USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Narratives of Newark (in New Jersey) from the days of its founding > Part 13
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Simultaneously a wave of material pros- perity swept over the community, its spirit The Burr Parsonage on a site in William Street, near Broad Street was uplifted, and the young pastor, the moving force of it all, entered heartily into every plan for public improvement; but his chief desire, next to preaching
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the Gospel, was gratified when he associated himself with Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, Rev. John Pierson (son of the second Rev. Abraham Pierson), Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton, and a number of laymen, in organizing the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University.
The first charter was granted on October 22, 1746, by John Hamilton, president of His Majesty's Council of New Jersey, and acting Governor, following the decease of Gover- nor Morris. Rev. Mr. Dickinson was chosen President in the last week of May, 1747, at Elizabeth Town, and Rev. Caleb Smith, who studied divinity with him, and ordained a Presbyterian clergyman in the preceding April, became the tutor or usher. The young man was, on November 30, 1748, installed pastor of the Meeting House Society at Newark Mountains (now Orange). Miss Martha Dickinson, daugh- ter of his preceptor, and a bride of a few months, presided with grace and dignity over the parsonage.
The tutor acted as President of the college after Rev. Mr. Dickinson's death, which occurred on October 7, 1747. Later the institution was moved to Newark. The eight young men composing the student body were accommodated in homes near the Meeting House.
Commencement exercises, announced for November 9, 1748, attracted visitors (divines and others) to town, and the day was memorable, marking as it did the graduation of the first class of the now famed university.
The Board of Trustees reorganized in the morning after Governor Belcher, patron of learning, presented a new charter with liberal powers for conducting the college. The record states that when the members were duly sworn into office, "the Rev. Mr. Burr was unanimously chosen Presi- dent of the college and the vote of the Trustees being made known to him, he was pleased modestly to accept the same and took the oath of office required by the charter."
The sexton, alert and appreciative of the solemn duty de- volving upon him of ringing the Meeting House bell punctu- ally at the hour announced, was for the moment an object of .
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much concern. Only a limited number of families counted timepieces among their worldly collections and the sun dial noted the fleeting hours in the majority of homes.
Promptly did the people respond to the summons to the sanctuary. Men wore lace at throat and wrists, knee trousers, silk stockings (some were woolen), gold or silver shoe buckles, coat cut to reveal the variegated waistcoat, and the cocked hat. A few had rapiers at their side and all ap- peared with powdered hair which was "clubbed" in a queue at the back. The women, as a rule, dressed quieter, their gowns being of rustling silk, cambric, or coarser material. Dress of the masculine sex was at the height of its extreme effeminancy in the period preceding the Revolutionary War.
The sexton, standing in the centre of the main aisle, and holding the bell-rope in his hands, gave it a final tug. He then silently departed, taking his position near the entrance.
As the college officials mounted the rostrum the audience respectfully arose and a long prayer was offered by President Burr. Announcements were made and the morning exercises concluded with the reading of the charter.
In the afternoon the commencement exercises were held. The record states that "the President delivered a handsome and elegant oration, His Excellency, the Governor, was pleased to accept of a degree of Master of Arts, the young men responded with the customary scholastic disputations and all received the degree of Bachelor of Arts." The salu- tatory oration was given by Mr. Thane.
Richard Stockton, a jurist of note in a few years and the only member of the class taking up the legal profession, was a New Jersey Signer of the Declaration of Independence and a martyr to that patriotic duty. The other members, Enos Ayres, Benjamin Chestnut, Hugo Henry, Israel Reed, and Daniel Thane became clergymen.
While on a visit at Stockbridge, Mass., Rev. Mr. Burr met Miss Esther Edwards, daughter of the Rev. Jonathan Ed- wards, and, after a courtship of three days, their engagement was announced. In a month Miss Edwards, who was nineteen
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years of age, and her mother were on their way to Newark, where they arrived on June 27, 1752. Two days later, on Monday, June 28, the marriage ceremony was performed, and the home was established at the parsonage near the point where William Street enters Broad.
"She exceeded most of her sex," writers of the period testify, "in the beauty of her person as well as behaviour and conversation. . Her genius was more than common.
She possessed an uncommon degree of wit and vivacity, which yet was consistent with pleasantness and good nature. . . In short, she seemed to please one of Dr. Burr's tastes and character, in whom she was exceedingly happy. Her religion did not cast a gloom over her mind and made her cheerful and happy, and rendered the thought of death transporting."
Rev. Mr. Burr resigned his pastoral office in 1755, after a notable service of nearly twenty years. His undivided at- tention was then given to college work. In 1756 Princeton was selected as a permanent home for the institution. There "Old Nassau" has since remained, and associated with it are hallowed memories of a host-faculty and student body- which has contributed bountifully to the world's advance- ment.
Upon his return to Elizabeth Town from a visit to the Edwards home at Stockbridge, in August, 1757, President Burr was nearly prostrated by an indisposition. Notwith- standing his impaired physical condition, he rode across the country, six miles or more, to Orange, where he hastened to mourn and to console with the Rev. Caleb Smith just be- reaved of his wife. Mr. Burr preached the funeral sermon and then continued his journey to Philadelphia.
In September he was afflicted with a nervous fever, and on the 24th succumbed at the age of forty-one years. Mrs. Burr died on April 7, 1758. Two children, one named for the illustrious father, were born to them.
An admiring eulogist thus declaims Rev. Mr. Burr's vir- tues: "His piety eclipsed all his other accomplishments.
Rev. Aaron Burr, President of the College of New Jersey
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He was steady in his faith, unfluctuating in principle, ardent in devotion, deaf to temptation, open to the motives of grace, without pride, without ostentation, full of God, evacuated of self, having his conversation in heaven, seeing through the veil of mortality the high destiny of man, breathing a spiritual life, and offering by a perpetual holocaust adoration and praise."
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Part of Pewter Communion Service used in Mountain Meeting House (now Orange) in 1770
The New York Mercury of Monday, October 10, 1757, contained this notice of President Burr's death:
Nassau Hall, New Jersey, September 29th, 1757. On Monday last was interred Rev. Mr. Aaron Burr, President of the college. He died on the 24th inst., in the 41st year of his age. His funeral was attended by several ministers, all the students, and a large number of neighboring inhabitants. Universal was the grief on the melancholy occasion; and the loss of so valuable a man diffuses a general sorrow among all ranks of people. He was born at Fairfield, in Connecticut, and descended from one of the most considerable families in New England. His education he had at Yale College in New Haven and was reputed one of the best
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scholars in his class. He offered himself to an examination as a candidate for the Dean's bounty, and was adjudged worthy to enjoy that benefaction.
Then follows an account of his settlement in Newark and his presidency of the College of New Jersey:
By his pupils he was beloved as a friend, and like a father - revered and honored. In promoting the prosperity of the seminary, over which he presided, he was discouraged by no disappointment, but of unwearied assiduity and inflexible resolution. By his pious instruction and example, his affectionate addresses and gentle dis- cipline he initiated the students as well into the school of Jesus as into the literature of Greece and Rome, and ennured even youth in full luxury of blood to fly the infectious world, and tread the paths of virtue.
In him the Churches have lost a distinguished divine, the Col- lege a learned and faithful head, the poor a liberal, beneficent friend, his lady the best of husbands and the commonwealth an incorruptible patriot.
CHAPTER XXXIII
APPROACHING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
A N AGITATION over the iniquitous stamp act was stirring the colonists to the point of rebellion in 1765. The English government, desiring to increase its revenue, laid a heaven burden upon the subjects living on American soil, in the form of a tax upon articles used in the daily life. An aroused public spirit over this scheme created the first organized movement against the Crown. An assembly of colonists convened in New York on October 7, 1765, and ordered a protest against the imposition of the tax sent broadcast through the land and to England.
Stamps were sent by the English authorities to the various provincial headquarters and were placed on sale on Novem- ber 1. The people protested strongly. Church bells were tolled, emblems of mourning were displayed, and the men gathered in public places where the oppressive measure was discussed. Few of the stamps were purchased. The act was repealed.
Afterward another tax was placed upon tea. Window glass and other commodities were also listed for taxation by the English authorities.
The town centennial year was marked by the reception of a stalwart patriot-preacher among the leaders in thought and action, when Rev. Jedidiah Chapman was installed minister of the Mountain Society on July 22, 1766.
Commodious houses of sandstone and frame construction and a few stores and other buildings were evidences of the progressive spirit. The churches were sustaining the wor- ship of God with piety and regularity. Free Masonry re- cently secured a foothold in the organization of St. John's Lodge, No. 1, F. and A. M., of New Jersey. Instituted on
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May 13, 1761, at the Rising Sun Tavern, it was the first grouping of men outside the church and town meeting.
Customs of the people were of the same general character as in the early days. The preparation of meals was at the open fireplace and the household supply of sundry batches of biscuits, bread, loaf cake, and pies (huge ones, two feet in diameter) were baked in the Dutch oven, built of brick, at the side of the fireplace. First the wood was allowed to burn for several hours, then the ashes were carefully withdrawn and the articles prepared by the housewife placed in the evenly heated compartment.
Garden plots furnished a variety of vegetables, among them being early Charlton peas, white and yellow sugar beans, black and lemon carrots, parsnip, Holland spinach, pepper and scurvy grass, cabbage turnip, head and cut salad, drum and savoy cabbage, cucumbers, parsley, scarlet beets, asparagus, mustard, short and long top scarlet radishes. Fruits were plenty and included strawberry, raspberry, seaming caps, white and red gooseberry, white, red, and black currant bushes, and plum and quince trees. The snowball was a favorite bloom of the housewife.
Fennel seed was passed around the pew at Meeting House services and foot warmers were brought by the worshippers, as they had been within the recollection of the "oldest in- habitant." The Puritan custom of retiring soon after sun- set and arising at sunrise was observed.
Rev. John Brainerd, the noted and eloquent divine, had given four of the best years of his life at the Meeting House, preaching the gospel with fervency and zeal, and Rev. Dr. Alexander Macwhorter installed as minister of the church July 4, 1759, was displaying his energies in the pastoral, civic, and patriotic welfare of the people with marked ability and success.
Daniel Cundict, a man of force, liberty-loving and strongly attached to his home, lived on the west slope of the First Mountain, about a mile distant from Eagle Rock. Jemima, one of several children, in 1772, began her diary, which is
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preserved in an Essex County family. On the first page this item appears under date of August 24:
This day I am eighteen years of age. The Lord has been so merciful as to spare me so long when I have been sinning against Him dayly sins without number.
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Second Mountain Meeting House (now Orange) built in 1754 in centre of Main highway, near Day Street
The age was strongly flavored with Puritanism, when it was highly improper for one of her years to engage in pas- times savoring of mirth.
The "Boston Port Bill," passed by the British Parliament, March 29, 1774, was in retaliation of the citizens' act on December 16, 1773, when a cargo of tea was thrown into the harbor, as a rebuke for the exorbitant tax placed upon it.
The mandate of Parliament regarding the Port of Boston became effective on June 1, 1774, its purpose being to pre- vent the loading and unloading of vessels by allowing them to remain there only a few hours. Action could no longer be delayed. Freedom's voice was calling upon the Sons of Liberty to rally around the standard of equal rights of a people entitled to live freely and independently of a tyranni-
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cal King not in sympathy with the people he was endeavor- ing to subject to his will.
Essex county's mass meeting, which crowded the Newark Meeting House to the doors on Saturday afternoon, June 11, 1774, was one of the first public expressions of disapproval of the royal authorities' embargo on shipping in New Eng- land's principal harbor.
Every road leading to the county seat on that historic - June day was trod by patriots on their way to the People's Assembly. John DeHart and Isaac Ogden signed the call and the response was spontaneous and enthusiastic. The Declaration of Rights, there adopted, and sent through the colonies and to the Royal Throne in England, was emphatic and not evasive. The third in the series of articles adopted reads:
That it is our unanimous opinion that it would conduce to the restoration of the liberties of America should the colonies enter into a joint agreement not to purchase or use any articles
The Jones Homestead (about 1770) main highway near Maple Avenue and Main Street, East Orange
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of British manufacture, and especially any articles imported from the East Indies, under such restrictions as may be agreed upon by a general Congress of the said colonies hereafter to be appointed.
Nine delegates were elected to the Provincial Convention which convened on Thursday, July 21, following at New Brunswick. They were Stephen Crane, Henry Garritse, Joseph Riggs, William Livingston, William P. Smith, John DeHart, John Chetwood, Isaac Ogden, and Elias Boudinot. Stephen Crane, of Essex County, was chairman of the con- vention, which adopted the following strong resolutions:
1st. We think it necessary to declare, that the inhabitants of this Province (and we are confident the people of America in general) are and ever have been firm and unshaken in their loy- alty to His Majesty King George the Third; fast friends to the Revolution settlement; and that they detest all thoughts of an independence of the Crown of Great Britain; Accordingly, we do, in the most sincere and solemn manner, recognize and acknowl- edge His Majesty King George the Third to be our lawful and rightful Sovereign, to whom under his royal protection in our fundamental rights and privileges, we owe and will render all due faith and allegiance.
2d. We think ourselves warranted from the principles of our excellent Constitution, to affirm that the claim of the British Parliament (in which we neither are, nor can be represented) to make laws which shall be binding on the King's American sub- jects, "in all cases whatsoever" and particularly for imposing taxes for the purpose of raising a revenue in America is unconstitutional and oppressive and which we think ourselves bound in duty to ourselves and our posterity by all constitutional means in our power to oppose.
3d. We think the several late Acts of Parliament for shutting up the Port of Boston, invading the Charter rights of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and subjecting supposed offenders to be sent for trial to other Colonies, or to Great Britain; the sending over an armed force to carry the same into effect, and thereby reducing many thousands of innocent and loyal inhabit- ants to poverty and distress; are not only subversive of the un-
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doubted rights of His Majesty's American subjects, but also re- pugnant to the common principles of humanity and justice. These proceedings, so violent in themselves, and so truly alarm- ing to the other Colonies (many of which are equally exposed to Ministerial vengeance) render it indispensable of all, heartily to unite in the most proper measures to procure measures for their oppressed countrymen, now suffering in the common cause; and for the reestablishment of the constitutional rights of America on a solid and permanent foundation.
4th. To effect this important purpose we conceive the most eligible method is to appoint a General Congress of Commissioners of the respective Colonies, who shall be empowered mutually to pledge, each to the rest, the publick honour and faith of their con- stituent Colonies, firmly and inviolably to adhere to the deter- mination of the said Congress.
5th. Resolved, That we do earnestly recommend a non-importa- tion and a non-consumption agreement to be entered into at such time, and regulated in such manner, as the Congress shall appear, most advisable.
6th. Resolved, That it appears to us to be a duty incumbent on the good people of this Province, to afford some immediate relief to the many suffering inhabitants of the town of Boston.
Therefore, the several County Committees do now engage to set on foot, and promote collections, without delay, either by subscriptions or otherwise, throughout their respective counties; and that they will remit the moneys arising from the said subscrip- tions or any other benefactions that may be voluntarily made by the inhabitants, either to Boston, or into the hands of James Neilson, John Dennis, William Ouke, Abraham Hunt, Samuel Tucker, Dr. Isaac Smith, Grant Gibbon, Thomas Sinnicks, and John Carey, whom we do hereby appoint a Committee for for- warding the same to Boston, in such way and manner as they shall be advised will best answer the benevolent purpose designed.
7th. Resolved, That the grateful acknowledgments of this body are due to the worthy and noble patrons of constitutional liberty, in the British Senate, for their laudable effort to avert the storm they behold impending over a much injured colony, and in support of the just rights of the King's subjects in America.
8th. Resolved, That James Kinsey, William Livingston, John DeHart, Stephen Crane and Richard Smith, Esquires, or such of
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them as shall attend, to be the Delegates to represent this Province in the General Continental Congress, to be held at the City of Philadelphia, on or about the first of September next, to meet,; consult and advise with the Deputies from the other Colonies; and to determine upon all such prudent and lawful measures as may be judged most expedient for the Colonies immediately and unitedly to adopt, in order to obtain relief for an oppressed people and the redress of our general grievances.
(Signed) JONATHAN D. SERGEANT, Clerk.
William Livingston, James Kinsey, John DeHart, Stephen Crane and Richard Smith were chosen delegates to the Con- gress which met at Philadelphia on September 5, 1774.
Thus wrote Jemima Cundict in her diary: "Saterday, October first, 1774. It Seams we have troublesome times a coming, for there is great Disturbance abroad in the earth & they say it is tea that caused it. So then if they will Quarrel about such a trifling thing as tea what must we ex- pect But War: & think of at Least fear it will be so."
The crisis was reached in Newark and surrounding Essex County towns on December 7, 1774, another historic day in local annals. Homes were disrupted; intercourse, socially and commercially, in many instances, severed, and ties of re- lationship and bonds of friendship were destroyed forever. An unbroken front was presented by the several hundred citizens assembled upon that occasion.
Twenty-three persons were named as the Committee on Observation. These men shirked not the duty resting upon them. Each was henceforth marked by the enemies of the country. Inscribed upon this roll are the names of Joseph Allen, Garrabrant Garrabrant, Caleb Camp, Bethuel Pierson, John Range, Solomon Davis, Dr. Matthias Pierson, Samuel Pennington, Joseph Hedden, Jr., Daniel Cundict, John Peck, John Earle, John Spear, Moses Farrand, David Cundict, Joseph Lyon, Thomas Cadmus, Jr., Abraham Lyon, James Wheeler, Ichabod Harrison, Jonathan Sayer, Robert John- son, and Robert Neill, Jr. Some were descendants of the Signers of the Fundamental Agreement, and all were trusted
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men. It was their duty, each in his own neighborhood, to ascertain positively the attitude of all male members of adult years, who were required to declare either for or against the Continental Congress and the People.
Dr. Macwhorter at once signified his intention of associat- ing with the patriots; Rev. Mr. Chapman, of the Mountain Society; Rev. James Caldwell, of Elizabeth Town; Rev. Jacob Green, of Hanover, and Rev. Jacob Van Arsdale, of Springfield, all did likewise, and from that time till the close of the war their lives were in constant danger from assault by those in sympathy with the Crown. Rev. Mr. Caldwell, however, was assassinated at Elizabeth Town on November 24, 1781, by a British soldier.
Jemima attended service at Hanover one Sunday after the appointment of the committee. Her heart was heavy laden, for her father as a member had incurred the dis- pleasure of kindred and neighbors. He entered zealously into the work of ascertaining the views of the men in his section on the all-important question of the day. This was . recorded by Jemima:
A fast day. I went with my cousin to hear Mr. Green preach & the words of his Text was: the Race Not always to Swift, Nor Battle to the Strong.
Chief Justice Smyth, of the Essex County Courts, was challenged by the Grand Jury of the November term of 1774. He was charging the jury and had said: "The im- aginary tyranny three thousand miles away is less to be feared and guarded against than the real tyranny at our own doors."
Uzal Ward, foreman, at once made reply on behalf of the jury: "No bias of self-interest, no fawning servility to those in power, no hopes of further preferment would induce any man to lend his helping hand to the unnatural and diabolical work of riveting chains, forging for them at a distance of three thousand miles!"
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Conferences were frequently held in the winter of 1774- 1775 at the homes of the Committee on Observation and of others arrayed against King George. The Post Boy, the New York weekly newspaper, was circulated in the town and passed from house to house. Articles of a character tending to awaken the King to his perilous situation were published, but he did not heed them. The militia was ordered out for training and Jemima was brought down from her mountain home by her father to witness the soldiers drill. She gave this account of her impressions of what she saw in the Mili- tary Park of to-day:
Monday, which was called Training Day. I Rode with my Dear father Down to see them train, there Being Several Com- panyes met together. I thought it would be a Mournful Sight to See, if they had Been fighting in earnest, & how Soon they will be Called forth to the field of war we Cannot tell, for by What we Can hear the Quarrels are not Like to be made up without blood. shed. I have Jest now Heard Say that All hopes of Conciliation Between Britten & her Colonies are at an end, for Both the King & his Parliament have announced our Destruction; fleets and armies are Preparing with utmost diligence for that Purpose.
The list of Essex County residents was completed in early spring, which revealed every man's adherence to the Continen- tal Congress or King George. The citizens were ready for war long before the signal was fired on Lexington Green.
A dispatch rider, on the evening of April 23, brought news of the fight at Lexington and Concord and is thus re- lated by the local historian:
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