History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 78

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 78
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 78

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).

* By a special act of the Legislature (passed Nor. 0, 1838, as a supplo- ment to the act establishing the towns of Delaware and Raritan) Jacob

The following is the first collector's report of Rar- itan township :

In .~ 1838.

To school fund, Including int. on surplus revenue, $473.93

" cash of B. Horn, lato collector .... 44.70

3,381 19

" anıt. of dnpileato.

$3,809.88

CR.

By paid school districts .. $173.93

= "" for repairing ronils, etc ..

800.43

= tax remitted and money paid Del. 22.12

= paid county collector. ..

1,339.37

# # poor, Including part of stowand's wages ... 454.82

Sheep bills ..

68.75

Incidental bills, including com, fees, etc .. 98.10

Assessor and collector fees ..

151.80

Bal. on tax warrant not col.

87.48

Cash in hands of collector ...

402.26

$3,899.88

Nor. 20, 1850,-" Town committee met at honso of John D. Hall. Tho poor-house furm was set up at public venduo, and sold to Jamies S. Rock. nfellow at forty-eight dollars and thirty-six cents per acre. The wood lot, containing three acres more or less, belonging to tho township, wus soll at public sale to Thomas Spencer for ten dollars per acre."t

Oct. 23, 1854 .- "Committee mot nt the farm purchased of Sammel Groff, to select a suitable place to orect un lionse for the accommodation of the poor; after viewing tho ground agreed to build a honso 21 by 38 feet, 13 ft. posts, at west end of house on said form, to have four rooms undl entry below and the smule above. Also agreed to let out the build- Ing of the house by contract, . . . the house to be finished upin guud workmanlike manner by the first day of April next,"

THE CIVIL LIST

of the principal officers of Raritan township, from its organization in 1838 to the present time (1880), is herewith given :

CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.

1838, Joseph Caso, Jacob Voorhees; 1839-41, Jonas Mooro, John B. Mat- tison ; 1×12, Jouns Moore, John Marlow ; 1843, Mahlon Fisher, John Marlow ; 1811, Mahlon Fisher, Jacob Rockafellow ; 1845-6, Thomas Cherry, Jacob Rocknfellow ; 1847, A. V. Bonnell, William R. Risler : INIS, A. V. Bonnell, William H. Johnson ; 1849, A. V. Bonnell, Wil- Hum M. Bellis; 1850, Joseph II. Heading, William M. Bellis; 1851- 63, John H. Capner; 1854, Robort Thatchor ; 1855-57, Richard Em- mans ; 1858, Robert Thatchor ; 1859-60, William R. Ristor ; Iscl, Gershom C. Sergeant : 1862, William R. Rister; 1863-64, Gershom C. Sergeant ; 1865-66, Itobert Thatcher; 1867-68, Olivor Kugler: 1869-70, John B. Rockafellow ; 1871, Henry Britton; 1872-74, Jacob Caso ; 1875-76, Isme Smith ; 1877, Wilson J. Leigh; 1878-59, Wil- liam R. Risler; 1880, Wilson J. Leigh.

TOWN CLERKS.

1838-44, Joseph Besson ; 1845-46, A. Y. Bonnell ; 1847, William B. Moore; 1848, William Swallow; 1850-51, John G. Reading; 1852-53, Peter Nevins; 1854, Lowla C. Case ; 1855-57, Poter Nevins; 1858-61, J. J. Clark ; 1862. George W. Forker; 1×63-65, Reading Moore; 1866-67. J. It. Schenck ; 1868-69, George W. Dunham : 1870-71, Jacob MI. Bellis; 1872, John C. Coon; 1873-76, George W. Duobam; I-77, Goorge W. Forker; 1878-80, H. G. Chamberlin.

ASSESSORS.

1838-10, Josso C. Reed : 1841, Mahlon Smith ; 1812-45, William Swallow ; 1846-49, Mahlon Smith ; 1:50, William Swallow ; 1851, William R. Risler ; 1852-53, William Swallow ; 1854, John P. Rittenhouse ; 1855- 57, David B. Kirkpatrick : 1858-60, Pavid Dunham; 1870-71, Lewis HI. Stants ; 1872-79, Charles W. Hoff; 1880, David Dunham.

14. Smith of Amwell, James J. Fisher of Delaware, and John Knhl of Haritan, were appointed commissionore to sell the poor-bonne farm, " with all and singular the appurtenances, known as the " poor-house cataldishment' of the township of Amwell, and now held and used in com- mon by the sald townships of Amwell, Delaware, and Raritan," the pru- coeds to be divided between the three towns. This was done, and sulmo- quently Raritan purchased a poor farm for hor sole use, an per record of Jan. 6, 1839.

t The amo month the keeping of the poor of the township was let to James S. Rockafellow, na por articles of agreement entered luto for one year from April 1, 1:51.

306

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

COLLECTORS.

1838, Peter Ewing; 1847-48, Richard Hope; 1849-51, Atkinson J. Hol- combe; 1852-54, David Dunham; 1855-57, John V. McCann; 1858, William Chamberlin; 1859-61, William B. Swallow; 1862-64, Isaac Smith; 1865-71, George Hanson; 1872-74, King Pyatt; 1875-80, De Witt C. Rittenhouse.

OVERSEERS OF POOR.

1838, Jesse C. Reed, Peter Ewing; 1839-46, Peter Ewing; 1847, Richard Hope; 1848, William H. Johason ; 1849-50, Andrew Bearder; 1851-53, Mahlon Smith; 1854, William Swallow; 1855-59, Mahlon Smith ; 1860-69, James S. Rockafellow ; 1870, Hiram Robbins ; 1871, William Van Nest ; 1872-73, John F. S.Smith ; 1874-77, James S. Rockafellow ; 1878, James S. Rockafellow, Lemuel B. Myers; 1879, Charles R. Lake, Lemuel B. Myers; 1880, Charles R. Lake.

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.

1847 *- 49, William H. Sloan ; 1850-5I, George P. Rex; 1852, A. V. Bon- nell; 1853, William B. Shrope; 1854, Miller Kline ; 1855-56, George P. Rex ;+ 1857-58, Dr. J. A. Gray; 1859-60, John C. Coon; 1861, Henry Stothoff; 1862-64, Abijah J. Rittenhouse; 1865-66, Octavius P. Chamberlin.

CONSTABLES.

1838-41, Henry S. Stryker; 1842-46, Richard Hope; 1847-49, Ephraim Robbios;# 1850-52, William C. Bellis; 1853-54, William B. Swallow; 1855-58, John V. McCann ; 1859-62, Elijah Fleming; 1863-64, Reu- ben Paxson; 1865-71, George Hanson; 1872-74, King Pyatt; 1875- 80, De Wittt C. Rittenhouse.

TOWN COMMITTEES.

1838, John B. Mattison, William Knhl, George Trimmer, John Kohl, Samuel Hill ; 1839, Jacob Voorhees, John Barton, Andrew Hoagland, John Kuhl, William Taylor; 1840, Jacob Voorhees, John Barton, Andrew Bearder, James Sutphin, William H. Sloan; 1841, Jacob Voorhees, John Barton, Andrew Bearder, Jolin W. Bellis, William H. Sloan ; 1842-43, Leonard P. Kulil, Jolin Barton, Andrew Bearder, W. H. Johnson, William H. Sloan ; 1844, Leonard P. Kohl, John G. Ewing, George Trimmer, W. H. Johnson, William H. Sloan; 1845, Leonard P. Kuhl, John G. Ewing, Mahlon Smith, W. Hf. Johnson, William H. Sloan ; 1846, Leonard P. Kuhl, John Marlow, Andrew Bearder, Henry Suydam, William H. Sloan; 1847-48, Leonard P. Kuhl, John Marlow, Andrew Bearder, William Lair, William II. Sloan ; 1849, William II. Sloan, William Lair, George W. Risler, Henry Suydam, L. P. Kuhl; 1850, Charles Bartles, Runkle Rea, Qeo. W. Risler, Henry Suydam, D. R. Kirkpatrick ; 1851, Charles Bartles, Runkle Rea, George W. Risler, L. P. Knhl, Robert Thatcher ; 1852- 53, Charles Bartles, Asher Mattison, George W. Risler, L. P. Kohl, Robert Thatchor; 1854, William R. Moore, Asher Mattison, George W. Risler, Peter J. Case, William H. Johnson; 1855-56, William R. Moore, Joho Quick, W. R. Risler, L. P. Kuhl, A. J. Holcomb ; 1857, Augustus Blackwell, John Quick, W. R. Rister, George A. Rea, A. J. Holcomb; 1858, Augustus Blackwell, W. M. Bellis, L. L. Dayton, George A. Rea, A. J. IIolcombe ; 1859, Robert Thatcher, J. II. Capner, L. L. Dayton, Geo. A. Rea, A. J. Holcomb ; 1800, William Swallow, Sr., J. II. Capaer, L. L. Dayton, G. W. Risler, A. J. Holcomb; 1861, John C. Hopewell, William Swallow, Sr., John L. Jones, John Y. Bellis, Augustns Blackwell; 1862, Robert J. Killgore, William Swal- low, Sr., John L. Jones, John Y. Bellis, Augustus Blackwell; 1863- 64, Robert J. Killgore, Samnel F. Case, Joseph II. Higgins, John Y. Bellis, Angustus Blackwell; 1865, Andrew B. Everitt, Samuel F. Case, Joseph 11. Higgins, Goo. A. Evans, Augustus Blackwell; 1866- 67, Androw B. Everitt, Samuel Waldron. Joseph II. Higgins, Gershom Sergeant, Abel Webster; 1868-69, John L. Jones. Gershom Sergeant, Abel Webster, Samuel Waldron, Abraham Hoppock; 1870, John L. Jones, William Hill, Abel Webster, Samuel Waldron, Abraham Hop- pock ; 1871, John L. Jones, Miles Cunningham, Abel Webster, Jacob R. Voorhees, Abraham Hoppock ; 1872-73, John L. Jones, Miles Cun- ningham, William R. Risler, Caleb F. Quick, Mahlon J. Smith ; 1874, John B. Rockafellow, Miles Cunningham, William R. Risler, E. L. Everitt, Mahlon J. Smith; 1875, John B. Rockafellow, II. H. Ander- son, William R. Risler, E. L. Everitt, Jeromlah Everitt ; 1876, John

* Until thie date a "school committee" was elected.

+ In consequence of his removal from the State, Dr. J. A. Gray was ap- pointed to fill vacancy, July 26, 1856.

# William C. Bellis was elected May 14, 1849, to fill vacancy caused by deatlı of E. Robbins.

B. Rockafellow, H. H. Anderson, J. H. Capner, Peter T. Anderson, Jeremiah Everitt; 1877, William R. Risler, H. H. Anderson, George W. Smith, Peter T. Anderson, William B. Swallow; 1878, Hawley C. Olmstead, John J. Clark, George W. Smith, Peter T. Anderson, J. W. Yard; 1879, Josiah Britton, Augustus Dilts, John J. Clark; 1880, Josiah Britton, A. B. Everitt, Hawley C. Olmstead.

The town-meetings have usually been held at the court-house, and the elections variously at the inns in Flemington .¿

The amount voted for road purposes in 1880 was $5000.

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.

FLEMINGTON is the most considerable village in the township, but its history is so fully given here- after as to need no further mention in this connection. To that account the reader is referred.

REAVILLE, on the east side of the township, is quite a settlement, and contains a school, church (Presbyterian), hotel, store, and several shops, besides a score or more of dwellings. It was named after an early and prominent resident, Runkle Rea (it had previously been known as Greenville), who was really its founder and first postmaster. The post-office was established in the year 1850. It has daily mail communication with Flemington.

"Reaville Lodge, No. 100, I. O. of G. T.," was organized in March, 1870, with 43 members. It flourished for a few years, and then suspended. Its hall is now used as a dwelling.

COPPER HILL is a hamlet and post-office located midway between Flemington and Ringos. It derives its name from the old copper-mine in its vicinity, which at one time was considered a bonanza, but (like those near Flemington) has not been worked for years. The post-office was established about 1860, and J. H. Kuhl was the first incumbent. Mathias Dilts is the present postmaster. The business of the place is represented by W. H. Johnson, engaged in grain-buying, and by C. E. Ryno, blacksmith. The "store" has not been kept for some time, the building being used at present for storage purposes. The brush-factory once in operation here was removed to Flemington. There is a school-house and a mill in the vicinity.

CLOVER HILL, in the east portion of the township, is in great part within Hillsborough township, Somer- set Co. It contains, however, a hotel, store, church (Reformed Dutch), blacksmith-shop, and post-office.

PLEASANT CORNER (alias "Larison's," after its quondam hotel-keeper) is a small hamlet, about one mile from Ringos, on the York Road. Its hotel is now closed, but thirty years ago, when Burke was " mine host," it was much frequented by the sporting gentry, and was noted for its amusements and good cheer. Racing and cock-fighting were of frequent ocenrrence. Most of this settlement, except the hotel, is in East Amwell township.

¿ " Election to be held first day at the inn of Asa Jodes, in Flemington, second day at the inn of John M. Price, Flemington."-Town Records, 1840.

307

RARITAN.

FLEMINGTON JUNCTION is one and a half miles from Flemington, at the South Branch. It is a station of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and has a passenger and freight depot. Mr. Van Zandt is the present station-agent. It is a point of shipment for a very considerable amount of freight, and promises to be- come in time quite a settlement.

KLINESVILLE was once a post-office and a place of considerable business and promise. It derived its name from Miller Kline, who there carried on the dry-goods and grocery trade. It is now without either store or post-office. Three or four farm residences now constitute the place.

CROTON is four miles west of Flemington, and partly in Delaware township. It has a hotel, store, saw-mill, school, and post-office. The t'roton Pres- byterian church is located in Delaware.

RINGOS STATION, on the line of the Flemington branch of the Belvidere Delaware Railroad, is located at the extreme south point of Raritan township, the station-house being, in fact, over the line, in the township of Delaware. Besides the railroad depot, it embraces the store of A. II. Landis, a shop, and a few dwelling-houses.

By the above it will be seen that the post-offices of this township are (1880) those of Flemington, Rea- ville, Copper Hill, and Clover Hill.

THE COPPER-MINES.

The opening of the copper-mines in 1836-or, rather, the reopening, as they were undoubtedly worked at a very early period in the history of this county-was an important event for Flemington, and unquestionably brought many settlers thither. "They were once considered valuable, but have not been worked for several years, owing to the want of capital and skill, requisite in deep mining, being properly applied."* And yet there is documentary evidence to show that about $400,000 were expended on this property, independent of the "early days," when it may have been worked for its copper.t

In 1837 the Flemington Mining Company was organized. Camman and Dr. Peter 1. Stryker were the purchasers of the Mine farm, and formed the company. They ran a few years and failed, the prop- erty reverting to Hugh Capner, its original owner. Later another company purchased of Capner, and likewise failed, and also a third, who spent a large amount of money, the property being finally pur- chased by Allen Hay, of New York City, who still holds the title to the mining property, but not to the surface, which was sold to other parties.

In 1847, Charles Bartles bought the Rev. Charles Bartolette property, less than half a mile from the Mine farm, "with the mines and minerals thereon to be found." Ile at once sold to parties who formed an association called "The Central Mining Company

of Flemington," in order the more effectually to pros- ecute mining operations. John G. Reading and Wil- liam II. Sloan, Esqs., of Flemington, with Jonathan Ogden and Edward Remington, of Philadelphia, were trustees, etc .;

In 1857, by aet of the Legislature, was incorporated the " Hunterdon Copper Company," Asa Jones, Ben- net Van Syckel, George A. Allen, and Charles Bartles being the corporators, and John L. Jones, Hugh t'apner, J. G. Reading, Asa Jones, B. Van Eyckel, G. A. Allen, and Charles Bartles the first board of directors. Its capital stock was 10,000 shares of $50 vach.

The mineral right of this company covered 400 acres in fee, the surface right 17 acres in fee, with the priv- ilege of appropriating any of the 400-acre surface that might be necessary for reaching or working the copper ore in said tract. This covered property now in Delaware township, west of Copper Hill. The geological formation in which the lode of copper is here found comprises the argillaceous and slaty red sandstone and numerous strata of silicious rock, in places changed by action of intense heat into a dark, compact trap-rock.

Another early mine was reopened by the " Neshanic Mining Company," incorporated Feb. 29, 1836. In 1840 the Legislature gave it power to construct a rail- road from its mining-lands in Raritan township to a point on the South Branch and Delaware Rivers, respectively, provided said road shall be used only for mining purposes .? We do not learn that the road was ever built, and the mine was worked but a short time, when operations ceased. Charles Watson now owns the property.

All these mines were in a short time abandoned, and since 1860 there have been no efforts made to work them.

SC11001.8.

The following reminiscences of the early schools and school-buildings of this township are gathered from the Centennial report (1876) of Rev. C. S. Conk- ling, county school superintendent at that time.

In the Klinesville District (No. 80) three school- buildings have existed, the first two of which stood near the site of the present edifice, a good frame structure, erceted in 1861. Annie Dilworth was the teacher in Isol, and John Barton, Asa Suy- dam, and John Kuhl trustees.

The first school-house in the Oak Grove District (81), according to the recollection of the oldest inhab- itants, was a log building, 16 feet square and 6 feet high, which stood in 1803, and may have been stand- ing several years earlier. Among the oldest living inhabitants of the district in 1876, Elizabeth Heu- derson, then over seventy-nine years of age, attended school in the old log buikling in 1803.

* History of Our Ancestors, 1870.

t Roport of M. W. Dickeson, M.D., 1850, p. I.

1 Articles of Antciation, Central Mining Company, 1847.

¿ Acts of Assembly, 1×40, p. 40.

308

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

The logs out of which the school-cabin was built had the bark remaining on the outside of the building, and the structure was plastered on the inside with clay. It had two windows, of four lights each. Asher Stout was a teacher in this house. The next building was erected in 1806. It was a frame, 16 feet square, 7 feet high, and had three windows.

In 1818 another frame house was erected, 18 by 20 feet, and 8 feet high. The district at that time took the name of Walnut Grove. The present house was built in 1853, dedicated by the township superin- tendent in December, and occupied the following year. The trustees at that time were Joseph T. Boss, Amos V. Hunt, and George B. Stothoff. The first teacher was Elmer W. Merritt. This house is 21 hy 30 feet, with 11 feet ceiling. The trustees in 1876 were A. J. Holcombe, Andrew Bartles, and Cornelius J. Garribrant, with Frances McCrea as teacher.

The only school-house which Distriet 82 (known as Voorhees') has had is the present modest structure, 20 by 22 feet, erected in 1833, and standing in a beau- tiful grove at Voorhees' Corner. This school is said to have enjoyed the services of over fifty teachers. The first was Silas H. Benedict, who has long since rested from his labors. The teacher in 1876 was Stacy R. Everett. The first trustees were A. L. Case, John Mattison, Jacob I. Young. In 1876 the board con- sisted of Asher Higgins, Jacob Case, L. C. Case.

The Reaville School District (No. 83) had a log house 25 by 25 feet, built in 1835, which stood a mile and a half east of the village. The trustees in 1835 were John Hagaman, George P. Rex, and Job Sil- vers ; in 1876 the board was composed of Robert R. Smith, Thomas Valk, and George B. Holcombe; teacher, Dennis Runyan. The present school-house is a frame building.

" Pleasant Ridge District," No. 84, has had three houses, the first erected in 1826. It was a frame, 18 by 20 feet in size. When this was replaced by the second is not known, but it was a modest affair, and stood near the site of the present building ; the latter was erected about 1874 or 1875, and is an ornament to the neighborhood. The trustees in 1826 were Peter Prall, Andrew Blackwell, and Peter P. Quick. In 1876-fifty years later-the board embraced John C. Polhemus, John B. Low, and A. J. Prall, and the teacher was Eva Baldwin.

District No. 86,* known as "Neshanic," built its first house in 1810, near or on the site of the present structure, on land deeded for that purpose. The house now in use-the third-was erected in 1856; it is 20 by 30 feet. Paul Kuhl was one of the first trustees. In 1876 the board was composed of Wilson I. Leigh, M. C. Dilts, Mahlon I. Smith, and the teacher at that time was Minnie Balderston.

The Flemington District (87) had a school-house in 1760,-a frame building,-which stood in the rear (east) of the Baptist meeting-house. The second was of brick, erected about 1810, and was used until 1862, when the Reading Academy was built. The second school-house is still standing,-about one hundred yards west of the Baptist church, facing Church Street,-and the contrast between the old and the new houses is very great. The oldest deed of school property to be found is of date Jan. 1, 1812. The first trustees of this district are said to have been Peter Hayward, Thomas Capner, James Clark, Jona- than Hill, John Maxwell, and the first teacher Wil- liam Leigh. The trustees in 1876 were J. W. Brit- ton, J. H. Higgins, Elias Vosseller. (For an account of the Reading Academy see history of Flemington village, on subsequent pages.)

District No. 88, " Wagoner's," had a school-house, it is said, over one hundred years ago. It was located on the road from Flemington to Sergeantsville, about two miles from the former place, on what is now the property of Elijah Hoagland. It was a one-story stone house. There, seventy-five years ago (in 1806), a teacher named Ammerman taught reading, writing, spelling, and arithmetic, using " Dilworth's Spelling- Book" and the " American Tutor's Arithmetic," with the New Testament as a reading-book. In 1822 an- other house was built, in which John Rister was the first teacher. This building was succeeded by another erected in 1851. At that time it was known as the "Valley" school district, and its trustees were Wil- liam Brittain, Elijah Fleming, and John Sergeant. The present house was erected in 1872. The structure stands within sight of the old building, with which it is in striking contrast; it is in size 24 by 36 feet, is well fitted and furnished, and is an ornament to the county.

In " Harmony" District, No. 89, John G. Trimmer, Jacob Bearder, and Henry Trimmer-the first trus- tees-were the prime movers in the erection of the school-house, which was put up in 1810, accomplished wholly by donation. The building was 18 by 20 feet, and the land on which it stood was leased to the dis- trict by John G. Trimmer for the term of ninety-nine years. The first and the last teachers, respectively, in this building were Adam Williamson and Delia Cowdrie. The last trustees in this house were George Trimmer, Peter Hartpence, Sr., Asher Crance, Jacob Bearder, Jr., and John Shepherd. The old house was torn down, and a new one erected in the rear of the former location, in 1851, on land leased to the district by Holcombe Dilts for ninety-nine years. It is of stone, octagonal in shape, about 25 by 25 feet. Delia Cowdrie was the first teacher. The trustees then were Peter Hartpence, Sr., John Shepherd, and Jacob Bearder, Jr. This building is still in use. During the seventy years' existence of the Harmony school there have been about sixty teachers employed. In 1876, Maggie Warne was the incumbent.

[ * The school-house of " Higgins District," No. 85, is in Delaware town- ship, although the district Is about equally in Delaware and Raritan.

309

RARITAN.

The Summit District (90) is not very ancient, hav- ing been formed so late as 1853. The first house was erected in 1850, and stood near the site of the one now in use, which was erected in 1872. The first school-house was 20 by 22 feet; the present one, a frame, is 26 by 30. Its location is two miles from Flemington. Clara Bonham taught in 1876, at which date Moses Lake, Jeremiah Everitt, and Samuel F. Case were trustees.

The following tabulated statement of the condition of the schools of this township for the school year ending Aug. 31, 1879, is from the superintendent's last published report :

No, of District.

80 Klinesvillo

8319.68

$1,000

10.

81 Oak Grove.

320.29

600

10.

82 Voorhees'.

314.14

400

10,5

83 Roaville.

626.75

...

84 Pleasant Ridge

315.07

1,000

11.6

...

86 Noshanic

414.45

700

10.5

87 Flemington ....

3,060,34

14,000

454

10.

168

325

88 Wagonor's

317.22

1,000

10.

89 Harmony ..

315.38

300

11,2

90 Summit

322.75

1,000

10.

Total .. .....

86,232.07 $20,600

985

10,3

371

785

Of the total amount received, $3929.20 was from State appropriation, $302.87 apportionment from sur- plus revenue, $1500 district school-tax voted for pay- ment of teachers' salaries, and $500 district school- tax voted for building purposes. Besides the attend- ance of pupils given in the above table, it was estimated that 56 children were in attendance upon private schools, and that 130 attended no sehool dur- ing the year.

CHURCHES.

The churches of this township are two of the Pres- byterian denomination, located at Reaville and Flem- ington, and one each of the Baptist, Methodist Epis- copal, Protestant Episcopal, and Roman Catholic denominations, located in the village of Flemington.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, FLEMINGTON.

For the history of this religious body we are in-' debted mainly to the " Historical Discourse" delivered in the Presbyterian church of Flemington, July 16, 1876, by Rev. George S. Mott, D.D., pastor of the church.

There were many Presbyterian families located in Flemington and its vicinity, and it was but natural that they should carly make an effort to establish a church in their neighborhood. The great distance to the old church in Amwell, the bad condition of the roads in

the winter season, the impassable streams during the spring, and the fact that no refreshment could there be obtained," were the inciting eauses which led, in April, 1791, to the circulation of a paper in Flemington ask- ing subscriptions to a fund to be paid to the First Amwell corporation towards the support of Rev. Mr. Grant (to whom the First and Second Amwell churches were about to give a call), provided he would preach at Flemington one-fourth of his time. These pioneers were offered the use of the Baptist meeting-house when it was not occupied by that congregation, and they also counted upon the holding of services, if need be, in the court-room of the court-house which was to be built the following summer. Over $100 ( £21) were subscribed, to be paid in "hard money."t For some unexplained cause this project was aban- doned. The next effort-the project of Jasper Smith, that the old meeting-house should be torn down, and a new one erected at Flemington-also failed ; but, nothing daunted, the friends of the new church now took the preliminary steps towards its organiza- tion. A paper was circulated, reciting why it was desirable to form a Presbyterian Church in Fleming- ton, the signers agreeing to unite in the formation of such an organization. It was to be under the care of the Presbytery of New Brunswick. The paper bore the date of June 23, 1791, and contained the names of John Griggs, Martin Johnson, John Rending, Joseph Reading, F. V. Hicks, Jacob Painter, Nicholas Em- mons, Peter Case, John Case, Samuel Groff, Rebecca Heavison, Samuel Griggs, Charles Reading, Jacob Johnson, Gilbert Van Camp, James Alexander, Joa- kim Griggs, Isaac Hill, Jasper Smith, Henry Bailie, George Alexander, Daniel Reading, Richard Hill, Joseph Capner, John Derrick, Philip Yawger, Ely Peirson, John R. Rending, John Henry, Cornelius Polhemus, Thomas Reading, Hendrick Johnson, Arthur Gray, Joseph Gray, James Clark, Susannah Smith, Peter Order, Samuel Hill, Peter Latourette, Jacob Huffman, John Gray, Henry Baker, Philip Case, Rem. Voorhees, John Phillips, John Hart- pence, Thomas Carhart, Paul Cool, John Schank, l'eter Yawger, Jacob Polhemus, Amos Hartley. Richard Phillips, William Schank, Jr., Elizabeth Blackwell, William Case.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 78

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