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 113
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 113
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1764 .- Peter Miller's mark is a crop off of the near ear, aud a silt on the sun10.
1768 .- Joseph Bigger'e ear-mark is a " cropp in the near ear, and a half-penny on the under side of the off ear."
1771 .- Thomna Itoyes' ear-mark isa " cropp of eich ear, and Halfpenny in ounder said off the off ear."
1776 .- James Parker's ear-mark la n "sleet in the near ear, and cropp in tho off n brand in the near horn. J. P."
ENTRIES OF ESTRAYS.
Nov. 20, 1760, Inirfoot Brundson entors a stray bull of a "dun cul- lour, suposed to Be marked in the Near ear with a half Crop and half ponny nged three years suposed to Be." November 21st, John Harriss ontory a "stray muir, nbout ten years old, of a Bay collour, four whito feet as far as the knees joynt, Bauld face, glass oye, Whito each side of the Belly, with white Taill as far ns the Dock." December 18th, Her- bert Winegardner enters " one stray Hefer, two years old next spring, of n black colour, with a white face and two whito feet, markod with a Crop in the off var, and a Nick in the under side of the near ear." December 25th, forman Iltser enters a "stray Black Heifer with four white feel, a star in her forcheud, a little white on her Rump, with white Belly, a Crop and slit in the Near ear, and n Crop and n Slit in the off ear." De- cember 26th, " Henero Couns" enters "ono whito en with a Crop of the Neur eur, and n slit in the Crop."
Jan. 6, 1761, Hormon Rosenkrans enters a "sorril mnir with A White faco, Sono Saddle mark, Bobed taill, Natural Pacer, Hip Shot, heavy with Colt, better than fourtoen hands high, Neither Brand or eur Mark Reesonablo ; suposod to Be old ; hed a youk on."
The following is a list of the poor and to whom sold, as shown in the records of date of April 12, 1824:
Ilannalı Taylor to Elijah Piett. $35.00
Mary Bonward lo Samuel Derumple.
.1-1.75
Lenah Polce to Peter Bloom .. 32,50
John Lee to Himself .. 40.00
John Ilunt and wife to Lida Hunt .. 40,00
David Ponwell to Christopher Sropo 66.50
Sarah Miers to Hurself ... 52.00
Surah Robinson to Humelf. 24.00
"The committee of the Town Put In the Hands of Enoch Clifford, Overveor of the Poor, the Sum of $78.00; allso In the Ilanda of Lovi Met- ler, overseer of tho Poor, $50.00; Allen In the Hands of John Lake two dollars to Buy a Book for the use of said Township, $2.00.
" Amount of Sertificates of the overseers of the Roads for the year 1821 :
Mathias Aboi, overseer ... $00.00
William Young, overacor
Joseph Bird, overseer. 80.00
Morris Cramer, overseer. 45.00
Abraham Do Remer, overseer 45,00
Bonjandu H. Opdycko, overseer. 50.00 **
The record of the "old road from Hickory Tavern to South Branch of Raritan" is as follows :
" Whereas, There has beon application to us, the commissioners of Hunterdon and Sussex county, for relaying and regulating of a IIIgh Rond ; and whorens the romul leading from the Hickory Tavern, In Both- ichem, to the South Branch of Rarington, part of the same, now Being very Hilly and Inconvenlent for Travellers, Ra set forth in the Petltlon, and wo the snid Commissioners being mett on the action and huving Viewed the Ground, find the Same, in Our Judgement, to bo Inconve- nient. We therefore think fitt and Convenient to make the following alternlíon :
" Heginning at the Wooden Bridge, to the north west of Bowlsby Road; thence Easterly a straight course to Riggerses live; Thence Fast on the line to n llill By the Side of the Mendlow, giving allowance for the slant of the Hill; Thenco Crossing the Meadow, going on the firm Ground as
near the Line as the Ground will admit, Leaving Samoel Buckalow's house to the Southward: Theoce the Straighteat and Best Course to the North Side Joseph Bigger's field along an old Road ; Thence Easterly down the Ridge to an old field neur a Corner Tree and Line Dividiog the Land of Messrs. Stephens nud Parkor (now in the Tenner of John Fitzgerrel) & Land of Jonathan Robeson ; Thonce Through the same old field on the North side of a Fence Into tho Established Road on the So- ciety and Jonathan Robeson's Line. And we do horeby order the Same to bo Cleared Out & made Good, & wo do Disolvo and make Void that part of the old Road From tho Before mentioned Bridge to the placo where this present Relnyd Rond Intersect the old road at the said Society Lino, being nt a Black oak sapling. Givou under our hands this 8th day of May, 1756.
" ROBERT SHIELDS, PHIL GRANDIN,
" FRANCIS MCSHANE, DENIS WOLVERTON,
" ROBERT HARVEY, JOHN STEWART,
" CHRISTISON SHERP, PHILLIP SNTDER,
"JAMES MARTIN.
" A truo copy of the return (all but tho Dutch names) compared."
The road from Bloomsbury to Pittstown, a distance of ten miles, is a part of the old one known as " the King's Highway," and was originally the dividing line between Bethlehem and Alexandria townships, so far as it crosses Bethlehem. That small portion of Bethlehem west of this road was subsequently taken from Alexandria and added to Bethlehem. The road does not cross a stream between Bloomsbury and Pittstown, though there are many springs and creeks on either side of it.
The road from Bloomsbury to Little York was opened for travel in 1815.
SONS OF LIBERTY.
The following document deserves a place on the undying historie page :
" Al a Town-Meeting held at the house of David Reynolds, in the township of Bethlehem, on the IIth March, 1766, It was agreed and con- cluded upon thnt, agreeable to u request made by tho Sons of Liberty of Lower Hunterdon, that a number not exceeding threo men should be chosen in this Township, who should have full power to represent the inhabitants theroof, and meet their Brethren at the house of Juho RiD- goca, on this day sonnight, when the Town unanimously chose Mir. John Rockhill, David Reynolds, and Abraham Bonnell, who are hereby di- rected to meet the said Sons of Liberty nt Ringoes nforesald, and do and perform overy net and thing that will rodound to the honor of the Town and for the benefit of the Province in general ; and whereas it is abso- intoly necessary that the operation of all unconstitutional acts should be opposed, and In particular that worst of all nets called the Stamp Act, and in order to enable them thereto, the inhabitants of this town do promise their countenance and assistance on all occasions, over and besides pay- ing them all necessary expenses attending this meeting, nud all other meetings that may hereafter happen on this or the Ilke occasion.
" FRANCIS JICSHANE,
" Town Clerk."
CIVIL ORGANIZATION.
The organization of the township is supposed to have taken place nearly or quite as early as 1724, but no trace of the records (after a vigilant search) eau be found prior to 1763, although the old ones are known to have been in possession of some of the town clerks between 1830 and 1835. There seems to have been a defect in the laws of the State in relation to the preservation of records, and we believe the serious results arising therefrom have never as yet had the etl'eet of remedying the evil.
460
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
SETTLING ACCOUNTS BETWEEN BETHLEHEM AND ALEXANDRIA.
"We, the Commissioners of Bethlehem and Alexandria Townships, having met at the Hickory Tavern and settled the accounts depending before the division of Bethlehem, as may more at large appear on the op- posite side.
" Witnees our hands this 16th day of March, 1765.
" JOHN HACKETT,
JOHN SHIPPEY,
" JNO. EMLEY, JOHN COWAN,
" DAVID REYNOLDS, HENRY STOLL,
" ROBT. JOHNSTON,
BENJAMIN BRUNSON,
" JOHN ROCKHILL, EPHRAIM DRAKE."
The " opposite side" referred to above is an account with Joseph Beavers, one of the overseers of the poor for 1765, and reads as follows :
1765, March 16.
€
By cash paid Benjamin Opdycke and John Du- 8. d.
senberry after the division of Bethlehem ..... 28 18 11
By cash paid William Silverthoru, one of the overeeers of Bethlehem ... 11 3 7
By John Baker's note of hand delivered to Ben- jamio Opdycke, one of the overseers of Alexandria .. 5 ...
45 2 6
Ballauce remaining io the haude of Joseph Bea-
vere, and due the overseers of Alexandria ... 54 8 3
£99 10 9
TOWNSHIP DIVIDED.
At a meeting of the township committee, held Feb. 10, 1877, Peter S. Henry, Mathias H. Case, and Charles Opdyke were appointed a committee to estab- lish a line from the Musconetcong River southerly across the township, so as to divide it into two electiou districts. The following is a copy of the record of the committee's doings in the premises :
"Line beginning at the corner of the farm of William H. Drake, on the Mueconetcong River, following bie farm-line adjoining the farm of Mrs. Samuel Creveliog in a southeast direction to the public highway that leade from Asbury village to Bethlehem village; then along said highway a southwest direction, under the Central Railroad Culvert, to a road near James Groves ; from there a southeast direction up the moun- tain road to a tree in the forke of the road along the lande of Martin Wykoff; from there across the lands of Martin Wykoff a southweet di- rection on to the lande of George HInbbs, near a ledge of rocks known as the ' White Cat Rocke,' leaving George Hubbe in the western division and the Rocke io the eastern division of the township; from there acrose a lot of mining-grounde near a stone honse, leaving the house in the easteru division; and from there across a lot of growings belonging to the Easton aud Amboy Railroad to the lande of William Martin, acrose his said lands to a stake in the public highway, and in the line of Union township."
The following is a list of the principal township officers from 1763 to 1880, inclusive :
CLERKS.
1763-64, John Farneworth ; 1765-90, Francie McShane ; 1785, Alhert Op- dycke;# 1791-04, 1796-1802, Jacob Andereoo, Esq .; 1795, 1803-21, Geo. Garrison; 1822-34, John Lake; 1835, John Blane; 1836, 1838-41, William Egbert; 1837, Acher S. Housel; 1842-52, John II. Case; 1853. Sylvester II. Smith: ; 1854-56, William Tinsman ; 1857-58, David Chamberlin; 1859-62, Joseph B. Cornish ; 1863-64, Andrew J. Mc- Crea; 1865-66, John C. Reeves; 1867, Joseph S. Smith; 1868-73, Henry M. Vliet; 1874-79, Charles Opdyke; 1880, D. S. Stute.
CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.
1763, Samuel Everitt, James Henderson; 1764, Henry Stull, Benjamin Opdycke; 1765, John Shippey, Daniel Dunham; 1766, Cornelius Ao-
derson, Daniel Dunham; 1767, John Crawford, Daniel Dunham; 1768-69, Thomas Lake, Francis Lock ; 1770, Robert Johneton, Ahram Boanel; 1771, James Baird, Thomas Lake; 1772, James Beird, Hugh McCalnster; 1773, William Robbins, Daniel Dunham; 1774-75, Wil- liam Robbins, Thomas Bowleby ; 1776, Cornelius Carhart, John Dueen- bury ; 1777, Capt. James Baird, Capt. Daniel Vliet ; 1778, Aaron Wat- son, John Crawford ; 1779, Abrahaor Boquel, Benjamin Opdyke; 1780, Aaron Watson, Capt. Cornelies Carhart; 1781, Benjamin Opdyke, Abraham Bonnel; 1782-83, Peter Kes, Elias Wyckoff ; 1784, Elias Wyckoff, Garret Couehonen (or Covenhoven); 1785, Elias Wyckoff, Thomas Bowlshy; 1786, Jacob Cuek, Daniel Vliet; 1787-88, Elias Wasakall, Esq., Joseph Luis; 1789, Peter Kes, John Crawford; 1790, Peter Case, Joha Crawford ; 1791-95, Daniel Vliet, Col. Abram Bounel; 1796-97, Col. Abram Bounel, Samuel Large; 1798-1800, Col. Clement Boonel, Emley Drake.
The freeholders from 1800-80 may be found on pages 262, 263 of this work.
TOWN COMMITTEE.
1763, John Hackett, Benjamin Opdycke, Thomas Lake, William Vanese, David Reynolds, Jemes Henderson ; 1764, John Duseaberry, Benjamin Opdycke, William Van Est, David Reyoolde, Thomas Lake, Robert Shields ; 1765, Col. Hacket, Thomas Lake, Robert Johnston, John Rockhill, David Reynolds, John Shippey ; 1766, Thomas Lake, Corne- lins Anderson, John Rockhill, David Reynolds; 1767, Thomas Lake, David Reynolds, Cornelius Anderson, Abraham Bounel, James Baird; 1768, Daniel Fleet, James Baird, Francis Lock ; 1769, John Rockhill, Esq., James Baird, Daniel Fleet, Francie Lock, Abraham Bonel ; 1770, James Baird, John Bassett, Robert Reynolds, Abraham Bon- nel, Cornelius Carhart, Joseph Hageman; 1771, James Baird, Fran- cie Lock, Aaron Watson, Joseph Hageman, George Lacey ; 1772, John Rockhill, Esq., Abrahami Cline, Francis Lock, James Baird, Thomas Bowlsby ; 1773, John Rockhill, Eeq., Francis Lock, Hngh McCalester, Robert Little, George Lacey ; 1774, Abram Bonuel, Cornelius Carhart, Aaron Watson, Abraham Leach, Garret Albertson; 1775, John Ruckel, Esq., Cornealis Carhart, Aaron Watson, Garret Albertson, Abr. Lake, Abr. Bonnel; 1776, Daniel Vliet, Benjamin Van Kirk, John Dusen- bury, Mashie Hall, Francis McShane; 1777, Capt. James Baird, Aron Watson, Col. Abraham Bonnel; 1778, Abraham Bonnel, Aaron Wat- son, Garret Alberteon ; 1779, Capt. Daniel Vliet, Benjamin Opdycke, George Barton ; 1780, Benjamin Opdycke, Capt. Daniel Vliet, George Barton; 1781-82, Benjamin Opdycke, Machie IIull, Abraham Bonnel; 1783-84, Col. Abraham Bonnel, Machie Hnll, Albert Opdyck ; 1785, Daniel Vliet, Ephraim Smith, Albert Opdycke; 1786-87, Col. Charles Stewart, Daniel Vliet, Thomas Bowlby; 1788-94, ao township com- mittee recorded; 1795, Abraham Bonnel, Elias Wyckoff, Benjamin Opdycke; 1796-97, no township committee recorded ; 1798-99, Luther Colvia, Samuel Large, Jacob Cook, Aaron Venetor, John Rockhill; 1800, Luthor Colvin, Jacob Anderson, Jacob Cook, Aaron Venata, Joba Rockhill ; 1801-2, Samuel Large, Jacob Cook, Aaron Venata, Luther Colvin, Aaron Vansyckle ; 1803-5, Garret Covenhoven, Rich- ard Lacey, Sr., Henry Staats, John Clifford, Aaron Vansyckle : 1806-7, Benjamin Egbert, Richard Lacey, Henry Staats, John Clifford, Aaron Vaneyckle; 1808-9, Benjamin Egbert, Richard Lacey, George Gano, Philip Johnston, Aaron Vansyckle; 1810, Henry Staats, Richard Leary, William Nixon, Philip Johnston, Aaron Vaneyckle; 1811, Ilenry Staats, William Robertson, William Nixoo, Philip Jolinston, Aaron Vansyckle; 1812, Henry Staats, Jamee Dunham, William Nixon, George Maxwell, Aaron Vansyckle; 1813-14, Henry Staats, Philip Jolinson, William Nixon, Baltus Stiger, Aaron Vansyckle; 1815-17, Cornelius Carhart, Edward Henderson, William Nixon, Aaron Vaneyckle, Baltus Stiger; 1818, Corneline Carhart, Edward Henderson, John Vansyckle, Baltus Stiger, Aaron Vaneyckle; 1819, Corneliue Carhart, Ebenezer Stilson, John Vansycle, Baltne Stiger, Aaron Van Syckle; 1820, William Counover, E. Stileon, Georgo Gano, Baltue Stiger, Jacob Seagler ; 1821, Adam Stiger, George Gano, Baltus Stiger, Charles Carhart, Ebenezer Stileon ; 1822, Adam Stiger, George Gano, Joseph Bird, Charlee Carhart, Jolin Rhinchart; 1823, Adam Stiger, George Gano, Charlee Carhart, Joseph Bird, Alexander Rea; 1824, Adam Stiger, George Gano, As& O. Dunham, Joseph Bird, Alex- ander Ren ; 1825, Enoch Clifford, George Gano, A. C. Dunham, Joseph Bird, Robinson Rockhill; 1826-27, Enoch Clifford, A. C. Dunham, Alexander Rea, George Gano, Robinson Rockhill; 1828, George Gano, Enoch Clifford, Robinson Rockhill, Jolin Rinehart, Jr , Alexan- der Rea; 1820, John Rinehart, Jr., Benjamin Egbert, Robinson Rock-
* Early eo spelled ; later spelled Opdyke. The samo change in orthog- raphy will be noticed in many other names. No two town clerks spelled these names allke, and it le difficult to reconcile their vagarice In this particular.
461
BETHLEHEM.
hill, Philip Johnston, Enoch Clifford; 1830, Enoch Clifford, Joho Rinehart, Jr., Aaron Vaosycklo, John Sropa, D. H. Aoderson ; 1831, Eooch Clifford, Jolin Riachart, Jr., D. HI. Anderson, Sutphin Garrison, John Srope; 1832, Philip Johnston, William Conover, John Srope, Samuel Leigh, Jr., Jacob A Rinehart; 1833, Phillip Johnstoo, A. V. Bonnell, Samnel Leigh, Jr., Joha Blaan, 3I.D., Joho Rinehart, Jr. ; 1834, A. V. Bonnell, Philip Johnston, John Rinehart, Jr., John Blano, MI.D., Jacob A. Rinchart; 1825, A. V. Bonnell, Jo- soph Exton, William Egbert, John Lako, Benjamin II. Opdycke; 1836, A. V. nonnell, B. IT. Opdycke, Joseph Exton, Joseph Smith, James Bird; 1837, Azorinh W. Dunham, B. II. Opdycke, William Egbert, James Bird, Samnel Humilton; 1838, William Boanell, A. V. Bonnell, William Taylor, Peter Mechling, Jonathan Robbins; 1839, William Bonnell, A. V. Bonnell, P. Mechling, Jonathan Rob- bins, Samuel Hamilton ; 1840, William Emery, Samuel Hamilton, A. V. Bonnell, P. Mechling, J. Robbins; 1841, David Chamberlin, Andrew Miller, A. V. Bonnell, Moses Farrow, John Ringhurt, Jr. ; 1812, George W. llen, A. Miller, A. V. Bonnel, John Rinehart, Jr., Moses Farrow; 1843, I. N. Terwilliger, Charles G. Wilson, John Rinehart, Jr., Moses Farrow, Andrew Miller; 1844, Enoch Abal, Samuel Carhart, J. Rinehart, Jr., J. A. Rinehart, Andrew Miller ; 1845, Win. Bonnell, S. Carhart, J. Binchart, Jr., J. A. Binchart, A. Miller ; 1846-17, R. Rockhill, W. Tlusman, S. Carhart, J. Robbins, J. RIno- hart, Jr .; 1818, R. Rockhill, S. Carhart, Dr. J. Blanc, J. Rinchart, Esq., W. Tinsioon; 18-19, Peter Bodine, Joho Blade, John C. Wone, W. Tinsman, R. Rockhill; 1850, P. Bodine, John Binne, William Maxwell, W. Tinsman, R. Rockhill; 1851, P. Bodine, Poter Melick, W. Bonnell, W. Tinsman, John Shafer ; 1852, P. Bodine, P. Mellek, W. J. Fishboughi, W. Tinsman, J. Shinfor ; 1×53, George G. Lunger, John Rinehart, William J. Fishbongh, Andrew Miller, John Shafer; 1851-55, Joseph Anderson, J. Rinehart, Sylvester 11. Smith, A. Mil- lor, William S. Welch : 1856-57, John Shafor, David Hoffman, James Bird, John C. Wene, Theodore Gardner; 1858, Peter Rinehart, Wil- liam S. Gardner, James J. Willover, J. C. Wone, M. Farrow; 1×50, M. Farrow, P. Rinehart, J. J. Willover, W. S. Gardner, John Hackat ; 1860-61, Davld Chamberlio, George Juster, Joseph Boss, William Bowlby, W. S. Gardner; 1862-63, George G. Lunger, Thomas Young, W. H1. Drake, Ebenezer Wolverton, James Bird; 1864, Williams Il. Drake, G. G. Lunger, J. Bird, John C. Reaves, Thomas Young; 1865, W. H. Drake, G. G. Lunger, J. Bird, Mathias H1. Caso, Goo. F. Shirts ; 1866, W. IT. Drake, J. C. Lake, J. Bird, M. II. Case, G. F. Shorts ; 1867-68, John L. Weno, John C. Lake, Jacob Hacket, MI. II. Case, G. F. Shurts ; 1860, J. L. Wona, J. Hacket, George Baco, T. Young, John R. Smith; 1870, J. L. Wone, J. Hacket, G. Ruce, Thomas Young, Stonta N. Park ; 1871-72, T. Young, S. N. Park, G. Race, W. W. Swonzy, John Miller; 1873, T. Young, G. Race, W. W. Swoazy, Danial Bloom, William S. Walch ; 1874, T. Young, W. S. Welch, G. Raco, W. W. Sweazy, Joseph B. Boss; 1875, Joho Stute, G. Nace, J. 1. Boss, A. J. Rakes, Poter L. Henry ; 1876, A. J. Reoves, John Stute, J. B. Boss, P. S. Henry, MI. HI. Caso ; 1857, A. J. Reeves, J. Stuto, P. S. Henry, M. II. Case, Charles Alpaugh ; 1878, A. J. Reeves, C. Alpuugh, N. 11. Hoft, M. H. Case, Godfrey C. Lott ; 1879, G. C. Lott, N. 11. Ileft, Thomas T. Huffman; 1880, G. C. Lott. T. T. Huffman, Henry M. VHIat.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
BLOOMSBURY is located on the left bank of the Musconetrong Creek, in the northwest part of the township. The name is derived from the Bloom fam- ily, who were influential here in the early history of the place, and are at present represented in other lo- calities. It was previously known as "Johnson's Iron-Works," from Robert Johnson's furnace, which was on the Warren County side of the creek, near where the old charcoal-house now stands. Johnson carried on business here as early as 1750. The ore was carted from the south side of the Museonetcong Mountain and made into what is known as "blooms," and some entertain the idea the name (Bloomsbury) originated from this.
The village is beautifully situated at the foot of the Musconetcong Mountains, at the lower end of the
valley. A small part lies upon the north side of the creek, in Warren County.
The site of the village was owned as early as 1810 by George Beidleman, of Easton. His son William lived here, having charge of the estate, and the prop- erty became his by heirship. His house was on the corner of Bridge Street and Little York Road, where Henry Gardner's residence now stands. Mr. Beidle- man died here about 1838. His widow still lives in the village.
The next owner of the Bloomsbury property was Henry Jones. He was a distiller, and built a still- house on the site now occupied by Huffman's saw- mill, below the grist-mill. This was the pioneer dis- tillery. He died about 1828. Ile lived in the yellow house where Theodore Melick now resides. Ilis widow in 1832 built the house where Widow Beidle- man now lives.
As late as 1832 the land now occupied by Blooms- bury was a farm, and there were but five houses on the Bethlehem side of the creek : the old log house that stood where the brick store now is ; the old Bei- dleman house, on the corner where Gardner's house stands; the old yellow house, down the York Road; and the two log houses of John L. and Bartholomew Lott. These are all standing except the first named. This was kept for several years as a tavern by Charles Tomlinson, and was the first on the south side of the creek. Besides it, Esq. Cougle kept in 1835 in an old house on the site occupied by the north end of the " Bloomsbury House." This was afterwards kept by James Smith, also by Doran Metler. The present hotel was built in 1874 by William G. Jones, now proprietor.
The pioneer blacksmith-shop was that of Bartholo- mew Lott, on the Little York Road, near where Mrs. Hart now lives.
The first wheelwright new remembered was Wil- liam Britton, where the marble-yard shop now stands.
The pioneer post-oflice was on the Warren County side of the river, in the old tavern where W. J. Smith's stone house new stands. From there it was removed to the south side and kept in the then new briek store, and from thence to the store now kept by William Fulmer, where John Carter was postmaster, with Sloan Carter as deputy. Up to this time the muils were brought from Milford on foot, but by whom we were unable to ascertain. The present postmaster is George Scott.
The village contains two churches, two railroad depets, a school-house, a drug-store, a lumber- and coal-yard, a hardware-store, a marble-yard, the Bloomsbury National Bank, Odd - Fellows' Hall, one hotel, a grist- and flouring-mill, two saw-mills (one water and one steam), three general dry-goods and grocery-stores, a grocery- and provision-store, a boot- and shoe-store, and a dozen or more shops en- bracing the varions trades.
SOUTH ASBURY is that portion of Asbury village
462
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
lying on the south side of Musconetcong Creek ; it is five miles east from Bloomsbury.
Asbury was originally called Hall's Mills. At the Revolutionary period there were only two buildings, -a grist-mill, on the north side of the Musconetcong Creek, and a dwelling, on the site of what was after- wards Van Antwerp's mill.
In 1786, Col. William McCullough united with the Methodist Society, and through his influence the society, in 1800, built a small church, the corner- stone of which was laid by the late Bishop Asbury. About this time the bishop's name was given to the hamlet, which it has ever since borne.
CHARLESTOWN is two miles south of Junction, at the head-waters of the Monselaughaway Creek. It has a school-house (No. 16), a blacksmith- and wheel- wright-shop, and about a dozen dwellings.
POLKTOWN (named in honor of the late President James K. Polk) is situated in the mountains of the southeast corner of the township, and contains ten or twelve dwellings.
BETHLEHEM, or WEST END, is located near the eentre of the township, on the banks of Bethlehem Creek, half a mile south of Valley Station, on the New Jersey Central Railroad. Bethlehem station is on the Easton and Amboy division of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Its early settlement reaches far back beyond the time when the hamlet was called " Jugtown," by which title it is best known. For nearly seventy-five years "Jugtown" has been noted for the conviviality of its inhabitants. It was a rest- ing-place for the travelers and teamsters.
The pioneer tavern, as near as can be ascertained, stood on the upper side of the road, opposite the pres- ent hotel, and was kept by Jacob Smith as early as 1815. The first store was by Joseph Cornish, in 1825, on the Asbury road. The property is now owned by the West End Iron Company, and the old store is used by them as an office. At present there are a tavern, saw-mill, blacksmith- and wagon-shop, grist- mill, two stores, a carpet-weaver, tailor, and milliner, and two churches, Methodist Episcopal and Roman Catholic. The west end of the Easton and Amboy Railroad tunnel is at this place; here also are located the mines belonging to the West End Iron Company, the principal husiness of the laboring class being mining.
Jan. 1, 1880, the name of the post-office was changed from Bethlehem to " West End," to correspond with the name of the iron company. William S. Welch is postmaster, and the office is kept in the store attached to the grist-mill of Sylvester HI. Smith, Esq.
JUNCTION is situated on the cast line of the town- ship, and the station for the two railroads, the hotels, the post-office, and most of the business are in Lebanon township .*
SCHOOLS.
According to the report of R. S. Swackhamer, county superintendent of schools for 1880, there are six school districts in this township: Bloomsbury, 12; Bethlehem, 13; South Asbury, 14; Charlestown, 16; Mountain View, 17; Hickory, 18. There are also parts of Disiricts 9 and 10 of Lebanon township and parts of Districts 48 and 49 of Union township running over into this township. The trustees for 1880 were as follows :
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