History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 212

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 212
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 212

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).

David French, grand. her of Phineas MI., of Plain- Id, and father of Da d, Jr., settled at an early One in the township of Warren, near Union Village. Ile lived to be nearly ninety-four years of age; his on, David, the father o Phineas M., was abont the wine age at the time of' his death, July, 1879. He lived on a farm about three miles northwest of Plain- Geld till about twenty years ago, when he removed to this field, where he died. The Frenches have been ong the .substantial people of the township. Paires M. and his sons Theodore F. and John H., are proprietors of large milling interests in Plainfiehl, and I. M. French is engaged in the manufacture of en riages.

John Sine was born in North Plainfield in 1819; re ides on the old homes cad, northward of P'laintield (Inc and a half n 'les, where his father settled in 1828. Hi father, John, was a rative of Monmouth County, we ly tule n fuller, nd carried on the business at & Notch or Pleintie | Factory from 1813 to 1828. died on the homeste d farm in 1870, aged eighty-

Jeremialı R. Van Deventer settled in the township in 1829. He is the son of Jacob, who was the son of Jacob, Sr., one of the first settlers at Bound Brook. The family came originally from Holland, and con- sisted of three brothers. Mr. Van Deventer married Cornelia Stryker, of Somerset County, and has one daughter. He is president of the First National Bank of Plainfield, and also of the gas company of that city, and has served his township in several re- sponsible offices.

In the eastern part of the township lived Henry Lines, a Quaker, noted as a great hunter. Ile was over ninety when he died. He had two sons, Amos and David. Isaac, Sr., lives on Green Brook. Elias Cole, father of Jacob, was also among the carly men of the township.

Archibald Coddington, proprietor of the mills in North Plainfield, is a son of Archibald, Sr., one of three brothers born at Mount Horeb, in Warren town- ship .* Mr. Coddington married Eliza, daughter of Benjamin Moore, and has had twelve children, eight of whom are living. Two of his sons-to wit, John W. and Harrison-are associated with him in the milling interest.t

John Long, father of Jacob, of North Plainfield, was a citizen of Somerville, where he died in 1848. Jacob was born in the township of Bridgewater, Somerset Co., Sept. 27, 1820. Ile resided in that place and married Miss Theresa Moore, Aug. 1, 1841. They have six children, all born and reared in Bridge- water. In 1876 he settled in North Plainfield, where he now resides. His son, William Henry, is surrogate of the county, and resides in Somerville.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION.

North Plainfield is a recently organized township, having been set off' from Warren by legislative enact- ment in 1872. At the first town-meeting, held April 8, 1872, a full list of officers for the ensuing year was elected. We give below the principal officers of each year to the present time, under their respective heads :

CLERKS.

2872-75, Wliliam IT. Van Winkle; 1875, EHsha C. Van Nostrand; 1876- 78, Isaac Brokaw; 1878-80, William A. Schutt,

ASSESSORS.

1872-79, Israel C. Coon ; 1880, Isane Brokaw.

COLLECTORS.

1872-79, Lewis B. Boice ; 1880, Elisha C. Van Nostrand.

OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. 1872-77, William W. Drake; 1-77-79, E. C. Van Nostrand ; 1880, Daniel I. Smalley.

FREEHOLDERS.

1872, J. R. Van Deventer; 1873-79, William E. Joues; 1880, Charles Shepherd.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEES.

1872, P. M. French, Augustus Mobus, John L. Spencer, T. W. Young ;! 1-73, T. W. Young, E. K. Vall, John . Thi kston,: John L. Spencer, M. P. French ; 1874, John L. Spencer, Jncoli 3Hica, E. K. Vall, T W.

· See sketch of the Cuddington famlly, In that township history.

t See under head of industries. : Chairman of the copimitt. c.

862

SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Young,* John H. Van Winkle; 1875, Jacob Miles,* Alfred Berry, Samuel Smalley, John L. Spencer, Thomas Worth; 1876, John L. Spencer, Jacob Miles," Alfred Berry, Samuel Smalley, Thomas Worth; 1877, Jucob Miles," John L. Spencer, J. R. Van Deventer, M. A. Schenck, William L. Smalley; 1878, M. W. Schenck, John L. Spencer,* Harrison Coddington, William L. Smalley, John Becker ; 1879, F. Il. Gardner, Daniel R. Weaver,* Harrison Coddington ; 1880, F. H. Gardner, D. R. Weaver," Abram M. Vail.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1872, Daniel G. Van Winkle; 1873-78, Moses H. French, James Verdon;} 1877-82, Henry P. Bronk, A. R. Stagg; 1878-83, James Verdon, M. H. French.

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.

NORTH PLAINFIELD is a regularly laid out, though not an incorporated, village, and is practically a part of the city of Plainfield, though outside and adjoining its corporate limits on the northwest. It has therefore all the advantages of the city without the expense of sup- porting a city government. The place has been laid out on the lands of the farmers, and has been largely settled by people from New York, or those who do business in that city. The trains so run that they can go into the city in the morning and return in the evening, or at almost any time during the day that suits their convenience. In this respect it may be re- garded as one of those suburban places where people of moderate means seek quiet and inexpensive homes in the pure air and ample spaces of the country. The houses are, many of them, new, and constructed with more or less architectural elegance, the grounds being ornamented with flowers and shrubbery, and every- thing presenting a neat and tasty appearance. With- in the compass of a few miles there are some elegant mansions embowered in beautiful groves, with exten- sive graveled walks and drives.

The village proper, aside from the township, in which it is included both in geographical territory and in municipal government, contains a population of about 3000. The business interests of the place are mostly in the cities of New York and Plainfield. Besides, there are five groceries, a flour- and feed- store, a hardware-store, a bakery, two butchers, three blacksmiths, a wheelwright, a drug-store, and a silver- plater. The physicians are Lewis Craig, Charles Cooley, and Monroe B. Long; the lawyers, John H. Van Winkle, Charles Mathews, Charles Place. The following clergymen reside here: Rev. Edward M. Embury, Rev. William O. Embury, Rev. T. L. Mur- phy, Rev. David Robertson, Rev. John Cary (colored).

There are a saw- and grist-mill combined on Green Brook road, four miles from Plainfield, by Joshua Mar- tin ; Goad's flouring-mill, leased by Runyon, three miles out, on the Green Brook road ; the flouring-mill of Moses H. French, Washingtonville; and that of Coddington Brothers, Green Valley, one and a half miles from the city.

The mill of Moses If. French is situated on Stony

Brook, has three run of stones, and grinds both cus. tom and mercliant flour; capacity, 100 bushels 1 twelve hours. Freeman Cole, father of Mrs. M. L. French, bought the mill of Capt. Allen in 1824, and sold it to Thomas A. Hartwell, of Somerville. J'r. French bought it in 1840 ; it was burned down, and Mr. French rebuilt it in 1870.

The Coddington mill is one of similar capacity to the above, having three run of stones. It was first built in 1840 by John Binge, and sold to Jacob Man- ning, of Plainfield, who remodeled it into a grist- mill. Mr. Coddington bought it in 1854, and about 1860 rebuilt it and put in a new water-wheel and ma- chinery. Its products are partly merchant- and partly custom-work.

WASHINGTONVILLE is the name given to the neigh. borhood of French's Mill. There is quite a little clus ter of buildings at the head of the gorge, where it ex pauds into Washington Valley,-the mill, residence of the proprietors, blacksmith- 'and repair-shops school-house, etc. Demler's Hotel, farther down th brook, by the roadside, has been kept as a house ‹ entertainment about eighty years. It was originall kept about the beginning of this century by " Aur Dolly Davis." Mr. Demlar, who has resided in tl township forty-seven years, kept the hotel thirt three years ago; he then rented it, and in 1868 pu chased the premises. He is a native of Germany, a. came to this country about 1829.

Brook Mill, the hatters' fur-manufacturing c '#. lishment of Harper, Hollingsworth & Darby, is - ated in the east part of the township, near Sto Plains. It was established in 1869, employs as r- thirty hands, two wood-workers, and two machine The company build their own machines, run by wate. power when Green Brook affords a sufficient supply. but have additional steam-power. The fur is brought from New York, and the manufactured goods returned to that city for market. Loftus Hollingsworth, busi- ness manager.

CHURCHES.

There is but one church in the township,- out of the Protestant Episcopal parish, in the vil : { Noriti Plainfield, the history of which is as follows.t

The church was erected by the Rev. Edward Em bury at his own personal cost. The ground was broken fog the foundation on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1868. During the autumn and winter following, as well as spring, the work went on slowly, but without interruptiou. The building having been completed, painted, and pro- vided with a fine organ and the necessary furniture; divine service was held therein on Sunday, June 13, 1869. The organ was tho liberal gift of Mrs. Eleanor Bronk, wife of H. P. Bronk, Esq.

The cost of the church edifice when finished anf furnished, including the ground on which it staru, was at that time estimated at $21,000.

* Chairman of tho committee.

t James Verdon was acting justice of the peace nt the time of the divis- Ion of the townshlp of Warren, and retulned his commission ns justice in the township of North Pluinfield.

# By Rov. T. Logan Murphy, Rector,

803

NORTII PLAINFIELD.

At a meeting of the members of the congregation regularly called it was decided that this church should hereafter be known as the Church of the Holy Cross; the parish was organized, and was afterwards admitted into union with the convention. The meeting was held on the evening of the 17th of August, consisting of the male members of the congregation worshiping in said edifice. Service was held before the organiza- tion of a parish, the Rev. Mr. Embury officiating. Mr. Embury being absent for a time, others performed ministerial duties in the mean time.

On Nov. 11, 1870, the Rev. Mr. Embury was for- mally called by the vestry of this church to the rec- torship of the same, and on December 9th the Rev. Alfred Goldsborough accepted a call from the vestry to become assistant rector, entering upon his official duties on the first Sunday of the new year, 1871. IIe resigned March 20, 1872, to take effect the coming Easter, March 31st, the time of his incumbency being one year and three months, The number of communicants at that time was 50. The Sunday . school numbered 30 scholars and 5 teachers.

The Rev. Charles W. Ward accepted the assistant rectorship of the parish Aug. 1, 1872. The Rev. Mr. Embury sent to the vestry his letter of resignation March 21, 1873, and on May 21st it was reluctantly accepted. On the same evening the assistant rector was called to the rectorship, and on November 29th of the same year he resigned, after an incumbency of six months and fifteen days.

The Rev. C. W. Camp entered upon the rectorship on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1874, and on April 17, 1875, resigned, his resignation to take effect July 1st of the same year. On September 27th the Rev. Charles C. Fiske entered upon the rectorship. He resigned Dec. 6, 1876. The present rector (T. Logan Murphy ) entered upon his duties on Feb. 14, 1877.

The official nets up to the present date are: Bap- tisms, 112; confirmed, 71 ; marriages, 16; burials, 47 ; communicants, 165.

There has been contributed from the first the sum of $26,000. The gift of the church and the Spooner memorial building makes the amount about $50,000.

In the convention address of the bishop of the dio- cese for the year 1877 he says,-

" There are one or two oventa of the past year which I deem laiportant enough to dosorvo special mention hore. Ono in the consecration of the Church of the Holy Cross. The Rev. Edmund I'mbary built this beauti- ful church sonw years ago on his own private estate, and for o timo mlu- istored to the congregation in spiritonl things, till advancing years and failing strength compelled him to seek assistance, and finally to resign altogether the overnight of the parish. According to him wish, the 11th of September last was det npart for the consecration of the church. The doed of gift of the entire property, worth not less than $20,000, was placed upon the alms-basin by Mr. Embury's own houd.

" The entire control of the property, free from debi, Is given to the rec. tor, wardeus, and vestry men of the parish, with the sole proviso that it shall never be encumbered In any way. At the conclusion of the conso- eration sorrico the assembled clergy adjourned to lay the corner-stono of the Spooner Memorial House, just lu tho renr of the church. This house Is now completed, nud occupied as n rector's study aud for various parish purposes."

The parish has furnished this building and contrib- uted about one-seventh of the cost towards ils crec- tion. The Sunday-school has also purchased an organ for the same. The congregation furnished the com- munion service and font, carpeted the church, and cusbioned the pews. The alms-basin was the gener- ous gift of the Rev. MIr. Ward while he was rector. During the past year a bell weighing over 1600 pounds has been placed in the church tower.

BURIAL-PLACES.

The only publie burial-place in the township ex- tends into it from the rear of the Presbyterian church, which stands on Front Street, in the city of Plain- field. It has been used for purposes of interment about fifty years, and contains many graves of the pioneers and their descendants. Those in the eastern part of the town have usually buried their dead at Union Village or Scotch Plain. At the latter place is the oldest burial-ground in this section of the country, connected with the Baptist Church, but it is outside of this township, in Union County.

PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST.

Under this head the most noted place, and perhaps the only one worthy of mention, is Washington Rock, situated on the First Mountain, a little west of the middle of the township of North Plainfield, at an ele- vation of 511 feet above the sea. It commands a view of one of the most interesting, well-defined, and beautiful landscapes in the workt. From this rock the immortal Washington was enabled to watch the movements of the British fleet in Raritan Bay, as well as the land forces under Sir William Howe and Lord Sterling, and thus thwarted the purpose of the enemy. An association has been formed to erect a monument to the memory of Washington on this sacred spot, the corner-stone of which was laid with appropriate honors July 4, 1867. (See chapter on the Revolution, in this work, for further account.)

WASHINGTON MONUMENT AND HISTORICAL ASSO- CIATION.º

Jan. 25, 1867, a few citizens of Plainfield, deeming it the duty of patriotism to honor a locality so emi- nently historic, met at Laing's Hall and formed a monumental association, which, on the following 11th of April, was duly incorporated by the Legislature of New Jersey, and subsequently ndopted a constitution.t

* Entulslied by Hlou. Nathan Harper.

+ Article 1. of the Constitution recites that the objects of the association "shall be tho acquirement of title to, mint permanent retoution of, the spot in the county of Somerset known as ' Washington's lock,' together with no eligible monumental alte adjacent thereto, and for the erection and preservation on auch ground of a mouuneut sncreilly dedicated to the memory of tinorge Washington ; and for the appropriate oleervanco of the twenty -second day of February In each and every year ; and for tho collection and safe keeping of Revolutionary annals and relics."

At no placo was Washington's heart made to tej ico more than as ho etout upwou this rock and, with glass In hand, watched the British fleet of two hundred ond seventy transports, that filled Anilmy Bay, leare Ita anchorage nud lose Itself to sight In the grent era beyond. "Of the

864

SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

July 4, 1867, in the presence of an immense con- course of people, and with Masonic ceremonies, the corner-stone of the monument was laid, the president of the association, Mr. Harper, delivering an address.

The monument has not yet been reared, but the purpose lives to finally accomplish the work and at no distant day. The association maintains vigorous existence, and on Feb. 22, 1880, elected the following officers for the ensuing year : President, Nathan Har- per; Vice-Presidents, Alfred Berry, Stephen O. Hor- ton ; Treasurer, Elias R. Pope; Corresponding Sec- retary, James E. Martine; Recording Secretary, T. J. Gillies ; Finance Committee, Alfred Berry, Elias R. Pope, William B. Maxon, J. Frank Hubbard, L. V. F. Randolph, William J. Leonard, William S. Force; Monument Committee, Peter P. Good, Ste- phen O. Horton, John H. Staats, George R. Pound, John H. Jackson; Printing Committee, N. Carman Dunn, James Lyon, Henry J. Storrs.

THE WASHINGTON ROCK CELEBRATION.

The Centennial Fourth of July was celebrated at Washington Rock in a manner worthy of the time and place. About the hour named in programme, the president of the day, Nathan Harper, called the large assemblage to order, whereupon the Rev. The- odore S. Brown, of Dunellen, offered up a most beau- tiful and touching prayer, and Mr. Harper made the opening address. From the lengthy address prepared by E. S. Bailey, and read by the president on this oc- casion, we make the following extracts :

"I am indebted to Mr. Ephraim Vail, of Green Brook, for the following information : Mr. Vail'e was the first two-story house built this side of Brunswick Landing, and ie now more than one hundred years old. His house was the one nearest to the rock for long years. He remembers bearing his father tell of a visit made in this vicinity by three or four u eo, who came from Long Island to see friends. They were met hy one John Marcellas, who told them that if they 'didn't mind they would be arrested ae epies,' and directed them to Mr. Vail's barn for safety. Mar- cellue immediately reported them to the soldiers, who arrested them. One was shot ae a opy ; the chestnut-tree standing in the old open lot, a little back from the Green Brook road, and between the two houses now occupied by Mr. Vail and Mr. Sandford, marks the spot of this execution, The others were sent to the general at Morristown. Mr. Vail also says that the honor of having shown Washington this rock as a 'sightly place' belongs to one Edward Fitz Randolph, of Piscataway, a man of some local fame during Revolutionary times, who led the way to the rock on a horse furoished bin by Washington. The descendante of this mao are now living near the old homestead.

" I will here venture tho suggestion that from the arrival of Washing- ton, May 28th, until the disappearance of the British, June 30th, he was a frequent visitor at this rock. I find no positive history giving me this authority, but a frequent remark in all the histories suggesting it, 08,- 'On the 25th of June Washington wne on the rock watching the engage- ment of the soldiers conmaaded by Gen. Stirling ae they skirmished with Lord Corawallis, and at various times he resorted to this place to ascer- taln the movements of the enemy.'-(Ilist. Coll. N. J., 202.) ' Washing- ton knew well the advantage of these hills, and watched every movement of the enemy.'-(Ilist. of Elizabeth.) 'June 13th, being apprised of a movement of Gen. Ilowo, Washington at daybreak reconnoitred the enemy from the height before the camp.'"-(Irving's Washington, iii. 72 )

rock itself but little cun be said. Could It change mute Impersonality, and relate all Its own history and the scenes enacted upon the plaid below, then only would it be complete. It would tell of a thousand events full of Interest, but the most prized incident of all would be Its story of the visits of the great Washington.

Judge Peter P. Good, to whom was assigned the reading of the Declaration of Independence, dis- charged that duty in a masterly style. The orator of the day, Rev. John H. Vincent, D.D., was then in- troduced and at once proceeded to deliver one of the best orations that ever fell from mortal lips. The exercises closed with the benediction by Rev. Mr. Brown. Music lent its charms at stated intervals, and good order and close attention governed the audience throughout. The celebration was a fine affair, and the number of visitors at the Rock was immense.

SCHOOLS.

The report of the State board of education for the year ending Aug. 1, 1879, shows the following statis- tics of public schools in North Plainfield : Washing- tonville, Green Brook, and North Plainfield Districts, Nos. 36, 37, and 38; aggregate value of property, $4500; number of children of school age in the township, 1010; number enrolled, 578; average attendance, 311 ; number of teachers, 8,-male, 2; female, 6; total amount received for school purposes, $4967.45.

STATISTICS.

Amount of funded debt $54,600

Composed as follows:

Eighty-nine $500 coupon bonda. 44,500

Twenty $180 coupon bonds 9,600

One school bond of $500 .. 500

Total $54,600

Rate of interest, 7 per cent.

Purpose for which contracted, street improvement, -to wit, grading, macadamizing, and engineering Somerset Street, Johnston Drive, and Grove Street extension, and for building extension on school- house ; these bonds became due in 1879, $7500 ; 1880, $11,000; and there falls due in 1881, $5000; 1882, $14,000; 1883, $7780; 1884, $6320; 1885, $1500 ; 1886, $1000. Total, $54,600.

Amount of floating debt: Township, $5150; school, $600.

Amount of real property, $1,244,985; deduction therefrom, $171,889.

Amount of personal property, $164,150.

Total amount of real and personal property, $1,237,246.

Rate of tax : State purposes (State, 5 cents ; school, 20 cents), 25 cents; county, 23 cents. Local : town- ship, 14 cents ; poor, 12 cents ; road, 15 cents; special school, 34 cents ; interest, 57 cents, and 10 per cent. on principal due 1879 and 1880, 14 cents.

Amount of tax ordered to he raised. $21,820.32 Annual expenses :

Stute ....

GG4.50

County

3,054.32

Stato school.

2,658.00

Township

1,800,00

l'oor ..

1,500.00

200.00

Road .. Interest.

7,574.00

Ten per cent, of principal.

1,850.00

Dog ...

106.50

Foll

613.00

Special school-tax, $ 1324.25.

School expenses, about $5000.

Date Due

CHINCET

CANCEL

CALL MANUAL CHARGE DEC 2 41988

MAR 2 607

RESERVE

Demco 293-5

DO NOT REMOVE THIS CARD FROM POCKET A CHARGE WILL BE MADE IF THIS CARD IS MISSING OR DAMAGED WHEN ITEM IS RETURNED.

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

LIBRARIES 7

267483

N. J. F142 ,H956

C.4

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 212

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