History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 90

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 90
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 90


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" Votod that the next election and town-meeting be held at the house of Richard Van Lieu."


EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS.


April 20, 18-16, "according to the provisions of an act entitled 'An Act to Divide the Township of Am- well,'" the township committees of East Amwell and West Amwell met at the house of Amos Williamson, in Ringos, and a committee was appointed to ascertain the ratio of taxation,-Richard Van Lieu on the part of East Amwell, and Caleb F. Fisher on the part of . West Amwell; the committee then divided the Tren- ton road, "and agreed that East Amwell take the road from the Hopewell line to within 100 yards of David Larowe's gate, and West Amwell from that place to Ringos." April 23d, the joint committee met and divided the surplus revenue, being $3368.35 for East Amwell and $3804.80 for West Amwell. A com- mittee was appointed to sell the township's right to the Gilchrist lot on the mountain, and the finances were adjusted by a division of the bonds and mort- gages, and by the payment of $23.20 by West to East Amwell. April 24th, the joint committee met and divided the books, papers, etc., settled with Jacob Reed, "late collector," and divided the balance due the townships,-$78.59 to East and $88.77 to West Amwell.


At a special town-meeting, Aug. 23, 1862, it was


" Resolved, That East Amwell is heart and hand with the national gov- erument in its efforts to suppress the existing Rebellion at whatever cost of time, trensure, and blood."


The bounty duplicate for 1863 was $11,807.42.


TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.


The following is a list of the principal township offieers of East Amwell from the date of its organiza- tion :


CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS .*


1846, Jacob S. Williamson ; 1846-18, Abram T. Willianisou ; 1847-19, Jacob 8. Manners; 1849-51, Nonh Hixson ; 1850-53, Levi Hixson ; 1854-67, | upon which line, in this neighborhood, is Ringos Sta- Simpson S. Skod; 1858-60, Samuel W. Dilts; 1801-62, Ralph Sut- phin; 1863-65, Noah Hixson : 1860-08, John C. Durham; 1860-71, John Dalrymplo; 1872-74, Edlwia H. Durham ; 1875-76, William Sulphon ; 1877-79, David Nevius; 1880, Peter W. Shepherd,t Silas Nonamaker.


ASSESSOILS.


1846-62, Ralph Sutphin ; 1853-69, Charles Ewing ; 1870-77, Abram Quick ; 1878, Bonjamin V. IIIII; 1879-80, Ira Muason.


COLLECTORS.


1816-47, John S. Hoagland; 1838-52, C. W. Holcombe ; 1853-55, Nathan Stout ; 1850-69, Josoph Sorvis; 1860-63, William S. Riley ; ISGI, Abraham Quick ; 1865, Joseph Servis; 1866, Wmn. T. Hixson; 1807- 68, Jacob C. Young; 1869-70, Thomas C. Smith ; 1871-78, Jacob S. Herdor ; 1870-80, Samuel W. Dilts.


CLERKS.


1846-55, Jacob S. Durham; 1856, John Young; 1857-62, Jacob S. Dur- ham; 1863-65, Petor W. Shepherd; 1866-68, Ira Higgins; 1869-74.


Robert 1. Hunt; 1875, Willian MI. Ruo; 1876, Tra Munson ; 1877, William Ine; 1878-80, Abraham Borton.


TOWN COMMITTEES .;


1846-19, N. O. Durhinm, John S. Williamson, Israel Wilson, Richard Van Lieu, John L. Caso ; 1849, N. O. Durhum, Jacob F. Prall, SiDyson Sked, Richard Van Lieu, John L. Caso ; 1850-61, John R. Young, Andrew Il. Quick, Simpson Sked, Abraham T. Williamson, John L. Case; 1832, John R. Young, Andrew II. Quick, Simpson Sked, Abra- ham T. Williamson, George M. Prall ; 1-53, John S. Williamson, William Gollen, Simpson Sked, Jacob S. Manners, George JI. Prall; 1854, John R. Yunng, Levi K. Chamberlin, Simpson Sked, Jacob S. C. P'ittinger, John L. Cuse; 1855-67, Jamies S. Fishor, Mahlen Schenck, Simpson Sked, Robert R. Smith, John C. Durham ; 1858, James S. Fisher, Mahlon Schenck, Simpson Sked, David Williamson, John C. Durham ; 1839, James S. Fisher, Mahlon Schenck, Simpson Sked, David Williamson, Lewis S. Servis; 1860, James S. Elsher, Mahlon Schenck, Simpson Sked, Andrew Wyckoff, John C. Durham ; 1861, James S. Fisher, Mahlon Schenck, Andrew II. Quick, Jacob W. Nevins, John C. Durham ; 1862, David S. Wert, James P. Cham- berlin, Stout Hunt, Jacob W. Nevius, John C. Durham ; 1863, David S. Wert, Jacob C. Sutphin, Solomen Labaw, John L. Caso, Joseph Servis; 1864, Androw Wyckoff, Jacob S. C. Pittinger, Solomon Labaw, John L. Case, John Williamson ; 1865, Cicero Hunt, Stout Hunt, Solomon Labaw, John L. Case, Levi Reed ;2 1866, Cicero Hunt, Horaco P. Quick, Sidney B. Savok, Jonathan Higgins, Kan- dolph S. Blackwell ; 1>67, John W. Bellis, Samuel W. Ditta, Sidney B. Snook, Benjamin B. Mathews, Jacob S. Horder; 1868, Thomas C. Smith, Samuel W. Dilts, Abram Quick, Joseph P. Servis, Jacob S. Herder: 1869, Joseph Dalrymple, David O. Larowo, John L .. Care, Benjamin V. Hill, Jacob S. llerder; 1870-71, Joseph Dalrymple, David O. Larowe, John L. Case, Benjamin V. Hill, Jacob C. Young ; 1872, Samuel W. Dilts, Peter W. Shepherd, John L. Cuse, Waterhouse Woodruff, Jacob C. Young; 1873, Samuel W. Dilts, Peter W. Shop- herd, David Novius, Waterhouse Woodruff, Benjamin V. Hill; 1871, John C. Durham, Peter W. Shepherd, David Nevins, Theodore Y. Craft, Benjamin V. Hill; 1875, Abram Van Doren, Lovi Reed, David Nevius, John Fisher, Benjamin V. Hill ; 187G, James Riley, John C. Durham, Martin V. Caso, Peter W. Shepherd, Ira Higgins; 1877, Abraham Runkle, William Golden, T. Y. Craft, William W. Fisher, John Hue; 1878, Abraham V. Chamberlin, James Riley, T. Y. Craft, Robert I. Hunt, John Ruo; 1879, William S. Young, James Riley, Robert I. Hunt; 1880, Dauiel Stout, William S. Young, Ira Iliggins.


VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.


This township contains no large village, although a number of hamlets are found in its several parts.


RINGos is the most prominent on account of its early settlement and the renown of the name, and lies in the western corner of the town, close to, but south of, the Flemington branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad,


tion, although in Delaware township. There is no post-otlice at the latter place, nor anything to particu- larize except the station-building. The post-oflice is at the village, || which was for many years the most important village in the whole Amwell Valley. 1 store was kept there, to which the Indians resorted from as far as Somerville. There publie meetings were held to petition the king for the removal of grievances. Later on, celebrations for the whole county centered there. It was also a place of consid- crable trade. Among others, Henry Landis, as early as 1737, carried on a saddlery business," Lambert-


* Prior to 1851 two frecholders were chosen ; since that date, only one. + Died May 6, 1880.


¿ Prior to 1879 this board was composed of five members ; rinco that slate, only three.


¿ Appointed.


J This is the only post-office of the name in the l'aited States.


" Hev. G. S. Mott, D. D.


7


356


HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.


ville at this time was an insignificant settlement; at the time of the Revolution even it was far behind Ringos in size.


Ringos contains two churches,-the "Kirkpatrick Memorial," Presbyterian, and a Baptist church,-a district school (District No. 103), a seminary, and the " Academy of Science and Art," accounts of which may be found under the head of "Schools." Business is represented by the "Ringos Tavern" (Theodore J. Young, proprietor), two country stores (kept respectively by Borton & Brother and David Williamson), two blacksmith-shops, two wheelwright- shops, one harness-shop, and one shoemaker-shop. The present postmaster is David Williamson, Wil- liam L. Skillman served as such over forty years ago, 1838-40.


PLEASANT CORNER is situate about a mile north- east of Ringos, on the Old York Road. It was so named some thirty or forty years ago, although it is often called "Larison's Corner," after its recent hotel proprietor. Here is located the United First Presby- terian Church. The blacksmith-shop, which has been operated under many different "knights of the anvil," is owned by Hiram Hoffinan, but is not at present in operation. Larison's Hotel (on the Rari- tan township side of the road) is likewise enjoying rest, although formerly a popular hostelry .* The property is owned by the widow of Augustus Black- well, a daughter of John W. Larison, the old inn- keeper.


WERTSVILLE takes its name from the Werts family, and is located in the centre of the eastern part of the township. It is known locally as "Werts' Corners," but its post-office, first and last, is Wertsville. There are here a church of the Baptist (New School) denom- ination and the public school of the district. Peter V. D. Manners keeps the store and post-office, and the industries of the place are represented by a wagon- shop and a shoemaker-shop.


VAN LIEW'S CORNERS, about a mile from Werts- ville, a little south of west, is a small cluster of resi- dences surrounding the store of Chamberlin & Van Liew. Durham's nurseries are in the vicinity. This settlement is in the same school district as Wertsville.


UNIONVILLE, on the Indian Path Road, between Ringos and Van Liew's, is a rural settlement, and contains a two-story frame school-house, in the upper part of which is a good-sized hall where public meet- ings, etc., are sometimes held. This place formerly bore the name of " Minksville," so called from an old black- smith named Mink located there, but long since dead or removed. Its inhabitants have neither store nor post-office, but in their stead have a butcher-shop, of which Samuel W. Dilts is proprietor.


NEW MARKET, in the south part of the township, on the Rocktown Road, is quite a smart settlement,


although a portion of it lies in West Amwell. It con- tains a Methodist Episcopal church, the store of L. K. Chamberlin, and a blacksmith-shop. An old tan- nery, now gone down, was operated for years by Lan- sing Chamberlin.


SNYDERTOWN, just north of New Market, and so close that the two villages almost join, contains a number of residences, a saw- and feed-mill, owned by R. P. Crosedale, and a tannery operated for some time and until about four years ago. It is owned by L. K. Chamberlin, but the building is now vacant.


REAVILLE is almost wholly within Raritan town- ship, the harness-shop of Robert R. Smith being the only business interest on the East Amwell side of the Old York Road.t


ROCKTOWN, also, lies almost entirely in West Am- well. (See history of that township.)


BUTTONWOOD CORNERS, in the southeast corner of the township, comprises a dozen houses and a school- house (District No. 101), situated on the slope of the Sourland Mountain, in a rough and hilly section of country.


SCHOOLS.


The public schools of this township are embraced in four districts,-viz., Wertsville, No. 100 (frame) ; Mountain Grove, No. 101; Unionville, No. 102 (frame) ; and Ringos, No. 103 (frame). The present valuation of school property is $3400. Each of these schools has a female teacher, and, although the build- ings will comfortably seat from fifty to sixty scholars, the average number who attended during the past year was but a little over one-half that number. The cost of the free schools of East Amwell, exclusive of building and repairing, is about $1300 a year. The statistics of the school officials show that there are 333 children in the township of school age,-between the ages of five and eighteen. In 1879, 252 of these were enrolled on the school registers, the average attend- ance being 210.


In the " Wertsville" District (No. 100) there was a log school-house built in 1747. It was located on land leased from Benjamin Stout for ninety-nine years. In 1798 there was a frame school-house, one story, 25 feet square, built on the same land. The lease expired in 1846, and the school-house was moved on to land belonging to the heirs of William Weart, deceased. School was kept in it until 1853, when it was sold to David S. Wert and made into a dwelling-house, being used for that purpose at this time. In 1853 a new two-story frame school-house, 30 by 44 feet, was erected, at a cost of $1500, about one hundred yards south of the site of the first one; this is in good condition, and school is now kept in it, Its balcony is furnished with a fine-sounding bell.


The teachers were nearly all foreigners until about 1820, and all male teachers. James Ewing, native


* In 1828 it was kept, says Dr. John Blane, by John Bellis, " with whom bourded my old friend and preceptor, Abraham Montfort, who was then teaching in that neighborhood,"


+ See Raritan township history for a description of this village.


357


EAST AMWELL.


of Scotland, taught from 1788 to 1795. In 1826 a Miss Bartine taught during the summer. The next female teacher was employed in 1858, Alfred Hazard taught from about 1840 to 1845; then Charles S. Man- ners, for two or three years; O. H. Hazzard, about five years, followed by Damon Y. Hyde. David IIyde, his brother, was the first to teach in the new school-house.


The first school-house in "Mountain Grove" Dis- triet (No. 101) was built in 1812. It was a small frame. The first teacher was William Dougherty ; the first trustees, James Wardenbrook, Jeremiah Smith, and Ralph Elberson. The present house was erceted in 1863.


"Unionville" District (No. 102) boasts one of the oldest school-houses in the township. It was built in 1780, about half a mile southeast of the village now known as l'nionville. It was an old-fashioned one- story frame house. One of the early teachers was John Carr, Sr. He had charge of the school during the Revolution. This house was used for forty years, and in 1820 was replaced by one built about a rod west of the spot on which the third and present house now stands. It was a low, one-story frame buikling. The land on which it stood, about one-eighth of an acre, was purchased of Lewis Quick. The first who taught in it was Garret Service. The present school- building was erected in 1858, and the okl honse turned into a dwelling. The site was bought of Green Quick, and contains an acre. The house is a frame, two stories, with cupola. The first teacher in this house was Phebe Baldwin. Among other teachers in this school have been the following : Miss Armitage, Otis Fisher, Dr. C. W. Larison, Miller K. Reading, Henry Gulick, Susan Green, Ada Nelson, Annie R. Green, Phebe Baldwin, Annie Stout, Sarah E. Piatt, Charles M. Lee, Dennis Runyon, Wm. HI. Pittman, Annie Sutphin, Bessie Davis, Laura Rose, Lida Lawrence, Jennie Vanhorn, Emma Wall, Carrie J. Combs, Mahlon Schanck, Bessie Sked, Cornie Fisher, Rettie Dalrymple.


since 1870 have been P. D. Meyers and Kate Miley, 1870-71 ; Lydia A. Baldwin, 1872-75; Charles Night- ingale and Mary Bond, 1876; Lyda Lawrence, 1877-79; Retta Dalrymple, 1879-80 ; Cornie Fisher, 1880. The trustees in 1870 were Jacob Brewer, T. Y. Van Marter, Jacob Fisher. Other trustees who have served sinee 1870 are William Brewer, 1871-76; Da- vid Williamson, 1872-74; Ira Munson, 1875-80; Levi Holcombe, 1877-79; Silas Nonamaker, 1874-80; Ja- cob Dilts, 1880.


THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND ART, AT RINGOS.


This school is an outgrowth of a demand made upon Cornelius W. Larison as a teacher of science immediately after his return home from the university at Lewisburg. Early in the autumn of 1875 there were made by young men desirous of a knowledge of practical science numerous applications for tuition, but, situated as he then was, he felt it impossible to afford such instruction as was demanded or such as he was willing to give. The seminary in which he used to teach did not afford sufficient scope, nor did he think that practical science was carried to the extent so often demanded of him,-a branch suited to be a prominent factor in the curriculum of a school that was organized for general culture. Accordingly, in the fall of 1875, a building suitable to the purpose of scientific instruction was erected, laboratories fitted up, and the work of teaching begun.


In the summer of 1876 it was thought that a school of practical science and art was needed at Ringos. Accordingly, a curriculum of study was laid down, and the school began Aug. 23, 1876. The faculty was as follows: Cornelius W. Larison, M.D., princi- pal, natural science ; Mrs. Mary Jane Larison, math- ematics, English grammar, rhetoric, and drawing, Latin and criticism, music and elocution.


The school commenced with only six pupils, but during the term the expectations of its patrons were fully met, and such were the demands for tuition from new pupils that at the beginning of the ensuing term it became necessary to add a member to the faculty. Accordingly, Mary W. Prall was appointed teacher of English grammar, rhetoric, and drawing.


The patient and protracted research of' Peter S. Young, since deceased, has thrown much light upon the history of District No. 103 (" Ringos"). Before the Revolution a high school was taught by Rev. William The following term began with sixteen pupils. Among these were two who had received the degree of A.B. from a university. At the beginning of the neademie year 1877-78, Miss Sarah A. Prall was ap- pointed teacher of music and elocution. Frazier, an Episcopal clergyman, and in 1776 the building stood on the ground afterwards occupied by the Episcopal church. A school was also kept at Harison's Corner until the present academy was built, in 1811. For years a high school (private) has been Aug. 14, 1880, occurred the first commencement of the academy. On this occasion there were graduated two students,-Lewis C. Prall and Edwin S. William- son. kept at Ringos, The first school-house was built in 1720, of logs, in what is now the lower part of the village. It was quite a small affair. The second house, a frame, stood near Larison's Corner, and the The " purpose and plan of the institution," as shown in its catalogue of 1577, " is to afford an op- portunity for a practical education in those depart- ments of science and art that most directly bear upon the rounds of every-day life. And, since it sometimes third near and by the side of the present grave- yard. The church was at one time occupied for a school, taught by Joseph Lequear and a Mr. Fitzpat- rick. The present school-house of this district was erected in 1854. It is 21 by 34 feet. The teachers happens that students wish to pursue the study of


358


HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.


some particular branches beyond the limits set in the curriculum of a well-organized academy, or even col- lege, an arrangement is made to afford such a favora- ble opportunity to prosecute such studies as may be elected, beyond the limits indicated in the curricu- lum of this school."


The school is well provided with apparatus, etc. The classes are frequently taken to the mountains, or to the seaside, where they can study from nature. During the past year twenty-one days were thus spent.


THE SEMINARY AT RINGOS.


When the Rev. Andrew B. Larison was called to be pastor of the Baptist Church at Ringos, the congre- gation was small and not very well able to sustain him. However, he accepted the pastorate upon the condition that he should be allowed to devote a few hours each day to teaching, and, in connection with his brother, started a school. A scheme to purchase the building known as the old Amwell Academy, and to start a school therein, was soon formed. The two brothers entered into partnership, under the firm-name "The Seminary at Ringos, N. J." The building was bought, and preparations to begin a school were made in December, 1869. The school was arranged for both sexes.


The first term began Jan. 3, 1870. There were in attendance 29 pupils. The faculty was as follows: Rev. A. B. Larison, M.D., principal, Latin, Greek, and moral science; Mrs. K. B. Larison, English litera- ture and French ; C. W. Larison, M.D., natural sci- ence. The school fully met the expectations of its patrons, and at once became very popular.


During the early part of the second academic year it became necessary to enlarge the faculty. Charles M. Lee, M.D., was added as teacher of mathematics, and Miss Margaret Aller as teacher of music.


Sept. 25, 1872, the seminary suffered the loss of its worthy principal, Rev. A. B. Larison, M.D. This necessitated a considerable change. His widow, Mrs. Catharine B. Larison, became, in his stead, partner to the survivor of the firm. C. W. Larison became the principal of the school, and assumed the duties of teacher of Latin and Greek, in addition to his duties as teacher of natural science. Mrs. Catharine B. Larison kept charge of the department of English literature and French, and Mrs. Mary Jane Larison was appointed teacher of mathematics.


June 19, 1874, the seminary held its first commence- ment. The deportment of the officers and students was such as to win for it many friends. From this day its old supporters grew more and more warmly attached to it, new ones became zealous, and, as time advanced, opponents became fewer. There was but one student to receive the honors,-Miss Carrie Wal- dron, of Kingston, N. Y.


During the first term of the academic year 1874-75 several changes occurred : C. W. Larison, having been appointed professor of natural science in the univer-


sity at Lewisburg, Pa., resigned his position in the faculty. Mrs. Catharine B. Larison became principal, and the Rev. Ebon J. Pearce, A.M., was employed to teach Latin and Greek. Under this arrangement the school prospered, and new friends were gained for the institution. At this time the school in the village that had been started in opposition to the seminary closed, and many advocates of that enterprise now patronized the old institution.


In December, 1877, Rev. Charles S. Converse, A.M. was appointed lecturer on belles-lettres. His work proved very satisfactory, and many of the lectures were published in the Lambertville Record. About the same time, Rev. J. M. Helsley was appointed lecturer on biblical literature.


During the academic years 1877-78, Miss Mary A. Reading acted as an assistant to the principal, and Miss Annie Williamson as teacher of music.


In this school there has been for some years a cus- tom of selecting from the higher classes the students most efficient as teachers to assist the principal. Among those thus selected have been Rettie Dalrym- ple, Mary A. Reading, Annie Ingraham, Amos Haines. Hiram Fisher, Cora Williamson, Lizzie M. Reading, and Mary Y. Fisher.


The graduates of the seminary are as follows : Class of 1873: Carrie Waldron, Kingston, N. Y .; Class of 1874: Mary S. Hampton, Oliver I. Black- well, Lorenzo D. Hagaman; Class of 1877: Henri- etta Dalrymple, George E. Mathews, E. Stanton Wil- liamson ; Class of 1878: Annie E. Ingraham, Mary A. Reading; Class of 1880: Mary Y. Fisher, Lizzie M. Reading .*


CHURCHES.


Within the limits of this township are now located six churches, of which two are Presbyterian-the "Kirkpatrick Memorial," at Ringos, and the " United First," at Pleasant Corner; two belong to the Bap- tist denomination, and are located at Ringos and Wertsville; one, Methodist Episcopal, is located at New Market; and a Unitarian, on the Sourland Mountain, in the southeast corner of the township. .


So early as 1725 an Episcopal church was in exist- ence at Ringos. It was built of logs, and was located just beyond the railroad station .; It was organized


* Since this article was prepared Isaiah N. Leigh has taken charge of the school, during the absence of Miss Larison as teacher in the Female Iustitnte at Lewisburg, Pa.


+ An indeoture made Jao. 22, 1725, between Wm. Lummox, and John Knowles and Duncan Oliphant, all of Amwell township, witnesseth, that "in consideration of the sum of five shillings of current silver money," Win. Lummox conveyed unto Knowles and Oliphant a tract of land con- taining eleven acres, "being a part of the plantation whereon the said Wm. Lummox now lives," the bounds of which began in the line of Wm. Lummox and Francis Moore's land, and ran " by land of Godfrey Peters, crossing the King's rond" (the Old York Road) ; being part of a larger tract purchased by Lummox of Nathan Allen of Monmouth. This conveyance was in "trust to the sole benefit and towards the settling of the Church of England ministry, and for no other intent or purpose whatsoever." Scaled and delivered in presence of John Parke, Na- thaniel Pettit, John S. Locker, Christopher Becket, etc., and attested by John Reading.


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EAST AMWELL.


under a charter from the Crown by a missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in For- eign Parts .* Both organization and edifice have long since ceased to exist, and at the present time no Epis- copal society is to be found in East Amwell.


THE UNITED FIRST CHURCH OF AMWELL.t


Little or nothing can be found of the earliest eccle- siastical history of the Amwell Germans. Churches abounded in this region at an early day. St. Peter's (Episcopal) church was located where the Ringos public school now stands, and the Amwell First (Presbyterian ) church was only one and a half miles to the cast, in the old graveyard. A few years later (1754) the Amwell Second (Presbyterian) church was erected at Mount Airy.


Our German ancestors early took measures to have a church of their own. Tradition speaks of an old log house, but there is nothing certain concerning it. The carliest authentic date is November, 1747,-the time when Rev. Michael Schlatter visited Amwell. The German churches in America had very few min- isters (only four in 1750) and but sixteen charges, several neighboring congregations constituting one charge. All but three of these were in Pennsylvania. Only one was in New Jersey, composed of the Amwell and Rockaway and Fox Hill congregations.




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