History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 158

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 158
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 158

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).

The present trustees are Jabez G. Smith, John C. Davison, John Beck, Samuel Albertson, Lemuel Har- den, and Abram Hedding.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, COLUMBIA.

Preaching by the old itinerant Methodists was com- menced at Columbia as early as 1828 by old Fathers Colburt and Hevenor, two noted Methodist evangel- ists, and such was the prejudice of the people against the "sect," as they were called, that the itinerants were obliged to make converts to their faith as best they could till they got a foothold in some pioneer cabin, or barn; if not there, then in the highway. However, in 1835, people having begun to get the scales off their eyes, we find that "Old Hevenor," as many called him, was holding a "revival" in the school-house, which had been built a couple of years previous. Here "Old Hevenor" continued to "hold the fort" till 1840, when the present Methodist church was built, the first and only one in this village.

ZION METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Methodist Episcopal society of Wolftown, Knowlton township, was organized at the house of Zenos Everitt, about the year 1832, near where Zion Methodist Episcopal church now stands.

A regular afternoon and evening service was held once a fortnight at Everitt's residence.

We see by an old Methodist Episcopal class-book for 1833 that Samuel Grace and Francis A. Morrell were the preachers in charge, Zenos Everitt leader, and Philip Q. Quick assistant leader.

At that time the class contained 20 members, and continued holding service at the same place mostly

until after the school-house was built, in 1836, when the service was held at that place. In 1841, at the request of Rev. Mr. Hevenor, preacher in charge, David Brands, with most of his family, who were members at Green's Chapel (now Mount Hermon), joined the society at this place. Service was held Sunday afternoon, once in two weeks, for some ten years. The congregation in 1851 built a small house of worship. Many precious revivals were enjoyed by the society while they worshiped in the school-house, which added much to their numerical strength ; also after the church was built the congregation continued to increase until 1875, when the church was enlarged and remodeled.

When the church was built the membership was about 50; Rev. R. Van Horn was preacher in charge. About the beginning of 1852 it was dedicated. Rev. George Winsor officiated at these services. Revs. George Banghart and C. Larew were the preachers in 1852; in 1853-54, Rev. W. M. Burroughs; 1855-56, Rev. M. Herr; 1857, F. Lummis; 1858-59, A. H. Brown; 1860-61, J. C. H. Brown; 1862, J. A. Rutan; 1863, J. Mead; 1864, J. I. Boswell; 1865, J. Mead ; 1866, E. P. Crane; 1867-69, S. N. Bebout; 1870-71, W. H. McCormick ; 1872-74, J. N. Keys ; 1875, A. R. Shaw; 1876-78, C. S. Vancleve; 1879-80, W. W. Voorhees. The society at present contains about 90 members. One Sunday-school, the first superintend- ent, A. Brands ; superintendent at present, George G. Depue. Sunday-school held during the season every Sunday afternoon, immediately preceding the preach- ing service.

DELAWARE BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church was constituted in 1835 by Rev. Ed- ward Barrass, who became the first pastor and re- mained three years. During his pastorate a brick meeting-house was built at Ramsaysburg. Mr. Bar- rass was succeeded by Rev. J. Spencer, who remained one year, when Rev. Mr. Barrass again assumed the pastorate for one year. The next pastor was Rev. J. R. Morris, who remained one year, and was followed by Rev. J. Currin for three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Jolin Teasdale from 1845 to 1847. Rev. T. F. Clancey became pastor of the church in 1849, and remained four years, and was succeeded by Rev. Alfred Harris, who remained one year, when a call of the church was accepted by Rev. William M. James, who remained one year, leaving in 1859. The church was then without a pastor till 1864, when Rev. Charles E. Cordo became pastor of this church, in connection with the Baptist Church at Belvidere. Mr. Cordo was the last pastor of this church. In 1868, by a special act of the Legislature of New Jersey, the church property was sold, on account of the Dela- ware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad running so uear the meeting-house that it became untenable as a house of worship. During the thirty-odd years of the existence of this church it received by baptism 105 members, and at the time of dissolution of the

2. D. Lowry

THE family of Howey in this country are descendants of Quakers bearing the name of " Howe," of Suffolk County, England, John and Robert came to America during the old colonial times, and one brother, unmar- ried, remained in England and inherited the parental estate. John settled in Philadelphia. Robert, progeni- tor of the family in New Jersey, purchased some three thousand neres of land in the county of Gloucester, State of New Jersey, a part of which truet, " Pleasant Meadows, " became the homestead of the Howey family fur tivo generations, and was tinely situated and well cul- tivated. Isane, son of Robert Howey, born in 1766, sut- ceeded to this homestend, and upon his death Benjamin M., father of our subjeet, came into possession of the property.

Benjamin M. Howey was born Jan. 18, 1792, and mar- ried, in 1816, Isabella, daughter of Dr. James Stratton, a prominent physician of Swedesboro', N. J., who died in 1812; she was born July 10, 1799, and died July 1, 1847. Benjamin M. Howey died July 4, 1840.

Benjamin M. Howey died on the homestead nt " Pleas- ant Meadows, " where he resided during his life. He was un netive business man and a representative agricultur- ist. He took an interest in all worthy local objects, and was largely instrumental as a contributor and fore- most in rebuilding the Zion chapel of Moravia at that place. During the times of the old State militia he was an officer.

Benjamin M. Howey was a man of positive convic- tions, and curried to a successful completion whatever he was engaged in or he conceived to be right. Upon his marriage to Miss Stratton, who had been reared an Epis- copaliun in religious belief, he was waited upon by a com- mittee of Quakers under whose influences he had been reared, and asked to express his sorrow for uniting with one of a different religious faith ; he refused, whereupon ho was expelled from the Society of Friends. Ever afterwards he was a promoter of church interests, and during the latter years of his life a member of the Epis- copal Church. Four of his children and grandchildren served with honor in tho recent civil war : Benjamin F. Howey was captain of a company of New Jersey Volun- teers, Dr. Charles C. Champion served as surgeon, Lewis

Ilenry C'arpenter as colonel, and James Edward Carpen. ter as captain.

Benjamin F. Howey, son of Benjamin M. Howey, was born on the homestend, in Gloucester Co., N. J., March 17, 1828. His education was received at the common school of his native place and at the academies at Swedes- boro' and Bridgeton. At the age of nineteen he went to Philadelphia, where for eight years he was engaged in general business as a grain and four commission-mer- chant. In 1855 he removed and settled in the township of Knowlton, Warren Co .. N. A., and, in pa tuership with Robert K. Kille, of Philadelphia, engaged in the slate business, quarrying and manufacturing slate-rooling and school-slates. In 1861 a company known as tho " Delaware Water Gap Slate Company' was organize 1, in which Mr. Howey has since had an interest, and which has been successful in its operations. Following in the political line of his father, he is a member of the Re- publican party, having formerly been a Whig.

In the full of 1878, Mr. Howey was elected sheriff of Warren County, und it is a fact worthy of note in this sketch that he is the first incumbent of that office from the Republican ranks since that party was formed, in 1856,-the county of Warren being largely Democratie, and more especially his own town-hip, in which, how- ever, he received a handsome majority. Sheriff Howey's frankness, genial and social disposition, and his adapta- bility to the duties of his office, make him popular with and esteemed by both political parties.

Mr. Howey married, June 5, 1867. Miss Marthat, daughter of Owen and Catharine ( Roberts) Evans, of Knowlton, where she was born Her father, born in Wales, came while a young man to Nova Scotia to ex- plore for slate-quarries. He subsequently resided in New York City, and in 1825 married Miss Roberts. Hle removed to Knowlton township. Warren Co , and was the first anan successfully to operate and carry on the slate business there. He died in February, 1849, nged sixty-four years. His wife, ako a native of Wales, came to America in the beginning of the century, and died .June 15, 1847 nged sixty four years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Howey were Frances Stratton (decreased), Mary Isabella, and Anna Carpenter.

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KNOWLTON.

organization, in 1867, there were 30 members in good standing.

VIII .- CEMETERIES.

There are three burial-places or cities of the dead in this township. Columbia cemetery is located in the village of Columbia, opposite the Methodist Epis- copal church. Here lie the representatives of the Brugler, Cool, Yeomans, Cramer, Vankirk, Phillips, Snyder, Snover, Kitchen, Jones, Allen, and other families of that vicinity.

Hainesburg cemetery is located on a knob or knoll north of the main road and east of Yard's Creek, where are buried representatives of the Angle, Davi- son, Brands, Bartow, Beck, Smith, Carol, Engler, Lol- ler, Kinney, Merick, Burns, MeCain, Albertson, Huff, Hedden, Kiser, and other families in that neighbor- lood.

Ramsaysburg cemetery is very pleasantly located on the west side of the road between Hartung's mills and Ramsaysburg. The land for this cemetery was the gift of Robert Allison, and here repose the mortal remains of the old pioneers. Here also lie the re- mains of Drs. Leeds, Gwinnup, aud Larabee, three of the noted pioneer physicians of this county. Ilere also rests the body of that witty pioneer Irishman. James Ramsay, who was often honored by the voters of Knowlton township. Here the Cummings, Albert- sons, Adams, Brands, Hartung-, Kirkuff's, Craigs, Fitzgeralds, Johnsons, and other familie- are repre- sented.

IX .- INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

Like most others, this township has quite a variety of industries; the foundation of all, however, is agri- culture. Along the valley of the Delaware, the Pau- lin-kill, and their tributaries, are some of the most productive lands in the county, whose crops furuish food for all the other industries of the township.

SLATE QUARRIES.

The pioncer slate quarry in this section of country was opened in 1820 by a Mr. Schofield. It was lo- cated up the mountain-side above the present quar- ries, and was worked but a few years.

In 1825, Owen Evans opened the quarry now worked by the Delaware Water tiap Slate Company, and worked it until his decease, in 1849. The business was continued by his widow until 1856, when Benja- min F. Howey, now sheriff of Warren County, as- sumed control of the business and conducted it until 1868, when the Delaware Water Gap Slate Company was chartered. The first officers of the company were William A. Ingham, President ; Edward Roberts, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer; Abram Browning, Edward Browning, George Markley, Charles Hacker, Edward Roberts, Sr., Directors; Benjamin F. Howey, agent.

There is also a large factory connected with the quarry for the manufacture of mantels, flagging, etc., in which is placed the most approved machinery for

this kind of work. The slate mantels, Hags, aud all the slate work used in and around the insane asylum at Morris Plains were from this quarry, which has now reached such a depth that its workings daily be- come more and more profitable. The -mall uncovering and the thorough drainage, with its railroad facilities, aside from the good quality of the slate, combine to make it a valuable quarry.

The school-slate factory on Centreville Creek, nortlı of Delaware Station, belonging to the Widow Bell'- estate, was built in 1865 by Charles Cool. School slates are manufactured at this place in large quan- tities.

MILLS.

The pioneer mills of this township were built prior to the Revolutionary war, on the banks of the Paul- inskill Creek,-the old stone grist-mill at Hainesburg, also the one at Warrington. The oldl grist-mill near the mouth of Centreville Creek was also one of the pioneer mills. This latter mill was in use till about 1835, when it was abandoned for mill purposes and the present grist-mill at that place was built in about the year 1869 by Hutchinson & Osmin. The mill is uow owned by Mr. Low.

The old Washington grist-mill was abandoned sev- eral years ago, and the present grist-mill built in 1873-74 by J. & A. Swayze, the present owners.

In 1800 a saw-mill stood on the site now occupied by the grist-mill a short distance above Delaware Station. The present grist-mill was built in 1850 by William F. Hutchinson, the present owner.

The Hartung saw-mill, between Delaware Station and Ramsaysburg, was built in 1840 by Henry Har- tung, and rebuilt in 1862-63 by Charles Hartung, who had become the owner of the property. When the improvements were made, in 1862-63, steam-power was added, to be used when occasion required, and is now a first-class saw-mill.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

DANIEL C. ADAMS.

The Adams family is probably one of the oldest in Knowlton. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Alexander Adams, who served his time as a bound hoy for a hotel-keeper in Hunterdon County. About 1730 he came to what is now Knowlton town- ship and settled there. He was married twice; his first wife was Aun Bellis, of Knowlton. By his in- dustry and prudence he was able to leave each of his seventeen children a farm. His son, Alexander Adams, was born in Knowlton, married Phoebe, daughter of George Lundy, of Hardwick. Of this union were born Esther (deceased), Stroudsburg; George (deceased), New Orleans; and D. C. Adams.

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WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Alexander Adams died in 1810; his widow married William Fowler, of Stroudsburg, and died there.

D. C. Adams was born on the old homestead in Knowlton, 18th of the ninth month, 1807. After the

death of his father he went to live with his maternal grandfather, in Hardwick, where he remained until his sixteenth year, when he commenced to learn the trade of tanning and currying with A. McCoy, at Martin's Creek, near Easton, Pa., remaining three years. After that he went to New York State; first to Green County, and then to Batavia and Elba, N. Y., working on farms and at his trade. He then went to Canada for a short time, and then to Aurora, N. Y., where he followed tanning and currying, work- ing for A. Cross. Wishing to find out about his brother, he went to Philadelphia; then he removed to Lafayette, Sussex Co., where he entered into part- nership with his uncle, J. Lundy. They carried on currying, harness and shoemaking until 1834, after- wards removed to Knowlton.

In 1833 he married Catherine, daughter of William Snyder, of Lafayette. Her maternal ancestors were the Putnams, of Connecticut. Of this union were born George C., married, 1879, Elizabeth Strahan, of Cuba, N. Y., who died the same year; George C., now resides at Stroudsburg, Pa., but owns the Haines- burg grist-mills, Knowlton; W. S., deceased 1863; John, now living at Philadelphia ; Sarah, at home.

In politics, D. C. Adams has always since the for- mation of the Republican party been a consistent sup- porter of the same, and has never sought office. He has for many years followed farming, and his farms are in as high a state of cultivation as any in the county. He and his family are members of the Society of Friends.

BLAIRSTOWN.#

I .- GEOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.

BLAIRSTOWN, one of the northern townships of War- ren County, so named in honor of Hon. John I. Blair, one of its most prominent citizens, was formed from a part of Knowlton township, by an act of the State Legislature, in February, 1845, and embraces 27.30 square miles, or 17,472 acres of land, and at the cen- sus of 1830 contained a population of 1458. It is bounded on the east by Hardwick and Frelinghuysen townships, on the south by Hope, on the west by Knowlton, and on the north by Pahaquarry township.

II .- NATURAL FEATURES.

The north border of this township lics along the summit of the Blue Mountains, and from that point down to the valley of the Paulinskill is a succession of hills and valleys, and from the Paulinskill toward

the south border is a gradual rise, until near the south line, where a ridge runs across the township, forming a divide; the waters on the north side fall- ing into the Paulinskill, while those upon the south flow into the township of Hope. The soil is mostly a gravelly loam, susceptible of a high state of cultiva- tion, and yields abundantly under proper treatment.

The principal stream is the Paulinskill. Other water-courses are the creeks named Jacksonburg, Walnut, Yard's, Dilts', and Blair. Buttermilk Pond is a beautiful sheet of water lying in School District No. 71, about one and a half miles from Blairstown village. It has become quite a popular summer re- sort. Cook's Pond is in the southwest corner of the township.

Elephant Rock is one of the natural curiosities of this township, and it is doubtful whether there is a like specimen to be found in the United States. It is

By W. II. Shaw.

637

BLAIRSTOWN.

situated on the road leading from Jacksonburg to Walnut Valley post-office, about half way between the two places, and is a perfect likeness of a big ele- phant asleep.

IfI .- EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND PIONEER INCI- DENTS.

Just when the first white settler located in this township, or who he was, is not a certainty at the present time; however, we give the names of several of those who are supposed to have been the pioneers of what is now the township of Blairstown.

Henry Dilts was among the early settlers, locating on a tract of 600 acres of land on the Panlinskill at Walnut Valley. At his death the tract was divided between his four sons, and was subsequently divided into six farms, upon some of which his descendants are still living. Alfred Gwinnup located on the south side of Paulinskill in about 1800, where he still lives. Charles Jones lives on the farm settled by his grand- father, Elias Jones, in the early part of this century, a mile cast of Walnut Valley post-office. Joshua Smith, who came about the same time, located on the Paulinskill, east of the mouth of Walnut Creek, where he and his sons still live. A part of the original Gwinnup and Dilts property is now owned by .I. I. Blair, and occupied by Philip Linaberry. Ervin Smith was also one of the early settlers along the Paulinskill.

John Henry came to this valley prior to the Revo- lutionary war, and located half a mile north of Wal- nut Valley post-office, on the place now occupied by George Prelis. The balance of the 300 acres taken up by Mr. Henry is now owned by different parties.

The Raub property, upon which Mr. E. Raub now lives, along the Paulinskill, two miles east of Walnut Valley, was settled by his grandfather, as near as Mr. Raub can ascertain, about 1780. The Cool and France farms in this same vicinity were settled about the same time, as near as can be ascertained.

The farm now owned and occupied by Morris Cris- man, one and a half miles south of Blairstown village, in School District No. 72, was settled by Charles Cris- man in 1765. Abraham Lanterman located on the farm now owned by his great-grandchildren. The property on which Gershom Bartow located in the latter part of the last century is now owned and occu- pied by Hon. Isane Wildrick. John Bescherer Io- cated on what is now the Cooke property, in the southeast corner of the township.

The tract of land embracing the farms of David F. Brands, ti. Kiser, and Elins Angle, west of Walnut Valley Creek, and on the north side of Paulinskill, and D. F. Brands', south of the " kill," was first sur- veyed by Samuel Green, Deputy Surveyor of West Jersey, in 1729, and was dreded to John Hyndshaw, and contained 1000 acres, with a tenth added for pub- lic ronds, and is described as being a part of what was then known as " the last Indian purchase."

The deed covers Paulinskill, or,as it was then called, the " Tonhonkneatkung." In 1762, Hyndshaw became involved in debt, and there appears a judg- ment against him for $563, and other claims after- wards running up to nearly $2000. Some of his cred- itors resided in Philadelphia, and others in the city of Bristol, England.

On the draft of the track the springs on David F. Brands' farm appears, but no graveyard is shown.

It is quite probable that there were white settlers in this vicinity as early as 1700.

Among the other early settlers in the southeast part of the township was Gabriel Ogden, Benjamin Ogden, Rev. Daniel Vaughn, who used to preach in the school-house, in what is now District No. 72, and Joseph Read, John Allen, the Balls. Bolsbys, Butts, Freemans, Greens, Kerrs, Konkles, Lannings, Lan- terman», Lebar>, Robbins, Stouts, Snovers, Swishers, Sipleys, Silverthorns, etc., the descendants of most of whom are still living and occupy the oll homestead, or live in the immediate neighborhood in which their ancestors dwelt.

"In July, 18;7, as sonte mon wore employed in digging upon the premises of John M. Raub, a short distance west of Painter's grist-mill, and about two miles from Blairstown, they nuearthel a large stone, under which were found four heavy iron Imrs, upon which was stamped the word OXFORD In large letters.

" Before the Revolutionary war there was un old distillery located at this point, ail owned by Tories, and It is believed that these irons were Used in its construction, and that they were manufactured at Oxford In this county. The late Michael Raub used to relate that he heard his grandfather frequently »penk of this still-house and its British owners, while Washington and his troops wore stationed at Morristown and other points in this state."

There are yet visible signs of an Indian village along the Paulinskill, on the farm of David F. Brands, near the west line of the township. On the high knoll above the big spring was the old Indian burying-ground. The mounds and rude headstones are still visible, though grown over by trees and underbrush.

Alexander Adams, one of the pioneers of what is now Blairstown, located in the latter part of the last eentury on the farm now owned by A. F. Lanning, in the southwest corner of the township. He took a tract of 1700 acres of land, comprising the present farms of J. McCain, - Albert, B. Titman, D. T. Tinsman, J. Lundy, and others, comprising what is now a line of farms from a little east of the Delaware River, across the township of Knowlton, and the south end of this township as far east as the Union brick school-house.

Joseph Reed located in the latter part of the last century on the Aaron Haggerty farm, in the south- cast corner of the township, taking up 1400 aeres of land in the southeast corner of this township, and run- ning over into what is now Frelinghuysen. Among the farms as now divided are the J. Cook, J. Hender- shot, H. Cook, H. Nulton. A. Swisher, M. West, John West farms in this township, and the Theodore Ilag- gerty, J. V. Allen. A. II. Allen, J. Smith, and Thomas

638

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

West farms in the northwest part of Frelinghuysen township.

IV .- CIVIL ORGANIZATION.

The following is a correct copy of the record of the first town-meeting of the township of Blairstown :

" BLAIRSTOWN, April 14, 1845.

" At the first annunl town-meeting of the township of Blairstown, in the county of Warren, and State of New Jersey, held at the house of John Hull, in said township, agreeable to an act entitled 'an act to di- vide the township of Knowlton, in the county of Warren, and to estab- lish a new township in said county, to be called the township of Blairs- towa,' passed February, A.D. 1845.

" The following officers were duly elected for the ensuing year, together with all the proceedings had thereat : Isaac Wildrick, Moderator; Simeon Cooke, Town Clerk; Jacob Mayberry, Judge of Justices' Election; Ira Cooke, Clerk of Justices' Election ; Isaac Sonith, Assessor; John F. Cool, Collector; Isaac Wildrick, John N. Honeywell, Freeholders ; Elias Jones, Gideon L. Swisher, Constables; Robert Clayton, Cornelius Stout, Overseers of the Poor; Abraham Rice, George Titman, Surveyors of the Highways; John V. Cornell, William Lanterman, John Lanterman, Committee of Appeals in Case of Taxation; James Cool, Ira Cooke, Walter Wilson, Abraham Wildrick, John Flock, Town Committee; John M. Lawrie, Simeon Cooke, John D. Mills, School Committee ; John Hull, Daniel Van Scoten, Pound-Keepers; Overseers of the Highways: First District, Jacob C. West; Second District, Isaac Lambert ; Third District, Philip Raub; Fourth District, Matthias Voss; Fifth District, William Harden ; Sixth District, John Doree ; Seventh District, George F. Snover ; Eighth District, Cornelius Stout; Ninth District, Gershom C. Lineberry; Tenth District, William A. Gardner; Eleventh District, Joseph S. Smith ; Twelfth District, Bartley Titman; Thirteenth District, Samuel T. Tins- man.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 158

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