Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume I, Part 6

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


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verses during the latter years of his life, which he spent at his home in Princeton. Here he died, October 7, 1866, in the seven- tieth year of his age.


DAYTON, Jonathan,


Soldier, Statesman.


The distinguished career of Jonathan Dayton, soldier and statesman, is one cf the many in the Revolutionary period which illustrates with what success civilians, with- out special training of any kind, but possess- ed of genius and enterprise, can enter the activities of public life and take part in the affairs of state, or even such a specializ .. ed calling as the art of war. In the state- ment of this proposition there must not be forgotten the very essential factor of the civilian having brains, as in the case of Jonathan Dayton.


Born October 16, 1760, he had graduated from the College of New Jersey before he was sixteen years of age, and the same year (1776) entered the Continental army as paymaster of the Third Battalion of New Jersey, of which his father was commander. From this time on his experiences were of the most varied sort; he was moved about hither and thither and saw all sorts of cam- paigning, in which way he gained a pro- found insight into military affairs. He was soon placed on the staff of General Max- well, commanding the New Jersey Brigade, and a little later was commissioned as ma- jor and aide-de-camp on General Sullivan's staff, going with that officer on his cam- paign against the western Indians. In 1780 he rejoined the New Jersey Brigade, Third Regiment, with a captain's commission, but the same year was taken prisoner with his uncle, General Matthias Ogden, bv the British, at Elizabeth. He was fortunate in being soon exchanged, whereupon he join- ed the First New Jersey Regiment. In 1781 the New Jersey Brigade was engaged in the siege of Yorktown, and Dayton was given a command under General Lafayette.


In this capacity he aided his general in the storming of & redoubt, in which affair he behaved with conspicuous bravery, and shortly after was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. October 19, 1781. During what remained of the war, he continued to distinguish himself, and took part in the repulse of the British attack on Elizabeth, whereby the enemy was forced to retire from Staten Island. At the close of the war he became one of the founders and original members of the Society of the Cincinnati, which has numbered so many famous names in its roster.


Although at the close of the war Dayton was a mere youth and in 1787 was still a very young man, he had so impressed the people of New Jersey with his courage and ability that in that year they selected him as one of their representatives to the Con- stitutional Convention about to meet in Phil- adelphia. Thither went Dayton and, de- spite his youth, took an active part in the deliberations, although he was not of pre- cisely the same mind as his great confrère, William Paterson. When at length that monumental instrument was evolved, Day- ton affixed his signature with the rest, be- ing one of the youngest if not the very youngest man who so distinguished himself. He was repeatedly elected to the New Jer- sey legislature, and in 1790, made speaker of the House. He seemed to possess a sort of genius for parliamentary procedure, for after being elected representative to Con- gress in 1791, he was four years later chosen speaker of the United States House of Representatives, an office to which he was returned in 1797 by a vote of seventy- eight to two. It was during the follow- ing year that the unfortunate contretemps with France took place, which led to some talk of war sufficient to cause the govern- inent to begin preparations. In this con- nection President Adams, recalling Dayton's distinguished ability during the Revolution, commissioned him a brigadier-general in the regular army. The difficulty, however,


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happily passed, and in 1799 Dayton was elected United States Senator from his State, occupying this position until 1805. The senatorship marked the zenith of a career which but for an unfortunate cir- cumstance, might have gone, no one can say, how much further.


During his childhood and youth, Dayton knew and conceived a strong affection for Aaron Burr, an affection to which was ad- ded in manhood a lively admiration for Burr's undoubted powers. So strong were his feelings that he could never be brought to doubt his friend's intentions, and he gave evidence of this trust in many posi- tive ways, lending him considerable sums of money, and even challenging DeWitt Clinton to a duel because of a fancied wrong done to Burr. Fortunately the difficulty was arranged without a hostile meeting. When at last Burr's downfall came, it in- volved many of his friends, though entire- ly innocent of his questionable designs, and among this number was Dayton. Nothing, indeed, was brought out at Burr's trial which in any way compromised either Day- ton's actions or intentions, but his mere as- sociation with the fallen one was enough to destroy his standing in the popular opinion. This, together with the defeat of the Fed- eral party and the accession to the presi- dency of Thomas Jefferson, effectually put an end to Dayton's hopes of political pre- ferment, nor did he struggle against his fate. New Jersey did not, indeed, lose faith in him, and returned him for a number of terms to the United States Senate, but eventually he retired from public life, and spent his last years at home in the enjoy- ment of his considerable fortune. He was part owner of large tracts of land in Ohio, and it was in honor of his family that the town of Dayton, Ohio, was named. On the occasion of the Marquis de Lafayette's visit to the United States in 1824, Dayton received him and entertained him as his guest, taking part in many of the festivities given in the great Frenchman's honor.


These proved to be his last public occasions, as he died October 9th of the same year.


Dayton was a man of impressive appear- ance and manners ; a gentleman of the old school, who retained in his household and personal dress and behavior the formality of the world of Washington and Franklin. He was familiarly nicknamed "the last of the cocked hats."


BAINBRIDGE, William,


· Distinguished Naval Officer.


A naval officer belongs to his country; but, by birth and education, New Jersey can claim Commodore William Bainbridge. Lacking perhaps the fire and dash of Cap- tain James Lawrence, Bainbridge's solid attainments, his good judgment, quick de- cision in emergency, and immovable pur- pose, where the honor of his country was at stake, placed him in the front rank of officers at the time when our navy was es- tablishing a reputation.


William Bainbridge, fourth son of Dr. Absalom Bainbridge and Mary Taylor, was born in May, 1774, at Princeton, New Jer- sey, where his father was practicing medi- cine. Later, moving to New York, Dr. Bainbridge sent his son to Middletown, Monmouth county, New Jersey, where he lived with his maternal grandfather, Squire John Taylor, while acquiring his education.


The ambition of Bainbridge to be a sailor was almost born in him, and at fifteen, with the consent of his parents, he shipped on a merchant vessel sailing from Philadelphia. The voyage lasted three years, and before his return Bainbridge had been promoted to first mate. His ability to command was early shown. During his first voyage, the crew mutinied and attempted to throw the captain overboard. Bainbridge interfered and, assisted by the second mate and one sailor, subdued the mutineers. At nineteen he commanded his first ship. A few years later he married Miss Hyleger, of St. Bar- tholomew, a lady of Dutch descent, whom


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he met while on a cruise to the West Indies.


When our navy was first organized, as a result of difficulties with France, at the end of the eighteenth century, the reputa- tion of Captain Bainbridge recommended him to the Secretary of War and Navy, and he was offered the command of the schooner "Retaliation," formerly "Le Croy- able," a prize taken from the French by Captain Decatur. Love of country, always strong in his nature, coupled with ambi- tion, led Bainbridge to accept, and in September, 1798, he was ordered to West Indian waters under Commodore Murray to protect American shipping from pirates and French privateers. In November the "Re- taliation" was captured by the French un- der Commodore St. Lawrence, and Bain- bridge, in company with his men was, im- prisoned on the Island of Guadeloupe. While in captivity Captain Bainbridge, re- fusing a parole, assisted the other prisoners, and was honorably returned to the United States a few weeks later. As a result of the capture and imprisonment of the crew of the "Retaliation," Congress passed the "Retaliation Act," allowing the United States to punish any citizen of France for death or injury of an American citizen by order of the French Republic.


On his return to the United States, Bain- bridge was given command of the brig-of- war "Norfolk," carrying eighteen guns, and ordered again to the West Indies, where on November 8, 1799, he captured the French lugger "Republican," of eight guns, con- voying a prize. During the six months fol- lowing, the "Norfolk" cruised about the West Indies, inflicting considerable dam- age on French shipping and protecting American commerce.


In May, 1800, Captain Bainbridge was given command of the frigate "George Washington," under orders to carry the annual tribute from the United States to the Regency of Algiers-a most unwilling service on the part of Bainbridge. for the spirit of freedom was strong in him. On


arriving at Algiers and delivering the tribute, amounting to some $20,000, Cap- tain Bainbridge was astounded at having his frigate commandeered by the Dey of Algiers to carry his Ambassador and gifts to the Sultan of Turkey. Obliged to yield, by threats of destruction to his ship, Bain- bridge wrote home that he hoped if ever sent again "he might deliver tribute from the mouth of cannon." As further insult, the frigate was forced to fly the Algerian flag, but as soon as out of range of the forts. the Algerian flag was pulled down and the stars and stripes raised in its place by the ship's loyal commander.


After a voyage of fifty-nine days, the "George Washington" reached Constanti- nople, where Bainbridge was received with great honor by the Sultan, who was much interested in hearing of the United States of America, of whose existence he had been unaware. Bainbridge was entertained and treated with great respect by the Turkish officials, and when he sailed out of the har- bor was accorded a salute fired from the forts-a compliment never given before to any foreign vessel.


Reaching Algiers again, Bainbridge found the French consul and fifty-six French residents in great danger. Touched at their plight, although the United States was then at war with France, he carried them to Alicant, sleeping on deck himself to make them comfortable, and feeding them at his own expense. Napoleon sent Captain Bainbridge a personal message, thanking him for the important services he had rendered the republic, and hoping he could reciprocate should occasion offer. Bainbridge was at this time twenty-six years of age. His good judgment and the dignity of his behavior made a very favorable im- pression at home.


Returning to the United States. Bain- bridge was appointed to the command of the frigate "Essex." under Commodore Dale, and sailed again to the Mediterranean to protect American commerce from the


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Barbary corsairs. The winter and spring of 1802 were spent in this duty.


Returning to New York for repairs, the "Essex" arrived June 22, 1802. On July 13, 1803, after leave of absence and shore duty, Bainbridge was ordered to command the frigate "Philadelphia," of forty-four guns, bound for the Mediterranean, under Commodore Preble, to seize all vessels of the Bashan of Tripoli, who had declared war against the United States. After cruis- -ing for several months in Mediterranean waters, checking Moors turned pirates, in November, 1803, the "Philadelphia" ran ashore while chasing a Tripolian cruiser, and Bainbridge was reluctantly obliged to strike his flag. Plundered by their captors, Bainbridge and his commander were taken ashore and imprisoned in the house of the late American consul to Tripoli. Among Bainbridge's associates were many men who later attained prominence in various ways. There were Commodore Jacob Jones and Commodore David Porter-both midship- men on the "Philadelphia." Dr. Ridgely, of Annapolis, Maryland; Commodore Bid- dle, Commodore Renshaw, Barnard Henry, afterwards United States consul at Gibral- ter ; and Judge Richard Jones.


During their imprisonment, which last- ed nineteen months, Bainbridge communi- cated with Commodore Preble in cypher, and when that was suspected, conveyed valuable information in sympathetic ink. In this way Captain Bainbridge suggested a plan to blow up the captured frigate "Philadelphia," a plot successfully carried out on February 15, 1804, by Lieutenant Stephan Decatur and seventy man, with none killed and but four wounded. This catastrophe angered the Bashaw and the Americans were more closely imprisoned, making escape impossible. The treaty of peace was signed in June, 1805, and all prisoners released.


After a few months leave Bainbridge was appointed to the command of the New York Navy Yard, but finances not permitting


he returned to the merchant service until March, 1808, when he took charge of the Portland Naval Station. The danger of war with England lessening, Bainbridge again returned to the Merchant service, sailing for St. Petersburg. On the way he was captured by Danish pirates, but re- leased through the efforts of friends.


Captain Bainbridge remained in the merchant service until the autumn of 1811. War then threatening, he returned to the United States, reaching Boston in Febru- ary, 1812, and reported for duty. He was detailed to command the Charlestown Navy Yard and used every influence to strengthen our navy for the approaching conflict. When war was declared, June 18, 1812, Bainbridge applied for active duty and was given com- mand of the "Constitution," after her vic- tory over the British frigate "Guerriere," with a small squadron under his command. David Porter-afterwards Admiral Porter -and Captain James Lawrence served un- der him.


After cruising among the West Indian Islands, the "Constitution" and the "Hor- net," commanded by Captain James Law- rence, sailed down the eastern coast of South America. Leaving the "Hornet" off Bahia, blockading the British corvette "Bonne Citoyenne," Bainbridge put to sea, overtaking the British frigate "Java" off the coast of Brazil, December 29, 1812, and after an action lasting three hours and a half forced her to strike her flag. Bain- bridge treated the officers of the captured ship with such consideration that Lieuten- ant-General Hislop, Governor of Bombay, a passenger on the "Java," presented him with a gold mounted sword as a token of appreciation.


The condition of the "Constitution" made it imperative to return home for repairs, and Bainbridge arrived in Boston on Febru- ary 27, 1813, where he was received with acclamation and entertained at a public din- ner in the Exchange Coffee House. Hon- ors were showered upon him. The Presi-


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CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY


dent commended him; Congress voted him a gold medal and a share of the fifty thousand dollars prize money. The legis- latures of Massachusetts and New York voted him public thanks. He was made an honorary member of the Society of the Cincinnati in New York and Phila- delphia, and the Common Council of New York presented him with the freedom of the city. His journey to Washington was fairly a triumphal progress. The Prince- Regent, afterwards George IV. of England, commented admiringly on his achievements.


In March, 1813, Bainbridge was appoint- ed again to the Charlestown Navy Yard. On his urgent advice, on August 18 of that year the keel was laid for the "Independ- ence," a "seventy-four," the first line- of- battle ship built in the United States.


Commodores Bainbridge, Decatur and Hull were appointed a board to prepare a new code of navy signals, the old code hav- ing been captured by the English. With Commodore Morris, Bainbridge arranged a code of rules and regulations for the use of navy stations.


Many ships were built at Charlestown dur- ing his incumbency, and he planned the fortifications for Boston, and organized the defence in 1814, when the city was threaten- ed by the English.


During the conflict with England, Algiers declared war on the United States, and after peace with England was signed, the United States declared war on Algiers, March 2, 1815. The Boston squadron sail- ed under Bainbridge, but arriving there af- ter the war was over, he was one of the commission to arrange terms of peace.


From 1815 to 1831, Commodore Bain- bridge continued his honorable career at sea and on shore duty, always with one object in view,-the perfecting of every detail of the organization of the United States navy. In 1831 he was superceded as Commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard, following a controversy with the Secretary of the Navy over a small matter.


Bainbridge expressed his mind perhaps too freely, and for a year was out of the navy. He was restored to duty in the autumn of 1832, but resigned the following March on account of his failing health. He died July 28, 1833, and was buried in Christ Church graveyard, Philadelphia. A wife and four daughters survived him, his only son dying shortly before his father.


Commodore Bainbridge was a man of whom New Jersey may well be proud, and his name should be enrolled among the great men of our early history.


SOUTHARD, Samuel L.,


Lawyer, Statesman.


This distinguished lawyer and statesman was a native of New Jersey, born in Bask- ingridge, June 7, 1787. His father, Henry Southard, was of Long Island, and in early youth came to New Jersey ; he served in the legislature, and was for sixteen years a Member of Congress.


Samuel L. Southard was educated in a classical school in his native town, where he had among his classmates Theodore Fre- linghuysen and Joseph R. Ingersoll, the lat- ter of Philadelphia, and these three were also fellow students at Princeton College, from which young Southard graduated at the early age of seventeen. After leaving college he was for a time a school teacher at Mendham, Morris county, He subse- quently met in Washington City, a friend of his father and a fellow congressman, Colonel John Taliaferro, of Virginia, who tendered him the tutorage of his sons and nephews. This offer he accepted, and pro- ceeded to the home of Colonel Taliaferro, in Hagley. King George's county, Virginia, where he was treated as a member of the family. For five years he gave instrution to the youth of his patron's family, devot- ing his spare time to law studies, under the personal preceptorship of Judges Green and Brooks, of Fredericksburg. In 1809 he was admitted to the bar, and engaged in


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practice. In 1811 he located in Flemington, New Jersey, where he rose to high rank in his profession. His public services began in 1814, when he was appointed Prosecuting Attorney of Hunterdon county. He mean- while had attracted wide and favorable at- tention by his argument before the General Assembly in opposition to a petition for the repeal of a law granting to Aaron Ogden and Daniel Dod the exclusive right to use steamboats plying in New Jersey waters be- tween that State and New York, and this led to his election to the Assembly in the following year. His service in that body was but short, as he was almost immedi- ately appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court of the State to succeed Governor Mahlon Dickerson, who had become gover- nor. He removed to Trenton, when he was occupied for five years with judicial duties, being also selected as reporter of his own decisions. In 1820, in association with Charles Ewing, he was engaged with pre- paring and superintending the publication of the "Revised Statutes of the State." In the fall of the same year he was chosen a presidential elector, and cast his vote for his warm personal friend James Monroe, for the presidential office. In 1821 he was elected to the United States Senate, and he resigned his judgeship. Mr. Southard enter- ed the Senate at a time when great excite- ment prevailed growing out of the slavery mission of Missouri to the Union. The House having voted against admission, at the instance of Henry Clay a joint committee of the Senate and House was appointed to consider the matter, and a remarkable meet- ing occurred-that of Hon. Henry South- ard, a member of the House, and his son Henry L., of the Senate, as members of a conference body to take into consideration one of the weightiest questions in the his- tory of the Nation. The resolutions which were adopted were from the pen of the junior Southard, but, at the instance of Clay, they were passed to the House, there to have their first public introduction, and


on this account Mr. Clay received the credit for their origin, and Mr. Southard was comparatively unknown in the matter. Mr. Southard remained in the Senate until 1823, when he succeeded Hon. Smith Thompson as Secretary of the Navy. He remained in this position during the re- mainder of President Monroe's term, and he was retained by President John Quincy Adams. During this period he also filled for short periods the positions of Acting Secretary of the Treasury and also of the War Department. In 1829 he was defeated for re-election to the United States Senate through the adoption in the legislature of a resolution declaring him ineligible on the ground of non-residency. A month later he was elected Attorney General to suc- ceed Theodore Frelinghuysen, who had been elected to the Senate. Mr. South- ard now took up his residence in Trenton, and resumed his law practice. In 1823 he was elected Governor, but only served for three montlis, being elected again to the Senate. His brief gubernatorial term was marked by one impressive event, which is commemorated in the only message he ad- dressed to the legislature. He had received from the South Carolina authorities copies of the nullification acts of that State; these he transmitted to the legislature, accom- panying them with his explicit concurrence in the views of President Jackson, and which for a time united all parties at the north in one solid body to the support of the grim old soldier-president whose voice had rung out in the fiery slogan, "The Fed- eral Union must and shall be preserved." In the Senate, from the day he took his seat until the last, he took a very active part in the proceedings of that body, although his party was in the minority. From his first election to the General Assembly until the close of his service as a cabinet officer under President Adams, he was a Democrat. Meanwhile party nomenclature came to mean but little ; both Adams and Jackson. strongly opposed to each other, were term-


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ed Democrats. Senator Southard affiliated with the "Anti-Jacksonites," and when, at the close of President Jackson's second term, Van Buren was nominated by the Democrats and the Whig party was form- ed, Southard joined with the new organiza- tion, which was, in effect, identical with the Anti-Jackson faction.


In 1838 Mr. Southard became president of the Morris Canal and Banking Company, and he thereafter made his residence in Jersey City. He was an ardent advocate of temperance, carrying his views and prac- tice to that of total abstinence. He was strongly attached to the Presbyterian church, but was not a communicant. He married, in June, 1812, while residing in Virginia, Rebecca Harrow, daughter of an Episcopal clergyman. He died June 26, 1842, at the home of his wife's brother, in Fredericksburg, Virginia.


MORRIS, Robert Hunter,


Jurist, Statesman.


Robert Hunter Morris was born in Mor- risania, New York, about 1700, son of Lewis and Isabella (Graham) Morris. His father was Chief Justice of New York, and Councillor of that province, 1710-1738.


Robert Hunter Morris became a lawyer, and was Chief Justice of New Jersey for twenty-six years (1738-1764), occupying that office at the time of his death. Smith, in his "History of New Jersey," says "his vigorous powers of mind were improved by liberal education. As a judge he was im- partial and upright. Insisting on a strict adherence to the forms of the courts, he reduced the pleadings to precision and method. His address was easy, and there was a commanding influence in his man- ners. He was free from avarice ; generous and manly, though sometimes inconsiderate in the relations of life : often singular, some- times whimsical; always opinionated, and mostly flexible. He was comely in appear- ance, graceful in manners, and of a most




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