History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 107

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 107

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).

The old burial-ground to-day contains low head-stones, evidently put up at a later date than the burials. The earliest date given is

1796. The families buried here to whom have been erected head-stones bearing early dates are Bartram, Canfield, Newbold, Curtis, Lawrie, Schooley, Harris, Tilton and Ellis.

ELLISDALE VILLAGE lies on the line between Monmonth and Burlington Counties. It was early known as Gibbstown, and in 1834 as Shelltown. Gordon's "Gazetteer" of that year says of Shelltown: "It contains some half-a- dozen dwellings. There is a Friends' Meeting- house near it." The meeting-house here re- ferred to is the old school-house which was used by the Friends of Arneytown Meeting.

A blacksmith-shop was in the place one hun- dred years ago. It was carried on many years by Samuel Stuart. A store was started by John Hodgson about 1838. The postmasters have been Thomas Rogers, William Imlay, George Horner and Thomas Wright, the present in- cumibent. A Methodist Church was built in 1852, which is under the Crosswicks charge.

CREAM RIDGE is a hamlet containing a store, post-office, Presbyterian Church and several dwellings. A post-office was established at the corners, east, during President Fillmore's admin- istration, and was named Fillmore. William Jackson was appointed postmaster. Upon the completion of the railroad Cream Ridge became a station, and the office was removed to that place. Edward Cross was appointed postmas- ter, and was succeeded, in 1881, by Thomas Thompson, the present incumbent. Dr. William Davis was a practicing physician in this locality from early manhood to old age. He died a few years ago.

THE CREAM RIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI dates back abont twenty years. In 1858 the Presbyterians in the neighborhood accepted of Mr. Daniel Tilton the plat of ground on which the Baptist Church had stood before it was removed to Imlaystown. The present house was erected in that year, and the Rev. Dr. Per- kins, of Allentown, preached there for six years on alternate Sabbaths. In 1864 a church was organized, with twenty members, by the Presby- tery of Burlington. August 31st of that year Mr. B. H. Withrow was ordained and installed

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UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP.

pastor. He remained five years, resigned March 23, 1869, and was succeeded, in September, 1869, by Rev. William G. Cairnes, who also was in charge of Plumsted Church, at New Egypt. In 1870 the connection of the two churches ceased, and he continued pastor of Cream Ridge until July, 1876, when he resigned. Mr. E. E. Moran, of Princeton Seminary, was installed pastor in June, 1877, and remained until June, 1883. Rev. William J. Henderson was installed in the fall of 1883. He also has charge of Plumsted Presbyterian Church, and resides at New Egypt. The church has sixty members.

HORNERSTOWN is a little village of Upper Freehold, situated in the southeast part of the township, on Lahaway Creek, and on the line of the Pemberton and Hightstown Railroad. Of this little village Gordon's "Gazetteer" (published in 1834) says : " It contains several dwellings, a grist and saw-mill and a fulling-mill." The grist and saw-mill was built on the Lahaway Creek at this place by Caleb Ivins before 1800, and it remained in possession of the family until 1852, when it was sold, and after passing through several hands, it came into the possess- ion of John Gokley, the present proprietor, about 1862.

A post-office was established at this place in January, 1849, and Edward Shreves was ap- pointed postmaster. He was succeeded, in 1856, by William Quicksill, who held the office until 1867, when John H. Ernest was appointed and held it twelve years. In 1879, Charles Hop- kins succeeded, and was postmaster till May, 1881, when William Quicksill, the present in- cumbent, suceceded him.

After 1830 some families living here em- braced the doctrines of the Mormons. A church was erected which later was sold to the Catho- lies, who moved it to the "Sand Lot," where it remained a year, and was then taken down, the society having erected a church at New Egypt. Later, the children of the early Mormons em- braced the doctrines of the "Latter-Day Saints," which seet resulted from a split in the Mormon Church. The people of this branch do not be- lieve in polygamy, and claim to be the original followers of Joseph Smith. Meetings were held

here in private houses for a time, and in 1880 a room was fitted for worship over the store of William Quicksell. The society numbers ten members.

About 1870 a few Baptist people here purchased a store building and fitted it up for a chapel. They have been supplied from the church at Jacobstown by the Rev. - Thomas and A. J. Hays. The society numbers about fifteen members.

THE VILLAGE OF WRIGHTSVILLE is located on land which was part of the Baker tract and later belonged to the Lawrence family. The people who settled in the vicinity were mostly Friends who belonged to the Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, at Crosswicks. Meetings were held at the house of Daniel Robbins as early as 1736. A petition was made to the Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Ninth Month, 2d day, 1738, the account of which, in the minutes, is as fol- lows: " Moses Robins, on behalf of himself and Friends thereabouts, made application to this meeting to build a meeting-house near Robert Lawrence." This request was acted upon at the next Monthly Meeting a follows: "Tenth Month, 7th day, 1738, the Friends near Moses Robins, have liberty from this meeting to build a meeting-house according to their decree." The meeting subscribed eighteen pounds towards the build- ing. The Burlington Monthly Meeting soon after subscribed twelve pounds for the same purpose. The house was built on the present site, and was known as " Robins Meeting." The following quotation is from the minutes : "Sixth Month 6th, 1776, Upper Freehold pre- parative meeting informs that Samuel Wright Hartshorne hath been active on military ser- vice and refuses to make satisfaction." This meeting-house, built in 1738, was used until 1816, when it was torn down and the present brick meeting-house erected on the same lot. Through the influence of Samuel Croft, the name was changed from Robins Meeting to East Branel. It was used regularly for many years, but is now used only by appointed meet- ings.

In the old burial-place lie the families of Tay-

634

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

lor, Combs, Woodward, Wright, Folwell, Potts, Fields, Tantum, Hendrickson, Craft and others. About 1870, Dr. Joseph Taylor, of Burlington, (whose father, Dr. Edward Taylor, was buried here), inclosed the burial-place with agood iron fence. The Robins' family were buried in a burial ground about a mile and a half east.

On the 20th of March, 1833, the Wrights- ville Methodist Episcopal Church was incorpor- ated. A meeting-house was erected on land of Samuel G. Wright, and was used for worship for about twelve years and then abandoned.

IMLAYSTOWN VILLAGE is situated near the central part of the township, on Doctor's Creek. Its site was part of the large traet patented by John Baker, May 24, 1690. He died soon after, and it passed to George Willocks, who sold to Richard Salter, Sr. A mill was built on the present site by Mr. Salter before 1700. Upon his death it passed to Riehard Salter, Jr., who, in 1727, sold fifty acres, includ- ing the mill and thirty-nine acres covered by the mill-pond. Mr. Imlay afterwards purchased a large traet in the vicinity, and was still in pos- session of it in 1763. A tavern was opened here very early, but no zecount is obtained of the time or who kept it. The mill property passed from the Imlay family to Benjamin Woodward, who, about the same time, opened a store. Woodward operated the mill until 1845, when he sold it to Edward T. Hendrickson, who, in 1872, conveyed it to Reuben Hendrickson, the present owner.

In 1820, Thomas Elliott was keeping the tavern. In 1828, Jonathan Coward became the owner and landlord. He died in 1848, and it was sold in 1849 to Aaron Eldridge. After- wards it was sold several times and kept by dif- ferent parties until 1863, when it was purchased by Reuben Hendrickson, the present owner.

The post-office at Imlaystown was established in 1826 as a private office, and Benjamin Wood- ward was postmaster. Dr. George F. Fort was postmaster for a short time, from 1833 to 1835. On September 20th in the latter year he was appointed postmaster at New Egypt. He was succeeded at this place by Sidney C. Woodward, who served until 1848. The office was kept in the store, and from this time until 1856 there

were several changes. In that year Isaac Wood- ward wasappointed, and served until 1864, when he was sneeeded by Charles Robbins, who held the position nntil 1869, when he was succeeded by the present postmaster, Sidney Williams.

Gordon's "Gazetteer" of 1834 says of Imlays- town : "It contains twelve or fifteen dwellings, a grist and saw-mill, tanuery, one tavern, one store, wheelwright and smith-shop." The Im- lay family still own a part of the original pur- chase, made in 1727. The physicians who prac- ticed here have been as follows : Dr. Edward Taylor, from 1810 ; Dr. - Kearney, from 1829; Dr. George F. Fort (afterwards Governor of New Jersey). He lived half a mile south of the vil- lage. Dr. Robert Laird came to the place in May, 1838, and remained till December of that year, when he moved to Squan, where he still resides. Dr. William A. Newell succeeded him April 30, 1440. Dr. William Augustus Newell and Dr. William Dunham Newell were brothers. Dr. William D. Newell after his graduation opened an office in partnership with his brother, William A., who removed to Allen- town. This partnership continued until July 8, 1847, when it was dissolved and a new part- nership was formed, consisting of Dr. William A. Newell, Dr. Leison English, of Allentown, and Dr. William D. Newell, of Imlaystown. Dr. William D. Newell remained in practice at Imlaystown till his death, in 1869. He was suc- ceeded by Dr. Van Zandt, who was, in turn, suc- ceeded by Dr. Peter Pumyea, now of Allentown. Dr. Horace G. Norton is the present resident physician of Imlaystown.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF UPPER FREE- HOLD dates baek in its organization nearly one hundred and twenty years; and fully a century and a half ago, meetings were held in this vicinity for religions worship by Baptists. "The first of that way was one James Ashton, the eldest son of James Ashton, Baptist minister at Middletown, who came here to Crosswieks, which was then a wild and unsettled place, but possessed with the Indians in great abundance." This James Ashton lived here prior to his Christian profession, and doubtless many years before the church was constituted.

635

UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP.

The record of the church states that " some time after, several families, by the names of Lawrence, Cox and Fowler, came here,-all members except Lawrence and his wife." And as the country became more thickly settled, the number multiplied, but they continued for years without a church organization, depending mainly upon the Middletown Church for the ministration of her pastor, or some one of his ministerial assistants, regarding themselves as a branch of that church. After a time the pastor of the Middletown Church "reduced his visits to once in two months, and a licentiate named Coward declined preaching entirely." . . And then the following persons asked and re- ceived letters of dismission from the mother- church, viz .: Joseph Holmes, William Vaughn, Thomas Farr, David Jones, William Tapscot, Thomas Cox, Jonathan Holmes, Edward Tay- lor, Peter Sexton, Christopher Morris, Safety Magee, Ezekiel Mount, Thomas Cox, Jr., Abel Edwards, Thomas Walton, William Hankinson, John Williams, Rebecca Cox, Mary Cox, Ra- chel Sexton, Rebecca Price, Mary Coward, Ann Gordon, Mary Cox, Merey Vaughn, Catha- rine Britton, Deborah Cox, Mary Stephenson, Emma Strickland, Rebecca Clayton, Rebecca Walton, Susan Francis, Martha Shepherd, Mary Patterson, Mary Stillwell, Hannah Taylor, Elizabeth Kinman, Alice Coward, Martha Stevenson, Martha Borden, Mary Magee, Eliza- beth Taylor, Rebecca Sexton, Elzabeth Mason, Jerusha James, Joseph Taylor and James Sex- ton, making forty-seven in all, who were rec- ognized as a church of Christ on the 10th day of May, A.D. 1766, by a council consisting of Elders Isaac Stelle, Benjamin Miller and Peter Vanhorn. The church took, and for some seven years retained, the name of the Crosswicks Bap- tist Church ; for what reason is not known, except that its meetings were sometimes held at Crosswicks, where there is said to have been a meeting-house erected in 1751.

The first pastor of this church was Rey. David Jones, of Revolutionary memory and fame. Ile was the son of Morgan and Eleanor Jones, born in the State of Delaware, May 12, 1736, and was baptized May 6, 1758, by Rev. David Davis. He soon after placed himself

under the tuition of Rev. Isaac Eaton, at Hope- well, and subsequently studied theology with Rev. Abel Morgan, at Middletown. Being at that time a member and licentiate of the church, he preached occasionally at Monmouth Court- House, Cranbury and Crosswicks. He was one of the constituent members of the Upper Freehold Church, and was ordained its pastor December 12, 1766, and continued in that ca- pacity until 1775. During his pastorate twen- ty-two members were added to the church by baptism.

Some two years after the resignation of Mr. Jones, Rev. William J. Pitman, " a promising young man," was settled, and served as pastor some three years, and then resigning, he lived in Allentown one year (preaching to the desti- tute), and thence removed to Philadelphia. About fifteen were added to the church during his pastorate. He died at Seekonk, R. I., July 24, 1822, in his seventy-second year.

Rev. John Blackwell was the third pastor. He remained about five years, to general satisfac- tion, baptizing into the fellowship of the church, thirty-one members.

Rev. Joseph Stephens was the next pastor: lle came from North Carolina, and took the pastoral charge here in 1789, and held it until 1793, receiving into the church on profession thirty-eight members. The last learned of him he was under discipline for heretical doctrine; and avowed himself an out and out Universalist:

Rev. David Laborrow then succeeded to the pastorate, for one year. He was followed by Rev. Andrew Harpending, who came from the Methodist denomination ; was received into and licensed to preach the gospel by the Swamptown Baptist Church. Thence he came to Upper Freehold, followed by evil reports; remained about three years, baptized fourteen persons, and left under some charges of immorality. In the year 1802 the church appears to have been sup- plied by Rev. John Morgan, and eleven are re- ported as received by baptism. From 1803 to 1808 the church was destitute of a pastor, but within that period there was an accession by baptism of thirty-two members. For one or two years from 1808 the pulpit was occupied by Rev. S. B. Harris. Rev. John Cooper suc-

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ceeded Mr. Harris in 1813; served as pastor some eight years, and baptized seventeen candi- dates. The Rev. James M. Challis came to the pastorate in his early manhood. He was or- dained December 7, 1822, by Revs. Joseph Shepherd and John Segur, and for a period of sixteen years he labored assiduously, receiving into the church on profession two hundred and thirty-eight converts.

Rev. Levi G. Beek took the oversight of the churel April 1, 1838, which he held for five years. He baptized on profession forty-seven converts. He was succeeded in the spring of 1843 by Rev. William A. Ray, a young man of fine talents, but of feeble bodily health. He continued here less than three years, and bap- tized eight candidates He subsequently became pastor of the Baptist Church at Charlottesville, Va., where he died in 1849.

Rev. Andrew Armstrong, a licentiate of the Baptist Church at Woodstown, was ordained to the pastorate here in 1846. He remained five years, baptizing on profession sixty converts.

Rev. William J. Nice was the pastor for three years from 1852, during which time only three were baptized. In the fall of 1855, Rev. Samuel Sproul took the oversight of this church, and resigned at the end of two years. While he was pastor a good church edifice was erected at Imlaystown, and thirty members were added to the church on profession.

In the spring of 1858 the church called and settled as pastor Rev. Charles M. Deitz, which position he held eight years, having added to the church by baptism sixty-nine members. During his pastorate (in 1864) the church edi- fice at Imlaystown was enlarged to its present size. The bell on it is the gift of L. M. Challis, of New York, son of Rev. James M. Challis, former pastor of this church.

The Rev. William D. Hires entered upon his pastorate April 1, 1867, and resigned in the fall of 1878. He was succeeded, in May, 1879, by the Rev. Edward Loux, who remained as pas- tor until the winter of 1881-82. In May, 1882, the Rev. David Silver was installed, and re- mained in service until his death, December 22, 1884. The present (Jan. 1885) membership of the church is two hundred and twenty-four.

The following is a list of the deacons of the church to the year 1869: William Vanghn, Thomas Farr, Thomas Cox, Peter Sexton, Asher Cox, Job Emmons, William Holman, Samuel Barcalow, William Shmumar, James Cunning- ham, Peter Clayton, Hartson Thompson, Wil- liam Perrine, Enoch Cheesman, David Perrine, Reuben Norris, Lewis Robbins, William Combs, John Goldy, George Taylor, Sidney Williams, and Joseph Holmes. The Rev. Charles L. Williams, son of Deacon Sidney Williams of this church, is a graduate of Prince- ton and of C'rozer Theological Seminary. He is now pastor of the Upland Baptist Church, in Delaware County, Pa., having been installed there in August, 1884. It is his first charge.

The following persons have acted as trustees of the church to 1869, viz .: John Lawrence, Richard Cox, Thomas Cox, Richard Kinman, Forman Mount, William Lloyd, Rev. John Blackwell, John Lloyd, William Parent, James Clayton, Edward Clayton, John Shumar, Wil- liam Holman, Ezekiel Davison, Samuel Barca- low, Peter Billieu, John Thompson, Thomas Cox, Jr., Adda Mount, William Shumar, James S. Lawrence, James Ivins, Charles Potts, Fur- man Hendrickson, Thomas Meirs, George Taylor, George Applegate, Samuel Henderson, Lewis Robbins, William Combs, T. T. Timis, George Cox, John Goldy, John R. Longstreet, John M. Billieu, Joseph Holmes, James S. Giberson, Richard Ridgeway and Job Polhe- mns.

Within the territory formerly occupied by this church there are now four other churches, either of which (except one) is larger and stronger than this. The church at Jacobstown was constituted in 1785 by thirty-two members dismissed from Upper Freehold. The Bordentown Church, constituted in 1821, was an offshoot of this, though there is no record of the names of mem- bers dismissed to constitute it. In 1834 this church dismissed ninety members to constitute the church at Freehold.

The meeting-houses at first used by all of the above-named churches were formerly under the supervision of the mother-church; be- sides which she has owned four houses of wor- ship, viz. : the yellow meeting-house, a part of

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UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP.

which was built, more than a hundred years ago, on land donated by Richard Salter, Jr., who was buried in the old graveyard of the church ; another house, built on Cream Ridge, in 1844; and a small house erected a few years later at Imlaystown, for praver-meeting and Sunday-school. In 1855 the house on the ridge was removed to Imlaystown, and subse- quently (1864)enlarged to its present dimensions, about forty by seventy feet. This last and the first-named are the only meeting-houses now owned by the church ; besides which the church owns a parsonage house and lot adjoin- ing the churchyard at Imlaystown.

This church united with the Philadelphia Baptist Association in 1766, and retamed that connection until 1813,-a period of forty-seven years. It then became a member of the New Jersey Baptist Association, and so remained until 1868, -- a period of fifty-five years.

THE IMLAY'S HILL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH dates back nearly a century. In the year 1790 a few Methodists desirons of having a meeting-house in the vicinity of Imlay's Hill met at the house of Samuel Imlay and elected the following-named persons trustees : Jonathan Coward, Joseph Page, Thomas Sill, Samuel Imlay, Joseph James, John Kein, John Gregory, Jonathan Page and John Page. At the same time Samuel Imlay conveyed to the trus- tees in trust one acre of land for church purposes. On this lot a church edifice was erected in 1790. It was destroyed by fire in 1807, and being rebuilt, was used until 1855, when it was replaced by the present church, which was dedicated December 25th in that year. A chapel was erected at Imlaystown in 1866, and dedicated January 30, 1867, under charge of J. P. Connelly.

The trustees eleeted in 1790 served until February 10, 1816, when an election was held at " Emlay's Meeting-House," with the follow- ing result : Ezekiel Robins, Joseph Rouzee, Richard C. Robbins, Thomas Throp, Cornelins Hance, John Allensmark and Andrew Nelson. The following-named preachers have served the church during the past seventy years :

1815. David Bartine, Charles Reed.

1816. Peter Van Nest, Thomas Neal.

1817. John Finley, James Akins.

1818. John Finley, Walter Burrowes.

1819. John Wooley, Daniel Fidler.

1820. James Akins, John Price.

1821. David Best, Bartholomew Weed.

1822. Bartholomew Weed, Eliphalet Reed.

1823. John Walker, William Lumis.

1824. John Walker, Burrowes Jones.

1825. John Finley, James Moore.

1826. John Finley, James McLaurin.

1827. James MeLaurin, Levi Prettyman.

1828. R. W. Petherbridge, William Granville.

1829. William Granville, James Moore.

1830. Henry Boehm, T. Steward.

1831. Henry Boehm, J. Canfield.

1832. W. Williams, C. Ford.

1833. W. Williams, - Robold.

1834. Henry Boehm.

1835. Edward Page.

1836. Edward Page.

1837. T. Steward.

1838. T. Steward, T. Lyon.

1839. J. Spear, N. Edwards.

1840. J. Spear, J. Mather.

1841. J. Long, D. Graves.

1842. J. Long, J. Fort.

1843. N. Chew, - Griffin. 1844. N. Chew, J. Somerill.

1845. J. Sleeper, S. Van Zant.

1846. J. Sleeper, W. W. Christine.

1847. S. Jacquett, William Tunison.

1848. William Rogers, F. Robbins.

1849. C. Downs, J. Camp. 1850. C. Downs, - Scran.

1851. S. Decker, J. Mathews.

1852. Henry Beegle, - Primrose.

1853. Henry Beegle, E. H. Durell.

1854. - - Palmer, - - Cosea.

1855. - Palmer, - Parvin.

1856. J. White. 1857. W. B. Osborn.

1858-59. E. H. Durell.

1860. George H. Neal.

1861-62. N. Edwards.

1863-64. R. B. Suteliffe.

1865-66. J. P. Connolly.

1867-69. M. Shimp.

1870. W. C. Chattin.

1871. R. B. Steverson.

1872. D. MeC'urdy.

1873-75. Joseph E. Willey.

1876. T. D. Sleeper.

1877-79. E. Waters.

1880-82. J. E. Sawn.

1883-84. L. A. Bearmore.

NEW SHARON hamlet lies on the line between Upper Freehold and Mercer County. A Method-

638

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ist Church and school-house are both on the Mercer side. In 1807, William Story estab- lished the manufacture of hats at this place, employing from twenty-five to thirty mien. It was continued many years by him, and later by his sons, John and William Story. In 1820, Jedediah Middleton built a tannery, which afterwards passed to David Bowman, and was discontinued about 1840, under AAlfred Conover. In 1820, Isaac Wilson built a mill, which, after a few years, was changed into a store. A post- office was established at the place several years ago. Upon the completion of the Pemberton and ITightstown Railroad, the office was re- moved to the railway station.

CANTON, or (as it is better known) Cabbage- town, lies on the line between Upper Freehold and Mercer County. Gordon's "Gazetteer" of 1834 says of Cabbagetown : "It contains half a dozen dwellings, a wheelwright, smith and joiner-shop." It has not been much changed since that time.

PROSPERTOWN lies on the line between Upper Freehold and Ocean County. It contains a post-office, which was established in June, 1881, with Mrs. Sarah Johnson postmistress. She was succeeded, in April, 1882, by Howell Imlay. A school-house is on the Ocean County side. The district contains eighty-five children of school age. Before 1800 a fulling-mill was built on a branch of Lahaway Creek in Jackson township, which, about 1800, was moved to the site of the present mill by Moses Ivins and changed into a grist-mill. It remained in the Ivins family until 1880, when E. P. Empson, the present owner and proprietor, purchased it.

The township of Upper Freehold contains ten school districts and nine hundred and four children of school age. The school property is valued at sixteen thousand three hundred dol- lars. The history of the different schools in the township, as far as can be ascertained is as follows :

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History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 107

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