History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 94

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 94
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 94

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George W., son of David J. Cellver, was bern on the home- stead, on Schooley's Mountain, Feb. 4, 1810. Hle was bound out at the age of seventeen to learn the millwright trade, aod after reaching his majority worked as n journeyman for one year, He married, Sept. 21, 1833, Mary S., daughter of Thomas Kays, of Lafayette, She was boro April 12, 1816, ond died July 4, 1842. The children born of this union were Hannah C., wife of Edward A. Couse, died June 11, 1863, aged twenty- eight; Margaret ; Gabriel; Henry Knys, boro Dec. 7. 1838, died April 27, 1840; George Henry, boro Mareb 7, 1841, died May 10, 1860. For his second wife Mr. Collver married, Jan. 19, 1843, Dorens P. Kays, a sister nf his foriner wife. She was born Feb. 5, 1820. The only child boru of this union is Mary Elizabeth, wife of William H1. Couse.

After his marringe Mr. Collver carried on his business in Allamuchy for one year, for two years at Huntsville, and at Sparta he resided for six years, where he built a mill and was engaged in the manufacture of wrought iron and in the mer- cantile business, In 1812, in company with his partner, Henry B. Knys, ho purchased property nt Lower Lafayette, upon which he settled in the spring of 1813. Here they erected a grist- and saw-mill, which they carried on, together with a foundry and store.

After the death of Mr. Kays, in 1855, Mr. Collver carried on the business alone for two years, when he associated with him in business Judge James B. Huston. The firm of Collver f lluston have carried on a successful trade since, and are among the roost caterprising business men of Lafayette.

Mr. t'ollver formerly took an active interest in local politics as a Democrat, but upon the organization of the Repoblican party ho became identified with its principles. He has enjoyed the most important offices in his township, and was elected to the State Legislature in the fall of 1851. He is a pronounced advocate of the temperance cause, und was one of tho founders, many years ago, of the Sons of Temperance society at Lafny. ette, and whilo a member of the Legislature he advocated and voted for the Maine Inw, In connection with temperance or- ganizations, he was for some time District Deputy for Sussex County. lle is a supporter of church interests, a promoter of all worthy local objects, and is a member of the Christian Church at Baloville.

377

LAFAYETTE.

interest of his partner, and in 1856 disposed of a half- interest to James B. Huston, his brother-in-law, who married a daughter of Thomas Kays. This firm man- age an extended business at this point.

The old mill is now condueted as a foundry. It is run by water-power, and manufactures all varieties of machinery for milling purposes. The flouring- mill is also furnished with power by the Paulinskill, and has four run of stone. It has a capacity of 300 bushels per day, and does both custom- and mer- chant-work. The market for its products is found in Newark, Paterson, New York, and adjacent portions of the county.

In addition, the firm of Collver & Huston have a saw-mill and a warehouse and store which controls an extensive country trade.

The Old Mill .- The old log mill above alluded to, after undergoing various changes of ownership, came into the possession of a Widow Nyce, who conveyed it to Robert and Samuel Price, and they to John Price, by dved recorded in the archives of Sussex County in Book HI 2 of deeds, page 295. John Price erected the dwelling-house near the new mill, and lately owned by William Armstrong, now deceased.

The property next passed, in 1820, into the hands of James Ludlam, who in 1822 erected a new and ca- pacious frame mill with three run of stone on the site of the present building. Parts of the foundation of the old log mill remained visible quite recently, and the logs and a part of the roof until 1830. He also erected near this mill a distillery, which remained standing until a recent date.

The property passed by devise to Richard R. Mor- ris from Ludlam, and was conveyed by the latter to Joseph Northrop, Jr., in November, 1835. Northrop erected the storchouse still standing, and continued to own the property until his death, in 1846, when William Armstrong, of Frankford township, became the proprietor.

In 1857 the grist-mill, with all its contents, then in possession of Messrs. Smith & Kays as lessees, was burned.

William Armstrong in 1858 sold the mill-site, dis- tillery, store-house, and about ten acres of the land, including all the water-power, to his son, Obadiah P'. Armstrong, and Thomas Kays. The power was at that time furnished by a dam about 200 yards above the present dam, which was 7 feet in height, and flowed an area of from 1000 to 2000 acres of land.

Messis, Armstrong & Kays in 1858 sold 7 feet of the water-fall to the "Paulinskill Meadow Company," which was organized to reclaim the above overflowed lands. The oldt dam was removed and the present one erected, as was also a new mill, by Messrs. Arm- strong & Kays, in 1859.

Mr. Kays disposed of his interest to Dr. Franklin Smith in 1860, and he in turn to the present owner, Obadiah P. Armstrong, in 1864.

The Old Foundry. The business was originally es- 25

tablished in Lafayette in 1830, by Jonathan Owens. Three years later it passed into the hands of AAlex- ander Boyles, a gentleman who was sheriff of the county, and prominently identified with the business interests of the place; he erected a large stove- foundry, a part of which building still stands.

Mr. Boyles conducted a very extensive business until 18-42, when the foundry passed to the estate of James Cassidy, and later to Dr. Franklin Smith and Barton Mushback. In 1852, Thomas Kays purchased the interest of Mushback, and, in connection with Dr. Smith, under the firm-name of Smith & Kays, managed a very extensive foundry and machine bu-i- ness. In 1859, Mr. Kays disposed of his interest to his partner, who in 1862 transferred the property to Mrs. Theresa M. Ilagaman.

The foundry, after a succession of changes, is now owned by Messrs. Collver & Huston. The building is occupied as a dwelling, and the saw-mill adjoining has ceased its labors.

GISTEN'S CORNERS.

This was the name given a point at the first cross- roads on the old turnpike leading to Sparta.

George Gustin was the leading spirit of the locality, and occupied a storehouse, in which he conducted a general mercantile business. The old house, as nearly as can be described, was located at the east corner of the forks of the road, the crumbling foundation of which still remains. Later he resided in a house built adjacent to the old site, and which is still stand- ing. A storehouse was also erected near this spot, which yet remains, although converted to other uses.

Mr. Gustin had two sons, John R. and Alphens. the former of whom is dead. AAlpheus in carly lite filled the office of constable, and was later engaged in mercantile pursuits in Lafayette. He removed to Pontiac, Mich., in 1858, or possibly earlier, and en- gaged in banking, and amassed quite a large fortune.

X .- BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.

Lafayette was for many years an active business eentre and largely identified with the political history of Sussex County. The years from 1838 to 1842 were especially fraught with significance as the era of busi- ness activity. During this time Alexander Boyles conducted the foundry before mentioned, employing forty men, and often a larger number. There were three stores,-two in Upper and one in Lower Lafay- ette,-two flouring- and grist-mills, a clover-mill, a saw-mill, a distillery, blacksmith-shop, ete.

Joseph Northrop and George H. Nelden, under the firm-name of Northrop & Nellen, did an extensive mercantile business, and Wellesley Cummins was their competitor, enjoying a liberal share of the patronage. Both mills were owned by Joseph Northrop,-the upper one conducted by himself, and the lower one by George II. Neben. The latter purchased his part- ner's interest in the mercantile business, and eventu- ally sold it to Thomas Lawrence, of Hamburg, at

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SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

present State senator, he having formed a copartner- ship with Northrop.

Alexander Boyles, who was the earliest postmaster in Lafayette, manifested much ability and energy dur- ing his business career, and as a politician won great popularity, having been a pronounced Democrat. He entered the political arena as candidate for sheriff in 1834, was elected, and five years later represented the county as State senator.

Mr. Nelden, a sou of George Nelden, of Montague township, was also a candidate for political honors. He was chosen sheriff of Sussex County in 1849, was appointed United States marshal from 1853 to 1861, and was elected county clerk in 1874 and in 1879.

O. P. Armstrong's flouring- and grist-mill, origi- nally the site of the old Bale mill, is run by water furnished by the Paulinskill, and has three run of stone, which affords it a capacity of 200 bushels per day when driven to its utmost limit. The grain is purchased in New York and New Jersey, and the market for the flour is found in New York, Newark, and the adjacent country.

An apple-distillery is also run in connection with the mill, with one run of stone used in grinding. The capacity of the still is 226 gallons per day, apple-brandy being the commodity produced, which is shipped in casks and finds a ready market.

David Munroe established, years since, a sash-and- blind factory, which is still conducted by him, and af- fords employment to many workmen.

William llowell has a harness-factory. Sylvester Koyt is actively engaged as a wheelwright, and has an extensive shop, while Jacob Shuster and William C. Quick are the blacksmiths.

George M. Sutton is the only landlord of the village, and Mrs. Elizabeth D. Terwilliger holds the eommis- sion as postmistress.

SLATE-QUARRIES.

Among the most productive interests of Lafayette are the slate-quarries, located 1} miles from the vil- lage, in the centre of the township. They were orig- inally owned by Martin R. Kays and Messrs. Gunder- man & Kalts. Slate deposits were discovered at this point at a very early period, but no practical use was made of the knowledge thus gained until 1843. The property was leased the same year by Messrs. Wil- liams & Jones, who mined the quarries successfully for a series of years with hand-labor, having intro- duced but little labor-saving machinery.

For a period extending to 1856 the quarries re- mained unworked, but were subsequently re-leased of Mr. Kays by Thomas Jones for a period of ten years. He erected machinery and pursued his mining labors until 1861, when his interest was sold to Williams & Rolands, who worked the deposit for five years, after which Mr. Williams retained ex- clusive control until his death, in 1876, when Jones, Collver & Huston became lessees.

The slate, after being mined, is finished with a dressing-machine, a derriek furnished with power by a steam-engine being employed for hoisting, and a windmill for pumping water. Ten men are em- ployed in the production of 1000 feet of slate per day, the market for which is found principally in New York and New Jersey.

The Gunderman & Kalts quarry was first opened in 1870, and, with the machinery used, has a capacity of 500 feet per day. It is now owned by Cornelius D. Ackerson, and leased by Messrs. Williams & Titus.

RAILROADS.

The Branchville extension of the Sussex Railroad was begun in 1867 and completed in 1869. The Sus- sex Railroad also passes through this township, at Branchville Junction intersecting with the Branchi- ville extension, which runs to Branchville.

XI .- LITERARY.

The Lafayette Debating Society was organized in 1877, its objeet being the discussion of popular ques- tions of the day. Its meetings are held weekly at Sutton's Hall, the present officers being: President, Gerret Van Blarcom; Treasurer, Rev. J. B. Wood- ward; Secretary, Mark L. Huston.

The "Shooting Star" is a four-page monthly paper devoted to miscellaneous reading and such matter as renders it especially attractive to the young. It was established in 1870, and enjoyed a prosperous career of six years. It was again re-established in 1879. The editor and proprietor is Ernest Huston, who is also treasurer of the New Jersey Amateur Press As- sociation, organized in 1878, representing the youthful editorial talent of the State.

XII .- THE LAST CENSUS.

The census of 1880 gives the following list of resi- dents of the township of Lafayette who had attained their sixty-fifth year :

Elizabeth Amerman, 83; Ralph Ackerson, 76; Elizabeth Ackerson, 70; William Berry, 65; Joseph Currant, 79; Anna Case, 72; Daniel Cahow, 76; George W. Collver, 70; Jonathan A. Dusenberry, 68 ; Jo- Beph Dennis, 69; Elizabeth Dorminda, 66; John P. Demarest, 72; Thomas J. Hiles, 65 ; Philip Hopkins, 65; William Howell, 65; Han- nah Hagaman, 66; Eliza Hunt, 76; Rebecca Hunt, 70; Joseph Jolin- Bon, 70; Elizabeth Jones, 65; John C. Koyt, 74; Elizabeth Koyt, 65; Elizabeth Kays, 82; Edmund Lord, 76; Elizabeth Maines, 83 ; Charles Mackerly, 72; Mary Mackorly, 69; Mary Moore, 78; Sarah Morris, 95; George Quick, 70; Mary Quick, 74; Mary Richards, 77; Samuel Shotwell, 66; Rachel Slater, 70; D. C. Snook, 73; Elizabeth Sharpe, 84; J. J. Terwilliger, 69; Catharine C. Van Blarcom, 70; Mary A. Kay8, 79; Martha T. Kays, 84.

XIII .- HISTORICAL NOTES.

The Indian war-path leading to the Minisink set- tlement passed through the southwest portion of the village by what is called the Indian Spring, located on the premises of the late William Armstrong, and through the locality known as the Indian field, where flints and various adornments peculiar to the raee have sinee been found.

THOMAS SCHOFIELD.

Thomas Schofield, son of James Schofield, was born in the township of Hardystou, Sussex Co., N. J., April 22, 1823. His life was spent as a farmer, and he was known as an upright and honest citizen in all the relations of life. For several years he carried on agricultural pursuits in his native town, but soon after his marriage he purchased a farm in the township of Lafayette, upon which he resided until about one year prior to his deccase, Feb. 12, 1870. His wife, Mary E., is a daughter of Solomon and Susan (Canfieldl) Roe, of Green township, whom he married Dec. 31, 1853. She was born April 13, 1828, and resides in Newton, N. J. The only child born of this union is Margaret E. Schofield.

Mr. Schofield was a member of the North Church (Presbyterian) most of his life after his marriage, and was a contributor to and a pro- moter of worthy local objects. Of a retiring nature, he never sought after political honors in his township, but always exercised the right of suffrage and voted with the Democratic party. He was a plain, unassuming man, and, although he was never possessed of a robust constitution, his ambition and courage often went beyond his physical strength. For some three years prior to his death his health gradually gave way, until, in 1869, he was obliged to give up the active duties of life, and spent the last year of his existence at the home of his wife, in Green township.

379

STILLWATER.

When the army of the Revolution transferred their headquarters from Morristown to Newburg their course lay through the village of Lafayette, and tra- dition relates that a detachment encamped near the Klackner bridge, that crosses the Paulinskill, for the night. The horses were fed with hemp and hay intermixed with daisies, the seed of which was dis- seminated, and later became so luxuriant in its growth as to make extermination a matter of great difficulty.

There died in the vicinity of the village of Lafay- ette an eccentric negro familiarly known as "Colonel Joe," aged one hundred and thirteen. The negroes for many miles around were accustomed years ago to assemble on the banks of the Delaware for military parade, generally choosing the Fourth of July for this patriotic demonstration. The "Colonel" having been a leading man among them, and having also en- joyed the prestige of service in the French and Revo- lutionary wars, was chosen as their commander. The evening was devoted to festivities, in which the females joined, and a general frolic ended the au- xpicious day.

IB 1812 occurred the murder of a Mrs. Cole, by her daughter, an account of whose trial and execution is given on page 200 of this work.

XIV .- MILITIA ROLL.

The following roll of the "Second Company of the First Battalion in the First Regiment in the first Bri- gade of Sussex Militia in the year 1810" is of interest as embodying the names of many of the representa- tives of the carly families of Lafayette. But one of the soldiers in this company now survives, Mr. Wil- liam Morris.

OFFICERS.

Henry Bale, captain; Thomas Kays, lieutenant; John Chamberlin, ensign ; James Hunt, Ahimaz Bell, sergoants; Thomas Sonth, cor- poral ; William Lane, Aifer; George Lane, drummer.

PRIVATES.

Philip Waldorf, Willlam Christy, Samuel Pettit, Cornelius Lane, Jacob Hendershot, Michael Roof, Jacob Roof, George Struble, Jr., 'John Casada, Jr., Joseph South, David Kays, Dennis Morris, Sr., Jacob L. Struble, Poter Bale, John Trucsdol, l'eter Hendershot, Benjamin Hull, Peter Lantz, Edman South, William Hendershot, William Morris, Nathaniel Ayres, Jolin Morris, James Ryerson, John Yost, William Coats, Amos Wolverton, Peter Couse, Jumes Fox, Jolin More, Peter Yost, Isane Lanning, John Gruver, Isaac Kanan, Robert Morris, Den- nis Morris, Joseph Randel, William Casada, Hugh MeCarty, Jr., Ja- cob Lantz, James Jones, Jacob Roof, Jr., Robert More, John Roe, Mark Huah, Daniel Predmore, Benjamin Kays, Martin Kays, Honry Conse, Andrew Johnson, John Johnson, Nicholus South, Jacob Lary, Benjamin North, Grant Fitch, Abram Shotwell, Isaac Goble, Jacob Miznor, Abner Toland, George Longcore, Joseph Hendershot, John Lewis, William Christy, Jr., Peter Smith, Jr., David Ginnins, Peter Northrop, Henry Carpenter, John Turner, Benjamin Perry, George Woods.

STILLWATER."

I .- DESCRIPTIVE.

STILLWATER, with a population of 1503, covers an area of 36.17 square miles, and contains 23,149 acres. Its total assessed value is $754,622, and total taxation $5626.90.

The town lies in the west, upon the Blue Mountain range, and corners on the north with the towns of Walpack, Sandyston, Frankford, and Hampton. The boundaries are Walpack and Hampton on the north, Warren County on the south, Green and Hampton on the east, and Walpack on the west. Its extreme length between north and south is 10 miles, and its width in the broadest part 64 miles.

The surface of the country is generally uneven and hilly, and on the west exceedingly rugged and moun- tainous. Ponds and watercourses abound. Of the latter, the most important is the Paulinskill, a mill- stream of considerable consequence. The Indian name of the stream is said to have been Tockhoek- onetkong. The name Paulinskill is reported to have been given it in honor of Pauline, the daughter of a Hessian who, upon being taken a prisoner at the battle of Trenton, was lodged in the vicinity of Still- water village, and there continued to reside until his

death. What his name was does not appear. Swarts- wood Pond is a handsome sheet of water picturesquely nestled between two hilly ranges. It measures 3 miles in length by 1 in width, and is said to have in some places a depth of 30 feet. It is a locality much in favor with pleasure-seekers and fishermen, for the convenience of whom a small stern-wheel steamboat is kept available.

There are in the township four small villages, named Fredon, Swartswood, Middleville, and Stillwater, each of which is a postal station.

West of Stillwater village there is a hill of fossil- iferous limestone ; the road from Stillwater to Mill Brook crosses its outerop. The dimensions of the fossiliferous portion are 300 yards in length by 100 in breadth. The stone is grayish blue in color, sub- crystalline and thin-bedded in its upper portion. On the east, near the magnesian rock, it is in thicker beds, and has fewer fossils. Analysis shows it to be nearly pure limestone.

II .- EARLY SETTLERS.

The territory now known as the township of Still- water was first peopled by Germans. They came in previous to 1750 in liberal numbers, and still more

t Its Indian name is said to have been Poyaholco.

* Dy David Schwartz.

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SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

freely after that period. The first of them were John Peter Bernhardt and his sons-in-law, Caspar Shafer and Peter Wintermute. Bernhardt and Shafer came from Germany in 1730, lived near Philadelphia until 1742, and then located in the wilderness where Still- water village now stands. Peter Wintermute came upon the ground almost, if not quite, as soon as Bern- hardt and Shafer. At all events, Shafer and Winter- mute about the same time occupied two farms (on the Paulinskill) that Bernhardt had bought for their wives, and in a little while put up mills. From what can be learned, Mr. Bernhardt must have been an old man when he came to Stillwater with his sons-in-law, for it would seem that he took little, if any, part in the active business of pioneering ; content, doubtless, to have his young sons-in-law bear the brunt.

Mr. Bernhardt lived in his New Jersey home but six years. He died Aug. 28, 1748, and was buried in a graveyard hard by the village, where he had set apart a lot for church and churchyard, and wherein he himself was the first to be laid. The old grave- yard is still to be seen on the road just below the village.

Mr. Bernhardt's third daughter married a widower, by name Arrison, in 1760, and moved to Pennsylvania. Indian troubles forced them to leave there during the Revolutionary war, and with their children they re- turned to Stillwater. Mr. Arrison died in 1828, and with his death his name passed out of Stillwater his- tory. His son John was a blacksmith at Stillwater in 1790, but in 1794 moved to Philadelphia. Reference, therefore, to the Bernhardt and Arrison families is ended.

The first habitation at Stillwater occupied by the Shafers and Wintermutes was a rude log cabin built over a huge stump, which, smoothed at the top as best it could be, served as the family table for some time. When they got far enough along to raise a small crop of grain, the subject of grinding it came upon them with much emphasis. Casper Shafer was, however, quite equal to the emergency. He knew what it was to endure the miseries of a tedious journey to mill, for he had more than once crossed the Pohoqualin Mountain, leading his horse, packed with a grist, over an Indian trail to a distant mill ; and so he resolved to build at home a mill of his own. He threw across the kill a low dam of cobble-stones and gravel, erected a log hut upon piles at the west end of the dam, fitted it with simple machinery and a run of stones meas- uring but 3 feet, and began to grind grain not only for himself, but for others who chose to avail them- selves of the convenience. He had presently more business than he could easily attend to, for his little mill would grind at its best only five bushels a day. That was not much, to be sure, but it was a great boon to settlers for miles around to find a mill so much nearer home, and so they came to Shafer satisfied to wait even the slow progress of the miniature mill on the kill.

After a bit Mr. Shafer resolved to enlarge his sphere of action, and in 1764 put up-where stands the pres- ent mill-a better and larger mill with two run of stones. To it he soon added a saw-mill and oil-mill, and in 1776 rebuilt the grist-mill upon enlarged plans ; for by this time the country was pretty well settled, and business at Stillwater was very brisk. Mr. Shafer shipped a good deal of flour to Philadelphia on flat- boats via the Paulinskill and the Delaware, but the kill began to sprout dams, and then, of course, flat- boating had to be abandoned.

When Mr. Shafer's flat-boats came back from Phila- delphia they brought him such supplies as the country needed, and thus he was led to embark in the business of storekeeping as well as milling, although his first store, occupying a portion of his residence, was not more than 6 by 8. When his intercourse with Phila- delphia was cut off he opened a traffic with Elizabeth- town, and inaugurated what proved for that place a profitable business connection with Western New Jersey.

Casper Shafer rose to be a man of importance and influence in Sussex County. He was appointed county collector of the funds authorized to be raised by the Committee of Safety upon the eve of the Revolution- ary struggle, and was for some time a member of the State Legislature. He was there a man of mark as well as closely critical and observant. When affairs looked to him as though they had gone wrong, he would rise excitedly in his seat and exclaim, with a loud voice, " Das ist nicht recht ! Das ist nicht recht !" Thereupon, forsaking the German for the language of his adopted country, he would launch forth into a vigorous and impressive speech upon the subject- matter in hand. One of Mr. Shafer's sons marched, with other volunteers, to Morristown in the winter of 1777, in response to Washington's call, and other sons were quite famous in the county as officers in the militia.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 94

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