History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 100

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224

USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 100
USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 100

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HECLA POWDER-MILLS .- Near Bloodgood's factory are located the mills of the Hecla Powder Company, whose principal office is at No. 57 Broadway, New York. This company is incorporated under the laws of the State of New York, and has a paid-up capital of one hundred thousand dollars. The works, located near Rahway, have a capacity equal to any in the country. Hecla powder is a dynamite for blasting purposes, composed of nitro-glycerine so " solidified" by a chemical process as to render it perfectly safe in handling and transportation. It is, chemically, en- tirely different from all other explosive compounds. It is from three to five times as strong as ordinary blasting powder, and the most economical explosive in use for sandstone and limestone quarries, all me- dium hard rock, coal-mines, bank blasting, tunneling, shaft-work, railroad contracts, etc. Charles A. Morse, superintendent.

CHAPTER LVII.

FANWOOD TOWNSHIP.

Boundaries, etc .- This township was set off from Westfield in 1877. The first election took place in the spring of 1878. It is bounded as follows : On the west by Somerset County, and northwest by Green Brook, being the line from New Providence township, on the northeasterly course passing through the late Wesley Roll property to Willow Grove on a straight line, and southerly by Clark and Raritan townships, Robinson's Creek being part of the boundary line until the Terrill road is reached, which is the line dividing Plainfield city limits, thence on a straight line to Green Brook, the place of beginning.

Natural Features .- The surface of this township is generally level, except on the west and northwest, which comprises what is known as the First Moun- tain. The soil a clay loam, well cultivated and pro- ductive. Within two miles of the plaios a bed of carbonate of lime was discovered in which are metal- lic appearances, supposed to be gold and silver, but

which, having been tested, shows only the deceptive pyrites.

On the west and the northwest of this township is Green Brook, being the boundary line from New Providence township. Its head is in Felt Lake, where it is fed by living springs. On the extreme southerly part of Fanwood is Robinson's Brook, a living stream, running through to Raritan township, feeding the farms with water, and making it very de- sirahle for dairies, cattle, etc.

Early Settlers .- The name of Scotch Plains is derived from the nationality of its original settlers. In the year 1684 a number of Scotch emigrants, chiefly persons of education and distinction at home, landed at Amboy, and started back into the woods to select a suitable location for a new settlement. Ar- riving at the foot of the First Mountain, they pro- ceeded to take possession of the tract of land including the whole of what is now occupied by Scotch Plains and Plainfield. Some of these pioneers, among whom we find the names of Barclay, Gordon, Forbes, and Fullerton, were interested as proprietors of the prov- ince, and became afterwards well known as officers connected with the government. Attracted by the inviting character, both of soil and climate, the Asso- ciates of Elizabethtown on the east and the residents of Piscataway on the south began before many years to push out their settlements in this direction In or about the year 1689 the families of William Darby, Recompense Stanbery, John Lambert, John Dennis, John Stanbery, Henry Crosby, Michael Parse or Pierce, John Sutton, Jr., Isaac Manning, Mary Bod- well, Sarah De Camp, Samuel Doty or Doughty, Jo- seph Drake, Jeames Miller, Abraham Hampton, John Blackford, Joseph Randolph, William Cole, Peter Willcoxsie or Willcox, and a few others who came afterwards, whose names are now known in this town- ship at the present time : Mash or Marsh, Dolbear, Terry, Terrill, Squires, Hunter, Miller, Pearson, Roll, Frazer or Frazee, and Maxwells.

We infer that in religious sentiment the first in- habitants of this town were mainly Baptist, as they attended this church, which was situated at Piscata- way town, some nine miles from this village, and until 1742, when their church was organized.

Civil Officers. TOWN CLERKS.

Themas J. Nicholl, 1878-79.

| J. A. Baker, 1880-82.

CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.

C. W. L. Martine, 1878, 1880-82. | Stites M. Parse, 1879.

ASSESSORS.

John L. Darby. 1878, 1881. Samuel M. Ball, 1877.

Tappan Townsend, appointed in 1879 in Ball's place. Juhn Robison, 1880, 1882.

COLLECTORS.

George Squier, 1878-79.

| William Hetfield, 1880-82.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Jeseph Clark, 1878.

C. A. Smith, 1872.

George R. Nicholl, 1860. -

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

INSPECTORS OF ELECTION.

Benjamin Coonatt, 1878-80.

; Charles H. French, 1881-82.

William Thorn, 1878. Edward Miller, 1882.

Daniel H. Terry, 1879-81.

TOWN COMMITTEE.

Levi Darby, 1878. llanry C. Randolph, 1879-80.

Jacob D. French, 1878.

Juho J. Marsh, 1879-81.

Joseph A. Patterson. 1878, 1882.

Daniel S. Scudder, 1882.

Isaac Lapibert, 1878.

William C. Stanhery.

Stitea M. Parse, 1878.

John L. Darby, 1880.

Lewia W. Miller, 1879-81.

JUDGES OF ELECTION.

Richard H. Nodyne, 1878.

George R. Nicholla, 1881-82.

W. D. Johnston, 1879-80.

Census Report .- Number of inhabitants in town- ship : Males, 262; females, 256; total, 518 ; and about 325 in the village of Scotch Plains.

Schools .- From the early settlement of this part of Westfield (now Fanwood) township the general sentiment of the inhabitants has been decidedly in favor of education, and has been active in operating free schools throughout the township. The earliest record of teachers is as follows :

" William Cole (son of William Cole) was a sur- veyor and schoolmaster, and was known as 'Master Cole.' He and his wife, Elizabeth Williamson, lived where his father did, and had ' eight children.'" Mr. Coles was one of the first masters, and organized a general school in Scotch Plains, where he taught for a number of years.1

" The Jackson school-house, situated on the Terral road, was until a few years regularly opened as a district school, and some of the best teachers that could be found were employed. Cooper, Parse, Foster, Stites, W. H. Cleaver, and James D. Cleaver taught there as well as in the academy in the village. There had also been established in 1814 a school dis- trict in the neighborhood of Lambert's Mills, and designated the Willow Grove School-house. Andrew H. Clark, Cutter Dolbear, Isaac H. Pierson, Jotham Williams, Mr. - Coles, Andrew Rogers, Christopher Denman, 1825 ; Frazee Coles, Benjamin Little, 1833; Isaac Coriell, 1842, were teachers. Since then there has been built a neat frame building, and the district is now known as District No. 11, with sixty scholars on the roll. The old academy at Scotch Plains has given place to a neat frame building costing seven thousand dollars on the principal street. This district (No. 14) has about two hundred and sixty boys and girls enrolled. The teachers have been Chauncey Ripley, S. A. Day, Mr. Seamon, O. M. Putnam, and G. P. Towne, the present principal.

" The trustees with their accustomed zeal and lib- erality are doing much to enhance the efficiency of their schools, and it is pleasing to note that much has been done in the line of repairing ontbildings, beauti- fying the grounds, etc. The schools are taking a high stand in the country as to grade and proficiency."

Churches .- This township has three church organ- izations, Baptist, Methodist Episcopal, and Protest- ant Episcopal Churches, of which the Baptist is the oldest, having been organized in 1742. From this church was the First Baptist Church in New York organized, many of its members having removed from Scotch Plains, taking their certificates from this old historic church, to that city.

BAPTIST CHURCH .- The first movement on record for the dissemination of Baptist views was made in 1742. A subscription paper for the building of a " First-Day Baptist Meeting-House" on the east side of Green River, bearing date the 4th day of August in that year, is still in possession of the church. This movement originated with members of the church living at Scotch Plains, and the next year the first church was erected. The first members ap- pear to have been John Dennis, William Darby, John Lambert, Recompence Stanbery, John Stan- bery, John Sutton, Jr., Henry Crosby, Isaac Man- ning, Mary Brodwell, Mary Dennis, Tibiah Sutton, Mary Green, Catherine Manning, Sarah DeCamp, and Sarah Perce or Pierce.

Soon after the organization of this church Benja- min Miller, a licentiate, was called to the pas- torate, and ordained Feb. 13, 1748. Mr. Miller was born in the neighborhood of Piscataway, about the year 1715, and during his connection with this church, of over thirty-four years (which ended only with his life), nearly three hundred members were added. He died Nov. 14, 1781, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. A plain brownstone tablet a few feet north of where the old church stood covers his remains :

" In Memory of REV. BENJAMIN MILLER, Died Nov. 14, 1781, After a pastorale of thirty-four yeara of thia church.

" If graca and worth and uaefulnesa Could mortals acreen from death'a arrest, Miller had never lain in duat, Though characters inferior muat."

The next pastor, Rev. William Van Horne, came Nov. 7, 1784, but it was not until Dec. 15, 1785, that he entered fully upon his labors, his salary being fixed at $250, with the use of parsonage and lot of fifteen acres and firewood. He remained until Sep- tember, 1807, nearly twenty-two years, resigning on account of failing health.

July 1, 1808, Rev. Thomas Brown took charge of the church. Here he remained for more than twenty years of constant service, which bore their testimony to his faithfulness, nearly two hundred being added to this church.

The Rev. John Rogers succeeded to the vacant charge about the middle of August, 1829. He was a native of Ireland, where he was born in 1783. He remained until June, 1841, when he resigned to take charge of the feeble church at Perth Amboy. The

1 Little'a Passaic Valley, p. 80.

SEELEY'S PAPER-MILLS.

The extensive paper-mills now known as "The Seeley Mills" are situated about two miles from Fan- wood Station, upon the New Jersey Central Railroad, and on the lines of two counties, Somerset and Union. About the year 1763 a grist-mill was here established, and for many years was known as the Fall Mill, in the notch above Scotch Plains. A large business was done for the neighboring farmers. A Mr. Wilcox owned the mill and did the work until Charles Ed- wards and John Clark, under the firm-name of Ed- wards & Clark, became the owners in 1851; but in 1853 the present proprietor, Mr. Edmond A. Seeley, moved from Troy, N. Y., and has since carried on an exten- sive business. The main building is 42 by 42 feet, while the other two buildings are 40 by 60 feet and 30 by 40 feet. The Green Brook, fed by springs passing through the gorge of the mountain, together with steam-power, gives them abundant facilities for turn- ing out over seven hundred tons of pasteboards per : which pertain to the public good in general.

annum. Mr. Seeley employs between twenty-five and thirty men, as well as a number of teams.

The homestead now occupied by Mr. Seeley was erected by him in 1876, and is on the right, above the mill property. The grounds are beautifully laid out, and with the running streamlets from the rocky sides of the hills down into a lake of water covered with water lilies, the natural growth of timber, the well- kept grounds, and neatness of the mill property, make it a place enchanting to those desiring mountain scenery. This property is valued at over one hundred thousand dollars.

Mr. Edmond A. Seeley was born at Stockport, Co- lumbia Co., N. Y., and from his early childhood las been connected with the paper business. He is well known in the locality in which he resides as a philan- thropist, and stands high in the community as one who may ever be found at the head of all enterprises

RESIDENCE OF E. A. SEELEY, SCOTCH PLAINS, N. J.

E. A. SEELEY'S PAPER MANUFACTORY, SCOTCH PLAINS, N. J.

413

FANWOOD TOWNSHIP.

church regretted his removal, he having been an excellent pastor, nearly two hundred having been baptized into the fellowship of this church during his ministry. He died at Paterson, N. J., Aug. 30, 1849. The fifth who was called to the pastorate of this church, the Rev. John Wivell, was born in Eng- land, and came to New York in 1840. His great preaching talents and energy attracted large numbers to this church, and the membership during his pas- torate rose to two hundred, the highest point it has ever attained. May 2, 1844, Rev. William E. Locke became the pastor, and remained at Scotch Plains until Sept. 1, 1849, when he withdrew from this de- nomination and joined the Presbyterian Church.

In 1844 this church withdrew from the New York Association (whither it had gone from the Philadel- phia Association in 1792), and united with the East New Jersey Association, where it has since remained.

The next pastor, Rev. Joshua E. Rue, was born at Hightstown, N. J., Oct. 5, 1817. After a settlement of nearly three years at Sandy Ridge he removed to Scotch Plains, at the beginning of the year 1850. Like all his predecessors, he soon had the joy of wel- coming new-born souls into the kingdom. A pleas- ant condition of spiritual awakening succeeded, and twenty-seven in all followed the Lord in his ordi- nances. But sorrow follows close upon the track of joy. In the midst of his work he was smitten by disease, and for many weeks life was despaired of. He was partially restored, however, just in time to follow the remains of his universally beloved com- panion to the grave. Thus deeply stricken and with health ruined for life he resigned his charge, after a service of just four years. Since that time he has held agencies for the Home Missions and other societies, and is now a cotton-planter in North Caro- lina. During his pastorate repairs were made upon the church property. The number of members in 1854 was one hundred and forty-six.

Rev. James F. Brown, D.D., son of Thomas Brown, the third pastor of this church, was born at Scotch Plains July 4, 1819. For many years he had resided at Gainesville, Ala., but leaving the South had become successor of his father in the pastoral office at Great Valley, Pa., in 1846, and in 1854 he became pastor of this church. He was pastor here for six years ; dur- ing that time continuous revivals, many were added by baptism to the church, and at this time many of those are strong pillars of the church.

Rev. William Luke was the next called to the pas- torate of this church. He was born in the town of Esopus, N. Y., Nov. 27, 1827 ; baptized at Pough- keepsie March 3, 1843, and licensed by the First Baptist Church of that city. He entered Madison University in 1848, and from there to Rochester, where he graduated in 1854. He accepted at once a call from St. John, N. B., but in December, 1860, he came to this place. During his pastorate here the Westfield Baptist Church was organized and a num-

ber were dismissed to that infant church. Mr. Luke was popular among the people, and when he retired from this church in 1867 it was lamented by his con- gregation. He died at Wappinger's Falls, N. Y., May 16, 1869 ; his last words were, "The victory is mine." The next pastor, Rev. Joseph C. Buchanan, entered on his work at Scotch Plains July 1, 1867, and was ordained to the gospel ministry October 1st of that year. A pleasant state of religious feeling met the new pastor at the outset, and soon the church entered into extra services and nearly fifty were bap- tized. During his pastorate the new church was erected. Mr. Buchanan left in the fall of 1878, and Rev. Uriah B. Guiscard, who came from Brewster's, New York State, accepted the invitation of this church to be- come their pastor and removed here, and is now preaching to good congregations. The membership is one hundred and forty-three. The following are the official officers: William Archibald, David Hand, Jonathan A. Coles, Thomas Mead, Thomas Cleaver, church clerks; O. M. Putnam, clerk of trustees.

The first house of worship (already alluded to) was erected in 1743 on the site of the second one. Its size and construction are not known. The congrega- tion having increased rapidly under Mr. Miller's preaching, it was soon found necessary to secure more ample accommodations. Accordingly in the early part of 1759 the church was much enlarged and the roof and sides covered with cedar shingles and other improvements made. The seats were sold to pay the costs of these repairs. This house stood without further important alterations until the winter of 1816-17, when it was totally destroyed. Subscription papers were at once circulated, most of the necessary funds were easily secured, and a contract signed for the building of a new house, to be finished by December 1st of that year. This house was built in the best manner, thirty-nine feet by forty-eight feet in size, with gal- leries on three sides, roof and sides, like the former building, covered with cedar shingles, and cost two thousand four hundred and ninety-two dollars. Some twenty years ago the large windows on either side of the pulpit were closed up and a vestibule cut off from the main roof in front. In 1866 a belfry and bell were added.

The growing wants of the congregation called for the building of a new edifice, and in 1870 the ground was broken, and in 1871, just one year, this beautiful Gothic church was completed. It stands on a fine corner near the old one, and a new avenue passing on the side and the parsonage on the opposite, making this one of the finest church properties in the county. The material is pressed brick with Ohio stone and white brick trimmings, clerestory, and transept cor- ner tower, and spire one hundred and twenty feet in height. The size of main part is fifty feet by one hundred and ten feet, which includes the lecture-room in the rear, leaving the main audience-room fifty feet by seventy feet, with recess pulpit. The cost, includ-

414

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

ing furniture and organ, exclusive of ground, thirty- five thousand dollars. Surrounding this historic church is the burial-ground, where are laid to rest the former members of this church.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- For a number of years the few families of Methodists were accus- tomed to worship at the surrounding towns, Plain- field and Westfield, with occasional supplies from those churches preaching at the Jackson school- house and private dwellings. It was not until the fall of 1867 that the Rev. William Day, of Plainfield, gave them regular services, organizing some sixteen members into a class. Immediately efforts were made to have regular services the following year, when a supply was sent from Drew Seminary, at Madison, N. J. Lots were secured on the Springfield road, now called Mountain Avenue ; Rev. J. A. Kingsbury took charge of the society, and in 1871-72 the building was completed at a cost of about six thousand dollars. Sittings, three hundred and fifty. The following pas- tors have been sent by the Conference : Rev. J. A. Kingsbury, Rev. C. E. Treat, Rev. Mr. Cherrinton, Rev. John Davis, Rev. Mr. Coles, Rev. Mr. Owens, Rev. P. P. Harrower, and Rev. Mr. Warner. The present membership is forty-five.

ALL SAINTS' PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- An effort has been made for some years to build a church; occasional services have been held in the Town Hall, and at the present time arrangements are being made for a new church, to be known as All Saints' Protestant Episcopal Church at Scotch Plains, Rev. Charles Sykes, rector ; the new edifice, Gothic in style, to cost about five thousand five hundred dollars, with three hundred sittings. Fine lots on Park Ave- nue have been secured. There are about thirty-five communicants. The trustees are Charles Kyte, chair- man ; R. B. Duckinch, George E. More, John T. Pat- tinson ; George Kyte, clerk and treasurer.

Burial-Ground,-There are a few private plots, but have for a number of years been closed up, no more being buried in them. The public burying-ground surrounding the Baptist Church dates at an early day. Here rest generation after generation. Here lie the dust of those pioneers who cut the timber and cleared the land in this beautiful valley. The ground com- prises some three acres, Many of the graves are without headstones, and they may be those of the ' first laid away. A few of the stones are broken, and the earliest ones cannot be now copied. Among the earliest records is of one of the first settlers :

" Ilere lye ye body of Joseph Lambert, who died Nove'm the 8th, 1756, in the 26th year of his age."

" Here lies Entr'd ye Body of RECOMPENCE STANBERY, ESQ., who died Muy the 20th, A. D., 1777, in the 67th year of his age.

" llere lies our friend in mouldring dust, When Christ will raise to life we trust; But Mourning say hie loss how great Tu Family, to church, and state."

" This stone is erected to the memory of MARGERET, formerly the Wife of RECOMPENCE STANBERY, ESQ., Late Wife of Cupt. John DARBY, who died JANU'Y 18th, 1812, in the 83 year of her age."

" lIere lies ye BODY of DEAC'N WILLIAM DARBY, deceased Feb- ru'y ye 26, 1775, in ye 83 year of hie age."

" Here lies ye Body of Mary, wife of Deac'o William Darby, deceased April ye 13th, A. D. 1761, in ye 62 year of HER AGE."

"IN MEMORY of JOSEPH SEARING, who departed this life June the 7th, 1790, in the 77th year of hie age.

Here on earth I have sojourned This 3 ecore year and 10, and 7 years I have drank the cup of sorrow, grief, and pain.

But oh the joy that may appear, The messenger draws nigh, cries friend i'l aid you too of Blest eternity."

"In memory of Aona, Wife of Joseph Searing, who died June ye 30th, 1761, in ye 47th year of her AGE."

" lIere rest the remains of CÆSAR, an AFRICAN, who died Feb- rn'y 7th, 1806. Aged 104 years. He was for more than half A century a worthy member of the chorch in this Place, and closed his life in the confidence of a Christien. Hie numeroue friends have erected this etone as a tribute of respect to his numerooe virtues and piety.

" When the last trump shell bid the dead arise, When flames shell roll away the earth and akies, While atheists, kings, and Infidels turn pale, And every hope Unt Christ mankind shall fail, CAESAR will soer from nature's funeral pile To bask forever in his Savioor's smile."

" Here lies ye Body of Peter Willcocks, jan'r, who departed this life Febru'y ye 27, Anno Domini, 1764, In ye 46th year of his age. E. P."

" Here Iye ye Body of ABIGAIL, Wife of JOSEPH HALSEY, JuDr, who died March ye 16th, 1777, Aged 21 year, 1 mon's, And 4 days."

" A tablet erected to the memory of Emily, wife of Rev. I. E. Rue, Pastor. She died Nov. 8, 1853. Age 30 years, 8 mu., 23 dye."

" To one of the first Physicians and official Member of the Baptist Church, Dr. Corra Osborn, Born May 12, 1796. Died June 7, 1868. For nearly 50 yrs a member and Deacon of Scotch Plains Baptist Church."

Inns and Inn-keepers .- The two public-houses were carly called stage-houses, and one of them afterwards was called Sutton's Hotel, which was one of the popular resorts one hundred years ago. John Sutton was one of the early settlers on the Plains, as it was called, and opened this house of entertainment for man and beast. After his death Samuel Rope, in 1814, kept it as a stage-house. and it was known as the Swiftsure Stage-house about 1825. James Fazer opened the house for a short time in 1826. After he left, others took charge of it.

The old tavern stand on the forks of the road bears date over one hundred years ago. Some of the first who settled in this village had charge of this public- house, which was one of the popular inns and well known throughout the country. It was a popular re- sort in the summer for many desiring to live for a few weeks in the country, and eventually took the name of a summer boarding-house and inn. The following is a correct list of former keepers : J. Stan- bery, 1799; J. Miller, 1818; Sanford Hicks, 1819; Thomas Burlochs, 1820 ; - Crane, 1824; Jonathan Hetfield, 1827; P. B. Davis, 1829; W. H. Cleaver, 1830; Thomas T. Barr, 1841; Abraham Nelson, 1844; Antone De Bou, 1853; Thomas Paff, 1879.

Post-Office .- The first post-office was granted in 1835 to James Frazer, and in 1847 V. S. Frazer was appointed. Osborn and Wilson held the position

Levi Darby

THOMAS LEE.

415

FANWOOD TOWNSHIP.

until the present postmaster, Norman Dunn, was appointed in 1871. For many years prior to 1835 the mail and newspapers were brought by the stages which passed two or three times a week through the village.

Physicians .- For many years the village was sup- plied by Dr. John Craig, of Plainfield, and Dr. Corra Osborn, of Westfield. A few of the medical profession have resided here. Dr. Bergan came in 1872; Dr. H. C. Fithian, 1879 (he stayed but a short time); Dr. G. H. Chuont in 1880 ; Dr. Abraham Coles, J. A. Coles, and Dr. F. W. Westcote.

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 100

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts Number of Pages: 1224

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224