History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 167

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 167
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 167

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"Somerset Lodge, No. 43, I. O. of O. F.," was insti- | Smalley ; Vice-Presidents (one from each church), tuted June 27, 1880, with twelve charter members. Meetings are held at Masonic Hall. The officers are Joseph Vickery, N. G .; John W. Van Horn, V. G .; W. W. Dorland, R. S. ; John R. Quick, P. S .; Ira D. Cronse, Treas.

" Naraticony Council, No. 31, Improved Order of Red Men," was instituted in 1871, and continued until August, 1880, when the charter was returned to the Great Council. It numbered at one time fifty mem- bers.

"Somerset Council, No. 68, U. A. M.," was insti- tuted Nov. 20, 1872, with Martin Hart as Councilor ; C. T. Chapman, Viee-Councilor : Garret B. Sanborn, Senior Ex-Councilor; George Sanborn, Junior Ex- Councilor; D. Rockafellar, R. Sec. ; Thomas Van Allen, F. Sec .; Noah Dunham, Treas. The society numbered about 75 members, but is now discontinued. Meetings were held at Somerset Hall, at Doughty's, and finally ut Schwed's Hall.

The charter for "Eastern Star Lodge, No. 105, F. and A. M.," of Bound Brook, bears date January, 1874, with Theodore Giles as Master ; James P'. Bush, Senior Warden; James P. Curry, Junior Warden ; B. F. Littell, Sec. ; Samuel Kennedy, Treas. Meet-

ings were held after 1876 in the present hall in Gil- lem's brick block.

The present officers are Richard G. Spicer, S. W .; John M. Rowland, J. W. ; Benjamin F. Littell, Treas. ; Garret V. Morlette, Sec. ; James P. Bush, P. M., S. D .; Daniel Somers, J. D; John G. Smith, P. M .; M. of C .; John B. Coddington, P. M., M. of C. ; Peter Koehler, Tiler; James P. Currey, P. M. At present the lodge numbers 32 members.

" Somerset Lodge, No. 56, K. of P.," Bound Brook, was organized and instituted March 8, 1876, with a membership of eleven. The following were the first otlicers : Theodore R. Hodge, Past Chancellor; Duer A. Melvin, Chancellor Commander; Gilbert Molli- son, Vice-Chancellor ; George Creed, Prelate; J. I. Staats, Master-at-Arms; Charles W. Thomas, Keeper of Records and Seals; Henry K. Ramsey, Master of Exchequer ; Peter Koehler, John G. Smith, Trustees. The membership at dlate, Sept. 7, 1880, was 28, with the following officers : Samuel Allen, P. C .; John Neagle, C. C .; John S. Smalley, Jr., V. C .; Edwin W. Shampanore, K. of R. and S. ; Peter Koehler, M. of F .; Il. K. Ramsey, M. of E.

The lodge has nine Past Chancellors, as follows : Theodore R. Hodge, Duer A. Melvin, Gilbert Mollison, John G. Smith, William S. Smalley, Henry K. Ram- sey, Charles C. Bush, Samuel Allen, John Neagle. The lodge-room is in Masonie Hall, Main Street, Bound Brook.

" The Women's Christian Temperance Union" of Bound Brook was organized Oct. 1, 1877, with a mem- bership of 14; the present number of members (Sep- tember, 1880) is 50. Officers : President, Mrs. John Mrs. L. D. Cook, MIrs. J. D. Eaton, Mrs. A. R. Lib- bey, Mrs. S. N. Kingsbury, Mrs. Abram Ross; Sec- retary, Miss MI. H. Roundey ; Treasurer, Miss Mattic F. Parrott. This Union is auxiliary to the State Women's Christian Temperance Union, holds its annual meeting on first Wednesday of October, and a weekly prayer-meeting throughout the year. Pub- lic temperance meetings are held from time to time, and courses of lectures given ou general subjects for the purpose of raising funds. A free reading-room, supported by the Union, is open every evening. Tem- perance literature is widely circulated. An auxiliary juvenile union has been maintained for over two years, and now numbers about 80 members. General sentiment is steadily advancing in the direction of temperance, and 339 persons have signed the total abstinence pledge.

FIRE DEPARTMENT OF SOMERVILLE.

A number of fire companies have been organized at different times, but have disbanded for some canse. About 1873 the board of commissioners of Somer- ville erected a brick house on Maple Street, about 16 by 45 feet, two stories in height, for an engine-house,

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SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

and also purchased an Amoskeag steamer, with the necessary hose and hose-cart. A company was then in existence, and continued two or three years. The present company was organized Sept. 19, 1878, with 60 members, and is known as “ Somerville Fire En- gine Company, No. 1." The company has at present 55 active members, all of whom are business men of the village. The present officers are George W. Ab- bott, Foreman ; R. L. Day, First Assistant Foreman ; James B. Brown, Second Assistant; George W. San- born, Secretary ; John Maxwell, Treasurer.

An independent hook-and-ladder company was organized in July, 1880, with 20 members, and elected officers as follows : William Steele, Foreman ; William Taylor, Assistant Foreman ; George Jones, Secretary ; John Garretson, Treasurer. A truck with the neces- sary equipment has been purchased.

MANUFACTURES.

Raritan Water-Power Company .-- Soon after the close of the Revolution the progressive men of the State of New Jersey turned their attention to the encouragement of manufactures, and in 1791 a com- pany was incorporated by act of the State Legisla- ture, under the name of "The Society for Establish- ing Useful Manufactures." The society was organ- ized the next year, and employed practical engineers to make examination of the different rivers of the State for the purpose of selecting the best site for a water-power. After a thorough examination, three localities were reported,-"the Falls of the Passaic, the Raritan River near Somerville, and the Falls of the Delaware." The former was finally decided upon. But the selection of Raritan River at this place as one of the locations naturally attracted the attention of practical men from time to time, and under an act of Legislature approved Feb. 16, 1820, a dam was erected across Raritan River, just west of where the bridge now crosses the river at Raritan village. A flour-mill was built on the north side. These im- provements were made by Jacob Van Doren, and afterwards owned by J. V. D. Kelly. It is the mill- property now owned and operated by Col. Read. The dam continued in nse until after the canal was built, and was then demolished.

A survey was made abont 1836 with a view to con- structing a race-way from the Raritan River. The projectors of the enterprise were John I. Gaston, Garrett D. Wall, and James S. Nevins.

Work was commenced by them, and other capital- ists became interested in the enterprise. A company was formed and incorporated, Feb. 28, 1840, under the name of "The Somerville Water-Power Com- pany," with Garret D. Wall as president, Luther Loomis treasurer, and Isaac P. Lindsey treasurer. Besides those mentioned, the other gentlemen inter- ested were Samuel P. Lyman, Robert Van Renssalaer, Abraham Suydam, Rynier Veghte, Thomas A. Hart- well, and William Thompson. The company started

with a capital stock of $200,000, with the right to in- crease to $300,000. Full power was vested in them by the charter to purchase and hold lands and water rights, to erect a dam, make a race-way, and divert the water of the Raritan River from its channel. Land was purchased and a dam constructed across the Rari- tan a short distance below the confluence of the North and South Branches ; this raised the water of the river two and a half feet above its ordinary level, con- ducting it into the race-way, and thence to the contem- plated sites for manufactories. A race-way was made, commencing at the dam and running nearly parallel with the river, 3 miles in length, and secured on each side by a permanent embankment. The tail-race was about a quarter of a mile in length. A reservoir was also built 2 miles below the dam, and another near the termination, covering about 5 acres. The esti- mated cost was $100,000, but the sum was not suffi- cient to complete it, and a mortgage for $50,000 was given by the company, which after several years was foreclosed. This action was followed by a lawsuit, which lasted twelve years, and the mortgage was in- creased to $80,000. In 1863 it was finally sold, and purchased by the stockholders.

"The Raritan Water-Power Company" was organ- ized and incorporated March 24, 1863, with the follow- ing corporators; Joshua Doughty, John M. Mann, Hezekiah B. Loomis, John M. Martin, Stephen B. Ransom, Edward F. Loomis, and Hugh M. Gaston. The capital stock was $50,000, "with power to pur- chase all or any part of the real estate now or formerly owned by the Somerville Water-Power Company, including canal, head-gates, water-power, water rights, franchises, and water." The property of the old com- pany was purchased, and new head-gates and a race- way 300 yards in length were constructed. When the company commenced the rebuilding of head-gates and making other improvements an injunction was issned on petition of the landowners, who alleged the company had no right to divert the water from the river, and ignoring the written consent of the prior owners of the land permitting it. The company al- leged that they had such consent. An extended liti- gation ensued, in which some of the ablest counsel of the State were engaged. The right of the company to use all the water of the river was fully established. The company have sold building lots to the amount of $35,000 since their organization. Water from the canal is now used to a limited extent by the different manufacturing establishments on its banks. The present officers are James S. Davenport, President ; Edward F. Loomis, Secretary and Treasurer ; Joshua Doughty, James S. Davenport, Edward F. Loomis, Culver Barcalow, Thomas Davenport, and Hugh M. Gaston, Directors.

The Somerville Manufacturing Company was incor- porated in 1837, but nothing was done. About the time of the completion of the works of the Somerville Water-Power Company, in 1841, the James Screw

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BRIDGEWATER.

Company erected a stone building on the bank of the canal for the purpose of manufacturing wooden screws. This building was ereeted on ground be- tween Kinyon's mill and the New Jersey Enamel Paint-Works. It was taken down years after, and the stones were used in the construction of the pres- ent Kinyon mill. The screw company failed after a time, and the building was rented by a paper-mill company, of which Richard D. Covert was the man- ager and principal owner. Two flour-mills on the banks of the river and canal were also in operation about that time. The building of the canal stimu- lated manufacturing enterprises, and many were started, but few accomplished anything. The names, date of incorporation, and objects are given below, with such facts as can be obtained.

The Rope and Bagging Company was incorporated March 19, 1845, with a capital of $100,000, for the purpose of manufacturing rope, bagging, and duck. The incorporators were David Heran, Luther Loomis, Samuel P. Lyman, William Thompson, Thomas A. Hartwell, David Sanderson, and Allen Clarke. A building was ereeted, 40 by 100 feet, on the bank of the canal, and the company manufactured their goods four or five years and then failed. The building was used in various enterprises at different times, and is now the oldest structure of the Raritan Woolen-Mill Company. April 3d of the same year the Somerset Cotton-Mill Company and the Somerville Woolen- Mill Company were incorporated ; neither was organ- ized, but the latter kept its charter, and its name was changed on Feb. 25, 1856, to "The American Gutta- Percha Company." It occupied the building erected by the Rope and Bagging Company, manufactured a few years, and failed.

Kinyon's Machine-Shop .- About 1842, Joseph D. Moore erected a small foundry and machine-shop, and carried on the business until 1844, when David P. Kinyon settled at Raritan and purchased it. In 1846 he bought the property and erected new buildings. The machine-shop burnt down in 1863, and he pur- chased the stone building formerly owned by the screw company and with the stone constructed the present edifice. Mill-machinery of all kinds is mann- ' factured. Job C. and David R. Kinyon, sons of David P. Kinyon, assumed charge of the business in 1867.

William S. Opic & Co .*- In 1850, Whitenack & Davis erected a wooden building on First Avenue, where the present brick shops now stand. It was used first as a foundry and afterwards as a machine- shop, but was sold to Dunham & Staats. Upon the death of the former a company from Phillipsburg bought out his interest. Still later, a company was formed called "The Screw Mower and Reaper Com- pany." It is now owned by six of the original hands who worked in the shop. The present brick build- ings were erected about 1870.

The Woods Shingle- Machine Company was incorpo- rated March 27, 1845, and manufactured goods in the basement of the screw company's building. They failed after a few years.

The Angular Hame Company and Holgate Braid Company .- Andrew Dietz, of New York City, com- menced the manufacture of a Dietz angular hame in the second story of Kenyon's machine-shop. Later, J. V. D. Kelly and N. P. Todd were associated with him. A stock company was soon formed, brick build- ings were erected, and a malleable-iron foundry was started near the track of the Central Railroad. Busi- ness was conducted three or four years, and then ceased. The building was used by J. V. D. Kelly for bending-works for a time, and was afterwards oc- cupied by the Holgate Braid Company for three or four years. It now belongs to the Central Railroad Company.

New Jersey Enamel Paint- Works .- In 1867 a patent was secured for an article called "Bradley's Enamel Paint." A stock company was organized in Plain- | field in 1868 for the manufacture of the paint, and arrangements were made to that end, but in 1870 the business was removed to Raritan. The brick build- ing now in use was purchased, and business was con- tinued by the company until 1878, when Rynear Veghte became the proprietor, and so continues.

The Raritan Woolen-Mills Company was incorpo- rated March 23, 1869, with Lewis, David L., and Henry L. Einstein, Robert Brown, and Adolph Mack as corporators, for the purpose of manufacturing heavy woolen goods and coatings. The ground containing the brick building erected by the Rope and Bagging Company was purchased, other buildings were erected, and business was commenced with 6 sets of cards and 25 looms. The present capacity is 32 sets, 215 looms, and 600 hands are employed. The power is furnished by a 600 horse-power engine. This mill and those of the Somerset Manufacturing Company are under nearly the same management, and together use 13,000 tons of coal annually. The buildings are all of brick.

The Somerset Manufacturing Company was incorpo- rated in December, 1879, for the manufacture of cas- simeres. The members of the company are David L. Einstein (president), Manuel Einstein (treasurer), William Einstein (secretary), Adolph Mack, J. Har- per Smith, and Felix Lamson. The buildings are located near the Raritan Mills, and were erected in 1880. They consist of the main structure, 80 feet wide, 370 feet in length, and two stories in height, and numerous outbuildings. It is a 19-set mill, run- ning 125 looms, and employs 350 hands. 1 200 horse- power engine supplies the machinery.

The Raritan Flouring- Mill was originally built on the south side of the river, a short distance west of the present bridge. After the purchase of the mill property of Mr. Dawes by the Somerville Water- Power Company, this mill was given as part payment to David Stiers. The mill eventually fell into the

* Successors to the Screw Mower and Reaper Company.

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SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

hands of William Steele and Mr. Frelinghuysen, who were suretics for Mr. Stiers; they sold it to James Coleman, by whom it was moved across the river and enlarged. It passed, at different times, from Joshua Coleman to George Y. Ford & Co., and to Henry Westcott, and is now owned and operated by William N. Adair & Co. It has at present three run of stone, and is situated between the Raritan Woolen-Mills and the New Jersey Enamel Paint-Works.

The Star Mills are situated on the Raritan River and on the canal of the water-power company, from which power is derived. Feb. 16, 1820, Jacob Van Doren was authorized to build a dam across the Rari- tan River for the purpose of utilizing the water for a grist-mill. He built the mill at the north end of the dam, and put in au undershot-wheel. He afterwards sold to Janney Dawes, who also erected a small mill on the opposite side of the river. Upon the organi- zation of the Somerville Water-Power Company, in 1840, the property was purchased by them and sold to J. V. D. Kelly. A small oil-mill on the east end of the grist-mill was in operation for a few years. The mill property passed to Randolph, Tucker & Co., and since that time has been held by numerous owners. It is now operated by Col. Hugh B. Reed, and has five run of stone.

Bound Brook Woolen-Mills .- In 1878 the present buildings were erected on the banks of the Raritan River by Henry L. Einstein. They are 380 feet in length, two stories in height, with a capacity of 6 sets of cards, 48 looms. Jan, 15, 1880, the Bound Brook Woolen-Mill Company was incorporated, with H. L. Einstein as treasurer, L. Rosenfeld secretary, and H. L. Einstein, L. Rosenfeld, and C. Einstein as direc- tors. The present capacity is 12 sets of cards, 96 looms, with a 400 horse-power engine. Hands em- ployed, 300.

Smalley's Anti-Friction Machinery Manufactory .- This factory was erected in 1855 by J. Smalley, who manufactured mowers and reapers for ten or twelve years, when the works were discontinued and were used as a spoke-factory, and afterwards rented for seven or eight years to Williams & Co. as a reduction- works. In 1878, Mr. Smalley commenced the manu- factory of anti-friction bearings for machinery. The factory is situated on Main Street, between Church and John. The firm-name is J. Smalley & Co.

PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST.

There are in the township a few ancient dwellings invested with historic interest. The oldest is the brick house standing on the bank of the canal, near the woolen-mill, in the village of Raritan. It was built in 1736 by Andrew Coejeman, and remained in the possession of that family till 1804.

In the summer and fall of 1778, William Wallace built the mansion in Somerville since known as the Miller House. Gen. Washington and wife spent here the winter of 1778-79, rooms being fitted up expressly

for their use. At this house Washington and his gen- erals planned the campaign so successfully carried out by Gen. Sullivan in 1779. The house is still standing and in good repair.

The old parsonage now owned by Joshua Doughty was built in 1751 by the Rev. John Frelinghuysen, the bricks having been imported from Holland. At this house was really commenced the first theological seminary of the Dutch Reformed Church, which cul- minated in the founding of Rutgers College. During the Revolution the Rev. Dr. Jacob R. Hardenburgh resided here as pastor of the First Reformed Church of Raritan, He was intimately acquainted with Wash- ington, and many were the visits made to the Reverend Doctor and his accomplished wife by the commander- in-chief.

In this connection the following letter is inter- esting. June 1, 1779, an address of the minister, elders, and deacons of the Dutch Reformed Church of Raritan was presented to " His Excellency George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States of North America," which was signed "by order of the Consistory, Jacob R. Harden- burgh, V.D.M."

The address was answered by the general the next day, in a letter dated at "Camp Middlebrook,"* as follows :

"GENTLEMEN,-To meet the approbation of goed men cannot but be agreeable. Your affectionate expressions make it more so. In quarter- ing and supplyiag its wants, distress and inconvenience will often occur to the citizens. I feel myself happy in the consciousness that these have been strictly limited by necessity ; and ia your opinion of my attention to the rights of my fellow-citizens. I thank you, gentlemen, sincerely for the sease yon entertain of the conduct of the army, and for the interest you take in my welfare. I trust the goodness of the cause and the exer- tions of the people, under Divine Protection, will give us that honorable peace for which we are contending. Suffer me, gentlemen, to wish tlie Dutch Reformed Church at Raritan a long continuaace of its present min- ister and Consistory, and all the blessings which flow from piety and Re- ligioa.

" I am, &c., "Go. WASHINGTON."

WASHINGTON AND MRS. BROKAW.+

On the east side of the North Branch of Raritan, about a mile below the church, stands a brick house, still in a state of good preservation. In it resided a farmer named John Brokaw, who when his country called enlisted in Capt. Peter D. Vroom's company. He was chosen lieutenant, and at the battle of Ger- mantown, Pa., fell while leading his men. By his side stood Joseph Stull, a friend and neighbor, who carried him from the front, took charge of his watch and sword, carried them home to his family, and many years after became the husband of his daughter Phobe, from whom the particulars of this narrative have been derived.

In the spring of 1779, while Washington was yet residing in the Wallace house, in Somerville, he was

" IIls headquarters were still at the Wallace mansion. The army was encamped all along the Raritan, the headquarters of Gen. Grcene being at Derrick Van Veghten's house, near what is now Finderne Station. + Rev. A. Messler, D.D.

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made acquainted with the circumstances above related (probably from conversation with Dr. Hardenburgh, who was the pastor of Mrs. Brokaw), and his sympa- thies were so excited in her behalf that he rode up to this house one day-a distance of five miles-to call on her. When he entered the house he was deeply affected, and with many kind and comforting words expressed his sorrow for her bereavement. We have always regarded this incident in our Revolutionary history as one of the most affecting and beautiful manifestations of the great and tender heart of the Father of his Country.

The house is now occupied by Mr. Nevius, whose wife is a great-granddaughter of Capt. Brokaw. As a monnment of Washington's tender heart, it onght to stand until it crumbles into dust.

THE LEGEND OF CHIMINEY ROCK.

The following legend of the Raritan Indians and Chimney Rock is condensed from an article written by Rev. Abr. Messler, D.D., in 1841 :

History Informs ne that the 1200 Indiana of the Raritan wore presided over by two kings, and that they were the deadly enemies of the Man- hottans. The two Raritan chiefe were numned Cannekamack and Thin- gorawin, according to the signatures uflixed to the deeds of Indian title. Travlition gives the origin of the feud between the two tribes, who had long dwelt lu mity. Long prior to the time of the kings above named a son of the king of the Manhatne, with a hunting-party, fell in with a similar party of the Raritane. After several days of friendly companion- chip, during which the young Manhatne chief was a guest in the wigwam of the king of the Raritans, the latter promised him the hand of his only daughter, the beautiful Chinqueka (" Goldfinch") as his bride. The youth and maiden learned to love, and happily passed the summer. But Mouasamitt, on Inferior chief of the Buritans, who also loved the minidon and had long designed winning her for himself, grow jealous of the lovers, and determined to avengo his loss upon the favored suitor. An opportunity soon presented. Returning one ovoning from the hunt he discovered the lovers sitting, as was often their wont, upon the ledge of rocke, gazing upon the limpid wntors far below. The maiden fled, and then, nlone with his rival, ho buried his hatchet in his brain and rolled the body down the precipice. Grent was the grief of Chinquoka; sho refused to be comforted, and sought the spot where last she and her lover sat together, and where he met hits fate. Thore cho fancied cho heard him calling her to come to him ; she plunged into the dark chasm and disappeared forover. When the king of the Manhatao heard of his con'e tragie death at the hands of a Raritan bruve, his rage was great. lle resolved to wage war aguinst that tribe until the spirit of his mur- dered son was appensod. " The warriors of the tribe were collected and sont forward to meet their foon, and then it was that the pleasant valey of the Haritan were mado to echo continually with the war-whoop, and its waters woro often dyed with the blood of those who had fallon in the force and deadly otrife. From year to your the revenge of the bloody Manhatao was pursued, and all the force passion of their sarngo souls excited until they raged and burned. Many wore slain on both sides, but no decisive victory gained ; and when the white Dion came the feud was still continued, and gave occasion to the remark which we have quoted from the historlan of those early days, that ' the Manhatao were the dendly enemies of the Raritans.'"'

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 167

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