History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 74

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 74
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 74

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297

WANTAGE.

COLEVILLE.

This hamlet derived its name from William Cole, who emigrated from Montague about 1800 and pur- chased 1000 acres of land, embracing the settlement as it now exists. Ife sold or donated portions of this until he was at his death the possessor of but 116 acres. Hle erected a log honse near the site of Cas- sidy's Hotel, and pursued his vocation of millwright and surveyor. A grist-mill was also erected by him, with a single stone, and at a later date another, which was more capacious and equipped with two run of stone. Adam Deavenport enme soon and purchased the first mill, and also followed farming pursuits. William Wickham was the next pioneer to the settle- ment, and secured the land now occupied by Harman Riggs. Benjamin Smith also purchased land near by, which he cultivated. Abram Brink came from Montagne, and settled upon a farm which is now occupied by his grandsons. Benjamin Van Sickle, at a later date, became owner of the land at present occupied by John Wilson. Levi Van Gorden im- proved the land now owned by Christopher Van Auken. Bowdewine Brink and Christopher Cort- right each owned farms in the vicinity, the latter having been succeeded by his son, Jacob Cortright.

The earliest store in Coleville was erected by Wil- liam Cole in 1828; he was for a while proprietor, when his sons succeeded to the business. Levi Dea- venport also built and conducted a store, and llalsey Winfield erected the building at present occupied for mercantile purposes by I. S. Locey.

John Dodderer erected a hotel about 1840, and Jacob Roloson became landlord of another publie- honse in 1858.

There are now two stores, kept by Timothy Vale and 1. S. Locey, two blacksmith-shops, by Horace Deavenport and James Post, a grist-mill, owned by Theodore Matthews, and two hotels, of which James Cassidy and William Myers are the popular hosts.

MOUNT SALEM.

The pioneer settler of this hamlet was James North- rop, who became a landowner and farmer about 1800. It came by inheritance to his son, Thomas Northrop, und from him to the present owner, James R. North- rop. In 1836, Nelson Hoyt made his advent, erected a storehouse, and opened a store. He also built a tavern, which was rented to Richard Masterson. This tavern, which had in succession many owners, is now closed. William Gibson opened a second store, and James R. Northrop and James Smalley soon after formed a copartnership in mercantile business. Thomas A. Wickham snecceded them. Another store was built by James Wickham, burned, and rebuilt.

There are now a grocery, kept by Gabriel Ferguson, a blacksmith- and wheelwright-shop, owned by C. C. Casterlin, and a post-office, with J. R. Northrop as postmaster and Henry Wilson as deputy. A Baptist church is also located at the hamlet.

VIII .- CHURCHES. BEEMER MEETING-HOUSE.

The Congregational Church of Wantage and Frank- ford, now known as the "Beemer Meeting-House," was organized about 1744, and is without doubt the oldest religious organization in the township. It was the first and only Congregational Church in the county of Sussex.

A colony from New England settled in the vicinity, and brought their form of church government with them. One of the early pastors was Rev. Jabez Collver, who was proprietor of an extensive tract of land in the vicinity of Collver's Gap, and after whom the gap and lake are named. He left Sussex County in 1793 and settled in Canada, where his death oc- curred in 1812. Mr. Collver was known as a " United Empire Loyalist" by the British, and by Americans as a "Tory." The Governor (Simcoe) of the Prov- ince of Canada offered Mr. Collver, as an inducement to locate within bis boundaries, 1000 acres of land for himself, 400 acres each for his married children, and 200 acres for those who were single.

The pastors of this church in succession have been Revs. Jabez Collver, Mr. Seeley, Mr. Overton, Salve- nus Howell, Christopher Youngs, Mr. McDowell, Mr. Swayze, Mr. Gillett, David Abel, R. W. Knight, Bar- ret Matthias.

The organization was gradually absorbed by other denominations until 1844, when the congregation, by a vote of its members, decided to unite with the See- ond Presbyterian Church of Wantage, at Beemerville, in whose enstody the property still remains. By the deed to the l'resbyterian Church there is a restrictive clause that if at any time five or more members shall in good faith desire the property for the use of a C'on- gregational Church, it shall revert to such organiza- tion.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI OF WANTAGE.

This church-more generally known as the " Clove Church"-was organized under the Brunswick ('lassis of New Jersey as a Reformed Dutch Church by the Rev. Elias Van Benschooten in 1788. The petition to the Classis was forwarded the year previous and reads as follows :

"TO THE REVEREND CLASSIS OF NEW BRUNSWICK :

"GENTLEMEN,-We, inbabitance of the Cloveand its vicinity, Beg Lenf to present ourselves in the following Manner: Our aucestory a few in numbor who formerly belonged to the Dutch Beformed Church settled Our County about forty years slugo under part of which limo the Revert Mr. Thomas Romin Hy permission of his Church Council and people of the Minissink preached some of his time amongst us. By his leaving them we Became again Destituto till the Roverd Mr. Bunscooting was installed in Minissink Congregationa, who labored some time amongst us, whoso labors to appearans has Been attended with the Blendugs of God, So as we have upwards of thirty communicant members Amongst us. Wo the under Mentioned being Ardently Desiroous of the propaga- tion of the Gospel and of Being settled undor the Constitution of tho Low Dutch Beformed Church, Beg permission that you would be pleased to Grant and Appoint the Rover Mr. Elins Bunschooting or any parmi or parauna yon may think proper to nasist us in appointing and catablish- iug ns proper Church officers in order to Rulo and Represent us for the futuro, and Grant un buch supplies in our Destitute sinte ns yon in your

298

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

wisdom shall thiok Meet and Necessary. May the Blessing of Almighty God attend your Councills and we your partitioners are in Duty Bound to Pray.

" DAVID WESTFALL,

BENJAMIN MIODAUGI,

" WILLLAM JEANS,

MOSES COYKENDALL,

" BENJAMIN WESTFALL,

WILLIAM COYKENDALL,

" PHILLIP ROUSS,

JOEL CROWELL,

" JACOB DEWITT,

MATTHIAS STRIDER,

" JACOB ROSS,

" MOSES DEWITT,

" FREDERICK DECKER,

JONATHAN COYKENDALL,

" WILLHELMUS GITSORT,

EMMENIAL COYKENDALL,

"FRANCES KINO,

PETER VANGAVEEN,

" GULIELMAS JANS,

" DAVID QUICK,

MATTHEW JINSON, SAMUEL WESTFALL, ABRAHAM COLE,

" MOSES QUICK,

" DANIEL COYKENDALL,

BENJAMIN QUICK,

"CORNELIUS MYERS,

SPENCER CALSTON,

" PETER COYKENDALL,

JOHN MASTERSON,

" JAMES COYKENDALL,

WELLHALMUS STERDARGU,

" BOWDEWINE DECKER,

LENONEED WENTERMODE,

"JOHANNES WESTFALL,

PETER C. NITTEN,

" DAVID COWSAD,

" GERRET VAN SICKLE,

" CORNELIUS VAN SICKLE,

"DAVID COMPTON,

" JACOB COMPTON,

MATTHEWES BBINCK,

JOHN V. SICKLE,

NEHEMIAHI BRINCK,

JOSEPH BRINCK.

"CLOVE, August the 21st, 1787.

" The petition of the Clove has been examined and approved by the kerkenraad of the three united Congrogations of Menesing, and the Reverd Classis of New Brunswick would please to order the erection of a Congregation among that people, to be and remain in Union with the ahove said Congregations till a minister is settled among theor. Done this the 27th of August, 1787. Signed by order of the kerkenraad. " ELIAS V. BUNSCHOOTEN,

" Prosis."

The church was accordingly organized with 50 members,-25 males and the same number of females.

The Rev. Mr. Van Benschooten, having received a call, then became pastor of the Clove Church, and with the people of his church he lived and died much respected and beloved. He was the only pastor this church ever had under its then existing form. At the first, being unable to pay their minister one-half of a very small salary, the Clove united with Westtown in his support, and his labors were divided between the two places. But the Clove Church soon increased so as to be able to pay a full salary, from which time the Rev. Mr. Van Benschooten withdrew from Westtown and devoted his whole time to the congregation in the Clove. This church rose from very small beginnings. The barn of Helmos Titsworth served them for some time as a meeting-house. It deserves to be recorded that the Rev. Elias Van Benschooten made an en- dowment of $20,000 to the College of New Bruns- wiek,-a gift that will bless the church while the present order of things continues, and by which, though dead, he yet lives and preaches.

Soon after the demise of the Rev. Mr. Van Bens- chooten the Clove Church was dissolved by a vote of its members, passed Nov. 24, 1817, and merged in the First Presbyterian Church, Wantage, which was or- ganized under the Jersey Presbytery, Aug. 11, 1818, with 25 members,-viz., 12 males and 13 females.

The first pastor of this church was the Rev. Ger- shom Williams, during whose ministry there were re- ceived on confession of faith 64 members, and 44 on certificate,-total 108.

In 1821 the Rev. Edward Allen was installed over the church, and labored here until 1830. Under his ministry there were two powerful revivals of religion, besides other seasons of refreshing of more limited ex- tent. As the fruits of the whole, there were 342 mem- bers added to the church. In consequence of ill health the Rev. Mr. Allen resigned his pastoral charge, and was succeeded by the Rev. Peter Kanouse, Sept. 27, 1830, who was installed and continued his charge until Dec. 29, 1834. During his ministry there were two revivals, and some other seasons of refreshing ; 163 members were added as the fruit of the two revi- vals. In 1833 this church consisted of 512 members.

In 1835 the Rev. George Pierson became the pastor of this church, and about this time the parsonage was burnt and the church records were consumed.

Some time in 1839 the Rev. Anthony MeReynolds received a call to become their preacher, which he ac- cepted, and continued to serve them until the autumn of 1843, when he resigned his charge, and the church gave a call to the Rev. Sylvester Cooke, who accepted it, and was soon after installed. His ministry, which extended over a period of many years, was greatly blessed, and has left many tender memories behind.

In September, 1873, Rev. Laurens T. Shular re- ceived a call to succeed Rev. Mr. Cooke in the pas- toral work, which he accepted, and began his labors soon after. He continued with the church until the latter portion of the year 1875, when Rev. Theodore F. Chambers received a unanimous call in January, 1876, and still continues pastor of the church.

The present Session of the church is composed of Jacob W. Dewitt, W. W. Titsworth, and L. C. Dea- venport.

FIRST WANTAGE BAPTIST CHURCHI.

Among the oldest church organizations in Sussex County is that most familiarly known as the Papaka- ting Baptist Church of Wantage. About 1751 a num- ber of persons from Mansfield, Conn., who had been recognized as members of the Baptist Society, emi- grated to Sussex County and settled at or near New- ton, where a church was organized with William Marsh as pastor ; the date of this organization was Nov. 14, 1759. In October, 1759, the church joined the Philadelphia Association. Mr. Marsh left the church in 1763 and went to Wyoming, where he was murdered by the Indians.

In 1770, Rev. Constant Hart was pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Nicholas Cox in 1772, who was pastor for ten years.

For some years this was the only Baptist Church in Newton, Hardyston, and Wantage. A church was organized in Hardyston, and afterwards, in 1777 and 1778, large numbers of the congregation settled in Wantage, when it was agreed to remove the meeting-

"_ COSMOO,

EMANUEL WINTFELD, THOMAS DUPUY, JACOB CORTRIGH, ADRAM QUICK,

" BENJAMIN COYKENDALL,

"SOLOMON MIDDAUGH,

" JOHN MIDDAUGH,

PETER BEAMER, JR., JOSEPH COYKENDALL,

299

WANTAGE.

house from Hardyston to Wantage, near where the present Papakating church now stands, which was erected in 1830.

Mr. Cox continued as pastor until 1782, when he resigned and removed to Kingwood, N. J., as pastor of the Baptist Church in that place. He was a native of New Castle Co., Del., where he was born, March 24, 1742. Ile was licensed in Philadelphia in 1771, and ordained at Wantage, April 15, 1772. He was snc- cecded by Rev. James Finn in 1783, who resigned in 1785. Silas Southworth, a member of the church, became the next pastor, and was ordained May 21, 1786. From this period until the death of Mr. South- worth, Feb. 20, 1814, letters of dismission were given to several members to organize a church at Mount Sa- lem, and also at New Foundland and Beemerville. Notwithstanding the sending out of these colonies, the old church increased by frequent revivals.

After the death of Mr. Southworth the church was supplied by Elders House and Teasdale. The church gave a call to Rev. Levi Hall, Nov. 4, 1815, who was installed the following May. He died Aug. 31, 1821, after a brief but successful ministry. Elder John Ha- gan became pastor in March, 1822, and resigned 1825. Ile was succeeded by Eller Leonard Fletcher in March, 1826, who continued pastor until December, 1831, being followed by Elder Timothy Jackson, who resigned October, 1835, and was succeeded the follow- ing year by Elder Isaac Moore. Elder W. M. Fay followed Mr. Moore, in 1840, and remained until 1842. Rev. Sanford Leach was pastor for the next two years. In November, 1845, the church gave a eall to Rev. D). F. Tuiss ; he resigning in 1849, the Rev. T. Davis was called, and remained as pastor until 1858. Rev. Jo- seph Belden was pastor for eighteen months, and in March, 1861, Rev. George F. Love followed ; in 1865, Rev. Daniel T. Hill, and in 1870 Rev. George F. Love was again recalled. He was sneeceded by Rev. Mr. Jewett, and he by the present efficient and successful pastor, Rev. J. G. Dyer. The church has licensed eight persons to preach the gospel. This is one of the few churches in the county that have preserved most of their records, and each year adds to the interest and value of such records.

The present deacons of the church are James Cox, J. V. Little, J. A. Thurber, Levi Hull, Samuel Den- nis, Lebbens Martin, George Shepherd ; Church Clerk, Lebbeus Martin ; Treasurer, Humphrey Martin. The trustees are J. V. Little, Halsey Berry, George Shep- herd, Lebbeus Martin, Samuel Dennis, John Hal- sted.

The First Baptist Church sustains three Sabbath- schools,-one at the Pond, another at Lewisburg. and a third at Deckertown. The superintendent of the Pond Sunday-school is Levi Hull, while James McCoy presides at Lewisburg, and O. J. Little at Deckertown. The various schools have an attendance of 175 scholars. The present roll of the church em- braces 178 members.

THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WANTAGE.

Some of the members of the First Presbyterian Church of Wantage, who found the increasing dimen- sions of the society a serious difficulty, determined to petition for a division of the congregation. In re- sponse to this wish the Second Presbyterian Church was organized, July 13, 1834, with 122 members.

A new stone edifice, 40 by 60 feet in dimensions, was erected, and dedicated Jan. 4, 1835, Rev. Edward Allen having preached the dedicatory sermon from the text, "Peace be within thy walls." The cost of the edifice was $3000.

The Rev. Edward Allen became the stated supply, and continued his labors until 1841, during which time a valuable parsonage was secured and several additions made to the church. The elders at this time were Daniel Van Auken, Henry Beemer, Jacob Ayres.

In 1842, Rev. Peter Kanouse became the pastor, and labored with great zeal for the growth and pros- perity of the church. Ile was for years so largely identified with the interests of Wantage, both tem- poral and spiritual, that a brief sketch of his life will not be amiss here.

Peter Kanouse was born in Rockaway Valley, Mor- ris Co., N. J., Aug. 20, 1784, and died at Deekertown, N. J., May 30, 1864. He learned the trade of a black- smith, and for several years followed that business at Rockaway. In 1807, the first year of the labors of the Rev. Barnabas King in that place, Mr. Kanouse was received into the church, and in 1809 became one of the elders. Even then, uneducated as he was, he was greatly esteemed for both his piety and his natural talents. He was unusually gifted in prayer and ex- hortation, and was for years one of Mr. King's most effective helpers in that extensive field. For several years he had indulged the wish to study for the min- istry, and after the death of his wife he set himself resolutely to the realization of this purpose. He pursued a course of classical study at the Bloomfield Academy ; his theological studies were pursued chiefly under the direction of the Rev. Dr. James Richards, of Newark, and in 1821 he was licensed to preach by the Jersey Presbytery. In 1822 he was ordained by the same body, and installed pastor of the church at Succasunna. His labors here were attended with marked success. From this place he went as a mis- sionary to the Indians. From this position he came to Sussex County, and succeeded that truly remark- able man, the Rev. Edward Allen, as pastor of the Wantage Church, the mother of the three churches in that township,-Wantage, Beemerville, and Derk- ertown. His preaching in the old Wantage church was wonderfully successful. One revival at that place was astonishing in its incidents, power, and the num- ber of its converts. He was wont to say that "he never traveled anywhere. even in Wisconsin, that he did not find some who were converted in that revival." Ilis great success in Wantage led to his being called

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SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

to the charge of the Free Presbyterian Church,-now the First Congregational,-Newark, N. J. His labors here were far from being unsuccessful, but his friends at Wantage claimed him again. He took charge of the Second Church of Wantage, Beemerville, and his ministry was again rewarded with several remarkable revivals. At least two of these were said to have brought into the church over a hundred converts each. After several years' labor here he removed to Wis- consin,- a change that did not add much to his con- fort, and he returned the third time to Wantage, and for several years supplied the pulpit of "Wantage Third," as the Presbyterian Church of Deckertown was called. Here too his labors were abundant in the number brought into the church.

The elders during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Kanouse were Levi Ayres, John Dunning, Henry Beemer, Daniel Van Auken, and E. M. Decker.

The pulpit was next filled by Rev. Nathaniel Leigh- ton, who followed Mr. Kanouse and began his labors Sept. 1, 1854, the elders during his ministry having been John Dunning, Henry Beemer, Eben M. Decker, and Levi Ayres.

Mr. Leighton resigned the pastorate after a resi- dence of five years with his people, and an invitation was extended to Rev. Robert Crossett, which was ac- cepted, and the new pastor entered upon his clerical work Jan. 1, 1859. The elders at this time were Ben- jamin Couse, Nelson Phillips, Isaac Dolsen, Robert McMickle, Jonathan Decker.

Rev. Andrew Tully succeeded in December, 1866, and continued pastor of the church until 1873, after which Rev. William F. Arms received a call, and was installed on the 7th of December of the same year. His ministry extended over a period of nearly three years, after which the present incumbent, Rev. C. P. Glover, received and accepted a call, his installation having taken place Dec. 26, 1878. The present elders are John Dunning, Robert McMickle, Nelson Phil- lips, Isaac Dolsen, Barret A. Van Auken, M. L. Hockenberry, O. C. Hockenberry, Dolsen Ayres. The church sustains a flourishing Sabbath-school with 90 members, of which the pastor is superintendent, and Robert MeMickle assistant superintendent.

THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WANTAGE.

On May 1, 1839, Rev. George Pierson, the beloved pastor of the Presbyterian Church of the Clove, at the request of several members of his congregation re- siding in the village of Deckertown, organized the above-named church. Though feeble numerically, -only 28 members,-they possessed great spiritual enthusiasm. The first elders chosen were Lewis Whitaker, Jacob Beemer, Horton Beemer, and John Smith.

Rev. James W. Wood, fresh from the seminary, be- came pastor of the church in the autumn. He is re- membered as a man of positive convictions, a con- scientious preacher, fearless in the discharge of his

duties, and spiritually minded. He began his labors with this little flock under the firm conviction that he could convert the whole of Sussex County. For six years he waged a successful warfare, but doubtless found true the experience of a greater man, Philip Melanchthon, who " confessed the old devil was too strong for the young Melanchthon." The first year under Mr. Wood's pastorate 34 were added to the roll of membership, and the people began the work of church erection. The result of six years of labor of this pastor was the building of a comfortable edifice and the addition of 120 to the church membership. The pronounced piety of Rev. Mr. Wood is still re- membered. His boldness in confronting the evils of the day left its impress upon the minds of his learers.

Rev. A. B. Rich succeeded to the charge, and dur- ing his pastorate of two years 20 members were added to the church roll. After an interval of two years, during which the congregation were without a settled pastor, Rev. B. Farrand received a call, and remained six years, when the membership was increased by 50 names. Rev. William H. Babbitt followed and re- mained two years, during which time 19 were received into communion with the church.

In connection with the results of these successive pastorates should be mentioned the efforts of two elders of devoted piety, John Smith and Broderick Decker, whose fidelity and sincerity, as exemplified in personal pleading with the people and visitations from house to house, were greatly blessed.

Rev. Peter Kanouse, a man mighty in the Scrip- tures and a giant in argument, became in his old age the pastor of the church. He ministered with edifi- cation to the people until he fell asleep, in 1861, hav- ing carefully guarded his flock for six years. He was a man greatly beloved, and his grace is still with the people.

Rev. O. H. P. Deyo labored for a year in the field, and was succeeded by Rev. P. J. Timlow, a ripe scholar and an able preacher. For four years he drew increasing congregations, who were delighted as they sat under his ministry. Rev. N. Elmer followed, and preached for one year, when he was succeeded by Rev. James McWilliams, than whom the church never possessed a more thorough scholar and thought- ful divine. The four years of his labor in this field were without brilliant results, but the church had ever before it the life of a minister that was lovely and of good report. It had teachings that were sound and thoroughly Presbyterian. During his pas- torate at Deckertown he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Wilson, daughter of one of the older residents of the place. His death, which was sudden, occurred in September, 1873, from an affectiou of the heart. IIe was stricken suddenly, while in the prime of health and manhood. Rev. Mr. McWilliams was an honored member of two secret societies, whose deep sorrow bore fit expression in the tablet that marks his grave.

301

WANTAGE.

The present pastor, Rev. E. A. Hamilton, was called in September, 1873, and has occupied the field longer than any preceding minister. Mr. Hamilton entered the army at the beginning of the civil war and served until its close, leaving the service with the commis- sion of lieutenant-colonel of the First New York Mounted Rifles. He afterwards graduated at the Oberlin University, and later studied theology at the Union Theological Seminary, in New York City. The church has during his ministry been repaired, the congregation increased, and additions to the membership to the number of 58 made.

The only revivals of religion which this church has enjoyed have been under the pastorates of Rev. James Wood and Rev. Mr. Hamilton. It has had various seasons of refreshing, but no striking displays of interest of a general character.

The congregation has suffered great loss by death in recent years, heads of families of much spiritual as well as financial influence having been called away.

The present elders are Abram Smith (for many years in office), Jeremiah Layton, James H. Dun- ning, Andrew Shorter, and James Halsey Couse. J. A. Dunning is the present superintendent of the Sabbath-school and chorister of the church.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Deckertown was organized in 1858, under the energetie labors of Rev. Isaac Cross, the church edifice having been erected in 1857, and dedicated Feb. 3, 1858. This was mainly effected through the liberality of Mr. In- crease Stoddard, who donated the ground upon which it stands and a subscription of $500. By a singular coincidence, his funeral sermon was the first deliv- ered in the new building.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 74

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