History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 187

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 187
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 187

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

] It is worthy of note that on the map referred to in the chapter on " Industrial Pursuits" an Episcopalian Church was marked as on the site of the present one and called " Christ Church." This may have been to show the intended location of the church afterwards erected.

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EAST BRUNSWICK.

Wills, then recently from England and a very prom- inent architect. The chief builder was Samuel B. Leonard. The style, location, and surroundings com- bined, in summer especially, are strikingly beautiful. The church was consecrated by Bishop Doane on Oct. 21, 1854.

Rev. Thomas Lyle was rector from 1858 to 1864, and Rev. John Stearns, M.D., a short time in 1864, dying in that year. His mortal part with that of Rev. Mr. Ward are resting in the shadow of the church.

Rev. Kinsey J. Stewart was rector from 1865 to 1868, and later Rev. George Crowe a short time until his death. Rev. Dr. Southard Compton served the church in 1869 and 1870, and Rev. Frederic M. Bird from 1870 to 1874. During his ministry the present parsonage was built. Rev. Lorenzo S. Russell came in 1874 and remained until 1880, when he resigned and removed to Long Island. In April, 1881, Rev. Charles M. Parkman, B.D., took charge as rector.

THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY AT WASH- INGTON .- In 1866 an Episcopal Church was organ- ized in the present township of Sayreville, opposite Washington, under the ministrations of Rev. Gideon J. Burton, then rector of Christ Church at South Amboy. The corner-stone of the Holy Trinity Chapel was laid by Rev. Mr. Burton Jan. 12, 1860, and he held the first service in the new church on the 14th of the following April. The building was consecrated by Right Rev. Bishop Odenheimer on Whit-Sunday of the year 1861. The sum of $1000, nearly the whole amount necessary for its erection, was given by Miss Sophia Conover, then of South Amboy. The lot on which the church stood was donated by William Van Deventer. In the summer of 1876, at the suggestion of Rev. Mr. Burton and with the consent of those who were parties to its erection and of the ecclesiastical authorities of the diocese, the church edifice was taken down and removed to the village of Washington, Mr. Daniel B. Martin presenting a lot upon which to rebuild it and bearing the expense of its removal. He also had it somewhat enlarged and improved in its reconstruc- tion, and contributed largely towards its being com- fortably furnished and fitted up. The bishop of the diocese decided that it would not be necessary to re- dedicate the building. The first service held in it after its removal and before it was completed was the funeral of its generous benefactor, Daniel B. Martin.1

1 Daniel B. Mertin was born at Perth Amboy in 1813. When about ten years old he attracted the attention of William Shepard, then engineer of the steamer " New York" (the first that ran to Washing- ton of the Citizens' Line), and was made greaser on that vessel, and in 1825 became fireman. When the Citizens' Line ceased to run the " New York" became the property of the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company, and Robert L. Stevens, president of that company, made Martin her engineer. In 1846, through the influence of Mr. Stevens, he was made chief engineer of the United States steamer " Mississippi," which did active service in the Mexican war. In 1850 Mr. Stevens

The first regular service in the reconstructed edifice was performed by Rev. Messrs. Burton and Jaques, the former preaching and the latter reading the service. Previous to this time monthly Epis- copal services had been held in the village in the . public school-house by Rev. Joseph F. Phillips during his connection as rector with St. Peter's Church, Spottswood (1847-58), and later more frequently in Mrs. O. M. Poale's residence by Rev. James H. Smith, assistant rector of the parish of South Amboy. Under Rev. Mr. Burton's direction, Rev. G. H. Williams held regular services in the church in 1866 and 1867, leaving in September of the latter year. From that time until October, 1868, occasional services were held by Revs. P. L. Jaques and Gideon J. Burton. At the date mentioned Rev. William Homman began to labor in Washington as a mission- ary by appointment of the bishop, there being as yet no parochial organization. He has been succeeded by Rev. Frederic M. Bird, who served the church 1870-74; Rev. Lorenzo S. Russell, 1874-80, and Rev. Charles M. Parkinson, B.D., who began his labors in April, 1881, all rectors of St. Peter's Church, Spotts- wood.

The records show that there were eleven baptisms of children from Feb. 2, 1869, to May 7, 1876, and eight of adults from May 21, 1871, to March 1, 1876; eleven confirmations from April 19, 1869, to Oct. 25, 1874; five marriages from Oct. 2, 1869, to Nov. 6, 1874, and eleven burials from Jan. 29, 1862, to Oct. 31, 1878. A Sunday-school was organized in 1866 with fifty mem- bers. The first superintendent was Rev. G. H. Wil- liams ; the present one is Charles Hall. The library contains two hundred volumes.

THE OLD BAPTIST CHURCH OF WASHINGTON .- By some of the oldest living members this church is thought to have been organized previous to 1800, but the records contain no entries of an earlier date than 1805. During that year the following list was written in the record book of the "constituent members," so designated :

secured him the appointment as chief engineer of the steamer " Pacific," of the Collins Line of European steamers. For valuable service ren- dered the Collins Steamship Company he was made the recipient of a handsome silver pitcher bearing the following inscription : " D. B. Martin, chief engineer of the United States Mail Steamer ' Pacific,' Ezra Nye, commander. Presented by Ed. K. Collins for his skill in the performance of and assidnity to his duties, which sided much in achieving for America the credit of the first passage between Liver- pool and New York under ten days. New York, April, 1851." In 1851 Mr. Martin was appointed engineer-in-chief of the United States navy, and served four years, in the mean time patenting for the government & boiler called the "hood" boiler, which, in consideration of its economy and the small space it occupies, is regarded as the best boiler ever in- veoted for steamboat use. During the Rebellion he was appointed by the Secretary of War to visit England to examine ironclad steamers and re- port upon their merits and adaptability to the needs of the government. Ile was also commissioned to inspect certain river steamers and decide upon their availability for the government service. He made his home in Washington from 1842 until his death, living retired since the close of the late war, taking a lively interest in religious and educa. tional affairs, and doing much substantial good for both churches and schools.

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

Joseph Cheeseman, Abraham Barkelew, Phebe Cheeseman, Jacob Stults, Stephen Barkelew, Samuel Willet, Martha Willet, Sarah Willet, Ephraim Roff, Sarah Roff, Martha Mager, Martha Hooper, Charles Gilmore, Catharine Dunham, Ruth Barkelew, “Oli- ver, a man of color," James Homan, Sarah Barkelew, Mary Van Sykle, Hannah Pitney, Elizabeth Morgan, Ann Ryder, Sarah Dunham, John Stults, L. M. Bow- man, Peter Obert, Mary Obert, Mary Cotrall, Catha- rine Craven, Martha Davis, Anna Johnson, Sarah Barkelew, Samnel Pitney, Catharine Prooste, Linda Brown, Rebecca Owens, Ann Dean, Francis Letts, Anthony Collins, Linda Collins, Mrs. - Brown, Jennie Van Cart, and Rebecca James.

The following are the names of the successive pas- tors of this church, with the dates at which they be- gan their pastorates, so far as they can be ascertained :

Revs. Peter Wilson (was preaching to the congre- gation in 1805, and perhaps cousiderably earlier), Jenkin Davis (supply), John Segar (supply), Augus- tus Elliot, 1824; James C. Goble, 1824; William Clark, 1837 (the church having been without a pastor since 1826) ; James C. Goble, 1839 ; John Jones, 1840 ; Wilson Housel, 1844 (there having been no pastor since 1842); William Curtis, 1850; James C. Goble, 1851; David Flandro, 1861; Wilson Housel, 1862 (pastor to the present time).

The first trustees mentioned in the records (1805) were as follows : Charles Gilmore, Joseph Cheeseman, Jacob Stults, Samuel Pitney, Stephen Barkelew, Sam- uel Willet, and Peter Obert.

The trustees in 1881 were the following : Henry Stults, Frederick Stults, Richard Serviss, Jacob F. Rue, S. T. Christian, and George W. Peterson.

The present membership is eighteen. The church is located on Main Street, nearly in the centre of the village, and has been built many years. It is a frame building, and the oldest church in the village.

THE TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH OF WASH- INGTON .- The early history of this church is so re- cent as to belong to the modern period of the town- ship's history. A company of Baptists, small in number but true to their distinctive principles, having long felt the necessity of erecting at Washington a church of their own faith, met at the house of Ezekiel Wade, in that village, on the evening of Nov. 15, 1870, to consider the propriety of erecting a Baptist Church in the village.

The following-named individuals were present: Samuel C. Ballard, Furman Smith and wife, Ezekiel Wade and wife, Charles Henderson and wife, Miss Emily Willett, Miss Louisa Willett, Mrs. Harriet Willett, Mrs. Elvira Culver, and Benjamin Ballard. After a prayer was offered by Ezekiel Wade, Samuel C. Ballard was chosen chairman, and Ezekiel Wade secretary of the meeting. After a discussion of the purpose which had called them together, those assem- bled decided to take steps towards the erection of a church.

A building committee was appointed, consisting of Ezekiel Wade, Benjamin Ballard, and Samuel C. Bal- lard. It was decided to erect a building twenty-three by thirty-two feet, and six hundred and fifteen dollars were subscribed by those present to be devoted to that purpose, and a building lot was donated by Samuel Whitehead.

The church was completed and dedicated Sunday, May 3, 1871, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. John Dowling, D.D., of New York. On the evening of the same day Dr. Devan preached an im- pressive sermon, after which subscriptions to the amount of seven hundred and five dollars were re- ceived.

On Sunday afternoon, Nov. 12, 1871, after the usual services, a business meeting was held, when a formal organization was effected, under the title of the Tab- ernacle Baptist Church, of which Ezekiel Wade was elected clerk. The members present all signed the articles of faith, as follows : Mrs. Harriet Willett, Miss Emily Willett, Miss Louisa Willett, William H. De Voe, Jesse Heustis, Elizabeth A. Heustis, Sarah Cox, Mrs. E. E. Simmons, Matilda Wilmurt, Sarah DeVoe, Ezekiel Wade, Susan Wade, and Mary A. Rue.

Wednesday evening, Nov. 29, 1871, a council was called to publicly recognize the new organization as a regularly constituted Baptist Church. Eleven churches were invited to send pastors and delegates. After the usual formalities the council by a unani- mons vote declared the organization in harmony with the faith and practice of the Baptist denomination, and at the yearly convention in October, 1872, the church was received into the Central Baptist Convention.

From this time until the settlement of the first pastor the pulpit was very ably supplied by Dr. Devan, of . New Brunswick. Sept. 29, 1872, a unanimous call was extended by the church to Rev. Matthew Johnson to become their pastor, which was accepted at once. During the ministry of Mr. Johnson twenty-three were added to the numerical strength of the church, and on the last Sunday in June, 1874, he preached his farewell sermon to a large and regretful congregation, after a pastorate of one year and nine months, re- moving to Trenton, N. J., to assume charge of the Calvary Baptist Church of that city. The church was without a pastor during nearly two years fol- lowing, but the pulpit -was supplied by Mr. J. B. L'Hommedieu, then a student in the Hightstown Baptist Institute. Nov. 1, 1875, Rev. H. D. Doo- little, of Putney, N. Y., was called to the pastorate, and served the church until he resigned the pastoral charge in August, 1878. During his pastorate nine were added to the membership of the church by letter or baptism. During a year and a half succeeding Mr. Doolittle's departure the pulpit was supplied by stu- dents from Crozer Theological Seminary of Ches- ter, Pa. On the first Sunday in Jannary, 1880, a call was extended by the church to Rev. C. H. Woolston,

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EAST BRUNSWICK.

who accepted it, and soon entered upon his duties as pastor. Heinaugurated a revival of religion, which, with his other efforts to the present time, resulted in adding thirty-eight members to the church by bap- tism and eight by letter. The membership in 1881 was eighty-three.

The Sunday-school connected with Tabernacle Church dates back nearly to the organization of that body. The number of original scholars was eight. Ezekiel Wade was the first superintendent. Succeed- ing ones have been Rev. H. D. Doolittle, David Wade, Edwin Farmer, Jesse Heustis, Oliver Cox, and Rev. C. H. Woolston, the present incumbent of the office. The membership in December, 1881, was eighty, exclusive of fourteen officers and teachers, and is larger than that of any other Sunday-school in Little Washington. The Tabernacle Times, a small local newspaper devoted especially to the Tabernacle Sunday-school and Church, has been issued during the past year under the auspices of the Sunday- school, edited by Rev. C. H. Woolston. The Sunday- school library contains more than three hundred volumes.

In July, 1881, alterations were made in the church edifice, and services to commemorate its completion were held in the Tabernacle Sunday afternoon, August 28th, at which the following clergymen were present : Revs. H. F. Smith, D.D., Dr. Devan, and Joseph Horner, of New Brunswick, O. P. Eaches, of Hights- town, and T. E. Sleeper, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of South River. Tabernacle Church is one of the uotable buildings of Washington, and it is probable that the average congregations which convene within its walls are as large as have been called out at any time in the history of the village.

THE INDEPENDENT BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH .- The house of worship of this church is located on Willow Street, in the village of Old Bridge, and is a frame building, thirty-six by forty feet, with a steeple and bell, and with the other church property is valued at two thousand five hundred dollars. It was completed in 1844 by Samuel Sproul, a Baptist preacher, who was also a carpenter and builder, and who did the work under contract with the officers of the Independent Bethel Baptist Church of Herberts- ville and Washington.

This church was organized Oct. 2, 1840, with thir- teen members, as follows: John Jones, Jonathan Boraem, Paul Van Arsdale, James Van Arsdale, Enos Van Pelt, Elizabeth Van Arsdale, Cornelius Homans, Cornelia Van Arsdale, Cortland Disbrow, D. C. Van Arsdale, William Tracy, R. Van Arsdale, and Mary Jones. Rev. John Jones, the first men- tioned of these constituent members, was the first pastor of the church, and it was under his ministra- tions that the organization was effected.

The succeeding pastors with their terms of service were Revs. John B. Case, one year; Samuel Sproul, six years ; Lewis Stelle, three years; Jacob Gesner,

one year; J. C. Salisbury, two years; John Davis, two years ; H. H. Rouse, thirteen years ; Henry Shipe, one year ; Charles P. De Camp, one year ; and Jacob Janun, one year. The church has at times been without a pastor, and has had none since the de- parture of Rev. Jacob Janun in 1877. Between the close of the pastorate of Rev. Jacob Gesner and the beginning of that of Rev. J. C. Salisbury there was an interval of six years, during a portion of which period, and often since the close of the pastorate of Rev. Jacob Janun, the pulpit has been supplied by students from theological schools and such Baptist clergymen as have from time to time visited the village.

The church was recognized in 1844 by a council com- posed of T. I. Snedeker, of Hydestown, J. M. Carpen- ter and J. Van Brakle, of Jacksonville, P. P. Ryon, of New Brunswick, and C. W. Mulford, D. Prest, and Samuel Spronm.

The present trustees are John Montgomery, John D. Reed, Ephraim Van Arsdale, John S. Slover, and Henry Appleby, the latter of whom is clerk.

The Sunday-school connected with Bethel Church was organized in 1863 with fifty scholars, under the superintendency of E. Wade. He has been succeeded in the order named by Rev. H. H. Rouse, Gilbert Brown, and William M. Applehy, the present super- intendent.

The library contains about 250 volumes.

WASHINGTON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. -When and by whom the first service according to the usages of the Methodist Episcopal Church was held at Washington are alike unknown to any in- habitant of the township. The first Methodist meet- ing of which any knowledge is extant as having been held in the vicinity was held in the old district school- house, yet standing near the old Baptist Church, by Rev. Charles S. Downs, about thirty-five years ago. Meetings were held regularly in the old school-house during the succeeding three years, during which Mr. Downs by a year's labors gathered the nucleus of the present church organization, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Jaquette, who remained two years, strengthening the bonds which held the struggling congregation together, and preparing the way for the more conspicuous labors of his successors.

At the expiration of three years the congregation was yet so small that it was deemed best to hold the meetings in the houses of some of the most ardent members rather than go to the trouble of heating the school-house in the winter and otherwise providing for services as they had theretofore been conducted. In the mean time measures were adopted looking to the erection of a permanent house of worship. A lot was purchased on the principal street of the village, since known as Main Street, and a small church was built thereon, which now serves, having been altered for such use, as a parsonage belonging to the present organization. This building was dedicated and occu-

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

pied about 1850, Rev. Stacy Howland being the regu- lar preacher at that time, remaining two years as pastor of the church. He was followed by Rev. Jo- seph Horner, who served the church two years, dur- ing which the South River appointment was a mission charge.

The preachers who have since then ministered to this church have been regularly stationed on the South River charge. Their names and terms of service have been as follows, in the order named : Rev. John H. Stockton, two years; Rev. Robert Sutcliffe, two years; Rev. Thomas S. Wilson, two years; Rev. Jo- seph Atwood, one year; Rev. David McCurdy, two years ; Rev. James W. McDougall, two years ; Rev. W. W. Christine, two years ; Rev. Samuel F. Wheeler, two years; Rev. L. J. Rhoads, one year; Rev. John I. Corson, two years; Rev. William Franklin, three years ; Rev. Samuel M. Stone, two years ; Rev. Edward Lippincott, one year; Rev. George Collins, who died in the middle of his second year, the vacancy for the ensuing six months having been filled hy Rev. Jo- seph Horner ; Rev. T. D. Sleeper, the present pastor, who has served the church since the spring of 1880.

The constituent members of this church at its or- ganization, about 1846, were James Peterson, Henry Gordon, George Norman, Peter Smithı, Z. Van De- venter, John Slover, John R. Reed, Margaret Norman, and others. About 1857 or 1858 the membership had so increased that it was apparent the little church edifice would soon have to be enlarged or a larger one huilt in its stead, and Mrs. Nancy Conklin, a promi- nent member, volunteered to contribute one thousand dollars towards a fund to be expended in either of the above-mentioned ways that might seem most desirable to a majority of the members, and at a subsequent meeting of the board of trustees it was decided to erect a new church, which was completed and dedi- cated with appropriate religious ceremonies in 1859. This structure, which is still standing on Main Street and in use, is one of the most sightly buildings in Little Washington borough, and cost five thousand eight hundred dollars, including a second donation by Mrs. Conklin of one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five dollars.

The trustees under whose management the present church was erected were Messrs. James Peterson, Henry Gordon, George Norman, and William D. Serviss.

In 1881 the official board was constituted as follows: Trustees, Charles Serviss, Conover Bowne, Edward Barkelew, J. J. Kleine, and William French ; Stewards, Theodore Irons, George Serviss, James Peterson, J. J. Kleine, Conover Bowne, Charles Serviss, and Daniel Morgan.

The Beacon-Light Sunday-school, under the au- spices of this church, was organized about 1848, with one hundred and fourteen members. The sessions were held in John R. Reid's store until the comple- tion of the church. The following have been the

superintendents : William D. Serviss, P. B. Smith, R. V. D. Reed, Z. Van Deventer, O. Gordon, E. Booraem, William Smith, A. Sperling, William H. Peterson, and Rev. T. D. Sleeper. The present membership is one hundred. The library contains two hundred volumes.

THE SIMPSON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF OLD BRIDGE .- Methodist services were not held at Old Bridge at a very early date, though for a consid- erable time before the organization of the church above mentioned preaching was heard by the few Methodists there with more or less frequency from circuit preachers in the old district school-house, and at length a class was formed, which for a time was connected with the South River Methodist Episcopal Church, and became the basis of the present society.

Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church, so named in honor of Bishop Simpson, the very prominent histo- rian of his religious denomination, was organized in 1860. The following were among its most prominent constituent members : Benjamin D. Brown, J. H. Bloodgood, William Rogers, Mrs. Jane Bloodgood, Mrs. Adeline Rogers, Susan Brown, Mrs. Sarah Greg- ory, Henry P. Hoffman, Mrs. Jane Hoffman, and L. E. Collins.

The church edifice, a wooden building about thirty- two by fifty feet, with a steeple and hell, was erected in 1860 at a cost of $2000.

The successive pastors of this church have been Revs. William Eakins, E. M. Garton, Frank Mundy, William H. Lawrence, J. W. Clark, John Handley, J. Bradshaw, and L. B. Edwards, in charge in 1881.

The present membership of the Simpson Church is about fifty.

The board of trustees is composed of Willlam Rog- ers, president ; J. H. Bloodgood, B. D. Brown, Law- rence Collins, Charles Brown, and E. F. Brown. The stewards are J. H. Bloodgood, B. D. Brown, Law- rence Collins, E. F. Brown, and J. W. Davidson.

A Sunday-school was organized in 1860, which has since had an uninterrupted existence. The first super- intendent was J. H. Bloodgood. Rev. L. B. Edwards is the present superintendent. The membership of the school, including officers and trustees, is forty- five. The library contains about one hundred vol- umes.

SPOTTSWOOD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .-- If there was ever a Methodist meeting held at Spotts- wood previous to 1873 it was at a period so remote as to be beyond the knowledge of any persons of that denomination at this time resident there. In the spring of the year mentioned Rev. Frank Mundy, at that time pastor of the Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church at Old Bridge, held a series of meetings in the ball-room of one of the hotels in the village, which resulted in the conversion of a goodly number to Christianity, and led to a desire on the part of many of the converts for the establishment of regular Methodist worship in their midst. Before the close

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EAST BRUNSWICK.

of the year a church was organized, and preparations were begun for the erection of a house of worship.

A church was completed and dedicated in 1874. It is a wooden building large enough for the accommo- dation of the congregation, and with the lot on which it stands and such other property as the organization possesses is valued at about $1500.

This church has a membership of twenty-five or thirty, and the Sunday-school connected with it (also organized in 1873) a membership of thirty, and a library of about seventy-five volumes, its teachers and officers numbering five. The present trustees are David White, John Bowers, Thomas Matthews, Mer- rill Mundy, and William Rogers. The stewards are William Petty, Charles Campbell, and Mrs. John Vliet.

Rev. Frank Mundy, William H. Lawrence, J. W. Clark, John Handley, J. Bradshaw, and L. B. Ed- wards, the present pastor, have successively served this church as pastor.

THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH OF SPOTTS- WOOD .- The Board of Missions of the Reformed Dutch Church having located a missionary at Spottswood in the hope of ultimately supplying a large portion of the population of that village and its vicinity with the stated preaching of the gospel and the administration of its ordinances according to the usages of that denomination, and a goodly num- ber of the inhabitants cordially seconding the designs of the board that a church should be organized in their midst, an application was made to Rev. John Ludlow to effect the desired organization. In com- pliance with this application, Rev. Mr. Ludlow for- mally organized a church Aug: 5, 1821, with the following-named members: Jacob R. Hardenbergh, Cornelius Johnson, Joseph Gulick, Daniel Dean, and Jonathan Combs, Jr.

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 187

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