History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 120

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 120
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 120

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).

Adrian Ten Eyck emigrated to Readington from Somerset County, where his family were among the first. Among his descendants are Cornelius, of Me- chanicsville, and Mrs. Theodore Polhemus, near White House.

An early settler at Potterstown was a colored man named Aray Van Genee, who acquired considerable property. A deed now in possession of Joseph Thompson, of Readington, is for one acre of land which Aray sold to William Mackinney, both of Reading ; the instrument is dated Jan. 22, 1740. Aray owned also the Wyckoff farm at Potterstown, and sold it to Sharpenstein, later abbreviated into Sharp.

The first representatives of the Van Horns in Read- ington township were Abraham, Sr., and Capt. Cor- nelius,¿ supposed to have been brothers. Cornelius,

son of Capt. Cornelius, made his will June 3, 1783, in which instrument four sons (and five daughters) are named,-Abraham, Simon, Cornelius, and Wil- liam ; the last named inherited the homestead.|| The testator states in the will that he bought of his father. William married his cousin Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Abraham Van Horn and sister of Cornelius W. Van Horn. T One of the daughters of William and Elizabeth Van Horn became the first wife of John G. Van Houten. Descendants of the family, of the fifth generation, now occupy the homestead, and more than a century and a half has elapsed since the first of that honored name came hither from Mon- mouth Co., N. J .**

Abraham Van Horn was one of the first members, and always a prominent one, of the Reformed Dutch Church of Readington, and later of White House; in his barn for fifteen years the congregation wor- shiped, and in his orchard they built their first meet- ing-house. This same barn, it is said, was used by Mr. Van Horn during the Revolution as a place for storage of the provisions which he, as forage-master, collected for Washington's army encamped at Morris- town, and in it, too, were some of the Hessian priso- ners lodged and fed while en route from Trenton to Easton.

Abraham Van Doren (or Van Dorn), a descendant of the Holland emigrant, Jacobus, came to Reading- ton from near Middlebush at an early date, and lived and died at White House. He had four wives, whose names were Charity Bennett, Elizabeth Bowman, Catharine Nevius, and Rachel Babcock. Like his father, he had seventeen children. So late as August, 1873, two of them were yet living,-Joseph Van Doren, aged eighty-one, living with his son Jacob near White House, and Mrs. Gano, of Newark. His aunt Alche (born Nov. 18, 1735, died Dec. 13, 1828), married Simon Wyckoff, of Middlebush, whose sons subsequently settled in Readington township, and have become a numerous family. (See history of Branchburg township, in this work, for a further ac- count of this family, once residents of Dobie's planta- tion.)

Many of the families of the original settlers have become extinct in the township: thus the names of Van Etta, Lott, Devore, De Lamater, Purcell, and Munfort are no longer found in Readington.

The following family histories, embracing sketches of the Posts, Andersons, Wyckoff's, Atens, Bodines, Moreheads, Thompsons, and Smocks, are kindly con- tributed to this work by the Rev. Jolin B. Thompson, of Catskill, N. Y.

THE POST FAMILY.

Abraham Post, son of Johannes, it was born Oct. 11, 1740, and married Catharine Demott, Nov. 14, 1776. Their children were John (1st), born

* Spelled varionsly Baltus, Balthus, Baltes, all abbreviations ef Bal- thazar.

+ Balthazar Pickel left $5000 by his will to Zion Church, also a silver cup and plate.

# Rev. William Bailey.

¿ Died Feb. 12, 1744, aged forty-nine.

| Now owned and occupied by the son of Abraham Pickel.

T Died in 1862, at the advanced age of ninety-ene.

** William Bailey.

1+ Johannes Post was baptized at Raritan, Oct. 29, 1707. His wife was Altje Blanm, born June 14, 1714. In her old age her heme was with her

489

READINGTON.

Sept. 26, 1707, died Sept. 2, 1769; John (24), born Nov. 9, 1769, died Feb. 21, 1772; a daughter (name unknown), born Feb, 6, 1772, died Feb. 25, 1774; Abraham, born Aug. 27, 1774), married Mary Tuttle, and had ono child, Maria; John (3d), married Catharino Kinney, and had two children, both dyIng in Infancy ; Henry, born Dec. 7, 1782; Peter (1st), born Feb. 5, 1787, died March 15, 1788; l'eter (2d), known as " l'eter A.," or " Pieter- om)," born Sept. 12, 1792, died 1877, leaving no children.

Aftor the death of his wife, Abraham Post secured as honsokeeper the handsumio widow of Simion Kinney, whom he subsequently married. She lived to be a fooble old woman, cared for by her husband'a grand- children and great-grandchildren, retaining her pecullarities to the last.

Abraham Pest wur a strong, active, impetuous man, possessed of a keen senso of justice, and was also un ardent patriot. Hlo was only a llenten- ant in the militia, when, returning from Raritan Landing, where be bad sold a load of coru, he met, near Somerville, six or eight men In separate squads of two or more. Inquiring their destination, he was informed that they were "going to camp." The answer was ambiguous, as the enmp of the patriots was at Plainfield, and that of the British at Now Brunswick ; but, being alone, he did not think it prudent to Inquire fur- ther. It was after dark when he reached " Crook's Farm" (known Int- teriy as " the MeBride l'laco"), and by thla tiene he had determined what to do. Ilo quietly stabled his horses in Crook's barn, and wont to the house and told him the fact, requesting that they should be cored for till his return. Ho thon borrowed a rifle and ammunition and started in por- ault of the men, recruiting as he went. Ho overtook them as they were camping for the night in the clump of oaks which then stood just above the village of Somerville. They were without nrma, and most of them nt onco acceded to his demand to surrender, Others betook themselves to trees and hid among the branches. He first secured those who had surrendered, and then directed each of his armed recruits to "pick his man" In the tree-tops. When this was done he again domanded that they should surrender, and by this time they were all quite willing to comply. Ile marched them to White House to deliver them to the authorities for trial, but there were not officers enough thero to hold a court-martial, and he was ordered to conduct thom to Trenton. Here ho woe rolleved of his charge, but was detained until his prisoners were tried and sentenced to be confined in the log jall at Allentown, I'n., and he had command of the squad which conducted them thithet.

It was not long after this that he became a private in Capt. Coourad Ten Eyck's company, Second Battalion, in which he fought at the battle of Monmonth. Ile was afterwards n Hentenant in the Continental army. llo possessed the furni now owned by Peter I. Voorhees and the "Hoag- land lot," now owned by Jacob G. Schomp, as well as tho 200 acres " lying between Lealle's Brook and John Van Nest's line," which he bought of the exoentorn of Dr. William Leslle," now owned by Joseph Thompson, Aaron lloffman, und Ebenezer K. Smock. HEis land was tilled lorgoly by slavo-labor, Ho lived to be nearly ninety-six years old, as is stated upon his tombstone In the Headington churchyard.

HENRY A. Post's descendants aluno perpetuate the family of his father, Ho occupied the northern half of the Leslie farm, now owned by Aaron Hoffman, and lived in the house, still standing, built for him by hin father, In which his children were born, From his father he inherited the patriotism, and from his mother the ploty, which made him esteemed und beloved by all who knew him. He died boforo his father, ood hia descendants are senttored nbrond.

Henry A. Post, born Doc. 7, 1782, died April 17, 1830, married, first, Jau. 13, 1803, Elizabeth (daughter of Simon Wyckoff and Jemimo Ander- son), who was born Oct. 1, 1775, and ded April 17, 1808; second, April 23, 1800, Martha Anderson, He had eight children, viz., John Dematt Post, born June 11, 1507, married, first, June Van Cleef, of Millstone, und second, Catharine Marin Rister, of Flemington, by cach of whout ho hnd three children, none of whom live In this county nt this time ; Abraham, born Fob. 11, 1810, married, first, March 12, 1834, Amy Eliza Herbert, of Hound Brook, second, Catherine Fuster, of Alexander, N. Y .; Ann, born Nov. 14, 1811, diod Aug. 11, 1880 ; married Joseph Thompson ;t Henry, born Feb, 13, 1816, living at South Brunch, married, first, Mary MeGrudy, of Penpack, und second, Ellzu Stevenson, of Quakertown;

Catharine, burn March 1, 1818, married Anron Alpangh, with whom she removed to Batavia, N. Y., where they died, and where their descendants atill live; Elizabeth, born Feb. 19, 1821, living at North Branch, married, first, Peter V. Melick, and second, l'eter Demott, both of Peapack ;! George Anderson, born March 13, 1822, married Marilla Smith, oud Ilves at North English, lown; Peter . Quick, boro Juno 27, 18.4, married Re- becca Hoffman, of P'otterstown, ond had only Willinm Tennout, who died in childhood.

TITE ANDERSON FAMILY.

George Andersong (the third of the namo) married Anna Wyckoff. (Seo sketch of Wyckoff fanilly.)

George, their eldest child, was baptized at Readington, April 30, 1777, ond probably died carly.

Elizabeth, baptized Miny 16, 1779, married George P. Schamp, and had Ann, who married Corneline M. Wyckoff and died without issue; Peter G., who married Catharine Kline, and Is living near North Branch; George A., married Catharine Wyckoff] (one of his daughters, Mary Emmeline, married Andrew Thompson) ; Jucob G., had two sons, John and l'eter G., the former being the well-known Inwyer of Somerville, who married Wilhelmina Schamp ; and John, David, and Cornelius.

Martha, born Jan. 16, 1783, died Jan. 1, 1829; married, April 23, 1809, lIonry A. l'ost.

Jemima married Jacob Neff, and had Ann, Fanny, Eliza, and Gertrude. Ann married George D. Schamp, of Pleasant Hun." They had ouly Que son, Henry, and one daughter, Martha Aun.

THE ATEN FAMILY

was originally Scotch, but many of Its members fled from persecution on account of their religion, first to France, and then to the Netherlands, with whose Inhabitants they became hlentified, and with whom their de- scondenta came to America ns Dutch. Thomas Aten, born in this coun- try, end hile brother John were residing neor Now Brunswick, N. J., in 1717.

ADNIAEN ATEN, probably a brother of these, settled on the South Brauch of the Raritan, on the farm between Centreville nud the Three Bridges now owned by William C. Van Doren. Hle was n wealthy mun for that region, and devoted himself to the care of his plantation, During the Revolution, like most of his Dutch associates, he was an enthusiastic pa- triot. Three of his sons were in the volunteer corps on Long Island, where one was captured, and remained n prisoner full two years, Patriota carrying messages to and fro between the Continental Congress and the Northern capitals found his hospitalde minnsion an ever-ready resting- placo. A detachment of Washington's army, passing northward to Mor- ristown on a hot summer day, drank the well dry.

Adriaen Aten's wife was the pious Jacobjo Middagh. Of their nino children, the eighth, Jude, married Joseph Morehead. Another daughter married William Van Fleet. None of the Ateny remalo in this town- ship, although a few are still in the Raritan valleys,

The following Ju n verbatim copy of Adriaen Aten's family record, from the Testament and Psalms in the possession of the Rev. Dr. John B. Thompson, the grandson of his granddaughter, Elizabeth Morehead. No translation in attempted :

" In't Juar Onses Heeren, 169J. Den 2-1 October Is Geboren Jacolde Middagh.

" In't Janr 1719, Den 25 Augustus le Gebooren Antje Aten.

"In't Junr 1721, Don 22 Augustus in Gebooren Direk Aten.

" In't Janr 1723, Hen 3 September Is Gebooren Hendrick Aten.

" In't Juar 1726, Den 27 January, la Gebwwiron Cathalyntjo Aten.

" In't Jnar 1728, Den 15 Januariue is Geboren Mareitjo Aton.

" In't Janr 1730, Den 29 July is Geboren Cathalyutje Aten.

" In't Jaar 1732, Den 22 December Zijn Geboren Jan En Gerradius Aten.

" In't Jnnr 1736, Den D .July is Gebvoron Judick Aten.

" In't Jur 1737, Den 7 November is Geboren Adriaen Aten."

$ Issue by Mellek only,-viz., Marthn Ann, married Peter Sutphon ; James, married Sarah And Ten Eyck; George, dled unmarried; Mary Jane, married Lewis E. Elick, and Hives In lown.

¿ Son of Simon (nud lary Van Anglen) Anderaun, a grandson of George, who was an early settler nt New Brunswick, N. J., prior to 1717.

Daughter of Peter Wyckoff nud Margaret Hecker, andl granddaughter

of John Wyckoff nud Altje Lane, who kept the l'otterstown tarern.

" He was called " Naughty," and he and his son were distinguished as "(ls Mnught" and " Young Maught."

son Abraham, and her worth is still fresh in the memory of hls descend- auta. Her Inrgo Dutch Biddle, with the family record of three genera- tions, la in the possession of her grandson's grundson, the Rev. Henry Post Thompson. Johannes and Altje had flvo children,-Geertje, mar- ried Mathias Smock; Johannes; Marin, married Johannes Bennet, Abraham, and Hendrick.

* Sve Hunterdon County records.

t See Thompson family.

490

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

THE WYCKOFF FAMILY

was, and still is, anmerous ia this vicinity. All its branches are de- scended from that Peter Claus Wyckoff who came from the Nether- lande and bought lands, upoa which he settled, in Flatbush, L. I., in 1665. He superintended the farm and stock of Director Stuyvesant and was magistrate of the town that year, aad also in 1658, 1662, and 1663. He married Grietje, daughter of Hendrick Van Ness, and had seven sons,-Claes, Hendrick, Cornelius, John, Gerrit, Martin, and Pieter.

Simon Wyckoff son of Cornelius, lived at Three-Mile Run, where he was ordained elder ia 1734. His sons settled near White House, one of whom was Cornelius Wyckoff .* He purchased some 600 acres, aad owned the farm siace known as the " Traphagen place." His wife's name was Elizabeth. He died of palsy, April 21, 1776, and she May 1, 1779. Their children were Gertrude (or Elizabeth), bora 1741, died ahont 1820, mar- ried Abraham Van Horn, and had, at least, Abraham, William, Matthew, Cornelius, and a danghter, who married Mr. Brodhead.

Jemima, bora June 19, 1742, married John Vliet, lived north of New Germantown, and had sons and daughters.

George, who lived on the farm now owaed by J. N. Ramsey, was born June 2, 1745, married Rebecca Van Cleef, of Millstone, and had (though the order is conjectural) Margreta (baptized April 14, 1772), married Abra- ham Voorhees; Mareytje (baptized March 20, 1785), married Elias W. Voorhees; Elizabeth, married Ralph Conover; Cornelia (baptized Nov. 25, 1787), died unmarried; Johannah, died numarried; George, married Catharine Klickener; and John, died 1879, unmarried.t

Simon, bora Feb. 12, 174- (lived near Three Corners, where David Davis now resides), married Jemima Anderson, and had Elizabeth, bora 1775, died 1808, married Henry A. Post; Martha, married Jacob Vroom and died withont issne; Gitty, married Jasper Berger; Anna, baptized Dec. 18, 1783; Gordina, married Charles Reading, and had only Abby, wba married David C. Hoff; Cornelia (baptized 1787), married William Welsh and removed to Ohio; and Jemima, who married Samuel Taylor, widower.

Cornelius, born January, 17 -; died early.

Elizabeth (or Gertrude), married William Wyckoff, and died near Millstone.

Annaetje, baptized Nov. 12, 1752, married George Anderson.

Cornelia, born July 16, 1754, married David Traphagea, and died with- out issue.

Cornelius (kaowa as " Gentleman Cornelius"), bora Dec. 5, 1757, ia- herited the homestead afterwards owned by David Traphagen the sec- ond, and married, for his second wife, April 24, 1808, the youthful Sophia Ten Eyck, by whom he had Elizabeth (bora July 2, 1809), Eleanor Rue Ten Eyck (born Feb. 26, 1813; died Aug. 28, 1813), Cornelius (bora in 1814), Abraham Ten Eyck (born Sept. 18, 1816), Penelope (born March 30, 1818), and George Dennis (born Sept. 10, 1820), who removed to Illiaois. Deania, who was a justice of the peace, judge of the courts for many years, and aa influential man, lived near Mechanicsville, ou the place now owned by J. W. Vaa Houtea, of Philadelphia. He was born April 17, 1760, aad died Dec. 6, 1830. He married, first, Elizabeth Tea Eyck, by whom he had three children,-Corneline, Ann, and Ten Eyck; married, second, Margaret Melick, by whom be liad Simon (mar- ried - Brodhead), Tunis (married Ann Vosseller), George (married - Waldron), Dennis (married Patty Lowe), Peter M. (married, in 1832, Alice Polhemue, aad resided at White Honse), Eliza (married Abra- ham Vaa Pelt), and Ellea (married, first, Henry Vroom, and, second, John Kliae, recently deceased), still living in Somerville.

THE BODINE FAMILY

is an honored one in the history of France, but, moderate as were the advices of Jean Bodia, the wiso counselor of Henry III., bis relatives wore afterwards compelled to flee, with other IInguenots, to Holland, whionce they ultimately came to Staton Islaad, at least as early as 1701.# From the mouth of the Raritan thoy ascended to its sources. Among the settlers of this region thero wero at least five of this name, all of whom left a largo number of descendaate.

Jobn Bodine had a plantation, early in the last century, on the west side of the North Branch. Immediately north of it was the Ammerman tract, and immediately north of that the Du Mont tract. This John Bodine had a son Abraham, who married Mary Low, and had John, baptized April 15, 1748; Judick, baptized March 31, 1745, married Sam- uel Willemsen; Mary, probably the Mary that married Thomas Cooper; Cathelyatje, baptized Sept. 3, 1749; Sarah, baptized Ang. 10, 1755 ; Cor- nelius, baptized November, 1755, married Margaret Sutphen, of Six-Mile Run, born 1754, and had Abraham, Peter, John, Cornelius, Gilbert, Isaac, Charles, and George, all deceased.

Isaac Bodiae had eleven children,-eight by his first wife, Cataleya, and three by his second wife, Jannetje. These children, with dates of baptism, were Jan, Nov. 19, 1703; Jantien, April 30, 1707; Frederick, April 26, 1709 ; Mareyken, April 25, 1711; Kataleya, Ang. 8, 1713; Isaac, April 5, 1715 ; Abraham, July 31, 1717; Elizabeth, Oct. 31, 1719; Hester, Dec. 25, 1723 ; Isaac, Aug. 16, 1730; and Jannetje, Ang. 16, 1730.

Peter Bodine had two children by bis first wife and one by his second, Margrita. Their names and dates of baptism were Jan, April 30, 1712; David, April 3, 1717 ; Mareytje, Oct. 15, 1738.

Jacob Bodine's wife was named Elizabeth. They had six children,- viz., Jan, St. Jantien, Jacob, Catharine, Cornelius, and Antje.

Abraham Bodine married Adriantje Janse, and had nine children, among whom were Catrina, baptized April 14, 1725, and married Lode- wyk Haydenbrook ; Peter, baptized December, 1726, and twice married (first, Mareytje; second, Widow Williamsoa); John, baptized Dec. 5, 1730, married Femaletje Vorhees; Abraham, and Judick. The last named was born March 17, 1735, and ultimately married John Thompson. (See Thompson family.)

THE MOREHEAD FAMILY.

Ireland, as well as Scotland and France, contributed to build up the Dutch settlement aad church in this vicinity.

Joseph Muir Ilead was born at Strahane , Ireland, in 1727, and came to America in 1747. He served in the French and Indian war in Col. Peter Schuyler's battalion of New Jersey volunteers. He was in the battle of Ticonderoga, and the flint-lock musket which he carried, bearing his initiale, " J. M. H.," graven by his own hand, is still in possession of bis grandson, Joseph Thompson. He was a weaver by trade, aad the carved saken box in which he brought to this country the fine liaen products of his handicraft is still preserved by his great-grandson, John Ward Thomp- son, of Oakland, Bergen Co , N. J .¿

How he came to Amwell does not appear, but he was often in the eal- ploy of Adriaen Aten, and in 1767 married his daughter Jude. She was considered an heiress in her day; she was born July 9, 1735, and died July 22, 1819. With $300 which he had saved he bought a house and lot ia Amwell, where his four children were born. la 1778 he bought 34 acres adjoining the pond of what are now Higgine' Mills, on the South Branch, whence, in 1795, he removed to the farni (150 acres, pur- chased of Simon Wyckoff) upon which he died (April 12, 1819), at the village of Readington, and upon which his sou John, and afterwards his son John, and John the third, lived until 1876.

His daughter Saralı Ana died in 1821, unmarried. His third child, Elizabeth, married John Thompson, | and his fourth child, Mary, married John Schamp. The descendants of all three are numerous throughont the townships of Readington and Branchburg.

The children of Joseph aud Jude Morchead (as the name is now writ- ten) were

John, boru July 28, 1771, died Ang. 13, 1844, married first (1799) Sarah Van Syckol, who was bora Nov. 5, 1779, and died Jan. 14, 1838. He lived and died near the head of the " Brookye." He afterwarde married (1839) Olive Ann Hixon, daughter of George and Hannah Hixon, and now the wife of Aaron L. Stout, of Readington. Ilis only child was Joha, born in Readington, March 14, 1804, died Aug. 25, 1819 ; married Sophia Van Dora, who died Nov. 14, 1864. They had Sarah Ann, wife of Jacob Vroom; Hetty Maria, married John Ammorman ; Joanna (died June 30, 1853), married Dr. A. T. B. Van Doron; and John, married Mary, daughter of Aaron C. Hoagland.

Sarah, born Nov. 19, 1772, died Sept. 12, 1820; unmarried.

Elizabeth, born July 25, 1775, died Jan. 16, 1861; married John Thompson.

Mary, born Sept. 6, 1777; died at Pleasant Run, in 1870; married tha late Joha Schamp, and had Elizabethi Elisheba, Mary Ana, Peter I., Margaret, Joseph, and Sarah.

¿ It Is said that most of his children had a taste and aptness for weav- Ing, and that his daughtere made carpets when over eighty years of age. ! See sketch of the Thompsoa family.

* His Dutch Bible, with the family record, is in the possession of Rev. Abraham Thompson. The hoaicetead is now owned by James N. Pid- cock, though recently modernized and remodeled.

+ He was kaown as " l'lato,"-a name probably given him hy some schoolmaster,-from his broad shoulders. It was commonly shortened by hle associates, uaacquainted with the Greek philosopher, to " Plate."

# The earlier history of the Bodin family has been traced by the Rev. Dr. Charles W. Baird, of Now Rochelle, N. Y., for his forthcoming work on the Hugueaots of America.

491

READINGTON.

THE THOMPSON FAMILY.

No funilly in this region Is more numerous than that which owes Ita origin to the Joba Thompson who was born In Scotland, April 15, 1730. Ile married Judick Bodine, and their only child, John, was born July 6, 1772, near White House Depot, on the furm now owned by Philip D. Laro. Afterwards the little family, with several of their friends and nelghbors, removed to Shemokem, Pa., and made themselves n home on the western bank of the Loyalsuck.

In 1778 they were compelled to flee for their lives. When the women and children were safe, John Thompson, with l'eter Shufelt and William Wyckoff, returned to bring off his cattle. They incautionsly entered the house, which was Immediately surrounded by a band of twelve Indians. The three mon ran for the woods, the Indiana tiring upon them as they ran. Shufelt was shot through the shoulder, Thompson was killed by the socond volley from the Indians, und Wyckoff was made prisoner."

John Thompson's widow and child returned to New Jersey, bearlag with them as the only relle from the destruction of their wilderness home the little Scotch Bible in which the family record was made by Thompson's own firm hand, excepting only the last sad item, which tolla the story of his death as follows : " The 9th day of June, A.D. 1778, John Thompson departed this life. Was killed and scalped by ye Tory and Indians nt Shomokem."+ Judah Thompson bound her boy apprentico to Pietro Mazzini, the Italian tailor, that he might teach him the mys- torlen of his craft.

"John Thompson, Sr." (as he came to be called), inherited the thrifty virtues of both his Scotch and Dutch ancestors. Beforo he was twenty- one he married, and soon after bought the farm, acar Campbell'a Brook, on which he resided during most of his life. Illa credit was good, for at that time he had, as he sall, only " five dollars, his wife, and his g0060." Hlo was for more than thirty years justico of the pence, and for thirty-two years one of the judges of the Hunterdon County court,

The Rev. Willing: 1. Thompson was the ninth child of Judge John Thompson. A paralytic stroke, at the ngo of four, left his right arm and sido to a great degreo helpless. In his youth he showed special aptuess for minthematical study. At the nge of sixteen ho became the teacher of a district school, and soon after determined to obtain n classical education, -a resolution most remarkable in view of the difficulties involved. Three months before graduating he succeeded his former toucher in the charge of the classienl school at Somerville, bls excellent scholarship allowing bim, none the less, to bo graduated with his class. The surviving meni- bors of that class aro Reva. Talbot W. Chambers, John T. Demarest, Juha HI. Duryea, Harrison Heormanco, and John F. Mesick. At Somorville, as also ut Millstone, where he afterwards taught, ho gained an enviable reputation for thoroughness, both as a scholar and as a tencher.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 120

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