History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 108

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 108

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Allentown District, No. 14 .- The early schools in Allentown were private and connected with the church (as mentioned in the history of the

village) until about 1834, when the old academy was rebuilt, rented to the school trustees, and used for the publie school until the erection of the present school building in 1876. The district at present contains two hundred and thirty chil- dren of school age, and the property is valued at six thousand dollars.

Centre District, No. 15 .- The first school- house in this locality was erected at Pullens- town in 1839-40, and used until the present frame building was erected, in 1869. The dis- triet contains sixty-five children of school age.

East Branch District, No. 16 .- The Friends established a meeting and erected a meeting- house in this locality in 1739, and soon after erected the school-house that stood prior to 1819 between the present residences of J. West and E. T. Hendrickson. The road formerly passed between these two farms, and the old house was on a corner. In 1819, Ezekiel Combs donated the present lot, and the octagonal brick house was erceted. It is about twenty feet in diameter; a door covered by a poreli occupies one side ; each of theother sides contains a small window. The roof is a steep pitch and shin- gled. The interior is lathed and plastered to the peak, which is surmounted by a chimney. The stove stands in the centre of the room. This unique structure is still used and in good preservation. The distriet contains eighty-five scholars of school age.

A school-house was erected about 1825 on the farm of Samuel Wright, which was used about twelve years and abandoned. J. Calla- han was a teacher in this house.

Imlaystown District, No. 17 .- The first school-house of which anything is known in this district stood about three-fourths of a mile south from the village, and was used over sey- enty-five years ago. With some repairs, it was continued until the present two-story frame house was erected in the village, in 1866. The district now contains one hundred and five chil- dren of school age.

Cowart District, No. 18 .- The first school- house in this locality was erected before the Emlay's Hill meeting-house was built, in 1791, on the Daniel Hendrickson farm, between the present house and Skunktown. It was torn

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UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP.

down in 1858, and the present house erected on the same farm. This was rebuilt in 1880 and is now used. The district contains seventy children of school age.

Cream Ridge District, No. 19 .-- The chil- dren in this vicinity for many years attended school near Hornerstown. The present brick house was built over sixty years ago. A small school-house was erected on the Presbyterian Church lot many years ago, and a private school was tanght in it until 1880, when it was aban- doned. The district contains fifty-eight schol- ars of school age.

Pleasant Ridge District, No. 20 .- In 1838 William Forsyth donated a lot of land for school purposes, and the citizens united and erected the school-house in that year. It has been used from that time to the present, having been repaired in 1883. The district contains forty scholars of school age.

Ellisdale District, No. 21 .- The school-house now in use was moved in May, 1867, to its present location, on land donated by George Tilton. It originally stood back on the Tilton farm, and was used both as a school-house and Friends' Meeting house. It was erected before 1812. Mrs. Theodosia Craig, a number of years ago, left by will four hundred dollars each to this school and Hornerstown. The district now contains fifty children of school age.

Marl Ridge District No. 22 .- The first school-house in this district was about three- quarters of a mile from the village, on the Monmouth road. The teachers were James B. Stafford and Samuel C. Rodney. The house was afterwards used as a dwelling house. The next school building was on the New Egypt road. It was a dwelling-house owned by Robert Woodward, by whom it was given for the purpose of a school, and it was removed to the present site, where it was refitted. It was eighteen by twenty-four feet, with a ceiling five feet six inches in height, which, in after years, was raised eighteen inches. The school was opened in 1820, and was taught by James Callahan until 1824. It is stated that John M. Horner, now or recently a millionaire of San Francisco, but a native of this place, made the desk and seat in the old house in which he was

both pupil and teacher. The present two-story school building was erected in 1871, and opened with ceremonies December 15th, in that year, at which time Superintendent Samuel Lock wood delivered an address containing the facts given ! above. The district at present contains one hundred and nine children of school age. The following is a list of teachers from 1824 to the present time :

1824-27. Israel J. Woodward.

1828. Mary Taylor and Mary G. Taylor

1829. Edward Tolett.

1832. John Downy.

1834. Benjamin Sweet.

1836. James B. Woodward.

1837. John L. Fuller.

1838. Thomas E. Antrim.

1840. John M. Horner.

1840. Elizabeth Moore.

1841. Ann Chamberlain.

1846. John Kerland.

1850. Henry Cooke.

1851. John L. Hayes.

1852. William Errickson.

1854. John Beazley.

1856. Joseph Balcom.

1856. Aaron West.

1857. Daniel C. Warren.

1859. Thomas C. Harrison.

1861. Charles L. Lamb.

1863. Amos Atkinson.

1867. Charles Booth.

1869. John M. Nutt and John M. Harker.

1870-71. Kate Walter.

1872. Charles Harker.

1873. David Waldon.

1874. Ella Wilson.

1875-84. George H. Johnson.

Arneytown District, No. 23, embracing a part of the adjoining township in Burlington County, was organized in 1874, in which year the school-house was erected. It is used also for religious worship. The district contains ninety-two children of school age.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

COLLEN B. MEIRS .- The Meirs family are of Scotch lineage, the great-great-grandfather of Collen B. having been Christopher Meirs, born in 1700, whose children were David, John, Job and Joseph.

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

David Meirs, whose birth occurred in 1740, married Martha Swaim, and had one son, Apollo, and daughters,-Keturah, who married Joel Cook ; and Elizabeth, who mar- ried Anthony Emley. Apollo Meirs, born in 1765, married Unity Shinn, whose children were Martha, married to Abraham Tilton ; John, married to Lucretia Gaskill ; Thomas, married to Rebecca H. Conover ; and David. He mar- ried, a second time, Ann Burtis, whose children were Sarah, married to Daniel Tilton ; William, married to Mary Stewart; Unity, married to John Bruere; and Charles, married, first, to Sarah Ann Cox, and, second, to Anna E. Rob- bins.

Thomas Meirs, born in 1798, and his wife, Rebecca II. Conover, born in 1805, had chil- dren,-Martha Ann, married to Joseph Holmes; Mary L., married to John R. Longstreet ; John, who died in youth ; and Collen B. Mrs. Thomas Meirs, is the daughter of Garret and Alice Hendrickson Conover, and the grand- daughter of Jacob and Mary Schanck Conover, or Covenhoven (German lineage,).

Collin B. Meirs was born September 7, 1833, in the township of Upper Freehold, on the home- stead farm, which has been in the Meirs family four generations. Since childhood this has been his home. His earliest educational advantages were received under the direction of Rev. Samuel Aaron, at Treemount Seminary, Norris- town, Pa., with whom he spent four years, sub- sequently graduating at the Freehold Institute, N. J. Returning to his father's house, he at once became interested in the varied employ- ments of the farm, and was, December 13, 1855, married to Louisa Butterworth, granddaughter of William and Rachel Butterworth, and daughter of John Butterworth, born in 1800, and his wife, Keturah Stockton, of Burlington County, N. J.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Meirs are Rebecca C. (wife of William H. Davis), Thomas and Helen. On the decease of his father, Col- len B. became by inheritance the owner of the farm, and has since that date been interested in the pursuits of an agriculturist. Whilst well informed on all matters pertaining to his calling, and ranking among the most enlight-

ened and successful farmers of his township, he has given much attention to the raising of superior stock, being among the first to intro- duce the Holstein-Fresian cattle in the county. In 1881 he, with a few others, established the Cream Ridge Creamery, filling for a period the office of president, and subsequently becoming its superintendent, which office he now holds. The success attending this institution is in a great measure attributed to his judicious man- agement.

On the organization of the First National Bank of Hightstown, N. J., he was made a director, and now fills the position of president. In 1864 he was named as one of the corpora- tors of the Pemberton and Hightstown Rail- road Company ; subsequently he was made a director and its treasurer, which positions he now occupies. He has been among the most public-spirited citizens of the county, and iden- tified with many enterprises which have inured to the welfare of its citizens.

His judgment, integrity and ability have caused him often to be chosen for such impor- tant offices as executor and trustee, and made his counsel valuable in matters of publie and private significance. Mr. Meirs is a strong and working Republican in politics. He served for eleven consecutive years on the Board of Free- holders, and was, in 1874, elected county auditor, which office he held for seven years. He was, in 1871, nominated for the State Sen- ate, and came within four hundred and ten votes of carrying the strong Democratie county of Monmouth. Mr. and Mrs. Meirs are both members of the Upper Freehold Baptist Church, of which the former is a trustee.

REV. HENRY PERKINS, D.D .- Henry Per- kins, the son of Eliphaz and Lydia (Fitch) Perkins, was born in Vergennes, Vt. Feb- ruary 9, 1796. His father, a graduate of Yale College, was a practicing physician. His mother was a sister of the Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Fitch, president of Williams College, Massa- chusetts. Both his parents were natives of Connecticut and both were exemplary Chris- tians, as were all his ancestors as far as known. In 1798, Dr. E. Perkins removed West with

Collen 3. Mais

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UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP.

his family. After a brief sojourn in Marietta, where his wife died, he settled in Athens, Ohio. Here the Ohio University is located. Dr. E. Perkins was for many years a trus- tee of that young university, since known as the Alma Mater of not a few distinguished men. Here it was that his son, the subject of this brief record, received his academie and collegi- ate education, and was graduated with the watchful eye and the sympathetic nature of

degree of A.B. He received his theological education in the seminary at Princeton, N. J. On leaving the seminary, in 1820, he was ordained and installed pastor of the churches of Allentown and Nottingham Square. These churches, small at his eoming, under his minis- try grew in numbers and strength. New church edifices were erected in both congrega- tions, and each desired to secure the whole time of their pastor. He decided to remain at Allen- town, and to the church there, his only pastorate, he ministered for forty-three years. During that time he received into the church between five and six hundred, of whom between fined the most of the time to his house and four and five hundred on the profession of study. Here the Bible was his chosen com- panion and the Scripture promises a constant source of consolation. His death, caused by a sudden and severe stroke of paralysis, occurred June 30, 1880. their faith in Christ. Several revivals of relig- ion blessed his ministry. His manner in the pulpit was solemn and impressive. He seemed never to forget that he was the Lord's ambas- sador, and on a mission of all the most momen- Many of his old friends, with their children, and children's children, attended his funeral. His remains rest, among his beloved people, in the cemetery near the church, whither they were borne by six of his brethren in the min- istry, there to await the resurrection of the just. tous. He was faithful and affectionate as a pastor, ever seeking the highest good of his people. His mode of address was what is called extempore, but was not without careful preparation. His voice-heavy, clear, far- reaching-was well adapted to public speaking. His delight was to unfold the uusearchable riches of the gospel of Christ, and he was per- haps never more happy in this than on Sabbath afternoons in the school-houses of his some- what widely extended parish, when the people would gather for miles around till the place was often too " strait " for them.

Two new churches were erected in the viein- ity of these school-houses. As years advanced he considered his strength inadequate to the charge of so large a congregation, and at his request, in the year 1864, the pastoral relation was dissolved. He continued to live among his former people, and for several years to |

preach as strength and opportunity permitted, often in his old pulpit and always with accept- ance.

The degree of D.D. was conferred on him by the College of New Jersey in the year 1858. Soon after his ordination he married Miss Eliza A., daughter of Dr. John Reeve, of Rocky Hill, N. J. The prudent forethought, the ever- his wife added not a little to the success of his ministry. She was taken from him by death in November, 1850. Two daughters, their only children, are still living,-one the wife of Hon- orable James H. Bruere, of Princeton, N. J., and the other the wife of the Rev. John H. Pratt, now residing at the old homestead, in Allentown, N. J. Dr. Perkins afterwards married Miss Lydia Newbold, of Spring- field, N. J. She, too, was a helper in the gospel. She died September 20, 1871. Dur- ing the last years of his life Dr. Perkins, owing to failing health and strength, was con-

JOSEPH HOLMES .- Jonathan Holmes, the son of Joseph Holmes and the grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, resided upon the farm now owned by the latter in Upper Freehold township. To his wife, a Miss Ashton, were born children,-Joseph, Elizabeth and Alice. Joseph, the only son, spent his life upon the farm where his birth oceurred, having mar- ried Mary Bruere, of the same township, whose children were Jonathan, born in 1794 ; James, in 1796 ; Joseph, -; Alice, in 1798 (wife of Dr. William Davis) ; and Sarah, in 1809 (wife of John H. Bruere).

Joseph, of this number, was born on the 24th

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

of November, 1810, and has spent his life at the scene of his birth. His education, begun at the distriet school of the neighborhood, was com- pleted at Burlington, N. J., after which he re- turned to the farm and was actively engaged in its various departments of labor. The property having been sold, on attaining his majority, he became the purchaser, though already the owner of that portion which fell to him by inheritance. He was, on the 27th of October, 1842, married to Martha Ann, daughter of Thomas S. and Rebecca Meirs, whose birth occurred October 23, 1824. Their children are Mary, born Feb- ruary 1, 1844 (Mrs. James L. Rue) ; Sarah, August 9, 1845, who died August 16, 1849 ; and Joseph, whose birth occurred July 11, 1849. Mr. Holmes has made farming the business of his life. Although his career has not been es- pecially noticeable for new departures in the science of agriculture, he has kept pace with the latest inventions and improvements that are made available in aiding the farmer, and has been successful in his business operations. Mr. Holmes fills the office of director of the Hightstown National Bank, and is a member of the Monmouth County Agricultural Society. His political sympathies are with the Republi- cans, thongh indifferent to office and seldom found among the party leaders or workers. He is a director of the Pemberton Railroad and has been associated with other important enterprises. Mr. Holmes is in his religious faith a Baptist, and both deacon and trustee of the Baptist Church of Upper Freehold. The grandchil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are Annie H. and Joseph H. (children of James L. and Mary

Rue), and Sarah, Joseph G. and George B. tion in politics. He is connected with the lead- (children of Joseph and Helen Holmes).

ABEL CAFFERTY .- Abel Cafferty is of Irish descent, and is the grandson of William Cafferty, who resided at Red Bank, N. J., where he car- ried on the occupations of a tanner, shoemaker and farmer. He married Mary Bowers, of Hol- land Dutch descent, and to them were born children,-John, Nathaniel, Josiah, Joel, Samuel and two daughters.

Nathaniel Cafferty was born in Upper Free -!

hold, and early acquired his father's trade, which he followed at Imlaystown. He married Patience, daughter of Vanroom Robbins, of Middlesex County, whose children were John, Abel, Lydia Ann (married Charles Hopkins), Enoch and Vanroom. Of these, John and Lydia Ann are now deceased.

Abel Cafferty was born at Imlaystown on May 21, 1813, and until twenty-one years of age lived at that place, where his time was spent at the common school, the trade of shoemaking and for a period of two years in farming. His father having rented the saw-mill, upon the site of which now stands the grist-mill owned by Mr. Cafferty, at Allentown, N. J., when Abel was twenty-two years of age he proceeded thither, and was there employed in connection with his father for five years, when he leased the mill for a period of five years, and also engaged in the mak- ing of sausage. In 1845, Mr. Cafferty bought the mill property, and later erected a new saw and grist-mill, which he conducted successfully till 1883, when he rented the grist-mill to his son Howell, still controlling the saw-mill and ad- jacent property. The mill built in 1855 was constructed by Mr. Cafferty, the bricks being made at his briekyard, under his personal super- vision. He has, in addition to these enterprises, been a successful farmer, and at one time engaged in the growth of mulberry trees for the pur- pose of silk-culture ; this, however, was but an indifferent success. Mr. Cafferty was formerly a Democrat, but is now a Republican in his political opinions, and has never held a political position excepting that of constable, his business interests having precluded any active participa- ing business interests of the town, and gives his support to the Presbyterian Church, of which Mrs. Cafferty is a member.

On October 19, 1843, Mr. Cafferty married Margaret, daughter of Joseph Walker, born in Germany ; was a resident of Allentown. Mrs. Cafferty was born October 30, 1822. To them have been born children,- Mary W. (Mrs. Wil- liam Hankins), Charles (married Fanny, daughter of Daniel W. Bills, of Allentown), Elizabeth (Mrs. Joseph Rodgers), John (married Emma, daughter of James Parker, of Allentown) and

Joseph Holmes

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UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP.

Howell (married Kate, daughter of William Tiel, of Bordentown).

Mr. Cafferty is a man greatly respected for his solid worth, and is now, as his years of life draw near to a close, enjoying the fruits of honest industry and his laudable desire to "get on in the world."

spent. The usual life of a farmer's son was his, and such education as the common schools of the neigliborhood afforded was acquired. After a few years spent in Philadelphia, where he learned the trade of a bricklayer, he returned to his home, and embarked in business as a distiller, and also in the manufacture of cider. At a later date he engaged in the manufacture of vinegar, which employment he followed up

JAMES D. HALL .- Abner Hall, the father of James D. Hall, resided in Upper Freehold ' to the time of his death. Soon after his return

Abel Cafferty

township, Monmouth County, N. J., and fol- | to Upper Freehold he purchased a farm ad- lowed the occupation of a farmer. He married Mary Dillon, and to them were born children,- Hanuah (Mrs. Horton Cooper), James D., Alice (Mrs. Samuel Burke), Lydia, George (married Catherine Conover) and Mary (Mrs. James Burke).

James D. Hall was born April 9, 1818, upon the homestead farm in Upper Freehold town- ship, and there the earlier part of his life was

joining the family homestead, and this he cul- tivated. Some years later he purchased the homestead farm; and at the time of his death he owned five hundred acres of good land, all purchased from his unaided carnings. He was an active business man, and one highly respected in the community in which he lived; a strong Democrat in his political views, and as such served in the New Jersey Legislature in 1849-

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

50. He was a director in the Hightstown Na- in the forty-seventh year of his age. He re- ceived a classical education at New Brunswick, studied medieine with his brothers, Azariah D. Newell, M.D., and William A. Newell, M.D .; graduated at the Medical College of the District of Columbia in 1844, and begun the practice of to reside until his death. tional Bank, an active Mason, a member of the Odd-Fellows' fraternity, and also of the Mon- mouth County Agricultural Society. On Jan- uary 23, 1839, he married Alice Jamieson, whose children were Hannah, Virginia, James E. and Eleanor (Mrs. George R. Field). He | his profession at Imlaystown where hecontinued was married, February 5, 1874, to Mary, daughter of William S. Rue, of Upper Free- During the War of the Rebellion he enlisted

hold, to whom was born one daughter, as a private in the Union army, but was soon Mary D.

Mr. Hall's death occurred February 1, 1883.

after appointed surgeon of the Twenty-eighth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, a position which he filled with great skill and acceptance until the expiration of his term of service. He was present at the first and second battles of Fredericksburg, at that of Chancellorsville, and also in several minor engagements; was repeatedly exposed to the fire of the enemy, but

DR. WILLIAM DUNHAM NEWELL, fifth and youngest son of James H. and Eliza D. Newell, was born at Black's Hills, Monmouth County, on the 20th of February, 1823, and died at Imlaystown on the 22d of November, 1869, always performed his duties on the field with

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HOWELL TOWNSHIP.

coolness and courage, never shrinking from danger. His life was devoted exclusively to his professional business, and he had at all times a large and luerative practice. His thorough knowledge of disease, extensive ex- perience, keen perception, sound judgment and close application combined to render him eminently successful as a practitioner, and gained for him a widespread and well-deserved reputation as a physician, not only with the people, but also with his medical brethren, with whom his relations were most friendly and intimate. He was possessed of extraordinary delicaey of touch and mechanical talent, and was a dextrous manipulator. These qualities rendered him a successful surgeon, so that in the adjustment of wounds, luxations, fractures, application of splints and bandages, and in the management of such other surgical cases as came in his praetice he had no superior. He was a constant reader, keeping pace with the most advanced ideas and improvements in the medical profession ; was a close student of history, familiar with the best poetry of the language, and was thoroughly versed in current literature. He was an accomplished musician, performing well upon almost every variety of instrument. As a delineator and painter he especially excelled, and many of his off-hand productions challenged the admiration of masters. He was large-hearted and liberal, and never turned the poor empty away. He was a vigor- ous and athletic gymnast, rapid as a flash, and of umerring aim. In person he was dignified and imposing, and in mien and manner earried the attributes of a true gentleman. During his term of service in the army the exposure to which he was subjected indneed several severe attacks of pneumonia, which, together with a violent injury received at the first battle of Fredericksburg, undermined his health, and resulted in his death. He died where he had lived during all the years of his manhood, be- loved by the people, and at peace with God and all mankind. His remains were interred in the cemetery attached to the Presbyterian Church at Allentown, attended to their final home by a multitude of loving and sorrowing friends.

CHAPTER XX.

HOWELL TOWNSHIP.

HOWELL is one of the southern tier of town- ships of Monmouth County. Its boundaries are: On the north, Atlantic township; on the east, Wall township; on the south, Ocean County; on the west, Ocean County and the township of Freehold. The Manasquan River flows southeastwardly through the central part of the township, in which it receives the waters of several tributaries, the principal of which is the Mingamahone Brook, which flows nearly south and enters the main stream near the east line of the township. The north branch of Metedecunk Creek flows through Howell along its entire southwestern and southern border, leaving the township at its southeastern corner, and passing thence into Ocean County, where it unites with the main stream, which flows into Barnegat Bay. Two railway lines pass through the territory of Howell,-viz., the Jamesburg and Freehold Agricultural Railroad (now a part of the lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany), which traverses the township from north- west to southeast, and the New Jersey Southern Railroad (now operated by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company), which enters the township near its northeast corner and passes through it thenee in a southwesterly direction. The two railroads cross each other at the village of Farmingdale. The population. of Howell, by the United States census of 1880, was three thousand three hundred and seventy-four.

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History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 108

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