History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 119

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 119

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 person, Superintendent Walling is tall and muscular, but without any superabundance of flesh. He has a decided military bearing, a firm but kindly face, a keen, bright eve that sparkles when interested in conversation or when listening to the details of some fresh crime, and laying his plans for the capture of the criminal.

Superintendent Walling was, on the 30th of January, 1854, married to Sarah Rosina, daughter of William Bennet, of Long Island. Their children are Ada (deceased), wife of Henry Cuppia; George (deccased) ; Edward S., a policeman ; Leonard B .; Frank ; Theresa (de- ceased) ; William; Herbert (deceased) ; and Perey. The superintendent is a Republican in politics,

out to E. MeKinney & Brother. January 1, 1877, W. F. Le Roy bought the office. The office was sold to Charles E. Close & Co., April 9, 1881, but on account of the dissatisfaction of the advertisers and subscribers, Mr. Le Roy resumed control the next week, but sold out to Gil- more & Clay, October 22, 1881. They sold the office to Mr. Le Roy, June 22, 1882, when the paper was run by his sons, M. D. & H. D. Le Roy, until December 1, 1882, when it was pur- chased by the present proprietor, E. D. Petters.

The Keyport Enterprise was first issued by Armstrong Brothers, September 18, 1879,-a five-column, four-page newspaper, independent in politics. It was soon changed to seven col- umns. The office and material were purchased, February 14, 1884, by Frederick F. Arm- strong, the present proprietor. The office is at the foot of Broad Street.

The Keyport Express was started, June 8, 1860, by J. H. Sibily & Co. The Weekly Star

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THE TOWN OF KEYPORT.

was first issued in Keyport, April 25, 1866, by G. W. & C. S. Henderson. Neither of these papers were successful, and both were discon- tinned after a brief existence.

THE CALVARY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT KEYPORT dates back in its organ- ization about fifty years. Soon after the com- mencement of the Keyport Company's opera- tions at this place, in 1831-32, Nimrod Bedle settled here. Ile was an earnest Methodist, and induced Father Stuart to visit him, and hold services at his house, on which occasion he preached the first sermon ever heard in Keyport. From this time he visited the place onee in two weeks. In 1835 a Sunday-school was organized with twenty pupils, and in the same year a class was also organized, and John Sproul, Richard D. Walling, Cornelius Carhart, William and Nimrod Bedle were elected trus- tees of the church. It was soon after decided to build a church, the society having previously held worship, alternate Sundays, with the Bap- tists in the school-house.

The Keyport Company had offered a lot to any society which would erect thereon a church edifice; and under that offer, this society re- ceived the lot next to the school-house on Church Street. A contract was made with William Jacques to erect a house, thirty-five by forty-five feet in size. The Revs. Long and Dunn were then in charge of the district. In March, 1841, the Rev. John Spear was ap- pointed to the charge. The church building was completed in the summer of that year, and was dedicated by Bishop Janes. This building was used until 1856, when the present church was ereeted on the corner of Osborn and Cross Streets. It is forty-five by seventy-five feet in size, with lecture-room forty-five by thirty-six feet. The basement was inclosed and used in the winter of 1856-57, and finished in the fol- lowing summer. The audience-room was fin- ished later, and was dedicated February 17, 1859. The old church was sold to the school district, and used for school purposes.

braced Harmony, Chapel Hill, High Point, Chanceville, Bethany and Keyport. In 1846- 47 the Rev. Mr. Burrowes resided at Keyport, in the parsonage built during the first year of his term. The following-named pastors have served the church from that time: 1848-49, Socrates Townsend; 1850-51, J. S. Beegle; 1852-53, Samuel Jacquett ; 1854-55, John Scarlett; 1856-57, Robert S. Harris; 1858- 59, Joseph Chattle; 1860-61, F. A. Morrell; 1862-63, W. W. Christine; 1864, H. B. Bee- gle; 1865-67, J. G. Phelps ; 1868, R. V. Lawrence; 1869, Edward Hewitt; 1871-73, R. J. Andrews; 1873-75, B. C. Lippincott ; 1876-77, G. L. Dobbins; 1878, S. F. Wheeler; 1879-80, Philip Cline; 1881-83, G. C. Stan- ger; 1884, George C. Maddock. The church has now a membership of about two hundred.

The first Sunday-school of this church was held in an upper room of the house of John Snyder, that stood on the corner opposite Warn's drug-store, and now owned by Peter Stout. Twenty scholars were there gathered, who were taught by Miss Susan Bedle, Miss Louisa Bedle, Miss Mary Bedle, Stephen Sto- ney, Asher Collins, and John Snyder and his wife. William Van Dine was elected superin- tendent. As the numbers increased, the lower part of the house was used. Afterwards the school was held in the okl red school-house, until the church adjoining was built, in 1841. In April, 1857, the school was moved into the present church. About this time branch schools were established at Oak Shades and Union, which were kept up with indifferent surcess. In 1869 a school was established, with one hundred members, at Mechanicsville, and was held in the blacksmith-shop of Thomas Car- hart. This school continued, and is now the school of St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church. The superintendents have been Wil- liam Van Dine, 1835-42; Robert B. Warden, 1854-57 ; Rufus Ogden, 1857-76; Richard Wharton, 1876-84. Miss Mary C. Walling has aeted as female superintendent since 1853.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF KEYPORT In 1842 the church was under charge of came into existence in 1840. For some time

before its organization the Revs. Stout, of

Vandewater; in 1843, White and Rogers; 1844, John Mathews. The charge then em- | Middletown, Hires, of Holmdel, and Carpenter,

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

of Jacksonville, preached occasionally ; Mr. Carpenter finally having a regular appointment, semi-monthly, preaching in a small school-house. There were at that time, however, but few Bap- tists in the place, yet these had prayer-meetings, which were known as Baptist prayer-meetings. It is but duc him to say that these meetings were commenced and kept going mainly by Samuel Sproul, who had been recently baptized, and was licensed to preach by the Middletown Church soon after his baptism, and who also preached, from time to time, to the little com- pany at Keyport.

That which seems to have led to the formation of a church was the coming to the place of Rev. Frederick Ketchum, of Burlington, who held, upon invitation in connection with the Baptists who resided here, a series of meetings, holding them in the afternoon in a grove, and in the evening in a school-house, re- sulting in the conversion of a number of per- sons. It was now agreed to ask the mother- church to establish a branch at Keyport. This being refused, the brethren were brought to the alternative of either organizing another church or lose much labor and influence ; and as there were a number ready for baptism, and these, as well as those already members of Baptist Churches residing in the community, were and would be a long distance from church privileges, and as the town had a prospective growth, it was resolved that a council be called to consider the propriety of constituting them into a Baptist In 1850 the name of the church was changed from the one taken at the time of organization to the First Baptist Church of Keyport. In October, 1853, twenty-three members were granted letters of dismission, to unite in the formation of a church at Matawan. In Aug- ust, 1853, Mr. Wilson resigned, and though almost immediately recalled, he did not accept. During his pastorate the church had grown much in numbers and the congregation had become too large for the house, so that meas- ures were taken at that time to secure more and better accommodations for the increased congregation. Church. The council was called and met in a grove in Keyport, Angust 5, 1840. At that time seven persons presented letters of dismission from Middletown First Church : viz., Samuel Sproul, Abigail Sproul, Lydia Tilton, James Sproul, Rebecca Smith, Elizabeth Sproul and Caroline Sproul, and two from Second Middle- town (now Holmdel), viz., Stephen P. Van Brackle and Jane Van Brackle; from the Bap- tist Church, Elmira, N. Y., two, viz., Elijah Ferris and Maria Ferris. The council exam- ined the letters, approved of them, and com- mended the action of those who desired organi- zation ; and upon the same date-the record is -- In March, 1854, a call was extended to Rev. Mr. Bullard, of Brooklyn, to become pastor, the council proceeded to constitute them into a regular Baptist Church. The name by which | but was declined, he, however, consenting to

they were organized was the Third Church of Middletown. The same day the church was re- organized Mr. Ketchum baptized twelve per- sons. In September of the same year applica- tion was made to the State Convention, not for pecuniary assistance merely, but that a mission- ary might be appointed to labor among them ; and in answer to this request, Rev. Jackson Smith was appointed as such missionary. He remained upon the field but a few months, and went from thence to the pastorate of the church at Lyons Farms. He died April 18, 1850.

In the year of their organization they united with the Central New Jersey Association. In 1843 they changed from the Central to the East, and in 1872 they united with the Trenton. In February, 1841, they again made applica- tion to the Convention for help, and also that Rev. William V. Wilson be requested to accept an appointment from the board as missionary. He did so accept, and at once entered upon his work. He was ordained May 12, 1841. The services were held in the church at Middletown, as the church at Keyport had, as yet, no house of worship. Mr. Wilson entered upon his work and at once set about the erection of a house of worship, which was accomplished during the first year of his pastorate. The ad- ditions to the church, by baptism and letter, were frequent, and the growth was steady and healthy from the very commencement of Mr. Wilson's ministry.

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THE TOWN OF KEYPORT.

supply them for some time. During this time the attention of all seems to have been absorbed in discussing, " shall we build ?" or, " enlarge the house of worship ?" and the question was decided differently at every meeting held. In June of the same year a call was given to Rev. John Q. Adams, of New York, which was accepted, and he at once entered upon his labors. In September, 1855, Mr. Adams resigned and removed to New York, having served but a little over one year. The church was dependent upon supplies for almost a year ; a call being again extended to Mr. Wilson, and declined, and one to Rev. D. S. Parmelee meeting with the same fate. In July, 1856, Rev. F. A. Slater was invited to become pastor, and soon afterward commeneed his work as such.

Soon after his settlement active measures were adopted looking to the buikling of a new house of worship, and though much had been done, there was nothing to show substantial progress. By much persistent and patient labor he saw the present commodious house of wor- ship almost complete ere he ceased his pastorate. He resigned in 1862 and removed to Greenport, L. I. In December of the same year Rev. A. P. Graves became pastor. He also pushed forward to completion the new house of wor- ship, and it was dedicated during his adminis- tration. In August of 1864 he resigned, and closed his labors the following month, serving the church a little over two years.

In June, 1865, Rev. F. T. Cailhopper, of Philadelphia, was called to the pastorate and soon commenced his labors. After about four years' labor he resigned, and subsequently be- came pastor at New Rochelle, N. Y. For a long time the church was without a pastor, de- pending upon supplies, among whom the Rev. R. MeGonegal served them statedly for six months. During this time a new parsonage was erected. In April, 1870, Rev. J. K. Man- ning, then pastor of Calvary Church, Cape May County, N. J., was called to the pastorate. After some delay the call was accepted, and he commenced his labors in October following. His successor was the Rev. S. K. Dexter, who was installed December 4, 1883, and is still the pastor.

pastors of this church and their terms of ser- vice, viz. :

Rev. William V. Wilson, from March, 1841, to Angust, 1853 ; Rev. John Q. Adams, from July, 1854, to November 1, 1855; Rev. F. A. Slater, from August 1, 1856, to September, 1862 ; Rev. A. P. Graves, from January, 1863, to September, 1864; Rev. F. T. Cailhopper, from June, 1865, to July, 1869; Rev. J. K. Manning, from October, 1870, to 1883; Rev. S. K. Dexter, from December, 1883, to present time.

THE REFORMED (DUTCH) CHURCH OF KEY- PORT was organized, with thirteen members, by a committee of the Classis of New Brunswick, on the 28th of April, 1847. On that day Abraham Van Woert and Daniel Sloan, Jr., were ordained elders, and Peter L. Snyder was chosen deacon. At the same time Nathan F. Chapman, a licentiate of the Classis, and an agent of the "Domestic Board," who had occu- pied the ground as such since December, 1846, was ordained to the " work of the ministry " and formally commissioned to take charge of the field.

The original undertaking, however, out of which this small nucleus of a church was gath- ered was begun by Rev. A. C. Millspaugh, of Middletown. For several years prior he had been accustomed to meet, on Sabbath afternoons, in private houses, with a small company of those who were actuated by the principles of a common faith. But early in the year of 1845 he began a more thorough prosecution of the work, by holding religious services in a school-house in the place. This movement was so spontaneous and successful that little more than two years elapsed before a permanent organization was effected as the fruits of his endeavor.

The first meeting of consistory was held at the office of Joseph D. Hoff, justice of the peace, on the 18th of May, 1847, when they subseribed to the customary oath of allegiance required by the laws of the State,-

"We-Abraham Van Woert, Daniel Sloan, Jr., and Peter L. Snyder-do swear that we will support the Constitution of the United States,-SO HIELP' US GOD. "We do sincerely profess and swear that we will,

Following is a list of the | and do, bear true faith and allegiance to the govern-

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ment established in this State, under the authority of the people,-SO HELP US GOD.

"And we do swear that we will faithfully execute the trust reposed in ns, as trustees of the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Keyport, according to the best of our abilities and understanding,-so HELP US GOD.

"ABRAHAM VAN WOERT, "DANIEL SLOAN, JR., "PETER L. SNYDER.

"Sworn and subscribed before me this 18th of May, 1847.

"JOSEPH D. HOFF, "Justice of the Peace."

About this time lots were secured, some by purchase, others by donation, and arrangements made for the erection of a house of worship.

But now that the ground had been secured, and a portion of the funds collected or subscribed for the erection of a church edifice, the good people of the new enterprise determined to push forward the work.

At the next meeting of consistory, held on the 31st of May, 1847, a committee, consisting of Cornelius Ackerson, David Warner and Daniel Sloan, Jr., was appointed to select a plan and superintend the erection of a church. Early in 1848 the corner-stone of the edifice was laid and in May, 1851, the building was finally completed.

of June, 1851, by the Rev. George W. Bethune, before a numerous audience, in a most solemn manner."

The church has received, since her organiza- tion, at divers times and for different periods, the services of five pastors, exclusive of the present incumbent, Rev. E. Mead.

That of the Rev. Nathan F. Chapman ex- tended from April, 1847, to April, 1850 ; that of Rev. John Minor from January, 1851, to Oc- tober of the same year ; that of Rev. Jeremiah Searle from December, 1851, to November, 1853 ; that of Rev. Dr. Lockwood from the spring of 1854 to April, 1869 ; that of Rev. A. A. Zabris- kie from December 1, 1869, to Mareh, 1873 ; that of the present pastor began in October, 1873.

The site selected was at the rear of the village, and located on what is known as the Osborne estate, and is bounded, respectively, by Warren During these successive pastorates the church has been reinforced by constant supplies of fresh recruits. During the five previous pastor- ates no less than ninety-eight have been en- rolled on the books of the church, - sixty-one by certificate and thirty-seven on profession of faith. And in addition to these, there have been gath- ered into the "fold of the good Shepherd," in the course of the present pastorate, one hundred and three new members,-twenty-six by letter and and Elizabeth Streets on the north and south and by Osborne and Division Streets on the east and west, presenting a clean front on all sides, and giving to the new organization the space of an entire block. This was a good, though not altogether wise selection. The church would undoubtedly have been more largely at- tended and more prosperous if it had been located in a more central part of the town, and where a lonely walk and dark and muddy roads 'seventy-seven on profession of faith,-making, would not have been so generally required as a sacrifice to the comer's devotion.

in all, a total of two hundred and one accessions, exclusive of the thirteen original members.

From the beginning, up to the second year of the present pastorate, the church has re- ceived assistance from the Domestic Missionary Board to the extent of from one hundred to four hundred dollars a year. But subsequently she has undertaken the work solely upon her own resources, and results have so completely justified the effort that there seems little reason to fear she will ever again become a pen- sioner on the bounty of others. She now raises, for congregational and benevolent purposes, the annual sum of about one thousand dollars.

The church is surrounded by a beautiful grove of cultivated and native forest-trees. A neat and commodious parsonage, with suitable ont-buildings and barn, were erected some years ago. Prominent among the promoters of this

The dedication was next in order, and the 'Rev. Dr. Bethune, so eloquent and so popular in his day, was invited to preside and preach the sermon. The record says,-" The church was dedicated to the service of the Triune God, enterprise appear the names of Captain Emson, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, on the 27th day | P. P. Conover and D. L. F. Schenck. A neat

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THE TOWN OF KEYPORT.

walk, paved with briek, and leading from the street up to the church-doors, may also remind " Zion's travelers" of the bounty of Captain Emson's purse. Two years ago the ornamental paper which had been laid upon the walls dur- ing the term of Rev. A. A. Zabriskie was re- elaborate decorations in oil and colors ; and the neat and pretty designs on ceiling and -ide walls may remind the "dwellers in Zion " of another bountiful friend of the church, the late Peter Hulst, who, at the same time, contributed in a very generous way to make extensive improve- ments and repairs in the fenees, buildings, etc., of the church.

moved to make way for more permanent and , has thirty-three members.

There are at present about one hundred mem- bers. The eonsistory is composed of the follow- ing brethren : Deacons, H. A. Crawford, J. W. Schultz and B. Decker, Jr. ; elders, David P. Van Braekle, Peter P. Conover and G. S. Luyster,-all excellent men, and endowed, as we trust, with the Spirit of the Lord.

ST. MARY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH at Keyport had for its first house of worship the old Bap- tist Church edifice, which they purchased about 1864, and which was burned in the great fire of September 21, 1877. The corner-stone of the present church was laid by Bishop Scarborough, April 26, 1878, and the edifice was first used for divine service July 1, 1878

The first reetor was the Rev. T. M. Riley, who was succeeded by Rev. - Siebt. After him came Rev. Telfair Hodgson, who resigned in February, 1869, and went abroad. He was recalled, and in October, 1870, again became reetor. He preached his farewell sermon Sep- tember 10, 1871. He was sneceeded by the Rev. J. D. Moore, Rev. Dr. Parkman, S. H. S. Gallaudet, - Thomson and the Rev. J. W. Norwood, the present rector, who assumed charge November 1, 1884.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH at Keyport was organized on the 10th of October, 1878. the modern style, and is now in use as one of The first regular pastor was the Rev. James C. Elliot, who preached his first sermon May 8, ealled Green Grove Cemetery, is located on 1880, and was installed pastor July 29th the same year. He resigned May 1, 1882, and was

immediately succeeded by the Rev. John Han- eock, who has served the church to the present time. The corner-stone of the present church edifiee was laid on the 16th of October, 1879. The church was completed the next year, and was dedicated June 10, 1880. The church now

ST. JOSEPH'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH CONGREGATION was organized before 1854. Two aeres of land were purchased between Mata- wan and Keyport, and a brick church thirty by forty feet in size was erected, to which additions were made at different times. On June 27, 1879, the corner-stone of the present brick church was laid. The church was completed in the summer and fall of 1880, and dedicated November 1st in that year. The cost of the structure was $22,000. The old briek church now stands in the rear of the new one, and con- nected with it. It is used as a parochial school. The parish contains eight hundred communi- cants and twelve hundred souls. A brick par- sonage was erected in 1877. In 1882 sixteen aeres of land were purchased of Captain Cornel- ius Brittan for a burial-ground connected with the church.

Father John Kelly, now of South Amboy, was the priest in charge for over twenty years. He was succeeded by Father McGovern, July S, 1876, who remained but one year, and was sue- ceeded by Father Garret A. Spierings, who still has charge.

THE RARITAN CEMETERY is located south of Keyport, but adjoining the corporate limits, on the south side of Chingarora Creek. A burial-ground containing about four acres of the farm of William Van Dine had been in use many years prior to 1867. On the 24 of April, in that year, the Raritan Cemetery Com- pany was incorporated, with power to enlarge the ground to an area of ten acres. The art of incorporation named as trustees Cornelius Brit- tan, Theodore Aumack and Alfred Walling, Jr. The additional land was purchased, laid ont in the cemeteries of Keyport. The other one, Green Grove Street, in the southeastern part of Keyport, within the corporation limits.

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

KEYPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT, NO. 49, em- braces the territory of the town. The first school-house within it was built in 1832 by the citizens of the place on a lot situated on Church Street, donated for the purpose by the Keyport Company. The house was used until 1856, when the Methodist Church on the lot adjoin- ing was purchased by the district and was used as a school-house until the erection of the pres- ent school-house, in 1871.

In 1870 the increase of the village demanded greater facilities for schools, and it was voted to erect a new and more commodious house, and establish a graded school. Keyport was formed into District No. 49 by act of April 4, 1871. A lot was purchased on the corner of Broad Street and Mott Avenue; the corner-stone of the school-house was laid August 3, 1871, and the building was completed in the spring of 1872. It was dedicated March 28th in that year with great ceremony. A procession of children marched through the streets to the school-house, headed by the Keyport Band and the Raritan Guards, Rufus Ogden and George W. Holmes acting as marshals. The dedicatory address was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Lockwood, county superintendent. The keys were deliv- ered by the town commissioners to the princi- pal, Mr. Carson.

The building is in the form of a cross ; the transepts are each thirty-six feet wide and sixty- nine feet long. The building is three stories in height ; the upper story is a large hall for lec- tures. The school-rooms have a capacity of ac- commodating one thousand pupils. The cost of grounds, buildings and furniture was twenty-six thousand dollars. Professor S. V. Arrowsmith is the present principal. The distriet has now eight hundred and seven children of school age.

Wheeler's Academy, in Keyport, was opened in the year 1843 by Uriah E. Wheeler. It was located on Broad Street, and was continued until 1862.

Holmes' Academy was opened in 1857 by George W. Holmes, who for several years taught in the public schools. He, with his daughter, still continues the academy in the building at the corner of Front and Church streets, where it was opened by him twenty-seven years ago.

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History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 119

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