History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 114

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 114
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 114

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No. 12, Valentine Young, Jerome Rappleyea, and James Apgar; No. 13, John Creveling, Charles Opdyke, and Alfred G. Smith ; No. 14, J. H. Martin, David Bowlby, and John Huffman ; No. 16, A. L. Shrope, Tunie Stiner, and Erwin Lake; No. 17, Jacob Hackett, Thomas Barris, and Johu L. Wene; No. 18, J. T. Conover, J. J. Thorp, and George Race.

The district clerks and money apportioned for 1880 are as follows :

No. 12, Valentine Young, $716.87; No. 13, John Creveling, $398.26; No. 14, J. H. Martin, $330.44 ; No. 16, A. L. Shrope, $313.84 ; No. 17, Ja- coh Hackett, $315.68; No. 18, Albert Myers, $322.45.

The children of school age in the several districts for the same year were: No. 12, 234; No. 13, 130; No. 14, 99; No. 16, 45; No. 17, 51; No. 18, 73.

CHURCHES. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BLOOMSBURY,

was originally an appointment on the Asbury charge, and was connected with the Asbury Church until 1858, when Rev. Benjamin Coleman was sent to this place by the presiding elder, and the connection be- tween the two places was severed. Our researches lead us to the conclusion that the first Methodist preaching in Bloomsbury occurred fifty-nine or sixty years ago, as a circuit-preacher (probably Rev. Seeley Bloomer) visited the place iu 1821 and preached in John Pippinger's house, where Samuel Stamets now lives. Rev. Samuel Hull and Rev. Jacob Hevener preached in the village occasionally about this time. Rev. Seeley Bloomer is known to have preached at Daniel Stire's residence, then standing near the Cen- tral Railroad arch. Willever's and Stires' houses became the licadquarters of the Methodist preachers when in this place.

In 1835 a suitable place for public service was pur- chased. It was the property now owned by Joseph B. Boss, and occupied as a double dwelling, near the corner north of the church .; A Rev. Mr. Chattels preached the dedicatory sermon ; he was appointed to this circuit about 1839.

Henry Willever and Daniel Stires were among the carly members, and contributed largely to the estab- lishment of the infant church. When Mr. Willever died, in 1841, he bequeathed $400 to the society, with which to refit the wheelwright-shop and adapt it to church purposes. While this was being done Rev. Mr. Page and his colaborer, Rev. J. P. Daly, preached in the school-house.

* The reader is referred to the history of Lebanon, in thie work, for a more complete account of Junction village.

+ It was originally a cabinot-shop belonging to a Mr. Ielsman, and later a whoclwright-shop.

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BETHLEHEM.

At length the edifice again showed signs of deeay, and during the pastorate of Rev. William E. Blakeslee was commenced the movement which resulted in the building of the present neat and tasteful temple, whose foundation-stone bears the inscription "1860." The building is of wood, 38 by 60 feet, with stone basement, and is situated south of the old church. It is painted a light drab, with brown trimmings, and is surmounted with a graceful spire, in which is hung a pleasant-toned bell. The cost of the new church was $6000. Nov. 18, 1874, it was formally reopened by Prof. H. A. Buttz, of Drew Theological Seminary, assisted by Rev. W. E. Blakeslee.

After the new church was erected the old one was used for a parsonage till 1870, when the present one on Main Street was completed, during the pastorate of Rev. W. C. Nelson. It cost $3000.

The first board of trustees were Henry Willever, Joseph Smith, James Martin, Jacob Stoll, and Daniel Stires. One of the first class-leaders was Robert Smith ; he afterwards became a local preacher, and his first sermon was preached in the long frame build- ing opposite the present residence of Mrs. Zerviah Stires. Ile was one of the five original members, the others being Daniel Stires, Henry Willever, and their wives.

The preachers, as near as can be ascertained, who have officiated are Revs. Richard Lanning, Secley Bloomer, Manning Force (presiding elder and a powerful preacher), and George Banghart. Rev. Abram Carhart was the first preacher on this circuit after the old church was bought, for he came in the spring of 1835. In 1840, Rev. Charles F. Deems, D.D., then a young man, came to Bloomsbury and traveled this circuit for one year. The preachers since 1835 have been as follows :

1835, Abram Carhart, Benjamin Reed; 1836, Abram Carhart : 1837, James

M. Tuttle; 1838, William E. l'erry ; 1839, - Chattles; 1:40, George Danghart, Charles F. Dooms ; 1841, Goorgo Hitchens, Jacob Hovener; 18.12, George Hitchens, Samuel E. Post ; 1×43, Abram Owen, Richard Vanhorno; 1844, Abram Owen; 1845, Edward l'age, Jonathan T. Crane, Jncob P. Daly, M. Stokes; 1816, Edward Inge, Georgo Banghurt, Jacob P. Daly ; 1817, George Banghart, John Fort, E. San- dors, Ellinwood Rutherford, John K. Burr; 1548, Benjamin Kolly, John Fort; 1849, Benjamin Kelly, Thomas S. Dederick; 1850, George Winsor, R. B. Lockwood ; 1851, George Winsor, Isaac Trot- for ; 1862-53, Inunc Cross, William Copp, William H. Dickerson ; 183-1, Thomas Rawlings, O. Badgeley; 1855, Oliver Badgeloy ; 1856-57, Thomas Walters ; 1858, Jacob P. Daly : 1859-60, William E. Blakes- loo; 1861-62, Charles Walton ; 1863, John F. Dodd ; 1861-65, William HI. Haggerty; 1866-67, John B. Taylor; 1868-60, William 11. Mlc- Cormick ; 1870-72, Willum C. Nelson ; 1873-75, Joseph W. Dally ; 1876-78, - Ruth; 1879-80, S. D. Doolittle.

Present officers: Trustees, William B. Housel, William A. Schooley, James J. Willever, David P. Cline, Farley C. Parker, Peter Hoppock, James Schooley; Stewards, James J. Willever, Joseph B. Boss, Frank P. Young, James Schooley, Calvin H. Rugg. Present membership, 200; value of property, $7500.

The Sunday-school was organized in 1836 by Thomas Hilton, with only 12 scholars. From this small beginning the school has grown to its present size,-165 scholars, with an average attendance of 125. The officers of the school are: Superintendent, Frank H. Young; Assistant, Calvin H. Rugg; Secre- tary, William A. Schooley.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WEST END.

West End Iron-Mines was originally one of the preaching-places on the old Asbury Circuit, which embraced several counties in its territory. Service was held at Joseph Smith's house, which was one of the many "Methodist taverns," as they were latterly called. Mr. Smith lived where his son Robert now resides. Fifty years ago he was a class-leader, and William R. Smith was also class-leader, exhorter, and local preacher. Coonrad Swayze, Abram Housel, Moses Farrow, David Chamberlain, Robert Smith, John Hoppoek, Henry Staats, and Asher Smith, to- gether with their families, were among the members of the class at that tinic.

In 1849 the society built the present house of wor- ship, at a cost of $800, and April 9, 1850, it was dedi- cated by Rev. Joseph Ashbrook, assisted by Rev. Benjamin Kelly, pastor in charge of the circuit. In 1876 it was remodeled and repaired at a cost of $800. The preachers of the Asbury Church have served this, as it is still connected with that church as a charge. The church is valued at $1000, and the membership numbers 40.

There is a flourishing Sunday-school connected with this society, superintended by Rev. Harris and Mr. Mathias Case, with an average attendance of 60.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI, BLOOMSBURY.t

This church is a daughter of the old Greenwich Church, in Warren County. It is situated in the vil- lage of Bloomsbury, just where the New Brunswick turnpike crosses the Museonetcong River into Hun- terdon.

The need of a Presbyterian Church at this point was occasioned by the impetus which the village re- ceived from the extension of the railroad through the Musconeteong Valley to Easton, So great was the increase of population and resources at this point, that it was felt to be a question of necessity that a congregation should be organized and a church edifice erected in the locality to accommodate the forty or more Presbyterians who were residents of the village and its immediate vicinity. The question received a practical solution when, on Sept. 1, 1857, the friends of the enterprise founded the church. A subscription was started for the erection of a building, and soon over $1000 were pledged.

A petition signed by 129 persons was presented to the Newton Presbytery at its meeting. Oct. 6, 1857, by William J. Smith and John T. Bird. The request

* In 1858 the Bloomsbury Church was separated from Asbury, with a young preacher, Nathan Coleman, as a supply until the Conference of 1:59.

t By Rev. John C. Clyde, A.M., pastor.

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was granted, and the following committee was ap- pointed to organize the church : Revs. Hugh N. Wil- son, D.D., J. Arndt, Riley, George C. Bush ; Ruling Elders, Peter Winter, of Harmony, Adam R. Reese, of Phillipsburg, and Philip Mutchler, of Asbury. The committee convened in the Methodist Episcopal church of Bloomsbury, on October 29th of that year, and attended to the duties of their appointment. The following persons joined in the organization :

John T. Bird, William J. Smith, Sarah E. Smith, John R. Smith, Sarah C. Smith, Mary Hulsizer, Nancy Mitchell, Lydia Cochran, Sarah Steiner, Margaret Hance, Thomas Young, Rebecca Aun Young, John Hance, Catharine Hance, Jane R. Smith, Annie Parker, Abra- ham Hance, Susan Honsel, Susan McPherson, Penelope McPherson, Deborah Young, Peter Hart, Mary Hart, Annie Creveling, Henry Gardner, Elizabeth Gardner, Henry R. Kennedy, Elizabeth L. Ken- nedy, Miriam Kay Kennedy, David F. Wean, Absalom James, Robert I. Smith, Mary H. Smith, William S. Gardner, Rachel Tineman, Jo- eeph C. Smith, James Bird, Mary Bird, Emily A. Hulsizer, Abraham W. Smith, William S. Huleizer, and William Tinsman,-forty-two in all, among whom were twenty-six heade of families.

James Bird, Henry R. Kennedy, William J. Smith, and William Tinsman were elected ruling elders. Nov. 10, 1857, William S. Hulsizer, John T. Bird, and John Hance were elected deacons, and William S. Gardner, Abraham Hance, and Joseph W. Willever trustees, who, under date of Nov. 16, 1857, signed and sealed their declaration of the corporate existence of the "First Presbyterian Church of Bloomsbury."* Adam D. Runkle donated a suitable piece of land on which to erect a house of worship, deeding the same Nov. 19, 1857.

March 6, 1858, Mr. William E. Westervelt, a licen- tiate of the Presbytery of Passaic, was elected the first pastor. He was ordained and installed April 15th. His pastoral relations continued until July 2, 1861, during which there were 41 additions to the church.

To the lot of ground donated by Mr. Runkle an adjoining tract was added by purchase in 1858, and a commodious structure, 44 by 66 feet, was erected without delay. It was of frame, neatly finished and furnished, with a seating capacity for 700 persons. Galleries extended around three sides of the room. It was dedicated Oct. 14, 1858, the sermon being preached by Rev. David X. Junkin, D.D.

Joseph S. Van Dyke, a licentiate of the Presby- tery of Elizabethtown, was elected the second pastor. October 10th, he preached his ordination sermon, and was installed over the church.

In the fall of 1861 this church, with others, was transferred from the Presbytery of Newton to that of Raritan.

May 4th the pastoral relation between Mr. Van Dyke and the congregation was dissolved. During his pastorate 118 persons had been received into the membership.

April 14, 1866, Henry V. Brittain was elected elder, and Charles E. Williamson and Moses Robbins dea- cons.

July 17, 1869, Rev. H. B. Scott was called, and in that year a commodious parsonage, 22 by 59 feet, was built. During Mr. Scott's pastorate, in 1876, an addi- tional elder, Moses Robbins, was elected, and 142 persons were admitted to the church.

In 1870 this church was again assigned to the Pres- bytery of Newton, and its name was placed on the roll of that Presbytery on June 22d.

The " Louisa F. Kennedy Fund" was established in 1878 for the relief of the needy in the congrega- tion.

Rev. John C. Clyde succeeded Mr. Scott. He com- menced his ministry July 1st. The installation took place Oct. 14, 1879. Mr. Clyde still continues in the pastorate, Jan. 1, 1881.

THE MUSCONETCONG VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.+

Pursuant to public notice, a number of persons con- nected with the Mansfield congregation, and residing in the Musconetcong Valley, met at the New Hampton school-house, Dec. 24, 1836, to consider the propriety of organizing a separate church. It was thought best to first express good feeling towards those living in the Pohatcong Valley, and, with a view of uniting the parties, to propose erecting a new church at or near the site of the old one,-that is, near the Mansfield graveyard. Samuel Drake and Richard Rounsavel were appointed a committee to meet the other party at Mansfield church, Jan. 5, 1837.

The committee reported, at an adjourned meeting at New Hampton, Jan. 7, 1837, that the proposition to rebuild on the old site had failed, as the decision had been made to remove the Mansfield church to Washington. On receiving this report it was resolved to build a Presbyterian church between the villages of Asbury and New Hampton.

A meeting was held February 4th, at which seven trustees were elected : Thomas G. Stewart, William Creveling, Richard Rounsavel, Joseph Cornish, Cor- nelius Stewart, John Lake, and Joseph Bowlby. Richard Riddle was chosen treasurer, and Cornelius Stewart secretary. The same meeting decided on location by a majority vote, and also adopted the name of the new church, as well as a plan for the building.

Application was made to the Presbytery of Newton, in session at German Valley, in April, 1837, for or- ganization into a church. The request was granted, and the Revs. William B. Sloan, Jacob R. Castner, and D. X. Junkin were appointed a committee for that purpose. June 13, 1837, the committee met at the place selected for the church and performed the , duty assigned them. On the same day Frederick Lunger and Richard Riddle were chosen and ordained to the office of ruling elder.

Meetings for worship continued to be held during the summer on the ground selected for the church,

* Recorded, November 17th, in the Hunterdon County records, where it may be found, Special Deeds Folio, vol. Iii. pp. 376, 377.

¡ By the pastor, Rev. J. B. Kugler.

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BETHLEHEM.

and were supplied by members of the Presbytery. The congregation entered the new building in Sep- tember, though it was not yet completed.

A call was made to the Rev. John McNair, and Nov. 15, 1837, he was installed. At the same time Joseph Carter, Samuel M. Harris, Thomas G. Stew- art, and Christian Van Nortwiek were chosen to the office of ruling elder. Dec. 21, 1840, Dr. John Gray, of Easton, being moderator, Samuel Drake, William Creveling, Christian Van Nortwiek, and Isaac M. Carpenter were elected elders.

Rev. James Lewers, of the Presbytery of South Carolina, became the next pastor, in 1841, contin- uing until May, 1860,-a little more than nineteen years. Feb. 2, 1850, Robert Simonton, George Smyth, Abram Apgar, and Philip Muchler were chosen ruling elders.

Sept. 15, 1860, a call was given to the Rev. Alfred Ycomans, and Dec. 20th he was ordained and in- stalled. Oct. 10, 1860, 26 persons were, at their own request, dismissed, to be organized into a separate church at Asbury. Dec. 30, 1860, Joseph Cornish, l'aul Marlatt, and John Mackey were chosen ruling elders. During the pastorate of Mr. Yeomans the comfortable parsonage was built.

Oct. 16, 1865, Rev. John B. Kugler, of Strasburg, Lancaster Co., Pa., was elected pastor, and continues in that position at the present time, Feb. 12, 1881. June 12, 1868, John B. Lunger was chosen to the office of ruling elder and duly installed ; and Jan. 28, 1872, John W. Fritts, Elijah G. Riddle, and Joseph Garrison were elected, and duly ordained and in- stalled to the same office.

Present membership, 175; value of property, $10,000.

CEMETERIES.

There are but five burial-places in this township,- two at Bloomsbury, one near West End, one at the Presbyterian church near Junction village, and one in the Baptist churchyard in Junction village.

The following inscriptions from a few of the tomb- stones are given : ·

Methodist Episcopal, at Bloomsbury : Bartholomew Lott, died April. 11, 1865, aged eighty ; Ann Maria Woolever, died March 31, 1845, aged sixty-four; Phineas Staats, born Aug. 15, 1814, died Aug. 28, 1860; James Cougle, born March 26, 1780, died March 29, 1851 ; James L. Boss, died Dec. 25, 1855, aged fifty-three; Henry Staats, died May 3, 1874, aged sixty-nine; William P. Lott, born July 4, 1818, died Jan. 30, 1873; Electa Larison, born May 31, 1829, died Aug. 10, 1864; Martin J. Foose, died in the Army of the Potomac, May 13, 1863, aged thirty- two ;* Jacob Y. McElroy, First Independent Battery New York Artillery, fell in defense of his country at Gettysburg, Pa., July 9, 1863, aged twenty-one ; Peter

Foose, born Sept. 6, 1802, died May 16, 1872; John L. Lott, born April 4, 1782, died Aug. 6, 1873.

Presbyterian, at Bloomsbury : James Bird, born March 6, 1797, died Dec. 13, 1876; Mary Bird, born March 10, 1795, died July 20, 1872; Jesse Runkle, died May 6, 1861, aged fifty-eight; Abraham G. Williams, died March 3, 1872, aged eighty-one; William Hagerman, born Aug. 17, 1783, died May 3, 1863; John P. Smith, born Oct. 17, 1821, died April 12, 1872; Elizabeth Gardner, born Jan. 28, 1790, died Sept. 20, 1865; William H. Creveling, born July 31, 1801, died May 19, 1880; Mary R. Creveling, born Feb. 22, 1808, died Aug. 3, 1880; William M. Junkin, U.S.N., born April 8, 1811, died in Pensacola Bay, Sept. 29, 1863, and buried here April 8, 1864.

Fountain Grove Cemetery is located at Glen Gard- ner, and has been occupied only since 1866. There have been as yet but few interments, and still fewer marble slabs mark the resting-place of the dead. We found here the following: Rev. John McNair, D.D., born May 28, 1808, died Jan. 27, 1867 ; James Il. Bell, died Oct. 2, 1856, aged forty-three; Moses Gardner, born Nov. 9, 1800, died Dec. 7, 1866 ; Sarah, wife of Robert Seals, died Dee. 22, 1870, aged seventy- six; Eliza A. Hunt, born Dee. 30, 1801, died Nov. 23, 1873; W. A. A. Hunt, M.D., born June 6, 1796, died Sept. 9, 1878.

In Valley Cemetery, located on the lot adjoining the Valley Presbyterian church, near the Junction, lie the remains of many of the carly settlers in this locality, the names of whom will be found in history of Presbyterian Church, by Rev. Kugler.

SOCIETIES AND CORPORATIONS.

" The Bloomsbury National Bank" was organized in 1874, and chartered as a national bank in June, 1875, with a capital of $75,000, subsequently increased to $100,000. The bank is located in the Odd-Fellows' building. Henry R. Kennedy was the first president, and Jesse J. Lake the first vice-president. The offi- eers for 1880 were : President, Henry R. Kennedy ; Vice-President, Sylvester Probasco; Cashier, Louis Anderson ; Teller, Frank Cline.

" Bloomsbury Vigilant Society" was organized June 20, 1867. Its object is " for detection of horse-thieves, und mutually insuring horses, mules, carriages, and harness, stolen." The first officers were: President, William Tinsman; Vice-Presidents, William S. Gardner, William S. Hulsizer ; Directors, William S. Hulsizer, William S. Gardner, Charles Hazard, William G. Jones, and William Tinsman; Pur- suers, Charles Hazard, Theodore Tinsman, John M. Bayard, Joseph Emery, Readon Stiner, William G. Jones, Henry Gardner, Henry Hoff, Isaac Wolverton, Stacey B. Fine. A. G. Smith, and William S. Hulsizer. This society was incorporated by act of the Legisla- ture, April 3, 1871, and William S. Gardner, William S. Hulsizer, Charles Hazard, Daniel Williamson, and

* llo was a member of Co. C, Thirty-first Regiment New Jersey Vol- untoors.

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

William Tinsman were named as incorporators. The bounds of the society form a radius of seven miles from the village of Bloomsbury, and the pursuers are to advance seventy-five miles, or farther if necessary. The regular meetings of the society are held in Jan- uary of each year.

The present officers (1880) are: President, William S. Hulsizer ; Vice-Presidents, Joseph W. Willever and William Dalrymple; Treasurer, Theodore Tins- man ; Secretary, William G. Jones ; Directors, James Apgar, Daniel Williamson, Charles Hazard, Joseph W. Willever, James J. Willever; Pursuers, Charles Hazard, Wilson Metler, John Cole, Joseph Emery, Amos Maxwell, Joseph B. Boss, William Vliet, Albert Insley, Isaac Wolverton, John B. Smith, Thomas Lake, Readon Stiner; and Theodore Tins- man Principal Pursuer.

"Touchstone Lodge, No. 156, I. O. of O. F.," was instituted at Bloomsbury, May 16, 1871, with the fol- lowing charter members : B. E. Bowne, Henry Carter, John S. Carter, F. K. Young, William B. Housel, and Peter D. Rockafellow. The principal first officers were: Noble Grand, B. E. Bowne; Vice-Grand, Henry Carter; Rec. Sec., John S. Carter; Treas., F. K. Young; Warden, Peter D. Rockafellow ; Conductor, Abram W. Smith. The successive presiding officers have been Henry Carter, John S. Carter, S. N. Parks, F. K. Young, W. H. Alleu, Henry Carter, W. B. Housel, W. S. Schooley, W. M. Cackender, W. C. Cole, W. H. Foose, H. S. Apgar, J. W. Creveling, Jacob Stone, Joseph L. Allen, Nelson Geary, and John W. Bowlby. The sessions are held Saturday evenings, in Odd-Fellows' building, Bloomsbury. Present membership, 60. But one member has died since organization,-viz., George Wood, killed by ac- cident, Jan. 21, 1875.

The principal present officers (December, 1880) are: N. G., James P. Myers; Vice-Grand, S. R. Dalrymple; Rec. Sec., Peter D. Young; Treas., S. N. Park ; Con- ductor, W. H. Foose; Warden, Nelson Geary.

" The Odd-Fellows' Hall Association" was formed for the purpose of investing the surplus funds of the lodge, and was chartered by the Legislature, March 14, 1873. The first officers were : President, William G. Jones; Vice-President, Jacob Stiner; Secretary, F. K. Young; Treasurer, John S. Carter; Executive Committee, S. B. Fine, John W. Bowlby, and W. B. Housel. The hall was erected on the corner of Main and Centre Streets. It is three stories high, with a Mansard roof, and cost $7000.

The officers for 1880 were: President, Jesse J. Lape; Vice-President, Daniel Bloom; Secretary, W. H. Foose; Treasurer, George W. Scott; Executive Committee, W. H. Foose, George W. Scott, and W. E. Schooley.

" H. R. Kennedy Lodge, No. 140, A. F. and A. M.," Bloomsbury, was granted a warrant of dispensation Sept. 7, 1874, under which it worked until Jan. 21, 1875, when it was chartered by the Grand Lodge.

The original members were John Stute, P. D. Rocka- fellow, J. W. Bowlby, William W. Swayze, Charles Tomlinson, M. D. Knight, Solomon W. Weider, Robert A. Shimer, and Theodore B. Hance. The first W. M. was Samuel Phipps; first secretary, S. B. Fine. The Past Masters are Samuel Phipps, S. N. Park, William Dalrymple, and William A. Schooley. Present mem- bership, 52.

The principal officers for 1880 were: W. M., F. K. Young; S. W., D. S. Stute; J. W., J. J. Lake; Treas., W. G. Jones ; Sec., S. N. Park ; S. D., W. A. Schooley ; J. D., E. T. Vliet; Tiler, Jas. Boss.

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

The industrial pursuits are about the same as in other townships, except that of mining, in which by far the most capital is invested and the most meu employed.

The original mills at Bloomsbury were built prob- ably as early as 1760. The grist-mill was, most likely, the first of the kind in this part of the valley, and was rebuilt about 1825, burned Feb. 6, 1878, and again rebuilt and put in its preseut condition in 1878 by John Herbert, of Bound Brook. The present owner is Thomas T. Huffman.

There have been three distilleries at Bloomsbury. The first was built by Daniel Stires, in the bend of the Little York Road, just below the arch-bridge of the Central Railroad. There is no trace of it left. The next was on the site of Huffman's saw-mill, be- low the grist-mill, and the other was built by Jona- than Robbins, on the farm now occupied by Moses Robbins, a little west of the village of Bloomsbury, and still standing, but not used as a distillery.

The distillery below the grist-mill gave place to cotton-factories, built in 1842 and 1843 by the Mus- conetcong Manufacturing Company. This company was established for the purpose of manufacturing and finishing for market cotton, woolen, and flax goods, and was incorporated in 1842. Enoch Green, John G. Richey, Adam D. Runkle, George B. Green, and Thomas Green were the first directors. The capital stock was not to exceed $200,000. The factories were located below the grist-mill at Bloomsbury, covering the site of the present saw-mill, and were burned in 1856. The present saw-mill, on the site of the factory, was built by John Herbert, and sold to T. T. Huff- man, present owner.

The grist-mill at " Jugtown" (or " West End") was built in 1825 by Joseph Cornish ; in 1849 it was pur- chased by Sylvester II. Smith, the present owner. The saw-mill at West End is now owned and oper- ated by Charles Opdyke.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 114

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