History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 49

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 49
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 49

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Abraham, son of Hans Spier, married one Getty Bross, June 17, 1724, a record of which is found in the Reformed Dutch Church at Hackensick. Their son John married Magdalen Van Dyck, April 19, 1746, at Second River. From them descended nine children, namely : Abraham, Jane, Harmonis, John, Thomas, Peter, Nantia, Betsy and Laney. Nantia married -- Vreeland, of Povershon ; Betsy married Abraham King ; Laney also married a King. John Spier married Margaret Joralemon, and in early life also lived at Povershon, on what has since been known as the cotton-mill property, and afterwards moved to Belleville, occupying a stone house still standing on the bank of the river, and owned by his

1 See Whatchead # " History of East New Jersey."

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BELLEVILLE TOWNSHIP.

descendants. Later be moved and occupied the Peter Sandford, came to Belleville about seventy-five house now owned and occupied by his grands in bearing his name.

From the eller John Spier and Margaret Joral - mion descended right children, namely : Maria, Mag- dalen, James, John, Abraham, Margaret, Elizabeth and Anne, who died young. Maria married Abrahamo Van Riper, who resided on a farm immediately south of the Passaic County line, which was inherited by him frem bis father, John Van Riper. Abraham and Magdalen Van Riper had five children, namely : Sarah, John, Abraham, Eliza and Margaret. Of these, the two former are deceased, and Margaret married Theodore Sandford. Magdalen married John N. Joralemon, and hved and died within a hundred yards of her father's residence. James married Eliza Wade, and frem hith descended three children, namely . John, Altred and Marin. Of these, John now resides where his grandparents resided most of their lives, and where his father, James, with his un- married brothers, Jol n and Abraham, hved until the time of their respective deaths. To John and his brother and sister descended most valuable tracts of land bordering the heart of the village, which they continue to own. Margaret married Abraham Van Houten, and they resided in the village from the time of their marriage to the date of their respective deaths. They had four children, -William, Corne- lius, AAbraham and Aune Maria, all now decensed except Cornelius. Elizabeth married Peter Sandford, and resided for many years at Bloomfield or Cratie- town (now Montelair). After the death of her hus. band she went to reside with her son-in-law, at New- ark, where she is yet living, and more than eighty years of age. Of these descendants of John Spier. his son John was peculiarly ingenious, and to hin is attributed the mechanical production of the first power-loom in this country, which was manufactured at Paterson. He also made models of a mowing- machine, and the model of a screw for propelling ves sels, both of them embodying the principles in use to. day. While a young man, sixty or sixty-five years ago, his brother Abraham was as well known in bus - ness and political circles at one time throughent the then large county of Essex as any other man in it, and he possessed great influence, and was at one time a member of the Legislature.

or eighty years ago. Michael's descendants were six children,-Diana, Peter, William Ellen, Jefferson and Joseph.

Michael Sandford was from his earliest n unhood the owner and captain of vessels sailing from Belle - ville to New York, of which he built three en the wharf adjoining lis residence, first the "fietty, ' and last of them the "Two Fannys," built nearly sixty years ago, and now sailing from Newark.

Diana m rried John Coryman. Peter married Elizabeth Spier and removed to, blo oh Land died there, leaving as descendants Amin Sandford, now deceased ; Charles P. Sandford, now pesturister at Montelair; and Margaret, wife of Mark W Ball, now of Newark. Ellen married William Tise, she is now living in her eighty-second year, having only one child,-Sarah Baker, widow of Benjamin Baker. William married Mary Dow, daughter of the Rev. John Dow. Their descendants were Charles, Anna, Edmund and Cathalina Sandford, the latter now deceased; of these, Theodore and Edmund reside nt Belleville; Charles resides at Paterson; Anna with her father at Belleville, who is now in his eighty- seventh year.

Stephen Van Cortlandt, so long and favorably known by oll citizens, resided at one tinne in the ol l historie mansion, situated in the most southerly part of the village, now the property of & V t' Van Rensselaer, to whom it descended through generation, preceding him. In the latter part of the past century the house was owned by Stephen Van Cortlandt, who also owned large tracts of land around it. Many acres of land were also owned by the Van Cordandts on the south side of the brook. Stephen Van l'ort- landt had an only daughter, who marricl John Van Rensselaer, ofthe patroon stock, an l after h's marriage came to reside at Belleville. From John Van Rensse- lear and his wife descended two children, em of whom died in early life. James married M. rgaret Dux- bery, from them descended s. V. C. Van Rensselaer James Van Rensselaer and Kate Van Rensselaer. Of these, S. V. C. Van Rensselaer now resides in Newark, and is a member of the bar. JJames resides at B lle- ville, where heis a prominent citizen. Kate married Gratz Van Rensselaer, und now resides at or near Albany, N. Y.

John Spear, who represents the present generation here, is well known, and has held many others of trust in the town. Among old residents we also mention the Van Ripers, now quite numerens, whose ancestors settled here at n very early juriod, one of whom, Cornelius, Besides the Spiers and the Hornblowers, as old resi- dents of Second River, others are entitled to mention. C'apt. William Sandford settled on the opposite side of the river, as shown in a previous part of this history. Many of the descendants cam to reside was among the first blacksmiths ; had his shop on the river road a little south of the Episcopal Church lot, before and during the Revolution. It is said that when skirmishing between the British on the east bank of the river and the resulents here was being on this side of the river, as John and William San 1- engaged in, that Van Riper's shop was the pluie ford, who, nearly a century ago, purchased lands and i where slugs of iron were prepared in the a ence of resided on their farms situate on the road to Newark, ball, having exhausted his supply of iron suited to Michael, Abraham and Joseph, the descendants of this kind of shooting, he surrendered to the gunners

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

first his han mer and then his sledge to be used in place st ball. The British discovering the kind of shot used, were heard to call out loudly to their Emmara les, " Get out of the way for (rod's sake, before they send us the anvil !"

AAmong other early settlers were the Joralemons, Winners, Kings, Coeymans, Lesties, Holdens, Ilulmes- es, Cadauses and Dr. S. I. Ward.

Commencing with the most ancient store-keepers and coming down to those engaged in that business to-day, we mention a few in each period,-Josiah Hornblower, Harmonis Spier, John Dow, William Holmes, Abraham Cadmus, Michael Sandford, Wil- ham 11. Brandt, William M. Sandford, Ralph Pome- roy, Nicholas N. Joralemon, William Hinton, John S. Fox, James G. Alexander, Caleb Nichols, William H. WØster.

Later, W. H. Ackerman, W. B. Crisp, Francis Hag- gerty, John Conlin, John Whitfield, Henry Osborn, James Runyon, Michael Gorman, John F. Wiss- chusen, Michael Levy, John De. Mouth. Alfred & Anson Cooper, Townsend & De Puy. Among the physicians, the earliest was Dr. Burnett, and then followed Dr. Thomas Steele, S. L. Ward, James Jameson, J. A. Corwin, Arthur Ward, J. Gibson, J. T. Bunkley, D. M. Skinner and A. M. Clark.

Banks .- MANUFACTURERS' BANK at Belleville was chartered in 1834. The following persons were named as incorporators: Zenas S. t'rane, John Dow, Anthony Rutger, John Williams, William Stephens, Nicholas N. Joralemon, Abraham V. Speer, William H. Brant, Ralph Pomeroy, Joseph Kingland, Cornelius G. Van Riper, George Kingsland and William B. Baldwin and their associates, the above-named being also the first directors, all except the last-named, now deceased. Capital stock, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The books of subscription to the stock of said bank were to be opened by Jacob K. Mead, Aaron 1. Van Houten, John C. Lloyd. William Dow, Caleb Nichols, John Kennedy and John Lee. The stock being subscribed, they purchased a lot on the north line of Dr. Samuel L. Word's house lot, on the west side of Main Street, and built thercon a two-story brick banking-house, proba- Hly twenty-two by forty-five fect. The first officers were Cornelius G. Van Riper, of Passaic, as president, and - Eustifief as cashier. Prominent among those who took an interest in the bank, besides those here already named, was John S. Fox.

After a short period of prosperity the bank failed through the failure of parties to whom it had loaned money, and the banking-house was bought by Dr. Arthur Ward, who built, in part, upon the site the Mi-s Roberts' house, now occupied by Aaron Lloyd, Esy. This was the end of banking in Belleville.

Industries of Belleville .- HENDRICKS MILLS, sit- uated on Second River, in the township of Bellville,

formerly Bloomfield, commenced operation in what is known as the lower, or "Solo " Mill, just west of the site of the former paint-mill, by Herman Hendricks, who associated with him Solomon 1. Isaacs, his brother-in-law, as owders, employing a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, for the purpose of refining and rolling sheet and bolt copper. The motive-power used was water. In 1824 they enlarged their business and built what is known as the Upper Mill, imme- diately in the settlement now known as "Montgom- ery," here conducting the business by the use of sixty horse-power additional. In the early history of this firm they employed twenty-five hands, and turned out about three hundred and fifty tons of copper per year. Their business was largely increased by the building of the Upper Mill. The pig copper was then ob- tained from South America. and was much inferior to that used by them now, which is mainly Lake Supe- rior copper, and the purest in the market. The bu-i- ness has from time to time been largely increased, and, in addition to the water-power spoken of, they have two steam-engines, one of three hundred and one of ninety horse-power. To their former business they added the manufacture of copper rivets and wire.

The production of their manufactory is large. giv- ing employment to about seventy-five hands. The lower, or "Soho" Mill was partially abandoned in 1867 to concentrate their business, and destroyed by fire in 1875. They have a store at 49 Cliff Street. New York, to which a large portion of the product of the factory is shipped, from which it is sold and for- warded to all parts of the United States and else- where. The manufacture of rivets and wire has at- tained quite significant proportions. As to the present proprietorship, Solomon I. Isaacs withdrew from the business in 1833. and the interest of Herman Hendricks having fallen into the hands of his sons, it was thereafter conducted in the firm-name of Hen- dricks Brothers, and the business finally fell into the hands of Uriah Hendricks, one of his sons, and by his death, in 1869, to his sons, and is now being con- ducted with great vigor in the name of Hendricks Brothers. Thus it will be seen that the business has for generations past remained continuously in Herman Hendricks and his descendants. Their capital at this time is more than equal to any necessity, and en- ables them to anticipate the market both in purchase and sale of stock. The Upper Mill was destroyed by fire in 1874, and was immediately rebuilt in a larger, more beautified and imposing seale, and now presents itself a magnificant manufactory, with all necessary machinery.

Originally the only means of transportation of stock and supplies to and from the factory was by boats na- vigating Passaie River, of which there were many going to and returning to New York with the regu- larity of packets. Of these boats the proprietors Hendricks and Isaacs, were part owners, with Cants.

1 sre Acts of that year, page 136.

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BELLEVILLE TOWNSHIP.

Michael Sandford, George Whitfield and Caleb Nichols commanders, by which they received their copper and Liverpool coal no other being then toed . When it is considered that these mills are distant from the river about one and a half miles, one can appre- ciate the great saving to them as a consequence of the construction of the Midland, now New York and Greenwood Lak Railroad, which, in its windings runs within one hundred yards of their mill, con- nected with which they have a spur running into their yard, and the copper and coal is shipped to them direct from the mines by this road. and their nanu- factured products to all parts of the I'ultel Stat s.

Mention of a great advantage to them and of an important matter of history has been onatied in the failure to speak of the construction and opening of the Morris Canal, which runs within two hundred yards of their mill, by which a large portion of their coal is now received. One noticealle feature of the conduct of these mais has been that men once em- played by these proprietors, except in rare instances, remained with them for life, to be succeeded by the'r descendants. Mr. James Moore, now nearly eighty years of age, having entered their employ in the carly history of these works, soon after beerne superin- tendent. He has continued in that position during all the changes in ownership (taking place only by death) to this day.

The same familiar face confronts the visitor now that met his eye a half-century ago. In addition to the ownership by this firm of their mills, they now own large tracts of land, with spacious mansions and beautiful surroundings, to which they are making frequent accessions.

FOU RERIVIER WIRE-WORKS. - John Il. Eastwood William Buchanan and Charles Smith enterel into business in 1877, in the firio-name of Eastwood, Buch- anan & Smith, as manufacturers of Fourdrinier wire- cloth and all grades of fine iron, copper and brass wire directly opposite the Mordant Works of John East- wood, who there built a good substantial brick build- ing, suited to the demands of the enterprise.

They furnished the factory with the required machinery, apparatus, looms etc., and here conducted this business, having a capital equi to their necessi ties until 1880. They then organized as & stuck company, with John Eastwood as president, John II. Eastwood treasurer and Charles Smith as secretary. The business at the time having increased, soon after demanded additions to the buildings and equipment4, which they furnished doubling their original capacity until their business has attained a magnitude in their specialties of which they have a right to be proud. They now employ about forty-live persons and their business is in a prosperous condition. Their pr alucts are sold and delivered in answer too orders from all parts of the country.

THE POWDER- MILL, NOW DE WITT WIRE CLOTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY'S MILL SITE is as noted

for the variety of the mes for which the power has been willzed in the past as it is now remarkable for the supern rity and extent of its manufactures, First this site seems to have been n part of the possession of Stephen Van Cortlandt, of whom we shall have recasiomn te make mention hereafter as one of the oldest. most influential and respected citizens of Second River. The earliest knowledge obtainable in relation to this mill-site locates there the dam, the pringl and the road as it exists at this time. In close proximity to the dum, and upon the line of the street. if not encroaching upon it, stood a building about twenty-five by forty feet, of a to which, and upon the southerly side thereof, was the race-way and water- wheel, the former running easterly parallel w h the line of the road, or Mill street, and emptying into the brook fifty fet north of the bridge, crossing Secen } River on the road to Newark. Here there has been a successien uf bridges, first a wooden one, which gave way to an archel structure of stone. This is now succeeded by an iron bridge of a character that marks the advance of the age.

The building mentioned was a grist will and was conducted by a man whose name was Marks as at country mill up to the war of 1-12, when Stephen Decatur, the brother of Commodore Decatur, probably at the former's suggestion, saw an opportunity of estab- lishing a profitable business, and at the same time serving his country by furnishing a supply of the wuch needed powder, in the firm-name of Decatur, Rucker & Bullard, secured this mill niel site, then bui ding the exact counter part of the first-described building on the south side of the race and at the same time other buildings ; constructing one south of the brook, the half-filled ce lar of which is yet to be found two hundred feet east of the dam ; and inclused the whole mill-site by a tight board fence eight feet high, tak- ing in half as much south as north of the brook. They entered upon the manufacture of powder, fully realizing all they had anticipated in regard to its sale. But, as is the case in many instances. they man- uficturel the destroyer of their success, and one day in 1814 the most startling and shocking event in Second River (now Belleville) history occurred .- when, with tremendous report, followed by earthquake- like rumbling, these buildings, that a moment before sheltered the inmates of this hive of industry, were torn and hurled hundreds of feet in the air. What could be more horrifying than the seene presented here? Upon the ground lay several human beings bleeding, groaning, dying, and some already dead. Said an eye-witness, now eighty-seven years of nge, who heard the report, saw the shattered debris in the air, and visited the scene of disaster, distress anl denil within a few min tes of the occurrence , "I always regretted that I had been tempted to look upon the seene." The remains of some of the victims of this disaster found a last resting-place in the graveyard of the Reformed Dutch Church at Belleville, where

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

tombstones mark the place. Nothing but the con- centrated and energetic efforts of the citizens prevented the rebu lding of the mill. For this opposition one of the was cruelly beaten in the public streets by a member of the firm. Soon after, and probably in 1815 or 1516, Thomas Utlington, then a resident of the place, eng, ged in the business of gold-bemting in the rear et his residence, leased these premises, built ther on such buildings as he required, changed the course of the race-way to suit the position of his mill, erec ing one of them close to the dam and just north of the brook. To these premises he removed his business of gold-beating, which he here conducted on a much larger scale, employing in gold-beating alone twenty or twenty-five hands. He also engaged in the manufacture and rolling of sheet-brass, and within a short time embarked in the manufacture of other articles, as umbrella furniture, runners, ferrules, tips and strainers, for which he rolled the wire. Thus coumeneed the production of wire at Belleville, prob- ably sixty-six years ago, or in 1818. About this time he sold out the business of gold-beating to Mr. Jones, who removed it to New York City. In the mean time a Mr. Bragg moved out from New York and com- menced the manufacture of brass lamps (of a kind much used in stores) in a dwelling known as the old Courtlindt house, nearly opposite the Big Rock, adjoining the Minard Coreman traet. Not suceced- ing he sold out this business to Mr. Utlington who made this an addition to his other business, enlarged li's work-, added to his force of employés, so that at this time he probably employed fifty or sixty hands, twelve or fiteen of whom were apprentices, and pro- videl for in his own house. He lived alternately in what has been since known as the Mansion House opju site the bridge, and the stone house on Main Street, since spe ken of as the MeComb house. He was an Englishman by Firth, an intelligent gentleman, and probably continued this business up to 1835. William Stephens also a native of England, and who came bere a young man, had at this time been some years in the employ of Mr. Utington as clerk of his es- tablishment, and had gainel considerable knowledge of the business.

Mr. Lilington failing of success in business, William Stephens associated with him Thomas Thomas and Fuller, and, under the firm-name of Stephens, Thomas & Fuller, succeeded Mr. Lffington in the business, and continued it so far as the rolling and manufacturing of sheet-brass was concerned, discon- tinuing the making of umbrella furniture, and William Stephens assoc ating with him William Dougherty, took up the lamp business, of which mention will be nudle elsewhere.

The business of the manufacture and rolling of sheet- bras was continued by Stephens, Thomas& Fulleruntil 1549, when the latter die I, and Stephens & Thomas pur- sued th - and added to it other business, at one period notally that of making coins for Brazil, Liberia and

San Domingo, and a small coin called a 'token " for ditlerent firms through the country. This token was redeemable by those issuing it. This business of money making became a very extensive one, they often shipping fifteen or twenty tons at a time to New York, from where it was shipped to its destination.

The greatest activity prevailed and many men were employed. This coin varied in size from that of a cent to a silver dollar and was made of copper. Its manufacture was of comparatively short duration, not more than two years or possibly three.

About the year 1836 the drawing of coarse wire was commenced here; the first fine wire was made in 18.45, and the first Fourdrinier wire in 1847. The first Fourdrinier cloth having from three thousand to four thousand meshes to the square inch, and the first dandy rolls were made in this country, the last-named being eylindrical in form, from seven to ten inches in diameter and from four to seven feet in length.

This roll is covered with fine wire-cloth, and is used in connection with the Fourdrinier wire in the process of making paper.

The dandy roll is sometimes used for water-marking the paper. By sewing letters or other design- on the wire cloth it leaves the impression on the wet paper which is retained when dried and finished.

Peter Staniar ( now deceased), who came here about 1×43 from England, is the person who is entitled to the mechanical production of fine wire, and William Staniar, now of the firm of Staniar & Laffey, manu- facturers of wire and wire-cloth at East Newark, who also came here from England, to the mechanical production of woven wire cloth and Pourdrinier cloths as here first manufactured. The wire used for Morse's experimental telegraph line from Wash- ington to Baltimore was drawn here, and was cop- per wire, none other being then used. At the dis- solution of the firm of Stephens & Thomas, William Stephens succeeded to the business, and thereafter the hrm was William Stephens & Son up to 1857. Peter Staniar and William Staniar from the date of their connection with the production of wire and wire-cloth, respectively, were silent partners in the business.

The business failing of success, Gasherie De Witt & Brother (Josiah Il.) being associated with him, further on De Witt Brothers & Co., at this time ad- ding to the firm Cornelius Van Houten and James G. De Witt, conducted it up to 1876, when they organized as an incorporated company in the name of the De Witt Wire-Cloth Manufacturing Company, in which name they are now condueting the business. The De Witt Wire-t'loth Company organized with a capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars, which was af- terwards inereused to three hundred thousand dollars. The present officers of this firm are Michael Dyer, president ; F. J. Bartlett, Philadelphia, vice-president ; J. Gi. De Witt, Brooklyn, treasurer; Cornelius Van Houten, Belleville, N. J., superintendent. They have stores at 87 Chambers Street, New York, and 703

BELLEVILLE TOWNSHIP.

Market Street, Philadelphia. The premises were owned by the Van Countlindt and Van Bensellear- until the organization of the De Witt Wire Cloth Company, in 1576, when they purchased it, and are now the owners.

This industry, with small beginning in 1847, has made extensive developments from two looms and twelve wire I looks and very few workmen to what is now pr aluced by over one hundred and sixty hands. one hundred and fifty blocks and over fifty looms, thirty-four of which are run by steam-power (the water-power being mainly used for rolling), and the additional production by other machinery introduced for making wire cables, ropes, cords, etc. The factory, excepting the hand-weaving department, wasoriginally run exclusively by water, forty horse-power They now have a steam-engine of one hundred and twenty horse-power, consuming, with the annealing furnaces, about twelve hundred tons of coal per annum.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 49

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