History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 57

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 57
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 57

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Up to the third annual meeting of the new society (May 23, 1827) it was the custom to have a sermon preached at each se-sion, but this order was changed for short practical addresses from several persons appointed for the purpose. At the meeting held at Newton in 1828 addresses were delivered by R. W. Halsted, J. C. Ayers, and Rev. James G. Force. But the meeting, doubting the advantage of discontinuing the usual sermon, or from some other cause, made provision in 1829 to restore the old order, and the custom of having a sermon at the annual meeting has ever since been kept up. At the annual meeting in 1829 the sum of one thousand dollars was fixed upon to be raised as soon as practicable, mainly by sub- scriptions of ten dollars each; and the following preamble and resolution were adopted :

" Whereas, The American Bible Society have resolved that they will, in reliance upon Divine ald, endeavor to supply with the sacred Scriptures all the destitute families in the United States that may be willing to pur- chase er receive them within the space of two years, provided means be furnished by auxiliaries and benevolent individuals in scasou ; therefore, " Retired, That we will endeavor as soon as practicable to pay off the debt of this auxiliary to the parent institution, and afterwards give them all the aid within our power to enable them in the specified time to carry their noble resolution Inte complete success."

The effort was so successful that at the annual meet- ing in 1830 the debt to the American society was re- ported paid, and a balance in hand, exclusive of re- veipts that day, of eighteen dollars sixty-nine and a half cents. In 1835 a report was made of a canvass of the county by towns, and it was the first occasion of a general distribution of Bibles by the society, the undertaking being in connection with a general work inaugurated throughout the State.

A hiatus occurs in the records, and, indeed, in the actual life of the society from 1835 to 1840. In the latter year another general distribution of Bibles was made throughout the county. Assessments were also proposed at the annual meeting of fifty, thirty-five, and thirty dollars respectively, on the various churches of this county, to raise the sum of three linndred dol- lars for the work of local and general distribution. This was accomplished in but a limited degree.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the society was held at Newton, Jan. 27, 1842, in accordance with a reso- lution passed the previous year to hold the annual meeting during the January term of court. On that

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occasion a numerous audience was present in the evening, and addresses were delivered, after the read- ing of the managers' report, by Rev. Messrs. Campbell and Davy.

At the fall meeting held Nov. 10, 1842, at North Hardyston, a letter from the Somerset County Bible Society was presented by Rev. J. Campbell concerning the supply of the destitute in the State with the Scrip- tures. A committee was appointed to correspond with that society, and a report presented by them, which was adopted; but its contents are not noticed in the minutes of this society.

In 1847 the society again distributed Bibles through- out the county, ordering that every child old enough to read should receive a copy, where destitute of the sacred book. At the February meeting, 1848, held at Newton, it was

" Resolved, That we will attempt to raise the som of five hundred dol- lars within the ensuing year as a donation to the parent society."

Part of the sum was raised and paid over to the treasurer.

About this time the first attempt was made to for- ward the work of Bible distribution in Sussex through the services of a general agent. In 1851, Rev. Wil- liam Porter, a colporteur in this county of the Presby- terian Board of Publication, was requested to add in- quiries regarding Bibles to his more special duties, and at the Sparta meeting, in 1852, it was resolved, upon a report of a committee appointed for that purpose, to furnish to the Rev. N. Conkling, then colporteur of the American Tract Society in Sussex, a horse and wagon, the tract society paying his salary. A com- mittee composed of Rev. J. Campbell and Dr. Thomas Ryerson recommended the following list of instruc- tions to him in the Bible cause, which were adopted :

"1. To avail himself as far as possible of the aid of the evangelical ministers of the several congregations.

"2. To procure their assistance in obtaining donations for the society.

"3. That he shall dispose of the Scriptures as far as practicable by sale, but leave no destitute family ansupplied.

" 4. To visit especially the poor and destitute families in the mountains and around our fornaces and mines.

" 5. To urge npon families and individuals, as far as possible, a prayer- ful attention to the Word of God.

"6. To report personally at the quarterly meetings of the society."

This arrangement was carried out, and Mr. Conk- ling labored in the cause for one year. When he ceased the society found itself burdened with the horse it had loaned him, and the animal was finally sold for fifteen dollars, about one-third of its cost.

At the meeting held in Newton, May 12, 1853, the following was adopted :

" Resolved, That this board will appropriate twenty-five dollars in co- operation with neighboring Bible societies in supplying the boutinen on the Morris Canal with the Word of God, and that the sum be transmitted to the American Bible Society, subject to the order of the Rev. Mr. Beeves und Dr. W. P. Clarke, a committee of the Warren County society, at whose suggestion this action has been undertakoo."

During this meeting Mr. Charles M. Halsted, a member of the board of managers, died, and, as upon many other occasions of the death of members, ap-

propriate resolutions were adopted. In 1853 a col- porteur of the American Tract Society was again employed by the society for Bible work in Sussex. The minutes for Jan. 11, 1854, are largely occupied with mention of Rev. Dr. Joseph L. Shafer, then re- cently deceased. In May, 1854, Rev. Mr. Wheeler, colporteur of the American Tract Society, appears to have been actively engaged in this society, and re- ceived forty dollars per annum from it.

The following minutes of the meeting held at Still- water, May 25, 1855, show the relation of the Meth- odist churches to the Bible society of this county :

" The attention of the meeting having been called to an act of the late Conference of our Methodist brethren recommending co-operation with local organizations in the work of supplying the destitute with the word of life, it was

" Resolved, That we express our unfeigned pleasure at the prospect of greater anity in this blessed work on the field covered by this society."

In 1856 the attention of the friends of the society was called to the advisability of forming life-member- ships. In 1857 much enthusiasm in the work pre- vailed, and renewed efforts were made to supply with Bibles all the destitute families in the county. Jan. 6, 1858, at Newton, the society so altered its constitu- tion as to have the president and other officers elected by the meeting instead of by the board of managers.

At the annual meeting held at Newton in 1859, Rev. Sylvester Cooke resigned the secretaryship, after a valuable service of twelve years ; he was succeeded by Hon. Martin Ryerson. At the same time a new plan was adopted for holding the annual meetings. It was resolved to dispense with the semi-annual meetings, and to hold the anniversary thereafter in June. The first meeting of the new mode was ap- pointed to be held at Branchville on the last Thurs- day of June following, at 10 A.M., and the committee of arrangements was given discretionary power in re- gard to having sermons and addresses or addresses only. The committee consisted of Rev. Messrs. Bar- rett and Campbell and Martin Ryerson, with Rev. G. W. Lloyd, Presbyterian pastor at Branchville.

The meeting in 1859 was one of the most successful ever witnessed by the society. The anniversary in 1860 was held at Andover ; at Deckertown in 1861; at Sparta in 1862; at Newton in 1863 and 1864; at La- fayette in 1865 ; at Branchville again in 1866 ; and at Newton-the semi-centennial-in 1867.

In 1860 a standing committee on depository was ordered to be elected each year. It was recommended also to the Sunday-schools in the county that they take annual collections to aid in circulating Bibles throughout the world.

The following resolutions were adopted in 1863 :

" Resolved, That pastors be requested to preach a special sermon in aid of the American Bible Society In December of each year.

" Resolved, That we will endeavor to increase the interest of our ao- mal meetings by bringing the subject before our congregations and urging the personnl attendance of the members of the churches.

" Resolved, That we fully sympathize with the American Bible Society in its great efforts to supply the Word of God to our national army and

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navy, for men suffering, and for those who fall into our hands as prisoners of war.

" Resolved, That this society will pay its proportion of the expense of supplying the State prison and the Stale Lunatic Asylum with Bibles and TestamientH.

" Resolved, That we unreservedly pledge ourselves to meet the expenses Incurred in furnishing pocket New Testaments to the men going from our county to serve in our arnies.

" Resolved, That we hail with gratitude the advance being made by the American Bible Society in its foreign work, the society having re- cently appropriated fifty-five thousand dollars for this department, on amount nearly double its last appropriation."

The following were adopted in 1864 :

" Herolred, That this society assumes one hundred and eighty-six dol- lars and fifty-eight conts as its proportion of the expense incurred in supplying the New Jersey troops up to Aug. 7, 1863, with Testaments, and the society pledges itself to pay in future its proportion of similar expenses from that time till the close of the war.

" Resolved, That in the opinion of this society the establishment of a high degree of civilization throughout our country is essential to its permanent pence and union and the perpetuity of our republican innti- tutions; that to accomplish this work in the South and South west, among the poor whites as well as the blacks, will greatly tax the energy nud liberality of the whole people; and thint, therefore, every patriot, as well as every Christian, is enlled upon by the highest obligations of patriotism and Christian duty to aid the efforts of the American society and of the other benevolent Christian organizations of our country engaged in this work."

The last resolution was reaffirmed the following year. A resolution by H. C. Clark was adopted at the Lafayette meeting in 1865, expressive of gratitude for the national victory, and calling upon the friends of the society to practically express their gratitude by increased exertions and liberality in behalf of the Bible society and other kindred associations.

SEMI-CENTENNIAL OF THE SOCIETY.

The semi-centennial of the society was held at Newton, June 12, 1867. Original hymns were sung and addresses delivered as follows :

By Hon. Daniel Haines, on "God's Providence fully displayed in the Production and Preservation of the Bible."

Hon. Martin Ryerson read a historical paper on Bible societies, which it is much to be regretted is not now to be found.

Hon. Peter D. Vroom delivered an address on " The Bible in reference to Man in three States,-Innocence, Fall, and Redemption."

Bishop E. S. Janes, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, spoke on the claims of the Bible.

Rev. Dr. Sheldon gave a history of the Sussex society.

Brief addresses were made by Hon. John Hill, John Y. Foster, of Newark, Theodore Little, of Morris, and Rev. G. S. Mott, of Newton.

Hon. Daniel Haines became president of the so- ciety in 1868. In that year the county was thoroughly visited again, and all the destitute houses supplied with Bibles. At the annual meeting in 1869 reports of the various committees and workers formed an in- teresting feature. Mr. Chandler Starr, the oldest manager of the American Bible Society, was present, and delivered an address ; also Hon. William E.

Dodge, Sr., of New York. The meeting was a nota- ble one in respect to subscriptions reported for the closing year by the treasurer,-one thousand and three dollars and four cents, including a balance of sixty- Tour dollars and three cents from 1867-68.

The growth of interest in Bible work in the county is well shown by the minutes of the annual meeting held at Lafayette in 1871. Rev. N. Vansant, from the committee on resolutions, reported the following, which was adopted :

" WHEREAS, The increasing attendance at these our annual meetings shows an increasing Interest in the Bible cause, and is a renson for grati- tuile to every lover of the Bible, we cannot lenger close our eyes to the fact thot providing for the entertainment of so large an assemblage in our rural villages entails n vast amount of labor on the ladies and thereby prevents their attendance and enjoyment of these meetings; therefore,

" Resolved, That hereafter we recommend to the people of our own county to provide for their own entertainment at these annual meeting", either on the plan of picnics or by family groups, as in their judgment shall seem desirable."

Cotemporaneous with the passing of this resolution an effort was made to procure a tent for the accommo- dation of the meetings; subscriptions amounting to one hundred and ten dollars were pledged, but the matter subsequently fell through. An address was delivered at the same meeting by Rev. S. Irenaus Prime, D.D., editor of the New York Observer.

Thus it appears from the records of this society that the work of Bible distribution has been heartily re- membered and sustained by the people of Sussex County from a very carly period, dating almost coeta- neously with the first movement for the organization of Bible societies in Europe and America. It speak- well for the moral and Christian tone of the people of these healthy rural settlements, and for their zeal iu promoting the moral and religions welfare of the com- munity.

The sixtieth anniversary of the society was held in the Methodist Episcopal church at Andover, June 13, 1877 ; sermon by Rev. J. F. Smith, D.D., of Newark. The annual meeting for 1878 was held in the Presby- terian church at Branchville on Wednesday, June 12th. In 1879 the annual meeting was held in the Baptist church at Hamburg, when the occasional sermon was preached by Dr. Moffit, of the Princeton Theological Seminary.

The present officers of the society, elected at the annual meeting June 9, 1880, are the following : Presi- dent, Hon. Samuel T. Smith ; Vice-Presidents, David R. Hull, Smith M. Fisher; Treasurer, Samuel John- son; Depository, referred to board of managers ; Secretary, William P. Nicholas ; also a board of mana- gers for each township: Stillwater, T. B. Condit ; Green, W. IT. Hart; Byram, Rev. J. J. Crane; Ando- ver, Albert Puder; Sparta, 11. B. Strait ; Hardyston, Charles Linn ; Lafayette, William M. Pollison ; Frank- ford, L. H. S. Martin; Hampton, Isaiah Wallen ; Vernon, William Toland; Wantage, James H. Dun- ning; Montague, Jesse Lundy; Sandyston, John

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Kyte; Walpack, John S. Smith ; Newton, Charles D. Thompson.

II .- SUSSEX COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COM- PANY.

The Sussex County Mutual Insurance Company was incorporated by act of the Legislature approved Feb. 22, 1840. The following-named persons were the original incorporators: James Stoll, Isaac Bonnell, John Bell, John Strader, John H. Hall, Andrew A. Smalley, Robert F. Shafer, George H. McCarter, Pier- son Hurd, Walter L. Shee, Joseph Linn, Alexander Boyles, James Evans, and Joseph Northrup, Jr.

The first board of directors named in the charter, and who held office till their successors were duly elected and qualified, were Isaac Bonnell, John Bell, Pierson Hurd, John H. Hall, John Strader, Robert F. Shafer, Walter L. Shee, James Evans, Andrew A. Smalley, Zachariah H. Price, Joseph Northrup, Jr., George H. McCarter, Whitfield S. Johnson, Nathan Smith, Nathaniel Drake, Reuben F. Randolph, Isaac V. Coursen, Richard R. Morris, and Elias L'Homme- dien.

A set of by-laws for the government of the com- pany was adopted June, 1840, and amended February, 1859. The charter was first obtained for thirty years, and in 1870 was renewed for thirty years more.

The following is a list of the presidents, secretaries and treasurers, and members of the executive com- mittees of the company from its organization to 1880, inclusive:

PRESIDENTS.

John H. Hall was the first president, elected in 1840, and continued till 1847, when he declined a re-election, and Robert H. McCarter was chosen in his place. Mr. McCarter served one year, and in 1848 Mr. Hall was again elected, and held the presidency of the company till 1859. He was then succeeded by Jonathan Whit- taker, who remained president till 1874, when the present incumbent, Dr. Franklin Smith, was elected. Hence the company has had four presidents during the forty years of its existence.

SECRETARIES AND TREASURERS.

Whitfield S. Johnson was secretary and treasurer of the company from its organization till 1861,-a period of twenty-one years. He was succeeded by Dr. Frank- lin Smith, who officiated two years, until the election of Daniel S. McCarter, who held the offices from 1863 to 1868, and was succeeded by Oakley B. Pellet, who was secretary and treasurer from 1868 to 1871. John T. Stewart was then clected, and held the offices till 1880, at which date the present secretary and treasurer, Charles P. Rorbach, was elected.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES .*

The following have served as executive committees , of the company for the years named :

* The presidents of the company are ex-officio members of the execu- tive committees.

1840-43 .- George II. McCarter, Joseph Northrup, Jr. 1843-45 .- Robert HI. McCarter, Samuel Rorbach. 1845-47 .- Robert II. McCarter, Lewis Howell.

1847-48 .- John II. Hall, Samuel Rorbach. 1848-55 .- Samuel Rorbach, Williadı Beach. 1855-56 .- William Beach, James R. Hnll. 1856-61 .- Franklin Smith, James R. Hull.

1861-64 .- James R. Hull, William P. Nicholas. 1864-70 .- David Thompson, John McCarter. 1870-71 .- David Thompson, John W. Lane. 1871-72 .- Franklin Smith, William P. Nicholas. 1872-74 .- Franklin Smith, Peter S. Decker.

1874-79 .- Peter S. Decker, Jacob E. Hornbeck. 1879-81 .- John W. Lane, John Loomis.

Of those who took part in the original organization of the company, only three are now living; these are Isaac Bonnell and Andrew A. Smalley, of the incor- porators of 1840, and Zachariah H. Price, of the char- ter board of directors.

OFFICERS FOR 1881.

President, Dr. Franklin Smith; Secretary and Treasurer, Charles P. Rorbach; Executive Commit- tee, John W. Lane, John Loomis; Directors, Jacob E. Hornbeck, Martin Cole, William McDanolds, Elias R. Goble, Amos Smith, Peter S. Decker, Christopher B. Van Syckle, David R. Hull, David Thompson, Zachariah H. Price, Thomas Lawrence, John W. Lane, Job J. Decker, Franklin Smith, John Layton, Jr., Albert Puder, John Loomis, James L. Munson, Asa Wilson.

III .- SUSSEX COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

At an adjourned meeting of citizens of Sussex County favorable to the formation of an agricultural society, held at the conrt-house in Newton on the 17th of December, 1856, on motion, Joseph Greer, of New- ton, was chosen president, Henry K. Winans, Esq., of Vernon, vice-president, and Victor M. Drake, of New- ton, secretary. On motion of Judge Davis, the com- mittee appointed at a former meeting were requested to report the constitution and by-laws for the society, which were unanimously adopted. The committee appointed at the former meeting to select officers for the society for the ensuing year reported the follow- ing: President, Lewis Dunn, Vernon; Vice-Presi- dents, William Ryerson, Franklin; Thomas Law- rence, Hardyston; George C. Shaw, Stillwater; Sec- retary, Victor M. Drake, Newton ; Treasurer, Daniel S. Anderson, Newton; Executive Committee, Peter Smith, Byram; Samuel II. Hunt, Green ; Azariah Davis, Newton ; Elias R. Goble, Stillwater ; Nathaniel Van Auken, Walpack; Abram Predmore, Sandyston; Jacob Hornbeck, Jr., Montague; Nathan S. Roe, Frankford; Jansen H. Beemer, Wantage; Charles Mackerly, Lafayette; John B. Monnell, Hardyston ; James L. Munson, Sparta; John Rutherford, Vernon. On motion, the following was adopted :

" Resolved, That the executive committee of the Sussex County Agri- cultural Society are hereby instructed to report to the next meeting of the society on the expediency of establishing an agricultural school, or an agricultural department in a school, in this county."

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SUSSEX COUNTY SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.

Mr. J. H. Frazee, secretary of the State Agricultu- ral Society, being present at the meeting, delivered, by request, an able and interesting address.

The executive committee met at Newton on the 9th of January, 1857, and adopted the following resolu- tions :

" Resolred, That an agricultural exhibition end fair, Including the mechanic arts, household and domestic manufactures, animals, grains, fruits, farming utensils, agricultural implements, minerals, etc., etc., be beld at some place in Sussex County to be hereafter designated, con- mencing on Tuesday, the 6th day of October next, and continuli g three days, at the closo of which un address will bo dollvered, premiums awarded, and the names of oxhibitors read.

" Resolved, That the next meeting of the executive committee bo hold at Park Hall, In Newton, on Wednesday, tho 11th of February next, to heur the report of the committee uppointed to draft a list of articles for which competition will be invited and premiums awarded, and that the sald committee consist of the following persons,-vlz., Azariah Davir, George C. Shaw, Jumes L. Munson, Charles Mackerly, Samuel Il. Hunt,

" Resolved, That the following grutlemen constitute a committee to re- celve propositions and fix upon a place for holding the county agricul- tural falr,-viz., Newton, Azariah Davis ; Lafayette, Charles Mackerly, Sparta, James L. Munson ; Branchville, Nathan S. Hoo ; Deckertown, Jansen 11. Boomer ; Hamburg, Thomas Lawrence,-and thot they mako their roport to the next meeting of the executive committee.

" Resolred, That Lewis Dunn, Georgo C. Shaw, Zachuriah Il. Price, Azariah Davis, Jansen 11. Beemer, Daniel D. Gould, and Georgo MI. Ryerson be appointed delegates to represent Sussex County at the meet- ing of the Stato Agricultural Society to be held at Trentou on the 21st of Junuary next for the purpose of advancing agriculture in the State."

There was in connection with this organization an agricultural club, which held regular meetings for hearing addresses, reading papers, and participating in discussions on various topics relating to theoretical and practical husbandry. This club met on the 11th of February, 1857, in Park Hall at 10 A.M., and in the evening addresses were delivered by several invited speakers.

Meetings of the Sussex Agricultural Society and of the executive committee were of frequent occurrence during the spring and summer of 1857, at several of which addresses were delivered by Prof. G. H. Cook, State geologist, and by others, the attendance at most of these meetings being large and manifesting much interest in the improvement of agriculture in the county.

At a meeting of the executive committee held in Park Hall on Feb. 25, 1857, propositions were re- ceived from Deckertown and from Newton as com- peting places for the establishment of the fair-grounds of the society. The former made proposals to give five hundred dollars and the use of the ground free of expense, the funds to be paid in advance to help de- fray the expense of fitting up the grounds. The latter place over-bid Deckertown, and became the happy re- cipient of the Sussex County fair-grounds. A list of articles and premiums was then made out and sub- mitted to the committee at their next meeting, hehl at l'ark Hall on the 8th of April following. This list will be found published in full in the New Jersey `Herald of May 23, 1857, occupying nearly two full columns.

Competition was thrown open to exhibitors from all parts of the State and contiguous portions of other

States. Upwards of thirteen hundred dollars in cash premiums were offered by the society; the grounds were fitted up with suitable buildings and offices, and stabling provided for two hundred head of cattle and horses. The time originally appointed for holding the fair was changed to one week later in the season, and the first fair and exhibition of the Sussex County Agricultural Society was held at Newton on the 13th, 14th, aud 15th of October, 1857.

The opening of the fair-grounds was inaugurated by the presence of the executive committee and otticers of the society, two beautifully-uniformed military companies, bands of martial music, together with a cavalcade of the citizens of Newton, officers of the State Agricultural Society, fire company, county so- cieties, and local committees. The fair was a decided success in every respect. The gross receipts were about three thousand five hundred dollars, of which thirteen hundred dollars were recived at the gates. During the three days of the exhibition it was esti- mated that the grounds were visited by not less than twenty-five thousand persons.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 57

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