History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 165

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 165
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 165

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).

In the organization of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, Aug. 8, 1738, the church of Bound Brook, with others, had been set off from the Presbytery of New York to form it, and at a meeting held at Phil- adelphia, May 19, 1745, application was made for a minister for this church. It was ordered that the Rev. Joseph Lamb, then pastor at Basking Ridge, and the Rev. James McCrea, pastor at Lamington, in Bedminster, should supply the church four Sab- baths. The latter filled the pulpit until Dec. 6, 1749. In 1748 a call was made to Mr. Israel Read, a candi- Whether the Rev. Mr. Huntington was pastor is not certain ; if so, it was for a very short time. The Rev. John Boggs became a member of this Presbytery (from the Presbytery of Harmony), Oct. 17, 1815, and settled over the church of Bound Brook in the winter of 1815-16. He remained until Feb. 5, 1828, having been pastor about twelve years. His wife died during his residence here, and is buried in the old burying- ground. The church was without a pastor for two years. During 1829 the present church building was erected. It was dedicated in November of that year by the Rev. Samuel Miller, D.D. The next year the Rev. Ravaud K. Rodgers was called. This call was made by Elders John Polhemus, Dennis Field, Al- date under the care of the Presbytery of New York. He was received by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, Dec. 6, 17-19, and March 8, 1750, was formally in- stalled pastor over the church. Thus commenced a pas- torate of forty-three years' duration. The Presbytery of New Brunswick, Oct. 30, 1759, received a petition from the people in and abont Millstone asking for his services one-fourth of the time; this was granted, and Mr. Read preached at Millstone until the year 1770. Jan. 13, 1770, he was bereaved by the death of his wife, Mary, aged thirty-eight. She was buried in the rear of the present church, and his remains were placed by her side twenty-three years later. The elders of the church in 1770 were Thomas MeElworth, ; pheus Coon, Alfred J. Harriott, David Smalley, John

Jonathan Smith, and Jacob Jennings; deacons, Samuel Van Court, Benjamin Coon. Jeremiah Field was clerk.

Mr. Read labored until 1793. November 25th in that year he was thrown from his carriage near Rari- tan landing and fatally injured; he died three days later, aged seventy-five. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Walter Monteith. The Rev. A. E. Baldwin, in a historical discourse delivered July 2, 1876, says,-

" It is a sad fact-its loss especially felt in these years by all interested -that all records of the church during Mr. Read's long pastorute are cer- thinly now beyond the reach of the church, and, although wo have lost the record of the fruits, the record la not lost really : God has it. It is carofully laid away lu the archives of his government for roview by all concerned in the ages of eternity. Suroly ho must have strengthened the foundation-stones of the church, for its strength, beauty, and usefulness hold their steady way onward in the years. Doubtless he pointed many to Christ, faithfully instructed and helped them heavenward. During his pastorato the Revolutionary war worked Its tremendous results. ... Then, too, the charter of the church (1784) was secured,-a charter under which its present business is transactod. In 1787 tho building in which this church worshiped was enlarged,-a fact somewhat at least honor- nblo to the pastor, a testimony to his faithful work. Lot us remember now, thankfully, this man of God. He must have tolled earnestly, wisely, effi- ciently, nursing through the help of the Holy Spirit, with largo care and fuith, tho early lifo of this church ; training it for the mighty work it has done for Christ in the generations since."

A little over a year after the death of Rev. Israel Read the church called to the pastorate the Rev. David Barclay. He was licensed June 10, 1794, and ordained December 3d of that year ; he remained till April, 1805. The ruling elders with him were Benja- min Coon, David Kelly, David Houk, John Harriot, Jonathan Smith, Isaac Fisher, and Daniel Bush. Selah Strong Woodhull was ordained as pastor De- cember 4th of that year. From this time the records of the church are kept. The Rev. Mr. Woodhull was dismissed Nov. 25, 1806. Nearly three years passed before another minister was called. James Patterson was ordained Aug. 9, 1809, and dismissed Oct. 20, 1813. Two months later the Rev. William A. Me- Dowell was ordained (Dec. 22, 1813), and dismissed Oct. 19, 1814. The records of the Presbytery of New Brunswick state that Leveret F. Huntington was ordained over the church of Bound Brook Dec. 6, 1815.

676

SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

A. Smalley, and Trustees Peres Bonney, Jonathan Smith, John H. Voorhees, Jacob Vandeventer, Jr., Gerardus Stryker, and Henry Tunison. The mem- bership of the church at that time was 280; in 1838 it reached 425. July 19, 1851, the present edifice was struck by lightning; it was soon after enlarged, com- pleted in June, 1852, and reopened for divine service June 24, 1852. Rev. Mr. Rodgers was dismissed No- · vember, 1874. Rev. Dr. George Sheldon, in a memo- rial sermon delivered May 15th at Newark, before the New Jersey Historical Society, says of him, ---

" Here he lived and labored with great success, beloved and revered by his people, for nearly forty-five years. His pastoral labors were coo- staatly and eminently successful, and his influence, both within and beyond the bounds of his parish, was widely extended and beneficial."

The Rev. A. E. Baldwin began the present pastorate on March 3, 1875. The church has a present mem- bership of 318. A Sunday-school connected with the church has 55 pupils, with a library of 250 vol- umes. The superintendent is A. S. Coriell ; librarian, Jacob Kline. There has been raised for congrega- tional purposes the past year, $2489; for religious and benevolent purposes, $339.

Congregational Church .- This church was composed mostly of members from the Presbyterian Church of Bound Brook. The first meeting having reference to organization was held at the residence of J. P. Skillman, Feb. 16, 1876. It was resolved to form a church under the name of "The Congregational Church of Bound Brook." Messrs. J. W. Roundey, John Smalley, and.R. V. Lindabury were appointed a committee to prepare a manual and present the names of officers. February 23d, the committee reported a manual, which was adopted, and the names of the following persons as officers: Deacons, Wilber F. Hammond, Thomas Winsor, Lewis D. Cook, Richard F. Giles; Clerk, Benjamin W. Dunning; Treasurer, James M. Thompson. The church was duly organ- ized March 17, 1876, with 40 constituent members, viz .:

A. A. Boyle, Aaron Bongher, Mrs. A. Julia Bongber, A. G. Breck, Lewis D. Cook, Mrs. Ellen P. Cook, Emma S. Cook, Ella P. Cook, B. W. Dunning, Mrs. Jane P. Duaniog, Mary Dunning, Mary C. Gano, Richard F. Giles, Ellen A. Giles, Theodore Giles, Mrs. Theodosia Giles, Mrs. Mary E. Giles, Emma S. Grant, Wilbur F. Hammond, Mrs. Cornelia Hammond, Mrs. Caroline Hemmer, James Jones, Mrs. AristeDa A. Jndd, Charles B. Judd, Richard V. Lindabury, Susie L. Ramsey, Mrs. A. S. Ronndey, Mrs. Mary E. Skillman, Harry S. Skill- man, Susie Emma Skillman, Lizzie S. Skillman, Jobn Smalley, Mrs. Elizabeth W. Smalley, William W. Smalley, Aggie M. Smalley, Carrie Smith, Rachel A. Smith, Mary Stryker, Robert H. Swayze, James M. Thompson, Mrs. Sarah A. Thompson, B. Frank Thompson, Walter Thompson, Timothy D. Vaill, Mrs. Isabella M. B. Vaill, Mary B3. Vaill, Anna I. Valll, Annie E. Vaill, Mary K. Vaill, Thomas Win- sor, Mrs. Cordelia A. Winsor, Cora Winsor, George W. Winsor, Mrs. Mary E. Winsor, William F. Winsor.

The Rev. Edward Beecher acted for a short time as pastor of the new church. The Rev. James D. Eaton then preached as a supply, and Sept. 25, 1876, was called to assume pastoral charge. He entered upon his duties at once, preaching his first sermon October 15th.

The following-named persons are the present officers of the church : Pastor, James D. Eaton ; Deacons, B. W. Dunning, R. H. Swayze, Peter S. Van Duyn, John Smalley ; Clerk and Treasurer, George A. West. The present officers of the society are: Trustees, John W. Roundey, R. Lamb, R. V. Lindabury, T. D. Vaill, Gideon R. Giles, John Talmage, and George W. Win- sor; Clerk, R. Lamb; Treasurer, Gideon R. Giles. The officers of the Sunday-school are : Superintendent, R. Lamb; Assistant Superintendent, W. W. Smalley ; Secretary, Dennis Bergen; Treasurer, George A. West; Librarian, George Stryker. The church has a present membership of 108. A building was erected in 1876, and dedicated on February, 1877. The sermon was preached by the Rev. George Hepworth, of New York. The total cost of building and grounds was $13,000.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- This church was or- ganized in 1849, mainly through the influence of George Winsor, Sr., and Caleb Morton. About 20 united in June and July of that year. The pres- ent church lot was obtained and building erected, at a cost of about $3000, during 1848, and dedicated in Jannary, 1849, by Bishop Janes. It was enlarged in 1874. Services were held during repairs in the Pres- byterian church on Sunday evenings. The first trus- tees of the church were George Winsor, Sr., Caleb Morton, and Richard Brokaw.

The pastors from organization have been John I. Morrow, Henry B. Beagle, Charles Larue, G. R. Snyder, J. Cowen, E. A. Day, James F. Dodd, Thomas F. Everett, J. R., Daniels, Cornelius Clark, Sr., William N. Searles, William Nelson, John A. Kingsberry, Enoch V. King, Robert B. Collins, L. Parsons, J. I. Boswell, Samnel J. Morris, and David Walters, the present incumbent. The church has at present 135 members. A Sunday-school with 112 pupils is under the charge of George Lamont as superintendent. The library contains about 250 vol- umes.

St. Joseph Catholic Church .- Father William, of Newark, first ministered, about 1863, to the adherents of the Roman Catholic faith living at Bound Brook and vicinity. Services were held in the second story of the building owned by Francis Brehm, on Main Street. A lot was purchased on Mountain Avenue, south of Front Street, of Elias Milliken, for $800, and soon after au edifice was erected at a cost of $1200. The church was under the pastoral charge of the St. Bernard's Church, of Raritan, from that time until 1876, when Bound Brook and Millstone became a separate charge, and Father M. A. Bogaard be- came the first resident priest; he is still in charge. In 1875 a lot was purchased south of the church property, and adjoining it, of Lewis D. Cook, for $1000, and in 1877 the present brick parsonage and farm were erected, at a cost of $3500. The church has a present membership of 600, with a Sunday-school of about 50 pupils.

677

BRIDGEWATER.

THE CHURCHES OF RARITAN VILLAGE.

The Third Church .- The organization of this church grew out of the increase of population in the village of Raritan. A chapel was built principally through the exertions of Frederick J. Frelinghuysen, and services maintained in it by the ministers of the First and Second Churches. In the spring of 1848 appli- cation was made to the Classis for a special organiza- tion ; this being granted, a committee was appointed, consisting of the Rev. Dr. A. Messter, T. W. Cham- bers, and D. D. Demorest. They met May 16, 1848, and after a sermon by Dr. Messler, organized a church by ordaining a Consistory composed of John A. Staats, Thomas S. Whitenack, Peter V. Staats, and David T. Runyon as elders, and John Freck, Garret J. Quick, Isaac V. Porter, and Richard Provost as deacons.

Peter Stryker, a student from the seminary, being called as pastor, he was ordained and installed Oct. 10, 1848. He preached at first in the chapel. Sept. 18, 1850, the corner-stone of the new edifice was laid with appropriate ceremonies by the pastor. The house was dedicated by the Rev. Dr. Hutton, of New York, July 30, 1851.

In 1851, Mr. Stryker resigned, and was succeeded the same year by the Rev. James A. H. Cornell, who was installed March 4, 1852, and served for four years, when he accepted the position of secretary to the Board of Education, and removed to his own resi- denee, at New Baltimore, N. Y. In 1857, James Le Fevre, a student from the seminary at New Bruns- wick, was called; he was ordained and installed on the 25th of June. He labored about eighteen years, resigning in December, 1874, to take charge of the Reformed Church of Middlebush. The Rev. Charles HI. Pool was installed July 15, 1875, and is still the pastor.

The church has at present 110 families and 283 communicants, also a Sunday-school containing 260 pupils. There has been raised the past year $1736.57 for congregational and $843.76 for religious and be- nevolent purposes. The chapel was rebuilt in 1872, at a cost of about $3000.

Methodist Church .- Services had been held by peo- ple of this denomination for several years, but no or- ganization was perfected until April 26, 1872, when 45 persons united as a Methodist Church. In Deeem- ber previous several interested parties purchased the school-house grounds and lot for $2000, fitted the upper rooms for a chapel, and rented the lower rooms. In 1878 they remodeled the building, making both stories into one, and again improved the buikling in 1880.

The pastors have been the Revs. John A. Davis, J. M. Meeker, and Louis F. Burgess, present incumbent. The membership of the church is 150. The Sunday- school has 125 pupils, with a library of about 150 volumes. The pastor is superintendent, and B. K. Iloppock is librarian.

ST. BERNARD'S CHURCH.

The parish of this church embraces White House, Neshanic, and Pinekamin, and originally Bound Brook and Millstone, which were set off' in 1876 and formed a separate parish. The first meetings in this region were held in private houses. Father John Rogers, of New Brunswick, othiciated, succeeded by Father James McDonald. A church was erected, but burned down in 1853. A lot was purchased on Somerset Street, and the present brick structure was erected about 1854. Additions have been made from time to time. The first priest after the new house was built was Father D. J. Fisher ; he was succeeded in 1855 by Father Terence Kiernan, who resided in Plainfield. Father W. W. Kacder succeeded him in 1868, Father J. A. Marshall in 1873, and upon the division of the parish, in 1876, Father Joseph Zim- mer was placed in charge, and is the present pastor. About 250 families are under his care. A cemetery containing 8 acres was purchased in 1876, and conse- crated the last Sunday of June in that year. It is situated between Raritan and North Branch, on the road to White House.

THE REFORMED CHURCH OF NORTH BRANCII.

This church was organized Sept. 10, 1825, at the house of James Ten Eyck, by a committee from the Classis of New Brunswick, from families mostly be- longing to the old church,-Raritan. During the great revival in 1821 and 1822 religious services had been held frequently in the vicinity of Bayley's Mills, on the North Branch. One large concourse, consisting of more than 1000 people, is especially re- membered, in the barn of Mr. Abraham Dumont, at which Rev. Messrs. Schultz, Fisher, Studdiford, and Osborn took part in the services. The great awaken- ing of attention to religion, no doubt, occasioned the want of church services to be felt, and brought about the_organization of the church, after an application duly made to the Classis of New Brunswick, and at once a church edifice was begun. George II. Fisher, a licentiate of the seminary, was ealled, and settled Nov. 25, 1826, as soon as the structure, finished that year, was prepared for service. He preached to the people for four years, and proved a successful pastor.

The Rev. Abraham D. Wilson was called Sept. 17, 1831, and remained until 1838, when he removed to Illinois as a missionary. He was succeeded in Octo- ber of the same year by Rev. James K. Campbell, who ministered until 1854. In 1856, Philip M. Doo- little was settled, and still continues the successful pastor of a prosperous church.

The first Consistory was composed of Jacob Ten Eyck, John Van Derveer, John Runk, and Abraham Quick, Sr., as ellers, and Ralph Van Pelt, Matthew Van Pelt, James Staats, and James Ten Eyck, dea- cons. The first church edifice was built in 1826, of brick, after the pattern of the Somerville church, and in dimensions was 40 by 52 feet. The corner-stone

678

SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

was laid without ceremonies, and whether the build- ing was ever formally dedicated is not known. It continued to be the place of worship until 1863, when it gave place to the present commodious edifice. The church was almost entirely rebuilt in 1874, at a cost of $5575, and was rededicated March 9, 1875. It has at present 120 families, 221 communicants, and a Sunday-school containing 125 pupils. The contribn- tions the present year have been $325.57 for re- ligious and benevolent purposes, $1496.74 for con- gregational purposes .*

METHODIST CHURCH OF SOMERVILLE.

No very long or detailed history of this society can be given, for the records have not been properly kept, as this charge for some time was a part of a circuit in connection with Bound Brook, and afterwards with Raritan. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Somerville was organized as an independent body in 1832, and the same year a lot was purchased of Col. Isaae Southard, on the west side of Bridge Street, south of Main. An edifice was erected on the site, and occupied till the spring of 1880. To the present day the organization, though small, has enjoyed its share of prosperity. The membership has slowly but steadily increased.

During the latter part of 1879, under the ministry of the Rev. P. G. Blyht, measures were taken for the building of the present new edifice, on High Street. In March, 1880, it was dedicated. Services were held by the presiding elder, Rev. R. S. Arndt. Eloquent sermons were preached by the Revs. H. H. Buttz and Henry Spellmeyer. The edifice is a handsome struc- ture, of Gothic style, having one of the most conve- nient and pleasant audience-rooms of any church in the State. Its cost was about $8000. Mnch credit is due to the Rev. P. G. Blyht, who by his untiring energy succeeded in pushing the enterprise to a suc- cessful completion; William Ross, Jr., of Somerville, also rendered praiseworthy assistance in raising funds to meet the expense of the building. The society, since worshiping in the new edifice, has received a powerful impulse for future prosperity. The present pastor is the Rev. John Krantz, Jr., of the Newark Conference, appointed to this eharge in the spring of 1880. The following are the names of some of the distinguished men who have been pastors of this society : Rev. William P. Corbit, Rev. Dr. Charles Laren, Rev. Dr. Whitney (at present president of Hackettstown Institute), Rev. Solomon Parsons, J. R. Daniels, Father Searle, J. J. Boswell, J. O. Rod- gers, and Canfield.

The present officials of the church comprise a board of trustees, a board of stewards, and a local preacher. James B. Brown, C. W. Ennis, Jacob Thompson, Hiram Rockafellow, Stephen D. Winner, William Ross, Jr., William Hardgrove, Louis Ayers, and Rev. Calvin Lathrop (local elder) comprise the joint board.

The membership of the society is 116 full members, with one probationer. A flourishing Sunday-school is connected with the church. It numbers 104 schol- ars. An excellent corps of officers and teachers carry on the work.

CEMETERIES.

The early burial-places were usually small plats of ground on the different farms. The earliest of these of which any knowledge is obtained was on the Coeje- man farm, now in Raritan village. It was located on the bank of the river, where Kenyon Brothers' ma- chine-shops now stand. Stones were found some years ago in preparing to build. One is preserved, and bears the inscription, ---

" Here lyes ye body of Sarah, daughter of John and Alida Broughton, aged 2 years and 8 months. Died Sept. 1, 1740."

Another was also found at the same time, bearing the date of 1738, and of the same family. The Johu Broughton mentioned was the first town clerk of Bridgewater. His wife, Alida, is said to have been a daughter of Andreas Coejeman, and they probably lived in the Coejeman mansion.

Burial-places were also attached to the church- grounds. The old church built in 1721 on the bank of the river was surrounded by a graveyard, and many were buried there. But three stones are now standing, the oldest of which is that of Derrick Van Veghten, and the inscription upon it is as follows :

" In memory of Mr. Derrick Van Veghten, who died on the 29th day of November, 1781, aged 82 years, 4 months, and 14 days.

" Many were hie friends and few his enemies ; Great wae his soul and good his faculties. Fair health ou him her blessings did bestow, And in his cheeks her ruddy charms did show Till age the hand of Death did deputize, Which neither spares the Great, the Good, nor wise. His tranquil mind composedly reclined, And to his God his Breath and soul resigned,"

The others are of Margaret Van Veghten, wife of Joseph Crane, died May 27, 1812, and Catharine Taylor, who died Feb. 17, 1829.

On the place now owned by John C. Garretson is the old Tunison burial-place. Several hundred people have been buried, but few headstones are left; the oldest bears an inscription as follows :

" Here lice the body of Rebekah, the wife of John Compton, who de- parted this life March ye 13, 1760, aged 26 yeare, 8 months, 17 days."

Near this is where the son of John Beekman and " Aunt Yauney," as she was called, lies bnried. He died April 25, 1777. John Beekman is also buried here, but no stone marks the spot. "Aunt Yauney" lived many years after, married Richard Compton, and at her death was buried in the same grave with her first husband. Other inscriptions are as follows :

" In memory of Abraham Tunisen, who died May 23, 1797, aged 69 years, 11 mo., 29 days."

" In memory of Anna, the wife of Abraham Tunison, who died Nov. 1, 1806, aged 72 yrs., 6 me., 8 de."

"In memory of Philip Tunison, who died April 1, 1813, aged 36 yrs. 11 mo., 17 ds."

* Dr. Messler's historical notes and other sources.

679

BRIDGEWATER.

By his side lies a son and a grandson of Joseph and Mary Ann Van Derveer. Numerous graves are marked by stones, some with initial, but more with- out. This burial-place is on the second bank of the river, but on the west bank of Peter's Brook, south- east from the residence of John C. Garretson.

What is known as the Compton burial-place is at the foot of the mountain, north of Somerville; many interments were made there years ago. It is now used almost entirely by the colored people.

On the old parsonage lot burials were made. Five headstones are all that now remain, the inscriptions of which are here given :

" In memory of Ann, wife of John Hardenburgh, who departed this life Nov. 26, 1793, nged 35 yra., G mo."

" In memory of John llardenburgh, Esq., who departed this life July 21, 1798, aged 39 years, 3 months, 12 days."

" In memory of Ann Doty, wife of Joseph Doty, who departed this life on the 21st of April, 180-1, agod 33 years, 7 months, 6 days."

" In memory of Elizabeth Doty, wife of Joseph Doty, who departed this life Nov. 26, 1806, aged 22 years, 12 days."

" In memory of Joseph Doty, who departed this life March 20, 1811, aged 46 years, 6 months, 20 days."

There are other plots in different parts of the town- ship, neglected and uncared for, where, in days gone by, many were buried. Cultivation has encroached upon their borders year by year, as the ruthless hand of time has leveled the little mounds over the sleepers, and the humble slab that marked the spot has fallen prone to the ground.

About 1813 an acre of ground on Bridge Street was purchased for $100 of John Whitenack by the Con- sistory of the First Dutch Church of Raritan. Burials were first made on the south side. The earliest is said to have been a child of William Hartwick. About 1847, by an agreement between the Consistory and John C. Garretson, about an acre was added to the ground on three sides; later, as necessity de- manded it, more was added, until it contained be- tween three and four acres. This burial-place is known as the "Raritan Cemetery."

Aug. 26, 1867, an association was formed, under the name of the Somerville Cemetery Association, by the election of the following persons as trustees : James B. Brown, Samuel S. Hartwell, John T. Conk- lin, John V. Voorhees, Jacques Van Derbeek, Peter De Witt, Pethuel Mason, Edwin E. Brown, James P. Davis, David P. Kenyon, John Frech, David K. Craig. Pethuel Mason was chosen president, J. V. Voorhees secretary, S. S. Hartwell treasurer. Sixty- eight acres opposite the Raritan Cemetery were pur- chased for $14,500 of William Ross, Jr. Later, 45.58 acres were sold for $7292.50, leaving 22.42. This was tastefully laid out with walks, drives, and about 1000 lots.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 165

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