USA > New Jersey > Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 49
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TALBOT, John, Colonial Missionary.
The Rev. John Talbot, an early mission- ary of the Church of England, was possi- bly the first bishop in America, though he never exercised episcopal functions. He was born in 1645, at Wymondham, Nor- folk, England. He entered Christ's Col- lege, Cambridge, in 1660, and was a fellow of Porterhouse in 1664. In 1695 he was rector of Freethorne, Gloucestershire. In 1702 he was chaplain on the "Centurion," and on the voyage met with Keith and Gor- don, the first missionaries sent to America by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and their intimacy led him to join them in their labors, as an employed member of the society.
He founded St. Mary's Church, at Bur-
lington, New Jersey, and of which he had charge from 1704 to 1722. He was in Eng- land about two years (1720-22), and obtain- ed the income and accumulated interest of a legacy left by Archbishop Tenison, but in 1724 payment was suspended on a charge of disloyalty preferred against Talbot. While in England, he exerted himself stren- uously for the appointment of a bishop in America. It was generally believed that he received consecration secretly at the hands of two nonjuring bishops. He did not exercise episcopal functions, as any such attempt would have brought upon him rep- robation by both the ecclesiastical and gov- ernmental authorities of the mother coun- try. However, his consecration (invalid as it was) is apparently attested by documents in the registrar's office in Philadelphia, dis- covered in 1875, and bearing his monogram and the episcopal seal or mitre, with flow- ing ribbons. A copy of this seal was grav- en on a metal tablet unveiled in old St. Mary's Church, Burlington, in 1878. He died in that place, November 29, 1727. The question of his episcopal consecration was the subject of dispute, which appears at length in Dr. G. M. Hill's "History of the Church in Burlington," (1876), and Bishop Perry's "History of the American Episco- pal Church" (1885).
SMITH, Isaac,
Revolutionary Soldier, Jurist.
Colonel Isaac Smith, a patriot of the Rev- olution and an eminent jurist, was born in 1740, in New Jersey. He received a liberal education and was graduated from Prince- ton College in 1758, subsequently studied medicine, and became a practicing physi- cian.
From the very commencement of the troubles with Great Britain, he was dis- tinguished for his patriotic efforts in be- half of his country, and in 1776 he con- manded a regiment. During the periods of gloom and dismay he was firm and perse-
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vering. He associated valor with discretion, and the disciplined spirit of the soldier with the sagacity of the statesman.
In February, 1777, he was elected by the Legislative Council and Assembly, in joint meeting, an Associate Justice of the Su- preme Court of New Jersey, and was thrice subsequently re-elected to the same position, remaining on the bench for twenty-eight years, a longer period than it has ever been held by any other person. When his fourth term of office expired, in 1805, party spirit ran high, and, as he was a Federalist, he suf- fered defeat. After he had retired from the bench, he returned to his residence in Trenton, and was appointed the first presi- dent of the Trenton Banking Company, which position he held until his death. He enjoyed the acquaintance and friendship of both Presidents Washington and Adams. who esteemed him for his many virtues. Endowed with talents of a high order, he united in himself the scholar, soldier, gentle- man and Christian. He died August 20th, 1807.
BARD, Samuel,
Distinguished Early-Day Physician.
Dr. Samuel Bard, an intimate personal friend and professional associate of Dr. David Hosack, was born in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1742. He sail- ed for Edinburgh, Scotland, to study medi- cine, but on the voyage was captured by the French, in September, 1761, and owed his release five months later to Dr. Benjamin Franklin, who was then a resident of Lon- don.
After studying in Scotland and England, he returned home in 1767. He then, in connection with his father, entered upon the active practice of his profession in New York, organized a medical school which was united to King's College, and in that institution took the chair of physic in 1769, subsequently becoming dean of the faculty. In 1772 he purchased his father's establish-
ment and business, and in 1795 took Dr. David Hosack into partnership with him. In 1774 he gave a course of clinical lectures ; in 1791 was instrumental in causing the es- tablishment of a public hospital, of which he was appointed visiting physician ; and in 1813 was appointed president of the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons. While the seat of government was in New York City, he was Washington's family physi- cian. In 1798 he retired to his country seat in New Jersey, but on the approach of the yellow fever pestilence, he returned to New York and exerted himself unselfishly to combatting the dread disease. However, he was himself prostrated by it, but under the careful nursing of his wife, soon recovered, He was an accomplished horticulturist, and a patient and devoted student of nature, and while studying for his profession in Edinburgh. was awarded the annual medal given by Professor Hope for the finest col- lection of plants. Besides many addresses and discourses, he published: "The Shep- herd's Guide"; "De Viribus Opii," 1765; "On Anguia Suffocativa," in volume one of "American Philosophical Transactions"; and "Compendium of Midwifery," in 1807. His "Life," published by John McVicar in 1822, contains much matter of a val- uable and interesting nature. His degree of M. D. was obtained at the University of Edinburgh in 1765 ; that of LL.D. was con- ferred on him by the College of New Jer- sey in 1815.
In 1770 he married a cousin, Mary Bard. He died in New Jersey, May 24th, 1821.
ANDERSON, Joseph,
Revolutionary Soldier, National Legislator.
Joseph Anderson, an important figure in and after the Revolutionary period, was born in New Jersey, November 5, 1757. In his youth he received a good education, and at the completion of his preparatory studies turned his attention to the law, but when on the eve of engaging in practice, was pre-
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vented by the outbreak of the Revolution- ary War.
In 1775 he was appointed an ensign in the New Jersey line, was promoted to captain, and with that rank fought at Monmouth. In 1779 he took an active part in the ex- pedition of Sullivan against the Six Na- tions ; in 1780 was with Washington at Val- ley Forge; and in the following year was a participant at the siege of York Town and the surrender of Cornwallis. After the close of the war, he received the brevet of major, for gallant and meritorious conduct on the field. He then engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in Delaware.
In 1791 he was appointed by Washington, judge of the territory south of the Ohio river, and remaining in this position until the formation of the constitution of Ten- nessee, in which he assisted in such a man- ner as to win warm commendation from the highest quarters. From 1797 to 1815 he was an influential member of the United States Senate from Tennessee, serving up- on many important committees, and acting upon two occasions as president pro tem. of the Senate. From 1815 to 1836 he was First Comptroller of the United States Treasury. As a statesman and political leader he was remarkably shrewd and far- seeing; and the various measures promul- gated and supported by him at sundry crises in the development of his section, stand as eloquent witnesses to his abilities. He died at Washington, D. C., April 17th, 1837.
JOHNSON, Thomas P.,
Lawyer, Man of Many Abilities.
Thomas P. Johnson was born about 1761, in New Jersey, a son of William and Ruth (Potts) Johnson. His father was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country in the year 1750, and married Ruth, sister of Stacy Potts, of Trenton ; both parents were members of the Society of Friends.
When he was quite young, the family re- moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where
his father established a flourishing board- ing-school, and made much reputation by his lectures on various branches of natural philosophy. His predilection for such stud- ies seemed to have been inherited by his son, who continued to turn his attention to them even in his later years. His father died in the South, after a residence of some years, when his mother, with her children, returned to her native State, and with the aid of her brother opened a store in Tren- ton. In that place Thomas was placed as an apprentice to a carpenter and joiner. After following this business for some time, he was compelled to abandon it, owing to the rupture of a blood vessel. He then en- gaged in teaching in Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, and afterwards in Philadelphia, a calling for which he possessed rare quali- fications. While in Philadelphia, he took a partnership in a firm which sent him to Richmond, Virginia, to open and manage a large store. There he became acquainted with the late Chief Justice Marshall, often having the privilege of hearing the first law- yers of the Old Dominion, and this proba- bly led his thoughts to the bar. The loss of his store and goods by fire caused his re- turn to New Jersey, and he took up his res- idence in Princeton. There he became a student of law in the office of the Hon. Richard Stockton ; in due time was admit- ted to the bar and received his license as an attorney, three years later was made counsellor, and subsequently attained the rank of sergeant-at-law. His career at the bar was brilliant; whether arguing points of law, or developing a case before a jury, he was always listened to with attention. He was lucid in the arrangement and ex- pression of his thoughts, knew well how to present the strong points in a case, and, when he pleased to touch the chords of feel- ing, he seldom failed to produce a marked impression. He was by no means indiffer- ent to the great political questions of the day, which in that strenuous era were divid- ing the strongest minds of the nation. With
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the majority of the New Jersey bar, he ad- hered to the Washingtonian school, and ex- erted all his energies in what he honestly believed to be the true interests of the coun- try. He was familiarly acquainted with the principal departments of literature and science, but experimental philosophy and natural history, held his principal attention. His many sided abilities led him also to anatomy and chemistry. He also had a. natural fondness for mechanical pursuits, and the products of his skill would not have disgraced experienced artists. He was dis- tinguished by a lofty sense of moral prin- ciple and great kindness of heart ; entertain- ed a profound regard for the Christian re- ligion, and, being fully convinced of its truth, he was not backward in expressing his sense of its importance, and seldom could the scoff of infidelity pass unrebuked in his presence.
He married a daughter of Robert Stock- ton, of Princeton, New Jersey. He died March 12, 1838.
FINLEY, Robert,
Educator, Clergyman, Philanthropist.
Robert Finley, especially distinguished for his efforts in behalf of negro colo- nization, was born at Princeton, New Jer- sey, in 1772, son of James Finley, an emi- grant from Scotland in 1769. He was grad- uated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton) in 1787, and then became prin- cipal of the grammar school connected with the college. Later he had charge of an academy at Allentown, New Jersey, but in 1791 removed to Charleston, South Caro- lina, where he held a similar position. and won an enviable reputation as a teacher.
Having decided to enter the ministry, he returned to Princeton to study, and on Sep- tember 16, 1794, was licensed to preach by the presbytery of New Brunswick ; he also served as tutor in the college in 1793-95. He was installed pastor of the Presbyter- ian church at Basking Ridge. Somerset
county, New Jersey, June 16, 1797, and also conducted there a school, which be- came large and prosperous. During his residence at Basking Ridge he suggested to the general assembly of the Presbyterian church the advisability of organizing Bible classes in the local churches, and this pro- posed innovation was sanctioned by that conservative body. The condition of the free negroes in the United States early ex- cited his sympathy, and lie conceived the idea of colonizing them in Africa. He re- ceived the cooperation of influential men, and in 1816 visited Washington for the pur- pose of persuading Congress to approve the scheme. On December 21st a public meet- ing was held, at which addresses were made by Henry Clay and John Randolph, and on tlic 28th the American Colonizations Socie- ty was formed, Bushrod Washington be- coming president. On his return to New Jersey, Dr. Finley aided in establishing an auxiliary society at Trenton. In July, 1817, he became president of the University of Georgia, having previously resigned the of- fice of trustee of the College of New Jer- sey, which he had held since 1806. He was a man of strong feelings and of great en- ergy, and a preacher of more than usual ability. Had he lived, it is probable that he would have brought the university to a con- dition of great prosperity. His death was followed by a suspension of the college ex- ercises, and this interregnum lasted two years, from inability to organize the faculty in a manner satisfactory to the board of trustees.
Dr. Finley received the degree of D. D. from the College of New Jersey in 1817. He published several sermons, and a pamph- let entitled "Thoughts on the Colonization of the Blacks" (1816). His son, Rev. Rob- ert Smith Finley, also a laborer in behalf of colonization, was for two years princi- pal of the Presbyterian Female Institute at Talladega. Alabama. President Finley died at Atliens, Georgia, October 3. 1817.
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DRAKE, George K.,
Lawyer, Jurist.
George K. Drake, a distinguished lawyer and jurist, was born in 1788, in Morris county, New Jersey, son of Colonel Jacob Drake; his mother was a sister of Jonathan Dickerson, and aunt of Governor Mahlon Dickerson.
He received his preparatory education under the instruction of Rev. Dr. Arm- strong, of Mendham, and subsequently en- tered Princeton College, from which insti- tution he was graduated in 1808. having as classmates the late Bishop Meade, of Vir- ginia, and Judge Wayne, of the United States Supreme Court. After leaving col- lege he made choice of the profession of law as his future avocation, and took up his studies under the preceptorship of Syl- vester Russell, of Morristown. He was licensed as an attorney in 1812, became a counselor in 1815. and was appointed ser- geant-at-law in 1834. Shortly after his admission to the bar he engaged in the prac- tice of his profession at Morristown, where he continued unil he was appointed to the bench. In 1823 he was elected a member of the Assembly, and was re-elected three several times ; during his last two terms in that body, he was chosen speaker of the House. In December, 1826, at a joint meet- ing of the Council and Assembly, he was chosen Justice of the Supreme Court to succeed Judge Russell. Shortly after his appointment he removed to Burlington, where he remained but a short time, ulti- mately choosing Trenton as his place of res- idence, and where he remained until the expiration of his term of office. The opin- ion which he gave in the case of Hendrick- son us. Decow operated against his reap- pointment, although generally admitted to be correct. The opinion was adverse to the Hicksites' cause, and in 1833 they aided in electing a large majority of Democrats to the legislature, mainly to defeat the re-elec- tion of Judge Drake. Upon the conclusion
of his term of office he returned to Morris- town, where he resumed the practice of his profession. Religiously he was a Presby- terian, and an active and zealous member of that communion.
He died suddenly, while on a visit to his brother-in-law, Dr. Woodruff, at Drakes- ville, in 1837.
KEARNY, Lawrence,
Distinguished Naval Officer.
Commodore Lawrence Kearny, who dis- tinguished himself in the War of 1812, and subsequently in the suppression of piracy and of the opium trade, was born November 30, 1789, at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, his ancestors having been among the early set- tlers of that section.
From his youth he had a predilection for the sea, and in his eighteenth year he became a midshipman in the United States navy, under appointment by President Jefferson. He was immediately ordered to the gun- boat flotilla of Commodore Rogers, in which he served during the enforcement of the embargo laid upon American shipping in 1807. He was next ordered to the frigate "Constitution," and subsequently to the "President," both vessels of the Home Squadron. He remained on the latter ves- sel until 1810, when he was transferred to the schooner "Enterprise," cruising between Cape Hatteras and the southern point of Florida. In 1813 he received his commis- sion as lieutenant. In the meantime, war had been declared against Great Britain, and how well he bore his part in the con- flict, the brave and gallant acts he perform- ed, are told by contemporaneous writers. At the close of the war he continued on the "Enterprise" as her commander, and was for some time engaged on special service in protecting the merchantmen of friendly na- tions against the freebooters and pirates who infested the islands and keys from Key West down to the Spanish main. Through his active exertions the band of Gibbs, the
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noted pirate, was completely broken up, and a number were captured, the chief and some of his fellows escaping. Three large vessels were recaptured from the corsairs, of which two, the American ship "Lucius." and the British brig "Larch," were deliv- ered to their respective owners. Besides these, he captured five schooners, one sloop, and several luggers of the piratical fleet. As a matter of fact. he effectually cleared the seas of these marauders, receiving the thanks of his government, and recognition of his invaluable services by the civilized world. He remained in the "Enterprise" until that vessel was wrecked. He was pro- moted to master commandant in 1825, and towards the close of the following year was assigned to the command of the corvette "Warren." He sailed for the Mediterran- ean, February 22, 1827, and became active- ly engaged against the pirates of the Gre- cian archipelago, destroying their strong- hold, and recovering a portion of their plun- der. At the end of his cruise he returned home, and in 1832 received his commission as captain, the highest rank in the service at that time. For some years he was en- gaged on shore duty, and in 1839 was as- signed to the frigate "United States." In the following year he was ordered to the frigate "Potomac," and sailed for the Bra- zil station. While in harbor at Rio de Jan- eiro he was appointed to the command of the East India Squadron, and in February, 1841, raised his flag on the frigate "Con- stellation," and soon after sailed for the Chinese coast. where he was actively en- gaged in breaking up the contraband traf- fic in opium. Under instructions by the Navy Department to protect American in- terests, he took measures to obtain pecuni- ary satisfaction for those merchants who had been considerable losers by the depre- dations of the Chinese, and an indemnity amounting to more than a quarter million dollars was subsequently paid. About this time Great Britain was engaged in conclud- ing a treaty with the Chinese government,
which Captain Kearny feared might be to the disadvantage of the United States. He accordingly addressed a letter to both the imperial commissioners and also to the gov- ernor of the Canton province, who advised him that the United States would be accord- ed the same privileges as Great Britain. Up- on receiving this favorable reply, he report- ed the matter to the Navy Department, and the government availed itself of the oppor- tunity by sending Caleb Cushing as com- missioner or special envoy to the Chinese empire, clothed with all necessary power. Mr. Cushing concluded a treaty with that country, which was ratified in 1845, and went into operation the following year. Captain Kearny's next important service was to protest against the proposed cession of the Sandwich Islands to the British gov- ernment, in the summer of 1843, while he was on his homeward voyage. He notified both the King and the British commissioner that the proposed action would be inimical to the rights of American settlers on the islands. The matter was not adjusted when he left Hawaii, but his timely interference operated towards prolonging the negotia- tions, which ultimately came to naught. Voy- aging eastward and doubling Cape Horn, Captain Kearny reached Norfolk on April 30th, 1844, thus closing a sea service of near- ly thirty-seven years. During the remainder of his life he was variously occupied at dif- ferent stations, including the command of the navy yard at Brooklyn, New York. He was also president of one of the Naval Courts of Inquiry, and a member of the Lighthouse Board, as well as of the New Jersey Board of Pilot Commissioners. He was commissioned commodore on the retir- ed list in 1866, and died at Perth Amboy, November 29th, 1868.
HAMILTON, Samuel Randolph,
Lawyer, Public Official.
Samuel Randolph Hamilton was born at Princeton, New Jersey, June 7, 1790, soul
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of John Ross and Phebe Hamilton, who were old residents of that place and neigh- borhood.
He was graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1808, and studied law under Governor Williamson, at Elizabeth. He was admitted to the bar as an attorney-at- law by the Supreme Court of New Jersey in 1812; in 1823 was admitted as counsel- lor, and was called as a sergeant-at-law in 1837.
He commenced the practice of law at Princeton, but soon removed to Trenton, where he continued to reside until his death. In his profession he enjoyed a large prac- tice which extended to almost every county in the State, and stood high in his profes- sion. He was highly regarded for his warm geniality and whole souled hospitality. Dur- ing his entire life, his home was the ren- dezvous of the members of the profession from different parts of the State, when on business at the capital. He was a lifelong Democrat in politics, and in 1836 was nom- inated by his party as a candidate for Con- gress, but in that year the Whigs triumphed for the first time in several years, and he was, with the remainder of the ticket, de- feated by about six hundred votes. For many years he was Quartermaster-Gener- al of the militia of the State, an office which he filled with great acceptance to those with whom he came in contact, and care for the interests of the State, until a few years be- fore his death, when he resigned. and was succeeded by General Lewis Perrine. He was appointed Prosecutor of the Pleas of Mercer county by Governor Fort, and held the office at the time of his death. He was also elected by his fellow citizens as mayor of the city of Trenton. For many years he was trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Trenton, and always took an ac- tive part in the promotion of its interests and of the cause of religion in general. He at all times took a deep interest in ed- ucation, and on his death bed the interests
of the schools of the city seemed to bear more heavily upon him than any other care.
He married, in 1818, Eliza. daugliter of Morris Robeson, of Oxford Furnace, now in Warren county. He died on the 13th of August, 1856, at the age of sixty-six, leav- ing a widow and four children. He was buried with military honors, in considera- tion of his connection with public affairs, the military and civil government. His eld- est son, Colonel Morris R. Hamilton, though admitted to the bar, never practised law, but for the most of his life was connected with the press. Two other sons devoted their attention to agricultural pursuits, and his daughter married Samuel Sherrerd, of Belvidere, New Jersey.
CRANE, James C.,
Clergyman, Missionary to Indians.
Rev. James C. Crane was born in Mor- ristown, New Jersey. January II, 1794. In 1805 he removed with his father to New York, and while there served an apprentice- ship at a trade. Thrown amidst many temp- tations, he soon found himself beset by vici- ous companions and demoralizing surround- ings, but, in consequence of the remem- bered lessons of a deceased mother, he ex- perienced severe and constantly recurring rebukes of conscience.
Finally in 1813, in anguish of mind, he sought consolation in religious fervor and devotion. Thenceforward he experienced the strongest desires for the conversion of the heathen : and determined to become a missionary, and while still an apprentice, he attended the lectures of Dr. Mason, and was directed in his studies by Rev. J. M. Matthews. In April. 1817. he was ordain- ed, and a few days after repaired as a mis- sionary to the Indians in Tuscarora village, where he continued to labor until Septent- ber, 1823, when he was appointed general agent of the United Foreign Mission Socie- ty. In May, 1825, he was appointed as suc-
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