USA > New Jersey > Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 55
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Last Saturday night, at 10 .. 45 o'clock. Theodore F. Margarum, one of the best and most favorably known men in the county, died at his home in the Borough of Sussex. The flight of his spirit leaves an immense void in his circle of friend- ship and kinship. In every station in life he acted well liis part. While he possessed a len- derness of heart not known to many, he strove
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always to do justice to all, and was patient of the faults of others. He shrank from no responsi- bility which he should assume, and he maintained the dignity of manhood. He had a commanding intellect, and while of a quiet, mild and moderate nature, he impressed noble ideas of honor upon those around him. Human sentiments are strong- ly affected by associations. The companions and friends of Theodore Margarum were the better in the higher purposes of life for his friendship and personal contact. He was fond of the so- ciety of men younger than himself. He infused high impulses into more youthful minds; and while as a human being he is no more, his in- fluence will extend along the avenue of life so long as memory shall last.
A personal friendly relationship of thirty years, which involved almost daily contact, made known to the writer the high purposes of his life, his aspirations and his hopes for those who looked to him as father and friend. The writer also knew his generous consideration for those de- pendent upon him and those who lovingly cared for him in his illness. He was our staunch friend, when friends were needed; a good, safe adviser, when advice was needed.
At the announcement of his death we were taken back over the years and incidents of his kindness in our personal relations, and we won- dered not that his departure touched the chords of public sympathy, for we are only one of many whose hearts go out in the same sad phase of human experience. All who knew him testify to his integrity of purpose, his fidelity in ser- vice, and his absolute uprightness of character in public and private life. He has left a legacy of memories and of good name valuable far beyond any worldly possession. As another mound is raised in the familiar cemetery and another name added to the long list of friends who have gone to the other shore, there comes a feeling of deep satisfaction from the hope that by-and-by we will all be there; and then, no more death, no more mourning, no more grief. There was not the least pretence nor hypocrisy in the nature of Mr. Margarum, and when his hour came he died as he had lived, relying upon the justice and mercy of his Maker. If his irre- proachable life hath its reward in the other world his spirit is peaceful and happy in the abode of the blessed.
Resolutions passed by the board of direc- tors of the Farmers' National Bank of Sus- sex, upon the death of Theodore F. Mar- garum :
Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to re-
move Theodore F. Margarum, who was an es- teemed and successful banker ; and,
Whereas, In recognition of his worth and char- acter the Board of Directors of the Farmers' National Bank of Sussex deems it meet and proper to unite in a tribute to his memory; there- fore,
Resolved, That in the death of Theodore F. Margarum, Sussex county has lost one of its most loving citizens and best bankers; that he was a man of high character and noble attain- ments ; that he was bold and firm in his official duties, but at the same time kind and pleasant. His thought was profound and his judgment the best. He had a clear mind and a deep intellect, and his wisdom was sought by young, middle- aged and old. By his activity, industry and good management the bank flourished. He had a mild and loving disposition, always a pleasant word and good cheer to those whom he met, and was friendly and social to all classes, drawing them to him, so that his friends were almost number- less. He was kind-hearted, a good neighbor, a friend to the poor, always generous and benevo- lent, and his hand was open to help the needy. He was one of the best of citizens, always ready to contribute to every good cause. His was a good life. He was a Christian gentleman, and we believe that since God has called him to his reward, he is among the righteous in heaven.
Resolved, That in further respect to the mem- ory of this kind esteemed banker and citizen we recommend that this tribute be spread upon the minutes of the bank and a copy sent to the family, and that it be published in the Sussex Independent and Wantage Recorder.
A. WATSON SLOCKBOWER, CHARLES A. WILSON, S. CHRISTIE HAYNE, LEO P. WISE, Committee on Resolutions.
BOISAUBIN, Vincent,
Noted Soldier and Divine.
Vincent Classe Van Schal-Kwyck Bois- aubin was born in the parish of Port Louis. island of Guadeloupe, French West Indies. April. 1755. died at his residence near Mor- ristown, New Jersey, in June, 1834.
Rev. Father Dutertre, an eminent .divine and author, in his invaluable history of the French West India islands ( Histoire des Antilles ), has traced the history of the is-
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land of Guadeloupe from its first settlement in the year 1625, under French auspices, to the year 1667, and since that time Dessalles and other well known writers have com- pleted the narrative of events occurring in the Antilles down to more modern times. We learn from them the great hardships these colonists suffered, of their long and terrible wars with the native Caribs, how after many years those savages were finally subdued, and how in 1674 the island of Guadeloupe was made a colony of France during the reign of Louis XIV. From this time the colonists took part in all the great wars waged by the mother country, from which they suffered severely. Valiant and successful resistance was made by them against the attacks of the English in the years 1666, 1691 and 1703, and during most of this time they contended single-handed against this formidable foe. France, being so engrossed in her vast continental wars, was unable to render her colony material assistance, owing to which and other causes the island capitulated in 1759 to Great Britain, and remained a British colony until the year 1763. After throwing off the Brit- ish yoke, in the war of 1794 they were again captured by their old enemy, who, however, in June of the same year was expelled by the colonists from their beloved soil, under the leadership of officers sent by the French national convention. In the year 1810, Eng- land was again victorious, holding posses- sion until the treaty of 1813, when the island was ceded to Sweden. In 1816 the French General Boyer de Peyreleau obtained a foot- ing in the island when, negotiations inter- vening, the English withdrew, from which time the island has remained a colony of France.
This brief resumé of the severe trials and sufferings of this brave people is given to show in what mold this valiant race was cast, and how, almost single-handed, they defended their country, contending against one of the most powerful nations of the world, and how at last they secured their
colonial independence ; and furthermore, to show that it was from such heroic an- cestors that the subject of this sketch was immediately descended. Also, Mr. Boi- saubin was of good old Dutchi stock, his father being a Van Schal-Kwyck, a lineal descendant of the Van Schal-Kwycks of the town of that name (the family ancestral home), situate in the province of Utrecht, Holland. In 1630 the Baron Van Schal- Kwyck, with his followers and many other compatriots, was banished from his native country for reasons political and religious. He found refuge in Brazil, where for sev- eral years he and his fellow countrymen enjoyed peace and prosperity. War having been declared between Portugal and Hol- land, the refugees were again obliged to flee, and in their own vessels sailed for the French Antilles.
Mr. Boisaubin was born in the year above stated, and at the age of seven was sent to Paris for his education. after the comple- tion of which, at the age of seventeen, he was enrolled as a member of the famous Garde de Corps of King Louis XVI, which was composed of the nobility only, being commanded by the Duke of Luxembourg. He served therein for sixteen years, at- taining the grade of first lieutenant. Hav- ing obtained leave of absence for the pur- pose of visiting his estates in the island of Guadeloupe, he happened there when the French revolution, with its attending hor- rors, broke out. Its emissaries reaching the island, Mr. Boisaubin, being a well known and devoted royalist, was obliged to flee in order to save his life. Hastily gathering what valuables he could, he took passage with his family and body servants on an American vessel bound for the United States. His parting with his slaves. some twelve hundred in number, was most affect- ing. Having been to them a kind and pro- tecting master, they were greatly attached to him and wished to follow him and share his fallen fortunes. As the vessel on which he was to sail was lifting anchor, a negro
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was discovered in the water alongside. Mr. Boisaubin recognized him as one of his slaves; the faithful creature, wishing to join his master, swam three miles from shore to gain the ship! Mr. Boisaubin, in the kindness of his heart, was unable to refuse the appeals of the devoted black, and brought him to the United States.
Morristown, New Jersey, being a town well known to most Frenchmen, by reason of the reports of travelers and of the French officers who had served with Washington, with many of whom Mr. Boisaubin had been acquainted in France, he determined to make that place his home, which he eventu- ally did, purchasing a tract of land midway between Morristown and Bottle Hill (now Madison). Here he settled and began the life which he ever after maintained,-that of a plain Jersey farmer. The mercenaries of the Revolution having seized upon his estates, he found himself impoverished, and was obliged to earn his living in the same ways as did his farmer neighbors. Upon his arrival in this democratic country he dropped his titles to nobility, and, adopting the name of one of his plantations in Guade- loupe, became simply Vincent Boisaubin. which name he bore ever afterward.
In a few years after Mr. Boisaubin's ar- rival in America, the great Emperor Na- poleon, wishing to have it known that he was friendly to his royalist subjects, though opposed to the Bourbon family, magnani- mously restored to them the estates and properties which the Revolutionists had con- fiscated. Thus Mr. Boisaubin entered into his own again, and with return of wealth he extended aid to neiglibors and friends in distress with lavish hand. Later on. Charles X., king of France, wrote Mr. Boisaubin an autographı letter, inviting his return to France to resume at his court the high position previously held by him under the good but ill-fated Louis XVI. The veteran of the Garde de Corps in courteous terms replied, "that having found peace and justice in this noble land, he was content to
abide therein, and devote his best energies for its advancement and prosperity!" It was the same king who sent him as a reward for his many eminent services, past and pre- sent, the much coveted honor of Chevalier de St. Louis, together with the insignia and jewels of this most ancient and renowned order of knighthood. The following obitu- ary notice, taken from the Newark "Daily Advertiser," of June 12, 1834, is a just tribute to this great character and nature's nobleman :
"Died on the 8th instant at his residence near Morristown, Vincent Classe Van Schal-Kwyck Boisaubin, Esquire, in the eightieth year of his age. The death of this distinguished citizen and philanthropist is a serious loss to the society of which he was an ornament, and will be feelingly deplored by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. He was a nobleman in the best sense, who exhibited in all his intercourse with society those qualities of mind and heart which dignify and adorn the human character. Mr. Boisaubin was a native of the island of Guade- loupe. though educated in France under dis- tinguished advantages, and emigrated to this country during the frightful troubles in that is- land consequent upon the French revolution. He settled at Bottle Hill within about three miles of Morristown, where he has lived during a period of forty years, universally beloved and respected, conspicuous by his noble form and bearing, his polished and courteous manners and the munificence of his charities. The respect of the community which knew so well how to ap- preciate these qualities was properly evinced on the occasion of his funeral. The stores were closed, and it has been remarked to us that nearly the whole adult population were assem- bled at the interment. It was a distinguished expression of feeling that within a mile of the cemetery the horses were spontaneously taken from the hearse, which was thence drawn by a company of his oldest and most worthy neigh- bors. Mr. Boisaubin leaves a family of six chil- dren to inherit his good name and virtues."
His descendants were later represented by the families of the Boisaubins, Beauplands and Thebands, of Madison, New Jersey i the latter also of New York City), and the Van Schal-Kwyck de Boisaubins and Formons of France, most of whom took rank amongst our most distinguished cit-
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izens, and did honor to their noble ancestor. The eldest son, named Boisaubin, was a graduate at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and died in the service of his country.
HANCOCK, John,
Famous Old Clergyman.
Among the first representatives of the Methodist ministry in Morris county was John Hancock, "a unique man of Chatham township, whose character may be summed up in the words which describe Barnabas- 'a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and faith.'"
He was born in Springfield, New Jersey, in 1776; and, left fatherless when eight months old, he was carried in his mother's arms from the blackened ruins of the village, burned by the British, to Madison. His advantages were few but his diligence was great. The first book he ever owned was "A New Geographical, Historical and Commercial Grammar, and Present State of the Several Kingdoms of the World." This be bought for six dollars, all obtained from selling hazelnuts gathered in the even- ing when his work was done, for at that time he was serving as an apprentice in Columbia. He thoroughly mastered the contents of that book. He early began to write, and all through his long life his thoughts flowed into rhyme as easily as into prose, his words having some of the rude quaintness of Bunyan. His early religious exercises were genuine and deep. He joined the Methodist Episcopal church in 1801, and learning to speak in the class-meeting, he soon went forth into school-houses, private dwellings and wherever a door was open, publishing the glad tidings. In 1803 he was licensed as a local preacher, in 1814 ordained as a deacon, and in 1833 ordained as elder by Bishop Hedding. His own house, as soon as it was completed, in 1803, was opened for a regular place of preaching, and continued to be so used until 1832. For
the remainder of his life, while still sup- porting his family by his business and farm, he preached in the circuit formed by Flan- ders, Paterson, Newark, Rahway and New Providence, in heat and cold, in sunshine and storm, his expenses generally more than his receipts, but he continued his work, ever fulfilling the injunction, "As ye go, preach." He had a great fund of humor, which, how- ever, he kept within bounds. He died in great peace, in full possession of his facul- ties, in his seventy-eighth year, leaving blessed memories behind him in all these neighborhoods. Close by his dwelling Mr. Hancock had set apart a portion of land for a family cemetery, which in his will he made "a public burial place." Near the entrance, and in full view of those who pass by, was long to be seen a square board tablet, sus- tained by two tall posts, on which was painted in large yellow letters, some homely but practical lines, written by himself and commencing thus :
Ye travelers through the vale of strife To endless death or endless life,
Here you may learn midst joy or tears The end of worldly hopes or fears.
HINCHMAN, Guy M.,
Noble Old-Time Character.
Guy Maxwell Hinchman was born in Newtown, Tioga county (now Elmira, Chemung county), New York, on Novem- ber 29, 1795. He was of English descent, his grandfather, Joseph Hinchman, having been a surgeon in the English navy during the hostilities with the French in 1757, and subsequently married Anna Griffing and set- tled on Long Island. Their children were: John, James, Nathaniel, William and Jo- seph.
The last named was born in Jamaica. Long Island, August 28, 1762, and was the father of Guy M. Hinchman. Joseph Hinchman Jr., when sixteen years of age. enlisted in the patriot army and took part in a number of severe engagements, also
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suffering the privations and hardships at- tending the winter encampment at Morris- town. When his term of enlistment expired he studied medicine with his uncle, Dr. James Hinchman, at Florida, Orange coun- ty, New York, and commenced to practice at Minnisink, in the same county. On December 20, 1787, he married Zerviah Seely, a daughter of B. Seely, of Milford, on the Delaware. In 1788 he removed to the town of Chemung, Montgomery (after- ward Tioga) county, New York, and in 1793 he changed his residence to Newtown (now Elmira) in the same county, having the distinction of being the first physician and surgeon to locate in that county. By a commission dated February 18. 1795, he was appointed by Governor George Clinton sheriff of Tioga county, which then com- prised the present counties of Tioga, Che- mung, Broome, and a portion of Chenango. On November 13, 1800, he was appointed by Governor John Jay a commissioner to inspect and improve the road leading from Catskill Landing, Greene county, to Cather- inestown, Tioga county. Among Dr. Hinch- man's warm personal friends was Guy Max- well, after whom he named his second son, the subject of this review. Mr. Maxwell was a merchant and a prominent citizen of Tioga county. He originally settled there as a trader with the Seneca Indians, one of the tribes in the Iroquois confederacy. In consideration of his name he presented his namesake with one hundred acres of land at the head of the Seneca lake. There were born to Dr. Hinchman and his wife six chil- dren-Stella, Lesbia, Hiram, Guy M., Zer- viah and Felix. Hiram and Zerviah died in infancy. Dr. Hinchman died July 23. 1802, and his widow was remarried in 1807 to Isaac Baldwin, of Chemung, and died May 17, 1810.
In August, 1810. in compliance with the wishes of his mother, expressed shortly be- fore her death, Guy M. Hinchman, in com- pany with his uncle, Samuel S. Seely, started for New Jersey, traveling on horse-
back. A large part of the journey he made alone, his uncle parting company with him at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The fif- teen-year-old lad accomplished the distance between Wilkes-Barre and Flanders, New Jersey, in less than two days, arriving at the residence of his uncle, William Hinchman, late in the afternoon of the second day, thus displaying early in life the same energy and determination that were his dominant characteristics in later years. After a rest of a few days he commenced his business career by taking the position of junior clerk in the store of his uncle, James Hinchman, at Succasunna Plains, the senior clerks being William F. Kerr and Chilion F. DeCamp. He remained so employed until 1815, divid- ing his time between the store at Succasunna and a supply store at Brookland, at the outlet of Lake Hopatcong, where his uncle had a four-fire bloomery forge and a grist and saw mill. At the close of the year 1814 he went to the Mount Pleasant mine near Dover and took charge of affairs, his uncle having a short time previously purchased the mine of Moses Tuttle for the sum of four thousand dollars, payable in monthly installments of iron ore. In the latter part of 1815 he purchased from his uncle and his cousin, John R. Hinchman, their interest in the mine property, by paying each of them nine hundred dollars, and obligating himself to pay to Moses Tuttle the balance due him on the monthly installments of ore, as stipulated in their contract. This he subsequently did, and received from Moses Tuttle a title to the mine. He con- tinued to operate the mine for seven years, and in the fall of 1822 he sold the property . 10 Nathaniel Corwin for the sum of three thousand dollars. During this period Mr. Hinchiman could mine as much ore in six months as lie could dispose of during the entire year, notwithstanding the fact that the Mount Pleasant ore was considered equal, and by some superior, to that pro- duced by the Dickerson mine at Succasunna. These two mines supplied all the demands
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for ores used in the bloomery forges of the quality of their products. They con- sisted of a puddling and rolling mill for the manufacture of refined iron; a rivet mill, where boiler rivets and brace-jaws were produced; and a steel furnace, where iron was converted into blister steel by the odd process of carburizing iron bars by im- bedding them in charcoal powder and ex- posing them to a temperature above red- ness. During the thirty-four years of his connection with the works, Mr. Hinchman became so closely identified with the busi- ness and his relations with Mr. McFarlan were so cordial and confidential that he conducted its affairs as if it had been in fact his own property. this section at that time. Money in those days was a scarce commodity in the com- munity, and Mr. Hinchman received as pay for ores sold, bloomery iron drawn into octagonal bars under the forge hammer. In order to find a market for the iron thus obtained, he was obliged to haul it by teams to Elizabethtown Point for shipment to New York, where he converted it into mer- chandise or money, as his necessities de- manded. In the spring of 1823 Mr. Hinch- man removed with his family to New York, where he entered into partnership with Wil- liam H. Hinchman in the wholesale grocery business, at No. 10 South street. He first resided in Stone street, then in the heart of On January 29, 1841, Mr. Hinchman was elected president of the Union Bank of Dover, which office he held until 1866, when the tax on the issues of State banks be- came so onerous that it was deemed best by the stockholders to discontinue the business and place their capital in other channels of trade. This bank had the unique distinc- tion of having its bills pass current in every State of the Union, which was at variance with the general run of State banks of the period, whose bills of issue would hardly pass current outside of their immediate vicinity, to say nothing of circulating in other States. The high esteem in which this bank was held arose from two causes, one being its excellent management, and the other that its bills were redeemed in gold or its equivalent on presentation in New York at the banking house of Vermilye & Company or the importing house of Phelps, Dodge & Company, the last named being large stockholders in the institution. The bills of the Union Bank had an exchange value which made them eagerly sought for by bankers and merchants throughout the country. the city; but, his family increasing, it was deemed best for the health of the young children to change his residence to the suburbs ; so he removed to Broome street, a short distance from Broadway, which at that time was thought to be well in the country. In 1825 his partner died, and he continued the business alone until 1834, when his health having become impaired, he was compelled to relinquish his business and go to the country with his family. He spent the winter of 1835 at Longwood, with his brother-in-law, Chilion F. DeCamp. His health was so much improved by the brac- ing mountain air of that region that in the spring of that year, at the solicitation of Henry McFarlan, he accepted the manage- ment of the Dover iron works, owned by Blackwell & McFarlan, but at that time rented by Henry McFarlan, and subse- quently purchased by him. Mr. Hinchman entered into his new position May 5, 1835, and continued in the supervision of the works until July, 1869, when the iron busi- ness became depressed, and Mr. McFarlan, finding himself perfectly easy in his business affairs and having no obligations unmatured Mr. Hinchman was for many years the best known man in Dover, and one of its most prominent citizens, both in its business and social world. During the forty-four or outstanding, decided to close his business and dispose of his mills. These works were for their day quite ex- tensive, and had an enviable reputation for years of his residence there he saw it grow
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