History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 144

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 144
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 144

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

E.M. Dill

DANIEL DILTS, grandfather of Elijah N. Dilts, enme from Germany during the early part of the eighteenth century and settled in Hunterdon Co., N. J., where he reared n family, and where he resided the remainder of his life. His son Daniel, born in 1711, in Hunterdon County, residled there for many years, and was officious as a recruiting officer in raising troops for service in the war for independence. Ile held the office of constable. In 1802 be removed to Washington township, in the county of Morris, N. J., where he purchased und settled on a farm of about one hundred and seventeen acres, and on this place ho died, in 1827.

His wife was Rebecen Marlatt, hora in 1750, who lived to the advanced age of eighty-three years. They were among the earliest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church where they resided, and their house was not only the welcome home and rosting-place of tho carly traveling Methodist preachers, but their hospitality led them to open their house for church service in that early day. This pious and devotedl couple lived during the days of primitive Methodism in New Jersey, before places of worship were established by church-edifices, and when the gatherings of a few were held in private houses, and the missionary preachor found his way on horseback from place to place on his long circuit.

Their children were Peter, John, George, Joseph, Daniel, Sarah, Rachel, and Rebreca. Of these children Daniel was father of our subject ; born in Hunterdon County, Jan. 22, 1789 ; married Elizabeth, daughter of John Neighbor, of Morris County. She was born in 1795, and died June 29, 1831. Ile diod July 17, 1867.

Their children are Nathan, of Washington, N. J. : Anna, died ummarried ; Elijah N. ; Julia, died unmarried : Rebecca, beenmo the wife of Peter S, Bergen, of Summerset Co., N. J. : Isninh (decensed), was for many years a prominent lawyer nt Somerville, N. J. : Abner N., resides on the farm in German Valley, Morris Co., whero his father lived and died ; and George S., practiced medicine for several years at Raritan, N. J., and in New York City, was for four years a major-surgeon in the Union army of the Rebellion, and died in Baltimore, where he bnd taken up his residence.

Daniel Dilts, the father of these children, purchased of his father the homestend in Morris County, in 1512, which he owned as long as he lived. He was a man of temperate habit-

and sterling principles. He was known as a man of striet in- tegrity in all bis business relations. He wns never a seeker after place or political preferment, but led a quiet and unos- tentations life. His liberality was always bestowed upon the needy and for worthy objects when such a course seemed to him to be right. He was prudent in the management of his affairs, and sought the happiness and welfare of his fellow-men as well as his own comfort.

By his industry and judicious calculations be acquired n good competeney, which he left for his children. Both he and his wife woro reared under the influenees of the Methodist Church, nod lived devout Christians.

Elijab N., son of Daniel and Elizabeth Dilts, was born in Morris County, Feb. 10, 1818. His early education from hooks was confined to the district school of his native place. I'ntil he was twenty-eight years of age he remained on the home- stend where he was born, and Dec. 11, 1845, married Marga- retta, daughter of Henry I. Hoffman, of Morris County. She was born April 13, 1819, and died Nov. 20, 1877. Their chil- dren are Henry (' .; Annie, died at the age of twelve years; Eli. died in infancy ; Emma E., is the wife of Henry Johnson, of Washington, N. J. ; Ella : William C. ; and Ulysses G. Dilts.

On April 3, 1846, Mr. Dilts removed to Washington town- ship, Warren Co., N. J., and settled on a farmi of one hundred undl forty nores, then belonging to his father, but which ho purchased of him in 1818, lying within the limits of Washing- ton borough. Upon this he has since resided. He is also the owner of the homestenil-farm in Morris County, settled by his grandfather, which he has purchased of the heirs of his father's estate.

Mr. Dilts, like his father before him, was formerly a member of the old Whig party, and upon the organization of the Ile- publican party became a member of it. Although not solicit- ous of office, he has often been proffered pince on the ticket of his party.

His life has been one of industry and activity, and almost wholly devoted to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Dilts in a man of strong convictions, and possessed of force of character nad resolution to carry forward to a successful completion whatever he uodertakes and conceives to be right. Both he and his wife became members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Wash- ington in 1831, to which they have been liberal contributors.

HACKETTSTOWN BOROUGH.

I .- GEOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.

IN the county of Warren there are few places with a more beautiful natural location than is pos- sessed by the busy borough of Hackettstown. The town can be seen to the best advantage from the sum- mit of Buck's 1till, a rocky height half a mile from the business centre, which rises abruptly to a con- siderable height above the surrounding country. Standing on its summit and looking off to the south, as far as eye can reach stretches the fertile valley, preserving nearly the same width throughout. The Schooley Mountain range on the cast forms the hori- zon in that quarter. Towards the north the valley is cut short by the threatened juncture of the hills ou both sides. Through the midst of the valley runs the Musconetcong River, on whose banks the town stand -. Along the northwestern border, and nearly at the foot of the hill, lies the Morris Canal, while still farther below in the valley is the track of the Morris and Es- sex Railroad. The panorama presented is indeed most picturesque.

The circumstances connected with the naming of the town are not fixed with much precision. It was after its first settlement called Helms' Mills, from the man who built the first mill. It was located where is now the mill owned by Lewis J. Young- blood. It received its present name, as near as can be ascertained, about the year 1764, being named after Samuel Hackett, at the time of the raising of the frame of the first hotel on the site of the present Warren House.

It was incorporated as a borough in 1853, and has now (1881) over 2500 inhabitants. Hackettstown is second in size and importance among the towns of Warren County.f Its geographical boundaries are : north and cast by Morris County, south by Mansfield, and west by Independence.

The area of Hackettstown is 2; square miles, or 1779 aeres.

IT .-- EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The exact date of the first settlement is not known, but it was not far from 1720. Samuel Hackett was the first settler of which there is any record or tradi- tion. He received 10,000 acres of land from his father-in-law, who had large grants from the king of

England. He lived at one time in a log house on the eastern bank of Bowers' foundry pond, and his last residence was the Lozear house, which was removed not many years ago by Thomas Shields, Jr. He was a judge of Morris County before the division of Mor- ris, Sussex, and Warren. He was reputed to be a "hard" man, with few virtues, and died at an ad- vanced age, leaving no heirs.

During the tenure of his judgeship, previous to 1753, an event of historie importance occurred, which was the execution of one of the town's residents for the crime of passing counterfeit money. This was a capi- tal offense under the laws of New Jersey at that time. David Reynolds, the unfortunate man, lived in the upper part of the town, and kept a small hotel on the present site of the American House. He was accused of passing the bill on a pack-paddler, who, on discoy- ering that it was counterfeit, had him arrested and confined in the Morristown Jail. He was tried, con- vieted, and condemned to be hanged. His friends used all the means in their power to have the punishment mitigated, but, failing in their efforts, organized a mob for the purpose of rescuing him. The authori- ties, hearing of the intended attempt, erected a scaf- fold and made preparations to hang him on the first attempt at rescue. The mob rode as far as Mendham, where they were met by a messenger from Reynokls, imploring them to desist from their intentions and leave him to his fate, as he was prepared to die, and, if they persisted in his rescue, the lives of those un- prepared might be lost. His wife and eldest son then started for Morristown to plead for the life of their husband and father, and met Judge Hackett, returning from court, on the bridge crossing the Mus- conetrong, at Newburg. On bended knees they begged him to intercede for the condemned man, but without avail. Ile was executed on the day appointed, brought home, and buried in the churchyard adjoining the old Presbyterian church. No stone was over erected, and the exact locality is unknown. It was the custom in those days to preach a sermon on the seaffoll before the execution ; the one on this occasion was from the text, "Ile that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool." Jer. xvii. 11. His widow afterwards mar- ried a man named James.

About 1760 there were other settlements made by two distinct parties, one of which included the Ayer-,

· By S. 11. Hadley.

t Thoro Is more merchandise shipped from Hackettstown than any other stallon ou the railroad between Phillipsburg and New York,

581

582

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Landons, and Hazens, who came from Vermont. Their descendants to the present day are dwellers of the town and vicinity. The other party, under the leadership of Thomas Helms (father of Gen. John Helms, who figured conspicuously in the early his- tory of the town), came in the same year from the neighborhood of Omagli, the county-seat of Tyrone, in the northern part of Ireland. They were undoubt- edly influenced to locate here by Hackett, who was also an Irishman. To Gen. William Helms is given the honor of building the first mill on the river, just above where the present brick mill stands. It was a wooden structure, and had a saw-mill attached. Just above was a shop where nails were manufactured by hand by Jerry Castner. Directly in front was a store, kept by Helms at that time, and for many years after- wards the only store in the town. Helms was a man of prominence and a firm patriot. At the outbreak of difficulties with England he joined his interests with the colonies, and enlisted in the army as a cap- tain, but was afterwards promoted to major. Subse- quently he was a commanding general of the militia, succeeding Gen. Jonathan Hill, but (it is said) to the great dissatisfaction of Hill's friends, who constructed an effigy of Helms and placed it one dark night on the bridge in front of his mill, which the general, rising early, discovered and removed. He had two sons and three daughters. His eldest son, Thomas, was a major in the regular army, served in the war of 1812, but died soon after. The whole family removed to Tennessee. The general died in 1815, at the age of sixty-six years.

There were several slaves owned in this place at that time. Gen. Helms owned several; Robert Thompson, on the John M. Young place, had one; William Thompson, on the Judge Boyd place, owned three, one of which ran away, and another he took to Rochester and sold; Maj. Dan Vliet, at Danville, owned two; Samuel Stephens, Job Johnson, William Sharp, Ziba Osmun, the founder of the Osmun family, and Archibald Stewart, an Irishman, all owned slaves; and Ross Crane as late as 1825, publicly advertised one for sale.

The land in the north part of the town was settled by Ezekiel Ayers prior to 1750. He died in 1796, at an advanced age, and was buried in the old church- yard, where his gravestone may still be seen. He left four children ; Ezekiel, who was a Revolutionary sol- dier, died in 1835, aged eighty years. He also was interred in the old churchyard. Obadiah, the oldest son, lived in the eastern side of the town, directly in the rear of the property now owned by Aaron Miteh- ell. He owned all the land on the east side of Main Street. He sold out and moved West. Amos and Aaron removed to the upper part of the county about 1806. The wife of Ezekiel, Sr., died in 1778, and was buried by the side of her husband.

The first Methodist sermon delivered in Warren County was in this town, in the house of Obadialı

Ayers. The minister eame and made application to be allowed to preach in the Presbyterian church, but was refused, when Obadiah Ayers gave him permis- sion to use his house for the purpose.

Daniel Hazen, one of the early settlers, and many of whose descendants are living to-day, owned what is now the Sutton and Stewart farms. The house, a frame one, stood about three hundred yards east of the present residence of Mr. Sutton. The remains of the house were removed but a few years since. Dan- iel died here in 1788. There were thirteen children in the family.

The Landons left previous to 1808, part of them set- tling at Mount Olive, Morris Co., and the remainder in Byram township, Sussex Co. The Ayers and other Irish settlers were firm patriots, while the Ha- zens were Tories.

The place now known as the Peter McCracken farm was owned and occupied by Peter Caskey in 1776. His house stood in the field just back of the calamus hole. In 1778 he built the stone house now standing on the farm, and ran a fulling-mill. There was a forge standing on the bank of the river which was used during the Revolutionary period. The founda- tion timbers may still be seen in the bed of the river in good state of preservation.

There was a map made of the town in 1773, which has unfortunately been mislaid. At that time there were but five houses in town, located as follows : One where Mrs. Menagh lately resided; another back in the meadow, where the slaughter-house now is; one where Thomas Shields' clothing-store now stands; one where is Mucklow's hat-store; and the other near the brick mill. The names of the occupants of the above houses are now unknown.

Mrs. Nancy Pownell is the oldest living inhabitant in Hackettstown. She was born in 1790, ou the old Wagner farm, and still retains all her mental facul- ties. Her father was a Revolutionary soldier. The next oldest residents are John S. Little and William MeCracken, who were born in 1812 and 1814, in Hackettstown.

HOTELS.

There has been a hotel where the Warren House now stands for the past eighty-five years. A Mr. Bond kept an inn there at that time. Peter Mucklow was landlord about 1820. The house was rebuilt, and has been known as the " Warren House" since 1840. William McCracken has been the landlord for the past thirteen years.

"The American House" was kept as a hotel by Jacob Sharpe in 1823. There have been several addi- tions to the original building until it now has a front- age of about 100 feet. Nathan Stiger was a landlord at an early day. For the past two years it has been managed by R. S. McCracken.

" The Clarendon House" is a new building, and has been used as a public-house for the past three years. The present proprietor is Samuel Frome.

533

HACKETTSTOWN BOROUGH.

III .- ORGANIZATION AND CIVIL LIST.

Hackettstown was incorporated as a borough in 1853, and its officers from that date to the present time are as follows :

1853 .- John B. Titus, Mayor; John B. Mucklow, Clerk ; William S. Rit- tenhouse, Assessor; lsanc Shields, Collector; Henry 11. Van- natta, Isaac W. Crane, Ephraim D. Crumer, David Shields, John S. Johnston, John S. Sabar, Council ; Caleb H. Valentine, Free- hulder.

1851 .- Julin B. Titus, Mayor; John B. Mucklow, Clerk; David V. C. 1 Crate, Freeholder ; Isaac W. Crane, Ephraim D. Cramer, John S. Johnston, John S. Labar, William 1. Johnston, Connell.

1856 .- Hobert Rusling, Mayor; John B. Mucklow, Clerk ; John S. Little, Assessor; Alpheus Clawson, Collector ; David V. C. Crate, Free- holder; Henry H. Vannatta, Isaac W. Crane, Ephraim D. ('ru- mer, John S. Johnston, John S. Lalar, John Mitchell, Counell.

1856 .- Henry Il. Vannatta, Mayor; Alphens Clawson, Clerk ; Willam S. Rittenhouse, Assessor ; John B. Mucklow, Collector ; David V. C. Crate, Freeholder ; Franc W. Crane, John S. Johnston, John Mitchell, Reddling Bell, A. C. Mckain, George Inszen, Council. 1857 .- David V. C. Crate, Mayor; Alphens Clawson, Clerk ; William S. Rittenhouse, Assessor; Archibald Price, Collector; Henry 11. Vannatta, Freehelder ; launc W. Crane, John Mitchell, John S. Johnston, Redding Bell, George Haszon, William S. Rittenhouse, Council.

1858,-Nathan Stiger, Mayor; Alphens Clawson, Clerk ; Tunis Allen, Assessor : Willluin Allen, Collector; Henry H. Vannatta, Free- holder ; Josoph M. Rueling, Redding Bell, Joshua II. Curtis, Ephrubin D. Cramer, George Haszen, Council.

1×59 .- Redding Bell, Mayor; Alphens Clawson, Clerk ; John S. Little, Assessor ; Willlum Allen, Collector ; Caleb II. Valentine, Free- holder; Toane W. Crane, James Hance, Jr., Joshua 11. Curtis, Ephraim D. Cramer, George Haszen, Council.

1×60 .- Bedding Bell, Mayor; Alphons Clawson, Clerk ; John S. Little, ARwerBur ; William Allen, Collector; Caleb H. Valentine, Free- holler; Isane W. Crane, John S. Johnston, James Hance, Jr., Lowis J. Youngblood, Elisha P. Allen, John B. Tiens, Council. 1861 .- Bedding Hell, Mayor; Alphous Clawson, Clerk ; Caleb II. Valen- tine, Freeholder; Isanc W. Crane, James Hunco, Jr., Elljah P. Allen, John S. Johnston, Benjuniin P. Cole, John B. Titus, Council.

1862 .- Alphons Clawson, Mayor; C. F. R. Moure, Clerk : Caleb H. Valeu- tine, Amersur ; George W. Apgar, Collector and Constable; George W. Johnson, Frecholler; Franc W. Crane, John S. Johnston, Jugeph Ormuun, Benjamin P. Cole, Silas S Harvey, Ephraim D. Cramer, Council ; HI. F. Powell, Overseer of Pour,

1863 .- Alphens Clawson, Mayor; C. F. R. Moore, Clerk; Nathan Stiger, Assessor; Henry I. Vannatta, Collector; G. W. . Johnson, Free- holder; longe W. Crane, silus S. Harvey, George Haszon, Robert 4. Bowers, Archibald Price, J. Tunis, Connell.

1864 .- Alphirus Clawson, Mayor; C. F. R. Moore, Clerk ; Nathan Stiger, Assessor; Anton P. Chamberlin, Constable and Collector; D. V. C. Crate, Frechobter; John B. Mucklow, Justice of the Peace; Isaac W. Crane, Georgo Haszon, Joseph F. Crater, Robert Q. Bowers, Silux S. Harvey, Archibald Price, Council.

1865 .- George W. Johnson, Muyor; William B. Cramer, Clerk ; Nathan Stiger, Asesor; Alphons Clausen, Constable and Collector; Caleb Fluirclo and J. H. Mucklow, Justices of Pence; D. V. (. O'ruter, Freeholder; Isane W. Crane, George Haszon, Robert Q. Bowers, Joseph F. Crater, Archibald Price, John Shields, Council. 1866,-George W. Johnson, Mayor; W. B. Cramer, Clerk ; Nathan Stiger, Assegurar; Jonah 1. Ommun, Constable and Collector; D. V. C. Crate, Freeholder; Isaac W. Crane, William Holt, Joseph F. ('rator, W'm. K Bowers, John Shields, Aaron H. Clark. Council. 1867 .- George W. Johnson, Mayor ; William B. Cramer, Clerk ; Nathan Stiger, Assessor; Jonah I. Osman, Constable and Collector; George Huszen, Freeholder ; Isane W. Crane, William Holt, John Ayers, Willlam K. Bowers, Juhu Shields, Aaron II. Clark, Council.

1868 .- Redding Bell, Mayor: Willlam D. Cramer, Clerk ; Nathan Stiger, Assessor ; Junah H. Osmin, Collector and Constalde; George Hunzen, Frepholder ; Imame W. Crane, William K. Bower, J. P'. Harvey, JJacob Welsh, Jr., John Mitchell, Juhn Ayers, Council. 1860. Duvil M. Trimmer, Mayor ; Bobert S. Price, Clerk ; William Helt, Assessor ; Jonah II. Osmun, Constable am Collretor ; George

Ilusion, Freeholder ; John Ayers, Jacob Welsh, Jr, David shields, s. C. Larison, Augustus W. Cutler, Council.

1870 .- David M. Trimmer, Mayor ; Robert >. Price, Clerk ; Williom Hult, Annestor: Peter Vreeland, Constable and Collector ; George Husten, Freeholder ; IrHAC W. Crane, S. C. Lorison, Pavid Shields, Jacob D. Hoffman, Robert Q. Bowers, Henry B. King, Connell ; Archibald Price, silas MeClellen, Overseere Highways ; George Smith, Overseer Poor ; Calele Fairelo, John Is. Sluckb> w, Justices of Peace.

1871 .- Alphens Clawson, Mayor ; Robert S. Price, Clerk ; Inane W. Crane, Fase Dill, Nelson 11. Dlkeman, W. S. Giles, Henry B. King, David Shields, Counch; Peter Vreeland, Constable and Cul- lector; Nathan Stiger, Assessor ; George Harzen, Freeholder ; George Smith, Oveneer Pour ; Lewis I. Youngblood and John R. Curr, Justices of Pence.

1872 .- Alpheus Clawson, Mayor; Bobert 5. Priest, Clerk ; Joseph K. Rice, Assessor: Peter Vreeland, Constable and Collector; George Huszon, Frecholder; Thomas Halsey, Gilbert Hoffman, John White, R. M. Hackenberg, Council; Ellah Everett, Overseer Poor.

1873 .- Nelson 11. Dikeman, Mayor ; R. S. Price, Flerk : George Harten, Freeholder ; Joseph M. Basling, John $. Little, Augustus W. Cutler, Heury B. King, John Hankinson, Council.

1871 .- Nelson H. Dikentan, Mayor ; Robert S. Price, Clerk ; Dr. Theodore ('rane, Freeholder ; John S. Little, Augustus W. Cutler, Joseph M. Rusling, John Hankinson, Joseph Ormun, Council.

1875 .- Nelson II. Dikeman, Mayor ; Talinage L. Bell, Cler' ; J. M. Hus- ling, Jonathan Bilby, A. W. Cutler, Joseph Osnmn, W. S. smith, Dr. J. S. Couk, George Haszon, Council ; Caleb Fairelo and George W. King, Justices of Peace.

1876 .- Nelson H. Dikeman, Mayor; Dayton E. Flint, Clerk ; Stephen Larison, Freeholder; A. W. Cutler, J. J. Bell, George Hunzen, J. Bilby, W. G. Smith, J. Hoffman, John S. Johnston, Council.

1877 .- Nelson H. Dikenman, Mayor ; Theodore C. Emmons, Clerk ; S. (. Larleon, Frechohler; John S. Johnston, Robert L. Garrison, Zeltion Ackley, W. s. smith, John J. Bell, Jonathan Bilby, George Haszen, Council.

1878 .- Robert S. Price, Mayor; Theodore C. Emmione, Clerk ; J. J. Bell, William 1 .. Hirst, John S. Hankinson, Joseph Osmun, Peter Rice, Charles N. Wile, Alpheus Clawson, Council.

1879 .- Augustus W. Cotler, Mayor; John W. Black well, Clerk ; stephen C. Larico, Freeholder; Paul D. Hoffman, Jesse Smith, W. B. Cramer, Constables ; William L. Huist, J. J. Bell, Robert L. Garrison. Lewis J. Youngblood, Alfred Peer, George Hiszen, James Mitchell, Council.

1880 .- Angustu, W. Cutler, Mayor; George T. Everett, Clerk ; Stephen (. Larleon, Freeholder; Jesse sinth, Joseph HI. MeCracken, G. W. stulth, Constables; R. L. Garrison, George Haszen, L. J. Younghluul, John B. Mucklow, C. J. Reese. J. J. Bell, Jacob D. Flock, Council.

FINANCIAL CONDITION OF HACKETTSTOWN.

Hackettstown, like many other thriving towns of New Jersey, is burdened with a considerable debt. The most rapid growth the borough ever experienced commenced about 1869-70. Capital was attracted and building went on with wonderful rapidity until near the elose of 1874. Meantime, a fine large union school building was erected, at a cost of near $39,000, for which the town gave its bonds. The financial crisis of 1873 reduced values very materially, consequently the pres- ent property-holders suffer from heavy taxation. The following report, taken from the statement furnished by Mayor Cutler to the State comptroller, gives the present condition of the finances of Hackettstown :

Amount of funded debt in bonds, interest ; per cent., fall due 1850.

Amonut of floating debt, Interest 6 per cent ...

late of taxation for State pur] gra ... county parjames 3,70

5.50

16.70.50

Amount ordered to be raised.

= of expenses, Interest ou notes

584

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

This does not include the water debt, for which there are bonds issued to about $53,000. They are not included among the liabilities of the town, as they more than pay their own interest.

IV .- CHURCHES.

" FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF INDEPENDENCE," HACKETTSTOWN.

The history of the old Presbyterian Church is closely interwoven with the early history of Hackettstown. The church acquired its property, as will be seen hereafter, in March, 1764, but prior to that time there were a society and place of worship. Unfortunately, no records covering the first years of its existence can be found, and the conclusion is that no regular min- utes were kept. Its early history, however, has been carefully hunted up from other data, and we are able to give a much more full account than has hitherto been published. The first members who associated themselves as a congregation were William Osmun, Rachel Hazen, William Sharpe and wife, Mrs. Ket- cham (widow), Jane Foster, Eliza Robertson, Joseph Groff, Margaret MacLean, Ziba Osmun, Sr., Silvanus Lawrence, Silas C. Ayers, Lewis Thompson, Benajah Gustin, Philip McCrea, Israel Swayze and wife, Esther Lawrence, Mrs. Hannah Davis, Mrs. Mary Day, and Mrs. John Stewart (widow). They wor- shiped in a log meeting-house until they at last felt able through accessions to their numbers to purchase the ground ou which their church stood in 1764. The first church, erected soon after, was a frame building. At the raising of the frame a man by the name of Foster was killed. He was buried in the yard adjoin- ing, and it is supposed this was the first interment in what afterwards became their cemetery. The church organization continued uninterruptedly until the out- break of the war with Great Britain, but there are no existing records of any kind to show whether the church disbanded or not. The mecting-house was painted yellow, and at first had no arrangement for heating the building. Later a pit was constructed of brick in the middle of the church. Charcoal was used, and, as there was no provision made for carrying off the gas, the only mode of escape was through the nostrils of the congregation. It was no uncommon thing for members to be carried from the church for purpose of resuscitation. Among the resolutions passed by the board of trustees was one allowing the sexton $15 a year extra to keep the dogs out of the church, and to sweep and sand the floor three times a year. It may be of interest to many to read the original deed, a copy of which is here given :

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 144

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