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 155
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 155
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"Somerset County is now in perfect working order. Statistics of Sun- day-schools have been collected regularly for four consecutive years, and the plans and objects of the New Jersey State Sunday-School Association are clearly understood. The county association is well organized, and is really one of the most thoroughly understood and most beartily loved institutions of the county. . . . At the last meeting, in Somerville, the excellent township secretaries presented their annual reports promptly, exhibiting, as neual, a fidelity in the discharge of their duty that is truly remarkable. . . . It will be seen that the county has this year eighty- five schools, all of which are fully reported :
1860.
1863.
Number of schools in county
77
85
Number of schools reported.
72
85
Number of teachers.
913
1,062
Average attendance of teachers.
672
882
Children on register ...
4,955
5,177
Average attendance of children
3,318
3,852
Scholars over 18 years ...
393
615
Number of teachers church-members.
879
840
Number of scholars church-members ...
225
348
Conversions during the past year ..
29
118
Deaths during the past year.
19
45
Scholars in infant class.
808
Average attendance of infants
594
Volumes in library.
18,055
22,04G
Hold teachers' prayer-meetings, number scholars ..
16
14
Hold monthly concert, number echolars ..
7
14
Discontinued in winter,
Benevolent contributions.
$707.53"
The present corresponding secretary, in his last report to the State association, in 1879, says,-
"The Sunday-school is one of the best-loved institutions in Somerect County, and a Sunday-school anniversary or convention will, in any part of oer county, commind a crowded assemblage. The religious character
of the people and the prominence long given to the different forms of Christian work leave little room for marked changes in our statistical table. We report ninety-three schools,-two more than last year,-with an average attendance of five thousand children. Seventy-one schools are open the whole year, which is an increase of ten over last year. Perbape in two years, at this rate of progress, we shall be able to report all our schools as never closing. There is also a slight increase in the number of conversione this year,-one hundred and fifty-one against one hundred and thirty.
"Our township secretaries are all experienced, and some of them veteran workers. Some of our townships have never known but one secretary, and most of us are growing old in the offices we hold by the good pleasure of our county association. This aversion to frequent changes and rattling machinery is one of the peculiarities of our people We are steady and diligent workers, and, while we may be considered a little too conservative, yet we venture to affirm there is as much intelli- gent and effective teaching of the word in our schools as in any county of our State."
Number of schools in operation in county .. 93
schools reporting. 92
€6 officers. 394
teachers
1032
Average attendance of officers and teachers. 1031
Number of teachers church-members ... 66 scholars, including primary class. 67.27
935
Average attendance of scholars ..
4592
Number of scholars church-members.
1169
primary scholars conversions or confirmations
151
Special temperance lessons given. 26
Amount contributed for State and county associa- tions ... $140.68
Have school all the year.
71
Use international uniform lessons. 86
The county secretaries have printed and published every year, by order of the association, a county report, with full statistical tables.
The twenty-first annual convention of the Somerset County Sunday-School Association was held Sept. 14, 1880, in the Methodist Episcopal church of Bernards- ville. The following were chosen as the officers of the ensuing year :
President, Rev. C. C. Winans, Bernardsville ; Vice-Presidents, Wm. N.
Adsir, Raritan ; Rev. Samuel Parry, Pluckamin ; Rev. L. F. Burgess, Raritan; Rev. Wm. E. Davis, South Branch; Corresponding Secre- tary, Rev. J. Le Fevre, Middlehush ; Recording Secretary, E. B. Por- ter; Treasurer, J. V. D. Hoagland, Millstone.
TOWNSHIP SECRETARIES.
Bedminster .- T. V. Van Arsdale, Pluckamin.
Bernard .- Calvin D. Smith, Bernardsville.
Branchburg .- George H. Stephens, North Branch Depot.
Bridgewater .-- A. V. D. Honeyman, Somerville.
Hillsborough .- Daniel Stryker, Plainville.
Franklin .- P. A. Voorhees, Franklin Park.
Montgomery .- Joseph H. Voorhees, Rocky Hill.
North Plainfield .- James R. Perrine, Plainheld.
Warren .- Israel J. Coon, Plainfield.
CORRESPONDING DELEGATES.
Morris County .- Rev. C. T. Anderson, Peapack.
Middlesex County .- Rov. A. E. Baldwin, Bound Brook.
Hunterdon County .- Rev, W. II. Ilnffman, Pottersville.
DELEGATES TO STATE CONVENTION.
Reve. J. B. Mulford, N. McConaughy, Charles II. Poole, J. V. D. Hong- land, P. A. Voorhees, C. C. Winans, P. M. Doolittle, and Messrs. J. V. Perlee, S. P. Dunham, O. D. Smith.
The next annual session (1881) will be held in the First Baptist church of Somerville.
COUNTY TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION.t
" The Somerset County Temperance Association" was organized Jan. 3, 1866. It was the result of a call
+ By Rev. Charles 11. Pool, secretary.
* New township.
1433
635
COUNTY SOCIETIES.
to the temperance people of the county by Jacob L. Sutphen, then of Somerville, and one of the vice-presi- dents of the New Jersey State Temperance Alliance, to assemble for that purpose in the Second Reformed church of Somerville on the day above named. After the war the use of intoxicating drink seemed to in- crease in the county to an alarming extent, both in publie places and in more private social gatherings; and this prompted the desire, on the part of some, for the founding of a county temperance association. It was made auxiliary to the State Temperance Alliance, and its object, as declared in the second article of its constitution, is "to advance the cause of temperance in this county by means of sermons, lectures, tracts, and other printed matter, and by all lawful and moral means in our power."
The history of the association during the fifteen years of its existence has been a comparatively un- eventful one. Like all temperance societies, it has been popular with only a few, though Somerset County comprises mostly a thrifty, moral, and church- going people, and it seemed to have little influence in checking the evils of intemperance. It held meetings annually, but they were generally small, and because of smallness lacked, if not enthusiasm, certainly etli- ciency. Within a few years, however, there has been a change for the better. The annual meetings are more largely attended and more interesting. The clergymen of the county co-operate more generally and heartily, and many prominent laymen are be- coming interested in the work of the association. Persistent effort to find and appoint active temper- ance workers (mostly laymen) as secretaries in each township has been rewarded, and this has resulted in some township organizations, a large increase of tem- perance meetings, and in the circulation of temper- nnee literature, many signers to the pledge, and a decided decrease in the number of reputable men who are willing to sign applications for tavern and saloon licenses. In several instances licenses have been revoked or refused through the influence of the society, and a noticeable advance has been made in the temperance sentiment and zeal of the people of the county. The influence of the association is, after these years, beginning to be perceptible. It does not propose to fall back, but to persevere until, with the Divine help and blessing, it shall realize what is now only an expectation,-viz., the total prohibition of the liquor traffic.
At the meeting for the organization of the Somerset County Temperance Association, Jan. 3, 1866, Jacob I. Sutphen was president, and Peter S. Brokaw sec- retary. The officers chosen for permanent organiza- tion were: President, Rev. R. R. Rodgers, D.D .; Vice-Presidents (one from each township ; now called secretaries) : Bedminster, T. V. Van Arsdale; Ber- nard, Rev. J. C. Rankin ; Branchburg, S. B. Little; Bridgewater, Rev. Mr. Boswell; Franklin, Peter .I. Voorhees; Hillsborough, Elias Van Fleet; Mont-
gomery, J. S. Hoagland; Warren, Rev. Mr. Pike; Secretary, Daniel Porter ; Treasurer, J. W. Conklin.
The first annual convention was held Sept. 25, 1866, in the Presbyterian church at Bound Brook.
OFFICERS SINCE 1806.
Sept. 25, 1866, to Sept. 3, 1867 .- President, Judge Morton; Secretary, Rev. IT. D. Doolittle.
Sept. 3, 1867, to Sept. 1, 1868,-Preshleut, Rev. William Brush ; Vice- President, Peter A. Voorhees; Secretary, Rev. II. D. Doolittle; Treas- urer, Daniel Sanborn.
Sept. 1, 1868, to Sept. 7, 1869 .- President, Rev. William Cornell ; Vice- President, Andrew Rarick ; Secretary, Rev. II. D. Doolittle ; Treasurer, Rev. William Brush.
Sept 7, 1860, to Sept. 20, 1870 .- President, Rev. William Cornell ; Vice- President, Rev. R. K. Rodgers, D.D .; Secretary, Rev. II. D. Doolittle ; Treasurer, N. B. Richardson.
Sept. 20, 1870, to Sept. 5, 1871 .- President, Rev. Thomas Carter ; Vice- President, Rev. E. T. Corwin ; Secretary, Blev. Il. D. Doolittle ; Treasurer, N. B. Richardson.
Sept. 5, 1871, to Sept. 3, 1872 .- President, Rev. Thomas Carter ; Vice- President, Rev. E. T. Corwin ; Secretary, Rev. II. D. Doolittle; Treasurer, R. MI Pollenms.
Sept. 3, 1872, to Sept. 2, 1873 .- President, Rov. John F. Mesick, D.D .; Vire-President, Rev. Mr. King; Secretary, Rev. William Cornell ; Treas- urer, George W. Adair.
Sept. 2, 1873, to Sept. 1, 187-1 .- President, Rev. E. T. Corwin ; Vice- President, Joseph Thompson ; Secretary, Rev. Charles HI. Pool; Trees- urer, Goorgo W. Adnir.
Sept. 1, 1874, to Sept. 7, 1875,-President, Rev. J. C. Rankin, D.D .; Vico.President, Rev. Mr. Parsons; Secretary, Rev. P. M. Doolittle; Treas- urer, George W. Adnir.
Sept. 7, 1875, to Sept. 5, 1876 .- President, Ralph Voorhees; Vice-Presi- dent, Rev. J. C. Rankin, D.D .; Secretary, Rev. C. II. Pool; Treasurer, George W. Adair.
Sept. 5, 1876, to Sept. 4, 1877 .- President, A. V. D. Honeyman, Esq. ; Vice- President, Herbert Kingsbury ; Secretary, Rev. C. 11. Pool ; Treas- urer, George W. Aduir.
Sepl. 4, 1877, to Sept. 3, 1878 .- President, Rev. A. E. Baldwin, D.D .; Vice-President, Rev. John Davis; Secretary, Rev. C. 11. Poul ; Treasurer, George W. Adair.
Sept. 3, 1878, to Sept. 2, 1879 .- l'resident, Rev. l'eter Gibb; Vice-Presi- dent, Rov. J. 1. Boswell ; Secretary, Rov. C. 11. Pool; Treasurer, George W. Adnir.
Sept. 2, 1879, to Sept. 7, 15>0 .- President, Rev. John Hart ; Viro.Presi- dlent, Rev. D. W. Ryder ; Secretary, Rev. C. H. Pool; Treasurer. G. W. Adair.
Sept. 7. 1ss0, to Sept. 6, 1×81 .- President, flon. Peter A. Voorhees; Vico- President, Rev. J. B. Mulford; Secretary, Rev. C. II. Pool ; Treasurer, George W. Adair.
Township Secretaries .- Bedinluster, Rev. Samuel Parry ; Bernard, Ralph Voorhees; Branchburg, Hugh Gaston; Bridgewater, P. W. Mitchell ; Franklin, Rev. James Le Fovre; Hillsborough, Stephen Weaver ; Montgomery, David C. Voorhees; North Plainfield, James R. Perrino; Warren, Rev. G. F. Apgar.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
The Franklin Agricultural Society of Somerset County was incorporated on Ang. 17, 1857. William D. Bellis conveyed the land where the present fair- grounds are to the Franklin Agricultural Society. David Sanderson, of White House, was the president most if not all the time of its existence. Fairs were held annually until 1868; there was none held in 1869.
In ts70 the Farmers' and Manufacturers' Associa- tion was incorporated, and held an election of officers July 16, ISTO. The following officers were elected : Rynier II. Veghte, President; Abr. T. Hoff, Vice- President ; Calvin Corle, Treasurer ; William S. Pot- ter, Secretary ; and nine directors,-viz., E. Van
636
SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
Syckle, A. J. Farrand, A. W. Garretson, A. S. Ten Eyck, J. V. D. Hoagland, J. V. D. Powelson, J. V. Veghte, J. R. Lewis, and C. Barcalow. At a subse- quent meeting C. Corle and Abr. T. Hoff resigned, and Job C. Kinyon was made vice-president and L. R. Vredenburgh treasurer. These officers remained in office for several years, being re-elected annually. R. H. Veghte as president, L. R. Vredenburgh as treas- urer, and William S. Potter as secretary, have each been re-elected annually since the organization.
The fair-grounds were rented from Mr. Sanderson in the fall of 1870, when the first fair was held under the new organization. In 1871 the grounds were purchased of him for twelve thousand dollars. The fairs have been held annually the first week in Octo- ber since that time, with an average profit of one thousand dollars per year. New buildings have been erected on the grounds, and the fences renewed and repaired as occasion required. About twelve hun- dred shares of stock have been issued, at five dollars per share. The fairs have been well attended and the exhibitions all that the society could expect. The annual meeting of the stockholders is held on the third Saturday of February each year, in the court-house at Somerville, at which time Prof. Cook, of Rutgers College, gives an address to the stock- holders. It has become a matter of so much interest to the farmers that the court-house is now filled each year to hear the address. The society owns thirty- three acres in the inclosure, and about nine acres out- side. There is only a debt of three thousand dollars remaining yet unpaid.
CHAPTER XI.
MEN OF PROMINENCE.
Biographical Sketches of John Royce, Hendrick Fisher, Lord Stirling, Capt. John and Gen. Peter I. Stryker, Alexander and Janes Linn; Reve. Wm. Jackson, John Cornell, Isaac V. Brown, Spence H. Cono; T. DeWitt Talmage, John F. Mesick, Elbert S. Porter, Morris C. Snt- phin; Theodore Strong, LL.D., Judge Berrien, Hon. Poter A. Voor- hees, Judge Ralph Voorhees, Ilon. Rynior II. Veghte, William H. Gatzmer, Andrew Hageman, etc.
SOMERSET COUNTY claims the nativity and resi- dence, within her bounds, of very many of the most distinguished men of the State, eminent soldiers, statesmen, jurists, divines, learned men and brave, and patriots, without number. While a royal quarto volume would be none too ample for their memoirs, the brief space which ean here be given them will necessarily admit of but few of the many, and those briefly treated. Biographical sketches of the promi- nent men of Somerset may be found scattered all through this history, in its various departments, and it is attempted in this chapter only to mention a few of her distinguished sons, dead and living, not else- where given.
JOHN ROYCE lived first at Piscataway, and then in what has since been known as Roycefield, near the late residence of John J. Staats. He was a merchant in New York, but came to Somerset County probably soon after the date of the Indian purchase. He owned, or claimed to own, a tract of twenty thousand acres on the south side of the Raritan, about which some dispute existed. Andrew Hamilton, the Governor, wrote of him in 1700,-
" He is the very leader of the troublesome sort of the people, and it is he that infuses the motive in them of holding to their Indian titles."
He managed, however, to maintain his position and influence, and was chosen the same year one of the representatives of New Jersey in the Colonial Legis- lature; in his office as such he questioned the author- ity of Governor Hamilton to call a Legislative Assem- bly, insisting that it was not safe to act without the king's approbation. It appears that he had been one of the council of Hamilton, appointed on his arrival and entranee upon office in 1692. One of his de- scendants (it must have been) occupied the same po- sition in Governor Franklin's council when the Rev- olution commenced, and encouraged the capture and supersedure of the Governor when it became neces- sary to displace him. When the family sold their possessions and when they retired is not known. The name is still met with in New York City, and is also in existence in Northern New York and in Vermont.
John Royce was a man of activity and energy in his day, and has left his trace upon our history in an unmistakable way. As one of the early pioneers he is not to be forgotten, and ought not to be suffered to pass without commanding his appropriate meed of honor. He was at all times a man of the people, and could be depended upon when resistance to authority was necessary to the defense of their rights.
HENDRICK FISHER .- Perhaps one of the most striking relics of the olden time is the birthplace of Hendrick Fisher, who was the Samuel Adams of New Jersey. The house is situated on the south side of the Raritan, about one mile southeast from the centre of the village. In this house, in 1703, the same year in which the elder Hendrick Fisher pur- chased it, was born Hendrick Fisher, the son, whose name is intimately connected with Revolutionary his- tory. The father purchased the premises directly from William Dockwra, who had purchased a tract of nine hundred acres south of Bound Brook. The house referred to is still standing, and is the residence of Abram I. Brokaw ; it was probably built by Dockwra in 1688.
MAJOR-GEN. WILLIAM ALEXANDER. - William Alexander (Lord Stirling) was the son of James Alexander, a native of Scotland, who took refuge in America in 1716, in consequence of the part he had taken in favor of the House of Stuart in the rebellion of the preceding year. William was born in New York City in 1726. After receiving a liberal educa-
637
MEN OF PROMINENCE.
tion he succeeded his father as surveyor-general of their headquarters at Millstone in the early summer of 1779 to Stony Point, on the Hudson."*
New Jersey. He subsequently became a merchant, and a commissary of the army in 1755, serving as an aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen. Shirley during three campaigns of that war. He accompanied Shirley to England, and there he succeeded in establishing his claim, as nearest male heir, to the title and estates of the vacant earldom of Stirling. He returned to America in 1761, residing first at New York, but soon built a residence at Basking Ridge, on a tract of land inherited from his father; this was for a time his summer retreat, and eventually his permanent nbode. He there lived in a truly baronial style. He was soon chosen a member of the Provincial Council, which station he continued to fill until the Revolu- tion. Hle was one of the foremost opposers of the Stamp Act in America. In 1775 he was appointed colonel of the First Regiment. He was soon pro- moted to the rank of brigadier-general, ard succeeded to the command of New York. At the battle of Long Island he was made a prisoner, but soon exchanged, and rejoined the army. He prevented the advanee of Cornwallis to Morristown, and watched the British at Princeton while Washington attacked the Hessians at Tronton ; was promoted to be major-general ; en- gaged Cornwallis at Scotch Plains and Metuchen Meeting-House; took an active part in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, etc. He pre- sided at the court-martial of Gen. Lee. In October, 1778, Lord Stirling was in command of the troops stationed in New Jersey to watch the motions of the British fleet and army in New York, and was so em- ployed until the elose of the year. In the campaigns of 1779-81 he had command of the Northern Depart- ment, and took measures to repel the threatened in- vasion from Canada. The remainder of the autumn of 1781, and earlier part of the winter of 1782, were spent by him in New Jersey, where he held the mili- tary command, although residing at Basking Ridge. Hle then returned to the command of the Northern Department, in which he was engaged when he died at Albany, Jan. 15, 1783, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. He was buried in the ancient Dutch church of that place, but his bones were subsequently re- moved to the cemetery of the Protestant Episcopal church, of which he was a member. He left a widow and two daughters, - Mary, who married Robert Watts, Esq., and Catharine, the wife of Col. William Duer, all now deceased.
CAPT. JOHN STRYKER, who lived near Millstone, Somerset Co., was "a noted trooper of the Revolu- tion," in command of the company of Somerset light- horse which so damaged and harassed the British troops when they occupied New Brunswick, Newark, and Elizabethtown. His son, Dr. Peter I. Stryker, figured notably in the war, for, although but a boy of thirteen, "he assisted in furnishing supplies to the American troops stationed near his home, particularly the brigade of Gen. Wayne, which marched from
GEN. PETER 1. STRYKER was the son of Capt. John Stryker, just mentioned. Dr. Stryker was born about a mile north of Millstone church, on June 22, 1766. At thirteen he assisted in furnishing supplies to the American troops stationed on the farm of Ilenry Gar- retson, particularly to the brigade of Gen. Wayne, which wintered near the place now called Harmony Plains in 1778-79. He studied medicine, and was in due time licensed as a physician. After practicing about six years at Millstone he removed to Somer- ville, where he entered into the practice of Dr. Jona- than F. Morris. He remained in Somerville until the end of his life, Oct. 19, 1859. He was frequently hon- ored with offices of trust and influence. Ile was high sheriff of the county, a State senator, and for several years vice-president of the Upper House. On one occasion in this position he was aeting Gov- ernor. Hle early exhibited a decided military taste, and rose through the various grades of the service to the rank of senior major-general, as the successor of Gen. Doughty. He held this post for more than thirty years. As a mark of respect for his age and long ser- vice, forty officers of the New Jersey troops, led by Governor Newell, assembled at his funeral, and his remains were borne to their last resting-place with military honors.
Gen. Stryker's life as a eitizen and a public man was made complete by his character as a Christian. As such he was humble, devout, and consistent. He united with the church at Millstone in May, 1799, and in 1810 with the church of Somerville. His wife, Helena Schenck, united with the same church in July, 1799.
Dr. Stryker was a man of mark. His intellect was vigorous and well developed. As a gentleman he was kind, courteous, and dignified ; as a physician he was valued and esteemed by all classes. He was consid- erate towards the poor.
ALEXANDER AND JAMES LINN .- In the Laming- ton churchyard repose the remains of Alexander Linn, t who was probably father of James Linn, whose single vote made Thomas Jefferson President of the United
· Dr. Wickes, In " Hist. of N. J. Med.," pp. 414-15.
t The Inscription is as follows :
" Ilero Hes the body of Alexander Llno, Esq.
" Who departed this life in the sixty-fourth year of his age, Anno Domini 1776.
" Ho was for many years In the Commission of the peace, and somo time before his death one of the judges of the court of Common Pleas in the county of Somerset, and on elder in this church.
" All which Characters he supported with dignity and Reputation. Illa Family nud the l'ublic deplore the loss they have sustained by his death, while his christian friends consolo themselves with the joyful expocin- tion of meeting him among the spirits of just men made perfect.
" When fevered and elnking to the shade of Death, he gasped with pain for every Inboring breath, sure then his soul by some blest fortune, know his full Deliverance from eternal Woe. Assured with so bright a hope, he did not fear to see his Death hourly approach more near, and his faith strengthened ns his life decayed. His dying breath wont up to henven In l'raise."
638
SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
States. The contest, transferred to the House of Rep- resentatives, was long and bitter; for thirty-five times the ballots were taken, and neither candidate had the necessary majority. New Jersey had five members in the House, two of whom were for Burr and two for Jefferson. James Linn, the Somerset County man, was the fifth, and consequently held the balance of power. On the thirty-sixth ballot he voted for Jeffer- son, threw New Jersey in his favor, and gave him the requisite number of States to elect him. In a speech made in 1802 by Senator Bayard, ancestor of the present senator, occur these utterances :
"I know how great, and greatly felt, was the importance of the vote of Mr. Linn, of New Jersey. The delegation of the State consists of five members. . . . Both parties looked up to him for the vote of New Jersey. He gave it to Mr. Jefferson, and Mr. Linn has since had the profitable office of supervisor of his district conferred upon him."*
The Linns were a noted Somerset family of the early day, lived on what is now known as the Mine Brook road, and owned large tracts extending back towards Peapack .; It is said they were staunch Whigs during the Revolution, and often had conflicts with their neighbors on account of their affiliation with the pa- triot cause. James Linn was a member of the State Legislature (1793-97), a member of Congress, 1799- 1801, Secretary of State in 1809, and died in Trenton, N. J., in 1821. He lived on State Street, Trenton, just beyond the Chancery house.
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