History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 166

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 166
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 166

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now owned and occupied by Mrs. Mahala Cool, by Rev. Simon Clough, assisted by Revs. Jonathan S. Thomp- son, O. J. Waite, and N. Summerbell, Mr. Thompson delivering the charge to the people on Sunday the 24th of July. The first officers were: Deacons, Sampson G. Howell, Samuel Read, Esq., Jacob Jacoby, Israel Swayze, Jr., and Isaac Freese; Clerk and Treasurer, Jacob Jacoby; Trustees, Israel Swayze, Jr., Jacob Jacoby, Martin F. Read, Asa Swayze, and Gideon L. Howell.

The following-named persons were the original members of the Christian Church, of Hope :

Samuel Read, Esq., Sampson G. Ilowell, Jacob Jacoby, Israel Swayze, Jr., Isaac Freese, Charles Beatty, Jonathan West, Jolin Dennis, W. Win- tersteen, Silas A. Beemer, Joseph Swayze, Elias Derenberger, Lydia Derenberger, Ann Swayze, Sarah M. Durling, Enphemia Howe, Eliza- heth Silverthorn, Elizabeth Wintersteen, and Martha West.

In 1844 the society built their present house of wor- ship, located on the southwest corner of Walnut Street and Cider Alley. The corner-stone was laid in July and the church dedicated in December of the same year. The cost of the church was $2979.85. The building committee consisted of James Blair, Israel Swayze, Jr., Joseph A. Swayze, Peter P. Camp- bell, and Isaac Freese. The church building stands upon the site formerly occupied by the Moravian tavern. The church parsonage was built in 1861, and is located opposite the church.

Pastors .- Simon Clough, from the organization of the church in July, 1842, until April, 1844, when he resigned the pastorate of this church, leaving a membership of 65; Rev. J. J. Harvey, April, 1844, until April, 1846; Rev. William Bradley, from April, 1846, to April, 1848; Rev. Wil- liam Lane, from April, 1848, to April, 1851; Rev. J. S. Maxwell, from April, 1851, to April, 1854; Rev. Mr. Currie, April, 1854, but died during the year, and was buried in the Hope Cemetery. The church was then supplied by Godfrey Hawk until April, 1856, when Rev. J. Jackson was installed, and remained till April, 1859. Mr. Hawk eupplied until Ang. I, 1859, when Rev. J. D. Laurie was installed, and served until April, 1865; Rev. Charles A. Beck, from April, ISG5, to April, 1867; Rev. John Mc- Glaffing, from April, 1867, until April, 1869; Rev. John N. Hicks, from April, 1869, until April, 1870; Rev. J. C. Tryon, from April, 1870, until April, 1871. Mr. Godfrey Hawk again supplied for one year. Rev. Geo. Tenney, from April, 1872, till April, 1874; Rev. Albert Godby, from April, 1874, until April, 1877, when he was succeeded in April, 1877, hy the present pastor, Rev. William W. Lane.

There have been received into this church 117, of whom 35 make up the present membership.

Present value of church property, $5500. The present officers of this church are as follows :

Deacons, J. II. Black, Ira C. Read; Trustees, Isaac II. Albertson, Ira C. Read, Alphens J. Swayze, Edward Ilowell, J. H. Black; Treasurer, Ira C. Read; Church Clerk, J. H. Black ; Ministerial Committee, A. J. Swayze, J. II. Black.

The Sunday-school connected with this church was organized in 1849, with 50 scholars, and Jacob Ja- coby as superintendent. The present superintendent is J. H. Black, with 53 pupils.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI, HOPE VILLAGE.

In 1810 the Union Methodist Episcopal church, two miles east of Hope village, was built, which for many years accommodated the Methodists in all the surrounding country. As the membership increased

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it naturally spread over a larger area of territory, and other appointments besides the old log church became a necessity. Thus the old Methodist itinerant, whose eagle eye was ever on the watch for a weak spot in the enemy's lines, pitched his tent at Hope village.

In 1832 the first Methodist church in Hope village was built, since which time that has been the central point for Hope charge, which consists of three preach- ing-places even at the present time. For more than 40 years the little old church was the home of this people; it then had become too small, to say nothing of its "plainness," and in 1875, through the perse- verance of Rev. J. Tindall, then preacher in charge, the old landmark was removed, and in the spring of 1876 the present church edifice was dedicated. It is a stone basement and frame superstructure. The walls are neatly frescoed and the seats upholstered. The church, with its neatly-furnished rooms, its com- manding and durable outward appearance, with its tall tapering spire, stands before the people of Hope as a monument of Christian interest and Christian enterprise.

The cost of the church was $6000. Value of church property, including parsonage, $8000. The present pastor is Rev. Richard Thomas, who is alo pastor of the old " Union" and " Ebenezer," in Frelinghuysen.

SAINT LUKE'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

As early as the year 1817 services according to the worship of the "Protestant Episcopal Church" were held at Hope by Bishop Croes and missionaries of his appointing.

In the year 1831 regular services were held and measures taken to raise money to build a commodious stone church, which was raised and inclosed during the summer of 1832. In this state it remained for several years, but during 1836 the regular worshipers had the basement of the church fitted up for service. It was not finished until the year 1839, and on October 10th of that year Bishop Doane consecrated the build- ing, which was completed and free from debt. This good work was mainly accomplished by the persistent energy of the Rev. P. L. Jaques, and this tribute was paid him by the bishop :

" I havo uever known an instance more remarkable of steadfast per- peverunco in a good work than has been exhibited in the erection and completion of this church, and the whole result has been accomplished with the divine blessing by him whom it was my delightful office to put in full possession as ' prival and rector,' of the work of his own hands."

St. Luke's church is a singularly beautiful Gothic structure of stone, and is finished and furnished throughout in the very best taste. The Rev. P. L. Jaques died at Plainfield, Jan. 7, 1877, aged seventy. The parish is at present without a pastor.

VIII .- CEMETERIES.

There are four cemeteries in this township, located ns follows :

Moravian, at Ilope village. This is the oldest in the township, and contains the remains of many of

the Moravians who were buried here before the return of the society to Bethlehem.

Here may be found the graves of about 40 or 50 of the Moravians. A slab of gray stone about two feet long is placed horizontally over each grave, each with a simple inscription recording the name, birth, and death. The following is a copy of two of the inscriptions :

" No. 33. CONRAD OMENSETTER Born December 18, 1740, In Germany. Departed July 2, 1792.""

" MANJA SALAME BLUM, Born June 11, 1718, In Ilope. Departed Ang. 30, 1778."

Union Cemetery is located in the northeast part of the township, adjoining the Union Methodist Epis- copal church lot, and was occupied as a cemetery as carly as 1785. There have been buried here the members of the Fortner, Howell, Albertson, Harris, Cook, Bennett, Newman, Christian, Burdge, and many other families in that vicinity.

Swayze Burying-Ground, located near the centre of the township. Here are represented the Swayze, Hoit, Winters, Hildebrant, Osborn, Dill, Archer, Cook, Weaver, Miller, Cypher, and other families in that locality.

Green's Chapel Cemetery is located at Mount Her- mon, in the northwest part of the township. These grounds contain the remains of members of the Green, Van Camp, Tinsman, Flummerfelt, McCain, Angle, Adams, Kishpaugh, lliles, Larow, and many other families in that locality.

IX .- SOCIETIES. MOUNT HERMON CORNET BAND.

This band was organized in December, 1875, with the following officers and members: Samuel Read, Leader; S. J. Treat, President ; John Flummerfelt, Secretary ; John T. Tinsman, Treasurer ; J. B. Loller, James I. Cook, Milton Tinsman, Ephraim Green, (. Leida, Silas Gibbs, John Melick, Asa Swayze, Jr., John A. Swayze, W. L. Treat, G. B. Swayze, Caleb Gibbs, John Letson, and Aaron Brugler.

The following names have been added to the band roll since its organization : George Green, Alva New- man, Whitefield Swayze, Winfield Swayze, Robert L. Letson, and Charles Gibbs.

The present officers are G. Leida, Leader; S. J. Treat, President ; John Flummerfelt, Secretary ; J. T. Tinsman, Treasurer.

The Mount Hermon Cornet Band is the only civic or military organization in this township.

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WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

X .- INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

The pioneer mill was built by Sampson Howell, soon after 1767, on the farm now owned by Jonah Howell. At this mill was sawed all the timber and lumber used by the Moravians in building their grist- mill and their houses, which, being built of stone, required comparatively little lumber. This mill has gone to decay, and scarcely a stone remains to mark its site.

The Moravian grist-mill was built about 1770. It is a three-story stone building, and one of the most substantial buildings of the kind in the State. The inside of the mill was burned in 1808, and immedi- ately rebuilt by the Moravians, who subsequently sold it to a Mr. Lorentz. He owned it hut a short time, when the Moravians again became the owners of the property, and then sold it to James Blair, who, in 1854, sold it to Jacob P. Angle and Edmund H. Ink. The mill was burned again in January, 1856. Mr. Angle then became sole proprietor, and rebuilt the mill that year, the walls not being injured, so substantially were they built. He is the present owner.

The Swayze grist-mill, in the west part of the town- ship, on Muddy Run, was built by Joseph Swayze, about 1787, and the saw-mill was built by Edward H. Swayze, at a later period. These mills are now owned by Preston Allen.

The grist-mill on Beaver Brook, below the mouth of Honey Run, was originally built by Israel Swayze, and now owned by Charles Bartow.

The grist-mill at Feebletown was built for a clover- and plaster-mill, and subsequently converted into a grist-mill, and is owned by Joseph M. Read.

The Parks' saw-mill, at Green's Pond, was built many years ago, and rebuilt by J. Parks, the present owner.

The Crane Iron Company are working their mine, known as the " Kishpaugh Mine," south of the Jenny Jump, where they are raising large quantities of " magnetie ore," which is being carted to the railroad at Hackettstown.

"Hoagland Mine," south of the Crane mine, is owned by Nathan Hoagland, and is worked quite ex- tensively.

The mine owned by A. J. Swayze, near Rice's Pond, was opened in 1880, and produces a fine quality of ore.

XI .- MEN OF PROMINENCE.

James Dewitt was one of the prominent pioneers of his day, and for many years a justice of the peace. He was also a leading man in the Methodist Church.

John Allen and Nathan Stevenson, of this town- ship, were appointed commissioners of deeds in 1846.

Abram Freese, of Hope township, was elected sheriff of Warren County in 1833, and James K. Swayze in 1860.

Josiah Ketcham was born in 1763, in East Jersey, and settled in Mansfield, Warren Co., in about 1800,

where he raised a large family, the oldest son of whom was Andrew Keteham, who was born in 1791. Andrew settled in Hope township, near Townshury, about 1815, where he hecame the father of a large family, and died on the old homestead in 1868. He was one of the original members and one of the first elders of the Dansville Presbyterian Church.

Josiah Ketcham, grandson of the pioneer Ketcham, of Mansfield, is the present editor and proprietor of the Belvidere Apollo, and was born in 1841, in Hope township.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HON. JAMES K. SWAYZE.

James K. Swayze, the subject of our sketch, was one of the representative men of Warren Co., N. J. He was of Welsh descent, his great-grandfather's family having emigrated from Wales to Long Island about the year 1660, where Israel, his grandfather, was born. That great-grandfather removed with his family, consisting of several sons, from Long Island to the vicinity of Chester, Morris Co., in this State, about the year 1722, after which Barnabas, an elder brother of Israel, removed from Chester to what is now called Hope township in 1743, and purchased a large tract of land, containing about eight hundred acres, a part of it lying on the present road leading from the village of Hope to Belvidere, and part of it in the direction from Hope to Delaware Station. This purchase of Barnabas proved larger than he could handle and pay for, so his father said to the brother Israel, " You must go up there and take part of it, and I will come and divide it between you," which was done about the year 1745. Nearly the whole of this land was then covered with forests. From these two brothers, Barnabas and Israel, sprang the numerous family which since then has branched out over the United States in different directions from this locality. Israel, the grandfather, had four sons,- Joshua, Caleb, Jacob, and James, born in the order named. Joshna died at ninety-five, Caleb at fifty- nine, Jacob at thirty-nine, all in the neighborhood of Hope; James in Ohio, at eighty. Caleb Swayze, one of the sons, and father of James K. Swayze, had five sons and two daughters. One daughter, Saralı, died in infaney, 1803; Lydia D. in 1819; one son, Henry D., in 1819; Jacob in 1833; and James K., the sub- ject of this sketch, May 5, 1878, aged seventy-one. Israel and Caleh are now living. James K. Swayze was born on a farm near Hope, on the 1st of Febru- ary, 1807. He remained on the farm until his eight- eenth year, and acquired such an education as the neighborhood school afforded. In 1824 he went as a clerk in a small country store at Johnsonsburg, which was kept by Abram Shaver. In 1825 he went to clerk for Benjamin Shackelton in another small store, at

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THE subject of this sketch, the son of Caleb Swayze, of Hope, was born June 22, 1813. He attended school at the old school- house in Hope, which was formerly the Moravian church, now the Union Hotel. At the age of fourteen he went as clerk in his brother's store, where he remained in his employ and with the subsequent firm of Turner & Swayze until 1833, when he was taken into the partnership, Turner retiring, and the firm be- came J. K. & C. Swayze. In 1838 the firm dissolved, and he retired from business and went on a farm for a year, when he bought out John A. Davis, who had succeeded James K. Swayze. He continued in business until 1843, when he took into part- nership his nephew, J. L. Swayze, of Newton, N. J., and after- wards sold out to him. Ile remained out of business until 1851, when he built his present store, where he continued until 1877.

In 1878 he was elected frecholder, the first Republican one since the township was organized. His election was productivo of great results.

Mr. Swayze had for a long time noticed things were going wrong in the management of the county affairs, and when he took his seat in the board he offered the following resolutions, which we insert :

" WHEREAS, the tax levies of the county of Warren for State, county, and school purposes have been increasing each succeed- ing year; ANn WHEREAS, the indebtedness of the county has at the same time been accumulating until a large portion of the tax-payers have become dissatisfied and desire to know in what way and for what purpose the moneys raised by these large as- sessments and proceeds of this indebtedness have been ex- pended ; therefore, in order that the tax-payers of the county may be informed as to the expenditures for the last year for county purposes and as to the indebtedness of the county, and in order that the present board may act with proper knowledge and understanding, it is

" Resolved by the Board of Chosen Freeholders, That the ac- counts of the county colloctor, sheriff, jailer, steward of the county poor-house, clerk, surrogate, and jail committee, the rc- port of the building committee appointed to make repairs upon the county court-honse, jail, and offices, shall all be reported to the board by itemized statements in writing, made by each of tho aforesaid committees, before the said several accounts shall be referred to the auditing committee to be examined and re- ported upon, and that such itemized accounts shall be filed with the clerk of the board of freoholders, who shall deposit them in the vault in the clerk's office of the county of Warron, in a

case provided for that purpose, there to be safely kept for refer- ence thereto.

" Resolved, That the clerk of the board of freeholders furnish to the board a statement in writing of the funded indebtedness, giving the names and amount due individual or corporation to whom the county is indebted."

The effect of these resolutions was, as it were, that of a thun- derholt. A committee of fourteen was appointed. Mr. Swayze was the chairman, and the committee uncarthed some of the most gigantic frauds that had ever disgraced this or any other county. Legal proceedings followed against the Warren County ring, and some twelve were sent to prison.

This action of Mr. Swayze saved the county many thousands of dollars, and the effect is seen by the value of the county bonds. While under ring rule it was difficult to borrow money on the county's credit at seven per cent., after the collapse of the ring the bonds were funded at five per cent. The New York Tribune at the time of the exposure says: " Mr. Swayze is a man whose character compels universal respect, and his excel- lent business habits, his executivo force, and his polite persist- ence make him a very uncomfortable member of a board which wants to organize itself for predatory purposes."

In politics Mr. Swayze was a consistent Whig, and became a Republican when that party was formed, and as such has al- ways taken a lively interest in political matters. During the war ho, with his brother, James K. Swayze, raised the first troops sent from Warren County for the defense of the Union. Ile married Miss Sarah, daughter of Caleb Howell, of Freling- huysen (1843). Of this union were born Olivia L., married T. S. Van Horne, of Hackettstown ; Julia C., now at home; Savon B., dicd 1852; Caleb O., died 1859; Montgomery H., died 1863; Erastus I. ; and Sarah H., now at home.

In 1866, Mr. Swayze succeeded his brother, James K., as director of the Hackettstown Bank. He has been a director of Hardwick Insurance Company for thirty-eight yoars, and its treasurer for thirty years, during which time the affairs of the company have been in a prosperous condition. He has been a master in Chancory for fifteen years. Though not a member of any church, he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, Hope.

Mr. Swayze's disposition is mild, bis attachments warm; his natural amiability and courteous manners have attracted hosts of friends and render his companionship plensing. lle has never cherished malignity nor sought revenge, and has had re- markable self-control in withstunding the stormiest antago- nisms.

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what was then called Lawrenceville, now Paulina, Warren Co. In 1826 he returned to Hope and en- tered the store of Blair & Lawrence as a clerk. In 1827, though he was not of age, he opened a store in Hope on his own account. In 1830 he formed a part- nership with the late Jonah Turner, under the name of Turner & Swayze, and carried on the store, mill- ing, and farming. In 1833 the firm dissolved, when he associated with him his younger brother, Caleb, under the partnership-name of J. K. & C. Swayze, and carried on merchandising alone for five years, when this firm dissolved by mutual consent, Caleb retiring. In 1839 he sold his stock and good-will to John A. Davis, and retired from merchandising. During the whole twelve years from 1827 to 1839 he confined himself strictly to his legitimate business,- that of merchandising, milling, and farming,-and by his sound judgment, keen, penetrating foresight, and indomitable energy everything he touched seemed to yield him a profit. He possessed that rare faculty of acquiring, as it were, by intuition a knowledge of the correct principles of doing business, which adds to the wealth of nations as well as individuals. It was in these early days, before 1840, that he laid the solid foundation of his large fortune. He was closely iden- tified with the people among whom he lived all his days ; perhaps no one more so. lle was born among them, always lived among them, was an active busi- ness man for fifty-one years, and used his wealth to promote their interests and welfare as well as his own. He was averse to show and display, and his charities, which were large, were dispensed in a quiet and un- ostentatious manner. He was fond of children, and they of him. He was a kind and indulgent father and grandfather, and a liberal and generous unele. Ile had a nice love of order and a quick instinct for decorum. In all his large business operations he sel- dom became involved in lawsuits, and his advice was sought by those in his locality ; and no man acted in more instances as administrator and executor of es- tates than he did and gave better satisfaction.

In politics he was a Whig while the party lasted, and when it ended he became a Democrat. In 1860 he was elected State senator, but after serving his term of three years he declined to allow his name to be put forward for office, though he was frequently urged to do so. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, in 1861, he promptly placed his wealth and time at the service of the country. He sold his government bonds and ad- vanced the money for organizing troops, and he was one of the first to raise troops in Warren County, in which he was ably assisted by his brother Caleb. Placing his wealth at the disposal of the government was an act of great patriotism in those dark days of our country's history.

When the Hackettstown Bank was established, in 1855, he was one of its first directors, and at the time of his death one of its largest stockholders. He as- sisted in organizing the First National Bank of Wash-

ington, N. J .; was elected its first president, which position he held until his death, at which time he owned one-quarter of the capital stock. He was a stockholder in the North Ward National Bank, New- ark, Phillipsburg National Bank, and was largely identified with other banking and large landed in- terests. He was twice married. His first wife, Miss Rachel E. Blair, whom he married in 1829, died young, leaving two sons and a daughter. The youngest son and daughter survived her but a short time. The eldest son, L. Marshall Swayze, married Miss S. K. Dill, of New York. He died in 1864, leaving a widow, one son, and three daughters, all of whom are now living. His second wife was Lavinah H. Albertson, daughter of the late Isaac Albertson, whom he mar- ried in 1842. Of this union were born two sons,- James A. Swayze, president of First National Bank of Washington, N. J., and Aurelius J. Swayze. Mrs. Swayze died in 1874. His sons still reside at Hope, where the family have lived for so many years. James K. was buried in the cemetery of Hope, and his funeral was attended by the largest concourse of people that ever collected in that part of the county at a funeral. lle bequeathed large amounts to his sons, grandehil- dren, nephews, and nicees, and one thousand dollars to the Presbyterian Church at Hope. By his death the community in which he lived lost a good neigh- bor and kind friend, and his life was one to which all can look as an example of what energy, perseverance, and industry can do.

HON. G. It. BEATTY.

The subject of this sketch is of English ancestry. His grandfather, George Beatty, was born at Trenton, N. J., about the middle of the eighteenth century, seven of whose brothers served in the army during the Revolutionary war. He was twice married. Ilis second wife was Elizabeth (Cummings). Of this union were born one son, Charles, and two daughters, Nancy and Catharine. Nancy married Joseph Pang- born, of Rensselaer Co., N. Y., where their descend- ants are still living. He removed to Hunterdon Co., N. J., and afterwards went to live at Vienna, Inde- pendence township. Later in life he went to live with his daughter in Rensselaer County, where he died. His son, Charles Beatty, was born in Trenton in 1779; married Mary (Henry), oldest daughter of Herbert Henry, of Sussex County. Of this union were born Eliza (deceased) ; Stewart (deceased, in Michigan) ; Pernina, now living at Saratoga Springs, N. Y .; and George H. Beatty, Charles Beatty lived at Vienna, where he followed farming, and was for some time engaged in the manufacture of hats. In JSI4 he removed to Hope township and settled on a farm to the west of that village. In 1829 he purchased the farm on which his son now resides. He died in 1858.

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WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

GeorgeH. Beatty

George H. Beatty was born on a farm in Independ- ence township, Dec. 13, 1811. His mother died when he was quite young. He acquired such an education as the neighborhood school afforded, and after quit- ting school remained on the farm until he was twenty- two, when he engaged in the cattle business, buying cattle in the West and bringing them East. This business he followed in connection with farming for over thirty years. In 1841 he bought the Union Ho- tel, at Hope, which was once the Moravian church, built 1781. He kept hotel for six years in connection with his other business, left the hotel five years, then kept it one year, when he disposed of his property and returned to his farm, where he still resides. In 1853 he was elected to the State Legislature and served during his term of three years. While in the Legis- lature he was chairman of the committee on corpora- tions and a member of the joint committee on asylums, besides being on other important committees.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 166

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