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 24
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Union county was formed from the southern part of Essex county, March 19, 1857, and comprised the townships of New Providence, Springfield, Union, Elizabeth, Westfield, Plainfield, Rahway and Rahway City, and on the 16th of February, 1860, the lines were altered by the annexation of a part of the town- ship of Woodbridge, in Middlesex county. Its population in IS60 was 27,780 ; and in 1870, 41,859. Clark township con- tained in 1870, 331 inhabitants. It was formed from the city of Rahway in 1864. Cranford township was formed from Westfield, Springfield, Linden and Clark, in 1871. The village of Cran- ford, formerly Craneville, from one of its early settlers by the name of Crane, is a beautiful and thriving place, with a number
* Toms River derived its name from William Tomm, a man of considerable importance at that day, and who owned a large amount of property on the river now bearing his name. In the early days of the province, courts were not established in each county as we have them now, but men were transported even into another state to be tried. William Tomm was clerk of the court of Uppland, now Chester, in Pennsylvania, and was one of the Swedish emigrants who came over at an early day.
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of handsome residences, principally occupied by persons en- gaged in business in New York.
Elizabeth is one of the most thriving cities in the state. Large sums of money have been expended in paving and improving their streets, and it contains many handsome residences. It is one of the oldest cities in the state, the older portion being poorly laid out, the streets irregular, which was the case with all the older cities in the state. It was named from Lady Elizabeth Carteret, wife of Sir George Carteret. It was at one time the capitol and principal town of the state, and has long been cele- brated for its excellent schools, and for its intelligent and polite society. It was settled in 1665, and received its act of incorpo- ration as the borough of Elizabeth, February 8th, 1739, in the thirteenth year of the reign of George II. It was the third settlement made in the state, and the first by the English. The lands were purchased from the Indians residing on Staten Island in 1664, by John Bailey, Daniel Denton, and Luke Watson, of Jamaica, Long Island.
For many years after the settlement of the province, Elizabeth was the largest and most flourishing place in it. All the public offices were here, as well as the residences of most of the officers of the government. The first general assembly met here in 1668, and with few exceptions, they continued their meetings here until 16S2. The first inhabitants of the town were com- posed of emigrants from England, Scotland, New England, and Long Island. The first Presbyterian church is the oldest in the state, having been organized in 1666. The college of New Jersey, the most flourishing in the Union, was commenced in this town, and afterwards removed to Princeton, its present ·location. Elizabeth is comprised in eight wards. Its popula- tion in 1860, was 11, 567, and in 1870, 20,832, nearly doubling itself in ten years.
Linden had a population in 1870 of 1,396. New Providence in 1860 had a population of 1,308, and in 1870, 934. Plainfield in 1860, had a population of 3, 194, and in 1870, 5,095. Rahway is divided into four wards. In 1860 the population was 7, 130, and in 1870, 6,258. This diminution is caused by the formation of Clark and Linden townships. Springfield had a population in 1860 of 1,020, and in 1870, 770.
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Summit was formed from New Providence and Springfield townships in 1869, and in 1870 had a population of 1, 176. Union had a population in 1860 of 1,812, and in 1870, 2,314. Westfield had a population in 1860 of 1,719, and in 1870, 2,753.
The State of New Jersey contains twenty-one counties, and two hundred and fifty-nine townships, in which are included forty-five cities, towns and boroughs, numbering from five hun- dred to over a hundred thousand inhabitants. It was one of the original thirteen states, and is separated from New York by the Hudson river, and from Pennsylvania by the Delaware.
It lies between about 38° 44' and 41º 21' north latitude, and
- between 74 and 75° 20' west longitude, being about 168 miles in extreme length from north to south, and from 37 to 70 miles in breadth, including an area of 7,576 square miles, or 4,849,- 690 acres of land, of which 1,976,474 are improved ; 718,335 are woodland ; and the balance is other unimproved land.
The southern and middle portions are mostly flat and sandy, but in the north it becomes hilly, and even rises into low moun- tains. Some ridges of the Alleghany range cross from Pennsyl- vania, in a northeast direction, into New York, bearing in New Jersey the local names of Schooley's Mountain, Trowbridge; Ramapo, and Second Mountains. The Blue Mountains cross the extreme northwest portion of the state. Below Raritan bay is a group of hills of from three hundred to four hundred feet high, called Nevisink Hills, washed by an inlet from Raritan Bay, commanding a wide sweep of ocean, and furnishing a beacon to mariners, to whom they are generally the first and last seen of the shore of New Jersey, on their voyages in and out of the port of New York. A range of trap rock, varying from two hundred to five hundred feet high, and known as the Palisades, coasts the Hudson for twenty miles on the northeast of the state. The shores of the Atlantic south of Sandy Hook are lined with a series of inlets and islands, which are constantly changing. The country for some distance back is generally marshy or sandy.
Washed by the Delaware river and bay on the west and south, and by the Hudson river and the Atlantic ocean on the east, New Jersey forms a sort of a peninsula, so to speak. Were it
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not that its trade is monopolized by New York and Philadelphia, New Jersey has great advantages in position for a commercial state. The Delaware is navigable one hundred and twenty miles from the sea for ocean craft of a smaller kind, and for ships for ninety-six miles ; while on the Atlantic side, for more than half its extent, there are numerous inlets and lagoons admitting smaller vessels ; and on the northeast, Raritan and Newark bays, and Hudson river, are accessible to vessels of heavy tonnage ; so that there is nothing but the circumstances above mentioned to prevent our state becoming a great entrepot of foreign and coasting trade. Besides the rivers mentioned as laving the shores of the state, are a number of smaller streams traversing the in- terior ; the most important of which are the Passaic and Hacken- sack, emptying into Newark bay, in the northeast; Raritan river, draining the northern and central portions, and pouring its waters into the bay of the same name; Maurice river, in the southwest discharging itself into Delaware bay, and Great Egg Harbor river, emptying directly into the Atlantic ocean. These are severally navigable for coasters, in the order named, ten, fifteen, seventeen, and the last two twenty. miles each. Raritan bay and Arthurkill sound cut off Staten Island from New Jersey. This island politically belongs to New York, but by position, to New Jersey. There are a number of low sandy islands along the Atlantic, cut off from the mainland by lagoons. These are generally unfertile and of little value.
The Atlantic shores of New Jersey are renowned the world over for their sea bathing resorts. The most important of these is Cape May, at its southern extremity, which is probably more frequented than any bathing place in America. Its beach slopes gradually, and being covered with a fine, hard, white sand, forms a delightful promenade and drive when the tide is out. Here are about twenty hotels, capable of receiving from two hundred to two thousand guests each ; besides smaller hotels and board- ing-houses without number. Long Branch, a few miles below Sandy Hook, ranks next in number of its visitors; but Deal, Squan Beach, aud Tuckerton are also much frequented. Brown's Mills, twenty miles east of Burlington, situated among the pines, is considered particularly beneficial to consumptive patients.
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New Jersey shares with Pennsylvania another still more inter- esting object in the passage of the Delaware through the Blue Mountains-generally called the Delaware Water Gap, where the river breaks through the mountains, in a gorge about two miles in length, walled in by precipices from twelve hundred to sixteen hundred feet in height, scarcely leaving space for a road between their base and the water.
In Warren county, fifteen miles north of Belvidere, there is a small mountain lake, perhaps two miles in circumference, at an elevation it is said, of near fourteen hundred feet above the level of the Delaware river. It is known to be very deep and plenti- fully abounds with fish of various kinds. The lake seems to lie almost on the summit of the mountain, and from its immediate vicinity is obtained a magnificent view of the river below, and of the surrounding country for a distance of many miles.
Weehawken heights, near Hoboken, (the commencement of the celebrated Palisades,) are the termination of such a prome- nade as is seldom offered in the vicinity of any great capitol. They command a near view of New York City and Harlem, and a more remote one of Staten Island and the Narrows, through which may be caught a faint glimpse of the ocean.
It may be noticed that the population in many townships seems to be depreciating, which is not the case, as the difference in population is caused by the frequent changing of township lines.
CHAPTER XIII.
1702-1743.
The proprietors cedes to the crown their rights of jurisdiction- Lands purchased from the Indians-Population-Habits of the people-Release of Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret- Consideration money-Courts-Taxes- Naturalization-First Legislature-Punishment of Witches-Trading with the Indians Prohibited-Drunkenness-Schools.
T HE proprietaries of New Jersey, wearied out with strug- gling with the settlers, in the year 1702, ceded to the crown their rights of jurisdiction, upon which Queen Anne joined New Jersey to New York, under the government of Lord Corn- bury. The inhabitants of this state, as well as New York, resisted the encroachments of the fraudulent acts of the governor, and in the year 1738, New Jersey petitioned for and obtained a governor of their own, in the person of Lewis Morris. The position of New Jersey gave it superior advantages from depra- dations by the Indians, as its policy always was to do no act that would have a tendency to exasperate that warlike people ; besides, they were always paid for their lands, and could not bring that up as an excuse for any inroads or assaults upon the people of that province. Consequently, the progress of our state was steadily forward, although serious disputes arose in regard to paper money, conveyances of lands to certain claimants by the Indians, the resistance made by squatters to dispossess them of their lands, and other annoying and hostile acts, yet knowing they were in the right, pursued a straight forward course, and were in the end successful.
After the death of Morris, in 1745, Belcher took charge of the difficult post as governor in 1747, but he was not able to manage affairs much better than those who had preceded him. He
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adopted a conciliatory course in all matters relating to his admin- istration, and favored the founding of the college now located at Princeton.
The state at this time had a population of about 40,000. In 173S, the population had increased to 47,367, of which number about 4,000 were slaves. Dutch manners and habits prevailed to a considerable extent throughout the province, although it was evident that English and French tastes were predominant. The citizens were lively and sociable in manners, and had their weekly evening clubs, and in winter their balls and concerts, in the cities. Their stoops (or porches) were furnished with side seats, which, in the evenings, were well filled with the inmates, old and young of both sexes, who met to gossip or to court, · while the cattle wandered about the streets of the then rustic cities.
The habits of the people at that early day were of so sociable a nature, that whole neighborhoods would congregate together in the summer evenings upon their large stoops for social con- versation. The mode of building their houses was with the angular zigzag gables fronting the streets, with long projecting gutters, which discharged their unsavory currents of dirty water or melted snows upon the heads of the unwary passer-by. In the interior of their dwellings, Dutch cleanliness, order, and economy prevailed. Their kitchens were usually distinguished by the old-fashioned fire-place, extending across their entire width, taking in logs of wood four feet in length, and leaving room for the grandfather and grandmother to indulge their pipe and mug of cider in the long winter evenings. They lived too with exemplary sobriety, breakfasting on tea without milk, and sweetened by a small piece of sugar passed round from one to the other. They dined on buttermilk and bread, and if to that they added sugar, it was deemed delicious, and sometimes they indulged in broiled and roasted meats. The use of stoves was unknown, and the huge fire-places above mentioned, through which one might almost have driven a wagon, were furnished with ample logs, and were grand and cozy nestling places during the long winter evenings, amid the wail of the snow storm; and the roar of the forest trees.
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The general prosperity of this colony was proverbial, which was doubtless due to the virtuous and industrious character and habits of our people. Under the English the same simplicity of habits long prevailed, amid which was true enjoyment, of most of which our people have been deprived by the modern habits now prevailing. In those days honesty of purpose characterized the people. One man did not consider himself better than his neighbor on account of his worldly possessions, but all were on an equality. The population of the state in 1750 was about seventy thousand.
William Franklin, son of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, succeeded Gov. Josiah Hardy, in 1763, and was the last royal governor. The same year a treaty of peace was consummated between Great Britain and France, whereby Canada was ceded to the British King. To effect this purpose, William Pitt, the prime minister of England, called upon the colonial governments on this conti- nent to aid in destroying the power of the French in America.
The quota of men called for from this state was five hundred, which was not only furnished cheerfully, but the number was doubled, and in order that they might be raised speedily, a bounty of twelve pounds per man was offered, the pay of the officers was increased, and the sum of fifty thousand pounds was voted to maintain the army. The legislature also directed the erection of barracks at Trenton, Burlington, Elizabeth, New Brunswick, and Amboy. This complement of one thousand men was kept up by the state, during the years 1758, 1759, and 1760, and in the two succeeding years they furnished six hun- dred men, in addition to which, in 1762, they raised a company of sixty-four men and officers, designed especially for garrison duty, which cost the state an average of forty thousand pounds per annum. Thus they showed their loyalty to the home govern- ment, in the readiness to obey the just commands which ema- nated from Great Britain, and the same spirit was manifest during the entire time they acknowledged the right of that king- dom to govern, and until they resolved, in consequence of its despotic powers, to set up a government for themselves indepen- dent of Great Britain.
On the Ist day of July, 1676, New Jersey was divided into
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two sections, called East and West New Jersey, Sir George Carteret receiving for his share the easterly section, extending eastward and northward along the sea coast and Hudson's river, from the east side of a certain place or harbor lying on the southern part of the same tract of land, and commonly called or known in a map of the said tract of land by the name of Little Egg Harbor, and William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, and Nicholas Lucas, their heirs and assigns, receiving in severalty as their full part, share, and portion of the said tract of land, in trust for the benefit of Edward Byllinge, as the said undivided moiety was subject, and to be from henceforth called and distinguished by the name of West New Jersey ; all that western part, share, and portion of the said tract of land and premises lying on the west side, and westward of the aforesaid straight and direct line drawn through the said premises from north to south, for and in consideration of five shillings to them, the said William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas, and Edward Byllinge, in hand paid by the said Sir George Carteret, the receipt whereof they do here respectively acknowledge, the said Edward Byllinge and they, the said William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, and Nicholas Lucas, by and with the consent, direction, and appointment of the said Edward Byllinge, testified by his being a party hereunto, and by his sealing and executing of these presents.
This westerly part, share, and portion of the said tract of land and premises were, by the consent and agreement of the parties, called by the name of West Jersey, and was all that and only all that part, share, and portion of the said tract of land and premises conveyed by his said Royal Highness, as lieth extended westward, or southward from the west side of the line of said partition, on the Delaware river, and extending to Egg Harbor.
The first general assembly of the state met at Elizabethtown on the 26th day of May, 1668.
Hon. Philip Carteret, governor.
The council consisted of Capt. Nicholas Verlet, Daniel Pierce, Robert Bond, Samuel Edsall, Robert Vanquellin, William Par- don ; James Bollen, secretary.
The burgesses consisted of Gasper Stenmetts, Baltazer Bayard, for Bergen ; John Ogden, John Brackett, for Elizabethtown ;
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Capt. Robert Treat, Samuel Swarne, for Newark, upon Pisha- wach river ; John Bishop, Robert Dennes, for Woodbridge ; James Grover, John Bound, for Middletown and Shrewsbury.
The following is an abstract of the laws passed at this first session of the provincial legislature :
"For resisting the authority established by the lords propri- etors, as the governor, justices, or any other inferior officers, either in words or actions, fine or corporal punishment, as the court shall judge, upon due examination.
" Every male from sixteen years and upwards, to the age of sixty years, shall be furnished, at their own cost and charges, with good and sufficient arms, and constantly maintain the same, viz., a good serviceable gun well fixed, one pound of good pow- der, four pounds of pistol bullets, or twenty-four bullets suited to the gun, a pair of bandoleers, or a good horn, and a sword and belt ; and if any person or persons shall willfully neglect and not provide himself according to this act, within one month after publication thereof, he shall pay one shilling for the first week's neglect, and for the next week's neglect, and so for every week after, the sum of two shillings, by way of fine, to be levied upon his or their goods and chattels."
In the capital laws, it is enacted :
"That if any person or persons shall maliciously, wittingly, or willingly set on fire any dwelling-house, out-house, store-house, barn or stable, or any other kind of house or houses, corn, hay, fencing, wood, flax, or any other combustible matter, to the prejudice and damage of his neighbor, or any other person or persons whatsoever, he or they shall be committed to prison with- out bail or mainprize, and make full satisfaction; and if he or they are not able to make satisfaction for the damages sustained by such willful and malicious act, then to stand to the mercy of the court whether to be tried for life or to suffer some other cor- poral punishment, as the court shall judge, all circumstances being first duly examined and considered of.
" If any person or persons shall willingly and maliciously rise up to bear false witness, or purpose to take away a man's life, they shall be put to death.,
T
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" If any man shall willfully or forcibly steal away any man- kind, he shall be put to death.
" If any person within this province shall commit burglary, by breaking open any dwelling-house, store-house, ware-house, out- house or barn, or any other house whatsoever, or that shall rob any person in the field or highways, he or they so offending shall, for the first offence, be punished by being burnt in the hand by the letter T, and make full satisfaction of the goods stolen, or the damages that are done; and for the second time of offending in the like nature, besides the making of restitution, to be branded in the forehead with the letter R. And for the third offence, to be put to death as incorrigible.
"And for stealing goods, money, or cattle, or any other beast of what kind soever, to make treble restitution for the first offence, and the like for the second and third offence, with such further increase of punishment as the court shall see cause; and if incorrigible, to be punished with death. And in case they are not able to make restitution for the first, second, and third offences, they shall be sold, that satisfaction may be made.
" If any person be found to be a witch, either male or female, they shall be put to death.
" If any child or children above sixteen years of age, and of sufficient understanding, shall smite or curse their natural father or mother, except provoked thereunto, and forced for their safe preservation from death or maiming, upon the complaint or proof of the said father or mother, or either of them, (and not otherwise), they shall be put to death.
" If any person or persons shall be abroad from the usual place of their abode, and found in night-walking, drinking in any tap-house, or any other house or place at unseasonable times, after nine of the clock at night, and not about their lawful occasions, or cannot give a good account of their being absent from their own place of abode at that time of the night, if required of them, he or they shall be secured by the constable or some other officer, till the morning, to be brought before a justice of the peace or magistrate, to be examined, and if they cannot give them a satisfactory account of their being out at such unseasonable times, he or they shall be bound over to the next
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court, and receive such punishment as the justices upon the bench shall see cause to inflict upon them.
"That a rate of thirty pounds be levied upon the country for the defraying of public charges, and this rate equally propor- tioned to each town. That is to say, five pounds for each town, to be paid in manner as followeth : winter wheat at five shillings a bushel ; summer wheat at four shillings and sixpence ; peas at three shillings and sixpence ; Indian corn at three shillings ; rye at four shillings ; barley at four shillings ; beef at two-pence half- penny ; pork at three pence half-penny a pound ; and this rate to be paid at or before the next general court, into the hands and custody of Mr. Jacob Mollins, of Elizabethtown, which we desire of him to take into his hands for the use of the province, and when received, to disburse and pay to Capt. Bollen the sum of twenty pounds, and the rest as he shall have order to improve for our use."
In order to prevent unlawful marriages, it was ordered that " no person or persons, son, daughter, maid or servant, shall be married without the consent of his or her parents, masters, or overseers, and three times published in and at some public meet- ing or kirk, where the party or parties have their most usual abode, or set up in writing their purposes of marriage on some public house where they live, and there at least to abide for the space of fourteen days before marriage, which is to be performed in some public place, if possible may be, and none but some approved minister or justice of the peace within this province, or some public officer, where such are not, shall be allowed to marry or admit of any to join in marriage, in their presence, and under the penalty of twenty pounds for acting contrary hereunto, and to be put out of their office, according to the liberty of conscience granted by the lords proprietors in their concessions."
The governor had power to grant his license, under his hand and seal, " to any person or persons that are at their own dispos- ing, or to any other under the tuition of their parents, masters, or overseers, to join in matrimony ; provided that the parents, masters, or overseers, are present and consenting thereunto, or that their consent be attested by some public officer, and
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