USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 10
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and continuing along the line of West Long Branch borough to the mid- dle of Turtle Mill brook; and thence along the middle thereof in an easterly direction to the middle of Monmouth road and the place of be- ginning.
It was while Rev. Harry Finch was rector of Christ Church in Shrewsbury, that he commenced in 1830 to hold Episcopal services in Eatontown, at first in private houses and later in the Masonic Hall. These meetings were however held at irregular intervals, and it was until 1863 that the Rev. Thomas Taylor began stated services in the Baptist church, which were continued nearly three years, when a parish was or- ganized. A meeting was held March 7, 1866, and it was resolved that the parish be styled "St. James' Memorial Church in Eatontown," and Rev. Thomas J. Taylor was called to become the first rector. A lot was purchased April 16, 1866, the cornerstone of a church was laid August 16, 1866, and it was dedicated June 19, 1868, Bishop William H. Oden- heimer officiating. The church was built of stone, twenty-four by fifty- two feet, at a cost of $6,000, nearly all of which was contributed by Ga- briel West. A chancel window was placed in the church by Mr. West in memory of his three children. At the time of Mr. West's death in 1877, he provided in his will that his residence should be used as a parsonage, and also left a legacy of $9,000 to the church.
The Rev. Thomas Taylor resigned the rectorship March 1, 1867, and was succeeded by Rev. William R. Earle, April 14, 1867, who on November 29, 1868, handed his resignation to the congregation, and the following Easter Sunday the Rev. Alfred Goldsborough was installed as rector, serving until December 29, 1870. The Rev. D. C. Loop took charge of the parish May 14, 1871, resigning December 1, 1873, and was succeeded by Rev. Anthony Ten Broeck , who was installed September 6, 1874, serving until his death, September 22, 1880. The next to have charge of the parish was the former rector, Rev. D. C. Loop, serving from July 24, 1881, until his death August 23, 1883, and on October 21st of the latter year the Rev. W. Henry Capers became rector. His resig- nation took place in July, 1886, when there was a vacancy for two and a half years, and in February, 1889, the Rev. George Howell was installed as rector. His stay was short, as he resigned June 29, 1890, and the following January the Rev. Robert T. Roche was placed in charge of the congregation. His death occurred in July, 1901, and in the next five years the rectorship was vacant a portion of the time; during this inter- val the Revs. William White and W. N. R. Ashmead were for a short, time in charge of the parish. The Rev. C. Graham Adams commenced his labors in January, 1906. The congregation during his ministry, which continued for a decade of years, constantly diminished until it gradually nearly reached the vanishing point. He finally tendered his resignation and retired from active preaching. The rectorship was vacant for two years, and in January, 1919, the present pastor, the Rev. Richard D.
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Kemp, was placed in charge, the membership of the society gradually re- turned, and it now numbers sixty communicants.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Eatontown dates back about seventy years. For a number of years prior to 1852 services were held in a school house on Railroad avenue. In 1851 a church was erected on Railroad avenue and dedicated March 24, 1852. At that time the church was under the care of Rev. Bartholomew Weed, who remained for two years thereafter. The church has been blessed with many successful revivals in which a goodly number united with the church. During the ministry of the Rev. C. F. Garrison, who died July 2, 1914, while in charge of the congregation, the church was removed to a more suitable site on Broad street, its present location. Rev. Mr. Garrison's successor was Rev. Burton J. K. Way, who was succeeded by Rev. Joseph E. Patter- son, who gave way to Rev. Roy H. Ellinghouse. His successor, Rev. Harry Van Cleaf, is the present pastor in charge of the congregation.
The Presbyterians at Eatontown were at first under the charge of the Shrewsbury church, and services were held in a school house for many years. A neat church was erected in Broad street in 1878, with Rev. Thaddeus Wilson pastor. There is no resident pastor, and Rev. D. L. Parsons, of the Shrewsbury church, conducts services on Sunday even- ings.
The first sermon preached in Eatontown was by a Baptist clergyman in November, 1843. There was then no church in the place, and except- ing members of the Society of Friends, but two professing christians to be found. The visiting missionary was Rev. T. S. Griffiths, who re- moved to the West in 1850 and was succeeded by the Rev. Robert T. Middleditch, in charge of the Red Bank church, of which Eatontown was an outstation. The Red Bank church had so increased in membership that it required the entire time of its pastor, and this led to the organiza- tion of an independent church, known as the Eatontown Baptist Church. The first step taken in this direction was in 1815, by the erection of a small house of worship, the membership consisting of seventeen, and on application the church was admitted into the East New Jersey Baptist Association. The Rev. Charles A. Votey became the first pastor, but during his second year he closed his labors, removing to the West. For the next two years the church was without a pastor, and in June, 1856, Rev. Mr. Teed accepted a call to become pastor, continuing two years, the next pastor, Rev. Augustus Pawley, being settled over the congrega- tion in 1860; the church was then under a cloud, debt on the property and financial reverses caused discussion of the advisability of disposing of the real estate and disbanding the congregation. The membership was reduced to seven, but still they struggled on, though threatened with foreclosure, without a pastor or clerk, until 1870, when by renting the church property to different denominations and receiving several acces- sions to their membership, a new impetus and permanent strength was
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given to the congregation. A new and prosperous era dawned in 1872. A Sunday school was organized, the church withdrew from the East New Jersey Association, and was received into the fellowship of the Trenton Association. The Rev. S. V. March accepted the call of the church in October, 1873, and became pastor. During his ministry one hundred were added to the church membership, and a branch mission was organ- ized at Long Branch. The Rev. S. V. Marsh resigned in 1876, and in October that year Rev. Jabez Marshall became pastor, continuing till September, 1880. He was succeeded in the following November by Rev. A. N. Whitmarsh, who was installed January 11, 1881, and served until 1883, when he was succeeded by Rev. William S. Russell. The church maintained an existence for several years, but the congregation was finally disbanded. The church at the present day is not in use, and rapidly falling into decay.
The Second Advent Church was erected in South street in 1869, though services of this denomination had been held in Eatontown for about thirty years preceding this event. The pulpit was filled with supplies until 1872, when the Rev. S. W. Bishop was settled. He served two years, and for the next decade the pulpit was filled by a layman. A society was organized in 1885, and the Rev. Eseek Wolcott became pas- tor. His successors have been the Revs. Willis Brown, Godfrey Gilbert, L. P. Giles, and since 1918 the present incumbent, Rev. M. M. Shurtleff. A church was built in the southern part of the borough, which was struck by lightning July 19, 1921, causing a fire which destroyed the shingle roof, but left standing the side walls of cement block, which have been utilized in rebuilding. The membership of the congregation is about ninety.
St. Dorothea's Roman Catholic Church was established as a parish by Rev. Aloysius S. Quinlan, and the present church was built in 1906. He was succeeded in charge of the parish in 1914 by Father Coerr, who also has charge of the Church of the Precious Blood at Monmouth Beach.
The Eatontown African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was or- ganized in 1840 and had for its first pastor Rev. Noah Brooks. A lot south of Eatontown was purchased in 1845, on the road to the borough of Deal, and a church edifice erected, the congregation being then in charge of the Rev. Dempsey Kennedy. Among his successors were Revs. John A. King, Joseph P. Thompson, James Livingston, James Davis, William Pitts, John White, Elijah Harnett. The present pastor is the Pev. William Sardent.
The borough of West Long Branch, located about two miles from the city of Long Branch, which it joins, was incorporated in 1908. It was formerly a part of the township of Eatontown. Norwood avenue, the south line of the borough, runs to a bridge over a brook which flows from Ocean Mills thence to what was formerly known as Lane's Corners, now called Nastasin's Corners, thence in a westerly direction to Wall
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street to Oakside avenue, thence northerly on said avenue to Broadway in Long Branch, crossing this avenue to Beebe's Corners and following Beebe's brook to the Shrewsbury river, thence in a westerly direction along the river to what used to be known as Turtle Mills, to lands of George James Reynolds, following along this line to lands of Thomas Eaton thence to Whale Point Brook road to the place of beginning. The area thus covered embraces about two miles square, and is inhabited by eleven hundred souls. The first mayor of the borough as well as the principal agitator for its incorporation and to whose efforts it was largely due that its organization was effected, Monroe V. Poole, is still a resident of the borough, having completed his seventy-fourth year. Ample fire protection is provided by the ten thousand dollars combination fire engine with a volunteer department fully equipped for every emergency. Edu- cational facilities are furnished the young, graded schools being estab- lished, the advanced pupils attending the Long Branch High School.
West Long Branch is purely a residential section, a large majority of its citizens being engaged in commercial pursuits in other localities. The religious life of the borough is represented by what in early days was known as the Old First Methodist Episcopal Church, organized in 1809, its incorporated title being the First Methodist Church of Long Branch. There are no authentic records of the church previous to the pastorate of Rev. B. C. Lippincott, in the early eighties of the past cen- tury. He was succeeded by the Rev. Willis Reeves, who had charge for five years. His successor, Rev. G. S. Sykes, who was assigned to the charge in 1892, resigned during that year, the remainder of the period of his assignment being filled by Rev. J. R. Daniels. In March, 1893, Rev. Pennington Carson became pastor, and during his ministry more than one hundred professed, and the church was thoroughly renovated and modernized. His successor in 1896 was Rev. Charles F. Downs, who gave way the following year to Rev. Lucius O. Manchester, he continuing until 1899, when Rev. J. W. Harris became pastor, followed in 1902 by Rev. William Mitchell, his place being filled in 1903 by Rev. James Moore, and upon his appointment as presiding elder, Rev. Eli Gifford was assigned to the charge of the congregation. During his ministry a mis- sion was established in Redman's Hall at Oakhurst, which was finally organized into a society. Mr. Gifford was succeeded by Rev. Curwin B. Fisher, who had charge of the congregation six years. The centennial of the church was celebrated August 15, 1909. The Sunday school chapel opposite the church was built. The successor of Mr. Fisher was Rev. J. B. Ruhitton, who was followed in 1918 by Rev. A. C. Polhemus, the pres- ent pastor, Rev. William Moore, being installed pastor in March, 1921. The first parsonage was built in 1830 and was remodeled in 1907.
Oceanport, a village at the headwaters of South Shrewsbury river, was in 1760 a point of interest in the locality. The surrounding land was largely owned by the Edwards, Pembertons, Corlies, and Fields families.
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Peggy's Point, at the head of navigation, prior to 1820 was a depot for storing charcoal to be shipped to New York. The first store was opened by Henry W. Wolcott and John P. Corlies in 1833, who also carried on a lumber business. In 1844, the Eatontown Steamboat Company was incorporated with a capital of $30,000, and the place was also known as Eatontown Dock. A steamboat was built which ran regularly to New York, and business rapidly increased. James A. Allaire, of the Iron Works in Howell township, built a large stone warehouse of four stories and, in addition to the steamboats, about twenty sailing vessels were employed to carry the freight that was brought here from all sections. The railroad was completed in 1861, and from that time the place rapidly passed into a decline, but is still picturesque in its loneliness. It is still a post village, the office being established in 1849, when Dr. John P. Lewis was appointed postmaster. There is in the village an estimated population of four hundred souls, and a few mercantile establishments. A borough form of government was established May 11, 1920.
Oakhurst, two and three-quarter miles from Long Branch, is a small post village of about three hundred inhabitants. Branchburg, now known as Mechanicsville, in the southeastern part of the township, was first settled by Alexander McGregor, about 1807, who erected a dwelling house, in part of which he opened a store. He continued business at this place until 1834, when he sold to John Hopper and the place became known as Hoppertown. Around the store soon gathered a few dwellings. a church and a schoolhouse. The First Methodist Church of Long Branch, not withstanding its name, was located at Branchburg, is now in the borough of West Long Branch. Bishop Asbury in his visitation to the State in the early part of the past century, held services in what was known as the old Free Church, which was built in 1790 between Ocean Mills and Branchburg, and in which all denominations worshipped. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Long Branch was incorporated in March, 1809, and accepted a lot from Alexander McGregor and erected a church at Branchburg. The first preacher in charge was Rev. Samuel Budd, and under the presiding elder, Joseph Totten, a camp-meeting was held in Brewer's Woods at Squankum, at which time there was a great revival. This meeting was attended by members of the Freehold cir- cuit, which embraced the territory from Trenton to the seashore. The church that was erected at Branchburg was a two-story structure, the second story being reached by a ladder; the seats were of rough boards. The church was enlarged in 1843, remodeled in 1856, and dedicated July 20th that year. The pulpit in early days was filled by Revs. Joseph Tot- ten, William Mills, David Bantine, John Woolson, William Smith, James Moore, Charles Pitman, Thomas Stewart; later, Francis A. Morrell, E. Green, W. Franklin, S. F. Wheeler, G. Reed and W. S. Barnhart were pastors.
The Independent Methodist societies in Monmouth county were
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mainly organized through the efforts of Zenas Conger, about the year 1790. Conger was irregular in his habits, and complaints were made against him, but many of the congregation sympathized with him, and instead of awaiting trial on the charges brought against him he gathered his adherents about him and established another church which he styled the Methodist Independents, but by others called Congerites. Conger's habits were such that he was unable to command the respect of the peo- ple, and his meetings became disorderly. The people in the section of the county being largely of Quaker descent, disapproved of a hireling ministry and were willing to hear local preachers and exhorters. The movement therefore spread, and good men joined it, some of whom be- came local preachers. Other churches were established, one at Colt's Neck, where a house was commenced but not furnished. At Hopewell a lot was purchased and a church erected. The society at Branchburg was incorporated and the Old Free church was deeded to them, the society however becoming weak, the house was sold in 1846, and removed across the street, where the frame was used in the erection of a barn. In 1850 the Independent Methodist societies were merged into the Methodist Protestant Church, and the different church properties deeded to them.
Another of the old village sites in Eatontown was Turtle Mill, situ- ated on a small stream which is one of headwaters of Pleasure bay, and was located on the road from Eatontown to Long Branch. A mill was in operation at this point as early as 1730, and at the commencement of the Revolution was owned by John Williams, who was an adherent of the British, and his estate was confiscated and sold. It was bought by his widow, Deborah Williams, who later sold a quarter interest to William Slocum, and the place for many years was known as Slocum's Mill.
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OCEAN GROVE Ocean Pathway and Auditorium -Interior of Auditorium-Main Avenue- Memorial Gate
CHAPTER XLVII.
NEPTUNE
Neptune is a sea-coast township, bounded on the east by the Atlantic ocean, on the south by Shark river, which divided it from Wall township, on the west by Shrewsbury township, and on the north by Ocean town- ship. Shark river is the only stream of importance near its borders. The township was erected February 26, 1879, the Act providing that it be composed of all that part of Ocean township, as follows:
Beginning at the Atlantic Ocean where Great Pond empties into the same and running thence westerly up the middle of the said pond and the south branch thereof until it intersects a continuation of the centre line of Asbury avenue in Asbury Park borough; thence continuing the course of said centre line north sixty-seven degrees and fifty minutes, west until it intersects the division line between Ocean and Shrewsbury townships, in the middle of the public road leading from Eatontown to Squan, near Benjamin King's storehouse; thence in a southerly direction along said line to Shark River brook; thence in an easterly direction along the center of Shark River to the Atlantic Ocean; and thence northerly along the same to the place of beginning.
Ocean Grove, situated within the original limits of Neptune town- ship, is located on the sea-shore north of Bradley Beach, from which it is separated by Fletcher lake and south of Asbury Park, Wesley lake divid- ing the two municipalities. The territory, consisting of about two hun- dred and sixty acres, was acquired by the Ocean Grove Camp-Meeting Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church, organized December 22, 1869, mainly through the efforts of Revs. Ellwood H. Stokes, William B. Osborn, Robert Andrews, George Neal, and other clergymen and laymen of the Methodist church. The association was incorporated by Act of the Legislature with twenty-six members, an equal number of clergymen and laymen, as a self-perpetuating institution, a member being elected to succeed each resignation or death in the membership. The original members were Ellwood H. Stokes, Rulif V. Lawrence, George Hughes, William B. Osborn, David H. Brown, John S. Inskip, William H. Boole, Benjamin M. Adams, Alfred Cookman, Adam Wallace, John H. Stockton, Aaron E. Ballard, William and George Franklin, Robert J. Andrews, Joseph H. Thornley, George W. Evans, Christopher Sickler, Samuel T. Williams, William Manahan, John Martin, George W. Cheeseman, James · Black, Oliver L. Gardiner, Gardiner Howland and William T. Jordan.
The objects of the association as set forth in the Act of incorporation are to provide a perpetual religious retreat for all people; to provide a Christian sea-side resort; and to do Christian educational, missionary and
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philanthropic work. The lots are disposed of by a practical perpetual lease, a condition being that no lots shall be transferred without the con- sent of the association. There are now about two thousand dwellings on the grounds, and a permanent population of 3,000. On Sunday all places of business except drug stores are closed, and no vehicles except those of physicians are allowed upon the streets and avenues. The first camp-meeting was held July 26, 1870, and continued for ten days. The resort increased very rapidly in a few years; beautiful wide streets and avenues, especially those leading to the ocean, were gradually lined with handsome residences and hotels. Attractive parks were laid out in dif- ferent parts of the Grove, and no expense was spared in rendering it an ideal resort for those who came to enjoy rest, without noise and the dis- tractions of business.
Many distinguished men have been connected with the association, but none was better known to the people of the present day than Rev. Dr. Aaron Edward Ballard, who died on Thanksgiving Day, 1919, in his ninety-ninth year. He was elected vice-president of the association on its organization in 1869, and continued as such until 1908, through the presi- dencies of Dr. Stokes and Bishop Fitzgerald. Upon the death of the lat- ter, Dr. Ballard was made president and served until the time of his death. He was a man of great force of character, an untiring worker, resourceful, and of a lovable personality. His circle of friends and ac- quaintances was almost limitless and not circumscribed by religious or political beliefs. Among others who are and have been members of the association are the following: Supreme Court Justice Charles D. Hen- drickson, ex-Governor Edward C. Stokes, Major James S. Yard and ex- Judge Holmes W. Murphy, of Freehold; Rev. Dr. Thomas O'Hanlon, Hons. W. H. Skirm and W. Holt Apgar, of Trenton, and others.
The Auditorium, with a seating capacity of ten thousand, was erected in 1894, and many of the leading divines and laymen of our own and other lands have appeared upon its platform on various occasions. It possesses one of the finest organs in the country, and its acoustic ad- vantages are excellent. A life-like bronze statue of the first president, Dr. Stokes, is in front of the building, looking seaward. The Methodist Episcopal Home for the Aged of New Jersey was incorporated in 1906 and is located at 63 Clark avenue. The object of the society is to pro- vide a home for aged ministers and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the State. It is under the management of a board of trustees, and under the direction and control of the Methodist Church of New Jersey. There are about sixty-two residents. The officers of the Ocean Grove Association are: President, Rev. Dr. Joseph F. Berry, L.L.D., Senior Bishop of the M. E. Church, Philadelphia ; vice-president, Rev. Dr. James W. Marshall, Ocean Grove; secretary, Rev. Dr. Frank L. Wilson, Mt. Kisco, New York; treasurer, John E. Andrus, LL.D., Yonkers, New York.
OCEAN GROVE Pilgrim Pathway Bridge-Wesley Lake -- Fletcher Lake -- Avenue of Tents
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Rev. Aaron Edward Ballard, D.D., for about twenty-one years presi- dent of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and previous to that its vice-president, was born at Bloomfield, New Jersey, in 1820. His grandfather commanded a regiment in the Revolutionary War, and his grandmother, although of Holland-Dutch descent, came to this country in company of those of her country who had allied themselves with the Huguenots. He prepared himself for the ministry and was licensed as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Among the churches he served as pastor were those at Bergen, Lambertville, Somerville, Red Bank, Princeton, Burlington, Newark, Camden, Bridgeton and Borden- town. Upon retiring from active pastoral work, he devoted his time and energy to the upbuilding of the Ocean Grove Association, in which work he was eminently successful. He had almost completed his ninety-ninth year when he passed away, universally honored and lamented.
Ocean Grove, commonly known as "The Happy City," with a per- manent population of 3,200 persons augmented during the summer season to 100,000, with an assessed valuation of real and personal property of $4,890,590, has accumulated over half a century of history. Its founda- tion was not an accident, it was intended to illustrate a belief that a com- munity could be built upon the ancestral ideas of a Holy Sabbath, which our forefathers brought to this country. Human nature in its mental and physical conditions cannot endure uninterrupted toil; life in the early ages was simpler, the habits of a community furnished from day to day somewhat of the needed rest in rural pursuits. As time rolled on, brains and nerves were taxed to their utmost limits, hence the physical health was often prostrated and the mind imperiled; thence sprang up a needed want in the shape of resorts for recreation and pleasure which would give relief to the tired mind and the weary head. Then came the question, if these resorts could not be made free from the dissipations and follies of fashionable watering-places, and at a cost within the reach of the common people. There had arisen in New Jersey a general feel- ing of dissatisfaction with the "camp meeting" system; there were but few held outside of the Methodist church, and these were in most cases simply for hunting or social pleasure. In the scarcity of churches in an early period the camp meetings were among the chief instrumentalities of revivals. The multiplication of churches had lessened their usefulness, and they became more of a Sunday gala day than forces in religion. The "summer outing" became popular and many religious people fell in with the habit, though the customs pursued at these places were unfavorable to religious development. Therefore the idea became prevalent that the religious camp meeting was good if it could be free from the evils which had grown up around it. If a location could be owned which was per- manent, a charter obtained to secure its exclusiveness, also conferring police authority, an experiment on these lines might be worth the trial. There had been a growing feeling in the membership of the Evangelical
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