USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of the city of Trenton, New Jersey : embracing a period of nearly two hundred years, commencing in 1676, the first settlement of the town, and extending up to the present time, with official records of the population, extent of the town at different periods, its manufactories, church history, and fire department > Part 25
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March 22d, 1860, the Merchants Bank was chartered, with a capital stock of three hundred thousand dollars, with power to increase the same to five hundred thousand dollars, to be divided into shares of fifty dollars each. The corporators were, George S. Green, Charles Scott, Robert C. Hutchinson, Ralph H. Shreve, Harper Crozer, Henry D. Phillips, Joseph Whittaker, Charles Brearley, Isaac Stephens, Theodore W. Hill, Albert J. Whittaker, Charles Moore, Samuel R. Smith, and Daniel R. Bower. On the 24th of March, 1862, its charter was repealed, and receivers were appointed to settle up the concern.
On the 28th of January, 1864, the First National Bank was chartered. Its capital stock was five hundred thousand dollars. They opened their banking-house in Greene street, in the room
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occupied by the Trenton Savings Bank, and continued there until their new banking-house was erected. The present officers are, Philip P. Dunn, president ; Samuel R. Smith, vice president ; Charles Whitehead, cashier ; directors, Philip P. Dunn, John K. Smith, Samuel R. Smith, Joseph Whitehead, Mahlon Hutch- inson, Elwood Parsons, John S. Comfort, Jacob R. Freese, Joseph McPherson, Hudson S. Ellis, Charles Scott, and Wood- bury D. Holt.
The State Savings Bank was incorporated March 31, 1869. Its officers and managers are, Samuel K. Wilson, president ; Jacob R. Freese, vice president and treasurer ; Harry C. Freese, secretary and cashier ; board of managers, Samuel K. Wilson, Jacob R. Freese, Phillip P. Dunn, Caleb Sager, and Charles Hewitt.
March Ist, 1870, the Mercer County Bank, of Trenton, was incorporated, with a capital stock of two hundred thousand dol- lars, with the privilege of increasing it to five hundred thousand dollars, in shares of fifty dollars each. The corporators were, Alfred S. Livingston, Edward H. Stokes, William R. Titus, Baltes Pickel, Scudder H. Cook, Joseph B. Yard, Alfred Muir- heid, John Taylor and Thomas C. Pearce.
March 17th, 1870, the Peoples Savings Bank was incorpo- rated. The corporators were, Frederick R. Wilkinson, Garret D. W. Vroom, John L. Murphy, Moses D. Naar, Baltes Pickel, Isaac Wood, Joseph MacPherson, Frank S. Katzenbach, Daniel B. Coleman, Henry S. Cox, Joshua S. Day, Alpheus Swayze, Charles Baker, William H. Barton, Alfred Reed, Crowell Marsh, and John W. Scudder. The first annual report rendered to the legislature January 14th, 1871, showed the total deposits received since opening the bank, May 14th, 1869, to be two hundred and nineteen thousand one hundred and nine dollars and fifty-eight cents. Deposits withdrawn, one hundred and thirty-nine thou- sand six hundred and twenty-four dollars and forty-one cents, leaving balance on hand due depositors, seventy-nine thousand four hundred and eighty-five dollars and seventeen cents. Accounts open at that date, five hundred and forty-nine. Amount of interest paid on accounts for year ending January 14th, 1871, two thousand seven hundred and sixty-two dollars and sixty-nine cents.
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The Trenton Insurance Company was incorporated March 2d, 1842. The directors were, James M. Redmond, Jacob Kline, Philemon Dickinson, Thomas J. Stryker, Benjamin Fish, Charles G. Green, Crispin Blackfan, Richard J. Bond, John Whittaker, Isaac Baker, Emley Olden, John B. Mount, James T. Sherman. The capital stock was one hundred thousand dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dollars each.
The Trenton Mutual Life and Fire Insurance Company was incorporated February 5th, 1847. The directors were, Philemon Dickinson, Xenophon J. Maynard, John A. Weart, Jasper S. Scudder, Joseph C. Potts, Jonathan Fisk, and Eli Morris.
The Pacific Mutual Insurance Company was incorporated Feb- ruary 19th, 1851. Its incorporators were John F. Hageman, Xenophon J. Maynard, Philemon Dickinson, and William J. Ing- ham.
The Peoples Fire Insurance Company was incorporated Feb- ruary 25th, 1861. Its incorporators were, Samuel S. Stryker, Imlah Moore, James T. Sherman, Alfred S. Livingston, Charles Scott, William R. McIlvaine, Joseph Whittaker, William W. Norcross, Barker Gummere, Frederick R. Wilkinson, and John R. Tucker. The capital stock was not to exceed two hundred thou- sand dollars, divided into shares of fifty dollars each.
The Capital Insurance Company was chartered April 9th, 1867. The incorporators were, Frederick R. Wilkinson, John Taylor, Charles Bechtel, Benjamin O. Tyler, John O. Raum, James Buchanan, and Daniel Peters. The capital stock was fifty thousand dollars, with power to increase it to one hundred thou- sand dollars, and was divided into shares of fifty dollars each.
The Standard Fire Insurance Company was chartered Feb- ruary 27th, 1868. The incorporators were, John C. Cook, William Boswell, Charles Bechtel, Robert C. Belville, John O. Raum, Benjamin O. Tyler, Daniel Peters, Henry Denison, W. D. Oli- phant. The capital stock was fifty thousand dollars, with power to increase it to one hundred thousand dollars.
The Trenton Fire Insurance Company was incorporated Feb- ruary 26th, 1869. Its corporators were, William H. Potts, Charles Carr, Charles Swan, Henry Speeler, Watson F. Van Camp, Peter C. Onderdonk, Charles B. Van Syckel, John L.
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Murphy, Thomas J. Corson, Theodore W. Hill, Jonathan Cook, Baltes Pickel, and Jacob R. Freese. The capital stock was not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars, divided into shares of fifty dollars each.
The Fire Association of Trenton was incorporated March 30th, 1869. The incorporators were John Taylor, Lewis Parker, Jr., William H. Barton, George Furman, Charles B. Cogill, John O. Raum, Joseph Milburn, Charles Megill, William Johnston, Jr., Abraham Chamberlain, Henry C. Kafer, James S. Kiger, John G. Bigelow, Herbert N. Ryan, Robert Jackson, and William Roberts. The capital stock was fifty thousand dollars, with power to increase it to one hundred thousand dollars.
The Grand Lodge of New Jersey of Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, was instituted by a charter from England, December 18th, 1786, and meets annually in Trenton. The Hon. David Brearly, Esq., chief justice of New Jersey, was elected worshipful master ; Hon. Robert Lettis Hooper, vice president of New Jersey, deputy grand master ; William Leddle, Esq., late high sheriff of Morris county, senior grand warden ; Daniel Marsh, Esq., representative in the assembly of New Jer- sey, junior grand warden; John Noble Cumming, Esq., late colonel in the army of the United States, grand secretary ; Maskell Ewing, Jr., Esq., clerk of the general assembly of New Jersey, deputy grand secretary; Joshua Corshon, Esq., high sheriff of Hunterdon county, grand treasurer. The present officers are, William E. Pine, M. W. grand master, Cresskill, Bergen county ; William W. Goodwin, R. W. D. grand master, Cam- den ; Nathan Haines, R. W. senior grand warden, Burlington ; James V. Bently, R. W. junior grand warden, Morristown ; William R. Clapp, R. W. grand treasurer, Trenton ; Joseph H. Hough, R. W. grand secretary, Trenton ; William D. Ru- tan, R. W. D. grand secretary, Newark ; William Mead, W. grand lecturer, Newark ; Leopold Kiesling, W. grand visitor to German lodges.
Trenton Lodge, No. 5, of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, wis chartered in 1787, and incorporated by an act of the legis- lature in 1826. The persons to whom the act of incorporation was granted were, Thomas L. Woodruff, master ; Charles Bur-
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roughs, senior warden; Zachariah Rossell, junior warden ; John Mershon, secretary, and William Kerwood, treasurer, under the name, style, and title of "The Trustees of Trenton Lodge, No. 5."
A dispensation was granted by the Most Worthy Grand Mas- ter, David Brearly, dated July 4th, 5787, to Aaron Dickinson Woodruff, worthy master; Robert Lettis Hooper, senior war- den, and Thomas Bullman, junior warden; upon which the work was commenced, and progressed until the meeting of the Grand Lodge at New Brunswick, on the 20th of December, in the year of masonry, 5787, when a warrant was duly granted unto Aaron Dickinson Woodruff, W. M .; Thomas Bullman, S. W., and Anthony Reckless, J. W. The present officers are, Henry C. Case, W. M .; John Hunt, S. W .; John G. Box, J. W .; William D. Sinclair, treasurer, and George M. Mitchell, secretary.
Mercer Lodge, No. 50, was chartered January 13th, 1858. The present officers are, Isaac N. Hutchinson, W. M .; Henry J. Nicklin, S. W .; Augustus K. Forman, J. W .; N. D. William- son, treasurer, and H. E. Finch, secretary.
Ashlar Lodge, No. 76, was chartered January 17th, 1866. The present officers are, Thomas S. Stevens, W. M .; Alexander C. Yard, S. W .; Wesley Creveling, J. W .; William R. Clapp, treasurer, and Isaac N. Snyder, secretary.
Column Lodge was instituted April 3d, 1871. The present officers are, James Nicklin, W. M .; Levi J. Bibbins, S. W .; Lewis C. Wooley, J. W .; Samuel Stringer, secretary, and Joseph Stokes, treasurer.
Three-Times-Three Chapter, No. 5, Royal Arch Masons, was chartered June 15th, 1858. The present officers are, Samuel Brackett, M. E. H. P .; Edward L. Campbell, E. K .; James T. Ginnelly, E. S .; John P. Nelson, treasurer, and George M. Mitchell, secretary.
Gebal Council, No. 3, Royal and Select Masters, was char- tered May 29th, 1860. The present officers are, Charles Swem, T. Ill. M .; William Hewitt, D. Ill. M .; Thomas J. Corson, I. C. of W .; John P. Nelson, treasurer, and Joseph H. Hough, recorder.
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Palestine Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar, was char- tered September 11th, 1862. The present officers are, J. W. Pressy, E. C .; George M. Mitchell, Gen .; George N. Packer, C. G .; Rev. Albert U. Stanley, prelate ; John P. Nelson, treas- urer, and Samuel Brackett, recorder.
Mercer Grand Lodge of Perfection, A. S. R., was instituted April 23d, 1863. The present officers are, Thomas J. Corson, T. P. G. M .; John O. Raum, D. P. G. M .; John Woolverton, S. G. W .; Samuel M. Youmans, J. G. W .; William D. Sinclair, G. O .; William R. Clapp, G. treasurer, and Joseph H. Hough, G. S. and K. S. and A.
Mercer Council, Princes of Jerusalem, was instituted May 19th, 1864. The officers are, William R. Clapp, M. E. S. P. G. M .; David Naar, G. H. P. S. D .; W. T. Nicholson, M. E. S. G. W .; John F. Houdayer, M. E. J. G. W .; Joseph H. Hough, V. G. S., K. of S. and A .; John O. Raum, V. G. T .; Charles Bechtel, V. G. M. of C .; Thomas Booth, V. G. M. of E .; Amos Howell, G. tyler.
Trenton Chapter, Rose Croix, was instituted April 17th, 1868. The present officers are, Charles Bechtel M. W. and P. M .; William T. Nicholson, M. E. and P. K. S. W .; William R. Clapp, M. E. and P. K. J. W .; Thomas J. Corson, M. E. and P. K. G. O .; John O. Raum, R. and P. K. G. T .; Joseph H. Hough, R. and P. K. G. S .; Amos Howell, R. and P. K. H .; John. P. Nelson, R. and P. K. M. of C .; William Hewitt, R. and P. K. C. of G.
The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, of the state of New Jersey, was organized December 30th, 1856.
The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar was organized in 1859.
The Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters was organ- ized November 26th, 1860, and the Grand Council of the Order of High Priesthood was organized September 11th, 1861. These are the grand bodies of the state, and meet here annually.
The Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted in the old Masonic Hall, in Front street, on the 3d of August, 1833, by Thomas Wildey, the founder of the order in this country, and at that time the grand sire of the Grand Lodge of the United States, having held the position
HISTORY OF TRENTON. 285
thirteen years, assisted by Rev. John Pearce, of Pennsylvania, afterwards deputy grand sire, and Howell Hopkins, of Penn- sylvania, afterwards grand sire. The present officers are, George W. Hubbard, grand master; Benjamin T. Bright, D. G. M .; Charles Ellis, G. W .; John O. Raum, G. S .; Joseph L. Lamb, G. T .; Dickinson Moore, G. Chap .; John Dunham, G. marshal ; E. E. Protzinan, G. C .; Aaron W. Cattell, G. G., and Amos Howell, G. H.
Trenton Lodge, No 3, was instituted August 3d, 1833. The present officers are, Charles W. Street, N. G .; Charles Y. Bam- ford, V. G .; George E. Wallington, secretary, and Joshua Jef- feries, treasurer.
Concordia Lodge, No. 4, was instituted December 17th, 1833. The present officers are, Samuel T. Bellerjeau, N. G .; Robert Leaver, V. G .; John O. Raum, recording secretary ; William N. Nutt, permanent secretary, and John H. Choyce, treasurer.
Mercer Lodge, No. 34, was instituted February 5th, 1846, but is now defunct.
South Trenton Lodge, No. 36, was instituted February 5th, 1846. The present officers are, Jacob Kugler, N. G .; Joseph R. Sweeney, V. G .; Robert W. Mull, recording secretary ; James H. Hammond, permanent secretary, and John Crawford, treasurer.
Schiller Lodge, No. 80, was instituted August 3d, 1848. The present officers are, Charles W. Kruger, N. G .; George F. Glauner, V. G .; Bernhard Schnell, recording secretary ; Chris- tian Janter, permanent secretary ; Martin Spiegel, treasurer.
Cherusker Lodge, No. 151, was instituted in 1870. Its present officers are, Fred. Landoldt, N. G .; Michael Gaiser, V. G .; Christian Smith, secretary ; F. H. Enderbrok, treasurer.
Fred. D. Stuart Lodge, No. 154, was instituted December 19th, 1870. The present officers are, Alexander C. Yard, N. G .; John W. Barber, V. G .; James S. Kiger, secretary ; Richard R. Rogers, treasurer.
The Grand Encampment, I. O. O. F., of New Jersey, was instituted by John H. Kennedy, grand sire, September 19th, 1843. The present officers are, John W. Matlack, G. P .; Augustus S. Clark, G. H. P .; John H. Vinson, G. S. W .; John O. Raum,
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grand scribe; David Campbell, grand treasurer ; H. H. De Grofft, G. J. W. ; William Heisler, G. S .; Amos Howell, D. G. S.
Trenton Encampment, No. 2, was instituted October 2d, 1837. The present officers are, William E. Branin, C. P .; William Roberts, H. P .; Robert Leaver, S. W .; Walter P. Wells, scribe ; Lewis H. Brown, treasurer ; Henry McCulla, J. W., and Amos Howell, sentinel.
Olive Branch Encampment, No. 4, was instituted September 15th, 1841, but is now defunct.
South Trenton Encampment, No. 40, was instituted April 6th, 1869. The present officers are, Frank P. Ferry, C. P .; Joseph R. Sweeney, H. P .; Enoch W. Case, scribe, and John Craw- ford, treasurer.
Schiller Eneampment, No. 44, was instituted, January 14th, 1870. The present officers are, Martin Miller, C. P. ; John Melcher, H. P .; Richard Miller, scribe; John Rochel, treasu- rer. Besides these connected with the Odd Fellows, are Mercer Degree Lodge, No. 3, and Concordia Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 4.
Trenton is well supplied with secret benevolent societies of almost every description.
In addition to those above enumerated, we have two lodges of Knights of Pythias-Spartacus, No. 10, and Trenton, not yet numbered.
Improved Order of Red Men-Moax Tribe, No. 5; Red Cloud Tribe, No. 19, and Assanpink Degree Council, No. I.
Independent Order of Red Men-Delaware Tribe, No. 84, and Assanpink Encampment, No. 16.
Order of United American Mechanics-Trenton Council, No. 18, and Union Council, No. 22.
Temperance-Excelsior Division, No. 4; Mercer, No. 10; Chambersburg, No. 40; Trenton, No. 44; Emancipator, No. 104; Seventh Ward, No. 146. Good Templars-Banner Lodge, No. 37 ; Napoleon, No. 106; Crystal Fount, Temple of Honor, No. 3; Crystal Fount, Social Temple, No. 2.
In funeral societies there are the Odd Fellows Funeral Aid As- sociation, Temperance Funeral Aid Association, and Mercer Mutual Burial Society.
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There are also, among the ladies, Daughters of the Forest, Sons and Daughters of Liberty, and Lady Masons.
Among the Germans they have a society called the Seven Wise Men, and another called Harrigarri.
A few years ago a society was started here called Sons of Malta. This society was a secret one, and started with two objects in view-fun and charity. It was, however, but short- lived, as the ridiculous part of their ceremony was carried to such extremes, that the respectable portion of the community who were inveigled into it soon became disgusted with it, and in a short time the society ceased to exist.
In 1840, during the Harrison campaign, the whole country became drunk on hard cider, and in 1841, a temperance society was started, called the Washingtonians.
Their mode of operation .was to seek out the drunkard and reform him, and make a missionary of him for the reformation of other drunkards, and great good was accomplished among this class.
During the summer months they held out-door meetings- sometimes in front of hotels-and by this means they could reach the very class they were laboring to reform.
It was from this society that the different secret temperance associations were formed.
They started to accomplish their work by moral suasion, and as long as they stuck to that principle, much good was accom- plished. But after a time an effort was made to bring it into the political arena, and to invoke the laws to put down the liquor traffic, since which time they have accomplished but little good.
Bayard Post, No. 8, G. A. R., an association composed of honorably discharged soldiers and sailors of the late war, was duly instituted October 31st, 1867, by General Edward Jardine, then provisional commander of the department of New Jersey, by virtue of authority invested in him by said department. The objects of said association are charity, and mutual relief toward each other in sickness and affliction, as well as continuing those kind and fraternal feelings characteristic of the association while together as soldiers and sailors during the late rebellion.
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The petitioners for the post were, James S. Kiger, Francis C. Roberson, William W. L. Phillips, John W. Brown, James H. Comings, Gabriel Ten Brock, Abram G. Staats, Edward M. An- derson, John H. Allen, Edgar Whitaker.
No organization has higher or more praiseworthy objects than the G. A. R. What stronger friendship than that of the march, the battle-field, and camp fire ; what more charitable object than suffering brother soldiers, or the soldiers' widows and orphans in distress, and what more patriotic purpose than to perpetuate the memory of the heroic dead who fell in a spirit of devotion for their country, and what is better calculated to preserve a spirit of loyalty and patriotic devotion in the present than to remem- ber the sacrifices of the past ?
In 1856, a loan association was started for the purpose of encouraging mechanics, laboring men, and others to save their money, and eventually secure themselves a home.
This association expired in due time, and those who had bor- rowed money, and given mortgages to secure the same, found themselves not only in possession of a home, but the mortgage held by the association was canceled, and by small savings and through investing the same in this way, they were materially aided by the association in paying for their homes.
On the 10th of January, 1854, the Mechanics Mutual Loan Association was started, under the general laws of the state.
This association is divided into four classes. The officers are, Charles B. Vansyckel, president; Peter W. Crozer, secretary ; Urial T. Scudder, treasurer ; E. Mercer Shreve, solicitor.
The Mercer Mutual Loan Association, was started February Ioth, 1854. This association is divided into five classes. The officers are, William S. Hutchinson, president ; Peter W. Crozer, secretary ; Joseph T. Welling, treasurer ; Wesley Creveling, solicitor.
East Trenton Loan and Building Association-Joseph C. Mayer, president ; John Cahill, vice president ; Woodbury D. Holt, sec- retary ; Joshua Jones, treasurer.
East Trenton Land Asssociation-Joshua Jones, president ; John Cahill, vice president; William S. Middleton, secretary
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and treasurer ; Joseph C. Mayer, superintendent ; Edward T. Green, solicitor.
Morrisville Grove and Land Improvement Association-Joseph Stokes, president ; Robert Bassett, vice president ; Peter Dehee, treasurer ; Woodbury D. Holt, solicitor.
The Trenton Typographical Union, No. 71, was organized March 4th, 1864. The charter members were, Chas. W. Alcott, Thomas Ustick Baker, John Briest, John M. Hough, William P. Leigh, John D. McCormick, A. McGalliard. P. Preston Packer, and Charles B. Yard, who received a charter from the Interna- tional Typographical Union of North America, under whose jurisdiction the Trenton Union still works. The society is com- posed of journeymen printers of the city, and is devoted to the maintenance of a fair rate of wages, the encouragement of good workmen, and to the promotion of the interests of the craft in general. The meetings are held on the first Saturday evening of each month, and the annual election of officers takes place in March. The present officers are, Manuel Kline, president ; Matthew S. Austin, vice president ; Bishop W. Mains, financial secretary and treasurer ; David Seary, corresponding and record- ing secretary ; Charles Briest, sergeant-at-arms ; Benjamin C. Laning, Henry C. Buchanan, Peter Howell, P. Preston Packer; B. Franklin Krier, and R. Fenton Ward, business committee ; Henry Houghtaling, delegate to International Typographical. Union.
2 B
CHAPTER XVII.
Meeting of Congress at Trenton-Visit of Lafayette-Congres- sional Buildings on the Delaware-Robbery of the State Trea- sury-Professor D' Ossiere-Contraband Goods Seized-First Almanac-Court of Admiralty-Judge Trent's Plantation- Stage Boats-Dialogue Between Satan and Arnold-United States National Bank-Ferries-Isaac Collins' Quarto Bible- Church Lottery-Sand-Bar.
O N the Ist of November, 1784, the congress of the United States met at Trenton. All the states were represented except Maryland. New Jersey was represented by Hon. Wil- liam Churchill Houston and John Beatty. Richard Henry Lee, who was said to be the gentleman who originally made the mo- tion in congress for declaring the states of America independent, in the year 1776, was chosen president. The Hon. Samuel Dick and Charles Stewart, members of this state, arrived the next day after the assembling.
The Marquis de Lafayette arrived here from the south on Thursday, the 10th of December, 1784, and visited the congress of the United States, then in session, on the IIth.
The following proceedings were had in that body :
" The committee to whom was referred a letter of the 6th from the Marquis de Lafayette report, that in the opinion of the committee, the merit and services of the marquis render it proper that such an opportunity of taking leave of congress be afforded him, as may strongly manifest their esteem and regard for him ; whereupon,
" Resolved, That a committee, to consist of one member from
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each state, be appointed to receive the marquis, and, in the name of congress, to take leave of him; that they be instructed to assure him that congress continue to entertain the same high sense of his abilities and zeal to promote the welfare of America, both here and in Europe, which they have frequently expressed and manifested on former occasions, and which the recent marks of his attention to their commercial and other interests have perfectly confirmed ; that as his uniform and unceasing attach- ment to this country has resembled that of a patriotic citizen, the United States regard him with particular affection, and will not cease to feel an interest in whatever may concern his honor and prosperity, and that their best and kindest wishes will always attend him.
" Resolved, That a letter be written to his most Christian ma- jesty, to be signed by his excellency the president, expressive of the high sense which the United States, in congress assembled, entertain of the zeal, talents, and meritorious services of the Marquis de Lafayette, and recommending him to the favor and patronage of his majesty.
" DECEMBER 13th, 1784."
Mr. Jay, chairman of the committee consisting of a member. from each state, appointed to receive and take leave of the Mar- quis de Lafayette, reported, that on the IIth instant they re- ceived the marquis in the congress chamber and took leave of him, agreeably to the instructions given them on that subject ; that they communicated to him the purport of the resolutions of the 9th, and that he thereupon made the following answer :
"SIR: While it pleases the United States in congress, so kindly to receive me, I want words to express the feelings of a heart which delights in their present situation, and the bestowed marks of their esteem.
"Since I joined the standard of liberty to this wished-for hour of my personal congratulations, I have seen such glorious deeds performed and virtues displayed by the sons of America, that in the instant of my first concern for them, I had anticipated but a part of the love and regard which devote me to this rising empire.
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