1×12, and included within its boundaries Belle- ville. The village centre is three and a half miles distant northerly from Market Street, Newark, and nine miles westerly from the City Hall, New York.

That it is all that its name, "Belle Ville." (beau- t lul villager signifies there is none who seek to con- trovert The river furnishes navigable communi- cation of considerable magnitude with the city of New York.

Belleville Bridge .- A charter for a bridge at Belle- ville was obtained in the year 1790, and soon after a bridge of great strength was built by a stock company, which with the bridge built across the Hackensack most this time and the construction of a turnpike road through the ceder swamps, gave to the citizens of Belleville and the surrounding country the first direct communication with the city of New York by mi ans of a wagon-road at all accessible, This road was what is called a corduroy road, and was made of veder logs from the swamp through which it passed. The 1 g- were laid close together, and formed the foundation of the present road. The old bridge was AksProved by a great freshet occurring on the 4th day of January 1841, being the greatest in this river since 1596, when the water rose not less than six or seven feet above its usual height, destroying much property on the river-banks, the people, in some in- stances, escaping from the windows of their houses in 1, as. At the tinw of the destruction of the bridge it was owned by the widow of the late Anthony Ruygers. The draw for the passage of vessels was neer the western shore, and was moved by means of eur-wheels and crank. After its destruction the fran- cola was purchased by Nicholas Joralemon, who mantared a ferry, by means of which horses and vehicles, as well as people, were worried across, and as Jon as might be he constructed a new bridge similar In the original and retaining the ownership for several Yours, heundly, in December, 1851. sild it to a stock muy any. It was by them sold to the three counties, Esses, Human and Bergen, and made a free bridge. In 1870 it was removed and a new one of iron substi- tofed, symmetrical in construction and beautiful in appearance.

Indian History .- There is no well-established In- dian history in connection with Belleville proper. It is, however, a matter of record that Capt. William Sand- ford purchased, on the 20th day of July, 1668, all the meadows lying south of a line drawn from the Hack- ensack to the Passaie River, seven miles north of their intersection, for "one hundred and seventy fathoms of black wampum, two hundred fathoms of white wampum, nineteen match coats, sixteen guns, sixty double hands of powder, ten pair of breeches, sixty knives, sixty-seven bars of lead, one anchor of brandy, three half fats of beer, eleven blankets, thirty axes, twenty hoes and two cooks of dozens, 'this last-named article being probably transposed, and should have been two dozen cooks, meaning pan, pot or the like, they reserving the right to fish and hunt. This purchase from the Indians by Sandford was for their claim to fifteen thousand three hundred and eighty acres divided from Second River, (now Belleville) only by the Passaic. It is therefore fair to assume that they claim to have similar rights to dispose of here, for which a similar treaty must be made with them and like payment given. Tradition, however, fix s Second River as a much-valued abode of the ludians prior to its settlement by the whites.

Religious-DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH.1-No one thing in the history of Second River (now Belle- ville) has better title to consideration than the antiq- uity of her church organization. Belleville has four churches, namely : Reformed Dutch, Episcopal, Methodist and Catholic. As to the former, the Re- formed Dutch (now Reformed ('hurch). we cannot fix the exact date of its organization ;? from the records of the church, however, it appears that in 1725, Garrit Wouterse Frans Van Dyck Gideon Van Winkle and Johannes Koning were appointed a building committee for the erection of "a new church," and certain rules were adopted that gave evidence of a disposition to provide, not only for the residents of

1 In the compilation of the history of this church wuch valuable in- formation was obtained from Dr Taylor's " Annals of the (luasta of Bergen."

" There appears to be some conflict of authority relative to the place of meeting of this denonunation in its early history In Dr. Taylor s " Annals of the Classis of Bergen, of the Reformed Church." page 30, July 20, 1753, referring to the contoking of the congregation by d'al. John Schuyler, it is not inade apparent that Cal. Schuyler absolutely secured the use of the church, ace reing to his wishes and the note of toleratim, except so far as may be inferred from what is there said, viz. : that Dominic Hanghhoort and the Consistory passed a resolution de- manding back the "nate of toleration," and required that the Episcopal services be discontinued.

It dis appear that Mr. Hanghhoort was, as there shown, locked out of the church ; that he pre sched upum the steps of the same from which the post lity of the use of the church in accordance with d'ol. Schay- 1 er'e wishes and his note ul te leration for a time is minde p edible, If not proudbile. Again in Nelson's " History of Jordan Hornblower," ate on page _7, it is mentioned that in 1752, owing to the same difficulties before referred to, un Epiacoquelian congregation was gathered together und, as a concession to Cul. & uyar the right to word up in the Dutch Church was granted, and that they worshiped there for some time ; either of which accounts would adinit of a different place of meeting than that referred W So authority of the records of christ Church

BELLEVILLE TOWNSHIP.

its immediate vicinity, then known as Second River but also for the residents of the adjacent settlements of Newark and Acquacka nek, and Arents huyler, a native of Holland, who came here in early life, than whom there was none more prominent or liberal in his contributions, was to have a few of things for himself and wife in the uthwest corner of the church to be created, the s une as he had in the "obl church," thus making apparent the existence of a church here prior to this time.

The lot on which stood these ancient churches and their successors, hereafter described, was beautifully and centrally located on the west side of the Main, then the only street or thoroughfare, was conveyedl by Francis Speer and Catryna, his wife, to Aaron Schuyler, John Stoutenburgh, Garrit Wouterse, Thomas Van Dyck, Cornelius, Thomas and Abra- bam Vreeland, in the limits of Newark, in the county of Essex (the township of Newark then embracing what is now Bellevile, with other t weshops since set off), for the purpose of creating a chur & therean.

This deed is dated July 13, 1720. (See records for Ex ex County, Bock R 2 of deeds, 176). Soon after this deel was given the work of the erection of the church was commenced and prosecuted with energy. It was of stone. Of its dimensions there seemed to be no mention ; it was, however, of the usail style of churches of that day, with a belfry in the centre, a rope from which hung in the middle of the church furnishing the means of ringing the bell. Suly -- quently a change was made in this particular, and a stone tower was erected at the north end of the church, surmounted by a belfry, this structure stand- ing longwise to the road.

In December, 1726 the Rev. Heoriens Coens be- cante pastor, serving in that capacity other churches at the same time. His labors here terminated in 1730. Eighty-seven persons were added to the church dur ing his ministry ; he was su cee le l, in 1730, by the Rev. Cornelius Van Santvoort.

About this time Mr. S huyler added to his contri- butions in aid of the church, and Ister, in 1734 his widow and children contributed each fifty pounds.

(51. John Sunyler contributed one hundred pounds when, in view of his liberal contributions to the church, he was, by a vote of the Unsistory. awarded the special right to cast a vote as a member of the Cosistory in the selection of a minister, with the right to sign the call

Mr. Van Santvoord resigned his pastorate in 1725. and was succeeded by therardus Haughhoort, who was installed Aug. 31, 1735, and continued his minetra tions (nothing seeming to mar the union) until 1753. when, Col. Schuyler being displeased with Mr. Ilaughhoort, the harmony of the church was dis- turbed.

The services of Mr. Haughhoort were discontinued about the year 1756. During his ministry one hun- dred and eleven persons were added to the church.

From 1777 to 1779 this church appear to have been without a pastor, and John Spier and a Mr. Canfeld during this time conducted the services as vorher. or clerk« of the church, acceptably .

In 1779, Rev Marth w laget was installed, and the following year this relation was dobel Tere rain appears to have been a period when the church was withont a pasteer, and suffered much from the , . feets of the Revolution. In 1754 the Rey Henricus Schoonmaker, then pastor of the K formed Ditch Church at Acquackanonek, mime arrangements for the partial supply of the pulpit of this church, which he continued to do for right or ten years.

In 1790 they reais to have been awakened to fire energetic efforts in be halt of the church. On the 5th of June of this year the church became incorporated as the Reformed Dutch Boyer h of scoen l River. I 1792 they built a school house . on the church lot and conducted a parochial school.

On the 5th of September, 1794, the Rev. Peter Stryker acceptel a call and w. s som after install J. and continued his mioistrations till 1809. Dojing Is pastorate, and in 1597, extensive repairs were mad upon the church.

The old parsonage property, up to this time occupied by the Rov. H. Hmuchhert, was sold, and a truet containing about fourteen acres of lanul was conveye i to the church by Col. Thoma- Cadmus, and Peterch . his wife, by deed dlated April 25, 1795,-the same traut on which the present pars mage stands, the origins] of which was built about this time. This appears t have been a period of greit prosperity to the church, and they encouraged the extension of a church, in answer to the request of the people of the northern portion of the congregation Stone House Plains) ; they aided them in the estabbshment of a new con- gregation and in building a church there. On the 22 of May, 1804. this section was viated by a violent tornado, by which the s cejde was demolished. June 4th following the congregation set about rebuilding it.

In 1804 the church at Stone House Plains maden request for some share of Mr. Forsker's attention, which was granted them. During this same year the church at Secon I River was qu te extensively repaired In 1507 a new stome church was ere ted. On Jan. 12, Isos, this church was dedicate 1, and a vete of thanks was tendered the rector. durch wardens and vetry - men of Trinity Church, Newark, for the use of their church while this new church was being built.

In 1:09 the Rev. Mr. Stryker's pastoral relations we're dissolved. It would appear that the services of ministers of different denominations were secured to fill the pulpit for a time. In 1510 he was recalled, and again, in 1512, resigned, -- p sibly the result of impaired health.

In I'llthe Rev. Stats Van Santwoord Recepted a call tendered him for two-thirds of his time.

In 1415 the congregation ereeted a new parsonage house, which has been ocenpied by the successive

882

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ministers to this time. Mr. Van Santvoord continued to labor here nearly fourteen years acceptably.

In 1-27 subscriptions to the Theological Seminary of New Brunswick were made by the pastor, Mr. Van Santvoord, Stephen Van Cortlandt, Jane Van Cort- andt, Girard Rutgers, Abraham Joralomon, amount- ing to two hundred and forty dellars.

The Rev. Gustavus Abeel at this time received and ar opted a call from this church, was installed and continued to labor here until 1831, when Isaac S. Demund was called, but declined to areept. The Rev. Enoch Van Aken was called, and also declined. This vacancy was not filled until the latter part of 1835, when Abraham Il. Meyers was called and installed pastor.

The Episcopalian congregation in this place having organized distinct from Trinity Church, Newark, re- quested the use of this (the Reformed Dutch Church) as a place of holding service while they built a new church. This request was granted. Mr. Meyers re- mained here only two years.

In 1837 the Rev. John Garretson became pastor of the's church, and continued its pastor for over eleven years. During his pastorate the venerable Stephen Van Cortland, Esq., so long the munificent supporter of this church, died, and the church sustained a great

Mr. John Rensclaer about this time donate l the church one thousand dollars, and soon after added to it another thousand dollars.

Mr. Garretson, at the close of his ministration here, was appointed corresponding secretary of the Board of Domestic Missions.

In 1849 and 1850 calls were tendered to Abraham Polhemus and the Rev. James Romeyne, both of whom declined to accept. In March, 1850, the Rev. Isaac S. Demund was again called, and, accepting, was installed pastor. A desire to build a new church manifesting itself at this time, the repairing of the old church having some adherents, and six thousand three hundred and fifty-five dollars having been sub. scribed for the purpose, on the 15th of June, 1852, they resolved to build a new church. Messrs. John Van Renselaer, John N. Joralomon, Nicholas N. Jarolomon, John C. Lloyd, James Browe, Sebastian Duncan and Samuel L. Ward, M.D., were appointed a building committee. V contract was entered into with William II. Kirk & Co. and Mr. Van Ness for its building, and the use of the Methodist Church was granted to them a portion of the Sabbath for the holding of services till the new church was built.

On the 8th of December, 1853, it was dedicated, the surviving former pastors all being present except the Rev. Mr. Meyers. A deficiency of funds was found to exist to pay in full for its erection. John Van Rensclaer arain came to their aid, with a proposition to give one thousand dollars, provided the remaining thousand dollars necessary to place the church ont of det was raised by the congregation. This was

promptly accomplished, and the entire church debt paid, and the hearts of all were gladdened.

Several individuals having removed from Belleville to Newark, being members of this church, with strong attachments denominationally, and finding no Ro- formed Church there, soon set about and were instru- mental, through their application to, the Classis of Bergen, in the organization of the First Reformed Church of Newark ; and on the 26th day of Septem- ber, 1833, they elected as elders of this church Stephen M. Conger and Thomas Ellington (Mr. I'llington at the time being a resident of Belleville), and Peter Vandervort and Charles Hall as deacons, and they were ordained to their respective offices on the 6th of October, 1833, by the Rev. Isaac S. Demund, of Pomp- ton. Among those making this application and being former members of this congregation were Magdalene Davis, Samuel Davis (her husband), Thomas Uting- tors, Maria Van Emburgh, Hetty Francisco and others. To this church, therefore, is traced the organization of the First Reformed Dutch Church of Newark.

Franklin was now sharing a part of the services of the pastor of this church, one service a Sabbath being held there. Mr. Demund continued his services here till the 26th of March, 1856. The following June, T. De Witt Talmage, then a young man, became their pastor. On the 29th of July, 1856, he was ordained and installed. The Rev. J. Paschal Strong, afterwards pastor in charge of this church, on that occasion de- livered the charge to the congregation.

Mr. Talmage remained until 1859. and was succeeded the same year by the Rev. Peter P. Studdiford, who remained till 1866. Ile was followed in 1867 by the Rev. William W. Halloway, Jr., who remained till 1871, and was succeeded by the Rev. J. Paschal Strong in that year. He remained till 1879, and was followed by the Rev. HI. M. Voorhees, who remained but a short time and was followed, in June. 1882. by Rev. Ralph W. Brokaw, who is now the minister in charge. Ilis wife is the daughter of the Rev. S. L. Mershon and Mary Talmage, youngest sister of a former pastor, the Rev. T. De Witt Talmage. Mr. Brokaw has a congregation of about two hundred and twenty persons, thirty-five of whom are Chinamen.

Beside the church there is a parsonage, which was I thoroughly rebuilt, enlarged and modernized in style during the year, and is now in good condition and among the finest residences on Main Street. The society has a lecture room adjacent to the church, probably thirty by fifty feet, besides several detached parcels of land, the total value of which is about forty thousand dollars.

For the greater part of the past century the church has continuously maintained, with remarkable success, a Sabbath-school, the attendance upon which has the greater part of the time been large. It is now in a very prosperous condition and numbers about one hundred and fifty members, thirty-five of whom are Chinamen engaged in the laundry of Geo. T. Casebolt. Of the

453

BELLEVILLE TOWNSHIP

many superintendents during this period, we mention Fred S. Ditmars, Win H. Stephens and Andrew Little (dlecease 1), James Browe, J. P. Bu lard. Mr Pierce Brett is at present serving in that ourcity nost que- cessfully and acceptably. Among those who during these years have been called to the past rate of this church there have been many of warked ability, energetic speakers, liberal-minded, deep thinkers! indeed, it would be ditheult to make the exception to this rule. Many of them have received the degree of D.D. All of them were called to more acceptable tiekls of labor.

CHRIST CHURCH traces its charter and sure ment organization as a church to kingly origin, since, on the 10th day of February, s.D., 1746, a charter was granted by George 11., Kleg of Great Britain, for this church, in conjunction with the charter of Trinity Church, Newark, of which it formed a constituent part, the charter requiring that one vestryman and five wardens be chosen from that part of the parish north of Second River, of which Belleville (then called Second River) was, so to speak, the centre.

Services were held at Second River by them as early as 1751 or 1752, and mention is made of their place of meeting at this time, being a store-house on the bank of the river. The late Rev. Isaac Brown, rector of Trinity Church, Newark (the alliance he- tw en which and this chapel is apparent in the char- ter referre I to), speaks of having good congregations here.

The only building that might in that day be re- ferred to as a store-house on the bank of the river, at all commodions, with any probability of being as ancient in date as this, was a building standing on the river edge, in the south end of the village, just south of the rear of the present residence of John Eastwood, Esq., by the side of which building vessels might land, and from them one could step in the doors. It was a building probably sixty feet in length by thirty feet in width, two full stories high. The frame was of massive oak timber, well built, shingled on the sides as well as the roof. It was then, or soon after, used in part as a store-house for flour and grain, in connection with Beunett's (afterwards > ut's) grist- mill.

Many old citizens recollect this building and its des. ruction by fire about forty years ago. This was, no doubt, their place of meeting at that time, and thes there continued to hold services upwards of twenty years, and up to 1774, at which time we find that they were about to engage in fitting up a building, the cap- acity of which was about equal to the seating of three hundred persons (this building is not so located in the record as to make it certain, but was doubtless the academy, so-called), which they did fit up and commence I to occupy. The academy was of stone ancient in architecture, and was located on the south- erly portion of the lot occupied by the present church editice. The building was probably thirty by fifty-

five feet on the ground, and stood lengthwise Forth and south, the north ene being about in live with a continuation of the south ine of their church let fronting on the street, the front less than twenty-five feet west of the front of the present church. Col. John Schuyler was dispersed to give prominence to this church organization, owing to differences between him and the mitesters and a thoritie of the Dutch church, with which he had previously been connected. and towards which be had been a liber I supporter. It is eve said that he furnished Batch and Langli h copies of the book of common prayer at hisown expense, for their use, a large portion of the then church attendants speaking the old Dutch language.

In the earliest history of this chapel, and whiley t connected with Trinity Church, a godly portion of the early settlers were to be found among its wer- shipers, among them, the King- ands, Dows, San- forda, Ordens, Leslies, later the Schuylors, Ruther- fords and others, most of whos descendants still adhere to this present church, while others, with the deepest veneration and respect for this, the church of their fathers, whose last resting-place is by the side of its walls, have from time to time, in answer to con- victions, connected themselves with other churches.

In the year fall the first step was taken in the line of a separation of the congregation nt Belleville from Newark in the mutual agreement that each congre. gation should supply themselves with religious ser- vices independent of the other. In 1835 measures were taken for the separation inte two parisl -, the difficulty presented being that half of the governing lody being from each locality worked to the dis- advantage of both. Christ Church, therefore, as a legal corporation and as a separate parochial organization. dates from 1835. On the Ilth day of July, 1-36, the corner-stone of the new church was laid, which, be- fore its completion, was destroyed by fire, supposed to be the work of an incendiary. The academy, so- called, was at this time taken down, and th > material used in the construction of a new edifice. In 1541 the present church was finished, and on June 2. 1842. it was conserrated by the Right Rev. G. W. Donne, D.D., LL.D., bishop of the Opere It Is second to none in point of size or symmetrical trothic architecture; is of stone, with porch in front carried up several feet above the peak, serving as a bell-tower, is most eligilly situated on an eminence probably thirty-five feet above the level of the road and one hundred and fifty feet distant there rom, with car- ringe approaches on either side terminating in a cir- cle connecting them, the centre of which is found at the porch.

The grounds are somewhat spacious, and studded with a growth of beautiful trees artistically placed on either side of this church edifice, but not extend- ing beyond its front (ns ancient in origin as their early church organization), is the burial-place of its founders and adherents, whose dust renders sacred

884

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

these surroundings, and the tombstones that line either side of the building, on which are inscribed words saerel to th ir memory, seem to stand guard in it - protection

In rev ewing the history of this church, covering a reitorv, among others, the oder Kingslands and Schuylers, John Rutherford, Er., and many more pre- sent themselves as worthy of mention for their devo- tion tor and liberal support of the church. Later, and since the me upancy of the present edifice, the prog- ress of the society has been marked by regularity of service succession of able minister and by fair at- tendance. It has. however, suffered much in the death of its old and devoted members and their de- seen lands, as Gen. George Kingsland, the Misses Luisa and Mary Rutherford, John Rutherford, Aarent S huyler, Joseph Kingsland, Sr .. nearly all of whom departed this life at an age far beyond the al- lotted time of man, their associates mourning their Loss. They have also telt the loss sustained in mem- bers up by them, as well as in substantial aid, by the establishment of churches (the outgrowth of this chur h) in Franklin and Rutherford within the past few years, drawing upon the membership of this or- ganization, by which they also suffer financially.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 46

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