USA > New Jersey > The New Jersey coast in three centuries; history of the New Jersey coast with genealogical and historic-biographical appendix, Vol. II > Part 25
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In 1782, when actual hostilities between the United States and the mother country had ceased, Bishop Asbury made a journey through New Jersey, and he notes in his journal that he witnessed considerable miscon- duct, and he particularized several public affrays. The annals of the same time have frequent references to highwaymen and horse thieves.
It was a crucial period for society, and for civil institutions. Those irresponsible bands which had ravished the country during the war, plun- dering patriot and loyalist alike, now without excuse for maintaining the semblance of an organization, had dispersed, and where they went they spent profligate lives, indulging in all manner of excesses and committing all sorts of petty depredations. In some instances continental soldiers set an example of idleness and dissipation, bidding defiance to all moral re- straints and respecting the law but little. For many such there was excuse. They were but mere youth when they set out in a war which engaged them for seven long years of untold privation and suffering. They had gone to the life of the camp and march-demoralizing under the best conditions -before character was formed, and without knowledge of the temptations and vicious influences which were to beset them. They returned full grown men, to enter into a world which was new to them, one wherein there was no home they could call their own, nor occupation for which they seemed to be fitted. A sailor shipwrecked upon a foreign strand were not more helpless. But such were the exceptions, and far the greater number turned readily to peaceful pursuits.
The revival of religion which began shortly after the coming of Bishop Asbury was productive of much good. The churches resumed their func- tions and regained their influence, and social vices were frowned upon. A significant fact relating to a somewhat later day ( 1805) was the organi-
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zation at Allentown, in Monmouth county, of the "Sober Society," num- bering fifty-eight members. This is notable as being the first temperance organization formed in New Jersey.
If the flagrant vices of the early days formed an open record read or known of all men, as are the crimes of our own times, against these annals are to be set the modest, quiet, exemplary lives of God-fearing people, who reared their families in the ways of decency, and who set up the church and the school-the bulwarks of virtue, of good order, and of religion- and laid the foundations for another and higher order of social life. If not far away, as in Maryland and Virginia, the old English manorial style of living were more conspicuous, New Jersey was more conspicuously the . home of that "common people" who are, after all, the real leavening power in any nation. The diverse elements had been gradually blending into an approach to homogeneousness. The language of the sturdy Dutch had been supplanted by that of the more numerous peoples from the British Isles. Each nationality had unconsciously surrendered something of its manners, its customs and even of its thought, and had as unconsciously been recompensed in gaining something of the best from the people about it. From this blending of people of diverse manners and customs, came the best type of that American character which aided in the winning of the west for civilization and in the preservation of free institutions. And from New Jersey ancestry of such origin and such blending came that most perfect American, the greatest and simplest of all, him of giant in- tellect and childlike heart-Abraham Lincoln.
It was this hardy class of men, stamped with all the manly virtues, who left their impress on every page of the history of their own State, and dispersed to the uttermost parts of the earth, and their story has been told in homely but effective verse by one of their own blood-Mr. William H. Fischer, of Toms River :
THE MEN OF THE JERSEY SHORE.
When th' angel bos'n pipes aloft from land an' sea their dead From ev'ry corner of the earth they'll come with stalwart tread; There ain't so many of 'em, but they've scattered far an' wide.
You couldn't git beyond their reach no matter how you tried ;-
Some are in Alaska, climbing Skaguay trail;
Some, south of Van Diemen's Land, chase the blubb'ry whale;
Some, in far Samoa, watch the surf an' sand gleam white;
Some they fell in Cuba's isle, a-fightin' Freedom's fight :-
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Ev'rywhere you'll find 'em, the wide world is their beat, For they were born on the Jersey shore with "the tickle in their feet." .
It's good two hundred year an' more since they first started forth To cover all this globe of ourn, west, east, an' south, an' north; Not one of 'em has crawfished when once he's set his face, For if he died along the way, his son stepped in his place. Some they hail from Manasquan, an' some from old Cape May, Some look back to Navesink an' some to Barnegat Bay, Manahawkin, Little Egg, Absecon, Tuckahoe,- But their white sails dot the blue seas where'er the free winds blow.
They knew Sir Peter Warren an' they foller'd in his train ; They took a hand when the Buccaneers played hell with th' Spanish Main ; They licked the corsairs of Algiers, scairt into fits the Dey; An' they went down with the Essex in Valparaiso Bay- Some they fou't with Washin'ton in Stirlin's Jersey Line; Some with Scott in Mexico jest thought that scrimmage fine; Some helped Grant at Vicksburg, marched with Sherman to the sea ; Some at Appomattox saw the end of Gin'ral Lee.
The sons are like the gran'sires, a most adventurous gang- The most of 'em are born to drown, but nary a one to hang ; They don't talk much except in fun, they're grim, yet jolly, too; An' anything that can't be done, 's what they set out to do- Some they preach the gospel to the heathen over sea ; Some are trainin' Krags upon the "innercent Chinee;"
Some are hikin' through Luzon a chasin' rebel bands; Some patrol through night an' storm along the Jersey sands-
Ev'rywhere you'll find 'cm, the wide world is their beat, For they were born on the Jersey shore with "the tickle in their feet."
Modern social life may be said to have had its beginning shortly before the beginning of the Revolutionary war. The people were frugal and in- dustrious. Sunday was sacredly regarded as a day of rest and for wor- ship. The principal holidays were court days, which afforded opportunity for the people to communicate news and discuss public questions. On such occasions, all manners of sports were indulged in, and feasting was a par- ticular feature, the latter affording opportunity to the lewd fellows of the baser sort to indulge in such excesses as they were inclined to. At public meetings and elections, voting was done viva voce. Comparatively little interest was taken in public matters, and it is noted that on one occasion
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in Cape May county but three votes were cast for a candidate for the legis- lature, when the qualified electors numbered more than three hundred.
The education of children in the Colonial days was eminently prac- tical. The boys of the common people were fortunate if they learned to read and "figure to the double rule of three," and "tare and tret." The latter accomplishments were deemed sufficient to qualify a youngster for a position in any New York or Philadelphia shipping house or counting room. To read well was expected of a girl, but arithmetic was deemed outside her necessity, if not beyond her capability, but she must be a good needlewoman. Usually her expertness was unknown beyond her home, but there were times when her handiwork found recognition and compen- sation from abroad. About 1748 the wife of the eminent Benjamin Frank- lin sent to a young lady friend at Cold Spring, near Cape May, a woman's cap of the fashion then in vogue in Philadelphia. Its recipient wore it to church, and it led to the desire of other women to wear the like. As a result, the Cape May girls began and carried on a brisk trade with "the village on the Delaware," as Philadelphia was then known, knitting mit- tens which they sent to exchange for caps. This event made the subject for one of Dr. Franklin's most characteristic letters, written from France in 1748, in which he discoursed upon "the benefits and evils of luxury." Referring to the incident above referred to, he said: "I think the cap was an advantage, for it was the first thing that put our girls upon knit- ting worsted mittens for sale at Philadelphia that they might have where- withal to buy caps and ribbons there, and you know that that industry has continued and is likely to continue and increase to a much greater value and answer better purposes. Upon the whole I was more reconciled to this little piece of luxury, since not only the girls were made happier by hav- ing fine caps, but Philadelphia by the supply of warm mittens." And thus did the industrious but book-ignorant damsels of the Cape May region contribute to the comfort and fashion of their more refined sisters in one of the principal intellectual centers of America.
The residence remained unchanged outwardly, but the changes were many within. A carpet covered the floor of the best room, if of none other ; people of means purchased an imported article, while the poorer classes made their floor covering out of woven rags. The family no longer dined in the kitchen, but in another room, which was also the sitting room. The furniture was simple but substantial, usually home made, of the splendid native pine, walnut and cedar, then common and cheap, but now scarce and costly. Mirrors and clocks were only for those in affluent circumstances. Cooking was yet done before the open fireplace, furnished with pots and
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cranes, and in the Dutch oven, for the stove was yet to come. The table fare was generous and of the best. Domestic animals and fowls fed and fattened upon the expansive native meadows and in the profusely nutted forest. Wild game and fish were so abundant as to be little valued. Tea and cocoa, and even coffee, had come into use, though they were not yet for the poorer people, who made various sub- stitute beverages. All had milk and cider, and the upper classes their wines and liquors. Tobacco was in common use-and sometimes by women-but it was chewed or smoked in a pipe. In all the long records of losses due to depredations by the British during the Revolutionary war, there is not in New Jersey a solitary instance where cigars were inventoried. The table utensils were usually of com- mon earthenware and pewter, the latter kept highly polished. If there were a few pieces of old china and glass, they were highly prized and were only set out on the most important occasions. The lights were from tallow dips, and these were also used in lighting the house of worship. Men and women yet living remember that in the absence of time pieces and bells, evening church services were announced to begin at "early candle lighting." CLOCK.
Clothing for men had not yet changed in style, but it was of better quality, and frequently of imported goods. Boots and shoes were made by the traveling shoemaker, from home dressed leather. The female sex revealed its constant fondness for finery. The poorest wore home spun and linsey-woolsey, but they had learned to make dyes from barks and roots, and their garments were of varying hues. Those in better circum- stances wore goods of foreign make, linens and silks and figured shawls. They usually knitted their own stockings and their gloves. Jewelry was affected only by the wealthy, excepting the wedding ring, without which no woman claiming to be married was regarded as respectable. Inland travel was principally by horseback, which finally gave way to the old- fashioned horse cart, which was long a favorite. Dr. Maurice Beesley notes that when (in 1786) Jesse Hand appeared in the first top carriage seen in the Cape May region, "he created great astonishment among the peo- ple," such innovation being looked upon "with jealousy and distrust."
Such multiplication of comforts and luxuries excited a keen mental stimulation. The weekly newspaper came with its message from the outer world, and this created desire for yet more knowledge, and the book fol-
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lowed. Social gatherings came into vogue, and these soon led to the de- bating society and the singing school. The two last named were admirable in an instructional way, and those who yet remain with us, who were par- ticipants in them in their youthful days, are accustomed to recall them with deep pleasure, and to the disparagement of much that is peculiar to the present fair well-spoken days. For many years the only musical instrument in the farm or village home was the violin or flute, and a fair performer on either was a gladly hailed acquisition in any company, and frequently in. sacred music in such churches as were not sternly set against the use of in- struments in divine worship. It was not until about 1850 that the sera- phine or melodeon became at all familiar, and ten years later a piano was a great curiosity in many good sized towns.
In the community where a half century ago a book was uncommon, is now a well stored library. Where were but few isolated instruments of music is now an orchestra capable of performing the music of the great masters. The humble cottage has given place to the elegant mansion with its luxurious furnishings, and the stately temple stands where did the modest plain-walled country church.
But here and there is an old-time dwelling of the long ago, or an old church so far from the busy throng that it has not been deemed worthy of destruction to make way for one more modern. Such are pleasant to. look upon, and in gazing upon them there come to us fragrant memories and a reverent feeling something akin to that "benediction that follows. after prayer."
CHAPTER V.
A RESUME OF THE HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
In the foregoing pages have been presented the salient points in the history of New Jersey. In various chapters is contained the narrative of discovery, of settlement and of political changes-all leading up to the firm establishment of a civilization of the highest type. But of greater value are those descriptions of character of a people of diverse origin and habits of living and of thought, whose welding together resulted in the New Jersey and the New Jerseyman of the present day.
The narrative written in this work has to do with a people heteroge- neous in its origin. Until 1702 the Jerseys were not even politically united, and, after two centuries, East Jersey, founded in large part by Hollanders, is in many respects a dependency of the greater community of Dutch ori- gin across the Hudson, while West Jersey, established by Quakers, is in closest touch with the Quaker State across the Delaware.
Entered upon the scene in 1666 a third group of founders, who came to be Jerseymen, not to be outlying colonists of New York or Philadelphia. These Puritans, driven by the rising tides of Connecticut laxity from that first refuge which they had called their New Haven, put forth upon the stormy seas of destiny in their New Ark, for so they named it, and it rested upon the banks of Passaic-the Plymouth Rock of New Jersey. The common sense and conscience of New Jersey Presbyterianism there and thus established have remained the uniting and guiding forces in Colony and State. It is necessary to recognize this, and, at the same time, not to overlook but to comprehend the contributions to the character and devel- opment of the people which have been made by Dutchman, Scotchman, Huguenot and Quaker. To trace the history of such a people in a spirit of unity were a difficult task, and our work is rather to be classified witlt- illustrative monographs, each covering some particular phase of the general subject.
The war for independence over, the people of the State turned them- selves to the work of repairing war losses and to the establishment of all
16*
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that is included in the word advancement. The foundations for a splendid judicial establishment were laid, and upon the bench were seated jurists who honored their high office and set up standards of legal knowledge and personal conduct which have been examplars to the very present. The feeble educational institutions, wellnigh uprooted during the war period. were resuscitated and placed on the highway to monumental success and usefulness. The Society for the Promotion of Useful Manufactures, with the aid of Alexander Hamilton and his associates, applied itself to coin- mercial development-wagon and post roads were laid out and made passi- ble, ferries were established, manufacturing towns were founded, shipyards sent out their craft into all waters, and the tillable lands began to receive a larger and busier population.
With the decade beginning in 1800 began a new era of development. Looking to commercial activity, great transportation enterprises were en- gaged in. A bridge was thrown across the Delaware, uniting New Jersey and Pennsylvania at Trenton. Various canals were constructed, and John Stevens and his son, Robert, built the first ocean-going steamboat. Within the same period the first banks in the State (at Trenton and Newark) were chartered.
The close of the second war with Great Britain marks distinctly the beginning of the real industrial era. In 1815 the legislature granted a rail- road charter-the first in the United States. Within a few years, a vast industrial population had come into the state. Camden and Paterson and Jersey City had become considerable manufacturing centers. Numerous railroads were built, leading to the development of iron, zinc and copper mines, and to the opening up of fertile agricultural regions throughout the State. The public school system was extended, while reforms in penal and charitable institutions were instituted. In 1844 the outgrown constitu- tion of 1776 was abandoned, and a new constitution, more in harmony with the spirit of the times, was adopted.
During the Civil war period, while more than three-fourths of the men of New Jersey of arms-bearing age performed military duty in defense of the government, the wheels in her factories were ever busy, and her marts of trade were ever active. Following the restoration of peace, all manufacturing industries experienced a new stimulus and new and greater. ones were established, while the agricultural regions were invaded by pio- neers in new enterprises of great moment. The pressing needs of Philadel- phia and New York led to the development of dairying and the establishment of railroad milk service. Market gardens were cultivated within the mer- ropolitan areas. Vineland, Hammonton and Egg Harbor were laid out,
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and the culture of small fruits, berries and grapes was begun, practically assuring the future of these industries. The oyster and fishing industries attracted more intelligent attention and were pursued with larger remuner- ation and less wastefulness, and became famous throughout the world.
In recent years many of the coast towns have had their establishment or have entered upon a new era of development and prosperity, and some of these -- Long Branch, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove and Cape May-are famous the world over for all that contributes to health and pleasure.
But before and above all these excellent material conditions is to be admired the power which has made them -- the people. In great numbers native to the soil, these cherish with affection and pride the an- cestry whence they sprung, and whose worth and names they have coni- memorated, in many instances, in stately public edifices, and in chairs of instruction in colleges and hospitals. For the people, despite the turmoil of business and the glamour of society, are, after all, a home-loving and family-loving people, and in their homes, their schools and their churches, they are rearing to-day a generation which, in its own time, will doubtless , be called upon to engage in effort and confront obstacles and conquer suc- cess after the manner of those who have gone before them.
APPENDIX.
WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.
William Livingston, the first governor of New Jersey under the con- stitution of 1776, was born in Albany, New York, in the year 1723. He was the grandson of Robert Livingston, a very distinguished minister of the Established Kirk of Scotland. After the restoration of the monarchy in the person of Charles II, this minister with his son fled to Holland, whence Robert came to America about the year 1675. In 1679 he mar- ried Alida, the widow of Nicholas Van Rensselaer, and resided at Albany. Philip, the father of William, was the second son of Robert; but, the elder brother having died, he succeeded to the manorial estate. His wife was Catherine Van Brugh, a member of a respected Dutch family of Albany. William was their fifth child.
Ile was accorded the best education the country afforded. After due preparation he entered Yale College, from which institution he was grad- nated in 1741 at the head of his class. He was brought up for the legal profession, and began study therefor with James Alexander, a most dis- tinguished lawyer of New York City, and a sturdy advocate of popular rights and opponent of ministerial assumptions.
Studying diligently, he in due course was licensed to practice law in 1748. Such close study being combined with great natural ability and qualifications for a lawyer, he soon won a high position at the bar, and was retained in most of the important litigation of the day, not only in New York, but in New Jersey. Among other notable engagements in his legal career, he was in 1752 one of the counsel of the defendants in the great suit in chancery, between the proprietors of East Jersey and some of the settlers, which, although never brought to a final decision, has been much referred to in respect of the title to a considerable part of East Jersey. Brought up in the Reformed Dutch church, he engaged earnestly in the controversies which arose with the Episcopalian party in reference to an established religion. It was not a little owing to the feelings so strongly excited in Congregationalists and Presbyterians by these discussions that the resistance eventually advanced to the attempted imposition of taxes on the American colonies by the British ministry arose, and the unanimous support by the colonies of antagonistic measures resulted.
In 1772 he changed his residence to Elizabethtown, New Jersey, where he had acquired by purchase at different times an estate of about one
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hundred and twenty acres. He had been admitted to the bar of New Jersey in 1755, and he continued to practice his profession, but not in any very close fashion. In . 1774 he was chosen a delegate to the Continental Congress by the committee which met at New Brunswick in July of that year, and became a member of the committee of that body, appointed to prepare the address to the people of Great Britain. In January, 1775, he was re-elected delegate to the Congress by the Assembly, and served on the most important committees thereof. He was again elected delegate in February, 1776, to the Provincial Congress, and labored on the same committees with Adams, Jefferson and Lee. During the ensuing June, however, he left the congress at Philadelphia in order to take command of the militia of New Jersey as a brigadier general. While thus patriotic in spirit, and doing everything in his power to advance the American cause, he was yet among those, and the number included many pronounced Whigs, who doubted the expediency of the Declaration of Independence at the time it was made.
In June, 1776, by desire of congress, he took command of the militia destined for New York, and established his headquarters at Elizabeth- town Point. There is good reason to believe, however, that he would have much preferred to continue a delegate to the Continental Congress, in which case he would undoubtedly have signed the Declaration of Inde- pendence. It was not long that Livingston served as a soldier, his abilities being called into play in a position where they were calculated to prove of far greater value to his country. A new constitution having been adopted, and a legislature chosen under it, that body assembled at Princeton, and on August 27, 1776, proceeded in joint convention to elect a governor. The vote was by a secret ballot, and it resulted for a time in a tie between him and Richard Stockton. By next day, however, an arrangement had been reached, and Livingston was elected governor, Stockton being chosen chief justice of the supreme court. The former accepted, but the latter declined. For a while after installation, Governor Livingston, by resolu- tion of the legislature, used his own seal as the great seal of the state, but in a short time it was replaced by a seal of silver, engraved in Philadelphia, which bore the devices still in use, and was lettered, "The Great Seal of the State of New Jersey," the word colony used in the constitution being entirely discarded. On September 13th the Governor made an address to the legislature, in which he says:
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