History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2, Part 34

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

USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2 > Part 34

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM P. FORMAN .- Ex-Judge William P. Forman was born in the township of Upper Freehold (now Millstone) on the 25th day of January, 1807, where he still resides. He rep- resents the fifth generation from the pioneer, John Foreman, who arrived from Scotland in the year 1685, and settled near Freehold, the letter "e" having since, by general consent, been stricken out in spelling the name. Judge For- man's father was Peter, his mother's maiden- name being Rebecca Ely, who was closely con- nected with the extensive family of that name now residing in the county. From boyhood he was of an inquiring mind, aspiring to the acqui- sition of useful knowledge. He was, however, obliged to satisfy his aspirations by attending the district schools in youth, a portion of the time in the winter season only, except when a student of a grammar school in the neighbor- hood for a brief period. The remainder of the time he was engaged at ordinary farm labor. He became a good mathematician, and mastered the theory of surveying, which he practiced in after-life with a considerable degree of success, as also that of conveyancer. He was frequently employed in the settlement of estates and in other business. In the mean time, having pur- chased real estate in the neighborhood, he be- came absorbed in the occupations of an agricul-

turist. The most useful knowledge he acquired was by practical observation of the laws of cause and effect, being at the same time careful to put into operation any well-digested idea that did not involve greater outlay than he could safely control. When young, he was passionately fond of military life, and was connected with the old militia system and held the offices of lieutenant, adjutant and major. The system was not fos- tered by public opinion, and could not be con- ducted creditably; therefore he promptly re- signed. When in his twenty-first year Judge Forman became interested in affairs of a relig- ious nature, and believed it to be his privilege

God. He therefore connected himself with what was then called the Second Presbyterian Church of Upper Freehold (now the First Presbyterian Church of Millstone), under the pastoral care of Rev. William H. Woodhull, a lineal descendant of Rev. John Woodhull, D.D. He remained simply a member until 1841, and was then ap- pointed a ruling elder, in which capacity he served for about fifteen years. He was, at that date, dismissed to join the Manalapan Church, on its organization, August 1, 1856, in the erection of which edifice he had taken a very lively in- terest. He became, and is still, one of its first ruling elders, and is the only survivor of the original number. He also became presiding trustee and filled the office for twenty-seven con- secutive years, when he resigned on account of advancing years.

On the 12th day of March, 1828, Judge For- man married Miss Evelina Baird, a daughter of Captain David Baird, by whom he had four children, viz .: John (who died in infancy), Fransinchy Rebecca, Mary Elizabeth and Peter, still living. His wife died November 26, 1883, in her seventy-ninth year. Mrs. For- man was an affectionate wife and an indulgent and kind mother, highly appreciated by all who knew her. From 1829 until 1832, Judge For- man taught school, and has the satisfaction of remembering that most of the few gray-headed men and women now left were once his scholars ; not many, however, remain, some of them hav- ing occupied high positions both in church and state, and one, at least, having been Governor of

661

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP.

the State. The judge evineed some taste for 1838, received a thorough academie education and became proficient as a surveyor and eon- veyancer. He has filled the office of assessor of his township for years and represented his dis- triet in the State Legislature. A man of integ- rity, he is universally esteemed in the county. politics, and was often called upon to preside at primary meetings and conventions of the people. He was chief marshal at the great gathering on the Monmouth battle-ground, when many years ago visited by Colonel Richard M. Johnson. Among the township'offices, he has held the posi- tion of assessor at different times in two distinct DAVID BAIRD .- David Baird, the great- grandfather of Mr. Baird, born October 19, 1710, married Sarah Compton, whose birth oe- townships. He served in the State Legislature for several years, and afterwards, in 1843, was appointed a judge of Monmouth Court of Com- 1 eurred April 18, 1716. Among their children

NAP Dormant

mon Pleas for the term of five years. He | was John, born October 27, 1750, who owned was appointed again in 1852 for a like term the property on which the subject of this sketeh resides ; and David, born July 16, 1754. The latter was three times married. His last wife was Mary Edwards, born about 1771, and mar- ried on the 25th of November, 1795. Their children are David, born in 1797 ; Rei, born in 1798; Elizabeth, in 1800; Thomas, February 6, 1802; Ann, in 1803; Evelina, in 1805; Joseph, in 1807 ; James, in 1810; Rachel, in and also in 1857 for the same length of time, and again in 1862 for five years, making a period of twenty years' service. He has since transacted considerable publie business, but has recently retired from active life and now lives quietly on the homestead, his chief desire being to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with the Lord his God. Peter Forman, the only son of Judge Forman, was born December 2, i 1812 ; Eleanor, in 1815; and Zebulon, in 1819.

662

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Thomas married Eleanor T., daughter of Peter Bilyeu and Maria, his wife, of Upper Freehold. Their children are David and Jonathan (twins), the latter of whom died in infancy, and Sarah, wife of John E. Hunt, born March 20, 1833. The birth of David Baird (the fourth of the name) oceurred on the 21st of August, 1829, in Millstone township, from whence he, in 1842, removed with his parents to the farm which is his present residence. He received early advan-

11, 1860, deceased ; Isaac, November 11, 1861, deecased ; Howard, February 16, 1863 ; Carrie, March 27, 1865; Henry Leslie, November 28, 1867, deceased ; David, February 16, 1869 ; and John H., February 7, 1872. Mr. Baird, for a brief period following his marriage, en- gaged in general farming, but devoted his atten- tion partienlarly to the growing of small fruits. In 1869 he embarked in the nursery business, and, though making a specialty of fruit and

David Baires

tages at the common schools of the township, later becoming a pupil of O. R. Willis, at Hightstown, and subsequently at the Freeholdl Institute. Returning to the farm, he assisted in its cultivation, and on the 9th of December, 1852, was married to Mary E., eldest daughter of Isaac Pullen, of East Windsor, Mercer County, N. J. Their children are Emerson P., born October 11, 1853; Sarah H., July 9, 1855; C. Augustus, May 15, 1857 ; Thomas, January 2, 1859, deceased ; Millie, September

ornamental trees, devotes mueh time to florieul- ture. He finds a ready market for the produc- tions of the nursery, the principal shipments being made to Maryland and Delaware. Mr. Baird, though interested in the political issues of the day as they affeet his township and county, has manifested little desire for office. He has, however, as a Republican, served for three years as ehosen freeholder, and also as assessor. He was also actively identified with measures for the prosecution of the late war.

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP.

663

He is a member of the Monmouth County Agri- cultural Society, of the New Jersey State Horti- cultural Society, and of the American Horticul- tural Society, and life member of the American Pomological Society. Mr. Baird is also actively interested in religious work and is an elder in the Manalapan Presbyterian Church, of which Mrs. Baird is also a member.

Sarah A., deceased; Mary, deceased ( Mrs. Lewis Parker); Lucy, deceased (Mrs. John Segoine); Elizabeth (Mrs. Enoch Ely) ; Pierson, deceased; Margaret, (Mrs. John G. Mount) ; James Monroe; John M .; William M .; and Joseph, deceased. James Monroe, of this num- ber, was born February 12, 1821, and in 1824 removed with his father to Smithburg, the latter having purchased at this point the hotel prop- erty which had been in possession of the

JAMES MONROE SMITH .-- John Smith, the grandfather of James Monroe Smith, a Quaker ! Parker family for many years, and was then

James on Smith

by birtli, resided in Holmdel, then Middletown township, where he followed the trade of a mill- wright. He was three times married. By his union to Margaret Ogden were born two sons, Samuel and Asher. The last named, a native of Holmdel, was formerly a successful farmer, and later a landlord at Smithburg, Millstone township, where his intelligence and character enabled him to wield an extended influence. He married Ann Pierson, daughter of John Pierson, of Trenton, N. J. Their children are

owned by Charles Parker, father of ex-Gover- nor Joel Parker. James Monroe Smith re- ceived a common-school training, and afterward aided in the cultivation of a tract of six hun- dred aeres of land, owned by his father. Here he continued to be industriously employed, meanwhile acquiring a thorough knowledge of farming, until 1850, when, on the 5th of Novem- ber of that year, he was married to Leah E., daughter of Daniel Slack, of Perrineville, Mill- stone township, and granddaughter of Thomas

664

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Slaek, who married Rachel Swain, born May 27, 1767, daughter of Daniel Swain, born De- cember 1, 1742. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith are. Frank, deceased; Daniel Pier- son, Thomas A., James Monroe, Carrie M. and William M. Mr. Smith purchased and removed to a part of the homestead farm, which he eultivated until 1871, when his present at- traetive property, formerly the Slaek home- stead, was secured. Here he has since resided, and continued the healthful pursuits of a farmer.

and is a director of the Freehold and Smith- burg Turnpike Company. He is also a mem- ber of the Monmouth County Agricultural Society. Both he and Mrs. Smith are connected by membership with the Manalapan Presby- terian Church, of which he is one of the trustees.

CHARLES ALLEN .- John Allen, the grand- father of the subject of this biographieal sketeh, was by trade a carpenter, and pursued his eraft

Charles Alleup

He has been identified to some extent with the [ successfully in Monmouth and Burlington township and its interests, as freeholder for a Counties. He married Elizabeth Haley, whose children were William, Edward, John, Isaiah, Mary Jane, Elizabeth, Susan and Margaret. Edward was born August 14, 1793, and mar- ried Sarah Johnson, daughter of John and Elizabeth Ketehum JJohnson, of Howell town- ship. Their children are Charles, born October 18, 1815; William, August 10, 1817; Eliza- beth, January 14, 1820; John, May 14, 1821 ; James, July 20, 1824 and Euniee E., October period of three years, and as township com- mitteeman for ten years. His loyalty was manifested during the late Rebellion, in great personal exertion made to fill the quota for the township, when a heavy individual responsi- bility was incurred, and the crisis met with a courage worthy the most exalted patriotismn. Mr. Smith was among the incorporators of the . Monmouth County Mutual Insurance Company,

665

ATLANTIC TOWNSHIP.

24, 1828. The birth of Charles occurred at Blue Ball, in Howell township, from whence he, in his youth, removed with his parents to Prospertown, in Upper Freehold township, and became a pupil of the district school of that locality. In youth he engaged as clerk for Thomas Miller in the mercantile business near Prospertown, and two years later removed to Cassville with the same gentleman, finally re- turning again to Howell township as clerk for William and Aaron Remsen, at Butcher's

· Works. Two years later he became clerk for Riee Hadsell and Jaeob and William McClain, at Red Bank, in Monmouth County, and after leaving Red Bank went to New York City as elerk for Joseph W. Brick, who was the pro- prietor of Bergen Iron-Works. From thenee he returned to Cassville as assistant in his father's store. Mr. Allen was, on the 28th of September, 1841, married to Hannah W., daughter of Captain Ephraim Potter, of Tom's River, N. J., and the following October was elected sheriff of Monmouth County, which office he held for three years and resided in the town of Freehold. When his term of office expired he removed to Clarksburg, in the same county, and engaged in farming and mercantile business. In the year 1851 he was elected to represent his constituents in the State Legisla- ture and again in 1867. Having no children, the kindly natures of Mr. and Mrs. Allen have led them to bestow their affection npon four adopted daughters,-Sarah E., wife of E. P. Emson ; Malvina H., wife of Jolin Henry Ely ; Ella Cornelius Allen; and Annie Cornelius Allen. Mr. Allen has acted as freeholder for a number of years and filled various township offices, his serviees having been no less val- uable to the township than to the county. In 1878 he was elected to the office of sheriff of the county of Monmouth, thirty-seven years having elapsed since his first election to that office. He has been, during his whole life, closely allied to the Democratic party and ac- tively interested in the publie questions of the day. He is a liberal supporter of the Christian Church, his wife being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Clarksburg, N. J. In 1882, at the close of his term of

office, Mr. Allen removed from Freehold to Perrineville and engaged in farming and the management of a grist-mill and steam saw-mill. His services are frequently called into requisi- tion as trustee and executor, and his adviee sought in the solution of questions involving litigation.

CHAPTER XXII.

ATLANTIC TOWNSHIP.

THE township of Atlantie was ereeted in 1847 1 from parts of the townships of Freehold, Shrewsbury and Middletown, with boundaries " beginning at the southwest corner of the township of Shrewsbury, where the Freehold, Shrewsbury and Howell township lines meet ; thenee running northerly until it comes to the mouth of the road that leads through Jacob Conover's farm ; thenee northerly, following the iniddle of said road, until it comes to the road near - Hulse's house, which road leads to John J. Ely's mills ; thence easterly, following the middle of said road, until it strikes Middle Hop Brook ; thence easterly, down said brook, its various courses, until it comes to Swimming River Bridge; thence southerly, along the mid- dle of the main road leading to Tinton Falls, until it comes to Haggerty's corner; thenee southerly until it strikes the Tinton Falls mill- pond brook ; thence up the said brook, by its various courses, until it comes to Pine Brook ; thence up the said Pine Brook until it strikes the Howell township line ; thence westerly along the line dividing the townships of Howell and Shrewsbury to the Freehold line, the place of beginning."

The boundaries of Atlantic township are : On the north, Marlborough, Holmdel and Mid- dletown townships ; on the east, Shrewsbury ; on the south, Wall and Howell; and on the west, the townships of Freehold and Marlbor- ough. The principal stream of Atlantic town- ship is Hop Brook, which marks all of its northern boundary against Holmdel and Mid-

1 Pamphlet Laws of 1847, pp. 66-67.

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

dletown. Several small tributarics of this stream flow in. an easterly and northeasterly direction through the township, the principal of which are Yellow Brook, Big Brook and Hock- hockson Brook, the last named of which, with its southern branch, marks the greater part of the eastern boundary of Atlantic against Shrewsbury. Through the southcast part of the township, for a short distance, runs the line of the New Jersey Southern Railroad. The . population of Atlantic township by the United States census of 1880 was seventeen hundred and forty-three. Following is a list of chosen freeholders of the township from its erection to the present time, viz .:

1847. Thomas G. Haight. 1847-48. De Lafayette Schenck,

1848-53. Samuel W. Jones.

1849-50. John L. Stoutenburgh.

1854-55. Edward T. Ryall.

1856. Henry D. Hendrickson.

1857-59. Henry Buck. 1860-62. Forman Sickles.

1863-67. Levi Scobey.

1868-80. John T. Haight.

1881-84. John E. Van Derveer.

COLT'S NECK is the principal village of At- lantic township, and is situated a little south and west of the centre, on Yellow Brook. The origin of the name of this village is unknown. Some have said it came from the fact that a tavern-keeper of the place put up a sign bear- ing the picture of a colt's head and neck and the date 1817, but the date alone would dis- prove the supposition, as the name Colt's Neck is frequently mentioned in the annals of the Revolution, full forty years earlier.

The tavern referred to was kept by Jacob Hart, who, in 1817, was succeeded in the pro- prietorship by Sanınel Laird, who kept it until his death, July 5, 1859, when it was taken by his son, Robert Laird. He kept it several years, and in 1869 it was taken by Augustus Manning. Since that time it has had several proprietors, and is now kept by Monroe Mat- thews.

The post-office at this place was established February 24, 1824, with Samuel Laird as post- master. He was succeeded in 1859 by Tunis

Statesir, who was, in turn, succeeded by Charles Sherman, the present postmaster, who is also a merchant of the village.

In the house now occupied by Miss Harriet Throckmorton, John Wardell kept a store in 1812 and for several years after that time. About 1816, Benjamin Van Mater kept a store in a building that stood where now are the store of Charles Sherman and the dwelling of John T. Haight. John Stoutenburg kept a store here afterwards, and Elisha Laird kept a store from about 1836 for many years. He was suc- ceeded by Samuel and James Throekmorton. In 1858, Levi Scobey erected a store building, which he occupied several years. He was suc- ceeded by Charles Scobey & Co., Charles Haight & Co. and in 1864 by S, Matthews, who is the present owner and proprietor.

Colt's Neck as it was in 1834 is described in the Gazetteer of that year as follows: "It contains from fifteen to twenty dwellings, one tavern, two storcs, three grist-mills and two saw-mills."

The grist-mill near the village, on Yellow Brook, was built before 1806 by Cornelius Barriclo. It was afterwards owned by Charles Parker and Jacob Probasco, by whom the pres- ent mill was built, and since 1864 by Thomas E. Snyder, the present owner. The Van Mater and Muhlenbrink mill, lower down on the same stream, was also built by Cornelius Barriclo. Later, it came into possession of William Haight, by whom it was carried on many years, and afterwards by his sons.

THE REFORMED CHURCH AT COLT'S NECK dates baek less than thirty years. The follow- ing sketch of it is quoted from the "Classis of Monmouth," written in 1879 by the Rev. Tlicodore Wells.

" The first creative aet of the Classis, so to speak, was the organization of the church of Colt's Neck. This is a point about five miles from cach of the churches of First and Second Freehold and the now church of Holmdel. It was a district of country outlying all circles of direct church influence, and lying between the thirce churches named and the pine region. Here was room for us to enlarge on our own

ATLANTIC TOWNSHIP.

667

frontier. This distriet contained many families of people, mostly living on small holdings, and without means of eonveyanee to church. They were quiet, respectable people, and anxious to have Gospel privileges. As they occasionally needed the services of a minister in the marry- ing of their children and the burial of their dead, they naturally called in some minister that they knew, or had seen or heard of, almost entirely irrespective of denominational relations. But inasmuch as the Reformed minister at Holmdel had the longest pastoral life, he at length became the only one they knew of. And it happened that that whole community fell into his hands as a part of his pastoral care, and he, responding to the oceasion, made regular pasto- ral visitations among them, usually once a year, preaching the gospel from house to house, and in this way some preeious fruit was gathered into the church. But it was for years a heavy burden on his heart that these people could not have the means of regularly hearing the gospel preached.

"A commodious school-house was at length ereeted at Seobeyville, two miles from Colt's Neck, where preaching services could be held, and here was organized a Sabbath-school that grew and prospered. It must not be omitted, however, that in this distriet were good farms and substantial families, who had places in the neighboring churches. But while the poor are to have the gospel preached to them, they have sometimes to wait till they who are better favored ean furnish the accommodations. The matter was long deferred. But at last thie movement was made. On the 22d of April, 1856, a ehureh was organized with seventeen members, a house of worship was built, and the candidate, Jacob S. Wyekoff, a then reeent grad- uate of the seminary, was ealled and ordained as their pastor. The church moved onward in its good work, taking care of itself in pecuniary matters from the beginning. Mr. Wyckoff re- signed his call in 1864, and his place was filled in 1865 by Rev. James Bolton, who, after a prosperous ministry of thirteen years, has been during the last year succceded by the present pastor."

The "present pastor" above referred to was

the Rev. Hendriek A. Hendrickson, who was installed pastor December 3, 1878, and con- tinued until 1882. The present pastor, the Rev. George W. Labaw, was installed Decem- ber 5, 1882. The church has now a member- ship of one hundred and eighty-five.

ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CONGREGA- TION AT COLT'S NECK was first organized in 1871 by the Rev. Frederick Kivelitz, of Free- hold. Mass was celebrated once a month, and religious instruction given to the children once a week in a private house. In 1879 a brick and terra-cotta ehureh of Gothic style, thirty by fifty-five feet, capable of seating two hundred and fifty persons, was erected. Since the com- pletion of the church, Mass has been celebrated there every second Sunday.

THE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH was organized in 1808, in which year the people in the region of Colt's Neck who were in sym- pathy with the views of the Independent Methodists met at the residence of one of their number on the 5th of February, and elected the following persons trustees of the church : Zenas Conger, Gant Haulsart, John Cooper, Solomon Ketehum, Thomas Cottrell and Wil- liam Karnaglin. A certificate of incorporation was filed the next day. A house was built on the main road towards Freehold, and was used many years, and abandoned about the time the Dutch Reformed Church was built.

SCOBEYVILLE is situated in the eastern part of the township, about two miles east of Colt's Neck. The first store at this place was opened by Charles Seobey in 1848. It was kept by him till his death in 1873, and since that time has been kept by his daughter, Miss H. A. Seobey. A post-office was established there in July, 1874. William Henry Foster was ap- pointed postmaster, and still continues. The office is kept at the store.

EDINBURGH is a hamlet located in the northi- western part of the township. There has been a school-house at this place for sixty or seventy years. A store is now kept by James Mains, who is the postmaster. The post-office was es-

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668

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY. .

tablished in 1882, by the name of Vanderburg post-office. On Big Brook, and on the road from Holmdel to Colt's Neck, John G. Taylor built, in 1822, the grist-mill now operated by the estate of Charles M. Taylor.

SCHOOLS OF THE TOWNSHIP .- Atlantic town- ship is divided into six school districts, which contain five hundred and forty-seven ehiklren of school age. The school property of the town- ship is valued at eight thousand one hundred dollars.

Colt's Neek Sehool Distriet, No. 1, has one hundred and thirty-eiglit school children. The first school in this locality was kept in a house that stood about half a mile west from the village, on land now owned by Patrick Desmond. Charles Bowman, now living at seventy-eight years of age, attended school at that house about 1813. Stephen Wood was the teacher. A little later, Anthony Van Pelt taught there. In 1835, Thomas G. Haight, Samuel Laird and John Statesir were trustees, and in that year there were thirty scholars in the distriet. The old house was used until 1856, when the pres- ent house was ereeted.

Edinburg School District, No. 2, has one hun- dred registered pupils. The first house in which school was taught in this neighborhood was built for that purpose about 1814. In 1824 James Taylor was a pupil there, and school had then been taught there several years. The pres- ent school-house was built before 1836 and was rebuilt in 1865.

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History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2, Part 34

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