History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 76

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 76
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 76

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).

Mr. and Mrs. Weeden had no children of their own, but brought up a nephew, William H. Gandy, now of Lambertville. In 1865, Mr. Weeden gave him an interest in the business, and he carried it on as superintendent after his uncle's death till August, 1878, under the firm-name of J. C. Weeden & Co., as it had before been. Since 1878 Mrs. Weeden has had full control of the business, and has carried it on herself. For the last twenty-five years they have manufactured Mann's patent parchment copying- paper and tissue manillas.

Mr. Weeden was very much respected in Lambert- ville, and his death was felt to be a great loss to the community. During his residence here he had shown himself ready to aid every good work. To the poor and the suffering he was a liberal benefactor. To the cause of Christian beneficence he contributed regu- larly and largely. He took an active interest in Christian missions and in the Bible cause. As a citizen, he was public-spirited and patriotic; as a neighbor, ever ready to oblige; and as a Christian, humble and affectionate. He had made a public profession of religion quite early in England, and was received as a member of the Presbyterian Church of Lambertville in 1855.

He was a Republican, and did much to aid the friends of the Union during the Rebellion, working on local committees, contributing funds, and acting as treasurer of the Union League of Lambertville. He was also active in promoting every measure for the benefit of the city in which he lived; among other things, he was instrumental in organizing the Aquitong Fire Company, of which he was vice-presi- dent at the time of his decease. That company, at a meeting held March 26, 1866, testified their apprecia-

gur de mucur

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CITY OF LAMBERTVILLE.

tion of his character, and their deep sorrow occa- sioned by his death, in a series of resolutions, which we quote, as follows :

"WHEREAS God in his all-wise and mysterious providence has called us to mourn the loss of our most estimable and valued member, taken from us in the midst of life, and at a period of ripened manhood, thereby warning us that life in all its most cheering prospects is uncertain, therefore

" Resolved, That with hearts filled with deep sorrow we have heard the announcement of the death of James C. Weeden, a useful member and an honored vice-president of this company.

" Resolved, That in the death of our beloved brother we are called upon to mourn the loss of one whose active usefulness and kindness had greatly endeared him to us and to the community, and whose memory will long be cherished by those who knew him.

" Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the family of the deceased in their sore bereavement, humbly trusting that He who 'tempers the wind to the shorn lamb' will fold IIis love and protection around them and speak consolation to their stricken hearts.

" Resolved, That, as a testimonial of respect for the memory of the deceased, our engine-house and appa- ratus be draped in mourning for thirty days.

" Resolved, That our company will, as a body, at- tend the funeral of the deceased, and that the other fire-companies be invited to unite with us on that occasion.

" Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be pre- sented to the family of the deceased by the secretary, and also be published in the Lambertville Beacon.

"JAMES M. ROBINSON, " WILLIAM DEAN, "Jos. SMITH,

"Committee."

The Union League, at a meeting held March 28, 1866, passed a series of similar resolutions, in which they testify to the excellence of Mr. Weeden's char- acter, and express their sense of bereavement at his death.

JOHN SPROAT.

John Sproat was born in Cockermouth, Cumberland, England, May 19, 1810. Ile died at Lambertville, N. J., April 16, 1878, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His wife, Elizabeth Denwood, was a native of the same town in England. They emigrated to Amer- ien in 1840, in the spring of which year Mr. Sproat went from Philadelphia to New Hope, Pa., for the purpose of taking charge of the flax-mills situated there. Sat- isfactory arrangements not being made, he returned to Philadelphia, where he continued the business in which he was at that time engaged, which the follow- ing card will explain :

"SPROAT, IMPORTER OF

Patent Linen Shoe Thread, Sewing Thread, Gelting Twine, Bookbind- ers', Saddlers', and Druggists' Thread and Twine of every

description, Fine Linen Yarns, &c., NO. 37 STRAWBERRY STREET, PHILADELPHIA."

In 1843, Mr. Sproat came to Lambertville, N. J., and leased of Jonathan Fisk a building which stood below where the depot now stands, converted it into a factory, and, with his brother Henry, started the manufacturing of the various articles enumerated in his card, under the firm-name of J. & H. Sproat. In 1844 this firm introduced the first foreign machin- ery for manufacturing these goods. English laws had previously prohibited machines from going out of

that country, although certain parts of machines had been smuggled into this country with other goods. About this time, however, a law was passed which per- mitted their importation, and, as above stated, J. & H. Sproat received the first lot of machinery from England. In 18-47, when they had completed their factory and everything was in running order, the build- ing, with its entire contents, was consumed by fire. There being no insurance, it was a total loss. How- ever, by the encouragement of certain liberal citizens, they were induced to rebuild. John Sproat. Sr., went to England to order new machinery, which was sent over, and in one year the business was again resumed. In 1855 they sold out their interest to James French and removed to Lansingburg, N. Y. After about three

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

years, however, they returned to Lambertville. Mr. French, meantime, had removed his machinery to Newark, and they re-entered the old factory and re- commenced business. In those days flax was raised in abundance in this section of country.

In 1862, John Sproat, Sr., moved into the substan- tial brick building situated on the water-power in the lower part of the city. This building was stocked with the most approved machinery that could be obtained from foreign countries. In 1869 he admit- ted into the firm Joseph and John Sproat, Jr., two of his sons, who were experienced workmen, and the firm was changed to John Sproat & Sons. Their business continued to increase. In 1871 a wing was added to the main building. The mill is run by water, for which purpose two Jonvill turbine-wheels, fifty horse-power each, are used. When the mill is running at full force, about one hundred hands are employed.

Before the death of the founder of this large and successful business, the trade of John Sproat & Sons extended all over the United States, and when it is stated that this trade was held and increased without

the aid of a single traveling salesman, some idea may be formed of the reputation of the house and the quality of the goods. The machinery for the mill was mostly obtained in England, Ireland, and Scotland, and, on business connected with its purchase and other matters, Mr. Sproat crossed the ocean twenty-four times. During his long business career he steadily pushed on his work with unabating efforts, and the many misfortunes encountered on the way only in- creased his energy, so that he lived to witness the great success of his life-work. The mills of James French of Newark, the Valley Falls Twine-Manu- facturing Company of New York, the firm of Finley & Schlicter, and the Cable Flax-Mills of Troy, N. Y., are among the offsprings of the Sproat Mills of Lam- bertville, N. J. Joseph and John Sproat, Jr., are the snecessors of John Sproat & Sons.

Mr. Sproat was a public-spirited and liberal citizen, taking an active interest in the improvement of Lam- bertville. He built quite a number of houses in the place, and aided many poor men to provide them- selves with homes by selling them lands and giving them a chance to pay for them on easy terms.

TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES OF HUNTERDON CO.

RARITAN, INCLUDING FLEMINGTON, THE COUNTY-SEAT.

SITUATION, BOUNDARIES, AREA, ETC.

THIS, one of the east townships of Hunterdon County, is, owing to its rhombie shape, almost cen- tral, its extreme northern and western points reach- ing far into the towns adjoining it on the north and west.

It is bounded on the north by the townships of Clinton and Readington; on the east by Hillsbor- ough, in Somerset, and East Amwell, in Hunterdon ; on the south by East Amwell and Delaware; and on the west by Franklin township. It is about 5 miles wide and 8 long, although the distance between its northern and southern angles is fully 11 miles. Its area is 36.78 square miles, or 23,539 acres. It is at

the present time (1880) divided into 376 farms and contains a population of 4190, independent of Flem- ington, or an aggregate of 5944, it being the most populous township in the county.

The township of Raritan comprises only a little more than one-fourth of the old Amwell township, which (embracing the territory of the present town- ships of Raritan, Delaware, and East and West Am- well) was purchased of the Indians in 1703.

Raritan was formed from Amwell in 1838, since which date its boundaries have been unchanged. (For a particular description of the lines which sep- arate her from her sister townships, see Sec. I of the act of the Sixty-second General Assembly of the State of New Jersey.t)

* " Raritan" is an Indian name, the signification of which is " forked river."

+ Quod vide, in history of this township, under head " Civil Organiza- tion."

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RARITAN.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

The northern portion of this township is somewhat hilly ; the southern,, level or gently undulating.

The South Branch of the Raritan, a noble mill- stream, flows in a southwest direction from the north to the east side of the township, where it crosses the Somerset line. The next stream in size and importance is the Neshanie River, which, with its branches, waters the central and southern portions of the township, and flows mainly in a southeasterly direction. The head-waters of the Wickesheo, or several small brooks which empty into that stream near the Delaware line, drain its western borders. Half a dozen creeks between the Franklin township line and the Bushkill flow in a nearly easterly direc- tion and empty into the South Branch of the Raritan. With all these water-courses, some of which afford good water privileges, the township is well irrigated.

There are no very considerable elevations in the township, those most noticeable being Mullen Hill and Mount Carmel, the slopes of which are gentle rather than abrupt, and mark on either hand beanti- ful and fertile valleys, the pride of the husbandmen of Raritan, which will, in the future as in the past, yicht their treasures for the enrichment of her sons and daughters.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Adam Bellis and his young wife came as Dutch emigrants about the year 1740,-possibly earlier,- and settled near the confluence of the three head- branches of the Neshanie, about two miles south of Flemington. There he built a log hut, in the forest, on land purchased of Mr. Stevenson,-a tract of 210 acres,* which was the eastern portion of the 1400- acre tract of John Stevenson, and a part of the 2100- acre tract of William Stevenson. Indian wigwams stood near the Bellis eabin, and for many years sub- sequent to Adam's settlement there the friendly In- dians remained in the neighborhood. They used frequently to cut ash saplings on his land to make their bows. It is related that on one such occasion, "feeling the importance of his ownership," he re- monstrated with them for so doing, when Nashaway mournfully replied, " All my land before white man come!" In the pioneer hut William Bellis was born. He was the grandfather of William Bellis, who now lives on a part of the premises. Adam subsequently built a new house, still known as the old Bellis home- stead. Of the five sons of Adam Bellis two only re- mained in Raritan township,-namely, William, who died on the homestead in 1826, and John, who lived on a part of the place.

Adam (1) had a brother William, who early settled where Gideon Quick now lives; but he afterwards

sold out and left the neighborhood. The Bellis fam- ily has grown to be quite numerous, being well rep- resented in different portions of the county ; many of its members are prominent citizens, and have filled various public offices.

A genealogical view of the Bellis family, from Adam (1) Bellis, down through the line of his eldest son, William, is as follows :

1. William (1), born Dec. 18, 1740; married Mary Housel, daughter of Martin Housel, of Amwell ; died Feb. 27, 1826.

2. Peter, born July 30, 1743 ; subsequently moved to Kentucky, where he died.

3. Catharine, born in 1746; never married, and died on the homestead.

4. John, born in 1750; married Nellie Williamson, of Larison's Corner. Two of her sisters married John Hlousel and Richard Williamson. Mrs. John Bellis died at Ringos. Her husband was a soldier in the Revolution, and died near Flemington, July 11, 1838.

5. Adam (2), born in 1753, married Mary Rocka- feller, sister of Jacob Rockafeller. Adam died near Cherryville, in what is now Franklin township.

6. Andrew, born July 17, 1757, married Elizabeth Servis, of Amwell. He subsequently moved to Hope- well.

7. Charity, born April 15, 1760; never married, but lived to an advanced age, and died on the old home-farm.

The children of William (1) and Mary ( Housel) Bellis :

1. Adam (3), born Jan. 19, 1774; never married, and died young.

2. Eleanor (Lena), born Sept. 29, 1775; married Rev. John Jacob Wack, of German Valley, who preached in the old Dutch church, but subsequently removed to New York State.

3. William (2), born Dec. 15, 1776; married Mar- garet Young, daughter of Peter Young. William died on the oldl homestead. Of his descendants, John Young Bellis is now living below Reaville.

4. David, born Oct. 12, 1778; married Eleanor Schenck, daughter of Roelif ( Rafe) Schenck. Hle died in 1872. John William Bellis, a son of David, now lives on the ohl Roelif Schenck farm, and David S., another son, lives near Copper Hill.

5. John (2), born May 26, 1781; married, first, Margaret Cool; second, Sarah Lisk. The children by the last marriage: 1. Margaret, married Christo- pher Werts; 2. David (2), married a daughter of Abram Werts, and, after her decease, Anna, a daughter of William Chamberlin ; 3. John (3), married, first, a daughter of Paul tool Dilts, and later a lady from New York. John (2) lived near Clover Hill.

6. Mathias, born April 24, 1783; married Eliza- beth Sutphin, daughter of " Rafe" Sutphin ; died June 1, 1826, Elizabeth, his wife, died Oct. 20, 1847. Of their children, two only are (1880) living,-viz.,

* The parchment deed from "Jom Stevenson" to " Adam Bellows," dated June 1, 1743, for 210 acres, is now In powerton of I'm. M. Bellis. It is evident Mr. Bellis was located several years on his land before ho got a deod for it.

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

William M., located in this township, in the house built by his father, on a portion of the old homestead farm, which Mathias purchased of his father, Wil- liam ; and Hannah, the wife (now widow) of Abram Prall, now residing in East Amwell. Charity died Ang. 5, 1832; Hiram, Ang. 14, 1835.

Other early settlers were the Rockafellers, whose farm was where Gershom Sergeant now lives; the Williamsons, whose old homestead was near the old Dutch church at Larison's; and the Sutphins, who emigrated from the Millstone valley of Somerset County in an early day and located in Raritan (then Amwell) where Andrew Blackwell now lives.

John Williamson, the emigrant ancestor of the Williamson family, came to New Amsterdam (New York) in 1661, on the ship "St. Jean Baptist," John Tunison also coming on the same vessel.

The ancestor of the Sutphins (or Zutvens) was Direk Janse, from Zutven, or Sutven, in the Nether- lands, who emigrated in 1651, and settled at Flatbush, L. I., whence he removed about 1680 to New Utrecht, where he probably died, his will being proved in 1707 and recorded in the surrogate's office in the city of New York. His sons, Jacob, Jan, Dirck (2), and Guisbert, settled in Monmouth and Somerset Counties as early as 1716, some of the descendants removing a little later into Hunterdon County. One of these was Jacob Sutphin, who settled in Amwell (now Raritan) township, about a mile north of Larison's Corner. He purchased several lots of land, one of which was located on the Neslianic, below Reaville, a tract of about 200 acres, now in possession of Robert Cain. Mr. Sutphin at the time of his death owned about 220 acres. Nov. 12, 1741, he married Maritje, eldest daughter of Roelif Schenck. He died in 1804. He had two sons-Roelif (1) and John-and three or four daughters.

Roelif (1) Sutphin was born in 1744; died in 1811. He married Johannah, daughter of James Stout, of Amwell, and had children: 1. Jacob, born 1773, died 1794; never married. 2. James Stout, born 1778, died 1868, aged ninety; married Charity Hortman. 3. John, born 1780, died 1794. 4. Abram R., born 1782, deceased; married Mary Lowe, daughter of Richard, of Somerset County. 5. Mary, born 1769, deceased ; married Jacob Sutphin. 6. Jemima, born 1771, deceased; married Peter Young. 7. Johanna, born 1775, deceased; married Arthur Schenck. S. Elizabeth, born 1784, deceased; married Mathias Bellis.

The children of James S. and Charity (Hortman) Sutplin : 1. Jacob, born 1797, died 1828; married Sarah, daughter of Abram Prall ; 2. Ralph, born 1802 (living in Amwell); married Rachel, daughter of John H. Bellis; 3. John J., born 1811; died 1875; married Mary, daughter of Elijah Wilson ; 4. James, born 1819 (living in Minnesota) ; married Catharine, daughter of John Bodine; 5. Catharine, born 1798, died 1868; married Peter, son of Abram Prall; 6.

Hannah, born 1804, died 1852; married Leonard K., son of John Bellis; 7. Mary, born 1807 (living in Amwell); married William, son of Lewis Chamber- lin; 8. Elizabeth, born 1813 (living in Delaware township); married James, son of Elijah Wilson; 9. Rachel Ann, born 1815 (living in Amwell); married Charles, son of Capt. John Wilson.

The children of Ralph Sutphin and Rachel Bellis are Sarah K., born in 1831, married L. S. Blackwell, Sept. 17, 1868, and resides in East Amwell ; Jacob S., born in 1840, and married Alida, daughter of Caleb F. Fisher, Dec. 9, 1873; Annie R., born in 1848, married Dr. Farley Fisher, son of Caleb F. Fisher, Dec. 28, 1870, and resides in Middlebush, Somerset Co., N. J.

The Atkinsons and Bonnells were early settlers. Alexander Bonnell died in 1819, and was buried (as was also his wife, Catharine, who died in 1854, and his son Joseph, the lawyer, who died in 1823) in the Presbyterian churchyard, Flemington. Asher At- kinson was an uncle of Charles Bonnell, and of Mrs. Alexander Wurts, still living in Flemington, at the age of seventy-six years. Charles Bonnell, Esq., died in Flemington, March 24, 1830.

John Maxwell, the brother of Gen. William Max- well, was the son of an emigrant from the North of Ireland, who as a dissenter-a Scotch Presbyterian -- sought this country for the purpose of enjoying its civil and religious liberty, and settled in what is now Warren County, near the Hunterdon line. John settled in Raritan township,* and married, at an early day, Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, of Somerset County ; his sons, John, George C., and William, were prominent citizens here. The former was a merchant, and also owned the mills now known as Rockafellow's. He died prior to 1822. George C. and William were both prominent lawyers ; the first named died before 1822, the latter about 1828. (See further mention under the head of "Bench and Bar of Hunterdon County.")

Another early settler in the same neighborhood was John Jewell, who located a farm where William Johnson now lives. He also purchased the property now owned by David Bellis, to whom it was con- veyed by Jolın Jewell's son. Old deeds to land in this vicinity contain references to the " Jewell farm," evidencing that the family were among the very earliest to settle here.

* His epitaph is as follows :- " In Memory of JOHN MAXWELL, EsQ., Second son of Jolin and Anne Maxwell. He was born in the county of Tyrono, Ireland, Nov. 25th, A.D. 1739, And at an early age emigrated with his Father To Now Jersey. He was n Lientenant ju the First Com- pany raised in Sussex County, for the defence of his adopted Country, In the Revolutionary War; And soon after, in the darkest hour of her for- tunes, joined the Army of General Washington, as Captain of a Company of Volunteers. He was ongaged in the Battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmonth, and Springfield, And ever distin- guished himself as a brave and able officer. Having served his Country in varlons civil and military offices, And faithfully discharged hie various dnties, As a Soldier, Citizen, and a Christian, Hle closed a long and useful life, at his residence At Flemington, February 15th, A.D. 1828, In the 89th year of his age."

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RARITAN.

The old Housel property lay south of the Bellis farm, where David Conover now lives, and east was a Mr. Trimmer. Farther on was Cornelius Stout's mill, built by him more than a hundred years ago. He was an Englishman, and not related to the other numerous family of Stouts. Ile sold the mill to Henry Bake, from whom Col. AAbraham R. Sutphin purchased it, and who, in 1812, built the present mill, neur where George Kuhl now resides.

This portion of Raritan township appears to have been an early Dutch settlement.

"For about sixty years the people spoke the Dutch language ; It was used in preaching and in the family. The records were kept in Dutch, counting was done In Dutch fashion, brides wern 'given awny' in the manner of the old country, and the marriage service read and spoken in the mother-tongue. The people who tilled the soil by the side of the Neshanie were honest, economical, generous, and brave. They would put a lump of sugar in their mouth and suck it while they drank their ten, thus economizing their sweets, yet, at the appearance of the stran- ger guest, their tables would fairly groun with the good cheer of hos- pitality. If we had looked into the old Dutch church at Larison's a hundred years ago, we would probably have found old Adam Hellis and his children and their neighbors comprising the greater part of the con- gregation. We couldi have seon the men arrayel in homespun suits,- coats reaching to their knees and breeches down to their boot-tops, big enough for two men, and couts thickly set with little brass buttons. The women would have appeared in enormous straw hats not unlike the ' sun- downs' of the present day, and petticonts reaching half-way below the kuces. . . . If we had seen these people at home on New Year's day, wo would have heheld the children and their families gathered around the ancestral 'board, upon which smoking dishes were displayed, flanking the indispensable goose well stuffed with onions, As the cider sparklod and fonmed, and the apple-jack began to work, the past was held up as a mirror : the sire would tell his adventures in crossing the ocean and stories of his first Intercourse with the Indians : while the sons would tell of their exploits on many a bloody field, of the scenes of their old cam- paigne in driving the British out of Jersey.""

John Anderson, who purchased a tract of land in Raritan in 1754, was no doubt the ancestor of most of the name in this vicinity.

Martin Ryerson was an early resident, and lived on the farm now owned by George Rea; subsequently moved to Newton, Sussex County, N. J., where he died. (See history of Presbyterian Church.) Martin sold to Tunis Quick. His son Martin was a judge of the Superior Court.

Jonathan Higgins, grandfather of Judiah Higgins, of Flemington, was an early settler in the south part of the township. He came from Kingston, but in what year it is now impossible to ascertain,-although some time prior to the Revolution,-and settled near and north of Ringos. His son Jonathan (2) was a vol- unteer in the Continental service, officiating us wagon- master; he was born in 1756, and was three times married. His first wife was a granddaughter of Gov- ernor Reading; his second, Miss Polhemus, a sister to his third wife, Eleanor, all of Amwell (now Rari- tan) township. The latter was the mother of Judiah, of Flemington. Jonathan Higgins (1) had two other sons (besides the Jonathan (2) named above),- namely, Judiah (1), who lived on the Centre Bridge Road, about one and a half miles from Flemington, and Nathaniel, who settled north of Ringos, near

the Delaware line, in what is now known as the Hig- gins' School District, No. 85. The latter operated a mill there for many years, and there ended his days on earth. The mill was run until a few years ago, but is now unused. Capt. Jonathan Higgins died near Flemington, Oct. 11, 1829. Judiah Higgins (2) was born on the Higgins' homestead, north of Rin- gos, July 16, 1799. He is the son of Jonathan (2) and Eleanor his (third) wife. Judiah married Charity, daughter of William Fisher, of East Amwell; she was born Nov. 30, 1803. This venerable couple are now (1880) living in Flemington,t at the advanced ages of eighty-one and seventy-seven respectively.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 76

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