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 19
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Thursday, September 23, 1824, was a memorable day in Newark. It was the occasion of the visit and grand reception here of General Gilbert Motier, the Marquis de La Fayette, the illustrious French- man who, when a mere stripling, nearly half a century before, had sacrificed home, fortune, and the polished ease and elegance of a life at Court, in obedience to his passionate enthusiasm for the American cause. On the morning of that day he arrived at Jersey City from New York, where he had been generously féted by the authorities and people. He was attended to the Jersey shore by General Morton and the Mayor and other corporate officers of the metropolis. The Marquis was accompanied by his son, George Washington La Fayette, who was yet unborn when his distinguished father left France for Philadelphia, in the auspiciously named " Victory," April 26, 1777. At Jersey City the General was received on the part of New Jersey by Grand Marshal, General Jonathan Dayton ; Major Kean, of Governor Williamson's staff; and Col. T. T. Kinney. He was escorted to Lyons' Hotel and there presented ceremoniously to the Newark committee. This committee, which consisted of Colonel Thomas Ward, Colonel James Hedden, Colonel Stephen Hay, Colonel Isaac Andruss and Messrs. Caleb S. Riggs, Theodore.Frelinghuysen, Jesse Baldwin, Luther Goble, Robert B. Campfield, Dr. John R. B. Rodgers, Abraham Reynolds, Wil- liam Halsey, Silas Condit and Smith Burnet-all leading and
179
FÉTE CHAMPETRE FOR THE ILLUSTRIOUS FOREIGNER.
thoroughly representative Newarkers-had been appointed at a citizens' meeting, held on Tuesday evening, July 27, at the residence of Enoch Bolles, W. S. Pennington being chairman, and William Halsey secretary. At this meeting resolutions were passed ten- dering La Fayette, on behalf of the people of Newark, " their most sincere and respectful congratulations." From Jersey City the General was escorted hitherward by a squadron of cavalry and a numerous and imposing cavalcade. About twelve o'clock a salute from the ordnance of the Newark Cadet Artillery announced the near approach of the General and his escort. The route of approach was along the Turnpike, connecting with the bridge at the foot of Bridge street. On the other side of the bridge the party were met by a great crowd of people, and all along the way, until the arrival at Major Boudinot's house, the air was vocal with the people's plaudits of the Franco-American hero of Monmouth, the beloved friend and compatriot of Washington. The arrangements in Newark to receive the General were on a scale of unparalleled grandeur and completeness of detail. People were attracted from all parts of the State to witness the ovation and to gaze with reverent and affection- ate eyes on the foreigner who had sacrificed so much, risked so much, and achieved so much in the cause of American Liberty and Independence. At Major Boudinot's residence the General was introduced to the judges of the State and Federal Courts, members of the Cincinnati Society, and other persons of distinction. Specially fitted up apartments were provided for the royally wel- comed guest in the late residence of Hon. Elisha Boudinot, fronting on Military Park. On the latter had been constructed something wondrously picturesque and beautiful in the shape of a commodious bower, in which the General received large numbers of the towns- people. The base of the bower, which was composed mainly of the choicest flowers, covered an area of thirty-five feet in diameter. There were thirteen arches, one for each of the original thirteen States. The pillars were fifteen feet high and sustained a floral dome representing the Western Hemisphere. "It was indeed a fairy palace," wrote a New York journalist of the day. The ladies of the town took an active part in preparing the wreaths necessary for the formation of the bower. William Halsey furnished the design and superintended the erection, while Moses Ward was his assistant. The occasion was not alone prolific in floral display, but
180
THIE ROYALIST MAIDEN AND THE MARQUIS.
in music, and poetic and patriotic sentiments. There was an address by Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, and a grand. and imposing military display in front of the bower, under the commands of Major General Doughty and Brigadier Generals Dayton and Darcy. In spite of the unfavorable character of the weather-it rained during the day-the ovation was a great success. The beauty and chivalry of a large part of the State, besides Newark, combined and labored zealously to that end. One who, as a youth, participated in the demonstration, recently spoke of it as "the greatest day he ever saw in Newark." It was a general holiday for the place. The same afternoon General La Fayette left for Elizabethtown, where he passed the night, the guest of General Dayton. Such was the whole-souled and deeply affectionate sentiment of the people of Newark towards the self-ennobled nobleman and patriot, that what- ever of dissatisfaction found expression afterwards was because some had not been able to pay personal tribute to him-to metaphori- cally " kiss the hem of his garment."
Connected with La Fayette's visit to this country at this time is an incident worth relating. Among those who paid homage to the hero on the occasion of his reception in New York was a young lady, the royalist sympathies of whose Newark-born ancestors cost them and her dearly, as referred to at length in the chapter preceding this. As each young lady was presented to La Fayette in the metropolis he would ask regarding where and under whom her ancestor served-presuming, as was natural, that only the offspring of Revolutionary families would care to see him. When he questioned the damsel descendant of Newarkers, she answered, with a spirit and a frankness characteristic of her family : "My grand- father and father, sir, were loyal to their king and country." Instead of being provoked, the General remarked that he was glad to sce that the young lady had courage enough to stand by the principles of her progenitors. Like her grandfather and father, she was and professes still to be-for she yet lives-a royalist to the core.
The renowned orator and statesman, Henry Clay, visited Newark on November 20, 1833, by invitation of leading citizens. Because of his powerful and effective championship of the Protective system, Mr. Clay was a great favorite here. A committee waited upon him in New York and escorted him hither. As in the case of La Fayette, the distinguished visitor was met on the Turnpike about two miles
.
181
HENRY CLAY IN NEWARK.
from Newark, by "a large cavalcade of citizens, mounted and in carriages." At the Park House, fronting on Military Park, an immense concourse assembled to welcome "glorious Harry of the Slashes." In response to the formal welcome pronounced for the citizens by Amzi Dodd, Mr. Clay made a brief but eloquent reply. He was then presented to leading citizens and escorted through the principal factories of the town. At Rankin's hat manufactory he was presented by the workmen with a handsome beaver hat, Mr. Peter Duryee making the presentation speech. At Smith & Wright's saddlery manufactory he was presented by the proprietors and workingmen, through Mr. John P. Jackson, with a " superb saddle, bridle and trappings." He was asked by Mr. Jackson to accept "these memorials from those who are indebted to your liberality and enlarged policy of protecting the domestic industry of our country." " They are not," continued the speaker, "decorated with the glittering tinsel which would gratify the eye of royalty, but we cherish the conviction that they will nevertheless be a pleasing offering to a plain, honest-hearted Republican." After refreshments at the Park House, Mr Clay returned to the Metropolis. Thither he was accompanied by a number of prominent Newarkers, headed by General Darcy. Upon taking leave of the great Senator, General Darcy addressed him on behalf of those present in terms of the warmest admiration for his " character, talents and important public services." In conclusion General Darcy, on the part of those present and the citizens generally of Newark, begged Mr. Clay to accept, as a token of regard for his " highly respected lady," the splendid Newark-made carriage in which he had ridden from Newark to New York. Mr. Clay was deeply moved at this fresh and most substan- tial proof of Newark appreciation. In broken accents, his voice tremulous with emotion, he replied :
"Gentlemen, you overwhelm me. I know not how to refuse, and yet may I be permitted- (the company here interrupted him by dissent), I assure you, gentlemen, I know not why it is that one so undeserving as myself, should be so loaded with such marks of your estecm and generosity. I know of nothing in my humble services deserving of a return so splendid and so costly ; it comes so unexpected. Gentlemen, my heart is too much overwhelmed; the citizens of Newark have made upon it such an impression; IT can thank you, but tongue cannot. Bc pleased, sir, to accept in behalf of yourself and your fellow-townsmen, my warmest thanks for this elegant present to my wife."
The carriage thus gracefully presented and worthily bestowed was manufactured by John Clark & Son.
13
182
PREPARING FOR AN IMPORTANT CHANGE.
It is time now to resume our main consideration, the story of the Town's development ; so we approach the period when Newark abandoned her town nomenclature and rule and assumed the title and government of a city.
The records of the Town Meetings for the years immediately before and after 1830, meagre though they are in detail, show that the place had become one of considerable business bustle and . importance. Enlargement of the Poor House, increased appropria- tions of money for public purposes and a long continued demand for a new Town-hall, are notable features of the minutes. At the annual Town Meeting held on Monday, April 9, 1832, "in the lecture-room of the Third Presbyterian Church," the following preamble and resolution were introduced by General Isaac Andruss, and passed by the meeting :
"Whereas, the Township of Newark has become so populous that it is impracticable to pro- cure a room adequate for the accommodation of the Inhabitants of the Township when in Town Meeting assembled for the transaction of the annual business of the Township,
Be it Therefore Resolved, That a committec be appointed to digest a plan for the division of the Township into two or more Wards, with a system for the transaction of the Township business upon equitable principles, by the two, or more separate Wards, and that the Com- mittee report to a special Town Meeting to be called for that purpose."
Under this resolution, Isaac Andruss, Joseph C. Hornblower, Stephen Dod, William H. Earle and Archer Gifford were appointed as the committee. At the same meeting another resolution was passed giving force to the preceding one. It provided " that the next Annual Town Meeting be held, at the lower point of the Military Common at Ten o'clock in the forenoon." On June 2, of the same year, a special meeting was held at which the committee chosen at the previous meeting reported that they were of opinion " that owing to the numerous population of the Town and its rapid increase " it was advisable to make a division of the town, such as was suggested in the above resolution; but, to carry the measure into effect, required legislative aid. Upon the recommendation of the committee, another one was appointed "to draft a Law to divide the Town into two or more districts." Joseph C. Hornblower, Isaac Andruss and Amzi Dodd were chosen as the committee. According to resolution, a special meeting was held " in the Session Room of the First Church," on January 3, 1833, to hear the report. The meeting was numerously attended. Stephen Dod was chosen
183
DIVISION OF THE TOWN-THE FOUR FIRST WARDS.
moderator, and Abraham Beach, clerk. The "general features of a Bill for dividing the Township into four Wards" was presented by General Andruss, chairman of the committee. It was considered by sections, and, as finally agreed upon, defined the boundary lines of the four Wards, and provided for the election of town officers the same as before. To prepare a bill according to the plan, committees of two from each of the Wards were chosen, as follows :
NORTH WARD-James Vanderpool, Archer Gifford, Esqrs. SOUTH WARD-Asa Whitehead, Amzi Armstrong, Esqrs.
EAST WARD-Joel H. Condit, Joseph C. Hornblower, Esqrs. WEST WARD-Isaac Andruss, William Pennington, Esqrs.
The law was duly prepared, passed by the Legislature, and approved by a popular vote in April, 1836.
What, now, of Newark as a city? Let succeeding chapters speak.
-
1
CHAPTER VII.
1836 TO 1861.
The Infant City-Steam and its Quickening Influences-Dr. Goble's Industrial Exhibit for 1836-Sad State of Morals in Essex County-Drunkenness and Wife Beating-The Great Fire of '36-Effects of the l'anic of '37-Influx of Foreigners-Early Exiles from Erin and the Vaterland-Reminiscences of " The Year '98"-The Catholic Church in Newark- Rev. Father Moran -The First Germans in Newark-Beginning of the Lager-Beer Industry-A Saponaccous "Sorceress "-The Baden and Rhenish Bavarian Revolutionists of '48 and '49-Sketches of General Franz Sigel's Compatriots-Amusing Industrial Incident -German Scholars holding Classical Conversations while Manufacturing Terra- Cotta-The German Press of Newark-Founders of the Leather, Carriage, Saddlery and Harness, Shoe, Iron, Jewelry and other Industries-A Newark Carriage as a Potent Factor in a Presidential Election -Reminiscence of Martin Van Buren-More Manufacturing Statistics-Seth Boyden -Career and Character of the Great Inventor-The Panie of 1857-Its Effects in Newark-The " New York Herald" and the " Newark Daily Eagle"- How Editorial Doctors Differed-Distress and Destitution in Newark-Meetings of Mer- chants and Workingmen-"We Ask not Alms, but Work, so that our Wives and Children may not Starve!"-Striking Repetitions of History-Prosperity Returns-The Gathering Clouds of Civil Strife.
A FTER a village and township life of exactly one hundred and seventy years, lacking a single month, Newark had now, in April, 1836, become a full-fledged city. The Act of Incorporation was approved February 29, 1836. One of its provisions required that the Act should be submitted to a vote of the people, and that to become valid it would be necessary for it to be endorsed by a three-fifths vote of the citizens. Tickets were prepared, inscribed "Corporation " and "No Corporation." Considerable fear was entertained for the result by the friends of the measure. On March 18th the election took place, and, out of a total poll of 2,195 votes, there were cast for incorporation 1,870 votes, being 553 votes more than the requisite three-fifths. The total opposition vote was only 325. Echoing the jubilant sense of the community over the result, the Advertiser of the day following the election said :
.
"NEWARK A CITY .- The roar of cannon announced to the town last night the gratifying result of the election. The charter is accepted by an immense majority, and the powers and privileges of a corporation thus securcd to us. *
* * · The election was conducted with entire good feeling and without any mixture of political prejudice. The same public spirit, we trust, will continue to prevail in all the future arrangements and counsels of the town. * * As we have commenced, so let us continue, in the spirit of kindness, conciliation and disinter- estedness, to act with a single eye to the common interest of the whole."
.
185
NEWARK'S FIRST ELECTION AND CITY GOVERNMENT.
The first eharter election was held the following month, on Monday, April 11th, when William Halsey was elected Mayor and the following persons Aldermen : North ward-Abraham W. Kinney, William Lee, Isaac Meeker, John H. Stephens; South ward-Isaac Baldwin, Thomas B. Pierson, Aaron Camp, H. L. Parkhurst ; East ward-William Garthwaite, Joel W. Condit, James Beardsly, James Miller ; West ward-Enoch Bolles, William Rankin, Abner P. Howell, James Keene. The following Saturday evening the new city government was regularly organized, Oliver S. Halsted (subse- quently Chancellor of the State) being chosen Reeorder; Joseph N. Tuttle, Clerk; William A. Meyer, Treasurer; Elias H. Van Winkle, City Surveyor, and James Keene, Street Commissioner. The pro- ceedings took place in St. John's Lodge-room in the old Academy building, Rev. Dr. Weeks invoking the Throne of Grace on the occasion.
Thus, instead of a Moderator, Newark now had a Mayor, and instead of an interminable list of Town Officers it now had a Common Council and City Officers. Its population, then verging on 20,000, supported nineteen churches, twenty-six lawyers, twenty- three physicians, three banks, three insurance companies, four news- papers-one daily, one semi-weekly, and two weeklies-eighteen inns and taverns, three drug stores and a large and varied number of industrial institutions. The place had fairly begun to feel the quickening impulses of steam, the New Jersey Railroad and Transportation Company having opened their road between Newark and Jersey City one year and a half before, on September 15, 1834. Two years before that, in 1832, the Morris Canal, (which many influential eitizens desired should be run through Market street), was completed, furnishing the town, as a writer of the period proudly remarked, with " a direct and easy communication with the Delaware at Easton, and the Lehigh Coal Mines at Maueh Chunk." Besides the New Jersey Railroad, there was a steamboat and a regular line of stages, which carried passengers to and from New York. With no weak flourish of trumpets, the officers of the New Jersey Railroad announced in 1836 that during the nineteen months and a half from September 15th, 1834, to May 31st, 1836, there had been carried over the road 238,815 passengers! It was not until January Ist, 1836, that the road was opened for traffic as far as Rahway. The heart of a chronicler of the period swelled as he placed before
186
MATERIAL GROWTH AND PROSPERITY.
a wondering and admiring public the following exhibit of passenger traffic from January ist to May Ist, 1836:
Between New York and Rahway. 4,298
" Elizabethtown 2,031
.. Newark,
. Rahway. 4,241
.. .. Elizabethtown. 3,034
Elizabethtown and Rahway 883
4II
Way passengers.
Grand total. 14.898
"The above results." remarked the aforesaid chronicler, "are truly gratifying to the friends of internal improvement and the whole community." It was expected that the road would be finished through to New Brunswick in the following July.
Additional proof of the growing prosperity and importance of the place is furnished in the fact that even a year before the incor- poration of the young city a directory was published by B. T. Pierson which contained 5,094 names. According to a writer in this first directory, the population of Newark was estimated to be as follows in 1835 :
Free White American
10,542
Irish (about). 6,000
English and Scotch (about).
1,000
Germans (about). 300
Free People of Color
359
Total. 18,201
In September, 1836, a Census was taken by direction of the Common Council. The population was shown to be 19,732. These figures were declared at the time to be a slight underestimate. It was remarked "that the tables were made up at a season-from June to August-when the operations of some of our largest work- shops were nearly suspended ; and that since that period they have all been put in full operation, with full complements of men." The increase in the six years preceding the taking of the Census shows that the population of the place had very nearly doubled itself from 1830 to 1836. It was claimed that this remarkable increase was the result of "no factitious causes," but was "to be traced entirely to the regular and wholesome growth of the various branches of industry-manufactures and commerce." "We doubt," said a publicist of the day, " if there is a more active community in the country-a more prosperous one certainly cannot be desired." The
187
LOCAL VANITY DISCOURAGED-CENSUS OF 1836.
same writer, commenting upon the figures of the Census, took occasion to discourage too much local laudation. "We do not wish," said he, "to see a just pride in our country discouraged. It would be matter of infinite sorrow were our people to lose that sanguine character so well suited to their condition. It would be lamentable indeed, were that happy spirit of confidence in the future, and complacency in our own destiny, turned into discontent and melancholy foreboding. But we should be sorry to see the disposition cherished to our own hurt. We should be sorry to see a people made vain because they are prosperous, or withheld from improve- ment because some things are already well. The voice of kindness is not always the voice of praise. Generous spirits, it is true, require the stimulus of approbation, but they need also something more. A higher degree of perfection should be shewn them-a more noble pre-eminence to which they should aspire. Great and strong as we are, there are yet many things in which we are little and weak, and if the future has its promises, it has also its perils."
The following interesting statistics were gathered by canvassers :
CENSUS OF 1836.
NUMBER OF INHABITANTS.
West Ward.
North Ward.
South Ward.
East Ward.
TOTAL.
Of 5 years old and under.
769
593
784
726
2,872
Between 5 and 12.
921
553
648
534
2,456
Between 12 and 21.
1,170
597
1,100
94I
3,808
Over 21.
2,783
1,916
2,339
2,767
7,835
Male Colored
I3I
81
46
66
324
Female Colored ..
160
8.4
67
85
396
Slaves.
3
6
I
IC
. Total.
5,761
3,867
4,984
5,120
19,732
White Males.
2,858
1,867
2,442
2,808
9,975
White Females
2,590
1,822
2,429
2,150
8,99I
Male Aliens.
450
4.59
270
553
1,832
Female Aliens.
333
338
201
399
1,271
Males Naturalized.
106
20
65
88
279
Females Naturalized.
105
14
42
2.12
Total Foreigners.
3,624
Dwellings, Brick or Stone.
58
21
46
144
Frame ..
523
357
488
466
1,814
Stores, Brick.
84
II
I
46
Frame.
36
20
20
2
78
Workshops, Brick.
7
2
9
18
Frame.
68
15
68
49
200
Total.
2,300
188
AN INTERESTING INDUSTRIAL EXHIBIT.
Before the canvassers had completed their labors, Dr. Jabez G. Goble, an eminent and public spirited-citizen, carefully prepared the following interesting exhibit :
Newark is principally distinguished for its manufactures, which are unsurpassed for number, variety, and beauty of workmanship, by any city of similar extent and population in the world. The following statistical table, which has been carefully compiled, will exhibit a general view of the business of the city-the greater portion of which consists of its own manufactured articles. The table is believed to be essentially correct.
No. cmploycd. Amount.
Boot and Shoe Manufacturers. This branch of trade has always been very extensive, -
734
$1,523,000
Hat Manufacturers,
610
1,055,000
Carriages of every description-omnibuses, railroad cars, &c. Some of these establishments are very large,
897
1,002,000
Saddles, harness, whips, &c.,
590
885,500
Clothing business-manufactured for the Southern markets,
1,591
840,000
Tanning and Currying. The principal portion of this business is done in the Swamp in Market street,
150
899,200
Coach axles, springs, door locks, brass mountings, &c.,
220
250,000
Coach lace, tassels, fringe, &c., -
II2
80,000
Oil silk, patent leather, malleable iron, evcry variety of casting used by coach makers, machinists, &c. The collection consists of more than 1,000 plain and ornamental patterns now in use,
125
225,060
Jewelry do.,
100
225,000
Trunk and chair do.,
IO6
90,000
Silver plating do.,
100
100,000
Sash and blind do.,
107
70,000
Coal trade. This business has been extensive the past year, -
200,000
All other manufacturers, comprising many different branches, may be fairly estimated at
500,000
$8,124,790
Among the manufactories embraced in the last general clause, may be mentioned the manu- facture of gas pipcs, and locomotive and steam engines of all kinds, glass cutting, including tumblers, astral shades, decanters, &c. Heinisch's establishment of splendid cutlery, surgical instruments, tailors' shears and scissors; Vartklop's Britannia warc; Hunter's manufactory of table and bowie knives, forks, &c. ; plane making, coach and buggy railings, stoves, hooks and eycs ; Grant & Wilcox's manufactory of marble mantels; plated harness, statuary, stock and dics; screw presses and lathes, and mechanics' tools in general; looking glasses, shoe and saddle knives; patent and ivory black-of the latter article from 80 to 100 tons are yearly manu- factured ; bellows manufactory of every variety ; pumps, castings, &c., &c.
The above table does not comprehend the builders, carpenters and masons in the city, which form a numerous and respectable body of citizens.
.
In his report, Dr. Goble further set forth that "The imports from foreign and adjoining states may be estimated at $2,500,000;" that among the one hundred and seventeen buildings then in course of erection in the city, one was "a splendid hotel,"-the $80,000 enterprise of the Newark Mechanics' Association ; and that, finally,
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