History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 101

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > New Jersey > Somerset County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 101
USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 101

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).

IMPROVEMENTS AT FRENCHTOWN.

By deed dated May 20, 1776, John Stevens and Elizabeth, his wife, and James Parker and Gertrude, his wife, conveyed to Thomas Lowrey a traet of land partly in Kingwood and partly in Alexandria town- ship. William Lowrey became possessed of this lot, and he aml his wife, Martha, in a deed dated Dec. 1, 1794, conveyed this lut to Thoma- Lowrey. What relationship William held to Thomas Lowrey is not known. Thomas now owned 958 acres at and around

where Frenchtown is now situated. Ahout 1785, Thomas Lowrey built the grist-mill, and probably the saw-mill. He also built the stone house between Dr. Reiley's residence and D. W. Pinkerton's harness- shop. These were among the first improvements in Frenchtown.

During the French Revolution of 1792 a Swiss, by the name of Paul Henry Mallet Prevost, a republican, joined the French army at Alsace as commissary-gen- eral. But he, not approving of some extreme meas- ures, was proscribed, and, with his secretary, Nicolas Louis Toulaine Defresnoye, escaped into Germany, and finally came to America, landing in Philadelphia. In looking for a home he by some means came to Frenchtown, and, being delighted with the place, set about buying out Mr. Lowrey.

Mr. Lowrey had sold his Frenchtown property several times to purchasers who were unable to make the final payments, he taking the property back. Mr. Prevost bargained with Mr. Lowrey for the 968 acres for £7664. Mr. Lowrey thought he had him fast, as he would be unable to make the second and third payments. But, to his utter astonishment, Mir. Pre- vost said, "Mr. Lowrey, if you dednets de interest, I pays de second." To this Mr. Lowrey reluctantly vonsented. Mr. Prevost then said, " Mr. Lowrey, if you deduets de interest, I pays de third." This struck " Old Quicksilver" with astonishment, and so wrought upon his mind that he took to his bed. In Mr. Low- rey's sale of the Frenchtown property the deed bears date Dee. 4, 1794, and was made to Nicolas Toulaine Defresnoye, Mr. Prevost's secretary. Jan. 19. 1802. Mr. Defresnoye and his wife, Frances, conveyed by deed 893 acres of this land to Andrew M. Prevost for £7133. It was bounded on the south by lands of Thomas and Edward Marshall and Ezekiel Rose, the southeast corner being the stump in the road near John Fulper's, on the east by Daniel Opdyke, and on the west by the Delaware.

Mr. l'revost built the dwelling now owned by John Stillwell, and this became the residence of Paul 11. M. Prevost during his lifetime, and after him, for many years, the home of Lewis MI., his son, who mar- ried Mary Exton, of High Bridge.

Fifty years ago there was standing, where the river rond turns down by the depot, a frame building or- rupied by Jacob Welch, a clock- and watch-cleaner and repairer. This shop was afterwards occupied by Daniel Curtis & Sons as a tailor-shop.

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

The first store-house in Frenchtown was a low story-and-a-half stone building near where H. E. Warford's new brick store stands; on the east end a stone addition was built to it for a dwelling. A little to the east, some distance back from the street, stood a frame building occupied many years as a dwelling. In the spring of 1834, Clarissa and Frances Calvin, sisters, opened the first millinery-shop in Frenchtown. In after-years this shop was occupied by Cyrenius A. Slack, who carried on the shoemaking business. The upper story was occupied by Ambrose Silverthorne as a tailor-shop. Oliver Worman some years ago moved this old house a little farther east, but when near the place it was to occupy it fell into a mass of ruins.

The brick house now the residence of Jacob C. Hawk was built for Mr. Prevost's residence by Capt. William Conner and his son James, the grandfather and father of Jonathan M. Conner, of Kingwood. The next house on the south side of Bridge Street was near where Ishmael Brink's hardware-store now stands, the first story of stone, and above that frame, and was occupied by Ralph Ten Eyck, who carried on shoe- making. There was no house between this and the saw-mill, except a little one-story shop where William Martin's store now stands. This was built about 1830, and occupied some years by John B. Tomer as a harness-shop. Tomer and Zachariah F. Laroche were the village musicians. Laroche came here with the Prevosts. The first accordeon in this place was in 1838, and the first melodeon owned in French- town was by James Emory in 1850. The old building where Brink's store stands was used in after-years by Lewis M. Prevost as an office when he was a justice of the peace. In this building a governess in the family of Mr. Prevost, in 1838, organized the first Sunday-school in Frenchtown. Near where the leather-store of the Kachline Brothers stands was a small frame shop occupied by Capt. Brown as a shoemaker-shop. There was a dwelling on the tract near William Sipes' residence where Philip Hinkle lived for over forty years. These were all the build- ings on the south side of what is now Bridge Street.

The brick hotel opposite the depot, now kept by Joseph Opdyke, was built by Paul H. M. Prevost. It was kept by Thomas Alexander at an early day ; after him by Nathan Risler for many years. Risler for some time owned a black bear, and at times he had what was called a "bear bait." A bear was tied by a rope to a stake. The spectators then formed a circle, when a dog would be let in to try his prowess with the bear.

Samuel Lott, father of the late Henry Lott, for- merly kept the old tavern on the site where Opdyke's Railroad House now stands. It is said he built one of the first houses in Frenchtown, bringing the frame up from Centre Bridge in a Durham boat; whether it was this old tavern or not is not known. He was afterwards killed by the falling of a tree. When the

present hotel was built, a portion of the old tavern was left standing; this was used for some time by Ingham Waterhouse as a currying and leather-finish- ing shop. The brick dwelling of H. E. Warford was built by Jonathan Britton about seventy-five years ago. The old "Temperance House" was built over forty years ago by Lewis F. Laroche. The first pre- liminary survey for the railroad was made about that time, and Mr. Laroche called his new house "The Railroad House." This was somewhat premature, as the locomotive did not reach the village until Feb. 4, 1853, fifteen years afterwards.

On March 13, 1852, the steamboat " Major Bar- nett" ascended the Delaware River from Lambert- ville to Easton, the steam-whistle for the first time awakening the echoes of the Delaware valley. Where Harrison Street now is there was an alley which led back to the dwelling of Samuel Pittenger and the old building occupied before the fire by Voorhees & Hann's office. This latter building was the farm- house, and here Louis F. Laroche lived over forty years ago. This lane then turned and led up to the barn, where the town-hall now stands. A little west of Pittenger was a small house in which Isaac Quick lived. On the corner of Harrison and Bridge Streets, where Williams' Block now stands, Thomas Pitten- ger lived in a frame dwelling, and carried on the blacksmithi business in a shop where Able's saloon stands. He afterwards built one over where Pitten- ger's store is, and built the house where Mrs. Pitten- ger lives.

The first drug-store in the place was kept by John Hull in a part of the old house that stood on the site of the Williams Block. The building occupied by the Opdyke brothers as a drug-store was built in 1833, where Abel's barber-shop now stands. From there to the mill-house, and from this house to the hotel, there were no buildings. Where the National Hotel stands Samuel Powers carried on blacksmithing. About 1833 he built an addition to his small dwell- ing, put up the sign of a "Buck," and opened a " hotel," the second in Frenchtown. Mrs. Powers kept this hotel for a number of years after her hus- band's death, and died a few years ago, aged one hundred. Mr. Williams in 1850 put up the present " National Hotel." From this house north, up the Milford road, there was not a single house this side the borough limits. An apple-orchard extended from the barn where the town-hall stands up to within a few yards of G. H. Slater's house, and out to the Mil- ford road.

The first physician of Frenchtown was Dr. Edmund Porter, who came to Frenchtown in 1820 .* He built a house on the site of Emley Hyde's residence (then Main, now Bridge Street), and deposited in the cellar wall a paper which remained there about thirty

* See biography in chapter on the Medical Profession of Hunterdon Connty.

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years, when curiosity prompted its removal. From that paper it was learned that the architects of the house were Enos Rose and Stephen Ashton ; David Everitt, house carpenter ; John Powers, blacksmith; John B. Turner, saddler; Joshua Hoagland, black- smith ; John Price, shoemaker ; Andrew Curtis, blacksmith ; Reuben Warford and Allen Rittenhouse, apprentice blacksmiths; Ralph Mathews and John Grossman, cabinet-makers ; Jacob Weltz, silver- smith ; George Frees, innkeeper ; Frank l'elts, an old soldier of the war of 1812; Henry Crout, farmer; Jesse Warwick, hatter ; Peter Snyder, weaver; Zach- ariah Laroche, farmer ; Charles Birch, laborer; Seth Rose, "major of the militia." Then follows the names of several whom he says were the first persons at that time in the community, and this paragraph :

" Paul H. M. Provost, Esquiro is tho principal owner of the property In this vicinity ; Duvid Warford was postmaster and merchant; widlow Navind Frees, mistress of the Alexandria Hotel. The fourth day of July is to bo celebrated here, it being the 47th of American Independence. William Voorhees and John Clifford Esquires, and Samuel Powers, and David I. Warford, Presidents aud Vice-Presidents of the day. Dr. Albert Tylor is to deliver the oration. Dr. Luther Towner, the Invocation, and Hon. Joshuu B. Culvin to read the Declaration of Independence. The Rev. Mr. Hunt is requested to make u short address. John Scott, Mar- whal of the day. Capt. lzra Brewster will appear with tho Kingwood Uniform Company equipped and in uniform."

Other physicians, prior to 1850, were Charles Mer- rick, 1828-32; William Taylor, 1840-51; John C. Pursell, 1841-48; Dewitt C. Hough, 1848-56.

EARLY MERCHANTS.

About sixty years ago Samuel Cooley kept a store on the corner where the American Hotel once stood. Thomas Bayley kept the old store where the present brick store of H. E. Warford now stands. Between 1820 and 1825, David R. Warford kept the old store. Believing that opposition was the life of trade, a store was opened in the "Brick" (where H. E. Warford now lives), probably not before 1828; at this time the Carhart Brothers kept it. In 1829, Holcombe, Rocka- fellow & Merrick kept the "Brick," and Magor & Gordon kept the old store. Gordon bought out the opposition, and carried on the "Brick" as the only store here for two years, up to 1833. Johnson & Fine opened a lumber-yard about this time.

OTHER BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.

In 1836, Robert L. Williams came from New York State, and shortly after locating here began the build- ing of improved fan-mills for cleaning grain, the first ever made in this county. He occupied an old shop near his dwelling, once belonging to the tannery of Mathias Pickel. He also made grain-cradles with bent fingers. For a few years he entered largely into the cultivation of broom-corn, which he made up into brooms.

In 1850, Robert L. Williams built the National Hotel, which has been kept by William Runyon, Andrew Risler, Egge Brothers, Michael Vanhart. Charles Eichlin, Jeremiah Trimmer, John Sollers,

William Nixson, William Cawley, Abram Fluck. William C. Metler, and William C. Apgar, the pre -- ent proprietor.

In 1845, Philip G. Reading and W. W. Hedges went in partnership in the lumber business, where the spoke-factory now stands, between Second and Third Streets. In a year or two afterwards they built a steam saw-mill for making siding. In 1858, Mr. Reading introduced the turning of axe-handles and wagon-spokes. In 1859, Mr. Kugler entered into partnership with Mr. Reading in the spoke- and handle-factory, and carried on the business till 1869, when the factory was burned. Kugler & Fargo re- built it, and the same firm continues the business.

In 1851, Augustus Godly built the distillery just below the mouth of Little Nishisakawick, where he carried on a distillery for a year or two, and failed. Samuel Drinkhouse, of Easton, l'a., purchased the property and carried on the distillery business ex- tensively for many years; the buildings were burned in 1874. The lime-burning business was carried on quite extensively at this place for several years by Philip Lair, Joseph Kugler, and others.

The first tinsmith in Frenchtown was a Mr. Ilort- man, who carried on the business for a few years pre- vious to 1850. Isaac and Alfred Taylor were among the first carpenters, coming about 1830.

In the fall of 1836, Hugh Capner bought of H. M. Prevost, 181.68 acres of land on the north side of the village, and soon after this began to open streets run- ning from Milford road to the river, and extended Harrison Street up to Fifth while in his possession. There was not much growth, however, until after Samuel B. Hudnit bought his lot, in 1848, after which he continued to buy and buikl.

In 1846, Jesse Sinclair moved to Frenchtown and carried on the mason trade. He built, probably, all the stone houses in Frenchtown. He died in the Able house.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION.

The act of the Legislature incorporating the bor- ough of Frenchtown was approved April 4, 1867. A supplement was approved March 26, 1872, and an- other March 30, 1876. The first town-meeting was held on the second Monday in April, 1867. The fol- lowing are the principal local officers from that time to the present :

MAYORS.

1867, 1870, 1872, Sammel D. Hudnie : 1-68-69, Dr. William Ilico; 1871. Franklin B. Fargo: 1873.º Jamos S. White; 1874, Lovt Troxell ; 1876-70, Thomas Palmer; 1877-78, Adam S. Haring; 1879-80, Ed- wand I. Rachlino.

COMMON COUNCIL.

1867, Isaac W. Carmichael ; 1567-68, Henry Lott; 1867, Philip G. Rend- Ing; 1867, Juhn HI. Mack ; 1867, Oliver Worninn ; 1867, Mosca K. Everitt: Iste, John I. Stack ; 1808, 1×60, 1872, 1-76, 1877, 1579, Ish- marl Brink ; 1868, Pr. Charles R. Cowirle ; Is68, Newbury D. Wil- lama; 1868, 1:73, 1876, Andrew Roberon ; 1-60, Pelor W. Lair; 1×69, 1870, 1571, 1×76, FrankHn B. Fargo ; 1869, 1876, Poter Y. Lowe ;

· Resigned Sept. 20, 1873; Jacob ('. Hawk appointed to fill vacancy.

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

1869, Silas S. Wright ; 1870, Reuben K. Niece ; 1870, 1872, 1873, Aaron P. Kachline; 1870, 1871, 1877, Gabriel HI. Slater; 1870, George H. Sanders; 1871, Levi Troxell ; 1871, 1874, 1877, 1878, Morris Maxwell : 1871, Peter S. Kugler; 1872, 1876, 1878, Jacob C. Hawk ; 1872, 1873, 1876, Levi Hann: 1872, 1873, 1875, Henry Loux; 1873-80, Joseph Hawk ; 1873-75, 1879-80, Isaac Taylor; 1874, Edwin G. Williams; 1874, 1875, 1879, 1SS0, Eli Swallow; 1874, 1876, Nathan Shurtz ; 1875, 1876, 1878, Edward B. Kachline ; 1876, Joseph Dalrymple; 1877-80, William H. Martin; 1877, Dr. E. K. Deemy ; 1877, Henry Hager- man ; 1877, Abraham Slack ; 1878, Daniel Stahler; 1878, 1879, Geo. Hays; 1879, 1880, William R. Shurtz; 1880, Alfred M. Brink .*

TOWN CLERKS.

1867, 1868, James Dilts; 1869, Benjamin H. Joiner; Adam S. Haring appointed Oct. 7, 1869; 1870, 1873, David C. Hough; 1871, 1872, Wil- liam Kitchen ; 1874, 1875, John L. Slack; 1876, Silas S. Wright; 1877, 1878, Theodore P. Williams; 1879, 1880, John S. Curtis; Edwin G. Williams appointed to fill vacancy in 1879.

ASSESSORS.

1867, 1868, 1870, 1880, Thomas Palmer; 1869, Peter S. Kugler; 1871, Charles H. Hoff; 1872, Alfred Brink ; 1873, 1875, Simeon R. Opdyke; 1876, 1877, Herbert A. Hummer; 1878, 1879, James Dilts; 1880, C. P. Kachline.

COLLECTORS.

1867, William Britton; 1868, Adam S. Haring; 1869, James S. White; 1870, Ishmael Brink; 1871, 1872, James Dilts; 1873, 1874, William H. Martin: 1875, 1876, Justice W. Britton ; 1877, J. W. Pinkerton ; 1878, 1879, Alfred M. Brink ; 1880, A. P. Kachline.

TREASURERS.

1867, 1868, Henry Lott ; 1869, Ishmael Brink ; 1870, 1871, Gabriel H. Slater ; 1872, 1873, Aaren P. Kachline ; 1874, 1878, Isaac Taylor ; 1875, Henry Loux ; 1876, Edward B. Kachline ; 1877, Philip G. Reading ; 1879-80, Daniel M. Matthews.

CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.

1867, 1868, Bryan Hough ; 1868, Reuben R. Wright, elected December 17th ; 1869, Moses K. Everitt; 1870, Samuel Rockafellow ; 1871, 1872, Gabriel II. Slater, resigned February, 1873 ; 1873, 1874, Edward B. Kachline; 1875, 1876, Adam S. Haring; 1877, 1878, Henry Loux ; 1879-80, John L. Slack.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1867-71, John Slater; resigned in April, 1871; 1871, Freeman Wood; 1869, 1871, 1877, 1879, Jes. C. Wright ; 1872-77, Samuel Rockafellow; 1880, Silas S. Wright; 1874-84, William T. Srope.

The commissioners appointed in 1867 to divide the property between the township of Alexandria and the borough of Frenchtown were Moses K. Everitt, Sam- uel B. Hudnit, Isaac W. Carmichael, Newbury D. Wil- liams, and William Britton.

SCHOOLS.

Forty-five years ago the Frenchtown school-house stood in the little valley nook on the east side of the Milford road, just above the northern borough limit, near the little spring by the roadside. On the road to the stone church another school-house stood, near where Newbury Dotterer lives; this was torn down about 1842, and another built in Moses Roberson's woods, near Jeremiah Case's lane. This was after a few years torn down, and the Hillside school-house erected in 1858.

The people of Frenchtown, anxious to have a school in the village, obtained permission of Isaac Johnston to build a school-house on the north end of his lot,

near Charles Slack's house. When Mr. Johnston failed a mortgage rested on the property, and to save the school-house the people removed it to the land of Philip G. Reading. Here it remained for several years. In 1857 a larger house was built, on land they could call their own, a lot on the hill, donated by Hugh Capner, to whom the old house was sold. He moved it across the mill-race; it is now the carriage- shop of Savidge & Swallow.

The trustees and teachers of the Frenchtown pub- lic school for 1880 were as follows: Trustees, E. K. Deemy, John Roberson, and Isaac Taylor ; Teachers : S. R. Opdyke, grammar department; M. F. Kugler, intermediate ; Kate Taylor, primary ; Kate E. Palmer, auxiliary ; Eva R. Kugler, select school.

CHURCHES.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The Christian Church of Frenchtown was organ- ized Jan. 5, 1861. The constituent members were Charles Kline, Garret Lair, Sr., Robert L. Williams, Elijah R. Lair, Sarah Ann Taylor, Mary Ann Cawley, Eleanor M. Opdyke, Thomas Hunt, Susanna Sinclair, Hannah Lair, Esther Lair, Mary H. Kline, Clarissa Williams, Abraham Slack, and Susanna Matthews. The following were then elected for the ensuing year: Deacons, Garret Lair, Sr., and Charles Kline ; Treas- urer, Thomas Hunt; Church Clerk, Elijah R. Lair. January 15th, 46 persons received the right hand of fel- lowship, and were received into the church by Elders W. Pittman and H. Burnham. April 6, 1861, the following were elected trustees: David O. Roberson, for one year; Thomas Taylor, for two years; Abraham Slaek, for three years. '

The ministers who have served this church and congregation are : Jan. 20, 1861, Elder J. E. Hayes ; Feb. 22, 1865, Elder John C. MeGlaughlin ; April 16, 1867, Elder Ford; Dec. 19, 1868, Elder William II. Pittman ; Dec. 15, 1870, Elder J. C. Soule; Sept. 11, 1874, Elder B. F. Summerbell; March 5, 1876, Elder C. A. Beck ; April 11, 1877, Elder George E. Tenney ; Jan. 16, 1878, Elder Jacob Rodenbaugh, present pas- tor. The above dates are those of the election of the different elders, and from one date to the succeeding one is the term of service of each elder.

The meeting-house of this organization is located on the north side of Kingwood Avenue, and cost about $1000.

Present value of property, $1500; present member- ship, 51. Superintendent of Sunday-school, S. R. Opdyke ; average attendance of pupils, 40.

The present (1880) officers are: Trustees, Simeon R. Opdyke, Charles Kline, Joseph Hawk; Deacons, Charles Kline, William Roberson, S. R. Opdyke; Financial Committee, Alfred Brink, Charles Kline, Mahlon Emmons; Church Clerk, Alfred Brink.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.

When the first Methodist sermon was preached within the limits of the present village of French-

* In 1871 there was a tie vote between Newbury D. Williams and Peter S. Kugler, in 1874 a tie vote between Hiram Danby and Hiram Roberson, and in 1878 a tie vote between George Hays and Isaac Taylor.

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FRENCHTOWN BOROUGH.

town it is impossible to state. Edward Hinkle re- members hearing Rev. Amos Marcelius preach a ser- mon in a house on Bridge Street in 1832. No doubt many had been preached here before this date by either local or itinerant ministers.

The earliest regular appointment by the circuit- preachers of which there is any account was in Mr. Walbert's wheelwright-shop, on Bridge Street, where now is G. 11. Slater's hardware-store. The room was also used by other denominations. The Methodists later sought another room, and found it across the street, in a building owned by Cyrenius Slack. Ze- rubbabel Gaskill was the circuit-preacher. A class was formed by him, and Cyrenins Slack was made the leader.

The little society resolved to build a church, and a board of trustees was elected, composed of C. Slack, A. Silverthorn, John Hull, Charles Shuster, John Rodenbaugh, Lewis M. Prevost, and Sylvester Cham- berlain .* The lot was purchased of Hugh Capner. The church buikling was raised Oct. 24, 1844. This was during the administration of Z. Gaskill. The building was small, with galleries at the sides and end. It was used for service before it was completed.

During the pastorate of T. T. Campfield (who was sent to the newly-made station in 1846) the parsonage was purchased for $850.

The church edifice was greatly enlarged and im- proved under the administration of Rev. W. Cham- berlain ; a basement was put under it, the side gal- leries were taken down, and a steeple was built and a fine-toned bell hung therein. The church was for- mally reopened Feb. 28, 1862. Bishop E. S. Janes officiated in the morning, and Dr. I. Wiley (now bishop) in the evening.

Eight years rolled round, and the Rev. J. B. Taylor was in the pastoral charge. Twenty feet was added to the rear, and the church was also frescoed.

The next pastor was Rev. C. Clarke, Jr., who re- mained three years. His concluding year was signal- ized by a revival.

In 1874, Rev. H. C. McBride filled the charge. Dee. 16, 1876, Rev. E. M. Griffith, feeling that his health would no longer permit him to continue in active work, resigned. Rev. P. t. Ruckman was ap- pointed by the presiding elder as pastor for the unex- pired term.

In 1877 this charge was transferred to Elizabeth District, of which Rev. Arndt was eller, and J. H. Runyan beenme preacher in charge of Frenchtown.

At the Conference of 1878, Brother Runyan was returned as pastor. During this year the parsonage debt of $200 was paid off. In 1879, Brother Runyan was returned for the third year. At the Conference of 1880, Rev. T. E. Gordon was appointed preacher

in charge. The church is in a flourishing condition, and numbers 246 members.

The following are the original members living at this date (Sept. 1, 1880) so far as known : Mrs. Han- nah A. Slack, Frenchtown; Ambrose Silverthorn, Kansas; Charles Schimmerhorn, Indiana; George Thorne, Trenton; Eli Frazier, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Caroline Hoffman, Lambertville; Martha Conner and sister, Kingwood.

The ollicers for 1880 are: Preacher in Charge, Rev. T. E. Gordon ; Superintendent, T. S. Dedrick ; Local, D. M. Matthews; Stewards, W. H. Stahler, N. F. Rittenhouse, Eli Swallow, Morris Maxwell, D. W. C. Case, Munson Baldwin, G. W. Hummer, 1. O. Smith, F. T. Miller; Trustees, Obadiah Stout, President ; Edwin Beidleman, Secretary ; D. M. Matthew, Treas- urer; F. F. Fargo, John L. Slack, David Robinson ; Superintendent of Sunday-school, Morris Maxwell ; Assistant Superintendent, O. Stout; Secretary, Joseph C. Hfough; Librarian, G. W. Hummer; Treasurer, D. M. Matthew.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

In 1844 the Rev. Samuel F. Porter, then pastor of Kingwood Presbyterian Church, commenced preach- ing occasionally in Frenchtown in the wheelwright- shop of Mr. John Walbert, standing on what is now known as Bridge Street. The result of this occasional service was the creetion, during the following year (1845), of a house of worship on what is now Second Street. This building is at present used as a town- hall. The Rev. Samuel F. Porter commenced hold- ing stated services in this building as soon as it was completed, though no separate church organization was asked for till April, 1849, when a petition was presented to the Presbytery of Raritan hy certain members of Kingwood Church asking for the organi- zation of a church in Frenchtown. This petition was granted by the Presbytery, and a church organized May 16, 1849. The following are the names of the original members: Joseph Kugler, Maria Kugler, Philip G. Reading, Evalina Rending, Mary Ann Hedges, Thomas Pittenger, Mary Pittenger, New- bury D. Williams, Lucy A. Williams, P. Snyder Kugler, Isaae Taylor, Eleanor Allen, Richard John- son, Sarah M. Prevost, Elizabeth Joice, Margaret Rounsavall, Dutilda Rittenhouse, Abigail Eichlin, Mary Rose, Elizabeth Rister, Abigail Rister, Eliza Ann Freyling, II. Smith, Margaret Smith.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 101

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1170