History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 123

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 123
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 123

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¿ Book of Minutes.

498

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Eyck; Abraham Van Doren and Rachel Babcock, his wife; Eleanor Montfert, Mary Johnson, Catha- rine Kline, Catharine Adams, Cornelius Messler, Sr. (father of Rev. Abram Messler, D.D.), and Roelif Covenhoven. Of the thirty-five received under the ministry of Rev. Demarest, none now survive, John Reger being the last to depart. Among later mem- bers we find, in addition to those before given, the family names of Van Houten, Voorhees, Smock, Brokaw, Space, Vescelius, Swackhamer, Nevius, Stryker, Neff, Quick, Van Nest, Van Deventer, Dilley, Roelifson, Dumont, Emory, Melick, Young, Rodenbough, Sutphin, Van Vleet, Teunison, Lowe, Plumley, Johnson, Stillwell, Farlee; and Rebecca Van Cleef was the one hundredth person who joined the church, Oct. 29, 1820.

The first minister was Rev. John Duryea, 1799- 1801 ;* Aug. 2, 1808, a call was made to Cornelius T. Demarest; he continued until 1813. Later this church united with the Lebanon Church, and called Jacob I. Schultz, who was installed Nov. 26, 1816. He preached on alternate Sabbaths in each church. His was the longest pastorate the church has had,-over eighteen years. His successors have been Revs. Peter S. Wil- liamson, 1835-39; James Otterson, 1840-45; Goyn Tal- mage, 1845-51; Lawrence Comfort, 1852-54; Aaron Lloyd, 1855-56; Smith Sturgis, 1857-63; Evert Van Slyke, 1864-66; William Bailey, 1868, still (1881) officiating.

For fifteen years after the organization the congre- gation worshiped in Mr. Van Horn's barn, but in 1807 a church was commenced. The site was in Abra- ham Van Horn's orchard, not far from the historic harn, and midway between the old white house and the store of J. V. F. Wyckoff. William Van Horn deeded the land and funds were raised by subscrip- tions, aggregating $1200. As soon as the house was fairly inclosed its use was begun. It was not until 1819 that the " galleries were floored, seats put up," and the church completely finislied. This house was used for more than forty years. In 1849 a "new and comfortable and most respectable house of worship" was erected. It was dedicated Jan. 10, 1850. The church has a desirable parsonage property, free from incumbrance.

The White House Missionary Association was or- ganized in 1824, and is still in active operation.

THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, THREE BRIDGES.

This church is of recent date, having been organ- ized in 1874; it had no settled pastor until 1880. Pre- viously it depended upon the ministrations of neigh- boring preachers as stated supplies. The Rev. P. D. Oakley, D.D., who was teaching at Neshanic from 1870 to 1876, supplied the pulpit during the last three years of that period. Rev. Gilbert Lane officiated in

* From 1792 until 1808 the church was supplied from the Classis of New Brunswick, and between 1801-8 the following served the church : James 8. Cannon, William R. Smith, John S. Vredenburgh, and Ira Condit.

1877. Subsequently, and until quite recently, they were supplied by Rev. M. N. Oliver, of Clover Hill. The Rev. Edward Birdsall has been called as pastor of this church. The present membership (1881) is 81, and there are 100 pupils in the Sabbath-school.

THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH OF STANTON

was formed out of families who had been accustomed to attend divine worship at Readington, but the dis- tance made it inconvenient and burdensome, and led them to make an effort to provide a more convenient place for themselves. This culminated, in 1833, in the formation of what was then called "The Dutch Reformed Church of Mount Pleasant." Its organiza- tion was effected through the Classis of Philadelphia, October 15th of that year. Its original members were John M. Wyckoff, Josiah Cole and wife, Abraham and Margaret Anderson. The first Consistory was composed of John M. Wyckoff and Josiah Cole, elders, and Abraham Anderson, deacon. In 1834 they proceeded to build a house of worship. Revs. G. Ludlow, John Van Liew, and Jacob Kirkpatrick officiated at the laying of the corner-stone. The building was completed before the close of the year and dedicated, the same reverend gentlemen again taking part in the services.

In June, 1835, the congregation presented a call to the candidate Jacob R. Van Arsdale. It was ac- cepted, and he was ordained and installed in October. April, 1850, he resigned and removed to Tyre, N. Y. He was followed by Rev. Horace Doolittle, who la- bored until 1872. His successor was Rev. Edward Cornet, who officiated until 1876, since which date Rev. Abraham J. Martine has had charge, and is the present incumbent.

This church from small beginnings has grown to fair proportions, having in 1872 reported 70 families and 140 communicants.

THE MECHANICSVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .;

The first traces of Methodism in Mechanicsville and White House take us back to the early part of the century. The first definite knowledge of services here dates to about 1836, when Rev. Jolin Lenhart, subsequently lost on the "Cumberland," in Hampton Roads, and James O. Rodgers, still in the work, were appointed to the Flemington Circuit, of which this was a part. They preached at stated intervals in a school-house located a short distance along the ridge east of Mechanicsville. Class-meetings were held, and Father Mendham, now sleeping in the Mechan- icsville cemetery, is remembered as a class-leader in those days. After a year or two the Germantown Circuit was formed, with which this place was incor- porated. About 1838, Rev. Curtis Talley preached here. The first board of trustees consisted of Judge Isaiah Large, George Hall, John Hall, William Iliff, and J. S. Van Horn.

/ By Rev. J. A. Kingsbury.

499

READINGTON.

In 1844, Rev. Wesley Robertson traveled the cir- cuit. He held a meeting in a grove, then standing on the north side of the turnpike, where now is the centre of the village. There were about forty con- versions, including several prominent citizens who subsequently became pillars in the church, among whom were Thomas Applegate, Dr. Scott, and John and Peter Ditmars. Dr. Scott furnished the society with land, and quite a sum of money was raised on subscription, for the new edifice.

Rev. Abraham Owens came next; he preached at the beginning in the upper part of a blacksmith-shop located about where that of E. K. Ward, Esq., now stands. He caused the erection of the first church. The location was on the south side of the turnpike, at the lower or eastern end of the village, where the cemetery now stands. The building was plain, with- out spire, and cost (including work and materials given) about $1600.

About 1850, Rev. Benjamin Kelley was sent to the circuit. His labors at Mechanicsville were crowned with great success. A revival occurred, during which about 100 were converted.

During the next few years preachers came and went in the order of their appointment, and small revivals occurred which gradually swelled the membership of the church. The circuit was reduced in size until New Germantown and Mechanicsville were alone together, the parsonage being situated at the former place.

Rev. W. W. Voorhies came to the charge in 1866, and remained for only one year. A notable revival occurred during the year, resulting in the conversion of about 100. This large accession led to a desire for a new and larger church. Rev. Martin Herr followed on the charge, and through his energetic zeal the present large and beautiful building was erected. The old church was soll and removed, and the lot, which had been considerably enlarged, was made into a burial-ground. A new property somewhat farther west and more central, on the opposite side of the street, was purchased. The church cost about $10,500, and was dedicated Dec. 26, 1867.

In 1869, Mechanicsville was severed from New Ger- mantown. About 1872 the church was damaged by a high wind to such an extent as to require $1500 for repairs.

During the second year of the ministry of Rev. . 1. Van Deusen (autumn of 1877) another large revival occurred, and before its close about 120 professed conversion. The present pastor, Rev. J. A. Kings- bury, came here in the spring of 1879. The present membership is about 250.

A Sunday-school has been in operation since the first edifice was occupied.

The society has long beeu burdened with debt, but for the past few years, through a kind legacy of $1000, and carnest labor and economy, it has been eut down very considerably.

THE CENTREVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The first preaching in any way connected with this society was by Rev. David Walters, then stationed at Flemington. Ile commenced a series of meetings in the school-house near the village, and the result was nearly 100 conversions. The meetings were com- menced in the early part of March, 1869, and con- tinned until the meeting of the Newark Conference.

Rev. Walters was returned to Flemington, and continued to preach in the school-house, on a week- day evening, once a week during the year. Before leaving for Conference he had organized a society, known as the "Centreville Methodist Episcopal So- ciety," and appointed J. A. Craig the first class- leader. IIe had also taken steps towards securing the building of a church edifice. The land was donated by David Van Fleet, Esq., of Flemington (the deed bearing date of Feb. 14, 1870), along with a subscription of $200 and the stone for the founda- tion. Subscriptions were solicited and paid in, so that in March the church was erected, and dedicated, on the 10th of that month, very nearly clear of debt. Its cost was about $3000, including furniture. The trustees were David Van Fleet, Charles M. Ball, Hiram 11uff, William Van Fleet, Oliver H. Smith, Peter D. Thatcher, and Jacob A. Craig. Among those who had previously served was Eldridge Green.

Rev. John Davis was the first preacher in charge; his pastorate was during 1870-71. Bro. Albert Van Densen supplied regularly for the following year, while stationed at Readington and Allerton: He was fol- lowed by Frederic Bloom, local preacher, 1873-74. In 1875 no services were held, except prayer- and class-meetings, until September, when Bro. James Perkins (local) supplied the pulpit. The next spring he was returned by the Conference, and remained until Dec. 1, 1876, when Rev. J. A. Craig was as- signed to this charge in connection with Mount Zion Church. Hle remained three years, leaving in the spring of 1879. Rev. Thomas Sharp was his suc- cessor, serving in 1879, and being returned for his second year in the spring of 1880, but supplying the two churches named above.

There has been a Sabbath-school in connection with the church since its first organization. The church started with a membership of about 60, and now num- bers about 100. The Rev. J. A. Craig, from whom much of the above history has been obtained, is now a student at Drew Seminary.

THE GROVE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF READ- INGTON.

This church is located near Barley Sheaf, in Read- ington township. Of its early history it seems ditli- cult to gather much that is definite or satisfactory. The Rev. Mr. Weed, Rev. John Creamer, and his as- sistant, Isaac Winner, all preachers on the Trentou Circuit as early as 1824, officiated about that date for this society, preaching in the old school-house at the

500

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

"Grove" once a month. Winner at that time was but a youth and unmarried. Mr. Weed was a faith- ful worker, and was successful in gathering a small flock at the Grove. To John Creamer is due, prob- ably, the honor of really establishing this church upon a substantial footing, for success crowned his efforts.

Asher Atkinson, one of the first converts to Method- ism in the township, was an active member of this church. He gave the land upon which their first edifice was built, and assisted materially in putting up the first meeting-house, which was a small, one- story structure, with a board ceiling .* It stood about 200 yards south from the present church. A few grave-stones on the easterly side mark its site.

This church had a nominal existence very early in this century. The Shurts and Egbert families had preaching in their homes occasionally during the latter part of the last century. The name of Nicholas Egbert, and his Christian character, were frequently spoken of fifty years ago. He became a leader in the denomination in this section.

The old church-the pioneer Methodist church in the township-was replaced by a new one in 1854, as is shown by an old book of record of its trustees. Jacob P. Dailey was preacher in charge at that time. July 18, 1854, it was

" Resolved, That we circulate subscriptions to obtain money to build a new church in this place, according to a resolution of the last Quarterly Meeting."

October 27th the sum of $1135 was reported sub- scribed. Proposals for the erection of the church were received, and that of Asa R. Dilts accepted. The church then built was 36 by 50 feet in size, 18-feet posts, with an end gallery. Peter S. Dalley was sec- retary of the board of trustees. He and John B. Sharp, both now residing at Flemington, were for- merly and for many years members of this church. Revs. Lenhart and Ashbrook were among the early and successful preachers of the Grove Church.

This and the Allertown Church (Clinton township) are now united under one charge.

SCHOOLS.

The eleven school-houses of this township are val- ued at $13,500, and will comfortably seat 800 pupils. The number of children of school age in the town- ship is given as 941, of whom 770 were enrolled in the school registers during 1879, and of which num- ber the average attendance during the time school was kept was 350. The schools of this township were kept open an average of nearly ten months during 1879, with four male and eight female teachers, at an average salary per month of $35.25 for the former, and $31.32 for the latter.

The amount of money received in 1879 was $4677.09 from all sources.

* Mr. Atkinson subsequently romoved to Allentown, N. J., and died there.

The following history of the schools of Readington township is drawn from the manuscript "History of Schools of Hunterdon County," by C. S. Conkling, prepared in 1876, while officiating as county school superintendent, and from the contributions of Judge Joseph Thompson and others.

The first house in "Stanton" (District No. 69) was built in 1802. Asher Stout was the first teacher. This school was first called "Housel's Free School," in memory of Jacob Housel, who left $200 to the trus- tees by will, the interest to be applied to the educa- tion of the poor children of the neighborhood .; This fuud by some means dwindled, and in 1844 the school was merged in the district school. In that year a constitution was drawn for the government of the Stanton (then Mount Pleasant) school. Feb. 19th, an association was formed and certain articles signed by several persons (whose names are given by the clerk), and on April 1st the first board was elected, -viz., Peter A. Kline, William Wagner, Anthony Harsel, James Osborn, and John Britton. In 1849 the number was changed to three. The present building was erected in 1848-49. It is a frame, 20 by 30 feet, and will seat 60 pupils.

It appears that the present edifice is the third that has served "Three Corners" (District No. 70). The first two were both small frame buildings, but their immediate locality and date of erection are not known. The present house was built in 1866, a frame, 24 by 34 feet, and will seat 60 pupils. The first trustees were Bergen Davis, Jacob J. Kline, and Peter Emory. The board in 1876 consisted of David R. Emory, George Stillwell, and Joseph Lindsley. The first teacher was George W. Noel; the present (1880) incumbent is Mary Wells.

"Station" (District No. 71) school is at White House station. In 1850 a public meeting was held with a view of securing better school accommodations, the outgrowth of which was the erection of the "District of White House Station," being set off from Drea Hook and White House, which was then known as No. 11. It was resolved to build a suitable school-house with as little delay as possible. A lot was donated to the district by A. L. Voorhees, to which the people added by purchase. The building committee consisted of B. Dumont, A. V. Eversole, and A. Pickel. The building was speedily erected,- a small frame structure.

This district was enlarged in 1871 by additions by the county superintendent. The present building was erected in 1871-72, and is 28 by 40 feet, two stories high, and one of the best in the county.

John G. Van Houten, a gentleman much advanced in life, and who attended the first school taught in "White House" (District No. 72) in 1808, kindly furnishes the following :

+ Previous to 1838 no boundary-lines of the districts were established. The people paid their own school bills, no school taxes being levied by law.

501

READINGTON.

"The first school-house was built In 1808, was 16 by 24, 10-foot posts, colling 71% feet, and cost $100. It was seated with slab benches. The first trustees were Reubeu Guild, Denuis Wyckoff, and Nicholas Still- well. The first teacher was Cornelius Bodine, a Massachusetts man."

The above-mentioned house was used until 1835, when another was built, 18 by 28, two stories high. This had board desks, with slab seats, and cost $500.

The second building served until 1871, when the house now standing was erected. It is 26 by 38, two stories, and the two rooms are seated with the most approved patent desks. The cost of house, lot, etc., was $3459.50.

The school-house which preceded the present one in " Cold Brook" (District No. 73) was a stone build- ing, erected in 1828, at which time the trustees were Nicholas Wyckoff, David R. Conover, Mathias Dil- ley, John Haas, Jr., and John Rodenbaugh. This house stood at Cokl Brook, one mile from Potters- town. There was, however, an earlier school-house, near the site of the one above mentioned, and the first erected in the district. When built is not known.

The house now in use-the third in the district- was erected in 1869, is a frame building, 22 by 32, with a seating capacity for 50 scholars.

In " Pleasant Run" (District No. 74) the first school- building was erected during the latter part of the eighteenth century, and was situated about half a mile from the present one. The next house was far- ther south, and was built in the early part of this century. It was small (18 by 22), and its seats were arranged around the sides of the room.

The house now in use was built about 1838. It has nearly fulfilled its mission, and must soon give way to a larger and better structure.

April 2, 1831, at the request of David D. Schamp, Jacob Q. Carkhutł, David O. Cole, T. S. La Tourette, and Tunis Cole, trustees, Joseph Thompson drafted a constitution, which was adopted by the inhabitants then convened. Reuben Chamberlin was the first teacher who subscribed to the rules, April 17, 1832; Rodney T. Hyde appended his name, and was the teacher in 1835. The school-house lot was leased to the district, and afterwards devised by Ezekiel Cole, Sr. His son, Ezekiel E. Cole, deeded the play-grounds, lying between the road and the brook, to the district, for a nominal consideration.

In " The Ridge" (District No. 75) the first house, a frame, was located a little east of the present one. Another house was erected near the then residence of William Brokaw. It was vaented, and a new one built about 1828. The present house was erected about 1850; it is 24 by 32 feet in size.

In " Readington" ( District No. 76) it is said there was a school near the village, a short distance north- west of the mill, long before the Revolution. The earliest record existant (evidently a copy of the origi- nal) is dated Ang. 4, 1804. When a meeting of the employers was held, the following persons incorporated themselves as " The Holland Brook School:" Abraham

Post, Peter Quick, Isaac Berkaw, William Dalley, Wil- liam Spader, Cornelius Van Horn, Abraham Smock, Andrew Mattis, Adrian Stryker, Peter Ten Brook, Wm. Ditmars, Derrick De Mott. Having elected five of their number trustees, they cansed their proceedings to be recorded in " Registry of Special Deeds for the County of Hunterdon" (vol. i. folio 95), and adopted a constitution and laws for the government of them- selves and the school, and defining the duties of the teacher, who was required to sign his name to an agreement to comply with said rules, whereby we have the names of the teachers employed from 1806 to 1854, the first being that of Tunis Ten Eyck .* In 1854 the practice of signing the rules was aban- doned. The seventh rule seems strange to our ears at this time, but may have been important then; it reads thus :

" It shall be the duty of the teacher to refrain from spirituons liquors while engaged in this school, and uot to enter The school-house while intoxicated, nor lose any time through such intemperance."

The boundary-lines of the district were established in May, 1838, by Isaiah P. Large, Joseph Thompson, Washington Skillman, school committee of Reading- ton, and R. S. Smith, T. A. Ilartwell, A. Martin, of Bridgewater. With a few alterations, the boundaries still remain the same.

The school-house was a wooden structure 16 by 20 feet, with a low board ceiling, located at the site of the present house, "where three highways do meet," on the southwest side of Holland's Brook, with the play- grounds in the roads, as at present. The house was erected in the eighteenth century. In 1839 it was unanimously resolved to build a new house ; Bergun Berkaw, John Morehead, Jr., and Aaron Lane, Jr., were appointed the building committee. The cost of crection was $754.58, a part thereof being paid in timber and work. This house, the one now in use, is a two-story building, of good size, but one tłoor only being used for school purposes.

Jan. 10, 1840, Dr. Josiah Quimby, John C. Lane, and Joseph Thompson were appointed a committee to draft a new constitution, which was adopted April 6, 1840, and ordered to be recorded. In 1851, in ac- cordance with a supplement to the school act, the boundaries of the district were defined by Joseph Thompson, superintendent of Readington, George W. Vroom, of Branchburg, and Lewis Kiple, Herman Hageman, and John S. Berger, trustees of the school, and the name changed to " Readington School," the boundaries of which are recorded in vol. iii. of special deeds, Hunterdon County, pp. 130-32. A new consti- tution was adopted June 30, 1851, and is still in force.

* The "old people" of fifty years ago used to speak of John White and John Mchela as excellent teachers in the school in the last century. Among the teachers between Is1s and IN10, Harry B. Knox and William Armstrong were probably the best, and made a good reputation as in- atructors. Knov was a native of Connecticut, munrried Sarah Egbert, of Readington, and removed lo Steuben Co., N. Y. Armstrong was a native of Washington Co., N. J., to which placo he returned.

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

The present teacher is Joanna F. Wack; present trustees, Dr. Thomas Johnson, John Van Fleet, and Talbot C. Gulick, the last named being clerk of the district.

"Centreville" (District No. 77) has had three sev- eral school-houses; the time of the erection of the first two is unknown. All that can be learned is that Edward Wilmoth was an early teacher. The present building, at Centreville, 22 by 30, a frame structure, was erected in 1851, and repaired in 1875. There are seating accommodations for 50 pupils.

To the Hon. Joseph Thompson, of Readington, we are indebted for much of the history of the schools of " Three Bridges" (District No. 78). He says that in 1813, when he first went to school, "the old house stood on the north side of the Old York Road, at the point where the road branches towards Taylor's (now Kershow's) Mills, and was known as the school at Van Fleet's Corner. This house was 16 by 16 feet, 8-feet posts. The walls were lined with boards to the height of 4 feet, and writing-tables were fastened to them on three sides. The seats were slabs from the saw-mill, supported by legs of hickory 2 feet in length. All the seats were destitute of backs. The ceiling was of unplaned oak boards, laid on beams 8 inches thick. The teachers of that time were generally English, Scotch, or Irish, with a few stray Yankees. The former were good penmen, and the Irish good arithmeticians. Grammar and geography were not taught, except in a few instances, and for extra pay. The teacher collected his own bills for tuition, which were from $1 to $1.25 per scholar for a term of thirteen weeks. Every alternate Saturday was a holiday. The teachers boarded with their employers pro rata.

About 1840 a new building was erected, on the site of the old one. A solitary elm marks the place of the old school-houses which have been superseded by the beautiful and convenient edifice at Three Bridges.

Early teachers were Oliver Dunleavy, Henry B. Mendham, William Bailey, and George Hamilton ; and early trustees were John Hoagland, George Vlere- bome, and John T. Van Fleet, grandfather of the present vice-chancellor.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 123

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