History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2, Part 18

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 994

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full of labor, physical and mental. There is hardly any business outside of his profession in which he has not had a share,-railroading, steamboating, farming and general education, and withal a postmaster for the last twenty-four years.

CAPTAIN CHARLES MORFORD. - William Morford, the father of Captain Charles Mor- ford, was born in 1764, and in 1788 married Lydia Stout, whose birth occurred in 1768.

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MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.

Of their twelve children, nine survived and which Charles was made president, when a steamboat was built for the purpose of facilitat- ing the shipment of produce from the adjacent country. The vessel, which made regular trips from Port Monmouth to New York, was under command of Mr. Morford as the first eaptain, and sailed daily from a substantial pier erected for the purpose. grew to mature years. Charles, of this number, the seventh son, was born March 27, 1807, in Middletown township, and enjoyed such oppor- tunities of education as were afforded near his home, supplemented by judicious reading and study at home. Developing carly a taste for mechanics, he went to New York City, and learned the carpenter's trade, which was on his Captain Morford was, on the 25th of Septem- ber, 1832, married to Susan, daughter of Daniel return to his home followed successfully for several years, in connection with farming. He | and Margaret Herbert, of the same township,

(Charles morfond

later engaged with his brother William in mer- cantile pursuits at Chanceville, now New Mon- mouth. Thomas Morford was soon added to the firm, and the first lumber and coal-yards were opened in this vicinity. These brothers were also instrumental in starting the first line of packets between the section of the bay-shore now known as Port Monmouth and New York, and for many years a very considerable business was done in sailing-vessels. A "Transportation Company " was afterward incorporated, of

their children being John, married to Z. Maria Brown ;. Caroline; Almira, wife of David S. Wyckoff; Lydia, married to S. T. Hendrick- son ; Margaret H .; Charles H., married to Lanra M. Worthley. In 1858, Captain Morford re- linquished to his son John the homestead farm at New Monmouth which he owned and eulti- vated, and removed to the one in Middletown village now ocenpied by his widow and son, Charles H. Morford. He was identified with the leading enterprises of the county, and with

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

every movement which advanced the interests of the community. An early Whig in politics, he later indorsed the principles of the Republi- can party, and although much interested in the advancement of its principles, invariably de- elined the most urgent solicitations to accept of- fice. He was one of the incorporators of the Mon- mouth County Agricultural Society, and vice- president of the Fairview Cemetery Association, in which he manifested an active interest. He was also at the time of his death, which oeenrred June 7, 1874, president of the Red Bank and Middletown Turnpike Company. He was in his religious convictions a Baptist, and both a member and trustee of the Middletown Baptist Church. A comprehensive estimate of the ehar- aeter of Captain Morford is embodied in the an- nexed tribute from a friend, published soon after his death:

" His Christian character, in the ordinary sense of the word, was fully conceded and warmly indorsed by all who knew him in that relation; there yet remains his rare and honorable singu- larity. Captain Morford was unlike the body of men with the talent and power of accumula- tion in knowing, better than most men, how to make his means a servant and not a tyrant. All know how difficult it is for the man who has, to use the ordinary phrase, ' made his money,' to avoid holding it too highly. Captain Mor- ford.learned years ago (and this is the especial subject of admiration) to make his money a merey and not an evil,-to use it as if it had been made for his use. Ripening with age and experience, he surrounded himself with the highest comforts and many moderate luxuries, making liis residence notable for its moral as well as physieal atmosphere of enjoyment ; he considered wealth never better expended than in his family, with the result of having won around him one of the happiest and most united families within the writer's knowledge. He traveled much on the American continent and in Europe during the Paris Exposition year of 1867 as a personal enjoyment and enlarging his knowledge of men and the world, laying up memories and friendships equally pleasant ; and all this without holding back one tithe from . the causes of religion and local benevolence, | father, William Leonard, where he resided

with which he has been so long and honorably associated.

" The writer has believed that to this especial feature of Captain Morford's life-his ripening and broadening with years, instead of narrow- ing, as so many do-attention deserves to be more especially called, than others might call it, for the sake of the honorable example afforded, and in the hope that that example may not be unfruitful."

RICHARD A. LEONARD .- Nathaniel Leon- ard, Gentleman, received a commission in 1739, the thirteenth year of His Majesty George the Second's reign, appointing him lieutenant of Middletown Middle Company. He, and his wife, Deliverance, had four sons,-John, born in 1738, emigrated to Cuba and married a Spanish lady ; Nathaniel, born in 1739, there is no trace of ; Joseph, born in 1743, married Annie Bray and had children : Sam- nel (married to Lydia Madden), Sarah and Annie ; Thomas, the great-grandfather of the present generation, born in 1753, married Alice Lawrence, whose children were Elizabeth, Wil- liam and Joseph. William married Elizabeth Applegate, and afterwards Elizabeth Conover. To the first marriage were born children,-Rich- ard, Mary, Thomas, John S., William and Elizabeth A. Captain Leonard, as he was familiarly ealled, in early life followed the water, plying between New York and Middle- town, and occasionally extending his voyages to Virginia. Soon after his marriage he became both a farmer and merchant, and was for years actively engaged in business. His son Thomas resided on the homestead of his grandfather, Thomas, whose property is now in possession of the widow of Richard A. Leonard, the eldest son, who was born on the 17th of February, 1812, in Middletown township, and spent his youth on the farm owned by his father, to the cul- tivation of which his time was devoted, with the exception of the period spent at school. At the age of twenty-one years, being ambitions for a more independent life than was possible on the homestead, Mr. Leonard removed to his grandfather's farm, purchased for him by his

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during the remainder of his life. He was, on the 14th of March, 1833, married to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Rev. Thomas Roberts, whose children are Richard, married to Delia F. Pat- terson ; Sarah (Mrs. Charles McCleese) ; and Emma, wife of George Sherman. Mrs. Lcon- ard's death occurred on the 8th of February, 1848, and he was again married, February 28, 1849, to Sarah, daughter of Rev. Thomas Rob- erts, of Middletown. The children of this mar- riage arc Charles T., married to Annie Grover ;

the projectors of the New Jersey Southern Rail- road. He was also one of the founders of the Peddie Institute at Hightstown. The follow- ing tribute paid his memory by the executive committee of the New Jersey State Temperance Alliance conveys a just estimate of his charac- ter as a Christian citizen :

"The subject of this brief sketch, vice- president of the New Jersey State Temperance Alliance for Monmouth County, departed this life May 5, 1877, in the sixty-fifth year of his

Richard A Leonard

William J., married to Fanny M. Clark ; and [ age. He became a decided Christian in early Ella S. Mr. Leonard was, though an influen- life, and united with the First Middletown Bap- tist Church, holding the offices of deacon, Sun- day-school superintendent and trustee for fifteen years. When the church at Navesink was organized, in August, 1853, he was chosen one of its deacons, which office he filled with rare fidelity aud integrity until his death. Hc was a man of great activity and energy, as his manner of attending to both secular and reli- gious affairs fully exemplified. He succeeded tial citizen of his township, seldom an office- holder, his leisure time having been devoted mainly to the inauguration and support of movements in behalf of reform and the uphold- ing of morality and religion. He was largely interested in the success of the Agricultural Society of the county, of which he was one of the founders ; one of the incorporators of the . First National Bank of Red Bank, and among

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

in acquiring considerable property, but was sel- dom so busy as to prevent prompt attention to his religious duties. He had a warm heart and a ready hand for every good word and work. In addition to strict fidelity as a Christian, a church member and officer, there were two de- partments of labor in which he took a special interest,-he was a warm friend of, and active worker in, the Sunday-school, but he was es- pecially distinguished as a life-long and uncom- promising enemy of the iniquitous liquor traffic. If a temperance meeting or convention was to be held, a petition or remonstrance circulated, the granting of a license defeated, a viola- tor of the law prosecuted, or money raised to meet expenses, Richard A. Leonard could be relied upon as among the foremost in the work. It is also said that 'he used frequently to gather the youth of the neighborhood in the school- house, teach them temperance songs and enlist them in the work.' Nor did his zeal abate with his years, but remained unflagging to the end.

" His death produced a profound sensation in the community. At his funeral, the services of which were conducted by four different minis- ters, a large concourse of people attested their high appreciation of his character and worth. By honoring such men we honor ourselves."

Ella S. Leonard, youngest daughter of Rich- ard A. and Sarah R. Leonard, entered Peddie Institute, Hightstown, in 1876, and rapidly rose to high rank in her class, winning the first prise for deelamation at the commencement exercises in 1877 ; also the following year for excellence in elocution. In 1879 she graduated with the valedictory, in 1881 entered Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and was soon after appointed assistant editor for the period of her whole course of study. She was advanced each year, and finally became senior editor of the Vassar Miscellany ; subsequently, in connection with Miss Caroline Lingal, purchasing the At- lantic Highlands Herald, and founding the Atlantic Highlands Independent. After enjoy- ing all the honors the college could bestow, in May, 1884, she sailed for Europe, and made the tour of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, 'returning in the fall to complete her college

course, where she still remains engaged in study, gradnating June 10, 1885, as class poet.

WILLIAM V. CONOVER, whose grandfather, Daniel Conover, was a resident of Atlantie township and a farmer, was united to Margaret Rezo, a lady of French descent. Their children were Daniel D., Garret, Tylee, Eleanor, Eliza- beth and Margaret (wife of John Van Dorn). Tylee was born on the 1st of Jannary, 1791, in Atlantic (then Middletown) township, and united in marriage to Maria, daughter of Garret Schenck, on the 9th of December, 1812. Their children are Sarah Ann (Mrs. John A. Mor- ford), born in 1814; Daniel, in 1820; William V., January 6, 1824; Garret S., in 1831; Ty- lee, in 1836 (deceased). Mr. Conover, on his marriage, removed to the farm in Middletown now owned by his son, William V., which he cultivated until his death. He was a strong Demoerat in his political sympathies, and mani- fested much interest in public affairs, his opinion on matters of public or private import being regarded with respect. William V., whose birth-place was the homestead, remained until seventeen under the paternal roof. Desiring then to enter into business, he removed to Long Branch, and engaged, as clerk, with a merchant of that place, who, at the age of twenty-one, admitted him to a copartnership, under the firm-name of Conover & Morford. He re- mained thus engaged until the death of his father, in July, 1847, when circumstances influ- enced his return to the farm situated on the at- tractive bank of the Shrewsbury River, where he has since resided. He was, on the 22d of December, 1853, married to Catharine, daughter of Jolin Bennett, of Middletown township. Their children are John Bennett, born August 9, 1854. and married to ' Annie A. Morris ; Sarah Maria, born March 22, 1856 (wife of Joseph Applegate) ; William Tylee, born No- vember 19, 1857, married to Annie A. Cooper ; and Henry Hudson, born December 12, 1860, who died Angust 19, 1861. Mr. Conover has made farming his legitimate pursnit, but sinee the age of nineteen has been an active worker in the field of politics. A Democrat in his po- litical faith, he has acted as freeholder and filled

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all the important offices in his township. In 1875-76 he represented his constituency in the State Legislature, serving on the committees on railroads and canals, fisheries, engrossed bills, agriculture, ete. He is director and president of the Red Bank and Eatontown Turnpike Company, and prominently identified with every important movement in his township. In such services as are performed by trustees and guard- ians his experience is found invaluable. Mr.

a tract of land on Rumson Neck, on which he remained until his death. To his wife, a Miss Butler, were born children,- Lucy, Elizabeth, Martha W. and John. The latter was born in England (as were all the children) on the 31st of January, 1781, his na- tive county being Lancaster. He emigrated with his father and engaged in various employ- ments during his aetive life, being in turn teacher, merchant and farmer. He married

William Vbonjour

Conover, though reared in the faith of the | Ann Hance, born October 10, 1786. Their Reformed (Duteh) Church, is at present a sup- porter of the Presbyterian denomination.

WILLIAM H. GRANT .- Edward Butler Thos. Grant, the grandfather of William H. Grant, emigrated to the United States in 1793, and resided two years on Long Island for the purpose of becoming an American eiti- zen. He then sailed for France, and three ·years later, returning to America, purchased

children are Thomas, born in 1809 ; Martha, in 1810; John, in 1813; Edward, in 1815; Catherine, in 1818; William H., on the 24th of December, 1820 ; and Elizabeth. The sub- ject of this biography, whose birthplace was Rumson Neck, spent his youth at this point and in adjacent portions of the county. In 1831 he removed to his present farm, which was inelnded in the original tract scenred by his father. On the death of the latter he inherited.

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

seventy-five acres, and has at various times added to its area until the farm now embraces two hundred and ten acres under cultivation. He has been a farmer from his youth, and is thoroughly practical in his methods ; hence he has been successful, and while raising the usual products of the county, has given much attention to fruit-culture. Mr. Grant was, in 1854, mar- ricd to Anna, daughter of Jarret Morford, of Red Bank. Their two children were Laura (deceased) and T. Henry, a civil engineer on the

ation for the Monmouth battle monument. He served on the committees on agriculture, unfin- ished business and the joint committee on com- merce and navigation. He is a member of the State Horticultural Society, and active in pro- moting its objects and interests. Mr. Grant is in his religious associations an Episcopalian, and member and vestryman of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church of Middletown, of which he has been, for nearly a quarter of a century, business manager.

Vm H grant

New Jersey Central Railroad. Mrs. Grant's GEORGE CRAWFORD HENDRICKSON. - Mr. Hendrickson is the great-great-grandson of John Hendrickson and the great-grandson of Daniel Hendrickson, born in 1735, who married Nellie Van Mater. Among their three children was John, whose birth occurred June 13, 1773. He resided on the family estate, having married Mary Lloyd, who was born October 17, 1772. Their second son, John Lloyd, was born March death occurred March 5, 1868, and he was again married, April 22, 1875, to Mrs. Eliza Jane Watson, daughter of Thomas Hendrickson, of New York City. Mr. Grant's interest in the county and township of his residence has led to his nomination to niany responsible offices. He was, in 1884, elected, as a Republican (in a Democratic district), to the State Legislature, and was instrumental in securing the appropri- | 3, 1801, in Middletown township, and settled

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on the property now the home of his widow, in that township, his death having occurred September 25, 1845. He was married, on the 16th of December, 1822, to Adaline, daughter of George Crawford, of Middletown, and had children,-Eleanor, born October 9, 1823, who died, October 22, 1837; Anna, born September 26, 1825, deceased; George C., whose birth occurred March 8, 1829; and Mary Louisa.

George Crawford Hendrickson was born on

bition for positions of trust and honor among his fellow-men. He gave little attention to enter- prises of a publie character, and rarely interested himself in matters apart from his own farm, which was successfully conducted and very productive. He greatly loved the quiet of his fireside. No man was more hospitable, more kind or generous to his workmen or more true to his friends. His heart ever responded to the calls of benevolence or religion. Though not a

Trang che Clang

the old homestead, and pursued his studies at member of the church, he was a strong supporter of all Christian movements and a regular at- tendant of the Baptist Church. His death, which was universally deplored, occurred Oc- tober 12, 1875. Flushing, Long Island, after which he entered the academy at Middletown. Hc determined upon agriculture as the business of his life, and on the death of his father managed the property in the interest of the family. This work he continued during the remainder of his life, giving some attention to the raising of fine cattle and sheep. He was among the most substantial and respected citizens of the township, though his life was unassuming and free from am-I Delaware, the latter of which was intimately as- 86

SIDNEY MCCLANE .- Jacob McClane, the grandfather of Sidney McClane, was a native of Bucks County, Pa., and during the Revolution- ary War the owner of a farm and ferry on the

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

sociated with the struggle for independence, in which Mr. MeClane participated as a soldier in the battle of Germantown. He mar- ried Martha Burdge, whose children were Moses, David, Solomon, Jonathan and Martha. Jon athan was born in Bucks County, Pa., and re- moved with his parents to Monmouth County, his father having given him a farm on the Shrewsbury River, where his life was chiefly spent. He married Eleanor, daughter of Ben- jamin Burdge, whose grandfather, David Burdge, emigrated from England and secured an exten- sive tract of land in Middletown township. The children of this marriage are Jaeob, Wil- liam, Theresa, (Mrs. Jolin S. Leonard), Sidney, Warren, Eleanor (Mrs. S. B. Close), Benjamin .B. and Susan (Mrs. William M. Smith). Sidney, of this number, was born on the 27th of September, 1820, in Middletown township, and spent his youth with his parents, having been a pupil in boyhood of the neighboring publie school, after which he interested himself in the cultiva- tion of his father's farm. He eventually became owner of a portion of the homestead land, and remained upon it until 1866, the date of the family's removal to the attractive property now owned by his widow, where his death occurred on the 2d of July, 1874. He was married March 11, 1858, to Anne Smith, daughter of Joseph M. Smith, of Middletown township, whose children` were six in number, three of whom are now deceased. Mr. McClane, though successful in all departments of farming, made hortienl- ture a study, and devoted much of his time to the raising of choice varieties of fruit. He was formerly a Whig in politics, and later became a Republican, though never a participant in the active scenes of a political campaign. He was one of the originators, as also a trustee, of the Fair View Cemetery, and a director of the Mid- dletown Turnpike Company. He wasconnected by membership with the Red Bank Baptist Church, of which he was a trustce. A man of modest bearing, and domestic in his tastes, his pleasures were found within the circle that gatlı- ered around his own fireside.

WILLIAM M. SMITHI was born in Middletown township, Monmouth County, N. J., in 1803,

and died at his home on the 25th of February, 1879, within a quarter of a mile of his birth- place, the family homestead, which he himself owned at the time of his death. He was the son of Daniel Smitli, long and favorably known as deacon of the Baptist Church in Middle- town, with one or two exceptions the oldest in the State. Daniel Smith's death occurred in 1850. His father, grandfather and great-grand- father, three generations, all bore the name of William, the first William being the son and chief heir of John and Mary Smithi, who arrived in New York in the year 1670 and bought a plantation in Middletown, the warrant of which is dated 1676. The will of John Smith bears date December 29, 1714, and enumerates seven children, William being the eldest. His son, the second William Smith, was married, about the year 1728, to Mary Compton, and died in 1770. Among his ten children was the third William Smith, the father of Daniel Smith and the grandfather of the subject of this biography. The third William Smith married, in. Novem- ber, 1762, Mary Layton and had ten ehildren. He lived in an era that "tried men's souls," and, the records state, suffered, among other depri- vations, a loss of £138 16s. 6d. through the British. His son Daniel, the father of William M., was born June 5, 1768, and married, in Marelı, 1793, to Anne Maxon, one of the truest, noblest and best of women, whose father, Rich- ard Maxon, was an officer in the War of the Revolution. Their twelve children were Joseph Maxon, Maria, Anne, Daniel, William M., Mary, Eliza, Theresa, Lucinda, Jaekson, Amanda and Lydia, four of whom are still living. Perhaps the best estimate of the life and character of Mr. Smith may be gained from the expressions of the press on the occasion of his death. The Red Bank Standard spoke of him as spending his whole life in that community, and expressed the general regret at the loss sustained, saying : "Few farmers were more thrifty, few husbands more affectionate, few fathers more indulgent, few neighbors more obliging, few church mem- bers more devoted." Though a busy, stirring man, mueli absorbed in the cultivation and im- provement of his fine estate, Deaeon Smith never neglected his duties as a Christian. Converted

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at the age of twenty-three, he became a member of the Baptist Church at Middletown, but finally brought his letter to the Baptist Church of Red Bank, of which he was a trustee at the time of his death. His life became very closely asso- ciated with all its spiritual and temporal inter- ests, and while he substantially aided many other churches besides his own, the npbuilding of his own rested heavily upon his heart, many of his last days having been spent in planning the

and said of him: "He had a splendid farm, and was among the most prosperous men of the county, giving his time and attention to the improvement of his property until it was one of the most attractive places in this part of the State. He was honest, upright and thrifty, and leaves a good name behind as a reward of many years of honest labor and toil." He was for- merly a Whig in politics, and afterward became a warm adherent of the Republican party. He wa;

Witam No Smith

advancement of its best interests. He was espe- cially anxious to see a parsonage erected, and not only donated for the purpose a lot, but also a liberal subscription. His long and painful illness was endured with patience and Christian fortitude, and as night brings out the stars, so those weary months of illness developed the brightest lustre of his Christian character. The Monmouth Inquirer spoke of him as a devoted and energetic member of the Baptist Church at Red Bank, which he had helped in many ways,

on the 24th of December, 1856, very happily married to Susan McClane, who now survives him. She was the daughter of Jonathan MeClane, one of the most prominent and respected citizens of the county, whose attractive residence was situated on the north shore of the Shrewsbury River. The children of this union were Willie M. and Charles J. M. Smith, the eldest of whom, a child of uncommon promise, died in youth. Charles J. M. Smith, the youngest and surviv- ing son, is now living on the homestead, which

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History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2, Part 18

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co. Number of Pages: 994

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 994