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 164
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 164
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* By W. Il. Shaw.
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HOPE.
hunter." He is said to have killed more bears, wolves, deer, wild turkeys, and other small game than any other man in all this region of country, and has a larger number of descendants in Warren County than any other one pioneer.
The next white settlers were the Moravian Brethren, who came here in 1769 from Bethlehem, Pa., and pur- chased of Samuel Green 1500 acres of land, for which they paid £563, or about $1500, and founded the village of Hope. The Moravians were a remarkably honest set of people, and were to be relied upon at all times ; but by trusting too much to the honesty of those with whom they transacted business they suf- fered in their pecuniary affairs, and in 1805 or 1806 abandoned their Hope enterprise and returned to Bethlehem and Nazareth, P'a.
The house and farm now owned by George Scheiner were the property of the Moravians, and he is believed to be their only descendant left in this vicinity. He was born here in 1808, in the house where he now lives, which is one of the original and probably the first house they built, as this was their farm-house, and his grandfather, Heinrich Scheiner, was the fore- man on the farm and kept the accounts with farm- hands or those that in any way had dealings with the farm. His old account-book is in possession of his grandson, through whose kindness we are permitted to copy the names of nearly or quite all the persons against whom he had charges. The accounts were all kept in German, and the amounts carried out in pounds, shillings, and pence. The following are the names of the debtors :
Joseph Huber. Willhelm Hester, Mattheus Haucke, Johann Hartmann, Adolph Hartmann, Elizabeth Duggen, Abraham Reinke. John Scheluer, Auron Green, Christian Heckouwalder, Jennes Brands, Frederick Kampmann, Benjamin Decow, John Fortner, Frederick Lelubach, Christian Till, John Rothe, Jucob Walleweber, Jucat Waard, David Waltera, Frederick Rauschenberger, Bassung Hetzy. Johanuns Oshme, Jeamies Johnson, Peter Rixekker, David Hause, William Howell, John Decow, Stephon Nicholas, Frederick Baller, James Hagenburg, John Weinland, Jacob Schneider, Magdaline Ramstein, Johnunus Schuuk, John Blair, Frederick Helmnick, Peter Beilsacker, Joseph Gambolo, Heinrich Scheiner, Jr.
The stone house of George Scheiner has the original front door, lock, and key. The lock is rather an an- vient-looking machine for fastening a door. It is of of Samuel Read. wood, about 8 by 12 inches square, 21 inches thick, and bolted to the inside of the door, and the key is eight inches long. The house, like all the Moravian house» built over one hundred years ago, is one story high, with two windows and door in front and the same in rear, door in one end and two windows in the other end, and a small window in each gable to admit light and air to the attic. The old-fashioned oven for baking is built between the kitchen and front room, fueing the kitchen and protruding into the front room or parlor, occupying about one-third of the room. Mr. Scheiner has the original furniture, much of which was brought from Germany in about 1730 or 1740. Among the articles of furniture is a rocking-
chair of mammoth dimensions, yet is as comfortable as those of more modern architecture.
The farm of George II. Beatty is a part of a tract of 960 acres formerly owned by the Moravians, and soll to a man by the name of Kirkuff, of whom Mr. Beatty's father purchased. The farm of Sarah Cook, adjoining Mr. Beatty's, is also a part of the 960-acre traet purchased of Kirkuff by Beatty.
The Howells located on the east side of the town- ship, near where now stands the Union Methodist Episcopal church. Sampson Howell was the pioneer of that name, and many of the Howell descendants still live in that locality. John, father of Levi How- ell, located near where the old church stands, in the latter part of the last century. The Albertsons, Flummerfelts, Dilts, Merrills. Vansickles, and Stiff's were among the early settlers on the east side of the township. The Swayze settled west of the village of Hope, along Muddy Brook. They came from Wales, and one of these brothers, Barnabas, settled where Asa Swayze, Sr., now lives. Here i- where Asa (and his father and grandfather, both named Joseph ) was born, in 1805, and where he has always lived.
Philip Triller was also one of the pioneer settlers in this part of the township, and located on the farm where David Brands now lives.
Captain James Doddy was the original settler on the farms now owned by Barclay Brands and George Depeu.
Among the other early settlers in the west part of the township were the Gibbs, Osborn, Van Horn, Brands, and Everett families.
In the south end were the Vleit, Moore, Hill, Flem- ing, ITendershot, Wildrick, Stout, Hoagland, Stevens, Parks, Bree, Ketcham, Bartow, and Dill families.
Thomas Green located on the farm where Thomas West now lives, in the latter part of the last century. He took up 1200 acres of land, covering the hamlet of Mount Hermon and the farms of Joseph Kish- paugh, E. Hoagland, Henry Smith, Isaiah Hilde- brand, Daniel Tinsman, Edward Lanning, and Mrs. Bugler.
Aaron Read, another pioneer of the last century, took up a large traet of land now owned by the heirs
PIONEER COURTSHIP.
When the Moravians built the grist-mill, they, in their wise economy, finished off' apartments in the second story of the mill for the accommodation of the miller and his family, and this was the residence of the original miller of the "Hope" grist-mill. The miller had a pretty daughter, whose beauty attracted the attention of a neighboring farmer's son, who be- gan paying her his best respects, and when a number of visits had been paid and repaid with interest, and the youthful pair began to look with pleasure upon the day, not far distant, when their happiness would be completed in the marriage vow, the "old man,"
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WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
who had been consulted, dashed their hopes by an emphatic " no." He also warned the young man to discontinue his visits, and forbade his daughter ever again seeing him. She was one of those industrious, useful German girls, and assisted her father around the mill, and especially in hoisting grain into the upper stories of the mill, while her father was busy attending the grists. It occurred to her that she could hoist a man as well as a grist and land him safely on the upper floor of the mill. The idea was communi- cated to her lover, who soon after presented himself and was safely stowed away among the rubbish in the attic. While the miller was innocently attending to his duties on the first floor, the young couple were worshiping at the altar of Cupid on the fourth. The hoisting and lowering business, proving a success, was continued for some time, when the proper arrange- ments were made, and the miller's pretty daughter became Mrs. -. They then settled down to real life, became useful and respected citizens, beloved by all who knew them, and a blessing to that part of Hope in which they for many years after lived.
AN OLD DOCUMENT.
The old pioneer Joseph Swayze, grandfather of Asa Swayze, Sr., was about to build a grist-mill at what is known as "Swayze's Mills," when the Mora- vians (for fear of opposition) sent him the following letter of remonstrance :"
" HOPE, 27 April, 1787.
" WORTHY FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR :
" We have now lived 17 years in good understanding and neighbor- hood together, eo as to become neighbors who confess themselves Chris- tians, and we hope it will remain so all the days of our lifes.
" We of late have heard that you have resolved to build a Grist-Mill, but we are as yet in the dark, and cannot comprehend what may be or can be your motive for so doing, especially as we take you to be a man of good insight, knowledge, and understanding. Therefore it is still a question with us. What is the reason ? Is it to increase your fortune by it ? Here we must tell and assure you that your income and profit arising by that motive will not nigh balance the loss we sustain by it.
" We therefore, dear friend, would earnestly ask and pray you to con- sider the affair in its inner light, and if you do that sincerely and with compassionate mind, you will find,-1st, At what a great expense we have been in bringing our Mill, in order to serve the neighborhood as con- modions as can be ; and 2d, What great benefit the neighborhood de- rived these 17 years past of this mill ; and here we must needs inform you that all the income of the mill, as well as all the rest of our trading, after the homeward expenses are discharged, are wholly and solely ac- counted to the benefit of the Gospel, to promote the same among Chris- tians and Ileathens, and especially for the support of our Missionaries amongst the Heathene; and whosoever gets acquainted with and knowe it, what an Ocean of Expense the Brethren are at to maintain their miseions in all parts of the world, will and must give the praise to our Lord the Saviour of Heathen, who hath brought to their Eternal Salva- tion many thousands of them, and admire how wonderfully he has as- eisted ne to discharge all its immense expenses occurring by that under- taking.
" We really believe that if you weigh and consider the matter truly, and especially if you combine with it what our Savionr says,-Mat. vii. 12: ' All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.'
"The matter will appear to you in the same point of view, which canses us to remonstrate against the undertaking. And as far as we can learn, there are but very few, even in your neighborhood, who give ap- planse to the same, but suy with ne that the Merciful Father in Heaven
hatlı hitherto blessed you with wealth, and will further do it, as long as you give to Him the praise, without your putting yourself to such tire- some trouble.
"Now dear neighbor, these our Minds which we have communicated to you, flow oot out of hearts of hatred against you, but more out of grevious foresight, that our mill will be ont of its recourse and in future contribute but little to the above-mentioned expenses, and we beg your pardon, and hope you will not take it amiss of ne, as shall still remain your well-wishing friends and Neighbors.
(Signed) " FREDERICK LINEDACH, "BEANAND AD GNODE,
" DANIEL HAUSEEn,
" ADOLPH HARTMANN, " JOHN LUCKENDACH,
"Stewards of the Church and Congregation of Hope."
PHYSICIANS.
The pioneer physician of Hope was a Dr. Palmer, who was followed by Dr. Fell, and he was succeeded hy Dr. Seth Hamilton. Dr. Gideon L. Leeds located at Hope village in 1812, and Dr. Fitch came in 1818, and is still a resident of the village. Drs. Leeds and Fitch were very successful in their dealings with the many ills that human flesh is heir to, and hoth had a very extensive practice, extending over the whole north half of Warren and the west part of Morris and Sussex Counties. Their successors at Hope are Drs. A. L. Gibbs and R. A. Stewart, who are the present practicing physicians of this town.
IV .- CIVIL ORGANIZATION.
The civil history of this township dates from 1839. The following is a copy of the record of the first town-meeting :
" IlOPE, April 8, 1839.
" The following is a statement of the names of persons and the offices to which they were elected, together with all other proceedings had at the annual town-meeting of the towuship of Hope, held at the house of Willian Hibler. in the village of Hope, in said township, on the 8th day of April, 1839: John Allen, Moderator; Samuel Hibler, Town Clerk ; Nathan Stinson, Assessor; Levi II. Hazen, Collector; Amos II. Drake, Jantes Van Horn, Chosen Freeholders; Asa Howell, Isaac R. Newman, Samuel Blair, Commissioners of Appeals; John Hill, Jacob Swisher, Samuel Hibler, John Hay, Jr., Samuel A. Vansickel, Town Committee; James Hoagland, Judge of Election ; Henry Decow, Charles Swayze, Constables; Daniel Mixsell, Overseer of the Poor; George W. Smyth, James C. Fitch, Samuel Hibler, School Committee; James Blair, Jonah Turner, William Hibler, William P. King, John Ketcher, Lewis Young- blood, Pound-keepers ; Jeremiah King, Asa C. Howell, Isaac Read, John J. Snyder. Asa Kerr, George Whitesell, Nathan Park, Jacob Albert, Nicholas Hulsizer, Levi H. Hazen, Cornelius Canecoder, Joho Ilay, Jr., James Falkner, John Heldebrant, Overseers of Highways.
" Resolved, To raise by tax for opening, making, and repairing of High- ways the sum of $800.
" Wages for one hand per day for work on roads the sum of seventy-five cente.
" Wages for work of one hand and team on the road one dollar and fifty cents per day.
"Proceeds of surplus revenue to be received by this township, appro- priated to the support of common schoole.
"All public business of the township to be transacted at the house of William Hibler, in the village of Hope.
" JOHN ALLEN, "Moderator.
" Attest, " SAMUEL HIMLER,
" Town Clerk."
We herewith give a complete list of town clerks, assessors, collectors, chosen freeholders, town commit- tees, and justices of the peace, with the years in which they served, from 1839 to 1880:
* The letter is now in the possession of the venerable Aen Swayze.
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HOPE.
TOWN CLERKS.
1839-42, Samuel Hibdler ; 1x43-45, James K. Swayze ; 1810-52, Alfred 3lix- Roll; 1853-55, Aaron W. Buckley; 1>56-57, Gabriel L. Woolverton ; 1858-59, Alfred Mixsell: 1860, Daniel Swayze; Isol, Watson V. Henry; 1862-63, Quintus Sholer; 1804-66, Charles H. Cooke; 1867- 72, Charles Fleming ; 1873-54, William C. Stevens; 1~75-80, Henry Woolverton ; 1881, William P. Allen.
ASSESSORS.
I839-42, Nathan Stinson ; 1843-44, George Hayes; 1x45, Amios II. Drake; 1846-48, Auron L. Fleming; 1849-51, David B. Stiff ; 1862-53, George Hayes; 1854, John S. Flommerfelt; 1855, Edwin S. Howell; 185G- 37, John C. Curtis; 1858, Aaron I .. Fleming; 1859-GI, Edwin S. Howell; 1862-81, John S. Flommerfelt.
COLLECTORS.
1839-40, Levi II. Hazen; 18-11-42, Alfred Mixsell: 1843-15, George II. Beatty ; 1846-18, Enoch T. Sheuer : 1819, Thomas G. Case; 1>50, John Dill ; 1851-53, John J. Albertson ; 185-1, Amos Barnes ; 1&15, Thomas G. Case ; 1856, Anios Barnes; 1857, Gideon L. Green ; 1858-59, George HI. Beatty : 1860-61, Gideon L. Albertson; 1862-61, Androw Flommer- felt; 1865, Juines V. Hay ; 1800, Nelson Vliet; 1867-72, Aaron W. Davis; 1873-78, Charles H. Cooke ; 1879-80, Andrew If. Hibler; 1881, Alvin A. Vun Horn,
CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.
1839, Antos 11. Drake, James Van Horn ; 1840, Isaac Albertson, Sumnel Blair ; 1841-14, James Fleming, Isane Albertson ; 1:44, John Dill, James Fleming; 1845, John Flommerfelt, John Denn; 1846, John Deou, Peter W. Blair, William Prall: 1>47, Peter W. Blair, Samuel A. Vandyckle; 1848, Samuel A. Vanayekle, James Bluntr; 1849-51, James Blair, James Fleming : 1852-55, James K. Swayze; Ixi6-58, George B. Corwin ; 1XDD, John S. Flonummerfelt ; 1860, Daniel MI. Ting- man; 1881-63, John C. Cortin; 1861-66, George HI. Beatty ; 1867-09, Jamies K. Swayze; 1870-72, John C. Curtis ; 1873-75, Charles Flem- ing; 1870-77, Dunkel 31. Tinsman ; 1878-79, Caleb, swayze ; 1880-81, Isauc S. Sliller.
TOWN COMMITTEES.
1830 .- John Dill, Jacob Swisher, Samuel Hibler, John Hay, Jr., Samuel A. Vannychle.
1810-13 .- John Dill, Jumes K. Swayze, Jacob Swisher, Israel Swayze, Samuel A. Vansyekle.
1841 .- Daniel Miasell, Nelson VHet, I-nac Freese, Jacob Swisher, John Hny, Jr.
1845 .- Daniel Mixsell, Nathan Stinson, Isune Freese, Joseph Osman, Jobu Hay, Jr.
186 .- Thomas G. Case, Nathan Stinson, Joseph Osmun, Levi H. Hazen, Moses 11. Fleming.
1847 .- Nathan Stinson, George I1. Beatty, Moses H. Fleming, Thommy G. Cuso, Jusoph Orm11.
1818 .- Thomas G. Case, George H. Beatty, Nathan Stinson, William C. Stevens, Robert L. Vansyekle, Joseph Merrill.
1849,-George II. Bentty, Nathan Stinson, William C. Stevens, Robert I .. Vandyckle, George Flommerfelt.
1850 .- Willimu S. Hildebrunt, Nathan Stinson, William Bunion, Samuel Binir, J. C. Hlldebrunt.
1×51 .- Josoph Morrilt, Robert S. Vansyekle, William L. Runion, Samuel Blair, Ghleon L. Howell.
1852 .- Thomas G. Cuse, Levi B. Gibbs, Anthony J. Oxmun, William H. Foster, Gluon 1 .. Albertson.
1853 .- Cornelius Weller, Thomas G. Cuse, Levi B. Gibbs, Anthony J. Oxtun, G. L., Albertson. 1854 .- Auron 1 .. Fleming, Thomas D. West, David B. Stiff, Jacob Albert, C. Weller.
1835 .- William Drake, G. L. Howell, William S. Hidebrant, Ziba Osmun, Jacob Lotson.
1856-07 .- John F. Cux, J. Albert, Nelson Vliet, William L. Runyon, David B. Stid.
1858 .- Eponetus Everitt, W. L. Runyon, N. Vliet, J. Albert, J. F. Cox. 1859 .- John Dill, Jr., William T. Houry, E. Everitt, J. F. Cox, I. S.
1860 .- 1. S. Real, J. F. Cox, E. Everitt, Samuel F. Froute, John Dill, Jr. 1861 .- 1. S. Kend, J. F. Cox, E. Evoritt, S. F. Fronme, George B. Corwin. 1862 .- JJacob K. Letoun, Charles Fleming, S. F. Frvame, G. D. Corwin, Jolın Cummins,
1863-61 .- James Hiff, J. R. Letson, Charles Fleming, Samuel Froano, John Cummins.
1865 .- Amus HI. Drake, Aaron W. Davis, J. R. Letson, J. Cummins, S. F. Fromme.
1866 .- J. K. Swayze, Samuel G. Park, G. Il. Beatty, William T. Henry, .A. S. Fleming.
ING7-08 -G. H. Beatty, S. G. P'nrk, W. T. Henry, Charles G. Cox, J. K. Swayze.
1×69 .- J. K. Swayze, G. Il. Bentty, W. T. Henry, S. G. Park, Isaac S. Miller.
1870 .- John Cummins, John Dill, Jr., Charles II. Cooke, I. S. Miller, W. T. Henry.
1871-72 .- J. Cummins, John Dill, Jr., C. Il. Cooke, 1. S. MIIller, T. I'. Froame.
1x73-74 .- John Cumulna, John Dill, Jr., I. S. Miller, T. P. Froame, A. W. Davis.
1875,-J. Cummins, J. DIII, I. S. Miller, James F. Fleming, David An- deral.
1876 .- Henry Aten, Caleb Swayze, I. S. Miller, J. F. Fleming, D. An- derson.
1877-78 .- Henry Aten, Jansen A. Swayze, I. S. Miller, D. Anderson, J. F. Fleming.
1870,-J. F. Fleming, I. S. Miller, 11. Aten, G. L. Albertson, Pavid I. Hildebrant.
1880,-J. F. Fleming, Stephen A. Moore, James Cyphers.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1835, David A. Vansyekle; 1857, Gabriel Woolverton, to fill vacancy ; 1860, Jamies V. Hay, Gabriel Woolverton ; 1865-70, Gabriel Woulver- ton, William T. Henry ; 1875, Thomas P. Froame, Gabriel Wool- verton.
The persons elected in the spring of 1880 did not qualify, and there is no justice of the peace in the township.
V .- VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
HOPE.
This village, founded by the Moravians, or United Brethren, in 1769, and for a short time the seat of justice for Warren County, is located in the north half of the township, at the terminus of the Hope and Elizabeth turnpike. It is 12 miles from the cele- brated Water Gap, 16 from Newton, 9 from Belvidere, and 6 from Blairstown, its nearest railroad station. It is beautifully situated among the hills, near the head-waters of Beaver Brook, upon the banks of which the village is built, The Moravians had here a church, store, tavern, grist-mill, and several dwell- ings, all one story high and built of stone.
About 1800 other settlers began to make inroads upon the Moravians, by purchasing here and there a lot, and soon the country around them began to fill up with another class of people, and in 1805 or 1806 the Moravians surrendered to the invaders, and the larger part of the brethren returned to Bethlehem.
Their church passed out of their hands and became a hotel, their mill was soon owned by another party, and this distinct and separate people soon dwindled down to a very few persons, and to-day there remains but one person, George Scheiner, known as a Mora- vian in their once prosperous community in Hope.
The first tavern at this place was built by the Mora- vians, on the site now occupied by the Christian church, and was subsequently destroyed by fire and never rebuilt.
The next tavern at Hope was kept by George Ilays, on the corner of Walnut and Main Streets, in the
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WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
stone building now occupied by Edwin Turner as a store.
William Hibler kept a tavern in what is now John Freese's house on Main Street.
Teunis Allen kept the old Moravian tavern, and dur- ing his administration it became a place of resort for the "sports" of ye olden time. Here, too, the justices' courts were held, and on such occasions it was a real "gala day" for court-goers and sight-seers. Here, too, the town-meetings and elections were held, and on those days flowed forth from the lips of the con- tending parties the merits and demerits of their re- spective candidates for office.
These were the days of the old stage-coach and four. Daily the old "Concord" would be hauled up in front of the old tavern, heavily laden with passen- gers and baggage. Then railroad accommodations in this State were unknown. Nathan B. Luse was the proprietor of the old stage-line running through here from Elizabeth to Easton.
John Vankirk succeeded Allen in the old Mora- vian taveru, and kept tavern there several years.
The next tavern in this place was in 1828, when William Hibler purchased the Moravian church and converted it into a hotel .*
In this building (now the Union Hotel), in 1824, the first courts for Warren County were held, and thus Hope became a rival of Belvidere when the question of a county-seat was to be determined. Mr. Hibler sold the property in 1841 to Caleb Swayze and George H. Beatty, when Mr. Beatty kept the hotel for seven years, and in 1868 or 1869, H. W. Rundle, the present owner, purchased the hotel property.
The lower story of the south end of the American Hotel was originally one of the Moravian houses, and was occupied as a doctor's office by Gideon L. Leeds, M.D., and owned by Daniel Mixsell, who sold it to Abraham Freese, who built the additions to its pres- ent size, and in 1844 converted it into a hotel, and is now kept by Gideon L. Howell, better known as " Doc" Howell, because named after Dr. Gideon L. Leeds.
Owing to one of the peculiarities of the Moravians, that of having every trade represented among them- selves, it is very probable that theirs was the pioneer store in Hope, as that would naturally be a means of increasing their revenue for the support of their mis- sionaries.
As early as 1790, Adam Hibler kept a store in the long, one-story stonc building on the lower road, north of the grist-mill. This was one of the Moravian buildings, and very likely used by them for mercan- tile purposes. Joseph W. Dye succeeded Ilibler in the mercantile business.
* At the time he purchased the church he purchased the land west of it, on the south side of Main Street, as far as the cemetery. Then there were no churches on the land, and but one or two houses. In 1832 this Wil- liam Hibler took the contract for hauling the stone for the Episcopal church, for the basement of the Methodist church, and for the dwelling in which Caleb Swayze now lives.
In 1800 there was a store in the old, long, frame building on northeast corner of Walnut and High Streets, kept by John Blair. He was one of the suc- cessful pioneer merchants of Hope. J. A. Christian now occupies the same room as a stove- and hardware- store.
In 1818, Gershom Courson kept a store in the old Y stone building west of what is now Gibbs' drug-store. Peter W. Blair was one of Hope's early merchants, and was soon followed by George D. Turner, in the stone building on the northwest corner of Walnut and High Streets, now occupied as a store by Edmund Turner.
All the trades, such as blacksmiths, shoemakers, tailors, harness-makers, etc., were carried on by the Moravians, and who their immediate successors were in the several branches we are unable to state.
The following comprises the present (1881) busi- ness interests of the village of Hope, together with the names of the parties engaged.
Two hotels,-the " Union," by H. W. Rundle, and the " American," by G. L. Howell. There are three general stores, kept by John Freese, Edwin Turner, and Alpheus Swayze ; one drug-store, by A. L. Gibbs ; one hardware-store, by J. S. Christian; merchant tailor aud furnishing-store, by Benjamin Harrison ; harness-maker, John F. Galloway ; foundry and ma- chine-shop, by Aten & Woolverton ; three blacksmith- shops, James Carson, F. H. Christian, and Cunning- ham Brothers; wheelwright-shop, by John H. Black ; shoe-shop, by R. Bartron ; furniture and undertaking, by William A. Crosen ; two markets, by A. Gruver and William Miller. The physicians are A. L. Gibbs and R. A. Stewart, who are in practice, and the venerable Dr. Fitch, retired.
The first postmaster at this place was James De Witt, Esq. Peter W. Blair was postmaster in 1846. Mr. De Witt held the office for twenty-five or thirty years. Caleb Swayze was appointed postmaster by President Lincoln, and was superseded by an appointee of Pres- ident Johnson. Edmund Turner is the present in- cumbent.
MOUNT HERMON
is a beautiful hamlet in the northwest corner of the township, near the headwaters of Muddy Brook, and better known for the last eighty years as Green's Chapel, from the fact that Thomas Green was the pioneer settler at this place, and in 1798 founded the Methodist Episcopal church here, after whom it is named. Mr. Green owned the land upon which the hamlet is located. The name of the place was changed by the pupils in the Honeywell Academy at this place, in 1849, to Mount Hermon. In the fall of 1875 a post-office was established here with that name, and Aaron Read appointed postmaster, who kept the office at his house till 1877, when he resigned, and Jefferson Loller was appointed. He is the present postmaster.
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