USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2 > Part 6
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1 Quotation from an address by David S. Crater, Esq., secretary at the twenty-eighth anniversary of the Lodge, June 8, 1871.
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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
The officers for 1884 were: P. C., Colonel E. F. Applegate; S. V. C., J. V. Muldoon; J. V. C., C. H. Snedeker; Chaplain, J. M. Douglass; Surgeon, William Burrell ; O. Day, G. G. Sparks; Quartermaster, C. A. Clark; O. G., John Thompson; Adjutant, Joseph Brown.
TENNENT LODGE, No. 69, KNIGHTS OF PY- THIAS, was instituted in Freehold, March 7, 1872, with the following-named charter members : George C. Hulett, Robert Lippincott, John W. Hulse, Lewis Hirschy, Frank McConnell, John H. Heath, James B. Craig, John C. Van Cleaf, James H. Voorhees, Henry Bennett, C. M. Barkalow and Charles Ellis. The first officers were: C. C., Charles Ellis; V. C., George C. Hulett; Prelate, Henry Bennett; M. of E., Robert Lippincott; M. of F., John C. Van Cleaf; K. of R. and S., John C. Van Cleaf; M. at A., John W. Hulse; I. Guard, Frank MeConnell; O. Guard, Cornelius M. Barka- low.
The lodge, now numbering sixty members, ineluding the three ranks, meets at its hall over the store of J. B. Haviland, in the brick block on Main Street above Court. The present (1884) officers of the lodge are: C. C., Jesse C. Er- riekson; V. C., Mulford Arose ; Prelate, A. H. Schanek ; M. of E. and C., William McDer- mott, Sr .; M. of F., Bartley Morris; K. of R. and S., Joseph Brown ; M. at A., Fred. Hirschy ; I. Guard, Harry Davis; O. Guard, C. M. Bark- alow; P. C., Charles Rogers.
THE FREEHOLD LYCEUM LIBRARY AND FREE READING-ROOM was established through the efforts and energy of a number of earnest men, citizens of Freehold, among whom were ineluded Major James S. Yard, Theodore W. Morris, Colonel E. F. Applegate, Dr. C. E. Hall, George F. Ward, M. L. Farrington, J. B. Conover, J. P. Walker and others.
The first public meeting of citizens for the purpose of establishing the free reading-room was held November 3, 1883, at which time an organization was effected. The first meeting of the first board of directors, as below, was held Tuesday evening, November 21, 1883,-M. J. Farrington, president ; J. P. Walker, viee- president ; J. B. Conover, secretary ; C. P. Emmons, treasurer ; W. H. Ingling, W. B.
Duryee, C. H. Butcher, L. F. S. Schanck, W. S. Throckmorton.
The number of members enrolled the first year was one hundred and thirty-six ; number enrolled the second year, seventy-seven ; tlie number of volumes now upon the shelves, five hundred and fourteen.
Among the donors to whom the Lyceum owes its rapid growth and representative ehar- acter are Mrs. Louisa L. Vought, Mrs. Elea- nor Vredenburgh (now deceased), Hon. Joel Parker, T. W. Ryall, William H. Vreden- burgh, G. S. Conover, Dr. J. P. Geran and Mrs. M. A. Rightmire. Messrs J. A. Geissen- hainer, Peter Jackson, Hon. Joel Parker, Rev. I. P. Brokaw have contributed to the treasury. The present board of directors are J. B. Cono- ver, president ; Frederick Parker, treasurer ; W. E. Truex, secretary ; Dr. Charles E. Hall, J. B. Haviland, Gilbert Combs, C. H. Lewis, George B. Conover, Maxey Applegate.
THE MONMOUTH BATTLE MONUMENT re- eently erected to commemorate the momentous event indicated by its name, stands on Monument Park, which is a beautiful plat of elevated ground, lying a short distance northwest of the court-house, on Court street, and on the north- west line of the corporation.
There have been within the last fifty years several unsuccessful attempts to raise money to ereet a monument on the battle-field of Mon- mouth. The effort to that end which proved a success originated in 1877. The originator of this movement was Joel Parker, a native of Monmouth County, who had twice been elected Governor of the State of New Jersey, and who had been a resident of the town of Freehold since 1843. He was born near the battle- ground ; some of his ancestors were in the bat- tle and had also suffered in their property from the depredations of the British army in its march through the county.
Governor Parker was aware, as he often said, that if the centennial year passed without lay- ing the corner-stone of the monument, no effort towards that end would ever subsequently be made. It so happened that the commencement exercises of the Freehold Institute were held
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in the Presbyterian Church at Freehold on the 28th of June, 1877. Ex-Governor Parker, being present, was invited by the principal of the school to address the students and the peo- ple assembled. In the course of the Governor's remarks he referred to the fact that that day was the ninety-ninth anniversary of the battle of Monmonth, and suggested that measures be inaugurated then and there to have a monu- ment ereeted on the battle-ground to commemo- rate the event, to be dedicated, if possible, on the centennial anniversary of the battle, June 28, 1878. And he suggested that the editors of the newspapers, the clergymen of the county, the county officers and the judges of the county courts be appointed a committee to devise a plan by which the suggestion might be carried out; and that Major James S. Yard, editor of the Monmouth Democrat, be appointed to notify the other members of the committee of the time and place of its meeting. At the suggestion of Rev. C. S. Hageman, ex-Governor Parker was added to the committee and ex-Governor William A. Newell, who resided in Monmouth County, was also added. The suggestions on the sub- ject met with favor, expressed with enthusiasm by the large audience, and resolutions ap- pointing the committee were unanimously adopted.
Subsequently a cireular was issued by Major Yard, as secretary, calling a meeting of the committee for Monday, September 17th, at the court-house. On the day last named a number of the committeemen met, and organized by ap- pointing Joel Parker chairman, and James S. Yard, secretary. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted, viz. : " Resolved, That the one hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth should be celebrated on the 28th of June, 1878. Resolved, That we believe a monument worthy of the objeet can be erected within the time proposed by small contributions from the people of the old county of Mon- mouth and others interested." A committee was then appointed to nominate officers of a per- manent organization.
On the 2d of October, 1877, at a public meeting assembled at the court-house, officers of the permanent organization were elected,
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and a constitution and by-laws adopted. The following were the officers chosen :
President .- Hon. Joel Parker.
Seeretary .- James S. Yard.
Treasurer .- Asher S. Parker, Red Bank. He did not aet, and subsequently John B. Conover was chosen.
Vice-Presidents and General Committee.
Upper Freehold .- Hon. W. A. Newell, vice-president; Charles Bullock, Colton B. Mars.
Millstone .- Charles Allen, vice-president ; David Baird, Peter Forman.
Manalapan .- John H. Laird, viee-president ; Joseph Ely, Charles H. Snyder.
Freehold .- E. F. Applegate, vice-president ; James T. Burtis, Gilbert Combs.
Howell .- Levi G. Irvin, vice-president; Halsted H. Wainwright, Joseph H. Donahay.
Marlborough .- John W. Herbert, vice-president ; Obadiah C. Herbert, Daniel P. Vandorn.
Atlantic .- T. Forman Taylor, vice-president ; John T. Haight, Thomas W. Ryall.
Holmdel .- Rev. T. S. Griffith, viee-president; Rev. William Reiley, Gilbert H. Vanmater.
Shrewsbury .- John S. Applegate, vice-president ; James Broadmeadow, William H. Siekles.
Middletown .- George W. Siekles, viee-president; E. M. Hartshorne, Thomas S. Field.
Raritan .- Thomas S. R. Brown, viee-president ; Al- fred Walling, Jr., Thomas Burroughs.
Matawan .- William L. Terhune, vice-president ; Charles W. Fountain, William Spader.
Ocean .- William H. Bennett, viee-president ; Rev. J. B. Wilson, James A. Bradley.
Wall .- Dr. Robert Laird, vice-president ; Hal. Al- laire, Pitney Curtis.
Eatontown .- Dr. S. H. Hunt, vice-president: Samuel Griscom, Isaiah S. Lane.
On taking the chair as president of the Mon- mouth Battle Monument Association, which was then organized, Governor Parker made an address in which he pledged himself to use his utmost efforts to bring the undertaking to a suc- cessful conclusion, a pledge which he faithfully kept. Hon. Edward W. Seudder, a judge of the Supreme Court, then holding the Mon- mouth Circuit, who was present, addressed the association. Numerous meetings of the associ- ation were held in the fall of 1877, the winter of 1877-78 and the spring of 1878. It soon be- came manifest that sufficient funds could not be obtained to erect a monument (such as should mark a battle-field of the Revolutionary War) before the 28th of Jime, 1878, and it was de-
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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
termined to do no more on that day than to lay the corner-stone in connection with a grand pa- rade and celebration of the one hundredth anni- versary of the battle. In the mean time a com- mittee was appointed to report a site for the monument. After going over the ground on which the battle was fought, the committee re- ported in favor of that which Mrs. Mary A. Schanek offered to donate to the association, and the report was unanimously adopted by the asso- ciation. The site selected is where the Americans under Colonel Butler, as they emerged from the woods (which then extended from the north- west from Hartshorne's Pond up to near the present residence of Mrs. Schanck), fired on a detachment of the Queen's Rangers, under Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, who were discov- ered drawn up in the rear of the old court- house, as has been more fully mentioned in the account of the battle given in a preceding chapter. Of course, it was proper to place the monument on any part of the ground where there was fighting on that day.
The gift of Mrs. Schauck and her children is a very valuable one. The ground presented by them as the site of the monument, contains three and one-quarter acres, in the shape of a triangle, with roads on the three sides. The ground is high, and lies between and about equally distant from the two railroads running to Freehold.
Early in the spring of 1878 a committee of one from each township was appointed to act in conjunction with the committee of citizens of Freehold, to make arrangements for the celebra- tion of the centennial anniversary of the battle. The citizens of Freehold mnet and seleeteda com- mittee of gentlemen and ladies representing each of the churches in the town. This committee proved very efficient, and arranged for and car- ried ont successfully the best demonstration ever witnessed in New Jersey.
It became apparent that the association should be incorporated, in order legally to hold title to the land which Mrs. Schauck and her family proposed to present as a site for the monument ; also, to invest funds donated. Accordingly an act was framed by ex-Governor Parker, which was passed by the Legislature, March 19, 1878. .It was a general law providing for the incorpo-
ration, by filing a certificate in the clerk's office, of associations for the erection and maintenance of monuments. Among other things, it authorized such associations to receive by gift, titles to land not exceeding five acres for the purpose of erect- ing monuments thereon. Under this law, a certificate of incorporation was filed in the clerk's office of the county of Moumonth, on May 23, 1878, signed by a number of gentlemen from the different townships. Under this certificate, in accordance with the law, the new organization was completed on the 30th day of May, 1878, by the election of the following trustees, viz .:
At Large.
Theodore W. Morris, of Freehold; Edwin F. Ap- plegate, of Freehold; James T. Burtis, of Freehold ; James S. Yard, of Freehold; John B. Conover, of Freehold.
For Townships.
Upper Freehold, Hon. William A. Newell.
Millstone, Charles Allen.
Manalapan, John H. Laird.
Howell, Levi G. Irwin.
Atlantic, Jolin T. Haight.
Holmdel, Gilbert H. Vanmater.
Wall, Dr. Robert Laird.
Eatontown, Dr. Sylvester H. Hunt.
Ocean, Hon. John A. Morford.
Shrewsbury, John S. Applegate.
Raritan, Thomas Barrows.
Marlboro', Daniel P. Vandorn.
Middletown, Thomas B. Field.
Matawan, William L. Terhune.
Freehold, Hon. Joel Parker.
The following officers were elected :
President, Joel Parker.
Vice-Presidents, William A. Newell, Dr. Robert Laird, Jolmn S. Applegate.
Executive and Finance Committee, James S. Yard, James T. Burtis, Theodore W. Morris, John H. Laird, Hal Allaire.
Secretary, James S. Yard.
Treasurer, John B. Conover.
The association did not meet again until Feb- ruary 22, 1879, the business attending the prep- aration for the celebration on the 28th June, 1878, having previously been entrusted to the executive committee, in conjunction with other committees chosen by the citizens. On May 30, 1878, provision was made by this committee for procuring the corner-stone and placing it in ¡ proper position on June 28th.
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THE TOWN OF FREEHOLD.
On June 3d, the executive committee met and authorized the manufacture of five thousand medals of white metal and one hundred of bronze to be sold on the day of the anniversary. Many of these were sold on that day.
At the time the corner-stone was laid the sub- scriptions which had been received were much less than had been anticipated. In the begin- ning, the purpose of those who were active in the matter was to raise, if possible, ten thousand dollars ; but the amount collected up to the time · the corner-stone was laid was less than three thousand dollars. This was discouraging ; but the gentlemen who had embarked in the enter- prise knew no such word as fail, and amid dis- couraging circumstances, in this respect, they laid the corner-stone, confident that they could successfully appeal to the honor of old Mon- mouth not to let the project fail, after going so far as to commenee the work with imposing ceremonies.
Following is given an account of the cere- . monies at the laying of the corner-stone, as written out by Eli Crozier, of Wilmington, Del., a patriotic citizen who attended all the centennial celebrations in the country, and who published a pamphlet giving an account of the proceedings at each :
"The little town of Freehold, made memorable by the Revolutionary battle fought here a hundred years ago, presented a gala appearance to-day. It was robed in all the parapherualia of patriotism. On every side, whichever way you might turn, there were to be seen the stars and stripes floating above house- top, store and factory, while across the streets was stretched the noble banner, dearer than ever to every American heart. There was manifested a generous spirit of rivalry among the residents; each did his best in honor of the occasion, and the result was such a display that did credit to their hearts and hands. The humblest eitizen joined with his wealthier neigh- bor in contributing to the imposing demonstration. Very seldom has there been witnessed anywhere such a seene of beauty in the way of decorations; because so general. It is safe to say that not a structure, no matter of what character, was without some insignia - of a patriotie character. The portrait of the great commander-in-chief of the army, the immortal Wash- ington, occupied a prominent position upon the fronts of numerous houses, while the national colors were liberally displayed for festooning. Shields and stars, and the numerals 1778 and 1878 were to be seen at every turn. Long before entering this beautifully-
located town, the residenees upon the roads, all the way from Monmouth Junetion, a distance of several miles to the depot, were deeked gayly, and it seemed as though the owners and occupants had given them- selves up entirely to the celebration. There was no half-heartedness in this grand-nay, more-imposing display. All entered into it with their whole soul, as though determined to make the day one that should not be forgotten. That they succeeded, needed no more than a walk through the streets of Freehold. Every one was in good humor, and bent upon making the most of the occasion. All the leading thorough- fares were thronged, and every train, of which there were many, arrived crowded with people, who swelled the happy sight-seers to over twenty thousand. Every town in the commonwealth of New Jersey, within a radius of fifty miles, sent its quota, and not a few were contributed by the goodly City of Brotherly Love and the gallant little State of Delaware, among whom was a representative of ' Mad Anthony Wayne,' who presided at one of the stands. At an early hour the troops composing the Second Brigade, N. J. N. G., began to arrive, and by eleven o'eloek, the time for the formation of the procession, all the militia ordered out by Governor MeClellan were on the ground. These eame from far and near, and, like everything else about the celebration, evinced a promptitude that was more than once the subject of remark. Not alone by rail was the great erowd made up ; every sort of eouveyance, from the humble wagon of the farmer to the stylish turnout of the man of ease, were em- ployed, while hundreds tramped long distances to share in the festivities. Old and young, rich and poor alike, took part in the joyous celebration of an event that will remain riveted upon the minds of all who trod the streets of the county-seat of Monmouth. The court-house probably was the gayest decorated structure of the town, for from turret to foundation there was an almost unending display of flags, stream- ers, shields and mottoes. The residences of ex-Gov- erhor Parker and Judge Shinn were among the most beautifully adorned residenees. With a display that was so general, and an enthusiasm so unbounded, it would be almost impossible to particularize, and the attempt, if sneh were made, would be to make distinc- tions which might be considered invidions. Freehold did her best; her eitizens did nobly ; and wherever a centennial celebration may be held, she can feel assured that none will exeel her in honoring the men and the principles they espoused, for the priceless heri- tage they contended for tor their children, the fruits of which are now being enjoyed. At an early hour in the morning, as early as six o'clock, the celebration commenced by the ringing of all the bells in the town. The people were astir in expeetation of the initial portion of the well arranged and splendidly executed details of the very fine programme. They desired to miss nothing, and so were ready at the earliest mo- ment to participate in the festivities of the day. At
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484
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
half-past six o'clock a salute of thirteen guns was fired by the battery stationed on Briar Hill, a short distance out of town, under the command of Captain Charles F. Snowden and Lieutenant Hilhnan, of the quartermaster-general's corps.
" Long before the hour fixed for the formation of the procession, before even the arrival of a single or- ganization upon the ground, the streets through which it was to pass were thronged, and this was particularly the ease with such thoroughfares as Yard Avenue and - Main Street. Assistant marshals rode through the town, giving warning to the occupants of vehicles not to obstruet the highways, and in this way the route was kept perfectly clear of anything that might impede the progress of those who were to make up the great patriotic pageant. At twelve o'clock the procession moved over the prescribed route, in the following order: Grand Marshal, Major James S. Yard and aids; Committee of the Day, Hon. G. W. Shinn, Hon. A. R. Throckmorton, Colonel E. F. Ap- plegate; aids : C. A. Bennett, Jr., and Charles Throck- morton: Then came the Second Brigade, National Guards of New Jersey, commanded by Major-General William J. Sewell and staff, and composed as follows: Peterman's Band, of Trenton; Seventh Regiment, Colonel A. Wangel, commanding, numbering three hundred men; Sixth Regiment, preceded by the Sixth Regiment band and drum corps, commanded by General E. Burd Grubb, with four hundred and fifty-six men in line; Third Regiment, Colonel W. A. Morrell commanding, numbering four hundred and thirty men, accompanied by the Elizabeth Vet- eran Zouaves. An artillery company, provided with two fine Gatling guns, were the next in line; they numbered 'sixty inen, commanded by General J. Madison Drake, and were accompanied by Drake's Band. The corps was composed entirely of soldiers who served throughout the War of the Rebellion, in defense of their country, and carried with them four tattered flags, among which was one belonging to Phil. Kearney's division, and another captured by General Drake in Virginia, on the 24th of May, 1861, when the arny crossed the Long Bridge. Next came Damas- cus Commandery, No. 5, Knights Templar, Charles E. Ingalls, Eminent Commander, numbering one hundred and ten kuights, in full Templar uniform, accompanied by a fine band of music. Following were Olive Branch, St. John's and Wall Lodges, and the officers and members of the R. W. Grand Lodge, A. F. A. M., of the jurisdiction of New Jersey. Then came a long line of carriages, containing many prominent citizens, followed by Company A, Wash- ington Centennial Guards, of Princeton, in the uni- form worn in the days of the Revolution. Next in line were the Joel Parker Association, of Newark, [Here follows the account of the laying of the stone according to Masonie form and usage. ] " The ecremo- nies were conchided by the Grand Marshal making proclamation that the corner-stone had been laid this named in honor of the distinguished ex-Governor, all clad in dark clothing and wearing white high felt hats, and numbering one hundred men. They were preceded by a fine band of music and presented a ! day by the R. W. Grand Master of Masons of New
very creditable appearance. The rear of the line was brought up by the Delaware Hose Company, of Bor- dentown, with their gayly-decked apparatus, dragged by thirty men in white shirts and wearing black helmet hats. The procession, after moving over the prescribed route, reached the Monument Park, where was erccted a stand, upon which the ceremonies were to take place a little after one o'clock.
"Here, upon the site for the ereetion of the monu- ment to commemorate the battle of Monmouth, was a capacious stand, through the centre of which pro- jected the base and the derrick, from which hung the large, square block of granite which was to be the corner-stone. An awning shielded those who were to occupy the platform from the burning rays of the sun. The military, as they reached the monument, or rather where it is to be constructed, filed to the left and entered the capacious and well-shaded grounds of Mrs. Schanck, the donor of the park, where they rested from the fatigues of their march. The Knights opened order and the Masonic brethren marched through in inverse order and ascended the stand, when the officers assumed their appropriate stations : the R. W. Grand Master in the east, the R. W. Senior Grand Warden in the west, and the R. W. Junior Grand Warden in the South. On the right and left of the Grand Master were the Senior and Junior Deacons. The officers and members of the commandery also occupied places upon the plat- forin, forming in a hollow square. As soon as every- thing was in order, Mr. Theodore W. Morris, in a few well-chosen remarks, presented the decd of the prop- erty upon which this monument is to be crected, to Hon. Joel Parker, president of the Monument Asso- ciation. Governor Parker, in accepting the document of conveyance, said: 'On behalf of the Monument Association, I accept this agreement for transfer of this valuable property, to be used forever as a site for a monument to commemorate the battle of Mon- mouth. No more beautiful location and none more appropriate could have been selected. I know the history of the family you represent on this occasion. - Many of them were in the American army during the War of the Revolution, and some were at the battle of Monmouth. You truly say that no stain of dis- honor rests upon the memory of any of them. Con- vey to Mrs. Schanek and the others for whom you speak the thanks of the Monument Association for their most liberal gift. It will be our aim speedily to rear upon this spot a monument worthy of the great event. This we can do, if, in addition to what has already been contributed, the people continue to manifest the same liberality that has characterized them for the last few days.' "
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THE TOWN OF FREEHOLD.
Jersey, in ample forin. The Masonie brethren then left the stand, and Hon. Joel Parker called the assem- blage to order.
" The following-named gentlemen were announced as the officers of the meeting : Vice-Presidents, Dr. Robert Laird, Thomas Burrowes, John H. Laird, Hon. Chilion Robbins, R. W. Dayton, G. H. Van Mater, John A. Morford; Secretaries, John B. Conover, John J. Ely. A fervent prayer was made by Rev. Frank Chandler, and, after music by an excellent band, ex-Governor Parker addressed the people as follows:
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