USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union County, New Jersey > Part 22
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The foregoing is taken from a series of articles written by the Rev. William Hall and published in the Elizabeth Journal in 1870. Mr. Hall mentioned a number of names, but very properly states that he is by no means sure that the orthography is correct. Among them are De Maroles, Terrier de Laistre, D'Anterroches, De Touchimbert, Vergereau, De Clot, De Ponte, Du Buc, Cahierre, Godet, Triyou, Malherbes, Cuyer, Dufor and Almond. A writer in the New York Evening Post, some years ago, in an article about old Elizabeth Town, speaks of the French refugees in part as follows :
"Among them are the residences of many noble French refugees who, during the Reign of Terror and the Directory, made their way to America and found a safe retreat in Elizabeth Town, induced to do so, probably, by its healthful situation, cheap living and cultivated society. When I name among the refugees the Duke de Lauzu, Vicompte de Caradeux, de Crevicaur, d'Alembert, de Laitre, Macon, de Bellegarde, d'Anterroches and their families, while a few miles out of town M. de Malesherbes lived in his retirement, the Budens, de Marolles and others, no one can doubt that cultivation and refinement adorned the social gatherings of Elizabeth Town. Generally these refugees were poor, and many of them were obliged to teach for their living. Thus it was that the younger members of the American families became good French scholars, proficient in music, drawing and dancing, besides embroidery and every kind of fancy-work, which these lively and accomplished people taught so pleasantly. Many of the chevaliers could embroider as women, and excelled in that art, lately revived after a lapse of years, called crewel work. This faculty of speaking pure Parisian French , procured for one young man of Elizabeth Town a most agreeable friendship. He had entered the English navy, and was a midshipman on board the ship Euryalus when that vessel was sent to bring to England the royal family of France. No officer on board could speak French well enough to interpret for the royal guests, when some one suggested that young R. spoke the language fluently. He was sent for from the cockpit, and acquitted himself well, conversing so agreeably that the Princesse Royale, Duchesse d'Angouleme, took the greatest
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fancy to him, and would take his arm to walk the deck. Many years afterward, when Louis XVIII. occupied the throne, Lieutenant R. visited Paris; he was invited to dine at the Tuileries with the royal family, and there invested with the order of St. Louis. * * * * * A lady who had been 'dame d'honneur ' to the queen, sent to New York for a priest, and had her baby girl christened 'Marie Antoinette, Char- mante Reine, que je t'adore,'-the whole sentence. Occasionally friends from New York or Philadelphia would pass a few weeks in the town, and add to the pleasant circle. Monsieur Otto, a friend of Lafayette, on one of these visits became attached to Miss Eliza Livingston, then staying with one of her sisters, and married her. M. Otto was the first French ambassador to England during the short peace of 1801.
Many of the French refugees returned to France previous to the restora- tion of the Bourbons ; a few families remained until that period and then left Elizabeth Town forever."
So far as known to the writer, none of the French families mentioned by Mr. Hall or the author of the article in the Post have left any descendants in Elizabeth, save only Joseph Louis, Count d'Anter- roches, and as his descendants are through his daughters the family name has disappeared from the land. His second son, Paul, named after his kinsman, Lafayette (the latter's letter acknowledging the compliment is in the writer's possession), went to France and married his own cousin, the daughter of Jean Blaize Vicomte d'Anterroches, lieutenant-marshal of France, and left a number of descendants in France. The history of Joseph Louis d' Anterroches-particularly his early life and marriage-is romantic and interesting, but lack of space prevents more than a reference to it here. Any one interested in the subject will find the story charmingly told in an article, entitled "Two Old Jersey Weddings," published in Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly for August, 1893. He appears to have been the first of the French colony here, and in some sense their leader. He came to America dur- ing the Revolutionary war, and marrying Mary, daughter of Captain David Vanderpoel, of Chatham Bridge, ultimately settled in Elizabeth Town. After the war was over and communication with Europe re- stored, the consents of parents, as required by French law, were ob- tained, and a second marriage ceremony performed at the chapel of the French legation in New York city, according to the laws of France and the rites of the Holy Roman church, as stated in the certificate, a lengthy document certified by the very Count Otto above referred to, a copy of which is in the writer's possession. The Chevalier d' Anter- roches, as he then was, visited France in 1789, and with his little son, Pierre, was presented at the court of Louis XVI., the child wearing a French officer's uniform, which is still preserved in the family. The Chevalier-later he became baron and count-purchased property here, and seems to have been instrumental in bringing his compatriots here
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-many of them from the West Indies. Belonging to one of the most ancient and prominent families of the kingdom of France, his residence here was, no doubt, known to many, thus calling attention to the place. An old French resident used to tell of hearing Elizabeth Town spoken of in the West Indies, early in this century, by people who knew no inore of the United States than this place, which had become celebrated as a pleasant city of refuge from the trouble in their own land. The writer has in his possession a letter from Thomas Jefferson, then our representative in France, to la Comtesse d'Anterroches de Chaunac, the mother of the Chevalier, advising her how to communicate with her son at Elizabeth Town, and as the Chevalier later on had his only brother, the Vicomte, and an uncle, the bishop of Condom, among the emigrés who accompanied the Bourbon princes when they fled to Eng- land, no doubt Elizabeth Town was known to many of the nobility.
In 1798 Chevalier d'Anterroches bought for M. Paul de Malherbes, of Martinique, a "plantation " of ninety-six acres on the road to Rah- way, at what is known as the Wheat Sheaf, and built for him a fine house, still standing. Copies of the Chevalier's letters to M. de Mal- herbes relative to the purchase, and to the bankers in London through whom the funds were transmitted, are in the writer's possession. M. de Malherbes was evidently a man of large wealth,-the business transactions between him and the Chevalier involved thousands of pounds sterling, -and he is said to have lived in the mansion at the White Sheaf in grand style. There is a tradition that when entertain- ments were given, the road to Elizabethtown-some three miles-was illuminated at night. There were others also of large means who lived in great style. A recent writer, speaking of thein, says: "Many brought slaves with them from the West Indies, and there is a pic- turesqueness and a foreign flavor about their life in the town that hangs like an attractive atmosphere around some shabby mansions, stranded on old highways or in neglected corners of the modern city."
Though bred for the church, the Chevalier was a soldier by choice, and was a consummate tactitian. In the Whiskey Rebellion he was the adjutant-general of the mounted troops from New Jersey, and won the hearty praise of military leaders, among them General Harry Lee, as evidenced by an official order, a copy of which has been preserved. His letters to his wife during the rebellion are very interesting. Later he was given a captain's commission by President Adams, when war was threatened. His uncle and brother dying in London, his presence was required on the other side, and while there his father and mother also died, and while seeking to settle his affairs he too died, early in the century. He was, of course, a Roman Catholic, and when the children were to be baptized a priest was brought from New York, as in the case of the queen's maid of honor above mentioned, but later on one or more of the younger children were baptized in St. John's Epis-
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copal church, and at least one of the children, the writer's grandmother, was advised by her godmother, Mrs. Mariah Pryse Campbell (neé de Rouselet) to attend St. John's, as there was no Roman Catholic church here, and, judging from the tombstones in St. John's yard and the church records, others too turned to St. John's for the offices of the church.
The following extract from the church records and inscription on one of the tombstones must close this sketch :
BURIALS.
1793, July 26th, Was interred in St. John's churchyard at Elizth Town the Remains of Anne Renée Desverger De Mauperluis, widow De Marc Antoine Nicholas Gabriel, Baron De Clugny, late Governor General of the Islands of Guadeloupe and dependencies, in the presence of the fol- lowing witnesses-Jean Gabriel Prevost De Touchimbert, Relative of the Deceased, Guardian to her Daughter and Executor of her Last Will and Testament; Joseph Lewis Chevr D' Anterroches, Marc De Labretesche, Inhabitants and Citizens of Elizth Town, State of New Jersey, in North America, and Pierre de Falquieres, Captu of Grendiers of the Guadeloupe Regmt who had accompanied the said Anne Renée Desverger De Mauperluis, Widow De Marc Antoine Nicholas Gabriel Baron De Clugny, to this place in the capacity of a friend, and was intrusted with her interest.
Witnesses : Jean Gabriel Prevost de Touchimbert. J. L. Chr. D' Anterroches. Marc De La Bretesche. P. Defalquieres. Sam'l Spraggs, Rector of St. John's Church, Elizth Town.
Here lies Demoiselle Julie DuBuc de Marcucy, born in the Island of Martinique, on the 21st of May, 1750, and Deceased at Elizabeth Town, in the State of New Jersey, on the IIth of July, 1799. Her brother, Abraham Du Buc de Marentille, recommends the respect and the care of this tomb to the hospitable inhabitants of this Town.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE CITY OF ELIZABETH.
HE first charter of the city of Elizabeth was granted March 13, 1855, by act of the legislature of New Jersey. The proposition was submitted to the people, for their ratifica- tion or rejection, at a special election in April, of the same year, and the city government went into operation on the Ist of May following. By an act of legislature, approved March 4, 1863, the charter was revised and enlarged, and, from time to time since, there have been amendments, as necessity demanded.
The city government is in the hands primarily of a mayor, city council of sixteen members, and a sinking-fund commission. The last was created by an act of the legislature, and consists of the mayor, comptroller, and three commissioners, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. There is a board of education, the six- teen members of which are elected by the people. The members of the board of health are appointed by the mayor, and confirmed by the city council. The board of excise consists of the mayor and three commis- sioners elected by the city council. The officers of the city government have their offices in the City Hall, a commodious brick structure erected in 1865, at a cost of eighty thousand dollars. In the building are also a commodious public market, and police headquarters and lock-up. The city offices and council chamber occupy the second floor.
The mayors of Elizabeth since its incorporation, in 1855, have been : Elias Darby, May 1, 1855, to May 1, 1860 ; James Jenkins, May I, 1860, to May 1, 1861 ; James B. Burnet, May 1, 1861, to May I, 1862 ; Philip H. Grier, May 1, 1862, to January 1, 1871 ; Francis B. Chetwood, January 1, 1871, to January 1, 1873 ; William A. Coursen, January 1, 1873, to January 1, 1875 ; Robert W. Townley, January I, 1875, to January 1, 1878 ; James S. Green, January 1, 1878, to January I, 1879 ; Robert W. Townley, January 1, 1879, to January 1, 1880 ; Peter Bonnett, January 1, 1880, to January 1, 1882 ; Seth B. Ryder, January 1, 1882, to January 1, 1883 ; Joseph H. Grier, January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1890 ; John C. Rankin, Jr., January 1, 1890, to date.
POSTAL FACILITIES.
That Elizabeth has the best postal facilities, is best evidenced by the fact that it enjoys unusual transportation facilities to and from all points
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CORNER OF BROAD STREET AND ELIZABETH AVENUE, 1889
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of the compass, thus insuring prompt and efficient service all over the world. The United States government postoffice building in this city is regarded as a model one in point of convenience and arrangements for postal purposes. This fact, coupled with good management on the part of the postmaster, in all of the ramifications of the office, denotes execu- tive ability and discipline of a high degree of efficiency. No more efficient or courteous corps of employes is to be found in the service of the government.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In the matter of fire protection, no city not having a paid depart- ment can boast of a better equipped or a more efficient corps of volunteer fire-fighters than can Elizabeth. The apparatus and appliances comprise six engines, each manned by sixty men, and two trucks, manned by fifty men each, and having about fifteen thousand feet of hose. August Gerstung is the chief, John R. Reitmeyer and William T. Cox, assistant chiefs. Although it is a volunteer service, many acts of courage and heroism have been performed, and the losses have been very small.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The policing of the city is divided into two precincts. The first precinct, located at Scotch Place, is under the charge of the chief; the second, on Elizabeth avenue, between First and Second streets, under the charge of the captain. The force comprises fifty men, who are in the regular employ of the city, thirty-eight of them being patrolmen, one keeper, three sergeants, two detectives, two desk men, one license sergeant, one lieutenant, one captain and one chief. Booths have been placed in the various sections of the city, and have proven of incalculable benefit to the department. The record of the department is one of which the city can be proud, and the individual members have the respect and good will of the entire community, and Elizabeth is extremely fortunate to have such an an able and efficient set of officers.
PUBLIC WORKS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The city council is composed (1897) of the following gentlemen : President, John B. Barr; members, John J. Gardner, John T. Brady, James Oakes, Robert G. Houston, George E. Van Voorhis, George L. Daubner, Paul N. Noll, Jr., William D. Jenkins, Francis Engel, William J. Carlton, Samuel J. Berry and Robert L. Patterson. The city officials are John C. Rankin, Jr., mayor ; John D. Barr, councilman-at-large ; James J. Manning, city clerk ; Albert B. Carlton, comptroller ; James Morrison, city treasurer ; Edward S. Atwater, city attorney ; Ernest L. Meyer, city surveyor; N. K. Thompson, street commissioner ; George C. Tenney, chief of police ; Charles Kurtz, chief of fire department ; William Eckerson, overseer of the poor; Dr. E. G. Putnam, health
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officer. These gentlemen comprise, in their entirety, a body of men under whose capable management the interests of the city are sure to prosper and grow.
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
In frequency of trains, rapidity of communication with the busi- ness section and cheapness of commutation and fares, none of the cities that furnish homes to business men of the metropolis can offer railroad facilities that can for a moment be compared with those of Elizabeth. Its union depot being situated at the junction of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Central Railroads, distant from New York by the former 14.2 miles, and by the latter 13.5 miles, trains may be obtained by one road or the other with almost the frequency of city street cars, and cer- tainly without the trouble of even consulting a time table.
The New Jersey Railroad & Transportation Company's line, now held under lease and known as the Pennsylvania Railroad, was opened for traffic through Elizabeth in 1836.
In 1835 Colonel James Moore located the line of the Central Rail- road of New Jersey from Elizabethport to Somerville, and it was opened from the latter point to Broad street early in 1836. The con- struction of the extension of the same to New York was begun in the fall of 1862. The Newark-bay bridge was completed and the road opened to New York, including Communipaw ferry, August 1, 1864. The Perth Amboy branch, formerly the Elizabethport & Perth Amboy Railroad, began its construction early in 1871, and opened for business, in connection with the New York & Long Branch Railroad, as far as Long Branch, on June 28, 1875.
THE NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY TELEPHONE COMPANY.
Probably there is no city of equal size in the United States which has more adequate and satisfactory telephone service than Elizabeth. This condition is due to the progressive spirit of the citizens in endorsing modern improvements, and to the efficiency and activity of the New York and New Jersey Telephone Company and its agents. This company established its office in Elizabeth in 1880, and has made continued and steady progress to the present time. A special list of Elizabeth subscribers, issued March 1, 1897, shows an increase of over one hundred names during the preceding two months ; this is suggestive as indicating the healthful growth of the company's business. This continued increase is attributed by the management to the completion of the metallic-circuit system by which all long-distance service is rendered satisfactory, and to a system of charges which places the service within reach of every one. Elizabeth has the distinction of having the first long-distance subscribers to The New York & New Jersey Telephone Company, as well as of being among the first in
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adopting and enjoying many of the improvements in telephone construction and methods. The company has lately introduced what is known as the selective system,-an approved method by which several subscribers can be placed on the same wire without interfering with each other. The territory of the New York & New Jersey Company includes all of Long Island, Staten Island and northern New Jersey, while through its connection with the long-distance system it reaches all points served by telephone. Most of its subscribers are equipped with long-distance instruments, and an Elizabeth subscriber can communicate as readily with Baltimore, Boston or Chicago, as with New York, Newark or Plainfield. The demand for telephone service has long since outgrown an entirely local system, and the present subscriber feels the necessity of connection with different points. The main offices of the company are at 16 Smith street, Brooklyn. The officers are as follows : Charles F. Cutler, president ; W. D. Sargent, vice-president and general manager; Joel C. Clark, secretary ; H. S. Snow, treasurer ; J. C. Reilly, general superintendent.
The New Jersey division is under the superintendence of H. G. McCully, while the affairs of the Elizabeth office are directly managed by Charles M. Root. Other exchanges operated in. Union county, by the New York & New Jersey Company, are at Plainfield, Rahway and Westfield.
LIBRARY HALL AND ELIZABETH PUBLIC LIBRARY AND READING ROOM.
The first attempt to establish a public library was made through the incorporation of the Elizabeth Library Association, by a state charter, February 14, 1856. At the first election of officers, Benjamin Williamson was made president, and John T. Gilchrist was made secretary. The following year the erection of the present large building was begun, and it was completed at a cost of fifty thousand dollars, and ever since that time, under the original and subsequent boards, it has been used partly as a public library.
The Young Men's Christian Association came into existence and the rent of rooms was given it under the condition that a public library be maintained. When this association passed out of existence the books reverted to the original association.
The Elizabeth Public Library and Reading Room occupies two commodious rooms on the second floor. This institution owes its origin to the efforts of Rev. W. S. Langford, formerly rector of St. John's church, who founded a public reading room in the " Arcade " in 1880. In 1883, in answer to the promoter's appeal, several thousand dollars were raised and an adjoining room added and fitted up with shelves. On November 12, 1883, a public reading room and library, with fifteen hundred books, was opened to the free use of the citizens, this same being under the care of the librarian, Thomas Bergen. Later the association was incorporated.
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In 1887 the library outgrew its original quarters, and at the invitation of the trustees of Library Hall, the rooms in that building once belonging to the V. M. C. A. were offered free of rent; these were refitted and the books of the old Y. M. C. A. library added to the volumes in the public library. The support for the library becoming inadequate and debt accumulating, a special effort was made by the president, Dr. R. Wescott, and the board of trustees, and a fund was raised by the citizens generally which relieved the library from all embarrassment.
The present officers of the Elizabeth Public Library and Reading Room are Melville Egleston, president ; Miss Jane Leigh Mahan, secre- tary ; Howard Richards, treasurer ; Mary E. Brittin, librarian ; Ellen C. O'Brien, assistant librarian. In addition to the library the building includes a hall for public meetings and theatrical performances. The late Charles Howell became secretary of the Elizabeth Library Association in 1862 and continued to hold that office, with that of manager, until his death, in 1878, when his business partner, Jonas E. Marsh, became the incumbent. The present officers of the Elizabeth Library Association are as follows : J. Williams Crane, president ; James C. Ogden, vice-presi- dent ; Meline W. Halsey, secretary and treasurer.
EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
The public schools of Elizabeth are a special pride to its cit- izens. The number of public schools comprised in what is called the graded system is ten, besides four parochial schools, under the supervision of the Roman Catholic church, and numerous private schools.
The officers of the board of education are : Wyckliff B. Sayre, president ; Joseph D. Lowden, secretary ; W. J. Shearer, A. M., superintendent. There are in the public system five primary, three grammar, one high and one normal school,-the latter two being in the same building.
Public School No. I, is located on Third street. The building was erected in 1855. B. Holmes is principal. Public School No. 2 is located on Morrell street, and the building was erected in 1858. N. W. Pease is principal. Public School No. 3 is located on corner of Second avenue and High street. The building was erected in 1872. W. D. Hyer is principal. Public School No. 4 is located on Cherry street. The building was erected in 1885. W. F. Robinson is prin- cipal. Public School No. 5, a primary school, is in a brick building on Fourth street. Miss L. E. Braun is principal. Public School No. 6 is also a primary school, the building being on Adams avenue. Miss M. E. Parrot is principal. Public School No. 7 is located on Grier avenue, the building having been completed January 15, 1894. The school known as the Grier Avenue Annex was transferred to this building February 1, 1894. Miss J. R. Meeker is principal. Public
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School No. 8 is located on the corner of Sixth and Fulton streets. Miss K. A. Hughes is principal.
Battin High School is located on the corner of South Broad and South streets. By a deed bearing date March 20, 1889, with the name of Joseph Battin signed thereto as a grantor, the city of Elizabeth was made the recipient of the most magnificent gift in its history, at the hand of one of its citizens. The property deed embraces a tract of one hundred and fifty-five feet on South Broad street, the entire frontage on South street to Williamson street, and one hundred and seventy feet on the latter. On this land is built one of the largest and most magnifi- cent private residences in the state, widely known as the "Dimock Palace," erected by Anthony W. Dimock, just previous to the panic of 1873.
The deed of this property, as a gift from Mr. Battin, was given into the hands of the mayor on March 25, 1889. The building is an extensive three-story brown-stone structure, with spacious halls and rooms en suite ; the floors, casements, stairways, doors, mantels, and fittings being of the most costly natural woods. Its original cost was two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and on the day it was handed over to the city it was perfect in every appointment.
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