Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume I, Part 25

Author: Ogden, Mary Depue
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Newark, N.J. : Memorial History Company
Number of Pages: 980


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tenant-colonel. He commenced the prac- tice of law in 1782 in Albany, but after a short sojourn in that city removed to New York. He took a prominent part in politi- cal matters, and in 1791 he was elected by the Legislature of his adopted State a Senator of the United States, and served in that body until the expiration of his term in 1797, and was a prominent member of the Democratic party. In 1800 he and Jef- ferson each had seventy-three votes in the Electoral College for the presidency. There being no choice, the election for President


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devolved upon the House of Representa- tives, according to the Constitution. After thirty-five ineffectual trials, Thomas Jef- ferson was elected on the thirty-sixth ballot, when Colonel Burr was chosen Vice-Presi- dent. During his term occurred the lamenta- ble controversy with Alexander Hamilton, the challenge and the duel, when the latter fell, mortally wounded by the hand of the Vice-President. After the expiration of his term he was charged with meditating the founding of a new empire in the southwest. He journeyed to the west, and having forni- ed an intimacy with the wife of Harman Blennerhasset, of Blennerhasset's Island, in the Ohio river, endeavored to seek his co-operation through the influence of Mrs. Blennerhasset. The great scheme failed, and Blennerhasset, who was a man of great wealth, was totally ruined, he having made liberal advance of money to promote the matter. Colonel Burr was arrested for treason and brought to trial at Richmond, Virginia, and was acquitted, as no overt act could be proved. For the remainder of his life he resided chiefly in New York. He died at Staten Island, New York, Septem- ber 14, 1836.


WRIGHT, William,


Pioneer Manufacturer, U. S. Senator.


Hon. William Wright, son of Dr. Wil- liam Wright, a prominent physician and citizen of Rockland county, New York, and descended from early settlers of Connecti- cut, was born in Rockland county, New York, in 1791. He was at school in Pough- keepsie, preparing for college, when the death of his father deprived him of means of support and compelled him to abandon his intended collegiate course. Learning the trade of harness making, he not only sup- ported himself during the term of his ap- prenticeship, but succeeded in saving from his scant wages three hundred dollars, a fund that he applied upon attaining his ma- jority, to hiring and stocking a small shop


in Bridgeport, New Jersey. Here, while working with the energy and industry that characterized his entire career in business and in public life, he continued his inter- rupted studies ; but the ground that he had lost could never be entirely regained, and his education was derived less from books than from men and affairs. Entering into a partnership with his father-in-law. Wil- liam Peet, and Sheldon Smith, he founded a firm for the manufacture of harness and saddles, establishing at the same time a branch house at Charleston, South Carolina. In 1821 the northern manufactory was transferred to Newark, New Jersey-then coming into prominence as a manufacturing town-and during the ensuing thirty-three years his business steadily increased, until it became one of the most important of its kind in the country. In 1854, having by untiring energy and well directed commer- cial talent amassed a large fortune, he re- tired from active business life. He took no part in public affairs (unless his services as a volunteer for the defence of Stonington, in the War of 1812, can be held to come under this head) until 1840, when he was elected without opposition, mayor of New- ark. At that time he was a pronounced member of the Whig party, and was an earnest supporter of Henry Clay.


In 1842 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives as an independent candidate, defeating the regular Whig and Democratic nominees, and in 1844 he was . re-elected from the same district. In 1851 he abandoned the Whig and entered the Democratic party, and in 1853, as a Demo- cratic candidate, was elected a member of the United States Senate for a full term, succeeding the Hon. J. W. Miller. Appoint- ed chairman of the Senate Committee on Manufactures, his extensive practical knowl- edge and sound common sense gave weight and point to his utterances ; and while he was never prominent in debate, his coun- sels in committee were always listened to with attention and were very generally fol-


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lowed. On the committee to audit and con- trol the expenses of the Senate, his services, while less eminent in degree, were no less eminent in kind. Upon the expiration of his term in 1859, he was succeeded by the Hon. John C. Ten Eyck; but in 1863 he was again put in nomination by the Democratic party, and was again elected. During that portion of his second term which he was enabled to serve, he displayed the same qualities that had made him so useful when first in of- fice, but at the end of two years failing health disabled him from close attention to his senatorial duties, and for the last twelve months of his life his attendance upon the sessions of Congress was necessarily irregu- lar. He died at his home in Newark, No- vember 1, 1866.


MONTGOMERY, John B.,


Distinguished Naval Officer.


Rear-Admiral John B. Montgomery, of the United States Navy, was born at Allen- town, New Jersey, November 17, 1794, and was appointed from that State, June 4, 1812, receiving at that date a midshipman's war- rant. Early in September of the same year he reported at Sackett's Harbor for duty in the squadron on Lake Ontario, and served successively on board the "Hamilton" and flagships "Madison" and "General Pike." He participated in the naval attack on Kingston, Upper Canada, November 10, 1812, and also in the capture of Little York (now Toronto), April 27, 1813, and of Fort George and Newark on the 27th of the following month. In conjunction with seven other officers and one hundred sailors he volunteered for service on Lake Erie, August 4, 1813, and joined the United States brig "Niagara," Captain Elliott, and took part in the general naval action of September 10, which resulted in the capture of the British fleet. For this service he received a sword and the thanks of Con- gress awarded to the officers of his grade. He was present during the blockade and


subsequent attack on Mackinaw (Lake Huron) in August, 1814, and also during the same month at the destruction of a block-house and gun-brig on the British side of the lake. During the last siege of Fort Erie the "Niagara" was employed in protecting communication between the fort and the United States hospitals at Buffalo, and the transportation of troops between the two shores of the lake during the months of September and October. He continued on board that vessel until the close of the war, and returned to New York late in February, 1815, in time to witness the general illumination in celebration of peace. Early in the following month of March, the United States being at war with Algiers. he was ordered to the sloop-of-war "On- tario," at Baltimore, then under the com- mand of Captain Jesse Duncan Elliott, and sailed with the first squadron under Com- modore Decatur, May 15, 1815, for the Mediterranean. He participated in the cap- ture of an Algerine frigate and a man-of- war brig in June, and in the blockade of Algiers to the close of the war in July, 1815. He continued to serve on board the "Ontario" and frigate "United States" in the Mediterranean until 1817, when he re- turned to the United States in the store- ship "Alert," and in August of the same year was ordered to the sloop-of-war "Hor- net," then preparing for sea at New York. In February, 1818, he was transferred to the sloop-of-war "Cyane," and shortly af- terwards promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He cruised in the "Cyane" under Captain Trenchard, on the coast of Africa, returning to the United States in 1820, and almost im- mediately afterwards was ordered to the sloop-of-war "Erie" at New York. He served on that vessel under Captain Deacon until her return from a three-years' cruise in the Mediterranean in November, 1826. After a furlough of some eighteen months he was placed in 1828 on recruiting ser- vice, in which he was engaged during that and the following year. In 1830 he was


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ordered to the West Indies as executive officer of the sloop-of-war "Peacock," Cap- tain McCall. He was subsequently trans- ierred to the flag-ship "Erie," and at a later period commanded that ship on a cruise along the coast of Mexico. In July, 1831, he was relieved from the command of the "Erie" by Captain Clark, and ordered to the flag-ship "Natchez," and returned in her to Norfolk, Virginia, towards the close of August, 1831, when he was detached on leave. From January, 1833, until February, 1835, he was engaged in recruiting service in Philadelphia and New York, when he received orders to join the frigate "Con- stitution" at Boston, as executive officer, Captain Elliott being in command. This vessel sailed March 2, 1835, for New York, and thence on the 15th of the same month proceeded to Havre, France, to convey Mr. Livingston, the United States Minister, and family to the United States. He returned on the frigate in July and was detached on leave. In March, 1837, he was ordered to the command of the receiving ship "Colum- bus," seventy-four. at Boston, and was de- tached therefrom in May, 1839, and on the 9th of December following, promoted to the rank of commander. In May, 1841, he was ordered to the recruiting rendezvous in Boston, where he continued until Febru- ary, 1844, when he was detached on leave. In October of the same year he was ordered to the command of the sloop-of-war "Ports- mouth," at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and sailed in her for Norfolk, Virginia, on the 9th of December. From the latter port he put to sea in January, 1845, bound to the Pacific Ocean, where he continued until near the close of the war with Mexico, returning with the ship to Boston in May, 1848. when he was detached on leave. During this cruise of the "Portsmouth," of three years and seven months duration, the officers and crew under command of Commodore Mont- gomery took possession of and permanently established the authority of the United States at San Francisco, Sonoma, New Hel-


vetia, and Santa Clara, Upper California. They also maintained a blockade of Mazat- lan, Mexico, for some months; and in March and April, 1847, took possession of and hoisted the first United States flags at San Jose, Cape St. Lucas and La Paz, in Lower California, which ports were held un- til relinquished at the close of the war. In October, 1847, in company with the frigate "Congress," Captain Lavallette, he bom- barded and captured the fortified town and port of Guaymas, on the Gulf of California. In April, 1849, he was ordered as executive officer to the Navy Yard, Washington, from which he was relieved November 1, 1851, and placed on leave. He was commission- ed captain January 6, 1853. In April, 1857, he was ordered to the command of the new steam frigate "Roanoke," at Norfolk, Vir- ginia, and sailed thence to Aspinwall, re- turning in August of that year to New York with two hundred and fifty of the deluded followers of General Walker, who had pro- posed to liberate Cuba. In the following month he was ordered to Washington as a member of one of the courts of inquiry on retired officers. In January, 1858, the court was dissolved, when he was placed on leave. In April, 1859, he was ordered to the com- mand of the Pacific Squadron, and to hoist his flag on the steam corvette "Lancaster," at Philadelphia. He was relieved from this command by Commodore Charles H. Bell, in January, 1862, and arrived in New York on the IIth of the same month and placed on waiting orders (retired list). In the following month of May he was ordered to command the Navy Yard, Boston, and was transferred to the Navy Yard, Wash- ington, December 31, 1863. He remained at the Capital until October 13, 1865, when he was placed on waiting orders. On July 10, 1866, he was ordered to the command of the naval station at Sackett's Harbor. from which he was relieved September I. 1869, and again placed on waiting orders. His last service was, it will be seen. in command of the station where he first made


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his entree upon his profession, fifty-seven iron, and of the shape suggesting its name. years previous. He was promoted to the "It was more than eleven times its breadth ranks of commodore and rear-admiral (re- tired list), and passed the remainder of his days at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where died March 25, 1873.


WINANS, Ross,


Distinguished Inventor.


Ross Winans was born in Vernon, New Jersey, in October, 1796. Of his youth nothing is known, beyond the fact that he became a farmer and foreshadowed his future by looking beyond the crude farm implements of his day, and making a plow of a new pattern. From this time on. he devoted himself to the study of mechanism, giving particular attention to that pertain- ing to railroads. He invented the friction wheel for cars, and the outside bearings on axles, now used altogether by the rail- ways of America, and to some degree abroad. The eight-wheel railroad car was also one of his products. In 1830 he went to Baltimore, Maryland, where he attract- ed the admiring attention of officials of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, who gave him a commission to visit England to investigate and report upon the railway system of that country, and his stay there for a year proved of great importance not only to his employers, but to the railway interests throughout the nation. He plan- ned and constructed the first locomotive engine which was successfully used on tife Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and invented the pattern of engine known as the "camel- back." He organized the great railway mechine shops of Baltimore, the largest in the country, and with the assistance of his sons managed them with entire success. In 1843 he was invited by the Russian government to build the rolling stock for the Moscow & Petersburg railroad, but de- clined in favor of his sons. In 1858 he and his son Thomas constructed the first so-called "cigar steamer"-built wholly of


of beam, being one hundred and eighty fee: long and sixteen feet broad. Others were built in England by his son, but the pro- ject was not successful. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Winans sympathized warmly with the South in its effort to set up a new government, and was for a time a govern- ment prisoner in Fort McHenry. In 1861 he represented Baltimore in an extra se -- sion of the Maryland Legislature. He made for the press a number of selections from the works of eminent writers on scientific topics, and he himself published a number of pamphlets on religious subjects. His two sons, Thomas DeKay and William L. Winans, inherited his mechanical and inventive genius. He died in Baltimore, April II, 1877.


HERBERT, Henry William,


(Frank Forester), Author.


Henry William Herbert was born in London, England, April 3, 1807, son of the Rev. William Herbert, a cousin of the Earl of Carnarvon. He was graduated from Cambridge in 1830, an honor man. He be- came impoverished through the dishonesty of a trustee, and emigrated to America, where he taught in private schools in New York and vicinity. 1831-40. He also en- gaged in literary pursuits, but found little market for his productions. This induced him to establish the "American . Monthly Magazine," of which Charles Fenno Hoff- man subsequently became editor. He was deterred from studying law, as he was not willing to renounce his allegiance to Eng- land. He wrote numerous papers on sport- ing under the pen-name "Frank Forester." He made his home at "The Cedars." on the Passaic river, near Belleville. New Jersey. His wife died in 1846 and he lived alone. surrounded by his dogs, for many years. In 1858 he was married a second time, and after three months his wife, having heard


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reports of his former dissipations, sought a divorce. On learning this Herbert in- vited his literary companions to a feast in his rooms in New York City. Only one, David W. Judd, accepted, and in his pres- ence Herbert, standing before a mirror, suddenly shot himself in the heart.


His more successful books include these titles : Novels-"Cromwell" ( 1837) ; "Mar- maduke Wyvil (1843) ; "The Roman Traitor" (1846) ; "The Puritans of New England" (1853); "Sherwood Forest" (1855) ; historical-"The Captains of the Old World" (1851) ; "The Cavaliers of England" and "The Knights of England" (1852); "The Cavaliers of France" (1853); "Persons and Pictures from French and English History" and "The Captains of the Great Roman Republic" (1854) ; "Memoirs of Henry VIII, and his Six Wives" (1855) ; sports-"The Field Sports of the United States and British America of North America (1843) ; "The Deer Stalkers" (1845) ; "Warwick Wood- lands" and "My Shooting Box" (1846) ; "Fish and Fishing of the United States and British Provinces" ( 1849) ; "Frank Forest- er and His Friends" (1849) ; "Complete Manual for Young Sportsmen" (1852) ; "American Game in its Season" (1853) ; "Horses and Horsemanship in North Amer- ica" (1857). See "Frank Forester's Life and Writings," by Colonel Thomas Picton (1881). He died in New York City, May 17, 1858.


MURRAY, Rev. Nicholas,


Clergyman, Author.


The Rev. Nicholas Murray was born December 25, 1802, at Ballynaskea. Coun- ty Westmeath, Ireland, son of Nicholas and Judith (Mangum) Murray. His father was a farmer of some property, and ex- erted considerable influence in the civil af- fairs of the neighborhood in which he lived ; he died in 1806.


Nicholas Murray remained at home un-


der the care of his mother until he was about nine years old, when he went to re- side with his mother's sister, some ten or more miles distant, where he went to school until he reached the age of twelve. He was then apprenticed as a clerk in a store in Gran- narth, near Edgeworthtown. He was badly used by his employer, but he bore it brave- ly for three years, and returned to his moth- er's house. But she disapproved of this step, and urged him to return to the service of his master. He refused, and chose to emigrate to America, telling his brother that he would relinquish all right to any prop- erty that he might inherit from his father's estate if he would give him the necessary means to convey him to the United States. His brother gave him assistance, and he bade farewell to his native land. His par- ents were of the Roman Catholic faith ; he had been baptized and duly confirmed, and had conformed to the entire discipline of that church, never doubting the religion in which he had been reared. In July, 1818, he arrived in New York, his entire fortune amounting to about twelve dollars. After finding lodgings, he visited store after store affirming his perfect willingness to work, and resolution to do anything that was hon- est in order to support himself. Among others, he called on the Harper Brothers, who were then in the printing business in Pearl street. They listened to his story, and accepted him as an apprentice ; moreover, he became an inmate of the family of one of the firm, where he associated with young men of his own age who had been religious- ly educated, and the influences which sur- rounded him were favorable to his moral improvement. His education and associa- tions in Ireland had not fitted him to fill any position that required culture; but he was ready for any task that he could per- form. He labored earnestly and steadily both at the press and at other employment in the printing department, and so faitlı- fully that he won the respect of all with whom he came in contact. The firm of J. &


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J. Harper was then composed of two brothers, James and John. Their two younger brothers, Wesley and Fletcher, who subsequently became members of the firm of Harper & Brothers, were then working at the business side by side with Murray, and were also his companions by night, occupying the same room with him in their mother's house. He continued in this family until the autumn of 1820, when he became a boarder in Mr. Kirk's house, in Liberty street, still continuing in the em- ploy of the Harpers. He there formed an intimacy with some young men, theological students chiefly, one of whom, afterwards known as Rev. J. B. Steele, of the Reform- ed Dutch Church, proposed to teach him the Latin language. To this young Murray assented, and he made such rapid progress that at the end of six months he was not only able to translate "Virgil," but also pos- sessed some knowledge of the Greek gram- mar.


In the meantime, his religious training had not been neglected. He had first aban- doned the church of his fathers, and was lapsing into infidelity, when he was brought under the influence of the Methodists. Af- ter being a probationary member for a time, he became an attendant upon the ministra- tions of the Presbyterian church, and final- ly joined that communion. In the winter of 1820-1821 lie determined to prepare him- self for the work of the gospel ministry, and at that time came under the notice of the Rev. Dr. Alexander Proudfit, of Salem, Washington county, New York, who en- couraged him in the views he now enter- tained ; and, by means of funds provided by several Lenevolent persons connected with the Brick church in New York, he was en- abled to prosecute his studies in that di- rection, having previously connected him- self with that congregation, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Dr. Spring. Now that the way was open, he entered upon his studies with greater avidity than before; for, while he was earnestly seeking the as-


sistance necessary for his support while prosecuting his studies, he had neglected no opportunities of self-culture, but steadily im- proved every leisure hour. His associate: included many who became distinguished. His services were highly prized by the Har- pers, yet when he asked their advice as to his future, they cheerfully released him. In 1821 he entered Amherst ( Massachusetts ) Academy, prepared for college under Ger- ard Halleck, and the next year entered the college. In his sophomore year he was In- dependence Day orator, and his address showed how thoroughly Americanized he was. He graduated with honor in 1826, and that year took an agency for the Ameri- can Tract Society, visiting many cities in its behalf. He then entered the Theological Seminary at Princeton, continuing his ser- vice with the Tract Society and organizing an auxiliary society in Philadelphia. In 1829 he completed his theological studies, was licensed to preach by the Philadelphia Presbytery, and delivered his first sermon in the old Pine Street Church in that city. After a three weeks' engagement in Norris- town, Pennsylvania, he held a two months' mission service in Wilkes-Barre, then be- coming pastor of the Presbyterian churches in that city and Kingston. He declined numerous calls from the American Tract Society and the Presbyterian Board of Edu- cation, and in 1833 accepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth- town, New Jersey, succeeding Rev. John McDowell, and there remained nearly twenty-eight years. during all this time de- clining numerous calls from important churches all over the country. From 1830 to 1860 he was a member of the New Jer- sey Synod, and was present at every meet- ing.


In 1849 he was moderator of the Gen- eral Assembly. He was not only "a faith- ful, laborious painstaking presbyter and an earnest though not an eloquent preacher." and "a dignified, learned and catholic-spirit- ed man." but he was a noted lecturer, and


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traveled extensively delivering addresses upon education and kindred topics. He sug- gested the meeting which gave birth to the New Jersey Historical Society, and he aid- ed in establishing the Lyceum and Orphan Society in his city. Twice he visited his native land, and also made an extended tour of Europe.


As an essayist, annalist and controver- · sialist, he displayed marked gifts. His let- ters addressed to the Roman Catholic Bishop Hughes over the signature "Kir- wan," in 1847, created a great sensation throughout the whole country; when com- pleted, over one hundred thousand copies in book form were sold, besides a German edition. He wrote a second series of let- ters, to which Bishop Hughes replied in a series of six answers, and Dr. Murray clos- ed the controversy with a single letter. However, he afterwards wrote a series ad- dressed to Chief Justice Taney, containing the result of his observations while in Rome, and which were published in a vol- ume entitled "Romanism at Home." He also published "Parish and Other Pencil- lings," "Men and Things as I saw them in Europe," "The Happy Home," and "Preachers and Preaching." In 1861 a volume was issued after his death, con- taining sermons he had never delivered, and discourses on "The Unseen and Eternal," under the title, "A Dying Legacy to the People of my Beloved Charge." He was liberal toward all who called themselves Christians, and especially to those of the faith from which he had separated in youth. He was a contributor to the building of a Catholic church in Elizabeth, and, in reply to remonstrances by some of his people, said that he desired to show his kindly feel- ing towards those whose faith he opposed. He died in Elizabeth, February 4, 1861.




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