USA > New Jersey > Morris County > History of Morris County, New Jersey > Part 73
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We hope for the honor of our ancestors that this pic- ture is a little overdrawn, which is possible, since it was drawn from memory thirty-nine years after the visitations referred to. The Quaker meeting-house was then stand- ing in its glory, and the peaceable Friends were never disturbed in their quiet and oftentimes silent worship. Other devout people resorted to the Rockaway sanctuary without ever complaining of the distance. But, after making all allowance, we must not deny that some of our forefathers were wicked, and that the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. Nor must we withhold the meed of praise due to the venerable father who moved our progenitors to establish here a Sunday-school, and to en- gage in the diffusion of religious knowledge, at the same time receiving and retaining a little themselves.
The Sportsman's Golden Age .- The following reminis . cences were originally published in a letter addressed to the editor of the Iron Era, by the late Guy Maxwell Hinchman, of Dover :
"In 1811 and 1812 there were immense flights of pigeons from the southwest to northeast, the flocks extending apparently from horizon to horizon, commencing at about 3 o'clock P. M., and continuing till twilight, making their way to the Green Pond Swamp, where they roosted for the night. Persons repairing to the swamp, and shoot- ing promiscuously into the tree tops were enabled the next morning to carry away hundreds of birds-only a small portion of those killed and maimed, as the swamp at that time was nearly impenetrable. The noise pro- duced by their flight when fired upon and settling again was deafening. At early dawn they took flight to the southwest, returning again in the afternoon. I recollect that early in April, one foggy morning accompanied by rain and sleet, the pigeons were apparently unable to take their course, and were completely demoralized, seeking rest upon every tree with which they came in contact. An aged gentleman, Mr. Phineas Fitz-Randolph, residing in Succasunna Plains, near where the Chester Railroad crosses the main street, stepped to the rear door of his house, and fired into the hapless crowd that had alighted upon an apple tree, while hundreds of others were en- deavoring to obtain a footing. The result was the bag- ging of fifty birds. Fifteen, twenty or thirty birds at a single shot was not uncommon. I believe there have been no such flights since those years, in this region.
"Partridge, quail and woodcock could be obtained by experts in abundance; at that time very few persons could bring down their birds on the wing.
"Deer were plenty then in certain localities; in fact, in all our forests lying between Dover and Sparta many a thrilling scene transpired in the chase. There resided in the vicinity of Succasunna a gentleman somewhat ad- vanced in years, a portion of whose life had been spent on Long Island, who was wont to recount wonderful
feats of duck, brant and goose shooting that he had per- formed there; but never having been very successful in the hunts after deer, to which he was frequently a party, his stories were received with many grains of allowance. A party was about to have a chase on the Shrub Oaks, the eastern portion of the plains. The old gentleman, happening there, regretted that he had not his gun or he would accompany them. A gentleman of the party offered to supply him with an American musket, an ex- cellent gun, and proceeded to charge it for him. Deter- mined that if he fired it he should have something worthy of notice to speak of, he put in a rousing charge of pow- der, and 20 rifle balls of 90 to the pound. All being ar- ranged, the old gentleman offered to take the hounds to cover and start the deer, making his way to the duck pond, lying a little south of the railroad as you pass to the Drakesville station. Hearing the cry of the hounds he took a position in an old road leading to the south part of the pond, somewhat elevated above the water. In an instant the hounds were in full cry; six deer broke cover, coming up the road in which he stood. Entering into the road they came in close contact. At the proper moment he discharged his piece, and the result was three deer fell mortally wounded, and a fourth deer- severely wounded-made its way to the Rockaway River at a point where the Morris and Essex Railroad crosses, west of Port Oram, and was there captured. That great shot established the gentleman's fame, and his goose- shooting stories received full credit. I know of but one person living, except the writer, who was conversant with the facts mentioned ; he is an octogenarian, residing near Drakesville station, and when I saw him not long since was hale and hearty, with faculties unimpaired.
" During my working Mount Pleasant mine many amusing scenes occurred and others that were serious. On a very stormy winter day, too inclement for men to work above ground, I placed all hands to enlarge the sink, and covered the opening of the shaft with bundles of straw, to prevent the wind blowing down. We had not been there long, the hands being on both sides of the basin endeavoring to enlarge the area-the basin at that time having water five or six feet deep. I was standing in the midst of the workmen and nearly under the shaft, when I felt a sensation as of something descending the shaft, and sprang from under. A neigh- bor's cow, who thought to regale herself with the straw covering the shaft, missing her footing came down, struck the foot wall a few feet above the water, gave one moan, and plunged into the basin, driving the water in every direction, extinguishing our candles and leaving us in total darkness. The men on the farther side of the basin from the ladders made a stampede right through the water, and in two minutes there was not a man left in the mine. Many did not know what had fallen. That ended work for that day, and the cow re- mained in her watery grave until the day following, when we resurrected her, sent her coat to the tanner's, and I had the pleasure of paying the owner $25, at which she was valued.
" At another time I was sinking a shaft through earth that was inclined to cave. I had cautioned the men to keep it securely timbered, but in my absence for a day they neglected to secure the earth. It gave way, bring- ing down previous timbering, completely covering a good natured old Irishman that had long been in my employ. Fortunately the timbers, falling across each other, though pinning him tight against one side of the shaft, formed openings which admitted air, and enabled him to breathe. On returning home at night I found that, after remaining for some hours in that situation, the miners had just rescued him. He was somewhat bruised, but no bones
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HISTORY OF MORRIS COUNTY.
were broken. Accosting him, I said, ' Jimmy ' (his name was James Brady) 'what did you think about while shut up in the shaft?' 'Och ! I thought you were a good man, and if you were at home you would surely get me out, but I feared for the men.' 'Jimmy, did you pray ?' ' Och ! it was just me that did pray.' 'What was your prayer ?' 'Och ! it was the Psalms of David. Och ! was'nt it a happy deliverance ! Give me a quarter till I away to the tavern for a quart of applejack, to trate the men.'
"One morning we were suddenly awakened by a start- ling sound which seemed to come from the kitchen. I hastened thither and found Jimmy, looking the picture of mortification, and exclaiming, 'To think of me doing such a thing! me who has used powther all me life! If it had been some simple body I shouldn't ha' wondered, but for me to do such a thing! it was a -- quare trick.' The men had a large powder flask, which they used in filling their straws for blasting. Jimmy, in haste to light his fire, had used the contents of the flask. The door fortunately stood open; the flask was hurled through it, and also through a high board fence which stood at some distance.
"The same old man remained working at the mine after I disposed of it. On his right hand he had two when we heard them returning at the same place, distant crooked fingers, stiffened by some hurt, and in landing a barrel of water, the horse at the whim failing to turn when he should, Jimmy's stiff fingers being fast over the chime of the barrel, he was carried up to the pulley, about eight feet above the landing. The horse turned sud- denly, and the barrel, dropping quickly, relieved his fin- gers. While suspended above the shaft he dropped into the mine, 60 feet, and falling in water was not killed.
"Not long after the poor old fellow was found frozen to death-which proves that a man born to be frozen will not be killed by falling down a mine shaft."
The following incidents were related by Mr. Hinchman, author of the above, in his autobiography, prepared for his children:
for a hundred yards or more ceased their cry. Going to them I found the deer dead. Had I known how accu- rate my first shot had been, and also the second-both being mortal-I might have had two deer. In the mean- time Mrs. Hinchman had stopped, which gave me an op- portunity of riding instead of footing it home. Others of the party took the game and the gun loaned to me, and we all proceeded to our homes, satisfied with the hour's sport.
"At another time while I resided at Mount Pleasant Dr. Ira Crittenden, in visiting his patients, learned that deer frequented a field of wheat on the Burwell farm- near where the Port Oram furnace now stands-and proposed that I should accompany him and watch for the deer. It was late in November and the wheat had grown to be good feed for them. The moon was within a few days of the full; and the night very light. After taking our places, each at the extremity of the field, in about half an hour I heard several deer approaching. They came to the fence enclosing the lot, and stopped. In a few moments I heard demonstrations, as stamping violently, and with two or three shrill snorts away they went. We held a consultation, and concluded to remain a while longer. I suppose an hour or more had elapsed
about forty yards from where I was placed behind a lit- tle clump of shrubs. As before, they stopped at the fence, manifesting the same dissatisfaction, evidently aware of something they did not like. After remaining a much longer time than at their first appearance, an old buck with splendid antlers made a tremendous leap over the fence into the field. Remaining in his tracks when he alighted, he made a noble appearance ; the moon shining on his white horns, he loomed to a great size. Those outside the lot were now quiet. I immediately raised my rifle and attempted to get an aim, but could not tell on looking over the barrel whether my aim was correct. My position was down on one knee; I placed my rifle on my knee, and brought it to bear on the deer, which I could see distinctly, and by passing it off and again upon him was enabled to get what I supposed was a pretty correct aim, and fired. With the same majestic leap with which he came into the field he left, and with a stampede they all went-there were at least four or five. Under the circumstances I had no faith that my shot had taken effect, but as they passed diagonally along the field and near the doctor he fancied he heard the deer fall and rise again. Of course, as the cover was so close, we made no examination that night. The next morning I went in pursuit, and by aid of spots of blood proceeded about 200 yards, where I found the buck dead. My shot could not have been more to the purpose if I had had daylight for my aim."
"I might relate many interesting hunting scenes; I will mention only a few. My wife and myself while living at Mount Pleasant were spending the day at Succasunna, and about 4 o'clock, when starting for home, a few per- sons informed me that they were just starting for a chase on the Shrub Oaks, which lay directly on my route home- ward, and proposed to furnish me with a double barreled gun, and, as the runways were right on my way, that I should permit Mrs. Hinchman to drive home, and I re- main for the hunt. Accordingly as we reached the hunt- ing ground we came to a stand for assigning each to his position. Mine lay about a quarter of a mile distant from where the hounds were started, and immediately on the road. I had dismounted from the gig, and was ar- An Incident of the Last. Training .- The last militia training in Dover under the old militia system occurred about the time that Captain Pruden and Supercargo Wood made their trip on "The Dover, of Dover," to Newark and back at the opening of the canal. They were both in Dover on training day, and remember the following incident: Some of the soldiers were sitting on the porch of the Stone Hotel or Stickle House, and one of them named William Mckinnon said he could hit a tree with his ramrod. He fired the iron ramrod from his gun at a tree, three or four hundred feet distant, and the rod went through the center of the tree and remains there to this day-fifty years after the shooting. It is easily seen, as each end of the rod projects from the ranging for Mrs. Hinchman to proceed, when I heard the hounds in full cry and coming directly to the point where I was placed. I had barely time to urge Mrs. Hinchman to drive on when I saw three deer making tremendous leaps over the low shrubs and coming between where I stood and the position of Mrs. Hinchman. They were upon me at once. Under the circumstances I was con- siderably flurried. Mrs. Hinchman had just started and was distant not more than 200 feet; the road was narrow and straight. I had just time to step to the extreme edge of the road, which brought my aim a little out of line with the carriage, when the first deer bounded into the road, which he would span in two leaps. The mo- ment he struck the road I fired the first shot, and, it ap- pearing not to have taken effect, I instantly fired the second, with apparently the same result. The hounds were close upon the deer, and having passed the road tree. The tree was small at the time, but during these
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SCHOOLS IN RANDOLPH-THE QUAKER MEETING-HOUSE.
fifty years has grown to a large size. It stands on the
He often made purchases where he surveyed, and fre- opposite side of the street from the hotel and about 400 quently aided his friends in making favorable purchases, feet to the northwest.
SCHOOLS.
The early settlers in New Jersey were all true friends of education. The Quakers of West Jersey established in 1683 the first school fund in America. The Dutch were enjoined by the West India Company, who sent them over, to support a minister and a school-master. The Scotch Presbyterians when they first came to New Jersey brought preachers and schoolmasters with them.
The New Jersey Legislature of 1693 passed the first school law authorizing each district to choose trustees and a teacher, and to tax the people to pay his salary. Provision was first made for free schools in 1817, and three years later townships were authorized to raise money to educate such poor children as were paupers. In 1824 one-tenth of all the State taxes went to the school fund. In 1828 townships could vote moneys to build school-houses. In 1867 county superintendents were appointed. In 1871 all public schools were made free. From the commencement a steady progress in favor of education has been made in New Jersey.
There are now ten public school districts in the town- ship of Randolph, the largest of which is the Dover dis- trict. This district has a graded school, in which are employed seven teachers, and each teacher has a depart- ment containing as many scholars as are to be found in either of the other districts.
Both before and after the public schools were in oper- ation private schools were maintained. The first was probably the one held in the old homestead of Richard Brotherton. Another was held in a little room built for the purpose, opposite to the Quaker meeting-house, and another a mile southwest of Richard Brotherton's, on the road to Calais.
For a long while the oldest inhabitants were accustomed to speak of the Franklin school-house, situated a mile and a half east of Dover, as the place where their education began. This school-room was without ornaments and the seats were rough benches; the instructor, now called teacher, was then called master, and the rod-his badge of authority-was vigorously used.
After the death of the Hon. Mahlon Dickerson, of Ferromonte, a school of a high order was opened in his former residence by the Rev. Robert Crossett. This school, which lasted only three years, was of benefit to the township, and of special advantage to the more ad- vanced scholars of Dover.
CHURCHES OF THE TOWNSHIP.
" The Quaker meeting-house " for more than three quarters of a century was the only church in the town- ship. The first settlers of Randolph were Quakers. Among them was one John Reading, who, though he be- came a Presbyterian, was much esteemed by the Society of Friends. This man was a public surveyor, and sur- veyed the first piece of land in the township of Randolph.
because he was the first to know the value of new loca- tions. It was through his influence that the first settlers came to this township. It would seem from the society in which they are found that the Kirkbrides and the Schooleys belonged to the Society of Friends. We know that the Randolphs, the Dells, the Brothertons and others of the first settlers were Quakers. These facts explain why the first house of worship in the township was a "Quaker meeting-house." It was built in 1748 or earlier, and stood on the farm now occupied by Charles Lamp- son, from which it was moved a few years after to its present site, a quarter of a mile to the west. Lately re- covered and otherwise improved it still preserves its original quaint appearance. Built when timber was abundant, and to be had for the cutting, its substantial frame has lasted for a century and a third, and from pres- ent appearances may last another century or two. Though very limited in its seating capacity, yet at the time of its erection it was capable of accommodating all of the in- habitants of the township. Few and scattered as the first settlers were, one can easily conjecture with what social satisfaction and sacred delight they came together in their new meeting-house. Strong in their peculiar prin- ciples, for which in the old country they suffered perse- cution and even separation from their native land, they now, in the depths of the wilderness, in the New World, enjoyed their dreams of liberty, and devoutly gave thanks that they could in their own way worship God, with none to molest or make afraid. Sometimes the hour of reli- gious meeting was spent in silence; and sometimes one of the worshipers arose and gave utterance to the thoughts that were burning in the heart. Without a pastor, with- out an ordained preacher or teacher, the Friends met in their plain meeting-house, and at times as the Spirit moved them-it might be in the men's apartment or it might be in the women's apartment, for all were on equality-one or another would rise and speak without ostentation or attempt at oratory; and then were heard addresses which drew all hearts in closer bonds of love, and awakened resolutions to live purer and better lives. Addresses were made as eloquent and as edifying as have since been made in the modern and more pretentious sanctuaries of the township. But the old Quaker meeting-house is silent, and these stirring speeches are mentioned as among the things that were. The good influence of the Friends in Randolph, however, is not extinct. It lives and has found its way to other places of worship in the township; and it has helped to give a healthy tone to the morals of the new comers who have made their home in the neighbor- hood.
Mt. Freedom Presbyterian Church was organized July 9th 1820, by the Rev. Samuel H. Cox, of Mendham, and Rev. Jacob Green,of Succasunna, who were appointed a committee for this purpose by the Presbytery of Jersey.
The following persons, having obtained letters of dis- mission from the churches to which they formerly be- longed, composed the new society: John Corwin, Eliz-
41
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HISTORY OF MORRIS COUNTY.
abeth Bryant, Phebe Clark, Nancy Lewis, Nancy Wheeler, Sarah Wilkinson, Anna Bonnel, Martha Hulbert, Eliza- beth Connet, Elizabeth Roberts, Rachel Bryant, Lydia Roberts, Jane Roberts, Jacob Drake, Anna Drake and Elijah D. Wells. Jacob Drake, Elijah D. Wells and John Corwin were chosen and duly ordained and installed into the office of ruling elders of this church.
The Rev. Jacob Bryant, who had been instrumental in gathering a congregation and preparing the way for the church organization, received a call to become the pastor of this congregation, and on November 17th 1824 he was installed by the Presbytery of Elizabeth. Mr. Bryant was a native of Mt. Freedom, and was regarded by the people as the founder of this church, which under his ministry increased in numbers and in influence. He re- signed his pastoral charge in 1829, but continued to sup- ply the pulpit till his death, in 1846. His successor was the Rev. James McMurray, a graduate of the Princeton Theological Seminary, who was ordained and installed pastor January 6th 1847, and continued in the pastorate till 1856. The Rev. Abram Williamson succeeded Mr. McMurray in 1856, and remained in charge of the church till March 1867. The next month a call was extended to the Rev. Elias R. Fairchild, D. D., who though never formally installed served the church till 1871; during his ministry there the church edifice was enlarged and im- proved, and many were added to the church.
In July 1871 the Rev. Robert S. Feagles was installed pastor by the Presbytery of Morris and Orange, and he resigned his pastorate in December 1878. In January 1879 the Rev. William W. Halloway took charge, and he is still the pastor. The present elders are Daniel Bryant, Pierson Allen, James Cramer, Nelson Hughson, Samuel Youngs, Frank Merchant and Charles De Hart. Daniel P. Merchant, recently deceased, was for a long time an elder and a leading man in the congregation and in the community.
The church now consists of 130 members. The con- gregation owns a house of worship, graveyard, parson- age, and five acres of land, which are all free from en- cumbrance.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Walnut Grove is the successor of an old Baptist church, the history of which has not been preserved, but which with its grave- yard dates back to an early period in the settlement of the township. The Baptist church was for a time used as a union meeting-house; but the Baptist society has become extinct, and the old house of worship has disap- peared. The Methodists have erected on the old site or near it a new and commodious edifice, worth about $5,000, and are in a prosperous condition. Rev. John Stilman was their first pastor. The church has a mem- bership of 110. The pulpit is supplied by C. L. Bang- hart.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Mill Brook, situ- ated half a mile north from the mill seat, is nearly as old as the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Dover, and was united with it, so that its successive pastors may be learned from the list of preachers who supplied that
church. Occasionally for a short time it has had a pastor by itself. This year it is united with the Walnut Grove charge, and Mr. Banghart supplies the pulpit of both churches. It has a flourishing Sunday-school and takes a leading part in sustaining the moral enterprises of the township.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church .- This church is located about one mile west of Dover, on the road to Port Oram. It was built about the year 1847, through the instrumentality of the Rev. Father Senez, now of Jersey City. He was then stationed at Madison, and seeing the numbers that came to him every Sunday from Dover he determined to extend his labors to that vicinity. Every third or fourth Sunday he administered mass in a private house here; and, perceiving the congregation to be quite large, he felt the importance of securing for them a house of worship. This was no easy matter to accom- plish, as most of the men were unmarried and dependent on the mines for their livelihood; and as mining was un- steady at the time these men might be here to-day and away to-morrow, so their church matters were of second- ary consideration. The married men were few and poor. Notwithstanding all the apparent difficulties, with the characteristic zeal of a Frenchman, Father Senez under- took the work at once by levying a monthly tax of 25 cents on every man in the parish. After the first month's receipts were added up he concluded the tax levied was too small, and increased it to one dollar per month. In about a year the amount collected was thought to be suffi- cient to build the church. Accordingly a suitable lot was. looked for, when Mrs. William Phillips generously gave the ground on which the old church now stands. The men of the parish turned out and worked by spells at the foundation till it was completed. The building was soon put up, though not entirely finished when it was first used. At this time, to the regret of all, Father Senez was removed from Madison and from this parish. The Rev. Father McQuaid, now bishop of Rochester, N. Y., succeeded him at Madison, and performed the pastoral duties of St. Mary's parish for about eighteen months. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Ward, who was the first priest who lived within the parish. Father Ward was in poor health and not much in sympathy with his surroundings; and remained less than a year. He was succeeded by Rev. John Callan, who finished the church, adding a gallery for the choir, and a basement, in which was held a parochial school. He continued in this pastorate eighteen years, discharging his duties in such a manner that he still has a warm place in the hearts of many of his old parishioners. His successor was the Rev. B. Quinn, an energetic worker. He established churches at Rockaway and Mount Hope, and made im- provements in the parish. He also built a fine parochial residence. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Fitzsim- mons, who remained nine months; and he by Father Byrne, who only labored here three months, when the Rev. Pierce McCarthy entered upon the pastoral charge. As the church was not large enough to accommodate the congregation Father McCarthy undertook the work
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