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 3
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The history of Red Bank is replete with interest, although, in view of its comparatively recent founding, much of the narrative does not occur under its present name, and must be read in connection with the annals of the county and of contiguous places. The land upon which it was platted was in 1808 a farm belonging to Barnes Smock. In the year following a tavern was opened by one Boyd. Not much later a dock was built, from which Esek White sailed a vessel to New York for the conveyance of pro- (luce to market. The voyage often consumed two days, and passengers took provisions with them to serve for that period. In 1828 the county built a bridge on locust piling from Cooper's Point to Oyster Shell Point, and this was provided with a draw to allow the passage of vessels. This was carried away by a storm in about 1835, and a bridge of more than three hundred feet in length was built. In 1829 Rice Hatsell established 2*
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the first store on the hill, and the same year shipbuilding and water traffic received a great impetus. In 1832 the settlement had grown to be a village with three stores, two taverns, a blacksmith shop, a wheelwright shop and a furniture factory. This would indicate a fair population, but the people were obliged to go to Shrewsbury for mail and to Eatontown to vote, but in 1833 a postoffice was established. About 1852 a bank was established, and numerous dock and ship building companies were organized.
Red Bank became an incorporated town in 1870. Its name, however, appears long prior to this date, and was given it on account of the red earth on the banks of the river. During the legislative session of 1878-9, a petition was presented asking the name to be changed to Shrewsbury City, and February 14, 1879, an act was passed in accordance with the prayer. By its terms this act was not to become operative until it was adopted by vote of the people of Red Bank. The election was adverse to the change, and the original name of the town has been retained to the present time.
The first chief commissioner of the town was Samuel T. Hendrickson. A gaslight company was organized in 1862, long before the incorporation of the town, but the building project lay dormant until 1871 when the gas works were completed, during the administration of John S. Applegate, chief commissioner of the town. In 1879, under the chief commissioner- ship of Samnel Morford, the fire department was organized.
The first school teacher identified with the settlement was George Morford, who began teaching in 1816. In 1830 a lot of ground was do- nated by Ezek White, and upon it was built "the academy," which was used for school purposes until 1870. During the same period there were various private schools. When the town was incorporated, the sum of $10,000 was voted for school building purposes, and an edifice was erected in which the first graded school in Monmouth county was opened, in 1871. This result was due in great measure to Charles D. Warner, a teacher of wide experience.
Existing churches are of comparatively recent date of organization. The First Baptist church was instituted August 7, 1844, with sixteen mem- bers, under the pastorate of the Rev. Thomas S. Griffiths, and a house of worship was completed in 1849. Local preachers of the Methodist Episco- pal church visited the neighborhood as early as in 1802, but a local organi- zation was not effected until 1844, under the ministry of the Rev. William E. Perry. In 1846 a church edifice was erected, and this was replaced with a larger structure which was dedicated by Bishop Simpson, November 28. 1867. This building, which cost $15,000, was replaced with the pres- ent edifice, costing $19.500, in 1884. The Presbyterian church was organ-
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ized in June, 1852, with twenty-seven members, all from Shrewsbury church, under the ministry of the Rev. F. Reck Harbaugh. A church build- ing was erected in 1856, and has since been replaced with a more modern edifice. Trinity church ( Protestant Episcopal) organized in 1859, owes its beginning to a, mission established by Christ church of Shrewsbury. The first rector was the Rev. W. N. Dunnell. St. James Roman Catholic parish was formed in 1854 by the Rev. Father James Collane. A church building was erected the same year, and it was enlarged in 1873.
Red Bank has been visited by various destructive fires-on January I, 1880, on July 18, 1881, on December 3, 1881, and on November 5, 1882. In the last great conflagration were destroyed twenty business houses, including a bank, and the office of the "Standard" newspaper, together with the First Methodist church and numerous dwellings. All these losses were speedily repaired, and upon the ruins were reared buildings of greater beauty and durability.
The scenery about Red Bank is most beautiful. The Rumson and Seabright roads afford charming drives past villas adorned with all that the skill of the landscape gardener can devise. Froin the road on the Middletown side of the Shrewsbury River glimpses are caught of the stream, and a beautiful country to the east and south. To the north the Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook and the Narrows are in view, and the great ocean flyers are to be seen as they pass, coming out of or approaching the Upper New York Bay.
But the Shrewsbury River affords the greatest delight, picturesque from whatever standpoint, and presenting all the pleasures that are dear to boatman and fisherman. The river between Red Bank and Oceanic presents a straight-away course of three miles unsurpassed in the country, without disturbing tide, and the waters seldomed roughened by the wind. The season for ice yachting is longer here than on the Hudson River and northern lakes, for the reason that the snow fall is so much less.
The Monmouth Boat Club, composed of residents of the town and summer sojourners, owns a handsome club house on the river front, which is open from April to November, and during the ice season in winter. The Red Bank Yacht Club is composed almost exclusively of summer residents, and it owns a floating club house, which is anchored near the Middletown shore opposite the town. The members of the Red Bank Yacht Club own launches, cat-boats and half-raters, and have races every Saturday during the summer; they also give open regattas on July 4th and Labor Day. awarding handsome prizes to the winners of the races. The North Shrews- bury Ice Yacht Club has a club house, which is open all winter. This club is composed of those who are interested in building and sailing ice
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yachts, and races are sailed twice a day when the ice permits. The club makes a point of entertaining visitors, many of whom come from great distances, and yachts are kept in readiness, with competent sailing masters, especially to accommodate those who wish to enjoy the novel sport. The famous ice yacht "Scud," which on one of her trial trips made one and one-quarter miles in forty-five seconds (at the rate of one hundred miles an hour) belongs to this club.
Shrewsbury, previously mentioned in connection with Middletown, is situated about one and one-half miles south of Red Bank. Its history is principally related in that of its churches. In 1672 the place was visited by those distinguished Quakers, George Fox, John Burnyeate,and others, who held "a precious meeting." The Friends to whom they came were al- ready building a meeting house. In 1827-28, when the sect came to be divided, the Hicksites retained the lot and building, and the orthodox branch built another house. The Hicksites yet maintain their organization, while the other body has become practically extinct.
Christ church (Protestant Episcopal) is mentioned at length in the chapter on "Religious History.
In 1705 Presbyterians in Shrewsbury and its neighborhood were ministered to by John Boyd. In 1727 a building lot was purchased and a house of worship erected. The Rev. Joseph Morgan appears to have ministered to the people until about 1730, and he was succeeded by the Rev. John Tennent. These and succeeding ministers visited several congrega- tions, and services were held irregularly. For a period of fifty years after the death of the Rev. Charles McKnight, in 1767, the church was without a pastor, and had stated supplies during but two years of that time, but communion services were occasionally held by the Rev. Dr. John Woodhull and others. Since 1840 the church has been in an inefficient condition. Fol- lowing the death of the Rev. Charles McKnight, the church property fell into ruinous condition and was eventually sold. In 1805 an unsuccessful attempt was made to secure a building fund through a lottery. No further attempt was made until 1821, when the building of the present edifice was. begun, and it was completed two years later. It was substantially en- larged and improved in 1845.
The graveyards adjoining these two historic old churches contain many old headstones bearing names which are familiar and honored throughout the land. Under the right aisle of Christ church are the re- mains of Theodosius Bartow, a lawyer, who died in 1746. On his death- bed his wife, who was Ann Stillwell, promised him that their unborn child should receive his name. The child proved a girl and was named Theo- dosia; she became the wife of Colonel Frederick Prevost, and subsequently
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the wife of Aaron Burr. Of. her last marriage was born a daughter, Theo- dosia, the ill-fated woman whose setting out upon a voyage from which she never returned remains one of the untold mysteries of the sea.
Tinton Falls, a short distance above Red Bank, on the Navesink River, was known as the Falls of Shrewsbury prior to 1673, and is a place of his- torical importance. James Grover, one of the original Monmouth patentees, here located his claim, and here he established an iron furnace, and this and the industries pertaining to it were of so much importance as to be made the subject of protective legislation by the assembly in 1676. The iron interests, which passed into the hands of Lewis Morris, have been previously referred to at greater length. The mineral springs at Tinton Falls were regarded by the Indians as possessing medical properties, and in 1867 a company was formed for the purpose of making them a place of resort for invalids, but the plan failed. The village now numbers about two hundred inhabitants.
Lewis Morris, whose name is indissolubly connected with Tinton Falls, was a native of England, who commanded a troop of horse under Crom- well and whose estate was confiscated at the restoration of the monarchy. He came to Monmouth county and purchased from James Grover the lands which he called Tintern Manor, after his paternal estate in England, and which came to be known as Tinton Manor. He aided in the organization of the county, which be named Monmouth for his native county in Wales. He was uncle of that Lewis Morris who, after many years of conspicuous public service, in 1738 became the first Governor of New Jersey after the separation of that province from New York.
FREEHOLD.
Freehold, well nigh the geographical center of Monmouth county, of which it is the shire town, is quaintly suggestive of the early days of its founding. Yet standing there, and perhaps the oldest edifice in the vil- lage, certainly the oldest of sufficient dignity to attract attention, is St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church. Several dwellings yet remain which are of colonial architectural design, but were not built until during or after the revolutionary period.
The present court house, although it was erected so recently as in 1874, in its quiet dignity, with its porticoed and columned front, in colonial de- sign, although somewhat modernized. is in pleasing harmony with the his- tory and traditions clustering about the spot upon which it stands. In 1715 was built the first court house in the county, a wood building with shingled sides. It was destroyed by fire in 1727. In January following
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(1728) the county judges met at the house of William Nichols, a build- ing which stood on the site of the present town. In 1731 another court house was built on the same lot, and presumably on the same part of it. This was a frame building, nearly square, surmounted by a small cupola. In this was held, in June, 1774, the first protesting meeting in New Jersey, wherein, as reported! two years later in the Minutes of the Provincial Con- gress and Council of Safety, resolutions were adopted proclaiming loyalty to the crown, but protesting against the Boston Port Bill as a menace to the liberties of the colonies. Therein assembled in later days throngs of people who listened to the news from Lexington and Bunker Hill, and heard of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That the build- ing was occupied for military purposes by the patriot army after the battle of Monmouth must certainly be true. Tradition has it that Washington made it his headquarters, but it is more reasonable to believe that it was used as a hospital for the wounded from the battlefield, as were the churches. Here, too, did the Rev. John Woodhull deliver a funeral discourse over Captain Joshua Huddy, so pitifully slain, and here was heard the joyful news of the restoration of peace and the recognition of the new United States, and here the people assembled. to hear eulogies pronounced upon the Father of his Country after death had claimed him.
In 1808 a new court house was built, of brick, and additions were made to it in subsequent years. In 1855, after a fire which damaged its interior, it was remodeled. It was burned down October 30, 1873, and MONMOUTH COUNTY COURT HOUSE. it was replaced by the present edifice, which stands on the same lot and almost upon the identical spot where did the structure of revolutionary days.
The village of Freehold dates from the time of the location and erec- tion of the first court house, in 1715. About the middle of the eighteenth century it numbered less than one hundred inhabitants. There is record of a Latin school in 1778, and of other schools in early succeeding years. January 1, 1795, a postoffice was established under the name of Monmouth, by which name the village was known from its founding until 1801, when it was changed to Freehold. In 1814 appeared the first newspaper printed
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in the town, the "Spirit of Washington," advocating federalism, and in 1819 the "Monmouth Star" made its first appearance. In 1824 the Mon- mouth Bank, the first financial institution in the village, was chartered. For some years, in absence of a safe, the funds and books were kept in a cell in the jail. The bank was not successful, and was closed in 1836. In 1849 the citizens of Freehold projected the first railroad in the county, and it was set in operation four years later, as narrated in the chapter on Railways in this work.
Freehold became an incorporated town in 1869. In the year 1900 it numbered 2,934 inhabitants. It has a borough organization of the first class, with board of health, fire department and water and sewer depart- ment. A library is maintained by the King's Daughters, and is open to the public. An efficient public school system is conducted under a board of education, and comprises a high school, a graded school, and a separate school for colored children. Private educational institutions are a Catho- lic parochial school and a military academy.
The institution last referred to, the Freehold Military School, is con- ducted under the presidency of Colonel Charles J. Wright, with Major Charles M. Duncan as principal. Among the tutors is Mrs. John B. Con- over, teacher of piano. Mrs. Conover was a daughter of the revered Amos Richardson, who was first principal of the old Young Ladies' Seminary, founded in 1844, and who carried on his work with eminent usefulness for the long period of thirty-seven years. It may be said that he built up the school, and gave his entire active life to its conduct. In 1854 he succeeded in securing the erection of a new building, but just at the time of its com- pletion a melancholy accident deprived him of his eyesight, and during his later years he performed his duties in perfect darkness. He had pleasing and refined manners, a highly cultured mind, a great fondness for music and art, a boundless enthusiasm for his profession, and a most conscien- tious devotion to the best interests of the community. His death occurred October 16, 1881, at the age of sixty-nine years.
The older of the churches are historically notable. St. Peter's ( Pro- testant Episcopal) owes its founding to Lewis Morris, afterward Governor of New Jersey, who in 1702 procured the coming of George Keith, sent out as a missionary from England. Keith held services in Topanemus, in Freehold township, October 10, and some days afterward, then going elsewhere, returning in 1703 and preaching in private houses. A royal charter was granted the church in 1736. In 1745 the Rev. Thomas Thomp- son, then missionary in charge, notes that "St. Peter's, in the township of Freehold, had been built many years, but was never quite completed." This was the edifice at Topanemus, and its abandonment and the erection
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of a church building at Monmouth ( Freehold) is given as between 175 and 1763. During the revolutionary war the edifice was diverted from its proper purpose, and was used in turn and at various times as a hospital and store house by patriot and royalist soldiers. The building was re- stored and completed, and it was consecrated by Bishop Doane in 1838. In 1878 the building was enlarged, the original design being carefully pre- served.
The Dutch Reformed Church sprang from the mother church at Bradevelt, popularly known as "the Brick Church." For several years occasional services were held in Freehold by pastors of the first named church. In 1835 lots were purchased, the corner-stone of a building was laid by the pastor, the Rev. James Otterson, in 1836, and the edifice was completed and dedication took place February 1, 1838. The cost of build- ing was nearly $5,000. The church was formally organized' October 4, 1842, and the mother church transferred the property to it for a nominal price of seven hundred and fifty dollars. In 1847 a parsonage was pur- chased; in 1860 the church building was enlarged, and a Sunday school chapel was built at a later day.
The First Presbyterian Church derived its entire original membership from the Tennent Church, and was formally organized in 1836. A house of worship was erected at a cost of $4,000, and was dedicated June 17, 1837, under the ministry of the Rev. D. V. McLean. August 30, 1871, was laid the corner stone of a new edifice, but a storm threw down the walls, and the completion of the building was deferred until 1873, and April 10 of that year it was dedicated, the Rev. John Hall, D. D., deliver- ing the discourse.
The introduction of Methodism is ascribed to about the year 1780, and occasional meetings were held in the court house. A society existed at Blue Ball, however. In 1831 James McBurney, a school teacher and local preacher, held meetings at Mount's Corner, or West Freehold, and in 1832 a class was formed, with Joseph Murphy as leader, at Freehold proper. A revival of religion occurred that year, resulting in a largely in- creased membership, and in 1833 a board of trustees was elected for the Methodist Episcopal Congregation of the Wesleyan Chapel in the village of Freehold, a designation which was changed in 1875 to that of the Free- hold Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1834 a building was erected at a cost of twelve hundred dollars, and was dedicated by the Rev. Edmund S. Janes, who was afterward bishop. In 1869 the church building was sold and the congregation worshipped in the Baptist and Presbyterian churches until 1858, when a new church edifice was completed. This cost $4,400, and was the first building in Freehold to be lighted with gas.
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The Baptist Church, organized in 1834, was formed by members of a congregation which had a house of worship near old Monmouth court house village about 1764. The present church edifice was erected in 1847, and in 1868 it was enlarged and renovated. A parsonage was built in 1856.
The Roman Catholic Church of St. Rose of Lima was organized in 1853. A frame building was erected in 1854, and this was subsequently enlarged and in 1882 was replaced with the present edifice.
The newspapers of Freehold, the "Monmouth Inquirer," the "Mon- inouth Democrat," and the "Freehold Transcript," are most capable ex- ponents of the moral, commercial and financial interests of the community. It is also to be said that their files are invaluable fields of information con- cerning the old history of the community and county.
The "Monmouth Inquirer" was founded by John W. and Enos R. Bartleson, who purchased the material of the "Journal," then recently sus- pended after an existence of two years. In 1831 the printing office was destroyed by fire, but was at once replaced. The paper was distributed through the country by horsemen employed by the publishers, involving an expense of about five hundred dollars a year, which proved too burden- some, and the plan was abandoned. The paper passed through various hands, and in 1864 became the property of Edwin F. Applegate, who died in 1885, and was succeeded by his son Maxey Applegate. It is Repub- lican in politics.
The "Monmouth Democrat" was established by Bernard Connolly, the first number appearing April 12, 1834. In 1854 James S. Yard became the owner, and after his death his son, Joseph A. Yard, succeeded to the ownership. It is Democratic in politics.
The financial institutions of Freehold are the Freehold Banking Com- pany, with a capital of $100,000, the First National Bank and the Central National Bank, each of the two latter named having a capital of $50,000. The oldest house is that first named, which was organized under a special charter in 1855. In 1865 it was reorganized as the Freehold National Bank- ing Company. In 1884 it renewed its former status under the provisions of the State banking law, and took again its original corporate name.
The business men of the town are associated in a Board of Trade which carefully fosters and guards commercial and financial affairs. An efficient military company is maintained, the Vrendenburgh Rifles, which is known as Company G, Second Regiment, National Guard of New Jer- sey. The leading benevolent and fraternal orders are represented by flour- ishing lodges of large and influential membership.
The local industries comprise iron foundries, tin and sheet iron works,
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file works, saw and planing mills, sash, doors and blinds factories ; carriage, coach and wagon shops; marble and granite yards, a canning factory, a shirt factory and numerous minor establishments.
A short distance from the business center of the town stands the Battle Monument, erected to commemorate the momentous events which transpired on the field of Monmouth.
The base of the monument is formed by three spurs of granite, and upon their point of contact is imposed a drum-shaped granite block bear- ing five bronze tablets, each five feet in height and six feet in width. These are in bas-relief, of exquisite artistic design and execution, and are re- markably correct from a historic standpoint.
The first tablet represents Lieutenant-Colonel Nathaniel Ramsey de- fending his artillery, in fulfillment of the duty imposed upon him by Wash- ington, and in discharge of which he was wounded and made prisoner. The scene of hand-to-hand conflict with the British charging column is represented with strict fidelity to the well authenticated facts. The figure and countenance of Ramsey are from miniature and silhouette portraits, his sword is modeled from that which he wore and is yet preserved, and the trappings of horses and men are in strict adherence to the official de- scriptions of the day.
In the second tablet, representing Washington rallying his troops, the great commander is shown speeding his horse along the patriot line, placing his regiments in position to check the advance of the enemy. The head and figure of Washington are from Houdin's life cast, and his uniform and horse equipments are modeled after those of authentic source.
The third tablet represents Molly Pitcher serving a cannon, the dead body of her husband lying near her feet. A soldier is thumbing the piece with his right hand, his left having been disabled by a wound. General Knox stands in the background, directing his artillery, and the old Tennent Church appears on the extreme left. The head and the figure of the hero- ine is a masterpiece of ideal muscular womanhood.
The council of war at Hopewell is represented in the fourth tablet, which contains the figures of Washington and his principal officers, thir- teen in number, including Lafayette, Lee, Green, Steuben, Knox and Wayne.
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