History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 96

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 96
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 96

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(Signed) "JOHN P. MOORE,

"WILLIAM H. MOORE, " DANIEL J. MoonE, " WILLIAM S. MOORE, "SABAH BREWER.

ELIZABETHI TAIMMER, MARY DALRYMPLE, CATHARINE DALRYMPLE,

ASA MOORE, SILAR SHEARMAN,

" CATHARINE A. MOORE, MARTHA MOORE, LUCY ANN SINE,

" HESTER CORSON, " KEZIAH COUDRICK. " MANTHA COUDILICK,

CATHARINE. SHEARMAN, ANNA MUORE."

The church edifice, centrally located in the village of Sand Brook, was built of stone. Elder John P. Moore has the pastoral care of the church at present (1880).

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ROSEMONT.

The first Methodist Society at Rosemont was or- ganized in 1859 at the house of Samuel Hartpence by Rev. William M. Burroughs, with the following members : Asher Reading, Samuel W. Reading, Asa Cronce, Lewis Snyder, Wilson IT. Snyder, Joseph Reading, Sr., Samuel Hartpence, and Charles Green. The church was built in 1860, of wood, and dedicated

November 8th of the same year by Bishop Edmund S. Janes. The present membership is 42; value of property, $2800.

The pastors who have served are W. M. Burroughs, John L. Hays (two years), John E. Switzer (two years). Richard Thomas (two years), Henry Trum- bower (two years), Albert Van Dusen (two years), George T. Jackson (two years). P. G. Ruckman (one year), Richard Thomas (three years), J. M. Michael (two years), and .A. S. Compton, the present pastor.

The first superintendent of the Sunday-school was Wilson H. Snyder. The total number of scholars is 75, with an average attendance of 30. Asa Cronce is the present superintendent.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF STOCKTON.

The first property owned by the board of trustees for the Methodist Episcopal Church of Stockton was a lot on Broad Street, purchased of Aaron Van Sickle, on which the society built a chapel, which was used for some years for a place of worship, and subse- quently converted into a parsonage. The first board of trustees was organized in 1865, under the administra- tion of Rev. H. Trumbower, pastor, and was as follows: Charles Romine, John Hendricks, Philip Rockafellow, Thomas C. Wanamaker, Charles R. Hunter, Garret S. Bellis, and Henry M. Trumbower. The proceed- ings of the board have been very loosely kept, conse- quently most of them have been mislaid or destroyed.

The chapel referred to, with the lot upon which it was built, cost $1000. The trustees purchased of Wil- liam Bodine, for $550, a lot on Main Street, upon which was erected the present church edifice, at a cost of $3500. The building is of wood, and has a neat and attractive audience-room, with a seating capacity of 300. There was no formal laying of the corner- stone of either chapel or church. The former was dedicated in 1866 by Rev. J. B. Graw, then of Lam- bertville, and the latter in 1876 by Rev. Robert L. Dashiel, since deceased.

The first class-leader and original members of this society were as follows : Pierson Williamson (leader), P. Williamson and wife, Charles Romine and wife, Philip Rockafellow and wife, Hannah Ann Wana- maker, John Hendricks, Mrs. Hunter, George Day and wife, Daniel Dilts and wife, Silas Huffinan and wife, and Charles Green and wife.

The pastors of the church since its organization have been Revs. HI. Trumbower, Richard Thomas, A. Van Dusen, Phineas G. Ruckman, George Jackson, Frederick Bloom, and John H. Timbrell, the present pastor. Present membership, 45; value of property, $5000.

The present officiary of the church is as follows: Stewards, Silas Huffman, William McNeal, Albert Rockafellow ; Trustees, William MeNeal, Silas Huff- man, Daniel Dilts, Albert Rockafellow, Pierson Wil- liamson, John R. Bowlsby, Charles Titus; Leaders, William Me Neal, A. H. Rockafellow.

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

The Sunday-school was formerly part of a union school whose sessions were held in the Baptist church, and was organized June 28, 1868, with Rev. Richard Thomas as superintendent and George Day as assist- ant, with 25 scholars. It is at present flourishing, with William McNeal as superintendent, Albert Rockafellow assistant, Jesse W. Weller librarian.

BEREAN BAPTIST CHURCH OF STOCKTON.

The records of this church furnish us the following in relation to its history :

"STOCKTON, N. J., March 9, 1859.

" A number of brethren, members of the Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, feeling the need of a suitable house of worship in the village of Stockton, N. J., assembled themselves together and appointed Garret Wilson, To- bias Shadinger, and Frederick S. Phillips for the purpose of erecting a house of worship in said village, to be built under the direction of five persons, whom we agree to elect on the 6th of April next at the school- house in Stockton, at 713 o'clock P.M., and to be held io trust by them as a place of worship until there shall be constituted and recognized a reg- ular Baptist Church. The following persons were elected to erect said building and hold the same in trust until such time as recognized an independent Baptist Church : George W. Sharp, Tohiae Shadinger, Joseph HI. Butterfoss, Asa Reed, and Frederick S. Phillips.

" Arrangements were made for building said house, and it was com- menced in the fall of 1859, and dedicated in January, 1861. After the dedication the pulpit was supplied ae a branch of the mother-church at Snady Ridge until Feb. 1, 1866, when the following brethren and sisters, receiving letters of dismission from the Baptist Church at Sandy Ridge, met io council with members of neighboring churches, and were consti- tuted and recognized as the ' Beread Baptist Church of Stockton :' Gar- ret Wilson, Tobias Shadinger, George W. Sharp, Joseph H. Butterfoss, Rev. Joseph Wright, Hester Wright, Joseph M. Van Cleve, Hester A. Van Cleve, R. A. Robertson, Sarah M. Rittenhouse, Watson R. Bodine, James Salter, Jacob H. Tea Eyck, Rachel M. Smith, Mary Ann Sharp, Mary E. Sharp, Melissa Aan Wanamaker, Rachel Aan Dilts, Dickerson Naylor, Mrs. Naylor, Aea Reed, Sarah Reed, Esther A. Butterfoss, C. Q. Higgine, Elizabeth Higgins, Mahala Lambert,-William R. Allen, Rending Hol- combe, Eliza Holcombe, Mary E. Holcombe, Elleu Runk, Anna Il. Wolver- ton, Permielia W. Boss, John E. Bodine, Catharine Shadinger, Sarah Dilts, Edward Koowles, Mary Bodine, Charles W. Bodine, Hannah Shadiager, Susan S. Paxeon, Elizabeth Sharp, And E. Sharp, Amelia Koowles, and Margarette Allen."

The first deacons were Garret Wilson, Tobias Shad- inger, and C. Q. Higgins. The first trustees after the recognition of the church were George W. Sharp, Tobias Shadinger, Frederiek S. Phillips, Joseph H. Butterfoss, Asa Reed, William R. Allen, and Henry B. Helyer.

March 20, 1866, the church called Rev. Charles E. Cordo to the pastorate, which he filled till July, 1867. He was succeeded by the following: Rev. John S. Hutson, May 17, 1868, to Sept. 1, 1871 ; Rev. Alfred Caldwell, Nov. 2, 1871, to Feb. 14, 1875; Rev. Benja- min F. Robb, Sept. 5, 1875, to June 1, 1879; Rev. George W. Noecker, Oct. 19, 1879, and at present officiating as pastor.

The present (1880) deacons are C. Q. Higgins, James Salter, and Charles W. Bodine, and the trus- tees James Salter, William Bodine, Joseph M. Van Cleve, Henry B. Helyer, Charles W. Bodine, Enoch Meginuis, and Hiram Deats, Jr.

The present membership is 142; cost of prop- erty when built, $5100; present value, $5450.

The Sunday-schools in Stockton were conducted as union schools, but of them there is no record prior to

the spring of 1867, when a division took place, and the Baptist Sunday-school was formed. The first superintendent was Tobias Shadinger. Average at- tendance of scholars, 75; present number of seholars, 168; number of officers and teachers, 27. Present superintendent, Andrew J. Hunt.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF STOCKTON.

In the spring of 1867 it was found that there were at least thirty Presbyterian families in Stockton and its vicinity, a goodly number of whom were desirous of organizing a Presbyterian Church and erecting a house of worship. A subscription was accordingly started, and $3500 was soon subscribed for the purpose of purchasing a lot and putting up a building. En- couraged by this success, they took measures to or- ganize a church in connection with the Old School General Assembly. Accordingly, on April 9, 1867, a petition to that effect was presented to the Presbytery of Raritan, in session at Frenchtown, N. J., signed by twenty-five members in good standing in neighbor- ing Presbyterian Churches, and also by fifteen other persons, mostly heads of families and holding to the Presbyterian faith, although not communicants. The request of the petitioners was granted by the Presby-, tery, and an adjourned meeting of that body was held at Stockton, April 23, 1867. The following persons then presented certificates from the several churches with which they had lately been connected :

From the Presbyterian Church at Rosemont : George W. Ruok, Eliza H. Wilson, Rachel Alward, Jacob Morgan Vanderhelt, Elizabeth Vander- belt, John Stockton, Elizabeth Stockton, Leman K. Strouse, Sarah Cath- arine Strouse, and Jane E. Hoppock.

From the Presbyterian Church at Lambertville: Daniel D. Dilts, Mary Dilte, Haanah Hoppock, Caroline M. Wolverton, Eden B. Huat, Louisa Hunt, Clarkson T. Hunt, Lizzie Huat, Silas W. Volk, Lizzie S. Volk, Eliza Rounenville, nod Sarah E. Hendrick.

From the Presbyterian Church of Alexandria: William V. Cnse and Sarah Case.

From the Second Presbyterina Church of Amwell : Sarah Maria Leffer.

The church was then duly organized as the "First Presbyterian Church of Stockton," with the foregoing members, twenty-five in all, and George W. Runk, Eden B. Hunt, and William V. Case were chosen ruling elders. Mr. Runk having been ordained as a ruling elder in the church at Rosemont, the other two were ordained, and all were then installed.

At the request of the church, the Presbytery ap- pointed Rev. B. Carroll stated supply. This gentle- man for several years had labored in the church at Rosemont, and also preached in the school-house and elsewhere in Stockton and vicinity.

On May 11, 1867, a meeting of the congregation was held at the school-house* in Stockton, at which the following persons were elected trustees: George W. Runk, Maurice Wolverton, John Stockton, Wil- liam V. Case, and Clarkson T. Hunt. A certificate of organization was then duly drawn up and signed by the trustees, which was soon after recorded in the

* The old stone school-house which stood on the site of the present public school-house.

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elerk's office of the county of Hunterdon, according to law, thus constituting the trustees and their sie- cessors in office a body corporate.

The building committee consisted of John Stockton, Maurice Wolverton, and Robert Sharp, with John Finney as treasurer. June 6, 1867, the trustees of the church having purchased from Eden B. Hunt a lot of ground, 150 feet front on Main Street, or the river road, the building committee proceeded to erect a church edifice thercon; and on the 1st of July following entered into an article of agreement with James Bird, of Lambertville, to ereet and complete the structure for $6270, the house to be of sandstone, 40 by 60 feet, Gothic style of architecture. Aug. 27, 1867, the corner-stone was laid by Rev. B. Carroll, with appropriate ceremonies.

At a congregational meeting held March 11, 1868, a call was made to Rev. Wmn. Swan, who was installed June 2, at which time the church was dedicated. IIe continued to officiate with great acceptance and suc- cess for a little more than ten years, when, in the fall of 1878, having received a call from a Presbyterian Church at Batavia, N. Y., he obtained a dissolution of his pastoral relation to the church, and on Sunday, November 10th, preached his last sermon in this church, after which it was several months without a pastor. April 4, 1879, at a congregational meeting, Rev. John S. Foulk, of Northumberland, Pa., was called; he accepted the call, commenced preaching at Stockton May 25th, was installed July 22d following, and is officiating at the present time. The church numbers at the present time (1880) 151 members in full communion. The property, including the par- sonage, is estimated to be worth $10,000.

THE CROTON BAPTIST CHURCHI.

This church was organized April 21, 1861, by twenty-two persons dismissed from the Kingwood Baptist Church, seven from Cherryville, twelve from Flemington, and thirty-seven baptized converts, mak- ing seventy-eight constituent members, under the pas- toral care of Rev. W. D. Hires, a missionary of the New Jersey Baptist State Convention. Hiram Rob- bins, Daniel B. Rittenhouse, Holcombe Warford, and Watson B. Everitt were chosen deacons, and Edward Barrass clerk.

May 1, 1861, the church was recognized, according to Baptist usage, by a council of ministers and mes- sengers from the Flemington, Cherryville, Sandy Ridge, Bethlehem, and other churches. The council was organized with Rev. Thomas Swaim moderator, and Rev. Il. C. Putnam clerk. After the examination of the church's covenant and Articles of Faith, it was voted to recognize it as a regular Baptist Church.

June 1, 1861, the following persons were elected trustees : Hiram Robbins, Holcombe Warford, Jacob Bearder, Smith Cronce, Watson B. Everitt, King Pyatt, and William Eick. The church was incorpo- rated June 12, 1861.

Rev. William Archer succeeded Rev. W. D. Hires Nov. 12, 1864, and the following year a substantial brick house, 36 by 54 feet, with spire, was erected at : cost of $5000, and dedicated, free of debt, Dee. S, 1865. Rev. James French preached the dedication sermon. Miss Susan B. Rittenhouse presented the church with a handsome pulpit Bible and hymn- book.

April 1, 1866, Rev. W. Archer resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. Charles Cox as a supply for six months. In April, 1867, Rev. W. Humpstone be- came the pastor, and continued in that office for three years, leaving in April, 1870. The following January, Rev. B. C. Morse was chosen, and entered at once upon his labors. During his pastorate a neat and commodious parsonage was built, at a cost of about $2000. Deacon D. B. Rittenhouse gave an acre lot for the site. In August, 1874, Rev. B. C. Morse re- signed, and in the following January Rev. G. F. Love, of Deckertown, N. J., was called ; he entered upon his work Feb. 1, 1875, and has continued until the present.

It appears from the records of the church that 228 persons have been received since its organization by letters, experience, and baptism.

CEMETERIES AND BURIAL-PLACES.

There are quite a number of burial-places in this township, but no cemetery association organized under and by authority of the laws of the State.

ROSEMONT BURIAL-GROUND, located in Rosemont, was occupied as a place of interment as early as 1729, and probably earlier, as the first person buried there was a young man (name not now known) who came over from England, on a visit to George Fox (at the time the owner of the farm on which the graveyard is located), and died of ship-fever while at Fox's. He was buried in this ground, after which a quarter of an acre, in the northeast corner of what is now known as Rosemont burying-ground, was set apart for burial purposes. George Fox sold the farm in 1729, so that the burial must have been in, or previous to, that year.

On one of the old headstones can be found the fol- lowing inscription : "C. K. 1748," The following are the names of a few of the oldest persons buried in these grounds: Sophia Stewart, died Nov. 3, 1843, aged one hundred and three; Elizabeth H. Wolver- ton, died Jan. 2, 1785, aged seventy-two; David Mor- gan, died Feb. 1, 1877, aged ninety-three; David Ent, died June 30, 1847, aged ninety-one.

The first death of a resident of what is now Rose- mont was that of Mrs. William Rittenhouse, which was caused by drowning in the well on the old tay- ern property, now owned by George Hoppock. Mah- lon Williamson has served as sexton for forty-six years, and has in that time officiated at the interment of over 900 persons. He is said to be the oldest rosi- dent of this township.

384

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

SANDY RIDGE BURYING-GROUND, adjoining the church at that place, was occupied in 1819, and the first interment was that of the remains of Rebecca Doyle, who died April 24, 1819, aged sixty-two. Her grave was dug by Garret Van Dolah, who then owned the farm now occupied by Cyrus Van Dolah, Jr.

We find on other tombstones in this graveyard the following (the date given being that of the death of the person) : Tunis Case, Aug. 21, 1846, aged eighty- four ; Rev. Joseph Wright (for several years pastor of the Sandy Ridge Baptist Church), Jan. 3, 1880, aged eighty-four; Anna Smith, April 4, 1843, aged eighty- seven ; Mary Hunt, July 11, 1839, aged eighty-seven ; Esther Butterfoss, June 24, 1846, aged eighty-eight ; Jacob Hunt, April 10, 1843, aged eighty; Elizabeth Hunt, April 26, 1842, aged eighty-one; Mary Hice, Sept. 29, 1841, aged eighty-three.

THE BARBER BURYING-GROUND, located on the old John Barber farm, in School District No. 96, now owned by William Barber, was one of the pioneer burying-places of what is now Delaware township. Following are some of the inscriptions marking the resting-place of a few of the pioneers : Nancy Barber, Dec. 27, 1797, aged thirty-five; Jacob Dennis, Sept. 20, 1799, aged thirty-four; Catharine Van Dolah, March 10, 1800, aged seventy-seven ; Nancy Coven- hoven, Oct. 1, 1801, aged fifteen; Laughlin Currie, Nov. 10, 1803, aged sixty-six; Garret Van Dolah, Aug. 10, 1807, aged eighty-one; Caleb Farley, Oct. 6, 1808, aged fifty-one ; Eleanor Runk, June 3, 1810, aged sixty-five; John Covenhoven, Sept. 9, 1812, aged fifty-two.

GERMAN BAPTIST BURYING-GROUND is located near the German Baptist church, in the north part of School District No. 94. In this yard the following inscriptions were found upon headstones: Israel Poulson, Sr., died Feb. 13, 1856, aged eighty-six (for many years pastor of the German Baptist Church) ; David Moore, Sr., May 1, 1860, aged ninety-eight; Henry Trimmer, Oct. 5, 1850, aged eighty-two; Dinah Trimmer, June 25, 1858, aged ninety ; Mary Case, Jan. 23, 1846, aged ninety-three; Sarah Myers, Oct. 2, 1872, aged eighty-one; John White, May 24, 1851, aged eighty-four; Elizabeth White, Aug. 23, 1859, aged eighty-two; Ann Carver, aged ninety ; Philip Berin, Feb. 12, 1849, aged ninety-two; Anna Hop- pock, Jan. 5, 1866, aged ninety-nine; George Cronse, June 22, 1867, aged eighty-two; Lois Cronse, July 31, 1868, aged eighty-two; Andrew Shepherd, Feb. 9, 1862, aged eighty-four; Jacob Lawshe, Nov. 28, 1865, aged ninety-nine; Hannah Lawshe, Dec. 24, 1861, aged eighty-nine.

READING BURYING-GROUND is near the Reading school-house, on the farm now owned by G. B. John- son, in School District No. 97. The Reading family are represented as follows : Lucy Reading, died Aug. 5, 1831, aged sixty-nine; Joseph Reading, died March 11, 1810, aged fifty ; Elisha E. Reading, died Aug. 18, 1824, aged forty-nine; Ann Reading, died March

28, 1843, aged fifty-eight; John Reading, died Nov. 12, 1871, aged eighty-two; Joseph H. Reading, died Feb. 5, 1874, aged fifty-one; Elizabeth Reading, died Feb. 8, 1873, aged eighty.

There are other burial-places in this township, in some of which there are merely the common field- stone placed at either end of the grave to mark the last resting-place of the departed, but without in- scriptions of any kind. There are others, however, which are properly cared for; some of these are Locktown, Sand Brook, and one near Ringos.

A little northwest of the residence of Maurice Wolverton, near Prallsville, and on his farm, is an old burial-place containing about an acre. It is now in a neglected state, being overrun with trees, bushes, and weeds. Here rest the remains of the older stock of the Rittenhouse family. Many of the graves are marked by the common unlettered field-stones, there being but little marble. The graves of John Cava- nagh's two wives are here,-Ann, aged twenty, and Hannah, aged twenty-two. There is also a marble gravestone upon which is inscribed, "Peter Ritten- house, born 1737; died 1804, aged 67 years; his wife, Sarah, died May 16, 1814, aged 76." This Peter Rit- . tenhouse was a son of William (the first). The fol- lowing is inscribed on a field-stone in this graveyard, and is supposed to refer to the Cavanagh family : "A. W. D. C. D. C. 1732."

SOCIETIES.

" Delaware Council, No. 53, Order of United Amer- ican Mechanics," of Stockton, was instituted Nov. 7, 1870, by State Councilor A. W. Johnson, with the following charter members : Daniel M. Sherman, John W. Dilts, Alfred Wanamaker, Charles S. Hendricks, William Sharp, Charles A. Slack, John Moore, Daniel D. Sperling, Azariah Stout, Daniel R. Sharp, Fred- erick S. Phillips, Moses R. Dilts, Bennett S. Cooper, Jacob HI. Ten Eyck, William R. Quick, Henry C. Wanamaker.

The original officers were : Councilor, Alfred Wan- amaker; Vice-Councilor, Charles S. Hendricks; Rec. Sec., Daniel M. Sherman ; Asst. Rec. Sec., Frederick S. Phillips ; Fin. Sec., Henry C. Wanamaker ; Treas., Daniel R. Sharp; Inductor, Azariah Stout; Exam- iner, Bennett S. Cooper; S. P., Daniel D. Sperling ; O. P., William R. Quick.

The succeeding presiding officers of the council have been as follows :

1871, Daniel Sherman, Azariah Stout; 1872, Bennett S. Cooper, Freder- ick S. Phillips; 1873, Charles Slack, Andrew Stout ; 1874, Daniel R. Sharp, J. D. Kinney ; 1875, John B. Watseo, William Sharp; 1876, Miles W. Joliason, R. B. Maxwell ; 1877, J. W. Dilts, G. Wolverton ; 1878, Jesse W. Weller, A. W. Miller; 1879, Daniel R. Sharp, William R. Quick ; 1880, Jesse W. Weller, J. D. Kinney.

The regular meetings of this council are held on Thursday evening of each week, in Masonic Hall, in the village of Stockton. Total membership, 40.

The present officers are : Councilor, J. D. Kinney ; V. C., Alfred Wanamaker ; R. S., R. B. Maxwell ; A.

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DELAWARE.

R. S., J. F. Sherwood; F. S., William A. Phillips; Treas., J. B. Watson ; Indr., J. P. Quinn; Exr., J. F. Everett; I. P., Daniel White; O. P., Daniel R. Sharp; Junr. Exr., J. W. Weller; Senr. Exr., Wil- liam R. Quick.

"Orpheus Lodge, No. 137, A. F. and A. M.," was in- stituted in Stockton, Jan. 22, 1874, with Joshua I'rimmer, A. J. Rounsaville, and Isaac S. Cramer as warrant members. The following were the original officers : Worshipful Master, Isaac S. Cramer ; Senior Warden, A. J. Rounsaville; Junior Warden, Joshua Primmer; Treas., C.S. Wolverton ; See., G. B. Johnson ; Senior Deacon, J. M. Hoppock ; Junior Deacon, H. 1. Crellen ; Tiler, S. Hartpence. The lodge was in- stituted and officers installed by W. A. Pembrook, Grand Master ; J. V. Bentley, Deputy Grand Master; M. B. Smith, Senior Grand Warden; Joseph L. De La Cour, Junior Grand Warden ; Joseph HI. Hough, Grand Sec.

The succeeding Masters of the lodge have been A. I. Rounsaville, 1876; Nathaniel Shepherd, 1877; Robert Kewven, 1878; Norris Haruem, 1879; G. Wolverton, 1880.

The regular communications are held on the Mon- day evening on or before the full of the moon in each month, in Masonic Hall, in the village of Stockton. Present membership, 43.

" Locktown Grange, No. 88, P. of II.," was organized March 5, 1875, by County Deputy George B. Stothoff, in the school-house, with the following charter mem- bers : H. F. Bodine, Amy Bodine, E. M. Hcath, Annie B. Heath, David Bodine, Emily Bodine, John T. Eick, W. B. Hockenbury, Kate Ilockenbury, Anderson Bray, Cyrus Risler, George D. Rittenhouse, Deborah Ritten- house, Asa Hockenbury, Jonas L. Strimple, Asa Cor- son, Lydia Corson, W.S. Hawk, Charles Hardon, J. T. Horn, R. S. Conover, Levi Snyder, H. Elma Snyder, A. D. Ward, Uriah Sutton, Susan Stout, William R. Bearder. The following officers were elected and in- stalled : Master, E. M. Heath; Overseer, A. D. Ward ; Lecturer, Cyrus Risler ; Steward, David Bodine ; Asst. Steward, Levi Snyder; Chaplain, W. R. Bearder ; Treas., W. B. Hoekenbury ; Sec., HI. F. Bodine; Gate- Keeper, R. S. Conover ; Ceres, 11. Elma Snyder ; Po- mona, Kate Hockenbury ; Flora, Deborah Ritten- house; Lady Asst. Steward, Amy Bodine.

.The first meetings for a year were held in a room at the hotel. The hall of Samuel A. Carroll was rented April 1, 1876, and occupied for three years. At a meeting held Sept. 30, 1878, it was resolved to build a hall, and David Bodine, Andrew Bearder, and (October 19th) E. M. Heath were appointed a build- ing committee. The edifice was erceted and dedica- ted Feb. 1, 1879, by H. F. Bodine (he being ap- pointed by the W. M. of the New Jersey State Grange), assisted by the Master and building com- mittee of Locktown Grange.

In 1875 twelve persons were initiated ; since that time from one to three have joined each year. The

following is a list of the successive Masters and seere- taries since 1875 :

MASTERS.

1876, David Bodine; 1877-78, H. F. Bodine; 1879, David Bodine; 1880, Andrew Bearder.

SECRETARIES.

1876, It. F. Bodino; 1877-78, A. W. Carrell; 1870-80, John T. Eick.

A. W. Carrell was purchasing agent in 1877-78, H. F. Bodine in 1879-80, and in 1877 Amos B. Sutton was elected selling agent, which position he still holds. The purchases in I880 amounted to about $800. Of the charter members, twenty-one are still connected with the grange, and five have left; two have withdrawn to join other granges. Present num- ber of members, 38. The grange is in a prosperous condition. The County Grange has held two ses- sions in Locktown sinec the hall was erected.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 96

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