History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 102

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 102
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 102


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).


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The following pastors have served from the time of organization : Rev. Samuel F. Porter, July, 1849, till spring of 1857 ; Rev. Joseph Rogers, Nov. 2, 1857, till his death, August, 1863; Rev. J. Davidson Randolph, Jan. 31, 1861, present pastor.


The names of the ruling elders are as follows: Jo- soph Kugler, from organization till Jan. 23, 1863; John t'ase, October, 1849. to the present; Hugh E. Warford, Jan. 11, 1863, till the present.


The following have been trustees: Joseph Kugler,


· Of this first board C. Slack Is still Hving In the village, and is a re- spected member of the church; Silverthorn emigrated to the West; Hull reskles in Lambertville; Shuster, Hodenbaugh, Prevost, and Cham- borlain aro docensed.


27


410


HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.


Judge Prevost, Thomas Pittenger, Sylvester Cham- berlain, Alfred R. Taylor, Philip G. Reading, John Case, Andrew M. Prevost, N .. D. Williams, H. E. Warford, O. Worman, P. S. Kugler, William Spear, H. R. Major, Jonas Melick, Jordan H. Stover, Levi Troxell, Edwin G. Williams.


The first church building, erected in 1845, was a wooden structure, 24 by 36 feet. A second and larger house was built in 1854. This was also a frame build- ing, 40 by 60 feet. It was enlarged, handsomely frescoed, and refurnished in 1871.


The growth of the church in membership has been gradual from the time of its organization, there hav- ing been some additions in nearly every year of its history. Several revivals have been enjoyed, and a goodly number added to the membership. The largest addition made at one time was in January, 1871, when 28 were received. The present membership is 150. The church has a ladies' missionary society, the offi- cers of which are: President, Mrs. S. M. Randolph ; Vice-President, Mrs. Louisa Hoff; Secretary, Mrs. Maria Rogers ; Treasurer, Mrs. Susan Hart.


THE BAPTIST CHURCH.


For more than twenty years prior to the organiza- tion of the church here there was occasional preach- ing by Baptist ministers. At an annual meeting of the New Jersey Baptist State Convention the subject of occupying this point, in connection with Phillips- burg and Belvidere, by an itinerant missionary, was brought up for consideration, and the Rev. J. G. Penny was appointed, April 1, 1859, as an itinerant missionary on the Belvidere and Frenchtown field. Services were first held in the Methodist church, and later in the Christian church. This arrangement was continued harmoniously until their own house of worship was erected.


Shortly after entering upon his labor the missionary learned that Daniel T. Rittenhouse, a member of Kingwood Baptist Church, had pledged the sum of $500 towards the erection of a Baptist edifice in Frenchtown. Brother Penny entered at once into this enterprise with zeal, and was permitted to see the work nobly advancing before he retired from the field. A building committee was appointed, consist- ing of M. N. Thatcher, William H. Slater, Bryan Hough, D. T. Rittenhouse, and D. C. Robinson, to whom great credit is due for erecting so good a house, in so convenient a location, for the small sum of $3000.


Rev. Mr. Penny was succeeded here in the spring of 1861 by Rev. W. D. Hires. The congregation was also very much increased.


In the following November the Rev. A. Armstrong became pastor of the Kingwood Baptist Church, and incorporated this interest into his pastoral work. The meeting-house was dedicated Dec. 25, 1861. The debt of $500 on the church was paid off in the sum- mer of 1864. The time had now come when it seemed


desirable for an independent Baptist Church to be formed, which was done in the spring of 1866, with the following officers : Pastor, Rev. A. Armstrong ; Deacons, M. N. Thatcher, Charles Burket, Elisha Rittenhouse. Present membership, 138. The fol- lowing pastors have served: Rev. A. Armstrong, 1866-69; S. C. Boston, 1870-72; W. H. Shermer, 1872-73; W. H. Pease, 1873-75; S. S. Woodward, 1876-78; W. D. Hires, 1878 to present date.


· The present officers are as follows : Pastor, William D. Hires ; Deacons, M. N. Thatcher, Charles Burket, Jacob B. Dalrymple ; Church Clerk, J. W. Britton. Missionary : President, Mrs. Mary Dalrymple; Sec- retary, Mrs. Awilda Webster; Treasurer, Mrs. J. C. Hires.


FRENCHTOWN CEMETERY.


This is located within the borough limits, on the ridge of land, east side of Cemetery Street, between the Big and Little Nishisakawick. In it are found the names of the pioneer settlers of Frenchtown and vicinity. Over the spot where the Prevosts were buried is a large marble tablet bearing the following inscription :


" To the memory of PAUL HENRY MALLET PREVOST decd 5th January 1835 ÆE 79 JEANNE ELIZABETH PATAY his wife decd in 1810 ÆE 51.


FRANCIS LEWIS MALLET PREVOST his brother decd in 1824 age 601 All natives of Geneva, and interred within a few feet of this spot. This tablet is inscribed by surviving descendants in 1837."


Within a few feet of the above stands a tombstone inscribed as follows :


" To the memory of FRANCES G. MALLET PREVOST relict of FRANCIS L. MALLET PREVOST Native of Lubry, Switzerland, decd in 1852, Æ 84.


Among others are the following inscriptions: San- uel H. Britton, born Aug. 11, 1799, died Sept. 7, 1860; Mary Britton, born Aug. 11, 1799, died May 21, 1868; Eli Britton, born Aug. 9, 1829, died March 6, 1864; Dr. George W. Britton, born Nov. 23, 1832, died May 11, 1869; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Lair, born July 28, 1805, died March 4, 1873; William Souders, born Dec. 30, 1802, died May 8, 1876; Ambrose Fox, died Sept. 27, 1876, æt. 67; Anna Cronce, born Aug. 14, 1799, died July 12, 1875; Mary Cronce, born April 8, 1798, died May 3, 1877; John Slater, born Nov. 30, 1812, died Nov. 22, 1874; Mary Ann Slater, born Dec. 16, 1817, died Nov. 26, 1874; Abraham Stull, born Feb. 2, 1811, died Nov. 12, 1871 ; Benjamin Rit- tenhouse, died March 8, 1874, æt. 73; Isaac Hiner, born Aug. 11, 1808, died Dec. 10, 1875; John Leavitt, M.D., born Dec. 3, 1818, died April 4, 1876; Mary D.


411


FRENCHTOWN BOROUGHI.


Opdyke, died Jan. 23, 1876, æt. 72; Mary, wife of John Cline, born Dec. 15, 1793, died April 23, 1870; John Servis, died Sept. 26, 1876, æt. 76; Gertrude Opdyke, wife of Moses Heath, born June 22, 1804, died Aug. 2, 1877 ; Samnel Schuyler, died July 20, 1879, at. 77; John L. Larison, died Oct. 3, 1826, at. 70; Sarah, wife of John L. Larison, died Oct. 2, 1865, at. 70; Hannah Snyder, died March 3, 1862, wet. 65; William W. Voorhees, died March 15, 1875, at. 60; John Eick, died Jan. 27, 1868, at. 54; Amy Eick, died Oct. 25, 1872, æt. 54; Elizabeth, wife of Mahlon Wombough, died Sept. 29, 1870, æet. 84; Cor- nelins Hoff, born Sept. 20, 1805, died April 26, 1872; Eliza Hoff, born July 7, 1810, died May 26, 1866; William Dilley, died Sept. 25, 1862, æt. 71; Amy, wife of Peter Hann, died May 3, 1877, æt. 60; Wil- liam Search, died June 9, 1873, æt. 84; Thomas Roberson, died Feb. 3, 1867, æt. 78.


SOCIETIES AND CORPORATIONS.


"Oriole Lodge, No. 39, Independent Order of Good Templars," was organized Sept. 16, 1868, with 25 charter members. The following were the principal officers : W. C. T., Abel B. Haring; W. V. T., Maria Rogers; W. S., Ross Slack ; W. F. S., Lewis S. Wil- liams; W. Treas., Edwin G. Williams; W. M., Charles


" Home Lodge, No. 95, Knights of Pythias," was instituted March 31, 1874, when seventeen deposited cards of dimit from " Evening Star Lodge," of Milford. and became original members of " Home Lodge." On S. Burkit; W. Chap., Rev. John B. Taylor. The suc- [ this occasion the rank of "Page" was conferred upon ceeding presiding officers have been Abel B. Haring, Ross Slack, Maria Rogers, Susan E. Risler, Edwin G. Williams, Morris L. Morgan, Jennie Garren, Richard J. Dalrymple, William T. Srope, Lucretia D. Wright, William C. MePeck, John K. Ashton, Nellie V. Wil- liams, Silas S. Wright, Elwood S. Stout, Anna Mor- gan, Henry V. Rogers, Newbury D. Williams, Anna E. Dalrymple, Sylvanus D. Slack, T. C. Wood, John W. Slack, Charles B. Salter, Joseph E. Cook, Hannah D. Morgan, Jennie Pinkerton.


This organization was the means of doing a great amount of good in this vicinity, and had upon its rolls at one time 160 members. The charter was sur- rendered Feb. 12, 1873.


The " Frenchtown Temperance Association" was organized Jan. 4, 1878. The first officers were : Presi- dent, Rev. James II. Runyon; Vice-Presidents, E. S. Williams, A. S. Haring; Secretary, D. M. Matthew ; Treasurer, John R. Hardon.


July 2, 1879, the name was changed to " The Frenchtown Temperance Alliance," and a constitu- tion adopted to conform to the Hunterdon County Temperance Alliance, to which it is auxiliary. The regular meetings are held monthly. The alliance at present numbers 204 members, with the following officers for 1880-SI : President, A. S. Haring; Vice- Presidents, Revs. J. D. Randolph, W. D. Hires; Sec- retary, D. M. Matthew ; Treasurer, John R. Hardon; Executive Committee, W. T. Srope, Esq., George W. Hummer, Ross Slack, Justus W. Britton, Revs. T. S. Dedrick, T. E. Gordon.


"The Independent Order of Good Helpers," auxil-


iary to the Good Templars, was organized Nov. 8, 1868. It existed only about a year.


"Orion Lodge, No. 56, F. and _1. M.," was instituted at Frenchtown, Aug. 14, 1860. The first officers were Rev. George H. Jones, W. M .; William II. Slater, S. W .; S. K. Risler, J. W. The Past Masters are Rev. George Il. Jones, W. H. Slater, G. H. Slater, Jonas Rymond, N. W. Tomson, J. C. Fackenthall, John L. Slack, Howell McIntyre, A. S. Ilaring, Thomas Rogan, and Alfred M. Brink.


Since Jan. 6, 1879, the sessions have been held in Masonic Hall, in Williams' Block. Present member- ship, 88. The principal present officers are Rev. James 11. Runyan, W. M. ; Thomas Palmer, S. W .; Charles Kline, J. W .; J. L. Slack, See.


" Lilly Encampment, No. 20, I. O. of O. F.," was instituted Feb. 18, 1848. It was named in honor of Dr. Samuel Lilly, of Lambertville. The charter members were Lewis D. Gray, Scott A. Erwin, Philip R. Haspel, Charles G. Thomas, Thatcher McPeck, Samuel Rymond, and Cornelius D. Ruth. In Feb- ruary, 1852, it was moved to Milford.


Henry Hagerman, Lorenzo S. D. Kerr, William H. Martin, Preston Smith, Charles A. Roberson, Justus W. Britton, Robert B. Lyons, Adam H. Miller, Aaron B. Majors, George W. Bunn, Henry Hardon, Samuel Il. Stahler, Abel B. Haring, Standford Opdyke, Charles Rockafellow, William Kitchen, Dr. Isaac Cooper, John S. Curtis, and Daniel Stahler.


The following were the first officers elected : Past Chancellor, Garret L. Peer; Chancellor Commander, John L. Slack; Vice-Chancellor, George W. Bunn; I'relate, William H. Stahler; Master-at-Arms, Charles 1. Slack ; Keeper of Records and Seal, William T. Srope ; Master of Finance, Preston Smith ; Master of Exchequer, Justus W. Britton ; Inside Guard, Henry lagerman ; Outside Guard, Andrew V. Kugler; Trus- tees, Charles A. Roberson, William T. Srope, and Levi V. Abel. The lodge was incorporated Nov. 3, 1875.


The following are the Past Chancellors : G. L. Peer. J. L. Slack, C. A. Slack, A. B. Haring, J. R. Hardon, P. Smith, W. H. Moser, W. H. Stahler, W. T. Srope, A. S. Haring, R. B. Lyons, HI. C. Roberson, and II. Ilardon. The regular meetings are held at Odd-Fel- lows' Hall on the second and fourth Wednesday evening of each month.


"Magnolia Lodge, No. 57. Independent Order of Odd-Fellows," was instituted March 20, 1847, with the following charter members : William V. Cooley, Fitz- gerald Slocum, Charles Roberts, William Logan, Syl- vester R. Chamberlin, Uriah Larne, William II. Slater, Anderson Horner, Johu Sine, Andrew B. Rounsavall, Mershon Roberson, Charles Z. Fitzer,


412


HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.


John H. Roberts, Elijah R. Lair, Samuel B. Hudnit, William Smith, William Britton, John Britton, David C. Roberson, Thomas Pittenger, and Robert L. Wil- liams. The first elective officers were William V. Cooley, N. G .; Fitzgerald Slocum, V. G .; Charles Roberts, S .; William Logan, T.


The lodge immediately began to increase in mem- bership, and paved the way to success by its good works. Sept. 2, 1856, a handsome banner was pre- sented to the lodge by the ladies of Frenchtown. The presentation was made by Edward R. Bullock, and the reception by A. V. Van Fleet (now Vice- Chancellor of the State).


During its existence the lodge has paid several thousand dollars in benefits.


The following is a list of the Past Grands of the lodge :


W. V. Cooley, F. Slocum, C. Roberts, A. B. Rounsavall, W. Logan, M. Roberson, C. F. Rockafellow, D. C. Roberson, S. B. Hudnit, W. Smith, W. H. Slater, J. Ashton, G. H. Slater, J. A. Calhoun, R. L. Williams, A. G. M. Prevost, S. D. Barcroft, Dr. D. C. Hough, T. A. Runyon, F. McCue, I. B. Andrus, G. L. Smith, H. W. Carey, M. Maxwell, J. F. Lightfoot, A. W. Lundy, B. Hough, D. F. Moore, D. Roberson, E. R. Bullock, A. S. Haring, W. T. Srope, P. F. Opdyke, W. Britton, T. Palmer, J. Hawk, H. S. Moore, W. H. Stahler, W. Roberson, S. S. Wright, C. A. Slack, D. C. Hough, R. J. Dalrymple, B. Philkill, P. W. Lair, J. L. Slack, A. B. Haring, G. L. Peer, J. K. Keightly, E. Beidelman, R. Slack, Henry Hagerman, A. H. Miller, R. B. Lyons, E. G. Williams, J. E. Cook, H. Hardon, J. W. Britton, O. Gordon, P. S. Kugler, M. E. Srope, J. B. Lyons, and D. C. Dalrymple.


The lodge stands upon a firm financial as well as social basis, and is composed of some of the best men in Frenchtown. Regular meetings are held every Saturday evening in Odd-Fellows' Hall, over War- ford & Moore's store. J. B. Lyons is N. G., and D. C. Hough secretary.


The "Daughters of Rebecca" are composed of members, with their wives, of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows who have attained to the Royal Purple degree. This lodge was instituted Feb. 28, 1861. The officers for the term commencing July 1, 1880, are: N. G., William T. Srope; V. G., Melissa Peer; S., Henry Hardon; C., Sarah Jane Roberson; W., Robert B. Lyons ; Chaplain, William H. Stahler; Relief Committee, Matilda Slack, Melissa Peer, Amanda Srope, Mary E. Smith, Hannah L. Stahler, and Sarah E. Philkill. The regular meetings are held in the rooms of "Magnolia Lodge, No. 57, I. O. of O. F.," on the second and fourth Monday evening of each month.


" Manhattan Tribe, No. 29, Improved Order of Red Men," was instituted Oct. 20, 1871, with the fol- lowing charter members: Joseph E. Cook, Daniel F. Moore, Hiram Danley, Garret L. Peer, E. Page Southwick, A. B. Haring, Henry Loux, John M. Swope, IIenry Hagerman, A. P. Williams, John L. Slack, Charles Kline, William Silverthorn, David O. Roberson, Levi Troxel, William Roberson, A. S. Haring, David Curtis, Peter W. Lair, Eli Swallow, Isaac Taylor.


The first principal officers were: Sachem, Joseph


E. Cook ; Senior Sagamore, David Curtis; Junior Sagamore, Charles Kline; Prophet, G. L. Peer ; Chief of Records, Peter W. Lair; Keeper of Wam- pum, D. F. Moore. The successive presiding offi- cers have been G. L. Peer (by virtue of law became the first past officer), David Curtis, Charles Kline, Eli Swallow, A. S. Haring, Daniel F. Moore, Henry Loux, Peter W. Lair, A. B. Haring, Munson Baldwin, David O. Roberson, William H. Stahler, John L. Slack, Henry Hagerman, G. L. Peer.


The present officers are: Sachem, William H. Stahler; Senior Sagamore, William Silverthorn; Junior Sagamore, D. F. Moore; Prophet, G. L. Peer; Chief of Records, A. G. Haring ; Keeper of Wam- pum, Charles Kline. Meetings are held every Friday evening, in Odd-Fellows' Hall. Present number of members, 19.


The "Frenchtown Benevolent Society" came into existence during the severe cold winter of 1875, there being a scarcity of work and much suffering among the laboring men of Frenchtown. The benevolent work continued till the latter part of the winter of 1877, when better times arrived, and the society dis- solved.


The "Frenchtown Literary Society" first met in the town-hall on the evening of Feb. 7, 1876. Its object is for the development of literary and oratori- cal talent, and to gain a knowledge of parliamentary rules and usages. Peter S. Kugler was chosen the first president, and Theodore P. Williams recording secretary. The society then formed itself into a legis- lative body, to be governed by the same rules that govern the State Senate of New Jersey. It is in a flourishing condition.


The "Union National Bank" organized in the spring of 1856, under the general banking law, as the " Union Bank of Frenchtown," but was subsequently chartered by the Legislature of New Jersey under the free banking law. The original capital stock was $100,000, with $85,000 paid up. The banking-house was located on Second Street, east of Harrison, and was burned in the great fire of June, 1878. The original directors were Henry S. Stover, Abraham Wyker, Tobias Worman, Rev. Mr. Carhart, Philip G. Reading, Samuel Eckel, Jonathan Pickel, Philip Hoff, and Henry Lott, who was elected president, and N. D. Williams cashier.


May 18, 1865, the bank reorganized under the gov- ernment banking system, with a capital of $113,350, and elected the following directors : Tobias Worman, Abraham Wyker, Oliver Worman, Baltus Pickel, Samuel Trimmer, Michael Uhler, Isaiah Quimby, Philip G. Reading, Henry Wood, Robert H. Housel, Hugh E. Warford, and David Rittenhouse. Mr. Lott remained president of the bank till his death, in 1873, when Philip G. Reading, the present president, was elected. Mr. Williams remained cashier until March 26, 1868, when he was succeeded by William Stover, who served till his death, Oct. 2, 1880. A. B. Haring


-113


FRENCHTOWN BOROUGH.


is the present cashier. The present directors are P. G. Reading, H, E. Warford, I. Brink, W. H. Mar- tin, J. M. Wilson, D. M. Mathew, W. H. Eckel, J. Williams, and Michael Uhler. They have a com- modious and substantial place of business in their new banking-house on Bridge Street.


The stockholders of the " Frenchtown Building and Loan Association" held their first annual meeting on Monday, Jan, 15, 1866. N. D. Williams was the first president, and Henry Lott treasurer. It was ex- preted that the business of the association would close in ten years, but it extended to thirteen.


The " Alexandria Delaware Bridge Company" is the corporate title of the bridge company at this place, which was incorporated by act of the Legisla- ture of New Jersey passed March 5, 1841. A simi- lar act was passed the same year by the Pennsylvania Legislature. The New Jersey commissioners were IIngh Capner, William Case, Sr., Lewis M. Prevost, Cornelius Hutf, Sr., and William L. King; those of Pennsylvania, Joseph M. Cowell, John M. Pursell, George Wyker, Henry S. Stover, Adam Barnets, and N. D. Williams. Mr. Williams is the only surviving commissioner.


The capital stock of the company was to be not less than $30,000, with a privilege of increasing it to $50,000. The shares were fixed at $50 each.


At the first meeting of the stockholders, Friday, April 22, 1842, Hugh Capner was elected president. July 22, 1842, Henry S. Stover, Joseph A. Holden, John Williams, and Lewis M. Prevost were appointed a building committee.


The bridge was completed in the carly part of 1844 at a cost of nearly $20,000.


The present board of officers are as follows: Presi- dent, Jacob Stover; Directors, James Williams, Levi Ruth, Moses Roberson, Ishmael Brink, John D. Hoff, and Runyon W. Bloom; Secretary and Treasurer, Bryan Hough.


FRENCHITOWN'S GREAT FIRE.


Early on the morning of June 29, 1878, a fire was discovered in the barn of Dr. E. K. Deemy, on Har- rison Street, and in less than two hours six dwelling- houses and twenty-one business firms were entirely burned out, causing a loss of over $50,000. The whole business portion of the village was in ashes. It was supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. Among the business places destroyed were the hub-


and spoke-mills, the Union National Bank, bret-hot- tom factory. American Hotel and barns, and the Frenchtown Press establishment. The Vigilant hand- engine, belonging to Frenchtown, was soon disabled, and assistance was rendered from Lambertville by Union Fire Company, under command of Chief En- gineer Clark.


The distance burned on Bridge Street was 2-10 feet ; along Warford's alley, 172 feet; on Second Street, 159 feet; from Second to Bridge Street, 299 feet. The burned district remains nnoccupied, except. the new brick building of the Union National Bank, on Bridge Street, and A. P. Williams' block of stores, corner of Bridge and Harrison Streets.


THE FIRE DEPARTMENT


of Frenchtown was organized Dee. 10, 1868, under the name of " Vigilant Fire Engine Company, No. 1." Silas S. Wright was president, G. L. Peer foreman. The Common Council had a short time previous pur- chased an engine for the use of the company.


In August, 1869, the company disbanded, and April 9, 1873, a new one was organized, with the following officers : President, Peter S. Kugler; Vice- President, Charles S. Joiner; Secretary, Albert P. Brink ; Treasurer, Albert P. Williams; Foreman, Garret L. Peer ; Directors, Silas S. Wright, Munson Baldwin, William V. Voorhees, Isaac 11. Wilgus: Engineer, Alfred Roberson. But in less than a year this company was numbered with the things of the past, since which time Frenchtown has been without a fire department, though one is much needed.


MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.


The New Jersey Spoke-Works, Fargo, Baldwin & Kachline; the bending-works of A. S. Haring, on Third Street ; the Vegetable Fibre Company (W. H. Staller superintendent); the Empire Spoke-Works (N. Shurtz & Co.), and telegraph pin-factory of W. II. Walrath, on Cemetery Street ; broom-manufactory of R. HI. Opdyke, and fanning-mill factory of R. L. Williams, on Kingwood Avenue; chair-factory of William Gordon, Sr., on Harrison Street ; carpet- manufacturer, H. M. Palmer ; sash-and-blind fac- tory, Robinson & Lyon, Cemetery Street ; and H. M. Palmer' and Charles Wright, respectively engaged in the manufacture of carpets and cigars. There are also the grist-mill of D. R. Worman and the saw-mill of Worman & Taylor.


ALEXANDRIA."


ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP was set off from Bethle- hem by the board of justices and freeholders of Hun- terdon County, March 5, 1765. It was named after James Alexander, who, Nov. 1, 1744, became possessed of 10,000 acres of land, lying mostly in this township, of the West Jersey Land Society's great tract. Be- fore Holland was set off, this township contained 31,095 acres; since then, 16,444 acres. The valua- tion of taxable property is rated at $925,770; popu- lation, 1324.


GEOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.


Alexandria lies in the northwestern part of the county. It is bounded northwest by the Musconet- cong Creek, which separates it from Warren County ; northeast by Bethlehem and Union townships ; south- east by Franklin and Kingwood townships; south- west and west by the Delaware River and Holland township.


The Musconetcong Mountain runs in a direction nearly northeast and southwest across the northern part; the southeastern section is nearly level; the surface of the remaining part is gently undulating, sloping slightly towards the southwest. The Wissa- hawkent Creek, a mill-stream, rises from several sources in the northeastern portion, runs in a south- erly direction, and empties into the Delawaret at Milford. The branches of the Hakeahawka? rise in the eastern part, run southwesterly through the cen- tral, and empty into the Delaware at Case's saw-mill. The Nississackaway || rises in the southeastern section, runs southwesterly, and empties into the Delaware at Frenchtown. Several branches of the head-waters of the Capolon, T a creek tributary to the South Branch of Raritan, also have their sources in the southeastern part, and pass out of the township at Pittstown. The


* By Henry Race, A.M., M.D.


+ Called Wickahawkin In Robort Emley's field-notes of a survey in 1747; Weschahaking in Allen and Turner's survey in 1749; Whitchaken in Faden's map, 1777; Whickahawkin in some early manuscripts; Hakiha- kake in Beers, Comstock and Clino's map; Hakiokake in Cornell's map; Quequacommissicong in Hughes' map, and also in n mannscript of 1770.


# The Delaware is called Zuydt, or South, River in Vischer's map, pub- lished nbout 1660, and in Daniel Leeds' survey of the Byerly tract, in 1710, South River or Fish Creek.


¿ Called Harikokake in Cook's map; Kakeahawcake in Hughos' map; Hakeuhawka in nearly all the early surveys and other manuscripts of colonial times in which it occurs.


" In the survey of the West Jersey Land Society's great tract, In 1711, it is callod Reshasackaway ; In Faden's map, 1777, Neshachackaway; in Cook's map, Nishisakawick ; in Beers, Comstock and Cline's map, Nichis- akawick ; and in Elisha Emley's field-notes, Neshasackawick.


[ Called Capooaulong in the survey of the West Jersey Society's tract, in 1711.


many rivulets which converge to form these beautiful streams meander through every neighborhood south of the Musconetcong .** They are mostly unfailing, and afford power for several mills.


Every part of the township is productive of wheat, rye, Indian corn, buckwheat, flax, the grasses, and root-crops. The red-shale soil is generally more fa- vorable to wheat, rye, and oats than to corn, buck- wheat, and other late summer crops.




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