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 94
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 94
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207 | Part 208 | Part 209 | Part 210 | Part 211 | Part 212
Total. $267.51."
The following is a verbatim copy of the last will and testament of John Van Dolah, late of this town- ship :
" In the name of God, Amen, this Eighteenth day of November, the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty-eight, this to be my last will and Testament in the fear and Lov of God. I pool my two Brothers, Garret Vandolah and Peter Vandolch ; I leav Them my Executors to Divide my Estate, As follows: To my eldest Brother, Garret Vandolah, I leav une-third part of my estate, and to my other, l'eter Van- doluh, Another third part of my Estate; and to my two Sisters, Anna Wilgus and Charity Hausman, I lenv the othor third Part of my estate, Equally Divided between my two sisters, to be divided by my Executors. This my last Will and testament Sined and Sealed in the presents of us wituest."
his
" JOHN X VANDOLAB.
mark.
" JAcon LARAOWE,
" ABRAHAM LARROWE, his
" RICHARD X CHAMBERLIN." mark.
The farm on which Cyrus Van Dolah, Jr., now lives was purchased of E. Marcellison, in 1738, by Hendrick Van Dulah. The deed was witnessed by Hannah Vanvorst, Joseph Bell, and Christopher Search, and acknowledged before Andrew Reed, May 10, 1756. The farm is located in School District No. 96, and is part of the Biddle tract of 5000 acres. When it was purchased of Marcellison there were 220 acres, but by a distribution of the property there remain 113 acres, which have descended by bequest to the present owner, Cyrus Van Dolah, Jr.
Israel Poulson, first pastor of the "German Baptist Church" in this town-hip, was also collector of Am- well township previous to the formation of Delaware township, and in a notice published in the Hunter- don County Gazette of Nov. 2, 1829, he states that on specified days he will be at the houses of William Rit- tenhonse, James W. Hart, Delilah Buchanan, Nathan Price, Samuel Large, John S. Stont, David W. Young, Cornelius H. Anderson, Lemuel Howell, and John Larison, to receive tar. He concludes his notice in the following words :
" There's one thing more you may remember : Unless 'tis paid by the twentieth December, Of course there will be two cents cost,
Which will be so much to you Just ;
And if not paid in five days moro, An additional sum of thirty-four.
The law Is plain, you all may see ;
Then I would have you not llame mo ;
If I return you to the Squire,
'Twill be just what the laws require."
CIVIL ORGANIZATION.
The following extracts from the records present the proceedings of the first town-meeting held in Delaware township :
" At the first annual town-meeting of the inhabitants of the township of Delaware, held at the house of Henry Wagners, in Sergeantsville, April 9, A.D. 1838, the following were chosen, to wit : John Barber, Esq., Moderator ; Amplius R. Chamberlin, Town Clerk ; Jacob Rake, Assessor ; Mahlun Smith, Collector (assessor and collector, overseer of the poor to servo without pay); Benjamin Harn, Mahlon Smith, Jacob F. Buchanan, Commissioners of Appeals ; Jas. J. Fisher, Jas. Snyder, Esq., Chosen Freeholders ; Albertus Wagner, John Hoffman, Surveyors of Highways ; William Hake, Constable ; Abraham Conover, Juilge of Election ; John Barber, Esq,, Adam Williamson, Benjamin Harn, James J. Fisher, Wil- liam Sergeant, Town Committeu ; Jacob Rako, A. B. Chamberlin, William Wilson, School Committee.
" One thousand dollars to be raised for making and repairing roads. The committee to ascertain the amount to be raised for the poor.
" Dog tax to pay for sheop killed by dogs.
"Overseers of the Roads : Joseph Sergeant, Samuel Wolverton, James Barcroft, Abraham Williamson, Mahlon Smith, Joseph Lair, James D. Pearce, Gabriel Aller, Henry Trimmer, Jacob Bodine, Job Wolverton, Nelson Holcomb, Robert Bonham, John C. Huicomb, John Lair, Nicholas B. Higgins, Richard Shepherd, John Hoppock, Samuel Holcombe, John 11. Itt.
" Eloctions to be held, first day at the house of Peter B. Mellick, and the second day at the house ut Henry Wagner, at Sergeantsville.
" Resolved, That in the opinion of this town-meeting public convenience will be promoted by the division of the township of Amwell; so far we approve of said thvision, and we have no desire that the present arrange- meut should be disturbed. But at the same time we would say that any act of this kind passed without the knowledge or consent of those imme- diately Interested in In direct opposition to the fundamental principles of our form of government.
" Signed, JOHN BARDEA, Moderator.
" Attest, A. B. ('HAMBERLIN, Clerk."
SUNDRY TRANSACTIONS.
At a special town-meeting held Dee. 29, 1838, at the house of Henry Wagner, in Sergeantsville, it was resolved, "that the township will not buy a pour- house farm," but " that the pauper, be kept all lo- gether by some one individual and resident of this township."
April 13, 1840, it was voted " that $1000 be raised for making and repairing roads, $500 for the use of
* Dled April 30, 1×12.
374
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
the poor, and that the interest of the surplus revenue go towards supporting the poor." It was
" Resolved, That this township buy a poor-house property, and that we take the proceeds of the poor-house establishment to purchase said property."
The committee appointed to purchase said prop- erty consisted of John Barber, Adam Williamson, and Abram Conover, and it was decided that "the interests of our share of the old poor-house establish- ment go towards the support of the poor."
At a special town-meeting held May 17, 1864, at the house of George W. Comley, in Sergeantsville, in accordance with a special act of the Legislature, ap- proved March 25, 1864, it was
" Resolved, That the sum of $31,000 shall be raised by assessment and taxation, in accordance with the requirements of a special act of the Legislature, approved March 25, 1864, for the purpose of enabling us to raise this tax.
" Resolved, That the sum 60 ordered to be raised, or such part thereof as shall come into the hands of the collector, shall be applied by him to the payment of the commutation money for the exemption from the draft of such persons as shall be drafted and accepted for the township of Delaware at the ensuing draft (the one now ordered)."
Oct. 27, 1864, the inhabitants met agreeable to public notice, and the following resolutions were read by the clerk :
" Resolved, That the sum of $46,000 shall be raised by assessment and taxation, in accordance with the requirements of a special act of the Legislature approved March 25, 1864, for the purpose of enahling us to raise this tax.
" Resolved, That the sum so ordered, or such part thereof as eball come into the hands of the collector, shall be applied by him to the payment of the obligations and debts incurred by the township committee of the township of Delaware in raising money to pay bounties to volunteers to fill the quota of said township of Delaware on the last call of the gov- ernment for 500,000 men, and wherever any person has furnished a sub- stitute which connted on the quota assigned to said township under said call for 500,000 men, such person shall be paid the sum of $668.08."
A vote was then taken, which resulted as follows: For the resolution, 237 ; against, none.
A special town-meeting was held Jan. 14, 1865, at Sergeantsville, to take proper measures to provide for a call for troops; John T. Sergeant was elected mod- erator and Edward M. Heath appointed clerk. G. S. Bellis, J. G. Sutphin, and Dr. I. S. Cramer were con- stituted a committee on resolutions, which it appears were presented, but never placed on record.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
From the first election, in 1838, to the present time the officers have been as follows :
TOWN CLERKS.
1838-44, Amplius B. Chamberlin; 1845-51, Reading Moore ; 1852-55, John M. Chamberlin ; 1856-64, Andrew B. Rittenhouse; 1865-73, E. M. Heath; 1874-76, H. F. Bodine; 1877-79, Asa H. Ilolcombe; 1880, George W. Holcomthe.
COLLECTORS.
1838-40, Mahlon Smith ; 1841-43, John Ilnffman ; 1844-46, Jacob Bodine; 1847-49, Philip Rockafellow; 1850, Robert Bonham ; 1851-52, Wil- liam Reading ; 1853-55, Dilts Larowe ; 1856, Charles Denson ; 1857-59, Cornellus L. Hunt ; 1860-62, Sumuel Fauss ; 1863-65, David Jackson ; I866-67, Gershom Lambert; 1808-70, Allison llolcombe; 1871-73, John Bush ; 1874-76, Daniel R. Sharpe; 1877-79, L. C. Fisher; 1880, J. P. Dilts.
TOWN COMMITTEE.
1838, John Barber, Adam Williamson, Benjamin Horn, James J. Fisher, William Sergeant; 1839, Benjamin Horn, N. B. Higgins, Jobn S. Wilson, Adam Williamson, Asher Lambert; 1840, Jonas Sniton, Asher Lambert, John S. Wilson, Adam Williamson, Benjamin Horn ; 1841, Joho C. Fisher, Mablon Smith, Asher Lambert, John S. Wilson, William Hice; 1842, Asher Lambert, Mahlon Smith, Benjamin Horn, John S. Wilson, William Hice; 1843, James Wolverton, Mahlon Smith, Asher Lambert, William Hice, Benjamin Horn; 1844, Benja- min Horn, William Hice, Asher Lambert, John Barber, Mahlon Smith ; 1845-47, Mahlon Smith, Benjamin Horn, Asher Lambert, William Hice, James Snyder; 1848-49, Asher Lambert, William Hice, Jacob Bodine, Mahlon Smith, James Snyder; 1850, Tobias Shadinger, William Hice, Charles R. Swallow, James Snyder, Hiram Robbins; 1851, Jacob Bodine, William S. Dalrymple, Tobias Shadinger, John Hoffman, Mahlon Smith; 1852, Mahlon Smith, Jacob Bodine, Read- ing Moore, Tobias Shadinger, Jolin Hoffman ; 1853, Malilon Smith, John Hoffman, John J. Sntphin, Silas Hoffman, Reading Moore ; 1854, John Hoffman, Reading Moore, Andrew B. Rittenhouse, Silas Hoffman, J. J. Sutphin ; 1855, Eli Kitchen, A. B. Rittenhouse, Daniel J. Moore, Silas Hoffman, Daniel Poulson; 1856, A. B. Rittenhouse, D. J. Moore, Daniel Poulson, Andrew Wolverton, Eli Kitchen; 1857, Mahlon Smith, D. J. Moore, D. Poulson, Andrew Wolverton, Eli Kitchen; 1858, William Il. Barcroft, William Bearder, Wil- liam H. Larne, A. Wolverton, Mahlon Smith ; 1869-60, W. Bear- der, John T. Risler, Eli Kitchen, W. II. Larue, Charles W. Go- down ; 1861, Eli Kitchen, John T. Risler, Jonathan M. Dilts, Charles W. Godown, J. M. Dilts; 1862, Eli Kitchen, Jonathan M. Dilts, Jona- than M. Hoppock, Francis Rittenhouse, Gershom Lambert; 1863- 64, Eli Kitchen, J. M. Dilts, John Bodine, Francis Rittenhouse, Gershom Lambert; 1865, J. M. Dilts, William H. Barcroft, G. Lam- bert, Cyrus Risler, William Aller; 1866-68, Eli Kitchen, W. H. Bar- croft, William Aller, Andrew Wolverton, Cyrus Risler; 1869. Eli Kitchen, W. H. Barcroft, William Aller, William R. Bearder, Thomas Lake; 1870, Thomas Lake, Eli Kitchen, Acker Moore, William R. Bearder, W. H. Barcroft; 1871-73, John Hoffman, Thomas Lake, Acker Moore, W. R. Bearder, Eli Kitchen ; 1874, Anderson Bray, Thomas Lake, J. Hoffman, A. Moore, W. R. Bearder; 1875, J. Hoff- man, A. Moore, Anderson Bray, Azariah Stout, Jeremiah F. Horn ; 1876, Charles Fisher, J. F. Horn, A. Bray, A. Moore, J. Hoffman ; 1877, J. Iloffman, A. Moore, C. T. Fisher, E. Kitchen, A. Bearder; 1878, C. T. Fisher, E. Kitchen, A. Bearder, D. B. Ege, Albert John- son ; 1879, Andrew R. Bearder, Daniel B. Ege, Albert R. Johnson ; 1880, Daniel B. Ege, Albert Johnson, Samuel Horner.
CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.
1838-39. James Suyder, Esq., and James J. Fisher ; 1840-42, James Sny- der, Esq., and Abraham Conover; 1843, A. B. Chamberlin and James Snyder; 1844, A. B. Chamberlin and John S. Wilson ; 1845-46, John S. Wilson and Jeremiah Smith ; 1847, Acker Moore and Jacob Go- down ; 1848, Robert Dilts and Jeremiah Smith; 1849, Robert Dilts and John Dilts; 1850, Peter Rockafellow and Acker Moore ; 1861-53, Andrew B. Rittenhouse; 1854, Charles B. Everitt ; 1855-57, Josepli B. Case; 1858-60, David Jackson ; 1861-62, Amos Thatcher; 1863, Andrew B. Rittenhouse ; 1864-66, Daniel Sharp; 1867, George N. Holcombe; 1868, G. W. Holcombe; 1869, George N. IIolcombe ; 1870- 75, Joseph Smith ; 1876-78, Jonathan M. Dilts; 1879-80, William Aller.
The following county and State officials have been elected from Delaware :
Sheriff's .- Amplius B. Chamberlin, 1844; James Snyder, 1850.
County Clerks .- Andrew B. Rittenhouse, 1864; served five years. It is said " no man ever held the office who sustained himself and the interests of the county more creditably."
Surrogates .- Jesse C. Reed, 1849; died near the close of his term, Oct. 26, 1854. His son, John C. Reed, was appointed by Governor Rodman to fill the unexpired term, which was but a few weeks.
Judges of Common Pleas .- John Barber, 1846; died
375
DELAWARE.
Jan. 4, 1867, aged seventy-nine. Mahlon Smith, 1853; held the position ten years; died May 27, 1868, aged seventy-three.
Directors .- James Snyder, 1843; he had been a member of both branches of the Legislature, and was subsequently elected sheriff of the county. Amplins B. Chamberlin, 1844; elected sheriff the same year, which terminated his residence in Delaware township. Andrew B. Rittenhonse, 1853.
Clerk of Board of Chosen Freeholders .- Edward MI. lleath, 1865.
Members of Assembly .- James Snyder, 1838; Wil- liam Sergeant, 1856.
State Senators .- James Wilson, 1835, 1842-43; born in the north of Ireland; came to this country in 1806; died Nov. 14, 1865, aged eighty-six. James Snyder, 1839. Joseph G. Bowne, 1868; he accepted the nomi- nation very reluctantly, not being an office-seeker, in the common acceptation of the term, and made an honorable and reliable officer.
Assistant United States Marshals .- John Barber, 1850. William W. Moore, 1870; he was unable to perform the duties of the office, which was done by John C. Sine. Mr. Moore died Sept. 13, 1870.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
STOCKTON, located in School Distriet No. 98, is a village on the Pennsylvania Railroad, four miles up the Delaware from Lambertville. It was first known as "Reading's Ferry," subsequently as "Howell's Ferry," after Howell purchased the property from Reading. Upon the advent of the railroad at this place, the name was again changed, and became " Centre Bridge Station," which corresponded to the name of the post-office and hamlet on the Pennsyl- vania side of the river, at the opposite end of the turnpike bridge.
This place soon became the centre of trade and shipments for the products of the township, so that in 1851 a post-office became a necessity, and was estab- lished with the name of "Stockton." Jeremiah Smith was appointed the first postmaster. The office was kept at first in the tavern, and subsequently trans- ferred to the store now kept by G. W. Mason.
The pioneer store was kept by Daniel R. Sharp and Gershom Lambert, in 1842, in the old stone house across the creek, west of the Baptist church. It was built in 18-12 by Col. John Sharp. The first house was that of Joseph Howell. It stood on the present site of C. S. Conkling's steam saw-mill. The ferry was at this time owned by Joseph Howell, and ran from what is now the foot of Ferry Street, in Stock- ton, to a point nearly opposite, on the Pennsylvania shore.
The pioneer blacksmith was John Loomis, who in 1832 started an axe-factory in the old stone building above the Sharp & Lambert store-house. Mr. Loomis ran his machinery by water conveyed from the stream in wooden troughs. The pioneer tavern stood on or
near the site of the present Baptist church, and, in 1832, Asher Johnson built a part of the present "Stockton House;" it was enlarged in 1850 by Charles Bartels and Aaron Van Sickel. This firm also built the store now occupied by G. W. Mason, on the corner opposite the hotel.
The pioneer shoemaker was Daniel Dilts. He lived a short distance above Conkling's mill, where John White now lives.
Smith Phillips was an carly blacksmith. llis shop was where that of Samuel Hoffman now stands. The first physician to locate here was Dr. O. 11. Sproul, in 1866, now practicing in the village.
Previous to 1830 all of the present village west of Bridge Street was covered by an old orchard. The first brick house was built by William Bodine, on Main Street.
The stone-quarry in rear of the Stockton House was opened in 1874 by Peter Best, who sold the stone to the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company.
There are at present in the village three churches, one hardware-store, by S. B. Hill ; one dry-goods and grocery store, by G. W. Mason; two grocery-stores, kept by G. J. Fisher and R. R. Boss. There are also a blacksmith-, a harness-, a shoe-, and a barber-shop; lumber business, conducted by Messrs. Salter & Huff- man ; hotel, by J. S. llockenbury; one school-build- ing, with two schools; one steam saw-mill, spoke- works, and paper-mill; railroad depot, with Reading M. Dilts as express-messenger, Theodore Barber tele- graph-operator, and Daniel M. Dilts baggage-master and freight-agent. There are also saloons, meat- markets, and milliner-shops, as usually found in towns of this size.
The population in 1880 was 577. The present post- master is Gabriel Wolverton. William Dilts is the oldest man in the village of Stockton; his age is eighty-four.
HEADQUARTERS is located in the northwest part of School District No. 94, and is by road four and a half miles northeast from Stockton. The place was so named from the fact that Washington made the old stone house, still standing on the corner of the road, his headquarters for a few days during the Revolu- tion. It is a two-story structure, built in 1758. Here George Holcombe kept a store for many years, and several pleasing anecdotes are related of the haps and mishaps at the old Headquarters. A store, steam saw- and grist-mill, shoe-shop, blacksmith- and wagon- shop of Manuel Green, and about a dozen dwellings are located here. The principal part of the property, including old Headquarters, is now owned by John A. Carroll.
CROTON is a small hamlet in the extreme north corner of the township, in School District No. 92. The first store was opened in 1840, by David Rocka- fellow; it is now kept by Smith Fields, and is the only store here. A post-office was established in 1845, with John S. Hockenbury as postmaster. Smith Fields
376
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
is the present incumbent, and keeps the office in his store. In 1847 a tavern was opened by Asher Trim- mer, and is now kept by Hart Johnson. The first blacksmith was Dennis Carter, who was succeeded by Eldridge Green, the present knight of the anvil. Hol- combe Warford and John W. Hockenbury are the present wagon- and carriage-makers, while Bateman & Hockenbury operate a saw-mill. There is also a Baptist church, together with a few dwellings.
Previous to 1845 this place was known as "Aller- town," from the number of Aller families living near here, but when the post-office was established the name was changed.
PRALLSVILLE is located in School District No. 98, half a mile from Stockton, and was settled as early as 1793, when John Prall, Jr., built the house in which Maurice Wolverton now lives. Mr. Prall also built an oil- and grist-mill on the Wickhecheoke Creek, which here empties into the Delaware. He was also the pioneer merchant, and built what is known as the old Prall House, the mills, and the store, all of stone. He also opened the quarries here, and at one time conducted a very extensive business. William L. Hoppock was postmaster from 1832, the date of the establishment of the office, to 1851, when that at Stockton was opened and the one at Prallsville dis- continued. For several years William Prall and Jacob Lambert, son and son-in-law of John Prall, kept the store, while John conducted the rest of the business. The grist-mill has been enlarged to a first-class custom and flouring-mill, S. Stover proprietor. The rest of the original Prall property is owned by the heirs of the William Hoppock estate. The first physician was John Bowne, 1791-95, when he removed to Oakdale.
LOCKTOWN is located on the northwest border of the township, in School District No. 91. The first church was built in 1745. The first storekeeper was Mr. Roberson ; his store stood on the site of the one now kept by John M. Chamberlin. The first tavern- keeper was Benjamin Hyde; the old house is now occupied by William Nixon. The first postmaster was John Bellis, appointed in November, 1856.
There are at present a store by J. M. Chamberlin (who is also postmaster) and a blacksmith-shop by Samuel A. Carroll, two churches,-Baptist and Chris- tian,-and a school-house. Population of the village in 1880, 29.
ROSEMONT VILLAGE is located in the northeast part of School District No. 97, three miles from Stockton. The place was first settled by William Rittenhouse, who built the stone house now owned by George Hoppock, bearing the date 1754. Mr. Rit- tenhouse had owned the farm since 1719. HIe opened a tavern, and upon the sign was painted the emblem of a treasurer, "crosskeys," and the place was long known as the "Crosskeys Tavern." The name was subsequently changed to "Rittenhouse," by which the village was known for some time, and finally to " Rosemont," by which appellation the village has
since been known. There has never been a post-office here, and at present there is no tavern.
The first merchant was Henry Winters; he was succeeded by Samuel Hartpence, who continues the mercantile business. The pioneer blacksmith was James Opdyke; his shop stood on the site now occu- pied by the residence of Samuel Hartpence. The first wagon-maker was Samuel Green, in the house where James Hammer now lives. Mahlon William- son was the first, and is the present, shoemaker, he having lived here for fifty years. Dr. John Barcroft, who boarded at the Rosemont Tavern for about six months in 1841-42, was the first physician. The first death of a resident was that of Mrs. William Rittenhouse.
There are at present a store kept by Samuel Hart- pence; a blacksmith-shop by W. A. Shepherd; a carriage- and sleigh-factory by R. C. Phillips; a harness-shop by H. A. Chapin; an undertaker, Sam- uel Hartpence; a shoemaker, Mahlon Williamson ; two churches, Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian; one physician, G. N. Best. Population of the village in 1880, 50.
SERGEANTSVILLE is a pleasant village located in School District No. 95, close to the centre of the township and three miles northeast from Stockton. It has a population of 139. Where the first settler located is a matter of uncertainty. From the best traditionary evidence it is believed that the Sergeants were among the first, as the three brothers, Joseph, John, and Charles, previous to 1825, kept a small grocery on the corner where G. H. Fisher's harness- shop now stands. Before 1827 the locality was known as "Skunktown," from the fact of its being frequented at certain seasons of the year by skunks.
In 1827 it was found desirable that a post-office should be established, and Henry H. Fisher, Esq., procured the appointment of Jonas Thatcher; the office was named "Sergeantsville," in honor of the numerous family of Sergeants who lived in the vicin- ity at that time.
The principal early merchants were Jonas Thatcher and Sergeant Lake. Their store was in the old Fisher store-house, opposite the tavern. The stone store- building on the southwest corner of the roads was built in 1830 by H. H. Fisher. The first tavern was kept by Nathaniel Gordon, father of John, pre- vious to 1825. John Sergeant had a blacksmith-shop here prior to 1825. Dr. Richard Mershon was the first physician, in 1840. Sergeantsville has been the business centre of the township ever since the organ- ization of Delaware.
There are at present one store by J. F. Shepherd, a tavern by Jacob Wilson, a blacksmith-shop by Jacob L. Green, carriage-and-sleigh manufactory by Henry Quick, a shoe-store and manufactory by A. B. Williamson, a harness-shop by G. H. Fisher, a tin- shop by Washington Timbrook, a nursery by I. S. Cramer (also the physician), a grange and Methodist
377
DELAWARE.
Episcopal church. Mrs. Harriet Jackson is post- mistress.
SAND BROOK is a small settlement in the northeast part of the township, in School District No. 93, five and a half miles from Stockton, one mile from Ilead- quarters, and two and a half miles from Sergeants- ville. It contains a German Baptist Church, of which Rev. John P'. Moore is present pastor; a school, of which Joseph S. Fauss is the teacher ; a grist-mill, run by water-power, Hiram Moore proprietor ; a store, kept by Charles W. Moore ; a blacksmith-shop and a wagon-shop, operated by George F. Green and Joseph H. Crum respectively. John A. Moore is present post- master.
OAKDALE is a small collection of houses at Bar- ber's Station, on the Lambertville and Flemington Railroad. It is located in School District No. 105, in the south part of the township.
BROOKVILLE, half a mile from Stockton, on the river road to Lambertville, is a hamlet of about a dozen houses, grocery, and the foundry and machine- shops of Hiram Deats, at the mouth of Horn ('reek. This is also in School District No. 98. The property was owned by one Cavanagh; it was bought at sheriff's sale by Daniel Butterfoss, and by him soll to Hiram Deats, who in 1851 built the foundry and saw-mill. The Mansion House was erected in 1852, and several other buildings during that and the next two or three years. John V. Iliggins was associated with Mr. Deats; he died in 1852. During the next few years a large number of stoves were made here, but for the last fifteen years but little has been done aside from the manufacture of agricultural imple- ments.
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.