History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 109

Author: Snell, James P; Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1140

USA > New Jersey > Sussex County > History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 109
USA > New Jersey > Warren County > History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 109

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Thomas P. Hunt, his son, succeeded to the mills at Hunt's Mills, and built the present stone mill, the property of Joseph B. and Theodore F. Hunt, grand- sons to Ralph Hunt. Ralph Hunt had twelve chil- dren. Of them John moved to Newton (now Andover) in 1824; Joseph was a mechanic and farmer and died in Green ; Samuel was a fuller, and, emigrating to Oakland Co., Mich., in 1836, died there ; Theophilus was a miller in Stillwater, where he died; Ralph, a farmer, and father of J. B. and T. F. Hunt, died in Green; Richard never married ; and Thomas, the mill-owner, died at Hunt's Mills. During his posses- sion of the property he transformed the distillery and

t Tho grist-mill, saw-mill, apple- and ryo-distillery, and fulling-mal !! were at the death of Ralph Hunt, left to Thomas P. Hunt, his sun, In the division of his estate. Inlph Hunt settled on his Innd left to him by the will of his brother John, and built the stone house before the Aero- Intionary war on this land, on the road from Newton to Log Jail (now known as Johnsonsburg). Hore he kept n tavern. Hle afterwards bought the land on which he built his mills and distillery .- Samuel H. Hunt.

* Isaac Bird belonged to Light-Horso Harry Loo's legion In the Revo- Intionary war, nivel received a pension in his oll uge.

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SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

fulling-mill into a clover-mill and built a foundry, in 1880 were Silas Young, President; Theodore F. which was carried on several years.

Of Ralph Hunt's daughters, Abbie married Joseph Hill; Elizabeth, Charles Roy ; Mary, Absalom Price ; Martha died unmarried; Sarah became the wife of Samuel Wells. Singularly enough, eight of Ralph Hunt's twelve children became paralytics.

Richard Hunt is said to have built a saw-mill north of Hunt's Mills before 1780, but more than that nothing is known. Thomas P. Hunt was probably the first storekeeper at Hunt's Mills, although his store was of comparatively recent birthi.

TRANQUILLITY.

The village of Tranquillity (called sometimes Ken- nedytown), lying two miles east from Greensville, on the Pequest, was a portion of Amos H. Kennedy's farm in 1844. Amos Kennedy was born on the Na- thaniel Hart place, near Tranquillity church, then occupied by his father, Moses Kennedy, who had married a daughter of William Hart. Moses Kennedy was from Warren County, in which section his grand- father, Dr. Samuel Kennedy,* a Scotchman, located at an early period and practiced medicine, his home be- ing near Johnsonsburg, on the road to the Quaker meeting-house.

When Amos Kennedy was but five years of age his father removed to Ohio, leaving Amos a bound apprentice to a Mr. Mann, in Warren County. With him he remain until he was seventeen, and then, bar- gaining to buy the remaining four years of his time in labor at fifty cents a day, shifted for himself. In 1819 he married Catharine Stillwell, and settled in an old house near Tranquillity, on a farm that had come to him as a legacy from his grandfather, William Hart. The site of the village was then a forest, and its vicinity lived the families of William Hart, Jr., Col. Redding, and a man whose name is now unknown. Amos Kennedy followed the business of farming and stock- droving until 1844, when he built on the Pequest a grist-mill 26 by 36 and two and a half stories in height. He built a store about the same time, and leased it to George Steele. Pretty soon Tranquillity post-office was established, and the village grew apace.

Mr. Kennedy himself built a number of dwelling- houses there, and carried on the mill business until his death. It is now the property of his son, E. V. Kennedy, who materially enlarged the mill in 1869, and added to it the appointments of a saw-mill.

VIII,-BRIGHTON DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION.

The Dairymen's Association of Brighton was incor- porated in 1874, with a capital of $5000, for the pur- pose of establishing a creamery and of manufacturing butter and cheese. A building was fitted up at Brighton, and since 1874 has been constantly and profitably employed. The officers of the association

Young, Secretary ; W. H. Hart, Treasurer. The directors were Silas Young, Theodore F. Young, Joseph Ayers, W. H. Hart, W. K. Young, Albert Puder, Samuel Hill, and James Hardin.

G. O. Onsted is the lessee of the creamery, and car- ries on a flourishing business in the manufacture of butter and cheese and the shipment of milk and cream. The receipts at the creamery have gone as high in the summer as 6000 quarts of milk daily, and 2000 quarts per day in winter.

IX .- GREEN'S AGED RESIDENTS.

In June, 1880, there were in Green seventeen people between the ages of sixty and sixty-five. Those of sixty-five and over were :

Saml. II. Hunt, 66; Geo. Armstrong, 70; Jos. Ayres, 65; Ahram S. Ben- net, 65; Geo. B. Drake, 68; Sarah A. Drake, 65; Ralphı Dildine, 65 ; Jos. C. Drake, 68; Elizabeth Drake. 67: Hannah D. Feasler, 68; John Speer, 65; Hannah S. Hart, 69; Effa Hardin, 71; Godfrey F. Hawk, 68; Mary Hardin, 70; David IIamler, 67; Jane Hull, 69; Margaret Miller, 69; Barret Phillips, 66; Susan Roy, 79; Mary A. Roe, 65; Moses Steele, 73; Elizabeth Steele, 72; John B. Stinson, 73; Jonathan P. Stackhouse, 66; Elizabeth Teel, 76; James Van Sickle, 74.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

SAMUEL H. HUNT.

Samnel H. Hunt (John5, Ralph+, Samuel3, Samuel2, Ralph1) is sixth in regular line of descent from Ralph Hunt, of Newtown, L. I., whose share of the pur- chase of Middleburg of the Indians, in 1656, was one pound. In 1662 he was chosen one of seven men to conduct the affairs of the town. In 1663 he was, with other leading men, denounced for resisting Dutch authority, aiding to form a junction with the Connec- ticut colony.

In the same year he was chosen, with six others, "in the name of His Majesty, Charles II.," to town office in Hastings (the new name of Middleburg) for the ensuing year, and in 1664 he was admitted as a freeman of the colony of Connecticut. He was chosen surveyor to view the "Indian reserved lands" the town was to purchase. In 1665 he was commissioned lieutenant of the military in Newtown (the new name of Hastings) by Governor Nicoll; in 1666 he was a freeholder of Newtown, and was one of eleven land- holders who agreed to inclose their lands in a single field for cultivation. He became one of the patentees of Newtown, after having been appointed by the town to get a draught of boundaries, and in 1667 he was chosen constable. His house, barns, and corn col- lected for rates were destroyed by fire in 1668. The first church edifice in Newtown was erected on a gore of land appropriated by him in 1671, and he was sworn to office as schepen, or magistrate, upon the reinstating of Dutch authority. His will was dated Jan. 12, 1676. He died leaving the following chil-

* Dr. Samuel Kennedy, son of Rev. Samuel Kennedy, of Basking Ridge, a Scotchman; he also practiced medicino. (See chapter on " Medical I'rofession of Warren County.")

Sansesant

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dren : Ralph, Edward, John, Samuel, Ann, and Mary.

Ann became the wife of Theophilus Phillips, of Newtown, L. 1. Their children were as follows : Theophilus, William, and Philip, of whom Theophi- lus and Philip removed to Maidenhead, Hunterdon Co., N. J., and William became a freeman of New York.

Samuel, son of Ralph Hunt, resided in Lawrence- ville, formerly called Maidenhead, N. J., and there died, leaving his homestead farm by will, dated Jan. 15, 1717, to his son Samuel and widow. lle left to his other children, Ralph and John, other lands; to Thomas, Jesse, Mary, Anna, and Elizabeth, legacies.

His farm is described as lying on both sides of the King's road, in Maidenhead.

Samuel resided on the homestead left him by his father, and became a real-estate owner in other parts of the State. He died in Sussex County, while there engaged in improving his property, Dec. 15, 1752, and was buried on the farm now owned by J. B. and Theodore F. Hunt, in Green township, and his pos- sessions were divided among his children, as follows :

Samuel received the homestead at Lawrenceville ; Richard received the Cox tract, of four hundred and forty acres, located near the Yellow Frame church, in the township of Stillwater, Sussex Co .; John and Thomas received the Bainbridge tract, of six hundred and thirty acres, east and adjoining the Cox tract ; Ralph received, in lieu of land, an education and a legacy of one hundred and ninety-five pounds ; Sarah, who married - Price, received thirty pounds; Martha, who married Dildine, received thirty pounds and a negro girl ; Abbie became the wife of John Axford, receiving for her share thirty pounds and a negro girl. To his sons he also gave his negro men and horses, and to his wife Abigail he willed the use of a part of the homestead and a negro man and woman.

John died without issue, and left his lands to his brother Ralph. Thomas was a prisoner with the French and Indians for three years, during the French and Indian war, and served as a militiaman during the Revolutionary war.

Samuel had a son who was a prisoner among the Tripolitans and never returned, although a large ran- som was offered.

Richard was a lieutenant in the French and Indian war, and the Indians wanted to take him a prisoner at the time they took Swartwood and Thomas Hunt. Ife was a militiaman, and also served in the Revolu- tionary war.

Ralph, son of Samuel, was grandfather of our sub- jert. He resided on the stage road, between Newton and Johnsonsburg, N. J., was a large farmer, owned two flouring-mills, a saw-mill, fulling-mill, apple and rye distillery, atul carried on a general and extensive business, He owned some sixteen hundred acres of land, besides a large personal property. He served as .

a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died in 1821, aged about eighty-nine years. Ilis wife was Eliza- beth, a daughter of Joseph Phillips, whom he mar- ried about the year 1767. She was a descendant of Theophilus Phillips, previously mentioned in this sketch, and a sister of Hezekiah and Joseph Phillips, carpenters, who were carly settlers in Newton, owned considerable property there, and built for their own use the Durling House, now owned by Seeley Howell, formerly called the " Phillips House."

The children born of this union were John, Jo- seph, Samuel, Theophilus, Ralph, Richard, Thomas, Sarah, wife of Samuel Wells, Abbie, wife of Joseph Hill, Elizabeth, wife of Charles Roy, Mary, wife of Absalom Price, and Martha.

Of these children, John, eldest son of Ralph, was father of Samuel H. Hunt, and was born in October, 1768. He married, Jan. 3, 1809, Anna, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Opdyke) Ifill, of Green town- sbip. She was born June 1, 1775, was a woman of great moral worth and Christian excellence, and died Jan. 31, 1854. He died in July, 1846. She was a daughter of Joshua Opdyke, of Kingwood, Hanter- don Co., N. J.

John Hunt resided in Green township, Sussex Co .. on the property left him by his father, for several years, and subsequently owned and resided on the farm owned in 1881 by the heirs of the late Robert Slater, near Newton. His life was spent in a quiet way, and devoted to agricultural pursuits. He was an attendant and vestryman of the Episcopal Church at Newton.

In politics he was an adherent of the old Federal- ist party, and subsequently a Democrat, but never a seeker after political place or the emoluments of office.

His children are one son, Samuel l., and one daughter, Mary K., wife of Daniel Budd, of Chester, N. J.

Samuel II., son of John Hunt, was born on the homestead, in Green township, July 5, 1814. During his boyhood, and until he reached the age of sixteen, Mr. Hunt was, on account of a naturally delicate constitution, kept in school. At that age he began to work on the farm, only attending school winters, and became healthy, and during the past fifty years he has not been ill that necessarily he should be confined to his bed to exceed twelve days. For some time he was a pupil under the well-known teacher Rev. Clarkson N. Dunn, of Newton, where he ob- tained a fair knowledge of the English and Latin languages. Until he reached the age of forty-five years he was a working farmer, and engaged in the management and improvement of his property. Dur- ing his middle life Mr. Hunt was somewhat active in State and national politics, and, although a member of the Democratic party, he has always taken an in- dependent position in political action.

Jle has been connected with the local educational

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interests of his township, and filled various places of ; ton. He married Christine, daughter of John Sava- trust and responsibility.

He was honored by the citizens of Sussex County by election on the Democratic ticket as a member of the lower branch of the State Legislature for three years, 1868, 1869, and 1870.

In this public capacity his integrity was never questioned, and as chairman of the committee on banks and insurance he did efficient service for the State.

During his term of service in the Legislature he began the collection of historical works on his own and other States, historical data, rare books, and origi- nal ancient manuscripts pertaining to the early history of his native county and State, and is said to have in his possession and own one of the most complete libraries of historical matter in the State of New Jersey.

He always had a fondness for reading, and this has led him to acquire a taste for that deep spirit of re- search after historical matter which has characterized his life in his later years.

He is a member of the New Jersey Historical Society, and some years since he was made an hon- orary vice-president of the Wisconsin State Historical Society.

For many years he has been a stockholder in the banks at Newton, and is a director and vice-president of the Merchants' National Bank of that place.

He is a member of the Baptist Church at Newton, and has always taken a deep interest in the principles of morality and religion.

His wife was Mary P., a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Price) Hill, of Green township, whom he married Dec. 24, 1846. She was born Aug. 1, 1819, was a devoted wife and mother, a member of the Baptist Church at Newton, and died in February, 1859.

Their only daughter, Anna E. Hunt, died at the age of twelve, and one son, Joshua S. Hunt, died at the age of sixteen.

Their only surviving child is Dr. Joseph H. Hunt, who was gradnated at Washingtou College in 1869, at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, in 1873, and is practicing his profession in Brooklyn, N. Y.

HON. GEORGE GREER.

The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Joseph Greer, who emigrated to this county from the north of Ireland about the middle of the eighteenth century. He first settled in Orange Co., N. Y., and married Miss Buchanan, of Milford, Pa. He after- wards removed to Stillwater township, Sussex Co., and, after living there some years, removed to Ohio, where he died. ITis son Joseph was born in Orange Co., N. Y., Jan. 14, 1791. When he was twelve years old the family removed to Stillwater township. He afterwards resided in Newton township, now Hamp-

cool, of Newton township. Of this union were born the following children : J. S., Robert (deceased), Jo- seph (deceased), George; Margaret S., married C. B.

George Greer

Van Sickle, of Hampton township; Anne E., living in Newton. Joseph Greer was a farmer, and one of the leading men of his county. He was judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Sussex, and represented his county in both branches of the State Legislature, and was also prominently connected with the militia of New Jersey. He died in New York in 1867, while on a visit. George Greer was born on the old homestead in Newton township, Oct. 6, 1822. He came to Green township in 1850, and lived on the old Hull farm nineteen years, which was then the property of his father. In 1865 he purchased the farm on which he now resides from Nathaniel Drake. In 1849 he married Margaret A., daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Hibler, of Green township. Of this marriage were born the following children : Emma (de- ceased) ; Margaret J., married Daniel Losey, of Mend- ham, Morris Co., N. J .; Julia H., Robert (deceased), Marshall J., Anne Christine. In politics, Mr. Greer has always been a Democrat. He has served his township as freeholder, judge of elections, and repre- sented his county in the lower branch of the State Legislature during the years 1877 and 1878. While in the Legislature he was chairman of the committee on the revision of laws and member of the commit- tees of education and agriculture. Though not a

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JOSHUA HARDIN.

The Hardin family are mentioned among the carly settlers of New England; from there they removed to that part of New Jersey now Sussex County.

The grandfather of the subject of our sketch was Thomas Hardin, who settled in Lafayette township, Sussex Co., before the Revolutionary war; he married Elizabeth Lance, of the same place. Later in life he removed to Ohio, where he died.

Reuben Hardin, one of his sons, was born in Lafay- ette township, and married Susan, daughter of Casper Snook, of the same place. Of this union were born the following children: John, deceased, and Joshua.

Joshua Hardin was born on the homestead in Lafayette, Sept. 26, 1801. Ile attended school and worked on the farm until he was sixteen years old, when he removed to Stillwater township, and engaged in agricultural labor until he was twenty-five years of age. He then removed to Frankford township and learned the trade of blacksmithing. After gaining a knowledge of that business he went to Newton, N. J., where he remained fourteen years, working at his trade. In 1855 he removed to Green township, and purchased from Ralph Dildine the farm on which his family now reside. In 1830 he

married Effie, daughter of Michael Roff, of Newton township. Mrs. Hardin's grandfather was Chris- topher Roff, who emigrated from Germany to this country during the middle of the eighteenth century. The children of this marriage are James C., of Orange, N. J .; John R., living in Iowa; Matilda, the wife of Peter Smith, of Yates Co., N. Y. ; Susan; Mareus A., now living in Iowa; Mary A .; Thomas W., deceased; Phillip R .; Elizabeth S., married Josiah Ketcham, editor of the Belvidere Apollo, Bel- videre, N. J .; Rev. Osear J., missionary at Tripoli, Syria; Robert M., living at Fredon, N. J .; Amanda C., married A. Crawn, of Newton, N. J.

Joshua Hardin always followed farming, and his life was passed in a devout Christian manner. He was a good neighbor and kind father, and was re- speeted by all who knew him. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Newton N. J., which his family now attend. In politics he was a Demo- crat, but never an aspirant for office. His death occurred March 12, 1866.

Mrs. Hardin is now living on the old homestead In Green; she is in her seventy-second year, hale and hearty, and beloved by all who know her.

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GREEN.

member of any church, he and his family attend the Hardwick Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church. He has always been a farmer, and his property, which consists of several hundred acres, is beautifully situ- ated in Green township, at the headwaters of the Pequest River.

w. tt. ItART.

The great-grandfather of the subject of our sketeh was Nathaniel Hart, who came from South Jersey and took up lands in what is now Green township. He married Lydia Redman. The children of this

marriage were Amos, William, Nathaniel, Phoebe, Amy, and Elizabeth. This farm was occupied by the American army as an encampment during the Revolutionary war. It is now owned by John Cole- man, one of his descendants. William Hart, Sr., was born in Green township in 1778; married Mary, daughter of John MeEwen, of the same place. Of this union were born the following children : Lydia (decensed ), married Joseph Reed, of Knowlton, N. J .; tieorge (deceased) ; William (deceased) ; Elizabeth (deceased ), married J. J. Van Duren, of Newton, N. J .; Henry, living in Andover, N. J .; Sallie A. (deceased), married W. Cortelyou, of Newton ; Ste- phen (. (deceased) ; Matilda (deceased), married Nathan Smith, of Waterloo, N. J. William Hart, Jr., was born in Green township in 1800. He mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Joseph Hibler, of Springdale, N. J. The children of this marriage were William 11 .; Samuel (deceased) ; Joseph (deceased) ; Ellen,

married Rev. Alec Craig, now living at Paterson, N. J. William Hart, Jr., lived in that part of Inde- pendence township now ealled Allamuchey, where he died in 1851. William H. Hart was born on the homestead, in Independence township, May 6, 1827, where he attended school, and worked on the farm until 1853, when he removed to Green township and settled on the farm where he now resides. He has been twice married. His first wife was Emeline S., daughter of Jonathan Shotwell, of Independence township, whom he married in 1852. The children of this marriage are Neldon W .; S. Cecelia (deceased ), married Dr. Clarenec F. Cochran, of Michigan ; and Phobe S. His first wife died in 1866. In 1867 he married Lydia C., daughter of Jeptha Clark, of San- dyston township, Sussex Co. In politics, Mr. Hart has always been a Republican, and has never been an aspirant for office. He is a member of the Tranquil- lity Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee and its steward. He has always followed farming, and his property is situated in tireen town- ship, near the ninety-nine mile tree, which served as a landmark in the times of the " Proprietors" of East and West Jersey. He is a man highly respected in the community in which he has passed his life, and bears a reputation for integrity and uprightness that all may envy.

BARRETT PHILLIPS.

The Phillips family is of Welsh ancestry. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was David Phillips, who lived in Frankford township, Sussex Co., N. J. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Barber, of Greenwich township, Warren Co .; his second was Mrs. Bell. David Phillips was a farmer, and during the war of the Revolution was a wagonmaster in the American army. John Phillips, a son by the first marriage, was born in Frankford township; married Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Dalrymple. of the same place. Of this union were born the following children : Eleanor (deceased), was the wife of J. W. Beamer, of Frankford; Sarah (deceased), married J. Chymer, of Wantage, N. J .; Margaret (deceased), married Jesse Hunt, of Frank- ford ; Andrew (deceased) ; Ann (deceased), wife of E. Lewis, of Frankford; Huldah (deceased ), married Peter Lewis, of Frankford ; David (deceased ) ; Dorcas (deceased), married M. T. Johnson, of Frankford ; James ( deceased) ; and Barrett. Barrett Phillips was horn Nov. 6, 1813. He remained on the okl home- stead until 1846, when he removed to Green town- ship and purchased the old Buchner farm, where he remained seven years. In 1854 he bought the farm from Aaron Blanchard on which he has since resided. In 1844 he married Mahala, daughter of Matthias Heminover, of Byram township; her grand- father was Anthony Heminover, one of the earliest settlers of Byram, and a soldier in the Continental army. The children of this marriage were Selina

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SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

(deceased) ; Frances, married John Wilson, of Green township ; Clarinda (deceased) ; Andrew (deceased) ; Clementine, married Daniel Roy, of Ohio Centre, Kan .; Boyd (deceased) ; Elvira, married John Phil-

Farnell Phillips

lips, of Green township; Rosanna, Julia, and Win- field Scott. In politics, Mr. Phillips was formerly a Whig, and when the Republican party formed joined it. He has since been a consistent supporter of its principles. He has never sought political po- sition, but has held some township offices,-school trustee, etc. Though not a member of any church, he attended the Tranquillity Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the children are members. Mr. Phillips has always been a successful farmer. He is a man of quiet and unassuming ways, and has tried at all times to fulfill the duties of a good citizen.

RALPH DILDINE.

The Dildine family is of French ancestry. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Samson Dildine, who came into what is now Green township, Sussex Co., N. J., when the country was a wilderness, and settled there. He married Martha Hunt, of what is now Lawrenceville, N. J. Of this union were born the following children : Abigail, Uriah, Abram, Samnel, Jolın, Richard, Thomas, Ralph, and Saralı. The first three named sons were soldiers in the Amer- ican army during the Revolutionary war, and partici- pated in several general engagements.

Thomas Dildine, one of the sons, was born in 1763, in Green township. He married Doratha Divers, of

Ringwood, Morris Co., N. J. The children of this marriage were Elizabeth (deceased), married P. B. Primrose, of Stillwater, N. J .; Samuel (deceased) ; Martha (deceased), married B. Edwards, of Warren

Ralph Dildene

Co., N. J .; Henry ; Abigail (deceased), married L. Hill, of Newton township, now Andover; Ralph; Abram T., now? residing in Iowa. Thomas Dildine died in Greentownship in 1822.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 109

Author: Snell, James P; Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1140

Author: Snell, James P; Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1140