History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 90

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 90
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 90

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About 1750, just prior to the French and Indian war, when the Low-Dutchi settlers who were able to do so made haste, on account of the growing inse- curity of life as well as of property from the fre- quency of Indian incursions, to erect for themselves stone dwellings, answering also the purpose of neigh- borhood forts, this structure is known to have been already quite an old building. It was adopted as the model hy those who purposed building of stone, and who came to visit it for that purpose from far and near, only varying the plan of construction to suit the fancy or convenience of each individual builder.

The house or fort was originally 26 by 40 feet and was carried up one and a half stories high, with a heavy stone partition-wall dividing the lower story into two rooms of equal size. The beams, flooring, etc., were of first-growth yellow pine, the Delaware bottom-lands being originally principally covered with a heavy growth of that kind of timber. Each end of the building was furnished with a heavy stone chimney, without jams, the inner side of the same resting for support upon a heavy yellow pine beam, or girder, 15 by 16 inches square and 26 feet long, with the ends built into the side-walls and spanning

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the entire width of the building without other sup- ports. .

Unfortunately, this ancient building has no exter- nal marks from which we may with accuracy deter- mine its age, yet from reasonable inference we may assume it to have had an existence at as carly a date as 1720. Prior to the French and Indian war it was occupied by Wilhelmus Fradenburgh (who is sup- posed to have caused its erection) with a family already grown up and with several of his children married and settled, having families of their own. From him it passed to his son Daniel, from whom in rotation it should have descended to his son Jacob, but, he dying before his father, it next descended to Jacob's son, James Fradenburgh (called "Cobe"), who died about 1842 without leaving issue, since which time the estate has been in other hands.

With reference to the early construction of resi- dences in this valley, it should be noted that, with rare exceptions, the rude but comfortable log dwellings of the early pioneers held sway up to 1750, and, upon the principle that the cheaper material would natu- rally be used first, the transition should have been from log to frame buildings, and the more costly yet more enduring material of stone (or brick) should have followed the exhaustion first of the lumber sup- ply ; but the necessity of self-preservation, outweigh- ing every consideration of economy, forced the most rostly material of all, stone, upon the settlers. This was at a time when they were ill prepared to afford it, the farms being then new and only partially under cultivation, wheat and corn culture being confined to the river "flats." This necessity continued until the war of the Revolution, covering a period of about thirty-five years, after which the people, owing to greater security, naturally reverted to wooden or frame buildings, leaving to succeeding generations the resumption of stone after its abandonment by their ancestors.

What probable motive indneed the carly construc- tion of the Fradenburgh residence or fort? Undoubt- edly its isolation, it being located about midway be- tween the Neversink settlements and the Minisink settlement on the Delaware below. Aside from sery- ing as a defense against Indians and Tories, it played an important part in the border troubles with the would-be citizens of Orange County, furnishing a safe as well as convenient rendezvous for loyal Jersey- men near the present line, established in 1774. Since the Revolution it has answered the single purpose of a residence for its several owners.

The earliest school recollected by the oldest surviv- IV .- ORGANIZATION. ing inhabitant was located near the residence of Jacob Hornbeck, and built of logs, during the begin- The township of Montague was erected by royal . ning of the present century. The first teacher was

patent in the year 1759.

V .- CIVIL LIST.

Montagne is no exception to most of the townships of the county in the preservation of her civil list.

The early records have suffered destruction at the hands of their custodians, and nothing of a date prior to 1867 can be offered the reader.

1867 .- Frecholders, Peter A. Van Sickle, Joseph Shimmer; Townshlp ('lerk, Jamies E. Cole; Assessor, Martin Cole; Collector, Thos. Perry ; Surveyors of Highways, James Cole, Jr., Wallen Wain- wright.

1868 .- Frecholders, Peter A. Van Sickle, Juseph Shimer; Township Clerk, James E. Cole; Assessor, Martin Cole; Collecter, Thos. Perry ; Surveyors of Highways, James Cole, Jr., Wallen Wain- wright.

1869 .- Frecholders, Joseph S. Van Auken, Amos Townsend; Township Clerk, James E. Cole ; Assessor, Martin Cole; Collector, Joseph Shimer; Surveyor of Highways, Samuel Cortright.

1970 .- Freeholders, Peter A. Honse, Joseph S. Yan Auken; Assessor, Martin Colo; Collector, Joseph Shimmer; Surveyors of lligh- ways, Joshoa Cole, E. E. Bross.

1871 .- Freeholders, Amos Townsend, J. S. Van Anken ; Township Clerk, Charles Well -; Acessor. Martin Cole; Collector, Joseph Shi- mer; Surveyors of Highways, Samuel Cortright, George Perry. 1872 .- Freehobler, Amos Townsend, James E. Cole; Township Clerk, Peter A. Honse; A-wasor, Martin Cule: Collector, Joseph Shi- mer ; Surveyors of Highways, Samuel Cortright, Alma Perry.

1873 .- Freeladders, James E. Cole, Amos Townsend; Township Clerk, Wilhelms Westfall ; Assessor, Martin Cole ; Collector, Joseph Shimer; Surveyors of Highways, William Nearpass, D. S. Ionse.

1874 .- Freeholders, James Cole. Amios Townsend; Township Clerk, Wilhelmus Westfall ; Assessor. Martin Cale; Collector, Joseph Shimer; Surveyors of Highways, William Nearpass, Daniel S. House.

1875 .- Frecholdors, Joseph S Van Auken, Jacob Shimer; Township Clerk, Martin V. Westbrook ; Assessor, Martin Cole; Collector, Joseph Shimer; Surveyors of Highways, Jason Cole, William Nearpass.

1×76 .- Freeholders, William D. Bartlow, Sanford Nearpass; Township Clerk, Martin V. Westbrook ; Assessor, Martin Cole : Collector, Joseph Shimer ; Surveyors of llighways, William Il. Decker, William D. Bartlow.

1877 .- Frecholders, William 1. Bartlow, Jason Cole ; Township Clerk, G. N. Cole; Assessor, Martin Cole ; Colloctor, Joseph Shimer ; Surveyors of llighways, Hiram Hankins, William HI. Decker.

1878 .- Frecholders, Joshua Cole, ThenAs V. Cole; Township Clerk, George N. Cole; Assessor, Britton A. Westbrook ; Surveyor of Highways, Hiram Hankins, William II. Decker.

1879,-Freeholders, Joshua Cole, Thomas V. Colo; Township Clerk, P. D. Myers; Assessor, Britton A. Westbrook ; Collector, Thomas Perry ; Surveyors of Highways, WHimam Hankins, William H. Decker.

1880 .- Freeholders, Thomas V. Cole, Joseph S. Hornbeck ; Township Clerk, George McCarty ; Assessor, Beujamla Buchanan; Col- lector, James E. Cole; Surveyors of Highways, Dennis Aber, Gilbert Mandeville; Justices of the Peace, Martin Cole, San- for Neurpass.

VI .- SCHOOLS.

As a part of the school history of the township, it may be proper to state that ground was given for a school-house in the Minisink as early as 1731 by Johanes Westbrook, which is elsewhere described. It is, however, not probable that a school was erected upon it at that early date.

one Master Cooper, a rigid disciplinarian. His severity caused him to be long remembered by the scholars upon whom it was exercised. A later peda- gogue was Master Daniel Kimball, whose terms were twelve shillings per scholar for a period of twelve

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weeks. He was followed by Master Wright, who is remembered as a skillful penman, and later by Wil- liam Ennes, after which a Madam Benjamin became the directress of the educational interests of the neigh- borhood.

Another log school building was located on the river road, a mile from Millville, having an antique stick chimney. A teacher named Hubbard came very early to this school, and lived with his wife in the school-house. He was succeeded by Dudley Stearns, and he by David Morrow, who wielded the quill with great skill. The old building gave place to a more modern and capacious one, which was erected at Mill- ville. At a later date a stone edifice erected by George Nelden was used as a school-house; it is now devoted to purposes of residence.

Near the brick house a spacious frame building was erected at a more recent period, with cupola and bell, which is now in use. Montague pays as her share of the State appropriation to public schools $1649.44. She receives from the surplus revenue fund $90.42, from the State appropriation $88.53, and as her share of the two-mill tax $946.42.

The names and numbers of the school districts in the township, and their present teachers, are as fol- lows : No. 1, River, Francis VanAuken; No. 3, Dela- ware, William M. Van Sickle; No. 4, Church, Gussie Hough ; No. 5, Cole's, George McCarty ; No. 6, Perry- ville, George VanAuken; No. 7, Clove, David Fran- cisco.

VII .- RELIGIOUS. THE REFORMED (DUTCII) CHURCH.

The earliest records of this church bear date 1737, it having been one of the four Dutch Churches organ- ized along the Delaware by Rev. George Wilhelmys Mancius, of Esopus. These churches-known in his- tory as the Machackemack (now the Reformed Dutch Church of Port Jervis, N. Y.), the Minisink, at Mon- tague, the Walpack, and the Smithfield Churches -- were organized at the same time, a Consistory having been formed in each body, which performed consis- torial acts. The Rev. Mr. Mancius visited the field every six months to hold service and administer the sacraments until a minister was settled over them.

Among the congregation was found a lad of Swiss parentage, sixteen years of age and of much promise, who had received a partial education for the ministry before coming to this country. A sufficient sum was raised to send him to Holland to complete his studies and to receive ordination from the Classis of Amster- dam, upon which the Reformed Dutch Churches in this country were then all dependent. After four years of studious application this lad, John Casparus Fryenmuth, or Fryenmoet, returned and became pastor of these churches in 1742, each congregation to have one-fourth of his services.

Mr. Fryenmoet, who was very popular with his peo- ple, continued his labors until Aug. 12, 1756, wlien, on account of the Indian massacres in this region, he

accepted a call from Kinderhook, Claverick, and Liv- ingston Manor, where he remained twenty-one years. He died in 1778, and was interred under the Kinder- hook church .*

The records throw no light upon the building of the first church edifice, though it is altogether probable that the earliest building for the Minisink charge stood upon the river road in Montague. This seems the more probable, since the parsonage stood in Mon- tague, and was for years occupied by Dominie Fry- enmoet.

The second pastor in charge of the three congrega- tions was the Rev. Thomas Romeyn, the Smithfield Church having withdrawn and made a request during the latter years of Dominie Fryenmoet's ministry to be relieved of his services as pastor, which was granted with perfect good feeling on both sides. Rev. Mr. Romeyn was ordained by the Classis of Amsterdam, and previous to his call to Sussex County, in 1760, was stationed at Long Island. But little is known of his ministry among these churches, and his illegible pen- manship renders it impossible to derive much intel- ligence from the records. He was a man of quiet habits, retiring in his nature, and faithful in his labors over the churches. While here Mr. Romeyn married, for his second wife, Susan, daughter of Col. Abram Van Campen, of Pahaquarry. He remained pastor for twelve years, and in 1772 accepted a call to the Reformed Dutch Church of Caughnawaga, Mont- gomery Co., N. Y., where he continued for twenty-one years, and where he died in 1794. Three of his sons entered the ministry, and a fourth died while in course of preparation for it.

After Mr. Romeyn's departure, for an interval of thirteen years the churches were without a pastor or regular services. This was in the main owing to the anxiety felt by the settlers during the time preceding the Revolutionary war. Occasional visits were made by neighboring ministers, among whom were Rev. Jacob R. Hardenburgh and Rev. Benjamin Du Bois, in 1784.

On May 11, 1785, a call was extended to Rev. Elias Van Benschoten by the three churches of Machacke- mack, Minisink, and Walpack, which was accepted July 9th, and his installation occurred August 28th of the same year. Mr. Van Benschoten was born at New Hackensack, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Oct. 26, 1738. Graduating from Princeton College in 1768, he studied theology with Dr. Hermanus Myer, of King- ston, N. Y., as appears from a receipt in the Dutch language signed by him, Oct. 7, 1772, acknowledging the payment in full of £3: 2:6 for board and tuition. He divided his services between the churches on the Delaware and a Reformed Dutclı Church which had been organized at the Clove, in Wantage, in 1787, where he removed in 1792, though still serving the churches to which he was called until 1799 or 1800.

* See further reference to this church and to Dominie Fryenmoet in our township history of Walpack.

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He continued his duties at the Clove until 1812, and three years later, after a painful illness, closed his labors on earth. His remains were removed by the General Synod to New Brunswick for interment.

Possessing many eccentricities, Mr. Van Benschoten had likewise many excellencies. He was remarkable for his frugality, for his scrupulous honesty in business transactions, and for his abstemious life. His preach- ing was highly scriptural and evangelical, clear in argument, and his sermons delivered with much earnestness. His services were conducted in both Dutch and English, and his extended labors in the county were greatly blessed. Though apparently par- simonious, his munificent gift to Rutgers College indicates the generous heart that beat beneath a rough exterior.

Dominie Van Benschoten was the last minister who served these three churches jointly, Machacke- maek and Minisink from that time until 1838 uniting.

Walpack remained vacant until the advent of Rev. James G. Force, in 1808, and the remaining two united in a call to Rev. John Demarest, who ac- repted in 1803 or 1804,-probably 1803. He came from Albany, and resided, it is supposed, near the Machackemack church. The information regarding him is very indefinite. He remained about five years, und for a period of nearly nine years after his de- parture, with the exception of some transient minis- ters, the church seems to have been without a supply.

In 1817, Rev. Cornelius C. Elting, the fifth pastor, was installed, being then twenty-four years of age. With a well-trained and well-balanced mind, a heart deeply imbued with piety, and a vigorous constitu- tion, and being a keen observer of men and things, he became highly useful in the church and the world, and died greatly lamented. Under his ministry a dissolution between the Machackemack and Mini- sink Churches occurred, though the exact date can- not be given ; it was probably between 1835 and 1838, Dominie Elting having continued with the former congregation.

It seems ensier for the historian to unearth from the musty volumes of the past facts which bear upon the early history of this church than to discover any record of its later progress after 1838. Since that tlate a search for such a record has not proved sue- cessful, and not even a list of the pastors in succes- sion has been furnished him. All that he has learned is that Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald is the present pastor, and that the members of the Consistory now serving are Florence M. Townsend and Albert S. Weed.

There are also two Methodist Churches in Mon- tague, one of which, under the ministry of Rev. Mr. MeBride, enjoys a fair degree of prosperity.

VIII .-- BURIAL-PLACES.

The earliest burial-place in use by the denizens of Montague was located very near the township line

between Sandyston and Montague, but within the boundary of the former township. It was deeded in 1731 by Johannes Westbrook to "John Cortregt, An- tony Westbrook, Jacob Kuykendall, Abraham Van Kampen, Jacob Van Etten, and Cornelius West- brook," to be used forever for a " burial-place and a school-house." Here were made all the interments during the early settlement of the Delaware. A copy of the deed will be found in the history of Sandyston township.

Another burial-ground, located on ground adjacent to the Dutch church, must represent an antiquity fully equal to that of the church itself. Here the eller members of the Shimer, Stoll, Wallen, and other families were interred. It has for years been discarded, and is now of interest only from the mem- ories of former years which cluster around the spot.

A very old place of burial was located on what is known as the Halberd property. The graves were marked by limestone memorial tablets, their rude in- scriptions having recalled the names of many settlers whose deeds have long since faded from recollection. The plowshare has since upturned the sod that should have remained saered, and ruthless hands, with more of enterprise than of veneration, have utilized the uncouth tablets in their farming pursuits.

The burial-ground attached to the Minisink church is now most generally used, and is maintained with a considerable degree of care by the residents of Mon- tague.

IX .- VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. BRICK HOUSE.

The hamlet of Brick House is located in the south- western portion of Montague, opposite the village of Milford, in Pennsylvania. The exact date of its first settlement cannot be fixed, though doubtless the point was familiar to the earliest inhabitants of the Mini- sink, and later the scene of much activity and life. Its name is derived from a brick hotel erected about 1780, during the ownership of Roger Clark. No records are preserved which indicate the builder and owner of this house, and in the absence of authentic information it may be presumed that Roger Clark caused its erection. It afterwards passed to Judge Jonathan Dexter, and from him to Wilhelmus West- brook, after which it became the property of his son- in-law, John Westfall. At a later date it was pur- chased by Judge James Stoll, and descended from him to George Stoll, his son. Alexander Westbrook next became owner, and from his heirs it passed into the possession of the present owner, Matthias Car- mer. Those already mentioned owned the property. Among the tenants were Matthew McKeeby, John Warbasse, Uzal Haggerty, Emily Drake, Francis Me- Cormick, - Willis, David Chandler, Maj. John Hull, - Irving, William Bennett, Joseph Thomas, and Burnett Bennett.

There are at this point, besides the hotel, a store, kept by Martin Cole & Son, two blacksmith-shops,

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managed by Gottfried Wieland and J. J. Westbrook, a wheelwright-shop, by Amos Townsend, two churches, and an excellent school-building.

Thomas V. Cole is the postmaster of the hamlet.

Roger Clark, prior to the Revolution, settled at the point known as the Brick House, where he possessed an extensive landed property. He erected a frame house on the site now occupied by Joseph S. Horn- beck, in which he resided until his death. Having no children, his estate came into possession of his nephew, Sanford Clark, of Albany, N. Y., who made the township his residence and devoted his life to the management of the property.

Judge James Stoll came from Wantage soon after 1800, and embarked at an early date in mercantile pursuits at the Brick House ; he was also judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He died in Montague, and left no descendants. A grandson, Albert Stoll, resides at Port Jervis, N. Y.

Joseph Wallen was also a prominent resident of the hamlet. The stock is not now represented in the township except through his daughters, whose chil- dren are of the Shimer, Wainright, and Hornbeck families.

Dr. Jacob L. Van Duzen was au early settler, and located upon land purchased of Roger Clark, adjacent to the hotel. He engaged in the pursuit of his pro- fession, in which a large and lucrative practice was enjoyed, and was a resident of the Brick House during his lifetime. The family is extensively represented at present in Kingston, N. Y.

Maj. John Hull, in connection with his brother, engaged in mercantile pursuits at the Brick House. The major was also twice chosen as representative from the county to the State Legislature. Both re- moved to Newton at a later date.

MILLVILLE AND EARLY MILLS.

The earliest mill erected in the Minisink was built by Daniel Westfall, on the site of the D. D. Everitt property. It was probably erected soon after the advent of that early settler, who came with the West- brook family to the Minisink. It was a very simple structure, and the flour was bolted by hand. Though primitive in construction, it answered well the de- mands of that early day, and was in use for many years,-probably until after the Revolution.

The second mill is located at Millville, which point derives its only importance from its milling interests. This mill, which was constructed at a very early date, is now owned by Jacob S. Swartwout, and located upon the Chambers Brook. It was originally built by a man named Job, whose widow later married Wilhelmus Westbrook, and thus brought the owner- ship into the Westbrook family. Benjamin West- brook, his son Joseph, and later Daniel Westbrook, owned it in succession.

Philip Van Noy next became proprietor, and Philip Swartwout succeeded. Jacob Shimer conducted it for

a time, when it passed to Joseph Shimer, and then to the present owner. It has been at different times remodeled and improved during this succession of ownerships. It now has three run of stone, and, with an ample supply of water, a capacity of 200 bushels per day. Both custom- and merchant-work are done.

Jacob Hornbeck's flouring-mill was built, as nearly as can be determined, about 1750, by Capt. Abram Shimer. It was of very limited capacity at this early period of its history, and had connected with it a saw- mill, which sawed most of the timber used at that period. It fell by inheritance to Isaac Shimer, who sold to Benjamin Hornbeck, Sr., from whom it de- scended to Jacob, his son, the present owner. It has three run of stone, and derives its power from the Chambers Brook, upon which stream it is located. Both custom- and merchant-work are done, and ship- ments are made to Port Jervis, Milford, and adjacent points.

X .- HISTORICAL NOTES AND INCIDENTS.

The following document will be of especial interest to the residents of Montague, from the fact that it gives an Indian name for the Delaware River not knowu in local annals (the Johannis Decker referred to lived on the farm now owned by Simon Westfall) :

JOHANNIS DECKER'S AFFIDAVIT.

"ORANGE COUNTY SS :

" Johannis Decker being Duly sworn deposeth and Saith That he was born at Rochester, is now Seventy-one or Seventy-two years of age Lived since he was a Suckling Child at Mohagheamake,-he was well acquainted with the Indians and their Language from a Child,-That he was well acquainted with the fishkill so called by the Dutch people, and by the English people Delaware, by the Indians Lamusepose That is fishkill, That he has always understood from the Indians, young and Old that the left hand or West Branch at Shohacan carried up the name of the La- masepose to the head of it, and the Reason why they gave the Deponent was because there was great numbers of Maskunamack (that ie Bass), and Guwam (that is shad) went up that Branch, & but few or non went up the East Branch. That he has also heard from Daniel Cole that he had been up the fishkill so far that he could jump over with a walking stick and that he the Deponent had understood that this was the West Branch. That this Transaction was before the Former Tryal at New York, and that Daniel Cole is now dead. That this Deponent was well acquainted with the Indians, Ambshoes, Mastewap, Yaniatabenties, Ecbkamare, and a number of others that lived at Coshecton, Shohacan & Cookhouse. But not much acquainted with the papekunk Indians because they were Esopus Indians,-that the Mongap comes into the fishkill about Eight miles above Neversink and further saith not.

his

" JOHANNIS X DECKER.

DIurk

" Sworn this 23d day of Decr, 1785, before me

"SOLOMAN CUYKENDAL, J. P.

"A true Copy from the Original.

"_COCKBURN."

But six months after the settlement of Dominie Fryenmoet over the churches along the Delaware a call was extended to him by the churches of Rochester, New Paltz, Shawangunk, and Marbletown, which brought forth the following crisp reply from the Con- sistories of Machackemack and Minisink :

" TO THE REVEREND CONSISTORY OF ROCHESTER, GREETING!

" We your servants have heard and understood that you have corre- sponded with our miluister, and have so far succeeded us to send him &

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 90

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