USA > New Jersey > Passaic County > Passaic > The Passaic valley, New Jersey, in three centuries.. Vol. 1 > Part 21
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On a certain day fixed by the town meeting the inhabit- ants came together, and after a devout prayer to God for a blessing on the undertaking it was determined by lot to whom the home lots should be awarded. Every one inter- ested was obliged to submit to this plan, the one exception being Robert Treat, who, by a unanimous vote, was per- mitted to make his selection without being subjected to the uncertainty of chance. With becoming attention to his own interest he chose the southeast corner of Broad and Mar- kot Streets, the most valuable property in the whole town.
There is only one descendant of an original settler now residing on any part of the land thus gained by the ances- tor. William Camp received the lot on the east side of Broad Street, adjoining Chestnut and Camp Streets, and running to Mulberry Street. One of his descendants in a direct line, a lady, now lives in a house built on a portion of the property on Broad Street, between Chestnut and Camp. Her father. John JJ. Camp, who died several years ago, formerly owned nearly the whole of the original lot.
Mr. William Plume, a descendant of Samuel Plum, one of the original settlers, occupied a part of his ancestor's allotted land on Bridge Street until about ten years ago, and prior to his time an unbroken line of lineal descendants from the original settler lived on the same lot. Mr. William Plume was born about eighty years ago in the house still standing, and died in the same room in which he was born.
The Plumes, as the name is now written by some of the family, are still abundant in Newark. The Camps have al-
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most entirely disappeared from Newark, although some are to be found in other parts of the State.
A PATRIOTIC BARBER.
The first settlers in Newark were no common men despite their intolerance and bigotry. They were mindful of the future in providing for the wants of their descendants.
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THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE
They laid out broad streets for their travel, but that was not their first care. Their church and its blessings were the first objeets of their protection. They had brought with them their pastor, so that prime necessity, as they properly deemed it, was supplied. Their next care was to erect a meeting house for divine worship. At a town meeting held September 10, 1668, it " was ordered and Agreed to Build a Meeting House as soon as May be; of Four or Six and Twenty Foot wide, and thirty- Your Foot Long and Ten Foot Be- tween Joints." At the same town meeting it was agreed that their minister should be freed from all " common rates " during the time he ministered to them, that he should receive THE FIRST CHURCH. eighty pounds for the first year of his ministry, to be paid " yearly at two sey- eral times," in October and March, and " they " ( the inhabit- ants) " do agree to pay him Yearly a pound of Butter for every milk's cow in the town in part of his pay." When it is remembered how cheaply a minister or any one could live in those days this salary was certainly munificent.
In the laying out of the town a site for the erection of a church edifice was not forgotten, nor were the future wants of the church overlooked. A lot on the broad street was
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set apart for the erection of a meeting house and extensive grounds excepted from the general division and devoted to the support of the sanctuary. Two parks, as they would be called to-day, were laid out: one in the center of the town for military evolutions, then called the "Training Place," now known as Military Common, the other in the more northerly part of the town for a market place, now called Washington Park.
The dead must be cared for and reverently buried, so a portion of land opposite the present First Presbyterian Church was devoted to the purposes of a city of the dead.
There were then two streams running through the town, one issning out of a beautiful large spring on the hill back of the town, called First River or Mill Brook, which was utilized in the early history of the colony for mill purposes, another smaller stream, rising in the western part of the town near the head of Market Street, where at one time there were two small ponds caused by this last named brook, from which it ran down the center of the town, forn- ing on the south side of Market Street a marsh, called " the Swamp," where in early times the tanners and curriers con- gregated, and where many of them are still to be found. This stream, leaving the " swamp" and a small pond on Market Street, continued its way southward, sometimes on the line of the streets, but most of the way between Broad and Washington Streets, forming another portion of marshy ground between what is now Halsey Street and Washing- ton, extending almost to Spruce, where it made an abrupt turn eastward and crossed Broad Street a short distance be- low where Halsey joins Clinton Avenue. Thence it made its way across the ground where Lincoln Park is located to the Salt Meadows. Both of these streams have disappeared, the two marshes are gone, and the pond called the " Watering
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THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSES
Place " by the early settlers, and set apart for the purposes of supplying water to the cattle, is also gone. Their places are covered by dwellings and shops and factories.
School houses were built, one in the north end, one in the center, and one in the south end of the town. When the first building for school purposes was erected can not be ascertained. Two small edifices of this character were standing until recently-one on Market Street and one on Orange Street-small, modest buildings of stone, evidently ancient in their history. The one on Orange Street was de- stroved some ten or fifteen years ago, the other was de- molished in 1900.
CHAPTER XXVII
NEWARK- IN THE REVOLUTION AND THE REBELLION
HE first Christian assemblage in Newark was Con- gregational in its creed, government, and ecclesias- tical affinities, but in the eighteenth century it transferred its relations to the Presbyterian de- nomination and is now recognized as the oldest organization of that seet in New Jersey.
In 1845 there was only one public school house in New- ark, costing less than $4,000 to build-a very plain edifice situated within the square bounded by Washington, Hill, Halsey, and Court Streets. Now there are fifty-one scattered all over the city, elegant in their architecture, commodious in all appliances for the purposes of such erections, supplied with the very best teachers, and filled with thousands of scholars who can receive a substantial training in all the ordinary and even higher branches of an English education. There are also two normal or high schools meeting in two large editices, where education in the languages, modern and classic, and in the very highest mathematical studies, can be obtained and students prepared for college or pro- fessional lite. There are to-day no better schools with more complete arrangements for the education of youth, with more accomplished teachers and better equipped for their duties, than those which the noble liberality of the citizens of Newark has provided for the educational interests of the young.
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"Our town on the Pesaiack," thus begun with such en- vironments, has now become a city of 250,000 inhabitants, and the descendants of those courageous men and women who found a home in the unbroken wilder- ness have gone all over the republic and, discarding the harsh, illiberal principles of their ancestors, have perpetuated their virtues. Wherever they have gone their influence has always been masterful for the right. Their sturdy independence, their integrity, and their consistent lives have won for them the respect and confi- dence of the communities where they have lived. Several of the names of the Connec- ticut immigrants have disappeared from Newark, but the very best strain in this growing city is to be found among the representatives of those who first laid its foundations upon the eternal principles of free- dom and the im- perishable laws of justice and right.
The colonists THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. from New England were a busy people. No drones were allowed a lodgment in the new settlement. Industry was the rule. While the town remained in a formative state the preservation of life made it a necessity for all to work. The habits of industry
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MANUFACTURING INTERESTS
thus formed were never relaxed, but continued all through the history of the village, the town, and the city, and New- ark has always been the foremost locality in the nation in its manufacturing interests. Its prosperity has arisen al- most wholly from the attention its inhabitants have be- stowed upon the varied objects of its many industries. A significant fact in the very early history of the town ex- hibits the estimation then held by the citizens of the value of manufactures. Samuel Whitehead applied for admis- sion into the town as an inhabitant. At the town meeting held June 30, 1680, it was resolved " that the town is will- ing Samuel Whitehead should come and Inhabit NEVER DESPAIR . among us, provided he will supply the town with shoes."
12% CENTS.
The great manufactur- ing prosperity of Newark began in the eighteenth century, and continued with increasing and un- T & W Mercem Prmit 93 Gold St . varying success until the terrible disasters of 1836-37, when, with one single excep- tion, every important establishment in the then city failed in meeting its financial engagements. The banks sus- pended specie payment, and trade and business were com- pletely paralyzed. Skilled workmen, mechanics, and ar- tisans walked the streets day after day seeking in vain for employment. The distress among all classes was inde- scribable. For many years prior to that time the exporta- tion of goods of various kinds into the Southern States had steadily increased until the volume had swollen annual- ly into many millions of dollars. The principal products
12 CENTS
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furnished for this Southern trade were boots, shoes, cloth- ing, carriages, and saddles and harness. This trade in a measure was renewed many years after the catastrophes of 1836, but it never rose to the same magnitude it had be- fore assumed. Large fortunes were made and lost in these Southern transactions, but the Civil War finally broke up the traffic and it has never regained its hold on the South- ern people.
Other channels for the sale of the ever increasing prod- ucts of the industry of the manufacturers of Newark have been successfully utilized by them, and the producers of the almost endless variety of goods sent out from the work- shops of Newark are reaping large rewards for their energy and enterprise. The growth of the city has been marvel- lous. At the time of the Revolution the population was only a few hundred people scattered over a large extent of land. Between 1890 and 1900, only a decade, the increase in the population has been more than sixty thousand, and it is still increasing. The people are the most cosmopoli- tan in the State, representatives from almost every country in the world being found here.
The record of Newark and Essex County in the Revolu- tion is one to be held in the greatest honor and remembered with pride by every citizen. When the oppressive acts of king and parliament attacked the liberties of some of the other colonies the sympathies of the people were at once aroused, and those sympathies given practical utterance. Meetings were held at which the best and most prominent men were present and added their voices and influence to swell the popular sentiment. Committees of safety and correspondence were appointed, offers of aid were made, and the whole body of the people aroused to instant action. There were a few who still held to their allegiance to the
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DURING THE REVOLUTION
English king, but the overwhelming majority of the com- munity placed themselves in unmistakable opposition to the parliament. When the demand came from Congress for troops volunteers from all classes in society sprang at once to fill the ranks of the Continental Army. New Jer- sey was the theater of the contest. The British, soon after war began, occupied New York and Staten Island, and in- cessant raids were made from those two localities upon the in- habitants of the adja- cent parts of New Jer- sey. Newark, Eliza- bethtown, and the in- habitants of Essex County were the espe- cial objects of attack. Dwelling houses were burned, the furniture and other property found in them de- stroyed or carried away, cattle, sheep, WASHINGTON'S CHAIR. and other domestic (Used by him on the occasion of his inauguration as President. ) animals were driven off to provide food for the assailants. The outrages and insults inflicted upon non-combatants were disgraceful to humanity. Instances of brutal treatment of prisoners who were captured in battle or taken from their peaceful homes were too frequent to be repeated in these pages.
Amid all the loss and privation occasioned by these out- rages the patriots stood firm and only increased their ef- forts to rid themselves and their country from the rule of
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a government which countenanced, or at least permitted, such deeds of infamy to be committed by its soldiers and hirelings. A few honest men, sincerely believing that the future prosperity of their country depended upon its contin- ued connection with the home government, deserted the pa- triot cause. Some of these joined the British army and fought against their old friends and neighbors; some seized
MINI
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ARRIVAL OF LAFAYETTE IN 1824.
the opportunity afforded them by the constant raids, which they more than willingly joined, to despoil former asso- ciates, and committed such fiendish deeds as have handed their names down to posterity with never to be forgotten infamy.
Throughout the county bands of minutemen were banded together, formed into regularly organized companies, well officered, who were bound by solemn agreement to be ready
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VOLUNTEERS IN THE REVOLUTION
to move at a moment's notice, given by sound of signal can- non or by blaze or smoke of beacon fires. These minute- men did excellent work at Springfield and in defense of homes and families when Hessian and Briton invaded Newark and the county. They were organized early in 1775 by an act of the Provincial Congress and were anthor- ized to choose their own officers, but by an amendatory act passed in August, 1775, these officers thus chosen must be com mis - sioned by the Congress.
In the list of volunteers into the ranks of privates and among the officers of the patriotic army are to be found hun- dreds bearing the names of BONWILL the original WASHINGTON TAKING THE OATH AS PRESIDENT. settlers. Scores of Wards, Cranes, JJohnsons, Dodds, Piersons, Harri- sons, Camfields, Wheelers. Tichenors, and others, lineal do- scendants of the patriots who signed the " fundamental agreement," appear of record. William S. Pennington, al- ready mentioned in connection with his uncle, William Sandford, served when a mere youth in the artillery and was found by a general officer at one of the battles of the war alone, firing his gun with coolness and precision, and was brevetted first lieutenant on the spot. Many of these min-
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utemen, at times when men were called for to fill up the regular army, volunteered and proved their patriotism on many a battlefield.
Several of these privates, after peace was declared, rose to eminence in the history of the State. The character of these volunteers eminently fitted them for the performance of their duties. They were intelligent, thoughtful, judi- cious, and wise. They knew how to command and how to obey. They were privates in the ranks becanse duty de- manded their presence there. Such men could not but suc- reed, and the independence of the country is due to their intelligence and wisdom. Many of them sleep in unhonored graves. When the war closed the survivors returned to their families and their humble homes, to their farms and work- shops, seeking no reward for their privations except the consciousness of well-performed duty, and that the country they loved so well and for which they had braved so much was free.
The peculiar and intimate relations between the citizens of Essex County and most of the Southern States, involving not only ties of friendship, but also business interests ex- isting between them during the years just before the break- ing out of the Civil War, rendered the situation most embar- rassing. The feverish sentiment so prominent in all the Southern communities, the threats of secession which meant civil war if the threats were carried into execution, were viewed with the greatest alarm in all commercial and mann- facturing circles in Newark. The South was many millions in debt to the people of Newark alone. Civil war meant ruin to the manufacturer and consequent distress and loss to the whole people. The universal sentiment was that peace, if possible to be obtained without the loss of honor, must be restored. All just claims of the misguided people
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WAR OF THE REBELLION
of the South must be recognized if that could be accom. plished withont disgrace. In this sentiment the whole com- munity united.
But when the crash came. when Fort Sumter was tired upon, when the lawful government of the country was put at defiance and secession became a materialized fact, then all was forgotten. loss accepted, and the whole people, with some very few and most extraordinary exceptions, rose in one acclaiming body and proclaimed allegiance to the gen- eral government and opposition to the demon of rebellion.
The uprising of the North in one solid, united mass was the grandest event in the history of any country. Political differences were thrown aside. Some of the most decided opponents of the governing party, and who, before actual secession took place, had antagonized the Republican party and had striven to defeat it in the election, now were equally as prononneed in their allegiance to the general government as were any who had aided in elevating a Republican candi- date to the presidency. From the hills of Sussex to the seashore of Cape May there was one burst of heroie patriot- ism. In this acclaim Essex County and Newark, whose citi- zons, if war should really come, would be the greatest losers of property and income of all concerned, joined with almost unanimous accord. When the President made his demand for volunteers they were furnished with astonishing alacrity, and from the beginning of the terrible contest until its close Newark and Essex County steadily and persistently followed the fortunes of the Union cause, and gallantly and unselfishly supported the government. The descendants of the heroes of the Revolution emulated their sires in de- votion to country.
The first call for troops was made by President Lincoln on the 13th of April, 1861. On the 6th of May following
a song for the Union
a song for the Union ! - The watchwow recall Which gave to our banner its stature : "United we stand -divided we fall," Both made and preserve us a nation. The union of lakes - the union of lands_ The union of states none may sever_ The union of hearts - the union of hands - and the flag of the union for ever, and ever, The flag of our Union for ever !
What God in His Infinite wisdom designed, and armed with his weapons of Thunder Not all the earth's des pots and factions combine? Have the power to conquer or sumder! The union of lakes- The union of lands- The union of states none may sever - The union of hearts _the union of hands. as the flag of the union for ever! and ever !
"The flag of our sminu for ever! GEOMmorris
Written Toby 24. 1850.
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GENERAL THEODORE RUNYON
the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Regiments of New Jersey troops, except four companies of the Second Regi- ment, which had been detained at Baltimore for special service by General Scott, reached Washington ready for duty. The First Regiment had in that short time been clothed at the expense of the State. General Theodore Run- von was in command of these troops, and through him New Jersey and Newark had the honor of having one of its citi- zens in the field as the first commissioned general officer of the volunteer force. General Runyon was then in full prac- tice of the law at Newark. He was one of the most brilliant lawyers of the State, afterward chancellor for three terms, and died at Berlin while there representing the United States as ambassador. Charles S. Olden, of Princeton, was governor, and was called the " war governor." He aided greatly in this prompt compliance with the orders of the President, and was indefatigable in the performance of his duties as governor, relaxing during the whole of the term of his office no effort whatever to se- cure the success of the Union Army.
This wonderful achievement in the enlisting of four thou- sand troops, clothing and arming them, and fitting them for actual and immediate service in the field is unequalled in the history of all military affairs, and is an example of the action of Essex County and Newark during the whole con- tinnance of the war. Hundreds of these citizens lie in un- known graves in the Southern land; hundreds more came home, scarred and wounded, with empty sleeves, and hob-
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bling on crutches, giving certain evidence of their undying patriotism.
Among the brilliant men identified most closely with Newark who sacrificed their lives during this terrific strug- gle was General Philip Kearney, whose bronze statue, in life size, adorns the Military Common at Newark. He was a Jerseyman of four generations, a great-grandson of Mich- ael Kearney, the first of the family to come to America, and who settled in Shrewsbury in the early part of the seven- teenth century. This Michael Kearney was of noble line- age, a descendant of the Earl of Thomond, and became dis- tinguished in colonial history, being at one time secretary of state of the colony.
General Philip Kearney on his mother's side is descended from Huguenot stock, and was born in New York City June 2, 1815. He was educated at Columbia College and then studied law. His inclination always was for a mili- tary life. It is related of him that, as a boy, he delighted in fighting battles with wooden soldiers, which were ar- ranged under his command against each other in mimic warfare. He sought for and obtained a commission as lieu- tenant in a company of dragoons in the United States army, under Jefferson Davis as captain. In 1839 he was sent by the government to France to study the science of war in the French Military School. While there engaged in this occupation the war between France and Algiers broke out, and he became attached to a branch of the French army in Africa and won distinction by his gallant behavior in some battles. Five years afterward he returned to his native land and became a member of the staff of General Scott in the Mexican War. He exhibited great skill and courage in this service, and at Cherubusco he lost his left arm.
After the close of the war with Mexico he fought in the
Harry -
JENEW YORK 3.CL. PRARY
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GENERAL PHILIP KEARNEY
regular army against the Indians, but this service was dis- tasteful to him, and he resigned. In 1859, while he was at Paris, the Austro-Italian war was in progress. Impelled by his love for arms, he became aide-de-camp to General Mor- ris and fought at Solferino. Napoleon III adorned him with the Cross of the Legion of Honor. In 1861 the Civil War broke out, and General Kearney offered his services to the governor of New York, but for some unexplainable rea- son was repulsed. Through the influence of some New Jersey friends he was commissioned brigadier-general of the First New Jersey Regiment of Volunteers. This was
Bonwill
FORT LAFAYETTE,
on the 25th of July, 1861. He instantly went to the front and remained with his New Jersey troops, who became in- tensely attached to him, until March 25. 1862, when he was offered the command of a division vacated by General Sum- ner's promotion. He declined the promotion because he could not take his Jersey troops with him. This act of self- denial still more strongly intrenched him in the hearts of his command. He soon afterward, however, accepted the command of a division in Heintzelman's corps.
Now came the opportunity for which he had longed with an intensity which could hardly be understood by a civilian,
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and that was the presence of actual fighting. He partici- pated in all the battles of the Peninsula. At Williamsburg he saved his old New Jersey command and Hooker from ruin. On September 1, 1862, just at the close of the day, at Chantilly, after having saved Pope's army from destruction and after driving Lee's army back from its forward move- ment on Washington, he rode out to reconnoiter the enemy's position. Unexpectedly he came upon the enemy's lines and was ordered to surrender. He turned his horse and leaned forward to save himself from the bullets of the Confederates. He was too late, and was killed by a ball entering his thigh or hip and passing out at the breast. He had acquired among the Union forces from his great cour- age the name of "Fighting Phil.," the Confederates hon- oring him by naming him the " One-armed Devil."
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