History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 127

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 127
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 127

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).

Nathan Case, son of John 11. and his wife, Eliza- beth Bennett, was born March 17, 1845, in the town- ship of Bethlehem, Hunterdon Co., N. J. The train- ing of his childhood and up to his grandmother's death was all in accordance with her wishes. After her decease he spent some time in the classical insti- tution of Rev. William J. Thompson, Readington, and afterwards in the model school at Trenton and other seminaries of learning, and in 1864 entered the office of Dr. John Blane. He attended the medical lectures of the University of the City of New York and graduated there in the spring of 1868, from which to 1869 he practiced with his preceptor; then opened an office in Asbury, continuing there until Jan. 16, 1871, when he moved to Riegelsville, where he has charge of and manages a very extensive practice. Nov. 8, 1870, he married Miss Mary W. Blane, daugh- ter of his former preceptor. They have children,- John B. and Harriet C.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The church lot and graveyard, ns at first consti- tuted, wns first inclosed by a stone wall in 1793 (before that by a post-and-rail fence) by Jacob Ander- son, a captain in the Revolution, to which he con- tributed very liberally in both time and money. On this church lot the Presbyterian congregation erected a house of worship, said to have been of logs, and afterwards, about 1760, replaced by a wooden build- ing known as the frame. After the building of a frame church in Alexandria this was known as the "(ld Frame." It stood until 1830, and was succeeded by a stone building,-not in the graveyard, but in a grove east of it, purchased by the trustees of Joseph Boss, where the present church, built in 1870, stands.

The Bethlehem ( Presbyterian) Church is said to have been organized in 1730. Its first called pastor was the Rev. James McCrea, afterwards minister at Lam- ington; he was the father of Miss Jane McCrea,

He supplied the pulpit, but did not settle as pastor, and next the Rev. Thomas Lewis," who was installed in October, 1747; he served fourteen years, nnd in 1761 was succeeded by Rev. John Hanna, who in 1762 married the Rev. James McCrea's daughter Mary, and died in charge, Nov. 4, 1801.+ His succes- sor was Rev. Holloway Whitfield Hunt, who con- tinued till 1842, when he resigned and was followed by Rev. Robert W. Landis, who served until 1849, when the congregation called the Rev. Jos. G. Wil- liamson, the present pastor. The elders at present are Wesley Bird, James Hummer, Joseph King, Dr. Henry Race, John L. K. Watters, William S. Wyckoff (Asher S. Housel died July 28, 1880).

The trustees are James P. Huffman (president), Jonathan Butler, David Huffman, James Boss, Jo- seph Carhart.

The Rev. Holloway W. Hunt, who was always very fond of agricultural pursuits, after resigning his charge, in 1842, still lived on and managed his farm, three-fourths of a mile southwest from Midvale Sta- tion. He was the first to use lime in this neighbor- hood to any extent as a fertilizer, by which means he brought his farm of 150 acres-not naturally of the best quality-to a high state of cultivation. His example in this direction is still followed by the best farmers. Ile was a native of Orange Co., N. Y., born 1769, came to New Jersey the latter part of last cen- tury, and died Jan. 17, 1858. The same plot contains the remains of wife, daughter, and son. He left two sons,-Dr. W. A. A. Hunt, of Clarksville, and Rev. Holloway W. Hunt, Jr., of Schooley's Mountain, New Jersey ; both are since deceased.

The Rev. Robert W. Landis is still living in Ken- fueky. He was a man of commanding appearance, neat in dress, easy in manners and address, and n not- able man in mixed company. His pastorate was nt- tended with one of the greatest accessions of members the church ever bad at one time. The old stone edi- fice was enlarged at that time. He had a fine voice and good control of it, and was an excellent singer. The church had no bell, and the congregation were often engaged in conversation in small squads ; when the hour arrived for service to begin, he, in the pul- pit, would strike up a hymn, which very soon would bring them into the sanctuary.

Here, on the east of the church, is the Bethlehem Cemetery. The company was organized Oet. 12, 1858. The ground is handsomely laid out, the shrubbery kept well trimmed, and its affairs are well managed. It contains several handsome specimens of sculpture commemorative of our once acquaintances, friends, neighbors, relatives. The present officers of the

. The llov. Thumna Lewis was at Mendham, Morris Co., In 1769.

t The Rev, John Hannn left three sons, Jaines, Juhn Andre, and William R. Ho was a very active man, and in addition to the duties of pastor of three congregations-14 thlehem, Kingwood, andl Alexandria- practiced medicine quite extensively. He also managed a largo farm for many years ; it lies in Alexandria.

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

association are Joseph King, President; William Wyckoff, Secretary; James P. Huffman, Treasurer.

There is on the north of the old churchyard a beautiful piece of ground, well inclosed with a wooden fence, which several families use as a burial-place.

The old churchyard, although it contains the names of a "multitude of those who have gone before," has not so many inscribed monuments as we might sup- pose it would have, owing, no doubt, to the incon- venience of getting them in the early day, when the roads were few and poor. The oldest bears date 1762. Here we find the names of two former pastors, Revs. H. W. Hunt and John Hanna. The latter died Nov. 4, 1801, aged seventy years. His wife has nothing to mark her resting-place. Fifty years ago it was asserted by old people that she died with the smallpox, caught from her husband's clothes while he was attending patients who had the disease, and was buried in a burying-ground on their own farm in Alexandria. Among the older inscriptions are those of John Hacket, died 1766; Col. Abram Bonnell, 1797 ; Thomas Exton, 1857, aged fifty-nine ; Baltes Stiger, 1830, aged sixty-eight; Joseph Bird, 1830, aged sixty ; Adam Hope, 1821, aged eighty-one; Jonathan Williams, 1780; John Bray, 1806, aged sixty-eight; Robert Johnson, 1821, aged eighty- eight; John Wilson, 1830, aged seventy-six ; John Crawford, 1815, aged eighty-eight ; Robert Taylor, 1821, aged eighty ; and Jacob Anderson, 1837, aged eighty-three.

THE BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH.#

The Bethlehem Baptist church is located on the south side of the New Jersey turnpike road, in the northwest part of Union township. The meeting- house was erected in 1837, on land given by Aaron Van Syckel, and the parsonage in 1876, on land donated by his daughter, Alice Killgore.

The church was raised up and established under the faithful labors of Rev. Thomas E. Barrass, who commenced his labors in April, 1831. Previous to this there had been preaching in the neighborhood by other Baptist ministers, but without much apparent success. Oct. 31, 1837, the church was regularly constituted with 14 members. The Rev. T. E. Barrass was chosen pastor, and continued to labor until April, 1850, making nineteen successive years. He was a man of fine abil- ity, and the church increased under his ministrations. He received 125 members into fellowship during his pastorate.

He was succeeded by the Rev. E. M. Barker, who commenced his work May; 1850, and continued for three years, receiving 24 into the church. It was then supplied by Rev. Marshall and other ministers until March, 1854, when the Rev. J. J. Baker became pastor. He continued his labors amid difficulties until July, 1858, having received 24 into fellow- ship. The church was then dependent on supplies

until April, 1859, when the Rev. William Archer was called. Through his efforts peace and prosperity were restored, and an extensive revival was enjoyed, which resulted in many valuable additions to the church. He continued his labors until April, 1864, having received 81.

After being destitute of a pastor for some time, the Rev. George Young was called in 1865; he continued until October, 1867. At the close of his labors the Rev. Henry Westcot succeeded. In January, 1868, 19 were dismissed to constitute the New Hampton Baptist Church, and in January, 1872, 25 to form the Clinton Baptist Church. In April, 1872, Brother Westcot closed his labors. The church, being much reduced by dismissions and other causes, was then supplied by different ministers until April, 1874, when J. W. Porter became pastor, and continued until July, 1875, when he was excluded from fellow- ship. The church, being greatly depressed, was then dependent on supplies until April, 1876, when Rev. T. C. Young was called. During this year the par- sonage was built. He remained until April, 1878, when the church called the Rev. A. B. Still, who continues at this time.

There is a cemetery attached which contains the remains of, and an obelisk monument to the memory of, Aaron Van Syckel and his wife. He contributed largely to all the improvements, and left funds to keep them up. Also to the memory of his daughter Alice, late the wife of Robert Killgore, through whose liberality much has been done to erect a parsonage. Here lie the remains of Dr. R. M. McLenahan and his wife Christiana, daughter of Aaron Van Syckel, and of three other of his daughters,-Mercy, Fanny, and Emily. -

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT NORTON.

The church of this religious society was built in 1828, and rebuilt in 1855, on land donated by George Garrison, owing at the time much of its suc- cess to the exertions of a local preacher and former class-leader, Abraham Housel, who died Oct. 19, 1848, in his forty-ninth year. His remains were in- terred in the burying-ground attached to this church, as were also those of John P. Lair, born Feb. 3, 1813, died Nov. 24, 1871. In 1868-69 he was member of the General Assembly.

Rev. A. Van Deusen, present minister in charge, has kindly furnished the following in regard to Union charge:

"I may not be ablo to give much information as to its early history, 08 It stood connected with various circuits at different times. Asbury Cir- cuit was formed as early 38 1806, and occupied a large territory. In 1836 -37 it stood in connection with Flanders Circuit, E. Sanderson and O. S. Vancleve, preachers; in 1838 it was united with Flemington Circuit, Rovs. Jacob Hevener and James M. Tuttle, preachers; had a revival, and about 40 were added. In 1843, Clinton Circuit was formed, Wes- ley Roberts and J. W. Barrett, preachers; 1844, Edward Page and S. E. Post, preachers; 1845, Manning Force and S. D. Badgley, con- tinued in 1846; 1818, Clinton Circuit, John Fort and George Banghart; 1849, Quakertown Circuit, T. T. Campfield and S. W. Decker; 1858, Union

* By the present pastor, Rev. A. B. Still.

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UNION.

with Paltenburg, C. E. Walton, for two years; 1861, S. M. Stiles; 1862, ' there is a " Historical Sketch of the Baptist Church J. F. Dodd, superseded in 1863 by S. M. Fogg ; 1864, S. J. Hayter ; 1865- 66, David Walters, connection with Clarksville; 1867-68, C. C WInans; of Kingwood, N. J." 1870, A. Craig; 1871-72, Union and l'attonburg, T. T. Campfield ; 1873, supplied by J. U. Ramsey ; 1874, MI. F. Warner; 1875-76, D. Halleron; 1877-78, J. Mend; 1879-80, A. Van Deusen, present minister in charge."

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT PATTEN- BURG

was built in 1853, on land donated in 1852 to Trustees John H. Case, Joseph Gano, Aaron Streeter, Godfrey Case, and Jacob P. Apgar. Ministers officiating there sinec, John P. McCormick, John N. Crane, David Graves, Charles E. Walton, Norman L. Hig- bee, Charles Miller, M. N. Fogg, John F. Dodd, Jonathan Eward, Thomas Campfield, James N. Ram- say, Daniel Halleron, Joshua Mead, A. Van Deusen. Revs. Brown, Stiles, Swain, and Galloway also served. The present trustees are Johnson Hummer, John Bowlby, Henry Merrill, Sidney Sweery, George Bar- ber, Gardner Housel, Charles Willianis.

There is a beautiful cemetery attached ; it contains the grave of Peter Hardy, who died March 8, 1861, aged eighty-one; the remains and monument, an obelisk, of William McIlroy, born May 22, 1784, died Aug. 7, 1860:

" He was the friend and benefactor of this congregation, and by it he, being dead, yet speaketh ;"

John HI. Case, born Nov. 7, 1807, died Aug. 13, 1869. He was first town clerk, and had been eleven years before the division of the township.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Old people used to say fifty years ago that not long before then the ruins of an old log building and evi- dences of a graveyard were visible a short distance from there, and Samuel Leigh the elder stated it was a Baptist institution, but did not know its history.

There was a burying-ground of some extent on the farm once owned by Meshack Hull, but we have no further knowledge of it.

It is traditional that there was onee an old Baptist church in that neighborhood. Mrs. Abigail Johnson states that when she was a little girl she had often visited the spot where their baptisms were performed; it was in her father's field, and known in the family by the name of the "dipping-pool," and close by were the remains of okl timber, supposed at that time to be the ruins of the church, but she has no knowledge of any graveyard in the immediate vicinity. The one just mentioned was about 600 yards westward from the pool, and there was another in a northerly direction, on lands since owned by Thomas Exton.

Since writing the above my friend and co-laborer. in this work, Dr. Henry Race, informs me that "in the year 1738, Rev. Thomas Curtis began a settle- ment on the point of land which lies in the fork of Spruce Run and Smalley Creek, and the next year removed his family there." In the "Minutes of the Central New Jersey Baptist Association for 1875,"

There is just north of Cole's Mill, formerly Beaver's Mill, and still carlier Albertson's Mill, on the left- hand side of the road leading to the Union and on the left bank of the Monselaughaway, an old grave- yard containing many graves. The occupants were probably operatives in the furnace and their families, as iron plates-one with letters on it-were visible not long since .* They were used as headstones. Adam Creager's child was the last one buried there, about fifty years ago.

We have not been able to ascertain at what time Allen and Turner, of Philadelphia, purchased their Union traet, or when the furnace was built. See Dr. Mott's "First Century of Hunterdon County," pp. 23 and 40.

John Clifford, first lieutenant in Capt. Carhart's company, Second Regiment, Hunterdon, who lived many years in this township, on the farm ou which his great-grandson, Joseph Williamson, now resides, has said that Gen. William Maxwell, during the Rev- olution, was very frequently at the Union furnace, and when there any sick person in want of a little good tea could get some without paying for it by sending to him. It was a mystery that none outside could solve; some not friendly to him thought of accusing him of disloyalty, but dare not do it.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

The township is so divided that it contains but one whole school district, that at Cook's Cross-Roads, a small one. The other districts are fractional. In the township outside the whole district there are five other school-houses,-namely Pattenburg, Norton, the Eight-square, one at Bethlehem Church, and one

· Since penning the above 1 have been informed that Birs. Abigail Johnson (widow of Edward Johnson, and daughter of George Beavers and his wife, Sarah Lanning, and granddaughter of Col. Joseph Beavers, of Revolutionary memory) had frequently, with other children, played there, and always had a strong desiro to know what the lettering of that iron plato was; she made this wish known to a grandnephew, A. S. Carhart, who visited the graveyard and made a drawing of the iron houdstone, a copy of which is hero presented :-

1761 D9

MADLINIA GROHRBACH

ANDOVER F

This Is the last tombstone standing, where so many people have been buried.

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

at Maxwell's, all supplied in part with scholars from other adjoining townships, and in return send their scholars to Clinton, Franklin, and Alexandria.

School money has been raised as follows : 1853, $2 per scholar; 1854, $2.50; 1855-60, none; 1861, $1; 1862-66, none; 1867-68, $2; 1869, none; 1870, $2; 1871-73, no vote; 1874-75, none.

The first school-houses in this township were built of logs. One, at the foot of the hill east of the Hickory tavern, was worn out in the service; for most of the time John Head taught in it. It gave place to a frame at Pattenburg in 1804, which yielded to a stone one on the same spot, enlarged and rebuilt in 1868. It is 22 by 34 feet, and will seat 60 scholars.

· At Norton a log house stood east of the road; it served its day and went down, and Hensfoot took its place (a long time occupied by John Head as teacher), but, becoming worn out, was closed for several years. It was succeeded hy one at Sever's, ahout 1830; here Jeremiah Daily, William Loder, Sr., Asher S. Housel, John Wheeler, John Wilson, and others officiated as teachers.

One near the Union was succeeded in 1837, or about that time, by the Eight-square, the present house, which is 24 feet square. It stands on a lot deeded by Hugh Exton to Daniel H. Anderson, Charles Bon- nell, and Wesley Bird; it was thoroughly repaired in 1873. Its seating capacity is 44 pupils. The first teacher in this house was a Mr. Carr, of Easton, Pa. The trustees now serving (1880) are Lewis Exton (clerk), Lambert Smith, Michael Banghart.

The one at Bellis' succeeded a log house over in Alexandria in 1833. Of a later date (1836) was a stone house on the road near Joseph Carhart's, still standing, but not used as a school-house; and the basement of the union church at Norton was for some time used as a school-room, but was abandoned, it was alleged, on account of being unhealthy. They have a good house there now, built in 1872. These different structures in their several times gave accom- modations to the teachers and pupils and turned out scholars who would do credit to circles of greater opportunities. The first board of trustees (1833) were Peter Mechlin, William Maxwell, and William Stout; Peter M. Mcchlin is now teacher, and for several years has taught the school very acceptably to the district; trustees, Hiram Stout (clerk), Peter M. Taylor, Edward Cooley.

In 1847 the Hensfoot was rebuilt, and for seven years was under the charge and care of ten different instructors,-Miss A. E. Lesher, Joseph Collier, 1848; A. J. Opdycke, 1848; Mr. Ellicott, 1849; Richard Barker, 1850; John Hackett, 1851; George Cook, 1852; A. Craig, a graduate of Union College, Schen- ectady, Miss M. Fine, 1853; M. Abel, 1854. During the latter part of this term some vandals broke the windows and so damaged the house that it was given up as a school-honse.

In 1855-56, Oliver II. Huffman, a graduate of. Rut-

gers College, taught a select school in the house of Dr. John Blane. In 1858, John C. Bergner com- menced in the same place a class in music, which he continued four years.

The present trustees of the Norton school (1880) are Godfrey Lott (clerk), Conrad Creager, and Dr. N. B. Boileau, and the officiating teacher, - Servis. The first trustees of the Pattenburg school were Tunis Stires, George Gano, and Benjamin Egbert, and John Head, the first teacher, remaining for many years. Present trustees (1880), J. Smith Hummer (clerk), John R. Williamson, and Johnson J. Martin, and teacher, Lewis Streeter.

Cook's Cross-Roads, a new site, has a frame build- ing, erected in 1852, which will seat 40 pupils; its first board of trustees were Jacob Cook, Cornelius B. Sheets, aud Isaac H. Demot; present trustees, Al- fred Cook (clerk), Sylvester Hyde, Thomas Stires. The present teacher is George L. Albright.

The first school-house at the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church is said to have been of logs, which no doubt it was, and to have stood in the southwest corner of the graveyard. When it was erected is not known. Its successor, which stood northeast at the then grave- yard, was erected in 1813. The trustees at that time were Peter Young, Gideon Chamberlin, and Thomas Foster. Francis Finigan was the first teacher, fol- lowed by David B. Huffman and Stephen Albrough in succession. This house was in use until 1838-39, when an octagonal stone building, on the opposite or east side of the road, took its place. The lease was given by the trustees of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church to the trustees of the district school, and bears date Sept. 1, 1838. The school trustees at that time were Joseph Boss, John Butler, and Daniel Carhart; Elwood S. Alpaugh was teacher in 1876. Since then the old octagonal stone building has given way to a more modern wooden structure, built on the same ground, which will comfortably seat 40 scholars, and is more in keeping with the surroundings than the old one. The present trustees are Martin Frace, clerk, Wesley Melick, Henry De Mott; the present teacher, Miss Clara Bonham.

The value of school property in the township (1880) is $3850. Number of teachers employed, males, 4; females, 2; annual amount expended on schools, about $2000; number of children of school age in the town- ship, a little less than 400.

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.

Jacob Anderson, lieutenant (afterwards captain) in the militia.

Abraham Bonnell, lieutenant-colonel in the Second Regiment Hunterdon County. His land is still occu- pied by his descendants.

John Clifford, first licutenant in Capt. Carhart's company, Second Regiment Hunterdon Couuty. His land is now in the possession of the fifth and sixth generations of his descendants.

7. a. Polly

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UNION.

William Hackett went into the battle at Monmouth, and has never since been heard of.

Richard Mills, member of Capt. Bowman's com- pany, Continental army. He was an Englishman by birth, and was said to be very skillful in doctoring all kinds of domestic animals, by which and the proceeds of a cake-and-beer saloon kept by Mrs. Sally Mills they made a living. He received a pension, which was in part extended to his widow. Some of their descendants are living in adjacent neighborhoods. Ile was a member of the Episcopal Church, and was buried at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Alexan- dria; nothing but memory marks the spot where he lies. It is said there are several other old patriots lying in the same row.

Amos Smith was a soldier in the Revolution, and the captain of a company sent by New Jersey in sup- port of the government in the insurrection in Penn- sylvania in 1798 commonly called the Whisky In- surrection.

Samuel Leigh was a soldier in the Revolution. He moved into this township from near I'rinceton.

Leonard Martin was a soldier in the same, and re- ceived a pension.

Christopher Srope was engaged in the army some time.

Jacob Johnson, a soldier of the Revolution, at that time of Middlesex County, but moved here and raised a large family, many of whose descendants are in this and adjacent neighborhoods. He and his wife both lived to be very old. He received a pension and back-pay in his later days.

Capt. Carhart commanded a company in the Second Regiment Hunterdon County, commanded by Lieut .- Col. Abraham Bonnell, but it does not appear that he lived in the township, but in Mansfield, then Sussex County .*

Matthias Abel, notable in his day as a vendue- cryer, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. He was a native of Union township, then Bethlehem, in the county of Hunterdon. He died in 1837, aged eighty-three. He entered the army as a private in 1775; was in the battle of Long Island; was with Washington in his retreat over the Jerseys in the summer and fall of 1776. His enlistment expired the day before the battle of Monmouth ; was out with a scouting-party all night before the battle ; lay in sight of the battle during the day with his company, but was not in it. After the war he lived in Union town- ship until his death.

Benjamin Egbert, son of Abraham Egbert and his wife, Elizabeth Garrison, was born on Staten Island, N. Y., Aug. 25, 1768. At the usual age he was ap-

prentieed to his unele, Nicholas Egbert, to learn the trade of tanner and currier, with the accompanying branches. Having served his time, he married Re- beeca Carkhuff and settled in the then township of Bethlehem (now Union) in 1800. Ilis ancestors emi- grated from England in about 1660 and settled in Staten Island; he was brought up in the Episcopal Church. He was for many years a judge of the County Court, and a justice of the peace at the same time, and was noted for decision and soundness of judgment. It was remarked by a member of the Hunterdon County bar (Col. N. Saxton) that his judgments were seldom appealed from, and the ap- peals still more seldom sustained. He was a man of independent mind and sterling integrity.

Of State and county officers we have had judges : Benjamin Egbert and William Egbert. State Senator : Aaron Van Syckel, Sr., John Blane, and Frederick A. Potts. Assemblymen : Enoch Clifford, John Blane, Joseph Exton, John II. Case, Cornelius B. Sheets, and John P. Lair. Sheriff: Aaron Van Syekel, Sr. ; he officiated at the execution of the colored man Brom. Jacob Anderson is said to have been sheriff, but no record could be found as to the time.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 127

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