History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 89

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 89
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 89

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Jacob martini

Azarialı, born Aug. 25, 1784, succeeded to the homestead upon the death of his father, married for his first wife Rachel Owen, widow of Samuel Owen, Oct. 14, 1815. She was born June 25, 1784, and bore him five children,-viz., Moses D., Ephraim (de- ceased), Randolph D. (deceased), Isaac, and Jacob. His wife died April 16, 1844. For his second wife he married Charity Gould, who died in 1868. He fol- lowed farming during his life, and at his death, March 1, 1865, owned some three hundred acres of land.

Jacob, youngest son of Azariah Martin, was born

on the homestead Dec. 20, 1825. He succeeded to the homestead property upon the death of his father, and has followed agricultural pursuits upon it during his life. To this property he has added other real estate, so that now he owns six hundred acres. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and a promoter of the best interests of society. In politics he is a Republican. He married, Jan. 13, 1848, Nancy, daughter of Jesse and Hannah (Swan) Leighton, of Amity, N. Y. She was born April 6, 1825. The children born of this union are Wilmot S. (died in infancy), Jesse L., Sarah E. (wife of Walter Wilson, of Deckertown), Winfield S., and William L.

Mrs. Martin's grandfather, Swan, emigrated from Scotland at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, and served through it. He lived with Gen. Washington's family. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812.

WILLIAM DREW.

His father, Gilbert Drew, spent his early life in Putnam Co., N. Y., where he married Susan Wash-

WILLIAM DREW.

burn. Subsequent to his marriage he removed to Sussex Co., N. J., where he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer, respected by all who knew him for his integrity and uprightness in all the relations of life.

He died July 11, 1855, aged eighty-six years. His wife died May 4, 1839, aged sixty-eight years. Of their large family of children, William, eldest son, is the subject of this sketch, and was born in the town- ship of Vernon, Sussex Co., in 1791.

The other children were Sarah, wife of Barnet

William Quen

ISRAEL OWEN resided in the town of Warwick, Orange Co., N. Y., and was n deacon of the Presby- terian Church. He married Jane Ferrier, who bore him a family of children, of whom William was eldest and grandfather of our subject.

William Owen was a farmer through life, and in con- nection with his enlling kept a public-house for many years in the township of Vernon, where the subject of this sketch now resides. Ilis wife was the widow of John MeWhorter, a daughter of - Carr. Of this marriage were born two children,-viz., Jnne, wife of Uri Terry, and Robert. Ile died Dec. 20, 1829; his wife died about the year 18.18, aged eighty-three.

Robert, son of William, was born July 6, 1806, and about the time he reached his majority succeeded to the homestead, where he spent his life as a farmer. In poli- tics he was a Democrat, and held some minor offices in the township, as committeeman, etc. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Amity, N. Y., and for a timo served officially in that body. Hlo married, Feb. 5, 1825, Rebecca, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Walker) Dunn, of Middlesex Co., N. J., by whom he hnd the following children : Margaret, wife of James Thompson, of Amity; Elizo; Julia, wife of Jonathan Dewitt, of Deckertown; William ; Jackson ; Hannah ;

Clarissa, wife of J. S. Dunning, of Middletown, N. Y. ; Sarah, wife of Jonathan Sayre, of Western New York ; Epbraim D., M.D. ; Isabel ; Emily D. The mother of these children was born in 1805, survives in 1881, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and resides with her son William. Robert Owen died Dec. 30, 1867.

William Owen, son of Robert, was born on the old homestend, Dec. 20, 1831. His education was received in the school of his native place, for three years under the instruction of William Rankin, a well-known teacher, and one term at the Troy Conference Aendemy, in Ver- mont. He succeeded to the homestead property upon the death of his father, partly by purchase and partly by inheritance, and has spent his life chiefly as a farmer. HIe has recently built n grist. and saw-mill, which he carries on in connection with his farm. Ile has taken n somewhat active part in politics as a member of the Democratic party,-has served ns frecholder for tive years, as one of the superintendents of the poor for three years, ns one of the town committee, and is at present commissioner of deeds. Ile was elected to the Stato Legislature in 1875, and re-elected in 1876, where his integrity was never impaired, and where ho sup- . ported such measures as he conceived right for the benefit of the people whom he represented and the State.

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MONTAGUE.

Rutan, Jr .; Mary, wife of John Vail; Neoma, wife of John Glann; Ebenezer; Hannah, wife of Josiah Ingersoll; Eliza, wife of William Green; Gilbert ; Susan, wife of Samuel Sprague; Jane, wife of Robert Chardavoyne ; Isaac ; Samuel ; Rhodanna, wife of B. H. Harrison.

William Drew married Sarah, daughter of Barnet Rutan, who bore him eleven children who grew to manhood and womanhood,-viz., Hannah, was the wife of Henry Chardavoyne, of Vernon; Gilbert ; William, Jr .; Susan, wife of Harrison Howell, of Orango Co., N. Y .; Letta, wife of John A. Williams, of Vernon; Barnet; John; Sarah, was the wife of Abram Williams, and subsequently of Simon Perry ; Catharine J., wife of John F. Ryerson, of Orange Co., N. Y .; Alonzo; and Ellen, wife of Abram C. Ruten.

William Drew spent his life engaged in agrienl-

tural pursuits, and also was a successful, enterprising business man. He died May 14, 1871. His wife died Aug. 14, 1853, aged sixty years.

Barnet, son of William Drew, was born May 24, 1823. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age, and in 1847 purchased the farm where he now resides, which at present contains nearly four hundred acres.

Mr. Drew is a Democrat in politics ; has served sev- eral years on the township committee and as collector. He is interested in all local enterprises of a worthy nature, and is a member and supporter of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. On Feb. 20, 1845, he married Susan, daughter of Abram Williams. She was born July 11, 1826. Their children are William H .; Jacob; Frances E., wife of William House; Emanuel; Josephine, wife of William Sly; Theodore; Mary L .; Barnet, Jr .; Ella; and Alonzo S.

MONTAGUE .*

I .- GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

THE township of Montague is located in the ex- treme northwestern corner of Sussex County, and remote from the county-seat. It is bounded north by New York State and Pennsylvania; south by Sandyston; east by Wantage; west by Pennsylvania.

The Minisink patent, of historie memory, embraced the valuable lands of Montague lying along the banks of the Delaware, and their fertility and natural ad- vantages early attracted to this favored locality the Dutch settlers from Esopus. The township was thus made memorable soil before the white man had cleared the forests in other portions of the county. This was less than two centuries ago the favorite home of the red man, the river "Fish Kill" abounding in the wealth of fish, which, within her limpid waters, be- came an easy prey to his hook or nets. On the rich flat-lands of the Delaware he cultivated his corn, and thus produced the material for his favorite "succo- tash." Just opposite, upon the Pennsylvania side, he had from time immemorial buried his dead and met kindred braves in council. From the easy fords at the Minisink, Indian trails diverged,-west to the Wyoming Valley, along the Susquehanna River ; north, by short cut across the peninsula of Pike County, to the mouth of the Lackawaxen, on the Delaware; south, through Culver's Gap, to the ponds and hunting-grounds of the Kittatinny valley ; and northeast, ria the Delaware, to the Machackemaek River and corresponding valleys.

Montague is the scene no less of early civil than of ecclesiastical history. Within its borders was planted the earliest of the four churches of the Dela- ware, and the boundaries of the township speedily became a stronghold of the Reformed Dutch faith. The history of the French and Indian wars, as con- nected with the Minisink, will be found more fully treated in the carlier chapters of this work, a general review of the subject not being possible within the limits of a township history.

The township has an area of 25,100 acres. The total valuation of its real estate in 1880 was $314,275, and of its personal property $79,675. Its poll-tax was $211, and its school- and county-tax $1723.31.

II .- NATURAL FEATURES.

The township is Sy miles in length, and has an average width of 6 miles. The Delaware River flows along its western border.

In this river, and opposite the township, are two of the largest islands along its course,-the Minisink Island aud the Mashipacong Island. The former is without doubt the most fertile of the islands of the Delaware. It is really a cluster of islands, being ent up by numerous small shallow channels or runs of water; hence the origin of the Indian "Minisink," the name applied to it by its native owners.

The township is well watered by numerous streams. The White Brook, Chambers' Brook, Mill Brook, and other streams of lesser importance, are found in the township.

The soil may be generally described as limestone.

' By E. O. Wague".

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SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

interspersed in localities with streaks of sand. Muck is also found in limited quantities.

The grazing industry prevails here as in other por- tions of Sussex County, though the strong, rich soil of the lands along the river border are adapted to the raising of grain of a superior quality.

The Blue Mountains separate Montague from Wan- tage and make it difficult of access from other por- tions of the county. From this cause the lands on the eastern border were settled much later than those along the Delaware.

III .- EARLY SETTLEMENTS, ETC.

Just prior to 1700 many of the Low-Dutch farmers from Ulster Co., N. Y., together with fugitives from the states of Europe, principally from France, commenced the establishment of a chain of kindred. settlements along the Machackemack (Neversink) and Dela- ware Rivers, extending from Ulster County on the north to the Delaware Water Gap at the south, and covering a stretch of territory about 50 miles in length and of variable width.

The "Old Mine Road," extending from Esopus (Kingston), on the Hudson, to the Water Gap, on the Delaware, constructed previously to facilitate mining operations at the latter point, had been abandoned as part of an unprofitable venture. This road, though a failure as to its original purpose, yet proved to be of great advantage to the pioneers in settling the valley by furnishing them with convenient access to their future homes in the wilderness, and for the first hun- dred years of the history of the settlements referred to it was instrumental, as a common thoroughfare, in continuing a close relationship with and attachment for the parent settlements upon the Hudson River.

The most valuable portion of the famous "Mini- sink patent" lay within the boundaries of Montague. It embraced that fertile tract of land extending from the mouth of the "Machackemack," at Carpenter's Point, down the left bank of the Delaware River to the lower point of "Great Minisink Island." This patent covered the two largest and most fertile islands of the Delaware River, with the adjoining flats lying along the Jersey shore,-Mashipacong Island, lying between Carpenter's Point and the Brick House, and Minisink Island, lying below the Brick House. These two islands alone contain 1000 acres of cultivated land, and, together with the shore flats and grazing-lands between the extremes named, more than 10,000 acres of the quality of land so highly prized by the Low- Dutch settlers was included in the Minisink patent.

The settlement first made was located opposite the lower end of the island (which gave name to the patent referred to), upon the higher portion of Mini- sink flats, just at the foot of the ridge on the south running parallel with the river. This settlement took the name of Minisink. A small grist-mill was crected upon the stream which here discharges its waters into the Bena Kill, between the residences

of Daniel D. Everitt and Jacob Westbrook, Esq., the former residence being within the township of Montague and the latter in that of Sandyston, as this stream here forms the boundary line between these townships for a short distance from the river. Johan- nes Westbrook settled upon one side of this small stream of water, and Daniel Westfall (said to have been his son-in-law) upon the opposite bank, where Mr. Everitt now resides. Others settled above, and still others below, the first settlers all placing their dwelling near the old Esopus or Mine Road. The place until a generation or two back had its country store, tavern, and blacksmith-shop, and was the centre of considerable commercial enterprise.

The Westbrook family was early represented by three brothers, who located at Minisink soon after 1700. They were John, Cornelius, and Anthony, the first having settled in Sandyston, on ground before mentioned. Cornelius chose the land in the same township now occupied by James Fuller, and Anthony purchased the land above Millville, in Montague, now owned by Mrs. Jacob Shimer. All these brothers were large landed proprietors. The property of Anthony in Montague passed to his son Jacob, who had seven children,-Solomon, John I., Soferyne, a son who emigrated to Virginia, and three daughters. Solomon removed to Pike Co., Pa., John settled in Sandyston, and Soferyne remained on the homestead; he had two sons, Peter and Jacob, who both removed to New York State, and seven daughters. The only representatives of the family on the Westbrook side now in the township are the descendants of the late Soferyne L. Westbrook.

Josephus Westbrook, another representative of the original stock, resided on the river road, on a farm now occupied by Michael Wayland. He remained there until his death, and left one son, Gideon, who removed to Chicago.

Still another representative, Wilhelmus, was a set- tler upon land near Millville prior to the Revolution- ary war, He was the owner of much property, and was also the proprietor of a mill. His children were Joseph, of Sandyston, Benjamin, who succeeded to the mill-property, and several daughters. The sons of Benjamin were Joseph J. and Daniel E. The former has one son, Wade, now residing in the township.

Capt. Abram Shimer was a former resident of Penn- sylvania, and located at Millville before the Revolu- tion, having occupied the site of Jacob Hornbeck's present home. He married a daughter of Anthony Westbrook, one of the earliest pioneers, and followed farming pursuits until his death. He also acquired a reputation as a very skillful hunter and trapper. He had three children,-Jacob, whose death occurred prior to that of his father, and two daughters, Mrs. Capt, James Bonnell and Mrs. Capt. John I. West- brook. Jacob Shimer left four sons,-Abram, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph,-none of whom survive. He had also seven daughters. Jacob had sons,-Abram,

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MONTAGUE.

Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, these patriarchal names having been retained through succeeding genera- tions. Joseph is still a resident of Montagne.

Daniel Westfall has been already mentioned as a companion of the Westbrook brothers in their advent to the Minisink, having located on the present farm of Daniel D. Everitt. The family is largely repre- sented in this and adjacent counties, though no very definite information concerning their early history is obtainable. It is probable that among his children was a son, Simeon, who removed to like Co., Pa., and from whom the township of Westfall, in that county, derived its name. Among his sons was David, who resided at the same point. He had seven chil- dren,-Cornelius, Simeon, Abram, Wilhelmus, Jacob, and two daughters. Of these children, Wilhelmus removed to Montague in 1826, from Port Jervis, N. Y. His son David is the only representative of the family in the township.

Jacobus Bennett was an early settler at the Clove, i in the township. He had three sons-Soferyne, James, and Joseph-and two daughters. Joseph had four sons-William, James, Burnett, and Peter-and three daughters. Of these sons, James is still in Mon- tague, and resides half a mile cast of the Brick House.

The Everitt family was early represented by Jacob Everitt, who came to the township in 1755. He was of German descent, a skillful physician, and partici- pated actively in the early struggle for independence. At the close of the Revolutionary war he settled upon the farm now occupied by Daniel D. Everitt, and fol- lowed his profession until the close of his life, having died in 1802. He had cight children,-John, a black- smith, Christian, Jacob, Godfrey, Abram, Isaac, Mar- shall, and George. Isaac located a mile from the Brick House, where his death occurred. His son, Allen, and a grandson, Daniel D., who occupies the homestead, still remain in Montague.

Jonathan Clark came from Morristown in 1760 and settled in the Minisink. He had five sons and two daughters, But one son, Isnae, remained in the town- ship; he located on n farm adjoining his father's, where he died. Isaac had seven children, but one of whom, a daughter, removed in Montague. A son, James Clark, removed in 1830 to Sandyston, and now resides half a mile south of Centreville.

The Davis family were among the first settlers in the township, linving come as early as 1740. Daniel Davis, the progenitor of the family, married Jessica Westbrook, by whom he had two children, Elizabeth and Mary. The latter married Isaac Everitt, and is the mother of AAllen Everitt, above mentioned.

James B. Armstrong came from Frankford early during the present century and engaged in farming pursuits. Ile was united in marriage to Mary Foster, and had four sons, -Julius F., Thomas D., Robert, and George ; the latter two are still in the township. He had also eight daughters, whose points of residence were widely extended.

Peter Bross came prior to the Revolution and lo- cated at the Clove, where his death occurred ; his sons were Abram and Deacon Moses Bross. The latter had two sons, William and Stephen, the former of whom is more generally known as ex-Governor Bross, of Illinois. Abram also had a family of sons, one of whom still resides in Montague.

The Fradenburgh family are elsewhere mentioned, in connection with the earliest stone building in the Minisink. Wilhelmus was the pioneer of the family, and had sons Daniel and Aaron, and possibly others. Hle also had a daughter, who became the wife of Capt. Peter Westbrook, who fell a victim to Indian atrocities in 1779.

.James Bonnell served as captain in the war of the Revolution, in which he achieved no little distinction for his powers of discipline and skill. Ile kept in a field-book a complete record of all orders, the places of encampment, and the skirmishes and battles of the troops under his command. This historical relic is now in possession of his aged son, and contains about 400 pages legibly written in round hand. Its contents relate chiefly to Indian incursions in that portion of the Delaware valley known as Minisink. Capt. Bon- nell died in 1814. His son, Hon. Isaac Bonnell, was born in the vicinity of Dingman's, Pike Co., Pa., April 8, 1790, and is therefore now in his ninety-first year. When a little boy but one year old his parents took up their residence where their son Isaac has since resided.

Mr. Bonnell has been actively engaged in public affairs since his manhood. He was in 1844 elected to the General Assembly of New Jersey, and in 1853 was chosen as State senator. He cast his first I'residential vote in 1812, for James Madison, and has voted at every subsequent election. Though advanced in years, he still superintends the culture of his farm.

The Van Auken family were early settlers and prominent in the stirring scenes which preceded the Revolution ; they were owners of large landed prop- erty. The representatives at present in Montague are Joseph S. and an extensive family of children.

Joseph Hornbeck was the pioneer of his family in Montagne. Ile followed farming pursuits, and resided on the present farm of Benjamin Hornbeck. He mar- ried a daughter of Jacob Westbrook, and had three sons,-Soferyne, Jacob, and Benjamin. Soferyne was drowned in the Delaware in 1806, and left two sons,- Joseph and John. Jacob resided in Pike Co., Pa. He had tive sons, four of whom-Isaac, George Y., William P., and Joseph S .- now reside in the town- ship. Benjamin remained on the homestead until his death, having married a daughter of Jacob Shimer, Sr. His son Jacob was owner of the homestead now occu- pied by Benjamin Shimer.

The first member of the Nearpass family in Mon- tague was John Nearpass, a brother of Baltus Near- pass, who was killed at the battle of Minisink. The . children of John were Baltus, Michel, William, aud

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SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Jacob. Baltus removed from the township, Michel made Port Jervis his residence, and the remaining two died in Montague. The descendants of William and Jacob are now residents of the township, Sanford, a son of the latter, being one of the justices of the peace for Montague. Jolin, the son of William, is engaged in farming pursuits.

Jeremiah Wainright came from Monmouth County about 1790. He married a member of the Shimer family and had sons, Wallen and Jacob S., and two daughters. The former lives in Montagne.

Thomas Van Etten came very early and settled upon the river road, on the land now owned by Allen Everitt. He had sons, Alexander and Dexter, who lived and died in Montague; another son removed to the West. This family, who acted a prominent part in the early scenes along the Delaware, are not now represented in the township.

Julius Foster came from Long Island and followed the calling of a millwright, having owned a farm and resided on the spot now occupied by George Arm- strong, on the Old Mine Road. He left one daughter, Mrs. J. B. Armstrong, since deceased.

Christopher Decker came prior to the Revolution and located upon the river road, as did most of the settlers who had preceded him. He spent his life on the land he purchased, where his remains were in- terred at his death. He had four sons and one daugh- ter, all of whom are deceased.

Peter and Joseph Van Noy were settlers in the northern portion of the township, where they culti- vated the soil at a very early date. They are long since dead, and the family is represented by Aaron and Joseph Van Noy.

Martin Cole came 'prior to the Revolutionary war and erected the earliest frame building in the Clove valley, on the site now occupied by James E. Cole. He also built a grist-mill and two saw-mills on the same land.

Mr. Cole had but one son, James R. Cole, who suc- ceeded to the property. The latter had eight chil- dren, but one of whom, Martin, resided in Montague. Three now live at Port Jervis, and one in Sandyston.

Judge Martin Cole, who has for many years fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, is now a merchant at the Brick House. He was formerly judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and at present holds the position of judge of the Court of Errors and Appeals.

George Nelden, a former resident of Pennsylvania, settled in 1816 on the farm now occupied by George Y. Hornbeck. He had three children, two of whom, John H. and George H., grew to manhood. Mr. Nel- den died in Montague in 1836. ITis son John H. removed to Newton, where his death occurred. George H. Nelden is the present clerk of Sussex County.

EARLY HIGHWAYS.

The earliest road which passed through Montague was known as the " Mine Road," and extended from

Kingston (then known as Esopus), on the Hudson, to the copper-mines in the vicinity of the Water Gap, on the Delaware River. It entered the township from Walpack, followed the course of the river to Carpen- ter's Point, and thus passed on to its terminus, Esopus. This highway is more particularly referred to else- where in this work.

Another early road is known as the Clove road; it ran from Walpack through Sandyston, entering the township above Hainesville, thence running parallel with the river road, about a mile distant from it, and passing on to Carpenter's Point, in Orange County. The course of this road has on one or more occasions since its first construction been materially changed.

Another early highway, known familiarly as the "Criggar road," crossed the Blue Mountains into Wantage, making Beemerville its objective point. This road has since been vacated, though portions of it are still maintained and very generally used.

Other roads were surveyed at a later date as the demands of an increasing population made them necessary.

THE EARLIEST STONE BUILDING IN MONTAGUE.

Until 1877 an old and dilapidated stone house stood just north of the old Esopus road, about two miles below Carpenter's Point. This unpretentious structure is accredited with associations which make it of especial interest to antiquarians as having been the earliest building of stone erected along the Delaware above the Water Gap,-or, indeed, the first stone structure, at the time of its erection, within the precincts of the Minisink valley. A comprehensive history of this venerable pile will therefore be of especial interest to the reader.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 89

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