History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 170

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 170
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 170

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GEORGE MCBRIDE.

York City, where he became a successful merchant. He died about 1855. Two of his daughters still reside in that city,-viz., Ann, widow of Ilon. James X. McClenahan, and Eleanor, widow of Judge Aaron Vanderpoel.

Robert was the second son of George MeBride, and passed his life as a farmer and bleacher of linen near Alistragh, Ireland. He married Alice Cardwell, and had children,-Eliza, George, Jemima, Matilda, Wil- liam C., John Robert, and Mary Ann. He died in IS41, aged seventy- three years, and his wife in 1839, aged about sixty. Of his children, Eliza died un- married ; Jemima married Dr. Davis, of Newry, Ire- land, and has seven children, five of whom are prom- inent physicians in Ireland and India; Matilda is unmarried and resides in Newry ; Mary Ann is the wife of Rev. C. B. Smith, of New York City; and .John Robert died in Mobile, Ala., in 1839, at the age of twenty-two.

The MeBride family is of Scotch origin, though the branch of it to which the subject of this memoir George MeBride came to this country in the year 1832, and succeeded his uncle James in the mercantile business in New York City, where he was associated with Samuel Sloan in trade. He continued in that pursuit until the year 1852, when he purchased the belonged settled at an early period in Ireland. His paternal grandfather was George MeBride, whose place of residence was near the city of Armagh, Ire- Innd. There he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in the manufacture of linen. His wife was Elizabeth | Peter C. Elmendorf farm, near Somerville, N. J.,

698

SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

comprising two hundred and eighty-six acres, and resided there until his death in 1878, at the age of seventy-three. His wife was Annette, daughter of Charles Moran, of New York City, who died in 1858, leaving no issue.

William C. McBride was born at Alistragh, County Armagh, Ireland, on Sept. 24, 1810, and emigrated to this country in 1857. Previous to this time, on March 27, 1845, he married Mary Jane, daughter of Charles Magee, of County Cavan. She was born in 1823, and her brothers and sisters were James, William, Charles, Eliza, and Margaret. Eliza married William Doug- lass, and resides in Tully, Ireland; Margaret is the widow of Capt. James Berry, and lives near Dublin ; James resides near Somerville, N. J. The remainder are dead.

After his emigration to this country, William C. McBride resided in Somerville until the demise of his brother George. He now lives iu retirement upon his brother's beautiful estate, where he has a pleasant and happy home. He is a worthy and substantial . citizen, and has been actively identified with all movements tending to improve and benefit the com- munity in which he lives. He is a member of the Second Reformed Church of Somerville, and has been officially connected with that body as elder. He is the inventor of a patent flax-scutching machine, for which he received a first premium at the American Institute, N. Y., in October, 1870. His seven children, who reside with him, are Lizzie Henrietta, Robert, Charles Magee, Alice M., James and George, and William. Mrs. McBride is still living.

WILLIAM HODGE.

William Hodge was a son of James Hodge, who resided at an early day on a small tract of land in Bridgewater township. He came from Ireland. His wife's name was Sarah Runyon, and his children were Elizabeth, Rachel, Ann, Sarah, William, Peter, James, and Isaac. Elizabeth married John Van Nostrand, Rachel and Sarah married James Cain, and Ann, Thomas Smith. Peter died in 1851. James resides at Bloomington, Somerset Co., and Isaac in the West. James Hodge died in 1827, aged eighty-seven, and his wife in 1840, over seventy years of age.

William Hodge was born on Feb. 28, 1794. He grew up on his father's farm, attending the district school of his locality. Soon after 1830, in conjunc- tion with his brother James, he purchased three lun- dred acres of land in Bridgewater township, a part of this tract constituting his late farm residence, where he passed his days as a farmer. Mr. Hodge married on Sept. 17, 1825, Mary, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Castner) Tunison. She was born June 23, 1806. Her father removed to Whitehall, III., about 1835,

near which place he purchased a handsome farm, and where he died in 1864. His son Henry now occupies the place.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hodge have been Henrietta, wife of John Kipsey, of Bridgewater town- ship ; James, who is a builder in New York City ; and Sarah E., wife of William H. Callard, of Piscataway.

WILLIAM HODGE.

Mr. Hodge passed away on June 15, 1878, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. For five years prior to his demise he was totally blind. He was a Democrat in politics, though no office-seeker; was a liberal con- tributor to the various benevolent and philanthropic enterprises of his day, of good character, and a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church of Bound Brook. His wife survives him.

GEORGE LANE.

George Lane is a descendant of the old Lane family that located very early in Bedminster township, where it is still represented. Derrick, son of Matthias, was born in that township in 1753, and emigrating to Troy, N. Y., founded an influential branch of the family at that point.

Cornelius, grandfather of the subject of this me- moir, came from Monmouth County to Bedminster township before the Revolutionary war, and took up his residence where Peter Lane lives, There he lived, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until his demise. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His

HENRY B. STAATS.

The Staats family is one of the oldest in the county, and its representatives were among the pioneer settlers of Albany, Rensselaer, and Columbia Cos., N. Y., where they occupy a prominent place at the . present day.

John Staats, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was an early resident of the township of Hillsborough, where Rynier Staats lately resided. He was a farmer by occupation, and owned quite a large tract of land. His wife was Gertrude Quick, and his children were Peter, John, Abraham, James, Rynier, Phebe, and Maria:

James Staats was born on Aug. 12, 1780, in Hills- borough township. On Dec. 4, 1803, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Brokaw, of Hills- borough, who was born Feb. 19, 1785, and in 1810 he purchased a traet of land in Bridgewater township, where Cornelius Ammerman lives, and where he passed his life engaged in agricultural pursnits. He was formerly a member of the Reformed Church at Somerville, and later one of the organizing members of the church at North Branch, of which he was sub- sequently a deacon and elder.

At his death, on Aug. 20, 1866, he divided his farm between his two sons, Henry B. and Peter, giving to each one hundred and ten acres. His wife died June 11, 1856. Their children were Gertrude, born Dec. 19, 1804, married Peter Wortman, Nov. 7, 1822, died Oct. 21, 1834; Henry B .; John, born May 17, 1810, died Sept. 20, 1813 ; and Peter, born

Mareh 4, 1813, residing at Middlebush, Franklin township.

lIenry B. Staats was born in Hillsborough township on March 21, 1807. At the age of three years he re- moved with his parents to their home in Bridgewater township. He passed his earlier years on his father's farm, and received only a common-school education. On Dec. 27, 1832, he married Hannah, daughter of Richard H. Field, of Bedminster township. She was born Oct. 10, 1811. When about twenty-six years of age he worked the farm of his unele, Peter Wortman, near Weston, on shares, and after three years ereeted his present residence in Bridgewater township, where he has since resided as a farmer. He is known as a man of integrity and uprightness, and in the ripe old age which he has attained enjoys the confidence and esteem of many friends. He has been no seeker after office. He is a member of the North Branch Reformed Church, with which he has been officially connected both as deacon and elder. His children have been Gertrude Elizabeth, married James Garretson, Dec. 11, 1853, and who resides in Middlesex County ; Sarah, who married Henry S. Van Nuys, of Millstone, Nov. 26, 1856; James, who mar- ried Gertrude P. Conover, Feb. 10, 1866, and who lives in Henderson Co., Ill .; Margaretta, died Sept. 19, 1859 ; Anna Maria, who married A. V. Nevius, Feb. 10, 1864, and who resides in Bridgewater town- ship; and Richard Field, who married Jennie Claw- son, Dee. 11, 1872, and who is working the home-farm.

D. D. Kenyer

DAVID P. KENYON is a descendant in the fourth generation of James Kenyon, whose father was one of three brothers who early emigrated from England, and took up a residence in the New World. James Kenyon moved from Long Island to Dutchess Co., N. Y., early in the eighteenth century, and passed his days as a fur- mer, and in subduing, for the purposes of civilization, the wild section of country in which he had established u liome.

Samuel, son of James Kenyen, was born in Dutchess County, on July 15, 1736. He married a Miss Seman, and had children : Lydia, Abigail, John, Mumford, Sarah, Seman, Jeremiah, Samuel, and James. He en- gaged mostly in agricultural pursuits in Dutchess County throughout his life. Some of the descendants of Samuel settled in the West, and became the progenitors of the family of the name in that section.

James Kenyon, father of our subject, was born on Sept. 6, 1779. His wife was Susannah, daughter of David Palmer, formerly of Dutchess County, and lat- terly of Columbia Co., N. Y. The children of this union were David P .; Maranda ( who died in infancy) ; Samuel ; Martha, wife of Obadiah Griffin, of Michigan; Susan, wife of Samuel Kiff, of Bradford Co., Pa. ; Lydin, wife of Charles Waldo, of the same place ; James, residing in Bradford Co., Pa .; Angeline, late wife of Orrin Dales, same place ; Lucinda, wife of Clark Grillin, same place ; and Leland, of Delaware ('o., N. Y. James Kenyon was one of the pioneer settlers of Dela- ware Co., N. Y., and carved out of the wilderness, in 1804, a fertile farm of one hundred and forty acres. There he closed his days, passing away on Nov. 14, 1853. llis wife died on July 22, 1851, nged about sixty- six years.

David P. Kenyon was born at Nine Partners, Dutchess Co., N. Y., on Dec. 27, 1803. The year following his birth he was carried by his parents into the wilds of Delaware County, where, until he attained the age of twenty-one years and four months, heendured with them the privations of a pioneer life, and performed his part manfully in cleuring up the wild tract upon which his father had settled.

Soon after attaining his majority Mr. Kenyon ap- prenticed himself to Eliphalet Miller to learn the trade of a millwright. In 1828 he became a journeyman in the business, and on June 21st of that year he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Townley, daughter of Nathaniel Crane, of Elizabeth, N. J. She was born Sept. 1, 1804. In 1830, Mr. Kenyen started in business himself, and followed the occupation of a millwright in various counties of New Jersey and Pennsylvania until the year 18440, and erected and established a large number of mills in that time. In 1839 he engaged in the iron foundry business at Belvidere, Warren Co., N. J., where ho remained until 1844, when he took up a permanent residence at Raritan, Somerset Co., then known as " the water-power." Here he founded the Kenyon Iron- Works, which he successfully operated until 1868, when he retired from business life, handing the enterprise over to his sons, Job ('. and Daniel R. Kenyon, by whom they are now carried on under the firm-name of Kenyon Brothers.

Mr. Kenyon was one of the earliest residents of what is now the prosperous village of Raritan. When he set- tled but three houses stood there ; his own followed soon after. He has been actively identified with the growth and development of the place for many years, and is one of the best known and most highly respected of its citi- zens. Je is now the last of the old substantial residents of the village, and represents the industry, integrity, and energy of a past generation of workers. Ile has been associated with several building and loan associa- tions at Raritan, and acted as president of the most suc- cessful. In politics Mr. Kenyon is a Democrat, though he held alouf from public office, and filled only the minor ones that were pressed upon him. lte was one of the founders of the Third Reformed t'hurch of Rari- tan, and was one of its first elders, holding that office at the present writing ( 1850).

Mrs. Kenyon died on March 12, 1877. His children are Inmes Henry, who resides in Plainfield, N. J. ; Sarah C .. wife of Willian A. Pembrook, of Elizabeth, N. J. : Job ( and David R . manufacturers at Raritan and Charles S., of Toronto, Canada.

A. HA. Brokaw

ALEXANDER H. BROKAW is a great-grandson of John Brokaw, who emigrated from France at an early period, and located in IHillsborough township at the point which has since become the family homestead. A brother by the name of Burgun came at the same time and settled at Roycefield, becoming the ancestor of the family in that section, Both performed active service in the Revolutionary war. John was a captain, and offered up his life on the altar of his country in that memorable struggle for liberty. His wife's name was Maria Van Derveer, and their children were John, Henry, Michael, Ferdinand, and Mary, The latter be- came the wife of Dr. Bogart, of Hillsborough township, and after the death of her husband removed to the "lake country" of the State of New York.

Henry, son of John Brokaw, was born on the old homestead in Hillsborough, where he subsequently ac- quired over three hundred acres of land, and where he passed his life as a farmer. He also served in the Revo- lutionary war, Ilis wife's name was Elizabeth Baird, daughter of Maj. John Baird, of Griggstown, N. J., and the children of the union were Jolin, Henry, Alex- ander, Abraham, Phebe, Ann, Elsie, Elizabeth, and Mary. He was a man of great energy and enterprise, and took an active interest in matters around him. He was in many respects a public character. Ilis counsel and assistance were sought by all classes of citizens, and he filled important offices in township and county. Ile died about 1832, and his wife a few years later.

Henry, son of Henry Brokaw, was born on the home- farm, and passed all of his days as a farmer either on or near that locality. He occupied for the greater por- tion of his life a part of the old homestead. He married

Magdalene, daughter of Rynier Staats, and his children were John H., Peter H., Henry H., Alexander H., and Sarah M., who married Abraham Hoagland. Mr. Brokaw was actively identified with the various public enterprises of his day, was a member of the Old-Line Whig party, and filled various township and county offices. He was a member of the Reformed Dutch Church of Harlingen, with which he was officially con- nected as deacon and elder. He died in 1852, aged fifty- seven.

Alexander H. Brokaw was born in Hillsborough town- ship, Aug. 26, 1828. His carlier years were passed upon his father's farm, and his educational advantages were such as the farmers' sons of his day enjoyed. Four years after his father's decease, in 1856, he married Margaret Ann, only child of Dr. Jeremiah W. Whitenack, of Raritan. He purchased his father's farm and resided in Hillsborough for a time, and in 1858 bought his present farm in Bridgewater township, known as the old Patter- son farm and comprising one hundred and ten acres, Here he has since resided. IIe is a Republican in politics, and, although never an aspirant after place, is a member of the township committee and of the board of health. He is a member of the Third Reformed Church of Raritan, and has held the office of both deacon and elder.

Mr. Brokaw is ranked among the representative agri- culturists of the county in which he resides, is a man of strict integrity and correct habits, and possessed of those sterling qualities that make up the useful citizen. IIis second daughter, Julia, died on March 9, 1876, in the seventeenth year of her age. ITis other children are Aletta and Jerome W. Brokaw.

John Whilenak

JOHN WHITENACK, son of Cornelius C. and Catherine (Skillman) Whitenack, was born August 24, 1813, at Blawenburg, Somerset Co.

The family of Whitenack in Somerset is de- scended from four brothers who came from Long Island and settled in New Jersey. His grandfather was Cornelius Whitenack. His father and grandfather were both farmers in the township of Montgomery,

He spent his time on his father's farm until sixteen years of age; then went to learn the trade of a wheelwright in Somerville with Bergen Huff, where he remained for five years. Upon reaching his majority he remained with his em- ployer as journeyman for a few years, during which time, on March 5, 1837, he married Ann B., daughter of John and Anna (Tunison) Fisher, of Somerville, whose ancestors were early residents of Somerset County. She was born Dec. 27, 1808, and resides in Somerville in 1880.

In 1842, Mr. Whitenack established himself in business as a wheelwright and carriage- maker, in partnership with Richard Provost; but after one year, upon the withdrawal of Mr. Provost from the firm, he continued his business, which increased with the increasing demands of trade, and never relaxed his energy as a suc- cessful business and enterprising man until his death, which occurred May 12, 1870.

Mr. Whitenack was a man of striet integrity in all his business relations, and highly esteemed by all who knew him either in a social or busi- ness capacity. He was never a member of any church, but always took an interest in church and kindred relations, and contributed liberally in support of all worthy local objects. He took no active part in politics, although he was un- swervingly a member of the Democratic party, and was often tendered official position. Ilis life was almost wholly devoted to business, and by strict attention to it, although unassisted pecuniarily when starting out in life for him- self, he became the possessor of a fair compe- teney by his own industry and judicious manage- ment. His only child and daughter, Catalena, became the wife of Nathaniel C. Morris, who for some five years was a leading doctor of dental surgery in Somerville. He received his degree of Master of Dental Surgery from the board of censors of New York, and his diploma was dated at Albany, N. Y., on the 30th day of June 1870. He was known as a man of correct habits, and as a member, first, of the Pres- byterian Church at Liberty Corners, and after his settlement in Somerville as a member of the First Reformed Church of this place, he bore an exemplary Christian character. Ile died on Nov. 1, 1871, aged twenty-eight years and four months, leaving an only son,-George E. Morris.

BEDMINSTER.

699

children by his second marriage were Mary, Sabiah, Nelly, and Job.

ILITTLE

George Lane

The latter was born on Oct. 6, 1769, on his father's farm in Bedminster. His wife was Susannah Nevius, who was born on May 28, 1773. The issue of the

marriage were Cornelius, born Aug. 21, 1793; Maria, born Jan. 28, 1796; John N., born Dec. 3, 1797; Eleanor, born Feb. 17, 1800; George, born Aug. 17, 1802; Sophia, born June 3, 1805 ; Martin and Gilbert, born Oct. 10, 1807; Peter, born Jan. 3, 1811; and Martha E., born Nov. 28, 1814. Of these, Cornelius, Eleanor, Martin, Gilbert, and John N. are dead. Job Lane was an enterprising and worthy citizen, and for a number of years filled the office of justice of the peace. Ile was a member of the Reformed Church of Bedminster, and was officially connected with that body as deacon and elder. He died on March 1, 1843, and his wife on Aug. 4, 1855.

George Lane was born in Bedminster township on the date above mentioned. He passed the earlier years of his life on his father's farm, and on Jan. 4, 1826, married Catharine Van Nest, who was born Sept. 11, 1804. In 1832, Mr. Lane purchased the farm that he now occupies in Bridgewater township, and a few years later erected his present residence. Here he has continued, engaged in agricultural pursuits, ever since. Mr. Lane has now reached the decline of life, but is well preserved for a gentleman of his ad- vanced years. His life has been a quiet and unosten- tatious one, and he has quietly and worthily per- formed his part as a citizen. He is a Democrat in politics, but has never sought nor held public office. Hle is a member of the Reformed Church of Bedmin- ster.

Of the three children of Mr. Lane, John V. N. alone survives, and occupies the home farm with his parents.

BEDMINSTER.

GEOGRAPHICAL, ETC.

THIS is one of the townships lying on the northern border of Somerset, adjoining Morris County. Its eastern boundary is the township of Bernard; its southern is formed by Branchburg and Bridgewater, and on the west it is joined by the townships of Tewksbury and Readington, in Hunterdon.

The surface of Bedminster is generally level in the western part, but is slightly undulating along the val- ley of the Lamington and its branches. The north- ern part is more hilly, and is crossed by a limestone ridge. The "First Mountain" terminates at Cham- bers' Brook, in Bridgewater, but the "Second Moun- tain" extends northwesterly into Bedminster as far as Mine Brook.

Its streams are the North Branch of the Raritan, which forms a large part of its eastern boundary ; the Lamington River, which forms the western boundary of the township and flows southwardly into the North Branch; Chambers' Brook, a small stream which divides the township from Bridgewater, flows west wardly and enters the North Branch a short distance below the mouth of Lamington ; Axtell's or Middle Brook, which takes its rise in the north part, pursues a southerly course through the centre of the township, and enters the North Branch; and Peapack Brook, which is also a tributary of the North Branch, enter- ing it from the northward.

LAND TITLES AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

The first purchase of land in the township of Bed- minster was made by Margaret Winder, May 20,

. Ry Austin N. Ilungerfor.i.

700

SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

1690 .* This tract is said to have contained 1000 acres, and may be described as lying on both sides of the North Branch opposite the junction of the Lam- ington with that stream. Aug. 4, 1693, Campbell and Blackwood purchased a tract known on the map ac- companying the Elizabeth bill of chancery as No. 59, located on the north side of the Lamington, and ex- tending westward from its mouth, but not reaching entirely across the bend of the river. June 6, 1701, Dr. John Johnston and George Willocks purchased a tract of 3150 acres. This may be described as lying north of the Lesser and Larger Cross-Roads and ex- tending across the township. October 2d of the same year they purchased the Indian title of " Tallaquapie and Nicholas Elspie, Merchant, Indians."

The north boundary extended westward across the township along the north line of the farm on which W. P. Sutphin now resides. The date of the purchase of Maj. Daniel Axtell is unknown. His tract em- braced the land south of the Lesser and Larger Cross- Roads and north of the North Branch.

Alexander and Dunstar, Oct. 15, 1741, purchased 580 acres on the site of the present village of Lam- ington. On the 1st of January previous, Andrew Hamilton purchased 875 acres. Prior to this time settlements had been made, for in 1740 the Presbyte- rian Church at Lamington was organized, and John Craig, William Jones, Richard Porter, and William Hugein were mentioned. This church embraced a large extent of territory, as the call was from the people of Lametunk, Lebanon, Peapack, Readington, and Bethlehem.

South and east of the North Branch was a large tract taken up by Dr. Lewis Johnston and Mary Johnston (afterwards Mrs. James Alexander). The extreme south part of the land in the township, and bordering on the east side of North Branch, was a part of a tract of land of 912 acres, the greater por- tion of which is in Bridgewater, and which was pur- chased, Ang. 14, 1693, by Ann West.t Later this property passed to the Duchess of Gordon, for whom Gouverneur Morris acted as agent. It is known as the "Duchess." North of the Indian purchase of Johnston and Willocks was a large tract purchased of the proprietors by George Leslie, who was also in possession of large tracts on the east side of West Jersey. Still north lay the Peapack patent, owned by Dr. Johnston,-a part of which was sold to James Parker, of Perth Amboy,-and the extreme north by the heirs of Dr. Johnston, from 1760 to 1770.

There is a tradition that the first settlers in the township were French people, but if so their stay was but transitory. The first permanent settlers were Scotch-Irish, who came in from the East and settled

along the valley of the Lamington and North Branch; many of their descendants still remain. Next came a number of German Protestants from the Palatinate. They were among those who had been employed by Queen Anne as soldiers in her Continental wars, and after the close of hostilities had been, with others of the same nationality, removed to America by the gov- ernment and established on lands on both sides of the Hudson River, in Columbia and Ulster Cos., N. Y., and from there had emigrated to this region.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 170

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