USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2 > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
-
564
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
has not been allowed to deteriorate, but is con- stantly being improved, in a way which indi- cates both good taste and executive ability. Mr. Smith was interred at Fairview Cemetery, in a circular lot, inclosed with granite. The monument commemorating his death is said to be the largest in the State. It is of Quincy granite, bearing the appropriate inscription, "I know that my Redeemer liveth."
ceived such educational advantages as the dis- triet school afforded. He chose the blacksmith's trade, and became an apprentice in Middletown township, afterwards conducting his trade at Black's Mills, Manalapan township. In 1844 he received the appointment of attendant of the light-house at the Highlands of Navesink, and remained for five years thus occupied, building at this point the favorite resort known as Thompson's Atlantic Pavilion. Desiring to
JOSEPH I. THOMPSON is the grandson of | become interested in agriculture, he, in 1867,
Joseph & Thompson
Joseph Thompson, a farmer on an extensive | purchased his present farm of one hun- scale in Frechold township, who married Sarah Conover. Among their children was John I., born in 1776, who married Margaret Walton, born in 1780, daughter of Elisha Walton, of Revolutionary fame. Their children were Wil- liam, Emeline, Joseph I., Elisha, Mary Ma- tilda (Mrs. John Little), Sally and Ann (Mrs. Uriah Smalley). Joseph I., the second son, was born on the 24th of February, 1811, at Mount's Corners, near Freehold, where in youth he re-
dred and twenty-five aeres, in Middletown township, and has since been absorbed in its cultivation. He was, on the 28th of December, 1834, married to Eleanor Schureman Johnson, granddaughter of Cornelius Johnson, and daughter of Dr. Cornelius Johnson, a gradu- ate of Princeton and of the leading Philadel- phia medical college of his day, whose only son, James Schureman, was a graduate of Rutgers College, New Brunswick. Mrs. Thompson is
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.
565
the maternal granddaughter of James and Eleanor Schureman. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are John I .; Eleanor J., wife of Eugene W. Benton; Cornelius J .; and Mar- garet M. (Mrs. John N. Riker).
Mr. Thompson has always been identified in politics with the Democratic party. His popu- larity in the county led to his election, in 1859, to the office of sheriff, though aside from this distinction he has declined all proffers of official position. He was formerly director of the
His education, under not very efficient teachers, was necessarily limited, the absence of his father, during his frequent voyages, making an active and industrious life a necessity with the older children. Each assisted on the farm or in the store, Thomas being, until twenty years of age, chiefly employed upon the farm. He then entered his father's store, and in 1840 succeeded him in business, the latter retiring to his farm, where he resided until his death, July 19, 1872. On the 5th of February, 1840,
Thomas Leonard
Sandy Hook and Long Branch Railroad, and | Thomas Leonard married Mary A., daughter interested in other business projects, though his time is principally given to his farm and hotel enterprises. He is a contributor to the support of the Middletown Reformed (Dutch) Chureli, of which Mrs. Thompson is a member.
THOMAS LEONARD, son of William and Eliz- abeth (Applegate) Leonard, was born Septem- ber 5, 1815, on the property at present occupied by him, which has been his lifetime residence.
of James and Patience Hopping, of Middletown. Their children are James H. (born January 8, 1841), Thomas H. (June 30, 1843), Edward H. (February 13, 1853) and John J. (born March 6, 1856). Mr. Leonard, by his influence, succeeded at this time in having a post-office established at Leonardsville, and received the appointment of postinaster, with theoffice located in his store. In 1882 he retired from business, his son, Edward H., being his successor on the
·
566
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
site which has been continuously occupied by the family for a period of seventy years. The remaining sons are established in successful business enterprises at Atlantic Highlands. Mr. Leonard, on the organization of the Atlantic Highlands Association, was elected its treasurer, and fills the same office in connection with the New York and Atlantic Highlands Railroad. He was formerly, in his political associations, a Democrat, but later became a Republican. He has been, like his brother, Richard A., actively | after a passage of five weeks reached New York
years of age. Having worked upon a farm from the time he was thirteen until about seven- teen, he spent three years in learning the cooper's trade. Before the age of twenty he had completed his apprenticeship, and shortly after went to England. Very soon, in a way undiscerned by himself, the Lord began to direct his steps to the land wherein many labors, trials and triumphs awaited him. He sailed in 1803 from Dublin for America, and
·
THOMAS ROBERTS.
identified with the temperance cause, to which In May, 1804, he sailed for Madras, in the he has given his means and influence for more than one-half a century. His religions ereed is that of the Baptist Church, in which he has been for years a deacon and an exemplary member for more than half a century.
REV. THOMAS ROBERTS was born in Den- biglishire, North Wales, on the 12th of June, 1783. His father died when he was about five
East Indies, in company with four Baptist mis- sionaries; from there to Prince of Wales Island, near the Straits of Malacca, and thence to Madras, from which eity they returned to New York in 1805. While in New Jersey, Mr. Roberts met and married Elizabeth, daughter of John Rutan, May 25, 1806. To this union were born ten children,-Thomas (married to Mary Griggs, of Frechold), Elizabeth (wife of
.-
567
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.
Richard A. Leonard), John (married to M. Lavina Patnam), Elisha (married to Naomi Jones), Mary (wife of Edmund Morris), Wil- liam S. (who died in youth), Nathaniel (married to Phobe M. Rowlands), Sarah (married to Richard A. Leonard), Daniel (married to Eleanor V. Arrowsmith) and a daughter who died in infaney.
Mr. Roberts was baptized on the 8th of . March, 1807, and being urged to use his gift in exhortation, complied, without the most distant idea of preaching the gospel. In 1808 he re- moved to Utica, and united with the First Bap- tist Church, laboring meanwhile in Utica, Tren- ton and Holland Patent. He also preaelied at Albany to the few Baptists who assembled in the court-house, conducting service in the morn-
Middletown. He supplied the Navesink Bap- tist Church until a pastor was installed, after which he preached, by invitation, among the many churches of his acquaintance. His wife having died in 1859, Mr. Roberts found a home with his youngest son, continuing to preach, as strength permitted, for the churches in the vicinity, and as a patriarch among his children was welcomed with veneration and love. After eighty-two years of pilgrimage the messenger for whom he had patiently waited came. On the 24th of September, 1865, his spirit passed to the Saviour, whose death and glorious resurrection he had proclaimed so often and earnestly, leaving his brethren the legacy of his meek, laborious and persevering example.
ing in English and in the evening in Welsh at a WILLIAM B. HENDRICKSON is a grandson of Daniel Hendrickson, a Revolutionary soldier, who resided upon land now owned by the sub- jeet of this sketch. His children were Daniel D. and William, both of whom settled in Mon- mouth County. The former, born in 1786, who figured conspicuously as captain of the largest company raised in the county for the War of 1812, though by trade a cabinet-maker, was also a successful farmer. He married Cath- arine, daughter of Thomas Bedle, of the same township. Among their thirteen children is William B., the twelfth in order of birth, who is a native of Middletown township, and was born February 10, 1830, on the homestead, where he has since resided. With the exception of the limited period in youth devoted to in- struction at the neighboring publie-seliool, his life has been a busy routine of labor peculiar to the farmer. After becoming thoroughly familiar with all departments of agriculture he, at the age of eighteen, assumed the charge of his father's interests, and continued thus engaged until the death of the latter, when, by in- heritance and purchase, lie became owner of the property, to which he has since at various times made considerable additions. Always a farmer, Mr. Hendrickson, though interested in the raising of the staple grains, has met with signal success in fruit-culture, to which much labor and attention is given. He was, on the private house. He subsequently removed to the Great Valley (Pa.) Baptist Chureli, and for eight years labored fervently with this people. In 1821, under the auspices of the Acting Board of Foreign Missions, he organized a mission to preach the gospel and establish schools among the Cherokee Indians, where he labored for two years, when it was deemed necessary for him to return to present the claims of the mission. While traveling in New York and New Jersey to solieit aid among the churches for the Cherokee mission, he visited Middletown, Mon- · mouth County, where he was afterwards called, and remained in this chosen field for thirteen years, preaching with marked acceptance and profit to the church and community. In 1837 he removed to South Trenton, N. Y., and took charge of the Holland Patent Church, also preaching for two years at South Trenton and at Deerfield Corners. In April, 1843, he re- moved to Utiea to be near his charge, and on the 18th of October of the same year was deprived of the companionship of his most devoted wife. Removing, in May, 1844, to Middletown, in the fall of the same year he took charge of the Pennypaek Church, in Pennsylvania, where he continued four years as pastor, having married Eleanor, widow of Rev. David Jones, the former ineumbent. He devoted the following three years to the pastorate of the Holmesburg Church, and in 1851 returned with his wife to | 24th of November, 1852, married to Miss
·
568
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
Catherine L., daughter of Joseph S. Applegate, of the same township, their children being Eva Lilly, who graduated at the Freehold Young Ladies' Seminary, and Daniel D., a graduate of the Medieal Department of the University of Pennsylvania, engaged in practice in his native township. Mr. Hendrickson has been for years identified with public affairs in both township and county, having been for six years a chosen freeholder, and, in 1872, elected to the State
GEORGE MORFORD .- The Morford family are of English deseent. William Morford, the grandfather of George Morford, resided in that portion of Middletown township now known as New Monmouth, where he was engaged in the employments of a farmer. He married Lydia Stout, whose children were twelve in number, the survivors being William, Thomas, Charles, Elias, Lydia (Mrs. John Taylor), Sarah (Mrs, Grover Taylor), Mary (Mrs. Walter Parsons)
Trillium 13 Hendriksom
Legislature, as a Democrat, in a distriet strongly Republican, and by a flattering majority. He was an active member of various important committees. He has, however, been more re- cently engrossed in the management of his pri- vate business interests, and gives little time to public matters. Mr. Hendrickson is a liberal supporter of the Middletown Baptist Church, of which Mrs. Hendrickson is a member.
and Imey (Mrs. James J. Taylor). William Mor- ford was born September 23, 1796, on the home- stead, and married Elizabeth Willett, whose birth oeeurred February 14, 1794. Their chil- dren are James, born in 1819; Henry, in 1823 ; Elizabeth (Mrs. Benjamin Frost,) in 1830; and Margaret, in 1832. Mrs. Morford's death occurred in January, 1835, and Mr. Morford was again married, in October, 1836, to Joanna, daughter of Nicholas and Mary Johnson, whose
569
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.
children are Margaret, born in 1840, and George, October 18, 1844. Henry, the second son in order of birth, attained distinction as an author, having founded the New Jersey Standard, at Matawan, which for several years he edited, subsequently be- coming editorially connected with the New York Atlas. Among his publications are " Rhymes of Twenty Years," "Over Sea " and " Paris and Half Europe." He also held the appoint- a pronounced Whig, and later a Republican, holding the office of justice of the peace, and wielding an extended influence in public affairs. He was connected by membership with the Middletown Baptist Church, from which he transferred his connection to the Port Monmouth Church of the same denomination. His death occurred April 28, 1868, in his seventy-second year. The birth of his son George occurred on ments of reader for the New York Board of the homestead, where his life has chiefly been Aldermen and clerk of the City Court. His
spent. Receiving such instruction as the neigh-
-
Geo Morford
death occurred in August, 1881. William Mor- ford, soon after his marriage, removed, to the house now occupied by his son George, at New Monmouth, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, continuing thus employed for a period of more than forty years, and at a later date embarking with his brothers in the coal and lumber business. He was one of the originators of the earliest transportation company, and largely identified with township and county matters. In his political predilections he was
boring publie school afforded, lie at once cn- gaged in farming, and on the death of his father assumed the management of the property, which has been continued until the present time. He was, on the 20th of November, 1867, married to Miss Emeline, daughter of Jacob H. and Hannah Masker, of Newark, N. J. Their children are William, born July 3, 1869; George, July 11, 1874 (deceased) ; Alice, August 19, 1877 ; and Harry, August 19, 1881. Mr. Morford is actively engaged in business interests
570
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
aside from farming, as director of the First National Bank of Red Bank, and as director and former president and treasurer of the Port Monmouth Steamboat Company. He is also a member of the Monmouth County Agricultural Society. A Republican in his political associations and an influential representative of the party, having for years been a member of the exec- utive committee of the county, he has invariably declined office other than that of trustee of the | a daughter who died in infancy.
dependence from British aggression. After acquiring the trade of a carpenter he removed to Monmouth County in 1801, where he for some time followed that vocation, but subse- qnently became a farmer and also a distiller. He was married to Mary Whitlock, and to them were born eight children, five sons and three daughters, viz. : John W., Lydia, Wil- liam, Edmund, Richard, Benjamin, Mary and
Benjamin Giggs
school district of his township. He adheres to the religious faith of the family, and is a mem- ber and trustee of the Port Monmouth Baptist Church.
CAPTAIN BENJAMIN GRIGGS .- Benjamin Griggs, the grandfather of Captain Benjamin Griggs, was born in the county of Middlesex, N. J., in the memorable year of 1774, directly preceding the struggle of the colonies for in- I
William, the second son, was born November 20, 1808, at Freehold, and followed the trade of a blacksmith. He married Lydia A. Holman, of Monmouth County, and was the father of a family of seven children, of whom Benjamin, the sub- ject of this sketch, was the third. The children of this union were William A., Angustus (de- ceased), Edgar, Benjamin, Henry, Adelia (mar- ried to Daniel B. Frost) and Augusta. Mr. Griggs was prominently identified with local
571
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.
political affairs and was one of the first pioneers in steamboat enterprises. William Griggs died March 21, 1878.
Benjamin Griggs was born at New Mon- mouth, formerly Chanceville, on July 10, 1842. He received in his youth the education gener- ally obtained at the common schools, and after- wards followed the life of a farmer for some years. In 1869 he became clerk upon the
He was elected a member of the State Legis- lature in 1881, and has served on the commit- tees on fisheries and passed bills. He is prominently identified with all matters of public interest in his locality and is a publie-spirited citizen of worth and one that is universally respected by his neighbors. Captain Griggs is a member of the Monmouth County Agrieultu- ral Society, and worships at the Baptist Church
James Atemand
freight-boat "Orient," plying between Port Mon- mouth and New York City. His application and the confidence he inspired by his ability raised him in a short time to the command of the boat, of which he became captain in 1873, which position he successfully filled up to the year 1880, when he built a new vessel. He continues to follow the profession of a mariner, and owns shares in vessels other than that 'which he commands.
of New Monmouth, of which he is a trustee. Ou January 2, 1873, he was united in mar- riage to Martha S. Wilson, daughter of the Rev. W. V. Wilson, of Port Monmouth.
CAPTAIN JAMES H. LEONARD, the eldest son of Thomas, above mentioned, was born on the homestead of his grandfather, at Leonardsville, where the years of his boyhood were spent. After a period at school he entered his father's
1
·
572
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
store as clerk, and remained four years thus em- ployed ; but preferring a less sedentary life, abandoned for the time mercantile pursuits and retired to the farm. He was, on the 17th of November, 1863, married to Emma C., daughter of James J. Taylor, of Atlantic town- ship. Their children are Mary, born April 8, 1866; George T., born August 3, 1872, who died in his second year ; and Albert T., whose birth oc- curred Marchi 27, 1875. Captain Leonard, after
est in a very productive farm in Middletown township. Captain Leonard is in politics a stanch Republican, and has wielded an ex- tended and salutary influence in his township on questions of public import. He was, in 1875, elected to the office of assessor, and the year fol- lowing chosen to represent his district in the State Legislature. He used much of his time and means in the successful effort to obtain railroad and steamboat accommodations to Atlantic
1
Edward Assper
his marriage, purchased and removed to a farm in Middletown, which he cultivated for a period of fifteen years. This property was subse- quently sold and divided into lots, and is now included in a portion of Atlantic Highlands. He also became interested in a steamboat line plying between Atlantic Highlands and New York, and for three years acted as captain of the vessel. He, in 1882, embarked again in · mercantile enterprises, but still retains his inter-
Highlands and vicinity. He is connected by membership with the Navesink Baptist Church, in which he fills the office of trustee.
EDWARD HOOPER .- Mr. Hooper is of Eng- lish descent, his grandfather having been Jo- seph Hooper, a liucal descendant of William Hooper, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Ile first settled in Middlesex County, and afterwards removed to Monmouth
573
SHREWSBURY TOWNSHIP.
County, N. J., meanwhile marrying Elizabeth Hartman, whose children were Joseph, Wil- liam, Samuel and Rebecca. Samuel, who was born in Monmouth County, served in the War of 1812 as captain in one of the New Jersey regiments, and subsequently became a farmer. He married Ursula, daughter of Jonathan Bowne, whose children are Richard, Eleanor, Edward, William, Samuel and Jonathan. Cap- tain Hooper was prominently associated with the social and business interests of the county, and exerted no little influenee in matters of a public character. His son Edward was born October 6, 1820, on the family estate in Mid- dletown township, his father having been the owner of an extensive traet of land there located. His son, the subject of this biographical sketeh, enjoyed thorough advantages of education, and, desiring to engage in active out-of-door employ- ments, assumed supervision of the farm. This property was eventually embraced in the popu- lar seaside resort known as Atlantic Highlands, Mr. Hooper being the leading spirit in this en- terprise. He has manifested much liberality in all matters pertaining to the development of the place, always stipulating that the traffie in liquor should receive no encouragement from its resi- dents. From his youth to the present time Mr. Hooper has been a staneh advocate of the tem- perance cause, which has received from him substantial support and aid. He is identified with all movements having for their purpose the encouragement of morality and the suppression of vice in the community. Mr. Hooper was for- merly a member of the Baptist Church of Mid- dletown, and later of the Navesink Baptist Church, of which lic is now the clerk. He was, in 1884, married to Miss Elizabeth Mansfield. Miss Rebecea Hooper, whose death oceurred in .1830, aged fifty-five years, was no less favorably known for her superior mental endowments than for her attractive social gifts. She enjoyed the acquaintance of many distinguished people, and rendered her home the centre of a refined hospitality.
CHAPTER XVIII.
SHREWSBURY TOWNSHIP AND THE TOWN OF RED BANK.
SHREWSBURY was one (Middletown being the other) of the " Two Towns of Navesink" in which the first settlements in what afterwards became Monmouth County were made, under the con- cessions of the " Monmouth Patent," granted by Governor Richard Nicolls, to William Goulding and associates, in 1665. An extended account of these pioneer settlements in Shrewsbury and Middletown has already been given in the ehap- ter on Early Settlements and Land Titles.
In 1693 the three original townships of Mon- month County-Shrewsbury, Middletown and Freehold-were laid out and erceted by an aet passed by the Provincial Assembly, and approved by Governor Hamilton on the 31st of October in that year. The part of that aet which has reference to the formation of Shrews- bury is as follows : "The township of Shrews- bury includes all the land from the mouth of Neversink River, and runs up the said river and Swimming River and Saw-Mill Brook to Burlington Path ; thenee, the nearest way, over to Manasquan River or brook, where Pis- eancctieunck Brook comes into the same ; thence, the nearest way, to the Pines, and along the edge of the Pincs to Burlington path, and along Burlington Path to the Pine Brook, and along the edge of the Pines to the line of the Province, and along the Province Line to the Sea, and thenee along the Shore to where it began."- Thus the old township of Shrewsbury embraced all the eastern part of the county, from Navesink River southward to Little Egg Har- bor, including the greater part of the territory of the present county of Ocean.
In 1749 the southwest part of Shrewsbury township was ent off and erected into the town- ship of Stafford (now in Ocean County) by- patent from King George the Second, signed by Governor Jonathan Beleher, dated at Burling- ton, March 3d of the year named. The patent recites and deelares :
"That we, of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, have given and granted, and by
.
574
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
these presents do give and grant, for us, onr heirs and successors, to the inhabitants of the southwestern part of the Township of Shrewsbury, in the county of Mon- mouth, in onr Province of New Jersey, within the fol- lowing boundaries, to wit : Beginning at old Barnegat Inlet, and from the north end of the beach lying to the southward of the said Inlet, running over the Bay north, forty-six degrees.west, five iniles and thirty- seven chains to the mouth of Oyster Creek, and then west eleven miles and seventy chains to a Pine tree in the southwest plain in the old partition line of East and West Jersey, formerly run by George Keith ; thence bounded by the old division line south, nine- teen degrecs east, nineteen miles and sixty chains to the south stationary point of division between East and West Jersey, at the main sea; thence northeasterly to the place of beginning, according to the plan hereto annexed; to be and remain a perpetual township and community in word and deed, to be called and known by the name of the township of Stafford."
After this rednetion of its territory, Shrews- bury still embraced all from Navesink River southward to the south side of Barnegat In- let. This was a source of great inconvenience to a large number of the inhabitants of Shrewsbury, who, iu 1767, presented a peti- tion to the Assembly, then in session at Bur- lington, setting forth the difficulties under which they labored "by reason of the large extent of said Town," and asking for relief by a division of its territory; upon which an act was passed " to divide the town of Shrews- bury and annex parts thereof to the Towns of Freehold and Upper Freeliold," which act provided,-" That all that part of said Town of Shrewsbury beginning at Cranberry Iulet and running thenee up the Bay to the mouth of Metetecunk River ; thence up the said River to the first bridge, which now is over the said River ; thence west until it shall intersect a line to be run south, cighteen degrees west, from the place where the Burlington Old Path crosseth . the north Branch of Tom's River, called Pine Brook ; thence from the intersection of the said lines south, fifty-six degrees west, to the old division line called Keith's line ; thence along said Keith's line to the line of the Town of Stafford ; thence along the same to the main sea or ocean ; and thence, bounded by the sea, to the above mentioned beginning; shall be, and is hereby, divided off from the said Township, . and made a separate Town, to be called by the
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.