History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 114

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 114
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 114

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The town was named by Robert Hamilton, then a representative in the Legislature, in honor of Jona- than Hampton, who seems to have aroused Mr. Ham- ilton's esteem in this respect by bis donation of land to the Episcopal Church of Newton, and Mr. Hamil- ton, himself being an Episcopalian, thus remembered the generous donor.

It appears, however, that the organization of the township was by no means in accordance with the will of the people inhabiting that part of country set off' as Hampton. Better understanding of their sen- timents in the premises and the circumstances leading to the town organization will be gleaned from perusal of a copy of resolutions passed at the first township- meeting, on the second Monday in April, 1864. The resolutions read as follows:

" Resolved, That we, the inhabitants of the township of Hampton, in the connty of Sussex, assembled at our first town-meeting, do most earn- estly protest against the act creating the township and the gerry- mandering of Newton township, and we pledge ourselves to spare no honorable efforts to have the township of Newton restored to its former boundaries.

" Resolved, That the conduct of the senator and two assemblymen from this county in supporting said act in the face of our earnest remonstrance against it, and withont even a petition in its favor from the inhabitants of this township or the township of Newton, deserves, and should receive, the most severe condemnation of every citizen who believes in the demo- cratic doctrine that the representative should carry out the wishes of his constituents, and that the assemblymen are particularly censurable for the unfair and unscrupulous mannor in which they stifled the remon- strance unanimously signed by citizons of every part of the old township of Newton."

Evidently, there was a desire on the part of the representatives in the Legislature pledged to conserve the interests of Newton to cut loose from any alle- giance to the rural districts and to compel them to shift for themselves, despite their outcries against such proceedings. The idea was to give Newton village practically a government of its own, and that was the idea that was practically evolved. There was, as has been seen, a strong feeling of indignation among the people of Hampton at the apparent arbitrary action

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of a few alleged schemers, and there was also loud talk of efforts looking to the repeal of the act; but calmer after-thought brought the conviction that per- haps the result would not be so seriously damaging, after all, and so in a little while there was a general resignation to the situation, followed before long by a general congratulation that no better thing could have happened, after all.

At the first township-meeting, held at the tavern of B. S. Case, in Washingtonville, the following officers were chosen : Joseph Greer, Moderator; William P. Struble, Clerk; Peter Smith, Judge of Election ; George Harden, Assessor; Edward Curry, Collector ; William M. Cox, Richard V. Northrup, Freeholders; Benjamin Anderson, S. H. Roof, Surveyors of High- ways; Isaac Dennis, George L. Van Sickle, Commis- sioners of Appeal ; Levi Hendershot, Overseer of the Poor ; Christopher Van Sickle, William S. Harden, William 1. Shotwell, Christopher Roof, John Snook, Town Committee; D. W. Moore, School Superinten- dent ; Leonard Struble, Jr., Constable; B. S. Case, Pound-keeper : Peter Smith, Christopher Roof, James A. Smith, Benjamin Anderson, A. S. Morris, Alfred Snook, William Snook, Isaac Kint, Abraham Ousted, John Jones, P. W. Struble, James L. Oliver, Mahlon Bailey, T. L. Kindred, Abraham Pittenger, Overseers of Highways.

Following is given a list of persons chosen annu- ally from 1865 to 1880 to be judges of elections, clerks, assessors, collectors, and freeholders :

JUDGES OF ELECTIONS.

1505-67, P. Smith; IsGx, W. P. Shotwell ; 1869, M. Ackerson ; 1870-77, M. J. Williams ; 1878, M. Ackerson; 1879-80, 0. Struble.

CLERKS.

1×65-09, P. W. Strublo; 1850-71, A. O. Smith ; 1872, A. Struble; 1873-77, A. J. Bale; 1878-80, K. Caso.

ASSESSORS.

1×65-66, Georgo Harden ; 1867-75, Theodoro Harding ; 1876, J. II. Hlen- dershot ; 1877-80, P. W. Struble.

COLLECTORS.

1505-08, K. M. Curry ; 1860-72, J. N. Roof; 1873-77, A. Strublo; 1878-80, J. Roof.

CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.

1861-68, WHIInm M. Cox, Richard V. Northrup; 1x69, William M. Cox, Peter Smith; 1,70-74, William 1. Shotwell, Peter W. Struble; 1875, William S. Harden, Peter W. Struble; 1876, William 1. Shutwell, l'eter W. Struble ; 1877-78, WHliam S. Hardin, F. B. Northrup; 1870, It. R. Sherred, F. B. Northrup ; 15-0, Theodore Harding. Albert Struble.

In December, 1880, the town was clear of debt, and for that year had raised a tax of $1292,50. The rate of taxation was $2 per $1000, for State, county, and town.

W .- SCHOOLS.

It is said that there was a school in what is now Washingtonville District as early as 1788, and possi- bly before. The school-house was a log cabin that stood near David Couse's present residence. Timothy Gustin was the first, and perhaps only, teacher in that old log house (for the educational season therein was

a brief one). Among his pupils were Henry Struble and James Kays, and they, it appears, were among the leading spirits devoted to mischief-working. They recognized without much delay the fact that their teacher, Timothy Gustin, was a painfully lazy person, and they, to encourage him, no doubt, to the develop- ment of a vigorous briskness, used upon divers and sundry occasions to introduce pins into the seat of the crudite Gustin's chair, much to that individual's dire discomfort, disgust, and indignation.

In 1808 or 1809 a frame school was built at Halsey's Corners, and, at the instigation of Benjamin Halsey. was set close to his house, so that his children would not have far to go to school. The first trustees were ('apt. Peter Smith, Grant Fitch, and " Black Peter" Smith. The latter gave himself the title when, upon being called to sign a document with Capt. Peter Smith, he said, " Now, I must sign myself something besides plain Peter Smith, for if I don't, people won't know who's who. I guess I'll just sign 'Black l'eter' Smith ;" and from that day he was known by that title.

When Benjamin Halsey's children finished their schooling, Benjamin wanted the school-house moved away from his dwelling. There was some opposition, but Halsey carried the day ; and the school-house was accordingly started on its travels for another location. The house was pretty badly shaken up by the journey, and after passing a feeble existence until 1845, was replaced upon the same site by the present structure.

Among the early teachers at Halsey's were a Mr. Lucas, a Mr. Upson, Mr. E'pton (who was also a sing- ing master), Mr. Seger, Eunice Stevens (a "Yankee school-ma'am," who taught at Halsey's three seasons ), a Miss Condict, Mr. Allwood, Mr. Warren, and Am- brose Horton. Horton became converted to Metli- odism and studied for the ministry. When he found himself ready to preach, he died. Besides the public school at Halsey's, private schools were taught in that neighborhood by Jeremiah Willetts and a Miss Eber. The trustees of Washingtonville for 1880 were Moses Ackerson, Abram S. Morris, and John Couse.

In the Myrtle Grove School District a log house, built by John Chamberlain about 1800 and used by him as a blacksmith-shop, was about 1806 used as a school-house. It stood just west of A. M. Merring's present residence, and in it the first teacher is sup- posed to have been an Irishman named Mellvaney, who was particularly conspicuous as a very cross and irritable person and much given to flogging the chil- dren. John Brown, a one-armed Englishman, was the teacher in 1807; but, beyond being minus an arm, was not especially famous. A Miss Butler, niece to " Billy" Ryerson, was also a teacher iu the log school- house, but when is not known. Among the children who attended school in that temple of learning were those of Benjamin Hull, Anthony Struble, Moses Morris, Samuel Jones, Hiram Bell, and Mathew Little. William B. Struble, who attended school in

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the log house in 1807, taught school in the district thirty years afterwards. The second school-house | three years there was no stated pastor, and no preach- was a framed building. It stood opposite the present house, and was built in 1815. The first teacher there was a Mr. Beach, who said he had run away from Connecticut to escape the draft. The second teacher was Robert McIntyre, who taught two seasons. The house now used, a substantial brick edifice, was built in 1865. The trustees for 1880 were Alfred Winters, William P. Struble, and Hiram Snook.

As to Laurel Grove District but little can be said. There was a log school-house in the district in 1810, near the present house, and in that year the teacher was a Mr. Smith. Since the log house the district has had two framed school-houses. The present house was built in 1868. The trustees for 1880 were Theodore Harding, William Harden, and Philip T. Garris. Doubtless the first school taught in what is now Hampton was held in Laurel Grove District, for there the first settlements were made; but there is now no evidence to tell when or where it was located, or who were its earliest teachers.

V .- RELIGIOUS.

BALEVILLE CHRISTIAN CIIURCII.

The close proximity of the district known as Hamp- ton to Newton and other villages where churches are ahundant has not made the want of home accommo- dations for public worship strikingly apparent. As a consequence, Hampton has never had but one church edifice within its borders, and previous to 1850 even that was wanting. That church organization, now known as "The Baleville Christian Church," was formed in 1826, at Branchville, as " The Branchville Christian Church."

During the year named, Mrs. Abigail Roberts, a member of the Christian Church, visited Branchville and vicinity and began to preach. Thereupon five members of the Congregational Church-D. Rutan, D. Compton, R. Corson, Sally Corson, and A, Alex- ander-indicated a determination to join the newly- presented faith, and the same year Elders Levi Hath- away, J. S. Thompson, Simon Clough, and John Spore, coming to the place, found that there were thirteen persons anxious to be organized as a Chris- tian Church. Twelve of the thirteen were named Edward Lits, John Sargeant, Mrs. Sargeant, Miss Sargeant, J. Haggerty, Mrs. Haggerty, Miss Hag- gerty, David Rutan, David Compton, Richard Cor- son, Sally Corson, and A. Alexander. These thirteen were organized by Elders Clough and Thompson as " The Branchville Christian Church," and they thereupon chose Elder Thompson to be their pastor for the ensuing five years. When at the close of his five years' pastorate, Mr. Thompson gave place to Elder (). E. Bryant, he left the church with a flour- ishing membership of 70.

Elder Bryant was expelled at the end of two years, and for one year Elder Thompson and William F.

Thomas, a licentiate, officiated. During the next

ing except for four months in the fall of 1836, by Elder Amasa Stanton. The church became some- what demoralized and sorely enfeebled, but in July, 1837, Elder J. R. Morris, accepting a call, set about restoring its shattered energies. His success was not of a cheering kind, for, although he found but 34 members when he began his labors, he found less at the close of the year, and so discouraging was the outlook in January, 1838, that but two active male members were reported. Matters dragged along slowly until 1840, when Elder Godfrey F. Hawk took charge and infused healthful life and vigor into the organization. He preached for the church more or less from 1840 to 1861. During his pastorate, in 1850, the church location was changed to Baleville, the name changed to its present designation, and a house of worship erected. In 1862, Elder D. W. Moore, of Ohio, was called, and remained several years. He was followed by Rev. Mr. Soule, and, in 1870, Rev. G. R. Searles became the pastor. He was succeeded in the spring of 1879 by Rev. Isaac T. Tryon, the present pastor.

The elders in 1880 were William Space, Peter Roof, and Edward Couse; the trustees, William Space, Peter Northrup, and Peter Roof.

VI .- HAMPTON'S AGED,

In December, 1880, there were in Hampton thirty- one people between the ages of sixty and sixty-five. Those aged sixty-five or over are named herewith, as follows :

Samnel Anderson, 69; Catharino Arnst, 76; Benjamin Anderson, 71; Hester Anderson, 71; Phebe Anderson, 71; Rhoda S. Bale, GG; Sam- uel Barber, 68; Elizabeth Cassady, 71; William M. Cox, 65; Eliza- beth Cox, 67; Clara Conklin, 68; Benjamin S. Caso, 65; Mary A. Case, 67; David Conse, 76; Sophia Dennis, 73; Casper Grover, 75; Ellen Griggs, 70; Thomas Hunterdon, 84; John Hendershot, 66; Martha Hendershot, 69; David Hledden, 68; Peter Hendershot, 65; Amanda Hendershot, 67; George Jones, 76; John G. Jones, 65; Jolin D. Johnson, 70; John Keene, 70; William Moore, 75; Andrew Merring, 72; Elizabeth Merring, 83; William Morris, 94; Alice Northrup, 81; Sarah A. Ogden, 65; Abram Pittenger, GG; Mary Pit- tenger, 92; Samuel Preston, 66; Sarah Perry, 72; Catharine Roof, 66; Elizabethi Struble, 67; Philip Strublo, GG; William P. Struble, 79; Leonard Struble, 68; William Space, 71; Sarah Space, 70; Isaac B. Smith, 65; Sarah M. Smith, 76; William Snook, 88; Richard Sherred, 69; Floro Sherred, 68; Daniel H. Struble, 70; Surah Sny- der, 70; James P. Smith, 67; Peter Smith, G5; Mary Smith, 72; John D. Smith, 65; Jemima Totten, 80; Elizabeth Van Etten, 76; Rachel Winter, 76.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM MORRIS,

The subject of this sketch is, in 1881, the oldest na- tive born living resident of Sussex Co., N. J., having been born Sept. 15, 1787. His grandfather, Dennis Morris, supposed to be of Irish birth, was the progeni- tor of the family in Morris County, and reared the fol-

Jacob Coursen

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lowing children : John, Dennis, Moses, Justis, Benja- min, Samnel, Jane, and Betsey.

Of these children Moses was father of our subjeet, and came to Sussex County prior to the French and

WILLIAM MORRIS.

Indian war, and when he was only fourteen years of age. Upon the breaking out of that war he entered the army as a soldier. He is said to have cut the first tree in clearing off the original forest where the village of Newton now is, and must have been among the earliest settlers of the county.

lle married Polly, daughter of Benjamin Hull, who was also one of the carly settlers of the county, and after his marriage took up eighty acres of land in the old township of Newton, upon which he resided during his life, living to the advanced age of eighty-four years. After he began keeping house for himself, which was when he was twenty-eight years of age. his father, who had lost his wife in Morri- County, came to live with him, and was welcomed to his hos- pitable root as long as he lived. He also lived to the advanced age of eighty years, and both were buried in the Baptist cemetery plot near Augusta, in Frank- ford township.

The children of Moses Morris are Nancy, who be- came the wife of Samuel Smith; Rhoda, who was married to Leonard Struble; Dennis ; Ruth, who was married to Peter L. Struble ; Phehe, wife of Jacob Roof; William, Robert, and John. Several of these children reached the advanced age of eighty years, and only William is living in 1881, being in the ninety-fourth year of his age.

By purchase he succeeded in the possession of the homestead, and to it has added other land, so that his 80

present farm contains one hundred and thirty-six acres. Upon this farm he was born and lived nearly one hundred years. He, like his father before him, has lived a quiet life as a farmer, and in an unosten- tatious way has fulfilled the duties of a good citizen. He never sought any position in township affairs, yet he has been firm in his support of the principles of the Whig and Republican parties.

He recollects contributing with his father to the building of the first school-house and the first church creeted in the vicinity, thus having lived to watch the progress of education from its infaney, the gradual growth and development of agricultural pur- suits and the various industries of Sussex County.

llis wife was Polly Marring, a daughter of Andrew Marring, of Newton township, who died March 17, 1875, aged eighty-four years. Their children are Oakley; Margaret, wife of Croel Hagerty; William ; Mary, wife of Silas Lindsley ; Robert ; Andrew ; Jane, wife of Isaac Drake; Jacob (deceased) ; Daniel S .; John ; Elias (deceased) ; Harriet, wife of Charles Haney ; and Marion (deceased).

JACOB COURSEN.

The Coursen family, from whom the subject of this sketch is descended, were among the early settlers of Sussex County. Jacob Coursen's father was a mill- wright by trade, and carried on a grist-mill for many years near Fredon, formerly called Coursen's Corners. He died in middle life, and left the following chil- dren: Jacob, Abraham, David, John, Mary (wife of John Marsh, of Stroudsburg, Pa.), and Sarah (who became the wife of John Smith, of Newton). These children are all dead but Mrs. Marsh.

Jacob Coursen was born Feb. 3, 1789, and with his widowed mother, he being the eldest of the children, for many years resided on the old parsonage farm, located on the Ridge road leading to Newton. IIe married Anna, eldest of three daughters of John and Margaret (Simmons) Savercool, of Newton township. She died in 1847, aged fifty-five years. Mr. Savercool was a well-to-do farmer, owning several hundred acres of land, and upon his decease left his large property to his daughters. After the death of his father-in- law, Mr. Coursen settled on the old Saverevol home- stead, containing between three and four hundred acres, upon which he resided the remainder of his life. His death oveurred Nov. 11, 1867.

Jacob Coursen was a plain, unassuming man, and spent his life in a quiet way on his farm. Ile neither sought othicial position in his township nor desired the emoluments of office. He was a man of good judgment and discretion in business matters, and was ever esteemed for integrity in all his business relations in life. His sociability and good humor made him very companionable, and his friends embraced all who formed his acquaintance. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church at Newton, and

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contributors to all worthy objects of a local nature. Upon his death he left his large property to his sur- viving children.

The children of Jacob and Margaret Coursen are William B., died in 1835, aged nineteen years ; John S., a representative farmer residing upon the old Saver- cool homestead, was born June 30, 1824, and married Miss Catharine, daughter of Samuel Simonson, of Vernon, by whom he has two children,-Westbrook and Anna G .; Margaret S., the only daughter, became the wife of Philip Hibler, and by this marriage (in 1851) had two sons, -John J. and Edgar J. Philip Hibler died in 1857. Her present husband, to whom she was married in 1861, is Henry C. Northrup.

DAVID COUSE.

His grandfather, John Henry Conse, was born in Germany, Aug. 4, 1735, and emigrated to America, landing at Philadelphia, Pa., in the year 1749. He came to Sussex County and worked for a German family residing on German Flats until his marriage, when he settled on what is commonly known as the Shaler farm, located between Newton and Sparta. About the year 1759 he purchased a farm at Angusta, in Frankford township, where he resided the remain- der of his life, and where he died Dec. 11, 1804. His wife, Margaret Knoph, was born Nov. 30, 1727, and died Feb. 28, 1814. Their children were Maria, John, Margaret, Elizabeth, Eve, Peter, and Henry.

Of these children, John, father of our subject, was born on the homestead, at Augusta, Sept. 3, 1759, and there spent his minority. At the age of seventeen he became a soldier in the war for the independence of the colonies, and was for a time detailed on the Dela- ware to watch and check the raids of the Indians. He was at the battle of Germantown, and was con- nected with the commissary department for a part of his time of service. He was a patriot who loved his country more than self, and after the close of the war refused a pension.

His wife was Mary, daughter of Henry Rorick, of German Valley, N. J., who died Dec. 11, 1834, aged seventy-five years, whom he married April 27, 1784. In the year 1793 he purchased a farm in the township of Newton (now Hampton), upon which he settled, and there resided the remainder of his life.

Although he possessed little book knowledge, he was a man of sound judgment, upright in his busi- ness relations, and esteemed by all who knew him for his integrity. He was often selected by his fel- low-men as executor and administrator of estates, and his counsel was often sought, and as often found safe and judicious. He was one of the early members of the Presbyterian Church at Newton, and held a membership there when the church used to be sup- plied occasionally by ministers who spoke in the German language. He was very active in religious matters, and a promoter of and a liberal contributor

to church and kindred interests. He belonged to the school of Jeffersonian Democrats, and cast his vote honestly and fearlessly for what he conceived to be right. He was a substantial farmer by occupa- tion, and, although he found only a log house and small clearing on his place where he first settled, he did his part well in making improvements in build- ings, and in clearing off the original forests and pre- paring the virgin soil for crops.

He was successful as a business man, and owned something over three hundred acres of land. His death occurred March 24, 1845. His children were Henry; Catharine, who became the wife of Benja- min Halsey ; Peter; William ; Susanna, who became the wife of Jacob Welsh; Mary; Anna M., widow of the late William H. Johnson; John ; and David. Of these children, only Mrs. Johnson and David are living in 1881.

David Couse was born on the homestead, in New- ton township, May 14, 1804, and by purchase suc- ceeded in its possession. Upon this farm he has resided during his life, and, although never of robust constitution, he has been a man of great activity, sound financial ability, and possessed of such reso- lution and perseverance as to carry forward to a suc- cessful completion whatever he has undertaken. He is ranked among the representative farmers of the county, and by his industry and judicious manage- ment he has secured to himself and family a good competency. Mr. Couse is a man of liberal ideas, a supporter of secular and kindred objects, and inter- ested in all local enterprises that tend to the pros- perity of the country and the welfare of society.

He was formerly a member of the old Whig party, and became a member of the Republican party upon its organization. In church relations he and his family have always been attendants of the Presby- terian church, formerly at Augusta, and latterly at Lafayette.

His wife was Mary A., a daughter of Henry and Dorcas (Hull) Price, whom he married in February, 1835. She was born Nov. 13, 1812, and died in March, 1865. She was a woman of great moral worth, and taught her children the true principles of manhood and womanhood. Their children are Sarah E .; John; Dorcas Amelia, wife of J. W. Snyder, a farmer of Andover; and William H., also a farmer in Andover.

OLIVER STRUBLE.

Peter Struble, the progenitor of the family in New Jersey, emigrated from the Province of Alsace, Ger- many, in 1748, with his family, and settled at German Valley, N. J., and about 1752 removed and settled on Smith's Hill, in the old township of Newton, Sussex Co. With two of his children, Conrad and Adam, lie subsequently removed to West Branch, on the Sus- quelianna River, where he resided until his death,

Дана вные

John Hendershot

EVAN BEVANS settled in Sandyston township from Wales and reared a large family of children, of whom Jamos C., now residing in the same township, born on June 1, 1800, is father of our subjeet.

James C. Bevans married, for his first wife, Maria, daughter of Col. Benjamin Rosenkrans, of Walpack, who hore him the following children : l'riscilla, wife of David Depue, of Luzerne Co., Pa. ; Obadiah and Ben- jamin, of Sandyston ; Hezekiah, of Orange Co., N. Y. ; Edwin ; Maria, wife of Evi S. Decker, of Clark's Green, Luzerno Co., l'a. ; and Philena. The mother of these children died about 1843. Ilis second wife is Sarah, widow of the late Solomon Wheat, and sister of his first wife. The children born of this union who are now living aro Hannah J., wife of Richard Vaughn, of La- fayette, and Vietor E. Bevans, who eurries on tho home- farm in Sandyston.

James C. Bevans is one of tho representative farmers of Sussex County, and among its largest real-estate owners. Having been born with the century, he is now in his eighty-first year, quite well preserved, and attends to his own business affairs.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 114

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