USA > New Jersey > Passaic County > Passaic > The Passaic valley, New Jersey, in three centuries.. Vol. 1 > Part 9
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127
EARLY SETTLERS OF MORRISTOWN
families, some of whom undoubtedly were among the first or very early settlers in Morristown, and representatives of whom are still resident here. The names, however, of some who were very influential have disappeared. The Hatha- way name in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was very numerous in Morristown, and numbered several well known and distinguished citizens, two of whom were offi- cers in the Revolutionary Army. Benoni Hathaway was influential in church and State. It is not known that a single descendant of this once very large family, even of the blood, though not of the name, is resident in Morris- town.
The Condiet family was also large and of great influence, but the name has gone, although representatives of the blood are here. Silas Condiet was a citizen known all over the State during the Revolution as a member of the Com- mittee of Safety and as a delegate to the Provincial and Continental Congresses. He was an ardent patriot and took a keen interest in all public affairs, both in church and State. Lewis Condiet, M.D., of the same blood, but of later times, was for several years a member of Congress and a leading physician of the town. Ile had several children, three of whom were also physicians. His daughters have married and found homes elsewhere. Silas Condiet has several descendants in Morristown, among whom are Fred- erick G. Burnham and Gordon Sherman, Esqs., both success- ful lawyers. Besides this inheritance they can claim among their ancestors lohn Alden and the beautiful maid- en, Priscilla.
Timothy Mills was one of the ancestors of the Mills fam- ily, another highly respectable race. His descendants have gone all over the United States, many of them becoming lawyers, ministers, missionaries, professors in educational
John Mills Enexit AD. 17822
HOMESTEAD OF JOHN MILLS.
(This house, built of brick, made from clay dug and manufactured on the premises, in 1782, stands on ground occupied by soldiers of the Revolution when encamped at Morristown.)
129
THE FORD FAMILY
institutions, and leaders in other directions. Three of them who have embraced the legal profession are living in Mor- ristown: Alfred Mills and his sons, Alfred Elmer and Ed- ward K. Mills. The elder of these stands in the front rank of lawyers in the State, recognized as one of the ablest in the profession, a man respected for his great probity and publie spirit, who has, perhaps, acted offener in fiduciary capacities than any other in the State. His son Alfred is now (1901) performing the duties of prosentor of the pleas of the county with great acceptability.
Colonel Jacob Ford and his son, Jacob Ford, Jr., before and during the Revolution, took a very active part in pub- lie matters, giving tone and character to the community. They were both residents in Morristown before and at the time the Revolutionary War began, and both took an active part in the struggle. The elder Ford was one of the first judges of the County Court of Morris after its creation, and was also an elder, probably among the first, in the new church, being in office in 1747. His son, who was elevated to the rank of colonel in the patriot army, died in January, 1777, and was buried with military honors by the especial order of Washington. His father died a very few days after the son. The Ford mansion, now known as the " Head- quarters," was erected by the younger Ford in 1775. It was in this elegant edifice that Mrs. Theodosia Ford, the widow of the colonel and a daughter of the Rev. Dr. Tim- othy Jobnes, in 1780, welcomed the commander-in-chief when the army were encamped at Morristown for the see- ond time during the war. Many of the descendants of this distinguished family have sought other homes, and very few of the name remain. Gabriel H. Ford, a son of the colonel, was for many years a justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, and his son, Henry A. Ford, was one of the
130
THE PASSAIC VALLEY
leaders in the Morris County courts and at his time ac- knowledged to be one of the ablest in the State. The fam- ily name to-day is represented by Henry W. Ford, a son of Henry A., who resides on a portion of the ancestral acres near the Headquarters. He was at one time a banker in New York, being president of the Bank of the Republic of that city, but is now retired from business.
Up to the year 1880 the name Pierson occurs one hun-
THE FORD MANSION, WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS, AT MORRISTOWN.
dred times as members on the First Presbyterian Church records, and oftener than any other. Families of that name in considerable numbers are still found in Morristown and its vicinity, all of the highest respectability. Stephen Pier- son, M.D., a leading physician resident there, is a descendant of the original Pierson.
Next in point of numbers on the church records is the name Johnson, which can be traced through several genera-
131
MORRISTOWN FAMILIES
fions to the first known inhabitant. There are some of this elan, once so numerous, still found in the vicinity of Morristown. The same can be said of Pruden, Lindsey, Stiles, Losey, Coe, Day, Freeman, Arnold, and Halsey. Cni- ler is an old name, a descendant of it being the lon. Will- iam W. Cutler, formerly judge of the county courts and now practicing law with very great success.
The Whitehead race has been known in and near Morris- town for five generations. They claim descent from John Whitehead, a " freeman," who was in New Haven, Conn., in 1630. They have been a prolific people, and their do- scendants are scattered all over the United States. Ira C. Whitehead, one of the name, was an associate justice of the Supreme Court. Another, Asa Whitehead, was a leading lawyer in Newark. His son, Aaron P., is a member of the bar in the City of New York. Isaac N. Whitehead, a suc- cessful farmer, and his nephew, Charles R. Whitehead, a recent member of the New Jersey Legislature, represent the family at Morristown. John Whitehead is of the same kindred and resides also at Morristown.
Major JJacob Arnold was of the Morris County Light Horse in the Revolution. He was the proprietor of the Arnold Tavern in 1777, when Washington made it his headquar- ters. He is represented to-day by a grandson and the fam- ily of another grandson, now deceased.
A new element has been lately introduced into Morris- town which has added much wealth to the community, and has given many men of public spirit and benevolence to aid in conducting the affairs of the city and of the various churches. While this new element has no connection by blood with the older inhabitants or their descendants, many of them have thrown themselves into the discharge of their duties as citizens and members of the community with a
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THE PASSAIC VALLEY
most commendable zeal, with great wisdom and active benevolence, and have manifested the same pride in the past history of the town as though they were of the manner born. They are merchants, manufacturers, and business men of New York and Newark and other cities, who have been at- tracted thither by the many advantages attending life in this beautiful and healthy town. Many of them have made Morristown their permanent residence, dwelling here with their families during the whole year.
MORRIS ARMS.
CHAPTER X
MORRISTOWN-CONTINUED
HERE are now in Morristown two Presbyterian Churches (one of which has been mentioned), two Episcopalian, two Roman Catholic, two Metho- dist, and two Baptist; one of each of the last named denominations is used by colored people. When the First Presbyterian Church was organized, in 1738, as al- ready mentioned, one hundred and two persons were en- rolled as members. At least one-fourth of these were of mature age, many were wives whose husbands were not members, some few were widows, but quite a large number were young people. They all bore names which are familiar in the history of the church and of the town. This church grew and prospered under the leadership of Dr. Johnes and his successors until in 1790, when it was resolved to build a new edifice. During the War of the Revolution, while the army was encamped here, the smallpox broke out with great virulence among the soldiers, and the church was utilized for hospital purposes. There was, of course, some dilapidation caused by this nse, and so soon as the circum- stances of the congregation would permit this step of build- ing a new edifice was taken. The enterprise was eminently successful, and a beautiful and commodious house was erected at a cost of twenty thousand dollars-an immense sum when the financial condition and small number of the
134
THE PASSAIC VALLEY
inhabitants are taken into consideration, in connection with the short time which had elapsed since the town and county had been subjected to the great burdens consequent upon the presence of the army during two winters. This new building, thus erected, underwent some changes, and the people worshipping in it came and went according to the exigencies of this changing life, but still increased in numbers and in strength under the preaching of a long lineof godly and able ministers until the congregation again deemed it advisable that another new house should take the place of that in which God had been worshipped for a century. So ten years ago prepara- tions were made for erecting the present THE BOSTON MASSACRE. stately edifice, in which the congrega-
tion now worship. The cost of this building was one hun- dred and forty thousand dollars. A chapel and a manse had previously been built, one at the cost of twenty-one thousand dollars and the other of eighteen thousand dol- lars. These buildings are on the north side of the public square, a noble site worthy of their magnificence.
135
THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The Second Presbyterian Church is an offshoot of the First Church. It was informally organized in January, 1841, when one hundred and forty-six members withdrew from the parent church. The first meeting was held in the upper room of the old academy, which then stood where now the library and lyceum is located, and where services continued to be held until October of the same year, when the new house of worship was finished and the first min- ister, Rev. Orlando C. Kirtland, installed. The first board of trustees was elected May 17, 1841, and the congregation was formally organized by a committee of the Presbytery of Elizabethtown, June 1, 1841. The first church building was built on South Street, on the same site where now stands their present magnificent structure. The first was very modest and unassuming, costing a little over nine thousand dollars. On January 10, 1877, this building was burned to the ground, and instant measures were taken to rebuild. The congregation was called upon to subscribe for the work. Responses to this call were made nobly and generously, plans were at once adopted, and the building pushed forward so energetically that on July 12, 1878, it was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. The name was afterward changed to " The South Street Presbyterian Church "; its first title was that of the Second Presbyterian Church of Morristown. 1ts present pastor is the Rev. Albert Erdman, D.D., whose pastorate has continued from May, 1869, to this date. The edifice in which the congregation now worships is very beautiful, and is, perhaps, the most commodious and best arranged of any of its kind and pur- pose in the State, having almost every appliance which can be desired for church purposes. The congregation is very strong and vigorous, and has far outstripped its mother in number and annual beneficenees.
136
THE PASSAIC VALLEY
The Baptist Church is next, chronologically, to the First Presbyterian, and, like that, was used while the army was at Morristown for hospital purposes. Its beginnings were very small. When first organized, August 11, 1732, it had only eleven members. Meetings were held and the ordi- nances observed in a small building about a mile from town, on the road to New Vernon, from August 19, 1732, until
NEWS OF LEXINGTON.
May, 1771, when a church edifice was built on the corner of Speedwell Avenue and Park Place, and dedicated soon after. After seventy years of worship in this building an effort was successfully made to build a new meeting house and that was dedicated October 8, 1845. A favorable op- portunity came to the congregation a few years ago to sell their property advantageously. They disposed of it and
137
METHODIST CHURCHES
immediately made arrangements to rebuild, but on a differ- ent location. They bought a most desirable lot on the corner of Washington and High Streets, opposite the court house, and have there built a beautiful church, of the medieval style of architecture, which they are now occupy- ing. The Rev. Samuel Z. Battin, zealous and most active in his work, is the present pastor. The congregation from its small beginning has increased, and has become a flour- ishing institution and a power in the community.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the strongest in the State, is an example of what can be done by a deter- mined people under good leadership and wise management. This community is now worshipping in the third structure erected, from time to time, for their purposes. The first was built on Market Street, nearly opposite the Farmers' Hotel. It was a brick structure, forty by sixty feet, two stories in height, with galleries on three sides, and a choir gallery opposite the pulpit, which was in the north end of the audience room. After a few months spent in its erec- tion the building was dedicated October 14, 1827. In 1827- 28 a great revival of religion occurred in Morristown, in- tense excitement pervaded all classes on the subject of re- ligion, and places of business were closed for several days so all might attend religious services. Large additions were made to all the evangelical churches, and two hundred persons were received on probation into the Methodist Church. From this time the history of this organization was that of success and prosperity. Their numbers so in- creased that their building became too small, and a new one was erected on the same site as that now occupied by the congregation in their third meeting house. This see- ond building was frame, painted white; its cornerstone was laid in 1840. It was dedicated in 1841. After the eree-
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THE PASSAIC VALLEY
tion of the third structure the second was generously do- nated to the African Methodist Episcopal congregation, by which it was removed to Spring Street, where it is now used by them. The cornerstone of the stately edifice now util- ized by the Methodists was laid in 1866 and the building was finished and dedicated in 1870. It is one of the most complete in finish, elegant in architecture, and commodious in appliances for all the wants of a church in the country, and will ever, so long as it stands, be a monument of the munificent generosity of the Hon. George T. Cobb, who gave out of his own means the princely sum of one hundred thou- sand dollars for its completion.
The present edifice used by Saint Peter's congregation of the Protestant Episcopalians of Morristown is of the most correct style of medieval architecture. It was erected under the direct supervision of the rector, Rev. Robert N. Merritt, D.D., and every detail, even to the minutest, was serupu- lously guarded by him. Unfortunately Dr. Merritt died be- fore its completion, only the tower being needed, however, the main part, including the audience room and all parts necessary for divine worship, being fully finished and in use by the congregation for several years. Through the generous liberality of one member of the congregation an elegant rectory, almost immediately adjoining the church, has been erected. The Rev. Charles H. Hibbard, D.D., is now the rector, and the Rev. William P. Taylor is curate. This congregation is one of the strongest and most liberally disposed among this denomination in the State, certainly in the valley.
The other Episcopalian Church is called the Church of the Redeemer. It is situated in the heart of the town, on a beautiful site on the north side of South Street. It is a structure of wood, of the Gothic style of architecture,
139
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
originally standing on the corner of Pine and Morris Streets, near the railroad depot, from whence it was ro- moved a few years ago to its present position. This congre- gation has grown from rather small beginnings, and has now become large and prosperous. His church building has been enlarged, a commodious rectory purchased, and a fi- ture of great success lies before it. It is ministered to by the Rev. William M. Hughes, S.T.D.
Prior to the beginning of the nineteenth century there had been no service of this denomination of Christians in Morristown. The tendency of religious faith since the set- tlement of the town had been overwhelmingly in the diree- tion of the Presbyterian doctrine and form of worship. The Baptists had early interjected a small struggling organiza- tion into the community, but it did not at first assume any large proportions. It is to be honored for its pertinacions contest against so many obstacles in its way, for what its members honestly thought to be right, and all true believers in religions toleration must rejoice in its final success. The first observance of any religious worship in the forms of the Episcopal Church, so far as can now be established, was in 1812, when Bishop Hobart officiated, by express invitation, in the Presbyterian Church, preaching the sermon and using the Episcopal liturgy and form of service. George P. Mc- Cullongh, in 1821, and for some years prior to that date, had been successfully condneting a boarding school for boys in a large dwelling still standing on MeCullongh Avenue. He was a churchman, but with his pupils had regularly at- tended worship in the Presbyterian Church. One of his assistant teachers, the Rev. Mr. Cummins, was an ordained Episcopal priest, and about the year 1820 service had been conducted by him on Sundays at Mr. MeCnllongh's house. From 1825 until 1827, when the first Episcopal parish was
ROYAL TROOPS ENTERING NEW YORK.
141
THE ROMAN CATHOLICS
formed, the Rev. John Croes, a son of the bishop of that name, had been condneting service as a missionary in the old Baptist meeting house at Morristown. On the 27th of December, 1826, a call appeared for a meeting of the mem- bers of the new Episcopal congregation to take measures for an incorporation. After this was accomplished a church edifice was erceted, the cornerstone of which was laid November 14, 1828. Previously, however, to this date, on the 30th of May, 1827, the congregation had been formal- ly admitted into the Diocese of New Jersey, and was there- after known as Saint Peter's Church of Morristown.
The Roman Catholics have now two houses for worship, one, the Church of the Assumption, a large and costly edi- fice on the south side of Maple Avenne, with the priests' house and buildings for school purposes adjoining. Until 1847 there was only one Roman Catholic Church in the county, and that was at Madison. The presence of so many French people in that locality demanded facilities for their worship according to the forms of the denomination of their fathers, and a small house of worship had been built. To this church those whose inclination led them to seek divine services conducted after the ceremonies of the Catholic Church resorted, sometimes afoot and frequently from a distance of twenty miles. It became manifest about this date that the adherents of the Catholic Church resident in Morristown were of sufficient numbers to warrant the erection of a building for their accommodation. A small frame structure was accordingly built, with a capacity of seating about three hundred people. That building, when the present chinrch edifice was erected, was used for a paro- chial school. The congregation, however, was too poor to support a pastor, and was supplied from Madison until they were able to provide for an independent minister.
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THE PASSAIC VALLEY
Other churches, in the meantime, had been established at Mendham and at Basking Ridge. When, therefore, a stated priest was placed over the parish at Morristown these two congregations were put under his charge. It was not long before the congregation at Morristown became so increased that it needed the undivided services of their own priest, and in 1871 the two other churches mentioned were other- wise provided for. In 1872 the present edifice was erected, of the best red brick, one hundred and twenty-two feet deep and fifty-two feet wide, and is capable of seating a thousand people, which number is frequently gathered within its walls on Sundays and feast days. The edifice is of admi- rable proportions, highly decorated within by memorial win- dows, paintings, and statues. The pulpit is in the south- ern end with a choir gallery and organ fronting to the south, and handsomely carved pillars support the roof. At the northeastern corner of the building, on Madison Street, is a beautiful campanile fourteen feet square at the base and one hundred and twenty-five feet high, in the top of which swings a bell whose rich, ringing tones can be heard at a great distance. Behind the church on Madison Street, near Mccullough Avenue, is a large school house with ac- commodations for several hundred scholars, devoted to a parochial school. This school is divided into three depart- ments, besides a kindergarten, and is under the charge of twelve sisters of charity, who live in a house of their own on the grounds and devote their entire time to its care.
The congregation now numbers more than a thousand, and became so large a few years ago that another church was built at " Wiggerville," so named after the late Bishop Wigger, and which is part of Morristown. This new erec- tion is of wood, on the corner of Columbia Street and Speed- well Avenue, and is called Saint Margaret's Church. From
143
COLORED CONGREGATIONS
present appearances this new edifice will soon be, if not now, too small for the people. The two congregations re- quire the services of four ordained priests, one of whom has charge entirely of the Italian members, from whom large accessions have recently been made from the numer- ous immigrants of that nationality into Morristown.
The colored people have two congregations worshipping in two houses of their own : one connected with the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the other of the Baptist denomination. Each are independent of all connection with any ecclesiastical organization controlled by the white race. The Methodists worship in the building generously donated to them by the family of the Hon. George F. Cobb and once occupied by the white Methodists. It is a very neat frame building, situate on the bank of the Whippany River on Spring Street. Connected with it is a commodious parsonage and about an acre of ground. The other con- gregation has a small edifice, recently erected, which is mostly supported by negro immigrants who have lately come to Morristown from Southern States. Both congre- gations are active, energetic, and exhibit a commendable generosity in their support of their church organizations.
CHURCH AT BERGEN, 1680.
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CHAPTER XI
THE MORRISTOWN LIBRARY-REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY
N THE north side of South Street, near the heart of the city, stands a large structure ninety feet front by one hundred feet deep. On its broad front is in- scribed in conspicuons letters this legend : " THE MORRISTOWN LIBRARY AND LYCEUM." These few words de- note to what purposes this structure is devoted-those of a public library. It owes its inception to the exertions mainly of two citizens of Morristown, one of whom many years since passed to his final reward; the other is still living and is now the president of the institution. But had it not been for the generous munificence and persevering activity of one other citizen it would probably never have assumed its present proportions.
It was chartered on the 6th of March, 1866, and opened to the public August 14, 1878. The charter of the library is a special one granted by the Legislature, with peculiar privileges. The cost of the building was abont sixty thon- sand dollars, raised by subscriptions in the form of stock. The material used in the erection of the edifice was a form of hard conglomerate granite found on the grounds of the Morristown Aqueduet Company, a short distance from the town, a sufficient quantity of which was donated by the company. Mr. William L. King, a native born citizen of Mor- ristown, was a resident of the city when the commissioners
2 Franklin
Johni Säng
THE AMERICAN PEACE COMMISSIONERS.
NOTE .- The full title of this illustration is " The United States Commis- sioners in 1782 to sign the Treaty of Independ- ence." It is taken from an unfinished picture by Benjamin West. Besides the portraits of John Jay, John Adams, and Benja- min Franklin there appear those of William Temple Franklin, the son of the lat- ter, and Henry Laurens, both of whom were present at the signing.
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