USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Narratives of Newark (in New Jersey) from the days of its founding > Part 17
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Seats were provided for five passengers and the trip over the corduroy road on the meadows was attended with. dis- comfort by the passengers and at times with physical ex- haustion. In the evening the stage made its return trip, starting from Major Hunt's tavern at Paulus Hook. Pas- sengers travelling to or from Philadelphia, Morristown and other points, stopped at Gifford's tavern for rest and refresh- ment. Here the local news and that of the outside world were disseminated. Primitive conditions prevailed. Fulton's steamboat had not appeared upon the Hudson River, though Colonel John Stevens, of Hoboken, in 1803, operated a small boat propelled by steam on the Passaic River.
Washington Irving frequently stopped at Gifford's tavern on his visits to the Gouveneur mansion in the upper part of
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NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
town popularly known as "Cockloft Hall," and where he wrote his book, entitled "Salmagundi."
One of the first stage routes or turnpikes was operated by the Mount Pleasant Turnpike Company, incorporated February 27, 1806. This road practically had its beginning at Gifford's tavern, proceeding along Market Street and the old Crane Road to the main highway in Orange, branching at St. Mark's Church in a northwesterly direction over Mount Pleasant Avenue, and thence across the mountains to Morris- town. It was a popular route in fair weather. One of the toll gates was located on Mount Pleasant Avenue east of the mountain top, and it was the delight of the small boy of the period to watch the keeper swing the gate open when travellers appeared.
Where the Kinney Building is now located, formerly the home of Robert Treat, John Burnet, handy to the tavern, held the not very remunerative office of postmaster. Letters were sealed with generous portions of red sealing wax. En- velopes were not in use till 1845. The postmaster enjoyed the privilege of reading all the newspapers and other period- icals till they were called for by those to whom they were ad- dressed.
On the southwest corner of Broad and Market Streets Jessie Baldwin had his home and store, bordering on the frog pond. Next to him, continuing along the west side of Broad Street in a southerly direction, was the home of Jabez Parkhurst, justice of the peace, and then in order Josiah Congar's store, Johnson Tuttle's tavern, the county court house (formerly the Presbyterian Church) and the county jail. Luther Goble's shoe shop and home was on a lot farther south, and then were Major Samuel Hayes' tavern, and Rev. Dr. Alexander Macwhorter's parsonage, the latter at the point now known as Broad and William streets. Be- yond, a vacant lot intervening, was the home and office of his son, Alexander C. Macwhorter, a lawyer, who died on October 8, 1808. At Hill Street, Jabez Bruen, shoemaker, was plying his trade and holding residence. On the south-
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THE THRESHOLD OF THE XIX CENTURY
west corner Peter Hill was living. Only five buildings were standing on the west side of Broad Street, from Hill Street to Lincoln Park. The first was owned by Samuel Congar, weaver. Matthias and Caleb Bruen (descendants of Oba- diah Bruen, whose name first appears on the bill of sale of Newark from the Indians in 1667), were engaged in cabinet making in the next building. After a long vacant frontage Eleazer Brown's house adjoined the dwelling of Hon. Peter
Corner of Mulberry and Lafayette Streets in Early Nineteenth Century
I. Van Berckel, Minister. Plenipotentiary from the United States of Holland to the United States of America. He died on December 17, 1800, and the interment was in the Old Burying Ground. On the east side of Military Common go- ing south were the parsonage of the Episcopal Church and the home of Rev. Dr. Griffin and that of Robert Young. The Poinier home and a carpenter shop in the rear were next in line. A land owner, who signed his name "G. Pintard, Gentleman," was a neighbor of the dis- tinguished patriot, Judge Elisha Boudinot. The latter's
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charming family led in society circles of the late Eighteenth and early Nineteenth Centuries. Judge Boudinot and Miss Katy Smith, daughter of Peartree Smith, were married October 14, 1778. This was the leading social event of New- ark during the Revolutionary War period. Near where Centre Market is situated Benjamin Johnson had his home, later occupied by Matthias Day, the postmaster. Three houses owned by Dr. Uzal Johnson, the Ogdens and General John N. Cumming, filled the space between that point and Gifford's tavern. South of the dwelling of John Burnet, for a time postmaster, was the home of Obadiah Crane, the home and store of Colonel Hayes, the office of the Sentinel of Freedom, published by Pennington & Dodge, and the First Presbyterian Church. Farm land extended from there to a block south of Hill Street, where Joseph Banks, hatter, was · carrying on his trade.
Opposite Caleb Bruen's residence Joseph Beach was dividing his time between farming and weaving. Across from the Van Berckel residence, where Lincoln Park be- gins, on the east side of Broad Street, dwelt Dr. William Burnet, surgeon in the Revolutionary War. Farm land, several acres in area, intervened between his estate and that of Josiah Beach. Another stretch of farm land and then ap- peared the home of Joseph Camp, farmer. Last of the houses on South Broad Street, of which there is record, was the home of Captain Nathaniel Camp, at what is now Camp Street.
The town's growth had scarcely developed beyond Mul- berry Street on the east and High Street on the west. Home building was largely in the outlying sections, particularly at the mountain, where, in 1800, there was a well-organized parish. Broad Street was lined on either side with beautiful shade trees. At Military Park and the Upper Common clustered specimens of the elm tree presented a beautiful picture in summer, and won the admiration of travellers. High Street, opened a century earlier, in 1695, as a public thoroughfare, was in 1800 known as Lovers' Lane, and only a
T. Gutekunst.
Philola.
Printed for Ferdinand J. Dreer.
Governor Joseph Bloomfield
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THE THRESHOLD OF THE XIX CENTURY
few farmhouses were built thereon. The wild grapevine emitted a fragrance there in late spring, rivaling the apple blossom of the earlier season for delicacy of perfumery. The foliage was dense and beautiful. West of High Street were wooded tracts and pasture lots. Game abounded and wild fruit was abundant. On an elevation beyond Mill Brook Rev. Uzal Ogden's farmhouse was a landmark. Slaves were employed about the estate and it was said that he raised corn chiefly for the purpose of feeding the hogs and that he raised the hogs with which to feed his slaves. Rev. Mr. Ogden entertained prominent foreigners and natives, among the former being Talleyrand, François Auguste and Viscount de Chatteaubriand, noted Frenchmen of the latter Eighteenth Century.
The Passaic River, over which the mansion had a com- manding view, was then an unpolluted stream of salt and fresh water in which were many varieties of fish.
Slaves were publicly flogged for committing misdemean- ors, and a well-defined sentiment was finding expression in Newark against the system of holding the black man in bondage. The Female Charitable Society, the first of New- ark's benevolent institutions, was founded in January, 1803. The first financial institution was chartered on February 17, 1804, as the Newark Banking and Insurance Company. On June 24, 1865, the title was changed to the Newark National Banking Company.
CHAPTER XXXIX
ORANGE SEPARATES FROM NEWARK
A GRICULTURE and shoemaking were the chief sup- ports of the people in 1800. Raw material was sent direct from the farmers to the tanneries and shoe-shops. Hat manufacturing during the first decade was a promising infant industry, while candle-making, cider-making, whiskey distilling, grist mills, saw mills, all contributed to local pros- perity. Fortunes were unknown, an individual possessing a thousand dollars in money being considered "well to do." Holdings were chiefly in land and live stock.
The town treasury funds were not sufficient to provide for public improvements in 1804. Captain Robert Nichols, the well-known engineer, who rebuilt the bridge over the Passaic River, destroyed during Washington's retreat in November, 1776, and who completed the interior of the First Presby- terian Church, was the man of the hour. He set about the duty of securing private subscriptions by circulating this petition :
Whereas, the New Town Dock in Newark is very much im- paired, which has cost a great sum of money to Erect it, and as the Trustees of the Public Dock at present are Engaged to Prepare the Dock, but not being able without the assistance of their fellow citizens' patronage, therefore, we being sensible of the great utility the said Dock is to this Town, therefore, we the subscribers each one for himself and not for another Do promise to pay unto the Trustees the Several Sums affixed to our names.
Moses Crowell gave two pounds, Luther Baldwin ten shillings, Aaron Harrison eight shillings, John Alling gave one king bolt and eight shillings and six pence and others sub- scribed proportionately to their means.
234
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ORANGE SEPARATES FROM NEWARK
Work was started on the dock improvement, March 27, 1804, and according to Captain Nichols' account book on "April 25, the new town dock is finished and set up. The wood that was left at the vendue to be struck off to the high- est bidder, which was Ichabod Carman, at twelve shillings." White men worked about the dock and slaves hauled ma- terial, "Black Henry," "Black Caesar" and others were em- ployed "two days in the wood and eight days at the dock, which makes ten days." Isaac Alling worked "5 days him- self & one with waggon and horses; William Nixon 32 days; Jonathan Andruss 2 days and Apprentice 1 day; Johnson Nichols 2 days, with 4 Cattle Carting Stone; Captain Hays } day; David Crane three-quar- ters day; Isaac Nichols, three good days; Caleb Campbell, } day; Isaac Sayers Apprentice 1 day."
Cradle Made for Herman Cadmus (1799)
In addition, quoting from the book, "the Trustees to Robert Nichols, to one Day going about with the subscription and collecting the money, five shillings," and under date of April 25, 1804, Nichols charged 12 days' work at eight shillings per day.
By an act of the New Jersey Legislature on November 27, 1806, the town of Orange was set off from Newark, and in the following April their town meetings were held separately. An important matter requiring adjustment between the mountain and the river towns was the provision for the poor. Committee meeting day was the occasion for road overseers, overseers of the poor, the idle curious, and the farmers having claims for sheep destroyed by dogs, to congregate at the tav- ern designated as the official headquarters. The inn-keeper, if alert to business possibilities (and he was never known to fail), had a goodly stock of refreshments in readiness for en- tertainment of the throng. The dinner horn sounded promptly at noon for those having an appetite and the price
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-two shillings (twenty-five cents). The proprietor sat at the head of the table. When weather was warm he appeared in shirt sleeves. Chicken pot-pie was the most appetizing viand of the early Nineteenth Century and was a rival of boiled pork and cabbage, then popular. The contents of the huge iron kettle, hung on an iron crane, under which logs of hickory burned, sent out tempting odors. Dumplings were placed in stately rows around the platter, which was about three feet in length. It was "skidded" along the board at the call of the diners. Vegetables, not forgetting the never-failing "cold-slaw" invariably served at the public house, were also on the bill of fare.
Dessert was not always on the menu. If the tavern keeper and cook (usually his wife) were in good humor, apple dump- lings in season were set upon the table, frequently without the formality of removing the other dishes. Steamed in large kettles, those concoctions of the old tavern days were a marvel of epicurean delight. When the savory mess was brought to the dining table each person with very little ceremony partook of it as inclination seized him. No one, as a rule, arose hungry from a tavern dinner.
The division line between Newark and Orange was ad- justed in this manner:
Survey of the lines Betwixt the Townships of Newark and Orange are as follows: Beginning at Turkey Eagle Rock, and running from thence south thirty-nine degrees and forty-five minutes east one hundred an'd fifteen chains to the middle of Phineas Crane's Bridge, thence South Sixty degrees and east seventy-nine chains to Silas Dodd's bridge; thence South thirty degrees and thirty-nine minutes. East ninety chains to the Boiling Spring, thence south twenty-nine degrees and fourty minutes west seventy-three chains and forty links to Peck's bridge; thence south thirty-nine degrees fifteen minutes west two hundred and six chains to Sayres Robert's bridge at Camp Town, thence South forty-seven degrees and forty minutes west one hundred and ten chains to a bridge in the Elizabeth town line where it crosses the Elizabeth River.
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ORANGE SEPARATES FROM NEWARK
The territory embraced the Oranges and parts of Mont- clair, Bloomfield, Irvington and Newark of to-day. The eastern boundary was at Meadow Brook (Peck's Bridge). Camp Town is now Irvington.
The division of the poor between Orange and Newark was consummated on June 3, 1808. "Agreeable to notice," reads the record, "the Townships Committee of the Town-
AP of the Town ofNM
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Map of Newark in 1808
ships of Newark and Orange met at the house of Moses Condit, Jun., inkeeper in Orange." Seventeen indigents were apportioned to Orange and the remainder were assigned to Newark. D. D. Crane was chairman of the Newark com- mittee and Stephen D. Day represented Orange. The division of the treasurer's funds required an all-day session at Roff's tavern, Newark, July 8, 1809, with this result:
Agreeable to notice the Orange Committee meet the Township Committee of New Ark. There was a balance found of three dollars Ninety three Cents in favor of New Ark township. A demand was made of two Seventh of five hundred dollars by Orange
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NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
Township for monies expended in defending the title to town lands, but New Ark Committee refused to act upon it. The above balance was paid by us, errors excepted. Signed by Stephen Hays, Aaron Johnson, James Vanderpool, Abraham Squire, New Ark Committee; Abraham Winans, Daniel Williams, Samuel Condit, Thomas Baldwin, Josiah Baldwin, Orange Committee.
An item of $23.72 was also allowed Orange on July 8, 1809, and from this was deducted $13.21, in payment of the bill of "James Edgins for an accompt he held against New Ark town- ship before we was set off."
Sufferings of the less fortunate were acute in the somewhat disordered economic conditions of the time. The poor list was the chief item discussed at the town meetings. Widows and fatherless children frequently became town charges, and cold and cheerless homes were the rule in all circles during winter months. The struggle for existence among a large majority of the people was continuous, but a strong faith abided that posterity would enjoy a better day, and their hopes have been fully realized.
The venerable Rev. Dr. Alexander Macwhorter, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, failed in health soon after Mrs. Macwhorter's death, on April 4, 1807. Three months later, in the fullness of his years, the faithful minister of God, with supernatural strength, extended his arms heavenward, then dropped them by his side, and his trials of earth were over. He had entered into his eternal rest.
Seldom has Newark felt keener sorrow than it did over his death. Badges of mourning were displayed about the church, which Dr. Macwhorter had served for forty-eight years, and the elders wore crape upon their arms for three months. The Rev. Dr. Edward Dorr Griffin, colleague and successor of the deceased pastor, preached the funeral sermon at the services held on July 22, and the body was placed in the parish burying ground. A marble tablet on the wall of the edifice, near the pulpit, bears this tribute to his memory, written, it is believed, by the Rev. Dr. Griffin
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ORANGE SEPARATES FROM NEWARK
Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Alexander Macwhorter, D.D. In him a venerable aspect and dignified manners were united with a strong and sagacious mind, richly stored with the treasures of ancient and modern learning. For a long course of years he was among the most distinguished supporters of literature and re- ligion in the American Church. He was a zealous asserter of his country's rights, a wise counselor, a pious and skilful divine, a laborious, prudent and faithful minister and a great benefactor of the congregation over which he presided forty-eight years. To his influence and zeal the congregation is greatly indebted for this house of God, the foundation-stone of which he laid in September, 1787. In gratitude for his distinguished services and from affectionate respect to his memory, the bereaved church have erected this monument. He was born 15th July 1734. He parted this life 20th July 1807, aged 73 years. The memory of the just is blessed.
Rev. Dr. Macwhorter's boyhood days were spent in the county of Newcastle, Delaware. His father was Hugh Macwhorter, a north of Ireland linen merchant, who emi- grated to America in 1730. Alexander was the youngest of eleven children. Entering the College of New Jersey while it was located in Newark, in 1756, at the age of twenty-two years, he received a degree in the following summer and was a member of the first class graduating at Princeton, where the college was removed in the autumn of 1756. He was installed pastor of the First Church of Newark at the age of twenty-five years.
CHAPTER XL
BATTLE OVER COUNTY SEAT
THE passions of Essex County residents were deeply aroused over an effort to remove the court house to Day's Hill, Springfield Township, in 1806. The control of the Board of Freeholders was in the hands of "southern tier" representatives, including Elizabeth Town, Rahway, Westfield and Springfield and the slogan of the day there was, "Why not have the court house moved to Day's Hill?" The county building was in a dilapidated condition, but the freeholders of the southern townships opposed its improve- ment notwithstanding its need of repairs and increased accommodation for the officials. Late in December popular expression favored a referendum as the only method of breaking the deadlock and the electorate was invited to record its preference for Newark or Day's Hill, as the place most suitable for the court house. The election was ordered for February 10, 1807.
A flood of oratory was set loose, debates held in every part of the county, public meetings convening daily and wherever an audience could be secured. Personalities entered into the discussion. Prediction of dire mishap to one side or the other caused the timid to shrink from an active part in the campaign.
The election opened at Day's Hill, in Springfield, early in the morning of February 10, and the voting proceeded in an orderly manner till afternoon. Vehicles of every description brought men and women from distant parts, even from Mor- ris County, to the polling place. Then came the battle royal at Elizabeth Town on the next day, February 11. Friends of Newark were ordered from the polls "and men- aced with uplifted hands to awe them," says an account of
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241
BATTLE OVER COUNTY SEAT
the day's activity. "One of the Newark committee of the three watchers was grossly insulted and violently abused. Others were lacerated with whips and bruised with bludg- eons. They were told that if they did not leave town they (the Elizabeth Town people) would wash their hands in their hearts' blood. By these outrageous acts upward of 1,200 or 1,300 votes were not properly recorded." Scenes of disorder continued throughout the day. News of the second day's balloting fired a flame of passion in Newark, causing con- ferences of the citizens in the evening at which the prevailing sentiment was expressed by a town leader: "We have to do but one of two things-either to sit down, when we know that we have a considerable majority of citizens of the county with us, and tamely submit to being swindled and buffeted out of our rights, or to take up with manly firmness a similar weapon to that by which we have been attacked, to defend themselves." Polls opened at the court house in Newark at 4 o'clock in the morning of February 12. Aaron Munn was judge of election. He ordered that "persons appearing who had embarrassed the poll the day before were to withdraw, or refusing were to be carried out." The latter process was fre- quently used. Dim light was furnished by the tallow candles till the hours of daylight appeared. Strong men, in fine physical condition for a tussle with disturbers of the peace, stood near Judge Munn. "I shall not deny," said a witness of the dramatic scenes of the day, "but that some improper violence was used."
Several citizens cast ballots as quickly as they could write them; two young women, it was said, voted no less than six times; boys dressed as women cast votes with impunity. William S. Pennington, afterward Governor of New Jersey, was a zealous worker at the polls on that eventful day.
Tabulation of the farcical voting was solemnly made, after which William Tuttle, a leading citizen, was requested to make the announcement of the three days' balloting from the judges' bench in the court house.
"For Day's Hill," he shouted, "there are 6,181 votes!"
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NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
"Hurrah!" cried the friends of the Springfield site. This preponderance of ballots seemed to have won the day for Newark's opponents.
"For the town of Newark!" again shouted Tuttle, his announcement faintly heard above the din of voices, "we have 7,666 votes! This gives the court house to Newark by a majority of 1,485!"
Cries of "Fraud!" "Rascals!" "Cheats!" were lost in the fervent cheers of the Newarkers and their friends. The news that the county seat would remain in the town where it had stood for more than a century was jubilantly received. The bells in the First Presbyterian Church and court house steeples were rung. Bonfires were kindled on the training ground, on the upper common and at other places in the town. Blazing tar barrels were rolled down Broad Street by crowds of cheering men and boys. Lighted candles were placed in the windows of the homes. Quiet came only when physical exhaustion sent the joyful crowds home and to their beds. Seven years before, at the Congressional election in 1800, Newark polled 1,654 votes, Elizabeth Town 925 and Springfield 684. The total county vote was therefore about 3,263.
Jabez Pierson presided at a meeting of representatives of Rahway, Westfield, Elizabeth Town, Springfield and Orange, on April 7, 1807. David S. Craig, secretary, was directed to send the following appeal to the Board of Free- holders: "Gentlemen-An awful responsibility rests upon your board. By your prudence the wound which has been inflicted may still be healed; by your indiscretion it will be rendered incurable. Give not, therefore, a wrong touch to our political ark, nor follow a multitude to do evil, but set your faces as flint to your duty. Resist every attempt that may be made for appropriating money to build a new or re- pair the old court house, and unite with us in our endeavor to obtain a free and fair expression of public will. By this course of action you will obtain the smiles of an approving county and the approbation of your own consciences."
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BATTLE OVER COUNTY SEAT
Similar meetings were held in other sections of the county. All favored another test of public opinion. Issues of the poli- tical campaign were practically forgotten in the general election held on October 15 and 16, which was conducted on "honorable principles, as must tend to wipe out the stigma of the last winter's election," remarked a leading citizen of the day. Two tickets were in the field-"Court House" and "Southern." The candidates on the first named won by an average majority of 400.
Dr. Isaac Pierson, a well-known physician of Orange, was a candidate for sheriff. His father, Dr. Matthias Pierson, served on the Committee of Observation during the Revo- lution. Isaac Day, of Day's Hill, opposed "Dr. Ike," as Dr. Pierson was popularly known. The latter's ma- jority in his home district was only 36, the vote being 251 for Day and 287 for Pierson. This is explained by the fact that the town extended to Day's Hill in Spring- field, where the ballots, as expected, were in favor of Neighbor Day. The vote of Acquackanonck was most decisive of all. Pierson received the entire credit of 348, and at Westfield conditions were nearly re- versed, Pierson receiving only two while Day was credited with 346 votes. New- East of Mulberry St., 1820 ark's overwhelming support saved the day for Sheriff Pierson. Friends were made of those who opposed him. He was reelected in 1808 and 1809, and also elected Representative in the Twentieth and Twenty-first Congresses.
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