History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 121

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 121

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).

This Revolutionary soldier was blessed with

723

THE TOWN OF KEYPORT.

a patriarchal family. He had four sons and ten daughters. All reached maturity except two, who were accidentally taken out of the world. The sons, following the bent of their father, became farmers. One, however, having a taste for letters, qualified himself for more important service, and rose by his personal attainments to the occupancy of a seat on the judicial bench of his native county at Albany. Like Nimrod of ok, "he was a mighty hunter," also a successful farmer, a keen lawyer and an able judge.

Jasper, the third son, inherited the paternal establishment at Chesterville, Albany County, N. Y. There the subject of this sketch was born. In 1848, however, and during the child- hood of Mr. Mead, his father removed to Schenectady County and settled on a farm in the Mohawk Valley. Here he was brought up, receiving such educational advantages as the district school afforded. In the spring and summer of 1862 he attended the academy at Charlton, Saratoga County, where he studied the languages and prepared himself for a classi- cal course in college. But cash was not very plentiful, and he was compelled to resort to a variety of methods in order to get along. At one time he boarded at home and walked seven miles and a half to recitations; at another he did chores for his bread, and built fires and swept the academy for his tuition; at others he taught school, and so acquired the means for prosecuting his studies. But when he was about to enter college he was sent by his father with a power of attorney to settle the estate of a deceased brother in California. He returned in 1865 and entered, in the fall of that year, the sophomore class in Union College. The next year, having determined to enter the Christian ministry, he was transferred to the junior class of Rutgers, at New Brunswick. Here he re- mained until 1867, and by crowding the labors of two years into one, finished his academic course three terms in advance of his classmates.

Mr. Mead entered the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick in 1867, and graduated in 1870. His first charge was in the Reformed Church at Coeymans, on the Hudson. He found the church in a feeble condition, incomplete in

its organization and scarcely able to sustain a prayer-meeting. The first year of his ministry was spent in " healing the breaches," reconciling persons at variance and "holding forth the word of life." The close of that year witnessed an ingathering of some twenty souls, mostly people in advanced life. The results of the following year were alike precious, for the close of that witnessed an ingathering of upwards of fifty, mostly young people, and the church that had been without a prayer-meeting was blessed with two,-a church prayer-meeting and a young people's prayer-meeting, -- which were productive of much good. The following year the num- ber of accessions was not so large, but the time was spent in organizing and consolidation, and the precious materials which had recently entered found employment in this important work ; and when, a few months later, he was called away from that field, he left a strong and efficient church, thoroughly organized and equipped.

About this time overtures were made from the Reformed Church of Keyport. Persons desirous for her growth commended this weak church to the attention of the young and suc- cessful pastor at Coeymans. With profound reluctance and after much persuasion, he was finally induced to take hold of the work, under the representation that the soil was very fertile and the " field white to the harvest."

IIe came, and the good Spirit came with him, and before the year closed twenty-two souls had been added to the church,-three by letter and nineteen on profession of faith. But the show- ers of divine grace continued to fall on the thirsty soil of Keyport, and fourteen were ad- ded the following year, and twenty the year after that. But while the good work was yet in progress a conspiracy was formed : secret meetings were held and charges of a most ri- dieulous character were made against the pastor, and presented to Classis. At the same time the daily press was utilized to give publicity to the most damaging and unfounded statements. Immoral and vicious circulars were also printed and, in the dead hour of night, strewed about the streets, thrown into yards and thrust under the doors of the inhabitants, and the powers of hell were invoked to crush the man who had

724

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

imperiled his life to save souls. All this Mr. Mead endured in heroic silence and without re-

taliation, in the strong belief that God would

vindicate the right. The reports were, however, discredited ; the charges, in every material point,

year witnessed a precious work of grace in the scend on the field of his labors. That same were disproved ; while blessings continued to de-

church, and eighteen more were added to the

fold, so that when those who had been innocently

DANIEL W. HOLMES .- Asher Holmes, the father of the subject of this biographical sketch, who resided in Raritan township, married Lydia Walling, and had children,-Catharine, John, James, Abby, Lydia, Asher, Daniel W., Mary, Azelia, and others who died in early life. The birth of Daniel W. occurred October 18, 1814, on the homestead, in Raritan township, where modest educational opportunities were enjoyed ; after which, at the age of fourteen, he entered a

Dr Holmes

or otherwise involved in the trouble withdrew, store in Middletown as clerk. Removing later the membership was not in the least dimin- ished.

Resolute and active and buoyant with hope, this pastor has elung to his enfeebled church as a mother to her suffering child. Awed by no threats and cajoled by no rewards, he has worked steadily on with a determination that no cal- umny conld weaken, and a perseverance that never stoops but to glean the fruits of a nobler success.

to Keyport, he became clerk for Henry H. Sea- brook, and eventually embarked in mercantile pursuits at that point, having erected a store for the purpose. His mercantile career was suc- cessful, and extended over a period of thirty years, during which time he was regarded as among the influential citizens of the village. His frugality and devotion to business enabled him to leave, on his death, a considerable estate. He married, in 1849, Miss Almira, daughter of

725

THE TOWN OF KEYPORT.

Thomas Bedle, of Raritan township, whose birth occurred July 14, 1823. Their children are Arabella and Charles Alvin, both deceased. Mr. Holmes was content, as a Democrat, to cast his ballot, and allowed the party reins to be held by other and more ambitions hands. He was devoted to his own business interests ; rarely identified himself with public schemes and through life observed a becoming modesty and reserve. Though educated a Baptist, he wor-

Rachel Dorsett in 1797, died June 3, 1859; they had seven children, viz., Alice, James, John, Joseph, Jonathan, Samuel, and Samuel (2d).

John Sproul, of this family, was born in Mid- dletown township, Monmouth County, April 15, 1803, and later removed to Keyport, where he was one of the carliest settlers of that local- ity, and among the original purchasers of the Kearney estate, upon which the village of Key-

shiped with the Methodist Episcopal Church. ; port is located. By trade a builder, he latterly His death occurred on the 17th of March, 1874, in his sixtieth year.

JOHN S. SPROUL .-- James Sproul, of Scotch descent, served as ensign in the American Revo- Intionary army, and was killed in a skirmish at Short Hills, in this State, previous to which he was married to Zilpha McChesney, and they had two children,-Oliver and Elisebeth. Oliver was born October 10, 1776, was married to

devoted his attention to farming. He died in October, 1851. His wife was Sarah Ann, daughter of John Stout. Their children were Edgar, John S., Martha (deceased), Alice (deceased), Sarah S. (Mrs. Stephen Arrowsmith) and Susan (deceased).

John S. Sproul was born on the 7th of June, 1835, in Keyport, where he has since that date resided. He received a thorough academic education, and on the completion of his studies

726

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

at once engaged in active business as a builder and operator in real estate. He has, at various times, erected stores and dwellings and a spacious hotel known as the Mansion House, though much of his time is devoted to other matters, including the livery business. He was, in 1874, married to Alma A., daughter of William Matthews, of Keyport. The children of this marriage are John, Jr., Paul W. (deceased) and Mark P. Mr. Sproul is associated with the fraternity of Masons as a member of Cæsarea Lodge, No. 64, and of Delta Chapter, No. 14, of that order, situated at Keyport. In his political belief he is a declared Republican and very active in the promotion of the interests of his party and its success. He has served as freeholder and been frequently nominated for minor township offices. In 1873 and 1874, Mr. Sproul was elected to the State Legislature, and served at this time on committees on railroad and canals, State prisons and reform schools and on com- merce and navigation. Though still wielding an extended political infinence, he has devoted much of his time to the management of his own interests and been indifferent to the rewards of party service.

PETER D. HULST .- The subject of this sketch was born at Bushwick, Kings County, N. Y., June 1, 1804, and died at Keyport, N. J., June 8, 1884. He was the eldest of eleven children, all of whom lived to mature age. The first break in the family was made by the death of the youngest daughter, who had mar- ried and become the mother of three children.

At an early period the ancestors of Mr. Hulst emigrated from Holland and settled in the town of Bushwick, L. I. There his father, Anthony, was born, also his grandfather, John, and his great-grandfather, Anthony. His mother (Sarah Meserole), his grandmother (Deborah Blake) and his great-grandmother (Letty Van Dyne) were well connected, having descended from prominent individuals in their respective family lines.

The old neighbors still speak of the remarkable farming operations, which called for toilsome days and sleepless nights, producing grand crops and yielding plenty of cash.

He never slighted, never neglected business, -never put off until to-morrow the thing that could be done to-day. Under his skillful and diligent management the abundant productions of the field kept the wheels of his market- wagon revolving. The writer has frequently heard him remark that, excepting the holidays and the Sabbath, he never allowed a day to pass without contributing a load of stuff to supply the demands of Washington Market. In at- testation of these facts he received scores of prizes, in the shape of silver cups, medals and cash, from the American Institute and County Agricultural Societies, for the best stock, finest fruit and various productions of the field. In- deed, each year brought its new crops, and every new set of crops a harvest of prizes to reward the industrions, hard-handed, open-hearted, in- defatigable farmer.

But this was not to continue always. Mr. Hulst and his prudent and industrious lady, having accumulated more than a competeney, sold their beautiful and valnable establishment at Dutch Kills, and retired for repose to Key- port, N. J., in the fall of 1867, having already purchased the fine homestead of the late Cap- tain T. V. Arrowsmith. The premises, how- ever, were not altogether to his liking, and the man of leisure found new occupation in meeting the demands of this new situation. The build- ings were accordingly renovated, fences repaired, walks relaid and the grounds in every way en- larged and improved.

Mr. Hulst never aspired to any official posi- tions. He could never be induced to take any political office for the remuneration there might be in it. But whenever any such office as that of town commissioner was thrust upon him, which happened again and again, he always served without pay, and conducted the affairs of the office as he did the affairs of the farm,- gave them his personal undivided attention.

Mr. Hulst was by choice, profession and prac- tice a farmer. At Bushwick and Dutch Kills, In generosity he was also notable. The where he resided at different times and followed | fresh vegetables and delicious fruits of his ex- his chosen occupation, he was quite famous. tensive gardens attested his bounty to scores and

727

MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

scores of neighbors. He never sold anything from the produetions of his gardens. All that was not required to supply his own board was freely given away; and the same free-hearted spirit was extended to the Reformed Church, which he constantly and regularly attended. No man there, in congregation or among the members, ever surpassed Mr. Hulst in the matter of liberality.

He was married, in Mareh, 1833, to Han- nah, danghter of Cornelius Vaneott, at Green Point, Kings County, N. Y., by whom he had four children ; but none of them survive him.

CHAPTER XXV.

MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

THE township of Marlborough 1 was erected in 1848, being taken from the territory of Freehold. By the aet of ereetion the bounda- ries of Marlborough were fixed and described as follows :

"Beginning at the northwest corner of the town- ship of Freehold, in the line between the counties of Middlesex and Monmouth, and at the point where the line of the townships of Middletown and Freehold meet ; thenee running along the line between the said townships of Freehold and Middletown in a south- easterly direction until it comes to the line of Atlantie township, in said county of Monmouth, at the point in said line where the lines of the townships of Free- hold, Middletown and Atlantie meet ; thence along the line of Atlantic township in a southwesterly di- reetion till it comes to a point opposite the house of William I Sickles; thence leaving the said Atlantic line and running westwardly in a straight line to the brook near John Griggs' distillery; thence down said

1 The name Marlborough was given first to the village and afterwards to the township, because of the extensive marl-beds found in the vicinity, and because here was made the first use of marl as a fertilizer in Monmouth County. In 1768 an Irishman, ditching on the farm of Peter Schenck, near the site of the village of Marlborough, discovered a substance which he recognized as marl, hav- ing seen the use of it in the old country. Upon his report, it was tried on a field and produced extraordinary results in the crops. In 1795 marl was dug on one of the tribu- taries of Hop Brook, and, being used on the farm of John H. Smock, produced results which soon caused an exten- sive use of it in that region.

brook its various courses till it comes to a point four hundred yards west of David R. Vanderveer's house; thence northerly in a straight line to a point one chain north of John F. Barrieklo's house; thence westerly in a straight line to a point in the line of Middlesex Connty, lying one chain south of Richard Magie's house; thence down said line to the begin- ning."

The township of Marlborough lies (as shown by the preceding description) on the northwest border of Monmouth, having the county of Middlesex as its northwestern boundary. On the north it is bounded by the township of Mata- wan, on the east by Holmdel and Atlantie, on the sonth by Freehold and on the southwest by the township of Manapalan. The streams of Marlborough are unimportant. A principal branch of Hop Brook forms its eastern boundary against the township of Holmdel, and another tributary of the same brook Hows southeastwardly through a part of Marlborough, and enters the main stream at the point where this township joins Holmdel and Atlantie. Two or three other small streams, flowing north west- wardly, unite in that part of Marlborough, forming a creek, which flows in the same diree- tion into Middlesex County, where its waters join those of South River. The only railroad line in the township is that of the Freehold and New York Railway, which traverses it from south to north, running from Freehold to Mat- awan. The population of Marlborough town- ship by the United States eensus of 1880 was two thousand one hundred and ninety-three. The list of chosen freeholders elected for the township from its erection to the present time is as follows :

1848. Garret D. Schenck.

1848. John W. Herbert.

1849-50. William H. Conover.

1849-53. Joseph I. Van Derveer.

1854-55. William H. Johnson.

1856-63. Joseph I. Van Derveer.

1865-68. Charles H. Conover.

1869-72. Benjamin S. Van Derveer.

1873-79. Lafayette Conover.

ISSO-SI. Daniel P. Van Dorn.

1882-84. Gideon C. McDowell.

The first settlements in what is now Marl- borough township were made about the year 1685, at a place then ealled Topanemus, which

728

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

was a little west of the present village of Marl- borough. The settlers there were Quakers, the first who came to the vicinity being George Keith, who was a leader and preacher in that sect. In ancient records he is mentioned as the first settler in Freehold ; but Freehold township (which was laid out soon after Keith came) in- cluded the present township of Marlborough. A Quaker Meeting-house was built at Topane- mus, in 1692, largely through Keith's influ- ence ; but he soon afterwards abandoned the Quakers and went over to the Church of Eng- land, and in 1702 (having, in the mean time, returned to London) he was sent to New Jer- sey, as a missionary of that church, by the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Soon after his arrival in America he came to Monmouth County, where he preached at various places, one of the principal of which was Topanemus. Referring to his visits to Monmonth County, his journal has the follow- ing entries :

"October 10, 1702 .- We went to the meeting of the Quakers at Toponemes, in Freehold, in East Jersey, who used to keep a separate meeting from the other Quakers for their gross errors, and joined with me and my friends in the separation about 1692; and it hap- pened to be their yearly meeting, where divers came from West Jersey and Pennsylvania. One of their preachers prayed and preached before I began. After he had done, I used some church collects I had by heart, in prayer.

" October 10th, 1703, Sunday .- I preached at Topo- nemes, in Freehold, in East Jersey, on Aets 24: 12, and had considerable auditory, divers of them late converts from Quakerism to the Church. Mr. Inness, above mentioned, did read the prayers. Mr. Talbot stayed to preachı in several places in Pennsylvania and West Jersey for some time.

"January 30th, 1704 .- I preached at the house of Mr. Thomas Boels, in Freehold, in East Jersey, on 1 Cor. 15: 58."

The greater part of Keith's former friends, the Topanemus Quakers, were converted by his preaching to the Episcopal faith and form of worship, which resulted in the erection, at Topanemus, of a church of that denomination, which was named St. Peter's. It was used for worship for some years, but was afterwards torn down, and parts of it were used in the building of St. Peter's church at Freehold ; in

the historical account of which a more full mention is made of the old church building at Topanemus.

The old .Topanemus burial-ground, which was at first connected with the ancient church of St. Peter's, is situated on the dividing line between the farm of Hendrick E. Conover and Huldah Barriclo estate. It contains nearly half an acre, a part of which is heavily wooded. The last two persons buried in it were Huldah Barriclo and John R. Barriclo. Among the inscriptions on old headstones in this ground are the following :

" Under Here Lyes Interred the Body of COLL. JOIIN ANDERSON, once President of His Majesty's Counsil for the Province of New Jersey, who Departed this life March the 28th, Anno Do 1736, aged 71 years.

"His Country's true Friend, obliging to neighbours, Gave no man offense, Paid each for their labours, Was easie at home, or abroad dare appeare, Gave each man his Due and no man did fear, The same in all seasons From flattery far."

"Here lies the body of JOHN REID,1 who came from Scotland, his native Country, with his wife, Margaret, and three daughters, to New Jersey the 9th of Decbr., Anno Dom 1683. He died the 16th of Novbr., Anno Dom 1723, Aged 67 years."

The old Scots Meeting-House, which was situated about two miles north west of Topanemus, was built about 1692 by Scotch Presbyterians, who settled along the western border of the county between 1683 and 1690, many of them being emigrants who came from Scotland in the ill-fated ship "Caledonia " in 1685. A more extended account of this old meeting-house and its congregation will be found in the history of the old Tennent Church, in Manalapan town- ship.

The graveyard adjoining this old meeting- house still exists, and is called the old Scotch Burying-Ground. The site of the old church can be plainly seen by the depression in the

1 John Reid located first at Perth Amboy, but a short time, came to Monmouth County and settled on a tract of land called " Hortensia," lying adjacent to Hop Brook, lle became county judge and surveyor-general of the prov- ince, and held many other important offices. His daughter Anna, became the wife of the Honorable John Anderson.

729

MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

ground and the absence of graves. This shows that the building stood east of the centre, facing the old road leading to Englishtown. This burying-ground is a short distance from the farm-house where Ira Conover lived until his death. A few years ago this old burial-ground was cleared up and fenced. The grave of Rev. John Tennent is in the centre, and marked by a flat slab. The names on many of the old tombstones show their Scottish origin. For example, that of Michael Henderson, who died August 23, 1722 ; John Henderson, who died January 1, 1771, in his seventy-fourth year; Samuel Crawford, who died July 8, 1748, aged thirty-five years.

On an adjacent tombstone in this inscription : " Here lies the body of William Crawford, late High Sheriff of Middlesex County, who de- parted this life the 22d day of March, 1760, in his 50th year."

Very near this is a double tombstone, sculp- tured with a ghostly semblance of the human face, with the following inscription : " Here lies the body of Margaret, wife of William Redford, who came from North Britain 1682, who died April 17, 1729, aged 84 years."

" Here lies the body of William Redford. who came from North Britain 1682, and died Marel, 1725-26, aged 84 years." On this side of the yard is the grave of Richard Clark, whom the headstone shows was born in Scotland, 1663, and died May 16, 1733, aged seventy years.

Other tombstones record the names of Arch- ibald Craig, who died January 19, 1758, aged seventy-three years; of Mary, his wife, No- vember 1, 1752, aged sixty-nine years; of An- thony Ward, born in Great Britain, and died in 1746, aged seventy-six ; and of Elizabeth, wife of Jeremiah Reeder, who died 1735, aged seveuty-nine. There are a great many graves without headstones, and only slight irregulari- ties in the ground to show they ever existed. In late years only the Quackenbush, the Boice and Probaseo families have buried in this old ground.

THE OLD BRICK CHURCH OF MARLBOROUGH,1

first known as the Reformed Church of Nave- sink," afterwards as the Dutch Reformed Church of Frechold and Middletown, was formed in the year 1699. The earliest reliable information obtained of a Reformed Church in the county is that in that year the Dutch families of Mon- mouth County were sufficient in number to have stated preaching. This service was rendered according to agreement by ministers from Long Island at appointed times in rotation. Their names were Wilhelmus Lupardus, Vincentius Antonides and Bernardus Freeman. They were pastors of the collegiate churches of King's County, L. I. Of the Rev. Mr. Lu- pardus nothing is known. The Rev. Vincen- tius Antonides, who is described as an amiable Christian gentleman, had a son, named Johan- nes, who married Johanna Kowenhoven, and settled in Middletown about 1720. He was a deacon in this church in 1726. The Rev. Ber- nardus Freeman, before his settlement at Flat- bush, was a missionary among the Mohawk Indians, and was celebrated in his day for his knowledge of the Indian language.

These ministers, it is said, found their ser- vices here exceedingly burdensome because of " the distance they were compelled to travel, and the danger of crossing the great bay in small boats.'

The church records begin with this state- ment, recorded in the Low Dutch language : "In the year of our Lord, 1709, on the 19th of October, the Rev. Joseph Morgan, a minis- ter of the gospel of Jesus Christ, was installed as pastor of the Reformed congregation of Free- hold and Middletown, in the presence of Rev. Bernardus Freeman, of King's County." Then, as now, it was the Reformed Church ; nor should it be overlooked that it is spoken of as the Reformed congregation of Freehold and

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 121

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