USA > New Jersey > Passaic County > Passaic > The Passaic valley, New Jersey, in three centuries.. Vol. 1 > Part 11
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
On the west side of Morris Plains and in the southwest corner of Hanover stands the stately pile of buildings erected by the commonwealth as a hospital for the insane, at an original cost of $2,500,000, of sufficient size to accom- modate eight hundred patients. Additions have since been made at a cost of about $400,000 for six hundred patients more. Some peculiar advantages aided in the erection, as
165
THE STATE HOSPITAL
the stone used was quarried on the grounds. This institu- tion was incorporated under the title of the State Hospital at Morris Plains, and was opened formally for the recep- tion of patients on the 17th of August, 1876. Prior to that time an asylum had been located at or near Trenton, the capital of the State, but it had not been able for many years to accommodate the increasing number of applicants for admission, and it became an imperative necessity to make arrangements with asylums of neighboring States for the reception of these wards of the State.
A new institution was then incorporated and Morris Plains selected as the spot where its practical operation should be conducted. This selection was eminently proper, for no healthier locality could have been chosen, and it had other advantages which were not overlooked. Several years were employed in the erection of the necessary build- ings, and when they were completed the citizens of New Jersey were justly proud of the success of the undertaking. The most serupulous care was exercised in every detail con- nected with the structures, the most distinguished architects to be found in the country being employed, and the whole work was placed under the supervision of a body of citizens whose experience and knowledge peculiarly fitted them for the performance of their duties. Among these were Hon. Francis S. Lathrop, Hon. George A. Halsey, and Hon. George Vail, now dead. All took the deepest interest in the work.
It is confidently asserted that there is no structure of the kind whose appliances are better adapted to the purpose for which they were erected, and it would seem as if the ingenuity of man was exhausted in providing everything necessary for the comfort and happiness of the unfortunate beings who are the recipients of this munificent bounty.
166
THE PASSAIC VALLEY
The Rev. James M. Buckley, D.D., who for several years has been one of the managers, and who has been in almost every part of the globe, unequivocally declared, in a late general report prepared by himself, that there is nowhere so large and complete an institution of the kind.
The circumference of the whole erection is one mile and a quarter. Six hundred acres of land are attached to the hospital, affording ample means for the growth of fruits and vegetables sufficient for the needs of the inmates. Pure cool water is collected into reservoirs formed by two moun- tain streams issuing from natural springs, and distributed into the buildings. Besides these appliances other means are employed to secure at all times an abundance of the precions fluid. The sanitary arrangements are as perfect as could possibly be devised. The whole institution is under the supervision of the Hon. Moses K. Everitt; the medical department is in charge of B. D. Evans, M.D., as director. The general affairs of the institution are placed by the State in the control of a very competent board of managers, of whom Patrick Farrelly, of Morristown, is presi- dent, and Charles H. Green, also of Morristown, secretary. The present number of patients is 1,400. The annual ex- penses, according to the report of 1900, was about $250,000, which is met by appropriations from the State.
This noble institution so far has met the wants of the State, but it is feared that soon its accommodations, ample as it was supposed at first to meet every exigency, will fail. The indigent patient first receives the fostering care of the management; then, if there be room, those who, or whose relatives, are able to pay are received; but no one is ad- mitted who is not an actual resident of New Jersey.
Mount Tabor, on the western edge of Hanover Township, is a small town of summer residences where the dwellings
167
TIANOVER AND OTHER VILLAGES
climb up several elevations, some of them crowning the hill tops. Its residents are mostly confined to those of the Methodist faith, and very few remain during the winter. It is an incorporated town, with borough privileges, and is under the control of a board of trustees, the majority of whom are clergymen of that denomination. During the summer season the number of visitors swells into the thou- sands, for whose pleasure and comfort ample provision is made. A large hall or andience room is used for meetings, which, during the season, are held every day and evening. Almost every variety of structure for the abode of man can be found here, from the flapping tent to the costly and ele- gant residence. Strict rules are enforced providing for the proper behavior of all residents and visitors. No saloon can be opened within its bounds, and no ardent spirits of any kind can be sold. It is largely patronized by others than the followers of John Wesley, and during the heated season it is one of the busiest of busy places.
Malapardis, Hanover, Troy Hills, and Hanover Neck are hamlets, each a small collection of dwelling houses denot- ing thrift and comfort. Monroe is also a hamlet stretching over from Morris Township into the southern edge of Han- over. Most of these localities are provided with school houses. At Hanover is a Presbyterian Church remarkable for the number of distinguished clergymen who have minis- tered to the different congregations worshipping in this his- toric edifice. At first this ecclesiastical organization was established at Whippany, but in 1755 the congregation was divided and two church structures were built, one at Han- over and one at Parsippany. At that time the Rev. Jacob Green was pasfor of the Whippany church, and after the division he became the minister of both congregations, re- siding, however, at Hanover. In 1760 his labors were con-
168
THE PASSAIC VALLEY
fined to the last named place, and the congregation at Par- sippany selected another clergyman. Dr. Green was an extraordinary man-a man of affairs as well as a preacher. He drew the wills of his parishioners, their deeds and their contracts, settled their estates, acted as their legal adviser, and arbitrated their differences. To eke out his small salary he became the physician of the country and teacher of his neighbors' children. He also engaged in the business of milling and distilling. Some wag addressed a letter to him in this manner:
To the Rev. Jacob Green, Preacher, And the Rev. Jacob Green, Teacher ; To the Rev. Jacob Green, Doctor, And the Rev. Jacob Green, Proctor ; To the Rev. Jacob Green, Miller, And the Rev. Jacob Green, Distiller.
In 1776 he was a representative with Silas Condict from Morris County in the Provincial Congress of New Jersey and became chairman of the committee charged with the duty of preparing a constitution for the infant State. The other members of the committee were John Cleves Symmes, afterward an associate justice of the Supreme Court, and Jonathan D. Sergeant, both able lawyers. The committee was appointed June 24, 1776, and reported a draft of a con- stitution July 2, 1776. It has always been admitted by his- torians that Dr. Green was the author of this remarkable document, which was adopted almost unanimously by the Congress. Under this organic law the State of New Jersey acted for more than sixty years and prospered.
Dr. Green was the father of Ashbel Green, once president of the College of New Jersey, and the grandfather of Rob- ert Stockton Green, at one time governor of the State.
The Rev. Aaron Condit was also pastor of this Hanover church for thirty-six years, succeeding Dr. Green. He was
LONGE . ISLE LAND .
ยทยทยท Pestate
MU Tassace
'utt fiand
nallting
Heade
['THE DUKE'S PLAN"]
A.DESCRIPTION. OF THE ."TOWNE OF MANNADOS: OR.NEW.AMSTERDAM: as it was in September 106) a. lying in L'attitude 40 and 40. Anno Domini: 1664
Hudfons . River
This Scale of Five Hundredyeardes is for the Young
500
THE . MAINE . LAND
170
THE PASSAIC VALLEY
the father of four distinguished clergymen, one of them a professor in the Theological Seminary at Auburn. The Rev. John Mills Johnson. a Morris County man, for twenty- one years ministered to this people, and now the Rev. J. A. Ferguson, D.D., since 1869 has been the beloved and hon- ored minister of this church.
Parsippany is a village of rather rambling proportions, stretching along the road once the main route of travel in this section. It contains a population of about three hun- dred, mostly farmers and permanent residents. There are two churches at this town : a Presbyterian, an offshoot of that first formed at Whippany, and a Methodist, and also a large two-story public school house. The names once prominent here were Kitchell, Fairchild, Tuttle, Baldwin, Bowlsby, Cooper, Cobb, Farrand, Righter, Smith, Condict, and Howell, some of whose descendants are now living here. The Kitchells, Abraham and Aaron, were prominent in the early settlement of this part of Morris during the Revo- lution and also during the early times of the State. Sev- eral of the name took an earnest part in the war. Aaron was foremost in his opposition to British oppression, a mem- ber of the committee of safety, a congressman, and after- ward a United States senator.
Rhoda Farrand, the wife of a soldier in the army, one of the shivering, suffering mass of humanity en- camped at Morristown, has been immortalized in song for her patriotic deeds. News came to her from her husband that the men of his company, who were mostly " neigh- bors' sons " from Parsippany and its vicinity, were shoeless and stockingless. She had been left at home with her three children, two daughters and a son, to care for the farm. Their horses had been taken for the use of the army and a pair of young steers was the only means at her hand which
171
RHODA FARRAAND
she could use to visit her neighbors. The letter from her imsband came on Thursday. She immediately ordered her son to yoke up the steers, and, seating herself on a chair in a two-wheeled cart, her only vehicle, with her needles in hand and a ball of yarn, she passed round to her neighbors at Hanover, old Boonton, and other places, giving them the letter to read. That was enough. The women all over the neighborhood set to work and naught was heard but the click of the needle. When she returned home at night one pair of stockings was done. The next day she went in another direction and roused the sympathy and patriot- ism of the women there, and on the second night when she reached her home another pair of stockings was done. In the meantime the two girls left behind had been at work busily doing their share of the merciful deed. The yarn gave out, and a cosset was killed and its fleece carded and spun and the stockings grew apace. On Sunday good Par- son Green preached to empty seats, the pions women of his parish being too busy doing God's work in another direc- tion to give him the devout attention he always received. On Monday morning the stockings came pouring in upon Mistress Rhoda, and in her cart, with her son Nat driving the steers, she went to the camp with one hundred and thir- ty-eight pairs of woollen stockings " knit up to the knee." and her husband's company, every man of them, that day blessed this plucky, patriotic little woman, whose name should over be remembered. "General Washington, hearing the shont raised in Rhoda's honor, rode up to learn the cause of the commotion, and, when told, raised his hat and thanked Mrs. Farrand for himself and his men. But, says the song, the sweetest reward she received was what her husband said to her, with glistening, tear-stained eyes
172
THE PASSAIC VALLEY
raised to his wife enthroned in her ox cart : " Rhoda, I knew you would do it."
Andrew B. Cobb was a fair representative of the citizens of Hanover of more modern times. He was the son of Colonel Lemuel Cobb, a civil engineer and a self-made man, and was born in 1804. He died in 1873, in the house built by his father, in which he was born and where he lived all his life, situated on the corner of the two main roads crossing each other at Parsippany. Early in life he took an active interest in public affairs, and, being a man of fortune, perhaps the largest landowner in the county, was enabled to follow the bent of his inclination without sacrificing his own interest. He was twice elected to the lower house of the Legislature, and was once a State senator, representing Morris County. He was also ap- pointed a judge of the county courts for a term of five years. In all these positions he evinced a capacity to grasp the questions submitted to him for action. He was a man of tenacious convictions, of resolute will, of some peculiarities, of strong prejudices, a firm, lasting friend, of excellent judgment and good sound common sense. His patriotism was unquestioned, and in all his dealings with his fellow- men he was just and honorable. A son, Andrew Lemuel, represents him in the community where he lived so long.
General J. Condit Smith, born in this vicinity and a resi- dent here for many years, was a man of distinction in his time. He was connected with the Union Army during the War of the Rebellion and rose to the rank of general. After the war he became largely interested in different railroads in the country. His daughter, an intrepid traveller, was in China and a guest in the family of Minister Conger at Peking during the recent terrible experiences of the lega-
173
BOONTON AND THE REVOLUTION
tions at that city. She survived the privations of the siege and is now living in this country.
The historie mansion and grounds called Beaverwyck. once occupied by a member of the Boudinot family, prom- inent in New Jersey during the Revolution, are now owned by Benjamin S. Condit, one of the Condit family still so numerous in Morris, who has resided there for many years.
Old Boonton is identified somewhat with the Revolution- ary War and with the presence of Washington at Morris- town. A German family of the name of Faesch, then resi- dent of this locality, were earnest patriots. A foundry un- der their care was established here for casting cannon and cannon balls. It is common tradition that the commander-
Hold.
ON THE MARCH.
in-chief frequently extended his rides to this romantic spot to inspect the important operations there conducted. The locality was then an important one on account of its rela- tions with military affairs, and it was then a busy place. It is situated in a deep ravine, through which the Rockaway River dashes in an angry torrent, foaming over its rocky bed. The descent was made on both sides by a road passing steeply down into the narrow vale, but now a substantial bridge spans the abyss, rendering the spot, if possible, more romantic than ever. This portion of the township is very sparsely settled, but a large manufacturing establishment, lately located there, may lead to more progressive activity.
174
THE PASSAIC VALLEY
Hanover Neck and Hanover are both situated directly on the river a few miles apart. Hanover is a thickly settled village, the dwelling houses clustering on both sides of the road, which crosses the river at this point by what is known as Cook's Bridge. Hanover Neck is more sparsely settled, the dwellings being farther apart. Both communities are agricultural in their interests, with no mannfactures. The old names most common at Hanover and Hanover Neck are Cook, Ely, Hopping, Kitchell, Tuttle, Young, and Condit, all of which still survive there. The Passaic at Hanover Neck is spanned by the Swinefield Bridge, which for nearly a century has obtained a prominence as a landmark recog- nized by all travellers in this part of the country.
David Young, the almanac maker, was born near Hanover Neck in 1781. He early showed his inclination for mathie- matical studies, and at one time solved a problem which had defied the efforts at solution of many eminent mathe- maticians. The " Farmer's Almanac," in the beginning of the nineteenth century considered a household necessity, was compiled by him for many years.
The very great majority of the inhabitants of Hanover Township are descendants of the first settlers, and there is perhaps less interjection of foreign element in that locality than in any part of Morris County. The first settlers repre- sented the best qualities of Christian manhood, and these characteristics have descended to the present inhabitants of Hanover in a peculiar degree. They are a church-attend- ing, God-fearing people, and in their intercourse and deal- ings with their fellowmen are governed by the principles of striet integrity. While providing for their moral and religious wants they have not been unmindful of the mental enlture of their youth, and school houses and academies abound in their communities.
CHAPTER XIII
MONTVILLE AND VICINITY
ONTVILLE, in Morris County, was formed in 1867, and is bounded on the north by Peqbannock, east by Pequannock and the Passaic River, south by Boonton and the Rockaway River, which sepa- rates it from Hanover, and west by Boonton and Pequan- nock. It contains 11,302 acres of rolling land, some of ex- cellent soil, but in its eastern boundary, near the Passaic, it assumes a rough and mountainous character, being there almost entirely, except in the immediate vicinity of the river, covered by the Towakhow or Hook Mountain range. This range extends through the whole of the township on its east, and is a remarkable feature in the geology of the State, reference being often made to it as a point of observation by the State geologists in their annual reports.
In the southern part the Hatfield Swamp extends from Caldwell, in Essex, to Pine Brook, and envelops a consider- able fract of land bordering directly on the Passaic. In the central eastern part and still on the river a portion of the " Great Piece " Meadows, from Caldwell, invades the town- ship, and in the northern part the Bog and Vly Meadows. from Pequannock, pass down in very irregular sections as far as Whitehall.
176
THE PASSAIC VALLEY
Like Hanover, Montville is an agricultural township, and its population is also mostly permanent, but it does not in- crease in the same ratio as other municipalities in the coun- ty. It has four villages beside Montville: Pine Brook, Whitehall, Taylortown, and Beavertown or Lincoln Park.
Montville is the largest settlement in the township and is situated in the central western part near the Boonton line. It is rather a compactly built and very pleasant town of several hundred inhabitants. Through it runs a small creek, called by the strange name of Uyle Kill, the name originating, as is supposed, from the fact that on the banks of this stream in early times were several large trees to which owls in great numbers resorted. The first settlers were Holland Dutch, whose pronunciation of the word owl sounded like uyle, hence the name of the brook.
This stream affords some water power, which has always been utilized since the earliest settlement of Montville. It is an exceedingly tortuous stream, and adds greatly to the fertility of its valley. Besides the Passaic and Rockaway, which skirt portions of the boundary lines of Montville, other streams, some mere streamlets, run over the land, all seeking their way either to the Passaic or Rockaway.
There are four churches in the township: two Reformed and two Methodist. The two Reformed congregations are located at Montville, one Methodist at Pine Brook, and the other at Whitehall. The older church at Montville has a very peculiar history. It was first organized at old Boonton about the year 1756, and there it remained in a feeble, strug- gling condition until 1818, when the edifice was torn down and a new one erected at Montville. This in turn has since been demolished, and has given place to the present new and substantial structure. In 1824 doctrinal dissensions arose, and a number of the members broke off from their
177
FIRST SETTLERS
ecclesiastical connection and formed a new church, which they called " The True Reformed Dutch Church," by which name it was incorporated. A plot of ground for the site of an edifice was donated by one of the seceders upon con- dition that the strictest Calvinistic doctrines should be maintained in the creed and worship of the new congrega- tion. In 1856 a new edifice was erected to meet the require- ments of this society.
The frequent recurrences of names of resident families, giving undoubted evidence of their origin, is the only means by which any information can be gained of the race and prior dwelling places of the original settlers. They were certainly Hollanders, and came from the Dutch settlements in New York. But it cannot be determined when these first immigrants came to Montville. Like most of these early settlements no records were kept, and it is only occasionally, and often in the most peculiar manner, that glimpses of in- formation may be gained, seraps of knowledge gathered here and there, which, pieced to one another, may enable the historian to make some shrewd guesses of what may have been the true state of affairs when the first immi- grants crossed the Passaic and made lodgment in its west- ern valley. They never came in numbers, bringing with them their minister and their church records, as in the case of Newark.
Some adventurous spirit with a wife as energetic and courageous as himself braved the wilderness and its dan- gers, found a spot suited to his tastes, perhaps by a brawling stream, or clear, pellucid spring, or fertile vale, or a shel- tered nook, and there reared his log cabin. Others soon fol- lowed, profiting by the bravery and sagacity of the first settler, and discovering the beanty or advantages of the lo- cation. It was in this manner that this broad western con-
178
THE PASSAIC VALLEY
tinent has been peopled, and it is through the daring and enterprise of the Anglo-Saxon that this republic has been made what it is.
The names most often found in Montville are Van Duyne, Van Ness, Van Riper, Vanderhoof, Vreeland, Zeliff, Duryea, and Doremus, all of Dutch origin.
The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad passes almost directly through the center of Montville, as does also
l' Fort nieuw Amfterdam op de Monhatans.
FIRST VIEW OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
the Morris Canal. This great canal project was one of the enterprises of the beginning of the nineteenth century. It had its origin in the fertile brain of George P. MacCullough, a native of Hindostan, but born of Scotch parents. He was a citizen of Morris County, dwelling at Morristown, where his descendants, not in name, but in blood, are to be found at this time in the Miller and Keasbey families. The canal was begun about seventy-five years ago, and gave at first
179
EARLY MANUFACTURES
quite an impetus to industries of Morris County. ILentered Montville Township at Beavertown, now known as Lincoln Park, and passed into what is now Boonton Township through the villages of Beavertown, Whitehall, and Mont- ville.
In the beginning of the nineteenth century there were very few, if any, manufactures in the Township of Pequan- nock, which then included the whole of Montville and Boon- ton. There was, however, one kind of manufacture then pursued, and quite industriously, and that was distilling. Apples were abundant, the temperance reform movement had not then swept over the land and opened the eyes of the people to the evils of intemperance, and the use of apple whiskey was universal and distilleries abounded. But when the prospect of this new and cheap method of trans- porting goods to market materialized, and it was settled that it was about to be brought to their very doors, the farm- ers of this part of the county in a measure awoke to the possibilities of their future and to the advantages of their location. There had been some few sawmills and grist- mills, sufficient, perhaps, to meet the demands of the sparse population. In fact these necessary appliances for the needs of the first immigrants were among the first struct- ures. They were rude affairs, using the incomplete machin- ery of the time. But the early settlers required lumber and timber for their dwellings, and when they had grown their grain and their corn it must be ground into flour and meal for their own consumption.
There is no certainty as to the date when Montville vil- lage was first settled, but there are records which makes it an established fact that it must have been early in the eighteenth century. Humphrey Davenport came to Mont- ville, or to its vicinity, as early as 1714. A granddaughter
180
THE PASSAIC VALLEY
of his was married January 1, 1754, to Jacob Bovie, and it is recorded in the church records at Acquackanonk that she was born at " Uyle Kill." The records of Pequannock show that on October 2, 1745, a road was laid out " from the cor- ner at Cornelius Doremus's to the corner at Nicholas Hyl- er's, and thence along the line between Hyler and Peter Fredericks to a white oak tree, and thence across the brook, and thence as the path goeth to Michael Cook's mill."
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.