History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2, Part 9

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

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" The Governor and the whole of his military staff, Adjutant-General Cadwalader, Quartermaster Ham- ilton and a number of other dignitaries, civil and mil- itary, arrived in the evening and quartered at Cox's Hotel. . They were subsequently serenaded by Adkin's celebrated band.

" A number of military gentlemen and others, in- vited guests, were handsomely entertained at the res- idence of Colonel Davis during the evening. The colonel was also serenaded, and the band invited in and entertained in a sumptuous manner.

" At a meeting subsequently held, General E. R. V. Wright was selected to personate General Washing- ton ; Adjutant-Genera! Cadwalader, of Trenton, Sir Henry Clinton; Quartermaster-General Hamilton,

General Lce ; Major William Napton, Colonel Monek- ton; and Colonel Joseph A. Yard, General Lafayette.

" At an early hour on Wednesday morning thou- sands of persons from the surrounding country began to flock to the village to witness the display. About eight o'clock the military were formed into line, and about nine o'clock the extra train from Trenton ar- rived. Our military corps werc received by the Free- hold companies and escorted to the spot where the line was being formed. Shortly after, the line of march was taken up for the railroad depot, where the cars were in readiness to convey the companies to the battle-ground.

" Upon arriving at the ground, the companies se- lected to represent the British forces took up their position upon the old parsouage heights, those repre- senting the Americans being posted on the low ground in front of Mr. Herbert's house, near by which the stars and stripes were unfurled, waving from the iden- tical tree upon which they were displayed during the battle. The review of the military under Governor Price was greatly admired and from the heights pre- sented a beautiful spectacle.

" The crowd waited long and patiently for the sig- nal of attack, and was greatly disappointed when it was known that the fight was not to come off. Upon it being explained that several of the soldiers had been affected by sun-stroke, and it having been strongly advised by physicians who were present against permitting the exercise of the troops under the scorching rays of the sun, the dissatisfaction of the spectators was soon appeased, and all seemed to be of opinion that such a course was the most prudent one to pursue.

"The sad accident which occurred in firing a salute in honor of the arrival of the Governor and his aids upon the ground marred considerably the festivities of the day. The accident was occasioned by the per- son attending to the hole having incautiously allowed the air to get in while the charge was being rammed. Abraham Coles, a member of the Lafayette Guards, of Newark, had his left hand very much shattered, which rendered amputation necessary. James S. Johnson, also attached to the Guards, was badly burned about the face and arms. The unfortunate men were carried to a neighboring house, where every attention was paid them. Several members of the Continentals, who had been sun-struck, were carried to the same house. We were informed that a person attending Adkin's band was seriously affected by a stroke of the sun.

" After the troops had been reviewed, the companies on the wings were wheeled on the right and left, so as to form three sides of a hollow square. The Governor and staff advaneed to the centre, when Adjutaut-Gen- eral Cadwalader addressed the troops in a brief but very appropriate speech. He commenced by assuring them, in the name of the commander-in-chief, of the pleasure which it afforded him to witness their sol- dier-like bearing, their excellent discipline, etc. He

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THE TOWN OF FREEHOLD.

then alluded to the occasion which had brought them together, and the happy effect of such meetings, as tending to renew and strengthen those patriotic and generous feelings which had characterized those great and good men who fought and bled at the battle of Monmouth ; that, as the descendants and heirs of those great men, it was our duty to foster the feeling of affection for our common. country, and to consider no sacrifice too great to preserve and defend our in- stitutions, and to maintain forever our blessed and glorious Union, one and indivisible. In addressing the troops, the manner of the general was marked with the true characteristics of the veteran soldier.

"The graceful demeanor and excellent horseman- ship of our worthy Governor was greatly admired, and formed a theme of universal expression of de- light.

"Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the citizens of Freehold for the hospitable aud cordial manner in which they welcomed and entertained the invited guests and strangers attracted to their beauti- ful town to participate in aud witness the celebra- tion.

"Colonel William Davis, president of the railroad company, aided by the agents, were unremitting in their exertions to accommodate those who were de- sirous of going to and from the battle-ground. The worthy colonel was himself at the depot, looking to the safety and comfort of the many thousand persons who were transported back and forth. The trains started every fifteen minutes ; and it is remarkable that, notwithstanding the rush and crowding of anxious men, women and children, not the slightest accident occurred.

"Such, in brief, is the account of the celebration which for several weeks past has been the subject of conversation. But for the intense heat of the weather, everything contemplated aud expressed in the pro- gramme, would have been fully carried out, and all who were present doubtless award to the committee of arrangement the credit of having endeavored, to the full extent of their ability, to discharge the duties entrusted to them."

The names of the committee of arrangements are given below. It was falsely charged by the reporter of the New York Herald, who was present at the celebration, that people of Mon- mouth County-farmers and others-embraced the occasion as an opportunity for money-mak- ing by bringing various articles of refreshment to Freehold and selling them at high prices. The charge was refuted in a card published by the committee in the Monmouth Democrat of July 6th, from which the following is ex- tracted :

" We wish to cast back with indignation the state- ment made by one or two journals of the day, that the farmers in the neighborhood 'made a pcnuy' by erecting stands and selling articles of food, etc. None of the farmers of Monmouth County had any articles for sale, but generously gave, to all who needed, of whatever they had.

"To Doctors De Bow, Freeman, Polhemus, Barclay, Conover, Laird and others we tender our sincere thanks for their prompt attendance on the sick and wounded without making any charge for their ser- vices. To Doctors De Bow and Freeman particularly for their attention in amputating the arm of the un- fortunate Coles.

"To P. T. Barnum, Esq., and E. K. Collins, Esq., of New York, we tender our thanks for the loan of flags used on this occasion.

"To the citizens of Freehold we are unfeignedly grateful, for their liberality, kind attention and effi- cient aid. To the . Monmouth Guards' and ' Monmouth Troop' we are indebted for much assistance, not only on the 28th, but previously. They merit and receive our warmest regards.

"J. B. Throckmorton, Henry Bennett, A. T. Manning,

Wm. V. Ward,

Euoch L. Cowart, Joseph A. Yard,

John Woodhull, Samuel Conover,

James S. Yard, Wm. D. Oliphant,

David M. Rue, Daniel Christopher,

"Committee."

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DAVID CLARK PERRINE .- The great-great- grandfather of the subject of this biographi- eal sketch was Jolin Perrine, whose death occurred between the years 1799 and 1800. His children were John, Henry, James, Daniel, Joseph, William, Margaret, Rebecca, Han- nah and Annie. John, of this number, whose birth occurred October 20, 1722, and his death April 26, 1804, married, June 3, 1755, Mary Rue, who was born March 7, 1736. Their children were Ann, Rebecca, John, Han- nah, Peter, Matthew and Joseph. Jolin Per- rine, who was born March 30, 1762, and died November 17, 1848, married Ann Stout, born August 12, 1761. Their children were John, David, Lewis, William I., Enoel, Polly and Kate. John Perrine was a second time married, to Catharine Perrine, born December 17, 1803, whose children were Isaac, Ann Eliza, Mary

498

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Matilda, Catharine H. and George Wash- ington.

David Perrine, of this number, the father of David Clark Perrine, was born January 10, 1784, and on the 31st of March, 1808, married Phebe Baird, whose birth occurred November 14, 1790. Their children are Lydia, (who mar- ried William Snowhill), John D., Mary, David Clark, Alfred, Ree Baird, Deborah E. (now the wife of Gilbert W. Mount), De La Fayette, !

at the expiration of which period he was ad- mitted as a partner in the firm of Lippincott, Davis & Co. At the end of the second year he formed a new business relation as a member of the firm of Cowart & Perrine, and in 1852, having dissolved this partnership, embarked alone in mercantile enterprises. Mr. Perrine was, on the 5th of February, 1851, married to Hannah Matilda, daughter of David I. Van Derveer and his wife, Mary Conover. Their

David Clark Derring

Caroline (married to Gilbert Mount), Charles, Edwin A. Stevens and Margaret Cook (married to James Bowne). David Clark Perrine was born on the 20th of October, 1816, at Clarks- burg, in Millstone township, Monmouth County, and received his earliest advantages of educa- tion at Hightstown, N. J. On attaining his fourteenth year he removed to Freehold, and began a business career as a elerk on a salary of twenty-five dollars a year, with an advance of ten dollars each succeeding year for six years,

children are David Van Derveer, born May 25, 1853; William Conover, born April 16, 1855, who died May 6, 1856; John Rliea, born May 23, 1857, who died March 23, 1861; Mary Conover, born April 17, 1863, who died Febru- ary 5, 1873; and Arthur D., born April 28, 1868, whose death occurred August 13, 1869. Mr. Perrine, in addition to his extensive com- mereial interests in Freehold, has embarked largely in the business of milling on the Mateli- aponix river, in Middlesex County, N. J., and

THE TOWN OF FREEHOLD.

499

may be regarded as the most considerable buyer and shipper of grain in the county. His private: affairs have, however, not preeluded active co-operation in the various projeets connected with the publie welfare, as president of the Freehold Gas Company, treasurer of the Free- hold and Englishtown Turnpike Company, ete. He is a Democrat in polities, and zealous for the success of his party, though in no sense a poli- tician, having filled no important office other than that of the first treasurer of the town of

a reward of fifty guineas for his head, so greatly was he feared by reason of his bold exploits.

Daniel S. passed his boy hood days on a farm at Pleasant Valley, Monmouth County, with but limited opportunities for obtaining an education ; but under the promptings of an ambitious and de- termined nature, he resolved to begin mercantile life in New York City, and at seventeen or eighteen years of age entered the employ of Conover & Piekett, glass merchants.

His elerkship was of but limited duration, as

Lanfaldchurch

Freehold. His religious support is given to the ' he soon resolved to embark in business upon his Presbyterian Church of Freehold, of which his own account, and formed a firm which enjoyed wife and son are members.

DANIEL S. SCHANCK .- The subject of this Mr. Sehanek never lost his affeetion for or sketch, the son of John and Mieha Van Hise interest in those with whom he was associated Schanck, was born at Middletown Point, Mon- mouthi County, N. J., June 3, 1812.

His paternal grandfather was Captain Jolm Schanck, a brave offieer in the Continental army, of whom it is recorded that the British offered

unbroken sueeess nntil the deeease of Mr. Schanck, May 5, 1872.

in his boyhood days; nor did he fail to aid in every proper manner the interests of his native county and State.

While a man of large charities, he never varied from a rule of unostentation in his gifts,

500

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

except in the case of the erection of an obser- vatory for Rutgers College, in which instance he permitted the inscription of " The Schanck Observatory" to be placed thereon. . At thie time this observatory was of great valne to the college, and was fully equipped with necessary instruments, etc., by Mr. Schanek's beneficence.

Daniel S. Schianck married Mary Ann Smock on the 23d of March, 1842. His widow and four children survive him. These, as heirs of the estate, united in the donation to

children, among whom was Dyonis, mar- ried, in 1707, to Elizabeth Polhemus, whose children were six in number. Their son Tunis, born in 1692, married, first, Helena Van Dyck, and second, Franciske Hendrickson. He sub- sequently removed from Long Island to Mon- mouth County. Among his children was Daniel Denise, father of John S. Denise, for more than forty years collector of Monmouth County, who was born in 1748, and married, in 1771, Jane Schenck, whose birth occurred in

John. & Denise

the State of New Jersey of the Monument Park, in the village of Freehold, in which is erected the monument to commemorate the battle of Monmouth.

JOHN S. DENISE .- Teunis Nyssen, the com- mon ancestor of the Denise family in America, emigrated from Binninck, in the province of Utrecht, Holland, in 1638, and was a man of prominence both in his native and adopted countries. He married Phoebe . Felix, of English parentage, and had twelve

1754. To this union were born ten children. By a second marriage, to Mary Stillwell, were born . three children, John S. Denise, a son by the first marriage, was a native of Freehold, his birth having occurred September 30, 1796, on the homestead, which has been for a period of one hundred and seventy years, and is still, in possession of the family. His youth was nneventful, having been varied only by attend- ance at school and labor on the farm. He was, however, self-taught, and acquired from obser- vation and intelligent reading in later life more

I'm of Hardy -

501

THE TOWN OF FREEHOLD.

knowledge than was derived from the study of books. Hc continued a valuable aid to his father in his farming enterprises until the death of the latter, when his son inherited a portion and purchased the remainder of the property. He resided in the township, and continued to be one of its most enterprising farmers, until 1859, when, having retired from active business, he made Freehold his residence.

He was, on the 3d of February, 1819, mar- ried to Catharine, daughter of William I. Thompson, of the same county, and had ten children,-Tunis, William T., Daniel S., Mar- garet Ann, Sarah Jane (Mrs. Peter Jackson), John Henry, Rusha, Sidney C., David D. and Rusha (second), of whom but four survive. Mr. Denise, aside from his farming interests, was largely engaged in real estate operations, in which he was remarkably successful. He was director of the First National Bank of Free- hold, president and director of the Freehold and Colt's Neck Turnpike Company, director of the Freehold and Manalapan Turnpike Company, and actively identified with the material interests of both county and borough. He was a member of the Monmouth County Agricultural Society, and in hearty sympathy with its purpose and methods. Mr. Denise was, in his political views, an Old-Line Whig during the existence of that party, and joined the Republican ranks on the disruption of the former. He never aspired to office, and was not active as a politician, though serving as town commissioner until he declined further election. He enjoyed a reputation for strict integrity, and possessed a kcen sense of justice. In his varied business transactions he neither sued others nor was himself a party to litigation. Mr. Denise was a member of the Second Re- formed (Duteh) Church of Frechold, of which he was one of the founders, aud in which he had been during a period of forty years an elder. His many acts of charity in connection with this church indicated his Christian faith, as exemplified in his works. Without ostenta- tion and with great judgment he gave, witness- ing the results of his liberality during his life- time. Mr. and Mrs. Denise eclebrated, on the 5th of February, the fiftieth anniversary of

their marriage, and five years later their fifty- fifth anniversary of the same event. On these significant occasions many friends beside the immediate family circle tendered their congratu- lations to this aged couple, who enjoyed a mar- ried life of sixty years' duration. The death of Mrs. Denise occurred on the 19th of April, 1879, and that of Mr. Denise on the 31st of December of the following year.

WILLIAM VAUGHN WARD, who for more than twenty years was a prominent merchant of Freehold, and a well-known and public-spirited citizen, was a great-grandson of Michael Ward, who, as early as 1731, had settled and was living at Hightstown, N. J., he being one of three brothers who had come to America to- gether prior to that time.

Benjamin, son of Michael and Hannah Ward, was born February 7, 1731-32, and died June 20, 1797. His wife, Lydia Cheeseman, was born December 18, 1742, and died November 13, 1794. They had three sons and four daughters. Their third son, On Ward, father of the subject of this biographical sketch, was born May 13, 1768. His wife was Rebekah Vaughn.

William V. Ward, son of On and Rebekah (Vaughn) Ward, was born October 10, 1816, he being the youngest of a family of six children, all of whom except himself lived and died in Mercer County. He removed to Howell town- ship, Monmouth County, where, in 1841, he commenced a mercantile business at Lower Squankum, in partnership with Abraham G. Neafie, ex-sheriff of Moumonth County. In 1844 the business was closed by reason of finan- cial difficulties. He then entered the employ of his father-in-law, John Hall, where he re- mained for some time. The closing of the busi- ness at Lower Squaukum had left Mr. Ward almost wholly without means, but his credit enabled him to recommenee business, which lic did, removing to Freehold, and there open- ing a store of ready-made clothing, which was the first in that line ever opened in the town. The business proved very successful, and was continued by him for twenty-two years, until the time of his death.

Mr. Ward was married, September 5, 1843,

502

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

to Catharine K. Hall, daughter of Jolin and Rebecca (Kuott) Hall. Their children were John H., George D. (deceased), Charles E. (deceased), Elizabeth H., Everitt, George F. and Harry (deceased). Mr. Ward died at Long Branch, July 27, 1866. His widow still resides at Freehold. Of the surviving children, John H. and Everitt Ward are merchants in New York, the former being unmarried ; Elizabeth (Mrs. Mount) lives in Frechold ; George F. Ward is in the real estate and in- surance business in Freehold.

Mr. Ward was reared in the Baptist faith, but after his marriage he became, and continued to be, an attendant and supporter of the Presby- terian Church, of which his wife was, and now is, a member. He was a stanch Democrat and a politician, though never a seheming one. He was twice elected a member of the Legislature, serving in the years 1860 to 1862. He was appointed State Prison inspector by Governor William A. Newell in 1858, and served in that office till 1866, under the administration of Governors Newell, Olden and Parker, performing its duties in a manner cred- itable to himself and advantageous to the State.

JOHN HALL, the father of Mrs. William V. Ward, was for several years a resident of Free- hold village, having previously spent more than sixty years in business in Howell township. His father was Samuel Hall, who, with his brothers Jesse and Jacob, came from England to America before the Revolution. Jesse mi- grated South, Jacob located in New York and Samuel settled at Kingwood, N. J. His wife was Ruhama Everitt, and they became the parents of twelve children. The youngest son, John, was born at Kingwood in 1786. At the age of nineteen years he removed to Howell township, Monmouth County, where he com- menced a general merchandising business, as also that of tanning and currying leather. After about twenty years he discontinued the leather business, but remained actively and successfully engaged in the mercantile pursuit for more than forty years from the time of his commencement.

In 1825, Mr. Hall was married to Rebceca . Knott, daughter of Joseph and Catharine Knott, of Shark River. Their children were Cathia-

rine K. (Mrs. William V. Ward, of Frechold), Ruhama (Mrs. Stoutenburgh, of New York), Eliza Ann (deecased) and Dr. Charles E. Hall (now of Frechold.) In 1867, Mr. and Mrs. John Hall removed from Howell to Freehold, where they passed the remainder of their lives. She died in March, 1878 ; he in November, 1881.

The only publie office ever held by Mr. Hall was that of township collector of Howell, which position he filled for more than thirty years, and until he positively declined serving longer. He was no politician, vet a stanch Democrat in prin- ciple and practice, having annually voted that ticket, continuously and without an omission, for seventy-two years. He was an attendant and supporter of the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife was an active and consistent member.

HENRY BENNETT .- The grandfather of Henry Bennett was Hendrick, the son of William Bennett, born October 15, 1752, who died July 28, 1833, in Freehold, N. J. He was united in marriage, October 16, 1774, to Elizabeth Nowlan, whose birth occurred January 27, 1754, and her death August 29, 1817. Their children were William H., born August 1, 1775, who died April 20, 1848; John, born March 27, 1778, whose death oc- curred November 30, 1812; Elizabeth, born March 11, 1780, who died August 10, 1849; and Nancy, born March 24, 1783, who died in January, 1784. William H. Bennett mar- ried, on the 29th of December, 1800, Jane, daughter of Oukey Lefferson, and grand- daughter of Lefferts and Jannetje Lefferson. The children of this marriage were Sarah, born October 11, 1801, and married to Walter W. Hart; John, born October 15, 1803; Elizabeth An, born JJanuary 22, 1806; William, born August 13, 180; Heury, whose birth occurred March 17, 1811; Garret Schanek, born May 13, 1813; Gilbert, born June 18, 1815; Eliza Ann, born April 17, 1818; Charles A., whose birth occurred June 4, 1820; David V., born April 23, 1822; and Hudson, born May 1, 1825. Heury Bennett was born in the borough

Eng ª by A.H Ritchie

Henry Bennett 1

503

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP.

of Freehold, and received his only educational opportunities at a school three miles from his home. At the age of fifteen a serious accident disabled him and for cighteen months rendered physical exertion impossible. On his recovery he was apprenticed to the trade of a tailor, and pursued successfully for fifteen years the business of a merchant tailor, when, on the death of his father, in 1848, he inherited a portion of the estate. He at once began, and has continued until the present time, to improve the property by the erection of dwellings and the sale of lots for building purposes. " Major Bennett in earlier years manifested an active interest in military affairs, and received from Governor Newell, in 1857, his commission as major of the Ocean and Monmouth Brigade. He was also appointed pay- master on the staff of Governor Parker. He rendered efficient aid in the recruiting service during the late war, and was only precluded from active service by his physical condition, which rendered the performance of military duty impossible. His political associations are Dem- ocratic, as were also those of his father. He bas filled the office of town clerk for many years, and was for six years treasurer of the Monmouth County Agricultural Soci- ety, and the first secretary of the society, of which he was one of the originators. He is a director of the Freehold Gas Light Company and the Monmouth County Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Freehold, and was treasurer of the Freehold Loan Association from 1853 to 1864. Major Bennett is a member of the Second Reformed Church of Freehold, in which he has been deacon, elder, and clerk of the consistory. He is a member of both the Ma- sonic and Odd-Fellows' fraternities, and was for twenty-four years treasurer of the latter order.

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP.

The township of Freehold is bounded on the west and northwest by Millstone and Manala- pan, on the north by Marlborough, on the east by the townships of Atlantic and Howell

and on the south by Ocean County. Within these boundaries lies the town or village of Freehold, which is situated in the northern part of the township. The Jamesburg and Frechold Agricultural Railroad traverses the township from northwest to southeast, passing through the county town ; from which, also, the Freehold and New York Railway passes through the north part of the township into Marlborough, and thence to Matawan. Frechold township is a part of the water-shed line of the county, and from it the head-streams of the Manasquan and Metedeconk Rivers flow towards the southeast ; those of Hop Brook and Yellow Brook (trib- utaries of Swimming River) flow towards the northeast, while from the northwest part of the township several small streams flow westwardly to unite with the larger tributaries of the South and Millstone Rivers.

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History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2, Part 9

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