History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 103

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Swan, Norma Lippincott. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia, R. T. Peck & co.
Number of Pages: 1148

USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth county, New Jersey > Part 103

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In religion, Mr. White was a Friend, or, as more popularly called, a Quaker, as were also his parents. He, however, attended the Presby- terian Church, of which his wife was long a de- vout and consistent member.

In politics, Mr. White was an ardent Whig dur- ing the life of that party, and until the time of the defeat of Henry Clay for the Presidency, after which he took no further interest in politics until the birth of the Republican party. Com- ing into being as the lineal descendent (so to speak) of the old Whig party, with human freedom as its corner-stone, and unalterably opposed to the wickedness of human slavery and its extension, Mr. White naturally acted with that party, and continued to the end of his life an active and earnest Republican. Though often urged to accept office, he never would permit himself to become a candidate for any political position.

Francis Chadwick

Charles h Allen

607

THE TOWN OF RED BANK.

In 1873, Mr. White removed to Jersey City, where he continued to reside until his death, January 28, 1876. His remains were taken to Fairview Cemetery, near Red Bank, and a handsome granite monument now marks the place where he lies buried,-almost within sight of the very spot where he and his ancestors for one hundred and fifty years were born, and passed quiet, useful and honorable lives.

FRANCIS CHADWICK .- Taber Chadwick, the father of Francis, was born on the 7th of March, 1773, and died on the 7th of October, 1843. IIe married Deborah Longstreet, whose birth occurred July 25, 1787, and her death September 14, 1883. Their children were Fran- cis ; born in 1805, who died in 1810; Richard, in 1807, who died in 1808; Jeremiah, in 1808, who died in 1818; Lydia, in 1810, who died in 1881; Francis (2), born March 18, 1813 ; Richard L., in 1816, who died in 1836 ; Sarah Aun, in 1818 ; Catharine, in 1819; Jeremiah, in 1822 ; Deborah, in 1824 ; Lucinda, 1826, who died in 1884; and Angeline, born in 1829. The birth of Francis Chadwick occur- red at Red Bank, where his father was a repre- sentative attorney. flere he received such instruction as was obtainable at the common schools, and soon after engaged in active em- ployment as captain of a schooner plying between Red Bank and New York. He was, on the 9th of September, 1835, married to Margaret A., daughter of Captain Joseph Parker, of Red Bank, and had children,- Richard L., deceased ; Joseph P., of Red Bank ; Mary II. (Mrs. Heury Wood, of New York) ; Frank T., a practicing physican in Red Bank; Alvin, of Red Bank; Margaret, deceased ; Deborah, deceased; and S. Matilda. Mr. Chadwick, on his marriage, abandoned the career of a mariner, and, under the firm-name of Parker & Chadwick, engaged in mercantile pursuits, subsequently extending his business by extensive transactions in lumber and coal. He was also largely and profitably interested in shipping, running a line of vessels from Red Bank to New York. In all these ventures he was successful, his various commercial in- terests ranking among the most important in

that portion of the county. He remained thus employed until a disastrous conflagration in- dueed him to retire from active business and afforded an opportunity of selling advanta- geously. As a Republican, he was much inter- ested in the public movements of the day, and was a strong partisan, though not a party worker nor a candidate for official honors. He was for many years a member of the Presbyterian Church at Red Bank, and formerly active in the work of the Sabbath-school. As a leading and representative citizen his death, which occurred May 30, 1882, in his seventieth year, was much regretted.

CHARLES GORDON ALLEN was born in Mid- dletown township, Monmouth County, N. J., opposite the town of Red Bank, on the 4th of August, 1800. His parents, James and Mary Gordon Allen, were residents of the same town- ship, their ancestors, who were of Scotch and English descent, having been among the earliest settlers of that part of the State, and identified with many of the stirring scenes of the Revolu- tion, which were related with thrilling interest by them. At the age of thirteen Mr. Allen was sent to the city of New York, with a view of acquiring a knowledge of the manufacture of looking-glass frames, and having become thor- oughly familiar with the business, he pursued it successfully on his own account until 1826. On the 22d of May, 1823, he married Catha- rine Trafford, a native of Shrewsbury township, and of English descent, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of that section of the country. Their children were ten in number, seven of whom survive him,-Margaret ; Mary ; Deborah C., wife of the Hon. John S. Apple- gate, a prominent lawyer and recently State Senator ; Robert, a leading lawyer and for a number of years prosecutor of the pleas of the county ; J. Trafford, actively engaged in busi- ness at Red Bank ; George K., a Baptist cler- gyman, resident in Jersey City ; and James P., whose business interests are in New York City.

During the year 1826, Mr. Allen embarked in the sale of dry-goods in Grand Street, New York City, and remained thus interested until his purchase, in 1829, of a considerable traet of

608

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

land in Shrewsbury township, when, with his family, he removed to Newman Springs. Here his mercantile instincts led him to enter the dry- goods and grocery business, at the same time building several vessels, which plied to New York and other sea-port towns. In the year 1841 he removed to Red Bank, on the Nave- sink River, continuing his mercantile career, and at the same time building a wharf and erecting many new buildings in what is now deemed the business centre of the town. He was also in- strumental in establishing a new line of commu- nieation between Red Bank and New York, other than the one then in use, by the steamers " Golden Gate " and " Ocean Wave," the build- ing of which lie personally superintended, and which were run to a wharf in the upper part of the village, constructed by him for the purpose. He possessed an active and energetie mind, and ever manifested a lively interest in the growth and prosperity of the town, having latterly erected many buildings, including stores and dwellings. He was treasurer of the Agricnl- tural and Furniture Company, near the railroad depots, and the owner of considerable real estate in town. One of the oldest and most represen- tative citizens of Red Bank, no other has con- tributed in a greater degree to its material ad- vancement. An Old-Line Whig in politics, on the extinction of that party hie allied himself to the Republican party, and was until his death, which occurred March 31, 1885, a zealous supporter of its principles.

EDMUND THROCKMORTON, son of Joseph F. Throekmorton, was born in 1792, at Harts- horne's Mills, near Freehold, and in 1813 em- barked in mercantile ventures at Philadelphia, Pa., where he continued until 1820, when, retiring from active business pursuits, he removed to Red Bank, and devoted his time to agriculture until his death. He married Susannah, daughter of John MacLaren, of New York, to which union were born ten children, five of whom survive him. Mr. Throckmorton was among the leading representative citizens of his day in the county, and actively identified with its social and business interests. His influence was also apparent in the development

of Red Bank, every enterprise which tended to promote its advancement and further its growth as a commercial centre finding in him generous co-operation and material support. He was a no less influential factor in political than in business projects. Modest in demeanor and in- different to the honors conferred for party service, he was, nevertheless, one of the leading Henry Clay Whigs of his day. A strong partisan and zealous in defense of the principles of luis party, he was frequently a delegate to county and state conventions, where his ju- dicions counsels won respectful attention. His ability as a financier, combined with the most scrupulous integrity, caused him fre- quently to be chosen for the offices of executor and trustee, which important trusts were filled with fidelity and wisdom. Mr. Throckmorton, though not a member, was an active supporter of the First Presbyterian Church of Shrews- bury, to which he gave with an ungrudging liberality. His death occurred in September, 1866, in his seventy-fifth year.

TYLEE W. THROCKMORTON, son of Edmund Throckmorton, was born February 22, 1823, at Red Bank, and received his preliminary education at Bristol, Pa., after which his studies were continued at Shrewsbury and, later, at Elizabeth. Having during this time made engineering a specialty, he engaged, on his re- turn, in farming, and found also many oppor- tunities for the exercise of his skill as an en- gineer. On the 26th of February, 1844, on attaining his majority, he married Anna Maria, daughter of Edward Smith, of Monmouth County. Their children are Elizabeth De Hart (wife of James Marshall, of New York), Harriet (wife of Dr. James S. Conover, of Freehold) and Edward W. Mr. Throckmorton for many years combined his profession of surveying with the labors of a farmer, purchasing, in 1860, a farm in Howell township, and the following year another in the immediate vicinity, mean- while continuing his residence at Rumson until his later removal to Red Bank. Having been during this time more or less engaged in real estate operations, he, in 1884, in connection with his son, established a real estate and insurance

Edmund throckmortong

M Hhrockmorton

vueph A Towel twodow 4

609

THE TOWN OF RED BANK.

office, in which business they are still interested. Mr. Throckmorton has, during his active busi- ness life, been identified with the interests of his native town, promoting in various ways its industries, and contributing both capital and influence to its important enterprises. He has been, as a Republican, a leading spirit in various local political movements, but has never accepted office other than those connected with the town- ship. He is a director of the Second National Bank of Red Bank. In his religious preferences Mr. Throckmorton adheres to the Presbyterian faith, and is a supporter of the church of that denomination at Shrewsbury.

JOSEPH A. THROCKMORTON, the third son of Edmund Throckmorton, was born on the 3d of July, 1827, in the dwelling at Red Bank which is his present home. He was edneated at Elizabeth, N. J., and early deciding upon a mercantile career, in 1842 removed to Tennessee, where he engaged in the fur business, returning in 1848 for a brief period to Red Bank, after which he, in 1849, joined the numerous throng of emigrants for the gold-fields of California. Here he engaged in mining operations, remain- ing until 1856, when, on resuming again his residence in Red Bank, he embarked in the lum- ber business, and now ranks among the leading and successful capitalists of the place. He was, on the organization of the First National Bank of Red Bank, made one of its directors, and now fills the same office in connection with the Second National Bank. He is director of the Red Bank and Eatontown Turnpike Company, having formerly filled the same office in con- neetion with the Leedsville and Red Bank Turnpike Company. He is also a director of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Shrews- bury. With a loyal affection for the place of his nativity, Mr. Throckmorton has entered heartily into nearly all the important schemes which have promoted its growth and affected its moral well-being. Trne to the traditions of his family, he early espoused the principles of the Old Line Whig party, and on the organiza- tion of the Republican party became a warm partisan in its cause. He has frequently served as delegate to state and county conventions, but

declines all proffers of office, preferring to be a worker in the ranks rather than a sharer in the honors that follow in the path of success. He is often sought for such positions as executor and guardian and for various other trusts in- volving much responsibility. Mr. Throekmor- ton's early religious teachings have caused him to adhere to the Presbyterian faith and to con- tribute generously to the support of that church.

COLONEL EDMUND T. WILLIAMS. - Edmund Williams, the grandfather of Colonel Williams, who was of Welsh extraction, resided at Colt's Neck, in Atlantic township, where he pursued the varied duties devolving upon a farmer, miller and merchant. He married Miriam Tilton, of the same township, whose children were a son, Tylee, and daughters,-Margaret (Mrs. Joseph Throckmorton), Phebe (Mrs. Henry Burr), Elizabeth (Mrs. Joseph Allen), Ann (Mrs. Woodward), Mary (Mrs. Samuel W. Ten Brook) and Miriam (Mrs. Seth Lippin- cott). Tylee, the only son, was born January 30, 1768, at Colt's Neck, where he followed the life of an agriculturist. He married Elizabeth Hartshorne, on the 10th of January, 1792, and had children,-Elizabeth, wife of JJoseph Par- ker, born in 1792; Edmund, in 1795; Miriam, wife of Benjamin Corlies, born in 1797; Hannah, wife of Joseph Woolley, in 1800 ; Phebe (Mrs. Jacob H. Corlies) in 1802; Ed- mund T., October 30, 1804 ; Esek Hartshorne, 1807 ; Jane (Mrs. Robert Wardell) in 1810 Mary, in 1812 ; Susannalı, in 1814 ; and George in 1818, of whom four survive. The birth- place of Edmund T. was Colt's Neck, from which locality he, in 1807, removed to Shrews- bury on land which constitutes his present home. He was educated at the Westtown Boarding-School, Chester County, Pa., where he remained three years, and concluded his studies under John Gummere, at Burlington, N. J. He there combined the labor of a farmer with the profession of a surveyor. The death of his father having made a portion of the home- stead farm his own, he purchased the remainder, and has since that time been devoted to the business of an agriculturist, though his later years have been given merely to the superin-

610

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

tendence of its varied interests. Colonel Wil- liams was, in 1836, married to Lucy, daughter of Captain William Carpender, of New York State. Aside from his farming occupations, Colonel Williams has led a life of much activity as a surveyor, been engaged in the settlement of many estates and frequently filled the office of executor and administrator. He has acted since 1838, the year of incorporation, as secretary of the Shrewsbury Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany, and was formerly director of the Red

GEORGE HANCE is descended from German parentage, his grandfather having been John Hance, who resided at Rumson Neck, in Mon- mouth County. By his marriage to a Miss Waples were born children,-Waples; John ; Isaac ; Rachel, wife of Asher Corlies; Eliza- beth, wife of George Woolley. John Hance, of this number, was born at Rumson Neek on the 20th of August, 1762, and died August 13, 1827. He married Ann, daughter of James Borden, whose birth occurred June 17, 1778,

Edmund J. Williams,

Bank Steamboat Company and the Red Bank and Eatontown Turnpike Company. He is also a member of the Monmouth County Agricultural Society. As a Whig, he, in 1837- 38, represented his district in the State Legis- lature, and has been the incumbent of various township offices. He has been active in the promotion of all religious and moral projects, and for years identified with Christ Protestant Episcopal Church of Shrewsbury, in which he is senior warden and an earnest worker.

and her death May 28, 1856, in Monmouth County. The chiklren of this marriage were Borden, born April 10, 1801; John H., April 13, 1803 ; Asher, February 14, 1805 ; George, March 8, 1808; Margaret B., March 11, 1810 (wife of William Hance); and Susan B., May 14, 1812. The birth of George Hance occurred at Bingham Hill, on Rumson Neck, in Shrews- bury township, where the paid schools of the day afforded him advantages of education equal to those common in that early day. His chosen

George Hance

611

UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP.

occupation was that of a farmer, the wisdom of which choice has been fully demonstrated in the exceptional success attending all his agricultural undertakings. His father having died when his son, the subject of this sketch, was but sixteen years of age, together with his mother and brothers he cultivated the home farm for a series of years. He was, on the 15th of February, 1838, married to Sarah, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah White, of the same township, their children being John, born November 30, 1838 ; Georgianna, May 15, 1840, wife of Dr. James H. Patterson ; Susan J., March 17, 1842, wife of Samuel H. Pat- terson ; and Borden, born August 18, 1849 (deceased). The grandfather of Mrs. Hance was George White, son of Thomas and Chris- tian White. He married Ann, daughter of John Lippincott. Their son, Benjamin White, father of Mrs. Hance, was born December 12, 1755, and married to Sarah Deroue, of Burling- ton County, N. J. Mr. White, who was for fifty years postmaster of Shrewsbury, engaged during the period of the Revolution in mer- cantile pursuits, and served during that memor- able struggle, under General Putuam. George Hance was ambitious, however, to extend his business relations and become the possessor of more land than was embraced in the farm left by his father. He, therefore, after his mar- riage, purchased his present honse in Shrews- bury, and has since made it his residence. A man of great industry, superior judgment and thorough knowledge of the business in which he is engaged, his projects have been both successful and profitable. To his original pur- chase he has added from time to time-indicat- ing always in the selection of his land much wisdom and experience-until the total area is seven hundred and forty acres in the county, with one hundred and fourteen acres of ont- lands. He gives much attention to the raising of stock, and was for years a well-known grower of peaches, as of other fruit, his apple orchards being a feature of the county, and the product of his cider-presses as well. Mr. Hance formerly identified himself with the leading enterprises of the county, including banks, steamboat companies, turnpikes, etc., in

many of which companies he was a director, but has more recently resigned his connection with these and similar organizations. He has frequently been appointed by the courts, and accepted the position of commissioner in the division of property. He has affiliated in polities with either the Whig or Republican parties, but has never participated actively in political movements, either local or otherwise. Mr. Hance was educated in the faith of the Society of Friends, to which Mrs. Hance still adheres, though he is a willing supporter of the Presbyterian Church.

CHAPTER XIX.

UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP.

THE township of Upper Freehold is in the extreme southwestern part of Monmouth County, only one township of which adjoins it, viz. : the township of Millstone, which forms its boundary on the north and northcast. The other bound- aries of Upper Freehold are : On the southeast the county of Ocean, on the southwest the county of Burlington, and on the northwest the county of Mercer. The streams of the township all flow in a general northwesterly direction, their waters entering the Delaware River. The largest of these is Crosswicks Creek, which, with its tributary, Lahaway Creek, flows across the sonthwest corner of the township. Doctor Creek flows through the central part, and unites with Indian Creek, which forms a part of the northwestern boundary against Mercer County. Assanpink Creek marks a part of the northern boundary of this township against that of Mill- stone. The Pemberton and Hightstown Rail- road traverses Upper Freehold from south to north. The population of the township by the United States census of 1880 was three thousand two hundred and thirty-six.

The record of the original formation of Upper Freehold township cannot be found, and there- fore the precise date is not known. It is certain, however, that it was laid out prior to 1731, as an assessment roll of the township for that year is still in existence, showing that this was then

612

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

one of the four townships of Monmouth County. The total valuation of the county was £18,949 7s. ; the total of Upper Freehold being £3306 10s. The tax which was assessed in that year for the building of a county jail was £236 17s. 3d., of which the quota of Upper Freehold was £41 68. 73d. The township collector was John Lawrence.

In 1767 an act was passed "To divide the Town of Shrewsbury and annex parts thereof to the towns of Freehold and Upper Freehold." This act provides, first, for the laying out of the township of Dover (now in Ocean County) from a part of Shrewsbury, then proceeds to annex a certain part to Freehold, and finally to annex to Upper Freehold, " All that part of the town of Shrewsbury, beginning where Burlington Old Path crosseth the before men- tioned north branch of Tom's River, thence running south eighteen degrees east to the line of Dover aforesaid ; thenec south fifty-six de- grees west, along said line of Dover to the before- mentioned line called Keith's line ; thence along the said line to the line of Upper Freehold; thence along the line of Upper Freehold to where it began, shall be, and is hereby divided off from the said town of Shrewsbury, and annexed unto the town of Upper Freehold, and forever here- after shall be accounted part thereof."

In 1844 the area of Upper Freehold was re- duced by the passage of an act taking the northern part of its territory to form the new township of Millstone. The description of the territory thus severed from Upper Freehold is given in full in the history of Millstone town- ship.

In 1849 an act was passed annexing to Plumstead a small part of Upper Freehold, within boundaries described as beginning "at the month of Lahaway, at its junetion with Crosswieks Creek ; thence down the middle of said Crosswieks Creek to the Burlington County line; thenee southwardly along the division line between the counties of Burlington and Monmouth to the northwest corner of the township of Plumsted, at Arneytown; thenee along the middle of the Hornerstown road to the Crosswieks Creek ; thenee down the middle of said ereek to the place of beginning."

When the county of Ocean was erected (by act of February 15, 1850), it was made to comprise the five townships of Stafford, Jack- son, Plumsted, Union and Dover, and the new township of Brick, erected by the act. After- wards it was discovered that a mistake had been made in the description of the boundary ; and to correet this, an act was passed, in the year 1851, reeiting that by the establishment of the Freehold and Mount Holly road as a part of the county line between Monmouth and Ocean, in the ereetion of the latter county, a portion of Jackson township lying north of that road was left not ineluded in any county, and declaring that " all that part of the township of Jackson lying north of the road leading from Freehold to Mount Holly is set off and annexed to the township of Upper Freehold." Finally, in 1869, an aet was passed by the Legislature annexing "all that part of the township of Plumstead, in the county of Ocean, lying north of the middle of the Monmouth and Mount Holly road," to the township of Upper Free- hold, and establishing the county boundary be- tween Ocean and Monmouth as it is at the present time.

The following is a list (as nearly complete as it is praetieable to make it) of chosen freehold- ers of Upper Freehold township from 1788 to the present time. The names of the free- holders in the county are found in the records, but they are not given by townships until about 1800. The list obtained is as follows :

1788. Peter Imley, Robert Montgomery.

1789. Robert Montgomery.

1790-97. James R. English.

1791. John Imley.

1795. Dr. William Imley.

1798. William E. Imley.

1801-18. Garret P. Wikoff.

1801-4. Job Holms.

1805-10. Caleb Ivins.

1823. William Imley. 1830-55. James S. Laurence.

1839-46. Thomas Miller.

1846-50. Edmund T. Hendrickson.

1856-60. Bennington Gill.

1861-62. Albert A. Taylor.

1863-73. Collin B. Mairs.

1874-76. William N. Bryan.

1877-79. Charles S. Bullock.

1880-84. Lewis F. Gordon.

613

UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP.

The names of the taxable inhabitants of Up- per Freehold one hundred and fifty-four years ago are ascertained from an assessment roll of the township (still in existence) dated April 1, 1731, and signed by John Lawrence,1 then town- ship assessor. The document is headed " A Tax For raising Money By order of yo Justices & Freeholders, for Building A Cort house In ye County of Monmouth",-the court-house built in 1715 having been destroyed by fire in De- cember, 1727. The list referred to is as follows :

NAME. ATRES

Joseph Mysis 100

John Rumford 100

Jacob Robins 250

Jonah Steward 290

John Brown 300

John Dennis .

240

James Pillyon

200

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History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 103

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Swan, Norma Lippincott. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia, R. T. Peck & co. Number of Pages: 1148

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Swan, Norma Lippincott. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia, R. T. Peck & co.
Number of Pages: 1148