History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 175

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 175
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 175

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The Cline family are of German extraction, two brothers having left their native land for the hospit- able shores of America at an early date and settled near New Brunswick, N. J. Lewis purchased 200 acres of land in the township of Greenwich, where he remained during his lifetime. Among his children were four daughters and two sons, Lewis and Michel. The latter removed to Indiana and Lewis remained in Greenwich, where he was surrounded by a family of ten children, nine of whom grew to mature years. Of these children John is the only one now residing in Franklin. Two are located in Harmony, and one in Greenwich. Mr. and Mrs. John Cline have been married sixty-one years, and are still among the ac- tive and enterprising citizens of the township.

Archibald Osborn came to the township in 1824 and located at Asbury, having formerly been a resi- dent of Hunterdon County. He early engaged in the pursuit of his calling, that of a saddler, which was later abandoned for a more active life. He served as constable, and later as collector, and was also elected justice of the peace. For many years he followed the business of a drover. Mr. Osborn was chosen as rep- resentative to the State Legislature for the years 1855 -56. He still, though advanced in years, leads a life of activity, and resides in the village of Asbury.

Abram Shipman removed from IIarmony to Frank- lin township in 1805, when he purchased the land now occupied by William W. Shipman. He had five children,-Jacob, William, Elizabeth, Naomi, and Charles. Mr. Shipman died in the township in his seventy-fourth year. Two of the children still sur- vive,-Mrs. Christopher Little and William W., who resides on a farm one mile west of Asbury.

John Haselton, one of the oldest of the early resi- dents of Franklin, is more than one hundred years of age. He has lived in various portions of the town- ship, bnt is at present located one and a half miles west of Asbury.

Christian Snyder, of German descent, came early

to the township, where he purchased a farm. He had eight children,-three sons and five daughters. The sons, William, Jacob, and John, were born and each settled in the township. They are now deceased, though the widows and children of these brothers still reside in the township.

William Runkle was among the early and influen- tial citizens of the township. He resided in the vicin- ity of Asbury, where he purchased a considerable tract of land at very moderate prices and became a large landed proprietor. A grandson, Daniel Runkle, now represents the family in Asbury.

EARLY ROADS.

Information regarding the early roads of the town- ship is very meagre. A very early road, known to the first settlers as the "New Road," passed from Easton through Asbury to New Hampton. This road was much traveled at the time. Another road of equally early date began at Easton and passed through Stew- artsville to New Village, and formerly to Washington. A portion of this road was superseded by the turn- pike, and consequently vacated. The oldest turnpike, known as the Morris turnpike, was completed in 1811. Its objective points were Easton and Morristown, the villages of New Village, Broadway, and Washington being on its route. The road-territory of the town- ship is now divided into thirteen districts, over which the following overseers are appointed :

District No. 1, John R. Rinehart; No. 2, Moses Woolverton; No. 3, Sylvanus Cook; No. 4, M. B. Myers; No. 5, Joseph Willever; No. 6, James G. Apgar; No. 7, Isaac C. Smith ; No. 8, Abram Shipman ; No. 9, M. B. Bowers; No. 10, Philip IIyner; No. 11, William Allshonse ; No. 12, C. B. Rush ; No. 13, Peter Willever.

IV .- ORGANIZATION AND CIVIL LIST.

The act of the State Legislature which erected Franklin as an independent township was passed Feb. 15, 1839, and reads as follows :

" Be it enacted by the Council and General Assembly of thie State, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That all that part of the townships of Greenwich, Oxford, and Mansfield, lying within the descriptions and boundaries following,-to wit, beginning at a point in the centre of the Musconetcong Creek half a mile above the Bloomsbury bridge; thence to a white-oak tree on the north bank of Merrel's Brook, one mile and a quarter above ite junction with the Morrie turnpike; thence to a point where the Brasscastle stream crosses the Oxford and Mansfield township line; thence to the point where the bridge crosses the Musconetcong Creek, near the house of William Runkle; thence down the middle of said stream to the place of beginning,-shall be and hereby is set off from the townships of Greenwich, Oxford, and Mansfield, in the county of Warren, and made a separate township, to be called and known by the name of the ' township of Franklin.'

" And be it enacted, That the inhabitants of the township of Franklin shall hold their firet annual township-meeting nt tho inn now occupied by Benjamin C. McCullongh, in the village of Broadway, in the said township of Franklin, on the day appointed by law for holding the annual township-meetings in other townships in the county of Warren."

By an act passed by the Council and General As- sembly of New Jersey, Feb. 15, 1839, it was ordered that part of the townships of Greenwich, Oxford, and Mansfield should be laid off and called the township of Franklin in the county of Warren. In obedience to that act the inhabitants met in Broadway, at the

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FRANKLIN.

inn of Benjamin C. Mccullough, on the 8th day of April, 1839, to incorporate themselves as citizens of the new township. Since that time the following officers have been elected for the said township of Franklin :

FREEHOLDERS.

1839-40, Stephen Warne, Henry Gardner; 1811-44, Stephen Warne, John Cline ; 1845-46, Kitchen Hartpence, Henry Gardner ; 1847, Kitchen Hartpenco, James S. Williamson : 1848-30, Benjamin Fritts, Peter J', Willever; 1851, Holloway H. Kline, John K. Smith ; 1852, John K. Smith ; 1853-5-1, John H. Creveling ; 1835, John K. Smith ; 1858, Benjamin Fritts; 1457-5x, Benjamin Taylor ; 1850-61, William Ship- man ; 1862-64, John A. Willever; 1865-67, Almulom Pursel; 1868- 70, Lawrence 1 .. Hetlor; 1871, William S. Hulshizer ; 1872-74, Franc S. Dehart; 1875-77, Charles Hazard; 1878, Adam Willover; 1879-81. James Lomersun.

TOWNSHIP CLERKS.

1839, Guy A. Bryan ; 1840-11, William Winter; IN12, Guy A. Bryan; 183, John C. Winter; 1844-45. Edwin T. Dlesowny : 1x46-50, Joseph VHlet ; 1851-55, James Lomerson ; 1836-62, James Vliet ; 1863-74, Richard G. Woolverton ; 1>75-80, Willinin II. Lomerson ; Jas2, Chas. M. Willlamsun.

ASSESSORS.

1839, William Mellroy ; 1810-13, Kitchen Hartpence; 1844-47, Godfrey C. Kline ; 1848-49, Philip D. Weller; 1850, John Hartpence: 1851, Jehn Thatcher; 1852-54, John (' Hartpeuce; 1555, Willium Purcel; 1856-65, John C. Hartpence; 1806-72, Henry licks ; 1873, Aaron II. Curlis; 1874-76, MoNos A. Burd ; 1877, William Fritts; 1878-80, John C. Hummer; 1881, Philip Cook.

COLLECTORS.

18J9-42, James Doolittle; 1813, Archibald Osborn; 1844-15, William C. Mccullough ; 1846-47, John H. Creveling; 1x18-51, Joseph Willever; 1852-53, Traac Smith ; 1854, Jacob Weller; 1835-58, Joseph Willever; 1859-61, Charles Blazer; 1862-64, WHliam Winter; 1565-67, James Vliet ; 1868-60, John H. Lantz; 1870-73, James Vliet ; 1874, Chris- topher Burd; 1875-77, C. F. States; 1878-81, E. N. L. Creveling.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1858, Jacob V. Wilson ; 1860, Abram N. Carpenter; 1865, John Stute, Mahlon Johnson ; 1867, N. H. Dalrymple, Sylvanus Cook ; 1871, H. G. Woolverton ; 1876, George Pruster ; 1-76, William Fritts, John Allen ; 1880, Charles Blazer.

SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.

1×17, A. G. Richey; 1848-50, Joseph Vliet ; 1>51, Alfred Gule: 1852, Sam- nel Glen : 1833-64, William Winter; 1>35-65, James Vliet; 1>GG, Willintn B. Hevener.

SURVEYORS OF HIGHWAYS.

1839-40, Elljah Warno, Ir., Jantes S. Williamson : 1811-42, David W. Boyer, Elijah Warne, Jr. ; 1×11-41, George Williamson, William Shipman ; 1845, P. D. Weller, William Shipman ; 1816-49, George . W. Williamson, William Shipman ; 1850-52, George W. Williamson, Elijah W. Cummins; 1853-56, Willint Creveling, Poter P. Willever; 1857-69, George W. Williamson, Elijah W. Cummins; 1860, William Creveling. Georgo Richey ; 1861-64, George Richey, Henry W. Mc- Kinney ; 1565, 11 W. Mckinney, Daniel Vliet ; 1>60-69, 11. 11. C'lino, Willbemn Shipman: 1870, John II. Lantz, William Shipman; 1871- 77. William Shipman, Abratu Kinney; Is78, C. H. Bryan, Abram Kinney ; 1879-80, James Kylenberg, Charles Shipman.

V .- SCHOOLS.

An old school-honse was erected on land belonging to John Cline at an early day, and located a short distance from New Village. It was in use for a pe- riod of at least fifty years, when the present structure superseded it. A log school-house was built not far from the location of the depot, near the village of Broadway, as early as 1820. Another frame structure was erected in 18244 on land at present occupied by Moses Woolverton. Master Coen and Master Martin W. Nesbit were among the earliest instructors. These

two schools were consolidated at a later day, and an edifice erected in the village of Broadway, where the youth of the neighborhood assembled for instruction.

The school territory of the township is divided into six districts, as follows: District No. 20, New Village; District No. 21, Broadway ; District No. 22, Hicks; District No. 23, Good Springs; District No. 24, Franklin ; District No. 25, Asbury. Over these preside the following corps of teachers : New Village, Joseph A. Iliff; Broadway, Samuel Freeman ; Hicks, Howard Smith; Good Springs, Miss L. M. Rymond; Franklin, E. W. Dillon ; Asbury, S. A. Everitt.

The township received as her share of the two-mill tax during the last year, $1707.19; of the State ap- propriation, $123.85; and of the township school tax, $418. She also raised a special tax of $307 for three of the districts of the township.

VI .- CHURCHES.

ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Although the Methodist Episcopal Church is fully a century old. not a single record of its organization or later progress is extant. The historian was unable to find from the pastor more than a list of its trustees and stewards at the present time. He has, however, from other sources, obtained a few facts regarding its early history. A class was formed at nearly the period of the Revolutionary war, almost contempora- neous with the founding of the hamlet of Ilall's Mills, as Asbury was then called. No church build- ing had then been erected, and services were held in the few scattered dwellings of the neighborhood. In 1786, Col. William McCullough, then a young man of twenty-seven years, was converted, and connected himself with the Methodist Society. Through his influence a church edifice was erected, the corner- stone of which was laid by the distinguished Bishop Francis Asbury in the year 1800. At the same time the spot was christened Asbury in honor of the event. The old building, which was simple in construction. and but 28 by 30 feet in dimensions, became dilapi- dated, and it was determined to construct a new one. This was accordingly done, and the buildling dedi- cated with impressive ceremonies on the twenty-second day of December, 1842.

The Bloomsbury Church was connected with the Asbury charge until 1858, when Rev. Benjamin Cole- man was assigned to that field of labor, and it became a separate organization. The record of the pastors who were stationed here is very imperfect. Rev. Dr. Coke, who afterwards died while on his way to the East Indies as a missionary, was among them. Rev. Edward Page was also at one time pastor, as were Rev. Jacob Hevenor, Rev. George Banghart, and Rev. Dr. Charles M. F. Deems, now distinguished as the pastor of the Church of the Strangers, in New York City. Rev. George Hitchens also preached on the Asbury circuit at nearly the same time. No informa- tion relative to the later pastors is at hand.

706

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

The present incumbent is Rev. A. N. Harris. The trustees are Barnet A. Smith, Daniel Osmun, Morris Hoffman, David Bowlby, R. M. Henderson, Robert K. Richey, Joseph S. Smith. The stewards are B. A. Smith, Morris Hoffman, Adam Willever, John Allen, R. A. Henderson. The Sunday-school is in a flourish- ing condition, with 20 teachers and 110 scholars. The church roll numbers 120 members.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ASBURY .*

If this organization cannot claim prestige on ac- count of its own age, it may at least claim the honor of an old and distinguished lineage. Presbyterian- ism has a known record in this region of more than a hundred and forty years. In the year 1739 the Pres- bytery of New Brunswick, in response to a request for preaching " in Mr. Barber's neighborhood," directed two ministers to preach certain Sabbaths at Laming- ton and at Mr. Barber's. It afterwards becomes ap- parent, from the records of the Presbytery, that " Mr. Barber's neighborhood" was identical with parts of old Mansfield and Greenwich, for mention is often made of supplies being sent to Mr. Barber's and Mr. Green's. The former seems to give place on the rec- ords to old Mansfield, while the latter changes on the records to Green's-ridge, Greenidge, Greenage, and at last to Lower Greenwich. The first Presby- terian houses of worship in this neighborhood were doubtless those of Greenwich and Mansfield-Wood- house, as the present church at Washington was first called. Which of these was first built it is impossi- ble with accuracy to determine.

" But it is quite certain that the first meeting-lionse in Greenwich was erected between the years 1739 and 1744, for in the journal of that man of God, David Brainerd, he mentions having preached in Greenwich on Sabbath, Dec. 9, 1744; and when it is considered that this first log church was so far decayed in 1775 as to render another building necessary, we may infer that it was the first old church in which he preached."

The church of Mansfield could not have been built much later; so that at this early date two strongholds of the sturdy Calvinistic faith were established at either end of the Musconetcong valley to stand guard over the religions development of the people.

Over this ground have passed the forms and sounded the voices of such men as Rosbrngh, the patriot and martyr pastor of the Revolution, who was the first settled minister over the congregations of Greenwich and Mansfield-Woodhouse ; of Joseph Treat, who fled from New York to escape the hands of the British, and who gave twenty years of faithful service in the parish that extended over all this re- gion; of David Brainerd, who on many forgotten spots amid these surrounding hills told the simple story of the cross, and whose pure and lovely charac- ter has left behind it a lasting fragrance; of William B. Sloan, whose stately presence and impressive ad- dress and genial manners are yet remembered by

some here ; of Jacob Castner, the orator and fearless expounder of the truth, whose name and form are yet fresh in the memory of many who hear me.

Such have been some of the grand men the theatre of whose life-work we survey as we cast our eyes up and down over the fertile acres of this valley, and a part of whose original parish is now occupied by this church.

Asbury, too, received preparation for the establish- ment of a separate Presbyterian organization by the residence here of two of the ablest and most influen- tial men that the Presbytery of Newton has ever had the honor to enroll. I refer to the Rev. Jacob Cast- ner and to the Rev. James Lewers, both of whose homes were here, and whose ministries were very in- fluential in moulding and fixing the Presbyterian sen- timent of this community. It may not be amiss for us to pause a moment and recall these eminent and godly men, who have passed to their reward, but whose labors and influence lie deeply inwrought into our church-life to-day.

Of Jacob Castner it has been said :

"lle was a natural orator and one of the best if not the very best ex- tempore speakers in the Presbytery or Synod. He was an able, laborious, and successful minister of the Word. Ao early and fearless champion of the temperance reformation, he probably did more for that cause than any other man in the Presbytery. Once convinced that a thing was right, nothing could swerve him from its advocacy. He was utterly fearless,-a man of unwavering moral courage. A warm-hearted friend, a sympathizing comforter, he was one of the most delightful conversers I ever met. A natural gentleman, he could be firmi without arrogance and entertaining without egotism. He was almost idolized by his con- gregation."+

When we speak the name of James Lewers we shorten the radius of memory and come within the recollection of almost all the adults of this vicinity. I myself remember hearing him preach in the old church at Milford, my home, after his transfer thither, though I was, of course, too young to appreciate the beanty of his rhetoric and the remarkable power of his pulpit efforts. He was a man of exquisite taste in the belles-lettres, of superb genius, a natural poet, an impressive orator, and one of the best writers the church has produced. Only a lack of perseverance and an apparent distaste for notoriety kept him from gracing a metropolitan pulpit. He possessed many eccentricities and was remarkable for his singular ab- sence of mind, but, withal, was a successful pastor, an excellent Christian gentleman, a natural and im- pressive orator, and his name is inseparably linked with the history of Presbyterianisin in this place.

The academy was built during his ministry at the valley and his residence here, and its walls have re- sounded many times with his eloquent voice. The faith he there exponnded has grown until, contrary, perhaps, to his expectations then, it is embodied to- day in this organization. Under the magnetic influ- ence and personal power of these men, it was most natural that a nucleus should be formed here that

* From a sermon preached by the pastor, Rev. George W. Tomson, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary, Oct. 10, 1880.

+ Dr. Jonkin.

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FRANKLIN.

itself at last should be an important centre of Presby- terianism.

This church is the granddaughter of old Mansfield, its nearer relative being the Musconeteong Valley Church, which colonized from old Mansfield in 1837 and became a vigorous and powerful congregation.

Oct. 10, 1860, a committee of the Presbytery of Newton met in the academy to act on an application for church organization. The committee consisted of Revs. George C. Bush, A. H. Hand, D.D., Solomon MeNair, and William H. Kirk, together with Elder George Creveling, of the church at Washington. The names of 28 persons were presented as desiring to be organized into the First Presbyterian Church of As- bury, 26 of whom brought certificates from the church at the valley. The committee unanimously voted to grant the request, and thus the First Presbyterian Church of Asbury was constituted and entered upon the roll of the Presbytery of Newton.

Rev. J. R. Eckard, D.D., a professor in Lafayette College and a returned foreign missionary, was in- vited to become stated supply of the new organiza- tion, and remained in that connection until Novem- ber, 1867, when the condition of his health required him to tender his resignation. The ministry of Dr. Eckard, though pursued under the disadvantage of being a non-resident, was in a large measure success- ful. Thirty-nine members were added, making the total membership 61 at the time of his resignation. A Sabbath-school of considerable size was also in suc- cessful operation, and contributions of a commendable amount were made to benevolent objects. After the withdrawal of Dr. Eckard the church remained six months without a pastor, and then called the Rev. Frank E. Miller, a graduate of Princeton Theologi- cal Seminary, who was ordained and installed July 14, 1868. Ilis pastorate continued until Jan. 27, 1871, when he was reluctantly released by you to take the important position as pastor of the First Church of Easton, During his ministry in this church 22 addi- tions were made to its membership. The most im- portant part of his work among you was his influence in the ercetion of this large and commodious house of worship, which was dedicated to God, Sept. 23, 1869, and which, with commendable promptness, was soon relieved from debt.

Nov. 2, 187], the Rev. David Conway became the pastor, and continued in that relation until Jan. 22, 1876. During his ministry, part of which was at the beginning of the " hard times," the entire indebted- less was removed from the church and 35 persons added to the roll of membership. The attendance of the Sabbath-school was also greatly increased, and much interest apparently infused into that depart- ment of the work.

The present pastor began his ministry June 21, 1876, having been called from the First Congregational Church of Elizabeth, N. J., and was installed pastor Oct. 12, 1876.

The four years and more of my ministry have been pleasant ones-years of joy, for the most part-be- cause of the affectionate consideration of my people, and the uniform kindness with which my ministry has been received among you. During my pastorate 64 members have been added to the church, a beau- tiful parsonage has been erected, at a cost of $3000, the Sabbath-school has reached a high degree of pros- perity, and the general affairs of the church are in a prosperous and encouraging state.

During the twenty years of our history 206 persons have been added to the church, including the 28 orig- inal members. The sum of $40,000 has been raised for congregational and benevolent purposes. Thus has the church grown and prospered, disappointing the expectations of some and the prophecy of others.

The following are the officer- of the church : Pas- tor, Rev. George W. Tomson ; Elders, William Vliet and Isaac Bennett; Sabbath-school Superintendent, Godfrey (. Lighteap ; Trustees, G. C. Lightcap pres- ident and treasurer), Daniel Runkel, Thomas Hulsi- zer, John Rodenbough, John .1. Willever, Nelson C'reveling, and Warren Shipman.

The church building is a neat brick structure with pressed brick front, capable of seating 450 persons. Beneath is a commodious lecture and Sabbath-school room, all erected at a cost of $15,000. The present membership of the church is 115; that of the Sab- bath-school is 100. The congregational expenses for the last year were $1500. The parish includes a de- sirable social element, and covers a radius of from two and a half to three miles. The number of fam- ilies comprising the congregation is about 75. The available territory is exceedingly limited, being closely bounded on either side by other congregations ; so that future growth must be rather an internal de- velopment than an external addition. Still, the fu- ture of the church, judging from the past, cannot be otherwise than one of encouraging prosperity.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BROADWAY.

It is probable that a class was formed at a very carly date, but no minutes are extant which afford a record of its subsequent growth. A church edifice was erected in 1842, which is still in use by the con- gregation. The minutes of the society begin with 1862, when Broadway was set off from Harmony Cireuit, and, though not full or complete, afford some information as to the succession of pastors after that date, which are as follows :

1862, Rev. G. O. Carmichel; 1×64, Rev. J. F. Dodd ; 1867, Rev. T. T. Camp- bell; 1870, Rev. J. Raymond; 1972, Rev. A. R. Shaw ; 1874, Rev. A. L. Wilson ; 1876, Rev. J. W. Barrett; 1878, Hov. J. W. Hartpence, Rev. Thomas Rawlings; 1879, Rev. J. II. Egbert, the present pastor.

The presiding elders during this time were :

1862, Rev. A. L. Brice ; 1863, Rev. C. S. Van Cleve; 1866, Rev. Charles Larue; 1870, Rev. M. E. Ellison ; 1874, Rev. T. HI. Smith ; 1878, Rev. J. N. Fitzgerald; Isan, Buv. C. A. Colt.

The present board of trustees embrace the follow- ing individuals : L. L. Metler, D. W. Bowman, Daniel

708

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Fitts, J. S. Baylor, M. B. Bowers, William Frome, A. J. Raymond. The present steward is D. W. Bowman.

VII .- BURIAL-PLACES.

An early place of interment within the township limits is known as the "Mckinney Burial-Ground." It was set apart for the purpose by John Mckinney, is located near New Village, and inclosed by a sub- stantial wall with an ornamental gate guarding the entrance. It is used by many of the citizens of the township.

The cemetery attached to the Methodist Episcopal church may perhaps lay claim to an antiquity greater than that of its neighbors. It was founded in all probability prior to the erection of the church edifice, and has been in use for nearly a century. Among the inscriptions is the following :

" Sacred to the memory of Col. William McCullough, who departed the life Feh. 9, 1840, aged 81 years, 1 month, and 19 days. He was a friend and promoter of internal improvements, a member of the Legisla- tive Council for a number of years, served upwards of thirty years as one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in Sussex and Warren Counties. He attached himself to the Methodist Episcopal Church in the year 1786, and continued a useful member until his death. His end was peace."

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 175

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