History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 150

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 150
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 150

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CITY OF PERTH AMBOY.

By his third wife, Ursula Crage (Craig), to whom he was married Sept. 27, 1697, and who survived him, . he had (1) Elizabeth, horn March 21, 1698-99, and married James Johnston, of Monmouth County ; (2) Ursula, born Dec. 21, 1700, died unmarried ; (3) Mary, born Dec. 22, 1702, died unmarried ; (4) Edward, of whom no information has been obtained, excepting that he was baptized by the Rev. Jedediah Andrews, of the First Presbyterian Church, Phila- delphia, April 30, 1716.

John Parker was born Nov. 7, 1729, received a mercantile education, and from October, 1745, to May, 1750, served as a midshipman on board Her Majesty's ship "Chester," Capt. Spry. In 1751 he went on a voyage to Jamaica as a supercargo of a vessel, and subsequently to Virginia and New Found- land on similar enterprises. Also in the campaigns of 1755 and 1756, against the French, he commanded a company in the Fourth Battalion of the royal Americans, and after the capture of Col. Schuyler at Oswego, being the senior officer, the command of such of the New Jersey forces as were not involved in that disaster devolved upon him. Capt. Parker was then in his twenty-seventh year, a bold and energetic offi- cer, and the surrender of Oswego seemed to him un- called for. In the following letter to his brother at Amboy, dated " Fort Eagle, Aug. 18, 1756," he says,-

"I am busy preparing for an attack hourly expected. ... my love to all friends and you may venture to tell them that Jack Parker will never be taken in this poor, little, sooty fort without losing more than fire, if all the force that was at Oswego comes against him; how that affair was managed I don't know, and therefore suspend judgment.

"Col. Schuyler, Capt. Skinner, his brother Jack and all the officers that were there are well and untouched, except Col. Mercer who was killed ; Capt. Patten, of Shirley's, ensign, Walter of Schuyler's, wounded, five men killed."

The ensuing August, 1757, found him holding the rank of colonel at Fort William Henry, where he came near losing his life. He remained in the ser- vice until he was taken as a prisoner, it is supposed, as he was at Martinico in 1761, where fatigue con- nected with the service and his health he died Feb. 15, 1762, and was buried at Port Royal. Having ever led an unsettled life consequent upon his military ca- reer, Mr. Parker never married. He was hold, cour- ageous, and active, but his public services secured him but little fame.

" James Parker was the only child of John Parker, Sr., who left issue. He married Gertrude, only daugh- ter of the Rev. William Skinner, and was the father of the present elders of the Parker family. Like many others of the young gentlemen of Perth Am- boy he entered the provincial military service, and in August, 1746, embarked for the northern frontier as captain of one of the six companies raised for the ex- pedition of that year. It is thought that his military services terminated with the campaign. He after- wards engaged in mercantile business in New York with Mr. Beverly Robinson, his transactions being principally with the West Indies, some of them in

partnership with Andrew Johnston; and in 1750-51 he made a voyage to Jamaica upon affairs connected with these commercial projects. Soon after this he took his abode permanently at Amboy. His time was much engrossed in attending to the large landed interests possessed by the family. He held many local offices in this city, and among others that of councilor under Governor Franklin, to which he was appointed in October, 1764, to supply the vacancy oc- casioned by the death of Chief Justice Morris. Mr. Parker took a prominent part in the proceedings of the council, and many of the addresses and other documents emanating from that body during his con- nection with it were written by him. In 1771, and in other years, he was mayor of Amboy, and in April, 1775, was appointed with Stephen Skinner and Jona- than Deare a delegate from Amboy to the Provincial Congress, but he did not attend its sessions. The deep interests he had at stake led him to pursue a course different from that adopted by most of his family connections, by preserving a strict neutrality in word and deed between the royalists and provin- cials. He took no offices and endeavored to keep himself aloof from the party dissensions of the time, removing his family in November, 1775, to a farm in Bethlehem, Hunterdon County, where they resided until the peace in 1783, when they removed to New Brunswick, and two years thereafter returned to the family mansion at Amboy. Mr. Parker was a man of tall stature and large frame, possessing a mind of more than ordinary strength and vigor, and his wife was remarkable for her piety and excellence of char- acter. Mr. Parker died Oct. 4, 1797, aged seventy- two, and she followed him to the grave on the 10th February, 1811, aged seventy-one.

Thomas Bartow. In a house standing on the south- west corner of Market and the square, of late years occupied by Mrs. C. M. Kearney, an old and solitary man resided prior to the Revolution. This lone indi- vidual was Thomas Bartow. He was the grandson of Gen. Bertant, a French Protestant, who fled from France to England in 1685 ; his father being the Rev. John Bartow, the first rector of St. Peter's Church, Westchester, N. Y., and his mother, a Miss Read or Reid, a Scotch lady, who had a brother residing in New Jersey. He was their eldest son.

Mr. Bartow was feeble, and, caused by rheumatic affections, being prevented from any active participa- tion in the proceedings of the colonists, whose cause he warmly espoused. In his mansion he had no other inmates than one housekeeper and a male assistant. He was a small, thin man, whose pale and time-worn countenance was rendered highly impressive by long, gray locks, which divided from his forehead to the crown of his head, hung down on either side “in comely guise." Neat in his person, for which he was remarkable, made him strikingly venerable in appear- ance. His books were the principal source of his amusement, and apparently his only company. Oc-

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

casionally visiting the neighboring villages in a one- horse chaise in summer and a sleigh in winter, and these excursions were the extent of the old man's traveling. His property had been accumulated through a long series of years by speculation in land, and by the em- ployment of his pen in different clerkships, having been, in 1735, clerk of the Supreme and Chancery Courts, in 1741 of the Assembly, in 1762 of the sur- veyor-general's office, and during the absence in Eng- land of William Alexander, surveyor-general for some years subsequent to 1756, he acted as surveyor-gen- eral of the eastern division. In 1740 he also held the appointment of commissioner of probate with John Bartow, presumed to have been a brother.

Here we leave this worthy old man, who died at Bethlehem, Pa., in 1780, never having revisited his peaceful residence in Amboy after the Revolutionary war commenced.

Sargant. Samuel Sargant was commander of a mer- chant vessel in the European trade, and acquired sufficient property to retire from the sea some years previous to the Revolution, and enjoy the fruits of his industry on land; the receipts of a small country store, to which he attended when called upon (which was not often), contributing to the supportof his family. He was much interested in the progress of this colony, and took measures for its advancement. He was noted for his energy of character. His wife was a Miss Leonard, of New York, a sister of Mrs. Thomas Farmer (elsewhere mentioned). Her death is recorded on a tombstone in St. Peter's churchyard as taken place the 20th December, 1761. They had four children, one son and three daughters. Mr. Sargant lived not to enjoy the fruits of his exertions in the cause of liberty, or even to get a glimpse of the happiness which was to be secured to the country. When the English took possession of New Jersey he retired with his two remaining daughters into Pennsylvania, and served for a time as a commissary, but his health de- clined, and he died about the summer of 1778.

The eldest daughter married Lieut. England, and accompanied her husband to the British camp in Bos- ton, where he and one of his brothers were severely wounded, from the sanguinary fight of Bunker Hill, their wounds received from hands in whose deeds her father felt so deep an interest.

The second danghter married a gentlemau by name of Vanleer, and left children.

The third daughter became the wife of Capt. (after- wards General) John Heard, of "Sheldon's Dra- goons," and had several children. Their only daugh- ter, Margaretta D., died at Mount Carmel, Ill. (the wife of A. Slack, Esq.), on the 4th of March, 1839, leaving four children.

Stevens. Richard Stevens' monument covering his grave recording his death on the 4th of July, 1802, in the eightieth year of his age. Ile was small of stature, had red hair, and all the vivacity of a French- man. He was largely interested in landed property,

and said to have been constantly traveling the pro- vince, and died from injuries being thrown from his gig on his way to New Brunswick, only living one day thereafter.

His wife was Susan, daughter of Philip Kearney ; she followed him to the grave the ensuing year (1803), lying an entire winter speechless from the effect of paralysis. They lived in the house of late years the residence of George Merritt, Esq. They were both violent Whigs, differing in that respect from the greater number of their friends. They left one daugh- ter who married John, son of the Rev. Mr. Roe, of Woodbridge, who had several children who lived in New England.

John Stevens, brother of Richard, was also a prom- inent citizen, represented Amboy in the Assembly at different periods, and in June, 1763, was appointed one of the Council. He is said to have been remark- able for his courteous and refined deportment. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of James Alexander, and sister to Lord Stirling. He died in Hunterdon County in 1792, leaving two daughters, one of whom (Mary) married Chancellor Livingston, of New York, and one son John, renowned as the originator of many modern improvements in traveling, and from whom the gentlemen have descended who of late years have been so extensively engaged in promoting the con- venience and comfort of those traversing the distance between Philadelphia and New York.

Mrs. Stevens, after her husband's death, resided with her daughter at Clemont, Livingston Manor, until the year she died, 1800.

There was a John Stevens in Amboy in 1722, then an inn-keeper, and in 1735 clerk of the Court of Chan- cery, who died in 1737, and another John, possibly his son, resided there in 1741. It is not known if they were his ancestors.

CHAPTER LXXXVII.

CITY OF PERTH AMBOY .- (Continued.)

Incorporation and Civil Officers .- The first char- ter of incorporation was granted by Governor Hunter Aug. 24, 1718. Mayor, William Eier, with recorder, aldermen, assistant aldermen, chamberlain, treasurer, town clerk, sheriff, water bailiff, coroner, marshal, or sergeant-at-mace, overseers of the poor, and con- stables, with a city seal, which was adopted by the Governor and was the property of the mayor. This charter was granted upon the petition of many in- habitants recommending it as the best place for a city, and was worked under until by an act of the Legislature a second one was granted Dec. 21, 1784; and by the minutes from a sheet of paper of a meet- ing of the citizens held at the court-house on Satur- day, Nov. 12, 1785, it would appear that James l'arker was mayor, but the impression being with the citi-

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CITY OF PERTH AMBOY.

zens that he would not be eligible for reappointment, laid in the centre of Smith and High Streets. This Thomas Farmer was to be presented to the Legisla- ture, then in session at Trenton, to be appointed mayor, as the appointment of municipal officers came from that body.

The persons intrusted with the first official stations (1718) are named in the charter to hold their offices until the annual elections. They are as follows : " Mayor and Clerk of Market, William Eier; Re- corder, James Alexander ; Aldermen, John Parker, John Rudyard, Samuel Leonard, and William Hodg- son ; Assistant Aldermen, John Brown, Andrew Red- ford, Michael Henry, and Jacob Isleton ; Chamber- lain and Treasurer, John Stevens ; Town Clerk, John Barclay ; Sheriff and Water Bailiff, John Harrison ; Coroner, William Harrison; Marslıal or Sergeant-at- Mace, William Frost; Overseers of the Poor, John Ireland, Henry Berry ; Constables, John Herriott, Fred. Buckaloo, Alexander Cairns."

There is no record of the city officers existing from which a perfect list can now be made out of those who subsequently held these stations.

Some fragmentary memoranda, however, exist, from which it appears that certain ordinances were passed of which there is no record,-one in 1797, two in 1818, and others in after-years. The Council met at the house of Martin Chandler, Feb. 28, 1831, James Parker, mayor. At this meeting a book of minutes was procured and the record commenced. July 31st the mayor reported that eight copies of an ordinance concerning dogs had been put up, one at Woodbridge and the others at different places in the city. 1832, James Parker. mayor, Dr. Charles Mcknight Smith was appointed health officer under the city seal, and his appointment signed by the president. At this time cases of cholera had appeared in New York, and this city was threatened with the disease. The officer reported at a subsequent meeting that cases had oc- curred, but they had been confined to the localities where they originated by the necessary precautions. Joseph Marsh, mayor, 1834, first meeting at the house of John Arnold, April 26th. May 12th, the mayor laid before the board an ordinance for striking and issuing small notes, passed 1792. June 30th, Patrick Henry was appointed city porter, and the clerk authorized to sign and grant him a license, Patrick Henry to pay the city fifty cents for the certificate. August 4, 1834, the Council, by resolution, granted to the man- ufacturing company, without any valuation, price, or rate, the right and title to lease the cove or wet-dock property to the Lehigh Coal Company for the term of nine hundred and ninety years. During this year the question was argued as to the city seal, as some one without authority introduced a new seal, and the city was in possession of two. By resolution the old one was adopted, the original of which is the seal now used by the city.

At a meeting of the Council, May 20, 1835, a reso- lution was passed that a single row of flagstones be

was the first effort towards walk improvements. At a meeting, May 2, 1836, this was rescinded, as the work had not been done. Resolution passed May 30th that John Arnold be paid, from the first moneys not appropriated, five dollars for the use of room, fuel, and light for the Council during the year; also to plant trees in square as shade and ornament. Dr. Solomon Andrews was one of that committee. Mark Harris was appointed pilot, with license to pilot ves- sels from New York to New Brunswick, and Perth Amboy to Sandy Hook. The rates fixed by the Coun- cil as fees were: from New Brunswick to New York or Sandy Hook, for a vessel drawing five feet of water and under, three dollars and fifty cents; over five feet, four dollars for each and every vessel. October 18th, upon application of sundry citizens, the names of most of the streets were changed.

May 12, 1837, the mayor fined four members fifty cents apiece for being twenty-five minutes late at Council meeting. June 10th, an ordinance was passed, upon recommendation of the mayor of New York City, levying a tax of one dollar per head for emigrants landing in the city. David B. Ogden, a lawyer, declared this ordinance unconstitutional, and it was postponed indefinitely.

1838. The minutes are not recorded.

1839. But one meeting recorded, Thursday after- noon, September 19th. This meeting declared the lots on the southerly side of the house of Thomas G. Marsh, belonging to Matthias Bruen, a nuisance.

1840, but two meetings recorded. One of these- the last, September 5th-passed an ordinance regu- lating and protecting shade-trees in the streets and squares of the city, the trees to be twenty-five feet apart.

1841, 1842, 1843, blank.

1844, a new charter was granted by the Legisla- ture, February 27th, repealing the charter of 1784, except the ninth section. This section is relative to the city seal adopted by Governor Hunter, Aug. 24, 1718, and its title clause.

1844, James Harriot was elected mayor, yet we have no minutes or any proceedings for that year.

1845, Francis W. Brinley, mayor: minutes of six Council meetings, the appointment of officers, and the granting of licenses constituted the business of the year.

1846, William Paterson was elected mayor; no record of proceedings.

1847, Francis W. Brinley was again elected ; record of meetings properly kept, ordinances and resolu- tions passed, and general routine of business.

1848, Commodore Lawrence Kearney was mayor, with but three meetings recorded.

1849, Dr. Solomon Andrews, mayor. This year ap- pears as a new era as regards business, as nine leaves are recorded, with ordinances and street improve- ments.

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

1850, James Parker was mayor. This year, as the one before, nine leaves of business were recorded.

1851, Lewis Compton was mayor, with minutes prop- erly recorded. December 17th a lease was granted to David Crowell & Son, for eighteen years, of the slip at the foot of Commerce Street.

1852, Theodore F. King was elected, and served as mayor ; minutes properly kept, and ordinances and resolutions passed.

1853, Dr. Solomon Andrews was mayor; record properly kept, and large amount of improvements. During this year four special town-meetings were hield, one on the 24th of August, to consider the char- ter as regards the streets and sidewalks ; another, Sep- tember 8th, to raise five thousand dollars to facilitate improvements; January 4th, to consider the law passed by the Legislature granting ferry privileges to certain parties ; and another, adjourned from Janu- ary 4th, to appoint committee to advise the repeal of the law.

1854, Joseph D. Forbes was mayor. This year the record was duly kept, and a number of ordinances passed, among the rest one to suppress vice and im- morality that stands upon the books a monument to the City Council of 1854.

Solomon Andrews was again mayor in 1855; min- utes properly kept, and ordinances for improvements passed.

1856, William Paterson was mayor. This was a noted year for the granting of licenses, as the Council was elected for that special purpose.

1857, Edward J. Hall was mayor. At a meeting held on July 15th, the slip foot of Fayette Street was leased to Peter R. Hawley for ten years ; records kept and considerable business transacted.

1858, William Paterson was mayor for the third time, and was re-elected in 1859. This year the sewer in Smith Street was commenced. The committee who reported the plan were Ephraim Martin, Edward J. Hall, and Charles Keen. Length, 1700 feet; cost, about $2795. The following year, 1860, William Pat- erson was again elected mayor.

1861, Edward J. Hall was elected, this being his second term; general business of importance trans- acted.

1862, Joseph L. Crowell was elected mayor, and acted until October, when John R. Watson, the re- corder, acted as mayor, Mr. Crowell having enlisted and gone to the war.

1863, Alfred Hall was elected mayor. During this year the slip foot of Smith Street was leased to Messrs. Drake for a ferry, and forty-eight bonds for one hun- dred dollars each, to pay for volunteers, were issued, with other business, showing an increase in the work of the City Council.

1864, Alfred Hall was re-elected. This year we find recorded correspondence withi Governor Parker relative to conscript laws, as the citizens began to quake concerning the draft, and with the board of

freeholders to obtain county notes for those con- scripted or volunteered. A special meeting was called, and a tax of ten dollars each imposed on all liable to draft, and the City Council authorized to pay a bounty of three hundred dollars to every man credited on the call of three hundred thousand men ; tax to be paid on or after the first day of May, 1865, the quota of men being thirty-five for Perth Amboy. A committee was appointed to draft and superintend the passage of an act by the Legislature authorizing the borrowing of ten thousand five hundred dollars. This act was passed, and the action of the City Council confirmed February, 1865.

1865, Alfred Hall continues still in office. This year the charter was revised with fifteen sections, principally relating to street improvements. A peti- tion was presented from twenty-five persons declaring the house belonging to Abram Dunham a nuisance. The petition was granted, and the house demolished. The house stood upon the site upon which R. P. Barton has built on Smith Street. Ordinances pre- paratory to improvements and enterprise were passed during this year.

1866, Alfred Hall mayor, and continued in office until 1868; street extended to the suburbs, and large increase of business.

1867. In April a resolution was passed instructing a committee to purchase a new safe at a cost not to exceed three hundred dollars; one was procured for two hundred and seventy-five dollars. Ferry slip was leased to Staten Island Railroad Company for twenty years. July 15th, a contract was awarded to Schantz & Dutton for the erection and completion of twenty- five lamps and posts, with oil.

1868, April 6th, petition from Citizens' Association, asking for an appropriation of one thousand dollars to repair streets and roads leading into the city ; also from the Middlesex Land Company relative to streets and roads. Prospect Street was extended to Market Street, also High Street from Washington Street to Crane Creek. September 1st a resolution was passed preparatory to the extension of Smith Street to the township line, to run parallel with Market Street, and to build bulkheads foot of Gordon and other streets ; also opening King Street from Smith to Market Streets.

March 16, 1869, a contract was awarded to A. S. Hotchkiss & Co., to furnish and put up a clock for seven hundred dollars.

1869, James M. Chapman was mayor. This year Water Street was worked to a grade, with shade-trees set out from Smith Street to Fayette. The city park fence and chains were reset. November Ist the City Council, by resolution, adopted a memorial to the memory of Lewis Golding, deceased, late treasurer of the city, who had for thirty-nine years faithfully and impartially held office under the city government.

March 17, 1870, the charter was revised, and the City Council started out anew under its workings.

CITY OF PERTH AMBOY.

617

Joseph L. Crowell was mayor, and was elected for two years. The board of education was organized, and the school enlarged with energy. A lot was pur- chased for the erection of a new school-house, and bonds were issued. Sixteen additional lamps and posts were contracted for and furnished to the city. September 20th a contraet was awarded to George W. Mercer to build a lock-up (jail) for eleven hundred and fifty dollars. October 3d a map commission was appointed, with surveyor, to make a map of the city, with street and sidewalk improvements.

1871, the City Council at one of its first meetings, May 1st, appointed a committee to take into consider- ation the expediency of building an almshouse. At the next meeting, June 5th, this committee reported that they deemed it expedient to build one in their opinion ; yet if this be not the year, it should be de- ferred only a short time. This is the most lengthy meeting of the year. October 2d the police force was increased to two men. October 17th, committee ap- pointed to examine plans for rebuilding the city hall reported their approval of the sanie with slight alter- ation, which was received. Committee, N. H. Tyrrell, John Fothergill, and Garret Jacobie. Committee continued, and report laid on the table for future action. November 6th, Council, by resolution offered by L. A. Gokling, appropriated in bonds, to run twelve years, twelve thousand dollars, and the com- mittee were directed to advertise for sealed proposals for contraet, according to plans and specifications drawn by the architect, George W. Mercer. Novem- ber 27th the proposals were opened and contract awarded,-carpenter work to Moses Martin, and mason's work to George W. Mercer, with staling, tinning, painting, iron-work, cornice, etc., and com- pleted under the supervision of the committee. This Council completed its labors on the 19th of March, 1872, after accomplishing improvements and other enterprises.

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 150

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