USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > The history of Newark, New Jersey : being a narrative of its rise and progress, from the settlement in May, 1666, by emigrants from Connecticut to the present time, including a sketch of the press of Newark, from 1791 to 1878 > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
The effect of this declaration on Newark was, as previously remarked, to give new life to its industries. By the war between England and France the manufactures of Newark were quickened ; now, by our war with England, they were given increased vitality. At this time, too, the South had become a large and profitable market for the handicraft of the town. To increase trade the manufacturers put forth their best efforts. A Newarker, whose memory is still green with the recollections of the period, states that " the enterprise and energy of the manufacturers of Newark and the neighborhood, together with the superiority of their car- riages, boots, shoes, hats, &c., had created a demand for all that could be manufactured." The army contractor was abroad at the time. From 1812 to 1815 he was kept very busy hereabouts, furnishing boots, shoes, harness and other military supplies. In front of his place of business on Broad street, north of Green, Robert B. Campfield, a Newark contractor, made an imposing display of profit and patriotism. He had arranged there fourteen six-pounder cannon, one for each county then in New Jersey. It was a United States Government contract.
159
PATRIOTISM-PEACE-DISASTER.
In this war, as in the struggle for Independence, the patriotism of Newark was demonstrated. Her sons were among the earliest to obey the call to arms. Owing, however, to the scene of active hostilities on land and sea being far removed from New Jersey, the service of the Jersey Blues was mainly confined to the guarding of our harbor approaches and New York against the enemy. The leading military spirits of the town at this period were General John N. Cumming, Colonel Plume and others. Among the Newarkers who responded promptly and joined the army was Aaron Treat Crane, a descendant of Robert Treat. He became a major of troops raised for the defence of New York harbor. When a boy, Major Crane attended the school conducted by Mr. Obadiah B. Brown, and one day got into a wrangle with his preceptor. He refused to be ferruled, and a physical struggle ensued. A drawn battle is said to have been the result of the conflict, together with the complete withdrawal of Crane from the school. After the war Crane occupied a Government position in Washington, where he died.
From an incident of the period it would appear that either our coast and harbor guardsmen were indifferently watchful, or the British naval officers were exceedingly clever blockade runners. Residing in Newark was an Englishman named Hawke, reported to have been a descendant of the English Admiral of that name. His wife was a beautiful woman, the sister of the equally beautiful wives of the two grandsons of Pastor Macwhorter-"the Three Graces," as the feminine trio were called, being daughters of Judge Lawrence, who came from New York and settled here, bringing with him, it is stated, the first piano ever owned in Newark. One night, during the war, at his residence in the rear of Trinity Church, Mr. Hawke entertained a party of naval officers belonging to the British squadron, then lying off New York Harbor, and commanded by Sir John B. Warren. The same night they returned to their vessel unmolested.
Again came peace between England and America. It was proclaimed February 18th, 1815, five weeks after General Jackson's victory over the British under Packenham, at New Orleans. With peace, however, came not prosperity. On the contrary, a season of commercial disaster and distress set in. A number of banks in various parts of the country suspended specie payments-as the State Bank of Newark had been compelled to do for a time just
160
PROSPERITY AGAIN- A MEMORABLE FOURTH OF JULY.
before the close of the war. There was no satisfactory medium of exchange. All values depreciated. In some places, notably in New York, bands of discharged soldiers, unable to find employment, roamed the streets, and at night committed many depredations. People were knocked down and robbed by persons incited to crime by the craving of themselves and families for bread. Happily this state of things did not last long. Towards the close of President Madison's administration, on April 10, 1816, the United States Bank was chartered by Congress, with a capital of $35,000,000. This acted as a sedative on the financial troubles of the period and restored business to its wonted activity. The demand for leather goods soon increased, and the wheels of Newark's principal industries were speedily set moving at an accelerated speed. The material interests of the town went on prospering and to prosper. Business increased rapidly, though the increase of population was tardy. In 1810, as we have already seen, the population was only about 6,000. Sixteen years later these figures were increased but about two thousand. The growth subsequently was more rapid.
On July 4, 1826, an interesting page of local history was contri- buted by the citizens. It was the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence, and was fittingly commemorated by the towns- people as a day of jubilee. There was more than the usual display of national bunting, an extra discharge of cannonry and altogether a heartier observance of Independence Day than was customary. Two things additional were done which deserve particular remem- brance. The first and most important was the taking of a census of the town by Isaac Nichols, assessor. The second was the laying of an inscribed marble slab in the extreme southern end of Military Park at the base of the Liberty Pole. The slab literally passed out of sight and out of mind until the year 1876, when, by chance, it was rescued from oblivion and found to bear the following inscription :
The citizens of Newark, in grateful commemoration of the 50th anniversary of American Independcucc, have, on this Fourth day of July, A. D. 1826, deposited this stone as a foundation of a monumental memorial here to be erected ; and when the dilapidatious of time shall discover this inscription to future generations, may the light of the Gospel illuminate the whole world.
The census appears to have been taken with great care by Mr.
.
161
CENSUS AND INDUSTRIES IN 1826.
Nichols. In it the population was set down at 8,017, and the exhibit of workshops, factories and workmen made is herewith set forth. There were, according to Mr. Nichols :
Three Iron and Brass Founderies, twelve workmen ; one Cotton Factory, six workmen ; three Tin and Sheet Iron Factories, nine workmen; one Coach Spring Factory, ten workmen ; one Chocolate and Mustard Factory, eight workmen ; onc Tobacco Factory, thirteen workmen; one Looking Glass Factory, four workmen; one Soap and Candle Factory, four workmen; one Earthen Pottery, three workmen ; one Rope Walk, two workmen.
Besides these, three Distilleries, two Brewerics, and two Grist Mills. The number of hands employed, not given. All those employed in trades and other branches, are enumerated as follows :
Shoe Makers .685
Bakers. I5
Carriage Makers.
t9
Carters.
I2
Trimmers 48
Saddlc-Tree Makers. 12
Painters 2I
House Painters and Glaziers IO
Smiths. 77
Wagon Makers 8
7
Chair Makers.
79
Coopers
7
Hatters
70
Stone Cutters.
6
Curriers
61
Last Makers
6
Saddlers.
57
Butchers
5
Masons
46
Plough Makers.
4
Coach Lace Weavers 36
Pump Makers.
I
Cabinet Makers
35
Morocco Dressers
3
Tailors.
35
Brush Makers
3
Jewelers
22
Gun Smiths.
2
Blacksmiths.
19
Watch and Clock Makers
2
Plane Makers.
17
Tallow Chandlers
I
Tanners.
17
Lock Makers
I
Silver Platers
15
Printers
7
Carpenters. 89
Trunk Makers
In 1834, under Jackson's Administration, Newark was made a port of entry. From an early period the Passaic was navigable for vessels of considerable tonnage. Before the Revolution William Camp carried on trade with the West Indies. A vessel called the " Black Prince " owned by him was lost at sea and nothing was ever heard of her. Many years later the shipping of Newark con- sisted almost entirely of the sloop " Fox," Captain Lewis Bosworth. She used to go as far as Virginia. In the years immediately preceding the erection of the place into a port of entry, however, the canvas-winged carriers of commerce multiplied rapidly. At the time specified there were over eighteen vessels trading between Newark, New York, Eastern, Northern and Southern ports. Newark was also represented in the whaling enterprise. The imports in 1835 were about two and a half millions ($2,500,000), and the
162
NEWARK AS A PORT OF ENTRY.
exports eight millions (88,000,000). These exports consisted of the manufactures of the town, which at that time comprised saddlery, harness, carriages, shoes, hats, coach-springs and lamps, platedware, brass and iron castings, cutlery, coach-lace, patent leather, mallcable iron, window blinds and sashes, cabinet wares, chairs, jewelry, planes, ready-made clothing, trunks, &c. The first Collector of the Port was Archer Gifford, quite a town notable in his day. Not many years after the Revolution Mr. Gifford established here a hotel, to which slight reference has already been made. The house stood on the site now occupied by the First National Bank, the north- east corner of Broad and Market streets. As the Gifford Tavern, it became quite famous to the traveling public, especially among Southerners and others of sporting proclivities who used to come hither to hunt. On the sign in front was painted a pack of hounds with sportsmen on horseback, and the hunter who had come in "at the death " holding up by its hind legs the captured Reynard. Mr. Gifford was wont to speak of his Southern patrons as his "rice- birds." The second year after his appointment as Collector of the Port he made a report regarding the commerce of Newark, of which the following is an extract :-
The Balance of outstanding tonnage, belonging to the district of Newark on the 3Ist of March last, 3,711,24-95.
There are eighty two vessels of all classes, and two hundred and forty five mariners.
Cleared from the Port of Newark, during the last year six brigs and thrce ships for foreign countries, with foreign and domesties goods, amounting to $36,988.20.
Hospital money collected the year ending the 31st March $317.77.
Turning aside for a time from the purely industrial and commer- cial thread of Newark's narrative, let us see what her progress was in other directions during the period embraced in this chapter.
With the growth of population and manufactures there was throughout a steady relative increase in the number of churches and the cultivation of religious and secular education. Churches especially multiplied. As already noted, the Second Presbyterian Church was organized on November 8th, 1811, the church edifice having, been completed a short time previous, and Rev. Hooper Cumming, son of General Cumming, having been chosen the first pastor. On the 8th of June, 1824, the Third Presbyterian Church was organized, Rev. Joshua T. Russell being the first pastor. Seven years later, on the 14th of April, 1831, the Fourth Presbyterian
163
TRINITY, THE MOTHER OF EPISCOPACY IN NEWARK.
Church was organized, consisting of twelve members. In July, 1832, Rev. Dr. Weeks became pastor. This church is now extinct. On the last Sunday in October, 1831, the African Presbyterian Church was organized by a commission from the Newark Presbytery. In March, 1834, forty persons were dismissed from the First Presbyterian Church and formed the first Free Church in Newark. They organized May 22d, 1834. This association subsequently became a Congregational Church. While the Presbyterian churches thus multiplied in the town, Trinity Church continued beyond this period to be the only Episcopal Church in the place, excepting the one established under its sacred ægis at Belleville. We can well afford here to pause and contemplate the outline history of the venerable mother of Episcopacy in Newark.
Attention has already been given to the traditional cause of its foundation-the secession of Colonel Josiah Ogden from the First Presbyterian Church because he was "disciplined " for saving his wheat on a stormy Sunday. The first charter of the Church was granted February 4th, 1746, under the seal of Governor Lewis Morris. This was suspended, and, a year later, a new one was granted. Under this the Church still continues its work. The charter was granted in the name of George II. "on the humble petition of our Loving subjects Edward Vaughan, late Rector of Trinity Church at Newark, John Schuyler and Josiah Ogden, late church Wardens, and George Lurting, David Ogden, John Ludlow, David Ogden, junr, William Kingsland, William Turner, George Vrelandt, Daniel Pierson, Roger Kingsland and Emanuel Cocker, late vestrymen of said Church." These persons were constituted under the charter " a body corporate and politick in deed, fact and name by the name and stile of the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church at Newark Elected and chosen according to the Canons of the Church of England as by law established." The first edifice erected for the church was of hewn stone, sixty-three feet long by forty-five feet broad, and twenty-seven feet high, with a steeple ninety-five feet high and twenty feet square-part of which is still standing. In 1750 the rector of the church wrote in jubilant terms about his people having lately finished the edifice, besides obtaining a good glebe and parsonage for their missionary, " chiefly through the bounty of Colonel Peter Schuyler, a name very deservedly high in esteem among them." Colonel Schuyler was a
164
STRANGE VICISSITUDES OF TRINITY CHURCH.
man of large heart and strong hand who served the State as the commander of the New Jersey Contingent in the French-Canadian war. During the Revolutionary war, Trinity Church experienced many strange vicissitudes. After his flight with Judge Ogden, Rev. Mr. Browne wrote that the church was "used by the rebels as a hospital for their sick," the greater part of the summer of 1776. He also said that "they broke up and destroyed the scats and erected a large stack of chimneys in the middle of it." Singularly enough, among these very "rebels" was the grandsire-a Hessian at that-of one of Mr. Browne's ministerial successors. This was Amos Slaymaker, of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, who came from Hesse Cassel, when a lad, and at the age of twenty was an ensign in General Washington's army. He slept under arms one night in Trinity Church, as stated in the same edifice by his grand- son, Rev. Dr. M. H. Henderson, in the course of a Centennial discourse preached February 22, 1846. According to tradition, other " rebels " besides Ensign Slaymaker and his troopers were temporary occupants of old Trinity. George Washington, Robert Morris, Robert Livingston and General Lord Stirling are said to have worshipped and partaken of Holy Communion 'in the sacred edifice at some time or other during the Revolution, but exactly when or under whose ministration tradition does not specify. For nine years subsequent to Mr. Browne's departure the parish was vacant. In 1788 Rev. Uzal Ogden was installed as rector. After a ministry of some twenty years Rector Ogden not only withdrew from Trinity, but from the Episcopal Church, and joined the Presby- terians. He was succeeded in the rectorship by Rev. Joseph O. Willard, in 1806. There were then about seventy communicants. During the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Willard the present main edifice was erected, the corner-stone being laid May 22, 1809, and the completed structure being consecrated May 21, 1810. The building committee were Messrs. Mercer, Edward Blackford, Josiah James, William Halsey, John Crawford and Caleb Sayres, the treasurer being George Nelson. The building, like its predecessor, is of
brown stone. The walls are two and a half feet thick. The dimensions of the structure are eighty-eight feet long by sixty-one and a half feet wide. Including the tower and portico the building measures one hundred and two feet. The tower, as previously remarked, is the same that adorned the first structure. Some time
"ANNO SALUTIS, 1746"-WESLEYAN METHODISM. 165
ago, when the chancel was extended, a stone taken from the old edifice was found on which was inscribed the birth-year of the church, as follows : " Anno Salutis, 1746." In 1835 the church at Belleville formally separated from Trinity. Parson Willard was succeeded as rector by Rev. Lewis P. Bayard, who officiated from May, 1813, till 1820, when he left because of the insufficiency of support given him. Rev. Henry P. Powers was installed June 3d, 1821, and remained until 1830. The next regular pastor was Dr. Henderson. St. Mark's Church, of Orange, is an honored offspring of Trinity's, as is the First Presbyterian Church there the first-born of the First Presbyterian Church of Newark.
Wesleyan Methodism took root in Newark about the time of the close of the Revolutionary war. In the minutes of the Phila- delphia Conference for 1786 Newark is mentioned as a Methodist mission, with Robert Cloud as preacher. The first society of this denomination known to have met for preaching in Newark is said to have convened in a bark-mill, situated within a few hundred yards of the building now known as the Halsey Street Methodist Episco- pal Church. It was not until 1806, however, that a class was formed. David Bartine, father of the Rev. Dr. Bartine, was its leader. On January 22d, 1808, Richard Laycroft, John Dow and Charles Marsh met at Mr. Dow's house, and "conceived and approved the design to crect a church in this place." Laycroft was the life of the movement. He subscribed $100 to the enterprise, Others who gave $20 were considered generous. Some subscriptions were as low as one dollar. It was at first determined to build in Fair street, but afterwards a site on Halsey street was preferred-the one now occupied by the parent Methodist Church of Newark. The building, together with the lot, cost $2,734. During the course of its erection Ezekiel Cooper preached to a large congregation from the timbers. Wesley Chapel-as the church was then named-was dedicated on New Year's day, January 1, 1809. The first trustees of the church were specially sworn before Judge Pennington, of the Supreme Court, to support the Constitutions of the United States and New Jersey. After the completion of the church, the society grew so rapidly that soon the structure had to be enlarged. After this an entirely new church was crected. In 1819 Newark was changed by the Conference into a regular "station." The present edifice of the first society was built in 1851. And still the mustard seed of
12
166
SECULAR EDUCATION-THE SCHOOLMASTER ABROAD.
Wesleyan Methodism multiplied so that in 1831 a second church was erected to accommodate down-town Methodists-the Franklin Street Church. It was not dedicated until 1836. At first it was connected with the Halsey Street Church, but afterwards it became a distinctly separate organization. Altogether, up to 1836, there were in Newark twenty different church organizations of various denominations.
How was it with secular education meanwhile ? From the earliest period, as shown in previous pages, the schoolmaster was abroad in Newark. In the Town Records, proceedings of November 21 1676, we read that " The Town's Men have Liberty to see if they can find a competent Number of Scholars and accommodations for a School- master, within the Town." At another meeting held the same year, it was further decreed that :
" The Town hath consented that the Town's Men should perfect the Bargain with the School Master for this Year, upon condition that he will do his faithful, honest and true Endea- vour to teach the Children or servants of those as have subscribed, the reading and writing of English, and also Arethmeteck, if they desire it ; as much as they are capable to learn and he eapable to teach them within the Compass of this Year-nowise binding but that he may make what bargain he please with those as have not subscribed. It is voted that the Town's Men have Liberty to compleat the Bargain with the School Master, they knowing the Town's Mind."
Some time before 1714 a school-house was established, as indicated by a vote of the meeting held on September 28 of that year, which sets forth " yt ye old floor in ye meeting House Should be made use of for ye making of a floor in ye schoolhouse in the middle of ye Town." This school stood on the site now occupied by the building used as the Boys' Lodging House, in Market street. About the same time there was also a school house on Orange street. It increases respect for the memory of the forefathers to learn that they did not forget to provide for the cultivation of the minds of even the pauper children. In 1774 it was voted "that the poor children shall be constantly sent to school, at the expense of the person who takes them." The same year it was voted "that a School house may be built on any of the common land in Newark- and the particular place shall be where a major part of the subscri- bers in Value shall appoint." Next year, March 14, it was
" Voted unanimously, that One Acre and a half of Land in the Town Commons at the North End of the Town, may be taken up for the Use of the Academy lately erected on s'd Land."
" Voted that Lewis Ogden, Esq'r, William Camp, Isaae Ogden, Esq'r, Capt. Anthony Rutgers, Joseph Hedden, jun'r, Samuel Hayes and Joseph Alling, or any four of them, be a committee to lay out one Acre and a half of Land for the use of the Academy, in such manner as they shall think proper."
167
THE ACADEMY-MASTER HADDON'S RELIC.
This institution became as famous for its excellence as a seat of learning as it was for its misfortunes. In Rivingston's Gasette, the well-known New York Royalist organ during the Revolution, date of March 10, 1775, the Academy formally announced that it would be "fitted for the reception of youth and of such children as can conveniently lodge and board therein. There will be taught learned Languages, and the several branches of Mathemathics, &c." "Read- ing, Writing, Arithmetic, and Book-keeping " were also to be taught, " in the usual and Italian methods." William Haddon was announced as teacher of Languages and Mathematics, Robert Allen to have charge of the English Department. Mr. Haddon took sides with the British during the Revolution and fled the town. In the Old Burying Ground a few years ago, the author found a relic of Haddon, a gravestone bearing the following inscription :-
In memory of MARGARET, late wife of William Haddon, master of the Grammar School in this town, Sept. 11th, 1771, 54th year.
Haud ulla conjugia · Magis signa fuit.
As we have already seen, the Academy building was burned down by the British the same night they carried off the martyr Hedden, one of the committee chosen by the town, as above noted, to lay out land for the institution. It lay in ruins until after the close of the war. In 1791, however, steps were taken to rebuild it. Accord- ingly, at a meeting held on November 30, of that year, Rev. Dr. Macwhorter and Rev. Uzal Ogden, with Mr. John Burnet, were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions for the work of rebuilding. An agreement was entered into by citizens in which they considered it to be " the duty, interest and honor of the town to promote the education of youth by erecting a large and conve- nient Academy for teaching English, the learned Languages, and Arts and Sciences." On February 3, 1792, measures were matured for the rebuilding of the Academy. Isaac Gouverneur was chosen President of the Association; Rev. Uzal Odgen, Secretary, and Rev. Dr. Macwhorter, Rev. Uzal Ogden, Isaac Gouverneur, William P. Smith, Abraham Ogden, Samuel Hayes, Moses Ogden and Philip Kearny, Standing Committee. On April 13th, 1792, Judge Elisha Boudinot and Abraham Ogden were chosen a
168
OTHER SCHOOLS IN 1820-"OLD GRIPUS."
committee to petition the Legislature for authority to raise funds by lottery to finish the building. The petition was granted. Some money was raised in this way, and St. John's Masonic Lodge defrayed the expense of a third story, on condition that the Lodge might thereafter use it as a lodge-room. The building, running sixty-six feet front and thirty-four feet deep on the site now occupied by the Post Office, was completed and the institution entered upon a long and eminently successful career. It acquired under the presidency of Dr. Macwhorter, who succeeded Mr. Gouverneur in 1794, and the superintendence of Principals Pitman, Hanlon Cook, T. Findley, Rev. William Woodbridge, Rev. Samuel Whelpley and Rev. Timothy Alden an enviable reputation, reaching far beyond the Town and the State. Identified with it were the best people of Newark, and among its students were many Southern and West Indian youths. Many of Newark's most eminent lawyers and business men were educated within its walls. Dr. Macwhorter continued to be president of the association up to the time of his death, which occurred July 30th, 1807, at the age of seventy-three
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.