History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 86

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 86
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 86

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

* By E. O. Wagner.

346

347

VERNON.

" We Have Had many Letters this Spring wherein our absent friend strongly regret the loss of their absent Father in the Gospel. This is n sufficient ovidence To any thinking person that this gontleman was much Beloved by his Congregation. Many of them have informod me that they have made many preparations for crossing the Atlantic puroly for the sake of once more meeting with their beloved Father in the Gospel, that they may havo the happiness of sitting benenth the sound of his word and recolvo Directions while this faithful messenger shall be De- claring his Master's Council that shall enable them to steer their Course strnight to Slon's Happy Shore.

"I must now conclude with my sincero prayers that the future labors of this Eminent servant of God may be crow ned with the good of Souls ond the Glory of God, which I fully belleve is his ouly ain.

"JOHN BUCKHOUSE.

" TO THE PRESBYTERY OF NEW YORK. " April 28th, 1793."

Another document reads as follows :

" Thia Articlo of Agreement, made the Eleventh any of August, in the year of our Lord 1795, Between Thomas Teasdale, Minister of the Gospel, of the one part, and we the subscribers on the other part, wit- uesseth, that the said Thomas Teasdale doth agree to preach the gospel nt Mr. Ensign'a, or where the inhabitants shall provide a pince, for the term of one whole year from tho dato hereof, (viz.) to preach two sermons once a fortnight on the summer season and one in the winter on the Sabbath day for the sum of fifty pounds lawful money of the State of New Jersey, with a sufficiont house to live In und nenfficiency of fire- wood for the above term ; And we the subscribers do hereby promise to pay to said Thomas Teasdale, or to the Trustees uppointed to collect the same, the several anms opposite to our unmes, with our equal share to the house rent nud fire-wood in regular quarterly payments, as witness whereof we have hereto set our namos.

" Richard Kdeall, £3.

" Daniel Dunn, 10s.

" Thomas De Kay, Jr., £2.

" Wm. Do Kay, 10s.

" Enos De Kay, 10s.

" Thomas De Kny, £1.

" James Edsall, £1.

" Thomas Edeall, tis.

"Nathaniel Dunn, 108."

The following extract from a letter dated Nov. 14, 1799, embodies an invitation to accept a living in one of the provinces :

" Ever since I ente into this country it has been my study to provide n living for you If you should bo inclined to come into this country. I havent last succeeded as I wished. On the arrival of tien. Hunter to the government of this province, he was waited on by Col. Ryann, of the County of Norfolk, a particular friend of mine, a good man, nud com- mander-in-chief of the county aforesuld. Col. Rynun mentioned you through me to Gov. Hunter, who was very much taken with your chnr- urter as had been retailed to Col. Rynnu by me. His Excellency pro- rented his compliments to me, nul desired me let my friend know that if he would come into this province he would have him appointed it- medlatoly nud settle n handsome income upon him. The county-town is now Inid out, a church will immediately bo built, and a minister will be put in a state of respectability, with a large congregation and ou inde- pendent living. If you come here and should not like it, it shall not cost you anything. The country is healthy, and perhaps exceeds uny part of America in a state of nature. I wish you would write as soon us posible and let me know your mind."

The progenitor of the Winans family was Isaac Winans, whose son William removed from Florida, Orange Co., N. Y., to this township and located at the point known as the Williams Mountain. His chil- dren were Elizabeth, Rachel, Abigail, Matthias, Isaac, Ichabod, Ross, William R., Henry K., and Maria, all of whom were natives of Vernon.

Mr. Winans made the township his residence during the war of the Revolution, and three of his sons located in Vernon, one of whom was Ross, who followed farul- ing pursuits. His inventive genius here first devel- oped itself, his father's garret having been devoted to mechanical experiments. He constructed a train of

ears which performed its functions successfully over the garret-floor, and its inventor spent much time in pursuits of this character, while the labors of the farm were often of secondary importance. He was also for a term justice of the peace. Ilis brother William was an attorney in Vernon, and Henry K. was for a period of twenty years judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

In 183-, Ross Winans made Baltimore his residence, where, shortly after his removal to that city, he was appointed by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com- pany to visit Europe and investigate the railroad system of England. He had, two years before the beginning and construction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, visited the city and exhibited the models of a rail-wagon in running order, the model weighing 125 pounds. This, which worked well in the presence of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, was the original and progenitor of the famous camel-back en- gines.

Mr. Winans established extensive machine-shops in Baltimore, and constructed locomotives for many of the leading railroads in the United States. He discontinued business at the breaking out of the civil war in 1861, and has not mingled much in public life since the close of the war, taking up his residence upon a farm near the Relay House.

The De Kay family are of Huguenot extraction, and were undoubtedly among the band of French refu- gees who carly during the last century sought the hospitable shores of America. The first of the family to arrive in New Jersey was Thomas De Kay, who became an owner of real estate in New York, about 60 acres of which he exchanged with Lancaster Symes and Benjamin Aske for 1200 hundred acres of land embraced in Vernon township and Orange Co., N. Y., as appears by the deeds, which are acknowledged as follows :

NEW YORK, 20th June, 1734.

" This day personally appeared before me Philip Cortland, one of His Majesty's Conneil aud justice of the peace for the province of New York, Joseph Murray, who declared upon the Holy Evangelista of Almighty God that Latraster Symes mud Benjamin Ask executed this indenture as their voluntary act uml deed, and also declared that Richard Parsons signed as a witness.

" PHILIP CONTLAND." The land in New Jersey was known as the Waway- anda patent or settlement.

Thomas De Kay, on his arrival, camped out for the night, and, being charmed with the spot, selected it as the site of his future home, and also as his burial- place. He built a house, and, with his wife, Chris- tina, and their family, became a permanent resident of Vernon. He lived to advanced years, and was buried in 1758 on the spot which he had selected, where now repose the bones of the okter members of the De Kay family .*

The earliest member of the Simonson family in the township was Nicholas, who came from Staten Island and located upon the farm now occupied by Francis

. Soe blographical sketch nt close of this township history.

348

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Walling. With him came Simon Simonson, then a mere lad, who about 1790 removed to the present home of Theodore Simonson, where he kept a hotel.

He had two sons and four daughters, of whom Joseph remained on the Walling farm and William resided on the homestead, where he died at the age of eighty-four. All the descendants of Joseph emi- grated to the West. The children of William were three sons and one daughter, of whom Thomas located upon the homestead, where his death occurred, in 1879. Theodore died at an early age; William still resides at the MeAfee Valley, and the daughter, Mrs. Carlos Allen, is a resident of Vernon. Christopher and Samuel Simonson arrived at the same date with Simon, before mentioned, the former of whom located upon the farm now occupied by James E. Rhodes, where he kept a hotel. He has two sons, Joseph and Christopher, still in the township.

Joseph Perry was an early settler and a large land- owner, possessing a tract which is said to have em- braced two miles in its length. He had three sons, John, William, and Thomas, and one daughter. John lived and died in Vernon, as did also his sons. The descendants of these sons all removed from the town- ship. The daughter left children, who are principally of the Simonson family.

Charles Backster came from Wantage in 1815 and settled near Glenwood, where he purchased a farm and remained during his lifetime. He left four sons and two daughters, of whom John and Sharp are still in Vernon. The former resides on the homestead.

The Chardevoyne family, as their name indicates, are of French descent, and resided early in New York City. William Chardevoyne made his advent in Ver- non before the Revolutionary war, his father having caused his removal to New Jersey as a place of safety during the impending conflict. He remained for a while in Hamburg, and was occupied for a brief time in mercantile pursuits in the vicinity. In 1808 he located at Glenwood, where he engaged in farming, and died two years later, leaving a family of five sons and two daughters, of whom Robert and Henry are still residents of the township. Robert purchased, in 1830, the farm near McAfee Valley upon which he now resides ; Henry is located up the Pochuck Moun- tain.

James Edsall located, about 1770, on the line be- tween Vernon and Hardyston. He was one of the patriots of the Revolution, and on the close of the conflict resumed farming pursuits, which he con- tinued until his death. He left seven sons, who set- tled in the county, many of them being in Hardyston. Of these sons, Richard still survives, in his eightieth year. A daughter, Mrs. Sallie Hamilton, recently died in her ninety-fourth year.

years, and died at the residence of his son Isaac. Gil- bert Drew had twenty children, of whom fourteen reached mature years. Two of these, Isaac and Gil- bert, still survive and reside in the township. Seven of these children were originally settlers in Vernon.

Timothy Force came at a period from Monmouth County identical with that of Mr. Drew, and pur- chased the farm now owned by William Riggs and occupied by his son, upon which he lived until his death. Of his six children, a daughter, Mrs. Bates, is the ouly resident of Vernon.

An early settler named Sprague located upon the present residence of Samuel B. Edsall, having eulti- vated an extensive tract of land which he purchased. He had three sons, none of whom are now in Vernon.

Ichabod Tompkins came in 1802, and became a resident of a portion of the Sprague lands. His death occurred many years since, and the family are not now represented in Vernon.

Near Mr. Tompkins lived the Townsend family, who were both farmers and millers. None of the members of this family remain in Vernon.

John Longwell, an emigrant from New England, at an early day located north of Vernon village, where he remained until his death, upon land purchased by him. He had four sons and four daughters. Of these, Charles is the only representative in Vernon.

William Green made his advent prior to the Revo- lutionary war, in which he served. His residence is now the home of Peter N. Ryerson. Three of his children settled in New York State, and a son, Wil- liam, remained in Vernon, where he still lives, as do also two grandchildren.

One of the earliest representatives of business en- terprise was Nicholas Ryerson, son of Hassel Ryer- son, who had four sons, Nicholas, Peter, Hassel, and John. He left Paterson, N. J., in 1785, for Vernon, and located upon an extensive farm, now owned by Peter N. Ryerson and a son-in-law, P. G. Brown. In addition to his farming pursuits he erected and con- ducted a distillery, a fulling-mill, a grist-mill, a black- smith-shop, and a tannery.

Mr. Ryerson dealt largely in produce, having been the principal purchaser of the products of the neigh- borhood, which ultimately found a market in Pater- son, N. J. He engaged with Daniel Drew, the cele- brated financier, in stock operations involving heavy losses, and also purchased at an early day large quan- tities of grain for distilling. The close of the war of 1812 lessened the demand for liquors, and Mr. Ryerson was obliged to effect a compromise on his purchases, which caused great financial embarrassments. He met with successive reverses, but was enabled by energy and activity again to recuperate liis lost for- tunes. Mr. Ryerson died in Deckertown, at the resi- dence of his daughter, in his eighty-sixth year.

Gilbert Drew removed from Connecticut in 1810 and located upon the farm now owned by Mrs. Ed- Paul Farber was of German extraction, and chose a home in Vernon as early as 1785, having located on ward Simpson, in the west portion of the township. He successfully followed farming pursuits for many | the Hamburg Mountain, in the southern portion of

349

VERNON.

the township. Much of the land was marshy and ‹liflicult of cultivation. Mr. Farber had three sons and three daughters, all of whom settled near him. Two sons later removed to Ohio, and Israel remained in Vernon, and died in 1872. Four of his children are now residents of the township.

Aaron Blanchard came from Wantage in 1815, and removed to the farm now occupied by Joseph Sammis, in the northwest part of the township, near the Wall- kill. He in 1840 repaired to Morris County, where he died in his ninety-second year. A son, Samuel, is still in Vernon, and residing with his son, Aaron S. Blanchard.

Richard S. Denton came from Goshen in 1827, and settled on the Vernon Mountain, near Canisteer. He later removed to the village, where his death occurred in 1864. He left three children, one of whom, Rich- ard S., remained in Vernon village and engaged in mercantile pursuits.

John De Kay is the son of Francis, and the grand- son of Willet De Kay, who had a large family of sons and daughters. Francis was born in 1776, and re- sided on the homestead owned by Willet, before men- tioned. The survivors of this branch of the family are John De Kay and a sister, who resides with him.

Joseph Walling was an early and extensive land- owner. lle had two sons, Francis and Joseph, the latter of whom removed to Indiana. Francis and his family located in Orange Co., N. Y. Of his seven sons, Vincent remained in the township, and died upon the farm now occupied by his son Francis.

Nathan Tompkins, a soldier of the Revolution, came from Morris County in 1792, and was a former occu- pant of the farm of William Campbell, where he died. llis children were two sons and a daughter.

Benjamin Edsall found attractive land on the county line, adjacent to Orange County, where he located in 1800, or possibly previous to that time. Of his family of six sons and four daughters, Benjamin, Thomas, and David die.I in the township. Joseph P., the son of David, resides 13 miles north of McAfee Valley.

Joseph Simpson was born in the township, as early its can be determined, in 1760, and lived on the farm owned by his son during his lifetime. He had twelve children, but two of whom-a son, Robert, and daughter-survive. The former resides upon the home- stead. Another son, William, died in the township in 1877, in his eightieth year. He is the father of Wil- liam Simpson, of MeAfee Valley.

Abram Rude, a son of Caleb Rude, of Hardyston, came as early as 1803, and resided upon the property now occupied by his children.

Two of the most venerable residents of Vernon are Adam Smith and William Riggs, both of whom have nearly reached their ninetieth year. The former re- sides at Canisteer, and still preserves his mental vigor to a remarkable degree. Mr. Riggs is the son of Zenas Riggs, a weaver, whose arrival from Morris County occurred in 1790. He located in the southwest portion

of the township, but ultimately removed to the Ver- non Mountains to rid himself of annoying neighbor -. Here he died in 1847, in his eighty-eighth year. The only survivor of a family of seven children is William, already mentioned, who resides with his son Horace on the farm purchased in 1821.

John Seward, a man of much enterprise, came in 1805, and resided on the farm occupied by Elias II. Riggs. In 1812 he departed for the West with his family. The late distinguished William II. Seward was descended from this stock.

William Crabtree was among the carliest settlers, and occupied the farm on which his son William now resides. Another son, John, is a resident of Vernon village.

James Green-somewhat famous among old resi- dents for his eccentricities-eame from England, and was induced by the heavy duty on copperas during the war of 1812 to embark in its manufacture. He erected large works for the purpose, near the residence of Samuel B. Edsall, but did not find his investment a lucrative one. He also purchased an extensive farm, on which salt was largely used to eradicate the weeds. The land was in some localities so marshy as to make the use of horses impossible, and two stalwart men of Hibernian extraction were substituted. Mr. Green on his death left one son, who now resides in the town- ship.

John Heborn, who came to Vernon in 1810, resided on the farm now occupied by Barnet Drew, upon which he died, as did also his only son. He is recol- lected from the peculiar team which he drove, com- posed of a horse and a bull.

William Bailey purchased a farm on the Vernon Mountain in 1810. He later removed to Paterson, where his death occurred.

John Williams also settled upon the Vernon Moun- tain. He had three sons, Isaae, John A., and Abram, the former two of whom are still engaged in farming pursuits in the same locality.

Silas Garner came about 1815, and lived upon the present farm of Gilbert Drew, where he was both har- ness-maker and agriculturist. On this place his death: occurred, and the children have since removed from the township.

James Paddock was also an early resident, though no representative of the family is now living in Ver- non.

David Hynard eame to the township, when cigh- teen years of age, from Westchester County, and ac- quired the trade of a fuller in the mill erected by Thomas De Kay, which he afterwards purchased. He married a daughter of the third Thomas De Kay, and afterwards resided upon the homestead, to which he removed in 1829. His son, together with the widow, is now the occupant of the farm.

Capt. Vibbert came from New York State early during the present century, and erected the residence now occupied by Theodore Wood, in Vernon. He

350

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

was a sea-captain, and purposed relinquishing the perilous life of the sea for the quiet of his home. He was induced to make a last voyage, and was lost on his return trip while in sight of New York Harbor.

Richard Kimble married into the De Kay family, and chose a residence in the township about 1810. He pursued the calling of a tanner, and died in the township. None of the family remain in Vernon.

Ebenezer Owens purchased of one Denn Decker, in 1790, a tract of land a portion of which is now the farm of Gabriel W. Houston. He had five children, of whom Isaac located on the homestead. The latter had two children, Henry O. and Susan. The former removed to Elmira, N. Y., and the latter became Mrs. Gabriel Houston. The son of the latter now occupies ! the land.

Abram Van Winkle settled near Glenwood at an early day, and died upon the farm originally pur- chased by him. It is now in possession of his son William.

John Rutherford, though not an early settler in Vernon, became an extensive landowner. This land he divided into farms, which is now worked by ten- ants. Since the death of Mr. Rutherford the property has passed to other members of the family, who reside in the township during a portion of the year.

IV .- SCHOOLS.

The venerable William Riggs, whose recollections extend back earlier than those of any other resident, describes the first school as having been located at the village of Vernon in the year 1800. The building was a frame one, of very primitive construction, and located in the centre of the hamlet, northwest of the present edifice. The home of Mr. Riggs was at this time on the top of the mountain, from which he rode the whole distance of 3} miles on his sled.

An early teacher was named Love; he became ill while engaged in his customary duties and retired to his home, where he soon after died. His successor was Benjamin Curry, who was followed by an instruc- tor of Irish descent.

Another early school, established in 1810, was lo- cated at McAfee Valley. Each patron signed for the scholars sent, and paid a proportionate sum to the pedagoguc. Two brothers named Pinckney were early engaged as teachers at this school, one of whom was later employed at IIamburg. Another instructor, named John Hammill, followed, who pursued the custom then in vogue and "boarded 'round." He had a famous horse, christened "School-Boy," who was a pet of the scholars, and held in great admira- tion by them. Mr. Hammill held sessions of the school cach alternate Saturday, much to the disgust of the scholars. His successor was Absalom Vale, who kept a book withi solutions to the "sums" in arithmetic within easy reach, and drew much of his inspiration from this primer.

A school was established at Glenwood during 1815.

The building was a frame one, of limited dimensions, and stood on the site of the Baptist church. It was later superseded by a more pretentious edifice, located half a mile north of the former one. The earliest teacher was named Curtis; he was successful in his profession, and was engaged for several terms. He afterwards became a Universalist minister. John Blan and a Mr. Donaldson were his successors.

The present school territory of the township is divided into the following districts, and the apportion- ment of school moneys to each is as follows :

Selma.

$139.06

Cherry Ridge.

128,37

Canisteer.

325.00

Williams

133.00

Vernon

325.00

Price.

183.27

Longwell

209.79

Glenwood.

325.00

McAfee

325.00

Independent

325.00

Milton

181.13

sprague

161.93

Pullis.

168.33

Parker

153.37

Wawayanda.

115.57

Total $3199.09

The amount of the State appropriation for school purposes is $175.77, and of the surplus revenue fund allotted to the township $188.69.

V .- EARLY ROADS.

No definite information regarding early roads is obtainable. A highway passed through Snufftown, and, entering the township at the southwest, passed through McAfee Valley and on to Vernon, from whence it wended its way to Orange County. .

Another, of nearly as early a date, connected Ham- burg with Vernon. The period of survey of these highways is not a matter of record.

The road territory of Vernon is divided into sixty- one districts, each in charge of an overseer.

VI .- CIVIL LIST.

The only records of Vernon rescued from destruc- tion are here given :

FREEIIOLDERS.

1850-51, Frederic Arvis, William D. Givens ; 1852-54, William D. Givens, William Campbell ; 1855, William Campbell, Jolin F. Ryerson ; 1856, Charles S. Longwell, Edward De Kay ; 1857-58, O. S. Longwell, Jolin Baird; 1859, Abram C. Rutan, William Campbell; 1860-63, Norton HIunt, Abram C. Rutan ; 1864, C. S. Longwell, Norton Ilunt; 1865-66, Norton Hunt, Joseph S. Little; 1867-70, Thomas T. Simonson, George Barker; 1871-74, William Owen, George Parker; 1875, William Owen, Jolin A. Williams; 1876-77, B. II. Smithi, George Parker; 1878, Thomne T. Simonson, George Parker; 1879, Thomas T. Simonson, Nathan B. Givens; 1880, Amos. M. Farber, Nathan B. Givens.

TOWNSHIP CLERKS.

1850-53, Price Van Nostrand; 1851-55, Lorenzo Demarest ; 1856, William HI. Ilynard; 1857-58, John Baird; 1859-70, T. T. Simonson; 1871, Frank Campbell ; 1872-72, John Givens; 1874-76, Frank H. Camp- bell; 1877-78, Charles W. Shaw; 1879, Albert P. Shaw; 1880, Smith Simpson.

ASSESSORS.

1850, Jackson D. Jay ; 1851-52, Ilenry W. McCausley ; 1853, Jackson D. Jay; 1854, E. S. Tompkine; 1855, Price Van Ostrand ; 1856-58, T. T. Simonson ; 1859-64, Joseph S. Martin; 1865-66, Peter N. Ryerson ; 1867-73, Jacob V. Little; 1874-75, Aaron Blanchard; 1876-78, Aaron. S. Blanchard; 1879, Lewis Martin ; 1880, Harrison II. De Kay.

351

VERNON.

COLLECTORS.

1850-52, Abram Rutan; 1853, Jolin S. Longwell; 18-1, Abram Rutan; 1855, Harrison De Kay; 1856-67, Abram Rutan; 185x-64. Henry Force; 1805-66, Robert Simpson ; 1>67-73, Barnett Drew ; 1874-78, Anos M. Farber; 1870-80, Gabriel W. Ilouston.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1850, George W. Hamilton, Evl S. Tompkins, Adam Smith, Samuol Giveas; 1852, John Baird; 1860, William Simpson, Jr., William Campbell, George W. Rhodes, Christian D. Day : 1865, William Campbell, William Simpson, Jr., Isaac Williams, George W. Rhodes ; 1870, William Simpson, Jr , William Campbell, George W. Rhodes, Isaac Williams; 1874, Amos Farber : 1575, William Campbell, WH- liam Simpson, Jr., Warren Hirdaell, Nelson Rhodes ; 1880, William Simpson, Albert P. Shaw.

SURVEYORS OF HIGHWAYS.

1850, Abner Toland, Nicholas N. Ryerson: 1851, Abner Toland, Vincent P. Walling; 1852, Abner Toland, T. T. Simonson ; 1853-35, Abner Toland, Samuel Givens; 1856, David Hnight, John W. Smith ; 1857- 58, David Haight, Barnett Drew; 1850-60, Gilbert Drew, John F. Givens; 1861, Gilbert Drew, David Haight ; 1>62-63, Gilbert Drew, Samuel Drew ; 1864-69, Gilbert Drew, Peter N. Ryerson ; 1870-71, William Campbell, Gilbert Drew; 1872-71, Auron Blanchard, Wil- lam Campbell; 1877-74, Gilbert Drew, Honry S. Utter ; 1877-78, l'eter N. Ryerson, Henry S. I'tter : 1879, John Morehouse, William Van Winkle; 1880, John Morehouse, William Van Winkle.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 86

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