USA > New Jersey > Morris County > History of Morris County, New Jersey > Part 76
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SCHOOLS.
In 1848 a select school was held in Dover, in the base- ment of the Presbyterian church, by the Rev. David Ste- venson. The efficient instruction of this energetic teacher not only benefited his pupils, but awakened an interest in the community for a more thorough course of education which has never died out.
make grateful mention of the benefit they received from them. When this school was discontinued the Rev. B. C. Megie, J. L. Allen, Dr. I. M. Condit and others formed themselves into a company, erected a new school-house
near Mrs. Whittlesey's, and employed teachers from time to time. Among those who taught with much accept- ance were William Hall, S. C. Conant, Mr. Schriver, S. C. Megie and B. Chalmers Nevius. This was followed by a boarding and day school in the house of Rev. B. C. Megie, which was and is still conducted by his daughters. This school, called the Dover Institute, was designed for young ladies, but admitted both sexes. Many of the pu- pils have become teachers; a few boys from this institu- tution have entered college, and several young ladies have been prepared for Vassar and Wellesley Colleges.
Mention should also be made of the schools held in the Stone Academy-a building erected for church and school purposes. The upper floor was used by the Pres- byterian church as its place of worship from 1835 to 1842, when the members occupied their own church edifice. The same room was afterward occupied by the Protestant Episcopal church until its beautiful stone sanctuary was completed in 1872. The first floor of the Stone Acad- emy was used for school purposes. Among the popular teachers there may be mentioned Joseph H. Babcock, a young man of promising talents and "apt to teach." He, while teaching, studied law, yet never entered on its practice, but studied theology and entered the ministry of the Presbyterian church, and became an eloquent preacher. He took charge of a church in northern Indi- ana, where he was loved for his eminent services, but from overwork early died.
Another educator, who had a shortlived notoriety, was one Averill, alias Shield, who claimed to be a theological student, but who brought a woman to his boarding house whom he called his wife. It was ascertained that she was another man's wife; and a warrant was obtained for his arrest. Learning what was going on he shrewdly con- cealed himself in a hearse which was standing in the street, whence he saw those who were in search of him and heard their conversation. Stiff and silent as a dead man, he remained the whole day without any motion; and in the darkness of the night made his departure. He was not pursued, nor ever after heard from.
Another of the teachers of this academy, and one highly esteemed both for his mental and moral qualities, was Captain Franklin Pease. He taught several years in Dover, and then entered into the mercantile business in his native place, Pittsfield, Mass. He was appointed captain of a company from that State during the civil war, was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, and died in an ambulance before he could reach the hospital.
In 1850 a select school was opened in Prospect street, by Mrs. Anna C. Whittlesey, who had been a missionary on the island of Ceylon, but returned to her native land after her husband's death. Mrs. Whittlesey built a neat school-house, and taught in it till her second marriage, to the Rev. Thornton A. Mills, D. D. Her labors as a Among the highly successful teachers of Dover should be mentioned the name of Darius Calkins, who taught a longer time than most teachers in this place. He was not only an able instructor, but a man of extensive knowledge and sound judgment. His influence over the young peo- ple was great, and always in the right direction. He, teacher were appreciated, and some of her pupils still like Captain Pease, after a time changed his vocation and engaged in mercantile employments in New York city, where he is still living.
Several excellent lady teachers were employed in the Stone Academy, whose names we are not able to obtain;
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HISTORY OF MORRIS COUNTY.
and the names already mentioned may include some who taught both in the public school and in the Stone Acad- emy. Miss Hattie Breese was one who was esteemed for law of Mr. Wyckoff, gave the charge to the people. Mr. .Wyckoff became ill after a pastorate of two years and re- moved to Hackettstown, where he died in May 1838.
her successful mode of teaching; another was Miss Pike, and others equally deserving honorable mention must be passed over because we have not their names.
THE CHURCHES OF DOVER.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN.
Lord Perth, a large stockholder in the lands of East Jersey, and a man of great influence among Scotch Pres- byterians, induced many Presbyterians to emigrate to New Jersey about the same time that the excellent Robert Barclay prevailed on so many Quakers of Scot- land to come; and Presbyterians, who early formed an important and even ascendant portion of the population of this province, soon made their way into this part of Morris county. Within ten years after the erection of the Quaker meeting-house a Presbyterian church was organized at Rockaway, and Dover was recognized for many long years as a part of that parish. The Presby- terians usually attended that church and aided in the support of the pastor. In the meantime they sustained a prayer meeting once a week in Dover, commonly at the school-house and not infrequently at private houses. A Sabbath-school was organized in . 1816, which has been continued ever since. In 1831 the Rev. Edwin F. Hat- field, D. D., then just licensed to preach the gospel, as- sisted the Rev. Dr. King of Rockaway in conducting a protracted meeting, which resulted in an extensive revival of religion. Dr. Hatfield preached many successive evenings in the school-house in Dover, and a goodly number of persons became practically interested in Christian duties, who were ultimately. formed' into a church. A few of these persons are still living, but the greater part have departed this life.
The First Presbyterian Church of Dover was organized April 23d 1835, by a committee appointed by the Presby- tery of Newark, consisting of the Rev. John Ford, of Parsippany, and Rev. Peter Kanouse, of Succasunna. The church consisted of the following twenty members: James Ford, Charity Ford, Martha Chrystal, James Sear- ing, Rachel Searing, Thomas M. Sturtevant, Maria Stur- tevant, William A. Dickerson, Louisa M. Hurd, Mary Wilson, Melinda Tuttle, John K. Bayles, Phebe Ann Bayles, Elizabeth Hoagland, Phebe King, Margaret King, Thomas B. Segur, Sarah P. Segur, Jabez L. Allen, Caroline C. Allen.
J. L. Allen, Thomas B. Segur and James Ford were
King, of Rockaway, gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. Dr. Joseph Campbell, of Hackettstown, father-in-
The Rev. Robert R. Kellogg, of New York, began to supply the pulpit in July 1838, and continued till May 1839, when he received a call to the Presbyterian church of Gowanus, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Kellogg preached in other churches, and was supplying the pulpit of the church at Port Jervis, when, after preaching twice on Sunday, he was suddenly taken ill and died the same night, September 26th 1866. He was succeeded by Rev. B. C. Megie, who commenced his ministry in July 1839, preaching part of the time at Berkshire Valley. He was installed by the presbytery of Rockaway, N. S., Novem- ber 15th 1842, which was the day of dedication of the new church. Previously the congregation had worshiped in the old stone academy.
A second church was erected on the site of the old one, and dedicated July 26th 1872. Rev. Harvey D. Ganse, of the Reformed church of New York city, made an address at the laying of the corner stone, and Presi- dent Cattell, of Lafayette College, Easton, preached the sermon at the dedication. The new church cost about $30,000, which was all provided for at the time of the dedication, and every pew was rented when the church was opened for service; the new organ cost $2,000. June ist 1875 Mr. Megie left this church and accepted a call to the church of Pleasant Grove, on Schooley's Moun- tain, where he still resides.
The Rev. William W. Halloway jr. was installed pastor of the Presbyterian church of Dover October 25th 1876, when Rev. J. A. French, of Morristown, preached the sermon, Rev. Albert Erdman, of Morristown, gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. Dr. Irving gave the charge to the people. Mr. Halloway is still in the pastorate of that church.
In 1878 a parsonage was built costing $7,000, and in 1881 the new church, damaged by a severe gale, was re- paired and frescoed anew at a cost of $2,000, all of which is paid.
In 1880 the church reported to presbytery 248 mem- bers, with seven ruling elders, as follows: James Ford, Titus Berry, I. W. Condict, Ephraim Lindsley, J. H. Neighbour, J. S. Treat, A. C. Smith.
THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF DOVER
was organized and the church building dedicated in 1838. A class meeting had been regularly held for a chosen and duly set apart to the office of ruling elders. considerable time before this. At the time of the dedi- Of the above twenty persons eight survive. Of the cation of the church the Rev. Manning Force was the elders Mr. Segur died in 1854, and J. L. Allen September 22nd 1869. James Ford, though 90 years of age, is in good health and able to act as an elder.
presiding elder, and the Rev. J. O. Rodgers was the first minister. Mr. Rodgers is still living.
The following pastors have successively supplied the
: The first. minister was the Rev. James Wyckoff, who church: James M. Tuttle, Rodney Winans, William E. was unanimously called to become pastor August 12th 1835, and was installed November 24th 1835, when the Rev. Peter Kanouse preached the sermon, Rev. Barnabas
Perry, M. E. Ellison, J. Dobbins; William Burroughs (de- ceased), J. P. Fort, William W. Christine (who died in 1881), E. M. Griffiths, J. O. Winner, A. M. Palmer, Garet
"PROSPECT PLACE. RESIDENCE OF JAMES H SIMPSON, PROSPECT ST ., DOVER, N. J.
٠٠١٠٠
319
CHURCHES OF DOVER.
Van Horn, S. W. Hillard, John Scarlet, E. A. Hill (de- ceased), Martin Herr, I. W. Seran, C. S. Coit, Thomas Walters (deceased), J. R. Daniels, S. B. Rooney, J. J. Morrow and H. D. Opdyke, the present pastor.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Protestant Episcopal church of Dover was begun under the labors of Rev. Charles W. Rankin, rector of the first Episcopal church of Morristown, and of Bishop Doane. Henry McFarlan of Dover was appointed reader, and maintained the worship till 18g2, when Rev. Charles H. Little became the minister, and continued one year. His successors in the rectorship were as fol- lows: Rev. John D. Berry, 1853, one year; Nathan W. Monroe, 1854, one year; Charles S. Hoffman, 1855, one year; Francis Canfield, 1856, one year; H. C. H. Dudley, 1857, three years; Thomas W. Street, 1860, one year; David Margot, 1862, one year; James A. Upjohn, 1863, six years; J. F. Butterworth, 1869, two years; E. E. Butler, 1871, nine years; D. D. Bishop, 1880, present in- cumbent; Messrs. McFarlan and Eyland acting as lay readers when the church was without a regular pastor. Confirmation has been administered by Bishops Doane, Odenheimer and Starkey.
Worship was held in the old stone academy which was built in 1830 until the erection of the new church, which was consecrated, free from debt, in 1871. The new church cost over $15,000, which was paid by Henry Mc- Farlan, George Richards and Mr. Eyland, each furnish- ing $5,000. There are now forty-five communicants, and a fair congregation.
FREE METHODIST CHURCH OF DOVER.
In the year 1870, under the lead of its pastor, the Rev. C. S. Coit, the First Methodist Episcopal Church de- cided to build a new church edifice. A lot was selected on Blackwell street with a view to erecting a building that would cost about $40,000. In the meantime it was proposed first to erect a chapel, and to build the church sooner or later as circumstances should allow. One of the leading members of this church was John W. Sear- ing, a young man highly esteemed in the community for his exemplary character, and loved by the Methodists for his fervent piety. Mr. Searing attended a meeting of
the first member received into the church; Manning F. Searing and his wife were the next members.
During the fall meetings were conducted by Rev. Mr. Gould and other preachers from the surrounding cir- cuits. In 1872 the old Presbyterian church, made vacant by the erection of a new one, was occupied by the Free Methodists, and Rev. W. M. Parry did the most of the preaching. Upwards of fifty persons professed to be converted and joined the society. In July of this year a camp meeting was held on the grounds of John A. Cas- terline, a mile east of Dover. At this time a lot on Sus- sex street was donated by Manning Searing for the erec- tion of a church. The building was completed at a cost of $5,000, and was dedicated Sunday December 8th 1872, the Rev. B. P. Roberts, president of the Free Methodist body, preaching and conducting the exercises. The church lot was encumbered by a mortgage held by Henry McFarlan, which sold under foreclosure for $1,000, the amount being paid by members of the Free Method- ist church living, for the most part, outside of the bounds of the Dover society. The church since its for- mation has been under the care of the following pastors: Revs. W. M. Parry, 1872-74; W. Jones, 1874, 1875; J. Glenn, 1875-77; J. E. Bristol, 1877-79; W. Jones, 1879- 81; J. W. Tamblyn, 1881.
GERMAN SERVICES.
Religious services in the German language were held in the Presbyterian church in 1871-74 by the Rev John Heberle, of Myersville, on Friday evenings, and occa- sionally the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was admin- istered, the pastor of the Presbyterian church, Rev. B. C. Megie, assisting in this ordinance, and also in the bap- tism of. German children. In 1875 the Rev. Johannes Richelson, of the Morristown German church, succeeded Mr. Heberle in conducting the German service in Dover.
THE SWEDISH CHURCH.
In 1872 and 1874 a number of Christian Swedes held religious services in the Presbyterian church. A Swedish pastor from Brooklyn, called Father Heornst, often con- ducted this service. At length, by the liberality of the people of Dover and the self-denial of the Swedes them- selves, a church edifice was erected on Grant street, and the Free Methodists at Rahway and connected himself this church called the Rev. P. Smith to be its pastor. with that society. One of their principles is cheap Mr. Smith was much beloved, and had a small but inter- houses of worship; and Mr. Searing opposed the project ested congregation, until the paralysis of the iron indus- of building a new church edifice that to him seemed to try scattered many of the Swedish miners. He was then compelled to leave his charge, and accepted an invitation to the pastorate of a Swedish church in Perth Amboy. Still he remembers his Dover flock, and often visits and preaches to them, so as to keep them together. be extravagant. In his opposition he early organized a class meeting of Free Methodists. By invitation, the Rev. W. Gould, an influential member of this denomina- tion, preached in the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Dover August 3d 1871. Shortly after, Lewis & Whitlock's hall was hired for the use of this society. Mrs. Dunning SECOND METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF DOVER. of the Sabine mission of New York addressed large audiences. A quarterly meeting, under the charge of Rev. W. Gould, was held in this hall October 20th, 21st and 22nd 1871. This may be considered as the begin- ning of the organization in Dover. John W. Searing was
This church, a branch from the First Church, was or- ganized in 1876, and occupies the church building of the First church which was dedicated in 1838 and made va- cant by the occupancy of the new building on Blackwell street, erected in 1872. The old church was remodeled
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HISTORY OF MORRIS COUNTY.
and improved in 1876. The pastors have been as fol- lows: Rev. W. H. McBride, one year; Abram M. Palm- er, one year; William I. Gill, three years; and Rev. William H. McCormick, the present pastor, who com- menced his pastorate here in 1881.
SOCIETIES IN DOVER.
A number of fraternities or social organizations exist in Dover-the Young Men's Christian Association, Sons of Temperance, Temple of Honor, Free Masons, Odd Fellows, Order of United Americans, Sovereigns of In- dustry, etc.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
of Dover was formed in the fall of 1868, in the Presbyte- rian church of Dover. An address was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Barclay of the Baptist church of Easton. After the address the association was formed and officers were chosen. The leading members of this association were Warren Segur, L. C. Bierworth, F. V. Wolfe, Garret Gar- rabrant, William H. Mase, E. Kirk Talcott, William F. Mattes, Daniel Derry, S. D. Gould, John Bulkly, A. J. Coe, C. F. Trowbridge, William E. Megie and others. These young men possessed sterling principles and a manly spirit of moral enterprise, and were spoiling for something to do. Once organized, though belonging to different religious denominations, they went to work. They sought out the poor, the sick and the neglected. They relieved many needy ones, brought some to the house of God and more to the Sunday-schools, and in- duced several young persons to enter upon a better and happier way of life. They hired a hall and opened a prayer meeting on Sunday afternoon, which is still con- tinued. This prayer meeting became popular and was crowded, and the members of the association took an ac- tive part in its proceedings, which awakened in them and in the community a new religious interest. A revival commenced and a large number of young and old were converted. The association opened an evening school for free instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, and other branches of learning. Several foreigners, especially Swedes, learned to read and speak English.
In the fall of 1870 the association arranged for a course of public lectures and other entertainments during the winter. Among the lecturers were Olive Logan, R. J. De Cordova, Justin McCarthy, E. P. Whipple and P. B. Du Chaillu. The course proved unprofitable; at its close the society was in debt over three hundred dol- lars. An appeal was made to the churches for help, which was feebly responded to, and the association was for a time embarrassed by the burden of its debt.
The association still abounds in good works; it has promoted Christian fellowship among different denomina- tions, and has aided in making the public sentiment of Dover religious.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
Several organizations have been formed to repress the evils of drunkenness and to prevent the sober from be-
coming intemperate. The first and oldest temperance society in Dover relied only on the signing of the pledge of total abstinence for the accomplishment of its object. At one time this open organization wrought wonders. The churches indorsed total abstinence, religious men practiced it, and honorable men praised it. All stores which sold intoxicating drinks abandoned the sale. The licensed inn was closely watched, and the public senti- ment of the place was a great restraint on the vender. Then the Washingtonian movement broke out, and drunk- ards began to reform all over the country by hundreds and by thousands. This reform spread through Ran- dolph township, until a drunkard was a rarity. At length a relapse took place, and reformed inebriates returned to their cups, like " the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." To prevent this apos- tasy secret temperance societies were formed-Recha- bites, Sons of Temperance, Good Templars, the Temple of Honor and other orders. It was not the design of these secret societies to supersede the open organizations; still they absorbed a good portion of the working element from the former method of work, diverted public atten- tion, and almost suspended the action of the previous so- cieties. Anxious to secure the welfare of the drunkard, and failing to secure that object through secret organiza- tions, yet unwilling to abandon the effort, the temperance men entered upon a new method of warfare, and de- manded the suppression of the liquor traffic, the removal of the temptation from the intemperate. This element in the temperance reform is now embodied in the Tem- perance Alliance.
Three methods of seeking deliverance from the evils of intemperance have their separate organizations in Dover: First, the old society, with its simple pledge; second, the secret society, which endeavors to keep its members from falling; third, the alliance, which would unite all in an effort to prohibit the sale.
Besides.these three societies a fourth temperance so- ciety has recently been organized in Dover, known as "The Law and Order League." This society opposes the evil not by engaging in battle against the whole army of intemperance at once, but aims to attack its weaker points, and to destroy its forces little by little. Ac- knowledging that there are some legislative enactments designed to restrain the evil, it propses to enforce those enactments, to suppress the unlicensed sale, and to pun- ish the violations of the license law. This society is at the present time the most vigorous organization in Dover.
LODGES AND COUNCILS.
Besides the Young Men's Christian Association and the temperance societies there are seven other fraterni- ties in Dover, as follows:
Acacia Lodge, No. 20, F. & A. M .- Officers: F. H. Beach, W. M .; George M. Dorman, S. W .; Charles A. Gillen, J. W .; Edward Jackson, treasurer; James Ton- kin, secretary.
Randolph Lodge, No. 130, I. O. O. F .- Cooney Mann,
-
M. Dickerson
321
THE LIFE OF HON. MAHLON DICKERSON.
N. G .; Wm. Doney, V. G .; George Mann, treasurer; B. L. Hedden, secretary.
Bethlehem Encampment, No. 50, I. O. O. F .- Daniel Treloar, C. P .; James Tonkin, S. W .; J. J. Vreeland, treasurer; B. L. Hedden, secretary.
Major Anderson Post, No. 54, G. A. R .- D. S. Allen, post commander.
Dover Council, No. 6, O. U. A. M .- Alonzo Searing, secretary.
Morris Council, No. 541, Royal Arcanum .- A. C. Smith, regent; C. A. Covert, secretary; James S. Melick, treas- urer.
Harmony Council Sovereigns of Industry .- Robert Phil- lips, president; B. L. Hedden, secretary; W. J. Turner, treasurer.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
HON. MAHLON DICKERSON.
Of the leading men who were long residents of the township of Randolph, whose influence has made the community what it is, the name of the Hon. Mahlon Dickerson should stand first. He occupied more prom- inent positions than any other citizen. He lived at Fer- romonte and owned and worked the Succasunna iron mine, now better known as the Dickerson mine. He was judge, general, member of the Legislature, governor of . New Jersey, member of Congress and secretary of the navy in the cabinet of President Andrew Jackson. The following sketch of his life was prepared by Edmund D. Halsey, Esq., of Morristown, for another purpose and is inserted here by permission.
Governor Mahlon Dickerson, of whose name it has been well said none have been more respected, honored and distinguished in New Jersey, was descended from the Puritan Philemon Dickerson, who emigrated from England early in the history of the Massachusetts colony and who was among the freemen of Salem in 1638. In 1643 he purchased from the Indians a large tract of land on the north shore of Long Island and took up his resi- dence at Southold. Here he died at the age of 74, leav- ing two sons, Thomas and Peter.
Peter Dickerson, son of Thomas and grandson of Phil- emon, came to Morris county, N. J., in 1741, and Octo- ber 20th 1745 married his first wife, Ruth Coe, daughter of Joseph Coe. He was an ardent patriot and his house in Morristown was from the beginning of the difficulties with Great Britain a gathering place for those of kindred mind. He took an active part in awakening and organ- izing the opposition to the acts of the British crown, and on the ninth day of January 1775 was appointed one of the "committee of observation " for Morris county. On the first day of May following he was elected a dele- gate to the Provincial Congress which met at Trenton the same month. February 7th 1776 he was commissioned captain of a company in the third battalion of the first establishment, and on the 29th of November following captain of a company in the third battalion of the second establishment. Both the companies he commanded were
equipped at his private expense, and the money he so ad- vanced stands to his credit this day at Washington un- paid. He died May 10th 1780, in the 56th year of his age. He had eight children by his first wife, one of whom, Esther, married Colonel Jacob Drake, who was also a delegate from Morris county to the Provincial Congress of 1775, and who was colonel of the western regiment of New Jersey militia until he resigned to be- come a member of the first Assembly of New Jersey.
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