USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Narratives of Newark (in New Jersey) from the days of its founding > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
"Jonathan Sargeant," we read in the transactions of the town meeting of December 5, 1670, "for his Encouragement to settle in the Town, follow his Trade, and to help Mend his Home Lott they gave Him that piece of Meadow that Lies at Beef Point which was formerly Granted to John Rockwell, the Boat Man." Town weavers of the Milford group, eager to erect their homes and ply their trade, made an error in laying out their home lots. They were established nearly six years, when at the town meeting of March 19, 1673, "It is agreed that Weavers Thomas Pierson and Benjamin Baldwin shall be considered to make their Lotts on the Hill shorter." John Cunditt, another early and industrious weaver, installed a loom near the Corn Mill.
Thomas Pierson was pious and hard-working. This was equally true of his neighbor Baldwin. Both tended their looms with punctuality and zealousness as became good citizens. Weaver Pierson was often visited by his kinsman, Rev. Abraham Pierson, first pastor, who "dropped in" of a morning or afternoon, as inclination prompted him. While the loom was clicking merrily under the skilled guidance of Thomas, the two Puritans talked of spiritual matters, those ' of town concern, of the latest news brought into port from distant parts, and of prospects for community expansion.
84
85
BEGINNING OF NEWARK'S INDUSTRIES
Shearing sheep, cleansing and carding wool, spinning and dyeing yarn, weaving cloth, required a month or more of tedious effort. Sheep raising was a profitable industry, and, on March 10, 1704, the flocks were so nu- merous that "it is voted that there shall be a Shepherd hired for to keep the Sheep -Samuel Harrison, Robert Young, Eli- phalet Johnson and Thomas Hays are chosen Sheep Masters."
Dyeing of wearing apparel was a domes- tic industry in which women were experts. The dye vat was made of wood, strongly bound with hickory hoops. A permanent position was given it near the hearthstone. Covered with a cushion, a seat was thus provided for the younger members of the family. Dyes were extracted from sumac, the bark of black walnut, chestnut, and other trees.
Spinning wheels were used in the latter part of the Seventeenth Century. Chests of snowy linen were the housewife's pride and the bride furnished her home with all the requirements in this line made by her own hands. Beehives were generally possessed by householders. Honey was used as a medicine and as food, and varied the monotony of corn meal diet at break- fast. Feathers of wild geese were care- Warming Pan fully sorted and made into bedding and pillows which, sad to relate, were used every month in the year. Children and elderly people were placed in feather beds, when the weather was intensely cold, as a preventive against illness.
Before retiring at night logs of wood, heated at the fire- place, were "smoothed" about the bed till a requisite degree of warmth was attained. Later the warming pan, in which wood coals were placed, served as an acceptable substitute.
86
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
Shoemaking, Newark's chief industry at the beginning of the Nineteenth Century, had its inception in the vocation of the traveling shoemaker. Men pursuing this calling were needed in 1680, and on June 23, "a good and true shoemaker was invited to come among us" in this unique overture:
It is Agreed that the Town is willing Samuel Whitehead should come and Inhabit among us, provided he will supply the Town with Shoes, tho' for the present we know not of any Place of Land Convenient.
Samuel, who was prospering at his trade in Elizabeth Town, declined this half-way invitation. How could he make shoes if he had no place to lay his head and incidentally his tools of trade? He remained at home, where he after- ward served as town clerk and in other official capacities.
Itinerant shoemakers, as a rule, made the rounds of settle- ments in early autumn. They who plied this trade were wel- comed not only for their skill but also for the gossip they brought with them. The upper parts of shoes were made by adult members of the family, while the itinerant ad- justed the heavy soles, lasting, it was expected, until his next annual appearance. Food and shelter were provided for him at the home during his employment, and he was accorded the place of honor at the dining table where the family was enter- tained with stories and items of news of other towns visited. Forerunners of the extensive leather industry of Newark were the tanneries operated by Hugh Roberts and Hans Albers. The former, who settled in the southeast section, succumbed to the rigors of the pioneer life. Albers, however, continued for many years as a tanner in the northern part of the town.
Soap making was a home industry and a duty of the women folk. Wood ashes were carefully scraped from the fire-place, deposited in a barrel and water added. When the desired quantity had accumulated a fire was built in the yard, a tripod erected and a large kettle suspended therefrom, into which the contents of the barrel, strained through a cloth, were poured. Scraps of fat were then carefully stirred
87
BEGINNING OF NEWARK'S INDUSTRIES
in till the mess bubbled into soap. The precious material was then placed in tubs for future use.
Unavailable refuse was consigned to the fire-place, an in- cinerating plant, handy indeed.
Cooperage, or the trade of barrel-making, was a profitable industry, requiring skilled labor. Thousands of hand-made barrels were produced in Newark every year. Those used for holding liquids were of white oak, while the ones for stor- ing dry commodities were of red oak. The staves were bound by hickory hoops.
Two complete barrels of white oak were the product of a day's work of maker and helper, while the others were turned out at the rate of four or five in the same time.
The soil was especially adapted to the growth of apple trees. They were very numerous on the mountain-side, and the blossoms as they appeared in the spring created a scene of marvelous beauty. The delicate fragrance of the flower- freighted air was detected from a distance by travelers on water and on land. Newark plantation apples were readily disposed of in other colonies and large consignments were sent to the West Indies.
Late in the Seventeenth Century more than 1,000 barrels of cider were exported each year. Jersey's famous applejack was also distilled in large quantities till the latter part of the fourth decade of the Nineteenth Century, when a tem- perance movement resulted in the destruction of nearly all the orchards. This was done so that the fruit could not be used in making whiskey.
Tallow candles were made from scraps of fat boiled in a large · kettle. Into this a hempen string or three of them formed in a braid were dipped. The process was repeated till the required thickness was secured. Hence the name "tallow dip" was often applied. Half dozen or more strings were suspended from a round piece of wood and these were "dipped" as a labor-saving device. A day's product aver- aged from 200 to 250 candles, varied in size and the length was from a foot to a few inches.
88
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
Sergeant Richard Harrison was the first town sawyer, and well he carried on his trade of supplying the people with building material. Thomas Davis received permission to erect another saw mill in the southern section of the town on June 19, 1695.
Slaves were permitted in the province. In the concessions granted by Governor Carteret to the signers of the Funda- mental Agreement, 150 acres of land were offered to every freeman, "and the same quantity for each able man servant and seventy-five acres for every weaker servant or slave carried with him or sent." No record was made, however, of the importation of slaves into Puritan Newark. Fair dealing, thrift and economy were ever practised. Pro- ducers were not permitted to send goods, raw or finished, out of town, till local needs were satisfied.
CHAPTER XVII
THE PROPRIETORS' QUIT-RENT
G T
OVERNOR CARTERET, as the year 1669 drew to a close, anxiously waited for an expression of Newark's attitude toward payment of the quit-rent. An agreement was entered into before the settlers departed from New England, whereby, in exchange for the grant by the Pesayak River the Lords Proprietors were to receive as their compen- sation a half penny per acre per annum, the payment to begin in 1670, for all lands occupied.
The Governor knew of the prosperous yields of Newark soil. He also remembered the incident three years before, when the Puritans were compelled to pay the Indians for the very land from which he was now expecting the ever memorable tax. Most solicitous was his excellency for his subjects' welfare, embodying his sentiments in a letter read at town meeting on February 3, 1669. Pleased was he with striking evidences of material wealth in Newark's well-ordered plantations.
"Are the planters mindful of the Lord Proprietors' tax?" inquired the Governor.
One can almost detect Captain Treat's broad smile as he carefully read the letter and then submitted it to the meeting.
"Why should we pay the Lords' tax?" more than one planter inquired. "Because," the Captain answered, “we have given our solemn promise to do so."
All were of the same mind after a brief discussion. Treat, as the recorder, was directed to reply to the Governor.
"After all due salutations to be presented by the Con- stable to our Worshipfull Governor," the letter began, "we, the Inhabitants or freeholders of the Town of New Ark do by him make Return to the said Governors Writing, as followeth,
89
90
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
viz: That they do Hold and Possess their Lands and Rights in the said Town, Both by Civil and Divine Right, as by their Legall purchase and Articles doth and May Shew. And as for the payment of the Half Penny per Acre for all our Allotted Lands, According to our Articles and Interpretations of them, You assuring them to us, We are ready when the Time Comes to perform our Duty to the Lords or their Assigns."
Murmurings were heard among the Elizabeth Town set- tlers over the payment of the Lords' rent. Several held lands under warrants issued by Governor Nicholls of New York, who also acted as Governor of New Jersey before Carteret came. The required quantities of grain were set aside for proprietary tax in every Newark home, on March 24, 1669.
"It was by the Joint vote agreed," reads the resolution pro- viding for the payment "that Henry Lyon and Ths. Johnson should Take and receive every Mans Just Share and Pro- portion of Wheat for his Land; the Summer Wheat at 4s. pr. Bush'l and Winter Wheat at 5s. according to the order and Time prefixed to them to Bring it to Johnson's House before the day be over, or else if they fail they are to Double the quantity; which Corn the said Lyons & Johnson is to Morrow to Carry to Elizabeth Town, and make a Tender Thereof to the Governor upon the account of the Lords Proprietors rent for the Land we make use of according to Articles 25th March, 1670. '
How did the Governor receive the tithe-bearing settlers? Was it in a spirit of brotherly love or was it one of arrogance? When Johnson and Lyon appeared in Elizabeth Town a crowd of men were assembling about the Governor's head- quarters in a defiant mood and dared the receiver-general to collect the obnoxious quit-rent from them, while others de- manded an adjustment by the Provincial Assembly.
Newark representatives were greatly surprised to learn that only money-gold and silver-passing as currency in Eng- land would be received. "As for the settlers being out of purse," said the Governor, "I cannot help them therein."
91
THE PROPRIETORS' QUIT-RENT
Argument in behalf of the Newark settlers, though to no purpose, was well advanced by Johnson and Lyons, who con- tended that grain was the recognized medium of exchange in the country and that the tithes ought to be accepted, re- ceipt given and assurances vouchsafed that toll in the future would be on a similar basis. The corn and wheat were re- turned to the Newark settlers, and a spirit of discontent prevailed as spring merged into summer and another harvest season was at hand. On January 2, 1670, "the renewall of our Solemn Agreement to submit to Law and Authority among our Selves till it Be settled in the Province," was pledged. Unmindful of the aroused condition in surround- ing towns, two months and a half later quit-rents were again gathered.
"It was Agreed that Henry Lyon and Thos. Johnson shall Goe to our Governor," reads the opening line of a resolution adopted on March 20, 1670, "in behalf of the Town, make a Tender to Him in Good Wheat for the Payment of the Half Penny pr Acre to Him for the Lords Proprietors in like Manner as they did the Last Year at the Day Appointed: in Case that he will Accept of the Same, That then they are fully impowered to Give Notice by the Warners of the Town for every one to Bring in his Proportion of Corn to the Con- stable's House, the Morning of the day appointed, by 7 or 8 o'clk that they may send it to their Governor, and take a Discharge of Him for the same; and they are at Least to bring as Much as they Did the Last Year, and More if they see Cause."
Johnson and Lyon prepared for another Elizabeth Town visit on New Year's Day, March 25, 1671. Bags of wheat and corn were taken there in a spirit of faithfulness, and accompanied by prayers of the pious settlers. The Governor again insisted that only English money would be accepted as quit-rent payment; once more the committee retraced its steps homeward and the grain was distributed to the con- tributors.
Confusion now reigned in the province. Each of the New-
92
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
ark planters, solemnly obligated to uphold the town govern- ment in every predicament, was faithful to his vows.
Planting season and apple blossom time arrived and on a balmy spring day the drummer was sent out, calling a public meeting. Rumors were current of disorder in neighboring towns. Provincial authority was out of existence on May 13, 1672, when the men assembled at the Meeting House in response to the drummer's warning. Determined stand was advocated in sustaining order, and "Mr. Crane and Lieut .. Swaine that were chosen representatives for the Town are desir'd by the Town to Consult with the rest of the repre- sentatives of the Country, to order matters for the safety of the Country."
When the committee appeared at Elizabeth Town next day delegates and groups of non-official planters were arriv- ing from every town. Mr. Crane and Lieutenant Swaine cared not for the leathern cups containing English ale served at the tavern, and with other conservative subjects of the Lord Proprietors, quietly discussed the issues of the hour in retirement.
Governor Carteret, fearing physical violence, escaped from the country. Proprietary interests were now scattered to the four winds of heaven. John Berry, a large plantation owner in Newark, and Deputy Governor, took charge of the ex- ecutive office. James Carteret, a son of Sir George Carteret, despite his act, was called before the people's representatives, and acquainted with their desire to install him as President of the Country, but he declined the honor and the position was not created.
The provincial affairs were in chaotic condition and one was wanting who could predict the outcome. Philip Car- teret, a few weeks later, on July 1, 1672, sailed for England, where he consulted with the Lords Proprietors over plans of amelioration. The Newark settlers combined with others of the Province in sending a long petition to Berkley and Carteret, which they received simultaneously with the Gov- ernor's arrival in England. The Proprietors, after the con-
93
THE PROPRIETORS' QUIT-RENT
ference, endeavored to calm the colonists' temper by issuing this statement through James Bollen, secretary of the Governor:
We have received a long Petition from you, and of no Date, yet out of tender care we have of your pretended Grievances and Complaints have examined some particulars thereof, the Governor and Mr. Bolen being now in Town, yet we are very ready to do you all the Justice you can expect, tho' you have been unjust to us, by which means you have brought a trouble upon yourselves, and if you will send over any Person to make good your Allegations in your Petition (while the Governor is here) we shall be ready to hear all Parties, and incline to do you right, altho' you have not had such a tender regard of our con- cerns in these parts, as in Justice and Equity you ought to have had.
And we do likewise expect for the future you will yield due obedience to our Government and Laws within the Province of New Caesarea, or New Jersey, and then we shall not be wanting to manifest ourselves according to your Deportment. Dated the 11th day of December, 1672.
Your Loving Friends, J. BERKLEY, G. CARTERET.
Berkley and Carteret prepared a proclamation which Deputy Governor Berry received in May, 1673. Messengers were at once sent about the country, reading it to the settlers.
Powers of the General Assembly were restricted by vesting in his excellency, the Governor, and his council, the right of appointment of ministers of the Gospel, representatives of municipalities having only the nominative right. Towns could not. engage a preacher without first applying to the Governor, and he alone was judge of a candidate's fitness for the office. Power was also given the Governor and council to regulate and adjourn all meetings of assembly, to establish courts, apportion lands, nominate and appoint officers, and admit planters. Quit-rents (ah, how repulsive the very name was now to our planters) were to be paid in three years
94
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
from 1673, in addition to "growing" rents. Wise counsel prevailed among the Puritans. The first day of July was des- ignated for a town meeting "to consider what the Governor had to say."
"It was Voted and agreed by the General and Universal Consent and Vote of all our People," let us read every line, "That there Should be an Address by way of petition sent to the Lords Proprietors of this Province for the removing of the Grievances incumbent, and of obtaining of what may be necessary for the Good of the Province, and of the Planta- tion-in testimony of our Consent hereto, and of our agree- ment; what necessary Charge shall arise hereupon we will defray by way of rate, proportionately to the number of those who join in the sd. Petition.
"Mr. Crane, Mr. Bond, Mr. Swaine, Mr. Kitchell and Henry Lyon are Chosen a Committee, to consider with the messengers from the other Towns, about sending a Petition to England."
A conference of representatives from Elizabeth Town, Piscataway, Woodbridge, Shrewsbury, Bergen and other settlements was called. Groups of men discussed the grave import of governmental conditions. Their homes and property, now so carefully guarded, and upon which much labor and means had been expended, were in danger of con- fiscation, and the families sent adrift in the wilderness, if the spirit of rebellion became too earnest.
The Newark delegates, upon their return from the con- ference,' reported that John Delavall, a settler upon the Raritan River, and who had large interests involved, agreed to present "our side of the argument to the Lords Pro- prietors, in England."
And on July 5, 1673, "Mr. Crane, Mr. Bond, Mr. Kitchell, Henry Lyon and John Ward, Turner, are chosen to agree with Mr. Delavall about Money to send a Messenger to England; and as they did agree with him, it should be paid by the Town."
CHAPTER XVIII
NEWARK UNDER DUTCH RULE
U NKNOWN to the pioneers, who with those of other settlements were collecting money to defray the ex- penses of a visit by Delavall or his representative to the Lords Proprietors, King Charles of England and Louis XIV of France declared war against Holland in the last month of 1672. Before arrangements were completed for the emissary's passage bearing the tale against Governor Carteret, twenty- three vessels, eighteen of which had been captured from the enemy by the five Dutch ships on the way across the ocean, swooped down upon Manhattan Island. The fort and out- lying territory were surrendered without loss of life to a land- ing party of 600 officers and men. Formal possession was an- nounced on July 30, 1673. The white flag of surrender was hoisted over Newark and the people placed themselves at the mercy of the Hollanders, thus avoiding unpleasant situations falling to the lot of other towns. The new government mani- fested a desire to be friendly.
Labor of every description ceased on the morning of Au- gust 4, 1673. The drummer went out with alacrity after sun- rise, calling the men to meeting.
"We're all Dutchmen now," he exclaimed, passing along rapidly.
Rev. Mr. Pierson, Jasper Crane and others expressed opinions relating to the character of overtures the town would offer the new government. A new county, incorporating all the towns between the Pesayak and Raritan Rivers, and the same liberties as those enjoyed in the past, were to be sought. This was the town's mind:
It was agreed that we should join with the rest of the Province to agree with the Generals at N. Orange to have a priviledged
95
96
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
County between the two Rivers, Passaick and Araritine or as many as will join with us, and if none will join with us upon that account, then to desire what may be necessary for us in our Town. Mr. Crane, Mr. Bond, Lieutenant Swaine and Sarjent John Ward are Chosen Deputies to treat with the Generals about the Busi- ness.
The petition was prepared and sent on August 12, 1673, to the City Hall, in New Orange (now New York), where the Dutch established headquarters. The Newark committee and other delegates were granted an audience six
Samuel Harrison's sawmill, at the "Mountains"
days later. Warriors of note composed the Dutch Com- mission. They were Commander Jacob Benckes, Com- mander Cornelius Evertsen, Jr., Captain Anthony Colve, Captain Nicholas Boes and Captain A. F. Van Zyll. Cordial greetings were exchanged and inquiries made by the com- missioners regarding the condition of the country and the products. Commander Benckes made the declaration, say- ing:
We have read the Petition of the inhabitants of New Worke; Elizabeth Town and Piscataway. We will order that all of the inhabitants of those towns shall be granted the same privileges and Freedoms as will be accorded to native born subjects in Dutch towns; also the Petitioners and their Heirs shall unmolested enjoy
97
NEWARK UNDER DUTCH RULE
and possess lands, which shall afterward be confirmed to them by the Governor in due form; in regard to the bounds of each town, they shall hereafter be fixed by the Governor and Council.
In respect to impressment, none of the English nation shall, in time of war with his Majesty of England, be impressed against their own nation on condition that they comport themselves quietly and peaceably, but their ships and boats shall be subject thereto.
Concerning inheritance, they shall have to regulate themselves, according to the laws of Netherland, but be at liberty to dispose of their property by will, according to their pleasure; and in case any wish to depart from this government with their property, they shall be at liberty so to do within the term of six months on condition of previously paying their debts, and obtaining proper passport from the Governor. Furthermore, no person shall be suffered to settle within this government without the Governor's previous approbation, and, finally, the Petitioners are granted the accorded Freedom of conscience as the same is permitted in the Netherlands.
The towns were required to nominate by plurality vote six persons for schepens or magistrates and two deputies to assist in forming a joint board representing New Jersey towns for the purpose of nominating three persons for schouts and three for secretaries. From this list three magistrates, schout and secretary were to be chosen for the six towns collectively-New Worke, Elizabeth Town, Piscataway, Woodbridge, Shrewsbury and Middletown. Officers for the "town of Bergen and dependencies" were elected on August 18. Submissive were all the planters to the wishes of the Dutch Council, though a few were of the opinion that shoal water was ahead for Newark's fragile craft.
In accordance with the Dutch desire, Jasper Crane, Robert Bond, Sergeant John Ward, Obadiah Bruen, Stephen Freeman, and John Curtis were nominated for office of magistrate. The first three, having received the highest number of votes, were selected by the commissioners and sworn in office September 1, 1673. They were known as Schepen Crane, Schepen Bond and Schepen Ward. Newark's
98
NARRATIVES OF NEWARK
representatives in the house of deputies convening at Wood- bridge, on August 23, were Deacon Lawrence and Sergeant Harrison.
Jasper Crane, upon his return, was undetermined as to his nationality, whether it was English or Dutch. His good wife . no doubt consoled him with the thought that it was far better to be a Dutchman with a comfortable house and broad acres than a penniless refugee. John Ogden and Samuel Hopkins, of Elizabeth Town, were respectively elected schout and secretary. Next was the hardest task of all- swearing allegiance to Dutch authority. Assembled at the Meeting House on September 6, 1673, the planters felt their position keenly.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.