USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Paper read before the historical society of Hudson County. 1908 > Part 7
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Scattered throughout the county other farms had likewise been developed, but particular mention of these will be made in special papers on the different sections. It might be inter- esting, however, to treat the old town of Bergen with more particularity. Some of its features have disappeared, but there are those still living, who can recall the ancient weather- beaten homesteads of the revolutionary times, that had shel- tered many generations.
Only one of these remains in almost its original form-the Sip homestead at the corner of Newkirk Street and Bergen Avenue-the main walls of which were built in with rubble and yellow clay and fastened with interlacing slabs of wood, which,
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with the passage of time, have become like iron. The original structure has, of course, been modernized somewhat, but the walls of the main building still remain as when the Dutch builder with his apprentices, gathered up the stones from the surrounding farm and fitted them in so deftly, that although they may be readily lifted out by hand, they still preserve the original solidity of form and strength.
The formation of the old town is still preserved at Bergen Square, on the northeast corner of which stood the school- house. Toward the east and on the north side of Academy Street was the Romaine homestead, and on the same side, about midway between Tuers and Summit Avenues, the Van Winkle homestead stood, with the well-sweep overhanging the front porch. These were both low one-story stone buildings with upper gables covered with hewn clapboards.
The Newkirk house stood on the west side of Tuers Av- enue south of Newkirk Street, and on the east side near Vroon Street was the Van Houten homestead. These were the only buildings east of the square in its immediate vicinity: with the exception of the Demott homestead on the southeast corner of Bergen Avenue, the site marked by the ancient build- ing still standing.
On the southwest corner of Bergen Avenue and Vroon Street, still occupied as a burying ground, the old Dutch Church, that followed the octagonal building of 1680, was erected. On the opposite side of Vroom Street and facing Ber- gen Avenue stood the long, low, one-story Parks homestead, its heavy walls, low thatched roof, and small windows suggest- ing durability and strength.
West of the Square, on opposite sides of Academy Street, stood the Van Reypen and Van Wagenen homesteads, part of the property being still occupied by the descendants of the original owners. On the northwest corner of the Square and Bergen Avenue was the Cornelius Sip house, afterward bought by the church for a parsonage, while diagonally opposite was the or- iginal Sip homestead, before more particularly alluded to.
Similar buildings were scattered along the roads reaching north and south from Bergen Woods to Bergen Point. They stood in the midst of farm lands, the surroundings of which betokened the labor necessary for their clearing.
In 1702 war was declared against the French by England,
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because of the claims of Louis XIV. to the throne of Spain.
July 1, 1706, there were 700 men from New Jersey under arms, ready to proceed to New York.
February 28, 1708, requisition was made on New Jersey for furnishing 200 men to accompany the expedition against the French at Canada, and an act was passed to prevent per- sons from leaving the province or absconding to avoid service.
July 30, 1711, it is stated from New York that the "New Jersey forces are to be there to-day, in order to go to Albany on the expedition." How many of these were from our own territory has not been ascertained, but doubtless the full quota was furnished. As peace was concluded with the treaty of Utrecht in 1713, their time of service was comparatively brief.
Again, in 1739, England became involved in war with Spain, and His Majesty expressed his faith in, and reliance upon the people of his colonies in following terms :
"His Majesty hath determined to raise a body of troops in his colonies, and although he has not fixed any quota for New Jersey, because he would not set bounds for their zeal for his service: does not doubt but they will exert themselves with a becoming earnestness. He expects his loyal assembly of New Jersey will provide victuals, transportation, &c."
July 31, 1740, House of Representatives of New Jersey passed an act making current £2,000 in bills credit for above purpose. In order to prevent privateers or supplies from reaching the Spanish territories, all Collectors of Ports were required to secure bonds from all vessels before sailing.
In 1746 regiments of Bergen and Essex County Militia were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to New York in case of alarm there, as an attack upon that city was feared.
August 22, 1746, Council was informed that supplies and transports were ready for immediate embarkation of the troops, and orders were issued for their procedure to Albany, N. Y.
September 27, 1746, Colonel Peter Schuyler was appointed to command the New Jersey troops. He was born in the Schuyler homestead, that stood on the east bank of the Passaic River (now Arlington). He was a brave, courtly gentleman, wealthy and public-spirited, and contributed liberally of his means whenever occasion demanded. In this expedition he ad- vanced several thousand pounds. The Schuyler copper mines
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were a source of great wealth to the family, and were discovered through the accidental finding by a slave of a piece of copper ore of exceeding richness. The location of these mines may be still seen at Arlington.
A letter from Albany, dated July 6, 1747, announces the safe arrival of the Colonel and men at Fort Saratoga. Peace was declared in 1748, and the Assembly notified to prepare an ac- count of the expense incurred in connection with this expedi- tion. This was rendered May 28, 1750, when the province of New Jersey was adjudged to have expended £2, 231, 18s, 4d.
In 1754 the French, with their Indian allies, invaded the territory of the English King and committed several depreda- tions and atrocities. During the Winter of 1755, Indian at- tacks along the frontier were frequent. Jacob De Hart was appointed commander of the forces on the frontier service and enrolled a detachment for defence.
June 2, 1756, we learn from a proclamation of Governor Belcher that Indian atrocities were being committed to such an extent, that stringent measures were adopted to prevent them. He promised to pay to every inhabitant of the colony who should take alive and deliver to any garrisoned fort, or jail, any male Indian enemy above 15 years of age, 150 Spanish dollars. Or if killed, on the exhibition of his scalp or other sufficient proof, 130 dollars. And for every male inhabitant of this colony re- taken from the Indians, 150 dollars.
This reward for the capture or killing of unfriendly Indi- ans led unscrupulous persons to attack those who were friendly and inoffensive-as the scalplocks alone did not indicate the difference-and in order to protect these latter, they were cau- tioned to remain within the bounds prescribed by the treaty. This place of refuge included the territory of Hudson County, as may be seen from following general description :
"A line drawn from the sound between Staten Island and the main and by a line back from the great road that leads to Elizabethtown, Newark, Wesel near Passaic Falls, and to Pomp- ton, and on the nearest straight line through Bergen County to the Jersey line on the shore of the North or Hudson River, and so by the waters to where it began on the sound."
Even this did not prevent their slaughter, for several com- plaints were made, that certain parties had banded together for
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the purpose of obtaining the scalps of Indians within this territory.
The New Jersey regiments were placed under the com- mand of Colonel Peter Schuyler, who left New York for Al- bany March 12, 1756. He was reported at Albany April 12th, and posted at Oswego last of June. He was here captured by Mont- calm and afterward released on parole pending exchange.
November 21, 1757, he arrived at New York from Canada by way of Albany. In the evening "a bonfire was made on the common, most of the houses in town were illuminated, and the public in general testified great joy on his arrival."
At Newark, N. J., he was saluted with the discharge of 13 cannon. "All the principal houses were illuminated, a bon- fire erected, which was attended by several hundred people, and the cannon continued firing the remainder of the evening."
July 3, 1758, he was notified that his parole was expired and that "Monsieur Montcalm had rejected the proposals that were offered in regard to his exchange." He immediately set out to redeem his parole, and July 24th "was received with great courtesy by Monsieur Montcalm and all the regular officers."
He was shortly after exchanged, and November 27th "ar- rived at New York from Canada by way of Albany and brought with him a number of prisoners of exchange."
In 1759, we find him again in command of 1,000 men who were designated "as jolly, likely young fellows as were ever seen in these parts. They made a very handsome appearance, being genteely clothed from head to foot." This campaign terminated in 1762, when peace between France and England was declared. Colonel Schuyler died March 7, 1762.
In the commission as Governor issued to Francis Bernard in 1758, he was instructed as to the method of choosing Repre- sentatives and the qualifications of members.
"Perth Amboy and Burlington being respectively the seats of government, the inhabitants of each of these places shall be privileged to select two representatives, and the Free- holders of the counties of each section shall separately select 2, making the composition of the whole body 24 members."
A property qualification is exacted as follows:
"No one shall be capable of being elected a representative, who shall not have 1, 000 acres of land in his own right in the di-
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vision for which he shall be chosen, or have a personal estate in money, goods, or chattels to value of £500 sterling : and that no act of a private nature shall be passed without proof, that pub- lic notification was made of the parties' intention to apply for such act in the several parish churches, where the premises in question lies, for three Sundays successively."
In their communication with each other the inhabitants of the Provinces generally followed the old Indian trails that led from the river inland, and, as occasion warranted, other private roads or lanes were laid out for convenience in reach- ing outlying farms or woodlands. In the early history of the town, the road crossing the old town plot from north to south (now Bergen Avenue) was extended from time to time in both directions, until it reached from Hackensack and English Neighborhood to Bergen Point. Powles Hook was reached by means of present Newark Avenue, and a corduroy road was laid over the marsh from the foot of the hill.
The wood lots of the inhabitants of the old town of Ber- gen were at the northern and southern sections of the county. They were obliged literally to hew their way, which they did by the most convenient route, and the old decayed tree- stumps in some of these abandoned byroads in later years fur- nished an inexhaustible supply of "punk" for the flint and iron age. Along the lines of these main roads were laid out afterward the highways that connected the different parts of the territory. Thus, Bergen Woods Avenue to the north and Old Bergen Road to the south, were but the outcome of the pioneer's enterprise.
In 1682 the General Assembly of New Jersey appointed a Commission to lay out, construct, and repair roads in Bergen County. In 1704 the Grand Jury of each county were empow- ered to appoint two persons from said counties, to lay out all necessary cross or byroads. June 3, 1718, what is now known as the Hackensack Turnpike was laid out. October 21, 1741, an act was adopted, for continuing highways from Bergen Point to Bergen, and to some convenient place on Hudson River, and for crossing that river to New York. On October 10, 1764, a road to Bergen Point was opened up. June 28, 1766, an act was passed authorizing and directing the laying out of a road "from a suitable place from the southwest Point of Bergen up along Newark Bay, and from thence over to Paulus Hook." This
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would indicate the Old Bergen Road from Bergen Point to Newark Avenue, and thence along same to the bay. Until the opening up of Grand Street in 1848, all land travel from Communipaw or the lower part of the county, must pass over this route to reach Powles Hook ferry, or take the steep and stony mill road via Prior's Mill.
Cornelius Van Vorst had opened up a road from Aharsi- mus to Prior's Mill, where it joined with the road succeeding the old Indian trail, to the trading post at Paulus Hook : and over this route he was enabled to reach the old church at Bergen.
June 27, 1765, "A road was laid out from Newark, to the public road near Bergen leading to Powles Hook, and ferries established over the two small rivers, Passaic and Hackensack, which made the distance from Powles Hook to Newark eight miles. It will be a level and good road when the causeways are made, and as said road will be very commodious for travel- ers, and give a short and easy access of a large country to the markets of the city of New York, and be of general benefit both to the city and country: it is hoped they will unite in the necessary expense of rendering said road fit for travelers," &c.
August 8, 1765, "By a law passed 2d June last, Commis- sioners were appointed to run out straight public roads leading through said province between New York and Philadelphia, and empowering them to raise a sum by a public lottery not ex- ceeding £500 toward defraying the expense thereof, and agree- able to said law the scheme of a lottery is now advertised, con- sisting of 2, 222 tickets, at $4 each, 62 to be fortunate," &c.
The increase of population now demanded better facilities for transportation. September 5, 1750, a ferry between Staten Island and Bergen Point was established, and an advertisement states "that a short, safe, easy, and convenient way is fixed by means of this ferry, and a wide, comfortable road for all trav- elers passing to the city of New York from any of the southern ports."
July 2, 1764, the New York Mercury informs us that "The long-wished-for ferry is now established and kept across the North River from the place called Powles Hook to the City of New York."
In connection with the establishment of this ferry, a stage coach line to Philadelphia was announced, "as starting from
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Powles Hook on Wednesdays and reaching Philadelphia the Friday following. Returning leaves the latter city on Mon- days and arrives at Powles Hook the next Wednesday by the lately established Post Road on Bergen, which is now generally resorted to by the populace, who prefer passage by said place before the danger of crossing the bay."
January 31, 1766, Van Vorst petitioned the Council at New York for a free landing place in that city for his ferry, offering in return the same facilities on this side the river. He stated his equipment to be "3 large and 2 small boats." His petition was granted. A post road was established at this date between New York and Philadelphia in connection with this ferry, which was located at the foot of present Grand Street, and now boats and periauguas plied back and forth "as the wind served or the weather permitted." The road extended through present Grand Street to Green, thence running diagonally and connecting with Newark Avenue at Warren Street. The ferry owners were compelled to keep this causeway in repair, and as it crossed the marsh and was continually washed by the tides, they were subjected to a considerable expense that jeopardized the profits of transportation. Much controversy ensued, the de- tails of which cannot here be related.
Numerous advertisements of the establishment of stage lines to different parts of the province indicated a recognition of the demand for better traveling facilities.
November 16, 1767, Mattheus Ward of Newark acquaints the public that he still continues his stage from Newark to Powles Hook, as usual, except that after the 20th of November he will return from Powles Hook at 11 o'clock for the Winter.
May 9, 1768, "John Barnhill, in Elm Street, Philadelphia, and John Mersereau, at the new Blazing Star, near New York, continue their stages in two days from Powles Hook ferry, op- posite New York, to Philadelphia. Returns from Philadelphia to Powles Hook in two days also. *
* Set out from Pow- les Hook and Philadelphia on Mondays and Thursdays punctu- ally at sunrise, and meet at Princeton the same night to ex- change passengers and return the day after. Those who are kind enough to encourage the undertaking are desired to cross Powles Hook ferry the evening before, as they must set off early."
July 11, 1768, "A wagon to set off every day in the week
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(Sundays excepted), one from Powles Hook, another from Mr. James Banks at Newark, precisely at half an hour past seven o'clock in the morning, and at half an hour past four in the evening. Meet at Captain Brown's ferry (on the Hacken- sack) and exchange passengers. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturdays Ward's wagon returns immediately from the said ferry through Newark to Elizabethtown. Stays there till three o'clock in the afternoon, and then returns back again through Newark to Powles Hook."
August 29, 1768, "A sale of lots adjoining town of Bergen in East New Jersey. The whole pleasantly situated, having beautiful views of the city of New York, North River, Bay, and Narrows."
In 1768 "Stageway between Paulus Hook ferry and Hack- ensack will begin September 14th to set out about 7 a. m. from the house of the widow Watson at New Barbadoes, where the best entertainment may be had, and will proceed to Paulus Hook, from whence the wagon will set out on its return at 2 p. m. every Monday and Friday. Best usage to passengers, each paying 2 shillings from one place to the other. The stage will stop regularly about 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the tavern of Wil- liam Earle in Bergen Woods, where any passenger coming over Weehawk ferry may readily get passage."
September 25, 1769, "New stage to New York from Philadelphia on the Old York Road. Sets out from the sign of the Bunch of Grapes in Third Street at sunrise. Pro- ceeds by the Crooked Billet, Coryell's ferry, Bound Brook, Newark, and from thence to Powles Hook opposite New York. It will set out regularly every Tuesday morning during the winter season, performing the journey from Philadelphia to Powles Hook in two days. * * * That part of the country is very pleasant, the distance and goodness of the road not in- ferior to any. There is but one ferry from this to Newark. The road is thickly settled by a number of wealthy farmers and merchants, who promise to give every encouragement to the stage."
But time will not permit us to linger. The gradual growth and development of the territory continued, and the character- istics of the fatherland were preserved in the customs and lan- guage of the people. Through their isolation from surround- ing territory they became a community of their own, as it were,
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forming one large family of similar tastes and habits, yet with the same variety of disposition that is found in all well-regu- lated families, and which serves to divest life of a tiresome mo- notony.
Intermarriages strengthened the bond, and so close was the relationship, that individual joys and sorrows became the property of the whole neighborhood, and helpful hands and sympathizing hearts shared alike in all the experiences of daily life.
But the peace and tranquility of the community was des- tined soon to be disturbed. The difficulties with the mother country were fast culminating into open hostilities, and the clouds of coming war were already overshadowing them, while the uncertainty of the future weighed down their minds with anxious forebodings. Their innate love of liberty impelled an open sympathy for the colonists, striving against unjust op- pression. Yet the fear of losing their much cherished posses- sions suggested a judicious neutrality and inactivity, that could not be maintained. Torn by conflicting interests, while some continued true to the traditions of their fathers, many wavered in their allegiance, and finally allied themselves to the existing powers, hoping thereby to avoid the losses and privations that threatened them.
The Historical Society of
Hudson County.
Organized January 17, 1908.
OFFICERS
President : DANIEL VAN WINKLE.
Vice Presidents : 1st-REV. C. BRETT. 2d-JOHN W. HECK.
Treasurer : NELSON J. H. EDGE.
Librarian : W. H. RICHARDSON.
Corresponding Secretary :
Recording Secretary :
LOUIS SHERWOOD.
DR. J. C. PARSONS.
Assistant Librarian : EDMUND T. MILLER.
Board of Governors :
ALEXANDER MCLEAN
JOHN J. VOORHEES
M. J. CURRIE
1910 DEWITT VAN BUSKIRK DAVID R. DALY
1911
W. J. DAVIS
W. R. BARRICKLO
DAVID RAMSEY 1912
DR. G. K. DICKINSON BENJ. L. STOWE
VREELAND TOMPKINS
F142 H8HG
Gin The Sustery 12 12 1010
710 3
THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN HUDSON COUNTY.
Paper read before "The Historical Society of Hudson County" by Alexander MacLean, Friday Evening, October 30, 1908.
HE MENTION of an Underground Railway at this date suggests a noisy subway train, or a sub-aqueous tun- nel; but sixty years ago the term conveyed a very different im- pression, varied by the sentiment or prejudice of the individual. To the opponents of slavery, it meant an avenue of escape from bondage in the South, to freedom in the North ; to the pro-slav- ery man, it meant an iniquitous aid to robbery To all, it meant a chain of hiding-places in the long journey from the South to Canada, in which runaway slaves were hidden during the day-and a list of men and women who risked all in pro- viding for the present needs of the fugitives, -and guides to the succeeding night's shelter.
These hiding-places were known as Stations, and the friends of freedom were known as Station Agents. Jersey City, by reason of its geographical position, was perhaps the most important transfer point in the East, and it is this fact that calls for special attention at this time.
The underground railroad in New Jersey sprang from the same spirit that produced the patriots of the Revolution- though the abolition of slavery was a live issue half a century before John Hancock made his signature famous.
Slavery, and the efforts continued for more than half a century to regulate or abolish it, have produced a large and interesting part of our written laws, and our legislative history. Time will not at present permit detailed mention of the record from the time when the first Quaker Apostle of Abolition be- gan preaching freedom for the negroes, one hundred and sev- enty-five years ago, down to the liberation of the last human being held in bondage in this State, but a glance along the line will aid us in trying to understand the warmth of the partisans of slavery, and freedom.
It will be sufficient to touch on the tops of the stepping- stones in the current of our history, to show how the slave
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question was made a part of our politics, and created bitterness, continually enhanced by disappointments and vituperation. Nor is it desirable to consider the whole underground system, which extended from the Mason and Dixon line and the valley of the Ohio on the South, to the Canadian border on the North. The four routes which were in New Jersey, all converging in Jersey City, are those which now interest us.
In the general glance which required to understand the growth of the abolition movement, it will be seen that during the first half of the seventeenth century there were no ques- tions about the moral wrong of slavery, and slaves were intro- duced into New Jersey contemporaneously with the advent of the English settlers.
The first act of our legislative body prohibiting harboring or transporting negroes, was passed in 1675-thus showing that slavery had become so general by that time that regulations were required, and the more stringent laws of 1682 show that Indians as well as negroes were held as slaves.
From 1702 a sort of trust was created in England, that se- cured a monopoly of the slave trade for New Jersey. It was known as the Royal African Company, and a part of its duty was to provide a constant and sufficient supply of merchanta- ble negroes at moderate rates.
In 1714 a law was enacted to limit the number of slaves, in order to encourage white immigration. This law placed a tax of ten pounds per capita on all slaves imported into New Jer- sey.
It was about this time that opposition to negro slavery be- gan to develop. One faction opposed slavery on the ground that negro labor was not profitable-and the other faction on the ethical and moral grounds.
The head tax act expired in 1721, and for nearly half a century thereafter, the live issue in politics throughout the State was the regulation and restriction of slavery.
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