History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 192

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 192
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 192

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Oct. 16, 1869, the Presbytery of New Brunswick organized a church at Dayton with the following- named members (fifty-eight in number) : Richard McDowell, Abbie McDowell, Thomas W. Schenck, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Schenck, William B. Schenck, Mrs. Emmeline Schenck, John C. Vanderveer, Mrs. John C. Vanderveer, William Dean, Mrs. Jane Dean, Rufus Conover, Mrs. Caroline Conover, George W. Schenck, Mrs. Mary Anu Schenck, William B. Mil- ler, Mrs. Mary J. Miller, Daniel D. Applegate, Mrs. Roxannah Applegate, Peter Rogers, Mrs. Parmelia Rogers, Mrs. Elizabeth Perrine, Mrs. Margaret Hig-

William & Bayley

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SOUTH BRUNSWICK.

gins, Charles Everett, Mrs. Julia Ann Everett, Mrs. Sarah F. Burlew, Mrs. Elizabeth Rowland, Mrs. Eliza Ann Conover, Miss Celia J. Conover, Mrs. Har- riet N. Anderson, Miss Louisa Anderson, John Mc- Dowell, Mrs. Adeline H. McDowell, Addison H. McDowell, Mrs. Sarah Terhune, Cornelia J. Stults, John P. Stults, Andrew B. McDowell, Mrs. Matilda McDowell, Mrs. Rachel Griggs, Mrs. Mary I. Grover, Anne McDonald, Daniel Davison, Mrs. Mattie Davison, Isaac B. Rowland, Mrs. Catharine Higgins, Mrs. Mary E. Anderson, Mrs. Mary A. S. Hagerman, Jacob W. Hagerman, Sarah S. Van Dorne, Mrs. John H. Allendorph, Benjamin Miller, Mrs. Benjamin Mil- Jer, Andrew Rowland, Ann Van Pelt, Mrs. Adeline Robbins, Louise Rowland, and Mrs. Ellen Soden.

Forty-six of these constituent members were from the two churches at Cranbury. Those churches hav- ing reached the critical period of " full and flourish- ing," the pastors and people fully agreed to give the new enterprise a hearty godspeed and substantial assistance. Two consequences followed : the young church started self-sustaining, and in six months more than twice as many had been added to the parent churches as they had dismissed.

The elders chosen at the organization of the church and now in service are Richard McDowell, Thomas W. Schenck, John W. Hagerman, and Lewis Row- land.

For a time the pulpit was supplied by Rev. J. H. Schofield. In May, 1870, Rev. J. W. Hubbard was installed first pastor. In December, 1875, Rev. A. Westveer was installed. The present pastor, Rev. S. J. Rowland, was installed in July, 1880.

Early meetings were held in the Baptist Church, The erection of a house of worship had been begun prior to the organization, which was completed and dedicated in August, 1870. A parsonage was built the same year. The house of worship is located north of the centre of the village, and with the other prop- erty vested in the church is valued at about ten thou- sand dollars.

THE CHURCH AT MONMOUTH JUNCTION .- A frame church was erected at Monmouth Junction in 1879 by James Hunt, which is often referred to as the Meth- odist Church, but is devoted to the use of all Chris- tian denominations.

" THE OLD CHURCH," PLAINSBORO' .- In Plains- boro', on a hill near the school-house, stands the " Old Church" (bearing date 1779). It is the first house of worship of an organization of that name and date, and chooses to be called the " Old Church" as claim- ing a primitive simplicity in its beliefs. A second "Old Church" is forming in Princeton, where already a still larger building has been put up. These organizations are under the care of Rev. John Miller, who by the ac- tion of his Presbytery was obliged to withdraw from the Presbyterian body for difference of doctrine. He makes no attempt to join any other denomination, , but prefers a Presbyterian order, only he decrees

that morality has dropped out too much from the teachings of religion.1

THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH OF FRESH PONDS .- At Fresh Ponds is an old wooden church, which was erected many years ago, and had served as a mission church under the auspices of the Meth- odist Protestant denomination, meetings having for- merly been held there once a week, and later semi- monthly. During the past few years there have been no regular services.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM G. BAYLES.

John Bayles, the grandfather of the subject of this biography, was of English birth, and resided in Somerset County, N. J. He was united in marriage to a Miss Davidson, and had children,-Robert, Samuel, John, Rachel, and Susan. His wife having died, he married a second time a Mrs. Bergen, to whom were born several children.

The death of Mr. Bayles occurred about the year 1820. Robert, one of his sons, was born in South Brunswick, and during a portion of his life resided in Somerset County. He later removed to the township of his birth, where his death occurred.

He married Rebecca, daughter of Maj. John Gulick, and had children,-William G., Susan A. (Mrs. Dr. Dunn), George, James, Margaretta M., Emma (Mrs. William McCauley), Maria E., John G., a physician, and Alexander.

Their son, William G., was born Nov. 9, 1802, in Somerset County (now Mercer County), and spent his boyhood with his parents. After a brief residence at Princeton, N. J., the family removed to Kingston, Middlesex Co., when William G. was sent to Law- renceville, and later to Princeton, to pursue his studies.

On his return he for a while assisted his father, and also became interested in a line of stages running be- tween Philadelphia and New York, and known as the Union Line.

1 It is believed that this is the first publication designed for perma- nent use in which this new religious sect (which in time possibly may become more numerona) has been represented. A brief account of the creed and differences taught by Rev. Mr. Miller may be deemed of in- terest. Mr. Miller teaches (1) total depravity; (2) the deity of Christ ; (3) vicarious atonement ; (4) regeneration ; (5) the necessity of faith ; (6) the inspiration of the Scripturea; (7) eternal rewards aod punishments. Hia differences are six in number :

(1) There is no Trinity. The one personal God is incarnate in Christ, and is the Holy Ghost.

(2) There is no child not of Adam. Christ was made sioless by the power of His Godhead through the grece of His intended sacrifice.

(3) There ia no grace not moral. Faith ia a moral grace, and it is the eye of conscience that is opened io believing.

(4) There ia no imputed obedience. Christ's aufferings are imputed, and it is ao obedience of our own that is the fruit of our redemption.

(5) There is no perseverance promised in conversion. Election uato life is of those who endure unto the end.

(6) There are no disembodied souls. Men die in death, and wake in the resurrection.

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

He was married on the 24th of September, 1827, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Judge Frederick Cruser, of Rocky Hill, Somerset Co., N. J., and had children, -Robert, who is president of the Market National Bank of New York City ; Martha, George A., Fred- erick C., William H., and Westley H., all the sons with the exception of George A. being residents of New York City. The death of Mrs. Bayles occurred April 22, 1877.

Mr. Bayles is in his political sympathies a Repub- lican, and has always been a strong advocate of the principles of his party. He has served as freeholder of his township, and held various minor offices, but has neither songht nor desired such honors.

He has officiated as director of the Princeton Na- tional Bank, as did also his father. He has been for years identified with the educational interests of the township, and filled the office of trustee of the public school of the district where he resides.

His religious sympathies are with the Presbyterian denomination, the church at Kingston having num- bered him among its worshipers and its board of trns- tees.

PETER CORTELYOU.

The Cortelyou family (sometimes written Cortil- leau) are of French extraction, the progenitor in America having been Jaques Cortelyou, who arrived in New Amsterdam (now New York) abont 1651, to- gether with his wife, Neltje Van Duyn, she being also of French lineage. His children were Jaques, Peter, Cornelius, William, Helena, and Maria.

In a direct line of descent from Jaques Cortelyou was Henry, father of the subject of this sketch, who was born in 1761, and married to Elizabeth Nevius, whose birth occurred in 1762. The death of Henry Cortelyou took place March 14, 1841, and that of his wife Jan. 22, 1848. Their only son, Peter, was born Sept. 27, 1796, in the township of South Brunswick, where his youth was spent upon the farm of his father. At a later period he removed to New York, and began mercantile life as a clerk. He continued business in Griggstown, but ultimately returned to the farm, which became his by inheritance on the death of his father. Here he followed agricultural employ- ments during the remainder of his life, the homestead being still occupied by his son.

Mr. Cortelyou was married Sept. 23, 1820, to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Cornelius Gulick, of Ten-Mile Run, Middlesex Co. Their children are Elizabeth, born Ang. 25, 1821; Henry P., whose birth occurred Dec. 4, 1823, and two who died in early childhood. Mrs. Cortelyou's death took place Sept. 21, 1831, and he was again married on the 21st of November, 1844, to Miss Julia Ann, daughter of Garret Beekman, of Griggstown. They had one son, Peter, above mentioned as the owner of the paternal estate.

Mr. Cortelyou was in politics a Republican, having during the late civil war abandoned the principles of the Democracy which he had formerly espoused. He was for many years freeholder of the township, and held other less important offices. He was for a long period an active and exemplary member of the Reformed (Dutch) Church, Franklin Park, and one of its liberal supporters. The death of Peter Cortel- you occurred Aug. 25, 1879, in his eighty-third year. His life was a bright example of integrity and purity of character, and won for him the respect of all who were associated with him.

I. CHANDLER WITHINGTON.

Mr. Withington is descended from an old New England family, the progenitor of whom was Elder Henry Withington, of Dorchester, Mass., who emi- grated from England in 1635, the subject of this biographical sketch having represented the eighth generation of the family. During the early settle- ment of Dorchester, which was the third Puritan colony (Plymonth being the first and Salem the second), the Withingtons appear prominent in affairs of church and State, and were allied by marriage to many of the older New England families. Phineas Withington, the father of Isaac Chandler, was born April 13, 1790, at Jamaica Plain, now Roxbury, Mass., and in 1810, when twenty years of age, came to Kings- ton, Middlesex Co., N. J. He was well known as one of the proprietors of the old Union Stage Liue, run- ning between New York and Philadelphia, which was afterwards merged into the Camden and Amboy Rail- road, and controlled that portion of the route between New Brunswick and Kingston. He was, Oct. 26, 1815, united in marriage to Miss Sarah, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Skillman) Gulick, of Kingston, N. J. Phineas Withington was a man of indomitable energy and enterprise, and added greatly by his extensive business connections to the growth and prosperity of the village of his residence. He was to his family a kind protector, to the poor a steadfast friend, and to the community generally a valuable citizen. His death occurred Nov. 21, 1834, at the early age of forty-four years.

His son, Isaac Chandler, was the second of four children,-Amanda B., Isaac C., Henry G., and Hiram R. He was born at Kingston, Jan. 29, 1820, and was but fourteen years of age at the time of his father's decease.

His early years were spent in school at Burlington, N. J., after which he became a clerk in the post-office at Princeton, N. J., and later assistant postmaster at Trenton, N. J.

Ou the death of his mother, in 1842, he purchased the interest of his brothers and sisters in the home- stead farm, and devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. On the 18th of September, 1844, he was married to Miss Maria Roshore, daughter of George

795

SOUTH BRUNSWICK.

W. and Eliza Roshore Platt, of New York City. He entered into business relations with Mr. Platt, which were continued until the death of the latter, in 1881. In 1850, the State of New Jersey having purchased the land embraced in the homestead farm with a view to locating a House of Refuge, Mr. Withington removed to New York, and made the city his permanent resi- dence. The project was, however, abandoned in 1852, and he repurchased the property, added to its dimen- sions, and in 1857 erected a spacious and elegant mansion surrounded by broad avenues and expansive lawns.

The cultivation and improvement of this property was a source of great pleasure to Mr. Withington, and the summer months were invariably spent ou his country estate. He was a thorough, practical, care- ful, and intelligent farmer, and eager to avail him- self of all the modern appliances which added to the success of his efforts.

He cared little for public honors, was unostentatious in his life, and while high-minded and sensitive in his nature, was invariably courteous and genial in his bearing. These qualities, added to an unusually dis- tinguished physique and a certain quality of personal magnetism, rendered his presence always command- ing and impressive.

He affiliated in religion with the Presbyterian de- nomination, and was for many years identified with the Presbyterian Church of Kingston, N. J.

Mr. and Mrs. Withington were the parents of four sons and four daughters, the eldest of whom was George Platt, who died at the age of five years. The survivors are Charles Sumner, who graduated at Princeton College in the class of 1868, was admitted to the New York bar in 1871, and is now in active practice; Laura Elliott, Annie Louise, Irving Platt, who graduated at Princeton in 1880; Chandler, who graduates during the present year from the John E. Green School of Science, Princeton College; Marea Roshore, and Eliza Platt. The death of Mr. With- ington occurred Nov. 22, 1881, in his sixty-second year, at his residence in New York. His remains were interred in the family plot in Greenwood Cemetery.

THOMAS S. SNEDEKER.

Garret Snedeker came from Long Island about 1766 and settled in South Brunswick township, Middlesex County, N. J., where he became the possessor of sev- eral hundred acres of land. He was a man of quite large means and influence, and was known as "Gen- tleman Garret." He was an elder in the Presbyterian church at Cranbury, and in his will, dated 1791, he left £150 to the theological seminary at Princeton, and divided the balance of his property among his children. He died Aug. 1, 1825. His wife, by whom he had issue, was Margaret, sister of Col. David Chambers, who served in the Revolutionary war. | child, Willard, who died at the age of nine years.

She was born Feb. 23, 1746, and died May 9, 1791. His children were Alexander, Abram, Rose, Isaac, Maria, and Craige. The third son, Isaac, was born Oct. 2, 1782. He succeeded to a part of the home- stead, and was a farmer during his active business life. He died in Cranbury, Feb. 22, 1862, where he retired after leaving his farm. He was a ruling elder in the Second Presbyterian Church at Cranbury for twenty-four years. His wife, Anne Salter, bore him children,-Getty, wife of Dominicus Mershon ; Garret, resides in Washington. S. R., Thomas Salter ; and Margaret Chambers, who became the wife of James Buckalew, of Jamesburg.

Thomas Salter, second son of Isaac Snedeker, is the subject of our sketch, and was born on the homestead, June 9, 1809. He succeeded to that part of the home- stead called the "Bennett tract," containing some four hundred acres, partly by purchase and partly by inheritance, which has remained the homestead since. As a farmer, a merchant at New Brunswick, and a large dealer in timber, he spent an active business life. He was a man of good judgment, sterling in- tegrity, and unsolicitous of public place or the emol- uments of office. Ile was an active and influential member of the Whig and Republican parties, a zealous supporter of the Union cause in the late civil war, aud during the war and for three years afterwards he filled the place of revenue assessor and inspector. Then he was succeeded by his son Isaac, who held the office until a change was made in the district. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church at Hightstown for thir- teen years, was one of the founders of Peddie Insti- tute of that place, and for a time a member of its board of trustees, and he was frequently selected to administer upon estates. He died Aug. 3, 1868.

His wife was Sarah Stryker, a daughter of John I. Bergen and Mary Mershon, of Cranbury. She is a descendant in the seventh generation from Hans Hansen Bergen, a native of Bergen, Norway, who removed to Holland, and came to New Amsterdam in 1633. Her great-grandfather, George Bergen, in 1720 settled from Long Island upon a plantation in Mid- dlesex County, N. J., which, with its families of ne- groes, descended to liis son, John B. Bergen, who was born March 27, 1739, and died June 2, 1808; served with the Jersey Blues in the Revolutionary war, and was wounded at the battle of Princeton. John B. Bergen had for his insignia of office a long staff with a spear and slender battle-axe attached, which he preserved during his life. Mrs. Thomas S. Snedeker survives in 1882. Her children are Mary A., wife of Austin I. Richardson, residing upon a part of the homestead ; Sarah E., wife of R. Baxter Konover, of Trenton ; Emeline, wife of Abigail Chamberlin, residing upon a part of the homestead; Isaac S., a grain and hay merchant and farmer at Dayton, N. J., and a manufacturer of edge-tools at Newark, N. J., married Miss Mamie Ten Broeck; and the youngest

796

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

ANDREW ROWLAND.

The Rowlands, as elsewhere stated, are of French extraction, the subject of this biographical sketch being the great-grandson of James Rowland and his wife, Letty Guest. Among their children was William, born March 13, 1780, and married to Miss Catherine Stryker, who had eleven children, among whom was James, born in New Brunswick and married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew McDowell, of South Brunswick. Their children were William, Andrew, Adeline (Mrs. Robbins), Catherine, Richard, and Charles. William resides in Brooklyn, while Charles and Richard are residents of Dayton, N. J. Andrew was born Sept. 28, 1829, on the homestead farm at present occupied by Stryker Rowland. The village of Dayton afforded him the earliest advantages of education, after which he removed to Brooklyn, and 'acquired the trade of a ship-joiner. This business he carried on for a number of years successfully, in con- nection with his brother William, in New York and Brooklyn.

Having a taste for country life and the labors of the agriculturist, he removed to South Brunswick in 1864, and has since followed farming pursuits. He was married Oct. 20, 1853, to Miss Mary F., daughter of James Foster, of Brooklyn, where he followed the trade of a ship-joiner, his father having been a ship- captain. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Rowland are James Andrew, born Aug. 2, 1854; Sarah L. (Mrs. Harvey B. Groves), born May 10, 1856; William F., born May 28, 1864; Clarence S., whose birth occurred Aug. 18, 1867 ; and Sylvester Hill, born Oct. 6, 1873. The death of Mrs. Rowland occurred March 30, 1881. Her memory is tenderly cherished by a devoted hus- band and children. In politics Mr. Rowland may be classed in the ranks of the Republicans, though he takes but little interest in the conflicts of party, and has never sought official position.

He is a Presbyterian, and one of the founders of the church at Dayton, of which he was formerly a trustee and is now an elder. Mrs. Rowland was a member of the First Church at Green Point.

STRYKER ROWLAND.

The name of Rowland is intimately associated with French history, and it is probable that the ancestors of Stryker Rowland were of French descent. His grandfather, James Rowland, was born Ang. 18, 1755, and married to Miss Letty Guest, whose birth oc- curred Jan. 12, 1756. Their children were Elizabeth, William, Catharine, James, Charles, Letty, Sarah, Richard, John, and Susannah.

William, the second of these children in the order of birth, was born March 13, 1780, in New Bruns- wick, and later removed to Penn's Neck, Mercer Co., where he was a popular landlord, and also en- gaged in carting for the government during the war of 1812. He subsequently became a resident of Sonth

Brunswick and engaged in farming occupations. He married Miss Catharine Stryker, and had children,- Elizabeth S., James, William, Letty A., Charles S., Lewis D., William (second), Adeline, Richard, Cath- erine, and Stryker. Mr. Rowland was a man of strong force of character and of exceptional ability. He was a lifelong Democrat, participated actively in public affairs, and held for years the office of justice of the peace of the township. His death occurred Jnly 26, 1857, in his seventy-eighth year, and that of his wife Jan. 31, 1845, in her sixty-sixth year.

Their son Stryker was born Oct. 25, 1818, and after obtaining the rudiments of an education at the vil- lage school at Dayton, in the township, engaged in agricultural employments on the farm of his father, which is still occupied by him, and known as the Long Bridge farm.

He was married to Miss Ann, daughter of Isaac Bogert, of Sonth Brunswick, on the 25th of April, 1841. Their children are Isaac B., born in 1843; James E., whose birth occurred in 1847; and Anne E. (Mrs. Philip H. Allendorf), born in 1850. Isaac has two children,-Anne J. and Charles S .; James has one daughter, Ella D .; and Mrs. Allendorf has two daughters, Nettie S. and Millie L. Mr. Rowland has always been a strong Democrat in his political predilections, and though not in any sense a politician, has been for several years postmaster of Monmouth Junction. He has devoted himself during his life- time to farming employments. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Dayton, Mrs. Rowland having been a member of the church of the same de- nomination at Cranbury.

JOHN STRYKER CRUSER.

The family of Crusers originally settled on Staten Island, where Abraham Cruser, grandfather of John Stryker, resided. He was born June 1, 1733, and married to Martha Doolhagen, the ceremony having been performed by Rev. Mr. Eaton on the 5th of April, 1758. Their children were Helena, born in 1759; Rachel, in 1761; Martha, in 1764; Frederick, in 1766 ; Cornelius, in 1769 ; and John, in 1778. Abra- ham Cruser removed at a later period to the family property, which was partly inherited by his wife, and the remainder purchased by him. He served in the war of the Revolution, and was active in preventing the landing of the British off Sandy Hook. He was an influential citizen, and accumulated a fortune in farming pursuits.

His death occurred April 2, 1819, in his eighty- sixth year. His son John was born July 24, 1778, and was married to Cornelia, daughter of John Stryker, on the 14th of February, 1797, by Rev. Samuel Snowden, of Princeton. Their children were Abraham, born May 5, 1798; John Stryker, whose birth occurred Sept. 25, 1799, deceased ; John Stryker (2d), born Oct. 26, 1800; Cornelia (Mrs. Voorhees),

John Slowser

797

MONROE.

born Feb. 8, 1803; James McRee, born July 7, 1804; Jaquish V., Aug. 13, 1806; Frederick, Feb. 14, 1808; Van Cleef, Feb. 13, 1810; Catherine, May 11, 1811.

John Cruser died April 5, 1816, and the death of his wife occurred Jan. 28, 1852. Their son, John Stryker, who is the subject of this sketch, remained upon the homestead until his twenty-eighth year, after which, having sold his portion of the property to his brother, he removed to his present residence and continued farming occupations. He has been during his lifetime a strong Democrat and a firm party ad- herent. He received the appointment of judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and declined the honor, but has served as justice of the peace, and held other township offices. He has been largely identified with county politics, and exercised no small influence on the annual elections. The Cruser family have always been identified with the religious interests of the community. Abraham Cruser assisted in rebuild- ing the First Presbyterian Church of Princeton, and John Stryker Cruser was formerly a member of the Kingston Presbyterian Church, and one of its trustees, and a member of its building committee. He is now associated with the Second Presbyterian Church of Princeton.

CHAPTER CI.

MONROE.

Situation and Boundaries .- Monroe is the south- ernmost township in Middlesex County, and is bounded north by East Brunswick, east by Madison and Manalapan (Monmouth County), south by Ma- nalapan (Monmouth County) and East Windsor (Mercer County), and west by Cranbury and South Brunswick.

Natural Features .- Like most of the stretch of country south of the Raritan, between New York and Philadelphia, the surface of Monroe is rolling. The soil is measurably productive, and contains clayey and sandy loam in considerable quantities. It is watered centrally by the Manalapan Creek, and along a portion of its eastern border by Matchaponix Creek, which unite at its northern extremity, form- ing South River. These streams were so named by the Indians in description of the country through which they flow as it was regarded by them, manala- pan signifying a good country producing good bread, and matchaponix poor land not producing anything out of which good bread may be made. At James- burg the Manalapan affords a fine water-power, which was first utilized in the latter half of the eighteenth century. The southern part is drained by Cranbury Brook, which has its source in Cedar Brook and other small streams in Monroe, traverses Cranbury town-

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 192

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