USA > New Jersey > Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume III > Part 12
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1851, and contributing liberally of their substance and time.
Mr. Dilts married, December 11, 1845, Margaret Hoffman, born April 13, 1819, and died November 20, 1877, daughter of Henry I. Hoffman, of Morris county, New Jersey. Children : Henry C .; Annie, died at the age of twelve years; Eli, died in infancy; George W., residing in Wash- ington, New Jersey ; Emma E., widow of Henry Johnston, of Washington, New Jersey ; . Ella; William G .; Ulysses G.
CONGAR, Bruen Hayes,
Representative Citizen.
Many years ago Mr. Congar trod the streets of Newark, a quiet man whose life was spent in the management of his own private estate and within the sacred pre- cincts of his home. He came of the oldest and most prominent Newark families, each of his names, Bruen, Hayes, and Congar, being family names well-known and highly honored. Few will now recall him except those of his own family who remain, or perhaps an old member of the First Presbyterian Church, who will re- member his regular attendance and deep interest in that church and its work. His father, Samuel Congar, was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, serving in a Newark company of New Jersey troops. His mother, Hannah (Hayes) Congar, was of a leading Newark family, daugh- ter of Major Samuel Hayes, who was ac- tive and vigilant during the trying times of the Revolutionary War.
Bruen Hayes Congar was born at the Broad street residence of his parents in Newark, New Jersey, December 10, 1796, died in his native city, March 2, 1868, in the seventy-second year of his age. He attended school in the old White school house which stood for many years at the junction of Broad (now Clinton avenue) and Washington streets in the lower part
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Bruen Hages Gonger
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of the town. He was all his life a student and a reader, gaining from literature and observation a wide store of useful knowl- edge. In youth he learned the silver plater's trade which he followed for some years, engaging later in other pursuits, but was obliged by ill health to retire from active business for several years. He was a man of quiet, retiring tastes and disposition, sought not political pre- ferment, although he held several local offices. He was an ardent Whig and a warm admirer of Henry Clay, who was his favorite public character. After the formation of the Republican party he gave that organziation his support, was a strong union man and aided the cause all he could during the Civil War. In his younger years he was deeply inter- ested in the militia organiations of New- ark and the State, enlisted as a private, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and later was elected captain. He be- came a member of the First Presbyterian Church early in life, and was very careful in his observance of his church duties. He was an earnest Christian and lived his religion every day. He was a good man and left behind him an untarnished name.
Mr. Congar married, March 24, 1822, Eliza Tichenor, born February 6, 1799, died November 18, 1882, daughter of James and Abigail (Hedden) Tichenor, both of old and highly respected Newark families. She bore him two daughters: Phoebe Ann Pierson, died in 1836, aged seven years, and Anna Elizabeth, who is the last survivor of her family, and to the memory of her honored father and gentle mother brings this tribute of love and re- spect from across the years that have separated them.
MUIR, Edward Alexander, Merchant, Moral Uplifter.
In the death of Edward Alexander Muir, which occurred November 1, 1912,
Newton and New Jersey lost a most ex- emplary citizen, one of the greatest pro- moters of moral ethics and of strong busi- ness policies in the State. Mr. Muir was born May 3, 1849, in Parsonstown, Kings county, Ireland, a son of Alexander and Mary Faith (Stothard) Muir, the former of Scotch and the latter of English line- age. Alexander Muir was a merchant in Parsonstown, an exemplary citizen, and reared his son to move in the way he should go.
Edward A. Muir was educated in a pri- vate school in his native land, and was a studious youth, active in both sport and study, and ambitious to advance himself in life. Before the completion of his twentieth year he started for America, passing his birthday anniversary on the ocean enroute. He at once entered busi- ness life in New York City and became one of the responsible heads in the estab- lishment of Alexander Lyle, a dry goods dealer of New York City, where he con- tinued several years. He was later with Arnold, Constable & Company, continu- ing some ten years in this association. He had had some experience in mercan- tile life in his uncle's establishment, in youth, then in Dublin in a like capacity, and made most excellent use of his oppor- tunities in this country, so that his pro- motion was rapid and steady. In 1888 he went to Morristown, New Jersey, where he opened and took charge of a store for his brother-in-law. Charles Dur- gan, and conducted it successfully for two years. Following this he established himself in business at Newton, New Jer- sey, where he opened a department store, which was a success from the beginning, and is still in operation, under the control of his widow. It is the largest establish- ment of the kind in the section, and is modern in equipment and method, being easily the leading mercantile establish- ment of the county. While Mr. Muir was an active and busy merchant, he always
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had time for the promotion of any under- taking calculated to enhance the pros- perity and moral condition of the commu- nity in which he lived. He was a remark- ably fine mathematician, a good calcula- tor, and his success in business was due to his own intelligence and industrious effort. He arrived in America without capital, but diligence and close applica- tion and a keen sense of adaptability made him a master in his chosen field. Mr. Muir was a man of modest and retir- ing nature, deeply religious, and devoted to his church and its auxiliary forces. While in no sense a politician, he was a firm advocate and supporter of his princi- ples in either religion or public life, unselfish, generous and philanthropic. Strictly honest himself, no deviation from upright standards was permitted in the conduct of his business. For many years he was a member of the Baptist church of Newton, a most devoted Christian, and filled the office of deacon at the time of his death. He was long superintendent of the Sunday school, and active in every- thing undertaken to promote the cause of Christianity. The only other associations with which he affiliated were the Royal Arcanum and the Newton Board of Trade. His example will long live as an inspiration to others.
Mr. Muir was married, August 18, 1885, in East Orange, New Jersey, to A. Louise Condit, daughter of Cyrus Parkhurst and Sarah Jane (Champlin) Condit. They were the parents of three sons: Alex- ander Wyckliff, Harold Edward, and Cyrus Henry. These sons have been well reared and will ever honor the memory of their noble father.
HINCHLIFFE, William Fitzgerald, Public-Spirited Citizen.
In the death of William Fitzgerald Hinchliffe, which occurred in Paterson,
New Jersey, March 21, 1913, the city of Paterson lost a representative citizen, a man of strong mentality who won suc- cess in his business undertaking by his ability, fidelity and perseverance, who in social life was courteous and kindly, ever mindful of his duties as a citizen.
Mr. Hinchliffe was born in Paterson, New Jersey, January 4, 1854, son of John and Julia Hinchliffe, of Paterson, the for- mer named a native of Yorkshire, Eng- land, and the latter named a native of Ireland. He obtained an excellent edu- cation by attendance at the schools of his native city, after which he became a stu- dent in the Quimby Institute in Paterson, New Jersey, and was later schooled by practical experience at the John F. Betz Brewery in Philadelphia, where he mas- tered all the branches of the business and became a thoroughly practical and expert brewer. He then became associated with his father in the brewery conducted by him in Paterson, holding the position of brewer for thirty-five years, taking special part in the brewing of ales and porter, and thus materially assisting in bringing the product of the brewery up to the very highest standard. When the business was incorporated, William Fitzgerald and his brothers, John and James, were made officers in the firm, the father being presi- dent and William Fitzgerald vice-presi- dent, the latter continuing active in the management of the business up to the time of his decease. The elements which go to make up an upright manhood were his. Energetic and trustworthy in busi- ness, genial and kindly in his intercourse with his fellowmen, a champion of all that tended to promote the material, social and moral welfare of the community, his life record is well worthy of emulation and it won for him the good will and regard of all with whom he was brought in con- tact, whether in business or social inter- course. He was a man of sterling worth,
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Fe Robore
Tutêm
Redder
rawfurd
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quiet and unassuming, staunch and true Holmdel township, Monmouth county, in his- friendship, and devoted to. his New Jersey, the eastern part of which was built by Captain John Bowne, some time prior to 1684. the western part by his son, Obadiah Bowne, in 1701. His life was passed in the management of his large estate and in promoting the general welfare of his community. He was a man of quiet .tastes and high character, held in highest esteem. family, whose needs and comforts were his first consideration. He was regular in his attendance at the services of St. George's Roman Catholic Church, held membership in the Young Men's Literary Club and in an association devoted to athletics, he being particularly interested in bowling and like sports. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Congress Club of Paterson.
Mr. Hinchliffe married (first) Joseph- ine Van Noort, a sister of Frank J. Van Noort, sheriff of Passaic county, New Jersey, and they were the parents of six children : Josephine, who became the wife of Dr. Charles O'Conners, of Brook- lyn, New York; Mary, who became the wife of Paul Belden, of Canton, Ohio; Catherine, who became the wife of Joseph Gschwend, of Columbus, Ohio: Joseph ; Leo: Claudine. Mr. Hinchliffe married (second) Loretta Gorman, of Bingham- ton, New York, and they were the parents of seven children : Edward, William Fitz- gerald, Jr., Richard, John, Arthur, Gerald, Elizabeth, a posthumous child.
Mr. Hinchliffe was public-spirited in an eminent degree, at all times giving his support to whatever was calculated to promote the general welfare, and in all the relations of life, whether as a business man or private citizen, he was.always found faithful and true, and in his life work no shadow or suspicion of evil doing darkened his honored pathway.
CRAWFORD, William Henry, Exemplary Citizen.
Sixty-five years was the span of life allotted to William .H. Crawford, years passed in honor amid most pleasant sur- roundings, his home the famous Bowne manor house at Crawford's Corner, in
He was a descendant of John Crawford, of Ayrshire, Scotland, who came to Amer- ica in 1672; William Bowne, of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1637; and of William Scott, who, with his wife, Abigail Tilton Warner, moved from Long Island to Monmouth county in 1682 or 1683.
The surname Crawford was originally derived from the barony of Crawford, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, long held by feu- dal lords who eventually took their title from it. The first person of record to bear the name was Johannes de Craw- ford, who is of frequent mention in the registry of Kelso about 1140, from whom has been traced a long line of descendants in England, Ireland and Scotland. In 1296, during the reign of Alexander II., Sir Reginald de Craufurd was appointed heritabie sheriff of Ayrshire, and the name was closely associated with Scot- tish history down to Alexander, son of Sir Malcolm and Margaret (Cunning- ham) Crawford, who was a sea captain and owner of the ship he commanded. About the year 1612 he settled in Ireland, where descendants became numerous.
Crawford Arms-Argent, a fess ermine. In chief two spears saltire, sable. Crest -A stag's head surmounted by a triple cross. Motto-Tutem te robore reddem.
(I) John Crawford, the first of the fam- ily in this country, came from Ayrshire, Scotland, about 1672, first making settle- ment in Massachusetts, then lived on Long Island, finally settling in Middle-
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town, Monmouth county, New Jersey, as early as 1678. He is first of record in New Jersey in a deed from Richard Gib- bons and wife, dated December 11, 1678, conveying to him a house and lot in Mid- dletown, assigned to the grantor in the first division of the land in 1667, under the Nichols Patent. The original deed was in the possession of descendants of John Crawford for 227 years, then (in 1895) was presented to the Monmouth County Historical Society (Monmouth County Deeds A. see fac-simile in "His- torical and Biographical Atlas of New Jer- sey Coast," page 69). Between 1691 and 1694 a number of men from Monmouth county and Long Island founded a town called Portsmouth, on Delaware Bay, in the lower township of Cape May county, about three miles north of Cape May Point, and the earliest deed for land at Portsmouth was made April 1, 1699, to John Crawford, for 300 acres. 1678, De- cember II : He bought a house and lot in Middletown, New Jersey, from Richard Gibbons and wife. 1678: He was licensed to keep an ordinary or public victualling house at Middletown. 1679, March 15: John Crawford made a mortgage to Rob- ert Hamilton. 1680, November 25: He had 306 acres of a proprietary grant sur- veyed for him at Middletown. 1682, April IO: Richard Hartshorne, attorney for Thomas Snowsell, sold forty acres in Middletown to John Crawford. 1682, July II: John Crawford bought land on the south side of the highway in Middletown, as it runs east and west from Samuel Moor, of Woodbridge, attorney for Mr. Anthony Checkely, of Boston, who re- ceived the same by process of law by a marshal's bill of sale of lands of Thomas Snowsell, July 10, 1682. 1684-5: John C. sold to Richard Hartshorne one hundred acres of land on the south side of said town (Middletown) adjoining the home
lots of Richard Stout, Richard Gibbons and John Smith. 1685, September 19: He sold 130 acres in Middletown to Jeremiah Bennet. March 25, 1687, he had a tract of 280 acres at Waykake, conveyed to him by patent from the proprietors of East Jersey. 1687, December 3: John Craw- ford, Gentleman, of Middletown, received a grant of land from the proprietors, bounded by Richard Gibbons and John Wilson, containing 200 acres, lying in Nutswamp, occupied by his descendants till recently. 1691, August 3: John Craw- ford, of Middletown, conveyed 280 acres to his son, John Crawford, Jr., of the same place, lying at Waykake, Monmouth county, New Jersey. 1692, April 30: John Crawford, of Middletown, and his wife Elizabeth, sold a sixteen acre house lot in Middletown to Major Anthony Brock- hole, of New York City. 1693. August 18: John Crawford, of Middletown, sold to Richard Hartshorne the sixteen acre homelot bought of Richard Gibbons in 1678. 1694: John Crawford died, and was buried upon his farm in Nutswamp. Middletown. His wife Elizabeth died about the same time. They had at least two sons, George and John.
(II) John (2) Crawford, son of John (1) and Elizabeth Crawford, remained in Monmouth county, where his father con- veyed land to him by deed dated August 3, 1691, but not signed and delivered until March 9, 1693 (Trenton Deeds F, 739; Monmouth Deeds A, 36). His father also gave him the Nutswamp tract which has been the Crawford homestead for many generations. He was a grand juror of Monmouth county in 1693. Not later than 1698 he married Abigail, surname un- known, who bore him at least one son, George Crawford. 1698: John Crawford, Jr., and wife Abigail, of Middletown, sold to Elisha Lawrence, of the same place, 2So acres, which he received from his
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William H Crawford.
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father, August 3, 1691. 1704, November 25: Administration was granted on the estate of John Crawford, Jr., of Middle- town.
(III) George Crawford, who so far as known was the only son of John (2) and Abigail Crawford, lived on the old Craw- ford homestead at Nutswamp, in Middle- town township, first conveyed to his grand- father, John Crawford, in 1687, where he died in 1745. His will, dated March 15, 1745, was proved at Perth Amboy, May 10, 1745, and is recorded at Trenton (D. 279). February 28, 1723, George Craw- ford, of Middletown, conveyed to Nicho- las Stillwell, of same place, weaver, land in Middletown, which he had received through his grandfather, John Crawford, who took title to it in 1687. George Crawford married, about 1726, Esther Scott, of Shrewsbury, born May 13. 1701, daughter of John Scott, whose will was made and proved 1736, recorded at Tren- ton, volume C.
The Scott family of Shrewsbury, New Jersey, is descended from William Scott, the first of the family to settle in Shrews- bury, and his wife, Abigail Tilton War- ner. He was a member of the Society of Friends. John, son of William and Abi- gail T. (Warner) Scott, born January 9, 1680, at Gravesend, Long Island, married Mary Bills, about the year 1700, and re- sided on the homestead inherited from his father, near Newman's Springs, in Shrewsbury township, Monmouth county. Mary was a daughter of Thomas Bills, and his second wife, Johanna Twining, who was a sister of his first wife, Anna Twining. Thomas Bills lived at Eastham and Yarmouth, Massachusetts, Burling- ton, New Jersey; Woodbridge, in the same State, finally settling at Shrews- bury. John and Mary (Bills) Scott were the parents of eleven children, the eldest, Esther, born May 13, 1701, becoming the wife of George Crawford, and the mother
of his seven children: George; Richard ; William, mentioned below; Job; Joshua ; Lydia; and Elizabeth, born in 1745, after her father's death.
(IV) William Crawford, third son of George and Esther (Scott) Crawford, married (license dated December 27, 1756) Catherine Bowne, daughter of Cap- tain John (3) and Anny (Lippitt) Bowne, and granddaughter of Obadiah Bowne, son of Captain John (1) Bowne, eldest son of William Bowne, the founder of the family in America. Children: Esther, born February 3, 1761, married Robert White; William, mentioned below; John Bowne, November 27, 1767, married Caro- line Field; Mary, married George Smith.
(V) William (2) Crawford, son of Wil- liam (1) and Catherine (Bowne) Crawford, was born October 9, 1763, and died De- cember 14, 1837. He was one of the wealthy men of his time, inheriting a goodły share of his father's estate, which had been greatly increased through the lands his wife, Catherine Bowne, brought to him. He married Rebecca Patterson, born October 9, 1768, daughter of John Patterson. of Middletown township. Children : John Bowne, married Cath- erine Crawford; William, died young ; William Henry, mentioned below; James Patterson, married Margaretta Bowne; Anne Bowne, married Hendrick Con- over.
(VI) William Henry Crawford, third son of William (2) and Rebecca (Patterson) Crawford, was born August 18, 1809, near what is now the town of Holmdel, Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, and died De- cember 21, 1874, at his home on that part of the Bowne homestead at Crawford's Corner, in Holmdel township, on which stood the large dwelling house erected by Captain John Bowne (1), and his son, Obadiah Bowne. His brother, John Bowne Crawford, inherited the Crawford homestead at Nutswamp and there re-
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sided, and to William H. came the Bowne acres largely. These constituted a goodly estate, and in their cultivation and care he found his life work. He received a good education at Middletown Academy, and all his life was a friend of progress and supporter of every forward move- ment in his community. He was a mem- ber and generous supporter of the Baptist church, a Democrat in politics, and one of Holmdel's most highly esteemed citizens. His years, sixty-five, were well spent, and he left to posterity a precious memory.
He married, January 8, 1834, Leah, daughter of Cornelius R. and Mary (Stoutenborough) Conover (see Conover VII). who bore him children: Holmes Conover (deceased), married Evelyn Pe- terson ; William Henry (deceased), mar- ried Phebe A. Duryea ; John Bowne (de- ceased), married Henrietta Schenck; Al- bro Benton (deceased) ; Charles Voor- hees, mentioned below ; Mary Jane Leslie, died September 6, 1904; Jamesanna Law- rence, now residing in Holmdel; Sarah Elizabeth (deceased), married Daniel T. Polhemus; Katherine Bibb (deceased), married Horace A. Field.
(VII) Charles Voorhees Crawford, fifth son of William Henry and Leah (Con- over) Crawford, was born November 17, 1844, at the old homestead at Crawford's Corner, Holmdel township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, and died at Keyport, New Jersey, April 16, 1908, aged sixty- four years, the last male survivor of his family. After graduation from Glenwood Institute, Matawan, New Jersey, he en- tered the hardware business in New York City, so continuing for a number of years, very successfully. After he had amassed a competency he retired from business, returned to the old homestead and then for several years was a director and secre- tary of the Keyport Banking Company.
Ile never married, was very fond of the old homestead and its surroundings, and
was one of the most upright of men, held in high esteem by all who knew him. Several months prior to his death he suf- fered a paralytic stroke which was the primary cause of his death. He was buried in Holmdel Cemetery, April 18, 1908.
(The Bowne Line).
The Bowne arms are thus described : Arms-Ermine, a lion rampant or, on a canton of the second a mullet sable. Crest -A demi-lion rampant sable, holding in its dexter paw a sprig of laurel leaves proper. Motto-Fama nominis bona.
The Bowne estate that was united with the Crawford estate by the marriage of William Crawford and Catherine Bowne, was first owned by William Bowne, founder of one of the oldest New Jersey families, and one of the grantees of the Monmouth Patent in 1665. He was in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1631, there re- ceiving a grant of land, May 17, 1637, and soon after moved to Gravesend, Long Island, where he was granted a "planting lot," November 12, 1646. He was assist- ant justice in 1651, and attended a council at New Amsterdam, held October 12, 1655. From 1655 to 1662, inclusive, he was a magistrate. He was granted a farm November 13, 1656, and in 1665 was one of the grantees of the Monmouth patent in New Jersey. In 1667 he was located at Portland Point (Atlantic High- lands), had a house lot at Middletown in 1675, and died at Portland Point, Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, in 1677. He was a member of Assembly of New Jer- sey in 1669, and member of the General Court of deputies and patentees, the same year. His first wife, whose Christian name was Ann, bore him five children : John, mentioned below ; James ; Andrew ; Philip ; Deborah, married Gershom Mott.
(II) Captain John Bowne, eldest son of William and Ann Bowne, was born about 1630, in England, and was with his father
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Chas. V. Onceford
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at Gravesend, where he received a "plant- ing lot" in 1647, and was one of the sign- ers of a petition for a minister in 1660. He appears frequently in the records as both a buyer and a seller of land, and was one of the party who on December 6, 1663, visited lands lying along the Raritan river, in New Jersey. He was a delegate to the Hempstead Convention, February 28, 1665, and in the same year, April 8, 1665, was one of the twelve patentees of the Monmouth Patent (his father also ap- pearing as one of the grantees). He set- tled on this property in 1667, and was head of one of the first five families in the county. He was a member of the paten- tees' court in 1670; was deputy in 1675- 1683, during the last four years was speaker of the house, and sat in the first legislature under the twenty-four pro- prietors; was a judge of Monmouth county courts, and in August, 1673, was deputized with the admirals and com- manders belonging to the States-General and Prince of Orange. He was elected to the first Provincial Assembly of New Jer- sey in 1680 (page 87 of Col. of Eng. Man.), also in 1681-82 and 1683; and in 1682 was speaker of the house (page 167). He was the first justice of the peace for Mon- mouth county in 1683, and in December of that year was commissioned major of the First Militia Battalion of Monmouth county. He was one of the founders of the first Baptist church ever organized in New Jersey, and donated the ground at Middletown for the first church and for a cemetery. Although never ordained, he acted as the first minister of that church, until a regular minister was settled over the church, whose house was built in 1688-89. He was one of the largest land- owners in the county, his acres being numbered in the thousands, partly located at what is now known as Crawford's Cor- ner, near the town of Holmdel, then Mid-
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