History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 66

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 66
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 66


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"" Soon the delightful day will come When my dear Lord will call me home And I shall see llis fuco : Then, with my Saviour, brother, frlend, A blent eternity I'll spend, Triumphant in his grace,'-


his voleo became broken with emotion, faltered, and, nunllo to finish It, ho wook back upon the soft. It was prophetic; In five weeks thereafter a vast cone mitve accompanied his remains to the Newton cometery, where they repose,-the only minister's body in that field of graves."


" The amount duo the Rev. Mr. Condit was not fully paid until 1514. or after his death.


+ "He was," says the Rev. Dr. Junkin (in his anniversary address be- foro Now ton l'reaby tery, in 1867), "a man of very venerable appearance, -fall, partly, of a very fair and healthy complexlon, and when I first saw him his locks wore white with age. lle was a man of no menn ability, and was in early life and in his prime a very popular prencher. llis mauners were land and attractive, and he had the faculty of attach. Ing the people of his charge very strongly to him. This war evidenced by their devotion to him when. . . . In 1827, ho declared independence of the Presbytery, and ultimately went with his congregations, Bethle- hem und Alexandria, to the Now School branch of the Church."


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gations should be discharged. This was done, except a claim of Judge Howell, which was settled in 1847, the claimant himself generously subscribing towards its payment. Again, for a short time, the church was free from debt; but after Dr. Shafer's return arrears began to accumulate, so that at his death, in 1853, a balance of over $1000 was due him, which was extin- guished before 1854. Since that time the pastors' sal- aries have been promptly and fully paid.


The Rev. Daniel M. Barber served the church from 1835 to 1838, when the Rev. Mr. Shafer was recalled, as has been intimated. The latter's successor was Rev. Myron Barrett, who came in 1854 and served until 1859, when he was followed by the Rev. George S. Mott, D.D.," now of Flemington, N. J. He re- mained until January, 1869, and was succeeded by Rev. Theodore Byington, who was installed in May of that year. He resigned his charge in October, 1874, and went to Bulgaria, Turkey.


During this year (1869) was commenced the erec- tion of the present fine edifice,-the third which has occupied the same site. The corner-stone was laid August 19th, with appropriate exercises, in the pres- ence of a large assemblage. There were present the Revs. A. A. Haines, Myron Barrett, Joel Campbell, T. B. Condit, J. F. Smith, George S. Mott, and T. L. Byington. In May, 1871, it was dedicated to the worship of God. Its architecture is of the Ionic order, -plain and substantial, but beautiful. In size it is 64 by 98 feet, with a tower 20 feet square, projecting 6 fect, and 54 fect in height, surmounted by an elegant spire 124 feet high, making the total height of the steeple 178 feet. The walls are of stone, with six pi- lasters on either side; the ceiling of the auditorium is 30 feet high, and galleries surround it on three sides. It cost about $50,000, and will seat 1000 persons.


Rev. Mr. Byington's successor was Rev. J. Addison Priest, D.D .; he was installed as pastor in March, 1875, and served the church until the spring of 1880, when he resigned his charge. In January, 1881, the Rev. Eugene C. Olney, of Grand Rapids, Mich., was called; he accepted, and is now officiating.


Henry Johnson was one of the first elders, and a most active member. The Griggs family have been represented in the Sessions for about sixty years.t Daniel Griggs united with the church in 1826, was ordained elder in 1830, and acted as such until his death, in August, 1868. The elders in 1867 were Daniel Griggs, Martin Ryerson, Thomas Ryerson, David R. Hull, John Linn, Samuel Johnson, Stock- ton H. Schafer, and W. P. Coursen. The present board of deacons is composed of Henry J. Rudd, President ; Jonathan Havens, Secretary ; L. D. Rosen- krans, Treasurer; and Philip J. Ilardin.


The membership of the church at the present time is about 350.


The present board of elders is composed of Thomas Ryerson, David L. Foster, David R. Hull, Samuel Johnson, William P. Coursen, James W. Lewis. Present trustees, H. W. Merriam, Oliver P. Wood- ford, W. W. Woodward, William McMurtry, Martin Rosenkrans, Ira C. Moore, and Charles D. Thompson.


The Sabbath-school of the Presbyterian Church was started between the years 1816 and 1818, in the old academy building, and was taught entirely by the ladies of the congregation,-Misses Nancy Howell, Sarah Vanderan, Susan Johnson, and others. In 1830 it was removed to the academy building on Di- vision Street, since torn down, and there met until 1848, after which it held its sessions in the church, first in the galleries, and later in the body of the au- dience-room. During the most of the time for twenty years prior to 1855 it was conducted by the late Whit- field S. Johnson. In 1856 the school was reorganized and a constitution and by-laws adopted. Since that time the superintendents have been : 1856-57, W. P. Nicholas ; I858 (six months), Thomas Ryerson ; 1859 -60, T. H. Shafer; 1861, Martin Ryerson ; 1862, Sam- uel Johnson ; 1863-64, T. N. MeCarter ; 1865-67, J. Coult ; 1868-81, David R. Hull. The "infant class" was started June 22, 1856, by Mrs. David Thompson. In 1872 the school had increased to 35 teachers and 395 scholars. At the present time the school numbers about 300 members.


For convenience of reference the following tabu- lated list of pastors and elders is given :


Pastors,-1787-93, Rev. Ira Condit; 1795-1802, Rev. Hallowny Hunt; 1803-11, Rev. John Boyd; 1812-35, Rev. Joseph L. Shafer; 1836-38, Rev. Daniel Barber; 1838-53, Rev. Joseph Shafer, D.D .; 1854-59, Rev. Myron Barrelt; 1859-69, Rev. Georgo S. Mott; 1869-74, Rev. Theodore L. Byington; 1875-80, Rev. J. Addison Priest, D.D .; 18SI, Rov. Engene C. Olney.


Elders,-1812, Henry Johnson (died 1826), Benjamin Griggs (died 1825), Abraham Gulick (removed 1814), John B. Griggs (dismissed 1814) ; 1814, Peter Hendershot (died 1837), Henry Couse, Jr. (dismissed 1827); 1815, Theodore Polhemus (died 1820); 1819, Lewis Howell (re- signed 1823; died 1801), George Hopkins (died 1819) ; 1823, Benjamin Halsey (died 1853), William Mattison (died 1859), Joseph Y. Miller (dismissed 1839) ; 1830, Daniel Griggs (died 1868), John Trusdell (died 1855), Richard Brant (dismissed 1842); 1847, John Nyce (dismissed 1852), John Stephens (dismissed 1850); 1855, William IIunt (died 1860,) Whitfield S. Johnson (dismissed 1863) ; 1857, J. Sandford Smith (entered ministry 1859), Martin Ryerson (died June 11, 1875) ; 1862, Thomas Ryerson, Samuel Johnson, David R. Hull ; 1806, S. Halsted Shafer (died Jan. 10, 1877}), John Linn (removed to Jersey City), William P. Coursen ; 1877, David L. Foster, James W. Lewis.


REV. MYRON BARRETT.


The progenitor of the Barrett family from whom the subject of this sketch is descended was Humphrey Barrett, who came from England and settled in Con- cord, N. H., in 1640. He had a son, Hon. Charles Barrett, and a nephew, Amos Dakin.


The great-grandfather of Mr. Barrett was Ezekiel, of Concord, N. H. His grandfather, Ezekiel, born at Concord, Sept. 17, 1742, settled in Norwich, Conn., where he married Sarah Lathrop, July 7, 1773; both


$ The largest nldition to the church in nny one year was in 1865, du- ring the pastorale of Dr. Mott, when 12I joined on profession. + Rev. Dr. Junkin's "Centennial Address," 1867.


# Killed at the firo which destroyed the furniture store of Clark & Demarest, udjoining the Methodist chinrch.


Myson Burnett


,


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NEWTON.


died there. He died Feb. 10, 1839 ; his wife, Oct. 27, 18II, in the sixty-third year of her age. Their chil- dren were Mary, Ezra Lathrop, and Backus and Oliver, twins. Mary was never married, and died at North East, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1843, in her sixty-ninth y. ar. Backus married Mary Rundle, and settled at Stillwater, in Saratoga Co., N. Y., where both he and his wife died; their children were Henry, Ezekiel, Catharine, Sarah, Mary, and Laura. Oliver settled in Brooklyn, N. Y .; he married late in life, but had no chiklren.


Ezra Lathrop, father of our subject, was born at Norwich, Conn., Sept. 27, 1775, and settled in the township of North East, Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he married Rhoda Dakin; both died there,-the former Nov. 18, 1857, the latter May 23, 1860, in the eighty-first year of her age. Her grandfather was Rev. Simon Dakin, one of the earliest Baptist minis- ters in America, and resided in Dutchess Co., N. Y. The children of Ezra Lathrop Barrett were Sarah Louisa, Caleb Dakin, Edward Lathrop, Myron, and Oliver.


Rev. Myron Barrett, our subject, son of Ezra Lath- rop Barrett, was born at North East, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1816. He prepared for college at Burr Seminary, Manchester, Vt., and was graduated at Yale in the class of '41. He taught school at Columbus, Ohio, during the next four years. He was converted during the last year of his college life, but did not decide to study for the ministry until after he began teaching af Columbus. He commenced his theologieal studies at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, but went from there to Princeton, where he re- mained one year, and was graduated in 1851. His only pastorate before he came to Newton was at Pon- tine, Mich., though he had during the fifteen months previous been preaching for Dr. Duffield, of Detroit, who was absent in Europe.


Mr. Barrett was pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Newton from 1854 until May, 1859, when he re- signed his position. He afterwards acted as assistant to Rev. Mr. Carroll, of the South Church, New Ha- ven, Conn., for one year, and preached at Stroudsburg, l'a., one year. He was a trustee of the Newton Col- legiate Institute from 1868 and secretary and treas- urer of the same from 1871 until his death, which occurred May 8, 1876.


The presbytery which examined Mr. Barrett before he was appointed pastor of the church in Newton was composed of Old-School Presbyterians of the bluest kind, and, as Mr. Barrett was not educated under their supervision, they suspected that he might have New School tendencies, and questioned very deeply concerning the finer points of doctrine. Though he held his own opinion, he had closely studied the views of leading divines, and quoted them in reply to the presbytery's questions, and in so doing he revealed the index of his future life. He never pressed his own views if he thought by so doing he might weaken


the progress of a good cause, and the opinions of others were more in harmony with those for whose welfare he was working. He had made the expres- sion of his thoughts in as few and terse words as possible a study, and has sent many a telling letter after this style into the newspapers which none ever suspected came from his pen. JIe was a man of broad and liberal views, and took a deep interest in every question of public importance, and especially in that of education. He was one of the most active among the trustees of the collegiate institute, and was continually making plans for its greater efficiency. He was so thoroughly indentified with the Dennis Library, at Newton, that he seemed to be almost the library itself, and he was sadly missed from both in- stitutions.


JIis zeal for the welfare of the people was not con- fined to the village in which he resided, as, though not obliged to do so for his support, he preached tem- porarily at Andover, at Clove, and at other places. ITis sympathetic enthusiasm in matters that interested his friends was such that their affection and regard for him increased with better acquaintance. By his decease the town lost a most useful citizen, the public institutions with which he was connected were de- prived of a strong pillar, and his family and friends were called upon to mourn the departure of one whose counsel and sympathy were missed.


His wife was Miss Emma E., daughter of the late David Ryerson, for many years one of the most prom- inent business men of Newton and Sussex County. She was born June 7, 1821, and was married to Mr. Barrett April 8, 1856. Their children are David R., died at the age of fifteen; Andrew L., a student at Princeton College, entered in September, 1878; and Sarah Louisa.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH ..


The germ of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Newton was planted in a sermon preached about 1800 in a house then standing in the neighborhood of Drake's pond. The Methodist pioneer in this sec- tion was the Rev. Robert McCoy, of the Philadelphia Conference. At intervals during a period of about ten years occasional services were held, but no at- tempt at permanent organization of a society was made.


In 1811, under the Rev. Messrs. Reed, and George Banghart, the first class was formed in this sec- tion, and Mr. James Iliff appointed leader. This was the first definite organization, and out of that class the Methodist Episcopal Church grew. AAbout 1817 the appointment was changed from the residence of Mr. Ingersoll to the court-house, in the village of Newton. Through the kindness of the jailer, the court-house was opened for the services, the Rev. Benjamin Collins being the preacher in charge.


At this time the services were held on a week-


. Contribute l by F. M. Hongh.


18


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SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.


night, and only about once in two weeks. In 1817 the further advance was made of holding them on the Sabbath. The question of a building for the services was answered in securing the barn of Maj. W. T. Anderson, on the Springdale road, a few rods from where now stands the Baptist church.


The Sabbath appointment met with varying suc- cess and some interruptions until 1823, when it was made permanent, under the charge of Revs. William A. Wiggins and Daniel Best of the Hamburg circuit, in which Newton had been included. By kindness of the officer in charge of the building, the court- house was again opened to them, and the services were held until the building of a church edifice.


The following preachers had charge until 1859:


1824, George Banghart, David Wiltshire; 1825, George Banghart, John K. Shaw; 1826, Benjamin Collins, John K. Shaw ; 1827, Benjamio Collins, James Long; 1828, James Dandy, James V. Potts ; 1829, James Dandy, James Lawton ; 1830, Jacob ITevener, James M. Laurin ; 1834, Caleb A. Lippincott ; 1835, Jacob Hevener, P. W. Blair; 1836, Sedgwick Rusling, C. S. Van Cleve; 1837, Sedgwick Rusling, Richard Laming ; 1838, John S. Swain, William Burroughs; 1839, John S. Swain, E. B. Wilkinson ; 1840, Edward Sanders, G. A. Wharton ; 1841, P. D. Day, Edward Sanders; 1842, John A. Crane, J. D. Blain ; 1843, John A. Crane, Reuben Van Sycklo ; 1844-45, Ceorge Wiuser ;# 1846- 47, Benjamin Kelley; 1848, Samuel D. Langhhead ;} 1849, Richard Van Horn, Richard Brookfield; 1850, Richard Van Horn, Thomas Walters; 1851, Martin Herr, Rev. Ackerman ## 1852, Martin Herr, David Walters; 1853, Thomas II. Smith, Thomas Rawlings: 1854, Thomas II. Smith, George F. Dickinson ; 1855, William M. Burroughs, J. Lawton ; 1856, William M. Burroughs, Caleb Malsmbury; 1857, Jolin Faull ;2 1858, Rodney Wioans ; 1859, Cornelius Clark.


In 1831, James Ayres, Abraham Gerhart, and George Brown officiated, Newton being at this time ineluded in a six weeks' circuit. During this year Rev. George Brown was removed to New Province, and his place supplied by Rev. P. D. Day. In 1832, Newton was detached from the Hamburg district, tlc pastors being James Ayres and Bromwell Andrew. During this year the idea of building a church edifice was definitely advanced. A lot was purchased, on what is now known as Coon Street, for the sum of .$100, and contracts made for the building of a church, to cost $2000. After many delays, the structure was completed about two years after the purchase of the lot, the dedication service being held Feb. 15, 1834.


A new church building had long been talked of, .and it was decided that the time had come for moving definitely in the matter. The lot on which the present church edifice stands was secured. The work of obtaining subscriptions proceeded, and a few weeks after the Conference of 1859 the contracts were given out. On the 20th of July, at 3 P.M., the corner-stone of the new church was laid, addresses being made by Rev. C. S. Vaneleve and Rev. Dr. Bartine, of Phila- delphia. When the walls were all np the building


committee told the builders that the work had not been done according to contract. An inspector was appointed, and as the result the walls were torn down level to the foundation. They went up again, but further hindrance put a stop to the work, and nothing was done all winter. In the spring the work was re- newed, and when the building was about ready for occupancy the contractor refused to work further, and, under the claim that he had not been paid, locked the door, took the key, and held possession of the property. Legal advice was taken, and, after assurance that the right as well as the law was on their side, a committee, in connection with the male membership of the church, after determined resolu- tions, in which they fully expressed their purpose, went in a body and took possession of the church. A committee was appointed to attend to the work of completing the building, and after many new diffi- culties the dedieation service was held Saturday, March 23, 1861, in a blinding, drifting snow-storm, Dr. Bartine preaching in the morning, and Rev. R. L. Dashiell in the evening.


At the Conference of 1861, Rev. Cornelius Clark was succeeded by Rev. R. B. Lockwood, who re- mained till 1863, when he was followed by Rev. George Whitney, who remained until 1866.


During the pastorate of the Rev. George H. Whitney the church paid its entire indebtedness on the build- ing and purchased the present parsonage property. Since then the church has had the following pastors :


R. B. Yard, to ISG7; J. N. Fitzgerald, to 1870; C. C. Winans, to 1873 ; J. I Boswell, to 1876; J. I. Morrow, to 1878; David Walters, to 1880.


S. H. Opdyke succeeded David Walters in 1880 and died in October of the same year. His unex- pired term was filled by Rev. M. D. Church, by appointment of the presiding elder.


THE NEWTON BAPTIST CHURCHI.


This church was organized in 1835, and recognizec as the "Second Baptist Church of Newton,"li by a Council, on the 18th of June of the same year, with the following constituent members :


Rev. Jolin Teasdale, Benjamin Northrup, John IIull, John Stiger, David Il. Strong, John Porry, David Cruter, John Himenover, Amos l'ettit Jr., William S. Hibler, Susan B. Teasdale, Sarah Northrup, Marit Trusdell, Emma Struble, Emiline Ilimenover, Abby Ilibbler, Nancy Matthews, Ruth l'ettit, Sarah Hill, Phebe Goble, Mary Goble, Eliza Stiger, Murgarot Perry, Elizabeth Emmons, Phebe Hardy, Phebe Sheclar.


All of the above are dead.


* From this time Newton became a separato appointment with ooo preacher.


+ This year Tranquillity was added to the circuit.


# The latter left during the year, and his place was supplied by J. W. Iloff.


2 This year Tranquillity was detached and bat one pastor appointed.


|| " Agreed to receive the letter and messenger sent from the church re cently constituted in Newtown, Sussox Co., N. J., in union with this As. sociation. William Marsh their minister."


This is an extract from tho minutes of tho Philadelphia Association, il 1757. The church hoto referred to was the parent of the one in the vil Inge, and was located near Augusta. It was organized Nov. 14, 175G, witl eight members, and wns known as the " First Newton Baptist Church.' William Marsh preached in 1736, but the church had no settled pastor until 1771, when Nicholas Cox wus ordained. In 1776 it had 80 members after which its membership gradually decreased. Rov. Mr. Cox was sue ceeded in 1783 by Rev. James Finn, 75 members; Rev. Silas Southworth 1787. In 1700 it merged with the Wantago Church, and went by the latter nume:


207


NEWTON.


Thirteen pastors have served this church,-viz. :


John Tensdale, from organization until Sept. 26, 1835; Thomas Teasdale, from Sept. 26, 1×35, to March 28, 1849; J. F. Jones, Ang. 8, 18-13, 10 1846; Samuel Morciand (supply), Nov. 6, 1837; Thomas Davis, July 21, 1848, to March 13, 1850; J. 31. Cochran, Nov. 28, 1852, to Jan. 28, 1×54; Henry B. Shermer, Jan. 17, 1857, to Nov. 30, 1860; Levi Morse, June 8, 1862, to Aug. 8, 1867; A. D. Willifer, Jan. 1, 1868, to Oct. 10, 1869; John T. Craig, Dec. 19, 1800, to May 31, 1871; Simeon Selg- fried, July 19, 1874, to Ang. 19, 1873; J. L. Davis, Oct. 23, 1875, to Oct. 20, 1878; Ernest Thompson, Dec. 1, 1878, preseut pastor.


The membership of the church has been of chang- ing character, never exceeding at any one time over 150, and that number secured during the pastorate of Rev. John T. Craig. Of the pastors seven are still living.


The present officers of the church are: Pastor, Rev. Ernest Thompson; Clerk, E. J. Crissey; Deacons, B. II. Hand, Moses Northrup, and Dr. P. N. Jacobus.


CATHOLIC CHURCH.


Tradition holds that Catholicity was introduced in Sussex County by some of the first settlers of Newton, who came from Ireland before the Revolution of 1776. There are still about Newton some of their descend- ants, who bear their name, but not their faith. This may be explained by the scarcity and almost absence of priests in American colonial times. According to the Catholic system the priest is essential to his peo- ple, encouraging their faith by the sacrifice of the altar and the sacraments.


Coming to historic fact, about the year 1821, Rev. F. Bulger, resident at Paterson, there attended the spiritual wants of his few and scattered flock. Oeca- sional visits to Sussex County were in after-years made by Rev. John Callan, of Dover, Rev. L. Seney, the Rt. Rev. B. J. McQuaid, the present bishop of Rochester, N. Y., and Rev. M. A. Madden.


Rev. Philip McMahon became the first resident pastor at Newton, in 1854. The old frame church in Newton was erected, at a cost of $1400, under his ad- ministration.


Father McMahon continued his labors in the county until the fall of 1857, when he was succeeded by Rev. James McKay. Father MeKay endeared himself to the people of all ereeds by his eloquence and amia- bility. After n pastorate of four years he was pro- moted to the charge of the church in Orange, N. J., and during the civil war retired to his home in Ire- land, where he still works in the master's vineyard.


In 1861 the Rev. Edward McCosker took charge. By his zeal and well-directed efforts he erected the present brick church in Franklin Furnace in 1861, and in n short time gave it to God free from man's claim upon it.


In 1871 the handsome brick church of St. Joseph in Newton was opened for worshipers by the Rt. Rev. James Roosevelt . Bayley, bishop of Newark, and lately deceased archbishop of Baltimore. It was an mulertaking sufficient to deter any pastor. The Cath- olies were few and generally of humble means, but


their generous non-Catholie townspeople assisted them in erecting their tasteful church. Its location is most desirable. Its cost, with the property, was $19,000, and at present but a small debt remains, 1 handsome brick parochial residence was also erected a few years after.


During the administration of Father MeCosker missions were established at Andover, Hunt's Mills, Branchville, Deckertown, Franklin Furnace, and at several other points. In the summer of 1850 he was removed, at his own request, to Rahway, N. J., where he continues his missionary labors. During his long pastorate he underwent many hardships in providing for his flock, and gained the respect and esteem of the whole community by his self-sacrificing and religious spirit.


On account of the growth and increase of Catho- lieity in the county two priests now divide the labor. Two additional churches, at Deckertown and Ogdens- burg, are now being built, and renewed efforts are made to keep alive the faith in the hearts of all the Catholics of Sussex County.


VI .- SCHOOLS.


On the Easton road, where now is the corner of Liberty and High Streets, stood in the early days an old log school-house. It was erected during the past century, but in what year is not known. Pemberton Britton's mother, who was born in 1781, went to school in the "old log" house when she was quite young,- about 1789.


The late Rev. Clarkson Dunn, rector of Christ Church, established a small classical school in New- ton, in 1825, in the old Episcopal rectory on the hill. "This school, though small in numbers, was con- ducted with dignity, taste, and propriety, and at- tended with success. The fruits of this early-planted tree of education were such cultivated minds as the late Hon. Martin Ryerson, Dr. Thomas Ryerson, Rev. N. Pettit, and numerous others." William Rankin, one of the pioneer educators of Sussex, who had been teaching a select school at the Clove, removed to Newton in 1828-29, and became the English teacher of Mr. Dunn's school, while the rector himself taught the classics. Mr. Rankin remained for a year or two, then went to New England and entered Yale College: in 1833 he returned to New Jersey and founded his school at Deckertown, which became quite famous and was an important factor for good in this part of the State.




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