USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union County, New Jersey > Part 55
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A panacea this for every ail; 'T will use you up,-'t was never knowu to fail. Use up your property, ere scarce you know it; Use up your character, or sadly blow it; Use up your health and strength and mind's repose, And leave, perhaps, your carcass to the crows!
POSTMASTERS.
Couriers and postboys and stage-drivers carried the Westfield mail prior to 1800. The village store was the only postoffice. The package rate was variable,-it often cost twenty-five cents to send a letter to New York or Philadelphia. It is said that Samuel Downer, store-keeper and elder, would often bring all uncalled-for letters in his hat to the church on Sunday inorning, and distribute them to the country people. "As early as 1793 he made up a package that went by the Speedwell line of stages." Tlie following is an accurate list of postmasters as appointed by the government : April 1, 1805, Smith Snidder ; October 1, 1806, Joseph Quimby ; February 17, 1825, Samuel Downer ; May 24, 1833, William H. Pierson ; October 6, 1836, Isaac H. Pierson ; April 3, 1840,
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY
Aaron Coe; Marchi 31, 1841, William H. Pierson ; August 2, 1845, Charles Clark ; April 12, 1850, William H. Pierson; May 13, 1854, Charles Clark ; May 31, 1861, Henry B. Morehouse ; March 1, 1866, James T. Pierson ; April 16, 1873, Frederick Decker ; February 10, 1886, Addison S. Clark ; February 6, 1890, Luther M. Whitaker ; April 17, 1894, Mulford M. Scudder.
PHYSICIANS.
Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, 1709-47, pastor, physician, throat specialist, teacher, first president of Princeton College, etc. Jonathan Elmer, 1752 until after 1787. In the trial of the murderer, Morgan, we read: "A sermon was preached by the Rev. Jonathan Elmer, of New Providence, -father of Dr. Jonathan Elmer, who was at this time a practising physician in Westfield, January 29, 1782,"-History of Union and Middlesex Counties. Philemon Elmer, prior to 1780 to 1827, " practiced the greater part of liis life in Westfield." Corra Osborn, 1820 (?) to 1868. Joseph Quimby, prior to 1827; married a daughter of Philemon Elmer. Frederick A. Kinch, 1849; died April 27, 1890. William Gale, 1869; Sherman Cooper, 1872; E. V. Stryker; Theodore V. Smith, 1876; Joseph B. Harrison, 1877; Frederick A. Kinch, Jr., 1882; Willard H. Morse, 1884; Alfred H. Scofield, 1893.
COMMUTING IN 1679 AND 1897.
In the following paragraphs is incidentally given a brief history of how our forefathers traveled between Westfield and New York in the years long past. We read that the first "commuters" were Jasper Dankers and Peter Sluyter. They came over in a canoe from Staten Island, walked from the "Port" to Elizabeth "village," and "nowhere in the country had we been so pestered with mosquitoes (muggen) as we were on this road. We returned by evening to the Point, but as the captain had to wait for the tide, we slept in a tavern kept by French papists, and at three o'clock in the morning we set sail." A month later they were again at the Point, and write: "We all slept on the floor and supped on what we had brought with us" Again, January 1, 1680, they say: " There was nothing to be had (at the tavern) except to warm us. We had something left in our traveling sack, upon which we made our supper, and then laid ourselves down to sleep in our fashion, upon a little hay before the fire."
Do not forget that all boats employed at this little ferry were, of course, propelled by oars or sails,-slow locomotion at best. One hundred years later, in 1790, it was called Thomas' Ferry, but not much improved, as is proved by the upsetting of a ferry boat, near Bergen Point, November 10, 1798, as the result of which accident nine persons, from Chatham, Rahway, Scotch Plains and New Providence, were drowned. In 1808 Colonel Aaron Ogden commanded the
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY
"Raritan," the first boat that connected Elizabeth with New York by steam. This was followed by a faster boat, the "Sea Horse," with an "engine of twelve horse-power." Then the Livingston monopoly would not allow them to land in New York, under penalty of " seizure of any steamboat that should be found infringing, etc." Although Colonel Ogden had leased a New York wharf, he announces on May 18, 1813, that "an elegant steamboat has been also provided to run between Elizabeth Town Point and Paulus Hook; fare four shillings; at nine, A. M., and two, P. M., from the Point; and at eleven-thirty, A. M., and four-thirty, P. M., from Paulus Hook." In June the fare was reduced to three shillings, sixpence; but November 23 the " boat was laid up for the winter!" Imagine it, ye hustling, modern commuter!
Some time prior to 1750 irregular stages ran between Westfield and the Port, which line soon extended to Philadelphia, passing each way three times a week, called the "Swift-Sure" line, but for many good reasons the people called it the "Slow- Dangerous." In 1831 the Elizabethtown & Somer- ville Railroad was char- tered, and in 1838 com- menced to carry passengers and freight. It was a slow, single-track road, crossing the highway no less than nine times between West- CHARLES CLARK'S STORE field and Elizabeth.
Although the dirt roads were very ordinary in those days, yet it is said that David Miller and otliers, owning good horses, "often beat the train between Westfield and Elizabeth. "
One of the old stage-drivers, George Tingley, was a Westfield man. For over fifty years he had driven the "Speedwell," and other coaches to the steamboat ferries at the Port and at Trembly's Point. When his stage-driving days were over he could be seen almost any evening at the store kept by Charles Clark, at the southwest corner of Broad and Clark streets, the old foundation of which building may yet be seen (1897). Here could generally be found the village squire, J. M. Clark, and Richard Thorn, Simeon Frazee, Samuel Miller, Jeremiah Jaggers, William Townley, Moses Harris (sexton of the meeting house), Samuel Clark, Judge Coe and Jack Williams, or "Black Jack," as he was called. Occasionally David and Amos Miller would come over, and then the old "fiddle" would be brought out, and a pleasant evening spent in song. At other times some old veteran recalled the stirring events of the late
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY
war, or George Tingley would relate some equally interesting or thrilling story of his half-century experience as driver on the old stage coach.
OLD-TIME MODES OF PUNISHMENT.
An old account book shows that the Elizabeth council, June 19, 1759, "allowed Ezekial Ball for building a pillory at Elizabeth Town, £2. 2. 0." " December 18, 1753, allowed to Mr. Hatfield, the high sheriff, for the Indightment and Whipping John Williams proc", £3. 6. 3." Even women also suffered the indignity. "May 8, 1745, allowed to William Chetwood for hanging Negro John and Burning Harry Hartwel's Hand, £5. o. o., proc," an inhuman punishment. The stocks was located in a public place, and was made of boards, set on edge, with holes to fasten in one position the hands and feet. It was ordered that " those who should make or publish a false report shall be fined ten shillings or sett in the stocks." Here also were often placed the drunkard and common scold. Mr. Leveridge says that " conspicuous in the Meeting House was the Stool of Repentance, on which the culprit sat during divine service and on lecture days. Sometimes they wore a paper cap on which was written their sin. Wearing a halter around the neck was another form of punishment. It is said that blabbing and loud-talking women, as well as gossips, occupied the stool of repentance. When the first church of Elizabeth Town was enlarged a stool * was shown in good state of preservation."
OLD TOWNSHIP RECORDS OF WESTFIELD, 1794-1845-
In an old leather-bound volume we find an interesting record of Westfield's official doings for the first fifty years of its incorporation. There were no vexed questions of Telford roads, nor sewers, nor city water to trouble the town committee. Outside the usual state and county taxes, the most common items are the poor tax, dog tax and sheep claims, paying bounty on foxes and crows killed, and keeping track of stray cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, etc., belonging to the people. These stray animals, when found, were advertised in a " Book of Strays," kept by the township, and the following items illustrate the method : " December 27, 1799, J --- - R -- , of Scotch Plains, requires the following entry to be made of a cow four years old, a brown collour, a white Tale, with a crop off the Right Ear-came to his plantation in October last." D- M -- advertises two animals thus : "One has a hole thrue the rite and a hapny (halfpenny) in the left ; the other has a swoller (swallow) fork in the left and a hol in the rite." Another : "Stray sheep at the widow J- B --- 's, thare is seven, a Black one with a Hapny of of each Ear. Ones whit one with a Hapny of the uper sid of the rite ear and a swoller fork of on each ear, one with a slit and Hapny of on the rite ear."
This record of "strays " continues until December 5, 1848, when a
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few pages seem to be torn from the book. Each man's brand, or inark, was recorded in the back part of the saine book, in the following manner : "December 10, 1796, Jacob Davis of Westfield requires the entries of the marks of his sheep to be made, vitz., a half crop off of the under side of the right ear, and a nick the under side of same, and a slope the uper side of the left ear (off of the end.)" A curiosity is found in the town records, in the shape of a two-dollar bill supposed to be counterfeit, and once passed by the town committee in payment for services rendered. Said bill is in a very dilapidated condition, and is found pinned to the following affidavit :
STATE OF NEW JERSEY, COUNTY OF ESSEX :
Persons appeared before me, Samuel B. Miller, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, Ezra Crane, who being sworn saith that according to the best of his knowledge and belief he took a certain Two Dollar Bill of the Township Committee for services rendered, of the City Bank of New York, dated September 14, 1813, No. 53, which he believe to be a Counterfeit Bill, and further saith not.
Taken before me, April 9, 1818.
SAMUEL B. MILLER, Justice of the Peace. EZRA CRANE.
REV. EDWIN DOWNER,
son of Elder Samuel Downer, was born at Westfield, Decem- ber 2, 1798. He prepared for college at Rev. Amzi Ari- REV. EDWIN DOWNER strong's classical school at Bloomfield, New Jersey, graduated from Princeton College in 1818, took the theological course at Princeton, was licensed as a Presbyterian minister by the presbytery of New Jersey April 25, 1822, and, after preaching for some months as a missionary in Virginia, was ordained November 3, 1824. He became pastor of the church at Mount Hope, Orange county, New York, in April, 1825, and there he remained "laboring with zeal and fidelity " until October, 1828, when, in con- sequence of poor health, he resigned his charge. He, however, con- tinued preaching as he was able, whenever called upon. He removed to Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1853, but returned to Westfield, his native place, in 1858, "to spend the remainder of his days." He died in the pulpit in the Westfield church, of heart disease, on Sabbath morning, May 31, 1868. The circumstances of his death were as follows: The
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pastor, Rev. Mr. Edgar, being absent, he was invited to supply the place. He anticipated the service with anxiety, and made careful preparation for it, expressing the hope that he might, in what he felt would be his last public effort, say something which would be blessed to the impenitent. With a sermon from Luke XIX. 41-42, he ascended the pulpit in feebleness, offered the invocation, and sitting down, passed away with a slight groan. A large congregation was present. Many exclaimed: "How beautiful thus to die." "It is not death, but translation." The funeral service was held in the church on the following Wednesday, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Luther Littell, of the Mt. Hope church, and interment was made at Westfield.
REV. DAVID ROBINSON DOWNER,
son of Elder Samuel Downer, was born at Westfield, August 2, 1808. He died at Westfield November 28, 1841. He prepared for college at Dr. Amzi Armstrong's school, at Bloomfield, New Jersey, entered Yale in 1824, graduated in 1828, studied theology at Auburn, was ordained and installed by the third presbytery of New York as the first pastor of the West Presbyterian church, then in Carmine street, March 25, 1832; resigned in consequence of ill health, October 23, 1841, and died at Westfield, November 28, 1841. A funeral service was afterwards held in his New York church, at which his lifelong friend, the Rev. Henry A. Rowland, then pastor of the Pearl street (New York) Pres- byterian church, officiated. The sermon was published. In speaking of his work Mr. Rowland said that at the beginning of his pastorate he was but twenty-four years of age, the church had but recently been organized, and everything was to be done. In addition to preaching three times every Sabbath, attending the usual weekly lecture, and the two weekly prayer meetings, he made many pastoral calls. During the nine years of his pastorate he attended more than eleven hundred funerals, a large proportion of which were out of his congregation. The service's he rendered in this way were very great and contributed to wear out his strength. The church enjoyed frequent revivals during his ministry; eight hundred and fifteen new members were received, of whom five hundred and three were on profession, while many others who were converted, united elsewhere. The labors of few men have been more blessed, yet these labors were carried on in the simplicity and sincerity of the gospel and by the legitimate influences of the pastoral office. He entered into active sympathy with all the benevo- lent efforts of the day.
In the matter of temperance, which was then for the first being prominently brought to the attention of the church, he took much interest, and, in 1841, preached a sermon which was repeated by request
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in many of the New York churches and subsequently published and given wide circulation.
In the midst of his work he contracted a severe cold, which, amid his multiplied duties, he neglected and which developed into a dangerous attack of inflammation of the lungs. He recovered somewhat, and appeared at the October communion service. He was very feeble, and to the surprise of all arose to remind his people of their former com- munion seasons and how deeply he bore them on his heart. If he was never to appear before them again he wished to bear his solemn testimony to the reality of Christian consolations in trial and to the power and triumph of Christian hope. While the assembly was dissolved in tears he stood before them as one who had returned from the borders of the invisible world to communicate to them his confidence in the grace of God and his conviction of the power of religion to sustain the soul while sinking in the arms of death. The scene was deeply impressive and never to be forgotten.
He soon after went to Westfield, and on Saturday evening, November 27th, after conversing with Mr. Rowland, fell asleep, and during the night, without awaking from his slumbers, breathed his last. The remains were interred, on the following Tuesday, in the old family ground at Westfield.
REV. PHILEMON E. COE.
No history of Westfield would be complete without a brief mention of this estimable man, the founder of two churches. Mr. Coe was possessed of some means, ever active in good works, and may well be considered the father of Episcopacy in this section. July 2, 1867, he organized, at his own homestead residence, Grace church, Protestant Episcopal. He fitted up his large hall with a temporary altar, organ and other churchly requisites for the use of a congregation, and here the society worshiped for a number of years. The festivals of Christmas and Easter were duly observed, the rector (Rev. Mr. Coe) sparing no pains to provide attractive music and all needed accessories. After years of voluntary service Mr. Coe died, of malignant smallpox, contracted while kindly visiting and praying with a neighbor dying of this disease. The house is still standing, on Clark street, where Grace church was organized. In his will Rev. Mr. Coe donated to the society the plot of ground, on Broad street, where the present church edifice stands. The corner stone was laid July 3, 1874. It is a pretty, gothic frame building, 40x60 feet, containing two hundred and fifty sittings. The rectors, aside from Mr. Coe, have been Rev. Harris C. Rush, Rev. Thomas Drumm, M. D., Rev. William Heaks, Rev. Alfred R. Taylor, Rev. Joseph B. Jennings and Rev. Charles Fiske. In the belfry of this church is a sweet chimie of English "ding-dong " bells.
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY
But Mr. Coe did not confine his labors to Westfield. In the minute book of Grace church, Plainfield, we learn that "the first Episcopal services ever held in that city were celebrated in the village school house there, January 11, 1852. The building is still standing, on Church street, near the corner of Second street. The Rev. Philemon E. Coe, of Westfield, New Jersey, officiated. There were about thirty persons present. Rev. Mr. Coe continued his services without any salary for six years, coming every Sabbath about six miles, irrespec- tive of inclement weather, and also loaned them money when they were ready to build a church, and afterward canceled most of the debt, in behalf of the parish."
The following is a true copy of a handbill (9 x 12) circulated and posted up, in 1862, in Westfield.
WESTFIELD VOLUNTEERS, ATTENTION !
The undersigned Committee on Enlistment and County Fund for the Township of West- field, appointed at a Public Meeting, August 11, 1862, announces to all who are desirous of Enlisting for Nine Months, Three Years, or in the Old Regiments, that they are
PREPARED TO OFFER SUCH VOLUNTEERS FROM $25.
$50.
according to the term of enlistment, IN ADDITION to the County, State and Government Bounty.
Arrangements have been made to have our men go in companies together. Volunteers will readily see the advantage they gain personally by placing themselves under the patronage and advice of the Committee; also that larger interest in them will be constantly kept up by their friends at home.
The Committee will meet every evening at the STORE OF H. B. MOREHOUSE, to receive Volunteers ; Also to receive additional contributions to the Bounty Fund, to which all who have not contributed are requested to do so LIBERALLY and AT ONCE.
COME ALL WHO CAN TO THE CALL OF THE GOVERNMENT TO PUT DOWN THE
REBELLION.
To secure the County Bounty of $100, Enlistment must be made by the 25th inst.
COMMITTEE :
W. J. RYKEMAN, J. S. FERRIS, GIDEON LUDLOW, CLARK SCUDDER.
H. B. MOREHOUSE, J. Q. DUDLEY,
JOSIAH CRANE, SR.
THE OLD CHURCHYARD.
" I would rather sleep in the southern corner of a little country churchyard than in the tombs of the Capulets."-Burke.
Away back in 1720 a few roods of the " parsonage land," opposite the church, on Mountain avenue, were set aside as " God's Acre." The poverty of some of the early settlers was such that few could afford headstones for departed friends, and it was not the custom for even the well-to-do to place anything, unless it be some plain " marker," over the graves of anyone under fifteen years of age. As we find about nineteen
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY
hundred headstones in this cemetery, experts on such subjects compute the number of interments to have been at least five thousand. One of the oldest stones bears the name of Hetfield, 1724. Here lies the second pastor of the Presbyterian church, Rev. John Grant. Here rest many soldiers of the Revolution ; and many women also who had quite as hard a struggle in the home as did the sturdier sex upon the bloody field. The tombstone of one man is comfortably surrounded by those of his five wives. About the year 1865 the old cemetery had become so completely choked by young trees, weeds, vines and berry bushes that it became a disgrace to the village. Then Mary, the wife of Jacob French, offered one hundred dollars if sufficient funds could be raised to place the yard in good condition. Deacon Henry Baker soon collected about eight hundred dollars, and under his leadership a transformation was effected. For over one hundred years no lots were sold. Burial space was free, and persons buried their loved ones on whatever spot was thought to be the next best location. Deacon Baker said that the first lot purchased was for the son of Rev. Phile- inon Coe. Elder Joseph Cory had charge of the cemetery for somne time after Deacon Baker, when he resigned in favor of LAWRENCE CLARK HOMESTEAD Robert French. * Under his regime are noted a new fence, new hitching posts, hedges trimmed, etc.,-thus rendering still more attractive this old, sacred and historic "God's Acre."
FAIRVIEW CEMETERY.
A new burial ground became necessary in recent years, and such was chosen, inidway between Westfield and Cranford,-a splendid elevation, overlooking surrounding towns, New York and the Orange mountains. An organization was effected January 13, 1868, and the soleinn dedication occurred September 24th of the same year. The first board of trustees comprised Chauncey B. Ripley, F. A. Kinch, M. D., Mathias Clark, Moses T. Crane, A. A. Drake, J. M. C. Marsh, Squire Pierson, J. Q. Dudley, William Stitt, Rev. Philemon E. Coe, Joshua Brown and Joseph Moffett.
ADDISON S. CLARK.
In any history of Westfield more than passing notice should be given of Mr. Clark, who has filled a number of public offices in the town and county, and who is related to Abraham Clark, the signer of the Declar-
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ation of Independence. His father's name was Thomas, and the latter was the son of John. Thomas Clark served in the war of 1812. John Clark married Rebecca, the daughter of Thomas Woodruff, who was of English descent, and who came to West- field about 1750. He married Rebecca Merrey, of Long Island, and their other children were Jemima, Nancy and Thomas. Thomas Woodruff was both judge and justice, and was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church .* Jemima married William Baker, and had the following named children : William, Henry, Jeremiah, Jacob, Mary, and Phebe. Nancy married John Scudder, son of Captain John Scud- der, and had five children: Susan, William, Sarah, and two who died in infancy. Thomas married Sally Scudder, and had seven children: Betsy, Ephraim, Israel, Hetty, Martha, Amos and Smith.
Jesse Clark, the great-grandfather of Addison, was a man of note in the early days of Westfield. He married Charity Scudder, and had five children: Keziah, who married Jonathan I. Baker; Edward, who married Phebe Baker; John, who married Rebecca Woodruff; and Abraham, who married Betsy Pierson. January 16, 1788, when the Presbyterian church of Westfield was incorporated, we find that the trustees were : Thomas Woodruff, Esq., John Scudder, Ephraim Marsh, Jesse Clark, Andrew Hetfield, Ephraim Scudder and John Crane. Addison S. Clark has held the following offices: Justice of the peace, inspector of registry and elections, and freeholder (two terms). He graduated at Princeton in 1848. His son, Addison H., has lately (1897) been elected collector of the township.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Assessors,-James Ross, Esq., 1794-1805 ; Captain Benjamin Laing, 1794-9 ; Colouel Moses Jaques, 1794 ; Peter Trembly, Esq., 1795-7 ; David Ross, 1798-1803 ; Ezra Darby, 1800-4 ; John B. Osborn, 1805 ; James Ross, Jr., 1806-19; William Hand, 1806-9; Samuel B. Miller, 1810-14 ; Jonathan Miller, 1814-29 ; Dennis Coles, 1815-30, 1832 ; Gideon Ross, 1820-28, 1830-32 ; John High, Jr., 1829-31 ; James Frazee, 1831 ; Anthony L. Frazee, 1833-6 ; Jonathan Woodruff, 1833, 1837-8 ; John M. Clark, 1834-6, 1838, 1840, 1843, 1846-7 ; Elias Runyan, 1837-8; John M. Clark, 1849-51, 1853-4, 1856 ; Justin Manning, 1839; Elias Kirkpatrick, 1840-44; Andrew H. Clark, 1841-2 ; Isaac H. Pierson, 1845 ; Daniel W. Ayres, 1845 ; S. Haines, 1846; William H. Clark, 1848 ; Samnel Lee, 1852-7 ; Jonathan Cory, Jr., 1858 ; Simeon Frazee, 1859-60; Zophar Hetfield, 1861-2 ; William C. Stanbery, 1865-7, 1870-1 ; J. W. R. Bennett, 1868 ; John H. Martine, 1869; Joseph G. Hanson, 1873 ; E. D. Chamberlain, 1874-6 ; Joseph S. Clark, 1877-8 ; J. M. C. Marslı, 1863-4, 1879 97.
Collectors,-Ephraim Marsb, Esq., 1794-9; Captain Recompense Stanbery, 1794-9 ; Peter Trembly, Esq., 1794 ; Samnel Winants, 1796-1802 ; Caleb Maxill, 1800-2, 1805-16 ; Azariah Clark, 1800-4, 1806-7, 1809, 1813-14 ; John B. Osborn, 1803-4; Jonathan Squire, 1803 ; William Baker, 1805 ; Jonathan Woodruff, 1808, 1810-12, 1815-16; Aaron M. Osborn, 1817-26 ; Frazee Coles, 1817 ; Caleb M. Littell, 1818-25 ; Israel L. Coriell, 1826-8 ; Daniel Shotwell, 1822, 1828-32 ; Charles Marsh, Jr., 1829-36, 1841-4, 1846-7 ; Jacob Thorn, 1831, 1833-6, 1844-6 ; Henry Baker, 1837-8 ; John M. Hand, 1837-9; Eli March, 1839-40 ;
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