History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 90

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 90

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" Testis Edw Tartt Town Clearke."

"ffebruary : 11 : 1671 .- In a legall towne meeting : Ordered The whole quantity of the upland of the lott number: 14: was this day by the present possessor Viz: John Browne: surrendred to the towne: at the second division of land lying about the poplar feild : the towne : upon the surrender (at the request of the said John :) did grant to the said John : Bowne the lott number (15:) of the same division of land : for- merly surrendred to the towne by James Grover sen- ior.

"Testis Edw: Tartt."

Six of the Middletown lots, which were laid ont as mentioned in the proceeding, and which, in 1699, were owned by Richard Hartshorne, are now embraced in the farm of Dr. Edward Taylor. They were designated as home lots, and contained, respectively, sixteen, ten, thirty- two, sixteen, twenty and sixteen aeres, and all were described as bounded on the north by the highway. The original owners of them were Samnel Spieer, Jonathan Holmes, William

Cheeseman, William Bowne, Stephen Arnold and William Laiton. Fifty aeres of other land adjoining James Grover were also owned by him at that time on that side of the King's high- way. These lots came to Richard Hartshorne, and were sold by him, December 4, 1699, to William Wilkins. One of the sixteen-acre lots contained the reservation of six rods of ground in the northeast corner for a burying-place.

In the year 1670, and for some time after- wards, during the continuance of the bloody Indian atrocities in New England, which eul- minated in the general hostilities known as King Philip's War, and ended only with the death of that savage chieftain, the alarm conse- quent npon those hostilities spread through New York and New Jersey, and was so great in Monmouth and Middlesex Counties that forts or block-houses were built at several points for shelter and defense against savage attacks, the fear of which for a time kept the inhabitants in constant dread and alarm,1 though it was afterwards found that there had never been any occasion for such fears, and that the Indians in this region had never entertained any hostile intentions towards their white neighbors.

One of these block-houses was built in Mid- dletown village, on the site of the present Episeo- pal Church. This block-house was nsed as a jail after the alarm was over. The first jail of

1 The following, from the old Middletown record, shows something of the alarm which was felt at that time as to danger from Indians :

" SEPTEMBER : 17 : 1670.

" The Constable and Overseers with the assistance of the Towne Deputies for the present preservation and safe- guard of the Towne doe hereby order and Enact that if any person or persons shall sell or trade any kind of amunition to any Indian or Indians within the liberties of this towne : he or they soe doing shall be liable to pay the forfeiture of five pounds for every such defalt : wch (after due process made) shall be forthwith levied upon his estate: the one halfe to the informer the other halfe to bee disposed of at the discretion of the court: and this order to stand forcible till further order.

" Testis Edward Tartt, Town Clearke.

" Ordered

"upon Rumors and reports of the Indians Rising in armes : that a watch shall be kept in the towne consisting of six men in one night: and for every defect of not watching by any in the list shall forfeit ten shillings." The night watch was continued in Middletown during the continu- ance of the Indian alarm.

523

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.

the county was built on the same site in 1684 and used until 1715. Four negroes-Jeremy, Tom, Mingo and Cæsar-were tried for murder, and executed at this place. Mingo was con- victed May 29, 1700, and sentenced " to be hung by the neck at the jail in Middletown ;" Tom was executed in 1698; Jeremy, for the murder of Lewis Morris of Passage Point (now Black Point, in Shrewsbury), was hung in 1696; and Cæsar was hung in 1691 for the murder of Mary Wright.

It is said that these negroes were hung in the wide road in front of the jail on the old block-house site, in Middletown. There is also a tradition that the negro executions took place on the high hill north of the village, a little distance west of the present residence of Charles I. Hendrickson, and on land now owned by Mrs. Dr. Edward Taylor. Which of these statements is correct cannot now be determined. The sentences of two of the negro culprits were that the right hand should be eut off and burned before them ; they were then to be hung until dead, and their bodies burned to ashes.

Soon after the settlement of Middletown measures were taken to build a grist-mill. Concerning the site of the mill built at that time even tradition is silent ; and nothing is known as to its location, but it is supposed to have stood on the stream that passes a little to the south of the King's highway, and near the toll-house. If it was located there, the stream must have had a much greater volume of water at that time than at present. Reference to the building of this mill is found in the old town- ship records, as follows :

" Aprill: 21: 1668 it is mutually agreed by the maior partt of the inhabitants this day assembled to gether in a legall towne meeting: that the ffull and whole agitation about a mill building bee wholly refferred to Richard Gibbins: Richard Stontt : Wil- liam Lawrence and Jonathan Hnlmes wholly to agi- tate with Robert Jones : concerning giving and taking land as all, soe in disposing the townes former grant to the said Jones as first 3 hundred gilders in Seawan : 2d the drawing of the whole mass of timber pertain- ing to his honse and mill: 3d and the use of a towne share of land keeping his mill in repaier for the townes use: 4th and ten acres of npland adioyning to the mill 5th : and Helpe to raise the worke when it is framed : 6th and the twelfe bushell tolle : all wch

is granted to the above sayd Jones in consideration of his building a mill and keeping her in repayre for the townes use at the place commonly called and knowne by the natives of the countrey Choncis sepns. .

"Testis Edward Tartt deputed clerke for that pres- ent."

" Aprill 23 In a legall towne meeting the maior part beeing present the 4 men viz: Richard Gibbins: Richard Stoutt: William Lawrence and Jonathan Hulmes (to whom the full and whole agitation in the I townes be halfe was comitted to agitate with Robert Jones a bout a mill building this day reported to the towne what they had acted with the said Jones the towne npon this report: (owning their aetings) did unanimously agree: and further ordered: That all such engagements as have passed under their hands in the towne be halfe to the said Jones shall bee made good by the whole towne.

"Testis Edw : Tartt depnted clerk for that present."

" July 22 1668 The lott number 33 with all the appur- tenances and priviledges thereunto belonging: to- gether with ten aeres of upland adjacent to the mill : both weh are given and granted unto Robert Jones of New Yorke his heires successors or assignes for ever: together with the water streame whereon the mill shall bee sett: for him the said Jones: to have and to hold as his ffree owne land of inheritance: with all and singular priviledges as any of this towne can or may Inioy by any purebase: gift: or grant whatsoever : allwaies provided : that the abovesaid Robert Jones his heires : snceessors : or assignes doe build : and maintaine a good sufficient mill : and that the above said Jones his heires: successors : or as- signes is hereby engaged nott to sell: or give any partt or parsell of the above said land ffrom the mill but that it bee kept intire to it.

"Testis James Grover Towne Clerk."

The " Towne Mill" was built by Robert Jones. In December, 1669, it was in possession of James Grover, as is shown by the following from the township record :

" December : 25: 1669 In a legall towne meeting: the maior partt beeing present : This day : James Gro- ver requested of the [town] an inlargement of land to the mill promising to performe the conditions ffol- | lowing

"Viz : 1 : to manntaine the mill in good repaire to grind the corne for the inhabitants of middleton . ... " 2 : to grinde the townes corne before any from other townes if demanded

"3 : to grinde the townes corne for the twelfe bnsh- ell : tolle :

" 4th : to make as good meale for the townes people as is usually made within this province or within the goverment of New Yorke : provided the corne bee in

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

good condition to make good meale and having water sufficient :

"5th to keepe the enlargement of lands : granted : and nott to dispose of ony partt : or parsell

"6th to hce bound both him : and his heires for the perfourmauce of the above named conditions In con- sideration of the perfourmance of the above sd condi- tions the use of 30 acres of upland was by the maior vote : (onely Jonathan Hulmes dissenting) granted to the present posesor of the mill : (James Grover) run- ning 70 rods along by the Runne and soe in bredth up into the woods : toghether with the quantity of two acres of low ground lying upon the northward side of the mill pond

"Testis : Edw : Tartt Town Clearke."

By reference to the account of " lotts laid ont," it will be seen that John Rucman (Ruckman) had No. 1 of " Home Lotts" and Lot No. 3 of the "out lots" or "Poplar field lots." The lots are now occupied by Edwin Beekman and Ezra Osborne; the latter place still bears the name of " Ruckman's Hill."

John Ruckman, Sr., was a great hunter. In his lot was the Cocowder Spring, a favorite stopping-place for the Indians and still famed for its excellent water. He was buried at the foot of the hill northeast of the spring. The property passed to Jolin Taylor, sheriff of the county, in 1760. He built the Mansion House, now owned by Edwin Beekman. Joseph Tay- lor, his son, settled upon Ruckman Hill, where, in 1814, he built the house now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Ezra Osborne. On the 10th of Junc, 1792, John Taylor sold ninety-six acres, embracing the Taylor mansion (now Beekman's), to George Crawford, then a merchant in Mid- dletown. The old house was remodeled in 1845, retaining, however, many of its old distinctive features. In 1833 a daughter of George Craw- ford married the Rev. Jacob T. B. Beekman, who soon after removed to the house, and whose son still owns it.

The first of the name of Taylor who came to this county was Edward, whose brother Mat- thew came to this country for the purpose of speculating in lands in New Jersey, under the patronage of Sir George Carteret, one of the pro- prietors of East Jersey, with whom he was dis- tantly connected by marriage, and dying in New York in 1687, without issue, he bequeathed his lands to his brother Edward, then living in Lon-

don, and who came over in 1692 and purchased an additional tract of about one thousand acres at Garret's Hill, Middletown, and settled on it ; he died in 1710, and left four sons and one daughter. George, one of his sons, settled at Gar- ret's Hill, and died there leaving three sons,- George, Edward and John. On the 10th of January, 1716, George Taylor, then living at Garret's Hill, purchased the six lots before men- tioned (now the farm of Dr. Edward Taylor) of William Wilkins. They were kept by him until May 1, 1739, when he conveyed them to his son, Edward Taylor, who soon after erected the present house of Dr. Edward Taylor, who is a descendant. John Taylor, known as 'Squire John, was also a son of George Taylor. Ilis daughter Mary married Dr. Absalom Bain- bridge, and was the mother of Commodore Wil- liam Bainbridge, of the United States navy, in the War of 1812. Edward Taylor, to whom the farm was conveyed in 1739, built the present honse (now Dr. Taylor's) soon after that time. He was a large land-owner. His possessions at one time extended from near Garret's Hill to the upper bounds of the Middletown village, to the west ; northerly to Arrowsmith's Mill (which he originally built), and southerly, beyond Nut Swamp, to the Errickson property.

The John Taylor who was sheriff of the county, and who, about 1760, settled on the Ruekman property (now Beekman and Os- borne), was a son of the Edward Taylor of Mid- dletown. Dr. Edward Taylor is in the line of Colonel George Taylor, whose son, Captain Ed- ward, was the father of Dr. Edward Taylor. The family of Taylors that are now living in Upper Freehold are descendants of Joseph and William, sons of Edward Taylor, the first of the name in Monmouth County.

John Wilson, one of the original proprietors of the Middletown lots, took up Lot No. 3, on the south side of the King's highway, and Lot No. 20 of the lots in the " Poplar field." He settled on the lot, and was made a justice of the peace of the township August 22, 1723. His son James was married to Hannah Smith, Octo- ber 7, 1697, by Peter Tilton, justice. His sons, Joseph and John, are also mentioned in the town-book. The family remained in Middle-

525

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSIIIP.

town. William Wilson, one of the family, was born in 1766. He built the tavern in 1797, which was kept by him until his death, and is now the residence of' George Bowne, whose wife is a daughter of William Wilson. Her ances- tors on her mother's side are descended from William Laiton, who was owner of Lot No. 14 in the original "lots " and Lot No. 30 of the " Poplar field lots."

John Bowne and Richard Stout were of the original lot-owners of Middletown village. The story of the first coming and remarkable adven- tures of Penelope Stout (Richard's wife) is told in the general history of the county ; it is omit- ted here. His descendants are numerous in the county.

Captain John Bowne (says the Hon. Edwin Salter) came to Middletown, N. J., from Grave- send, L. I. He was one of the twelve men named in the noted Monmouth patent of 1665. He was one of the original settlers of Middletown, and one of the founders of the Baptist Church there -the oldest of that society in the State. Until his death, in the early part of 1684, lie seems to have been the most prominent eitizen of the county, esteemed for his integrity and ability. He appeared as a deputy to the first Assembly in Carteret's time, which met May 26, 1668, the members of the Lower House then being called " burgesses." He was deputy again 1675, after Philip Carteret's return from England ; and in the first legislature under the twenty-four pro- prietors, 1683, he was a member and Speaker, and aeted until the Deeember following. He held other positions of trust. March 12, 1677, a commission was issued to him, as president of the court, to hold a court at Middletown. In December, 1683, shortly before his last illness, he was appointed major of the militia of Mon- mouth County. He died in the early part of 1684.

Captain Bowne was a large land-owner in this township and in others adjoining. Lands be- longing to him on the Highlands were left to Daniel Brown. They embraced a part of Nave- sink village and Atlantic Highlands.

Other mention of Captain John Bowne will be found in the general history, and in that of Holmdel township.

William Lawrence was from Long Island, and came to this county before 1667, as in that year he selected Lot No. 81 of the Middletown lots and Lot 28 of the Poplar field lots. He was elected constable of the township, but did not serve. He did not live here for any length of time, if at all, but settled on a traet of land on HIop River, where he had a house, an orchard and a fulling-mill. He also owned a large tract of land at Wakake, which he left to his son, Elisha Lawrence, who settled and lived there until 1717, when he moved to Upper Freehold, where he and his family were promi- nent for many years. His son William settled at Middletown and married Ruth Gibbons, daughter of Richard Gibbons, one of the original settlers, June 24, 1686 ; the births of his children are all given in the town-book. William Lawrence, the elder, died in 1701, and his will was proved December 3d in that year. His children were William, Joseph, Elisha John, James and Benjamin. John also went to Upper Freehold. James received by will a part of the home farm on Hop River, including the fulling-mill, which he had been running previously. Later he went to Crosswieks. Joseph settled upon lands on Manasquan beach, which he inherited from his father. Of Benja- min no account is obtained.

In 1685, William Lawrence, Richard Harts- horne, John and Joseph West, Edward Lafetra and others took up two thousand five hundred acres of land on the coast from Wreck Pond to the head of Barnegat Bay, under the name of the Manasquan Beach Company. Their lands were in several cases occupied many years by the descendants of the original purchasers, and by others were sold soon afterwards.

Richard Hartshorne, of whom much is said in connection with Wakake, in Raritan town- ship, and the Highlands of Navesink, bought considerable land on both sides of the King's highway, in the village of Middletown, before 1699. In that year he sold his land on the south of the highway to William Wilkins, who in 1716 sold it to George Taylor. He owned the lands on the north side, and soon after 1703 moved to Middletown and built the house now standing on the north side of the street, near the

526

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Baptist parsonage. In that house he lived until his death, in 1722. In his will, proved May 24th in that year, he gave for a burial-place " a half an acre on the street, in the orchard east of the house where I now live." On this plat of ground he was buried, as were also many of his descendants.

A "General Assembly " held at Portland Point, November, 1668, enacted that, "In consideration of the Inconveniences that do arise for the want of an Ordinary in every Town within this Province: It is ordered that every town shall provide an Ordinary for the Relief and Entertainment of Strangers,-Pro- vided, that the Ordinary keeper is to have a License from the Secretary, and oblige himself to make sufficient Provision of Meat, Drink and Lodging for Strangers; and for Neglect hereof in any of the Towns, they shall forfeit Forty Shillings Fine to the Country for every Month's Default after Publication hereof ; and that none shall retail Drink of what sort soever, under the quantity of two Gallons, ex- cept the Ordinary keeper ; and no person what- soever (as well the Ordinary keeper as others) shall retaile any sort of Drink as aforesaid under the Quantity of two Gallons, under the Penalty of paying Ten Shillings Fine for every such default, to the country." 1

In the previous year (October, 1667) the As- sembly had enacted: "That no Ordinary keeper shall by the Gill execed ten shillings and eight pence the Gallon Strong Liquors ; if by the Quart two shillings and six pence ; good Wine after the Rate of seven shillings the Gal- lon ; Cyder four Pence the Quart ; eight Pence a Meal for Victuals ; six Pence a Day natural for Pasture for Horse in the Summer and the like for Winter ; and nine Pence a Peck for Oats ; the Ordinary keeper be left at Liberty for such as will bespeak their own Provision."

In March, 1693, Robert Hamilton was licensed to sell strong drink and keep an inn at Middletown.2 On March 3, 1716, Isabrant

Van Cleef was licensed to sell strong drink in his house at Middletown, and for one mile around. As this village was at that time the longest settlement in the township, there is no doubt that the taverns were in the village of Middletown, but the locations of them are not known. It is said that a tavern-house. was built in 1729 on the-site of the hotel now kept by Richard Lufburrow. It was burned in 1809, and another was built on the site, which was kept in 1812 and for many years thereafter by John Truax.

In 1797, William Wilson opened a tavern (now the residence of George Bowne), which he kept until after 1840.

About 1831-32, William Murray built a store opposite Dr. Edward Taylor's present residence, and, with his son, William W. Murray, kept a store there until about twenty years ago. George Crawford sold his store to Aaron and Henry Seabrook, who afterwards sold to Os- borne & Burroughs, who continued several years and sold to Wilson Brown, who, about 1835, closed out business and moved to Key- port. About 1820, Charles I. Hendrickson built a store (nearly opposite the present one), which was kept by Hendrickson & Seabrook. The former sold to Seabrook about 1826, who continued for a time and sold to Samuel I. Taylor, who kept for many years and sold to Harvey Conover, who remained there until the building was destroyed by fire. Elias Conover then erected the present brick store, which was occupied by Harvey G. Conover, who sold to Osborne & Thomas. The store is at present kept by Joseph D. Thomas.

. William Murray, who was appointed post- master in 1812, held the office for many years. His successors have been Samuel I. Taylor, H. G. Conover and Joseph D. Thomas, the present postmaster.

THE MIDDLETOWN BAPTIST CHURCH is the

1 Leaming and Spicer, page 87.

2 In 1700, Lewis Morris, then president of the Council, addressed a letter to the bishop of London, describing the condition of the colonies of East Jersey. Of Middletown he says,-

"It is a large township; there is no such thing as Church or Religion amongst them; they are p'haps the most ignorant and wicked People in the world; their meetings on Sundays is at the Publick house, where they get their fill of Rum and go to fighting and running of races, which are practices much in use that day all the Province over."

527

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.

oldest church of that denomination in the State of New Jersey, and was constituted in 1668 by the following-named persons, all of whom were of the Monmouth patentees : Richard Stout, John Stout, James Grover, Jonathan Brown, Obadiah Holmes, John Ruckman, William Cheeseman, John Wilson, Walter Wall, John Cox, Jonathan Holmes, George Mount, Wil- liam Layton, William Compton, James Ashton, John Bowne, Thomas Whitlock, James Gro- ver, Jr.

It is stated by Morgan Edwards, in his " His- tory" of the Baptists, written in 1792, that "The first who preached at Middletown was Mr. John Bown, of whom we can learn no more than he was not ordained, and that it was he who gave the lot on which the first meeting-house was built. Contemporary with him was Mr. Ash- ton." It will be noticed that the name of James Ashton appears among the constituent members. He was one of the original settlers of the village of Middletown, and had No. 23 of "Home Lotts," and Lot No. 8 of Poplar fields, in the first division, December 30, 1667. The records of Middletown have the following mention of him :

"May the 25th, 1669, James Ashton : Jonathan Hulmes : James Bowne were this day by the plural- ites of votes chosen deputies to act with the pattentees at the generall courtt or the adiourments thereof to bee held at Porttland point the 27 of May

"Testis Edw : Tartt Town Cleark"

"January : 1: 1672

" In a legall towne meeting the maior partt beeing present . . . The summons under hand : and seale" of the province (bearing date the tenth of December 1672) for choice of Deputies or representatives was this day read in open towne meeting upon wch the towne resulted to answer the summons and further concluded : that : (acording to the directions of the summons) a true certificate of the choice beeing an exact of the Record : shall bee forth with sent to the Governour : : weh is as ffolloweth . . . A legall vote this Day passing : William Lawrence and James Ashton were this day (by the pluraliter of votes) ehosen Deputies or Representatives for this following yeare."

" August : 26 : 1673: Stilo novo

Upon receipt of an order : from the commanders in cheife and counsell of warre: Resident in fortt Wil- liam Hendrick at New Orange: (for choice of six per- sons being Inhabitants of the towne to bee presented

i to the comanders as above sd : to take three for towne maiestrates) as alsoe for choice of two Deputies to act at woodbridge (acording to the tennor of the above said order) the towne: this day convented toghether for election : and upon perfect vote the choice was as fol- loweth-John Bowne Jonathan Hulmes James Asten John Throcmorton Edward Smith : James Grover were by the pluraliter of votes Chosen maiestrates acording to the tennor of the order . . . Ed : Smith and Edward Tartt were chosen Deputies to act at woodbridge Acording to the tennor of the above sd order "

" midelltowne the first of January 1675

"At a legall towen metting Johnathan Holmes and James Ashton was by the maior vote chosen debities to meet the governor and councell on the 4th of Aprill next enseuing at Elizebeth towne to consult and con- clude of such thinges as shall be found nessary

"Testis Richard Hartshorne Towne clarke."

These extracts show that James Ashton was a man of influence in the township, and he was probably ordained a minister. James Ashton, Jr., is mentioned September 25, 1693, in the records, and was then of age. From the records of Upper Freehold is extracted the following, which indicates that James Ashton, the settler, and the Rev. James Ashton were one and the same person. "James Ashton, son of Rev. James Ashton, of Middletown, was the first settler in this part of the country, viz. : Cros- wicks."

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History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 90

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