History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2, Part 31

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

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The degree of D.D. was conferred on him by the College of New Jersey in the year 1858. Soon after his ordination he married Miss Eliza A., daughter of Dr. John Reeve, of Rocky Hill, N. J. The prudent forethought, the ever- watehful eye and the sympathetie nature of his wife added not a little to the sueeess of his ministry. She was taken from him by death in November, 1850. Two daughters, their only children, are still living,-one the wife of Hon- orable James H. Bruere, of Princeton, N. J., and the other. the wife of the Rev. John H. Pratt, now residing at the old homestead, in Allentown, N. J. Dr. Perkins afterwards married Miss Lydia Newbold, of Spring- field, N. J. She, too, was a helper in the gospel. She died September 20, 1871. Dur- ing the last years of his life Dr. Perkins, owing to failing health and strength, was con- fined the most of the time to his house and study. Here the Bible was hiis chosen com- panion and the Scripture promises a constant source of consolation. His death, eaused by a sudden and severe stroke of paralysis, occurred June 30, 1880.

Many of his old friends, with their children, and children's children, attended his funeral. His remains rest, among his beloved people, in the cemetery near the church, whither they were borne by six of his brethren in the min- istry, there to await the resurrection of the just.

JOSEPH HOLMES .- Jonathan Holmes, the son of Joseph Holmes and the grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, resided upon the farm now owned by the latter in Upper Freehold township. To his wife, a Miss Ashton, were born children,-Joseph, Elizabeth and Alice. Joseph, the only son, spent his life upon the farmn where his birth occurred, having mar- ried Mary Bruere, of the same township, whose children were Jonathan, born in 1794; James, in 1796 ; Joseph, -; Alice, in 1798 (wife of Dr. William Davis) ; and Sarah, in 1809 (wife of John H. Bruere).

Joseph, of this number, was born on the 24th

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

of November, 1810, and has spent his life at the scene of his birth. His cducation, begun at the district school of the neighborhood, was com- pleted at Burlington, N. J., after which he re- turned to the farm and was actively engaged in its various departments of labor. The property having been sold, on attaining his majority, he became the purchaser, though already the owner of that portion which fell to him by inheritance. He was, on the 27th of October, 1842, married to Martha Ann, daughter of Thomas S. and Rebecca Meirs, whose birth occurred October 23, 1824. Their children are Mary, born Feb- ruary 1, 1844 (Mrs. James L. Rue) ; Sarah, August 9, 1845, who died August 16, 1849 ; and Joseph, whose birthi oceurred July 11, 1849. Mr. Holmes has made farming the business of his life. Although his career has not been es- pecially noticeable for new departures in the science of agriculture, he has kept pace with the latest inventions and improvements that are made available in aiding the farmer, and has been successful in his business operations. Mr. Holmes fills the office of director of the Hightstown National Bank, and is a member of the Monmouth County Agricultural Society. His political sympathies are with the Republi- cans, though indifferent to office and seldom found among the party leaders or workers. He is a director of the Pemberton Railroad and has been associated with other important enterprises. Mr. Holmes is in his religious faith a Baptist, and both dcacon and trustee of the Baptist Church of Upper Freehold. The grandchil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are Annie H. and Joseph H. (children of James L. and Mary Rue), and Sarah, Josepli G. and George B. (children of Joseph and Helen Holmes).

ABEL CAFFERTY .- Abcl Cafferty is of Irish descent, and is the grandson of William Cafferty, who resided at Red Bank, N. J., where he car- ried on the occupations of a tanner, shoemaker and farmer. He married Mary Bowers, of Hol- land Dutch descent, and to them were born children,-Jolin, Nathaniel, Josiah, Joel, Samuel and two daughters.

Nathaniel Cafferty was born in Upper Free-

hold, and carly acquired his father's trade, which he followed at Imlaystown. He married Patience, daughter of Vanroom Robbins, of Middlesex County, whose children were John, Abel, Lydia Ann (married Charles Hopkins), Enoch and Vanroom. Of these, John and Lydia Ann are now deceased.

Abel Cafferty was born at Imlaystown on May 21, 1813, and until twenty-one years of age lived at that place, where his time was spent at the common school, the trade of shoemaking and for a period of two years in farming. His father having rented the saw-mill, upon the site of which now stands the grist-mill owned by Mr. Cafferty, at Allentown, N. J., when Abel was twenty-two years of age he proceeded thither, and was there employed in connection with his father for five years, when he leased the mill for a period of five years, and also engaged in the mak- ing of sausage. In 1845, Mr. Cafferty bought the mill property, and later erected a new saw and grist-mill, which he conducted successfully till 1883, when he rented the grist-mill to his son Howell, still controlling the saw-mill and ad- jacent property. The mill built in 1855 was constructed by Mr. Cafferty, the bricks being made at his briekyard, under his personal super- vision. He has, in addition to these enterprises, been a successful farmer, and at one time engaged in the growth of mulberry trees for the pur- pose of silk-culture ; this, however, was but an indifferent suecess. Mr. Cafferty was formerly a Democrat, but is now a Republican in his political opinions, and has never held a political position excepting that of constable, his business interests having precluded any active participa- tion in politics. He is connected with the lead- ing business interests of the town, and gives his support to the Presbyterian Church, of which Mrs. Cafferty is a member.

On October 19, 1843, Mr. Cafferty married Margaret, daughter of Joseph Walker, born in Germany ; was a resident of Allentown. Mrs. Cafferty was born October 30, 1822. To them have been born children, - Mary W. (Mrs. Wil- liam Hankins), Charles (married Fanny, daughter of Daniel W. Bills, of Allentown), Elizabeth (Mrs. Joseph Rodgers), John (married Emma, daughter of James Parker, of Allentown) and

• أجملات .

Joseph Holmes

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UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP.

Howell (married Kate, daughter of William Tiel, of Bordentown).

Mr. Cafferty is a man greatly respected for bis solid worth, and is now, as his years of life draw near to a close, enjoying the fruits of honest industry and his laudable desire to "get on in the world."

JAMES D. HALL .- Abner Hall, the father of James D. Hall, resided in Upper Freehold

spent. The usual life of a farmer's son was his, and such education as the common schools of the neighborhood afforded was acquired. After a few years spent in Philadelphia, where he learned the trade of a bricklayer, he returned to his home, and embarked in business as a distiller, and also in the manufacture of cider. At a later date he engaged in the manufacture of vinegar, which employment he followed up I to the time of his death. Soon after his return

Abel Cafferty

township, Monmouth County, N. J., and fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer. He married Mary Dillon, and to them were born children, -- Hannah (Mrs. Horton Cooper), James D., Alice (Mrs. Samuel Burke), Lydia, George (married Catherine Conover) and Mary (Mrs. James Burke).

James D. Hall was born April 9, 1818, upon the homestead farm in Upper Freehold town- ship, and there the earlier part of his life was

to Upper Freehold he purchased a farm ad- joining the family homestead, and this he cul- tivated. Some years later he purchased the homestead farm; and at the time of his death he owned five hundred aeres of good land, all purchased from his unaided earnings. He was an active business man, and one highly respected in the community in which he lived; a strong Democrat in his political views, and as such served in the New Jersey Legislature in 1849-

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

50. He was a direetor in the Hightstown Na- tional Bank, an active Mason, a member of the Odd-Fellows' fraternity, and also of the Mon- mouth County Agricultural Society. On Jan- uary 23, 1839, he married Alice Jamieson, whose children were. Hannah, Virginia, James E. and Eleanor (Mrs. George R. Field). He was married, February 5, 1874, to Mary, daughter of William S. Rue, of Upper Free-

in the forty-seventh year of his age. He re- ceived a elassical education at New Brunswiek, studied medicine with his brothers, Azariah D. Newell, M.D., and William A. Newell, M.D .; graduated at the Medical College of the Distriet of Columbia in 1844, and begun the praetiee of his profession at Imlaystown where hecontinued to reside until his death.

During the War of the Rebellion he enlisted

hold, to whom was born one daughter, as a private in the Union army, but was soon Mary D.

Mr. Hall's death oceurred February 1, 1883.

DR. WILLIAM DUNHAM NEWELL, fifth and youngest son of James II. and Eliza D. Newell, was born at Black's Hills, Mommouth County, on the 20th of February, 1823, and died at Imlaystown on the 22d of November, 1869,

after appointed surgeon of the Twenty-eighth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, a position which he filled with great skill and acceptance until the expiration of his term of serviec. He was present at the first and second battles of Fredericksburg, at that of Chancellorsville, and also in several minor engagements; was repeatedly exposed to the fire of the enemy, but always performed his duties on the field with

HOWELL TOWNSHIP.

645

coolness and courage, never shrinking from danger. His life was devoted exclusively to his professional business, and he had at all times a large and lucrative practice. His thorough knowledge of disease, extensive ex- perience, keen perception, sound judgment and close application combined to render him eminently successful as a practitioner, and gained for him a widespread and well-deserved reputation as a physician, not only with the people, but also with his medical brethren, with whom his relations were most friendly and intimate. He was possessed of extraordinary delicaey of toneh and mechanical talent, and was a dextrous manipulator. These qualities rendered him a successful surgeon, so that in the adjustment of wounds, luxations, fractures, application of splints and bandages, and in the management of such other surgical cases as came in his practice he had no superior. He was a constant reader, keeping pace with the most advaneed ideas and improvements in the medieal profession ; was a close student of history, familiar with the best poetry of the language, and was thoroughly versed in current literature. He was an accomplished musician, performing well upon almost every variety of instrument. As a delineator and painter he especially excelled, and many of his off-hand productions ehallenged the admiration of masters. He was large-hearted and liberal, and never turned the poor empty away. He was a vigor- ous and athletic gymnast, rapid as a flash, and of unerring aim. In person he was dignified and imposing, and in mien and manner carried the attributes of a true gentleman. During his term of service in the army the exposure to which he was subjected induced several severe attaeks of pneumonia, which, together with a violent injury received at the first battle of Fredericksburg, undermined his health, and resulted in his death. He died where he had lived during all the years of his manhood, be- loved by the people, and at peace with God and all mankind. His remains were interred in the cemetery attached to the Presbyterian Chureli at Allentown, attended to their final home by a multitude of loving and sorrowing friends.

CHAPTER XX.

HOWELL TOWNSHIP.

HOWELL is one of the southern tier of town- ships of Monmouth County. Its boundaries are: On the north, Atlantie township; on the east, Wall township; on the south, Oeean County ; on the west, Oeean County and the township of Freehold. The Manasquan River flows southeastwardly through the central part of the township, in which it receives the waters of several tributaries, the principal of which is the Mingamahone Brook, which flows nearly south and enters the main stream near the east. line of the township. The north branch of Metedecunk Creek flows through Howell along its entire southwestern and southern border, leaving the township at its southeastern corner, and passing thence into Ocean County, where it unites with the main stream, which flows into Barnegat Bay. Two railway lines pass through the territory of Howell,-viz., the Jamesburg and Freehold Agricultural Railroad (now a part of the lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany), which traverses the township from nortli- west to southeast, and the New Jersey Southern Railroad (now operated by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company), which enters the township near its northeast corner and passes through it tlience in a southwesterly direction. The two railroads cross each other at the village of Farmingdale. The population of Howell, by the United States census of 1880, was three thousand three hundred and seventy-four.

Howell was formed from territory taken from Shrewsbury and erected into a township by the provisions of an aet of Assembly passed February 23, 1801, which declares that "All that part of the township of Shrewsbury, in the county of Monmouth, lying within the follow- ing boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the main sea or ocean, in the middle of Shark River Inlet, and from thence running up the main stream thereof, up along the several windings, to a place called and known by the name of the Horse Pound; ' and from thence from a certain pine

' Tradition says this place was so called because here the Indians caught the horses and cattle of the early set-

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTHI COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

tree standing by the edge of the brook in the Horse Pound, lettered I. P., said to be the be- ginning corner of a tract of land surveyed and returned for Joseph Potter (deceased), on a straight line to the head-spring of Mingume- hone Branch, at the foot of Manohomy Hill, near the Widow Harvey's house ; and from thenee on a straight line to the most southerly corner of a traet of land belonging to the Rev- erend Samuel Pyle, ' called ths Mill Tract; from thence, along said Pyle's southerly bound lines, till it meets the easterly bound line of the township of Freehold; and from thenee along said line southerly until it meets the northerly bound line of the township of Dover ; and from thence eastwardly along the line of said township until it comes to the main ocean ; and from thence along the same northerly to the place of beginning, shall be, and the same is hereby, set off from the township of Shrewsbury ; and the same is hereby established a separate township, to be called by the name of The Township of Howell." The name given to this township was in honor of Richard Howell, then Governor of New Jersey.

The aet (passed February 15, 1850) which erected the county of Ocean declared it divided into six townships, viz. : the existing townships of Stafford, Jackson, Plumsted, Union and Dover, and the then ereeted new township of Brick, which was to be composed of a part of Dover township and of that part of Howell lying south of the county line of Monmouth and Ocean. It appears that by a mistake made in

tlers, which ran at large in the woods, distinguished as to their ownership only by certain marks or brands, which were entered in the township and county records. It was said that the Indians built a brush fence in the form of a triangle, the apex of which was at a point where there was a bog or quagmire. From this place the fences diverged until the two were nearly a mile apart. Into this open- ing the horses and cattle were driven, until they came to the bog, where they sunk into the mire, and were then easily taken by the Indians.

1 This should be Rev. Simon Pyle. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and preached during the first part of his life through Virginia, Maryland and South Jersey. He afterwards settled in Monmouth County as a farmer, and was also a local preacher. He was the father of Simon F. Pyle, a well-known surveyor of this . county.

the description of the boundaries of Brick town- ship at the time of its erection, it was not made to include all that part of Howell township which was thrown into Ocean County ; on which account a supplement was passed in 1851, enaet- ing that " All that part of the township of Howell, which, by the formation of the town- ship of Briek, beeame detached from the afore- said township of Howell, and lying on the south side of the township of Briek, be and the same is hereby deelared to belong and attached to, and form a part of the township of Dover."

In 1851 Howell was reduced to its present limits by the erection of the township of Wall from that part lying between Shark River and the line of Ocean County. The description of the territory taken from Howell in the forma- tion of Wall is given in the history of the latter township.

The following is a list of ehosen freeholders of Howell township from its formation to the present year, viz. :

1801-4. David Lewis.

1805. James Allen.

1805-15. Samuel I. Forman.

1828-39. Nicholas Van Wickle.

1839-50. Jesse Cowdrick.

1840. Samuel F. Allen.

1841-42. Josiah Wainright.

1843-50. Benjamin Lafetra.

1850-56. James Cooper.

1857-72. Charles Butcher.

1873-75. Austin H. Patterson.

1876. W. Thompson Little.

1877-78. Austin H. Patterson.

1879-81. Charles H. Boud.

1882-84. Austin H. Patterson.

Gordon's " Gazetteer " of 1834 gives the fol- lowing in reference to Howell township: " Mana- squan, Squankum and Howell Furnace are post- towns in this township. Its population in 1830 was 4141. In 1832 there were in the township about eight hundred taxables, one hundred and two-hundred householders, whose ratables did not exceed thirty dollars and forty-two single men, eleven stores, ten saw-mills, five grist- mills, two fulling-mills, four carding-machines, twenty-six tan-vats, two distilleries, one furnace in operation, three hundred and sixty-five horses and mules, and fourteen hundred neat cattle."

HOWELL TOWNSHIP.

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FARMINGDALE is the principal village of Howell, lying in the castern part of the town- ship, north of its centre. It is situated on Mingamahone Brook, and at the crossing of the New Jersey Southern Railroad and the line running from Freehold to Manasquan.

From a time before the Revolution down to 1815, or later, this place was known as " Marsh's Bog," and afterwards as Upper Squankuin, which latter was the name given to the post- office when it was established there in 1819.1 The name of the office was changed to Farming- dale April 1, 1854.

During the Revolution, Thomas Borden kept a tavern, which stood nearly opposite the store of Jacob Lutz. In this old tavern the bar- room ceiling was pierced by bayonets, said to be those of British soldiers, but it is much more likely it was done by men of the Monmouth militia, who were posted there from time to time during the war. Soon after the death of Thomas Borden his widow married James Parker, who continued the tavern. Hugh Boud married a daughter of Thomas Borden, and he afterwards kept the tavern, and was the last landlord. It was elosed about 1838. Charles G. Boud, of Farmingdale, is a son of Hugh Boud.

About 1815, William Little built a tavern at the turn of the road that leads to Freehold, and kept it until about 1855. He also had a black- smith-shop at the Corners. The first store was kept by Henry Remsen, and later by H. Wain- wright, whose successors in the business have been Joseph Goodenough, William Goodenough and Jacob Lutz. The American Hotel, now kept by C. W. Brower, was built upon the opening of the railroad in 1868.

In 1864, William H. Vann erected a foun- dry, which he carried on until 1870, when it was sold to Lafetra & Van Note. It is now owned and operated by Grandin Van Note.

The post-office was established at Upper

Squankum (now Farmingdale) March 25, 1819, upon the opening of a mail route from Free- hold to Tuckerton. James Parker was ap- pointed postmaster, and held the position until August 9, 1826, when he was succeeded by Halsted H. Wainwright. He was succeeded, about 1850, by Joseph Goodenough. In 1858, William Goodenough was appointed, and held it until 1883, when Mrs. S. W. Hankins, the present postmaster, was appointed.

THE METHODIST CHURCH OF FARMING- DALE has a history covering about forty years. In 1844, though the Methodists in this section had no church edifice, yet they had bought a parsonage house for the preacher of the circuit, and on the 5th of September in that year they elected trustees. The parsonage was described as being "in the village of Upper Squankum, in the township of Howell." In 1848 a lot was purchased of Catharine Wainwright, and the corner-stone of a church edifice was laid in 1849. The building was finished and dedicated in 1850, remodeled in 1866 and reopened January 1, 1867. The Revs. W. E. Barrett and W. C. Stockton were ministers in charge in 1850. They were succeeded by the follow- ing-named ministers: William Franklin and Josiah Canfield, 1853-54; Mordecai C. Stokes, 1858; John L. Souder, 1859; S. Jaquett, 1860-61 ; G. H. Tullis, 1862-63; William E. Boyle, 1864-65; William B. Osborn, 1870-71; S. C. Chattin, 1872-74; T. S. Wilson, 1875; S. W. Lake, 1876; G. G. Graw, 1877-78; S. W. Lake, 1879-80; T. C. Carman, 1881-82; E. Gifford, 1883; W. F. Herr, 1884. The church has a membership of two hundred.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH at Farming- dale was organized December 29, 1870, by the Monmouth Presbytery. The church, at its or- ganization, consisted of Gilbert Davison and ten ladies, who were members of various churches. A call was extended, in July, 1871, to the Rev. Daniel W. Teller, which was not accepted. The Rev. E. J. Pierce, who had lately returned from a missionary field of labor on the Gaboon River, in Africa, came to this place and supplied the church from August 1873

1 The name, however, clung to the place after the estab- lishment of the post-office. Gor lou's "Gazetteer" of 1834 mentions its as " Marsh's Bog," situate in Howell town- ship, nine miles southeast of Freehold, and says, " It contains two taverns, two stores and ten or twelve dwell- ings.

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

until October, when he was installed pastor, and he is still in charge.

Meetings were held for worship in the school- house. On the 1st of October, 1872, a con- traet was made with George C. Hulett to erect a church building, thirty-six by fifty-five feet, for three thousand dollars. The edifice was dedicated August 21, 1873, and is still occupied by the church.

For some time the society increased rapidly · in numbers but by reason of removals to the coast in late years, it now numbers only about sixty members.

Mingamahone Lodge, No. 162, I.O. of O.F., was instituted in 1874, with the following per- sons as charter members : J. Mount Smith, J. Monroe Wainwright, Henry W. Lake, Charles E. Bartow and Edwin C. Barkalow. The pres- ent officers are J. J. Lippincott, N. G. ; B. M. Disbrow, V. G. ; C. H. Boud, Rec. Sec. ; Joseph Morton, Per. See. ; Edwin Miller, Treas. The lodge now has about thirty-five members.

The Friendship Rebekah Lodge, No. 37, I. O. of O. F., of Farmingdale, was instituted November 14, 1873, with ten female aud seyen- teen male charter members. The lodge soon ceased to exist.

Squankum Tribe, No. 39, Improved Order of Red Men, was instituted May 7, 1873, with twenty-four members. It now has twenty-two members. The present officers are James M. Lippincott, Sachem ; Jacob Lutz, Senior Saga- more ; S. C. Burdge, Junior Sagamore ; W. W. Brower, Chief of Records; B. M. Disbrow, Prophet ; C. W. Brower, Keeper of Wampum.

but has been free to, and been used by, other de- nominations, as ministers could be obtained.

The Friends' Meeting-house was built on a lot of tlirec-fourths of an acre of land, which was sold for that purpose February 21, 1778, by Patterson Cook to George Parker, Obadiah Wil- liams, Obadiah Tilton, Britton White, Benjamin Corlies and Peter Corlies, trustees of the Friends' Meeting. The old building stood on the oppo- site side of the stream from the mill. The old burial-place still remains. The meeting-house has long since gone down. A school-house was built here in 1839. In 1856 the mill was sold by R. T. Stout to Nesbit Brothers, and by them to Charles B. Hulett, who, in 1872, sold to W. A. Prickett, who is now the owner and is also postmaster, having succeeded John Stokey, who had been postmaster many years, until 1879.

WEST FARMS, formerly known as New Bar- gaintown, is located near the centre of the town- ship. A mill was built at this place about 1830, and it was in building the dam across the river that marl was discovered in this locality, which resulted in the formation of the Squankum Marl Company (incorporated Marel 26, 1863 ; capital, thirty thousand dollars), who operated largely in this seetion.1

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History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2, Part 31

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