History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 95

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 95

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Port Monmouth District, No. 68, embraces territory in the north part of the township, along Compton's Creek and Shoal Harbor. The first school-house was built there about 1858, and was used until 1883, when it was rebuilt. The district at present contains one hundred and fourteen children of school age.

Bay Shore District, No. 69, now en- braces the Atlantic Highlands, known in 1670 as "Shoal Harbor," and also as " Portland Point." On the 23d of March, 1807, Anthony Smith sold to Thomas Seabrook, Jacob Coven- hoven and Humphrey Tilton, trustees, nine perches of land for four dollars, for the purpose of ereeting a school-house thereon. A house was erected which was called the Shoal Har-

bor Sehool-House. In 1883 a large and eom- modious house was erected at a cost of six thou- sand dollars, fitted with modern sehool furniture and dedicated November 9, in that year. The distriet now contains one hundred and twenty- one children of sehool age.

Brown's Dock District, No. 70, was taken chiefly from Chapel Hill District soon after the Garret Hill School-House was moved to Chapel Hill. It has been kept in good condition and is still used. The district contains forty-two registered scholars.

Seabrook Distriet, No. 71, was taken from Bay Shore, and was named after Thomas Sea- brook, who was one of the trustees of the Shoal Harbor School District in 1807. The present school-house was erected in 1862 and additions were made in 1884, The distriet now contains one hundred and eight children of school age.

Holland District, No. 54, and Morris- ville Distriet, No. 57, are both located on the dividing line of Holmdel and Middletown, and embrace territory in both townships. They are reported by Superintendent Lockwood in Holmdel, and are mentioned in the history of that township.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOSEPH FIELD .- Mr. Field is descended from English ancestry. The early members of the family resided on Long Island, from whence Elnathan, his grandfather, who died in his ninety-seventh year, removed to Monmonth County, where he purchased an extensive tract of land and became a farmer. He married Mary Willet, whose children were Thomas, Elnathan, Caroline, Mary and Hullah. Thomas was born on Long Island, and removed when a lad to Monmouth County, and spent his youth as a farmer in Middletown township. He mar- ried Rebecca, daughter of Captain Moses Shep- herd, of the same township, to whom were born children,-Joseph, Thomas, Mary (wife of Daniel West), Caroline (married to James L. Wilson), and Rebecca (wife of Elnathan Field). Joseph was born on the 26th of September, 1792, on the homestead in Middletown, in the vicinity of which his life has been spent. Re-

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MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.

ceiving such education as the district school liberal towards all religious denominations, he inelines towards the Baptist faith. afforded, he, when a youth, made himself useful on the farm, and later purchased the land on which he now resides, the original traet embrac- CHARLES J. HENDRICKSON. - The great- grandfather of Mr. Hendrickson, was John Hen- drickson, whose son Daniel was born in 1735, and married Nellie Van Mater, who was born in August 4, 1735. Their children were Anna, born February 14, 1761, married to Charles Dubois ; ing one hundred and fifty acres, to which he has at various times added until it now embraces four hundred aeres of arable land, which is devoted to general farming. Mr. Field has found it advantageous to let the farm, as the infirmities of age rendered labor difficult, and now as- | Cyrenius, boru May 3, 1766; and John, born

sumes uo responsibility in connection with its | June 13, 1773. John resided upon the home- management. He was, in 1867, married to stead, which is still in the family, having married Mary Lloyd, daughter of John Lloyd. She was born October 17, 1772. Their children were Eleanor, Daniel, John Lloyd and Charles J., the subject of this biographical sketch. He was born November 12, 1805, in the house which has for years been associated with the history of the family. At the age of twelve years he was sent to New Brunswick, N. J., Miss Uretta, daughter of John Hedden. Their children are Joseph, Uretta and Rebecca. Mr. Field, while a former Whig and now a Repub- lican in polities, is not strongly partisan, and votes for men of integrity and ability, irrespec- tive of party, always, however, declining offi- cial position. He is a director of the Middle- town and Red Bank Turnpike Company and identified with other township interests. Though I and enjoyed the advantages of a thorough Eng-

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

lish education, from whence he removed to New York, and began a mercantile career as elerk, acting for three years in that capacity. Mr. Hendrickson was, in 1826, married to Julia Covenhoven, who emigrated from Utrecht, Holland, to America in 1630. In the direct line from one of his three sons, Garret by name, was Hendrick, great-grandfather of the sub- Ann, daughter of Rev. John Schureman, D.D., ject of this biographical sketch. To his son, professor in the Theological Seminary at New also Hendrick, who married a Miss Conover, were born children,-Garret H., Peter, Mary, Williampe, Jacob, and others who died in youth. Jacob, a native of Marlboro' township, resided within its limits during the greater

Brunswick, and granddaughter of Colonel Elias Conover. Their children are Julia (deceased), Mary Matilda, John Schureman, Lousia (deceased), Mrs. Edward M. Harts- horne and Ella. Mr. Hendrickson, on his part of his life, having married Eleanor,

marriage, removed to the farm inherited from | daughter of Barnes B. and Lydia Longstreet his grandfather, which is his present residence. Smock. Their children are Mary (Mrs. John Finding active business more congenial to his i I. Taylor), Henry H., Azariah and Lydia tastes, he, in Deeember, 1837, made Philadel- phia his residenee, and for twenty years pur- sned a mercantile life, after which he retired to his farm in Middletown.

(Mrs. John L. Bennett). Azariah was born on the 14th of February, 1821, in Marlboro', then Freehold township, and in infancy became an inmate of the household of his uncle, Garret Van Dorn, of Middletown township, then re- siding on the property now owned by Mr. Conover. After a period of instruction at

AZARIAH CONOVER .- The Conover family so numerously represented in Monmouth County are all descended from Wolfhert Gerritsen Van i home, he became a pupil of the Lenox

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MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.

Academy, at Lenox, Mass., and later gave his attention to the cultivation of the farm, for several years superintending its varied inter- ests. On the death of his uncle he purchased the land of the estate, and has since that time been actively engaged in farming of a general character, ranking among the successful agri- culturists of the township. Mr. Conover was, in 1846, married to Miss Emily P., daughter of his family worship.

Thomas Sherman, who resided in the vicinity of Long Branch. Their children are Charles

Turnpike Company and the Middletown and Red Bank Turnpike Company. He is also a member of the Monmouth County Agricultu- ral Society, of which he was one of the organi- zers, and has been for years on the board of management. Mr. Conover's religious convic- tions are in harmony with the tenets of the Reformed Dutch Church, with which he and

REV. WILLIAM V. WILSON was born in

Azariah Conover

E., of New York, married to Carrie, daughter Hunterdon County, N. J., November 18, 1811, was converted when about eighteen, and joined the church at Sandy Ridge in 1818. He had a thorough education, including a full course at of Peter Chanfrau, of Long Branch ; Thomas (deceased) ; Williampe Van Dorn (Mrs. Sam- uel Rogers), of New York ; and Jacob, who resides with his parents. Mr. Conover's politi- , Princeton Theological Seminary. On gradu- cal sympathies are with the Republican party, ating, he became a missionary of the New Jersey He was pastor at Keyport and of the Second Middletown Baptist Church, and in 1854 beeame pastor of Port Monmouth Baptist Church, where for more than thirty years he has fulfilled his though he has never been an aspirant for any | Baptist State Convention in Middlesex County. offices beyond those connected with the township, such as member of the township committee, township elerk and inspector of elections, He is a director of the Keyport and Middletown

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ministry. He has been treasurer of the New Jersey Baptist Education Society, and is now (1885) its president. With preaching talents he combines an unusual aptitude for business, and he has freely and successfully used this for the cause of God. He succeeded in the almost inpossible work of extricating Peddie Institute from its financial difficulties, and has frequently, by his counsels and labors, helped to raise money needed for benevolent operations. His pub- lished sermon on giving, and other discourses

His father was a millwright by trade, and for many years a lumberman in Pike County, Pa., in which business this son was engaged in his earlier days. His father died at the ad- vaneed age of ninety-six and his mother at eighty-one.

The subject of this sketch knew full well the I struggle with poverty in obtaining an education, ! his own hands in great part supplying the neces- sary means.

His life, so far, has been a very busy one;

H. V. Wilson

and writings, have stirred up the people to great- er consecration of their means and larger efforts to spread the gospel.

Soon after his settlement at Keyport he mar- ried into the Seabrook family, at Shoal Harbor (now Port Monmouth), where he has made his home ever since. This family and their ancestors have occupied this spot for near two hundred years. Deeds are in their possession, of land now wholly covered by the waters of the Lower Bay of New York.

full of labor, physical and mental. There is hardly any business outside of his profession in which he has not had a share,-railroading, steamboating, farming and general education, and withal a postmaster for the last twenty-four 1 years.

CAPTAIN CHARLES MORFORD. - William Morford, the father of Captain Charles Mor- ford, was born in 1764, and in 1788 married Lydia Stout, whose birth occurred in 1768.

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MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.

Of their twelve children, nine survived and which Charles was made president, when a steamboat was built for the purpose of facilitat- ing the shipment of produce from the adjacent grew to mature years. Charles, of this number, the seventh son, was born March 27, 1807, in Middletown township, and enjoyed such oppor- , country. The vessel, which made regular trips tunities of education as were afforded near his' from Port Monmouth to New York, was under command of Mr. Morford as the first captain, and sailed daily from a substantial pier erected for the purpose. home, supplemented by judicious reading and study at home. Developing early a taste for mechanies, he went to New York City, and learned the carpenter's trade, which was on his Captain Morford was, on the 25th of Septem- return to his home followed successfully for ber, 1832, married to Susan, danghter of Daniel several years, in connection with farming. He and Margaret Herbert, of the same township,

Charles Morfond

later engaged with his brother William in mer- their children being John, married to Z. Maria cantile pursuits at Chanceville, now New Mon- Brown; Caroline; Almira, wife of David S. Wyckoff; Lydia, married to S. T. Hendrick- son ; Margaret H .; Charles H., married to Laura M. Worthley. In 1858, Captain Morford re- linquished to his son John the homestead farm mouth. Thomas Morford was soon added to the firm, and the first lumber and coal-yards were opened in this vicinity. These brothers were also instrumental in starting the first line of packets between the section of the bay-shore ' at New Monmouth which he owned and culti- now known as Port Monmouth and New York, 'vated, and removed to the one in Middletown and for many years a very considerable business village now occupied by his widow and son, was done in sailing-vessels. A "Transportation Charles H. Morford. He was identified with Company " was afterward incorporated, of the leading enterprises of the county, and with

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

every movement which advanced the interests of the community. An early Whig in politics, he later indorsed the principles of the Republi- can party, and although much interested in the advancement of its principles, invariably de- clined the most urgent solicitations to accept of- fice. He was one of the incorporators of the Mon- mouth County Agricultural Society, and vice- president of the Fairview Cemetery Association, in which he manifested an active interest. He was also at the time of his death, which occurred June 7, 1874, president of the Red Bank and Middletown Turnpike Company. He was in his religious convictions a Baptist, and both a member and trustee of the Middletown Baptist Church. A comprehensive estimate of the char- acter of Captain Morford is embodied in the an- nexed tribute from a friend, published soon after his death:

" His Christian character, in the ordinary sense of the word, was fully conceded and warmly indorsed by all who knew him in that relation ; there yet remains his rare and honorable singu- larity. Captain Morford was unlike the body of men with the talent and power of accumula- tion in knowing, better than most men, how to make his means u serrant and not a tyrant. All know how difficult it is for the man who has, to use the ordinary phrase, 'made his money,' to avoid holding it too highly. Captain Mor- ford learned years ago (and this is the especial subject of admiration) to make his money a mercy and not an evil,-to use it as if it had been made for his use. Ripening with age and experience, he surrounded himself with the highest comforts and many moderate luxuries, making his residence notable for its moral as well as physical atmosphere of enjoyment ; he considered wealth never better expended than in his family, with the result of having won around him one of the happiest and most united families within the writer's knowledge. He traveled much on the American continent and in Europe during the Paris Exposition year of 1867 as a personal enjoyment and enlarging his knowledge of men and the world, laying up memories and friendships equally pleasant ; and all this without holding back one tithe from the causes of religion and local benevolence, | father, William Leonard, where he resided

with which he has been so long and honorably associated.

" The writer has believed that to this especial feature of Captain Morford's life-his ripening and broadening with years, instead of narrow- ing, as so many do-attention deserves to be more especially called, than others might call it, for the sake of the honorable example afforded, and in the hope that that example may not be unfruitful."

RICHARD A. LEONARD .- Nathaniel Leon- ard, Gentleman, received a commission in 1739, the thirteenth year of His Majesty George the Second's reign, appointing him lieutenant of Middletown Middle Company. He, and his wife, Deliverance, had four sons,-John, born in 1738, emigrated to Cuba and married a Spanish lady ; Nathaniel, born in 1739, there is no trace of; Joseph, born in 1743, married Annie Bray and had children : Sam- nel (married to Lydia Madden), Sarah and Annie ; Thomas, the great-grandfather of the present generation, born in 1753, married Alice Lawrence, whose children were Elizabeth, Wil- liam and Joseph. William married Elizabeth Applegate, and afterwards Elizabeth Conover. To the first marriage were born children,-Rich- ard, Mary, Thomas, John S., William and Elizabeth 1. Captain Leonard, as he was familiarly called, in early life followed the water, plying between New York and Middle- town, and occasionally extending his voyages to Virginia. Soon after his marriage he became both a farmer and merchant, and was for years actively engaged in business. His son Thomas resided on the homestead of his grandfather, Thomas, whose property is now in possession of the widow of Richard A. Leonard, the eldest son, who was born on the 17th of February, 1812, in Middletown township, and spent his youth on the farm owned by his father, to the cul- tivation of which his time was devoted, with the exception of the period spent at school. At the age of twenty-one years, being ambitious for a more independent life than was possible on the homestead, Mr. Leonard removed to his grandfather's farm, purchased for him by his

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MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.

during the remainder of his life. He was, on the projectors of the New Jersey Southern Rail- road. He was also one of the founders of the P'eddie Institute at Hightstown. The follow- ing tribute paid his memory by the executive committee of the New Jersey State Temperance Alliance conveys a just estimate of his charac- ter as a Christian citizen : the 14th of March, 1833, married to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Rev. Thomas Roberts, whose children are Richard, married to Delia F. Pat- terson ; Sarah (Mrs. Charles McCleese) ; and Emma, wife of George Sherman. Mrs. Leon- ard's death occurred on the 8th of February, 1848, and he was again married, February 28, " The subject of this brief sketch, vice- president of the New Jersey State Temperance Alliance for Monmouth County, departed this 1849, to Sarah, daughter of Rev. Thomas Rob- erts, of Middletown. The children of this mar- riage are Charles T., married to Annie Grover ; 1 life May 5, 1877, in the sixty-fifth year of his

Richard A Leonard Leonard

William J., married to Fanny M. Clark ; and [ age. fle became a decided Christian in early Ella S. Mr. Leonard was, though an influen- life, and united with the First Middletown Bap- tist Church, holding the offices of deacon, Sun- day-school superintendent and trustee for fifteen years. When the church at Navesink was organized, in August, 1853, he was chosen one of its deacons, which office he filled with rare fidelity and integrity until his death. He was a man of great activity and energy, as his manner of attending to both secular and reli- tial eitizen of his township, seldom an office- holder, his leisure time having been devoted mainly to the inauguration and support of movements in behalf of reform and the nphokdl- ing of morality and religion. He was largely interested in the success of the Agricultural Society of the county, of which he was one of the founders ; one of the incorporators of the First National Bank of Red Bank, and among | gious affairs fully exemplified. He succeeded

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

in acquiring considerable property, but was sel- dom so busy as to prevent prompt attention to his religious duties. He had a warm heart and a ready hand for every good word and work. In addition to strict fidelity as a Christian, a church member and officer, there were two de- partments of labor in which he took a special interest,-he was a warm friend of, and active worker in, the Sunday-school, but he was es- pecially distinguished as a life-long and uncom- promising enemy of the iniquitous liquor traffic. If a temperance meeting or convention was to be held, a petition or remonstrance circulated, the granting of a license defeated, a viola- tor of the law prosecuted, or money raised to meet expenses, Richard A. Leonard could be relied upon as among the foremost in the work. It is also said that 'he used frequently to gather the youth of the neighborhood in the school- house, teach them temperance songs and enlist them in the work.' Nor did his zeal abate with his years, but remained unflagging to the end.

" His death produced a profound sensation in the community. At his funeral, the services of which were conducted by four different minis- ters, a large coneourse of people attested their high appreciation of his character and worth. By honoring such men we honor ourselves."

course, where she still remains engaged in study, graduating June 10, 1885, as class poet.

WILLIAM V. CONOVER, whose grandfather, Daniel Conover, was a resident of Atlantic township and a farmer, was united to Margaret Rezo, a lady of French descent. Their children were Daniel D., Garret, Tylee, Eleanor, Eliza- beth and Margaret (wife of John Van Dorn). Tylee was born on the 1st of January, 1791, in Atlantic (then Middletown) township, and united in marriage to Maria, daughter of Garret Schenck, on the 9th of December, 1812. Their children are Sarah Ann (Mrs. John A. Mor- ford), born in 1814; Daniel, in 1820; William V., January 6, 1824; Garret S., in 1831; Ty- lee, in 1836 (deceased). Mr. Conover, on his marriage, removed to the farm in Middletown now owned by his son, William V., which he cultivated until his death. He was a strong Democrat in his political sympathies, and mani- fested much interest in public affairs, his opinion on matters of publie or private import being regarded with respect. William V., whose birth-place was the homestead, remained until seventeen under the paternal roof. Desiring then to enter into business, he removed to Long Branch, and engaged, as clerk, with a merchant of that place, who, at the age of twenty-one, admitted him to a copartnership, under the

Ella S. Leonard, youngest daughter of Rich- ard A. and Sarah R. Leonard, entered Peddie firm-name of Conover & Morford. He re- Institute, Hightstown, in 1876, and rapidly mained thus engaged until the death of his father, in July, 1847, when circumstances influ- enced his return to the farm situated on the at- tractive bank of the Shrewsbury River, where he has since resided. He was, on the 22d of December, 1853, married to Catharine, daughter of John Bennett, of Middletown township. Their children are John Bennett, born August 9, 1854. and married to Annie A. Morris ; Sarah Maria, born March 22, 1856 (wife of Joseph Applegate) ; William Tylec, born No- vember 19, 1857, married to Annie A. Cooper ; and Henry Hudson, born December 12, 1860, who died August 19, 1861. Mr. Conover has made farming his legitimate pursuit, but since the age of nineteen has been an active worker in the field of politics. A Democrat in his po- rose to high rank in her class, winning the first prise for declamation at the commencement exercises in 1877 ; also the following year for excellence in elocution. In 1879 she graduated with the valedictory, in 1881 entered Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and was soon after appointed assistant editor for the period of her whole course of study. She was advanced each year, and finally became senior editor of the Vassar Miscellany ; subsequently, in connection with Miss Caroline Lingal, purchasing the At- lantic Highlands Herald, and founding the Atlantic Highlands Independent. After enjoy- ing all the honors the college could bestow, in May, 1884, she sailed for Europe, and made the tour of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, returning in the fall to complete her college | litical faith, he has acted as freeholder and filled

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MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP.

all the important offices in his township. In a

tract of land on Rumson Neck, on which 1875-76 he represented his constituency in the he remained until his death. To his wife, State Legislature, serving on the committees on a Miss Butler, were born children,- railroads and canals, fisheries, engrossed bills, Lucy, Elizabeth, Martha W. and John. The latter was born in England (as were all the children) on the 31st of January, 1781, his na- tive county being Lancaster. He emigrated with his father and engaged in various employ- ments during his active life, being in turn agriculture, etc. He is director and president of the Red Bank and Eatontown Turnpike Company, and prominently identified with every important movement in his township. In such services as are performed by trustees and guard- ians his experience is found invaluable. Mr. teacher, merchant and farmer. He married

William To Conover

Conover, though reared in the faith of the Ann Hance, born October 10, 1786. Their Reformed (Dutch) Church, is at present a sup- porter of the Presbyterian denomination.

WILLIAM H. GRANT .- Edward Butler Thos. Grant, the grandfather of William H. Grant, jeet of this biography, whose birthplace was emigrated to the United States in 1793, and resided two years on Long Island for the purpose of becoming an American citi- zen. He then sailed for France, and three years later, returning to America, purchased

children are Thomas, born in 1809 ; Martha, in 1810; John, in 1813; Edward, in 1815; Catherine, in 1818 ; William H., on the 24th of December, 1820 ; and Elizabeth. The sub- Rumson Neck, spent his youth at this point and in adjacent portions of the county. In 1831 he removed to his present farm, which was included in the original tract secured by his father. On the death of the latter he inherited

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

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History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 95

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