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 207
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 207
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" And by appointment of S Day, the town-meeting is to be held the Next Year at the house of win Jones at Rocke Hill.
"HENRY VANDIKE, Clerk. " this 10th day of March."
It may be safe to assume, in view of the above doc- umentary proof, that Montgomery township was set off from Hillsborough about 1772.
ROAD DISTRICTS.
The following were the road districts laid out in 1779-80, with the names of the overseers :
Rocky Ilill rond, Aaron Longstreet; Kingston road, Thomas Skillman; rond from Van Dyke's to Rocky Ilill, Gen. Morris; rond from Wins- ton to Kingston, James Moore; from Winston to Bucky Hill, WIl-
Southeasterly Corner of the land of George Bergen, thence west as his line ruas until it comes to the Southeasterly Corner of the land of Ja- cubus Ammerman and the Northeasterly Corner of the division of the Sowerland Lots thenco as the Bine between the small division of the Sower- land Lots run South twenty-nine degrees west until it comes to the Cor- ner between Lot No. 13 and No. 14 in the small division being the South- easterly Corner of the Lot of Johann Ditmane, thence west between said Lots until it Intersects the Rear Line of the New Shanneck Lots thence along the Rear Line as It runs South fifty degrees west until it Intersects the division line between the East and West Jerseys thence south four- tren degrees Fast as the line between Hast nud West Jersey Runs until it comes to the Great Post Hond that lemls frum Trenton to Brunswick theuce Northerly along the Hne between the Counties of Somorset & Middlesex until It comes to the saul Millstone River thoaco down the said River the Several Courses theroof to the place of beginning and your humble Petitionere as In duty Bound shall ever pray.
" CHRISTOPHER HOAGLAND, JEN CORNELIUS TEVEROECK
" JOSEPH CORNELL ARTHUR SCTPHES
" BARENT STRIKER
" PETER VAN DER VEER
JAPIO TENDROYOK
" GERARDE'S BEEKMAN
JOHN VOORHEES
" GERARDO'S BEEKMAN JUN ZECIOx STOLT
" Tilmuss QUICK
" THOMAS SKILLMAN
* BENJAMIN BAIHD
" JOHN VANPING
" WILLIAM BAIRD
" CHRISTO FFEL HOOKLANT
" HOFLOP VAN PIKE
"AARON HAGYMAN
TURCK TENARUECK
JONS VOORHEES Jug SALTEAR ARHAHAN STETKER
HENRY VANDIKE
PETER WIRFOST
L'HARIFA SALTEAR
JIN STOCK TON."
54
842
SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
liam Goa; from the province line to Rocky Hill, Daniel Slack; from province line to Rocky Hill school-house, Hezekiah Stout; Pennington and Princeton road, James Finley ; from Rocky Hill to Garret Voorhees' emith-shop, Garret Van Pelt; from Voorhees' shop to Griggstown, Nathan Allen ; from the school-house to Hillsborough, William Bard; from Pennington to Winston, Samuel Carman.
THE POOR-FARM.
The township early provided for its paupers, as in 1772 we find records of money raised for this object by the overseers. A reciprocal method of sustaining this class at a later date suggested itself to some, and it was proposed that a farm be purchased where the labor of these mendicants could be made an equiva- lent for support received. At a special meeting of the town committee, held at Oppie's inn, Jan. 21, 1835, William Duryea and Peter Voorhees, overseers of the poor, reported that they had purchased a farm, in company with the committee from the township of Hillsborough, for the maintenance of the indigent residents of both townships. It was from the estate of John Van Pelt, deceased, and contained 230 acres. In 1867 Hillsborough withdrew from this joint action, since which time each township has supported its own poor-farm.
The farm is under the immediate supervision of the overseers of the poor, which office is at present filled by Jobn H. Schomp and William Oppie, of this town- ship. It is free from debt, and at the present time has but four inmates.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THIE TOWNSHIP, 1772-1880. CLERKS.
1772-74, Hendrick Van Dyke; 1775-84, David Snowden ; 1785-89, Heury Van Dyke; 1790-1802, Frederick Cruser; 1803-4, Roelef H. Van Dyke; 1805-8, Jobo Skillman ; 1809-16, Henry Duryea; 1817, Peter Voorhees ; 1818-24, Henry Duryea ; 1825-31, F. V. D. Voorhees ; 1832, A. J. Dumont; 1834, Lloyd Van Derveer; 1835, Thomas I. Skillman; 1837-41, Peter D. Van Derveer; 1842-46, Joseph H. Voorhees; 1846- 48, Martin Voorhees; 1849-51, Stephen Voorlees, Jr .; 1852-54, John D. Voorhees; 1855-56, Luther Van Derveer; 1857-58, Cordelive A. Crueer; 1859, William T. F. Ayree; 1860-61, Isaac H. Oppie; 1862, Luther Van Derveer; 1863-64, Charlee M. Stryker; 1865, Theodore F. Hoagland; 1866-71, A. H. Stryker; 1872-74, William Oppie; 1875 -78, John N. Van Zandt; 1879-80, Abram S. Hegeman.
ASSESSORS.
1772-73, Cornelius Ten Broeck ; 1774, Christopher Hoagland, Jr .; 1775, John Johnston ; 1776, Peter Wykoff; 1777, Ichabod Leigh ; 1778-80, Christopher lloagland; 1781, Derick Longetrect; 1782, Christopher Hoagland; 1783, Peter Wykoff; 1784, Christopher Hoagland; 1785, Thannee Voorhees; 1786-88, John Voorhees; 1789, David Coveo- hoven; 1790-91, John Voorhees; 1792-95, David Covenhoven ; 1796- 98, David Conover; 1799, Ezekiel Blue; 1800-1, James Stryker; 1802-7, Ezekiel Blue; 1808-17, John D. W. Ten Brook ; 1818-27, Maj. William Duryea; 1828, Peter Voorhees; 1829, Henry Duryea; 1830, Peter Voorhees; 1831-32, Corneline Kershow; 1833-36, John Simonson ; 1837-40, Lloyd Van Derveer; 1841-42, Cornellus Ker- show; 1843-45, P. D. V. Van Derveer; 1846, Joseph Il. Voorhees; 1847-49, S. D. Bergen; 1850-52, Abram S. Williamson; 1853-55, Stephen Voorhees; 1856-58, Benjamin Randolph ; 1859-61, Jamee Oppic ; 1862, Cornelius J. Brokaw; 1863-65, James Van Zandt; 1866 -71, Luther Van Derveer; 1872-74, William A. Weart; 1875-80, William Opple.
COLLECTORS.
1772-73, Thomas Skillman; 1774, Joho Johnston; 1775, Christopher Hoagland; 1776, John Johnston ; 1777, Thomas Skillman; 1778, Aaron Longstreet; 1779, Derick Longstreet; 1780, Thomae Skill-
man; 1781-84, John Voorhees; 1785-88, Henry Berrien ; 1789-90, Jacob Tenbrook ; 1791, David Covenhoven ; 1792-95, Jacob Tenbrook ; 1796-98, Ezekiel Blne; 1799, James Stryker; 1800-1, Ezekiel Blue; 1802-4, Samuel Beekman ; 1805-17, Maj. William Duryea; 1818, John D. W. Teo Broeck; 1819, Samuel Beekman; 1820-27, Peter Voor- hees; 1828-30, Cornelius Kershow; 1831-32, Henry Duryea; 1833, Ralph Johnson; 1834-35, F. V. D. Voorhees; 1836-37, Cornelius S. Stryker ; 1838, Cornelius Kershow; 1839-43, John S. Hoagland; 1844-51, C. S. Stryker; 1852, Abraham Van Arsdale; 1853-54, O. S. Stryker; 1855, Samuel D. Bergen ; 1856-59, Tunis C. Schomp; 1860- 63, William Race; 1864, Henry P. Apgar ; 1865-66, Peter D. Staats; 1867, Charles M. Stryker ; 1868-80, John H. Schomp.
CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.
1772-73, William Stryker, Gisbert Lane ; 1774-75, Abraham Stryker, Gis- bert Lave; 1776, Derick Longstreet, Abram Stryker ; 1777, Derick Longstreet, Hendrick Stryker; 1778, Ichabod Leigh, ABron Long- strect ; 1779, Cornelius Tenbrook, Jacobus Lake; 1780, Henry Can- ady, David Covenhoven ; 1781, Peter Wykoff, Ichabod Leigh ; 1782, Peter Wykoff, Coroelius Tenbrook ; 1783, Thomas Skillman, David Snowden ; 1784, Jacob Schenck, David Covenhoven ; 1785, Jacob Ten- brook, David Covenhoven ; 1786, Peter Wykoff, David Covenhoven ; 1787, C. Hoagland, Henry Van Dyke ; 1788, C. Hoagland, Enos Kel- sey ; 1789-92, Enos Kelsey, Zebulon Stout ; 1793, Enos Kelsey, C. Hoagland ; 1794, Enos Kelsey, Corneline Cornell ; 1795, Cornelius Cornell, Garret Van Derveer; 1796, Barnet Cornell, Garret Van Der- veer; 1797-98, Garret Van Derveer, Samuel Beekman; 1799-1802, Henry Van Dyke, Samuel Beekman; 1803-4, Abraham Skillman, Samuel Beekman; 1805, Samuel Beekman, John Stout ; 1806, Sanı- uel Beekman, William Covenhoven; 1807, William Covenhoven, Abram Van Arsdale; 1808-10, William Covenhoven, John Salter; 1811-12, Abram Van Aredale, James Stryker; 1813, Elijah Clark, Samuel Beekman; 1814-18, Jeremiab Williamson, Samuel Beekman; 1819-22, Jeremiah Williamson, Ralph Johnson; 1823-25, Ralph Johnson, Cornelius Cruser ; 1826-27, John Skillman, Henry Duryea; 1828, Josiah S. Worth, Henry Duryea; 1829-30, Josiah S. Worth, Corneline Cruser: 1831, A. P. Hageman, Cornelius Worth ; 1832, F. V. D. Voorhees, Peter Voorhees : 1833, Abram Van Derveer, Maj. Cornelius Cruser ; 1834, Heory Duryea, Peter Voorhees; 1835-37, Abram Van Derveer, Ralph Johnson; 1838, Peter Voorhees, F. V. D. Voorhees; 1839-40, F. V. D. Voorhees, Abram P. Hageman ; 1841- 42, F. V. D. Voorbeee, Christopher Voorhees; 1843, Abram Vau Arsdale, F. V. D. Voorhees; 1844-45, Abraham Van Arsdale, John S. Hoagland ; 1846, J. W. Updyke, P. V. D. Van Derveer; 1847, Jolin S. Hoagland, J. W. Updyke; 1848, J. W. Updyke, P. V. D. Van Derveer ; 1849, P. V. D. Van Derveer, A. V. A. Skillman; 1850-51, A. V. A. Skillman, Martin Voorhees ; 1852-54, Joho N. Skillman; 1855-57, Joseph H. Voorhees; 1858, John J. Voorhees; 1859, Abram S. Wil- liameon ; 1860-61, John J. Voorhees; 1862-64, John N. Skillman; 1865-67, Henry V. Hoagland; 1868-70, Jeremiah W. Updyke; 1871- 73, Charles M. Stryker ; 1874-77, Jacob M. Vreeland; 1878-79, Cor- Delius I. Van Cleef; 1880, John V. Il. Whitlock. .
TOWN COMMITTEE.
1772-73, Joseph Stockton, John Van Dyke, Christopher Hoagland, Jr .; 1774-75, Eckbert Leigh, Peter Wykoff, Thomas Skillman, D. Long- street; 1776, Robert Stockton, Roelef Van Dyke, Ichabod Leigh, Derick Longstreet; 1777, Ichabod Leigh, Peter Wykoff, Derick Long- street, Zebulon Stout ; 1778-82, Robert Stocktoo, David Snowdon, Jacobne Lake, Grodne Beekman; 1783, Robert Stockton, Jacobue Lake, Grodue Beekman; 1784, Poter Wykoff, Robert Stockton, Jaco- bus Lake; 1785, Jacob Schenck, Christopher Hoagland, Robert Stockton ; 1786, Jacob Schenck, Corneliue Tenbrook, Cornelius Cor- nell ; 1787-89, Jacob Schenck, Terrick Tenbrook, Joseph Stryker; 1790-91, Jacob Schenck, Joseph Stryker, Jolin Beard ; 1792, Henry Van Dyke, John Van Horn, David Snowdon ; 1793, Henry Van Dyke, Capt. James Moore, Albert Monfort; 1794-95, John Van Horn, IIenry Van Dyke, J. Moore; 1796, Ileory Van Dyke, J. Moore, David Conover ; 1797, 11. Van Dyke, J. Moore, Wm. Conover; 1798, Stephen Monfort, Robert Stockton, David Conover; 1799-1800, Wm. Conover, Henry Van Dyke, Stephen Morford, Robert Stockton, David Cono- ver; 1801-2, William Conover, Ilenry Van Dyke, Stephen Morford, Robert Stockton, John Van Horne; 1803, Henry Van Dyke, William Conover, Stephen Morford, John N. Simpeon, John Van Ilorne ; 1804- 5, John Teubrook, William Covenhoven, Stephen Morford, John N. Sluipson, John Van Horne; 1806, John Tenbrook, Abram Van Ars-
843
MONTGOMERY.
dalen, Stephen Morford, Juba Van Horno, Willlain Covenhoven; 1807, John Tonbrook, Abram Van Arsdalen, Stephen Morford, Isaac Horner, William Covenhoven; 1808-9, John Stryker, Abram Van Arsdalen, Stephen Morford, Isaac Horner ; 1810, John Stryker, Abram Van Aradalen, Martin Voorhees, Isaac Horner, William Covenhoven; 1811, William Davis, John Stryker, Martin Voorhees, Isaac Horner, William Garrison ; 1812, John Stryker, William Davis, Martin Vor- hees, Isaac Hlerner, John Skillman ; 1813, William Davis, Gurret Van Derveer, Martin Voorhees, John Skillman, Isaac Horner ; 181-1-17, William Davis, Garret Van Derveer, Christopher Hoagland, John Skillman, Isaac llorner; 1818, William Davis, Garret Von Dervoor, C. Hoagland, Honry Duryon ; 1819, John D. W. Tonbrook, C. Hong- land, Garret Van Derveer, Henry Duryea, Isaac Horner; 1820, J. D. W. Teubrook, C. livagland, J. Il. Skelton, William Cruser, John Stout; 1821, .I. D. W. Tonbrook, C. Hongland, Elias Covenhoven, John Stout ; 1822, J. D. W. Tonbrook, C. Hongland, Aaron Uplyke, John Stout; 1823, Garrot Van Derveer, Josinh S. Worth, Cornelius Kershaw, Aaron Updyke, John Stout ; 1824, John Skillman, Josinh S. Worth, C. Kershaw, Aaron Updyke, John Stout; 1825, C. Kershaw, Josiah 8. Worth, Aaron Van Dyke, Henry R. Van Dyke, Henry Duryen ; 1826, William Cruser, J. S. Worth, Thomas Davis, Aaron Uplyko, Abram Stunts ; 1827, William Cruser, J. S. Worth, Cornelius Kershaw, Thomas White ; 1828, William Cruaor, Garret Beekman, Ralph John- son, Thomas White ; 1829, William Duryea, Peter Voorhees, Thomas White, Abraham P. Hageman, John Skillman ; 1830, Thomas White, A. P. Ingeman, Cornelius Stryker, Henry R. Van Dyko, Emley Olden ; 1831, Hunry B. Van Dyke, Cornelius C. Whitenack, Thomas White, Cornelius Stryker, John Simonson ; 1832, Henry R. Van Dyke, John Oppie, Emley Olden, Cornelius Stryker, Juhu Simonson ; 1833, Cor- nelius Stryker, John S. Leigh, John Opple, Henry Higgins, Urias Stryker; 1831, Cornelius Stry ker. Thomas White, Abraham A. Staats, Emley Olden, Christopher Voorhees ; 1835, Heury Higgins, Roelof HI. Van Dyke, J. S. Leigh, Abrabem I. Dumont, J. Opple ; 1836, John Davison, A. I. Dumont, Emley Olden, J. A. Perrine, L. Van Derveer; 1837, A. I. Dumont, Emloy Ohlen, Isaac Van Derveer, J. S. Worth, John A. Voorhees; 1838, Cornelius S. Stryker, John A. Voorhees, Zophoniuh Stout, Christopher Voorhees, Auron Cruser; 1839, Corne- Nus S. Stryker, Jolin A. Voorhees, Isaac Van Derveer, Henry V. Hoagland, Aaron Crusor; 1840, Cornelius Kershaw, Cornelius S. Strykor, John A. Voorhees, John 11. Polhems, Isaac Van Derveor ; 1811, Corneline S. Stryker, Isaac Van Dorveer, John A. Voorhees, John 11. Voorhees; 1842, Pator Voorhees, Isaac Van Derveer, P. V. D. Van Derveer, Abraham Van Arsdale, Zophaninh Stout; 1813, Peter Voor- hoes, Isano Van Derveer, Court Williamson, Court S. Stryker, Samuel 11. Stont; 1844, Peter Voorhees, Isaac Van Derveer, Garret S. Voor- hees, U'rlas Stryker, Abraham Cruser; 1845, l'eter Voorhees, Rynear A. Stunts, Garret S. Voorhees, Cornelius Korshow, A. V. A. Skillman; 1846, l'eter Voorhees, Wilson Metler, Garret S. Voorhees, Cornelius Kershaw, A. V. A. Skillman ; 1:47, l'eter Voorhees, Wilson Metler, Cornelius Kershaw, R. J. Stants, II. V. Hoogland; 1848, Peter Voor- hees, John N. Skillman, Garret S. Voorhees, Thomas J. Skillman, Abraham Von Arndale; 1819, Roynear J. Staats, JJohn N. Skillman, John J. Voorhees, A. Van Arsdalo, Thomas J. Skillman; 1850, A. Van Arsdale, John J. Voorhees, John N. Skillman, Samuel D. Bergen, John R. Van Derveer ; 1861, John N. Skillman, A. Von Arsdale, Samuel D. Morgen, R. J. Stoats, John J. Voorhees; 1852, Peter Voorhees, Garret S. Voorhees, Cornelius Kershaw; 1853, Peter Voorhees, Garret S. Voorhees, John J. Voorhees; 1554, James Van Zandt, Abraham Cruser, Abraham Williamson ; 1855, James Van Zandt, John Beck- man, Benjamin Randolph ; 1856, Cornelius Cruser, James Van Zandt, J. N. Skillman, 1857, J. A. Weart, J. N. Skillmon, S. Voorhees ; 1858- 69, John N. Skillminn, Stophon Voorhous, William A. Weart; 1860-61, Peter D. Staats, John V. H. Whitlock, Cornelius A. Cruser; 1862, J. V. II. Whitlock, Peter D Stante, Joseph 11. Voorhees; 1863, Au- gustus Van Zandt, Josoph II. Voorhees, Peter D. Stanto; INGI, Isaac Van Derveer, Cornelius A. Cruser, Court V. Sutphon ; 1865, Court V. Sutphon, Cornelius M. Vreeland, Cornelius S. Stryker ; 1866, Corne- Hus M. Vreoland, C. V. Sutphon, Matthew II. Whitlock ; IsGi-68, John S. Hoagland, Cornelius 3. Vreeland, Matthew II. Whitlock ; 1869-71, John S. Ilvagland, Willlam 11. Vreeland, David C. Voorheow; 1872-73, Peter D. Staats, J. M. Vreeland, Abraham C. Wyckoff ; 1874, Potor D. Stanta, Abram C. Wykoff, Luthor C. Van Zandt ; 1875-77, l'eter D. Stants, Luther C. Van Zandt, Frederick P. Voorhees; 1878, l'eter D. Staats, John Q. Weart, David II. Mount, Abraham C. Wykud, Jo- soph V. H. Reed ; 1879, l'eter D. Staats, John Q. Weart, David II. Mount ; 1880, David C. Voorhees, David I1. Mount, John Q. Weurt.
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
1817-48, Henry D. Johnson ; 1849-52, P. V. D. Von Derveer ; 1853, Abra- ham V. A. Skillman; 1854, Cornelius 8. Stryker ; 1855, Abraham V. A. Skillman; 1856, Cornelius S. Stryker; 1x57-59, Lawrence Van Derveer; 1×60-64, Cornellus S. Stryker; 1×65, William T. F. Ayers; 1866, Joseph II. Voorhees.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
HARLINGEN, the principal village of this township, is situated north of the centre. It is not directly on the line of any railroad, although the Philadelphia and Reading established a station, about a mile dis- tant, on their line some years ago, bearing the name of Harlingen.
The village has a very good hotel, lately kept by Mrs. E. A. Schomp ;* the only store is kept by John C. Labaugh & Son. The mechanic arts are repre- sented by George Anderson, shoemaker; William H. Van Doren, wagon- and carriage-maker; William B. Dungan, harness-maker; and John Darling, carpen- ter; the professions by Drs. Peter Skillman, L. D. Tompkins, and J. V. S. Ribble; Rev. John Gard- ner, and his son, Rev. John C. Gardner.
ROCKY HILL is situated in the southeast corner of the township. It was known by its present name at the very beginning of the last century ; "John Harri- son, of Rockie Hill," is mentioned in 1701. During the Revolution, Rocky Hill and its immediate vicinity witnessed some very important events in that struggle. Opposite the village is the house in which Gen. Wash- ington had his headquarters in 1783, and in which he prepared his " Farewell Address."
The following is a summary of the mercantile in- terests at the present time : a hotel, William Gabriel proprietor ; the flonring-mill of David H. Mount & Co., receiving its motive-power from the Millstone River ; two stores, of which Isaac Williamson and A. T. Lewis are the respective proprietors; Erwin Walker, saddle- and harness-maker; Henry Covert and S. Iliggins, shoemakers ; D. Hughes and Stephen Cromwell, wheelwrights; and L. T. Conover and Pe- ter Weston, blacksmiths. There are three churches, -Reformed, Protestant Episcopal, and Methodist Episcopal.
BLAWENBURG is a small village situated in the southwestern part of the township, near Beeden's Brook. The only store is kept by John N. Van Zandt, There is a church of the Reformed denomi- nation, of which Rev. W. B. Voorhees is the present pastor.
The other villages of the township are STOUTSBURG, ROCK MIL.L., PLAINVILLE, and BRIDGEPOINT. They are mostly located upon the boundary lines of the township, and are to a considerable extent without the limits of Montgomery, Stoutshurg being partly in Mercer County, and Rock Mill principally in Hillsborough township.
- Died in August, 1880.
844
SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The following table, compiled from the last report of the county school superintendent (1879), shows the present condition of the township schools :
No. AND NAME OF DISTRICT.
Amount received from all
sources for school purposes.
Present value of the school prop-
Number of children of school
age living in the district.
Average number montbs schools
Number between 5 and 18 years
Average number who attended
during time school was kept.
Number of pupils who can be
comfortably seated.
Number of teachers employed.
54. Harlingen ...
$315.05
$1,200 1,200
85
10.
62
25
70 48
I
55. Blawenburg.
435.78
105
9.
74
39
1
56. Rocky Hill ...
501.25
800
129
10.
109
63
100
1
57. Griggstown ..
300.00
500
53
9.
32
12
40
1
58. Hollow.
300.00
400
70
9.
50
24 18
40
I
$2,152.08
$4,800
519
9.4
372
181
328
6
Of the total amount received ($2152.08), $1843.95 was from the State appropriation, $198.13 from the surplus revenue, and $110 from district school tax, voted to be used for building, purchasing, hiring, re- pairing, or furnishing public school-houses. The average salaries paid the teachers in 1879 was about $35 per month, ranging from $30 to $45. The school- houses will compare favorably with those of any rural township in the State, and the citizens take a com- mendable pride in the schools.
In vivid contrast with the above were the one or two "old-time" log school-houses of the last century, such as Abraham Van Nuys, of Harlingen, remem- bers of seeing when he was a boy,-a log house " cov- ered with a thatch of straw," and whose furniture corresponded with the exterior of the building .*
John S. Hoagland is the present teacher of the Griggstown school, and Miss Skillman has for many years taught in this township.
CHURCHES.
There are five religious organizations, representing the Reformed Dutch, Protestant Episcopal, and Meth- odist Episcopal denominations, the first named being the oldest and the leading church. Almost simulta- neous with the settlement of this portion of Somerset County the Reformed Dutch Church was established at Harlingen.
REFORMED DUTCHI CHURCH OF HARLINGEN.+
By a decd bearing date June, 1710, Peter Sonmans, in conveying 9000 acres to seventeen proprietors, con- cludes the instrument by giving 160 acres for the benefit of a church founded upon the basis of the Confession of Faith adopted by the Synod of Dort, 1618. But the Reformed Church of Harlingen was
* "Our Home," p. 196.
f By Rev. J. S. Gardner.
not constituted until May 18, 1727, and then with but seven members. It was organized by Rev. Hen- ricus Coens, then of Aquackanonck, and was first known by the name of the "Church-over-the-Mill- stone." It was so called until 1766, when what is now known as the church of Millstone was formed. This one then being designated as the church of Sourland, it went by this name until Oct. 1, 1801; ou that date the Consistory voted to change the title from "Sourland" to "Harlingen," in honor of the late pastor, Rev. J. M. Van Harlingen .¿ The first building was in the southeast corner of the old church cemetery, just north of the crossing of the Delaware and Bound Brook Railroad. This building was a square wooden structure.
In 1752 the Coetus or evangelical party finished a new building on the site of the present one, in the village of Harlingen. The old building in the cem- etery, which belonged to the Conferentie, was finally left to itself, and after a time demolished. The new church cost £400, and is represented as "being in the Dutch style of architecture, with high gables and steep roof, an aisle on one side, from which a door opened. Along the sides were short pews for the men, while the body of the church was divided into small squares occupied by chairs, on which sat the women and children."
In November, 1803, Consistory resolved to build a new house of worship; it was completed before the beginning of January, 1804, and hence must have been pushed with great rapidity. It stood on precisely the same spot as the one which preceded it. The cost of this church, together with the fence which inclosed it, was $4410.80. In 1851 the church found the struc- ture too small for the needs of the congregation, and so resolved to build again. Then was erected the present edifice, which is the fourth the congregation has had, the third upon the same ground.
Although the church was founded in 1727, it did not enjoy regnlar services until 1729, and even then at only far-separated intervals. The first pastor was Rev. T. J. Frelinghuysen, who lived at Three-Mile Run, and who also had under his care the churches of Raritan, Readington, New Brunswick, and Frank- lin Park. He died in 1747. In 1750 this church, with Raritan and Readington, called the son of their late pastor, Rev. John Frelinghuysen. He lived at Somerville, and was in reality the first pastor. His father's work was very much interrupted, owing to the fact that the Harlingen Church up to 1750 was greatly under the influence of the Conferentie party ; in fact, it was their headquarters for this county. | But now
# Dio Kerk op der Millstone.
¿ The church was incorporated in 1801 under the name of Harlingen. -Rev. E. T. Corwin.
| Ilarlingen especially seems to have been an important point in tho Coetus and Conferentie difficultles. The originul house of worship at the cemetery and the church records fell into the hands of the Conferentie. The Coetus party, therefore, who could not bo limited and restrained by the formalities of tho other, erected a new church in 1749, near the pres-
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a new future opened : the church became evangelical. This party had strength sufficient to build their new church (1752) on the site of the present one, the old one being left to the Conferentie party. John Fre- linghuysen served but four years, dying in 1754, at the carly age of twenty-eight.
During the two years which followed the younger Frelinghuysen's death, this church fared very badly, having but three or four services in that time. In 1758 these churches called Rev. Jacob R. Harden- burgh. He went to Holland for about two years, and during his absence the churches of Neshanic and Harlingen withdrew from the other three, leaving Hardenburgh to be their pastor, and they in 1762 called the Rev. J. MI. Van Harlingen," who preached until 1795, when he died. He was buried under the pulpit of the church at Harlingen. He was the first pastor who lived among them, residing on the par- sonage farm. In 1795, Rev. W. R. Smith was called. His brothers were presidents,-the one of Princeton, the other of Union, then of Hampton and Sydney. With him began preaching in English. He officiated two Sabbaths at Neshanic and one at Harlingen, re- siding at the former place. In 1798 the two churches called Rev. Henry Polhemus, t born in Harlingen, as assistant to Mr. Smith. From this date Harlingen had regular services each Sabbath; he remained until 1808. In 1809, Rev. Peter Labagh became assistant. Mr. Smith continued preaching until 1817, when he was stricken with paralysis in the pulpit. He lived until 1820, but enfeebled in mind and body. At his death the churches separated, Mr. Labagh remaining with that of Harlingen ; he continued until 1844, when he resigned. In 1841 the present pastor, Rev. John Gardner, was called. He desiring to live nearer the church, the parsonage farm, which Fonmans gave in 1710, was sold in 18-16. From the proceeds of this sale the present parsonage was built. In the spring of 1880, owing to the failing health of the pastor, his
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