USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 6
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Charles C. Wallace was installed pastor October 29, 1860, and remained a little over three years, when Rev. James A. Little became a stated supply and was installed as pastor April 27, 1865. During his pastorate of three years, the church was repaired at the expense of $10,000. A call was extended in July, 1869, to Rev. Aaron Peck, who accepted and was installed January 19, 1870. During his ministry the church was cleared of debt; he remained until 1877, and was succeeded in the fall of that year by Rev. N. W. Cary, who continued with other supplies until July 13, 1880, when Rev. David Stevenson received a call and was installed on October 13th of that year.
Rev. James H. Owens, of Bushnell, Illinois, the successor of Rev. David Stevenson, was installed August 12, 1886, and a manse was built on High street in the following year. In 1891 a new chapel was erected in the rear of the church, and in 1894 Mr. Owens resigned and became the pastor of the East Side Church, of Paterson. Rev. George B. Van Dyke, of Watertown, New York, was installed, and after serv- ing for four years resigned to accept a call from the Presbyterian church at Hammonton, New Jersey. The pulpit was filled for one year by Rev. Henry Ketcham, of Westfield, at the end of which time Rev. Dr. Harlan G. Mendenhall became the pastor. The increase in membership and the rapid growth of the city demanded increased accommodations, and the corner-stone of the present church was laid April 12, 1902. The services were very interesting, many visiting clergymen and others being present. Mayor Charles K. Seaman, the pastors of the Methodist, Baptist, and other churches, delivered addresses, and the clergy of Elizabeth, Woodbridge and Metuchen participated in the exercises. The church, on the corner of High and Market streets and facing the City Hall park, is of old English Gothic style, built of peach blossom granite, with one large and two smaller towers, is a handsome structure, and beautifully and tastefully furnished. Revs. James H. Northrup and William A. Littell succeeded Dr. Mendenhall, and the present pastor, Rev. Frederick D. Niedermeyer, was installed in 1920.
The first date on record of Methodist preaching in Amboy is fur- nished by the journal of Bishop Francis Asbury, who states that on Thursday, February 27, 1772, he preached in a large upper room at Mr. T.'s, in Amboy. The entry also shows that he was entertained at the Long Ferry House, which was operated in connection with a ferry connecting the stages between New York and Philadelphia. The regu- lar services of the Methodist preacher dates from about 1813, when Amboy was included in the Elizabethtown circuit, and Revs. Thomas Morrell, Robert Cloud, John McCloskey, Joseph Totten and David Bartine were among the first circuit preachers and were instrumental in the formation of a church in the city. A regular organization was formed in 1818, but it was not until 1837 that a church edifice was
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built, mainly through the exertions of the Rev. Isaac Cross, who became the first settled minister. He remained two years, according to the itinerant rules of the Methodist church. When the church was organ- ized there were but twelve members; this had increased in 1882 to a membership of two hundred and twenty. The present church, known as the "Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church," on the corner of High and Jefferson streets, was erected in 1866, with a seating capacity of six hundred. The Rev. Wilbert Westcott was pastor in 1919.
The First Danish Methodist Episcopal Church, on the corner of Jefferson street and Madison avenue, was organized in 1868 by a number of immigrants from Denmark who had settled in the city and attended services in the Methodist church. Prominent among these immigrants were Mr. Buck and his sons, who resided in an antiquated stone build- ing on the southwest corner of Fayette street and Maiden Lane. The Bucks were gifted in vocal music, and their home became a Danish rendezvous, the exercises soon partaking of a religious character, result- ing in the conversion of a number of persons, thus forming the nucleus of a society that worshipped for two or three years in a building on the east side of State street between Fayette and Jefferson streets. A plain neat structure was built and dedicated in 1876, seating two hundred persons, and the Rev. F. W. Erickson became the regular pastor. The congregation at the present time is in charge of Rev. Ole Neilsen.
The first organization of a church of the Baptist denomination in Perth Amboy took place August 26, 1818. The Rev. Thomas Winters received a unanimous call to become pastor of a small congregation, which he accepted, remaining in charge until 1823, when he was suc- ceeded by the Rev Jabez C. Goble. Services were held in the old court house, and sometimes at the residence of some of the members, but in 1824 the erection of a church was commenced. It was not completed for several years, and in 1855 extensive repairs were necessitated by changes in the grade of the street. The pulpit since the retirement of Rev. Jabez C. Goble was filled for the next half a century by no less than a score of ministers who remained in charge of the congregation for two or three years each.
The First Baptist Church has been worshipping for a number of years past in their church on Madison avenue, near Market street, the previous church on Fayette street having been sold. The congregation has recently purchased the residence and property of the late Dr. Charles McKnight Smith, corner of High and Market streets, and propose in the near future to erect a church thereon. The present pastor is Rev. William H. Bawden. Some of the natives of Hungary, residents of the city, are members of the congregation of the Hungarian Baptist Church on the corner of Keene and Francis streets. The present pastor is the Rev. Andrew Toth. Other citizens of this nativity are members of the con-
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gregation of the Magyar Reformed Church on Kirkland street, the Rev. Louis Nanassy being the present pastor.
The first services held in Perth Amboy under the rites of the Roman Catholic religion were prior to the year 1842, in the house of James Tuite, on every alternate Sunday. It was in 1846, through the endeav- ors of the Rev. Thomas Quin that a neat brick church was erected on Centre street at a cost of about $3,000. Since the founding of this church, St. Mary's, the following pastors have been in charge: The Rev. Ber- nard McArdle; Father Madrana, who was the parish priest at the Quar- antine Station on Staten Island ; Revs. John Rodgers, Stephen Sheridan, Patrick McCarthy, John Cornell. The latter was succeeded by Rev. Peter L. Connolly, who retired September 3, 1898, and the Rev. Bernard T. O'Connell. of Bound Brook, New Jersey, was assigned to St. Mary's. Father O'Connell, on taking charge of the parish, commenced the erec- tion of the present rectory adjoining the church ; he removed the convent to the opposite corner from the church. In 1903, the reverend father built one of the most attractive and artistic religious edifices in the State, on the corner of Centre and Mechanic streets. The internal arrangements are fully equal to the exterior, and will always be a lasting monument to the zeal and enterprise of the faithful and beloved pastor under whose direction it was constructed. Father O'Connell's health failed gradually, and in 1915 he was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Wil- liam P. Cantwell, the present incumbent.
Among the Catholic population of Perth Amboy prominently identi- fied with its business interests are Hungarians, Slavs, Italians and Polish, who have established places of worship that have grown from a humble commencement to large, influential and prosperous parishes. Among these are the Church of Our Lady of Hungary, on Cortlandt street, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Francis Gross; the Church of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, on Barclay street, the priest in charge being the Rev. Colombino Galassi; the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Slovak Church, on the corner of Penn and Neville streets, in charge of the Rev. Joseph Szuchy; the St. Stephen's Polish Catholic Church, corner of State and Buckingham avenue, the spiritual welfare of the congregation being in charge of the Rev. Joseph Urban. Under the generic name Roman Catholics are comprised all those Christians who acknowledge the supremacy of the Roman Pontiff, even though they be not of the Roman or Latin rite, therefore churches of other rites are included under this designation and are permitted to retain their own national liturgy and language, and for the most part their established discipline and usages. There are in Perth Amboy the following churches where services are conducted under these provisions: The Hungarian Slavish Greek Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist, under Rev. Peter Kustan, on the corner of Broad and Division streets; the Ruthen-
ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, PERTH AMBOY
GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH, PERTH AMBOY
18771
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ian Greek Catholic Assumption Church, on Easton avenue, of which the present priest is Rev. Joseph Czaplinski; St. Michael's Catholic Magyar Church of the Greek Rite, on the corner of Hall and Amboy avenues, is under the supervision of Rev. Victor Kovaliczky; the St. Spiridoin Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church is located on Elizabeth street, the priest in charge being the Rev. Dimitrius Jarema.
Grace Evangelical Lutheran (English speaking) Church was organ- ized and the church and manse erected on Jefferson street in 1903. Rev. Emil Keuling was pastor until 1905, when Rev. Robert Schlotter suc- ceeded him. During the latter period the church building was raised and the basement fitted up as a Sabbath school room. The membership of the church is 400, and that of the Sabbath school 350.
The congregation of the St. Paul's Deutsche Evangelische Church on First street is composed of residents of the city of German nativity and their descendants. The services are held in their mother language under the pastorage of the Rev. Jacob Ganss.
Some of the natives of Denmark in the city with their families, constitute a congregation known as St. Stefan's Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church. Their place of worship is located on Broad street, and services are held regularly, the present pastor being Rev. Hans Hansen. Other Danish families attend the services of the Our Saviour's Danish Lutheran Church on State street, conducted by Rev. Villads B. Skov.
The first Hebrew synagogue was erected on Hobart street and it was given the name Beth Mordecai in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wolff, of South Amboy, and their son, Max. The second synagogue was erected on Madison avenue, near Jefferson street, and known as Sherai Tefiloh Temple. It is a large and imposing structure, and has a membership of 200. The Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Associations will soon erect a handsome building adjoining the synagogue. Rabbi S. Rab- binowitz has been located here for five years. There is also a temple on Hall avenue.
The Salvation Army became an established institution in the city in 1888. The headquarters were located in a number of places until about four years ago, when the present building, on Madison avenue, near Jefferson street, was erected. A hotel for men is operated in con- nection with the Army work. Captain G. Kliphouse is the efficient officer in charge.
There are in the city besides the churches already mentioned, the Danish Seventh Day Adventists, who have a house of worship on Neville street, and the First Swedish Congregation, who hold services in a church located on Gordon street.
The Perth Amboy Honor Roll on the World War is given in the Appendix.
HAROLD E. PICKERSGILL.
THE PUBLIC LO
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SOUTH AMBOY-BROADWAY, NORTH FROM HENRY STREET.
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SOUTH AMBOY -- MAIN STREET. LOOKING WEST.
CHAPTER XXVIII CITY OF SOUTH AMBOY.
South Amboy, situated on the extreme eastern border of Middlesex county, is separated from Perth Amboy and Staten Island by Raritan Bay, which forms its northern and northeastern boundary. On the south it is bounded by Madison, and west by Sayreville township. When formed, it was one of the oldest and largest of the townships; but, by the reduction of its area, in the formation of other townships, it is now the smallest, territorially, of the townships; yet the portion which remains is commercially very important, and in the past extended its improving influence far inland in every direction. Beds of valuable clay and sand extend in all directions inland, and have always been important factors in its commerce and manufactures. The Camden & Amboy division of the Pennsylvania railroad, and the New York & Long Branch division of the New Jersey Central railroad, afford excel- lent facilities for travel and freight, the former causing the growth of the town and supplying employment on its railroad tracks and coal docks, and in its offices, shops and freighting industry, to a large pro- portion of the population. The different trolley lines connect it with many points in Middlesex and Monmouth counties.
In 1683 the Proprietors of East Jersey made strenuous exertions to open a road from Perth Amboy to Burlington, to divert the travel that was then taking the route from Elizabethtown Point to the Dela- ware, via New Brunswick, and in 1684 Deputy-Governor Laurie suc- ceeded in opening a road, which is still used, connecting it by a ferry- boat to Staten Island. Notwithstanding all these efforts, the old Dutch road, via New Brunswick, continued to be the more popular.
One of the first settlers was Lazarus Wilmurt, who located very early on the property afterward owned by the late Richard S. Conover. His son Daniel became very prominent as a hotel keeper and the owner of lines of boats and stages. Timothy Rose located on the Kearney tract, west of the village, and left a large family. John Disbrow, the earliest known representative of the family in this locality, owned a large tract of land in the eastern part of the settlement, and extending to the Bay ; he sold the property to Samuel Gordon in 1808, and removed to Roundabout, now Sayreville. Early in 1800, several families resided along the bay-shore, among them the Morgans, Rolfes, Brookfields, Bloodgoods, Johnsons, Kearneys, Hansels, and Hanks. The Rattoone House, an old hostelry, the date of its erection being unknown, stood at the end of the old Bordentown road during the Revolution. It was a large, low and rambling structure, and kept by John Rattoone, of
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Perth Amboy, a justice of the peace in 1791 ; it was destroyed by fire in 1849.
In 1833 the Camden & Amboy railroad ran its first train to Borden- town, drawn by a locomotive which had been made in England for this road. It was on exhibition at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, and always known as the "Johnny Bull." Samuel Gordon opened the first store in 1808. John Perrine, known as Judge, father of Orlando and Harry C., started a store in 1831 on the east side of Main street, and had many successors. Other merchants have been John E. Montgomery, Benjamin F. Howell, James Gordon, Orlando and Ward C. Perrine, John Hillman, William Thorn, Jacob Goodman, Isaiah Disbrow and others. About this time the establishment of several building and loan associations were great factors in the growth of the town. In 1875, the New York & Long Branch division of the New Jersey Central railroad was put in operation and afforded a much needed means of transportation to the metropolis.
The first resident lawyer was Charles Morgan, son of the General, and the first physician was Dr. L. D. Morse, who came in 1832. The postoffice was established in 1844, with Charles Perrine as postmaster. Among his successors have been Abraham S. Everett, Albert Roll, Henry C. and Mrs. Cadmus, Bernard Roddy and Frank Degraw. James Rea is the present postmaster. Samuel Gordon was the pioneer clay miner, commencing in 1807 and continuing until his death in 1834. Maxfield, Parisen, Everett, Perrine, Disbrow and the Furmans, also mined clay and fire-sand. A factory known as the Congress Hill Pottery was built at an early date near the shore, at the foot of Bordentown turnpike, by William Hancock, from England, who made a superior quality of chinaware. In 1849, Abraham Cadmus purchased the plant and manufactured Rockingham and yellow-ware. The Bergen Iron Works, originally built in 1832 in Monmouth county by Joseph W. Brick, was removed in 1880 by his son, R. A. Brick, to South Amboy, who made pipes for water and gas. A large foundry, machine shop and other buildings were erected, and an extensive business was done for years.
The Swan Hill Pottery, on Raritan Bay shore, was built by Sparks & Moore in 1849 for the manufacture of Rockingham and yellow-ware. After a great number of changes of proprietors it became the property of the late Henry C. Perrine, who conducted it for a number of years. It is now devoted to the manufacture of terra-cotta. The Providence Pottery, near the above, was erected by James Wooton in 1876, and Rockingham, yellow and white majolica ware, and white and colored vases and plaques, were manufactured. The business was removed to Old Bridge a number of years ago. In 1872, the Camden & Amboy railroad was leased by the Pennsylvania railroad, which soon began to
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build car-noats to transport loaded freight cars across the Hudson river from Jersey City to New York. This caused a great loss of busi- ness to South Amboy, and labor sought employment to a greater extent than before on the coal docks. The Pennsylvania railroad continued to increase the shipment of coal and to build wharves for that purpose, until now the city is one of the most important coal ports in the country.
South Amboy was erected as a township soon after the organization of Middlesex county in 1685. Originally it was eighteen miles long and six miles wide, and had an area of 64,000 acres. In 1838, Monroe was taken from its territory ; in 1869, Madison ; and in 1876, Sayreville. An act passed by the Council and Assembly, February 23, 1838, erecting Monroe township out of that portion of South Amboy lying west of the Matchaponix and South rivers, also provided that the inhabitants of that part of South Amboy township that lies east of the said Matchaponix and South rivers "be constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name of the Inhabitants of the Township of South Amboy, in the County of Middlesex," and appointing the first town meeting to be held on the second Monday of April, 1838, at the public-house of Clarkson Brown. None of the records of South Amboy prior to 1838 can be found, and in many of the years the minutes are totally missing. Among former chosen freeholders were Noah Furman, Ward C. Perrine, John Scully, Benjamin F. Howell, Cornelius McGonigle, Leonard and Andrew H. Furman and Michael Welsh.
St. Mary's (R. C.) Church is the oldest house of worship in the city. Previous to 1849, Rev. John Rogers, of New Brunswick, con- ducted services in a small building. In that year Rev. Michael A. Madden was made resident pastor and a church was built. Rev. John A. Kelley came in 1854, and for over twenty-five years was the zealous and beloved pastor of his people. The present church, a large and hand- some edifice, was dedicated September 17, 1876; the old church is now used as a parochial school and lecture hall. Rev. Dr. Edward C. Griffin is the pastor.
Methodist services were first held in private houses in 1832 by Rev. L. W. Johnson, who remained in the town for five years, and was assisted during the latter part of that term by Rev. John Stockton, who remained after Mr Johnson's departure, and who, it is supposed, effected the organization of the church. The church on Broadway, near the centre of the city, was built in 1854 and enlarged in 1880. Rev. George W. Abel is the pastor.
Christ (P. E.) Church, formerly St. Stephen's Church, had its begin- ning in religious services conducted by Rev. Joseph F. Phillips, of St. Peter's Church, Spotswood, in a small building, in 1850. In 1852, Mrs. Esther B. Stevens erected the present large stone church on Main street, at the head of Broadway, and presented it to the parish. In 1862, by
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act of the Legislature, the name of the church was changed to that of Christ Church. Rev. H. C. Mitchell is the rector. The Doane Memorial Chapel was erected in 1866 by Mrs. Richard S. Conover, in memory of George Washington Doane, formerly bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey. It is on the road from South Amboy to Matawan, and about a mile from the city.
The First Presbyterian Church was organized in 1864 and the church erected in 1868 on Broadway. Rev. Herbert J. Allsup is the pastor. The Methodist Protestant Church was organized January 17, 1866, and two years later a church was erected. The pastor is Rev. Thomas H. Slater. On February 11, 1873, the First Baptist Church was organized and a church built in 1878. Rev. George W. McCombe is the pastor.
The first school teachers of whom there is any record were John F. Hunter, Charles H. Knickerbocker and Oliver Cox. About 1850 Mrs. John C. Stevens erected a school house at the intersection of Broadway and Main street, and presented it to the town. It was in use urtil two districts were established and new buildings erected. The city now has a large high school, and two other schools, employing thirty-three teachers, and attended by 800 pupils. Prof. Oscar M. Barr is the city superintendent.
The First National Bank was organized in 1888. Officers: Harry C. Perrine, president; Daniel C. Chase, vice-president ; R. C. Stephenson, cashier ; T. Francis Perrine, assistant cashier and trust officer. Directors -The above officers, and Henry Wolff, J. Baird Perrine, George V. Bogart and Charles Safran.
The borough of South Amboy was established in 1888, with Cornelius McGonigle as the first mayor. The charter of the city of Perth Amboy was granted June 12, 1908, and Dr. Ambrose Treganowan, a well-known physician, was chosen as the first mayor. The present officials are as follows: Mayor, Francis H. Gordon; aldermen-Michael J. Stanton, president ; Daniel J. Delaney, alderman-at-large ; George A. Kress, James W. Hackett and Jacob A. Schuey; clerk, Peter J. Coakley; collector, A. V. Vandusen ; recorder, Francis H. Gordon (acting) ; solicitor, Francis P. Coan ; physician, Dr. Eugene M. Meachem; Board of Education- Richard M. Mack, president; Daniel J. Delaney, Richard U. Rue, Wil- liam Woodward and Francis P. Coan; clerk, James Halton; Board of Health-B. J. Monaghan, Thomas Lovely, Stanley Witowski, Dr. S. Kenny; and Thomas Tomazewski, clerk; inspector, Nicholas Howley.
The city has numerous lodges, societies and beneficial organizations : General Morgan Lodge, Odd Fellows; St. Stephen's Lodge, No. 63, Free and Accepted Masons ; Good Samaritan Lodge, Knights of Pythias ; St. Mary's Temperance and Benevolent Society ; St. Patrick's Benevolent Society ; Ancient Order of Hibernians, and Seneca Tribe, Independent Order of Red Men.
HAROLD E. PICKERSGILL.
THE W ٠ PUBLIC L 20 0
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BIRDS-EYE VIEW OF WOODBRIDGE
BLOOMFIELD MANOR. METUCHEN,
Formerly in Woodbridge Township, built in 1821; deeds always held in Bloomfield family; property of C. A. Bloomfield.
REVOLUTIONARY LANDMARK, WOODBRING"
CHAPTER XXIX. WOODBRIDGE AND PISCATAWAY TOWNSHIPS.
Woodbridge Township was so called in honor of Rev. John Wood- bridge, who, with a number of associates and their families, came from Newbury, Massachusetts, in the latter part of the summer of 1665, and settled in Woodbridge, at the solicitation of Captain Philip Carteret, Governor of the Province of New Jersey and cousin of Sir George Car- teret, who with Lord John Berkeley were joint Lords Proprietors of the Province.
Mr. Woodbridge was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1613. In the old manuscript, "Records of Deeds and Surveys in Woodbridge," in the Historical Society's Library, his name is attached to the acknowl. edgement of a deed given by Richard Dole to John Rolf, dated April 27, 1685. From the manner in which his name is signed it is probable that he was an assistant justice, such as were annually elected to the township court in the early days of Woodbridge. These original settlers, about thirty families in all, were mainly from England and Scotland. The following, copied from the East Jersey Records, volume 1, page 2, in the Secretary of State's office at Trenton, will give an idea of the original ownership of the land upon which the township was founded :
A contract made by Capt. Philip Carteret, Governor of the Province of New Jersey, John Ogden and Luke Watson, of Elizabethtown, of the first part ; and Daniel Pearce, of Newbury, Massachusetts, and his asso- ciates, of the second part, dated Dec. 11, 1666. Daniel Pearce paid to party of the first part the sum of four score pounds sterling, being in full for said tract of land known by the name of Arthur Cull, or Amboyle, or any other name it may be called by. This land was purchased from the natives, or Indians, by John Bayly, Daniel Denton and the said Luke Watson, as the said Bill of Sale from the natives, bearing date Oct. 28, 1664, will more fully at large appear; which John Bayly and Daniel Denton have made over to the said Philip Carteret, and John Ogden, as will appear by the bill of sale.
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