History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 97

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 97
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 97

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Shortly before his death, in 1855, Isaac Coursen caused the village and post-office names to be changed to Fredon, but why he did so or what suggested the name is a question that none can now answer.

The Coursen and Gustin stores were both destroyed by fire, whereupon Gustin abandoned the field, and Coursen, building a new store,-the old abandoned building yet to be seen at the Corners,-was thereafter the only trader at Coursen's Corners.

William Hunt opened a public-house on the John- sonsburg road, near the Corners, at an early day, but failed to make a great success of it. The Fountain House was built by Harrison Cole in 1864.

Allen Coursen built a grist-mill on the present Wil- liam Smith property, and there also had his home.

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STILLWATER.

The mill was burned in 1848. It was restored by William Smith & Brother, who are still the proprietors.

VII .- STILLWATER'S AGED PEOPLE.

In June, 1880, Stillwater contained forty-seven people who were aged between sixty and sixty-five. Those reckoning their years upwards of sixty-five are named here:

Hannah Angle, 73; Lewis Anderson, 73; George Ayers, Gx; Sarah P.

Ayers, 66; Susan Bloom, 80; Henry Bedle, 75: Mary Bedle, 70; Mahlon Balley, 70; Stephen Blackford, 66; Hannah Blackford, 69; William Blackford, 72; Margaret Bunn, 66; Jesse Berry, 75; Ed- ward Chandler, 67; Phebe Coursen, 79; Jacob Crawn, 88; Isanc Crown, 86; Thandel B Condit, 76; Hebecen Condit, 05; Jacob MI. Divers, 72; Mary Divers, 71; Lewis Docker, 65; l'eter Devore, 73; Margaret Devoro, 73; Elizabeth K. Emmons, 78; I'mmella Everitt, 85; Julla Earls, 66; Martin Fretz, 71; Sarah Gray, 65 ; Caroline Go- ble, 65; Susan Gunn, 73 ; John V. Hazen, 74 ; Enphemia Hazen, 72; John flunt, 78; Catherine Hunt, 70; Sarah Hamlor, 84 ; Julia Hunt, 68; Margaret Hnmmond, 70; Neheminh Ilil, x7; Susan Hill, 81; Mary Hankinson, 86; Lydia Hoory, 78; Michael Hill, 69 ; Susan Hill, 69; Andrew Huff, 68; Sophia Huff, 67; Timothy Hongh. 79; Eliza Hongh, 75; Margaret Hendershot, 72; Mathins Johnson, 78; Mary Johnson, 73; Catharine W. Keen, 88; Peter Kintner, 71; Amanda Kintner, G8; Auna Lane, 80; Abrum Maines, 68; Phebe Maines, 69; Mary MeGulick, 65 ; John F. Maines, 65; Letitin Muines, 66; l'hilip Mackey, 68; John Ozenbaugh, 65; Rebecen Ozenbangh, 65; John W. Obdyke, 68; Elizabeth Obdyke, G8; Frederick Pittenger, SI ; Sarah Pittenger, 80; Sarah l'otter, 66; Robert 1. Roy, 65 ; John C. Shaw, 65; Elizabeth Show, 65; Peter Sunfer, 84; Nancy Shafer, 73; Isaac Sliker, 66; John P. Smith, 72; James Suvercool, 65; Andrew Sliker, 75; Cathinrino Sliker, 80 ; Mariah Sliker, 75; Elizabeth Staley, 70; William Schoonover, 69; Ann Strable, 87; Isabel Stinson, 81; Fanny Swartsweller, 68; Tunis Tunison, &1; Sarah Tunison, 69; Anna Vandruff, 49; Sarah Wintermute, 65; John Wintermute, 6G; Joptha A. Wintermute, 69 ; Elizabeth Wintermute, 67; James Wil- liams, 73; Hannah Williams, 69; Sarah Yeltor, 65.

VIII .- STILLWATER IN THE REBELLION.

Not much can be gleaned from the township rec- ords touching Stillwater's efforts in the matter of fur- nishing soldiers for the Federal service during the war of the Rebellion. The first town-meeting upon the subject was held at l'eter Kintner's tavern, in Middleville, Aug. 28, 1863, " to ascertain the amount of money that should be raised to each volunteer that enlists in this township until the present call of the Governor is filled." It was unanimously voted to pay each volunteer the sum of $200, to raise the money by tax, and to authorize the town committee to borrow und distribute the money.

At a second meeting, on Oct. 24, 1863, it was voted to hire substitutes, at a sum not to exceed $300 each, and that Garret Rosencrans and Oscar Andress hire the men.

At a third meeting, Dec. 7, 1863, it was voted to pay $300 each for volunteers to fill the January call. It was also voted that all persons subject to the first draft should be taxed equally on the township.

The offer of $300 per man did not bring volunteers forward so rapidly as desired, and therefore, at a meeting Dec. 30, 1863, an additional sum of $100 per man was voted, and a resolution passed increasing the poll tax to $5 per capita.

At a meeting held Dec. 29, 1864, the town simply authorized the town committee to raise the men and

money needed. For men to fill the call of July, 1864, the town paid a total of $24,395.90 in bounty money. For one man $400 was paid; for nine others, $500 each; for twenty-seven others, $675 each ; and for one the sum of $700. All told, thirty-eight men were supplied.

Under the call of December, 1864, the number of men raised aggregated thirty-four. Twenty-four of them cost $700 each, and ten of them $820 apiece. The whole amount expended reached $25,426.62.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

ROBERT I. ROY.

His grandfather, Insley Roy, came from Basking Ridge, Somerset Co., N. J., and purchased land in Stillwater township prior to the Revolutionary war,

Robert & Roy

and during that memorable struggle he served as wagon-master.

Insley Roy married a daughter of Joseph Rhoades. who came from England and settled in Stillwater township, where he died. Robert I. Roy's father was Charles Roy, and his mother was Elizabeth, a daugh- ter of Ralph Hunt, of Stillwater. Their children are Thoephus (deceased, Kansas); Isabella (deceased) ; Sarah (deceased), married Rev. Samuel Ayers, of Illinois; Robert I .; Mary Ann (deceased) ; Martha 1 (deceased), married William A. Green, of Johnsons-

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SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

burg, N. J .; Abbie (deceased) ; Ralph (deceased) ; and William C., residing in Green township.

Robert Insley Roy was born on the homestead in Stillwater, Dec. 14, 1814. His education was received at the common schools of his native place, and his early life mostly spent on the farm.

In 1852 he married Margaret I., daughter of William Divers, of Stillwater. Their children are Joseph I., of Ohio Centre, Kansas; Alvin, Milton, and William.

Mr. Roy has followed farming during his life and has been a successful agriculturist. He is a member of the Republican party, but has never sought or held office. Both he and his wife are members of the Harmony Methodist Episcopal Church in Stillwater township, and contributors to church and charitable interests.

Mr. Roy is known as a man of strict honesty and correct habits, a useful citizen, and a kind neighbor.

FRANKFORD .*

I .- DESCRIPTION, ETC.

THE township of Frankford-one of the fairest of the townships of Sussex County-is bounded north by Wantage; south by Hampton ; east by Lafayette ; west by Sandyston. It for a long series of years main- tained its reputation as a commercial centre, the ham- let of Augusta having been a point of much import- ance when many other now thriving villages were but fertile fields.

The industries of the township are principally di- rected towards the products of the dairy, butter and milk having been shipped in very considerable quan- tities. This does not, however, preclude the raising of the usual cereals, which are grown with much suc- cess and find a ready market.

Frankford has an average length of 9 miles and a width of 5, and ranks in area as one of the larger townships of the county.

The population of Frankford is given by the last census as 1680, and the total of taxable inhabitants is 563. The amount taxed during the year was $906,459. The township pays as her proportion of the State and county tax, including the two-mill tax, $4297.30. The road-tax is $1812.91, the township tax $2417.24, the special school-tax $1858.99, and the poll-tax $375. The total amount of duplicates is $10,791.52. The rate of tax is $9.44 per $1000.

These figures afford the reader some information re- garding the financial standing of the township, and place Frankford in the foremost rank among her sister-townships.

II .- NATURAL FEATURES.

In natural beauty the township of Frankford far surpasses most other portions of the county. The sur- face varies greatly in localities, the southeastern por- tion being level, with but few declivities, and these abounding in limestone. The north and northwestern

area is uneven and generally stony, though the latter fact does not modify its productiveness. The average soil of Frankford may be described as fertile and well adapted to the growth of the staple grains of the State.

The natural beauty of Frankford is greatly en- hanced by the Blue Mountain chain which lies upon its western boundary and separates it from Sandyston. Through these mountains is a natural pass known as Culver's Gap, which, besides greatly enhancing the natural interest attached to the locality, has been util- ized as the popular turnpike route from Newton to Milford.

The township is amply watered by streams and lakes. Two beautiful sheets of water-Culver's Lake and Long Lake, lying in the southwest and west- afford, through the outlet of the former, an admirable water-power, which has been extensively drawn upou for manufacturing purposes. Dry Brook, running through the centre and named from the fitful nature of the stream, and the Papacating Creek, on the east- ern side, are the principal watercourses.

III .- EARLY SETTLEMENTS, ETC.

The Price family, one of the most prominent in the early settlement of Frankford, trace their origin in the township to the advent of three brothers, John, Sam- uel, and Robert, who were of English extraction and first settled in Connecticut. They were extensive shippers, owned vessels, and were well supplied with worldly goods. The brothers sailed in their own merchantmen, and continued their shipping interest in New England until the loss of valuable cargoes by shipwreck compelled its abandonment, when they came to New Jersey and followed the Wallkill valley to the Papacating Creek in quest of farming lands.

John returned to Connecticut, and eventually to seafaring. Robert and Samuel remained, the former having settled on lands near the Frankford Plains church, now occupied by Z. Simmons, and Samuel

* By E. O. Wagner.

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FRANKFORD.

upon lands at present owned by Elijah Martin and William Lantz, half a mile from his brother. They both died in the township, Samuel leaving two sons, Zachariah and Francis. The latter had no children; the former, who was a landed proprietor, had five sons,-Henry, Zachariah, Francis, Robert, and John. The descendants of these children now in the town- ship are Zachariah H. and Sarah, wife of Joseph A. Osborn. Samuel, the son of Robert Price, resided at Branchville, where his grandson, Dr. J. C. Price, is a practicing physician.

Francis Price was a man of much influence in his day. He was for years a justice of the peace, and solemnized most of the marriages of that early period. He maintained business relations, more or less extended, with most of the residents of the county, and established a reputation for integrity and kindness to those less abundantly supplied with worldly goods.

There appears in his ledger an account against William Booth, made in 1791, amounting to £2 5x. 7d., under which the following remark is written :

" William Booth shall not be sued for the above balance, nor any ac- tion brought against him for it, because he is a poor man."

Among entries in his book of accounts are the fol- lowing :

" Peter Hopkine, Dr., June 13, 1779, to my gardliug the Continental horses with two hands six days ut Christophor Caises meddo £45 0s. Ud. And finding ono hund et Robert Adame meddo £18 los, Od. I paid for you at Willises £0 16s. 3d. You are to pay for Timothy Gustin £6 15s. Od. "July 15th, to my getting two continental horses whoed £3 15s. 9d. My going to Brooklon forgo to buy a horse for you £37 10s. Od. Ingaged to thirty-eight pounds and a half of pork you had of my rations.

" May 27, 1780, to one silver dollar lent, dellvered to Mrs. Ilopkins, £0 78. 6d.

" October 26, 1778, To my expenses when Itiding to Bye forreg for the contenantal terms at Hobert Adame £o Jos. 6d.

"3lat of DEPENNEN, 1778.

" Iteceived of Cnpt'n Francis Price vonchers for forage and cash end his time assisting me in byeing forngo the amount of all the cash ho has received of me and for five bushels of salt which ho bought of me and vDe cask by Die.

" PETER HOPKINS.

" FRANCIS PRICE.

" N.B. The work of Prices teame is to be set tul ed on a Count of a noto of £180 0s. Od., which I have against hitu.

" February 4th, 1780, Peter Hopkins Dr. to Die for one pair of uilver spous, £206 0s. Od., five hundred and fifty dollars.

" Peter Hopkine Dr. to me for one-third part of a Barril of Pickeled Cabbage and Abijah Hopkins and Joseph Dewitt had the other two- thirds. To my arbitrating between Benjaman Hopkins and Mr. Schrim.

" 1781, to six Honhils of wheat for your self and Capt'n Brodrick and you answered to mo in whisky foro Bushils.

" November 10th 1788, thon James Adams Begun with my team in the service of the continent and went to Henry Balls mill with a load of Book wheat and then to the court house with it.

" March 27, 1779, Benjamin Burton Dr. to me for n grat coat you Bought of me, £26 5s. Od.

" April let, thon your teeme with eix cretors and man was hore two niteu and ono day, £4 10s. Od.

" 1700, Octuber 25th, Couurod guntlerman to Francle Price Dr. for ec- knowledging a l'ower etorney you engaged to me, fu la, 6d.

" June 3rd, 1780, then Dannel peterson took ten more sheep of me for three years and is to give tou pounds of good wool every year and nt the end of said three years to Return tou very good sheep to me ngain.

" February 5th, 1782, Ebenezer geens, Dr. to my getting nn Indenture Rit for your Boyo £O 24. Gd.

" 1788, March 26th, then settled all accompte with Daniel Predmere Jun and wee was even.

"1777 Samuel Dunn Cr. for fore days and a half work Dowe whare my wife lived, £2 5s. Od.

" Robert Mathera Dr. to one Boahel of pertators £0 24. Od.

" Herrings for eighteen ponce fu Is. 6d.

" September 21st, 1772, to one somons against Joseph me coy not sorved. Cost of riting ls £0 0s. 6d."

The oldest survivor in the township among the early settlers is the venerable Tobias Haines, who was born in 1792, in the northwest portion of the township, on land at present owned by Nelson Phil- lips and occupied by James M. Shay. Mr. Haines has for fifty years resided on a farm near the centre of the township, but finds his home at present with a daughter, Mrs. Jacob R. Roe. He is of German deseent, and, having been for years identified with the interests of Frankford, has his memory stored with valuable reminiscences.

Isaac Colt came from Connecticut to the township about 1770, and settled upon a farm near the hamlet of Augusta. He was remarkable for devotion to the interests of the church, and was regularly seen on Sabbath mornings wending his way on horseback to the house of worship. His descendants still reside in Frankford.

John Stoll was of Hollandish descent, and was reared in the Minisink settlement. His home was at Angusta, where he located during the latter part of the last century. His sons are deceased, though a later generation still resides in the township.

The progenitor of the Bray family in Frankford was Thomas Bray, who came at least one hundred and fifty years ago and settled in the northern por- tion of the township. Mr. Bray followed farming pursnits for a while, but in his later years resumed his former occupation,-that of teaching. His grand- son, John, now represents the family in Frankford.

David Phillips, the first member of the Phillips family in the county, settled a mile below Branch- ville in 1773, on the farm now occupied by William H. Roc. His three sons, John, James, and William, are deceased, and the family are now represented by the children of the latter two brothers.

Henry Snook was of German extraction, and came in 1760. He remained until 1820, and was buried in the Frankford Plains cemetery. His family em- braced two daughters, one of whom was the mother of Tobias Haines.

Thomas Armstrong came from Middlesex Co., N. J., in 1782, having been a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Hle at first settled in Wantage, then removed to New York State, and in 1791 located in Frankford, on land purchased of Benjamin Bar- ton. Ile survived until his eighty-second year and died in 1833, on the farm now occupied by his son, Robert V. Armstrong, the only survivor now living in Frankford of a family of four sons. The original deed conveying the property to Benjamin Barton is dated 1787, and mentions £1125 as the price paid for

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SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

the property. Thomas Armstrong first introduced corn into the county of Sussex.

Obadiah Pellet came from Orange County in 1800, or possibly prior to that date, and chose land at a point formerly known as Coursenville, his son William having accompanied him. He purchased a farm of 800 acres, upon which he resided until his death, in 1849. Of his six sons, but two, Stephen J. and Richard W., now reside in the township.

John Dewitt came from Connecticut in 1772, and chose a location near the Frankford Plains church. The homestead has been for successive generations, and is still, in possession of the family.

Thomas Osborn, a former resident of Philadelphia, removed to Frankford in 1775. One of the descend- ants, Joseph A., resided upon the old Price homestead, having married a member of the latter family.

Van Tyle Coursen arrived about 1800 and founded the hamlet of Coursenville, where he resided during his lifetime. His descendants have since filled hon- orable positions in the county.

The Adams estate was acquired as early as 1775 by Robert Adams, and has been occupied since that date by members of the family.

The family of Ryersons were of Huguenot descent, and, having fled from France, early settled in Ger- many. They ultimately emigrated to New York, and about 1700 repaired to New Jersey, when they fixed their residence in Newton. William A. Ryer- son located at Augusta about a century since, and engaged in farming ; he was also an extensive tanner. His son James, a surveyor, became a resident of Hampton, and two of his children, William and Mrs. Jacob Ross, now reside in Frankford, the former hav- ing filled the offices of justice of the peace and judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

The Roe family was originally represented in the township by the brothers Benjamin and George Roe, the former of whom settled in 1785. He had five children, a portion of whom remained in the town- ship. Their descendants now in Frankford are the children of Jacob,-namely, John H., Edward, and Mrs. Jesse G. Roe. George Roe came in 1799, and died at the age of thirty-seven, leaving ten children. Ifis son William H. still resides in the township, and Charles, another son, is a merchant in Newton.

Andrew Dalrymple came from Morris County as early as 1790 and located upon land in Frankford, which he cultivated, and upon which his life was ended by an accident. His grandsons Daniel, John, Squire, and James are still residents of Frankford.

William and Joseph McDanolds came from Morris County about 1790. The latter returned, while Wil- liam remained and located in the suburb's of Branch- ville, having followed the trade of a clock-maker. 1Te had four sons, the descendants of whom still re- side in Branchville and the vicinity.

Randal Stivers came from Middlesex Co., N. J., in 1807 and purchased of David Ayres and James Mat-

tison a tract of land, upon which he settled, and on which he resided until his death. Two sons, Simeon H. and Jacob A., still remain, the former being a mer- chant in Branchville, while the latter follows agricul- tural pursuits.

Philip Wyker, a German by birth, settled in 1764 a mile south of what was known as Wykertown. He had two sons, whose descendants are still residents of the township. The original land has been held in the family for a period of one hundred and fourteen years.

EARLY TAVERNS.

The earliest tavern, so far as can be remembered, was built in 1775, and stood on the road leading from Augusta to Deckertown, a mile north of the Frank- ford Plains church, on ground now occupied by Eli- jah Martin. The spot on which it stood was located at a point nearly opposite the intersection with the Augusta and Deckertown road of the one leading from Robert Armstrong's residence. The land on which it was built was doubtless owned by the Price family. A very early landlord was named Hedzell ; he also followed the trade of a clock-maker. He was succeeded by Gerret Brink, and the hotel was at a later day demolished.

Another early tavern was built on land now owned by William Lantz. It was formerly known as the Cary property, one of that family being the landlord.

A famous hostelry was the tavern kept by Abram Bray and located at Augusta. Bray was exceedingly popular as a landlord, and, having been himself a drover, the house became a rendezvous for the repre- sentatives of the craft who passed through that por- tion of the State. It was also one of the stations of the Newark and Owego stage line, which changed horses at Augusta, and thus brought much patronage to the tavern.

The earliest tavern at Branchville was opened by John Johnson, and was located on the main street but a short distance below that now kept by George J. Bowman. It was built early during the present century, and was kept in succession by John Dennis, - Laycock, Jacob Gates, Charles L. Hunt, Stephen Hunt, John Rose, Emily Drake, Justus Woodhull, Alfred Canfield, and Samuel Price. The building has since been devoted to other uses.

The hotel now kept by George J. Bowman was erected in 1829 by Joseph Stoll, and occupied by him as a residence.' In 1840 it was licensed as a tavern, with Samuel P. Roberts as the first landlord ; he was succeeded in turn by the following: John B. Stoll, Isaac Beemer, Joseph Roe, Jacob Hoffman, William Price, John B. Stoll, Hiram Richards, Barney Perry, James HI. Bowman, and the present landlord. The building has been remodeled and its general aspect greatly changed since its erection.

EARLY ROADS.

Little information is to be had regarding the early roads of the township or the date of their first survey.

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FRANKFORD.

The highway best remembered by the oldest settlers, and possibly the earliest-traveled thoroughfare, had for its objective points Balesville, in the township of Hampton, and Deckertown, in the township of Wan- tage. It passed through Augusta, and diverged from its course to touch at the point early known as Cour- senville, whence it passed on to Deckertown.

The earliest turnpike, known as the Morris turn- pike, was constructed in 1807, and extended from what is known as the Long Bridge, in Frankford, to Hainesville, in Sandyston township. It is still owned by the Morris Turnpike Company, whose office is at Morristown, N. J. The gatekeepers siner its con- struction have been : 1. Frederick Spangenburgh ; 2. The Widow Reaves; 3. Martin Drake; 4. Andrew Phillips ; 5. George Snable, who married Martin Drake's widow and moved the gate to Mount Pisgah, where it was kept for many years; 6. Abram Bell, who took the position in 1839 and held it sixteen years ; 7. Benjamin Tuttle, who served fourteen years ; 8. Abram Bell, 1871-77; 9. William Myers; 10. Henry Steffens, the present incumbent.

The following incident occurred when the turnpike was in process of construction : John Bell, then a boy of sixteen, was returning from Tibs Meadow, in Sandy- ston township, and, having heard that a turnpike was being surveyed through Culver's Gap, concluded to pass this point, and thus gratify his curiosity in the matter. On reaching the Gap he found there, in bois- terous conversation, William A. Ryerson, a Quaker, and David Phillips. As he approached, Ryerson ex- claimed to Phillips, "I tell thee, David, this turn- pike will be built, and I would not be surprised if thee lived to see stages run through this Gap." Phillips turned to the young man Bell and exclaimed, "The old man is getting crazy !"

The total amount raised by the township for road purposes is $1800. The territory of Frankford is di- vided into forty-seven road districts.

EARLY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE.

The first mill at Branchville was built by William Beemer. It was run by water supplied by the outlet of Culver's Lake. This mill was a portion of the property purchased by James Hagerty, and was doubtless rebuilt and enlarged by him.

The second mill was erected by William A. Ryer- son, and is thought to have first begun operations nearly a century siner. It was located at the upper end of the village and was first conducted as a grist- mill, but later a carding-mill was connected with it. It eventually became the property of Richard .1. Ryerson, was by him converted into a woolen-factory, and was consumed by fire in 1850.

The earliest forge was located on the site of the present flouring-mill of Maurice Chamberlain, and was built by members of the Bale family, who carly settled in Lafayette. Tradition relates that no divis- ion of interests existed in this family, each member 26

having drawn his revenues from a common fund, which was equally accessible to all. This forge proved so profitable as to convince many of the neighbors that the family had discovered a mine of some kind in the mountains which they successfully worked.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 97

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