The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 47

Author: Robson, Charles, ed; Galaxy Publishing Company, publisher
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy publishing company
Number of Pages: 924

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TOKES, CHARLES, Farmer, of Rancocas, son of David and Ann Stokes, born in Willing- borough, now Beverly, in the county of Burling- ton, New Jersey, August 12th, 1791, traces his genealogy from Thomas Stokes, of London, Eng- land, who was born in 1640, married Mary Bar- nard, daughter of John Barnard, October 30th, 1668, and settled in Burlington county, New Jersey, soon after the making of "the concessions and agreements of the proprie- tors, freeholders and inhabitants of the Province of West New Jersey, in America." To this instrument he was a party. This constitution or form of government for the province was thus characterized in a letter to Richard Ifartshorne, by William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas and others, dated 25th of Sixth month, 1676 : " There we lay a foundation for after ages to understand their liberty as men and Christians, that they may not be brought in bondage but by their own consent, for we put the power in the people, etc., etc." In it was established a representative form of government, trial by jury, and liberty of conscience,

all concisely but fully set forth, especially the last, which commences with the memorable declaration, that no "men nor number of men upon earth hath power or authority to rule other men's consciences in religious matters," etc. Al- together it formed "the common law or fundamental rights and privileges of West New Jersey," and it has been but little improved in this or any other country since its promul- gation, though two centuries have elapsed. Thomas Stokes became the proprietor of a farm on the north side of the north branch of the Rancocas river, about three miles west of Mount Holly, and had three sons, John, Thomas and Joseph, all of whom were farmers. The two latter were heads of large families of children, by whom the name has been widely extended. John, who married Elizabeth Green, daughter of Thomas Green, and granddaughter of Arthur Green, of Bugbroke, county of Northton, England, became proprietor of a farm on the north side of the Ran- cocas river, less than two miles westerly of his father's loca- tion. He had but the one son, John, who married IIannah, daughter of Jervas Stockdale, and succeeded his father on his farm on the Rancocas. He left three sons, John, David and Jervas. David married Ann, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Lancaster, of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and succeeded his father on the homestead farm on the Ranco- cas ; he had four sons, named Israel, John L., Charles and David Stokes, but no daughters. Charles Stokes married Tacy, daughter of William and Ann Jarrett, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, October 18th, 1816, erected buildings and commenced business on a part of the homestead farm on the Rancocas river. They had two sons, Jarrett and William, and three daughters, Hannah, Alice and Annie, married as follows : Jarrett married Martha, daughter of William and Hannah Hilyard; William married Annie, daughter of James and Rebecca McIlvaine ; Hannah mar- ried Charles, son of Joseph and Martha Williams; Alice married William, son of John R. and Letitia P. Parry ; and Annie married Chalkley, son of John and Ann Albertson ; all forming an unbroken succession of farmers, including a space of nearly two centuries and continuing to the present time. Charles Stokes, the subject of this sketch, received his school education mostly at Friends' School at Rancocas. At a time when but few aspired to anything further than such branches as were thought necessary to qualify for the ordinary business of life, he, having a taste for study and the acquisition of knowledge, with a few others of about the same time of life, availed themselves of an opportunity which presented, and took a deep interest in advanced studies, particularly of a mathematical character. These tended to enlarge the views and stimulate in his mind a desire to ob- tain useful knowledge from every available source. Books of a character to gratify this desire were but few and hard to be obtained in the vicinity of his residence. No library ex- isted nearer than Burlington, five miles, where was an an- cient and good collection of books for that day. In addi- tion to this he was proffered by Joshua Wallan, a venerable

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citizen of Burlington, the free use of his extensive and ex- cellent private library. He now commenced a study of his- tory, seeking to make himself acquainted with the rise and fall of nations, and the acts of distinguished characters who had signalized themselves in the different departments of life. Love of liberty and aversion to tyranny of every description appeared to he inwrought in his nature, and he felt his mis- sion to be to cherish and support the one and discountenance the other on every proper occasion and by all suitable means. He endeavored to make himself acquainted with the history, constitution and laws of his State and country, to judge of the acts of such as were in power to administer them, calmly and without excitement, and in his own judg- ment mete justice to all. In his early life he became im- pressed with the conviction that Infinite Wisdom was not unmindful of man after his introduction into this life, hut that by His omniscience and omnipresence was always with him as a sure and unfailing rule to rightly instruct him in all things in matters of duty, furnishing ability to perform it, providing the terms were accepted. This conviction, deeply engraven, had much influence in moulding his character and pursuits. He endeavored in all things so to conduct him- self that his mind would be at ease and avoid remorse, being satisfied that this rule of life gave all the liberty necessary for its enjoyments, and would qualify for its duties. Agricul- ture was the pursuit chosen by him. He labored on his father's farm during the summer months, teaching a school the balance of the year. This was continued for several years, keeping him in sympathy with the manual laborer, and also brightening what he had acquired of school learning, and furnishing opportunities for extended improvement. About the twenty-fifth year of his life he married Tacy Jar- rett, daughter of William and Ann Jarrett, as before stated ; an acquisition of great importance to him as a faithful part- ner in the vicissitudes of life, wise in admonition and steady in support in times of trial. To her he thinks he owes much for whatever he may have accomplished, and what- ever enjoyments he may have possessed. They commenced life on a part of the old Stokes farm, near the present vil- lage of Rancocas, she performing the duties of housewifery, he managing and laboring on the farm, and occasionally surveying land, writing and taking acknowledgments of deeds, etc., being a Master in the Court of Chancery, set- tling estates, and performing the duties of township offices, as Township Committee Clerk, Chosen Freeholder, etc. In the fall of 1830, without his wish or desire, he was elected a member of the House of Assembly for the county of Burlington. After taking his seat the first duty that pre- sented to his mind was to have repealed an enactment to pry a chaplain for services at the State prison ; and this was effected on the ground that the constitution as it then stood prohibited the payment of money for the support of a minis- try, etc. In those days New Jersey did not have any cler- gyman to open the session of the Legislature with prayer. The old sentiments embodied in the "concessions and

agreements " had not become entirely obliterated in the minds of the people, and legislative bodies left the important matter of approaching Infinite Mercy in supplication to the individual members. It is believed by Mr. Stokes to have been quite as well done and with more safety to our re- ligious liberties than by the present method. In 1831 the constitution required the Legislature to be elected and meet in the fall of the year; the custom being to meet, organize, perform a few official acts, and adjourn to an early day in the ensuing year. At this adjourned session in 1831, Dr. William B. Ewing, an old and influential member from Cumberland, moved that J. Hancock (a worthy member from Morris) should open the session with prayer. Charles Stokes objected to the right of the House, hy resolutions or otherwise, to direct a member to perform an act of this kind, stating that if any member should find it to be a duty to engage in the solemn act of public invocation, he would be among the last to object. Hancock arose and stated that such was his case, but he did not wish to impose upon the House without consent. Charles Stokes then withdrew his objection, whereupon Hancock knelt, and the IIouse arose, as by common consent, without vote. The prayer was impressive and accompanied hy due solemnity. When the House was about to close sine die and the members to sepa- rate to their several homes, Hancock made a short address suited to the occasion, and said that if there was no objec- tion he would address the Throne of Grace in supplication. The House (without vote) manifested their approval by rising, and a fervent prayer was uttered by Hancock ; im- mediately the Speaker pronounced an adjournment without day, and the members separated to their respective homes with much friendly feeling. At the preceding session of the Legislature two companies were incorporated : one to unite hy canal the waters of the Delaware and Raritan rivers; the other to construct a railroad from Camden to Amboy, under the names of Camden & Amboy Railroad Company and Delaware & Raritan Canal Company. Stock was taken; both companies organized and commenced operations. In the session of 1830-31 the canal company asked for additional powers to enable them to build a rail- road on the bank of their canal. This was vigorously op- posed by the railroad company, and upon this point the House of Assembly was nearly equally divided. The re- sult was the introduction of a hill to unite the two com- panies under the name of the " Delaware & Raritan Canal and Camden & Amboy Railroad and Transportation Com- panies." This was opposed by Charles Stokes on the ground that the location of the works and the union of two such companies would concentrate a power not to be man- aged or controlled by the State. The union was sanctioned by the Legislature, and at the ensuing session an act was passed prohibiting any other railroad being huilt to compete in business with the works of the joint companies, thus giving the exclusive right of transportation and travel be- tween New York and Philadelphia, which for many years

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greatly retarded the improvement of the State. During all | was entitled to his opinion ; and no man, nor number of this time Charles Stokes, always a friend of the companies, but steadily and unyieldingly opposed to their monopoly privileges, with a few others, by availing themselves of every suitable opportunity, at length had the great gratifi- cation of seeing the State enfranchised and freed from the incubus which had paralyzed every effort in the way of railroad improvement. The State school law underwent a revision during this session calculated to remove all secta- rianism in schools, and to preserve to parents control over the education of their children. In this subject Charles Stokes took a deep interest at the time, and has so con- tinued, now for more than half a century, on all proper oc- casions protesting against the tendencies of the age as apprc- hended 'by him-the assumption of powers by the State in controlling the education of the children-as calculated to subvert our dear-bouglit liberties, both civil and religious. At the close of the session he retired to an active private life, positively refusing to be again a candidate, until the public became much divided in regard to the policy of Andrew Jackson, President, concerning the Bank of the United States. His refusal to allow the bank further to re- ceive the revenues of the government on deposit created much excitement and dissatisfaction with a large portion of the community ; so much so that but comparatively few would speak in advocacy of his measures. That there

might be no doubt as to his opinion, Charles Stokes per- mitted his name to be used as a candidate for Council in the State Legislature in connection with others who approved of the policy of the President. They were defeated then, as was expected, but the public sentiment subsequently be- eame so much changed upon the subject, that in the fall of 1836 he was returned a member of the Legislative

Council. Having discharged this trust in such a way as to meet his own approval, he declined a further candidacy and again resumed his former avocations. On February 23d, 1844, the Legislature of New Jersey passed an act provid- ing for an election of delegates to meet in convention to frame a constitution for the government of the State. Charles Stokes was elected a member of this body, and on May 14th of the same year took his seat at the organization of the convention, which was composed of men distinguished for talent and high moral worth, selected with the intention that party preferences should be balanced. Early in the session Richard S. Field offered a resolution " that the sit- tings of the convention be opened every morning with prayer, and that the clergymen of the city of Trenton and its vicinity be invited to officiate on such occasions." Charles Stokes said that he appreciated the importance of the service for which they were assembled, and the neces- sity for Divine assistance to enable them to wisely perform their duties. They were in their seats representing different sections of the State, the whole people, and the interests of all. Different views, no doubt, were entertained with regard to the proper mode of offering prayer ; and each one to be honest, to speak the truth, or be believed. He held

men, had a right to impose religious services upon another, contrary to what he believed to be right. The provisions of the 18th and 19th sections of the constitution of 1776, which they had bound themselves by solemn asseveration to maintain, guaranteed this protection, and up to this day had been sacredly observed. If now, on this momentous occasion, they should sanction the principle embraced in the resolution offered by the member from Mercer, they would open a door for practices, for legislation, leading to a sub- version of liberty of conscience, to a union of church and state ; Legislatures would have imposed upon them prayers, perhaps gratuitously in the beginning, but soon compensated by enforced taxation. He believed the mind should always be in the attitude of prayer, that men should " pray without ceasing," that they should do their own praying, and not by proxy. R. S. Field replied that a constitutional conven- tion was a rare occasion, might not again occur for a cen- tury, and its gravity would not only justify, but demanded an extra solemnity to mark its proceedings; that it could not be quoted as precedent by the Legislature, not only be- cause the character of the bodies were unlike, but the con- stitution would prohibit it. The resolution passed; the clergy were introduced and officiated. The first ensuing Legislature followed the example of the convention, and this practice has been continued without exception ; first with a present of stationery, but of late with pecuniary compensa- tion added. Thus a usage has been established which Mr. Stokes believes forebodes no good to the religious liberties of the people. There were various other subjects which engaged the attention of the convention, in which Charles Stokes took a deep interest, among which several may be mentioned. In the bill of rights and privileges is a pro- vision that the rights of conscience to worship shall be in- violably maintained. The paragraph upon this important subject was prepared by him, and unanimously adopted by the convention. The funds of the State set apart for the maintenance of public or free schools, at his suggestion, were so guarded that they should be " for the equal benefit of all the people of the State." This provision was intended and understood at the time by the convention that the Legislature should not have power to prescribe any terms, sectarian or otherwise, that would deprive any portion of the people of the State of their part of the school funds, nor take from parents and guardians of children the great right to educate their children in their own way, at the expense of their share of the funds. This protection was held sacred for a time, but at length was disregarded by the Legislature and a system introduced which, in the opinion of Mr. Stokes, establishes principles subversive of justice and equity and religious liberty. The use of oaths was objected to by him as unnecessary and without effect in insuring per- forming services or in speaking truth, demoralzing in ten- dency, by frequent appeals to the great Creator as necessary

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that such as had not principle to do right without the for- mality of an oath, would not hesitate at perjury, provided there was no penalty. Let the penalty for false testimony remain, and oaths be abolished, said he, and the cause of morality would be promoted and the public better served. With this sentiment many of the most eminent of the con- vention united, and were it not that the constitution of the United States required the States to conform to the practice, the probability was strong that the provision would not have been retained in the constitution of the State. Under the' military laws of the State fines were imposed upon such as did not train in the militia, however scrupulous or religiously conscientious they might be, and if the pecuniary fine could not be recovered, the penalty was imprisonment in the county jail. Charles Stokes requested Judge I. IIorn - blower to offer an amendment in the proper place to abolish the imprisonment ; which he willingly agreed to do, with the addition of " in time of peace." With this addition the amendment was adopted, and forms a part of the constitu- tion, affording great relief to a worthy portion of the com. munity. He advocated equality in taxation ; that the bur- thens borne by the agricultural community should be shared by trades and professions. This proposition, just and proper in his eyes, was of a nature not to be readily adopted by the convention, and, of course, failed. The convention, having heen in session about forty days, were ready to close their labors and submit the constitution which they had framed to the people of the State for their approval or rejection. Alexander Wurts, their president, congratulated them upon the happy result of their labors, and the uniform spirit of harmony which marked their deliberations, stating that the members had faithfully discharged their duty by conforming to the honorable and patriotic example set them by their constituents. In the spirit of harmony and kind feeling thus indicated and manifested, it was but natural and to be desired that entire unity should characterize the final vote of approval. Charles Stokes sympathized with this feeling, and so expressed himself to the convention, and desired to do nothing to interrupt it. He had considered the matter well. He thought they had prepared a good constitution ; perhaps as well suited to the condition of the people of the State as they could offer ; but there were principles involved to which he could not give his assent. The military powers conferred, he was fully aware, could not be dispensed with by the body of the people with the views actuating them, and he was not about to censure them ; they had an equal right to their opinions that he claimed for himself. He be- lieved, however, in the existence of a principle which, if permitted to govern our actions, would end contention, strife and wars. Believing in the potency of such a princi- ple, and in the duty to maintain it in action, he could not consistently i npose upon others a duty he could not discharge himself. He was impelled, therefore, to kindly ask the convention to release him from participating in the final vote of approval. He asked this not only on the ground

stated, but because he did not wish to mar the remarkable harmony which had prevailed in their deliberations by a negative vote. The request was kindly received, a full sentiment expressed that consistency demanded it should be made, and by unanimous vote it was granted, and he was requested to put his reasons in shape, that such might be placed on the record. This he gave in the following terms : " On account of the military features contained in the con- stitution." Thus ended his labors here, and he returned to his home in peace, and so far as he knows with the kind feelings and friendship of his fellow-members. Here again he engaged in the duties of an active business life, in all things endeavoring to be governed by that influence which hitherto he had found to be a safe conductor. His leisure time was much occupied in reading, with the view to gain instruction in all matters appertaining to the welfare of man. In his opinion the existence of an Infinite Creator is mani- fest by His works, and His attributes by the gracious im- pressions and teachings made upon the mind. He does not seek to imagine form, nor to determine locality, but to be satisfied with the Scripture doctrine, that such things as are revealed belong to us; but such as are secret and not re- vealed belong to the great Fountain of Knowledge. And so to conform his life and actions as to be in harmony with this power, this intelligence that permeates all things, con- stitutes the leading purpose of his life. With him it removes the bane of sectarianism, and enables him to recognize fel- lowship with all whose hearts are in harmony with the Divine Nature, and qualified for the discharge of duties, not only of religious but of civil life. He endeavors to keep himself informed of the proceedings of his State and of the general government, and has occasionally written articles upon public subjects, some of which have been printed over his own proper signature. Prompt to form opinions upon measures touching the public welfare, he has been careful in his manner of expressing them. Solicitous to discharge his duties rightly in social and business life, and without anything especial to mark the last thirty or more years, he may be said to have acted the part of a good citizen. He is remarkably preserved in health and vigor, both of body and mind, although now of the advanced age of eighty-six years. On Saturday, October 21st, 1876, there were assembled at his residence a large number of relatives and friends to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of his marriage with his wife, Tacy. The reading of the certificate of marriage drawn up according to the usage of the Society of Friends, dated 18th day of Tenth month, 1816, signed by the parties themselves and by sixty-three witnesses, was followed by that of a memorial prepared by the children, and by their desire to be appended to the certificate, bearing the names of their parents, their children, children-in-law, grand and great-grandchildren, to the number of fifty-two, and of their friends who were present to the number of twenty-four. Charles Stokes then addressed the meeting, expressing his sincere feeling of gratitude to those who had so largely con-

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William Parry

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tributed to the joyousness of the occasion. Judge Naar, of Benjamin Hallowell, also a Friend, at Alexandria, Virginia, Trenton, being present, made some brief remarks, adverting where he remained until 1837. In the following year he to the beneficial moral effects upon the young people present of such an occasion. Following the example of their hon- ored progenitor they might look for useful and honored lives, without stain or reproach, as his had been, and might hope at the age of eighty-six years, to which he had arrived, to be surrounded by descendants as worthy and respectable as those who then surrounded him. Judge Naar was fol- lowed by Mary S. Lippincott, of Moorestown, New Jersey, who, in a happy and graceful manner, alluded to her life- long connection with Charles and his wife, and her affec- tionate regards for them and their descendants. It is hardly possible to imagine a more interesting occasion ; the love and affection between the relatives, the simplicity of man- ners of all, from the youngest to the oldest, the absence of ostentation and display-all gave a charm to it which will long be remembered. commenced the nursery business on the homestead farm, which he has ever since continued to cultivate and which is generally known throughout the country by the name of Pomona Nursery, and is the most extensive establishment of its kind in the State, comprising over three hundred acres in cultivation, about one hundred of which are usually devoted to growing small fruits. His residence stands among the stately old trees which he planted in his younger days; and many of more recent introduction have since been added. An avenue of near half a mile in length, bor- dered at a distance of several rods on each side with broad belts planted with a general collection of hardy ornamental trees and evergreens. The various nursery fields arc sepa- rated merely by driveways or trees, and the proprietor is dis- pensing with fences, where not nceded to enclose his own stock, finding this plan more convenient, as well as more economical and pleasing to the eye. Every new fruit which comes before the public is thoroughly tested on these ARRY, HON. WILLIAM, of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, Civil Engineer, Surveyor, Conveyancer, Master in the Court of Chancery, and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Burlington county, was born, October 9th, 1817, near Moorestown, in that county, and is a son of John R. Parry and Laetitia P., his wife, both of whom were na- tives of Pennsylvania, but removed to New Jersey in 1816, and settled on the farm where their son now resides. John R. Parry was born, October 30th, 1783, married Laetitia P. Smith, daughter of Thomas Smith, had five children and died February 8th, 1845. John R. Parry was son of John Parry, 2d, who was born December 13th, 1754, married Elizabeth Roberts, and had two sons; John Parry, 2d, was son of John Parry, Ist, who was born July 28th, 1721, mar- ried Margaret Tyson, and had seven children ; John Parry, Ist, was son of Thomas Parry, gentleman, who was born about the year A. D. 1680, in Caernarvonshire, North Wales -where the family had been seated for many generations- came to America ncar the close of the seventeenth century, married in 1715 Jane Morris, by whom he had ten children, and was the founder of the Parry family in Pennsylvania. He settled in what is now Montgomery county, Pennsylva- nia, and had ten children, all born between 1716 and 1739. To this family Lieutenant-Colonel Caleb Parry, of Colonel Atlee's Continental Regiment, belonged ; he lost his life at the battle of Long Island in 1776. Major Edward Ran- dolph Parry, of the United States army, who was commis- sioned in 1861, resigned in 1871, and died in 1874 of hard- ships incurred during the late civil war, was also of this family, a more full history of which is to be found in " The History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania," published by General W. W. H. Davis. William Parry's preliminary education was obtained at the Friends' school in the neigh- borhood; and he subscquently attended the academy of grounds, and in sufficient quantities to give a thorough trial of its merits, previous to being disseminated. Many fruit farms in the United States have been supplied with trees and plants sent from here, and the annual yield of their rich products is a continual reminder to their owners of Pomona Nursery, from whence the stock was obtained. From 1850 to 1870 he was a practical civil engineer, surveyor and con- voyancer ; and during that period he located and superin- tended the construction or improvement of over thirty dif- ferent turnpike roads, and whilst engaged in surveying several large tracts of land in the interior of the State, one of which contained 40,000 and another 50,000 acres, which without convenient means of reaching market was of but little value, he became fully impressed with the importance of railroads in this State, which contained two million acres of unimproved land ; and by writing and speaking in their favor and against the policy of maintaining the ex- clusive privileges of the joint companies, which prohibited the construction and use of any railroad in this State without their consent, or to compete with them in business, he con- tributed largely to effect a change in public sentiment. Ile was elected a member of the Legislature in 1854, and re- elected the two following years; and during the time he was in that body, served on many important committees and was Speaker of the House of Assembly during the session of 1855. He took an active part in the railroad war against the monopoly and in favor of granting railroads wherever needed to develop the resources of the State and bring thousands of acres of land, naturally fertile though un- cultivated, within reach of markets. The whole subject of exclusive or monopoly privileges in railroading was so thoroughly agitated and discussed, that a law was passed fixing the time when the exclusive or monopoly privileges of the joint companies should ccase, determine and end. " That after the first day of January, 1869, it should be lawful

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The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 47

Author: Robson, Charles, ed; Galaxy Publishing Company, publisher Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy publishing company Number of Pages: 924

Author: Robson, Charles, ed; Galaxy Publishing Company, publisher
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy publishing company
Number of Pages: 924