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 18
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
Besides the Academy, Newark had in 1820 five school-houses. These were the noted White School, which was built in 1797, and stood on the small triangular Park at the junction of Washington and Spruce streets and Clinton avenue ; the Market Street School (now the Boys' Lodging House), built in 1804 and still standing ; the Franklin School, Fair street, built in 1807; the Union School, New street, built in 1809; and the Washington School in Orange street, built in 1820. These were exclusive of the free schools established by Mr. Combs, and were private institutions erected by individual associations. They were supported by tuition fees, the same as are many private schools now conducted in Newark. The White School, like the Newark Academy, was famous in its day. It was founded by Capt. Jabez Parkhurst, who, like the founders of the Academy, was driven to the use of curious expedients to raise a building fund. He wrote a play which was produced by a company of amateurs. In the play was a character named "Gripus"-the twin presentment of a miserly and grasping farmer of the vicinage, who, when approached by Parkhurst for help, refused it. The play was a decided success, and "Gripus" largely contributed to this end on the stage if not off it. Mr. Parkhurst, the first teacher, was succeeded successively by Abiathar Dodd, Elisha Taylor,
169
INCIPIENCY OF FREE SCHOOLS.
Obadiah Bruen Brown, and others. The building was burned down a good many years ago, the torch being applied to it, as it is stated, by a boy who could not brook being detained after hours for some breach of discipline.
The first movement by the town to establish free or public schools was in 1813, when, by vote of the town, the sum of $500 was raised "for the Schooling of poor children," the same to be placed in the hands of the Town Committec, which consisted of John Alling, Jabez Camfield, Silas Condit, Stephen Hayes and Nehemiah Baldwin. The next year the same sum was raised for the same purpose, and it was resolved " that Poor Children who have a residence be schooled." The record of the Town Meeting for April 10, 1815, shows that a committee consisting of Joseph C. Hornblower, Silas Condit, Edward Jones, David Hayes, William Tuttle, Isaac Andruss and William Ward was appointed " to superintend the Poor School, Established for the Benefit of the Poor Children of this Township." Again the sum of $500 was appropriated for the use of the school, and authority given to borrow $1,000 more. Properly speaking, this was called a charity school. The Town also began, in 1824, to contribute towards the mainte- nance of " the Female Free School held in the Union School House." This school came into existence through the noble efforts of the ladies of the town, prominent among whom were Mrs. Dr. Mac- whorter, Mrs. J. C. Hornblower, Mrs. Theodore Frelinghuysen and Mrs. Beach Vanderpool. Under their guidance, girls were taken from the lowest dregs of the town and trained so that they became useful and even accomplished members of society. Charles H. Shipman and Luther Goble were among those who most generously strengthened the hands of the fair patrons of the institution. At one time it had as many as one hundred and ten pupils. The institution still exists, but in another form. It is now, and since 1848 has been, one of Newark's most deserving private charities, the Protestant Foster Home.
In 1828 the State Legislature authorized the distribution among the several townships of a portion of the Income Fund. Part of Newark's portion was paid to private schools for the tuition of poor children. The same year the town, in addition to its regular appropriations for the " male and female Free Schools," appropriated one hundred dollars " for the Poor Colored Children's Instruction in
170
EDUCATIONAL BEQUESTS-SLAVERY.
the Township," an application for assistance having been made therefor by Abraham and John King, " Two Colour'd Men." In 1830, under a will made by Jabez Longworth, deceased, the sum of $5,000 was bequeathed to the town as a fund for the support and education of poor orphan children of the Township. It was placed in the hands of James Vanderpool, Theodore Frelinghuysen and Luther Goble, trustees, and is now vested in the city authorities and secured by bond and mortgage. In 1836 the City received a bequest of $4,000 for a similar purpose from the estate of the then lately deceased Uzal Ogden. Two years later the present public school system was established.
From the consideration of early schools we pass to a brief review of slavery, which existed in this State and community during the time bounded by this chapter.
The introduction of slavery in New Jersey is coeval with the settlement of the Province. As Bancroft remarks, the Lords Berkeley and, Carteret were truer to the interests of the Duke of York, who was President of the Royal African Society, than they were to humanity. Accordingly, they offered a bounty of seventy- five acres of land for the importation of each able-bodied slave. Lord Cornbury, in his instructions from Queen Anne, was recommended to encourage "a constant and sufficient supply of merchantable negroes." Under the old dispensation of New Jersey justice, negro slaves convicted of murder were burned at the stake. None were ever immolated in this community, so far as the records show; though, on July 5, 1775, two blacks were incinerated near Perth Amboy for the murder of their master, all the negroes of the neighborhood being compelled to witness the horrifying spectacle. For offences other than capital, negroes used to be tied to the elm trees which stood in front of the jail here and flogged. The early newspapers of the locality show that the slave traffic was quite common here. In the New Jersey Journal of 1781 we find announced for sale " a negro woman to suit a private gentleman." Another advertisement in the same paper announced " for sale, a likely negro man on these undermentioned terms, viz., for two smaller blacks, a boy and a girl from about 10 to 14 years of age, provided they are likely, handy, and have had the small-pox, or for five tons of bar iron." When the Centinel of Freedom was first published it contained similar announcements. In its issue of May
ยท
17I
"THE NEGRO MAN JAMES."
Ist, 1796, appeared the following : " To be sold, a negro man and woman, separately or together as may best suit purchasers." Again, on July 12th, 1797, the Centinel printer informed his readers that they could " purchase a negro man, strongly made, of good disposi- tion, and capable of doing as much work as any man in the State." In a still later issue, not far from an advertisement about Bibles, Testaments, &c., there was offered for sale " a likely negro girl, fourteen years of age. Enquire at the Centinel Office." In these days, when America is, indeed, " the land of the free ;" when human bondage has not an inch of footing within our borders, except in the case of liberty-forfeiting criminals, and when it is acknowledged everywhere among us that all men are created free and equal, it will doubtless appear strange to the reader to have the types state the fact that here in Newark, about the period we are writing of, slavery was used to advance the cause of education. At a regular meeting of the Board of Officers and Standing Committee of the Academy, held subsequently to December, 1794, it was
" Resolved, that the Rev. Mr. Ogden be empowered to sell the negro man James, given by Mr. Watts as a donation to the Academy, for as much money as he will sell for."
It was agreed at the next meeting " that the negro man James be sold to Moses Ogden for forty pounds, payable in two months, with interest." Apropos of Rev. Mr. Ogden and the negroes, it may be noted in this connection that he owned quite a number of slaves as well as farm lands. It used to be said that his negroes raised corn, his hogs ate the corn and his slaves the hogs, leaving small profit, if any, for the reverend proprietor.
Another curious fact connected with slavery in Newark is this: Three of the most flourishing churches in the place stand upon ground where negro law-breakers used to be regularly flogged. During the year 1796, in consequence of attempts made by black men-chiefly direct importations from Africa, having all the brute nature of the savage-to set fire to buildings in New York, Newark and other places, a bitter feeling was engendered against the negroes and much fear prevailed among whites. Happily, no serious results followed, as far as the records show.
Slavery was abolished in New Jersey in 1820. To the everlasting credit of Newark, and to the imperishable honor and glory of its local press, be it said that nearly a quarter of a century in advance
.
172
SLAVERY DENOUNCED-MORAL EPIDEMIC IN 1795.
of this date a clarion note for freedom was sounded here by the fitly named Centinel of Freedom. Revolting from the use to which its advertising columns had been put, it spoke out as follows :
"The subject of negro slavery claims our serious deliberation. But few, we believe, there are to be found who are so hardy as to contend for any right one part of the human race could have to enslave the other. No longer ought such injustice to be tolerated in a land of liberty. No longer ought the character of American Citizens be tarnished by such an act as this. Shall Americans who nobly resented the first attempts of a designing ministry to enslave them, and took up arms to defend their rights, and1 conquered under the banner of freedom, still continue to hold their fellow-men in thraldom ? For shamc!"
About this period, as the following facts set forth, a sort of moral epidemic broke out in this community, the effect of which was not always either pleasant or profitable. Strongly indicative of the religio-social character of the people of the place is the following record of a "Voluntary Association of the people of Newark to observe the Sabbath," which association was organized July 10th, 1798. Said the Association :
"It being at all times proper for those who acknowledge themselves dependent creatures on the Supreme Being, and who call themselves Christians, to reflect upon their ways and reform whatever they think is contrary to the word of God; but more especially when the Judgments of God are abroad in the world, and appear with a menacing aspect on our own Country-And as the sanctity of the Sabbath is generally acknowledged by all Christians ; and the experience of agcs teaches, that whenever vice, like a flood, deluges a land, it commonly breaks in with a destruction of the holiness of that day, the observance of which seems to be daily lessening in this Country, to prevent which dreadful calamity-We, the subscribers, Inhabitants of Newark in New Jersey, deeply impressed with the importance of the religious importance of the Sabbath, not only to the existence of our holy religion, but to the happiness of our Country-do associate and agrce as follows :
I-That we will neither give nor partake of parties of pleasure or entertainments on that day. 2-That we will neither ride out nor travel (except in cases of necessity) on that day.
3-That we will regularly attend divine worship on that day, and compel our children, apprentices and servants to do the same as far as in our power lies-
4-That after divine service is over we will keep our children, apprentices and servants at home and not suffer them to go abroad on that day.
5-That we will exert ourselves to suppress all manner of employment and worldly business on the Sabbath.
6-That we will exert ourselves to assist and support the officers of Justice to put the laws in force against those who shall violate them on that day-and we will appoint a Committee from time to time of at least seven persons to assist the officers in carrying these Resolutions into effect-
7th. That we will also extend our exertions to support the magistrates and officers of Justice to prevent all the immoralities and vices pointed out in the law for preventing vice and immorality. Newark, 10 July, 1795.
Alexr. Macwhorter, Jos. T. Baldwin, Ezekiel Ball, junr.,
Samuel Pennington,
Moses Baldwin,
James V. Pool, James Crane, John Ward,
Moses Faitout,
Isaac Alling,
Jonah James,
John C. Burnet,
MINISTERS OF MORALITY USURPING AUTHORITY.
173
James Brown,
Lewis Johnson,
Caleb Wheeler,
David Tichenor,
Samuel Nuttman,
David Ayres,
Elias Dodd,.
Aaron Grummon,
Moses Roberts,
Joseph Riggs,
Jesse Baldwin,
Josiah Conger,
David Hayes, senr.
Uzal Ogden,
Joseph Brown, junr.,
Nathaniel Canfield,
Jonathan Payne,
Samuel Whitaker,
Jotham Clark,
Jasp. Ten Brook,
Robert Niehols,
Henry L. Parkhurst,
Iehabod Jenung,
Nathaniel Beach,
Joshua Baldwin,
Sam'l Sayre, jr.,
Samuel Hayes,
Ebenezer Havens,
Elisha Boudinot,
Matthias Bruen,
Israel Curry,
J. N. Cummings,
Uzal Sayre,
Garret Hogwort,
Jon'n Baldwin,
Jacob Simpson,
Moses Hayes,
Stephen Baldwin,
Eleazer Brown,
Ananias Baldwin,
William S. Pennington,
Benjamin Cleveland,
James Tiehenor,
Samuel Foster, by order,
John Crane,
John Morris,
Joseph Camp,
Jeremiah Baldwin,
Stephen Hayes,
Joseph Clizbe,
Stephen Crane,
Daniel Tiehenor,
Ebenezer Baldwin,
Timothy Andruss,
David Johnson,
Samuel Clizbe,
Zephaniah Grant,
Sylvanus Baldwin,
David D. Crane,
Robert B. Campfield,
Stephen Ogden Thompson,
Benjamin Coe,
Caleb Campbell,
Jabez Parkhurst,
Jabez Baldwin,
Johnson Tuttle,
Jonathan Andruss,
Caleb Parkhurst,
Jonathan Crane,
David Burnet,
Nathaniel Camp,
Edward Jones,
Alex'r C. Maewhorter.
As has almost invariably been the case in movements of this character, zeal seems to have far outrun sound judgment. On one occasion the well-meaning but self-constituted ministers of morality went so far as to usurp the authority of the United States. That is to say, they stopped the Federal mail-coach from running on Sunday, and it was not until they were advised by an authority not in sympathy with them that they were liable to be arrested and carried in handcuffs to Washington, that they desisted. On another occasion two French gentlemen en route for France, via New York, who had chartered a stage to take them to the place of embarkation, were stopped in this place by the enforcers of the Sunday law. By the advice of a Justice of the Supreme Court, resident in the town, the travelers were liberated and permitted to pursue their journey. On still another occasion a United States Army subaltern-none other, as is believed, than the illustrious soldier who afterwards became General Winfield Scott-while passing through Newark one Sunday, in a curricle, a female relative being with him, was stopped like the Frenchmen and the United States mail-coach. His release was much more rapid, however. Upon his presenting a pistol at
174
ZEALOTRY DEFEATED-THE FIRST FIRE DEPARTMENT.
his annoyers, and declaring his intention to treat them as he would banditti, they fled precipitately and he pursued his way without further molestation. The stoppage of yet another party was followed by consequences which gave pause to further interference with travelers. The party in question staid at the tavern here all night, and next day referred the landlord for pay to the Sunday-law officers. The latter had to liquidate the bill. That materially curbed their zeal in the enforcement of the law. An effort was made about the same time to stop the consumption of all sorts of intoxicating beverages. Over-zealousness in this, as in the attempt to enforce the Sunday-law, defeated the entire movement. * One of the leading spirits in it made himself so odious to many persons that once he narrowly escaped being tarred and feathered. His mother's hat and cloak formed a disguise whereby he was enabled to elude the vigilance of his irate pursuers. On the old town lot, about opposite the First Presbyterian church on Broad street, stocks were erected, but only to be cut down inside of twenty-four hours and turned into a subject of ridicule and reproach to the well-mean- ing but ill-advised "Cold Water Society," as it was termed by non-sympathizers.
Another movement, having for its object the general welfare, met with decidedly better success-the establishment of a Fire Depart- ment in the town.
In the early days of the year 1797, the elegant mansion of Judge Elisha Boudinot, on Park place, caught fire and was burned down. Its destruction gave impulse to the organization of Newark's first Fire Department. A call was issued as follows :-
Newark, Jan. 16th, 1797.
Those of the inhabitants of Newark who have subscribed, and such as incline to subscribe for a Fire Engine for the use of the Town, are requested to meet to-morrow evening, at the Court House at the ringing of the bell, to consult on the purchase of an Engine and also on the formation of two fire companies.
ALEXANDER MACWHORTER, UZAL OGDEN.
Thus, as in the days of old, the reverend clergy of the place were active promoters of the material as well as the spiritual welfare of the community. The call was duly responded to, and its object duly attained. Nearly one hundred and twenty of the best citizens of the town enrolled themselves as active members of the Fire
175
NEWARK'S FIRST "FIRE LADDIES."
Brigade. Each person was provided with a leathern bucket, which he carried home. For many years afterwards there hung in the halls of not a few of the best residences in the town these decidedly more useful than ornamental articles. In responding to
the loud alarum bells- Brazen bells!"
the volunteer fireman of the period was thus enabled to seize his bucket and his hat simultaneously. There was no hose in those days. The engine was moved as near the fire as possible and a long pipe directed at the flames. Neither was there any such thing as fire insurance. By a general agreement, however, when a citizen sustained any loss by fire, the rest made it good to him by subscrip- tion. This was the practice until fires became numerous and the regular insurance system was established, the same as banking. The first engine used here was constructed in New York. The first fire company officers we have record of are the following, who were chosen at a meeting held December 30, 1799: Hugh McDougal, Foreman; Matthew Day, President; Caleb Baldwin, Treasurer. Leading firemen at the opening of the present century were John Poinier, Jeptha Harrison, Thomas Eagles, Nehemiah Crane, Isaac Meyer, Zebulon Morris, Obadiah Woodruff, James Brown and Matthew Plum. During the war of 1812 an unusual number of fires occurred in Newark, supposed to be chiefly, if not altogether, the work of British incendiaries. Hose was first introduced in 1815, and about this time efforts were put forth to organize the force on a better foundation than before, and to improve its efficiency in many respects. John A. Buckley was the first Chief Engineer chosen. In consequence of his presentation of some fire hooks to the town, Daniel Doremus was regarded with high consideration by his fellow- townsmen. A company organized by Mr. Doremus, Moses Ward, John H. Stephens, William Rankin and others, about the time of the close of the war of 1812, subsequently became famous as "Relief Company, No. 2." In 1819 a third company was organized. Just then an engine was built in the town by Stephen Dodd and Caleb S. Ward-the first one constructed in Newark. Regarding posses- sion of this, there was a very animated contest between the three companies then organized. All three advanced claims for it.
176 BROAD STREET IN 1796-PARK PLACE-" LOVERS' WALK."
Finally, upon the result of a penny-toss, No. I Company obtained possession of the engine; No. 2 Company took the engine here- tofore used by No. I, and the hose was given to No. 3.
Such were the beginnings of the right arm of Newark's municipal economy, safety and security-of a Fire Department which, at the present time, maintains a reputation second to none in the country. As already suggested, the membership of the early Fire Department, from its organization in 1797 until the incorporation of Newark as a city in 1836, included many of the most prominent citizens; and to their credit be it remembered that they never flinched from fulfilling their whole duty as firemen, during a period, too, when, from the lack of proper machinery, that duty was extremely arduous.
And yet, it would seem almost impossible, at least at the begin- ning, that there could have been a very great deal of work for the primitive firemen. According to a map of a principal part of Broad street, showing the buildings and occupants about the year 1796, there were then but fifty-six buildings along both sides of the street from Lincoln Park to Rector street, above Trinity Church. This included the edifices of Trinity and the First Presbyterian Churches, the Academy, the Jail and the old Court House. At this time the limits proper of the town were Bridge street, at the north ; Camp street, at the south; Mulberry street, on the east; and Washington street, on the west. Nor was the space thus bounded very compactly occupied. When the bridge over the Passaic at the foot of Bridge street was built, it was considered a mile out of town. Park Place-now such an ornament to Newark-had along its line but very few buildings. Only one of these was at all pretentious- the Boudinot mansion. In the park could be gathered the entire population many times over. High street, instead of being as now a choice location for the residences of the wealthy, had on it but three or four dwellings. If its beauties as a place for handsome houses were not appreciated by the rich of the period, its attractive privacy, nevertheless, was early discovered by the youth and beauty of our great-grandparents' period. It was known as "Lovers' Walk," and here, often, beyond doubt, was
"The kiss snatched hasty from the sidelong maid."
And here, regardless of Nature's exquisite picture stretching down, out, and away beyond Newark bay, the Bergen and the Staten
177
THE OGDEN MANSION-FAMOUS FRENCH VISITORS. .
Island hills, and the magnificent bay of New York spreading north, east and west of the Narrows-here, along "Lovers' Walk,"
" -'neath yon crimson tree, Lover to listening maid might breathe his flame,
Nor mark, within its roseate canopy, Her blush of maiden shame."
Westward of High street was nothing but fields and woods. At the upper end of Broad street, beyond Mill brook, occupying an elevated position, facing southward, stood the then fine out-of-town mansion of the Ogden family. With its tastefully laid out terraced grounds, its ample piazzas, and its stuccoed walls, it presented a very picturesque appearance. The attractions of Newark as an abiding place were early acknowledged. Among those who have dwelt here from choice, besides those " native here and to the manner born," were several whose names are famous in the world's history. Talleyrand-Charles Maurice, Prince de Talleyrand-Perigord, and Bishop of Antun-when driven from Europe in 1792, spent some time in Newark, and, with other noted Frenchmen, is said to have stopped at the Alling house, which stood on Broad street, just below Fair street. Herc, in his soi-disant character as a teacher of French and amateur chair-maker, the Prince-Bishop prosecuted those studies of American institutions and commerce which resulted in his remarka- ble essay, published subsequently in France, under the title: Une Memoire sur les relations Commerciales des Etats Unis vers 1797. It is traditionally stated that the distinguished Francois Auguste, Viscount de Chateaubriand, while in America at the same period, with a view to seeking for the northwest passage, stopped for a time in Newark. Of Chateaubriand it is related that while dining with President Washington at the National Capitol, the President sug- gested the difficulties he would have to face in his mission. "But, sir," responded the gifted Frenchman, after the courtly manner and wit of his race, "it is less difficult to discover the Polar Passage than it is to create a nation as you have done." During his stay in Newark the Viscount, who, to quote himself, was a " Bourbonist from the point of honor, a Royalist by reason and a Republican by taste and disposition," did not conceive his great work the Genie du Christianisme, as has recently been stated by a usually careful sketch writer. The Genius of Christianity, according to the highest authori- ties, was conceived in 1797 by Chateaubriand while, like Oliver Gold-
F
178
LA FAYETTE'S VISIT AND RECEPTION.
smith, he was eking out the barest subsistence in a London garret. He began writing the work there, and completed it in Paris, where it was printed. In the preface to his recently published biography of the poet Shelley, Richard Henry Stoddard speaks of his theme and says : " He seems to have inherited elopement from his grand- father, Sir Bysshe, who eloped with two of his wives, and who is said to have been born in Newark, New Jersey, and to have practiced there as a quack doctor."
Returning to the firm ground of certainty, we know that one other noted foreigner lived and died here-the revered and estimable Peter I. Van Berckel, Minister Plenipotentiary from the States of Holland to the United States. His residence was on Broad street, directly opposite that of Judge William Burnet's, which stood on the north corner of Chestnut and Broad streets. Minister Van Berckel died here on December 17th, 1800. His remains were deposited in the family vault of Captain John Burnet.
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.