History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 162

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 162
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 162

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).

At the regular spring meeting of Presbytery, at Knowlton, on the 18th of April, 1854, the relation between Rev. Mr. Reiley and the Knowlton Church was dissolved, Blairstown, whose membership was then reported as 112, calling him for his whole time, at a salary of $500 a year, with the nse of the parson- age and an annual donation visit. Three years later this salary was increased to $600 per annum, and from and after April 1, 1864, to $900.

At a meeting of the congregation on the 25th of February, 1864, the following additional elders were elected,-viz., Simmons S. Stevens, Abram Swisher, George B. Shipman, Dr. John C. Johnson, and Charles E. Vail, all of whom were, on Sabbath morning, March 13, 1864, ordained by the pastor, Rev. John A. Reiley, after an impressive sermon on the warrant, nature, and duties of the office of ruling elder, the whole followed by an exhortation to the elders new and old, and one to the congregation. All the old elders hut one, being present, cordially welcomed their newly-appointed brethren, giving them severally the right hand of fellowship.

In the month of October, 1866, a letter of dismis- sion to the Presbyterian Church of Harmony was granted to Elder Henry Freeman, who thus severed his official connection with this church after a faith- ful and acceptable service of 22 years in the board of trustees and of over 16 years in the eldership. Re- turning to this neighborhood after an absence of several years, he reunited with the church on the 24th of December, 1871, and died on the 23d of March, 1872.

On the 27th of November, 1866, the Rev. Mr. Reiley having decided to resign his pastoral charge (he and his family having taken their final departure from Blairstown on the 27th of October previous), the Presbytery of Newton dissolved the relation which had existed between him and this church for over 21 years. During this long period his labors as minister and pastor, and his character as a citizen, were such as to win the high appreciation of his people. The continued growth and prosperity of the church, the membership of which in the previous spring was re- ported as 160, the founding of the Blair Presbyterial Academy (the outgrowth of the parochial school of 1848), its prosperity and usefulness, with other objects of vital importance to the welfare of this community and of the church at large, will long remain as monu- ments to his praise.

It is perhaps due to the memory of one so long and intimately identified with the material, educational, and religious interests of this church and community, in what may be called their formative period, to give a little more in detail our estimate of his ministerial and personal character.

As a man, he was genial, earnest, and sympathetic, and possessed of a devout and fervent piety. As a friend, constant and true. As a citizen, energetic and public-spirited, liberal, and intensely patriotic. As a Christian minister, carnestly devoted to his calling, laboring in season and out of season; of a truly catholic spirit, equally removed from a false liberality on the one hand and a narrow exclusiveness on the other. While having strong convictions, and being heartily in accord with the Westminster theology, he was ready to embrace those who were not in all re- spects in agreement with his views provided they were evangelical. Perhaps not more than others averse to study and close mental application, and cer- tainly not through avarice, but to supplement an in- adequate support, he was tempted to engage in secular callings, to the detriment of his higher functions. Here we would speak tenderly in view of the sad and mysterious providence which, after a checkered expe- rience of several years, hefell him in his far-distant Southern home, where in the fatal fall of 1878, in rapid succession, six of his household, including himself, were swept away by that fell destroyer the yellow fever, leaving a widow and three sons to mourn their loss.

On the 11th of December, 1867, Rev. Thomas A.

651

BLAIRSTOWN.

Sanson was installed as pastor of the church at an adjourned meeting of Presbytery. Rev. T. B. Con- dict presided. Rev. David Tully, of Belvidere, preached the sermon from Eph. v. 13. Rev. Myron Barrett, of Newton, delivered the charge to the pas- tor, and Rev. Benjamin S. Everitt, of Stroudsburg, Pa., that to the people. During the same month the families of the congregation were divided into nine districts, each of which was assigned to the special charge and oversight of a particular elder, and monthly concerts of prayer for missions were institu- ted, to be held on the first Sabbath evening of each month. In the month of February following, the first Sabbaths of March, June, September, and De- eember-the first of each season-were lixed as the regular times for the observance of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. All of the above arrangements continue until this day, although the first, which was never satisfactorily worked in all the districts, has fallen very much into disuse of late. Enough has been seen of its good results, however, to lead to the belief that where faithfully worked the system would be of the highest possible value to the congregation, besides the assistance afforded the pastor, and the re- thex influence exerted upon the spiritual life of the faithful elder.

After several preliminary meetings for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the congregation as to the desirability and feasibility of building a new church, it was on the 16th of February, 1869, finally resolved to undertake the work, and the following persons were chosen as a building committee,-viz., Isaac Wildrick, John Bunnell, Peter Lanterman, Dr. John C. Johnson, John Hull, John I. Blair, Andrew N. Snover, Abram Swisher, and Charles E. Vail. It was not, however, until the lapse of over a year that, on the 26th of April, 1870, the work of demolition ac- tually began, nor until the 17th of May following that the work on the trenches of the new church was commenced. The corner-stone was laid with publie exercises on the Ist of June, 1870. The basement was first occupied 29th October, 1871, and the com- pleted building dedicated 16th July, 1872. On the latter occasion Rev. John Hall, D. D., of New York, preached the dedicatory sermon from 2 Cor. iv. 6. This building, the commodious and substantial edi- fice in which we still worship, is 80 by 53 feet, exclu- sive of the projecting tower and pulpit recess. It is built of native limestone, stuccoed, and surmounted with a graceful slated spire rising to a height of 170 feet from the ground line to top of finial. The main audience-room will seat 600. In the basement are a spacious lecture-room, library-room, two class-rooms, a kitchen, and a coal- and oil-room. The cost com- plete, with furniture, heaters, and a 2000-pound bell, was $25,263.10, of which amount $4189.64 was raised of the same month.

on the day of dedication, Mr. John I. Blair, who had already given with his usual liberality, contributing, in his own name and those of his friends, the major

part of the debt. The church was built after a plan furnished by the Messrs. Graham & Son, of Eliza- beth, N. J. The contract for the masonry was taken by Messrs. Andrew Yetter and Thomas S. Bird ; that for the carpenter work by Charles D. Heldemore ; the painting by Alvin F. Edmonds; and the tinning and heating by Robert 11. Rusling, all of Blairstown. The carpets and cushions were furnished by Messrs. A. T. Stewart & Co., of New York, and the frescoing done by S. B. Ryder, of Elizabeth, N. J. The bell, first raised to its place the day before the dedication of the church, was made to order by Messrs. Mencely & Kimberly, of Troy, N. Y. It weighed 2014 pounds, bore an inscription giving the name of the church and the date of the erection of first and second buildings. This bell having cracked, a new one was made by the same founders, weighing 2098 pounds, with the same inscription, and was elevated to its place Aug. 5, 1875.

Twenty years, lacking one month, from the death of Philip Raub the Session was for the second time in the history of the church called upon to mourn the loss of one of its number. Jacob Lanterman, its most venerable and exemplary member, after having served both as elder and trustee from the organiza- tion of the church, was removed by death, in a se- rene old age, on the 28th of April, 1870. This was two days after the commencement of the work of taking down the old church preparatory to the erec- tion of a new one,-an enterprise in which, from the first, he had manifested the deepest interest.

At a meeting of the congregation in the new church on the 20th of February, 1872, George Carter and An- drew N. Snover were elected trustees to fill vacancies occasioned by the death of Jacob Lanterman and the removal of Samuel H. Lanterman.

Sept. 6, 1873, Elder S. S. Stevens, having resigned the principalship of the academy at this place and accepted that of the collegiate institute at Newton, was dismissed to the church at that place.

In the early part of August, 1874, the church was presented by Mr. Blair with a pipe organ, made by Messrs. George Jardine & Son, of New York, at a cost of $2000, which organ was dedicated with appro- priate exercises on the evening of August 10th.

June 26, 1875, the Session resolved to adopt for the use of the congregation in its public worship the "Presbyterian Hymnal," in place of the old book of " Psalms and Hymns," formerly in use.

Jan. 26, 1876, Henry D. Gregory, Ph.D., for many years a prominent educator in Philadelphia, and more recently principal of the Genesco Academy, Geneseo, N. Y., having in the September previous taken charge of the Blair Presbyterial Academy, was, on the nomination of the existing Session, elceted an elder of this church, and duly installed on the 30thi

Sept. 30, 1879. the following additional trustees were elected,-viz., Dr. John C. Johnson, Dr. Milton N. Armstrong, and Samuel McConachy.

652

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

The membership of the church at the present time is 215.

Present Organization .- Pastor, Rev. Thomas A. Sanson; Elders, Henry D. Gregory, Ph.D., John L. Teel, Isaac D. Lanterman, Abram Swisher, George B. Shipman, Joha C. Johnson, M.D., Charles E. Vail ; Trustees, Joha I. Blair, Isaac Wildrick, John Konkle, George Carter, Andrew N. Snover, John C. Johnson, M.D., Milton N. Armstrong, M.D., Samuel McConachy ; Organist and Chorister, John C. Johnson, M.D .; Sabbath- school Superintendent, Charles E. Vail.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Just when, where, or by whom the first Methodist class was formed, as a nucleus around which has grown the flourishing society at Blairstown, or who the pioneer class-leader was, we are unable to give the reader any accurate account, but present such items as we have gleaned from the Blairstown Press, Conference Minutes, and tradition.

The lot upou which the church stands in the vil- lage of Blairstown was deeded by John I. Blair and wife to John R. Lanning, John Harden, William Tinsman, John Howell, Alexander Decker, and Wil- liam Sears, trustees, in trust for the Methodist Episco- pal Church in the vicinity. The deed is dated Jan. 16, 1838, and filed in the county clerk's office in June of the same year.

" The old Methodist Episcopal church or meeting- house, as it was modestly called, stood nearly on the same ground as the present one, but a little nearer the maple-trees, on the west side of the lot, and was built in 1838, and dedicated about the Ist of Novem- ber of that year."

It was a plain stone structure, 35 by 45 feet, with Gothic windows, two front doors opening directly into the audience-room, entered from a porch nine feet wide, running across the front of the building, with steps at either end, galleries on the sides and rear, and rear end reached by open stairways on either side of the pulpit. The building was rough-cast, sim- ilar to the old academy, and was innocent of spire or belfry.

The contract for the work was sold at public auc- tion, Feb. 3, 1838, to Jonathan D. Calvin and William Sears, the former taking the masonry, including all material, for $639; the latter the carpenter work, including painting, etc., for $999. This primitive- looking old church was demolished in July, 1873, and the stone basement-in which is a lecture- and Sunday-school-room-of the present handsome frame building, 40 by 60 feet, was dedicated Feb. 28, 1874, by Rev. R. L. Dashiel, assisted by Rev. J. R. Buttz. The auditorium was dedicated Jan. 23, 1875, by Rev. L. R. Dunn, D.D., assisted by the pastor in charge, Rev. T. C. Mayham.

We find it among the impossibilities to give a cor- rect list of the original members of this society, but it is generally believed that John R. Lanning was the original class-leader, and, whether first or second, he remained class-leader until 1842, when he removed to another section of country. Of all the persons that belonged to this church in 1841, only three are known

to be living at the present time,-viz., John Labar, Elisha Cook, and Mrs. Sophia Wass, or Vass, or Voss. One of these, Elisha Cook, was appointed a class- leader in 1842, and filled that position for many years. When the society at Blairstown was formed it was connected with the Harmony circuit, the preacher living at the latter place. This arrange- ment continued until 1862, when the Blairstown charge was formed, and the preacher located in that village.

Subsequently the society purchased the property in the village of Blairstown known as "The Is]- and," where the Methodist Episcopal parsonage now stands. The following are the names of most of the preachers who have supplied the Blairstown Methodist Episcopal pulpit from 1838 to the spring of 1881 :

William Nelsoa, 1838 ; S. W. Decker, 1842-43 ; - Westbrook, 1844-45 ; - Pierson, 1846; Martin Herr, 1847-48; William M. Burroughs, 1851-53; Jonah Mathis, 1854-55; Manning Force, 1856-57; C. Clark, Sr., 1858-59 ; William Chamberlain, 1860-61; Jacob Tyndal, 1862- 64; J. F. Dodd, 1865-67 ; - Voorhees, 1868-70 ; S. F. Palmier, 1871- 72; T. C. Mayham, 1873-75; Charles E. Walton, 1876-78; George W 1Iorton, 1879-80.

Present membership, 160; present value of church property, $12,000; present Trustees, John W. Cook, Elisha Cook, William Brands, Peter K. Vanscoten, Adam Teets, Frederick Vough; Stewards, Elisha Cook, John W. Cook, Adam Teets, and Nelson Kishpaugh; Class-leaders, Adam Teets and John W. Cook; Sunday-school Superintendent, Peter K. Vanscoten, with an average attendance of 80 scholars.

VIII .-- CEMETERIES.

There are but three cemeteries in this township that are used as such at the present day,-one at Blairs- town, one at Jacksonburg, and one in School District No. 72, in the southeast corner of the township, on the road from Blairstown village to Hope village.

The following are a few of the inscriptions upon the headstones and monuments in the burial-ground in School District No. 72:

James Bartow, died June 6, 1797, aged 71; Joanna Bartow, died March 4, 1810, aged 73 ; John Bescherer, died Jnly 13, 1830, aged 53; Elizabeth Bescherer, died March 6, 1853, aged 71; Isaac C. Read, Sr., died March 1, 1858, aged 75; Mary Read, died May 19, 1835, aged 73; Elder Jona- than Thompson, died Feb'y 2, 1829, aged 37; Sarah Thompson, died September 13, 1831, aged 40; Gershon Bartow, died January 10, 1851, aged 84; Margaret Bartow, died September 25, 1828, aged 58; Anna Park, died January 29, 1848, aged 23; Sarah Ogden, died April 1, 1829, aged 38; Mary Lanterman, died August 12, 1839, aged 38; Isa- bella Lanterman, died February 18, 1845, aged 53; Rachel Lanter- man, died Jaanary 16, 1848, aged 51; William Lanterman, died March 12, 1858, aged 59; Isaac Freese, born August 7, 1795, died February 15, 1873; Hannah Freese, born August 26, 1800, died April 10, 1875; Mark W. Davis, died July 16, 1850, aged 45; Benjamia Og- den, died August 26, 1794, aged 32; Mary Ogden, died January 17, 1800, aged 72; Gabriel Ogden, died December 26, 1815, aged 85; Eliz- abeth Wintersteen, died February 22, 1852, aged 76; Rev. Daniel Vaughn, died May 29, 1810, aged 63; Dinah Vaughn, died October 1, 1794, aged 46; Daniel Vaughn, died August 15, 1816, aged 58; Cath- arino Vanghu, died February 9, 1879, aged 85; David Read, died April 25, 1831, aged 49; Josoph Read, died April 13, 1792, aged 58; Sarah Read, died August 31, 1792, agod 49 ; John Allen, died Octobor 13, 1872. aged 81; Isaac Crisman, born Nov. 28, 1779, died August 20, 1844; George K. Sipley, died July 18, 1860, aged 55; Aaron Ilaggorty,

653

BLAIRSTOWN.

boru January 6, 1806, died March 29, 18;7: Abram Rice, died Noven- ber 22, 1×71, aged 75; Martin F. Reed, died September 4, 1×75, aged 58; Jonathan Martin, died January 29, 1867, aged 72; John Lauter- man, died Jan'y 22, 1×67, aged x2 ; Charles L. Crisman, died February x, 1879, aged 72.

IX .- SOCIETIES AND CORPORATIONS.

There are no civic or military organizations in this township. The principal corporation is the Blairs- town Railway Company, one of the numerous feeders of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. The first train passed over the road July 1, 1877. The present officers are J. D. Vail, Superintendent ; Charles E. Vail, Secretary and Treasurer ; and Hon. John I. Blair, President. Rev. W. D. C. Rodrock is conductor, Girard Staples engineer, and W. C. Howell baggage and freight agent .*

X .- INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

For a township that has no special manufacturing establishment where a large number of persons are employed, it can, however, boast of quite a number of industrial pursuits. Among the early branches of industry engaged in was the manufacture of potash from wood-ashes. The building used for that purpose stood on the Methodist Episcopal parsonage lot, in the village of Blairstown, near the spot where the parsonage formerly stood.

Subsequent to the erection of Smith's mills, men- tioned in the early history of Blairstown village, there seems to be no record of, neither does tradition point out, any grist- or saw-mills for quite a number of years.

The pioneer grist-mill in this township, after Smith's, was built at Blairstown village, in about 1819, by William Hankinson. The building was of stone, and is still occupied as a grist-mill. In a few years after the stone part was built the frame addition was put up. It is now owned by Hon. John I. Blair.

The grist-mill at Jacksonburg was built in 1825 by Cornelius Stout, and is still in use and owned by Samuel Mel'onachy.

The next grist-mill in this township was built by Isaac Smith in 1831-32, now owned by the heirs of Martin l'ainter, and known as " Painter's Mills," and located south of Walnut Valley Post-office.

In or about the year 1800, Joseph Stout built a saw- mill at Jacksonburg, and after a few years it was abandoned.

The saw-mill now owned by' Isaae Lanterman, at Walnut Valley, was built about 1810 by Samuel Dilts. George Titman built a saw-mill up Walnut Valley Creek in 1820, which went to decay many years ago. Zebedee Stout also built a saw-mill on Yard's Brook the same year, which has shared the same fate.

The saw-mill now owned by Matthias Place, about a mile above Jacksonburg, was built in 1825 by Isaac Robbins,

There was at one time an iron foundry and a roof-

slate factory on Walnut Creek, a short distance above Walnut Valley Post-office, both of which were aban- doned many years ago.

Samuel Brugler was the pioneer blacksmith of this township. lle located at Walnut Valley in 1807, and built a frame shop opposite Daniel Vanscoten's, where he carried on blacksmithing for many year -. The old frame was subsequently moved to the opposite corner in front of the post-office, where it still stands, and is used as a wagon-house.

Joseph Smith, another blacksmith, located on the south side of Paulinskill, opposite Walnut Creek, in 1821-22, where William Smith now lives.

John Hardin had a blacksmith-shop at Jackson- burg in 1835. The shop was built by Cornelius Stout. Mr. Horton is the present blacksmith at Jacksonburg.

In 1813, Joseph Stout had a blacksmith-shop on the opposite side of the creek from Thomas Morgan's residence at Jacksonburg.

The wheelwright-shop at Jacksonburg was built in 1825 by Cornelius Stout.

In 1832, John Lanee commenced the wheelwright business at Walnut Valley. Anthony Lance is the present wheelwright, about half a mile west of Wal- nut Valley Post-office.

George Lance has a bending- and repair-shop half a mile north of Walnut Valley Post-office, built in 1×80.

George Reeder's wheelwright-shop at Jacksonburg was built in 187-4.

At Blairstown the blacksmith business was con- ducted by Isaac Newton as early as 1820. He was succeeded by a Mr. Young. Robert Bunnell came in 1833, and in 1836 the old shop burned down, and was rebuilt by John 1. Blair. The wheelwright-shop was built in 1836 by Isaac Bunnell, and, in 1840, John Bunnell heeame proprietor, when it was enlarged, and for twenty years he carried on an extensive busi- ness, employing 20 men most of the time in the manufacture of sleighs, carriages, and wagons. Bun- nell was succeeded by Rice & Carter in 1559, and they, in 1861, by Bunnell & Lanterman, followed by Henry Bunnell and George Carter, from 1863 to 1870, when Bunnell subsequently sold to Isaac Lan- terman.

The stone shop now occupied by MeConnell & Carter for blacksmithing and carriage ironing was built in 1848 by John Buunell. Levi Drake has car- ried on the wheelwright business here since 1871.

The tailors of Blairstown have been, first, a Mr. Quering, then Joseph Parr, in 1836, -- Stiles, Charles Vesterbelt, - Bunting, John Peters, and George McGuinness, the present tailor, who came here May 9, 1868.

The shoemakers have been Joseph Bogart, who was here in 1853; Beaty Emery. Thompson Ryman, in 1850; Sandford Ryman, Charles Strickland, came in 1858; and William King, in 1876. The two last named are here yet.

· Seo further mention on page 18.

654

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

The first harness-shop was built here about 1820. Mr. Hankinson gave to William Crisman a deed of what is known as the "Island," on which he put up a four-story building, in which were a dwelling, tan- nery, and harness-shop. The old " four-story" has quite a history connected with it that will probably be left for the lovers of traditionary lore to pass down to future generations. The next harness-shop was operated by Ephraim Hardin, on the site now occu- pied by the Bunnell Bloek. W. C. Larzelier, the present harness-maker, located here in 1860.

The pioneer stove- and tin-shop in Blairstown was kept by Lyman Edwards & Sons in the old " Hall" building, when it stood just west of the old willow- tree, in front of Auble's temperance boarding-house.

The cider-mill and distillery now owned and oper- ated by Isaac F. Read & Brother was built in 1868.

XI .- MEN OF PROMINENCE.

Most prominently identified with the interests of this township, and worthy of mention, is the Hon. John I. Blair, whose head is silvered o'er with the frosts of more than fourscore winters, yet, in the en- joyment of all his faculties, his mind is still engrossed with business interests and railroad enterprises. See a personal sketch on following pages.

Hon. Isaac Wildrick, who came to this township in 1830, locating on the farm where he now resides, one and a half miles south of Blairstown village, has served his township as constable and as justice of the peace. He has served Warren County three years as a deputy sheriff, and one term as sheriff, being elected in 1839, and for two successive terms he represented his district in Congress.

Daniel Vanscoten, or " Uncle Dan'l," as he is familiarly known throughout this township, was born Jan. 16, 1796, near Wolftown, in what is now Knowl- ton township (then Sussex County). He came to Walnut Valley (in what is now Blairstown township) in the spring of 1813, where he has lived ever since. In 1826 the present mail-route from Columbia, on the Delaware, was not troubled with post-offices between that point and Gravel Hill, now Blairstown.

In 1827, "Uncle Dan'l" was appointed postmaster, under the administration of John Quincy Adams, and still holds the position, being the oldest post- master, both as to his age and time of holding the office, of any man in the United States. Twice he has given bonds to the post-office department: first when he was first appointed, and again, a few years ago, when the post-office department sent him a blank to fill ont and execute in the sum of $2500, as the de- partment did not know whether his former bondsmen were living or not.

Fifty-four years have rolled around since "Unele Dan'l" was first appointed,-nearly a lifetime has he been found at the post of duty. In politics "Uncle Dan'I" has nearly always voted the Whig or Repub- lican ticket.

In his sixteen votes for President of the United States, he has heen on the winning side eleven times, and has voted for the last sixty-three years. He has been twice married, and is the father of seven chil- dren, five of whom are still living.

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 162

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