History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 52

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 52
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 52

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three days. He had the fever and ague at Mr. Dick- inson's house for a fortnight in October. November 5th brought him back again from his mission too enfeebled for work or travel. And here at his "home" in the parsonage he remained nearly six months, until April 20th (with the exception of four or five days), his last winter on earth, in so low a state much of the time that his life was almost de- spaired of. 5

Mrs. Joanna Dickinson, the pastor's wife, had been taken from him by death, April 20, 1745, in the sixty- third year of her age. Brainerd's intimacy with the family was mostly of a later date, the daughters of the pastor ministering to him in his chronic infirmities. The missionary makes the following entry in his jour- nal for 1747 :

" April 7. In the afternoon rode to Newark to marry the Rev. Mr. Dickinson : and in the evening performed that service. Afterwards rode home to Elizabethtown, in a pleasant frame, full of composure and sweet- ness." 6

In 1746, Mr. Dickinson published another pam-

+ Webster's P. Chh., pp. 358, 518. Edwards' Works, x. 141, 142.

6 Edwards' Works, x. 247, 262, 283, 290, 353, 354, 356, 371, 374-80, 444. 6 1 bid., 379.

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

phlet in defense of the revival doctrines of that day from attacks made upon them by several Episcopal clergymen of Connecticut, among whom were Rev. John Beach, Rev Henry Caner, and Rev. Dr. Sam- uel Johnson. The publications of these men were designed mainly as antidotes to Mr. Dickinson's works, which were exerting a wide influence. He was not slow, therefore, in issuing, in 1746, his re- ply, entitled " A Vindication of God's Sovereign Free Grace. In some Remarks on Mr. J. Beach's Sermon, with some brief Reflections upon H. Caner's Sermon, and on a pamphlet entitled ' A Letter from Aristocles to Anthiades.' "

It called forth a response from Dr. Johnson, to which Mr. Dickinson wrote a rejoinder called " A Second Vindication of God's Sovereign Free Grace," which was published after his death by his brother, Moses Dickinson, of Norwalk.

MR. DICKINSON'S RELATION TO THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY, NOW PRINCETON COLLEGE .- Mr. Dick- inson had long felt the necessity of a collegiate insti- tution more accessible than Harvard or Yale for the colonies this side of New England. Incipient steps were taken by the Synod as early as 1739 to obtain aid from Great Britain for this object, Mr. Dickinson being on the committee for this purpose, "but the war breaking out" with Spain prevented it. At length application was made to John Hamilton, Esq., presi- dent of his Majesty's Council, and (by reason of the death, May 14, 1746, of Governor Lewis Morris) com- mander-in-chief of the province of New Jersey, for "a charter to incorporate sundry persons to found a college." The application was successful, and it was granted, under the great seal of the province, Oct. 22, 1746. Notice of the event and of the intentions of the trustees was duly given in the New York Weekly Post-Boy, No. 211, dated Feb. 2, 1747, as follows :

" Whereas, a Charter with full and ampla Privileges, has been granted by his Majesty, under the Seal of the Province of New Jersey, bearing date the 22d October, 1746, for erecting a College within the said Prov- ince, to Jonathan Dickinson, John Pierson, Ebenezer Pemberton, and Aaron Borr, Ministars of the Gospel and some other Gentlemen, as Trua- teea of the said College, by which Charter equal Liberties and Privileges ara secured to every Denomination of Christiana, any different religions Sentiments notwithstanding.

" The said Trustees have therefore thought proper to inform the Public, that they design to open the anid College the next Spring; and to notify to any Person or Persons who are qualified by preparatory Learning for Admission, that some time in May next at latest thay may be there ad- mitted to an Academic Education."

Subsequently, in No. 222, April 20, 1747, notice is thus given :

" This is to inform the Publick, That the Trustees of the Colladge of New-Jersey, have appointed the Rev. Mr. Jonathan Dickinson, President of the aaid Colledge : which will beopened the fourth Week in Muy next, at Elizabeth-Town; At which Time and Place, all Persona auitably quali- fied, may be admitted to an Academic Education."

At the time specified the first term of "the College of New Jersey" was opened at Mr. Dickinson's house, on the south side of the old Rahway road, directly west of Race Street. Mr. Caleb Smith, of Brook-

haven, L. I., a graduate of Yale College in 1743, and now in the twenty-fourth year of his age, was em- ployed as the first tutor. Enos Ayres (afterwards a Presbyterian minister at Blooming Grove, Orange Co., N. Y.), Benjamin Chesnut (an Englishman, and sub- sequently of the Presbytery of New Brunswick), Hugh Henry (afterwards of the Presbytery of New Castle), Israel Reed (shortly after the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Bound Brook, N. J.), Richard Stockton (of Princeton, the well-known civilian), and Daniel Thane (a Scotchman, and subsequently pastor of the church of Connecticut Farms, in this town) were the first graduates of the institution, and were all of them, doubtless, under the instruction of Mr. Dickinson and his tutor, Caleb Smith, with others, perhaps, of the succeeding class.1

In the midst of these useful and laborious employ- ments, full of honors as of service, Mr. Dickinson's career on earth was brought to a close. He died of pleurisy Oct. 7, 1747, in the sixtieth year of his age. The Rev. Timothy Johnes, of Morristown, visited him in his last illness, and found him fully prepared for the event : " Many days have passed between God and my soul, in which I have solemnly dedicated my- self to Him, and I trust what I have committed unto Him, He is able to keep until that day." Such was his testimony in death to the gospel in which he be- lieved. On the occasion of his burial a sermon was preached by his old friend and neighbor, the Rev. John Pierson, of Woodbridge, which was afterwards published. The following notice of his death and burial appeared in the New York Weekly Post-Boy of Oct. 12, 1747 :

" ELIZABETHTOWN, IN NEW JERSEY, Oct. 10.

"Ou Wednesday Morning last, abont 4 o'clock, died here of a pleuritic illness, that eminently learned, faithful, and pions Minister of tha Goa- pel, aod President of the Collega of New Jersey, the Rev. Mr. Jonathan Dickinson, in tha 60th Year of his Age, who had been Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in this Town for nearly forty Years, and was the Glory and Joy of it. In him conspicuously appeared those natural aud acquired moral aud spiritnal Endowments which constitute a truly excellent and valnabla Man, a good Scholar, an eminent Divina, and a serious, davout Christian. He was greatly adorned with the Gifts and Graces of his Heavenly Moster, in the Light whereof he appeared as a Star of superior Brightness aud Influence in the Orb of the Church, which has snatained a great and unspeakable Luss io his Death. He was of uncommon and very extensive Usefulness. He boldly appeared in the Defeuce of the great and important Truths of our most holy Relig- ion and the Gospel Doctrines of the free and sovereign Grace of God. lle was a zealone Promoter of godly Practice and godly Living, and a bright Ornament to his Profession. In Timea Hud Cases of Difficnity ha was a ready, wise, and able Connsellor. By his Death onr infant Col- lega is deprived of tha Benefit and Advantages of his superior Accom- plishmenta, which afforded a favorable Prospect of its futura Flourishing and Prosperity noder hia Inspection. Illa Remains were decently in- terrad here Yasterday, when the Rev. Mr. Pierson, of Woodbridge, preached his funeral Sermon, and as he lived desired of all so never any Person in these Parts died more lamented. Our Fathers where ara they, and the Propheta, do they live forever?"

His monument in the Presbyterian burying-ground bears the following inscription :

1 Memoir of Rev. C. Smith, p. 3. Triencial of C. of N. J.

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THE CITY OF ELIZABETH.

" Here lyee ye body of ye Revd Mr. Jonathan Dickinson, Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church In Elizabeth Town, who Died Octr ye 7th 1747. Aetatis Snae 60. Deep was the Wound, O Death ! and Va-tly wide, When he resign'd his Useful breath and dy'd : Ye Sacred Tribe with pious Sorrow mourn, And drop a tear at your great Patron's Urn ! Conceal'd a moment from our longing Eyes. Beneath this Stone bis mortal Body lies : Happy the Spirit lives, and will, we trust. In Bliss associate with his precione Dnst."

Another monument, by the side of his, has the fol- lowing :

"Here is interred the body of Mrs. Joanna Dickinson-Obiit. April 20, 1745. Anno Aetatis 63.

" Rest, precious Dust, till Christ revive this Clay To Join the Triumphs of the Judgment Day."

REV. ELIHU SPENCER succeeded Mr. Dickinson in the pastorate of the church after about two years had intervened. The eccentric James Davenport, who was at this time settled over the church at Connecti- cut Farms, is believed to have supplied this church occasionally. A letter of President Edwards, written May 20, 1749, says,-

"Mr. Spencer is now preaching at Elizabethtown, in New Jersey, in the pulpit of the late Mr. Dickinson, and 1 believe he is likely to settle there. He is a person of very promising qualifications, and will hope- fully in some measure make up the great loss that the people have sne- tained by the death of their former pastor." 1

Mr. Spencer was the son of Isaac Spencer and Mary Selden, and was born at East Haddam, Conn., Feb. 12, 1721. He was the seventh child of his parents. His father was the grandson of Jared Spencer, who came to Haddam as early as 1665. Samuel, the son of Jared, was his grandfather, and Hannah, tbe daughter of Jared, was the grandmother of David and John Brainerd, who consequently were his second cousins. Jerusha Brainerd, sister of David and John, was the wife of his eldest brother Samuel ; and Martha Brainerd, a third sister, was the wife of his second brother, Joseph Spencer, afterwards major-general of the army of the Revolution and member of Congress. A peculiarly close intimacy therefore existed be- tween Elihu Spencer and the two Brainerds. It was at the house of Samuel Spencer, Jerusha's husband, that David Brainerd found a home whenever, in his public life, he visited his native town. To this sister Brainerd was greatly attached, and the news of her death, brought him shortly before his own departure, deeply affected him. John Brainerd was about one year, and David about three years, older than Elihu Spencer. They grew up and fitted for college to- gether. Spencer and John Brainerd entered Yale College at the same time, and graduated in 1746, in the same class with the Rev. Dr. Ezra Stiles, subse- quently president of Yale College, and with Lewis Morris and John Morin Scott, afterwards members of Congress. The Rev. Dr. Thomas B. Chandler, of this

town, and the Hon. William Smith, the historian, preceded them one year.2

Mr. Spencer was ordained in Boston, Sept. 14, 1748, as a missionary to the Oneida Indians, having been recommended to that service by the missionary David Brainerd, with whom he had spent the preceding winter at Bethel, N. J., in becoming acquainted with Indian manners and customs. Soon after his ordina- tion he located as an Indian missionary at Onohoh- guaga (Unadilla), N. Y., where he spent the winter. Such were the discouragements of the situation, on account of the incapacity or unfaithfulness of his interpreter, that he returned to Boston to obtain a better interpreter and a colleagne. His attention, however, was directed to Elizabeth Town, and he came here, as above stated, in May, 1749. He was installed as regular pastor by the Presbytery of New York Feb. 7, 1750. He appears to have made the following record in his family Bible:

"This day was installed E. Spencer, and took the great charge (onus humeris angelorum formidandum) of the ministry in Elizabethtown, statis stræ 28. The Lord help me." 3

Scarcely any memorials remain of his pastoral work in this town. That he was a fluent and attractive preacher is well attested. His ministry terminated here in 1756, about seven years from the time of its commencement, no record being left from which a reason for the separation can be inferred. He snbse- quently preached at Jamaica, L. I., Shrewsbury, N. J., and finally became pastor of the church at Trenton, where he died, Dec. 27, 1784. He had received from the University of Pennsylvania in 1782 the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. A monu- mental stone placed over his grave at Trenton bears the following inscription :

" Beneath this stone lies the body of the Rev. ELIHU SPENCER, D.D., Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Trenton, and one of the Trustees of the College of New Jersey, who departed this life on the twenty- seventh of December, 1784, in the sixty-fourth year of his age.

" Possessed of fine genius, of great vivacity, of cminent and active piety, his merits a> a minister and as a man stand above the reach of flattery.

" Having long edtfied the Church by his talents and example, and fin- ished his course with joy, he fell asleep full of faith, and waiting for the hope of all saints.

"MAS. JOANNA SPENCER,

Relict of the above, died November 1st, 1791, aged sixty-three years,

" From her many virtues she lived beloved, and died lamented. The cheerful patience with which she bore a painful and tedious disease threw a lustre on the last scenes of her life, and evinces that with true piety death loses its terrors." 4

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer had eight children, some of whom left distinguished descendants. Their fourth

2 Guudwin'e Geneal. Notes, p. 203. Hall's Trenton, pp. 208-9. Brain- erd's Life of John Brainerd, pp. 25-35. Sprague's Annals, iii. 165. Je- rusha Brainerd was the mother of Col. Oliver Spencer, at a later day a citizen of this town, of high social position, introduced here, doubtless, by his nocle, the Rev. Elihu Spencer. He married Anns, the second daughter of Robert Ogden and Phebe llatfield, and the sister of the distinguished Robert, Matthias, and Aaron Ogden.

3 Hall's Trentoa, pp. 211, 212.

៛ Ibid., pp. 215-28, 278, 287-88. Spragne's Annals, iii. 167-68.

1 Edwards' Works, i. 274.

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

child, Margaret, married as early as 1778 Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant (grandson of President Dickin- son), an eminent jurist and member of Congress, who was born at Newark, N. J., in 1746, graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1762, studied law with Rich- ard Stockton, Princeton, N. J., and died at Philadel- phia in 1793. Of their children were (1) the Hon. John Sergeant, born in 1779, graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1795, an eminent lawyer and a dis- tinguished statesman, who died at Philadelphia Nov. 23, 1852; (2) Hon. Thomas Sergeant, who graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1798, became chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and died in 1860.

He was the son of Abraham Keteltas, a well-known ' merchant of the city of New York, who had emi- grated from Holland about the close of the seven- teenth century. The son was born in New York, Dec. 26, 1732. In his youth he resided a considerable time among the Huguenots of New Rochelle, and there acquired familiarity with the French language. He was educated at Yale College, taking his degree there- from in 1752, and was licensed to preach by the Fair- field East Association of Congregational Ministers, Aug. 23, 1756, soon after which (Feb. 22, 1757) he began to preach for this church. Previous to his licensure he had married, Oct. 22, 1755, Sarah, third daughter of the Hon. William Smith, member of the Council, and judge of the Court of King's Bench. She was a sister of William Smith, the historian, born four years later, in 1732. Mr. Keteltas and his wife occupied a high social position, " consorting with the most distinguished families of both provinces." 1

The accounts of the treasurer of the congregation, Samuel Woodruff, show that the salary of Mr. Ketel- tas was paid by regular weekly contributions on the Sabbath, averaging for the years 1758 and 1759 about £2 168. each Sabbath. They also show that in the spring of 1759 the belfry of the church was provided with a public clock, probably for the first time, the handiwork, doubtless, of Aaron Miller, who had es- tablished himself in the town as a clock-maker. At whose expense it was provided is left to conjecture, as no charge for it is found in the treasurer's accounts. It had but one face, for the making and painting of which were paid to Mr. Ball, carpenter, and Joseph Woodruff, painter, £10 68. 9d. Mr. Abraham Wood- ruff was paid .£1 88. 9d. for a " clock-rope."

1 N. York Marriages, p. 212.

The same old account-book tells other tales. Re- peatedly the charge is made, "To 1 quart of rum 1/4;" supplied to the men repairing the old church ; " June 24, 1758; 2 quarts of rum (@ 2/8 for ye people to pry up the sleepers;" from which it would appear that the floor of the old edifice had begun very seri- ously to feel the effects of age. "June 18, 1759, paid David meeker Riding to Collect m' Spencer Arrerejes, £0 58. 0d." Mr. Spencer's account was not settled until May 21, 1760. Abraham Woodruff was paid 68. " for Rideing one Day to Collect yn the Scribtion."

At a later date, Sept. 10, 1760, occurs the following : "To Cash for highering a man Calling the Deakens and Elders a Bout m' Ketteltass, £0 28. 0d."

REV. ABRAHAM KETELTAS .- This minister was This meeting of the deacons and elders had respect to the dissolution of the pastoral relation, which was effected in July, 1760, some slight charges being pre- ferred against the pastor, which, however, the Pres- bytery passed over very lightly. He soon after withdrew from that body. His residence subsequently to leaving Elizabethtown was at Jamaica, L. I., where pastor of the First Presbyterian Church something over three years. He had preached as a candidate six months, beginning soon after the departure of Rev. Dr. Spencer, and received a call to the pastorate on a salary of one hundred and thirty pounds "lite money" per year. He was ordained by the Presby- tery of New York, Sept. 14, 1757, being at that time | he spent the remainder of his life. While having his twenty-five years of age.

residence there he was "minister of the French Prot- estant Church of New York" up to as late as Oct. 6, 1775. He was appointed by his townsmen, Dec. 6, 1774, chairman of the Committee of Correspondence and Ohservation. He was also elected a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1777, and by his political essays and patriotic efforts made himself so obnoxious to the enemy and the Tories of Long Island that after the battle of Flatbush, Aug. 27, 1776, he was obliged to seek refuge in New England until the close of the contest, leaving his property to be occupied and greatly injured by the British.

His last days were passed in peace in the midst of his family and friends at Jamaica. In the graveyard of the First Presbyterian Church there a memorial tablet makes the following record :

" Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Abraham Kettletas, Obt. 30th Sept. 1798, A. E. 65 years, 9 mos. and 4 days, He possessed unusual talents, that were improved by profound erudition, and a heart firmly attached to the interests of his country. His mind was early impressed with a sense of religion, which fully manifested itself in the choice of the sacred office, in which he shone as the able and faithful divine. It may not perhaps be unworthy of record in this inscription, that he frequently officiated in three different languages, having preached in the Dutch and French Churches in his native city of New York.

" Rest from thy labors now thy work is o'er: Since Death is vanquished, now free grace adore ; A crown of glory sure awaits the just, Who served their God, and in their Saviour trust.

REV. JAMES CALDWELL .- After a vacancy in the pastorate of three and a half years, during which the pulpit was supplied by no less than twenty-one differ- ent preachers, among whom were Rev. Joseph Treat and Rev. William Kirkpatrick, the choice of the con- gregation fell upon the Rev. James Caldwell, who had previously preached for the church eleven Sun- days as a supply. He was a young man, born in Char- lotte County, Va., in April, 1734, and had graduated at the College of New Jersey in September, 1759, and

211

THE CITY OF ELIZABETH.

after studying theology under President Davies, had been ordained Sept. 17, 1760, by the Presbytery of New Brunswick. He came to Elizabeth Town and entered upon the regular duties of the pastorate in November, 1761. At this time "he was in the twenty- seventh year of his age, a young man of prepossess- ing appearance, and of more than ordinary promise as a preacher of the gospel."

With the settlement of the new pastor began im- provements in a physical as well as in a moral sense. Hence it was voted, April 21, 1762,-

" That the Burial Ground be inclosed with a close cedar Board Fence wtb red Cedar Posts and that a sufficient Number of Posts be set up before the ed Fence for the Convenience of fastening Horses &c.

" Also Agreed that a Neat Pale Fence be built to inclose a Court Yard in the Front and South End of the Church with a double Rail on the outside with convenient Turnpikes to defend the same from any injuries by Ilorses &c and the sd Fences with well painted.

" Also it is agreed that the Church be painted within with some light Color-and that any other necessary repairs be done."

The work was intrusted to Mr. Samuel Woodruff, president of the board, one of the most influential men of the town, largely engaged in merchandise.

On the 14th of March, 1763, just one year after he entered npon his pastoral administrations, Mr. Cald- well was nnited in marriage to Hannalı, the daughter of John Ogden, Esq , and Hannah Sayre, of Newark, N. J. Her father was the son of Capt. David Ogden, and the grandson of the first David Ogden, who came with his father, John Ogden, the planter, from Long Island, and settled this town in 1664. Her mother was a descendant of Joseph Sayre, another of the founders of Elizabeth Town. During the first year of his pastorate Whitefield again visited the town, and preached here twice on Sunday, Nov. 27, 1763.

Rev. Dr. Kempshall traces up to "about this date the origin of two customs in the churches, viz., the raising of the current expenses of the church by pew- rents and singing by choirs. Up to this time current expenses had been met by Sabbath collections, and all singing in the churches was congregational, led by a precentor. In May, 1767, it was resolved 'to offer the pews in the enlarged building at public vendue, agreeable to certain fixed rates, the rents to be paid quarterly.' 'There were few country churches with a choir before 1765 or 1770, and they certainly did not become common until the time of the American Revolution.'"

The parish of Mr. Caldwell was an extensive one. It included nearly all the territory in the present county of Union, embracing the townships of Union, Springfield, New Providence, Westfield, Plainfield, Rahway, Linden, and Clark, which were taken from the ancient township of Elizabeth Town. The old trustees' book shows that in 1776 there were three hundred and forty-five pew-renters and subscribers in the congregation. The ruling elders at that time were Cornelius Hatfield, John Potter, Samuel Wil-

liams, and Benjamin Winans. Isaac Woodruff, Jon- athan Williams, Caleb Halsted, David Ogden, Isaac Arnett, and Jonathan Price were trustees.

" In the congregation, at the opening of the Revo- lution, were such men as William Livingston, the noble Governor of the State, who through a storm of obloquy from some of his former friends, and of bitter and unrelenting hatred and plottings against his life on the part of the Tories and the British, re- mained steadfast in his devotion to the cause of free- dom to the final victory. Elias Boudinot, who served on the staff of Gen. Livingston, was appointed by Congress commissary-general of prisoners; was mem- ber of Congress in 1778, 1781, and 1782; chosen presi- dent of Congress, Nov. 2, 1782, and when the treaty of peace with Great Britain was ratified, April 15, 1783, he had the honor of affixing to it his signature. He received from Yale College in 1790 the degree of Doctor of Laws ; was a trustee of the College of New Jersey for twenty-three years, and in 1816 the first president of the American Bible Society. In for- warding from Philadelphia, while superintendent of the Mint, as a gift to the trustees of the First Presby- terian Church, a pair of elegant and costly ent-glass chandeliers, he said, in his letter bearing date Feb. 26, 1800, of the church, 'The many happy hours [ have spent there make the remembrance of having been one of their society among the substantial pleas- ures of my life.' In the congregation at this time also was Abraham Clark, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence; he had long been a member of the church, and was one of its trustees from 1786 to 1790. He was chosen seven times as a delegate from New Jersey to the Continental Con- gress. Here, also, were the Hon. Robert Ogden (Speaker of the Assembly at an earlier day), with his three sons, Robert, Matthias, and Aaron, the last two distinguished officers in the United States army ; the Hon. Stephen Crane, Speaker of the Assembly ; Elias Dayton and his son Jonathan, both of them subsequently general officers of the army, and the ' latter Speaker of Congress ; William Peartree Smith, one of the most distinguished civilians of the day ; Oliver Spencer and Francis Barber, both of them colonels of the Jersey Brigade, from whom Gen. Maxwell, commandant of the brigade, received on all occasions, and some of them of a trying nature, most zealons and efficient co-operation, and other such devoted patriots not a few."

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 52

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