History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 87

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 87
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 87

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Mr. Elmer was installed Nov. 13, 1765, a little more than eight years after he came to New Providence. He was dismissed Oct. 14, 1798, and was never afterwards settled.

In the early part of his ministry, and for nearly twenty years after his coming to New Providence, Mr. Elmer was unanimously beloved and esteemed by the people of his charge, and not a little admired in neighboring congregations. What were the causes which led to the unhappy and much-to-be-lamented alienation of feeling which was subsequently mani- fested by a part of the congregation towards their pastor it were useless and worse than useless now to inquire. Mr. Elmer was unable to preach for several years previous to his death. He died at New Provi- dence, June 5, 1807.

There are two names which should be mentioned here, viz. : Mr. William Jackson, a licentiate from New England, and the Rev. John Richards, from Wales. Mr. Jackson came to New Providence to- wards the close of the year 1794, and remained about six months, but could not be prevailed on to settle. He afterwards settled in Brentwood, Mass.

The eyes and the hearts of the people were next directed towards Mr. Richards. He came to New Providence in the summer of 1795, and preached five times to the great satisfaction of the people. They regarded him as a pious, humble servant of Jesus, and were entertaining high hopes that in him they should obtain a faithful and affectionate Christian pastor. They were taking measures for his settle- ment when his Master suddenly called him from his earthly labors. He died Sept. 9, 1795, and was buried in the graveyard by the church.

Mr. Force was ordained and installed as pastor of this congregation Nov. 20, 1796, and dismissed Oct. 6, 1802. He found the congregation in a divided and distracted state and left in a condition almost helpless.

his abundant and disinterested labors in behalf of his much-loved charge, and, above all, his humility and heavenly-mindedness eminently qualified him for the arduous work to which he was called. For the honor of his Master and for this people he lived, and with them he died. All who knew him loved him. He was called to his rest Feb. 25, 1825, in the midst of a highly interesting state of religious feel- ing in the congregation.

Mr. Hyndshaw commenced his stated labors with this people in the fall of 1825, and was ordained and installed Jan. 10, 1826. He was dismissed from his charge on the 1st of May, 1832, though he continued at the request of the congregation to supply the pulpit for six months after his dismissal.

Mr. Burroughs was licensed by the Presbytery of Elizabethtown on the 19th February, 1833, and ap- pointed as a stated supply for this congregation. At the request of the congregation he was ordained in April, 1833, and having a call to become their pastor he was installed Oct. 8, 1833, and remained till 1834, when the Rev. Thomas Cochran came. We have followed the earlier pastors of this historic church, and now will give more details of its history as a church.

During the year of Mr. Elmer's ministrations, 1764, which has been designated as the year of great revival in this country, a large number were added to this church, and from this time the church and congre- gation assumed a more pleasing and prosperous ap- pearance than ever before.

In 1773 the house of worship was found too small to accommodate the people, and they determined to enlarge it. An addition was put up and inclosed, but the disasters of the Revolutionary war coming on prevented its completion till the year 1782. The house thus enlarged was for a season filled with at- tentive hearers.

In 1803 pecuniary embarrassments became pressing, and it was thought advisable to sell the lands belong- ing to the parish. The sales were actually commenced, but through the influence of some of the friends of the church they were stayed for the present, and an ar- rangement made with the purchaser to permit what had been sold to be redeemed. A strenuous effort was made to procure the requisite aid by subscrip- tion, but without the desired result. Under these circumstances, in January, 1804, a vote to sell the lands was passed, and the friends of the church in despondency yielded the case as hopeless. At this juncture, on the 13th February, 1804, the Rev. Rob- ert Finley, of Basking Ridge, and the Rev. Edward D. Griffen, of Newark, met at New Providence by ap- pointment and preached to the people. Their sub- ject was the mourning of the captives in Babylon for the desolations of Zion, Psalms clxxxvii. 1. This was a memorable day to the church of New Provi-

They next united in calling the Rev. Elias Riggs. He began his stated labors on Lord's Day, Oct. 19, 1806, and was installed the 16th of June following. "He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." His cool and dispassionate judgment, his unaffected simplicity of manners both in public ; dence. Through the influence of these servants of

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY

Jesus, who by their exhortations and by their liber- ality favored the object, the drooping spirits of the people were revived, and before the sun was set sub- scriptions were obtained which were well-nigh ade- quate to the exigencies of the church, and in the course of a few days they were so augmented that if the money subscribed could have been collected every demand against the congregation might have been paid. But to collect these subscriptions at once was found impracticable, and the. desired object was not fully obtained till Jan. 28, 1809.

In the spring of 1806, and while the congregation was destitute of any one steadily to break to them the bread of life, it pleased a gracious God in mercy again to visit this church. A spirit of prayer was excited among Christians and a spirit of serious in- quiry among the impenitent which continued through the following summer. Mr. Riggs commenced his labors in the autumn of this year, and had the hap- piness to see this good-begun work constantly though slowly progressing for more than two years. As a fruit of this gradual but solitary work forty-four were added to the church. Thus the sinking hopes of Zion's friends were revived and their mourning ex- changed for joy and thanksgiving.

The next considerable work of grace commenced in the spring of the year 1813. This work continued about six months, during which time very few in the congregation remained careless spectators. "It was pleasing," says Mr. Riggs, "in the intervals of wor- ship on the Lord's Day, as well as on other occasions, and especially at the close of prayer-meetings, to see the youth flocking in crowds around the elders and other experienced Christians in the church and listen- ing to their pious and paternal counsels." As the re- sults of this good work the church received to her communion an accession of forty-five members.

About the commencement of the year 1825 the re- ligious state of the congregation assumed a very encouraging aspect. A considerable number were heard to inquire, " What must we do to be saved ?" and some were hopefully rescued as brands from the burning. But how inscrutable are the ways of Prov- idence! At the very time when all eyes and hearts appeared to be directed towards their spiritual guide, the Rev. Mr. Riggs, and when his pions instruction seemed to human wisdom to be indispensable, he was suddenly called from the toils and labors of the church militant to join the church triumphant. The special religious interest soon subsided, though not until fourteen, as its fruits, were added to the visible church.

and a wrestling spirit of prayer on the part of some of God's people. As the protracted service was about to close and the people to retire, " suddenly the spirit of God seemed to descend like a rushing mighty wind and to fill the house where they were sitting." "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" was the instant in- quiry of many, while saints, deeply abased, saw with wonder what God had so evently wrought. As the fruits of this glorious work about thirty were added to the church.

We have brought down the history of this first pioneer church in these mountains; much of its his- tory we are indebted to the researches of the late Rev. Elias Riggs, and also to the late pastorate in 1834 of Rev. William H. Burroughs.

The following is a list of ruling elders of this church since 1737 :

Joseph Allen, Joseph Doty, ordained Jan. 17, 1808.

John Pierson, Joseph Tompkins, ordaioed Jan. 17, 1808.

Daniel Day, Gabriel Johnson, ordained Jan. 17, 1808.

Samuel Ross, Cornelius Williams, ordained July, 1822.

William Jobnson, Joseph Ludlow, ordained July, 1822. William Jones, David Noe, ordained July, 1822. Benjamin Bonnel. David Freoch, ordained July, 1822.

William Caulwell, Amos Lum, ordained July, 1822. John Clark, David Howell, ordained July, 1822.

Alexander Sinison, Jotham Potter, ordained Nov. 30, 1828.

Thomas Osborn, Sylvester Andrews, ordained Nov. 30, 1828.

Jacob Bedell, Matthias Osboro, ordained Nov. 30, 1828.

Stephen Morehouse, Amos Potter, ordained 1847.

Abraham Rutan. Israel Doty, ordained 1847; died Jan. 10, 1879.

William Connet, Daniel L. Bonoel, ordained 1847.

Benoni Trenbly, John N. Duty, ordained 1858, died Jao. 8, 1875. Timothy Whitehead, Elias R. Morehouse, ordained 1849.

Daniel Cory, Matthias Duty, ordained 1859.

Samuel Potter, Isaac Meeker, ordained 1859.

Jolın Caldwell, John Little, Jr., ordained 1859.

Nathaniel Littell, Edwin Schuyler, ordained 1879.

Jacob Potter.

Nathaniel Bonnel. William Sears. Moses Miller.

Thomas Baldwin.

Abner Stiles, ordained Jan. 17, 1808.

This completes the list of ruling elders to the pres- ent time. The records of membership have been kept, and many of the families from the first are still represented by name. In May, 1870, a church was formed at Summit called the Central Presbyterian Church, and also again in June, 1870, a church was formed at West Summit, offshoots from this New Providence Church, taking many members with them, weakening the mother-church. Some years before this a church was established at Sterling, iu the Pas- saic Valley, in Morris County. Some few members went with others and formed there a Presbyterian Church.

In November, 1831, and during the labors of the METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- The first Methi- odist preachers in New Providence were upon a circuit called the Elizabethtown, and occasionally preached in this neighborhood, whose ministers be- longed to the Philadelphia Conference, and were the Rev. Robert Cloud, Thomas Morrell, 1787, Gamiel Rev. Mr. Hyndshaw as pastor of this church, the Lord again appeared to revive his people and to build up Zion. The work commenced near the close of a protracted meeting. It was preceded by no very visible tokens of God's presence other than a general solemnity which appeared to pervade the assembly, Bailey, 1790, Robert Hutchison, Joseph Totten,

359

NEW PROVIDENCE.

George Woolsey, in or before the year 1798, when Peter Vannest, David Bartine, Sr., Samuel Budd, Benjamin Iliff occasionally came. Rev. Elon Gie- nung, Stephen Day, and John Hancock, local preachers. These clergymen held meetings from house to house, and not until 1798 was the Meth- odist Church fully established in Turkey (now New Providence). A class of members was formed at the house now owned by a Mr. Beach at West Summit. Mr. William Robertson was the first leader. From this start was established the Turkey Methodist Church, as it was called. The Revs. Lawrence Mc- Comb and Thomas Morrell preached here until, up to the year 1807, Revs. William Smith, Peter Van- nest, and Thomas Morrell preached. It was called the Turkey Circuit, comprised all the Passaic Valley over the Long Hill, and Springfield to the east, and belonged to the Philadelphia Conference. They erected their first church in 1801, nearly opposite to where their new one stands. They were but few in number, and built a plain building about forty by sixty feet, without steeple. It stood nearly on the line of Edgar Samson's property, adjoining the ceme- tery. There many of the shining lights of Methodism preached. Here, where hundreds of the inhabitants attended church, where the right hand of fellowship was given, and around this old church lay the dead, -their fathers and mothers, many of their children. The ground is kept in good order, and we find that great respect is paid to all those who once walked these streets and communed with them in their house- holds, who now lie sleeping their last sleep in this old graveyard. They are revered and esteemed by their surviving children and neighbors.

Mr. George Cory gave the lot for their church and burial-ground, about one acre. This old church was taken down in 1857, and the present beautiful church was completed and occupied through the efforts of the Rev. Abraham M. Palmer and their efficient board of managers. We find at the time the Rev. James K. Shaw, a much-beloved pastor : that they had one hundred and fifty members, a number of local preachers, leaders, and exhorters. We find the fol- lowing record : At a meeting of the Conference in Philadelphia, 1834, New Providence, which formerly was a station, was connected with Springfield, Chat- ham, and Genung Town, and called the New Provi- dence Circuit. Union village was included.

Official members, 1834: Rev. James K. Shaw, pas- tor ; John Hancock, Henry R. Hedges, Stephen Day, local preachers; Jonathan Totten, Ammon Bamans, John Wesley Hancock, exhorters. .

The leaders were Stephen Day, Benjamin Weed, Philemon Dickinson, Aaron F. Ross, John W. Han- cock, Farrand Ward, William M. Kitchell, Alfred Morehouse, Matthias Swain, Thomas Osborn Scudder, David French. The stewards were Enos B. Townley, Stephen Day, Philemon Dickinson, Matthias Swain, Wickliff H. Genung.

The following names have been added to the list since this year (1834) : Stephen Day, Jr., David More- house, John Crane, Benjamin Wood, John Wood, David Wood, Mulford Wilcox, Lewis Noe, William Cory, Henry Wilcox, William Clarke, Daniel H. Wood, William M. Clark, Linus Tucker, Samuel T. Day, Martin Ruckman, Stephen S. Sampson, Gabriel Johnson, 1840; - Griffin, Jeremiah Totten, Moses M. Alward, John Crane, Daniel Magie, John Lacy, Asa Osborn, Thomas Parrott, 1800; Ephraim H. Pain, Waters Burrows, Theodosie Elmer, Robert T. Wilson, Asher W. Morehouse, Enoch Vreeland, 1796; David Morehouse, Jonathan Curtis, George Cory, 1798; Robert Wilson, Levi Wilcox, 1810; Dennis Lundy, Stephen Monro, Abraham Bryant, John V. Allen, Jonathan Totten, 1839; David Curtis, William Titis, George Brown, Jacob Drake, 1836; Cornelius Wil- liamson, David Dow, William Totten, Amos Wilcox, Samuel Wood, David Hand, Abraham Morril Cory, David A. Oakley, James H. Pierson, Squire Parrott, 1852; David Smalley, Charles Pool, Isaac Crane, William R. Cory, John R. Bernett, Theodore K. Wilkes, Rev. William A. Wilmer, 1839-40.

The Rev. Joseph Chattles became pastor in 1844.

Rev. Henry Trumbower, 1850-52. He remained two years, and was followed by Rev. Sedgwick Rus- ling, 1840-41 ; Rev. Isaac Cross, 1849; Rev. Mulford Day, Rev. George Hitchens, 1848; Rev. Isaac N. Felch, 1855; Rev. Daniel Parish, Rev. Abraham H. Palmer, 1857; Rev. Rodney Winans, Rev. Thomas Pierson, 1865; Rev. James Ayres, Rev. J. H. Heward, 1879-80; Rev. Samuel B. Rooney, the present pastor, 1881.

The first Sunday-school in New Providence of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1818, according to statement of Jesse F. Pitts, one of the original members. There are two schools connected with this church at the present, 1881. Rev. Stephen Day and Benjamin Weed were among the first super- intendents. The Secretary, Mr. Apollos, Morrell, Elmer beautifully engrossed the organization rules, by-laws, and membership in 1832. The list is before me, but a few of the names can be given.

John Crane, Daniel S. Clark, Squire Manning, David Wood, Harriet Cory, Jonathan Totten, Jona- than M. Meeker, Stephen Day, Jr., Jesse F. Pitts, Rachel Ayres, Benjamin Weed, Catherine Clayton, A. Doty, William M. Griffen, Rebecca Morehouse, Samuel F. Day, D. S. Wood, Sally Meeker, Levi Clark, Sarah Jackson, Stephen Monroe, Jane Perrine, Thomas Parrott, Amy Elmer, Catherine M. Marsh, D. S. Wood, Levi Wilcox, and others.

ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH .- No very long or detailed history of this church at Stony Hill can be given, as the records do not seem to have been kept from the first commencement of this mission. It appears that in the year 1847 the Rev. Mr. Refferin was called to collect a number of families who desired to have a regular service. This parish embraced all

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

along the First and Second Mountain down to the Passaic Valley ; and, with the occasional visits also of Rev. John Hespelein, this mission was formed Jan. 17, 1848. A lot was purchased and a church built and consecrated. The following list is given by the present clergyman : Rev. Mr. Lonei, 1849; then came Rev. Father Kleineidom, of Forty-third Street Re- demptionist Fathers; in 1852, Rev. Mr. Maunes, and again Rev. J. A. Koenig, when it was formed with the Newark brotherhood, 1858, and was supplied by them until the Rev. Mr. Lonei, in 1874, returned, and remained until Rev. A. Bergmand came, June 11, 1878, and remained until the present incumbent, the Rev. John J. Schandel, who now has under his care some sixty families.

Sons of Temperance .- The charter for the New Providence Division of the Sons of Temperance was granted Sept. 12, 1850, signed by Darius Wells, G. W. P., and H. W. Howell, G. S .; the charter mem- bers, A. M. Cory, M.D., Amos Potter, Philemon Tomp- kins, S. B. Jennings, E. R. Morehouse, W. G. Marsh, William Stites, James D. Clark, William Ayres, Wil- liam M. Day. The institution has never relinquished its charter, and is now thirty years old. Its influence has been felt strongly.

In 1873 two of its members, Dr. A. M. Cory and J. B. Bassenger, Esq., delegated by the citizens, went to the county-seat and secured the abrogation of the customary license, since which time, excepting for a short time by stealth, the entire township has been free from the curse of liquor-selling of any kind by license ; and such has been the cultivation and estab- lishment of public sentiment that the promise of per- petuity of temperance principles is good. The labors of these temperance workers, who have been so faith- ful, have been greatly blessed to the community.

The First Tanner .- John M. Stites was a tanner and currier in New Providence. He was born the 2d of September, 1797. He married his cousin, Jane Bonnel, daughter of Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel the second. She was born the 3d of July, 1795. They bad two children,-William Crane Stites, born Nov. 16, 1829, and Huldalı, born July 24, 1833. He was a worthy citizen, and stood high in the community. He was elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Burial-Grounds .- There are four burial-grounds in the township, the oldest being that of the Presbyterian Church. There are many dates showing that the pio- neers lived to an old age. The oldest stone now stand- ing is that of William Broadwell, who died in his sixty- fourth year, March 11, 1746. Here also is the stone of Gen. Benjamin Ludlow, the grandfather of the present Governor of this State. The general died Samuel Potter, who died July 11, 1802, in his sev- enty-sixth year.

At Feltville is the burial-ground of those inhab- itants who lived upon Peter's Hill and neighborhood, as it was originally called. Many old graves can yet

be seen, although the fences have long since gone to decay, and quite large trees and underbrush cover the grounds. Many who died while Feltville contained a population are buried here. We copy the following epitaph :

" In Memory of Mr John Willcoks he deceas'd Nov emt The 22d 1776 aged 49 years."

He was the son of the first settler, Peter Willcoxsie, who married a Miss Badgley, and from whom the name of Peter's Hill is taken.

The burial-ground of Strong Hill, belonging to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, was consecrated for burial purposes in 1848.

The burial-ground of the Methodist Episcopal Church in New Providence was first opened in the year 1798. This ground is kept in pretty good order, and contains the remains of a large number of the first members of this church with their former pas- tors, and also some of the patriots, officers, and sol- diers at this time of the Revolutionary war. The first church of the denomination stood on the ground at the line of Mr. Sampson and the main road. It was removed in the year 1857, having stood nearly sixty years.

The following stone was erected by John Littell, Esq., to this old soldier, who, however, was no rela- tion to Mr. Littell :

" Ebeneser Littel, died May 9, 1852, aged 88 years, 8 months, and 16 days. He fought manfully the battles of his country, lived many years a constant Christian, and with his expiring breath expressed a strong desire to meet his friends in heaven."

" Rev. Stephen Day. died Aug. 19, 1864, in his 86th year. I shall he satisfied when I awake with thy likeness."

There is no stone to the grave of

" William D. Bedford, one of the heroes of Perry's victory. He died 1874, in his 90th year."

It is said that Mr. Dickerson provided in his will that one thousand dollars should be spent for a mon- ument in his plot. There has been placed a fine Quincy granite carved block, surrounded by a railing, with stone posts, with the words,-

" Dickerson .- Caleb Dickerson, bern May 4, 1773, died Aug. 26, 1844." " Rev. Waters Burroughs, died Jnly 5, 1805, in his 69th year. Ilis son, Rev. Waters Burroughs, died March 4, 1869, in his 79th year. Having | served the church as an acceptable minister of the gospel for half a century."

Powder-Mill .- For many years the making of powder was carried on at the place now known as Feltville (called Peter's Hill, after Peter Willcoxsie, who settled there in 1720). The mill was built in a ravine just by the Green Brook (Blue Brook). The building was burnt but a few years ago. It was standing in 1857. A firm manufactured powder there

Jan. 27, 1817. Here also is the grave of Col. ! in 1812, and also a company (Decatur & Atwater).

Among them was a brother of Col. Decatur. It was a good place for the purpose, and hid from the enemy who were in the valley below the First Mountain, and but a few miles off, in 1780.

Salt Brook is of Revolutionary fame. This brook

NEW PROVIDENCE.

361

passes through the centre of New Providence village, and to the Passaic River through the farm of Mr. Charles Ulrick, and the rear of the residence of Dr. A. M. Cory. It is said from tradition that at the time the British forces lay in camp in the valley below the First Mountain word came that they were to march on to Morristown by or through this village. Salt

had been stored by the inhabitants for their use and the Continental soldiers who were with Gen. Wash- ington at Morristown, and encamped close by towards Washington Valley (now called) in 1780, when all their salt was emptied in this brook, their object being the preventing of its getting in the hands of the British forces.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

MAJ. JOTHAM POTTER.

Samnel Potter, the ancester of the Potter family in this country, came from Wales. Daniel, second child in a family of eight of Samuel Potter, was born in 1692. Daniel 2d, son of Daniel, born 1723, died by accident Oct. 15, 1774. Jacob, fourth child of Daniel 2d, was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. Amos, fifth child and brother of Jacob, married Sarah

his apprenticeship at Chatham, N. J .; followed this business some twenty years ; manufactured principally the old style two-wheeled gigs, which business he left and went to farming at Summit, present site of Sum- mit, owning some two hundred acres. When M. and E. road was surveyed he sold ont and moved to New Providence, on the farm now owned by Amos, his son, then his wife's property (Jotham's). Mr. Potter

yotham Polen

Clark, to whom was born five children. Jotham, the only son and subject of this sketch, was born Oct. 3, 1781, and married, May 6, 1810, to Phebe Pettit, daughter of Capt. Benjamin Pettit; to them were born eight children, viz .: Benjamin Pettit, Betsey Day, Sarah C. and Amos, Ludlow Day, Mehetabel M., Phebe Pettit, and Harriet Newel. Mr. Potter (Jotham) began life as a wheelwright at Summit, N. J., serving

served two terms in the Legislature during Governor Haines' administration, was justice of the peace many years, and gave much of his attention to military affairs, being commissioned as major, which office he held many years, keeping a horse for the express purpose ; was agent of the Chancellor Kent property when owned by Mr. G. H. Van Wagenan for years, lived in house built jnst in front of the old Edgar residence,

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

present property of I. E. Doynig; was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, a Whig, and latterly Re- publican in politics, took an active part, and died Sept. 2, 1861, nearly eighty years of age.

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 87

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