USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Narratives of Newark (in New Jersey) from the days of its founding > Part 18
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An act of the New Jersey Legislature revoked the court house election. The Board of Freeholders, on Monday, July 9, 1810, accepted the offer by Judge William S. Penning- ton of a lot adjoining his home, on the north, upon which to erect the new county building. Announcement was also made that a number of gentlemen had agreed to defray all cost of construction. Speedily was the building completed and occupied the site of the first tavern where the edifice of
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Grace Episcopal Church is now standing. It was constructed of freestone, was three stories in height, and served about a quarter of a century, till 1835, when it was destroyed by fire. Excavations were being made for another building at South Park (now Lincoln Park), when the Board of Freeholders decided to secure the more commanding and accessible plot on High Street. Here the freestone Egyptian style building was erected in 1837. Here many famous trials were held, and here did many able jurists come and go. The present stately pile succeeded the old court house, removed early in the Twentieth Century.
CHAPTER XLI
SECOND WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN
E SSEX COUNTY patriotism rose at flood tide in 1807. The townsmen were preparing for the observance of the thirty-first anniversary of Independence Day, when the firing upon the United States Frigate Chesapeake by the Leopard, a British man-of-war, on Tuesday, June 30, stirred up an intense feeling. Three American seamen killed and thirteen wounded were the casualties reported. The story was told and retold to groups of excited people; taverns were crowded with men seeking information of the assault, and the Spirit of '76 was again aflame.
Great Britain, it was long known, had not been as friendly to the United States as became a power with whom amicable relations were established at the close of the Revolution, and this overt act was construed by the Americans as a challenge I to hostile combat.
The horse provided the swiftest means of transportation and messenger service, but not many days elapsed before every settlement in the Union of Seventeen States knew of the attack.
A party of British officers and seamen, it was learned, had searched the United States vessel for mutineers, which they were unable to find. The Leopard thereafter opened a broadside upon the Chesapeake entirely without provoca- tion. Though badly damaged, the frigate sailed into Hamp- ton Roads, displaying the signal of distress.
President Jefferson issued a proclamation, ordering all British vessels out of American harbors. The town of Newark and other Essex County municipalities were aroused; war was imminent. Our leading citizens pledged their lives and their fortunes to resist Britain's mighty power.
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Meetings were held in various parts of the county; one in Orange was productive of a series of resolutions sent to President Jefferson, in which the citizens announced that they would gladly pay any tax to prosecute the war against Great Britain, and offering volunteers for service. In Newark a mass meeting was held at the crumbling old temple of justice. Party differences were laid aside and even the distracting court house controversy was tem- porarily forgotten. Thomas Ward presided at the meeting on July 9, 1807. Joseph C. Hornblower, who was later chief justice of the Supreme Court, was chosen secretary. Stirring addresses were made by Judge Pennington, General Cumming, and others.
"Though this meeting greatly deprecates the calamities of war," reads the resolution "yet should this become nec- essary for the preservation of personal rights of our fellow citizens, the defense of our country, and the maintenance of the sovereignty and independence of the Union, we will engage in it with alacrity, and solemnly pledge to our coun- try and our government our lives and our fortunes in de- fense of our rights as an independent nation."
Members of the Committee on Correspondence were selected as follows: Judge William S. Pennington chairman, Joseph C. Hornblower secretary, Thomas Ward, Silas Con- dit, son of Dr. John Condit, United States Senator from New Jersey, General John N. Cumming, James Vanderpool, Isaac Andruss and Richard B. Canfield.
Watchful waiting followed while diplomatic correspond- ence continued for five years. Fast days were held once or twice each year till 1812, when war, then unavoidable, was eagerly accepted by the people. Encouraging news, re- ceived from Washington in February of that year, how- ever, that Great Britain was weakening proved a false report. President Madison, on April 10, 1812, ordered the militia into active service for six months. Section five of the act abolished whipping as punishment in the army.
Governor Bloomfield, of New Jersey, on April 25, 1812,
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called upon 5,000 of the state troops to mobilize. Newark's militia assembled on the training ground one month later, obedient to this order: "Officers of artillery, cavalry, infantry and riflemen, will meet on the Common at Newark, Tuesday, May 26, for the purpose of improvement in mili- tary exercise. Headquarters will be at tavern of John Gifford." "Between 11 and 12 o'clock, in the forenoon," runs an account of the war maneuvers of that day, "the pro- cession was formed in front of Captain John Gifford's tavern (corner of Broad and Market streets, now site of Firemen's Building). From thence the march was to the Common, attended by the Newark band as well as other martial music. Here a hollow square was formed and the throne of grace was addressed in a well-adapted prayer by the Rev. Hooper Cumming, pastor of the Second Pres- byterian Church. After this, various evolutions were gone through, highly advantageous to the officers and more or less gratifying to the numerous spectators collected on the occasion. The whole was dismissed about 4 P. M. The agreeable airs of the Newark band gave a zest to the whole proceedings and reflected much credit upon their leader, Mr. Hoffman."
Independence Day anniversary in 1812 was enthusiasti- cally observed. The militia, mechanics and other organi- zations marched about the streets in the morning. Cap- tain John P. Decatur and his troops of horse, Captain Joseph Bruen's detached troops, Captain Thomas Johnson's com- pany of volunteers, Captain Theodore Frelinghuysen's company of riflemen and Captain Corey's Mechanic Rangers made a very creditable appearance. Newark people en- joyed spring lamb at dinner and cherry pie for dessert on that day. It was an unwritten household practice for many years to serve them on the Fourth of July.
A discussion arose when the paraders were dismissed regarding the efficiency of the various military organiza- tions. Captain Decatur proudly declared that he and his men had the best mounts in Newark and that they could
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cover ground quicker than any troop of horse in the state. This was questioned by more than one militiaman. The captain averred, moreover, that he could cover the distance from Newark to Orange Meeting House (at what is now Day and Main streets) in twenty minutes. These were rash words and doubt was expressed of his ability to accomplish the feat.
Calling his men together, the captain inquired as to the condition of the horses.
"Never better," was the unanimous shout.
"Will you ride to Orange?" asked the captain.
Newark's First Financial Institution
"Anywhere you say!" answered one of the men.
That wild Independence Day race over the High Street hill and up the old Indian trail to Orange's four corners was a never-ending theme of conversation during the life of the participants. When the captain, well in the lead, reined his animal in front of the objective point, there were two minutes to his credit. The ride was accom-
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the First - layer of pressants. 1936.
William Halsey, the first Mayor of Newark
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plished by all the horsemen within the time set. The start was made, it is understood, from Captain John Gif- ford's tavern, at the corner of Broad and Market streets, and the distance covered was about four miles. Residents along the line were frightened, not knowing of the race against time, and fearing that British troops were in the country. Moses Condit's tavern, near Orange's Meeting House, offered a harbor of refuge, a veritable oasis in the desert. Draughts of metheglin or stronger beverages as- suaged the thirst of the men while their horses were also being refreshed. Ice was not used in the summer months till nearly forty years later.
After exercises at the First Presbyterian Church, the dignitaries and a number of townsmen repaired to Gifford's tavern, where a "bountiful repast," as they were wont to say, was served. The patriots, with a hearty meal in pro- cess of digestion, entered zealously into this part of the fes- tivities.
"The Day we Celebrate" was naturally the first toast. Boom! the brass field piece stationed a few feet from the open door echoed the sentiment. Three rousing cheers from the crowd inside and the multitude without greeted the presentment. "The President of the United States. He enjoys and merits the confidence of the people." The tavern rafters rang with six cheers, while the field piece worked overtime in its approval of the toast.
"Hull, Jones, Decatur and Bainbridge, their courage and success have encircled them with laurels unfading as time, imperishable as immortality," was No. 3. Again six hearty cheers were given, and the field piece calming down a trifle, discharged one round.
This was drunk with becoming silence. "James Lawrence, the brave, the true, the good. May his last words be the signal of victory to the United States commanders, 'Do not give up the ship.'"
Restraint vanished when the sentiment was announced: "George Washington-may his memory be engraved upon
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the hearts of every American." Cheers were given and the field piece performed its work loyally.
The seventeenth toast brought a revival of drooping spirits. The banqueters straightened as this was offered: "The Congress of 1776 and that of 1812. The first declared our independence; the second declared war to sustain it!" Nine cheers and several pounds of powder greeted this enthusiastic expression. The last toast, No. 18, was drunk standing: "The American Fair. May their smiles be re- served for the patriots of their country." This brought
The Decatur House, Midway on Park Place
new life to the fatigued celebrants. Cheers were given and the last round of ammunition was fired by the gunner. A few lingered for the after celebration, known in the bub- bling, sizzling period of patriotism as "Volunteer Toasts."
The local militia paraded on December 1, 1812, for in- spection, on the training ground. "An excellent dinner was provided by Mr. Caleb Pierson for the officers, together with the Governor, Aaron Ogden, of Elizabeth Town and
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some other gentleman" is a report included in the day's hap- penings. One of the toasts proposed was:
"The Militia of New Jersey-May they awake from their death-like stupor and be invigorated with the same spirit which led the fathers to glory."
William S. Pennington of Newark, elected Governor on October 28, 1813, ordered 5,000 militia on July 14, 1814, in readiness for service. He issued a proclamation, a para- graph of which reads:
"The citizens of New Jersey were among the first in our glorious struggle for national independence and in the formation of our national government. They will not be last in arms to maintain what they have so heroically done to achieve and wisely to establish."
First in the roll of honor is Captain Daniel Kilburn's company, of Orange, and third was Captain John J. Plume's independent volunteer company of Newark. Hundreds of Essex County soldiers rushed to the colors. Hostilities ended before the local militia discharged a gun. The men were on duty at Paulus Hook and at Sandy Hook, from August 12 to early in December. The state military forces were discharged on the 10th of that month. The treaty of Ghent was signed four days later and ratified by unanimous vote of the United States, February 17, 1815.
Rev. Hooper Cumming, son of General John Noble Cum- ming, installed pastor of the newly organized Second Pres- byterian Church on October 9, 1811, graduated from An- dover College with high honors. While in New England he met the charming Miss Sarah Emmons, of the District (now State) of Maine and they were married in April, 1812. A long journey by stage coach ended at the new home in Newark. "She was a lady of amiable disposition, a well- cultivated mind, distinguished intelligence and most ex- emplary piety," writes a resident of the period.
The young clergyman accepted an invitation to preach at Paterson on Sunday, June 21, and was accompanied on the trip by Mrs. Cumming. They visited the Passaic Falls
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on Monday morning, June 22, and while enjoying the scenery, the bride of only three months lost her balance and fell head-foremost to her death in the whirling pool, a dis- tance of about 100 feet.
The body was recovered, the funeral services were held in the Second Church, and the interment took place in the Old Burying Ground. In 1815 Rev. Mr. Cumming accepted a call to the Presbyterian church at Schenectady, N. Y.
CHAPTER XLII
AFTER THE WAR OF 1812
A FINANCIAL depression, and all its blighting effects, threatening Newark's industrial life, came with the ratification of peace between the United States and Great Britain. The State Bank was compelled to close its doors; values depreciated, and there was much physical suffering. Discharged soldiers of the volunteer army swelled the ranks of idle men, who visited the taverns till their money was ex- hausted, and then stood on street corners waiting for something to happen. Hunger asserted itself. The un- employed became bold. Theft was added to the list of daily unpleasant occurrences and citizens were compelled to arm themselves. They were often attacked by ruffians at night.
During the war operatives in large numbers were attracted to Newark by the lure of permanent employment. Foot- wear, hats, wagons, and harness were the principal articles sent from the factories to the army depots. Every manu- facturing plant turning out these products was taxed to its utmost capacity in supplying orders for the quartermaster's department. The country's financial condition improved in 1816, the 150th anniversary of Newark's settlement. The United States Bank or National Bank, chartered with a capital of $35,000,000, served as a powerful stimulant to in- dustrials. The impetus of awakened financial activity re- stored confidence, and the town's 8,000 inhabitants resumed their normal way of living.
Though the original boundaries were lessened by the for- mation of other towns, Newark continued the mecca of the farmers on market and other days important in the county life. Belleville was set off in 1743 as Second River and in 1839 was
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incorporated under its present name. A part of Newark was included in Springfield township, incorporated in 1793. By an act of the New Jersey Legislature, on February 16, 1798, Caldwell township was formed from parts of Newark and Acquackanonck. The town had been known as Horse Neck, but the name was changed on February 19, 1787, to its present designation, in honor of Rev. James Caldwell, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth Town, Deputy Quartermaster General and Chaplain in Washington's army. He was held in highest esteem by the Horse Neck settlers, . whom he often visited.
Citizens of another section, set off from Newark, in 1812, in their admiration of another soldier of the Revolutionary War, General Joseph Bloomfield, named the new town for him. This is one of the few instances on record where a community has taken its name from one still living. The General was in later years Governor of New Jersey, an officer in the War of 1812, and member of Congress. He died, October 3, 1825,
at the age of seventy-two years. General Bloomfield's con- tribution of $140 toward the erection of the new edifice of the Presbyterian Society and several volumes to the church library, was supplemented by a handsomely bound Bible and psalm book, the gift of Mrs. Bloomfield.
Preparations were made for breaking ground for the sanctuary in the autumn of 1796. Then it was thought ad- visable to select a parish name, and on October 13 of the same year Bloomfield was adopted. Gracefully was the letter written to the warrior, informing him of the people's action. Accompanying the request for the use of his name was a bar- rel of prime cider made from the best Harrison and Canfield apples. The General accepted the honor and the triumphant entry into "his" town occurred on Thursday, July 6, 1797, when a delegation of citizens, in command of Colonel Cadmus and Timothy Ward, the masons, laborers and all other workers on the church, acted as escort to the distinguished visitors. The clergy, forty young women in white, and 200 school chil- dren also participated. Captain Crane's Company of infantry
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brought up the rear, the General having the position of prominence in the centre of the procession.
General Bloomfield, accompanied by Mrs. Bloomfield, entered the town by way of Orange. The affair, we are told by one who was present, was "clothed with dignity, virtue of patriotism and political and Christian union."
Rev. Dr. Alexander Macwhorter, pastor of Newark's First Presbyterian Church, and a member of St. John's Lodge, F. and A. M., laid the corner stone of the Bloomfield Church on May 28, 1797, with Masonic ceremonies, assisted by his fellow members.
For fifteen years Bloomfield was a community in name only. In 1812 the Legislature passed an act designating the town as a separate municipality.
Steam was introduced as a propelling force for river craft in 1815; Newark industries were slowly increasing and it was an "easy going" era. Cattle, swine and geese were driven into town by farmers and the village had the appearance of an agricultural county centre. There were 82 distilleries in Newark producing an- nually 300,000 gallons of "Jersey Light- ning." The 763 looms were doing their share of helping along Newark's prosperity. Hat Worn by Rev. Dr. Richards Of spindles there were 9,900 and there were ten paper mills, three naileries, seventeen bloomeries and twenty-six carding machines.
Miss Anna Richards, daughter of Rev. Dr. James Rich- ards, afterward the wife of Rev. Aaron Beach, organized the first Sunday School class in Newark, at the First Presby- terian Church, in 1814, and in May, 1815, the Sabbath School was instituted by the Rev. Burr Baldwin.
Robert Raikes started in England the first Sunday School in the world about twenty-five years before. The school opened in Newark was also for "people of color," and in 1816 the First Presbyterian Church of Orange began a class for slaves. Pews were set aside for their use at the Sabbath Day
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services. An act of February, 1820, provided that children born of slave parents, subsequent to July 4, 1804, were to have their freedom, the females upon arriving at the age of twenty-one years and the males at twenty-five. In 1800 there were 12,422 slaves in New Jersey, but they decreased till 1850, when there were only 236. According to the census of that year there were 23,810 free colored citizens in the state.
Rev. Humphrey M. Perine, formerly tutor at Princeton College, was engaged as instructor at the Newark Academy, in May, 1816. Rev. Dr. James Richards, pastor of the First - Presbyterian Church, was president of the association and general supervisor of the school. Instruction was also given in the lower room of the school house on the south side of Market Street, principally for wage earners, from 5:30 to 7:30 A. M. Daily, Sundays excepted, beginning May 1, 1816, young men and middle-aged men reported at the building. The wooden pump, in the centre of the intersection of Broad and Market Streets, furnished a cooling drink for the early morning pupils passing that way. The teachers were A. Champion and C. C. Peters. Reading, writing, arithmetic and penmanship were the branches taught.
William Tuttle, Newark's bookseller, was advertising the most popular book on the market, "The Dairyman's Daughter," which was de- scribed as an interesting religious volume. Insolvent debtors were thrust into prison, an upper floor, as a rule, reserved for them. Silas Morehouse gave notice that he would apply to the judges of the inferior court on Friday, July 7 next, at 4 o'clock, "to hear what can be alleged for and against my lib- Postmaster Matthias Day eration as an insolvent debtor." Though he had been under arrest seven weeks, freedom did not come to him till two months later. Matthias Day was the village postmaster. Mail matter was received periodically from New York, Philadelphia and other places by post-riders. Mr. Day sold medicine and other articles at
PARK
HOUSE
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Park House where Louis Kossuth and other distinguished guests were entertained in the middle of the Nineteenth Century
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his store on the east side of Broad Street, near Military Park. Unclaimed letters amounted to fifty or more weekly, and the list was posted about town, where it could be seen by farmers and others appearing on market days.
Robert Honan was familiarly known as the "clam man." Every Monday morning he appeared at the Lower Dock with a fresh supply of Rockaway clams, arousing suspicion among the more sanctimonious of being engaged in worldly toil on the Sabbath. But the fine specimens, just the right sort for Newark's famous "clam pot pie," deterred the more religious customers from asking impertinent questions.
Dancing lessons were given at the Academy during the summer, beginning May 1, 1816, by Mr. Sansey, Miss Crab and Charles Pasham. On Saturday of each week a practic- ing ball was given in Mr. Bennett's long room at the Jersey tavern, adjoining the First Presbyterian Church. Ten dol- lars per quarter was the tuition fee. A notice of a forthcom- ing ball contained this request: "Gentlemen will kindly leave their boots at home." Miss Conlan, lately from Eng- land, opened a millinery store three doors north of S. Roff's tavern. She made a specialty of cotton hose.
Toll gates were in operation on many of the roads leading out of Newark. Joseph Munn, of West Bloomfield, was offering a reward of $15 for the return of his negro named Bob; Uzal Ward had a store on Broad Street opposite the South Park Presbyterian Church and Joseph S. Condit was exchanging shoes for produce at his Broad Street store, across from the Trinity Episcopal Church. Joseph Plum, at Bridge and Broad streets, advertised 400 bushels of choice seed potatoes for sale. The year 1816 is remembered for its chilling weather which prevailed every month, and crops were a failure.
The average man did not spend as much money in a year as the one in the early Twentieth Century does in a month. Costly dinners were unknown. Quilting parties, donation parties for the minister, nut cracks, spelling parties, singing schools and apple bees were favorite pastimes in their seasons.
CHAPTER XLIII
A CAPTAIN OF INDUSTRY
N TO MAN in the history of Newark made a more lasting impression upon the progress of industrial pursuits than did Seth Boyden, the noted inventor, who wrought so thoroughly in brass, iron and leather during the first half of the Nineteenth Century. He was born at Foxborough, Mass., November 17, 1798, and in 1815 was in residence in the town. He lived on Broad Street, near Bridge Street.
Mr. Boyden first adapted his inventive talent at the age of fifteen years to repairing watches. Then he produced a machine for making wrought nails, one for cutting files and brads and another for cutting and heading tacks.
He built the first locomotive, the "Or- ange," and also the "Essex," used on the Morris and Essex Railroad, now part of the Lackawanna system. The first specimen of patent leather manufactured in the coun- try was the product of his genius. He was the pioneer in the United States of Seth Boyden manufacturing brads for joiners, of mal- leable iron, of daguerreotypes, and of locomotive and steam machinery. He assisted Professor Morse in perfecting the electric telegraph.
The name of Boyden stands by the side of the world's eminent inventors. He was a modest, retiring man, and un- selfishly prosecuted his labors that mankind might in some measure be benefited by his painstaking efforts.
The last years of his well-spent life were devoted to the study of horticulture, in which he became proficient. His specialty was the Seth Boyden strawberry, cultivated on his
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farm at Hilton, now a part of South Orange. Not only did it attain a large size but was of delicious flavor and delicate bouquet.
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