History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 177

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 177
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 177

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My feelings scarcely allow me to dwell more at length on the pure and lovely character of our deceased brother. The more I reflect on his worth the greater appears our loss; and the thought that we shall see his face no more is almost insupportable to the faitlı- ful and loving friends, who seemed to live in the light of his countenance. But we may not lament that he has left his parental home to enter the glorious man-

729

CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK.

sions of his Father's house. Nor may we desire that he should

" Wander back to life, and lean On our frail love once more,"

who is, we believe, among that happy company of the redeemed which "follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, in whose mouth was found no guile, who are without fault before the throne of God," and in his presence partake of fullness of joy.

Let me hasten to the scene which closed the earthly career of this excellent young man. On the Sunday previous to his death he was in his customary place at church, and partook in his usual devout manner of the blessed sacrament. On Friday morning of the same week I was summoned at an early hour to his last bed of sickness. On entering the room he wel- comed me with a smile, but with his finger on his lips, to inform me that he was not allowed to answer. He spoke first when I offered to pray with him, and requested that the door might be shut, in order that we might be alone with Him who heareth and seeth in secret. He was fully aware that his life was fast ebbing away, but no murmur escaped his lips, no sign betrayed the least symptom of fear or despond- ency : his countenance was calm. Now and then smiles of resignation and peace seemed to play upon his pallid features, and they beamed radiant with hope. When his bodily weakness deprived him of the power of speech and he reclined in apparent in- sensibility, I said to him, "Warren, your Saviour does not leave you in this dark hour ?" He answered in the negative by a gentle movement of his head. I said to him again, "You know in whom you have put your trust ?" and he in like manner gave the sig- nal of assent. A few moments after I commended his soul into the hands of a faithful Creator and most merciful Saviour. A brief struggle with the last enemy ensued; the victory was won. His immortal spirit was delivered from the burden of the flesh, and was carried by the angels into the bosom of his Sav- iour and his God.

"Oh, sir, the good die first ;

And they whose hearts are dry as summer dust Burn to the socket."

This has been sadly exemplified in another instance of more recent date.

Remsen Schuchardt partook of Warren Living- ston's gentle disposition and guileless spirit, with his mind "tempered to finest issues" by heaven's finest touch. His health was likewise undermined by the same insidious disease just as he had completed his education in the schools of Germany. He came back to the happy home of his childhood, whose voices filled his heart's pure depths with unalloyed delight and yearning love only to be transferred to that hap- pier household of sisters and brothers in the man- sions of heaven. He fell asleep as sweetly as the tired child rests in confiding love on its mother's breast,

" And in his father's arme Contented diee away."

Did time and space allow, many more might be added to these memorials of the departed, but the record has already extended beyond the original design.

Warren Livingston and Remsen Schuchardt were only two among the many who as children were cate- chised in the church, and who have since grown in grace as in stature. Some have been called with them to a higher seat in "the church of the first-born written in heaven," and others remain as " polished pillars" to uphold and adorn the church on earth.

Of the hundreds admitted into her fold by holy baptism, and who have sealed their vows in confirma- tion and in the sacrament of the altar, many have become teachers and catechists, and in schools and classes on Sunday and week-day have aided the rector in instilling those principles of the Creed and the Catechism which must forni the basis of thorough church instruction. Without compromise of these principles the congregation has grown and flourished, and peace and love maintained with all Christian people. The observation of Seabury and Beach and Cutting a century ago, that all denominations were living here together in a friendly manner, without strife or animosities, holds true at the present day, and the rector is happy to acknowledge among them some of his most esteemed and excellent friends ; meanwhile no sacrifice has been made or asked of those distinctive doctrines and services by which the church is denoted.

It is on record that in the times of the Revolution this was the only church in the province in which divine service was regularly performed, and she has always enjoyed this singular blessing ; her doors have never been closed, in summer or winter, on the Lord's day, and but seldom on the days in each week which commemorate His betrayal and crucifixion, or the memory of His saints. By this means her children have been trained to worship among that blessed com- pany who "serve God day and night in His temple."

Of this childlike, "Christ-like throng," who adorn their Father's household in heaven and celebrate His praise, is one whose memorial, written by her bishop and friend, now in Paradise, will close this record of the living and the dead :

"The bishop of New Jersey, as will appear by the diocesan record, was drawn aside from his double duty to his parish and to the visitation by one of those sacred claims which lay hold of the 'most dear heart-strings.' Death had entered the dwelling of one of his most excellent and beloved presbyters, and taken from it the partner of his hearth and heart, and he hastened to consign his darling to her sacred resting-place ' beneath the church's shade.'

" Mrs. Stubbs was the daughter of Abel Houghton, Esq., of St. Albans, Vt. She was educated partly in Burlington, Vt., and partly in Hartford, Conn., and

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

she did honor to her teachers. A woman of a more judicious and available education is seldom seen. She was remarkable at the schools for her proficiency in mathematics and in music. The former was among the foundations of her intellectual character. The latter she continued to the last to make profitable to her children and delightful to her friends.

"She was married in 1840 to the Rev. Alfred Stubbs, rector of Christ Church, New Brunswick, and died on the morning of Good Friday, April 10th, in the thirty- ninth year of her age. She was the mother of seven children, two of whom went before her into rest. The birthday of the first of these two children was also the birthday of her immortal life.

" An annual inmate of her house for seventeen years, the present writer can well bear testimony to her ex- cellence. She had been early taught to be wise, to love her husband, to love her children. She was em- phatically a keeper at home. She was ' well reported of for good works ;' she had ' brought up children ;' she had 'lodged strangers;' she had 'washed the saints' feet ;' she had 'relieved the afflicted;' she had ' diligently followed every good work.' She was the very kind of woman who supplied the portrait to 'King Lemuel,' in the last chapter of the book of Proverbs. Her diligence, her economy, her skill, her taste, her tact, her gentle lovingness made the par- sonage one of the most pleasant of all houses to be at home in. To her husband she was indeed 'a help- meet for him.' And no children were ever blessed with a better mother. She was mistress of that crowning art, the government of the tongue. With the utmost gentleness she combined the utmost firm- ness. She was unwearied in the discharge of every domestic duty and relation. And yet her heart took in the world for sympathy and charity,-

"'She was a woman of a steady mind; Tender and deep in her excess of love : Not speaking much ; pleased rather with the joy Of her own thoughts. By some especial care Her teoper had been framed as if to make A being who, by adding love to peace, Might live on earth a life of happiness.'

" But she had outgrown this present life, and He in whom she lived has taken her to he with Him. Her death was scarcely counted on until it came. But it did not take her unawares. To the Christian physi- cian who referred her to the highest source of strength, she replied that she had not then to seek such grace. She had lived on it. But half an hour before her death she started from her tranquil state, and asked for 'more light,' and for 'paper.' She was think- ing, doubtless, of her absent parents. When her hus- band, with a strength not human, offered by her bed- side the commendatory prayer, she meekly crossed her hands upon her bosom, and in a few moments was at rest. 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord ; for they rest from their labors.'

"The concourse of people which filled the church and the adjoining ground at her funeral was a be-

coming tribute of sympathizing respect to her bereaved husband. The sohs and tears, which could not be re- pressed, were her best eulogy. God comfort his own stricken ones !"

In the north angle of the ivy-clad tower, in a sweet nook of ground, by the side of the beds of roses which she planted for her little ones who had fallen asleep before to rest in, lie the sacred relics of the purest shrine that was ever tenanted by an immortal spirit; and the headstone bears this inscription, written by one who knew no words that could fully express the greatness of her worth :

" Here sleeps in the blessed hope of a joyful resurrection, EMLIA HOUGHTON STUBBS, of a meek and quiet spirit full of faith and good works, who entered into rest on Good Friday, MDCCCLVII, Aged thirty-eight years. ' Lord, remember me when Thon comest !'"

First Baptist Church, New Brunswick .- As the First Baptist Church in New Brunswick is the daughter of next to the oldest Baptist Church in the State, it is claimed that of these early settlers six men at least were Baptists. The celebrated Hausard Knollys preached Baptist sentiments in old Piscat- aqua as early as 1638, and as New Brunswick had after the long pastorate of Rev. John Drake of fifty years been occasionally supplied by him coming from Piscataqua to this city, and also of Rev. Mr. Stelle occasional visits here, this city had in that time in- creased considerably, and Rev. Reune Runyon in 1783 became pastor of the First Baptist Church after preaching here, also many of the members of the above church having fixed residences here ("in our town").

When Deacon Asa Runyon built the fine substan- tial brick house corner of Neilson and Church Streets, three-quarters of a century ago, he did not forget to consecrate it to the Lord. In the room adjoining that now occupied by the insurance com- pany many meetings were held for prayer and praise. Preaching services were held occasionally.

" The Hon. James Parker, of Perth Amboy, N. J., having kindly offered to deed a lot of ground lying on the northeast corner of George and Somerset Streets (the present site of the depot of the railroad company, then used as a family hurying-place) to any religious body who would erect thereon a respect- able house for public worship, some twenty or more individuals, Baptist in sentiment, most of whom were members in good standing of the church in Piscataway living in New Brunswick, resolved to avail themselves of his offer and erect for the denom- ination a meeting-house." In the summer of 1809 Asa Runyon, together with John Bray, Esq., called on Mr. Parker, and signified to him their acceptance of his proposition, and contracted with him for the

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CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK.

purchase of additional land, by which they secured a lot more than two hundred feet square. In the month of September a meeting was called at the house of Asa Runyon. There were present at that meeting Asa Runyon, John Bray, Abraham Potts, Squire Martin, George Clark, James Dunham, and James Concklin. They soon secured about three thousand dollars, which was considered ample to warrant them in building, and in the spring of 1810 the foundation was commenced, and by degrees the work was carried on. It was not until the fall of 1812 that it was com- pleted, at a cost of five thousand dollars. This church with the Piscataway congregation jointly called as their pastor the Rev. James McLaughlin, with the understanding that the services of the Lord's Day were to be held in Piscataway in the morning, and in New Brunswick in the afternoon. This arrangement con- tinued until September, 1817. On Sept. 21, 1816, the members residing in New Brunswick were, by the adop- tion of a series of articles of faith, and by entering into solemn covenant one with another, constituted a regular gospel church. The following are the names of the first members :

Asa Runyon.

Sarah Runyon.

Henry Wright.

Sarah Probasco.

Richard Lupardus.

Walter M. Henry.

Sarah Merrill. Ruth Brenner.

Joseph Runyon.

Abin Potts.

Hephzibah Walker.

Susannah Martin.

Phebe Runyou.

Richard E. Runyon.

Abigail Coon.

Sarah Ayres.

Elizabeth Runyou. Sarah L. Dunham. Squire Martin. Charles E. Hollingshead.

Charlotte Lupardus. Sarah Kent.

Sarab Post.

Esther Potts.

Comprising twenty-four members, who have long ago passed away.

Rev. James McLaughlin was a man of deep piety, a good minister of Jesus Christ, and one whom the members looked as to a father. He resided in this then town during his pastorate of the two churches ; he gave much time and energy to build up the little band. In 1817 he removed to the pastorate of the Second Church in Philadelphia. He died at Lambert- ville, Aug. 19, 1827, and his dust lies buried in the cemetery at Harborton. After some months the church was supplied. The following list of pastors of this old historic church :

James McLaughlin, September, 1816-September, 1817.

John Johnson, July, 1818-August, 1819.

Greenleaf S. Webb, April, 1821-October, 1843.

George R. Bliss, October, 1843-April, 1849. Shobal S. Parker, April, 1850-April, 1852.

George Kempton, July, 1852-May, 1857.

Thomas R. Howlett, September, 1858-September, 1859.

Mortimer S. Riddell, September, 1860-April, 1868. Henry F. Smith, April, 1869; vacant, 1882.

The extent of the visitation of God's mercy eter- nity only will disclose. This church has had many

extensive revivals. The following account is here given :

From September, 1816, to June,

1820, 14; membership, 40.

" June,

1820, “ " 1830, 43;

80.

1830, "

1840, 214;

253.

1840, “

1850, 65;

207.

1850, " 66

1860, 129; =

296.

1860, " October, 1870, 215;

471.

= October,

1870, 44 1880, 333;

540.

There are those who remember the first church, many of whose bricks are now in the depot which oc- copies its site. They recall its ascent by steps, its plain front, double rows of windows, high pulpit, oil lamps, candles, and old-fashioned furniture. They have seen Mr. Webster, the old-time sexton, fill the foot-stoves with glowing coals to keep the ladies' feet warm. But the "march of improvement" sweeps away time-honored structures. The construction of the railroad necessitated removal. The living must seek a new locality where they may listen to the gentle sound of the gospel undisturbed by the loco- motive's shriek, and the dust that rests in the old graveyard must be taken to a new sepulchre. A fa- vorable sale to the railroad company was made, and with additional subscriptions the edifice now occupied was built. The trustees of, that period, among whom were Judge Runyon, Messrs. Dean and Randolphı, who have departed, and Ambrose Randolph, Esq., still among them. The new church is situated on corner of George and Bayard Streets. A lecture-room on Remsen Avenue was built and dedicated March 16, 1872. The lot was given by Deacon A. Van Wickle.

The following is the list of deacons from the first:

" Randolph Martin, removed from the place; but on his return he was re-elected.

"Richard Van Arsdale and Peter D. Cline were elected deacons in 1836, but never served.

" Asa Runyon, chosen Nov. 15, 1816; died May 11, 1818.

" Richard Lupardus, chosen Nov. 15, 1816; died Nov. 6, 1835.

" Robert Lyle, chosen Jan. 3, 1826 ; died Jan. 28, 1876.

"Jeptha Dunhanı, choseu Dec. 8, 1835; died February, 1859.

" Randolph Martin, chosen May 5, 1839; died December, 1876.

" Peter R. Stelle, chosen April 9, 1839 ; died February, 1871. "S. Van Wickle, chosen Jan. 29, 1857.

" William Kent, chosen May 27, 1859.

"1. S. Van Anglen, chosen Jan. 25, 1871. "John T. Margan, chosen Jan. 25, 1871.

" Elias Baker, chosen March 22, 1871; died August, 1874.

" William Dunham, Jr., chosen Nov. 24, 1874.

"H. B. Zimmerman, choseo Feb. 21, 1877.

"Henry Whitney, chosen Feb. 21, 1877."

The church clerks have been Charles E. Hollings- head, Henry Wright, Stephen F. Randolph (from 1838 to 1846), David F. Randolph (from 1846 to 1849), Nelson Dunham (from 1849 to the present time, forty- one years).

The following have been the trustees : Asa Runyon, John Bray, James Dunham, Richard Lupardus, Rich- ard E. Runyon, Squire Martin, Peter P. Runyon, Daniel Dean, David F. Randolph, Ambrose F. Ran- dolph, William Dunham, Alexander Moore, Walter Henry, George H. Stout, Oliver Dunn, Jeptha Dun-

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

ham, Nelson Dunham, Thomas Stout, Randolph Mar- tin, William Kent, Robert Lyle, Edward Stelle, Peter J. Stelle, Samuel Stelle, Peter C. Onderdonk, Elihu Cook, Elias Baker, Joel G. Sweet, Daniel M. Vail, Lewis R. Dunham, William Rowland, Peter Suydam, S. Van Wickle, Isaac L. Martin, Mahlon Runyon, Samuel C. Ballard, A. T. Stout, M. F. Webb, Mahlon C. Martin, John T. Morgan, S. C. Coriell, James S. Van Anglen, H. P. Hart, John D. Runyon, H. P. Zimmermau.

Shiloh Methodist Episcopal Church. - Meth- odism was established in America in 1766. A com- pany from Ireland settled in New York, among whom were Philip Embury and Barbara Heck, whose names have been household words in Methodist circles. Shi- loh Methodist Episcopal Church was granted a charter June 13, 1799; Rev. J. Totten, minister. After ten days' notice, a public meeting for the election of. a board of trustees was held May 27, 1811. Before Mr. Runyon, justice of the peace, appeared on July 18, 1811, Jacob Snyder, James Williams, David Oliver, Michael Pool, Joel Conger, Henry Gross, and John Vliet, and took oath severally to faithfully administer the office of trustees of the Shiloh Methodist Episcopal Church of New Brunswick. This, the first church, was erected in 1811, on the site of the chapel now in Liberty Street, which was purchased by Rev. James Smith, of Philadelphia, from the trustees of Queen's College, for $528. The deed was recorded Feb. 25, 1817, and conveyed by Smith to the congregation, April 26, 1817, for one dollar. It therefore appears that Rev. J. Totten secured a charter in 1799, but little was done till 1811, when the church was erected. There is no record of a pastor till 1820, and the church was probably an appointment on one of the large cir- cuits, and had preaching by the pastor in charge once in two weeks, and by the junior preacher the same.

In 1820, Rev. Charles Pitman was stationed in New Brunswick, and found twenty members, and remained two years, and left a membership of sixty. This church was blown down by the tornado on June 19, 1835, and through the efforts of Mr. Robert Miller and Jacob Edmonds funds were secured, less one thousand dollars loaned on mortgage (which was afterwards given to the church), and a new building erected, and until May, 1876, they worshiped in this their second building, but owing to the large increase of members it was decided to build their noble edifice, which in 1876 was dedicated, situated on the corner of Liberty and George Streets, at a cost of nearly sixty thousand dollars. As near as can be | common for the same man to hold at one time the learned the following have been the pastors: Rev. three offices of trustee, steward, and class-leader. Four of these persons already mentioned being class- leaders, they were followed by most or all of their several classes, so that the actual membership of the new church when first started was nearly fifty persons. Mr. Colcloser came in 1839, and remained till the spring of 1840, when he was transferred to Philadel- phia Conference ; Rev. Charles H. Whitecar, 1840-41 ; Rev. M. E. Ellison, 1841-42; Rev. J. S. Porter. | 1842-43 ; Rev. Wesley Hudson, 1843-44; he died The building, which is frame with a brick base- ment, was dedicated to divine worship by Bishop while pastor here; Rev. James Ayres, 1845, 1849- 50; Rev. Samuel T. Monroe, 1851-52; Rev. L. R. | Janes on Sunday, Aug. 11, 1852.

Dunn remained about six weeks, when Rev. John D. Blane came, 1852-53; Nicholas Van Zant, 1854- 55; Rev. Richard Chalker, 1856-57, and returned in 1874-75; Rev. R. V. Laurence, 1866-68; Rev. Richard Strattan, 1870; Rev. B. F. Sharp, 1871-72; Rev., William E. Boyle, 1873; Rev. R. J. Phelps, 1876-78; Rev. J. C. Heisler, 1879-80; Rev. Edmund Heuitt, 1881 ; Rev. William P. Davis, the present pas- tor, 1882.

The present board of trustees are Adam Green, president; John Dixon, secretary ; Theodore Ash- more, treasurer ; David Buzze, - Kidder, and Isaac Vanarsdale. It is contemplated to commence the building of a chapel in the rear of the church for their Sabbath-school and other meetings, at a cost of ten thousand dollars. Membership, four hundred and fifty-one; church accommodations, one thousand.

Pitman Methodist Episcopal Church .- This church was erected in 1853. It had forty-seven mem- hers from Liberty Street. It is situated on the corner of George and Oliver Streets. A neat frame building, with brick basement. Their church property, inclu- ding their parsonage, fifteen thousand dollars. The society are free from incumbrances. Rev. Charles E. Coit was their first pastor, and remained two years, 1853-54.

In 1851 there was but one Methodist Episcopal Church in New Brunswick. In view of the prosperous condition of Methodism, and also of the prospective growth of the town in the section where the present church edifice stands, it was deemed well to establish auother organization, and build another church in the new district. Measures were immediately inaug- urated to bring about this result. Subscriptions were soon secured, and a lot on Carman Street purchased. This was found not to be the best location, and through the agency of James Bishop the present site, corner of George and Oliver Streets, was secured in exchange for the Carman Street lot. The project having been so far successful, it soon became a serious question, Who shall constitute the new organization? To answer this a meeting of the officers was called, and it was determined by that body (then consisting of twelve persons) that six of their own number, with their families, should be chosen by the pastor to con- stitute the new organization, while the remaining six should stay with the old church. The six persons chosen to go over to the new church were Davis Carel, Robert Miller, John Helm, William Ovens, George W. Price, and Staten Jeffries. In those days it was

733

CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK.

The following is the list of pastors and their time of service: Revs. Charles S. Coit, 1852-53 ; Charles E. Hill, 1854-55; Elwood H. Stokes, 1856-57 ; Joseph B. Dobbins, 1858-59 ; Philip Cline, 1860-61 ; Elwood H. Stokes, 1862; Henry M. Brown, 1863-64; George Hughes, 1865 ; Richard Thorne, 1866-68 ; Chiarles R. Hartranft, 1869-71; Charles W. Heisley, 1872-74; David H. Schock, 1875-77; C. K. Flemming, 1878 ; E. C. Hancock, 1879-81; Henry Belting, present pastor, appointed March, 1882.

The name of Pitman was given the church in honor of Rev. Charles Pitman, who had once been the pas- tor of the old church, and who was now in the height of his remarkable career of usefulness.

The building has accommodations for six hundred persons. The membership at present (April, 1882) is two hundred and eighty-one.

The following persons constitute the officers : Pas- tor, Henry Belting; Supernumerary, James Caughy ; Local Elder, J. R. Van Kirk; Trustees, A. Gulick (president), S. Murgatroyd (secretary), David Carel (treasurer), J. S. Doyle, J. Cheeseman, R. S. Wark, H. W. Needham; Stewards, J. R. Van Kirk (record- ing steward), A. J. Wark, George Rule, M. H. Vick- ery, J. Voorhees, L. Cronk, R. Timmons, George Buckelew, S. S. Priestley; Sunday-school Superin- tendent, W. S. Van Doran ; Sexton, William Tindell.

St. Peter's (Catholic) Church .- The following in- teresting sketch of the rise and progress of Catholi- cism in New Brunswick is taken from the Sacred Heart Union. It is indorsed by the authorities of St. Peter's Church as being a correct history of the period which it covers, and it is certainly as interest- ing as anything we could write were we to attempt to cover the same ground with a newly-prepared article. It is therefore inserted here as a part of the history of St. Peter's, as well as of the Catholic Church in general in New Brunswick and some of the neigh- boring cities :

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 177

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