USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey : from its earliest settlement to the present time : including a brief historical account of the first discoveries and settlement of the country, Vol. I > Part 21
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This committee was Captain Robert Treat, Lieutenant Samuel Swain, Samuel Kitchell, Michael Tompkins, Morris Say, Richard Beckly, Richard Harrison, Thomas Blatchly, Edward Riggs, Stephen Freemna, and Thomas Johnson.
These articles specified that "No person could become a freeman or burgess of their town, or vote in its elections, but
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such as was a member of some one of the congregational churches, nor be chosen to the magistracy, nor to any other military or civil office. But all others admitted to be planters were allowed to inherit and to enjoy all other privileges, save those above excepted."
A number arrived in November of this year from Branford, thereby augmenting the population of the town, so that in June, 1667, the population consisted of sixty-five efficient men, besides women and children.
In the distribution of the lands among the settlers, each man drew by lot six acres as a homestead, the allotments being made in the several localities where they had previously formed a settlement. In parcelling out the lands, the Upper Green, now Washington Square, was reserved for a market place, and the Lower Green, now called the Park, for a military parade ground.
The first magistrates, chosen in 1668, and representatives to the first assembly, were Robert Treat, and Jasper Crane. Mr. Treat was chosen the first recorder, or town clerk. He after- wards removed to Connecticut, of which state he became governor, and shortly after died.
Rev. Mr. Pierson was their first clergyman, and in his old age, his son Abraham was appointed his assistant.
Their first school was established in 1676, and Mr. John Catlin was engaged to instruct the children in as much English reading, writing, and arithmetic, as he could teach. Mr. Catlin was also the first lawyer settled in the town. The first shoe- maker was Samuel Whitehead, of Elizabethtown, who was to supply the town with shoes. Newark is now the largest city in the state, and is extensively engaged in manufacturing. The population in 1850 was 38,894 ; in 1860, 71,941 ; and in 1870, 105,059. The city is divided into fourteen wards.
The city of Orange is divided into three wards. It was incor- porated as a town January 31st, 1860. The present charter creating it into three wards was approved March 3d, 1869, and on the 3d of April, 1872, a supplement was approved by which it was changed to a city. Its population in 1850 was 4,385 ; in 1860, 8,877 ; and in 1870, 9,348. East Orange township was formed from part of the town of Orange, March 4th, 1863, and
ad
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in 1870 contained a population of 4,315. South Orange was set off from Clinton and the town of Orange, March 13th, 1861. Its population in 1870 was 2,963. West Orange was formed from the town of Orange ; population in 1870, 2, 106.
Middlesex county was formed in 1682, and was the third county in the province. It was to begin at the parting line between Essex county and the Woodbridge line, containing Woodbridge and Piscataway, and all the plantations on both sides of the Raritan river as far as Cheesquake harbor eastward, extending southwest to the division line of the province, and northwest to the utmost bounds of the province.
The lines were changed in 1709-'10. They were again changed in 1713-'14, and again in 1790. Another change was made in 1822, and again in 1838, when Mercer county was formed. The lines were again changed in 1857, at the formation of Union county. The population in 1850 was 28,635 ; in 1860, 34,812 ; and in 1870, 45,029.
It is about twenty-four miles long and twelve broad, and has on its north Union county, Staten Island and Raritan bay on the east and southeast, Monmouth and Mercer on the southwest, and Somerset west.
East-Brunswick was formed from Mercer and New-Brunswick n 1860, at which time the population was 2,436, and in 1870 it was 2,861. Spottswood, on the line of the Amboy division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, derived its name from John John- son, of Spottswood, in Scotland. Herbertsville, or Old Bridge, is on the South river, a branch of the Raritan.
Madison was formed from South Amboy township in 1869, and in 1870 had a population of 1,634. Jacksonville is located at the head. of Cheesquake creek.
Monroe was formed from South Amboy in 1838, and in 1850 had a population of 3,001 ; in 1860, 3, 131 ; and in 1770, 3,253.
New-Brunswick is divided into six wards. Its population in 1850 was 10,008 ; in 1860, 11, 156; and in 1870, 15,058. It was incorporated as a city in 1784. Rutgers College, built of a dark red freestone, and finished in 18It, is located here. This institution was chartered by George III, in 1770, and was called Queen's College in honor of his wife, but did not go into oper-
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ation until 1781, for want of funds. In 1825 the name was changed, as a mark of respect to Col. Henry Rutgers, one of its distinguished benefactors.
Gordon, in his Gazette, informs us, " That at the close of the 17th century, the place where the city now stands was covered with woods, and called, after the name of its proprietor, 'Prig- more's Swamp.' The first inhabitant of whom any account is preserved, was one Daniel Cooper, who resided where the post road crossed the river, and kept the ferry, which afterward, in 1713, when the county line was drawn, was called Inian's ferry. This ferry was granted by the proprietors, November 2d, 1697, for the lives of Inian and wife, and the survivor, at a rent of five shillings sterling per annum. The first inhabitants were of European origin, from Long Island. About 1730, several Dutch families emigrated from Albany, bringing with them their build- ing materials, in imitation of their ancestors, who imported their bricks, tiles, &c., from Holland. About this time the name of New-Brunswick* was given to the place, which had heretofore been distinguished as 'The River.""
North-Brunswick contained in 1870, 1, 124 inhabitants.
Perth Amboy city is situated at the head of Raritan bay. In 1850 it contained 1,865 inhabitants ; in 1860, 2,302; and in 1870, 2,861. It takes its name from James Drummond, one of the proprietors, and Earl of Perth, and Amboy from Ambo, meaning in the Indian language, a point.
The situation for a sea trade, as lying open to Sandy Hook, whence vessels may arrive in any weather in one tide from the sea, and find a safe, commodious harbor, capacious enough to contain many large ships, and was allowed to be as good a port as most on the continent.
Piscataway was incorporated in 1798, so named from some of the first settlers who came from Piscataqua, in Maine, and upon their arrival they called the place New Piscataqua.
New Market, formerly Quibbletown, is a thriving post town. New Brooklyn, Samptown, New Durham, and Raritan Landing, are small villages in the township. The population of Piscata-
* German families settling there named it after the Duchy of the same name in Northwestern Germany.
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away was in 1850, 2,975 ; in 1860, 3, 186 ; and in 1870, 2,757.
Raritan township was formed from Piscataway and Woodbridge in 1870, and has a population of 3,460. It is nine miles north and south, and six east and west.
South Amboy township is located on Raritan bay, at the mouth of Raritan river, and has a population of 4,525. This is the termination of the Camden and Amboy division of the Pennsylvania railroad.
There is near this village a superior quality of clay, from which stoneware is extensively manufactured.
South-Brunswick township adjoins Mercer county. Population in 1850, 3,368 ; in 1860, 3,816 ; and in 1870, 3,779. Several miles of it in the north part are covered with some notable sandhills.
The village of Kingston is on the line of Somerset county, near Princeton. This was, before the railroads were built, the great thoroughfare between New York and Philadelphia. The passengers were carried through in stages, and as many as fifty stages have been seen here at one time in front of Withington's hotel, loaded with about four hundred passengers. Opposite Withington's hotel, in the early days of the state, Van Tilburgh kept a hotel, which was celebrated as the favorite stopping-place of Washington, as well as the governors, who stopped here in passing from the eastern towns to the capital at Trenton.
Cranberry is in Cranberry township. It was here that David Brainard labored so arduously among the Indians, being attended - with remarkable success. Cranberry contains about 1,000 in- habitants. The township was set off from South-Brunswick and Monroe townships in 1872.
Woodbridge is on the northeastern end of the county, and contained in 1850, 5,141 inhabitants, and in 1870, 3,717. It is about ten miles long and nine miles in breadth. Uniontown and Woodbridge are in this township. The town of . Wood- bridge was first settled by emigrants from England, who came over in 1665, with Governor Carteret. It was at one time a prominent place in the province.
Monmouth county, in 1682, was to begin at the westward bounds of Middlesex county, containing Middletown and
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Shrewsbury, and to extend westward, southward, and northward, to the extreme bounds of the province. The lines were altered January 21st, 1709-'10 ; again March 15th, 1713; again No- vember 28th, 1822, and again February 15th, 1850, at the form- ation of Ocean county. It is considered one of the best, if not the best, agricultural counties in the state, the farms being under a high state of cultivation. Their marl, which was at one time considered valueless, is now much sought after as a manure. Peat, which is also found in other sections of the county where marl is not, is also used for manufacturing purposes. This is usually mixed with lime, and has been found very efficacious for the purpose of a manure. The population of the county in 1850 was 30, 313 ; in 1860, 39,346 ; and in 1870, 46, 195.
Atlantic township contained in 1870, 1,713 inhabitants. Colt's Neck, originally called Call's Neck, from a Mr. Call, a resident there, is in this township, and is five miles from Free- hold, on a neck of land formed by two branches of the Swim- ming river.
Freehold township was formed in 1798, and contained in 1850, 2,644 inhabitants ; in 1860, 3,811 ; and in 1870, 4,231. The northern and middle part abounds in fertile farms.
The town of Freehold is the seat of justice of the county, and is distant about thirty miles from Trenton. The town contains many large dwellings surrounded by spacious grounds, exhibiting wealth and refinement. The Episcopal is the oldest church in the town, and was used during the Revolution as barracks for the soldiers. It was known in olden times as Monmouth Court- House, from the fact of the courts meeting here. The first court-house erected here stood in front of where the one that was burned down on the 29th of October, 1873, stood. It was built in 1715 of wood, and of antique style, with peaked roof, and clapboarded with shingles. In December, 1727, the court house and jail were destroyed by fire. About the year 1730, another court-house, with the jail under the same roof, was built on the same lot. That building stood over seventy years. It was built of frame, nearly square, smaller than the one which succeeded it, and had a roof shaped very much like that of the old Tenant church, with a small steeple in the centre. This
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court-house stood here at the time the battle of Monmouth was fought, at which time there was not a dozen houses in the village. The general officers of each army during their occupancy of the place, used the court-house as headquarters. Sir Henry Clinton, Lord Cornwallis, General Knyphausen, and other officers of the English forces, left the court-house suddenly on the morning of the 29th of June, 1778, when it was doubtless taken - possession of by Generals Washington, Lafayette, Green, Wayne, Knox, Forman, Morgan, and others, whose names will go down to the latest generation on the page of history.
In 1808 a new court-house was erected, when the old building was removed across the street, and occupied as a barn. In October, 1873, the latter court-house was destroyed by fire, and a new one is now being erected upon the same lot which has been occupied for that purpose one hundred and fifty-eight years.
Holmdel was formed from Raritan in 1857, and in 1860 con- tained 1,334 inhabitants, and in 1870 1,415. It is seven miles long north and south, and three and a half wide east and west.
Howell was formed from Shrewsbury in 1801, and is ten miles long by seven wide. The New Jersey Southern, and Farming- dale and Squan Village Railroads, pass through the township. The central part contains marl pits of excellent quality, among the principal of which is the Squankum marl. The Hominy hills are located in the northern part, but in other respects it is generally level ground. New Bargain is a small settlement near the middle of the township. Farmingdale is a place of con- siderable importance, brought into notice through the marl pits located in its vicinity. Howell township contained in 1850 4,058 inhabitants ; in 1860, 2,574; and in 1870, 3,371.
Manalapan is considered the most fertile agricultural township in the county. It is purely an agricultural district, and con- tained in 1850 1,910 inhabitants ; in 1860, 2,374 ; and in 1870, 2,286. Englishtown lies near the centre of the township.
Marlborough contained in 1850 1,564 inhabitants ; in 1860, 2,083 ; and in 1870, 2,231. The Monmouth County Agricul- tural Railroad passes through the township.
Matawan township was formed from Raritan in 1857, and contained in 1860 2,072 inhabitants, and in 1870 2,839. The
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village of Matawan, formerly called Middletown Point, is upon a narrow point of land formed by the Matawan creek, three miles from Raritan bay. The first settlers were Scotch, princi- pally from Aberdeen, and it was called by them New Aberdeen. At Mount Pleasant, during the Revolutionary war, lived Philip Freneau, a distinguished poet. He was educated at Princeton college, and enjoyed the friendship of Adams, Franklin, Jeffer- son, Madison, and Monroe. His patriotic songs and ballads were popular among all classes, possessing merit of a very high order, and were sung with enthusiasm everywhere. He was possessed of fine feelings, though in sentiment he was an infidel, and late in life became addicted to habits of intemperance. He died a miserable death near Freehold, on the 18th of December, 1832, being then in the 80th year of his age.
Middletown township was incorporated in 1798. The first permanent settlement made in this township was in 1666, by Richard Hartshorne, an English Quaker, who settled on the Navesink river. He called his place Portland Point. It was originally settled by Englishmen, from Long Island. Some Dutch and Scotch also settled in the township. The courts used to be held here two or three times a year, for Middletown, Pis- cataway, and other places. The town of Middletown is about forty-five miles from Trenton. The celebrated Highlands of Navesink are in this township, and extend along Sandy Hook for nearly five miles, on the west of Shrewsbury river. They are about three hundred feet in height, and on Beacon hill is a light-house called the Highland lights, to distinguish them from the one at Sandy Hook. With their new and improved French lights, they can be seen twenty-five miles out at sea.
At Gravelly Point, the British army embarked after the battle of Monmouth, and it is celebrated as being the spot where the unfortunate Captain Joshua Huddy was barbarously murdered.
Millstone township contained in 1850, 1,676 inhabitants ; in 1860, 2,356 ; and in 1870, 2,087.
Ocean township contained in 1860, 3, 768 inhabitants; in 1860, 4,346 ; and in 1870, 6,189. The celebrated watering place, Long Branch, is in this township.
Raritan township, in 1850, contained 4,198 inhabitants ; in
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1860, 2,979 ; and in 1870, 3,443. Keyport is situated on Rar- itan bay, about two miles from Middletown, and twenty-two from New York, and is a place of resort for sea bathing in the summer season. From the town can be had a magnificent view of the bay, Staten Island, the Narrows, Sandy Hook, and the Ocean, which, on a pleasant day, exhibits a scene of great beauty, studded with its myriad sails. There are numerous oyster beds of the finest quality in Chingarora creek, at this place. Population in 1870, 2,366.
Shrewsbury township is level, the southern part being sandy ; the soil is fertile, and contains excellent farming land. It was settled by emigrants from Connecticut in 1664. Lewis Morris, of Barbadoes, the uncle of Lewis Morris, Governor of New Jersey, carried on iron works here. The village of Red Bank is pleasantly situated on the Navesink river, two miles from Shrews- bury and five from the ocean. In 1830 it contained but two houses, but is now one of the most thriving villages in the state. It has an extensive trade with New York in vegetables, wood, and oysters. Population in 1870, 2,086.
Upper Freehold township contained in 1850, 2,566 inhabi- tants ; in 1860, 3,198 ; and in 1870, 3,640.
Wall township was formed from Howell in 1851. Population in 1860, 2,283, and in 1870, 2,669. Squan village is situated on the sea shore, and is a celebrated place for sea bathing, there being several boarding houses there ; it is much visited in the summer season. Iron has been considerably manufactured at the Howell furnace. During the Revolutionary war there were extensive salt works at Squan, and on one occasion about one hundred and thirty-five of the enemy landed on a Sunday, and burned all the salt works, as well as destroyed the kettles ; they then crossed the river and destroyed the works there. The next day they landed at Shark river, and set fire to two salt works there, but seeing a number of horsemen they retreated, and jumping into boats sank two of them. The pines were infested with robbers, who secreted themselves in caves, and would commit their depredations in the night. The government offered large rewards for their destruction, and they were hunted like wild beasts, and though the most of them were exterminated,
Helhetatory
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the few that was left continued their pillaging until the close of the war.
Eatontown township was formed from parts of the townships of Ocean and Shrewsbury, April 4th, 1873. The village of Eatontown is a mile and a quarter south of Shrewsbury. It derived its name from a family by the name of Eatton, who were among the early settlers, and purchased land here. Tinton Falls is two and a half miles from Shrewsbury, on a branch of the Navesink river, and was named from Tinturn, in Monmouth- shire, England, from whence the first settlers came.
CHAPTER XII.
1675.
Continuation of counties-Salem-Gloucester -Somerset-Cape May-Burlington-Hunterdon-Morris-Cumberland-Sussex -Warren-Atlantic-Passaic-Mercer-Hudson-Camden- Ocean-Union.
S ALEM COUNTY was named by John Fenwick, and dis- tinguished by his tenth in 1675. The name and jurisdiction was settled by a proprietory law in 1694. The boundaries were fixed in 1709, and altered in 1747. The population in 1810 was 12,761 ; in 1820, 14,022 ; in 1830, 14, 155 ; in 1840, 16,024 ; in 1850, 19,467 ; in 1860, 22,458 ; and in 1870, 23,940.
Elisinboro' is the smallest township in the county, containing only seven hundred inhabitants. Printz, the Swedish governor, erected a fort here, at Fort Point, on the eastern bank of Salem river. They called this fortress Helsingberg, from the ancient fortified town of South Sweden of that name, where there are large manufactories of earthenware and iron goods, and from this the name of the township is derived, being originally settled by Swedes. The Indian name of the place was Wootsessung- sing. The population is less than it was ten years ago, for in 1850 it was 655 ; in 1860, 749 ; and in 1870 but 700.
Lower Alloways creek contained a population in 1830 of 1,222 ; in. 1840, 1,252 ; in 1850, 1,423; in 1860, 1,471 ; and in 1870, 1,483. Canton is nine miles from Salem, and Han- cock's Bridge is five miles.
Lower Penn's Neck in 1850 contained 1,429 inhabitants ; in 1860, 1,506 ; and in 1870, 1,472. Seven miles from Salem, on the Delaware river, is the small settlement of Kinseyville, (or
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Pennsville) from which place there is a ferry to New Castle, Delaware, two miles distant. Fort Delaware is an island opposite this township, which was formed by the sinking of a vessel on a sand bar.
Mannington was at first called East Fenwick; its present name is derived from the Indian word Maneto. Mannington- ville is a small settlement in the central part of the township. Mannington township contained in 1850 2,187 inhabitants ; in 1860, 2,393; in 1870, 2,351.
Pilesgrove township was named from James Piles, who was in its early settlement, a large landholder there.
Woodstown was early settled by Jackanias Wood, from whom its name is derived. Sharpstown is on the Salem river, and Eldridge's Hill is about one mile from Woodstown.
This township was principally settled by Friends, and in 1726 they erected a meeting-house at Woodstown. The population of the township in 1850 was 2,962 ; in 1860, 2,024; in 1870, 3,385.
Pittsgrove township was formed from Pilesgrove, and named after Sir William Pitt. It is sixteen miles from Salem. In this township are the small villages of Pittstown (now called Elmer) and Centreville. In 1850 the population was 1, 151 ; in 1860, 1,231 ; in 1870, 1,667.
Salem is the seat of justice for the county, and is divided into two wards. Its population in 1830 was 1,570 ; in 1840, 2,006 ; in 1850, 3052 ; in 1860, 3,901 ; and in 1870, 4,555. The first attempt to form a settlement in the state was made at this place in 1641, by some English families from New Haven, Connecti- cut about sixty in all, who projected their settlement on Salem creek, then called Ferken's creek.
Upper Alloway's creek township contained 2,530 inhabitants in 1850 ; in 1860, 2,899 ; in 1870, 3,062. Alloways creek runs through the township. Its name was derived from an Indian chief named Alloways, who lived here upon the arrival of Fen- wick in 1675.
Friesburg (or Freastown) derived its name from a German by the name of Freas. Allowaystown and Stockington are in this township.
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Upper Penn's Neck is the northermost township in the county, and is situated on the Delaware river. Population in 1850, 2,422 ; in 1860, 2,901 ; in 1870, 3,178. Pedricktown is on Oldman's creek, three miles from the Delaware river. Sculltown, (originally called Locktown, from a Mr. Lock) is at the head of navigation on Oldman's creek. Quinton township was formed from Upper Alloway's creek township, February 17th, 1873.
Pennsgrove is at the landing on the Delaware, in Upper Penn's Neck township. Upper Pittsgrove township contained in 1850 1,656 inhabitants ; in 1860, 2,082 ; in 1870, 2,087.
Gloucester county was first laid out in 1677, and in 1709 its boundaries were ascertained by legislative enactment, beginning at the mouth of Pensauken creek ; thence up the same to the fork thereof ; thence along the line of Burlington county to the sea ; thence along the seacoast to Great Egg Harbor river ; thence up that river to the fork ; thence up the southermost and greatest branch of the same to its head ; thence upon a direct line to the head of Oldman's creek ; thence down the same to Delaware river ; thence up that river to the place of beginning. The population in 1810 was 19,744 ; in 1820, 23,071 ; in 1830, 28,431 ; in 1840, 25,438 ; in 1850, 14,655 ; in 1860, 18,444; in and in 1870, 21,562.
The lines were changed by the formation of Atlantic county in 1837, and again upon the formation of Camden county in 1844, and again by the annexation of Washington and Monroe townships from Camden county in 1871.
Clayton township in 1860 contained a population of 2,490, and in 1870 3,674. This township was formed from Franklin in 1858.
Deptford contained a population in 1850 of 3,355 ; in 1860, 4,213 ; and in 1870, 4,663. West Deptford township was formed from Deptford in 1871. Woodbury is the seat of justice for the county, and is pleasantly situated on Woodbury creek. Woodbury was first settled by and derives its name from Richard Wood, of Perry, England. This place was settled in 1684. Fort Mercer is on the Delaware, within the limits of West Dept- ford township, and Fort Mifflin is on an island in the river. Population in 1860 1,534, and in 1870 1,965.
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Franklin township was formed in 1820 from Greenwich and Woolwich townships. Population in 1850, 2,984; in 1860, 1,778 ; and in 1870, 2,188.
Glassborough is in Clayton township, about ten miles south- east of Woodbury. Messrs. Stanger & Co., comprising seven brothers, built glass works here in the time of the Revolution, and from this circumstance the place derived its name. These . men were originally from Germany, and had been employed in Wistar's glass works in Salem county. They erected some log buildings, which was the nucleus of the future town. The glass house at Salem is said to have been the first one established in America. The glass works here are extensive.
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