History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 177

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 177
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 177

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).

The following epitaph occurs among the Van Derveers :

"Sacred to the memory of Elias Van Derveer, who died 29th Nov. 1778, in the 33d year of his age.

"In consequence of his cruel iocarceratioo while prisoner to the British army, a detachment of which had been expressly sent out for the purpose of taking him by surprise, with a few other active and spirited Whigs of the Revolution in this vicinage."

Between the Van Derveers and the church lies a former pastor beneath a marble slab, with the follow- ing inscription upon it :

" This Tomb covers the mortal remains of the Rev. Isaac M. Fisher aud Margaret C. Martio his wife, they departed this life ; the former oo the 14th of Feb., 1840, aged 44 years, and the latter on the 31st March, 1838, aged 42 years. They died in the hope of the Gospel, whose doc- trines they had adorned by a holy life. This church enjoyed the faith- ful ministry of their late Pastor for the term of 17 years. He was a preacher of distinguished ability, ardent in his love of the truth, deeply skilled io experimental religion, and eminently successful in winning souls to Jeans. This stone was erected as a grateful tribute to their memory by those who loved them in life and honored them in death. Their best record is on high, and their best monument in the hearts of the people."

Near this grave is that of the Rev. George Schenck, pastor from 1840 till his death, July 7, 1852.

Near the church also are buried two of the daugh- ters of Dr. and " Juffrow" Hardenburgh ; Laura, the wife of Michael Lane, July 28, 1785, aged twenty- eight; and Maria, wife of James Van Derveer, March 12, 1789, aged thirty-two. The family of Powelsons occupy the southwest corner of the yard, the Van Arsdale the northwest, and in other parts of the grounds are the families of Conover, Nevius, Vroom, Voorhees, Van Doren, Melick, Demott, Tiger, Wolf, Wyckoff, and many others. At the extreme north side is the grave of Maj. John Todd, a Revolutionary officer, who died Sept. 4, 1820.

THE CEMETERY AT PLUCKAMIN.

When St. Paul's Lutheran Church was organized, in 1756, as a part of Zion's Church, of New German- town, the land for a building and cemetery was do- nated by Jacob Eoff. Many burials were made in this ground, but the hands of desecrating vandals of later days have left their mark, and few are the stones that now mark the resting-spot of those who were active in the stirring events of that time of a century ago. The Presbyterian church at Pluckamin is built on the site of the old one ; a few graves are marked north of it. The family of Castners are buried there, eight in number, from 1780 to 1801. Robert Eoff and wife, in 1775; Richard Eoff, in 1814. Other dates are John Melick, died Nov. 16, 1763, aged sixty-one; Catharine Melick, Oct. 17, 1763, sixty-four; Mary Magdalena, wife of Jacob Eoff, Nov. 11, 1761, fifty- seven; Aaron Melick, April 7, 1809, eighty-three ;

Charlotte, his wife, 1802, sixty-seven; Elizabeth Melick, May 14, 1768; Margaret Melick, Sept. 10, 1807.

One brown stone bears three inscriptions, as fol- lows :

" In memory of John Weygand, who died Feb. 3, 1782, aged 25 years, of Hannah wife of Dr. Thos. Chrystie, who died Aug., 1782, aged 30 years, and of Elizabeth Weygand, who died Feh., 1783, aged 18 years."

The Rev. John Weygand was pastor of Zion Church in 1749. It is not known whether John and Elizabeth Weygand were of his family or not.

The following Revolutionary ineident will be of interest to many, as in this old cemetery the gallant young officer is buried : A plain monument marks the spot in the Pluckamin graveyard:+

"In memory of the Hon. Captain William Leslie, of the 17th British Regiment, son of the Earl of Leven, in Scotland. He fell January 3, 1777, aged twenty-six years, at the battle of Princetoo. His friend, Benjamin Rush, M.D., of Philadelphia, hath caused this stone to be erected as a mark of his esteem for bie worth and respect for his noble family."

The ground south and east of the church is full of graves of the ancient dead, but many of the stones that bear the names and dates of death and mark the place of the burial now form the pavement of a cellar. A blacksmith-shop and a stable stand upon the spot once sacred to the memory of the dead.

On the west side of the road from Lesser Cross- Roads to Peapack, before the latter village is entered, on a knoll now owned by Watson C. Allen, there was a burial-place seventy years ago, but nothing of it now remains.

On the west side of the road, a short distance north of the Reformed church at Peapack, on land now owned by Ellis Tiger, there was also a burial-place, in which monuments were standing as late as 1812, but of which nothing now remains.

The land donated for the Methodist church in 1838 at Peapack was also used for a burial-place; likewise that around the Reformed church at Peapack. The first burial in this ground was that of Mrs. Barnabas Horton, who was interred there before the church was completed, in January, 1850.

In 1875 four acres were purchased of Elias Phil- hower and William Hilliard on an elevated spot in the upper part of the village for a "union cemetery." The grounds were handsomely laid out, and many re- mains were removed from the other burial-places and deposited in the new ground. The Jeroleman family burying-ground is in the centre of the village. The Lane family burying-ground is situated about half a mile west of Van Vliet's Mills. The following are a few buried here: Matthew Lane, Sr., died Jan. 17,

+ See p. 59 of this volume.

* Jacob Magill.

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BEDMINSTER.

1804, aged eighty-three; Matthew Lane, Jr., Nov. 7, 1819, seventy-three ; l'eter Lane, Sept. 19, 1819, fifty- five; Matthew l'. Lane, March 3, 1870, eighty-one.

The cemetery of the Presbyterian Church at Pluck- amin is situated southeast from the village, on the Washington Valley road. It was purchased by the society shortly after its organization, in 1851.

A short distance north of the Lesser Cross-Roads is a plot of land, containing about half an acre, that was used years ago for the burial of colored people who were slaves. About 1873 an acre of land was pur- chased southeast of Lamington as a burial-place for colored people.

THIE PRESBYTERIAN CEMETERY.

Soon after the church was organized 1.15 acres was purchased of Elias Brown, Esq., situated on the south side of the road leading to Washington Valley, for cemetery purposes. It was laid out April 1, 1851, and contains 220 lots 9 by 20 feet, and 22 lots 9 by 12 feet. The first interment was of a little child of David Dawson, who died April 1, 1851, and is buried near the entrance. The cemetery is under the control of the trustees of the church. In 1879 considerable im- provement was made in its condition. An etfort is now being made to keep a complete record of every interment, so that every grave may be known, whether marked by a headstone or not.

SOLOMON'S LODGE, No. 1, F. AND A. M.

At some time in 1767 a warrant was issued by the Provincial Grand Lodge of the State of Pennsylvania for a lodge at Basking Ridge, N. J., to be known as No. 10 on the Pennsylvania registry. The precise time and the names of the individuals cannot be as- certained, as the records of the Grand Lodge of that State were lost or destroyed prior to the Revolution. The number is found on the registry of l'ennsylvania, and is there mentioned as a lodge located at Basking Ridge, N. J. March 26, 1781, inquiry was made at the Grand Lodge concerning this warrant, and it was said to have been seen in the possession of Dr. Blatch- ley. This was doubtless the same person who signed the agreement by which the Grand Lodge was con- stituted. It was then signed by him as Ebenezer Blatchley, Jr., Past Master of Lodge No. 10. It must have been in successful operation at that time, as the ngreement spoken of was signed by more members of that lodge than of any other. The names of two Past Masters, Worthy Master, Wardens, Deacons, and 16 other members of Lodge No. 10 were attached to it. In the proceedings at the organization of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, Dec. 18, 1786, mention is made of tho "Lodge of Bedminster," which is undoubtedly the same, and by n general consent No. I was assigned to this lodge, April 7, 1787. It was first known and designated as "Somerset Lodge, No. 1," and soon afterwards changed to "Solomon's Lodge, No. 1." It became migratory ; meetings were held at Bed-

minster, Somerville, Bound Brook, and Millstone, and it expired about 1830.

At the November session of 1829 a communication from this lodge was read to the Grand Lodge, then in session at Trenton, stating a wish to resign the war- rant, reserving the privilege of retaining its number and of being taken up at some other period of time. This privilege was not granted, but they were in- formed that the surrender of their warrant would be accepted if made in the usual manner. The names of the representatives to the Grand Lodge resident of Bedminster were Robert Gaston, 1786; William Mc- Kissack, 1787 ; James Henry, 1787 ; George McDonald, 1792; Aaron Boylan, 1806; Henry Suydam, 1811; Peter Van Doren, 1817.

POST-OFFICES.

The first in the township was established at Pluck- amin. Matthew Lane was first postmaster. He was succeeded by Jacob Losey (who held the position about forty-five years), John Van Zandt, J. D. Pot- ter, David H. Wortman, and James Brown, Jr., present incumbent.

Lamington office has been conducted by John Skill- man and Abram K. Hutton; that of Peapaek, by William A. Van Doren, Elias J. Lawrence, and Amos T. Foster, who is still the postmaster, having held the position fifteen years.

Lesser Cross-Roads office was established about 1800. Jacob Van Doren was postmaster about eighteen years, and was succeeded by Capt. Joseph Nevius. Corne- lius W. Schomp, Dr. Staats Woodruff, Nicholas Ar- rowsmith, Martin Bunn, William C. Joroleman, Elias T. Wood, and the present incumbent, Martin Bunn.

The office at Pottersville was established very early. Sering Potter was the first postmaster, and the only one for about fifty years. He was succeeded by Elias Bartles, who still holds the position.

MILITARY.

Many things that are of particular interest to the people of the township of Bedminster will be found in the Revolutionary chapter of the general history of this work. The rosters of the companies formed for that struggle have not been found. Below is given that of one raised for the war of 1812:

" A list of the natues of all the persons belonging to the Second Com- pany of the First Battalion of the Second Regiment of Somerset Bri- gade : John Logan, Captain ; John Tigor, Lieutenant; John Craig, John Wolfo, John Arrowsmith, Daniol Todd, Sergeants; John Mizner, Charles Lyon, Aaron Craig, John Mullen, Corporals; David Ammerman, Jr., Albert Ammerman, Samuel Todd, Jr., Andrew Todd, John Phenix, Cot- nelius Willitt, Isque Willitt, Conrad Hardy, Francis V. Hagaman, Simon Hagaman, Jr., David Hagaman, Willlam Ilagamanı, Amca Dunlının, Simon Vloet, Andrew Aublo, John Bunck, l'eter Case, William J. Todd, Benjamin Arrowsmith, Jr., Abraham Van Dike, Abraham Hoagland, Isnac Voorhis, Jacob Voorhees, Jr., Darll Van Nest, Shepherd McCoy, Nicholas Ditminta, Robert T. Craig, William J. Van Porn, Jacob Allen, Peter Dorn, James Johuston, Jacob Wolfe, William .A. Van Dorn, Franc Van Dorn, Aaron Van Dorn, Jr, William Irwine, l'eter Demont. Jacob Tiger, Jr., l'eter Tiger, Abraham Smith, Cornellus T. Bowman, Henry V. Voorhees, James Voorhees, Jr, Cornelius Wolfe, Jeremiah Dunn, Cornelius McCloe, Gilbert Van Porn, Benjamin S. Brown, Jacob Van

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SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Dorn, William Burvis, Lewis C. Voorhees, William Todd, Jr., William Honeyman, Andrew Ammerman, William Ammerman, Samuel Lock- hart.

"The persone below named have performed a tour of duty already : John Tiger, Lieutenant; John Mizner, Corporal ; John Willett, John Mullen, Lewis Chapman.

" Persons named below are now on a tour of duty: Jobn Logan, Cap- tain; Jacob Tiger, John Devore, Jr., Joseph Van Horn, Albert Ammer- man, Privates.

" September Sth, 1814.

" JAMES WOLFE, Sergeant, "By me, JOHN LOGAN, Captain."

The following is an account of proceedings of the town committee during the war of the Rebellion in reference to raising money for volunteers.

Special town-meeting September, 1862:

" It was voted unanimously to sustain the action of the chosen free- holders of Somerset County in their action in regard to paying bounty."

Aug. 27, 1863, it was voted to raise a bounty of $300 for each man who entered the service of the United States, whether as a volunteer or as drafted; also that the money for 1863 be raised by assessment. Dec. 28, 1863, it was voted that the town committee be empowered to raise town bonds for the money, payable Jan. 1, 1865. May 30, 1864, voted that each person enrolled, liable to military duty, pay to the collector $10; all persons refusing are not entitled to $300 in case of draft. It was voted Oct. 9, 1864, to pay a bounty of $800, and Jan. 7, 1865, to pay for three-years' men $600, two-years' men $500, and one year men $400. The final account of committee re- ported of moneys raised as follows : For the draft of June, 1864, $10,377.52; September, 1864, $33,256.22; call of Dec. 19, 1864, $21.346.52; total, $64,980.26.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

REV. WILLIAM A. McDOWELL, D.D.

The McDowells of this family trace their ances- tors back to Ireland, and thence to Scotland. Hence they were properly Scotch-Irish, and are believed to have been among those numerous Presbyterians who passed over to Ireland to escape the oppressive Act of Uniformity passed in the reign of Charles II. The first ancestor who emigrated to America was Ephraim McDowell, the grandfather of the subject of our sketch.

William Anderson McDowell was born in Bedmin- ster, Somerset Co., N. J., on the 15th of May, 1789. He was a son of Matthew and Elizabeth (Anderson) McDowell, whose parents had settled in Bedminster, whither they came from Long Island (?) as early as 1767. His older brother, Rev. John McDowell, D.D., was also born in Bedminster, on the McDowell cstate, and received his first impulse towards that distinction in scholarship and in the ministry which he attained from his rudimentary lessons at the grammar school tanght in the neighborhood by Rev. Mr. Hannah.

At this or a similar school at Lamington William

also began his preparatory course for college, and at Elizabethtown was so far advanced in his studies that he entered the Junior Class at Princeton in 1807, and graduated in 1809, having throughont his whole course maintained a superior standing both for scholarship and deportment. In the spring of 1810, as his brother had done before him, he placed himself under the tui- tion of Rev. Dr. Woodhull, of Freehold, as a student in theology, and in June of that year became a candi- date for the ministry. In November, 1810, he became a tutor in Princeton College, and continued in that relation till September of the next year, pursuing his theological studies meantime under the instruc- tion of Rev. Dr. Stanhope Smith, then president of the college. His health having become delicate, he resolved to try the effect of a Southern climate, and in November sailed for Savannah, the residence of Rev. Dr. Kollock, whose sister he afterwards married. Under the direction of this eloquent divine, he re- sumed his theological studies, and, returning after a time to Princeton, was the fifth on the catalogue of the first class in the theological school of that place, which his brother, Rev. Dr. John McDowell, did so much towards founding and placing on a firm basis, and which has since become so famous an institution throughout the Christian world.

Mr. McDowell continued his connection with the seminary until May, 1813, having been licensed to preach in April preceding by the Presbytery of New Brunswick. He was ordained and installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Bound Brook on the 22d of December following, and about the same time united in marriage with Miss Jane Kollock, daughter of Shepard Kollock, Esq., of Elizabethtown. His con- nection with the church at Bound Brook was dissolved Oct. 19, 1814, and on the 15th of the next December he was installed pastor of the church at Morristown, N. J. He had previously declined a call from the church in Flemington. His ministry at Morristown was alike highly acceptable and highly useful. It was while earnestly laboring here that his health so declined that he was induced to try the experiment of a Sonthern climate, and made a visit to Charleston, S. C., which resulted in his settlement as pastor in that city in 1823.

This was an epoch' in his life: his health was in a great measure restored, and his pastorate of ten years eminently successful, during which he did much towards the more thorough organization of the Church South. At the meeting of the General Assembly in 1833 he was appointed Secretary of the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church,-a posi- tion which he felt it his duty to accept, although his people in Charleston released him with great regret. This arrangement made the city of Philadelphia henceforth his home for the balance of his life. In the discharge of his duties as secretary his labors were abundant, and he frequently made tours South for the purpose of extending the influence of the board in

William S.11. 2018ell

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BEDMINSTER.

that direction. His wisdom, zeal, and ability, but not his health, were adequate to the task imposed by his office, or rather the task which his own devotion and energy imposed upon him; for, although he was afflicted with a difficulty of the throat which rendered public speaking exceedingly difficult, and the tax upon his energies was felt to be more and more ex- hausting, it was impossible for one of such a spirit not to work up to the full measure of his ability.

The summer of 1850 he spent at his " Retreat" in Bedminster, preaching occasionally as his health would permit, and dividing his time between his pen, his books, and his friends. In the autumn he made his last tour, with his wife, to the South, in hopes that the change of climate might be beneficial to him. It was to some extent ; but soon after his return to New Jer- sey, in May, 185], he appears to have grown worse, as the following letter, written to his brother, shows :

" RETREAT, June 18, 1851.

" MY DEAN BaoTHEN,-Your kind letter of the 12th inst. camo by the muil of yesterday. I thank you for it, and will attempt a brief reply. I wrote you not long since, and gave you a full account of tho illness with which our Henvonly Fathor has been pleased to visit me. I thon expressed the hope that I was better, und was slowly gnining strength ; and I venture to indulge that hope still, though my cough is trouble- some and I continue very weak. Thu weather has been much against me. It is now quite dry, ond rain Is much needed ; but it is cold, es- pecially in the mornings and evenings.

" The Pluckamin people are going forward with some spirit. They have commonced their church editice un a lot adjoining the old grave- yard. They build thore to avoid covering graves oud a threatened low- suit. The site is a good one.

"The Lord seeins disposed to keep you from stagnating, and for your general good health you uwe him much. Yon have, indeed, a heavy task, but I am persuaded that few others could do it as well as you," and I rejoice in your good success. That building will remain, after your work on earth is done, as a procione monument to your Indefatigable industry and perseverance in the best of caused. May a kind Providence enable you to complete the Important enterprise! ond when finished, may Gad, by His Spirit, tako up llis abode there! It is the presence of the Holy Spirit, and that alone, that can giro prosperity to a church. O that we all folt this more deeply than we do | We greatly need on unction from the Holy One.

" As soon as I am able, I wish to write to your Presbytory and give some account of myself. Although not now within their bounds, I am not prepared at present to change my Presbyterial connection. Should my health be restored, I do not expect to spend the winter here, and I kuow not exactly where I may bo. If I have strength to labor I do not expect to be idle. If my health should not be restored, I shall not be in a situation to join nny other body. I trust my good brethren of the Pres- bytery will not object to my retaining my present connection natil I can see more clearly what Gud designs for me.

" Let me hear from you soon and often, and believe mo,

" Your affectionate brother, " WILLIAM A. MoDown.I.L."

Dr. McDowell's health continued feeble during the summer, yet in July he officiated in laying the cor- ner-stone of the church at Pluckamin. About the 1st of September he went to Morristown, with a view of placing himself under the care of his former phy- sician, Dr. Johns, in whom he had great confidence. Even then he was not so ill as to occasion any imme- diate alarm, but lie gradually declined until he died from exhaustion, on the 17th of September, 1851.

The night before he died he was much engaged in prayer for the church and for the cause of missions, which was especially dear to his heart. Ilis remains were removed to Lamington for interment, and the sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. W. W. Blauvelt, pastor of the Lamington Church.

Dr. MeDowell was of a slender form, rather below the medium height. His countenance indicated thoughtful earnestness and purity, and his utterances fulfilled all that his looks foreshadowed. He had a fine, clear, well-balanced intelleet, which had been subjected to early judicious training, and had also been kept in careful culture in connection with the great and diversified labors of life. Hle possessed wonderful transparency of character, and a modesty which shrank from aspiration to high places; was of an amiable and kindly spirit, of admirable discretion, and of an energy of purpose which never faltered in the most difficult enterprises. As a preacher he took high rank, being among the most clear, foreible, prae- tical expounders of truth of his day. In each of the congregations to which he ministered, especially the two last, there were very marked results from his ministry, not a small number both in Morristown and Charleston being converted under his labors.

But the chief monument which he erected was in the hearts and affections of those who knew him best. Every community in which he lived has loved to do him honor, and multitudes still pronounce his name with reverence and gratitude.

Rev. John McLean, D.D., president of Princeton College, writes of him, in 1864: " Dr. William A. Me- Dowell was a favorite pupil of my father, who for many years was professor of mathematics and nat- ural philosophy in the college, and its first teacher in chemistry. During a part of the summer term of 1812 he supplied my father's place in the college as teacher of mathematics, and sustained' himself well. In the autumn of that year, if I err not, he entered the theological seminary at Princeton, which had been recently established, the only professor being the late venerable Dr. Archibald Alexander.

" At that time, there being no building ereeted for the seminary, its students were permitted, if they de- sired it, to lodge in the college buildings and use the recitation-rooms, etc. ... This led to a great inti- mney between the students of the two institutions, and to co-operation in their benevolent efforts. In these Dr. (then Mr.) W. A. MeDowell took an active part, and at the formation of the Nassau Hall Bible Society he was chosen its first president, and wrote an address setting forth the object for which it was es- tablished. The address was published, with a copy of the constitution as then adopted, and it was probably the first article from his pen that ever appeared in print. This was three years before the founding of the American Bible Society, at the formation of which delegates were present from the Nassay Hall Bible Society. Those familiar with the history of Bible

* Reforring to the robuilding of the Spring Garden Presbyterian church, Philadelphia.

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SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

agencies in our country know the important services rendered by the Nassau Hall Society in the first efforts made to supply every destitute family in the State of New Jersey with a copy of the Holy Scriptures.

"In 1817, Dr. McDowell was chosen a trustee of this college. In 1824 he resigned his seat in the board, and was elected again the following year.

"Dr. McDowell was a man of no ordinary ability ; he was a good scholar and an instructive preacher. Pious, active, cheerful, he was a most agreeable com- panion and an exemplary Christian minister. I might say more, I could not say less."

A. W. McDOWELL, M.D.

The late Augustus W. McDowell, M.D., of Bed- minster, was a son of Rev. William A. McDowell, D.D., and was born in Morristown, N. J., Dec. 11, 1820. He was prepared for college at the age of twelve years, graduated at Princeton at the age of sixteen, and received his medical degree at nineteen. It was against the college rule to give a diploma to any undergraduate less than twenty-one years old. When asked "What will you say if they ask your age?" he replied, "I will tell the truth." But they did not ask his age.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 177

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