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HISTORY

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY;

INCLUDING

THE EARLY IIISTOEY

UNION COUNTY.

BY REV. EDWIN F. HATFIELD, D.I).

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations.— Dei r. \wii. 7.

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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by

• EDWIN F. HATFIELD,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern

District of New York.

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PREFACE.

Human character is the product of all time. It is the
growth, not of a single life, but of ages. Its form and
shape, in the individual and in the community, are de-
rived, not more from the present, than the past. What
we are, body, soul, and spirit, is owing, in a great degree,
to agencies that have been at work from the beginning.

The cast of a man's immediate progenitors determines,
to a great extent, his own. The rank and standing of the
domestic circle, in which his early days glide on so noise-
lessly and yet so swiftly, affect, for all time, his whole be-
ing. The social community in which the child is led up
to man ; the humble school-house in which his mind is
brought into form and symmetry ; the sanctuary, whither
his youthful steps are bent on the Sabbath-day, with its
songs of praise, its humble prayers, and its solemn exhor-
tations ; the long-established customs of the place and
age ; the peculiar traits of the population, sparse or dense,
rural or urban ; the prevalent handicrafts, trades and pur-
suits of the locality ; every passing event, and even 7
occurrence and influence by which individual sentiment
and public opinion aie 'affected : .all these serve, more or
less powerfully, to shape the character and determine the
destiny of the child, the be},,' the man.

PREFACE.

To know a people, to understand their peculiarities,
we must know their history, their parentage, their origin ;
must learn from what race, nationality, tribe and family,
they are descended ; when and by whom their settlement,
town, or city, was founded ; the aims and plans of the
founders ; through what changes, social, industrial, po-
litical and religious, they prosecuted their design ; what
relations they sustained to other communities, near or re-
mote ; what were the special characteristics, aspects and
tendencies of the times; whatever, in short, may have
served, in the course of their history, to affect, more or less
directly, their fortunes and their destiny.

To promote, in some humble measure, this laudable
design, in respect to one of the thriving communities in the
older parts of this land, .this volume was written. It was
undertaken, at the solicitation of the author's townsmen,
to whose generous consideration, with all its imperfections,
it is now commended. A native of Elizabeth, and a de-
scendant of several of its worthy founders, it has been to
him a labor of love, to gather up these memorials of its
past, and give them a permanent form. These materials
he has been gathering, some of them, for more than a
score of years ; not without a vague thought, that the day
would come, when he might give them form and order.
Laid aside, at length, by serious disease, from the exhaust-
ing activities of a laborious profession, the requisite leisure
was found by the author, for the accomplishment of his
long-cherished desire, of which he gladly availed himself.

In entering upon his work, he found that but little
was known,
What had

meagre, and much of it quite erroneous. The ' JNotes,
Historical and Biographical/ sondermng: Elizabeth-Town,

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PREFACE. 5

its eminent Men, Churches and Ministers," was prepared
by the Rev. Dr. Murray, during the earlier years of his
ministry, nearly a fourth of a century since. It could
scarcely be expected, that a stranger from a far country
would be able, fully to enter into the sympathies, and
clearly to apprehend the history, of the people among
whom he had so recently found a home. His " Notes "
furnish but little information respecting the founders of the
town, and that little is far from correct. The writer of
the present volume has found it necessary ta consult the
original records for himself, and has, therefore, relied but
little on the labors of his predecessor.

The only other published works pertaining to the his-
tory of the town, are the excellent and authentic " His-
tory of St. John's Church, Elizabeth-Town, New Jersey,"
by the present rector, the Rev. Samuel A. Clark, and the
Memoirs of the Rev. Drs. McDowell and Murray, by the
Rev. Drs. Sprague and Prime, respectively ; all very good
in their place, but partial only in their object.

It will be seen that the history, now given to the pub-
lic, endeavors to rescue the planters of the town from ob-
livion, and to give them something more than " a local
habitation and a name." To this end, the archives of the
County and State, at Newark, at Amboy, and at Trenton,
have been diligently and patiently investigated. Local
and general histories, noted in the margin of the pages,
have been extensively consulted. Access has been had
to the libraries of the Historical Societies of New York,
Long Island, and New Jersey. Neither time nor expense
has been spared in obtaining all possible information
bearing on the fortunes of the town. Much assistance
has been derived, in respect to the general history of the
locality, from Mr. Whitehead's " East Jersey under the

6 PREFACE.

Proprietary Governments/ ' though the author has been
constrained to differ from him in respect to the merits of
the conflict between the " Proprietors ' ' and the people.

Great care has, also, been taken to present a full
and connected view of the military transactions in and
about the town, during the Revolutionary War. The
files of the newspapers of that period have been carefully
searched, and every local event of interest recorded. This
portion of the history, it will be seen, is full of incident,
and possesses a value by itself, as a contribution to the
general history of the country, in that eventful period.

Considerable material has been gathered for a genealo-
gical history of the town. Should the present volume
be favorably received, it may be followed, at no distant
time, Providence permitting, by a supplemental volume,
tracing the old families of the town, generation by genera-
tion, from the days of the founders to the present day.

ISTew York, May 11, 1868.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

A. D. 1609-1664

•

Natives of the Soil — Discovery by Europeans — Early Traders — Werckhoven's
Manorial Purchase — Failure to perfect a Title — Restoration of Charles II. —
Alarm of the New Haven Colony — Attempts to Colonize in New Netherland
— Petition of John Strickland and others — Dutch Proposals — Negotiations
of Fenn and his Associates — Failure thereof — Long Islanders frustrated in
planting a Colony on the Raritan, ; .17

CHAPTER II.

A. D. 1664-1665.

Charter of Connecticut — Royal African Company — Grant to the Duke of
York — Expedition against New Netherland — Surrender of New Amster-
dam — Gov. Nicolls — Petition of Bailey, Denton, and others, for leave to
plant a Colony — Indian Purchase and Deed — Nicolls' Grant — Proposals for
Settlers — Early Descriptions of the Country — Extent of Nicolls' Patent —
Date of the Settlement — Tradition of four Families — Associate Purchasers —
Rev. Thomas James, 27

CHAPTER III.

A.D. 16C5-1666.

Arrival of the ship Philip, with Gov. Carteret — Explanations — Lord John
Berkeley — Sir Geo. Carteret — Adherents of Royalty in the Civil War —
Their Services to the Crown — Rewarded with Offices and Land Grants —
Purchase of N. Jersey from the Duke of York — Letters of Hutchinson —
Capt. Carteret arrives at New York with laborers — Acquiesces in Nicolls'
Grant — Purchases rights in the new Town — Origin of its Name, . 4S

8 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IY.

A. D. 1666.

The " Concessions " — New Immigrants — Loss of Town Book — Extracts from
it — Oath of Allegiance — By whom taken — ■ Names of the Associate Found-
ers — Also of Carteret's Servants — Notices of Strickland and the six Peti-
tioners — Bailey, Daniel and Nathaniel Denton, Benedict, Foster and Watson

— Also of the Patentees, Baker and Ogden, • 53

CHAPTER Y.

A. D. 1666.

The eighty Associates, their Origin, their Location — Of Puritan Principles

— No Congeniality with Carteret and his Company, . . . .68

CHAPTER VI.

A. D. 1666-1669.

Government of the Town — Forms of Marriage Licenses — Indentures, and the
Hue and Cry for Runaways — Sale of the S. half of the Town — Settlement
of Woodbridge and Newark — Traffic in Pipe Staves — Cold Winter — Rev.
Abm. Pierson at Newark — Brackett appointed Ass. Surveyor — Newark
Boundary prayerfully settled — Great Mortality — "Duke's Laws" — First
Legislature of N. Jersey at E. T. — Laws — Second Session — Collision with
the Governor — Abrupt Adjournment — Whaling Company — Disputes about
Staten Island — Berkeley and Carteret in Trouble — Mortality, . .115

CHAPTER VII.

A.D. 16T0-16T3.

Quit Rent Controversy — Gov. Carteret's Usurpations — Claude Vallot — Arbi-
trary Edicts — Watson not to drill the Militia — First Jury Trial in the Town

— Case of Capt. Hacket — Court illegally held — Case of Richard Michel —
His House destroyed. — Carteret overawed by the People — Capt. James Car-
teret arrives from England — Legislature convenes at E. T. — A lawful Court

— Trial of Meeker and others — Newark people take the Alarm — Other Ses-
sions of the Legislature — Capt. James Carteret chosen President — Arrest
and Escape of Wm. Pardon — • Gov. Carteret removes to Bergen — Re-arrest
of Pardon, and Seizure of his Goods — Memorial of the Council to the Lords
Proprietaries — Gov. Carteret and Officials return to England — Capt. Berry,
Dep. Governor — Marriage of Capt. Carteret — The Officials return — Conflict
renewed — Patents to be taken out — Appeal to the Lords Proprietors — Gov.
Winthrop's Endorsement of the People, 131

CONTENTS. 9

CHAPTER VIII.

A. D. 1673-1674.

Departure of James Carteret and Hopkins — Vessel captured by the Dutch —
Hopkins discloses the weakness of N. Y. — Capture of the City by the Dutch
— Deputation from E. Town at N. Y. — N. Jersey yields to the Dutch — Land
Claims confirmed — New Officials — Recusancy of Vauquellin — Census of
E. T. Men — Notices of the new Comers — Militia Officers — Edicts — Indian
Depredations — Monthly Day of Prayer appointed — Legislative Assembly —
Redress of Injuries — Termination of Dutch Rule, .... 154

CHAPTER IX.

A. D. 1674-1681.

Restoration of English Rule — Berkeley sells West Jersey — Sir G. Carteret
sole Proprietor of E. Jersey — Return of Gov. Carteret — Stringent meas-
ures to subdue the People — Requires them to take Patents for their Lands —
Old Conflict renewed — Compromise proposed, but rejected by Carteret —
Schedule of Surveys — Militia System — Legislature at E. T. — Enactments —
Prices — Act of Oblivion — Thanksgiving Day — Meeker indemnified — Inns
regulated — Marking of Cattle — Troubles with Gov. Andros of N. Y. — Car-
teret seized, and imprisoned at N. Y. — Tried and acquitted — Legislature at
E. T. again — They decline the jurisdiction of Andros — Marriage of Car-
teret — Andros recalled — Carteret reinstated — Legislature meet again —
Collision with Carteret — He dissolves them — Death of John Ogden, . 178

■

CHAPTER X.

A.D. 1664-1CS2.

Ecclesiastical — Church early organized, of Puritan type — First Meeting-nouse
and Grounds — Ministry — Rev. Thomas James — Rev. Jeremiah Peck —
Rev. Seth Fletcher, 19S

CHAPTER XI.

A. D. 16S2-16S6.

Death of Sir George Carteret — Sale of the Province — Quaker Rule — Robert
Barclay, Governor — Thomas Rudyard, Dep. Governor — Death of Gov. Car-
teret — His Character — His Will — New Era — Quaker Settlers — Descrip-
tions of the Town and Country in 1684-5 — Rudyard's Administration —
Legislature — Enactments — Gawen Laurie, Dep. Governor — Land Troubles
revived — Militia — Scotch Immigration — Lawrie's Account of the Town and
Country — Scot's Model — Other Accounts — Lawrie's Land Investments —

10 CONTENTS.

Western Bounds — Baker's Trial — Perth Aniboy made the Capital — Acces-
sion of the Duke of York to the Throne — Trouble about the Newark Bounds —
Lawrie Superseded, 210

CHAPTER XII.

A.D. 1686-1 T02.

— Associates in 1695 and 1699 — Administration of Basse, Bowne and
Hamilton — Tumults at Newark and E. T. — New Allotment of Lands —
List of Surveys — Notices of New Settlers — End of the Proprietary Gov-
ernment, 232

CHAPTER XIII.

A. D. 16S2-17Q7.

Ecclesiastical — Pastorate of Rev. John Harriman — Introduction of Episcopacy
by Rev. Geo. Keith — Pastorate of Rev. Samuel Melyen — First Episcopal
Missionary, Rev. John Brooke — Erection of St. John's Church, . . 280

/ CHAPTER XIV.

A.D. 1702-1740.

Land Titles — Political Parties — Lord Cornbury, Gov. — Corruption of the
Court — Act of Indemnity — Lord Lovelace, Gov. — His Death — Robert
Hunter, Gov. — Death of Col. Townley — Officials of the Town — • Card-Playing
not tolerated — Newark Bounds — Suit of Vaughan vs. Woodruff— Early
Town Books lost — Town Committee of Seven — List of Freeholders in 1*729 —
Lithgow vs. Robison, &c. — Measures of Defence against the Proprietors

— Sale of Town Lands — Fenn vs. Chambers & Alcorn — Sale of more Land —
Distribution of Land in 1Y3Y — Cooper vs. Moss, &c. — Logan vs. Manning

— Newark Bounds — Lewis Morris, Gov. — Borough Charter — Officials —
Newspaper Notices, . . 302

CHAPTER XV.

A. D. 1708-1747.

Ecclesiastical — Rev. Jona. Dickinson — Parentage, Education, Marriage, and
Ordination — His Parish and Salary — Joins the Presbytery — Episcopal Con-

CONTEXTS. 11

troversy — Westfield Chh. — "Adopting Act" of 1720 — Practises Medicine

— His " Reasonableness of Christianity " — Presbytery of E. Jersey — Elders

— Case of Hemphill — Another Episcopal Controversy — New Providence Chh.

— Presbytery of N. York — Whitefield at E. T. — Dickinson's "Witness of
the Spirit." — Revival of 1740 — Dickinson's "Five Points"— His "Display
of Special Grace" — Controversy on Regeneration — His " Familiar Letters."

— Old Side and New Side Controversy — Division of the Synod — Efforts to
Christianize the Indians — David Brainerd — Death of Mrs. Dickinson — His
Second Marriage — Another Episcopal Controversy — College of New Jersey

— Dickinson, its first President — His Death and Character — His Family, S26

CHAPTER XVI.

A. D. 1T0S-1747.

— Removes to Amboy — Returns — Church Edifice not finished for years —
Annual Reports to the "Society" — Chh. Glebe — Opposes Mr. Whitefield

— His Death and Character — Increase of Religious Congregations in 40
years, 355

CHAPTER XVII.

A.D. 1740-1764.

Negro Plot — Land Conflicts — Appeal to the Crown — Tumults — Secret Meet-
ings — E. T. Bill in Chancery — Answer — Death of Gov. Morris — Jonathan
Belcher, Gov. — Issue of the long Conflict with the Proprietors — Death of
Mayor Bonuel — Lottery Mania — Two Lottery Schemes — Prof. Kalm's
Notices of the Town — Col. Ricketts' Affair in N. Y. Harbor — Notices of Gov.
Belcher — Removes to E. T. — His Hospitality and Piety — Befriends the Col-
lege — Gives it anew Charter — Incorporates the Presbyterian Chh. — Makes
E. T. the Seat of Government — His Death and Character — Judge Ross —
Addresses of the Corporation — Town Officers — Newspaper Notices — The
Barracks — First Centenary Celebration,

CHAPTER XVIII.

A.D. 1747-1760.

Ecclesiastical — Rev. EUhu JSpcnccr — Early Life — Ordination and Installa-
tion — His Marriage — Public Services — Removal — Subsequent History —
His Death — His Family — Rev. Abraham Ketcltas — Early Life — Licensure,
Call and Ordination — Chh. Clock — Removal to Jamaica, L. I. — Subse-
quent History — Death — Children, 393

12 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIX.

A.D. 1764-1776.

Retrenchment at Funerals — Death of Alderman Thos. Clark — Non-Importation
Leagues — Patriotism of the Town — Stamp Act — Gen. Congress — Robert
Ogden, Speaker of N. J. Congress, resigns his seat — Stephen Crane succeeds
him — Opposition to Stamp Act — Its Repeal — Non-Importation League
revived — County Meeting at E. T. — Patriotic Action — British Regulars
quartered here — " Boston Tea Party " — Boston Port Bill — Great Indigna-
tion everywhere — Principal Patriots of the Town — Lines drawn — County
Meeting at Newark — Town Meeting — Congress sustained — Committee of
Safety — Non -Intercourse with Staten Island — Exciting Affair — Case of the
Beulah — Sheriff Barnet implicated — Battle of Lexington — Uprising of the
People — Aaron Burr and Matt. Ogden — General Congress — Gen. Washing-
ton, Com. in Chief — Battle of Bunker-Hill — Powder sent from E. T. to the
Am. Army — Mrs. Washington at E. T. — Earl of Stirling in command here —
Capture of the ship Blue Mountain Valley — Names of the Captors — Military
Officers — Military Preparations — Fortifications at the Point — Washington

. and the Am. Army at N. Y. — Appearance of the Town in 1776, . . 403

"CHAPTER XX.

A. D. 1776-1777.

Independence — Lines drawn — Sentiments of Abraham Clark, the Signer — Brit-
ish Fleet — Staten Island taken by the British Troops — The War at the
Door — Defence of the Town — Arrest of Traitors — Female Patriot — Forays
— Changes in the Town — Error of Mr. W. Irving — Disaffection of Pa.
Troops — Battle of Flatbush — Wm. Livingston, First Gov. of the State —
Gen. Matt. Williamson, in command here — John DeHart declines and Robert
Morris appointed Chief- Justice of N. J. — Depot for Prisoners here — Am.
Army evacuate N. York — Letter of Rob. Ogden — Disasters — Retreat
through N. Jersey — People flee- — Town occupied by the British — William-
son resigns — Defections — Protection Papers — Am. Troops at Short Hills —
Rev. J. Caldwell — Skirmish — Death of Col. Ford — Capture of Hessians at
Trenton — Capture of Princeton — Retreat of British Army — Washington at
Morristown — Enemy driven out of Newark and E. T. — Capt. E. Littell —
Barbarity of the Enemy — Tories and Neutrals driven out — Frequent Skir-
mishes — British Army evacuate the State, 432

CHAPTER XXI.

A.D. 1777-1780.

Forays from S. Island — N. J. Volunteers -- Sullivan invades S. Island — British
Incursion — Dickinson invades S. Island — Exchange of Prisoners — Conns-
cation — London Trading — Great Privations — Spies — Forays — Battle of

CONTENTS. 13

Monmouth — Maxwell in command here — Sale of Confiscated Estates — Ex-
pedition of Sir Chas. Grey — Lord Stirling stationed here — Flags of Truce

— Washington at E. T. — Plots against Gov. Livingston — Invasion of the
Town — Burning of the Barracks, Parsonage and Academy — Livingston's
Correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton — Continental currency — Trouble
in the Camp — Case of Mrs. Chandler — Troops pacified — Forays of S.
Islanders — Negro Panic — Col. Dayton in command here — Severe Winter

— Great Snow Storm — Sufferings of T/oops — N. Y. Harbor closed with solid
Ice — Lord Stirling invades S. Island — Refugees invade E. T., and burn the
Court House and Presb. Chh. — The Incendiary — Old "Red Store House"

— Gen. St. Clair, and then Baron De Kalb, in command here — Forays from
S. Island, 4G1

CHAPTER XXII.

A. D. 17S0-17S3.

Knyphausen invades E. T. in force — Passage of the Brit. Army through the
town — Uprising of the Militia — Skirmishes — Severe Fight near Spring-
field — Wife of Rev. J. Caldwell murdered — Village of Ct. Farms burned
down — Retreat of the British to the Point — Thunder-Storm — Skirmishes
at the Point — Second Advance of the British Army — Battle of Springfield

— Village burned — Retreat of the Foe to S. Island — Bravery of the Militia

— Partisan Warfare — Capture of Col. Ogden and Capt. Dayton — Raids of
Refugees — Cowboys — Night Patrols — Marauding Parties — Surrender of
Cornwallis — Exchange of Prisoners — Desperadoes — Forays — Predatory
Raids — Maj. Crane's Exploits — Peace, 486

CHAPTER XXIII.

A.D. 1760-17S0.

Ecclesiastical — Rev. Jas. Caldwell — Birth — Education — Ordination —
Settlement here — Visit of Whitefield — Revival — Elders and Deacons —
Rules for the Sexton — Chh. enlarged — Grammar School — Taught by Pem-
berton, Reeve, Periam, Barber, and Baldwin — Am. Episcopate — Annual
Conventions — Another Revival — Increase of Salary — Mr. C. arraigned be-
fore the Presbytery and cleared — His Patriotism — Chaplain of the N.J.
Brigade in the Northern Army — Return — Refuge from the British at Tur-
key — Assistant Commissary General — Parsonage and Chh. burned — Retires
to Ct. Farms — Mrs. C. murdered — EGa, Papers carried off — Retires to
Turkey — Chosen one of the State Council — Murdered — Epitaph of Mr. C.
and his Wife — Their children, 513

CHAPTER XXIV.

A.D. 1 747-1 790.

Ecclesiastical — Rev. T. B. Chandler, D.D. — Birth — Education — Catechistof
St. John's Chh. — Parsonage — Wardens and Vestrymen — Mr. Chandler goes

14: CONTENTS.

to Eng., and obtains Orders — Eector of St. John's — Marriage — Has the
Small-Pox — Long Illness — Zeal for Episcopacy — Obtains a Charter for
St. John's — Wardens and Vestrymen — Visit of Mr. Whitefield — Troubles
in the Parish — Enlargement of the Parsonage — Political Troubles — Hon-
orary Doctorate — Ep. Controversy — Pension — Flies to England — Worship
suspended for Years — Resumed again — Rev. Uzal Ogden, Ass. Minister —
Birth — Popularity — Settles at Newark — Rev. S. Spraggs, Ass. Minister —
Dr. Chandler ten Years in England — Returns home — Obtains the Offer of
an Episcopate — Too ill to accept — Death — His Family, . . . 53*7

CHAPTER XXV.

A.D. 1783-1 795.

Return of Gov. Livingston — Sad Changes — Visit of Washington — Refugees
remove to N. Scotia and N. Brunswick — ''New Jersey Journal" established

— U. S. Constitutional Convention — Fourth of July Celebrations — 'New
Charter — Death of Gov. Livingston — Death of Gen. M. Ogden — Rage for
Speculation — Lotteries — Schools — Circulating Library — Congressmen —
Death of Mayor De Hart, 552

CHAPTER XXVI.

A. D. 1725-1795.

Subdivisions of the Township — Springfield set off, and Turkey annexed to it —
New Providence set off from Springfield — Settlement of Springfield — Rev.
Timothy Symmes — Rev. Nathan Ker — Rev. J. Van Artsdalen — Settlement
of New Providence — Rev. John Cleverly — Rev. A. Horton — Rev. Jos.
Lamb — Rev. Timothy Allen — Rev. Jonathan Elmer — Westfield set off —
Its Settlement — Rev. N: Hubbell — Rev. John Grant — Rev. Ben. Woodruff

— Scotch Plains — Rev. Ben. Miller — Rev. Wm. Van Horn — Death of
Hon. Abraham Clark — Removal of Hon. Elias Boudinot, LL. D. . . 564

CHAPTER XXVII.

A.D. 17S2-1804.

Ecclesiastical — Rev. J. F. Armstrong — Rebuilding of Presb. Chh. — Revival

— Rev. Win. A. Linn — Lottery for finishing the Chh. — Rev. David Austin —
Birth — Education — Settlement — Chh. completed — Monthly Magazine —
American Preacher — Prophetic Investigations — Sermon on the Downfall of
Babylon — Great Excitement — Day set for Christ's Coming — Mr. Austin dis-
missed — Anti Sabbath-Profanation Meeting — Rev. John Giles — Mr. Aus-
tin returns — Rev. Henry Kollock — Mr. Austin's Second Return — Stated
Supply — Separate Worship — Returns to Connecticut — Subsequent History

— His Death and Character, . . . . . . .591

CONTENTS. 15

CIIAPTER XXVIII.

A.D. 1790-1888.

Ecclesiastical — Rev. Samuel Spraggs — Rev. Menzies Rayner — Rev. Frede-
rick Beasley, D. D. — Rev. Samuel Lilly — Introduction of Methodism —
Lists of Methodist Ministers — Rev. Thomas Morrell, .... 614

CIIAPTER XXIX.

A.D. 1735-1S56.

Ecclesiastical — Township of Raiiway — Presb. Chh. — Rev. Messrs. Cleverly,
Grant, Strong, and Watkins — First Pastor — Rev. A. Richards — Rev. R. II.
Chapman, D. D. — Rev. B. Carll — Township of Union — Presb. Chh. — Rev.
S. Horton — Rev. J. Davenport — Rev. D. Thane — Rev. J. Darby, M. D. —
Rev. B. LTait — Rev. P. Fish — Rev. S. Smith — Rev. S. 0. Thompson, 627

CHAPTER XXX.

A.D. 1S01-1844.

Political Parties — Flag Presentation — County House Agitation — Female Vo-
ters — Political Corruption — Trial of Cornelius Hatfield — Gen. Elias Day-
ton — Town House burned and rebuilt — Streets regulated — Anti-Sabbath-
Profanation — Thomas' Ferry — Casualty — Steam Navigation — Monopoly —
Gov. Ogden and the Livingstons — Thomas Gibbons — Opposition Line —
Lawsuit — Decision of U. S. Supreme Court — Monopoly brought to an end

— Daniel Dod — War of 1812-15 — Paper Currency — Peace Celebration —
Gen. Wm. Crane — Lt.-Gen. Winfield Scott — Mayor Jeremiah Ballard —
Gen. Jona. Dayton — Gov. Williamson, 647

CHIAPTER XXXI.

A.D. 1S04-186S.

Ecclesiastical — First Presb. Chh. — Rev. John McDowell, D.D. — Rev. Nicho-
las Murray, D.D. — Rev. E. Kempshall — Second Presb. Chh. — Rev. David
Magie, D.D. — Rev. Wm. C. Roberts — Third Presb. Chh. — Rev. Robert
Aikman — Fourth Pres. Chh., Elizabcthport — Rev. Abm. Brown — Rev.
Oliver S. St. John — Rev. Edwin H. Reinhart — Westminster Presb. Chh. —
Siloam Presb. Chh. —Rev. John C. Rudd, D.D. — Rev. Smith Pyne — Rev.
Birdseye G. Noble — Rev. Richd. C. Moore — Rev. Samuel A. Clark — New
St. John's — Chapel — Grace Chh. — Rev. David Clarkson — Rev. Clarkson
Dunn — Christ Chh. — Rev. Eugene A. Hoffman, D.D. — Rev. Stevens Parker

— Trinity Chh. — Rev. Daniel F. Warren, D.D. — First Baptist Chh. — Rev.
George W. Clark — Broad St. Baptist Chh. — Rev. D. Henry Miller, D.D.—
Congregational Chh. — Rev. John M. Wolcott. — Rom. Cath. Chhs. — Mora-
vian Chh. — Rev. Christian Ncu — Lutheran Chh. — Swedenborgians, . 666

16 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXXII.

A.D. 1855-1868.

City Charter — Town of Linden set off — Kail Eoads — Elizabethport — Old
Farms sold for City Lots — Street Improvements — New Market House —
County House — Population — The Great Rebellion — Finances of the City —
Prospective Growth — Conclusion, ,.,,... 685

the

HISTORY OF ELIZABETH,

NEW JERSEY.

CHAPTER I.

A. D. 1609-1664.

Natives of the Soil — Discovery by Europeans — Early Traders — Werckhoven s
Manorial Purchase — Failure to perfect a Title — Restoration of Charles II —
Alarm of the New Haven Colony — Attempts to Colonize in New Netherland
— Petition of John Strickland and others — Dutch Proposals — Negotiations
of Fenn and his Associates — Failure thereof — Long Islanders frustrated in
planting a Colony on the Raritan.

The territory now occupied by Elizabeth, in !New Jerse}-,
was formerly the abode of savage tribes, unknown to lame.
Whence they came, and how long they had dwelt on these
shores, are questions that neither authentic history nor plau-
sible tradition pretends to answer. They have long since
passed away, without memorial. Another, and a very differ-
ent, population have taken their place, possessed their lands,
and made the wilderness, in which they dwelt and roamed, a
fruitful field. The history of the town dates back to the
coming of these new settlers — the era of its occupation by
civilized and cultivated humanity.

It was on Sunday, the sixth day of September, 1009, that
the eye of the stranger from the old world first rested on
this goodly site. Three days before, the two-masted ." vlie-
boat" called the "Half Moon," of eighty tons' burden, under
the command of the renowned Henry Hudson, had cast
2

18 THE HISTORY OF

anchor in Sandy Hook Bay. The adventurous craft was
manned by twenty men, Dutch and English, in the service
of the East India Company of the United Provinces. Their
design was to explore a passage to China and the Indies, by
the northwest. The day after their arrival, they were visited
by the natives, who seemed, as the journalist describes it.

Very glad of our comming, and brought greene Tobacco, and gauevs
of it for Kniues and Beads. They go in Deere skins loose, well dressed.
They haue yellow Copper. They desire Cloathes, and are very ciuill.
They haue great store of Maiz or Indian Wheate, whereof they make
good Bread. The Countery is full of great and tall Oakes.

The day following^ some of the crew landed, who

Saw great store of Men, Women and Children, who gaue them Tabacco
at their comming on Land. So they went vp into the "Woods, and saw
great store of very goodly Oakes, and some Currants. One of them came
aboord, and brought some dryed. Many others, -also, came aboord,
some in Mantles of Feathers, and some in Skinnes of divers sorts of good
Furres. Some women also came with Hempe. They had red Copper
Tabacco pipes, and other things of Copper they did weare about their
neckes.

On Sunday, the 6th, John Coleman and four other men
were sent out in a boat to explore the harbor. Sailing
through the Narrows, they found

Very good riding for Ships; and a narrow Riuer to the Westward
betweene two Hands. The Lands were as pleasant with. Grasse and
Floweres, and goodly Trees, as euer they had seene, and very sweet smells
came from them. So they went in two leagues and saw an open Sea, and
returned.*

The " narrow river," through which they sailed, was The
Kills, between Bergen Point and Staten Island ; and the
" open sea " was. Newark Baj^. That part of ihe town that
borders on the Bay was, of course, in full sight. These five
men, therefore, of whom John Coleman f was one, were the
first discoverers of this particular tract. The name by which
the land was known among the natives, was Scheyichbi.
The account of the natives, as given by Juet, applies to those

* Juet's Narrative, in K Y. Hist. Soc. Col., 1. 135.

t Coleman was slain, the same day. on his return, by the treacherous arrow of one of the
natives; an augury of no pleasant import.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY 19

then occupying this locality, as well as those further down
the coast.

Public attention was soon called to this inviting region,
and a profitable trade in peltries was presently opened with
Holland. The Dutch merchants established a post at Man-
hattan, as early as 1G13, and thence dispatched, from time
to time, small boats 'or shallops into the creeks and bays of
this vicinity, to traffic with the natives for skins and furs, —
the countrv then abounding with game and herds of wild

«/ CD CD

beasts. These traders were thus made acquainted, at an
early day, with this particular locality, its beauties, its capa-
bilities, and its desirableness. But no attempt, for various
reasons, was made to occupy and cultivate the soil. At that
period the natives were too numerous, and too treacherous,
for a mere handful of foreigners to undertake any thing like
permanent settlements. It was not until 1G23, that, stimu-
lated, probably, by what the English had accomplished at
ls T ew Plymouth, the Dutch undertook to plant colonies of
agriculturists in what they called New Netherland. But
these enterprises were few and feeble — confined mainly to
the neighborhood of their military posts. Their relations to
the natives w T ere not always very amicable, and sometimes
decidedly hostile. It was not deemed safe, therefore, to ven-
ture as far into the wilderness as the western shores of Achter
Kol,"" as Newark Bay was called by the Dutch. The difficulty
was still further increased by the cruel and unprovoked mas-
sacre of the unsuspecting natives, fourscore in number, at
Pavonia, or Paulus Hook, by the Dutch of New Amsterdam,
on the night of February 25, 1043. An end was thereby
put, for several years at least, to all thoughts of extending
the settlements into the interior.

But the land was too attractive not to provoke the greed
of the Dutch Colonists. An attempt, and, so far as can now
be discovered, the first attempt, was made to plant a colony
in this locality, at the close of the year 1051. The policy of
the Dutch government had been to encourage the settlement

* Behind the Bay, i. o., the second bay; since corrupted to "Arthur Cull," a perversion
that ought to be at once corrected.

20 THE HISTORY OF

of colonies or manors, similar to the lordships and seigniories
of the old world, by men of large fortunes, known as patroons,
to whom peculiar privileges, both of trade and government,
were accorded. These manors were of great extent, and
their proprietors were looked upon as an order of nobility —
much like the old barons of the feudal period. The most
desirable tracts, both on the North and South Rivers, had thus
been colonized, principally by several shrewd and enterprising
directors of the Amsterdam Chamber Of the West India Com-
pany. The whole of the neck opposite New Amsterdam, as
far as the Kills and Newark Bay, together with Staten Island,
had been appropriated for years.

Directly west of these colonies stretched, for miles, along
the waters of Achter Kol, and the estuary to the west of
Staten Island, one of the most inviting regions in all New
Netherland. To this fair land was now directed the eager
attention of the Honorable Cornells Yan Werckhoven, one
of the Schepens of Utrecht in Holland. He duly notified
the Amsterdam Chamber of his intention to plant two
colonies, or manors, in New Netherland. A commission was
thereupon given to Augustine Heermans, of Bohemia, — who
had made New Amsterdam his home since the year 1633,
and had become an influential and wealthy citizen, — to pur-
chase these lands from the natives. Accordingly Heermans
negotiated with the resident proprietors, and purchased, for
Yan Werckhoven, the whole of the tract extending from

The mouth, of the Karitan Creek westerly up unto a creek, Maiikack-
Icewachlcy, which runs Northwest up into the country, and then from the
Earitan Creek aforesaid northerly up along the Eiver behind States Isle,
unto the Creek, namely, from the Earitan Point, called Orapoge, unto
Pechciesse, the aforesaid creek, and so the said creek Pechciesse up to
the very head of it, and from thence direct westerly thorowe the Land
untill it meets with the aforesaid Creek and Meadow Ground called Man-
kackkewachky aforesaid.*

Possession was given, and the trees in each hook of the
tract were marked with the initials of Werckhoven. The
land thus described included the region west of Staten

* I^ist Jersey Eecords, Lib. I. 9.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 21

Island, from the Raritan to the Passaic Rivers, and extended
back into the country indefinitely.*

Three other tracts, one to the south of the Raritan, and
two on Long Island, were purchased for the same good old
Dutchman, with the hope of large gains from each. But,
objection having been made on the part of other as greedy
speculators against the accumulation of so much territory in
the hands of one owner, the case was referred to the Amster-
dam Chamber, who decided that Van Werckhoven could re-
tain but one of the tracts in question. lie chose to locate
himself on Long Island, and so commenced there the colony
of New Utrecht, so named from his native city in Holland.
The title to the land above described reverted, therefore, to
the original owners.

It was a happy providence that defeated the attempt to
plant a Dutch manorial colony, under a lordly patroon, on
these fair shores ; and reserved the land for settlement by a
very different class of colonists, under happier auspices. It
remained unoccupied, save by the natives, for another con-
siderable term of years. The slaughter of the Dutch colonists,
in September, 1G55, at Pavonia, Hoboken, and Staten Island,
in retaliation for the massacre of their kindred by the Dutch
in 1G43, struck terror into the hearts of the new settlers every-
where, and filled New Amsterdam with panic-stricken
refugees ; thus putting an end to all schemes for occupying
the country round about. f

The Restoration of Charles II. to the throne of his
ancestors, May 29, 16G0, very naturally turned the attenti
of the disaffected in Great Britain to the fertile fields of the
New "World of the West, and gave a new impulse to Ameri-
can emigration. It awakened, too, well-founded fears amoi
the hitherto-peaceful Colonists of New England in respect to
their dear-bought liberties. Under the Protectorate, they
had enjoyed the utmost freedom in the administration of
their civil affairs, exercising, without the slightest interference
from the Home Government, the right of choosing and
appointing their own magistracy, of making their own laws,

* O'Callngban's New Nctberland, II. 1SG, t I3rodhead\- Nov York, I. 352-3, C07

Note.

22 THE HISTORY OF

and of regulating their own taxation. In all these respects,
they had reason to apprehend a serious conflict with the new
government. Jealous of the prerogative of self-government,
so happily enjoyed from their earliest organization as English
Colonies in America, it was with extreme reluctance that
these stern old Puritans consented to proclaim the new mon-
arch, and to congratulate him on his accession to the throne.
More especially was this the case in the Colony of New
Haven, where the republican sentiment had been most fully
developed, and none but members of the church were en-
trusted with the rights of freemen. The project of an in-
corporation by charter with the Colony of Connecticut, where
these restrictions were unknown, greatly alarmed the leaders
of the New Haven Colony, and led a portion of them to think
of securing a home under the Dutch government in New
Netherland, where they might perpetuate their peculiar
principles without molestation.

Special attention was now directed to the unoccupied and
attractive region lying between the North and South Rivers,
and especially its eastern portion. Among the first to make
application to the Dutch authorities for the settlement of a
plantation at Aehter Kol, was John Sticklan [Strickland], a
resident of Huntingdon on Long Island, in behalf of himself
and a number of other New England people. The most of
the settlers in that part of Long Island, including Strickland
himself, were from the New Haven jurisdiction, and, in all
probability, partook of the prevalent feelings of the people of
that colony. The application was in the words following :

Worthy Sir : after my due respects p r sented vnto you these few lines
ar to request a keindness of you. taking you to be my spetiall frend, and
know no other like your selff to intrust in such a Case as this : the thing
I dezier and som others with me is this : that you woulde be pleased to
take the first and moste sutable opportunity to speake with the honered
gouernor, deziring him to resolue you in these particulars first, whither
or no. that place vpon the mayne land which is called Arther Cull be
free from any ingagements : secondly if free : then whither or no he will
be plesed to grant it to a Company of honest men that may dezier to sit
doune ther to make a plantasion vnder his gouerment and that you would
be pleased hauing so done to return an answer by the first, which we

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 23

shall waight for, and hauing incoragement we shall forthwith adrcs our
selucs to treate further with him aboute the matter thus not doubting of
your faithfullness hcrin I take leaue and rest yours to Comande

John Sticklin
from Huntington february 15 l!l 1GC0.

lett me intreate you to Bend the answer to Samnwell Mathics at Rus-
dorpe, that it maye be convcied to me in safety : and that you woulde be
pleased-that it may be kept secret houeuer it goe.

S r if you can w" 1 convenience I would intreate you to send me an an-
swer by y° bearer of this, all convenient specde being requisite.

The second letter follows :

Worthy Sir: after my duo respects p r sented vnto you, these few
lines ar to intreate a Courtesi of you, that you woulde be plesed to Bpeake
with the honored gouerner, and lorde Steuenson. to know of him it" that
place which is called Arthcr Coll be free to be disposed of. and whither
or no he will giue incoragement to a Company of theinglish nasion there-
to settle themselues, if vpon a vew made they shall take satisfaction, and
when you know his minde herin. that you woulde be pleased to return me a
few wordes in answer by this bearer samwell mathews, and accordingly
my sclff with sum other frends, whoe haue an y that waye will adre?s our"
selues: I shall trubble you no furder at p r sant, but to intreate you to
pardon my bowldncs and so rest your louing frend to comand

John Stikland from huntington Aprill 29 : 1GG1.

Tliese letters were addressed to Gapt. Bryan Newton, one
of Gov. Stuyvesant's council, by whom they were duly pre-
sented, and an answer, of which the following is a transla-
tion, was given :

The preceding requests being delivered to Capt' 1 Lieutenant Brian
Xuton, and being by him communicated to the Hon ble Director (.'■
eral and by his Exc 1!y delivered to the Council, it is after question put.
resolved to give said Capt n Lieutenant for Answer, that he may let the
Petitioners know that they may freely come to look at the Indicated
parcel of land, and if they like it, that further disposition would then bo
had on their application and proposal. This 2 Juno 1661.*

Their High Mightinesses, the Dutch rulers, sent over, in
the spring of lG61,a general invitation to u all Christian peo-
ple of tender conscience, in England or elsewhere oppressed,

to erect colonies anywhere within the jurisdiction of Petrus
Stuyvesant, in the West Indies, between New England

* Albany Uccords, IX. 039, G41-3. OTallaghaiTs New Netherland, II. -J4G.

24 THE HISTORY OF

and Virginia, in America." A charter of Conditions and
Privileges, of exceedingly liberal import, had been drawn up
by the West India Company, and approved, February T 4 ¥ ,
166f, by the States General.*

In June following, the General Court of Connecticut in-
structed their Governor, John Winthrop, to proceed to Eng-
land, and procure from the king a charter for the colony, to
include the whole territory " eastward to Plymouth line,
northward to the limits of the Massachusetts colony, and
westward to the bay of Delaware, if it may be," f and, also,
the islands contiguous. These lines included, of course, the
colony of New Haven, and the proposition excited there, as
might have been expected, no little discontent and indigna-
tion. Several of the newly-chosen magistrates declined to
serve and take the prescribed oaths, and the disaffection was
widespread.

It is not strange, therefore, that the liberal proposals of the
Dutch government, just then made public, should have met
with a warm reception in New Haven and the adjacent
towns. A deputation was sent to New Amsterdam to make
further inquiry, and to ascertain the character of the lands
to be settled. The deputation was so " courteously enter-
tained," and made so favorable a report of the country, as to
induce Messrs. Benjamin Fenn and Robert Treat, magistrates
of Milford, Dr. Jaspar Gunn, one of the deacons of the church
of Milford, and Mr. -Richard Law, one of the magistrates of
Stamford, — all of them being of the New Haven jurisdiction,
and originally from Wethersfield, on the Connecticut, — to
come down, in November, 1661, with full powers, to nego-
tiate with Governor Stuyvesant for the settlement of a plan-
tation in these parts, — " within the limits of the [West India]
Company's jurisdiction behind Staten Island, about the Rari-
lan River."

Among the conditions insisted upon by the New Haven
people, were, liberty to gather a church " in the Congrega-
tional way, such as they had enjoyed in New England

* O'Callaghan's N. Neth., II. 444-6. N. Y t Brodhead's New York, I. 695.

Colonial Documents, III. 37-9.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY 05

about twenty years past;" the right of calling a synod by
the English churches that might be gathered in New Neth-
erlands for the. regulation of their ecclesiastical affairs ; " the
right to administer justice in all civil matters within them-
selves, by magistrates of their own selection," without ap-
peal to other authorities ; the purchase of the lands by the
Dutch government from the natives, and a full conveyance
thereof to the associates forever ; none to " be allowed to
settle among them except by their own consent ; the right
to collect debts;" and a written charter stipulating these
rights in full.*

To all these the Governor readily consented, except the con-
cession of full powers of self-government without appeal ;
Stuyvesant being unwilling to grant them, in this respect,
greater liberties than were enjoyed by the other towns and
colonies of New Netherland. But the deputation was stren-
uous in securing a full concession of popular rights, inasmuch
as a controversy between Stuyvesant and his people had for
years been carried on, and with some considerable asperity,
on this very point ; the people demanding that no laws
should be enacted, and no magistrates appointed, but with
their consent and approbation ; and the governor stoutly re-
sisting the demand. The conference, thus broken off, was
renewed in March, 1662, with the same result. The whole
matter was then referred to the Directors at Amsterdam.
They would have been pleased, they say, in their reply,
March 26, 1663, with the arrangement, as the "settlement
might serve as a bulwark to our nation against the savages
on the Raritan and Minisink." They instruct Stuyvesant to
insist on retaining appellate jurisdiction in certain criminal
cases, "as long as it is tenable ; " but, "if the object in view
is not obtainable without this sacrifice," then the Governor
was "authorized to treat with the English on such terms as
in his opinion arc best adapted to promote the welfare
of the State and its subjects." The negotiations were re-
newed in June, 1663, but witli what result the record does
not state. As no settlement was attempted during the con-

* O'Callaghan's N. Neth., II. 447-S. Albany Records, IX. 897, S99, 907 ; X. 78, 77.

26 THE HISTORY OF

tinuance of the Dutch dominion, it is altogether probable
that the disagreement remained.*

Later in the year, the English towns on Long Island had
succeeded in throwing off the authority of the Dutch Govern-
ment, and had put themselves under the jurisdiction of Con-
necticut. Early in December, a party of twenty Englishmen,
from Jamaica, Flushing, and Gravesend, proceeded, in Stof-
fel Elsworth's sloop, to the Raritan River, with the intention
of purchasing a plantation from the Indians. But the design
was arrested by an armed party under command of Captain
Kregier, sent out for the purpose by Governor Stuyvesant,
in the Company's yacht. f

These were the only attempts, so far as we can learn, by
any parties previous to the year 168I-, to occupy this part of
the country. Denton, in 1670, says :

Whilst it .was under the Dutch Government, which hath been till
within these six years, there was little encouragement for any English,
both in respect to their safety from the Indians, the Dutch being almost
always in danger of them ; and. their Bever-trade not admitting of a War,
which would have been destructive to their trade which was the main
thing prosecuted by the Dutch. And secondly, the Dutch gave such bad
Titles to Lands, together with their exacting of the Tenths of all which
men produced off their Land, that did much hinder the populating of it ;
together with that general dislike the English have of living under an-
other Government.^

* O'Callaghan's N. Heth., II. 44S-9. + Whitehead's E. Jersey, p. ITT.

Whitehead's E. Jersey, pp. 1S3-4. Brpd- $ Denton's New York, Ed. of 1S45, pp.

head's New York, I. T07-S 16, IT.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY 27

CHAP TEE II.

A. D. 1664-1665.

Charter of Connecticut — Royal African Company — Grant to the Duke of
York — Expedition against Xew Xcthcrland — Surrender of New Amster-
dam — Gov. Nicolls — Petition of Bailey, Denton, and others for leave to
plant a Colony — Indian Purchase and Deed — Nicolls' Grant — Proposals for
Settlers — Early Descriptions of the Country — Extent of Nicolls' Patent —
Date of the Settlement — Tradition of four Families — Associate Purchasers —
Rev. Thomas James.

For several years previous to the Restoration of Charles
II., serious differences had existed between the Dutch and
English Colonies in North America. The latter were far the
more numerous and powerful. Having settled on the sea-
coast of New England, and their patents for land giving
them an indefinite extent of territory westward, they found
themselves brought into collision with the Dutch who
claimed on both sides of the North River to its source. Re-
peated conferences resulted more and more unfavorably for
peace. The new charter of Connecticut, obtained from the
king, and bearing date April 23, 1662, expressly granted
them all the territory between the Massachusetts line and the
sea, extending from Narragansett Bay to the Pacific Ocean.
The Dutch were, accordingly, told, by the Hartford people,
that "they knew of no New Netherland province, but of a
Dutch governor over the Dutch plantation on the Man-
hattans." Representations were, also, made to the Court,
designed to further these claims, and to lead to the extinguish-
ment of the Dutch government in America.*

Charles had, for some time, meditated the reduction of the
American Colonies to a state of immediate dependence on

* Brodheod'fl New York, 1.721.

28 " THE HISTORY OF

the crown, and the extension of his power along the whole
coast of America. He was ready to embrace the first
opportunity, therefore, that might offer for extending his
jurisdiction over the coveted territory. "The Company of
Royal Adventurers of England trading with Africa," more
commonly known as " the Royal African Company," had
just (January 10, 166%) been chartered, with the Duke of
York as their President. They were nothing more nor less
than slave-traders. In the prosecution of their nefarious
traffic, they had been greatly annoyed, and very seriously
damaged, by the powerful and monopolizing West India
Company of the United Provinces. Early in the following
year, therefore, an expedition was secretly sent out, by the
Royal African Company, against the African possessions of
the Dutch Company ; the two countries being at peace.*

The more successfully to compete with the Dutch, and to
cripple them in their rivalry, the Duke sought, and readily
obtained, from his royal brother, the king, March -JJ-, 166|-, a
grant of Long Island, and all the land from the w T est side of
Connecticut River to the east side of Delaware Bay, together
with what is now the State of Maine, and the Islands along
the coast of New England, together with the right of
government, or sovereignty ; including thus, not only the
Dutch province of New Netherland, but, also, a large part
of the territory given by royal patent, less than two years
previously, to the Connecticut Colony. A very cool proceed-
ing, and a clear case of usurpation. f

The Duke, as Lord High Admiral, had control of the
Royal Navy. An expedition was immediately fitted out, of
four ships-of-war, under the command of Col. Richard
Nicolls, a faithful adherent of the Royal Family, to whom
the Duke granted, April T 3 ^-, a commission to serve as his
deputy-governor within the whole grant. With him were
associated, also, April 26, [May 5,] 1664, Sir Robert Carr,
Knight, George Cartwright, Esq., and Samuel Maverick,
Esq., as Royal Commissioners to visit the American Colonies,

* Brodhead's New York, I. 735.

t Ibid. Learning and Spicer's Grants and Concessions, pp. 3-8.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY 29

with plenary powers to adjust disputes, appeals, and com-
plaints of every description, and provide for the public wel-
ware, looking well, of course, to the rights of the crowH.J

The fleet cast anchor in the outer Lay of New Amsterdam,
on Friday, August J-|. The surrender of the town of
Manhattoes was demanded, the next day. After various ne-
gotiations, protracted through the following week, the terms
of capitulation were arranged on Saturday, August 27 [Sep-
tember 6], On the Monday following, the Dutch authorities
surrendered the town and fort, and the English took posses-
sion. New Amsterdam became New York ; and Fort
Amsterdam, Fort James. Nicolls was proclaimed deputy-
governor for the Duke of York, and the people, not a few of
them gladly, very quietly submitted to the sway of the Eng-
lish conquerors. A few weeks sufficed to bring the whole
province of New Netherland into subjection, and to give the
control of the whole coast, from Maine to Carolina, to the
crown of Great Britain.

To the English inhabitants of the west end of Long Island,
the change of government was peculiarly acceptable. They
had met with so many obstructions from the Dutch, and had
been so stoutly denied a voice in the government, that they
could not but regard the advent of the English fleet with
favor, and rejoice in their success. Immediately the atten-
tion of those settlers who had, several years before, sought a
removal to Achter Kol, west of the North River, was directed
again to these inviting regions. An Association was at once
formed, and several of their number deputed to go down to
New York, and secure of the Governor the liberty to pur-
chase and settle a plantation, which they had sought In vain
from his predecessor under the Dutch Government. Four
weeks had scarcely elapsed since the surrender, when we find
them presenting the fallowing petition :

To the Right honour** 16 Col. Richard Nicholla Ee , Governour of
New-York Arc. The Humble peticdo of ca subscribed Bheweth :

That several of as Y<r Petiodners being [ntended formerly to have pur-
chased and setled a plantation upon y° River called :ifter-cull Riyer l>c-

X Brodbead's New York, I. 705-C.

30 THE HISTORY OF

fore Yo r arival into these parts: our Intentions, notwithstanding our
making some way with the Indians & Charges & Expences about the prem-
isses, was obstructed, by the then Ealing Dutch. And some of us by Bea-
son of not having any Accommadations here were put upon thoughts of
Eemoving into some other of his Majes ties Dominions : but now upon this
Yo 1 ' happy arival and the Decease of the Duch Interest, we would Gladly
proceed in the Design affores d . In order whereunto,. we make bold w th
all humility to petition to Yo r Hono r that you would Grant us liberty to
purchas and setle a parcel of land to Improve our labour upon on the
Eiver before mentioned, and some of us being Destitute of habitations
where we are, we crave Your Answer with as much Expedition as may
be. we humbly Take our leaves at Present and subscribe Yo 1 ' Hono 1 " 8
to command. John Bailies

' Daniel Denton
from Jemaico commonly Thomas Benydiek

so called Sept r 26, 1664. Nathan el Denton

John Foster
Luke "Watson

The application received the prompt attention of the new
Governor, and the paper was presently returned with the fol-
lowing endorsement :

Upon Perusal of this Peticon, I Do Consent unto the proposals and
Shall Give the undertakers all Due Encouragement in so Good a work.
Given under my hand in fort James, this 30 th of Septeni r 1664.

Bichard Nicholls*

Having thus secured the Governor's warrant for their en-
terprise, "the undertakers" made speedy arrangements for a
conference with the native owners of the soil. Capt. John
Baker, of the City of New York, it is said, was employed as
the English and Dutch Interpreter, and one of the natives as
the Indian and Dutch Interpreter. The conference was held
at Staten Island, where the chief sagamores of the Indians
then lived, and resulted satisfactorily to all the parties. A
tract of land was purchased, for which the following deed
was given :

This Indenture made The 28 th Day of October In the Sixteenth
Year of the Eeign of our Soveraign Lord Charles By The Grace of God
of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King Defender of the faith &c.
Between Mattano Manamowaouc and Cowescomen of Staten Island of the
one part and John Bayly, Daniel Denton, and Luke Watson of Jamaica

*E. Town Book, B., oth. end, 14. E. Town Bill in Chancery, 25. Learning and Spicer's
Grants, Concessions, &c, pp. 6CS-9.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 31

In Long Island LTusband Men on the other part Wiinesseffi That
the said Mattano Manamowaouo and Coescomen hath clearly Bargained
and Sold to the said John Bayly, Daniel Denton and Luke Watson, Their
Associates their heirs and Execu" One parcel of Land bounded on the
South By a River commonly called The Raritans River And on the East
by the River w ch Parts Staten Island and The Main, and To Bun North-
ward up after cull Bay. Till we come att the first River w '■ setts westward
out of the said Bay aforesaid And To Run west Into the Countcry Twice
the Length as it Is Broad from the North to The South of the aforemen-
tioned Bounds, Together with the Lands, Meadows, woods, waters,
feilds, fenns, fishings, fowlings, w th all and Singular the Appurtenances,
w ;h All Gaines, Profitts and advantages arising upon the said Lands and
all other the premisses and appurtenances To the Said John Bayly, Daniel
Denton, and Luke Watson w th Their Associates, w th their and Every of
their Heirs Executors Admin" or Assignes for Ever To have anil To
hold The said Lands with the Appurtenances To the said John Bayly,
Daniel Denton and Luke Watson with their Associates their Execu"
Assignes, find The said Mattanno Manomowaouc covenant promi
Grant and Agree To and w th the said John Bayly, Daniel Denton and
Luke Watson and their Associates their heirs and Execu" To Keep them
Safe in the Enjoyment of the Said Lands from all Expulsion and Incum-
brances whatsoever may arise of the Said Land By Any person or per-
sons By Reason of Any Title had or Growing before the Date of these
presents, for which Bargain, Sale, Covenants, Grants & Agreements on
the behalf of the sd Matteno manamowouc and Coneseomen to be per-
formed, Observed and Done the fores d parties Are at their Enttery upon
the Said Land To pay To the s d Matteno Manamowouc and Couescoman,
Twenty fathom of Trading Cloath, Two made Coats, Two Guns Two
Kettles Ten Bars of Lead Twenty Handfuls of powder, And further the
s' 1 John Baily Daniel Denton and Luke watson Do Covenant Promise
Grant and Agree to and with the s d Mattano Manamowoauc and Couesco-
man the fores' 1 Indians four hundred fathom of white wampom after a
Years Expiration from the Day of the said John Bayly Daniel Denton
and Luke watson Entery upon y e said Lands. In witness wh wo

have hereunto put our hands and seals, the Day and Year aforesaid.

The Mark of Mattano —

The Mark of Sewak hcrones
The Mark of Warinaneo -~^~^ — ^~-*~-
Signed Scaled and Delivered in the p r sence of us witness
Charles Ilorsley
The Mark of
Randal R Hewett.*

*E. Town Book, B, oth. end, 10-11. E. Town Bill in Chancery, pp. 25-G. An?, to do.,
p. 7. Grants, Concession^, &&, pp. CG9-G71. The whole cust and charges were estimated by
Secretary Bollen at more than £154.

32 THE HISTORY OF

Having thus made, in good faith, of the native proprietors,
a fair .and equitable purchase of the desired territory, and
procured a carefully-worded deed of the said purchase, the
Associates proceeded to. submit the transaction to Gov.
Kicolls, from whom, presently afterwards, they obtained an
official confirmation of their title, by grant, in due form, as
follows :

To all To whom These p r sents shall come, I Bichard Nicolls Esq r
Governour under his Royal Highness y e Duke of York of all his Territo-
ries la america send Greeting f W*hereas there is a parcel of Land w th
in my Government which hath Been purchased of Mattano Manamowaouc
and Oouesccoman of Staten Island By John Bayly Daniel Denton & Luke
watson of Jemaico In Long Island for a Consideration Express'd In a
Certain Deed of Indenture Bearing Date the 28th Day of October Last,
wherein the said parcel of Land was made over unto the said John
Bayly Daniel Denton and Luke watson and their Associates, their and
Every of their heirs Execu rs admin" or Assigns for Ever as In the said
Deed, Relacon being thereunto had more fully and at Large Doth and
may appear, Jfow To the End the said Lands may the sooner be planted
Inhabited and manured I have thought fit to Give Confirme and Grant and
by these p r sents Do Give Confirme and Grant unto Cap* John Baker of
new Yorke, John Ogden of North-hampton, John Baily and Luke wat-
son of Jemaico on Long Island and their Associates their heirs Execu 1 ' 8 ad-
min™ and assigns the said parcell of Land Bounded on the South By a
River commonly called the Raritans River — On the East by y e sea w ck
partes Staten Island and the main, to Run Northwards up after cull Bay
Till you come to the first River w ch - sets westwards out of the s d bay, And
To Run west Into the Countery Twice the Length of the Breadth thereof
from the North To the South of the aforementioned Bounds Together
with all Lands, Meadows Pastures woods waters feilds fenns fishings
fowling with all and singular the appurtenances, with all Gaines Profits
and advantages arising or that shall arise upon the s d Lands and premises
To have and To hold the s d Lands and appurtenances To the s d
Cap* John Baker, John Ogden John Bayly and Luke watson and their As-
sociates their heirs Exec™ admin 1 ' 3 and assigns forever, Rendering and pay-
ing Yearly unto his Royal Highness The Duke of Yorke or his assigns a cer-
tain Rent according To the customary Rate of y e Countery for New Planta-
tions and Doing and p r forming such Acts & Things as shall be appointed
by his said Royal highness or his Deputy, and The s d Cap* John Baker
John Ogden John Bayly & Luke watson and Their Associates their heirs
Execu rB admin rs and assigns are To Take Care and Charge of y e s d Lands
and p r misses That People be carried thither with all convenient speed for
the setting of plantacons thereon and that none have Libertie so To Do

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 33

without the Consent and Approbation of y e s d Cap' John Baker John
Ogden John Bayly and Lake watson and Their Associates Except they
shall neglect their Planting thereof according To The true Intent and
meaning of These p r sents. and I Do Likewise promise and Grant that the
persons so Inhabiting and planting the Lands and premises aforos' 1 shall
have Equal freedom Immunities and privileges with any of his Ma"" sub-
jects In any of his Colonys of America. And the s 1 Cap' John Baker John
Ogden John Baily and Luko watson and Their Associates have Libertie to
purchase of the Natives (or Others who have the proprietio thereof) as
farre as Snake hill to the End and purposes afores 1 — In witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first Day of December
In the sixteenth Year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord Charles The
Second By the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Irre-
land Defender of the faith &c. at fort James In New York on the Island

of manhatans.

Richard Nicolls.*

At or about the same time. Gov. Xicolls drew up and pub-
lished certain Proposals by which property in lands might be
acquired in any of the unoccupied territories of the Duke of
York in America, as follows :

The Conditions for New Planters, in the Territories of his Royal High-
ness the Duke of York.

The Purchases are to bo made from the Indian Sachems, and to be
Recorded before the Governour.

The Purchasers are not to pay for their Liberty of Purchasing to the
Governour.

The Purchasers are to Set out a Town and Inhabit together.

No Purchaser shall at any Time Contract for himself with any Sachem,
without Consent of his Associates : or Special warrant from the Gov-
ernour.

The Purchasers are free from all manner of Assessments or Rates :
Years after their Town Piatt is Set out, and when the live years are
Expired, they shall only be Liable to the Publick Rates and payment
cording to the Custome of other Inhabitants both English and Dutch.

All Lands thus Purchased and Posses'd, shall Remain to the Pur
chasers and their Heirs as free-lands to Dispose of as they Please.

In all Territories of his Royal Highness, liberty of conscience is allowed ;
Provided such liberty is not Converted to licentiousness or the Disturbance
of Others in the exercise of the Protestant Religion.

Tho several Town-ships have liberty to mako their Particular Laws, and
deciding all Small Causes within themselves.

* E. Town Book B.,oth. end, pp. 11, 12. E.Town Bill in Chancery, p. 20. Grants, Conces-
sions, &c, pp. 671-3.

34 THE HISTORY OF

The Lands which I intend shall be first Planted, are those upon the
west side of Hudsons Eiver, at or adjoining to the Sopes. but if any Num-
ber of men sufficient for Two or Three or more Towns, shall desire to
Plant upon any other Lands, they shall have all Due Encouragement Pro-
portionable to their Quality and undertakings.

Every Town-ship is Obliged to pay their Minister, according to such
Agreement as they shall make with them and Eo man to refuse his Pro-
portion, the minister being Elected by the Major Part of the house-hold" 8 -
Inhabitants of the Town.

Every Town-ship hath the free Choice of all their Officers both Oivill
and military, and all men who shall take the oath of allegiance to his
Majestie and are not Servants or Day-labourers, but are admitted to Enjoy
a Town-lott, are Esteemed free-men of the Jurisdiction, and cannot for-
feit the same without Due Process in law.*

These Proposals were all that could be expected, ema-
nating as they did from a Court, that was bitterly opposed
to every thing like democracy, exceedingly jealous of the
power and privileges of the people, and so hostile to the
Puritan party in the Church of England, as to have driven
more than two thousand non-conforming ministers into pri-
vate life. They were regarded with peculiar favor by the
new settlers in the Duke's territories, and accepted as a lib-
eral constitution for the planting of new towns, and the
organizing of new municipalities.

Encouraged by the Governor's concessions, and furnished
with every requisite document to establish their right and
title, beyond all doubt and controversy, to the absolute pro-
prietorship of their lands, ^h.e four purchasers from Long
Island, with their Associates, took measures for a speedy and
effective occupation of the fair domain thus lawfully and
honorably acquired. It was, indeed, a fair domain, scarcely
to be equalled, and certainly not excelled, on the whole At-
lantic coast of the new world. Its advantages were extolled
in glowing terms, by eye-witnesses of its virgin beauty. The
Dutch government, in 1661, $poke of it as follows :

It is under the best clymate in the whole world; seed may bee
thrown into the ground, except six weekes, all the yere long ; there are

* E. Town Book, B. 1. Ans. to E. T. Bill, p. 6. Grants and Concessions, p. 66T. Smith's
History of N. York, I. 85-6. Mulford'o New Jersey, p. 139.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 35

five sorts of grapes w ch are very good and grow heere naturally, with
diverse other excellent fruits extraordinary good, and y e fruits trans-
planted from Europe far snrpasseth any there ; as apples, pears, peaches,
melons, &c. the land very fertile, produreth a great increase of wheat
and all other grane whatsoever: heere groweth tobacco very good, it
naturally abounds, with severall sorts of dyes, furrs of all sorts may bee
had of the natives very reasonable; store of saltpeter; marvelous plenty
in all kinds of food, excellent veneson, elkes very great and large ; all
kind of land and seafoule that are naturally in Europe are he ire in great
plenty, with severall other sorte, y' Europe doth not enjoy ; the sea and
rivers abounding with excellent fat and wholesome fish \v rh are heere in
great plenty; the mountenouse part of the country stored with severall
sorts of mineralls; great profit to bee derived from trafliquo with the
natives (who are naturally a mild people, very capable (and by the Grace
of God) to be drawne out of their blind ignorance to the saving light by
Jesus Christ. Heere may likewise bee great profitt made by fishing,
whereby abundance of people may bee imployed with great and notable
advantages.*

This description, though designed to cover the whole ter-
ritory between the Hudson and Delaware rivers, was pecu-
liarly applicable to the region bordering on Achter Kol, or
Newark Bay and its southern estuary. Daniel Denton, one
of the original " undertakers " of this settlement, is no less
'enthusiastic in its praise. Writing in 1670, he describes it
as follows :

I may say, and say truly, that if there be any terrestrial happiness to
be had by people of all ranks, especially of an inferior rank, it must
certainly be here : here any one may furnish himself with Land, and live
rent-free, yea, with such a quantity of Land, that he may weary himself
with walking over his fields of Corn, and all sorts of Grain ; and let his
stock of Cattel amount to some hundreds, he needs not fear their want
of pasture in the Summer or Fodder in the Winter, the Woods affording
sufficient supply. For the Summer-season, where you have g - high

as a mans knees, nay, as high as his waste, interlaced with Pea-vines and
other weeds that Cattel much delight in, as much as a man can pi
through ; and these woods also every mile or half-mile are furnished with
fresh ponds, brooks or rivers, where all sorts of Cattel, during the heat
of the day, do quench their thirst and cool themselves $ these brooks and
rivers being invironed of each side with Beveral sorts of tr id Grape-

vines, the vines, Arbor-like, interchanging places and crossing these riv-
ers, does shade and shelter them from the Bcorohing beams of Sol's fiery

* N. York Col. Documents, III. 35-?.

36 THE HISTORY OF

influence. And how prodigal, If I may so say, hath Nature been to fur-
nish the Countrey with all sorts of wilde Beasts and Fowle, which every
one hath an interest in, and may hunt at his pleasure : where besides the
pleasure in hunting, he may furnish his house with excellent fat Yenison,
Turkeys, Geese, Heath Hens, Cranes, Swans, Ducks, Pidgeons, and the
like ; and. wearied with that, he may go a Fishing, where the Elvers are
so furnished, that he may supply himself with Fish before he can leave
off the Recreation ; where besides the sweetness of the Air, the Countrey
itself sends forth such a fragrant smell, that it may be perceived at Sea
before they can make the Land ; where no evil fog or vapour doth no
sooner appear but a North-west or "Westerly winde doth immediately
dissolve it, and drive it away. I must needs say, that if there be any
terrestrial Canaan, 'tis surely here, where the Land floweth with milk
and honey.*

Van Tienhoven, Secretary of New .Netherland, writing in
1650, says,

The district inhabited by a nation called Earitangs, is situate on a
fresh water river, that flows through the centre of the low land which the
Indians cultivated. This vacant territory lies between two high moun-
tains, far distant the one from the other. This is the handsomest and
pleasantest country that man can behold, it furnished the Indians with
abundance of maize, beans, pumpkins, and other fruits.f

The land covered by Gov. Nicolls' patent was of large
dimensions. It extended from the month of the Paritan on
the South, to the month of the Passaic on the North, a dis-
tance, in a straight line, of not less than seventeen miles ;
and running back into the country twice this distance, or
thirty-four miles; embracing the towns of Woodbridge and
Piscataway, the whole of the present Union County, part of
the towns of Newark and Clinton ; a small part of Morris
County, and a considerable portion of Somerset County —
containing about 500,000 acres, upland and meadow, in fair
proportions, well watered by the Paritan, the Passaic, the
Pahway, and Elizabeth Pi vers, Thompson's [Morse's] Creek,
and Bound Brook; diversified with level plains and ranges
of hills, of considerable elevation, ordinarily classified as
mountains ; the soil of the uplands mostly red shale and clay

* Denton's Description of N.York, Ed. of 1845, pp. 19, 20, 21.
t N. T. Col. Documents, I. 366-7. N. Y. Doc. His., IV. 29.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 37

loam, and a large part of it susceptible of a high state of
cultivation.

The precise date of the first occupation of this tract by the
new proprietors is not on record. No memorial of the event
has come down to the present day. It was, doubtless, an
humble beginning in the first instance, and not deemed of
sufficient moment to attract attention. The purchase was
made, October 2Sth, 1661, and the Governor's patent or
grant obtained, on the 1st of December following. It is
probable, that something like a formal entry was made, and
possession taken, between these two dates. From a receipt,
endorsed on the Deed^from the Indians, it appears that the
final payment of "four hundred fathom of white wampom "<
was acknowledged by the Grantors, November 21, 1GG5.
This became due only " after a years expiration from the
day of entery upon y e said lands." It is not probable,
that the time of payment was anticipated ; and hence it may
be concluded, that the settlement was actually commenced,
ground, at least, broker!, and something of a habitation
attempted, as early as November 21, 1664.*

The purchasers, in their application to Gov. Nicolls,
September 30, 1661, had craved his "answer with as much
expedition as may be ; because some of them, by reason of
not having any accommodations where they then resided,
were put upon thoughts of removing into some other of his

* Appended to the Indian Deed is the following receipt : Received of John Ogden in
part of the above specified foure hundred feet of wampum I say Received oue hundred
fathom of -wampum by mee the 18 of August 1665 The mark of Mattano

"Witnesses, Samuel Edsall, James Bollen
Endorsed on the Deed is the following : The 24 November 1665 paid to the Indians in
full payment of this obligation

In Wampum one hundred and ninty fathom - 190

In a fowling peice and Lead ..... 40

for ISO Gilders that was behind for the payment of Luke - 1

Watson's oxen that were killed by the Indians seaventy fathom of f '

wampum

the sum of three hundred fathom .... 800 I say in all

(Witnesses) The mark of Mattano

Henry Creyk Wareham

John Dickcsrin Bowab llcrones

Jeremiah Osbone Manamawaouc

J;.; i 11 Kawamoeh

E. J. Eecords, U. 1S1, 2, and I. 1, 2; II. 127 Lutonewach

38 THE HISTORY OF

Majesty's dominions." The grant from Nicolls, also, was
obtained on the condition " that people be carried thither
with all convenient speed for the setting of plantations
thereon.'' All this renders it highly probable, that the
settlement was undertaken without loss of time. Possibly
the winter-season, then at hand, may not have been the most
propitious for active and energetic operations. But, cer-
tainly, with the passing away of the frosts, in February or
March following, they would be on the move to clear the
ground of the "goodly oaks" on either side of the Creek,
where they had determined to locate their town snd lay out
their home lots, to prepare the soil for the summer and
autumnal crops, and to erect their humble dwellings.

The people of L. Island (says Gov. Nicolls, in 1665), are very poor
and labour onely to get bread and clothing, without hopes of ever seeiDg
a penny of monies.*

An exaggerated statement, doubtless, and to be taken
with considerable abatement ; and yet indicative of the gen-
eral opinion in respect to the poverty of the soil of Long
Island, in comparison with the fertile tract west of Staten
Island ; rendering it quite unlikely, that the purchasers of
this tract would suffer many months to pass away, before be-

• ginning their settlement. Early in July, 1665, Gov. Nicolls
writes to the Duke, in respect to the " lands to the west of the

• Hudsons River," — " Upon this tract of land several new pur-
chases are made from the Indians since my coming, and
three Townes beginning ; " f showing that at that time a town
had at least been begun here, indicative of a considerable
immigration ; something more than three or four huts or
cabins, as a somewhat vague tradition represented, some
seventy years afterwards. K~o reliance, in the absence of
documentary evidence, can be placed on the statement, made
in 1747, that, as late as the first of August, 1665,

No other Christian person whatsoever was settled upon any part of
the lands in question, than John Ogden and Luke Watson aforesaid ; and
certainly no more than four families settled (if so many) by virtue or on
pretence of the said Indian purchase, or grant from Gov. Nicolls, nor at

* N. V. Col. Documents, III. 106. * lb., III. 105.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 39

any other place within the bounds of the lands in question. To suppose
that none of the Associates, who were interested in the said purchase and
grant, and had contributed their proportions to the consideration-money,
should, during all that time, have settled on the said land, with the said
four grantees, is conceived to be a very unlikely and strange supposition.*

It was not an unoccupied land. A savage tribe had made
it their home, long years previously, and still dwelt in the
immediate neighborhood of the plot selected for a town.
The Minisink path, leading from the sea at Shrewsbury Inlet,
and crossing the Earitan River two or three miles above its
mouth, the principal track of the Indians in the northern and
eastern portion of New Jersey, leading to Minisink Island in
the Delaware River, passed up the country just back of the
Rahway River, directly through the new purchase, and
within four or five miles of this locality. The Dutch had
pursued a policy which served to irritate and exasperate
these natives of the forest. So late as October, 1655, Pen-
nekek, one of the Sachems in Achter Kol, brought in to
Pavonia [Paulus Hook] not less than 28 Dutch captives,
men and women, and delivered them to the agents of Stuy-
vesant, informing them that more than 20 others remained
to be redeemed. It was not safe, aiid had not been to the
time of the conquest by the English in 166-1, to venture far
into the interior. It would have been exceedingly hazardous
for three or four families to plant themselves on these out-
skirts of civilization, as residents and occupants of the land,
unprotected, f

It was well said, more than a century since, that

As the country, at their first coining, was inhabited by no other than
the native Indians, who were then in great numbers ; the said pnrcha -
and associates agreed, at first, to make small divisions of their lands,
according to the usage and custom then in New England ; to the end that
they might settle and plant near together ; so that, in case any attempt
was made by the Indians, they might mutually aid and assist each other
The circumstances of the inhabitants at that day, being so dangerous
and troublesome, that we, at this time, can haw no adequate ideas
of the hardships of. J

* E. T. Bill in Chancery, pp. 2S-6G. Ans. to E. T. Bill, p. 29.

t Valentine's N. Y. Manual for 1SC3, pp. 5:>T, B. I Ans. to E. T. Bill, p. 22.

40 THE HISTOEY OF

On this account it was expressly provided that other " peo-
ple be carried thither," besides the four purchasers, " to set
out a town, and inhabit together." The tradition, that but
four families were found in occupancy of the town, so late as
August, 1665, grew out of the fact, most probably, that but
four names are recorded as purchasers in Gov. Nicolls' Grant.
It seems to have been erroneously supposed, that these four
were the sole proprietors of the purchase; whereas the
Indian Deed expressly conveys the land, as also does ISTicolls'
Grant, to the Associates of these grantees as well. The
whole transaction was a concerted enterprise ; thought of,
and talked over, and agreed upon, by a considerable number
of persons, like-minded, and of like origin, residents of the
same neighborhood on Long Island. Denton, one of the
projectors of the undertaking, writes, four or five years
afterwards,

That the usual way, is for a Company of people to joyn together,
either enough to make a Town, or a lesser number ; these go with the
consent of the Governor, and view a Tract of Land, there being choice
enough, and "finding a place convenient for a Town, they return to the
Governor, who upon their desire admits them into the Colony, and gives
them a Grant or Patent for the said Land, for themselves and Associates.
These persoDs being thus qualified, settle the place, and take in what
inhabitants to themselves they shall see cause to admit of, till their Town
be full.*

This is, doubtless, just what occurred in this instance — a
number of persons combining and contributing to the acqui-
sition, as is expressly stated in their behalf in a legal docu-
ment of a later date :

True it is, that, on the first settlement of the said first purchases and
associates, it was agreed and understood, that the lands so purchased,
should be divided, in proportion to the money paid for the purchase, to
wit, into first-lot, second-lot, and third-lot rights, the second-lot to be
double, and the third lot treble what was divided to those called first
.rights.!

* Denton's Description of U. Y.. &c, Ed. of 1845, p. 17.

t Ans. to E. T. Bill, p. 22. The following attestations, given about 20 years after the set-
tlement, fully establish these conjectures: "T,he testimony off Timothy Holstead, off
Hemstead, in Queens County who declareth y l y e purchasers off Affter Knll (viz.) Daniell
Denton, John Baylies & Luke Watson did admit off my selff & my brother alsoe vpon y e
■disbursement off ffour pounds a peece in bever pay to bee Associates w l y m in y e purchass

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 41

Tiiat the movement was thus undertaken in concert by a
considerable number of persons, who were interested in it
from the beginning, and not several distinct, disconnected,
and individual undertakings, appears still more fully from a
letter, which has happily been preserved among the " Win-
throp Papers," written by the Rev. Thomas James, pastor of
the church of East Hampton, L. I. It is dated, Nov. 25,
1667, and is addressed to Gov. Winthrop, at New London,
Ct., as follows :

I can say lesso then formerly, in respect of my vnsetlednesse : for I was
intended to haue remoued, with severall of my brethren who are gone, as
Mr. Bond and others, who are remoued beyond 1ST. Yorke ; who were ex-
ceeding desirous to haue me gone with them, and settled a plantation in
those parts ; and my resolution was once so to haue done, but God, who
hath the hearts and ways of all in his own hands, hath ordered it other-
wise, so that I am still here. "When it came too, the people here by no
meanes could be perswaded to be willing to part with me vpon that ac-

in case wea liked which mony wee disbursed ffor indean trade which sayd indean goods went
to the pnrchass of y c s d land at Affter Kull at y e request off y e affores d purchasers wee dis-
liking y° place vpon a view off it. And they ingaging wee should bee payd ffor our goods
& wee acknowledge y' weo have Keceived satisffaction off Dan" Denton affores d one off
y e purchasers the whole sum payd by selff and brother was four pounds a peeco and two it
Biz pence. Sworn beffore vs, y e 17 th off Novem r 1G85, Elias Doughty, Richard Cornwell, Jus-
tices in Quorum."

"Samuel Denton off nemstead doth alsoe testiffy y* y e above written purchasers did
agree alsoe w l him vpon y e disbursment off four pounds to bee an equal Associate w l them
in case hee liked which four pounds hee pay d in bever for goods y l went to y e pnrchass off
y c s d land at Affter Kull att y e desire off y e purchasers they promising to Repay mee. And
I acknowledge y l I have deceived 6atisffaction off Daniell Denton one off y c s d purchasers ffor
y e s d ffour pounds ;

" Ffor y c ffour pounds above mentioned Sam 11 doth testiffy y l exactly to y e sum hee can-
not so well remember. But is positive in this that hee pay d equall w< y e purchasers Timothy
llolstead & Sam 11 Denton on the other side mentioned doe ffurther testify that y e mony on
y e other side mentioned was payd to y e indeans ffor all su-ch lands contained in y e purchass
made by y c purchasers on y e otherside mentioned, as well ffor Elizabcthtown as y e Rett
& ffurther y* wee layd doun our mony for y e purchas at Daniel Dentous, commending off y*
place to vs as severall others did vpon incouragemont ffrom y c other purchasers. And never
Received a ffarthin but ffrom Daniel Denton. And y l Ambross Sutten also was one off our
Company. December y e 8 d 16S5. Attested before mee Richard Cornwell, Justice in
Quorum."

" Josiah Settin off Oisterbay in Queens County testificth that when Dan" Denton, John
Baylies & Luke Watson did purchase Affter Kull so called off y« indeans that I went w 1
Dan 11 Denton when hee carried y c good3 to pay y c purchass off y e land And y< Samuel
Denton ft Timothy llolstead & Ambross Sutton was off y e Company «fc payd mony
towards y c purchass «fc I payd my mony alsoe towards y c purchass to Luke Watson
wee being all off vs to have land iff wee likd ffor our mony y« wee disbursd. But never
received any satisffaction of Luke Watson nor any other off y« purchasers ffor my s rt mony
that I layd out ffer y e s' 1 purchass nor ever had any consideration in land or any ether
way taken vpon oath y e last day off March Annoq. Domini 1G>G. Before Bfee John
Townsend, Scn r Justice off y 8 peace," Alb. Records, XXXII. 118.

42 THE HISTORY OF

count, go thsjt I am here still, but by reason thereof, lesse hath beece done
then otherwise might haue been.*

M.v. Bond, and his neighbors from East Hampton, were
here, (and probably had been for some time previous) as early
as February 166-J, nearly two years before the writing of this
letter.

In the absence, then, of every thing like documentary evi-
dence to the contrary, it is safe to conclude, that ground was
broken, for the settlement of the town, as early as in Novem-
ber, 1664, and that, in the spring of the year 1665, a consid-
erable number of the Associates, for whom the land had
been purchased, arrived, with their wives and children, and
took possession of their new homes in Achter Kol.

*4 Mass. His. Soc. Coll., VII. 485.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. J;;

CHAPTER III.

A. D. 1CC5— 1GGG.

Arrival of the ship Philip, with Gov. Carteret — Explanations — Lord John
Berkeley — Sir Geo. Carteret — Adherents of Ro)-alty in the Civil War —
Their Services to the Crown — Rewarded with Offices and Land Grants —
Purchase of N. Jersey from the Duke of York — Letters of Hutchinson —
Capt. Carteret arrives at New York with laborers — Acquiesces in NicolLs'
Grant — Purchases rights in the new Town — Origin of its Name.

Scarcely lias the new settlement got fairly under way, the
ground about the Creek been cleared, and the soil made ready
for the sowing of the winter grain, when tidings reach them
from New York of a serious change in their prospects. Word
is brought, that the Duke of York has sold the territory west
of Hudson's River to two of the Lords of the Council, who
have sent over a Deputy to arrange the matter with Gov.
Nicolls, and take possession, in their name, of the newly-
created province. As a matter of course the coming of the
new Governor is awaited with no little anxiety.

Early in the month of August, 16G5, the town is stirred by
the first exciting event in its history. The ship " Philip/'
having arrived at New York, July 29th, now makes her ap-
pearance at the Point, or entrance of the Creek on which
the town is laid out. She brings Capt. Philip Carteret, a
sprightly youth of six and twenty, with a company of emi-
grants from the old world. Among them, is a French gen-
*tleman, Robert Vauquellin, — a surveyor by profession, — with
his wife. Capt. James Bollen, of New York, also, is of the
number. With these come, also, eighteen men of menial
character, of the laboring class ; possibly a few others, fe

44 THE HISTORY OF

males, probably, of whom no special mention is made, — some
thirty in all.*

The settlers gather about the landing, to receive the new
comers, to learn who they are, and why their steps are di-
rected hither. Capt. Carteret presently submits his creden-
tials to Ogden and his townsmen. He comes accredited with
papers from Gov. Nicolls, and a Governor's commission from
Lord John Berkeley, Baron of Stratton, Somerset Co., Eng.,
and Sir George Carteret, Knight and Baronet, of Saltnim in
Devon (both of the Privy Council), to whom the Duke of
York had granted the Territory lying to the west of Hudson's
River, and east of the Delaware, to be known, henceforward,
as IsTova Caesarea, or "New Jersey. Mutual explanations fol-
low. The Indian Deed is produced and well considered.
Gov. Nicolls' Grant is brought forward and explained.

The settlers appear to have had a fair understanding with
Carteret and his company, and to have procured a concession
of their rights and titles as proprietors of the territory de-
scribed in their deed. Tradition tells us, — not a YeYj relia-
ble authority when not supported by collateral evidence as
it is in the present case, — that Carteret, being informed of
their right to the lands, " approved of the same, and readily
and willingly consented to become an Associate with them ;
and went up from the place of his landing, with them,
carrying a hoe on his shoulder, thereby intimating his inten-
tion of becoming a planter with them ; " glad, no doubt, to
find so promising a beginning in the settlement of the unoc-
cupied and unexplored territory over which he was to exer-
cise authority, f

Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret were of the court
of Charles II., a monarch, of whom Bancroft truly says, that
his reign u was not less remarkable for the rapacity of the
courtiers, than for the debauchery of the monarch." J In the
conflict with the Parliamentarians, they had both, being then
in the full vigor of their faculties, adhered to the fortunes of*
their king, Charles 1., and laid their royal master and his

* E. T. Bill, p. 28.

t Learning and Spicer, pp. 8-11, 26-7. Ans. to E. T. Bill, p. 20.

X Bancroft's U. States, II. 129.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 45

profligate sons, Charles and James, under no small obligations
to them.

Berkeley was the youngest son of Sir Maurice Berkeley.
He was born in 1607, joined the army in the operations
against the Scots in 1G33, and was knighted (June 27) the
same year. In the Parliamentary war he served as Commis-
sary General for the king, as Governor of Exeter, and Gen-
eral of the royal forces in Devon. After the king's death he
went abroad with the royal family, and, in 1652, was made
Governor of the Duke of York's household. May 19, 1C5S,
lie was created, by royal favor, Baron Berkeley, of Stratton;
and, at the Restoration in 16G0, he was sworn of the Privy
Council.*

Carteret was the eldest son of Helier Carteret, Deputy
Governor of the Isle of Jersey, a descendant of the Lords of
Carteret in the Duchy of Normandy, a family of great re-
spectability, dating back to the time of "William, the Con-
queror. Philip, eldest son of Ilelier Carteret, married Rachel
Paulet, and had six children : Philip, Helier, Amice, Gideon,
Rachel and Judith. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth,
and lived to a great age. Sir Philip, the eldest son of Sir
Philip, married Ann Dowse, and had eleven children : Philip,
Peyton, Zouch, Gideon, Francis, Thomas, Edward, Marga-
ret, Anne, Elizabeth, Dowse. Philip, the first-born, died in
1662. Elizabeth (for whom this town was named) married
her cousin, George Carteret. Her father, Philip, had (as
above) three brothers. Ilelier, the second son of the first Sir
Philip, married Elizabeth Dumaresque, and had two chil-
dren, George and Philip. The latter was born in 1G10, and
died in 1665.

George Carteret was born in 1599, married (as above) his
cousin, Elizabeth, and had three sons and five daughters. His
sons were Philip, James and George. The latter died un-
married in 1656. Philip, his eldest son, was knighted, June
4, 1670, and killed in a naval battle, May 28, 1672. Geor
the father, entered the navy at an early age. In 1626, he
was appointed joint governor of Jersey, and, in 1610, comp-

* N. Y. Colonial Doc, II. 599. Collins' Tecrago, (Ed. oflTS?,) III. 270-2S1.

46 THE HISTORY OF

troller of the royal navy. In 1642, the post of Yice Admiral
was offered him bv Parliament, but declined in obedience to
his royal master. He was knighted May 9, 1646, having
rendered the king great service in the supply of ammunition.
Withdrawing to his home in Jersey, his house, which he
bravely defended as the last stronghold of the monarchy, be-
came an asylum to the Prince of Wales and others of
the party. He followed his sovereign to France in 1652, was
imprisoned, in the Bastile, at the instance of Cromwell, in
1657, and subsequently banished the kingdom. He repaired
to Charles at Brussels in 1659, and was one of his escort when
received by the city of London in 1660. He was appointed
Yice Chamberlain, and Treasurer of the Navy ; was sworn of
the Privy Council, and in 1661 elected to Parliament for
Portsmouth. As early as 1650, when the royal cause ap-
peared quite hopeless, he is said to have obtained the grant
of an island in Virginia, and to have fitted out a ship with
all sorts of goods and tools, with many passengers, for the
settlement of a plantation in the new world. It is thought,
that the project was abandoned on account of the vigilance
of the Cromwellian party.*

The trials, through which the two Lords had passed during
the civil wars, in which circumstances had brought them
into great familiarity with the royal brothers, Charles and
James, gave them great influence at court, after the Res-
toration. Lucrative offices were awarded them in and about
the royal household, and frequent opportunities given of pro-
moting their purposes of wealth and aggrandizement. The
new world beyond the flood was attracting numerous adven-
turers, and offering large inducements to colonists. The
gifted Winthrop, on the occasion of his visit to England
in 1661-2, to procure a new Charter for Connecticut, had
been received with great consideration at court, and, by his
representations of what had already been accomplished in
New England, had unwittingly excited the greed of many of
the corrupt and wily parasites of the crown. Clarendon,
Albemarle, Ashley, Colleton, Carteret, Craven, and the two

* N. T. Colonial Doc, II. 410. Collins' Peerage (Ed. of 1735), IV. 321-3.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 47

Berkeleys, Lord John and Sir William, banded together, and
readily obtained, in 1G03, from the pleasure-loving monarch,
a grant of the vast territory in America, extending from the
36th degree of north latitude, to the river Saint Matheo, and
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, as proprietors and lords,
with almost absolute authority, and the right of assignment
or sale, — a most extraordinary grant of power ; and all this,
on the plea of "being excited with a laudable and pious zeal
for the propagation of the gospel" among a "barbarous peo-
ple, who have no knowledge of God " — hypocrites that they
were ! " Avarice," says Bancroft, " is the vice of declining
years ; most of the proprietaries were past middle life. They
begged the country under pretence of a ' pious zeal fur the
propagation of the gospel,' and their sole object was the in-
crease of their own wealth and dignity." *

Not satisfied with their share in the lordship of such a vast
domain, Berkeley and Carteret were eager to secure for
themselves an investment in western lands still more prom-
ising, if possible. The notorious Capt. Scott, who had
created so much disturbance on Long Island and the Main,
and of whom Gov. ISTicolls wrote, that he " was borne to
work mischeife as farre as hee is credited or his parts serve
him," had sought of the crown a patent for Long Island ; but,
not succeeding in his design, and conceiving that he had been
wronged by the Duke of York, is reported to have induced
Berkeley and Carteret to secure New Jersey for themselves,
knowing, as ISTicolls, also, declared, that it was the most valu-
able portion of the Duke's territory, f

The two Lords readily caught the bait, and the Duke, "for
a competent sum of money," having, by his patent from the
king, the right of sale, as well as possession and rule, con-
veyed, June 2-i, 106-i, the territory, now known as New
Jersey, to Berkeley and Carteret, " in as full and ample
manner " as it had been conveyed to himself, — transferring
to these court favorites all his rights, titles, and authority to
and over the land in question.

* Bancroft's U. States, 11.130. ' X. Y. Colonial Dor., HI. 105. Thompson's Long
Island, IL 320-3.

48 THE HISTORY OF

In the course of the summer, as has been seen, the Dutch
were dispossessed, and the country brought under the sway
of the English crown. As soon as tidings came, in the latter
part of October, that the conquest was complete, the two
Lords began their preparations for colonizing their new ac-
quisitions. Guided, probably, by the terms of Winthrop's
Charter, and the Concessions subsequently drawn up for the
Carolinas, they prepared a Plan for the government of the
territory (that Carteret had honored with the name of his
island home), which was completed and signed, February 10,
166f , and which they denominated, " The Concessions and
agreement of the Lords Proprietors of New-Csesarea, or New-
Jersey, to and with all and every of the adventurers, and all
such as shall settle or plant there ; " a document, of which it
must be admitted, that, while much may be said against it
and properly, it, nevertheless, contained principles and con-
veyed privileges far in advance of the age, and much more
accordant with democracy than with the imperialism of the
Stuarts.*

Capt. Philip Carteret, a distant relative of Sir George, was
more than content to emigrate to the new world, and become
the Governor of the new territory for the Proprietors. His
commission and letters of instruction bear the same date as
the Concessions. Mr. Robert Yauquellin, Sieur des Prairie,
of the city of Caen, in France, receives the same clay an ap-
pointment as Surveyor General ot the Province. The ship
Philip is, also, put in commission, and furnished with men
and supplies for the new colony.

Some allusions to the ship and the undertaking of the two
Carterets, that serve to shed light on the character and pur-
poses of the enterprise, are found in the " Winthrop Papers."
Samuel Hutchinson, Merchant of London, writes, February
14, 166|, " to John Wintrop Esq r att New Lond In New
England : "

Sir— Having this opertunyty by way of ISTew Yorke, in a ship of S.
George Oartrets hound for New Jersy how carys Oapt. Cartret the

* See Smith's K Jersey, pp. 512-521. Grants, Concessions, &c, pp. 12-25.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 49

Governor. I know yor wonted costoin to all strangers, nut to let
them lacke any Asistance or Advice you cane give tliem, Yor expery-
ance in those parts being orach, may doe him servis and yor selfc noe
predgedis. Butt as you will hcare, thar will be a greater obligatyon
then ordinary, to the Honerab" Sir Georg Oartrett and Capt Phillip Car-
tret now Governer of Xew Jersy

Some particulars about the shipping of machinery for cer-
tain salt-works follow, and then he adds, —

The ffrenes of S r Georg and the Capt. in the same is worth taking
notes of. If Capt. Cartrett mislickes after ho corns into the contry I
will tacke them of at the same rate.

He writes again, February 20, —

Capt Cartret hath brought over sondry ffrench men that know the
making of salt in ffrance.* If you goe yo r self to New Jersy, I desier
you to view the plantatyons and if you pich upon a good track of Land
send me word how it leyes, for Sir George promasis me what in reson I
can desier thare, and advise the salt worke to be set up in that place if
convenyant, if you provida wht ocke pip staves I doe conseve thay may
be a comodety in New England sondry ships will com to Lode stave for
Canarys and other Hands.!

The Philip is detained (probably on account of the war
with the Dutch that rendered navigation hazardous), until
the last of April ; and then sets sail, just as " the Great
Plague " is beginning to gather up its more than threescore
thousand victims in London. The next we hear from the
ship is on her arrival in Virginia, whence Carteret writes to
Gov. Winthrop as follows :

Newportes newes, Virginia, 13° Junii 1GG5. IIonor d Sir — Findeing
the opportunity by this vessell bound for New Yorke, to send you some
letters which I brought out of England, I thought it convenient to send
them to you knoweing the sooner they come to your hands the better. I
suppose that by them you will understand tliat Mr. Hutchinson hath sould
unto Sir George Carteret and myselfe §ds of a salt worke and pottash
worke which was formerly contrived by you. Also it is agreed by Mr.
Hutchinson and us that for the care you tooke then and the advice you
will please to lend us for the future, that you shall [have] the ,V parte of
theproffitt, for I hope they are arrived ere this time being shipt aboard of

* '• We take notice that you desire to have French men Bent you that might be experienced
in making of salt." Instructions of Mats. Toy Co. to Guv. Kudicott. Young's Chroni-
cles of Mass. Bay, p. 152. t 3 Mass. Uis. Soc. Coll., X. 49, 51.

50 THE HISTORY OF

a sliipp that was to come to Pescadoe for masts for the King. This being
all at present hopeing (winde and weather permitting) to be at New
Yorke in 5 or six days hence, I am Sir, your humble servant

Ph Carteret

Sir — If you please to doe me the favour to let mee heare from you
direct your Letter to Cap" James Bullaigne in ISTew Yorke.

This letter reached Winthrop, July 4, and was answered,
July 18. In his reply, lie says,

I knew nothing of any intention of Mr. Hutchinson to set up such
works [salt works] in these parts of the world. He mentions now New
Jarsy, which is a place I know not nor have ever heard where it is — it
would be good to consider the convenience of the place for that commo-
dity and for the vending of it before expenses be laid out. (He adds,)
Salt is brought in by ships for ballast, &c. — from Turtugas.*

That last sentence, probably, put an end to the scheme for
erecting salt-works in the new plantation, and to the Gov-
ernor's dream of large profits. Whether the ship that bore
the freight ever arrived at Piscataway, or not, is not known.
Carteret himself did not reach New York until July 29. f

Some few days, probably, are occupied in arranging with
Gov. Nicolls the question of jurisdiction ; the latter being
not at all pleased with the partition of the territory. Car-
teret now learns, for the first time, that Elcolls, by virtue of
his unrepealed commission from the Duke of York, has given
land patents already for two extensive plantations,— one be-
tween the Raritan and the Passaic Rivers, and the other
below Sandy Hook and the Raritan, afterwards Middletown
and Shrewsbury. Carteret seems not to have entered any
protest against these grants, nor to have objected to them at
all, but rather to have been gratified at the speedy prospect
of peopling his new colony. He determines to locate him-
self with the Ogden company, and to make their plantation
the seat of his government.

At that time, the thought had not, apparently, entered his
mind, that the Indian purchase and Nicolls' Grant were of

* 3 Mass. His. Soc. Coll.. X. 52-3.

t " Y r Lp s of the 20 th of Jan. came to my hands the 22d of June ; 'twas sent from Capt.
Carteret then at Virginia, but is here arrived the 29th of July." Gov. Nicolls, in N. T.
Col. Doc, III. 103.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 51

no validity. It does not occur to him, that he can locate
himself where he pleases, and appropriate to himself and
the Lords whatever lands he chooses. He enters not into
conflict with the planters, hut sets himself to acquire, hy
purchase, an interest in their lands. Learning that Baily,
of Jamaica, is willing to part with his rights in the town, he
enters into a negotiation with him, soon after his arrival, and
buys him out. The deed given him by Baily bears date,
September 8, 1GG5. Its connection with subsequent events
makes it important to place much of it on record in these
pages. It is as follows :

Indenture between John Rayles of Jamaica in York-hire
upon Long Island of the one part and Philip Carteret, Esq*, Gov-
ernor of the Province of New Jersey upon the main land of America of
the other part. For and in consideration of a valuable sum to him in hand
paid by the said Philip Carteret, the said Bayles hath sold to Philip Car-
teret, all and every my Lott or Lotts part or parts of a certaine peice of
land scituate lying and being on the Maine Continent of America common-
ly called or known by the Name of Arthur Cull or Emboyle, or what
other Name or Names soever It hath been or now is Called by which said
Parcell of Land he the said John Bayles with severall others did Lawfully
purchase from the Natives or Indians as by his said Bill of Sayle from the
Indians bearing date the 28th day of October 16G4 will more at large
appear which was confirmed by The Right Hon. Col. Richard Nicholl
Governor of His Royal Highness Territory es in America his Grant bear-
ing date the first day of December, 1064. To have and to hold, &c.

What 'Baily sold to Gov. Carteret was not one fourth part of
the patent, but simply his lot, or lots, part or parts, of the land .
his rights as one of the Associates, — a third lot right ; — sold
February 10, ICG J, by Carteret, to a new comer, William
Pyles, of Piscataway in New England ; "lying and being
on the South side of the Creek." So, also, in Nov. 1(30", h<
purchases the third lot right gf Oapt. Robert Sealey, de-
ceased, for £45. By these, and several other similar trans-
actions on record, Carteret becomes a party to the Indian
purchase; admits that the land is "lawfully purchased from
the natives;" and confesses that the Grant by Gov. Nicolls
conveys a valid title. The settlers, therefore, had every

* E. J. Book of Surreys A. 1, 9 II. 2, 1

52 THE HISTORY OF

reason to be satisfied with their titles, confirmed, as they had
so fully been, by the two Governors, Nicolls and Carteret.

The name of the town had evidently not been determined
at the date of Baily's deed, or it would have been specified.
It is, therefore, quite probable, that, in this case, tradition re-
ports truly, when it affirms, that the town took its name from
the Lady Elizabeth, the wife of Sir George Carteret. Of
this lady, Samuel Pepys, one of her familiar friends, bears
. this testimony, during the following year, Oct. 15, 1666 :
" She cries out of the vices of the Court, and how they are
going to set up plays already. She do much cry out upon
these things, and that which she believes will undo the whole
nation." It is well to know something of her, from whom is
derived the honored name of ELIZABETH-TOWN *

* E. T. Bill, p. 28. Per contra, see Ans. to E. T. Bill, p. 20.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 53

CIIAPTEK IV.

A. D. 166G.

The " Concessions " — Xcw Immigrants — Loss of Town Book — Extracts from
it — Oath of Allegiance — By whom taken — Xames of the Associate Found-
ers — Also of Carteret's Servants — Notices of Strickland and the Biz Peti-
tioners — Bailey, Daniel and Nathaniel Denton, Benedict, Foster and Watson
— Also of the Patentees, Baker and Ogden.

The town has now entered upon its work of subduing the
wilderness, and planting the institutions of religion and civ-
ilization. The people are, at least, reconciled to the change
in their government, belie vino; that their rights will be as
carefully guarded by Berkeley and Carteret, as they would
have been by the Duke of York. u The Concessions," with
which they now, for the first time, become acquainted, were
well fitted to attract a large immigration from the puritan
towns of New England, and the neighboring colony of Xew
York. This instrument accorded the utmost freedom of con-
science, consistent with the preservation of the public peace
and order, in matters pertaining to religion ; provided every
practicable safeguard for political freedom ; and offered the
most liberal terms to immigrants. It committed the w
of legislation and taxation to a Legislature, of which the
popular branch were to be chosen directly by the people;
and thus early established, in this favored colony, the doc-
trine, for which, a century later, the colonics so strenuously
and successfully contended, that representation is not to be
separated from taxation — that the people must have a voice
in determining the expenses of government,*

♦Learning and Spicer, pp. 12-2G. Smith's History of X. J., pp. 512-91 E. T. Bill, pp.
12-10. E. J. Records, III. GG-74.

54 THE HISTORY OF

Care was taken to give publicity to these Concessions.
The Associates, with whom Carteret had wisely identified
himself, found the document,* doubtless, of considerable use,
in overcoming the hesitancy of some of their former friends
and neighbors to embark in the new enterprise. Some few
others, who had not, probably, thought previously of re-
moving, but were somewhat unsettled, were thereby led
to take up their abode in this new "El Dorado," the
"Great West" of 1665. But the settlers of the first two
or three years were mainly of one class, and of the same
general origin — almost wholly New Englanders from Long
Island and Connecticut. Very few of the planters, for the
first five years, came over directly from the mother coun-
try. This will appear from an examination of the names
of these pioneers, recorded as early as February 166-J-, and
to be found on subsequent pages.

Very soon after the commencement of their undertaking,
various meetings for consultation and agreement, in rela-
tion to the division or allotment of the lands, and other
regulations for the orderly transaction of the business of
the town, were held, a record of which was made in a
book provided for the purpose, by one of their number,
appointed to this service, and known as the Town Clerk.
The character of this Town Book, and the nature of the
record, may be seen by reference to the Town Book of New-
ark, published in 1864 by the N. Jersey Historical Society.
This book, so necessary for a proper understanding of the
early history of the town, was safely kept, and records con-
tinued to be made in it, until the year 1718, when, during
the troubles of that period, the book disappeared, having
been purloined or destroyed, or both, and has not since been
forthcoming. The loss is irreparable. Extracts from this
book have been preserved, the particularity of which deep-
ens the regret felt at the loss of so much invaluable material.
The earliest record, of which we have now any knowledge,
is the following :

At a Meeting Court held at Elizabeth. Town in the Province of New
Jersey, the 19th of February 166|, by the Freeholders and Inhabitants

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 55

thereof, James Bollen, Esq., President, by the approbation of the Gov-
ernor Philip Carteret, Esq. ; it was concluded and agreed, that the afore-
said town shall consist of fourscore families for the present, and that if
hereafter more shall present, they may m □ addition of twenty more,

according to their discretion for the good and benefit of the town [as to
them] shall seem fit.

A true copy from Elizabeth Town Book of Record-, No. A, fol. 14, |

Samuel Whitehead, Town ( lerk.*

Another record of the same date has, in like manner, been
rescued from oblivion :

It is further ordered and agreed, by the consent as aforesaid, that all
persons that have taken, or shall take lots, shall come and settle and in-
habit the same, by the fifteenth day of April next ; otherwise that the said
lots shall be disposed of to any other persons that will come and settle
thereon: and that every person that shall take up a home-lot, shall be
obliged to continue upon the same, or in the town, for the space of three
years, either by himself in person, or by his servants, or some other per-
son that he shall bring into the town, that shall be approved of; and not
to imploy any for that purpose, that are already belonging to the town ;
and that he shall not make any sale of the said lot, for any time during
the space of three years to come ; but first shall make proffer to the in-
habitants thereof, October 28th, 1667 ; and it's further ordered That who-
soever shall break this order, shall pay four pounds a month, and propor-
tionably during the time of their so Entertainment.!

A similar regulation was adopted by the Newark people,
in the year following.^ Some division of the town plot into
lots convenient for the settlers must have been made on their
first coming. At this same meeting, or possibly at an earlier
date,

It was agree*d, That small parcels of laud should be laid out to every
inhabitant who came, in part of what he was intitled to. To wit, To

every inhabitant in the Town Plat of Elizabeth Town, a homo lot c
taining about four acres, and a pittlo or addition to it containing about
two acres. §

Every settler, whatever proportion lie may have con-
tributed to the general expense, was put upon the same P
ing as regarded his homestead, the only difference being in

* E. Town Bill, p. 82. Ajib. to do., ] iwark Town Becorda, p. 6.

t E. Town Bill, p. 82. kaa. to K. T. I'... § E. Town Bill, p. 88.

p. 24.

56 THE HISTOKY OF

the choice of a location ; and this, probably, was determined,
as at .Newark, by lot.

They agreed amongst themselves to go over and fix the Lotts, which
was before by the whole Committee agreed upon to be Six acres ; and
after the Lotts prepared, and how they should begin and Succeed, the
matter was solemnly submitted to the Lord for his Guidance.*

The lots were laid out on both sides of the Creek, begin-
ning with the first upland above the salt meadows, and ex-
tending up the Creek some two miles. The ordinary dimen-
sions of these lots were 4 chains in breadth, and 10 chains in
length ; making a front, on the street, of 264 feet, and ex-
tending back 660 feet. In some cases, owing to the irregular
course of the River and highways, the shape of the lots, which
was ordinarily a parallelogram, varied from the regular form
and size ; but, as well as might be, equal privileges w T ere se-
cured. Owing to the indefiniteness of the surveys as recorded,
and for vant of every thing like a map or diagram of the
town platt, it is quite impossible to determine the locality of
each settler.

At the town meeting just mentioned, the male inhabitants
of the town were required to take the oath of allegiance, of
which and the names subscribed, a record has been pre-
served as follows :

The Oath of A Leagance and Fidelity taken by the Inhabitants of Eliza-
beth Town and the Jurisdiction thereof beginning the 19th February
1665.

You doe sware upon the Holy Evangelist contained in this book to bare
true faith and Alegiance to our Soveraing Lord King Charles the Second
and his Successors and to be true and faithfull to the Lords propryetors
their Successors and the Government of this Province of New Jarsey as
long as you shall Continue an Inhabitant under the same without any
Equivocation or Mentall Eeservation whatsoever and so help you God.

Mr Jolm jOgdensen* Thomas Leonards Joakim Andris

Capt Thomas Young Jonas "Wood John "Waynes "Waynes

Michaell Simpkin Jacob Clais Jacob Moullains

Abraham Shotwell Eodrick Powell William Johnson

Thomas Skillman Luke Watson John Gray

John Woodrofe Stephen Crane Nicolas Carter

* Newark Town Eecords.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.

Thomas Pope
"William Cramer
Barnabas Wines
Thomas Tomson
Nathaniel Tuttle
Robert Mosse
Peter Mosse
William Trotter
Euan Salsbury
George Packe
Thomas More
Samuel Marsh
Moses Peterson
John Hay nes
Caleb Oarwithy
William Oliuer

Humphry Spil
Joseph phrae
Zackery Gra>:
Peter Wooluerson
Charles Tucker
Benjamin EomaD
JefFry Joanes
Christopher Young
Jerr ourne

John Dickenson-*-
Dennis denis White
John Ogden Juu r
Dauid Ogdden
Ilobert Vauquellhi
Benjamin Price
Pen. Concklin

Robert Bond
Joseph Bond

see Tomson
Joseph Osborne
John Brackett sen r
William Meacker
Isaack Whitehead
Nathaniel Bunnell'
Mathias Eeathfield
Jonathan Ogden
Leonard Beadley
John Pari.
1 >aniel Harris
Richard Paynter
Francis Barber *

The whole number is sixty-five. Capt. Jolm Baker's name
is wanting, on account of his absence in the service of Gov.
Nicolls, at Albany. Some names are found in thib list, not
included in the list of Associates. They were the names,
probably, of temporary residents, employed as laborers or
helpers. Batty and Denton had sold out ; the former to
Carteret, and the latter to Ogden.

The most reliable statement of the names of the original
Associates is found in Elizabeth Town Book, B, some fifty
years after the settlement of the town, and is thus expressed :

Pichard Nicolls, by virtue of the Power and Authority vested in him

by James (then) Duke of York «tc Did thereby Grant Bargain

Sell and Confirm unto Cap' John Baker (then) of New York, John ( tgden

(then) of North-Hampton, and John Baily and Luke Watson, and

their Associates the Premises afores* 1 — In ffee-simple, which same As
(together with them the s d Baker, Ogden, Baily, and Watson (
seised each to a Third Lot-Right in the pmisses) were, the said John
Baker, John Ogden, Jn° Baily, and Luke Watson, and with them Thomas
Young, Benjamin Price, John Woodruff, Philip Cart*. rot, Two Third
lotts, Robert Bond, Sealy Ohampain (Transfer'd to Benjamin Parkhurst,)
William Meeker, Thomas Thompson, Samuel Marsh, Town Lett for the
Minister, Will™ Piles, Peter Oouenhoven, John Brocket (Tranafer'd to
Sam* 1 Hopkins) James Bollen, Jacob Mclyen, Nicholas Carter, and
Jeremiah Peck. •/>!</, To each a Second Lot-Bight in the same
Premisses, Isaao Whitehead, Joseph Meeker, Humphry Spinning, Jeoffry

• E. J. Records, III. other end, 7.

.58 THE HISTORY OF

Jones, George Boss, Joseph Bond, Matthias Hetfield, Barnabas Winds,
Robert White, Peter Morss, John Winans, Joseph Sayre, Eichard Beach,
Moses Thompson, John Gray, William Johnson, John Brocket Ju r , Simon
Rouse, William Trotter, John Ogden Jun r , Jonas Wood, Robert Morss,

M r Leprary, Caleb Carwithe, William Pardon, and Stephen Osborne.

aMnd to each a first lot Right in the same Premises, Jonathan Ogden,
Abraham Shotwell, David Ogden, "ISTathanael Tuttell, Benjamin Price Ju r ,
Roger Lambert, Abraham Lawrence, John Hindes, Thomas Moor, Joseph
fFrazey, Yokam Andross, Denis White, Nathanael Norton, (since Trans-
fer'd to Henry Norris,) Great John Willson, Hur Thompson, Benjamin
Oman, Evan Salsburry, Little John Willson, Stephen Crane, Henry Lyon,
John Parker, John Ogden for John Dickinson, Leonard Headley,
E"athanael Bonnel, George Morris, Joseph Osborn, Pardey, (Transfer'd to
Henry Norris,) George Pack, John Pope, ffrancis Barber, William Oliver,
Richard Painter, and Charles Tooker.*

The number is eighty ; of whom twenty one had third lot-
rights, twenty six had second lot-rights, and thirty three had
first lot-rights. Carteret had, in addition to his own third
lot-right, the third lot-right of Baily, of whom he had pur-
chased it. Twenty six had been admitted subsequently to
the taking of the oath of allegiance in February, 166|- : of
whom some were sons of the first settlers.

Carteret brought over with him, in the ship Philip, eighteen
male servants, belonging to Sir George and himself, a portion
of whom were Frenchmen, probably from the Island of
Jersev : —

John Dejardin Wm Hill Claude Barbour

Doct r Rowland Henry Hill Chas Seggin

Claude Yallot Erasmus House Dan Perrin

Rich d *Pew linger John Tayler John Mittins

Richard Mich ell John Clarck Robert Wallis

Richard Skinner Wm John alias Peter

besides severall others the same time imported, and many others sioce.f

In the first importation must have been included some
female servants, — Hariah Thorell, Susannah Poulain, and
Ellen Prou (all French) being of the number. Of the male
servants, two were subsequently admitted as Associates :
Claude Yallot and William Hill. Eichard Michell had land
given him by the Governor, but was not admitted as an

* E. Town Book, B, pp. 2-3. t E. J. Records, III. o. e. 30.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 59

Associate. Carteret's immigrants were a distinct class, in an
inferior station, with whom the original planters had but little
congeniality and familiarity.

Whence came these Associates, and what were they? It
is not to be supposed, that men of such plain habit?, and of
such humble stations, so unpretending, and so unknown to
fame, should have left, on the historic page, any tiling like
full and distinct memorials of their origin and migrations.
Their records have mostly perished. Of many of them almost
nothing of their previous history can be learned. ( )f none of
them can any thing very remarkable be related.

"Fur from the madding crowd's ignoble strife,
Their sober wishes never learned to stray ;

Along the cool sequestered vale of life

They kept the noiseless tenor of their way."

It is proper to inquire, first, into the antecedents of the men
who were prominent in procuring, from Gov. Nicolls and the
Indians, permission to found the settlement.

John Strickland's name occupies the first place among
those who sought here a home. He was, as already seen, a
resident of Huntington, L. I. His application was in behalf
of " a Company of the inglish nasion." He was simply
their agent. The names of the " Company " have not been
preserved. Strickland was an Englishman. He came over,
in 1G30, with Winthrop's company, and was admitted a
freeman, in the Bay Colony, May, 1631. He was a member
of the church of Watertown, Mass., from which he, Jonas
Wood, and others, were dismissed, May 20, 1G35, to form a
new church on the borders of the Connecticut river. Soon
after he removed to AVethersfield, Ot. His son, Thwait,
settled there ; but the father, after a short sojourn, removed
to Uncowah [Fairfield], Ot. Subsequently he took part in a
bloody fight, at Greenwich, between the Dutch and Indians
at a spot, since known as "Strickland's Plain." In 1<!!4, he
sold his estate at Uncowah to William Frost, and united with
the Rev. Ilobert Fordham, John ( tgden, John Karinan, John
Lawrence, and Jonas Wood, in settling on " the Great Plains

60 THE HISTORY OF

on Long Island, " to which they gave the name of Heemstede.
In the patent, obtained, ~Nov. 16, 1644, he is called, "Stick-
Ian." In 1661, it appears, that he resided at Huntington,
whence he sought to remove to this place. He was induced,
however, to settle at Jamaica, L. I., and, in 1663, was one of
the freeholders of that town. Yet he was a patentee of
Huntington, in 1666, and still later a resident of Hempstead.
The names of at least four of his associates at Fairfield and
Hempstead are found among the E. Town Associates. It is
quite likely that they were interested in the petition of 1661.
The petitioners of 1664 were all of them his neighbors at
Jamaica, as some of them had. been at Watertown, "Wethers-
field, Fairfield, and Hempstead.*

John Bailies [Baylie, Bailt], the first signer of the peti-
tion of 1664, was, probably, the same who resided at Guil-
ford, Ct., in 1642. A John Baily was admitted a freeman
of Ct., May 21, 1657, and was chosen constable at Hartford
March 16, 165f. This may have been his son. Previous to
1662, he had removed to Jamaica, L. L, where he was fami-
liarly called " Goodman Baylie," and was licensed to keep an
Ordinary for the town. He was one of the four patentees of
this town, but, probably, did not become a resident, as he dis-
posed of his interest here, Sep. 8, 1665, to Gov. Carteret,
for '" a valuable sum." He was still living at Jamaica, in
1683.f

Daniel Denton, the next in order of the petitioners of
1664, and his brother Nathaniel, the fourth in order, were
sons of the Rev. Richard Denton, " a Yorkshire man," first
settled at Halifax in England, who came to Watertown, Mass.,
in 1634, then to Wethersfield, Ct., in 1635, whence he re-
moved to Stamford, in 1641, and thence to Hempstead, L. I,,
in 1644, having been the first minister of each of the last
three towns. He returned to England, in 1658, and died, in
1662, at Essex. His two sons, Daniel and Nathaniel, were
among the first patentees of Jamaica, L. I., in 1656. Daniel

* Trumbull's Connecticut, 1. 163, 4. Brqdhead's N. York, I. 391, note. Ct. Col. Eecords,
I. 2, 465-6. Thompson's L. Isld., II. 4-5. Macdonald's Jamaica, p. 38.

t lb. p. 33. Ct. Col. Kecords, I. 297, 326. Thompson's L. I., I. 46S. N. Y. Doc. History, II. 521 .

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 61

was the first Clerk of the town, taught school, practised medi-
cine, and served as Justice of the Peace. He wrote "A Brief
Description of New York," which was puhlished at London,
in 1670, and was the first printed work on the subject in the
English language. In 1 673, he was a resident of Piscataway,
and a magistrate. Nathaniel continued at Jamaica, and was
living in 16S3. The two brothers sold their rights in the £.
Town purchase, in 1665, to Capt. John Baker and John Og-
den. Another brother, Samuel, as appears from the depo-
sitions on a previous page, was also interested in the pur-
chase.""

Thomas Benedict [Benydick], the third of the petitioners
of 1664, was a native of Nottingham, Eng., where he was
born, in the year 1617. He was bred a weaver, and mi-
grated to New England, in 1638, with his step-sister, Mary
Bridgum, whom, shortly after, he married. She was the
mother of the numerous American family of Benedicts. Not
long afterwards, they removed to Southold, L. I., where their
five sons and four daughters were born. In June, 1656, they
were residents of Huntington, L. I., and were neighbors of
the Stricklands. In 1662, "Goodman Benedick " was one
of the leading men of Jamaica. "With Daniel Denton, his
townsman, he represented Jamaica in the Hempstead Con-
vention, March 1, 166f . The same year, instead of carrying
out his original design of removing with his neighbors to
Achter Kol, he became a resident of Norwalk, Ct., which
henceforth became the home of the family, f

John Fosier, the fifth of the petitioners of 1664, was a
resident of Jamaica. His father, Thomas, was of the Hemp-
stead company, whither he came from Fairfield, Ct., as early
as 1611-. The family were dwelling at Jamaica in 1663.
Foster was still a citizen of Jamaica in 16S8. His interest
in the new purchase was disposed of to another, but to
whom, and for what cause, does not appear.J

* Mcdonald's Jamaica, p. -10. N. Y. CoL Docmts., II. 5S7. Chapln'fl Glastonbury, p. 31.
Mather's Magnalia, B. III. c.9. vol. I. 3C0. N. Y. Doc. II is. II. 621.

t Hall's Norwalk, pp. 309-11.

% Macdcnald's Jamaica, pp. 33, SS, 41, 42, 242. Ct. Col. Records, I. 4C5. E. J. Records,
II. 17,95, and 10, c. c.

62 THE HISTOKY OF

Luke Watson - , the last-named of the petitioners of 1664,
was the only one of them all that retained an interest in the
Jersey enterprise, and became one of the founders of this
town. His father married Elizabeth, the daughter of Wil-
liam Frost, of Fairfield, Ct., and had died before 1645. His
widow was then married to John Gray, and with her hus-
band, and son, Luke Watson, removed first to Newtown, and
then to Jamaica, L. I., whence they came hither. Watson
was a man of some consideration at Jamaica, being one of
the " four men " chosen, August 6, 1659, " to be presented for
magistrates to y e Governor." He was among the first emi-
grants to this place. He was located next north of Oapt.
Baker. He had an allotment of 170 acres of upland on the
W. side of Rahway river, and N. of its W. branch; also, 130
acres of upland on the E. N. E. of Rahway river, and W.
of William Johnson and Jeflry Jones ; also, 100 acres on the
S. side of the Creek ; also, 24 acres of meadow on Rahway
river, and 6 acres elsewhere. His wife's name was Sarah.
He sold, July 22, 1673, to "William Case of Road Island,"
for " 2000 Pounds of good and Merchantable Sheep Wool,"
all his " Neck of Upland and Meadow laying and being on
the East End of Elizabeth Towne River and known by the
Name of Luke Watson's point within the bounds of Elizabeth
Towne," computed to be 100 acres. He obtained, Jan. 21,
1675, a warrant for the survey of 400 acres. The next year,
he removed to the Hoar-kill settlement [Lewes] in Delaware,
renting his house and lot to Benjamin Wade, to whom he sold
them, March 16, 167-f, for £24. The remainder of his in-
terest here, he sold, in 1678, to William Broadwell and Joseph
Frazey. He was an active and useful citizen while here, and
in 1683, 1687, 1689, and 1690, he was a member of the Gen-
eral Assembly of Pennsylvania, of which his son Luke, Jr.,
was a member in 1697.*

Such were the original petitioners — all of them originally
from New England, and in full sympathy with the prevailing
sentiments of that region. Two of them only — Bailey and

* Ct. Col. Eecords, I. 465. Macdonald's Jamaica, pp. 32, 37, 46. Proud's Pa. ; I. 236, 335,
340 352, 41T.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. C3

"Watson — became Patentees ; and, of these, only one a set-
tler, and lie bnt for ten or eleven years. The other Patentees
were Capt. John Baker and John Ogden.

Captain John Bakee heads the list. He had been, for
some time, a resident of New Amsterdam, though an English-
man by birth, and had acquired a familiarity with the Dutch
language, that made him, on several oci is, useful as an

interpreter in dealing with the Indians. It is probable, as
previously intimated, that he was thus employed, by Denton
and his Associates, in the Staten Island negotiations for this
town, and so became interested in the enterprise. The earli-
est definite information of him is found in the Records
[Dutch] of a Court, held at the City Hall, N. Orange [.V
York], Xov. 14, 1G73, in an action against Captain John
Backer : —

Jan Smedes and Jan Mjndcrsen, Carters declare that about nine years
ago shortly after the surrender of this place [16G4], they rode 300 p's of
firewood out of the bush for Claes Dietlofsen, and afterwards brought the
same firewood to Capt. Backer's house within this city, and the bill for
carting has not yet been paid them by said Backer as they are prepared
to declare on oath. Capt. Backer resided in Broadway in the house now
occupied by Willem Van der Scheure [Schuyren].

As Capt. Baker belonged, in 1673, to another jurisdiction,
Claes, probably, gained nothing by the suit. The house that
he occupied in Broadway, was on the East side, a short dis-
tance below Wall st. After the conquest of the city, Gov.
HSTicolls appointed him, Sep. 25, 16G5, Chief Military Officer
at Albany. On this account, his name is not'included amoi
those who took the oath of allegiance here in February fol-
lowing. In August, 1GG9, he was subjected to a court mar-
tial, at Fort James, "N". York, for an assault on William
Paterson, a merchant of Albany, and judgment was rendered
against him, Oct. G, 1GG9. He continued in command at
Albany, until May 11, 1670, from which time he became per-
manently a resident of this t<>wn. His house-lot was of the
ordinary size, bounded S., F., and Y\\, by highways, and
!N"., by Luke Watson. Afterwards, it came into the posses-
sion of Matthias Hat field, Esip, the grandson of the planter

64 THE HISTOKY OF

of that name. He obtained, Mar. 14, 1675, a warrant for
the survey of 1200 acres, for " himself and his Wife, and
eight other Persons " of his family. He was appointed Coro-
ner, March 28, 1683, and Judge of Small Causes. He was a
leading man in the community, and ever among the foremost
in resisting the Proprietary assumptions, of which such fre-
quent mention is made in the subsequent part of this history.
He died in 1702 *

John Ogden, the other Patentee who became a permanent
resident, was one of the most influential founders of the town.
He was at Stamford, Ct., in 1641, within a year after its set-
tlement. He had previously married Jane, who, as tradition
reports, was a sister of Robert Bond. In May, 1642, he
and his brother, Richard, both of them, at the time, of Stam-
ford, entered into a contract with Gov. Win. Kieft, Gisbert
op Dyck, and Thomas Willet, of New Amsterdam, Church-
wardens, to build a stone church in the fort, 72 by 50 feet,
for the sum of 2500 guilders ($1000), to be paid in beaver,
cash, or merchandise; one hundred guilders to be add d if
the work proved satisfactory ; and the use of the company's
boat to be given the builders, for carrying stone, a month, or
six weeks if necessary. The work was duly and satisfacto-
rily completed. f

It was, probably, in this way that the two brothers became
acquainted with the West end of Long Island. Early in 1644,
in company with the Rev. Robert Fordham, Rev. Richard
Denton and a few others, they removed from Stamford and
settled Hempstead, L. L, of which John Ogden was one of
the Patentees. At the expiration of five or six years, not
liking the control of the Dutch, with whom he had consid-
erable dealings at E~ew Amsterdam, and disgusted with the
cruelties practised upon the natives, of whom scores, soon
after his settlement at Hempstead, had there, by order of the
government, been put to death, he removed to the East end

*Munseirs Albany, VII. 98, 101, 257, 9, 263. Alb. Records, XXII. 78-94. X. Y. Col.
Docmts., III. 117, 9, 143, 8. E. J. Eecords, I. 76; II. 18 ; B. 239; C. 13, 19; L. 3 ; 0. SS.
E. T. Book, B. 163. E. T. Bill, p. 110.

t Hinman's First Puritan Settlers of Ct., I. 232. Alb. Col. Eecords, II. IS, 169 ; IV. 240.
O'Callaghan's New Netherland, I. 162. Thompson's L. Isld., II. 4, 5. The name appears, at
times, as "Odgden, ,, " Ochden."

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 65

of the Island, to dwell among his own countrymen. In 1617,
he had obtained permission, of the town of Southampton, to
plant a colony of six families, at "Xorth Sea," a tract of land
bordering on the Great Peconic Bay, opposite Bobbin Island,
and about three miles north of the village of Southampton.
Some two or three years elapsed before his removal, and the
planting of the settlement at the Xorth Sea, called, in the
Colonial Records of Connecticut and Xew Haven, as well
as in Xicolls' Grant, '* Xorthampton."

lie was made a freeman of Southampton, March 31, 1650,
and was chosen by the General Court, at Hartford, Ct., May
1G, 16*56, and again in 1657 and 1658, one of the magistrates
for the colony. lie sat in the General Court, as a Represent-
ative from Southampton, v.\ May, 1659 ; and in the upper
house, May, 1661, and afterwards. His name appears re-
peatedly in the new Charter of Connecticut (obtained, Ap.
23, 1662, by Gov. Winthrop, from Charles 1L), as one of the
magistrates and patentees of the colony ; also, quite fre-
quently, in the Records, both of Connecticut and Xew Ha-
ven, lie was held in high honor at home, being one of their
first men.

During his residence at Xorthampton, Ogden, by frequent
visits as a trader to Xew Amsterdam, had kept up his ac-
quaintance with his old friends and neighbors on the West
End of the Island. AVhen, therefore, after the conquest, it
was proposed to him to commence a fourth settlement, in the
new and inviting region of Achter Ivol, under English rule,
he readily entered into the measure, and, in company with
his old friend, Capt. Baker, purchased the interests of the
Dentons and Goodman Benedict, and thus became, being a
man of.substance and distinction, the leading man of the new
colony. He was among the very first, with his live full-
grown boys, John, Jonathan, David, Joseph and Benjamin,
to remove to the new purchase and erect a dwelling on the
town-plot. lie located his house, it is thought, on the Point
road, now Elizabeth Avenue, near where Robert Ogden, his
great-grandson, and Col. Barber, afterwards lived. The
bounds of his home-lot are not recorded.
5

6Q THE HISTORY OF

Pie was appointed, Oct. 26, 1665, a Justice of the Peace,
and, Nov. 1, one of the Governor's Council. In the Legisla-
ture of 1668, he was one of the Burgesses, from this town.
To cany forward his improvements, or to meet previous ob-
ligations, he borrowed, Oct. 9, 1668, of Cornelius Steenwick
(the Mayor of the City of New York, a wealthy merchant),
£191. 5. 0, " one fourth part thereof to be paid in good Wheat
at 4|6 p r Bushell one fourth part in good drie Ox hides at 6
stivers p r pound dutch weight One fourth part in good mer-
chantable Tobacco at 4 stivers p r pound like weight and one
fourth part in Good Corn fed fat Pork well packt in casks and
delivered at New Yorke at Three Pounds ten Shillings p r
Barrell." As security, he mortgaged, Ap. 29, 1669, "a Cer-
tain "Water Mill now in my Tenure or Occupation," as the
mortgage expresses it, " near unto the Mansion or Dwelling
House of Gov. Carterett in Elizabeth Towne."

This mill was located immediately west of the Broad-st.
Stone bridge, and, with the dam across the Creek just above,
was, doubtless, constructed by Mr. Ogden ; whence the Creek
was frequently called, " Mill Creek," or " Mill Kiver." The
Governor's house was located east of the bridge, and north of
the Creek, on the ground, latterly occupied by the Thomas
house.

Three of his sons, John, Jonathan, and David, took the
oath of allegiance, Feb. 166f, and were numbered among the
original Associates. The house-lot of John, Jr., contained
four acres, and was 12 by 4 chains in length and breadth ;
bounded, S. E., by John Woodruff, and Leonard Headley ;
N. E., by a highway ; N. W., by Mrs. Hopkins, Sen r ; and,
S. W., by the Creek ; a highway between him and Mrs. Hop-
kins. He had, also, twelve acres of " upland Lying upon the
way that goes to the Governor's point ; " also, sixty acres of
" upland Lying in the plaines " between Henry Norris and
Leonard Headley ; also, nine acres of " meadow Lying at the
East end of y e great Island." Jonathan had a house-lot of
six acres, 15 by 4 chains ; bounded, S. E., by his younger
brother, Joseph ; and, on the other sides, by highways. He
had twenty two acres of upland in a triangle, bounded by the

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 67

Governor and Benjamin Parkifl ; also eighty four acres of up-
land " Lying in a plaine," bounded by Benjamin Parkis,
Leonard Ileadley, Isaac Whitehead, Jr., and the Mill brook ;
also, fourteen acres of meadow in two plots, on the Creek,
and on the Great Island. David's house-lot contained five
acres, and was bounded, E., by the Mill Creek ; N., by Jef-
fry Jones; and, W. and S., by highways. He had, in addi-
tion, sixty acres of upland, bounded by Joseph Frazee, Wil-
liam Letts, Samuel Marsh, Jr., and Capt. Baker ; also eight
acres of meadow on Thompson's Creek.*

* Alb. Eecords, II. 169 ; IV. 240. Hoadly's New Haven Records, 1. 178 ; II. 80, 191, 8,298,
393. Trumbull's Ct. Records, I. 280, 1, 2, 295, 7, 314, 6 ; IL 3-11. Doc. Hist, of N. Y , I. C84
E. T. Bill, pp. 30, 106, 8, 110. E. J. Records, I. 8 ; o. c. 2; II. 19, 22, o. e., 21, 4, 5, 30, 42, 91, 2,
7; III. 3, 4; L. 18, 21. Iliuman, I. 2S9, 729. Howell's Southampton, pp. 26, 7, 90.

68 THE HISTORY OF

CHAPTER V.

A. D., 1666.

The eighty Associates, their Origin, their Location • — Of Puritan Principles
— No Congeniality with Carteret and his Company.

Such, as just narrated, were the original Petitioners and
Patentees. Who were the other Founders of the town ?
What was their origin — what were their principles, and
where did they locate ? In answering these inquiries, those,
* who took the oath of allegiance, including all who were on
the ground during the first year of the settlement, will be
considered, in alphabetical order.

Joakim Andris [Yokam Andross, Andrews] was, proba-
bly, from ISTew Haven, Ct., and a son of Wm. Andrews,
who came, to !New Haven, previous to 1643, with a family
of eight persons. His house-lot contained 4 acres, and was
bounded, N. and E., by a highway ; S., by Matthias Hat-
field ; and, W., by Dennis White. He had died, in 1675,
and his widow, Amy, sold, June 22, 1675, to Thomas Moore,
" the house Orchard Garden Home Lott Pasture for Calves, 5 '
and all that might be claimed by the Concessions — a first
lot-right — except 20 acres sold by her husband to Peter
Moss, " and one peare tree and some Gousberry bushes,"
reserved for her own use.*

Francis Barber has left no memorial of his origin. He
sold, Mar. 20, 167^-, to Vincent Pony on, carpenter, a house-
lot (bought of Wm. Pyles, who had bought it of Thomas
Moore), 40 rods by 16 ; bounded, N"., by George Pack ; and
fronting on the highway. He was still here in the following

* Barber's His. Coll. of Ct., p. 160. E. J. Records, I. 46, 7. E. T. Bill, p. 108.

ELIZABETII, NEW JERSEY. 69

year, but must have removed, soon after, to Staten Island,
where, on the W. side of the Island, on Smoking Point, Dec.
21, 16S0, 88 acres of woodland and meadow were surveyed
for him ; and where, in 1GS6, he served as Commissioner of
Excise. The Barber family, of a later date, had another
origin and a more illustrious record. :: "

Robert Bla.okwell was one of the early settlers of this
town, though his name is not found in any town docu-
ment now extant. In a deed, on record in .Now York,
Robert Blackwell is spoken of as "late of Elizabeth-town
in New Jersey, merchant." He married, Ap. 2G, 1G7G,
Mary Manningham, stepdaughter of Capt. John Manning
(by whom the city was surrendered, in 1G73, to the Dutch) ;
and so became the owner of Manning's Island, since known
by his own name.f

Robert Bond was the father of JosEim, and a resident of
Southampton, L. I., as early as 16i3. He was appointed,
Oct., 1G44, by the General Court of Connecticut, in company
with Mr. Moore, " to demand of each family of Southamp-
ton, the amount they would give for the maintenance of
scholars at Cambridge College." He was one of the com-
pany that settled East Hampton, in 16^S. He came, origi-
nal^, from Lynn, Mass., and was s doubtless, of the same
stock with the Watertown family. lie had a principal part
in securing the land of East Hampton from the natives, and
in transacting the business of the town. He was one of the
first magistrates of the place, and repeatedly represented the
town in the General Court of the Colony. John Ogden and
Capt. John Scott having had some differences with the town
about Meantaquit [Montauk] in 1GG2, Robert Bond w.
chosen one of the Commissioners to settle it. His intimacy
with Ogden [tradition says that each married the other's BJ
tor], and others of his neighbors, who were about to remove
to these parts, led him to cast in his lot with them, and lend
his valuable counsels to the settlement of this town, where
his influence was second only to John Ogden V. Carteret, at

* E. J. Records, I. 24. N. Y. C.-l. Docmta., HI. t"0, 494. Albany Land Tapers, I. 190
t N. York Deeds, I. 100. Alb. Records, XXXIII. 80ft X. Y<»rk Marriages, p. 31.

70 THE HISTORY OF

his coming, was glad to avail himself of his mature experi-
ence, and appointed him, Jan. 2, 166-J, one of his Council,
and an Assistant to the Justices. Gov. Winthrop, of Con-
necticut, highly commended him. He was appointed, Mar.
13, 167f, Justice of the Peace. His first wife was Hannah,
a sister of John Ogden. After her death he married, at
Newark, in 1672, Mary, the widow of Hugh Roberts. She
was the daughter of Hugh Calkins, an emigrant from Wales,
in 1640, and a resident, first of Gloucester, Mass., and then
of New London, Ct. He thus became interested in the
Newark colony, and was elected, the same year, their Repre-
sentative. He continued still to reside in this town, where
he died, April, 1677. His wife survived him 24 years.
Stephen Bond, of Newark, was one of his sons. The father
received a Warrant for 360 acres of land at E. Town, June
30, 1675, but a caveat was entered against it, Jan. 16, 1677,
by Benjamin Price, Sen r . Joseph, at the same date, received
a Warrant for 160 acres.*

John Beackett, Sen r , was from New Haven, Ct., of which
he was one of the first settlers. He assented to the Cove-
nant there, June 4, 1639, and, as late as 1643, was unmarried.
At the seating of the congregation, in 1646, places were
provided for him and " Sister Brockett," showing that, pre-
vious to this time, he had taken to himself a wife. He was
frequently employed in laying out lands about the town,
and his name is of frequent occurrence in the Colonial Rec-
ords, until 1660. When troops were raised to resist the
encroaching Dutch, he was appointed, June 23, 1654, one of
the "surgions." He was probably induced to accompany
his neighbors to this colony, in order to aid them in laying
out their lands. Near the close of 1667, several of the plant-
ers having urged the Governor to define the exact bounds of

* Ct. Col. Records, I. 393, 400, 428. Howell's Southampton, pp. 28, 180. N. Y. Doct.
His., I. 677, 680, 4. Hinman's P. S. of Ct., I. 289, 290, 729. Newark Bicentenary, pp. Ill, 131.
Newark Town Records, pp. 10, 23, 49, 85. Miss Calkins' Norwich, p. 171. Stearns' Newark,
p. 79. 3 Mass. His. Soc. Coll., X. 84. E. T. Bill, p. 104. E. J. Records, II. 3, III. 25, 124, 133.

In the Inventory of his estate, Ap. 18, 1677, his house and all his land were valued at
£70; two oxen, £12. 10. 0; two cows, and calves, £9 ; one " farrow cow," £3. 15. ; two two-
year old heifers, £5 ; a canon, £1. 5. 0. The whole amounted to £151. 11. 5.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 71

their several possessions, lie deputed Brackett, Dec. 10, 1667,
in the absence of Yanqnellin, the Surveyor-General, " to lay-
out, survey, and bound the said bounds of Elizabeth Towne
the planting feilds towne lotts and to lay out every particu-
lars man's proportion according to his allotments and the
directions" of the Governor; "for the avoiding f all con-
troversies and disputes hereafter concerning the same, hav-
ing had certain notice of the good experience, knowledge,
skill and faithfulness of John Brackett in the surveying and
laying out of land." In the controversies of a later day, it
was affirmed by the town's party, that they had " not seen,
known, or heard of any one Survey made in pursuance of that
commission." The surveys were probably made, but were
superseded b} T later and more accurate surveys, and hence
were not preserved. Brackett sold out his rights, as early as
1670, to Samuel Hopkins, and returned to New Haven, both
he and his son, who, also, had been admitted as an Associate.
John, Jr., died at New Haven, Nov. 29, 1676. " Brackett's
Brook," a branch of the E. Town Creek, in the north part of
the town, indicates, probably, the locality of their allotment.*

Nathaniel Bunnell [Bonnel] was, undoubtedly, also, from
New Haven, Ct., and of the same family with William and
Benjamin, of that town. William was there previous to 1650.
Nathaniel had a house-lot of six acres, 15 by 4 chains,
bounded, E., by Thomas Price ; W., and N., by Isaac White-
head, Sen r ; and S., by a highway. He had, also, an allot-
ment of 120 acres, "Lying upon the South Branch of Eliz th
Town Creek, and y e plaine which said above mentioned Creek
passeth through; 1 ' also, lt 12 acres of meadow Lying in the
great meadows upon John Wood ruffe's Creek. "+

Nicolas Carter came from Newtown, L. I. J I is name
appears, Ap. 12, 1656, among the purchasers of that place
from the nativ< . His allotment there was 20 acres. He
came there, in 1652, from Stamford, Ct. lie is repeatedly
spoken of, in the Newtown Records, among the Leading men

* N. Haven Col. Records, Index of Vol I. E.J. Records, III. 19. E. T. Book, B., 20, T.
Ans. to E. T. Bill. p. 28. llinman, I. 'JM.

t Savage's Gcneul. Die, I. 300. E. J. Records, II. 130. E. T. Bill, p. 103.

Y2 THE HISTORY OF

of the town, until 1665, the date of his removal to this place.
His son, Nicholas, born, 1658, was apprenticed, Mar. 25,
1669, to " Kichard Painter, Tayler," of Elizabeth Town.
The Indenture says, — " Unlawfull Sports and Games he shall
not use. Taverns or Tipling houses hee shall not haunt or
frequent, his Masters Goods he shall not Imbezle purloin or
by any unlawfull means diminish or Impair, his Masters
Secrets he shall not disclose." His house-lot contained five
acres, 10 by 5 chains, bounded, E., and S.,by highways; K.,
by the Creek ; and S., by William Hill. He had, also, twenty
acres of upland on Luke Watson's Point, adjacent to Edward
Case and Jacob Melyen ; also forty acres of upland " in a
swamp lying at the E. side of the blind Bidge," bounded
partly by Aaron Thompson and Jacob Melyen. This tract
and his house-lot he sold, Mar. 16, 16 7f, to Benjamin Wade,
for £30, payable in Pipe staves. He had, also, seventy acres
of upland^ bounded by Roger Lambert, George Pack, and
the swamp; also, 193 acres of upland, on the Mill Creek,
bounded by Barnabas Wines, the plain, a small brook, and
the Creek ; also 22 acres of meadowy in the Great Meadow,
and 18 acres on Thompson's Creek. His allotments con-
tained 368 acres. He bought, also, Mar. 9, 167-f, of Jacob
Melyen, then of the city of 1ST. York, 101 acres of land on the
South Keck. The most of his lands he sold, May 18, 1681,
to Samuel Wilson, and shortly after died.*

Caleb Carwithy [Carwithe, Corwith] was the son of
David, a resident of Southold, L. L, where he died, Novem-
ber, 1665. Caleb was a mariner, and quite a rover. At
Hartford, Ct., he w r as arraigned, Oct., 1646, for pursuing an
absconding debtor on the Sabbath-day. Previous to 1654,
he made trading voyages between ISTew Haven and Boston.
In 1661, lie resided at Southampton, L. I. He w T as admitted,
in 1664, a freeman at Huntington, L. I. The following year
he came to this place. In the winter of 166-f, he entered
into an Association with John Ogden, Sen r , Jacob Melyen,
William Johnson, JefFry Jones and others of this town, for

* E. J. Eecords, I. 7, 73, 101 ; II. 92, 3 ; III. 23 ; IV. 34. E. T. Bill, p. 104. Biker's New-
town, pp. 4S, 6, 50, 62, 418.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 73

whaling purposes. His house-lot adjoined Charles Tucker
on the West, and George Rosa on the N. West He Fold
thirty acres of land, Feb. 8, 167;, for £11, to William Piles.
A year or two after, he removed to Southampton, L. I., where
he was living in 1683, and where his descendants have b(
quite numerous and respectable.*

William Cramer was a carpenter, from Southold, L. L,
where he married Elizabeth, the sister of Caleb Carwithy.
II" attached himself to the Governor's party, and seems not
to have been numbered with the Town Associates. He was
appointed, Ap. 27, 1670, Con-stable of the town, in place of
William Pilles. His house-lot contained six acres, of irregu-
lar form, bounded, on the N. W., by Evan Salisbury, and
every other side by highways. He had, also, 5 acres of up-
land, adjoining John Little; also, 10 acres of upland, lying
in the swamp, bounded by Barnabas Wines, Richard Beach,
and John Little ; also, 20 acres of upland, bounded by Stephen
Crane, Roger Lambert, and the great swamp ; also, 60 acres,
adjoining the last plot and Crane's brook, bounded, also, as be-
fore, by Crane, and Lambert ; also 80 acres, " at the two mile
brook," bound by unsurveyed land and the brook ; also, 8 acres
of upland " in the Xeck," bounded by Caleb Carwithy, Luke
Watson, and the Creek meadow ; also, 6 acres of meadow on
the Creek, and li acres of meadow, "at Rahawack:" — in all
209 acres. He sold out, Sept. 1, 1677, to John Toe, weaver,
and soon after removed with Luke Watson to the Hoar-Kill
[Lewes], Delaware. He had died in 1695. f

Stephen Crane was from Connecticut, and was, probably,
nearly related to Jasper Crane, of Newark, who was one of
the first settlers of New Haven, Ct., in 1639, was at Brant'
in 1652, and at Newark, in 1667. The family is quite ancient
and honorable. Ralph Crane accompanied Sir Franc ike

to America in 1577, and Robert Crane was of the 6 >m-
panv that came to Ma—. Day, in 1630. Sir E ( ane

was of E&sex Co., Eng., in 1630; and Sir Richard, in 1613,

• Ct. Col. Record*, L 148, 428; II. ISO B J & r'-. I. 66; II 21, 84; III. 22. non-oil,
pp. 48, 217. Bacon's N.-HoYen, p 868. N. V Doc History, H 518.

t E. J. Records, 1. 108, 180 ; II. 19, 33; III. 89. K. T. Book, B 56. E. T. Bill, p. 106.

74 ' THE HISTORY OF

of Wood Rising, Norfolk, Eng. Henry and Benjamin Crane
were of Wethersfield, Ct., at an early day, and the former
removed thence to Guilford. Stephen was born, not later
than 1640, and was married as early as 1663. His honse-lot
contained six acres, and was bounded, S. E. by Samuel Trot-
ter ; "N. W. by Crane's brook ; E., by the Mill Creek ; and, W.,
by the highway. He had, also, 60 acres between two swamps,
and adjoining William Cramer; also, 72 acres, on Crane's
brook, bounded by the brook, William Cramer, Richard
Beach, Nathaniel Tuttle, and William Pardon ; also, 18 acres
of meadow, " towards Rawack point ; " — in all 156 acres.
He died about 1700.*

John Dickinson was from South old, L. I., and a son, or
brother, of Philemon, who came over, in the Mary Ann, 1637,
to Salem, Mass., was admitted to the church, in 1641, married
Mary, daughter of Thomas Payne, of Salem, removed to
Southold, about 1649, was Capt. of a sloop, in those parts,
and resided at Oyster Bay, in 1653. John was one of the
witnesses, Aug. 18, 1665, to the payment, to the Indians, of a
part of the purchase money for the town lands, and took the
oath of allegiance, in Feb. following. He died soon after, and
his rights were transferred to John Ogden.f

Joseph Ffrazey [Frazee] came with the first settlers, but
whence does not appear. His house-lot contained 6 acres, of
the usual form, 15 by 4 chains ; and was bounded, S. W., by
David Ogden ; N. E., by William Letts ; S. E., by a highway ;
and, K. W., by a swamp. He received, May 9, 1676, a war-
rant for 120 acres. Feb. 1, 1685, he received a warrant for
50 acres adjoining his own land " betwixt Raway River
and the branch, in Compensation for two highways made
through his Land one leading to Yincents and the other to
Woodbridge." His son, Joseph, had, also, 135 acres on
" Raway " River adjoining Dr. Robinson's land ; and 15 acres
of meadow between Rah way River and " Emet's Creek."
The house-lot he sold, to William Looker, then of Wood-
bridge. Frazee bought, Sep. 21, 1678, of Luke Watson, 182

* E. J. Records, II. 20, 35. E. T. Bill, p. 104. Hinman, I. 742-51.

t Savage, II. 49. Thompson's L. I., I. 486. 4 Mass. His. Soc. Coll., I. 99.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 75

acres; and, July 4, 16S2, William Broadwell's town lands.
His possessions were mostly along the Railway river ; and
the family settled eventually in Westfield and New Provi-
dence. A tract of land on the Passaic river has, in conse-
quence of their locating upon it, been called, "Frazeys Mead-
ows." Mr. Frazey sold, Sept. 7, 1G98, 39 acres, E. of the
Rahway, to Samuel Pack. lie died in January, lYlf.*

John Gray was, as elsewhere said, the step-father of Luke
Watson, having married, as early as 1614, Elizabeth, Wat-
son's mother, and daughter of William Frost, of Uncowah
[Fairfield], Ct. He was one of the patentees of Newtown,
L. I., being, with three exceptions, the largest contributor,
among many, to the expense of the purchase. He incurred,
in 1653, the wrath of the Dutch Government (for what does
not appear), and sentence of banishment was pronounced
against him, March 24. Again, Aug. 10, 1654, he was on
trial "accused of clivers crimes," of which "abusing the
magistrates" of the town alone is specified. He confessed,
was indicted, and sentenced. Jan. 26, 1656, he is spoken of
as "a fugitive from justice." Yet, in 1658, he was still re-
siding at Newtown. His offence was, probably, political.
He must have been well advanced in life, when he accom-
panied Watson to this town, and, having lost his first wife,

had married Hannah , to whom, by deed, Sep. 10, 1675,

he gave his estate. In April, 1673, when he sold his meadow
land to William Pilles, he had removed to New Piscataway.
He probably died soon after the gift to his wife. No record
is found of his allotments. f

Daniel Harris was from Northampton, L. I., and a son
of George, who was one of the neighbors of John Ogden.
He came on with the first emigration (probably unmarried),
induced, it may be, by his early companions, Ogden'a boys.
He has left no memorial. Henry Harris, who was one of
Mr. Harriman's parishioners in 1696, may have been his son,
and George Harris, in 1725, a grandson.^

• E. J. Eecords, I., S7, 115, 137; 11.10,22; IV. 19 ; Q. 137. E. T. Bill, p. 107. Will?, No. 1-
t E. J. Records, I. 51. Eikcr, p. 4-3. N. Haven Col. Eecords, I. 465. Calendar of Dutch
MSS., pp. 46, 131, 139, 159, 1C5, 193.

X Howell's Southampton, pp. 231-5. narriman's Ledger, p. 104.

76 THE HISTORY OF

Leonard Headley has left no memorial of his origin. He
had surveyed, Oct. 14, 1678, " in right of himself and his
wife," 150 acres. His house-lot contained 4 acres, 10 by 4
chains, bounded, !N\ W., by John Ogden, Jr., and, on the
other sides, by highways. He had 8 acres of upland " at
Bracket's Spring," and along the brook, adjoining Hur
Thompson, and a swamp; also, 6 acres of upland, "lying in
the way going to the point," bounded in part by John Ogden,
Jr., and John Woodruff; also 20 acres on the Creek, bounded
by Daniel DeHart and Robert Yauquellin ; also, 33 acres,
" in the plaine," bounded by George Morris and John Ogden,
Jr. ; also, 65 acres of upland " at the North end of the plaine,"
" by the Mill brooke," and bounded by Margaret Baker, Jona-
than Ogden, and Benjamin Parkis; also 14 acres in the Great
Meadow. He died, Feb., 1683, and Sarah Smith administered
on his estate, which was valued at £99. 3. 6.*

Matthias Heathfield [Hetfield, Hatfield] was a weaver,
and came hither from New Haven, Ct., where he took the
oath of fidelity, May 1, 1660. In the Record of Surveys,
Ang. 29, 1676, he is called " Hatfeild," and, in his will,
." Hattfield." He is supposed to have been a son of Thomas
Hatfield > of Leyden, a member of John Robinson's church,
and a native of Yorkshire, Eng. Mr. Thomas Hatfield,
who settled about the same time at Mamaroneck, N. Y., was,
probably, his brother. His house-lot contained 5 acres, 10 by
5 chains, bounded, E., by the highway and Thomas Moore ;
N., and S., by unsurveyed land ; and, W., by Denis White.
He had, also, 22 acres of upland, " in a triangle," bounded
by William Letts, John Winans, Samuel Marsh, and a
swamp ; also, 12 acres of upland, bounded by Nathaniel Bon-
ne!, Robert Yauquellin, and a way that parted him from
Gov. Carteret ; also, 112 acres of upland on " the two mile
brook ; " also, 40 acres of upland, " towards the west branch
of Elizabeth Town River," bounded by John Winans and an
Indian path ; also, 14 acres of meadow " at Rawack," and 3
acres of meadow on the N". side of E. Town Creek ; in all

* E. J. Eecords, II. 8, 93, A 1S1.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 77

208 acres. He was a boatman, as well as a weaver, and
seems to have been a man of considerable means. u For
twelve hundred gilders secured to him by bill' (a large
sum in those days), he purchased, Dec. 5, 1G73, of " Abraham
Lubberson of New Orania in the Xew Netherlands, his
dwelling-house and home-lott, with all other accommodations
belonging: to s d first Lott, within the bounds of Elizabeth both
upland and meadow."

It thus appears, that Mr. Lubberson was among the early
settlers of the town. He had been a citizen of New Amster-
dam, before the conquest, and resided, in 16G5, in De Iloogh
Straat [High st.], now Pearl, east of Broad sts., having pre.
viously lived, for several years, on the west side of the Prince
Graft [Broad st.]. This latter residence he sold, Sep. 5, 1671,
and is spoken of, in the deed, as " Abram Lubberse of Eliza-
beth towne in ISTew Jearsie." He was one of the Skippers
of the Port, having command of a Hudson river sloop. He
came here in 1666, or 7, and built the stone house, on the
lower part of Pearl St., at its junction with Hatfield st., now
in the possession of Abel S. Hatfield. It is, undoubtedly, the
oldest house in town, is in good repair, and has never been
alienated from the family since its purchase in 1673. Mr.
Lubbersen had three children born here : Abraham, Josias,
and Andries. On the reconquest of New York, by the Dutch,
in 1673, he returned to his old home in New Orange, as the
city was then called.

Mr. Hatfield was the original owner of the land on which
the First Presbyterian Church stands, and is entitled to the
credit of having given it to the town for a church and burial
place. "When the church-property was surveyed in 17»' ,; ,
the Trustees affirmed " that the first Purchasers and Asso-
ciates did give the af 8d Tract of land- for the use of the Pres-
byterian Church, the Pecord of which on or about the year
1719 was either lost or destroyed/' This statement was ad-
mitted by the Town Committee,' and they allowed, Aug. 27,
1766, the above "Lot of Land to the s' 1 Trustees their Heirs
and Successors on the right of Matthias Hatfield, one of the
s Associates." A grandson of Mr. Hatfield had then been a

78 THE HISTORY OF

Trustee of the Church for 12 years, and was the first Presi-
dent of the Board. He must have known the exact state of
the case. Mr. Hatfield died in December, 1687, his wife,
Maria (of Dutch nativity), and three sons, Isaac, Abraham,
and Cornelius, surviving him. It is not known, though it is
quite probable, that he left daughters also."

John Hinds [Hetnes, Haynes, Haines], and his brother,
James, were " East Enders" from Long Island. They were
sons of James Hinds, who came over from England to Salem,
Mass., as early as 1637, when he was admitted a freeman.
He married in 1638, and, at an early day, removed to South-
old, L. I., where he died, March, 165f , his estate being valued
at £123. 5. 4. He had eight children : John, James, Ben-
jamin, Mary, James 2d, Jonathan, Sarah, and Thomas. His
widow was married, in June 1656, to Ralph Dayton, of South-
old. John was the oldest son, and was baptized, Aug. 28,
1639. James was baptized, Feb. 27, 164-J . Benjamin Haines,
who was at Southampton, in 1639, and a resident of North
Sea [Northampton] in 1657, was, probably, a brother of
James Sen r . He was the grandfather of Stephen, who re-
moved to this town as early as 1725, and was the ancestor of
Gov. Daniel Haines.

John Hinds, the son of James, Sen r , of Southold, was bred
a cooper. No record remains of his allotments of land. He
married Mary, a daughter of Goodman Thompson, and their
daughter had been married, as early as 1700, to Isaac White-
head, Jr. He was a constable of the town in 1710 and 1711.
A curious record of him occurs in the Ledger of Rev. John
Harriman : " 169f, ffeb. 28, pr acco* of teaching my son
Samuel the mistery of a cooper, tho h not pformed accord-
ing to bargain— £4. 00. 00."

James was, also, a cooper, and came here, about ten years
later than his brother, John. He received, July 11, 1677, a
warrant " in Right of himself & his wife," for 120 acres of
land ; on account of which he had a survey of 108 acres of

* N. Haven Col. Eecorcls, I. 141. E. J. Records, II. 24. 106-7 ; 26, o. e. ; B. 306. Valen-
tine's N. Y. Manual for 1850, p. 452; 1851, p. 440; 1853, pp. 475, 8, 480; 1863, p. 792 ; 1S65,
pp. 661, 672, 706, 710. E. T. Book, B. 47, 170.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 79

upland bounded by Richard Clark, James Emot, and the
West brook ; also, 12 acres of " meadow in the great Meadows."
He purchased, Sep. 4, 1676, of "William Looker, then of Jamai-
ca, L. I., his house, garden, orchard and house-lot, probably
in the way of trade, as he continued still to reside in this
town, and was living in 1703.*

Benjamin Homan [Oman] was from the East End of Long
Island. John Iloman was at Setauket [Brookhaven], a few
years later, and was, it may be, either his father, or his son.
He was one of the Associates of the Town, and had the usual
allotments of land, but no mention is made of them in the
records. He lived a bachelor until his death, Ap. 1, 16S-4.
He gave, by will, six acres to Benjamin Meeker, and the re-
mainder of his estate, valued at £63. 5. 6, to Martha Barkis
[Barkhurst] of E. Town, widow. She may have been his
sister.f

William Johnson was at New Haven, Ct., as early as the
year 164S. Thomas and John, who came to Newark, in 1666-7,
the one from Milford, and the other from Branford, the sons
of Robert, an emigrant to New Haven, -from Hull, Eng., were,
probably, his cousins. They had a brother, William, but he
continued at Guilford, Ct., was a deacon of the church, and
grandfather of Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson, of N. York. Wil-
liam Johnson, of this town, had a house-lot of four acres, 10
by 4 chains, bounded, W., by Humphry Spinage ; S., by Ja-
cob Melyen ; and 1ST., and E., by highways ; also, 12 acres of
upland, on " the little Neck," bounded by George Ross,
Humphry Spinage, and his own meadow ; also 60 acres of
upland on " Rawack " river, bounded by Symon Rous, the
swamp, the river, and his meadow — " a highway to pass
through the said Land ; " also, 60 acres of upland, on " Rawack
plaine," bounded by Luke Watson, Symon Rous, a swamp,
and unsurveyed land ; also, 100 acres of upland, on "the W.
branch of Rawack River; " also, 6 acres of meadow on Ra-
wack river; also, 6 acres of meadow on E. T. Creek, joining

* N. Haven Col. Records, II. 15S, 9. Savage's Gen. Die, II. CS3-9. Howell, pp. 31 i 236
& J. Records, II. C5 ; O. S9. Macdonald's Jamaica, p. CI. E. T. Bill, p. 105.
t Thompson's L. I., II. 399. E. J. Records, B. E. T. Bill, p. 103.

30 THE HISTORY OF

his 12 acre lot ; also 13 acres of meadow, on the Rawack
river; in all, 262 acres. He mortgaged, Nov. 11, 1678, his
whole estate in the town to Roger Lambert, to secure the
payment of £100, and subsequently Lambert became the
owner.*

Jeffry Jones w T as from Southold, L. L, where he was
made a freeman, May, 1664. He and Edward Jones, who was
at Southampton, as early as 1644, it is thought were sons of
the Rev. John Jones, who came with the Rev. Mr. Shepard,
of Cambridge, and the Rev. John Wilson, of Boston, Mass.,
from England, arriving Oct. 2, 1635 ; was a colleague of Rev.
Peter Bulkley, of Concord, Mass., from 1636 to 1644, when
he came to Fairfield, Ct., and resided there until his death,
1664, being over TO years of age. One of the sons, Rev.
Eliphalet (born, Jan. 9, 1640), was the first minister of Hunt-
ington, L. I. Jeffry Jones had a house-lot on the "West side
of Mill Creek, between David Ogden on the S., and William
Cramer, on the N. He had a warrant for 1 80 acres, but no
return of the survey is on record. His house-lot he sold,
Aug. 24, 1686, to Jonas Wood. He was associated, May 20,
1668, with Ogden, Bond, and Watson, in running the bound-
ary line between this town and Newark. He was, also, one
of the Whaling Company, incorporated, Feb. 15, 166-f. An
action of Trespass and Ejectment was brought against him
by " the Proprietors," in the name of James Fullerton, in
1693, because of his refusal to take out a Patent from them
for his lands, and to pay them " Quit Rents." Judgment
having been rendered against him, he appealed to the King
in Council, by whom, Feb. 25, 1696, it was set aside. He
outlived the most of the founders of the town, his death oc-
curring in Dec. 1717.f

Thomas Leonards was, doubtless of the Southampton stock.
He was admitted a freeman of Connecticut, in 1658. He
probably died soon after his coming, as no subsequent trace
of him has been found.;}:

* E. J. Records, 1. 108, 127; II. 20, 180. Ct. Col. Records, I. 94 E. T. Bill, p. 105.
t lb., pp. 44, 106, 120, 2. E. J. Records, I. 89 ; II. 21 ; III. 88, 119 ; Wills, A. 89. Savage, II.
562. Newark Records, p. 10. Ct. Col. Records, I. 427. Shattuck's Concord, pp. 14S-164.
i Swage, III. SO.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 81

Samuel Marsh was from New Haven, Ct., where he took
the oath of fidelity, May 2, 1047. lie came here, among the
first settlers from Ct., with his wife and seven children. His
house-lot contained seven acres, of irregular form, G chains
broad, and in length, 15 chains on the W. side, and 10 chains
on the E. side, bounded, on the W., by Jonas Wood, and on
the other sides by highways. He had, also, IS acres of up-
land "in the Neck," bounded by John Winans, Matthias
Hatfield, and William Letts; also, 100 acres of upland, u \
Kawack," called by the Name of Bagged Neck, bonnded by
Jcflry Jones, Simon House, and his own meadow; also, 6
acres of upland, adjoining the 100 acre lot, bounded by Jeffry
Jones, a great swamp, and his own land ; also, 1-4 acres of
meadow, on the N. side of his upland, and 6 acres of meadow
at Luke Watson's Neck, on the N. side of Thompson's Creek :
in all 205 acres. His eldest son, Samuel, Je., was admitted
among the 80 Associates, and had an allotment of 80 acres
of upland, at " Rahawack," bounded by Robert Yauquellin,
Simon Rouse, Thomas Moore, Benjamin Wade, and a great
swamp; also, 10 acres of upland on the two-mile brook, ad-
joining Matthias Hatfield, and David Oliver; also, 10 acres
of meadow, "lying at Rahawack in the Meadow of Samuel
Marsh, Sen r : " in all, 100 acres. " Old Mash," as the father
was familiarly called, died in September, 16S3.*

William Meekee was, also, from New Haven, Ct., where
he took the oath of fidelity, July 1, 1044. He was pro-
pounded, Oct. 7, 1G46, to "be loader to mill," "for a 12
month," "to goe in all seasons except vnreasonable weather."
Frequently he appears in the records as "Meaker," and
" Mecar." His house-lot contained six acres, bonnded, X..
by Henry Norris ; W., by the highway ; S., by his son, Jo-
seph ; and, E., by the swamp. He had, also, 13 acres of
upland, bounded by his son, Benjamin, Robert Bond, and
Joseph Osborne ; also, 45 acres of upland " by Henry Lyon,"
bounded by his son, Benjamin, and Robert Bond; also, 75
acres of upland, bounded by llur Thompson, a small brook,

* N. Haven Col. Records, I. 140, 229, 23.-!, 270, 1, 37S, 47-L 1". J. Uecords, I. 159; II 20, 31,
S5 ; A. 192. E. T. Bill, p. 105, S. Savage, III. 155.

82 THE HISTORY OF

and a swamp; also, 12 acres of meadow, on the S. side of
Bound Creek, and 2 \ acres on E. Town Creek : in all, 152
acres. He was appointed, Oct. 13, 1671, constable of the
town, and, in performance of the duties of his office, became
obnoxious to the Governor and his party, and the property
just described was forfeited in favor of William Pardon, as
related on a subsequent page. His sons, Joseph and Ben-
jamin, were, also, numbered among the 80 Associates. Jo-
seph had a house-lot, containing six acres, bounded, N., by
his father; S., by his brother, Benjamin; E., by Robert
Yauquellin ; and, W., by a highway. He had, also, 35 acres,
bounded by Joseph Sayre, a small brook, a fresh meadow,
and a highway that goes into the Meadows ; also, 45 acres,
" adjoining to Master Bond," bounded by Henry Lyon, Rob-
ert Bond, Henry Norris, and John Woodruff; also, 12 acres
" on the West Side of the plaine," bounded by Moses Thomp-
son, Isaac Whitehead, Sen r , Moses Hopkins, and the Mill
Creek : in all, 9S acres. Benjamin had a house-lot, contain-
ing five acres, 9 by 5J chains, bounded, W., by a highway ;
E., by George Morris and Henry Lyon ; N., by his brother,
Joseph ; and, S., by unsurveyed land. He had, also, 24 acres
of upland, bounded by Joseph Osborne, Robert Bond, and
" a run ; " also, 60 acres of upland, bounded by Robert
Bond, Henry Lyon, and Isaac Whitehead, Sen r ; also, 66
acres of upland, bounded by Hur Thompson, two small
brooks, and a swamp ; in all, 155 acres. He was one of the
town constables in 1711. Joseph kept a country store, and
Benjamin was a carpenter ; while both were planters. The
father died in December, 1690.*

Jacob Melyen [Moullains, Mueline, Melleyns, Melyn,
Meleins] came here from New Haven, Ct., but was previ-
ously of New Amsterdam. He was the son of the patroon,
Cornells Melyn, whose name is familiar to every student of
Dutch American history. The father was born, 1602, at
Antwerp, Holland, and emigrated, in 1639, to New Nether-
land. He returned, in 1640, for his wife (Janneken) and

* N. Haven Col. Records, 1. 122, 139, 273. E. J. Records, II. 1, 18, 24, 69, 146 ; III. 47, 82 ;
0. 70, 1. E. T. Bill, p. 103.

ELIZABETII, NEW JERSEY. 83

children, and obtained a grant of Staten Island. There he
planted a colony, in 1611, which was broken up by the Indian
war of 1643. Removing to New Amsterdam, he took up his
residence in Broad, between Stone and Pearl, sts., on the E.
side. lie espoused the popular side in politics, for which he
was heavily fined by Gov. Stuyvesant, and banished for
seven years. lie returned to Holland for redress, was
wricked, Sep. 27, 1017, and lost one of his sons, barely
escaping with his own life. The Home Government sus-
tained his appeal, but Stuyvesant still persisted in his oppo-
sition. After another voyage to Holland, he re-established
himself, in 1650, on Staten Island, continuing there until the
colony was again dispersed by the Indians, in the massacre
of 1655. He removed to New Haven, Ct., where he and his
son, Jacob, took the oath of fidelity, Ap. 7, 1657. In 1659,
he repaired again to Holland, effected a settlement of his
difficulties, relinquished Staten Island to the West India
Company, and soon after returned to New Netherland. lie
had died in 1671, leaving his wife, three sons, — Jacob, Cor-
nelis, and Isaac, — and three daughters, Marian (married and
residing at N. Haven), Susanna and Magdaleen, who were
married subsequently to Jacob Schellinger and* Jacob Soper,
merchants of N. York.

Jacob, the eldest son, was born at Antwerp, Holland, about
1610, and came an infant to America. His boyhood was
passed in the midst of the exciting scenes just referred to,
by which lie was educated in the love of liberty and hatred
of oppression. He accompanied his father to Holland and
back, in 1659, returning to N. Haven. He was reprimanded,
May 1, 1660, by Gov. Newman, as related in the "Blue
Laws" of Ct., for kissing and taking other improper liberties
with Miss Sarah Tattle. He married, in 1662, Hannah,
the daughter of George Hubbard, of Guilford, Ct. Her
sister, Abigail, in 1657, had become the wile of Humphrey
Spinning. He and Spinning attached themselves to the band
of pilgrims, who, in 1C65, emigrated from New Haven to
this town. He had been familiar, doubtless, with this par-
ticular locality from his childhood, by reason of his residence

84: THE HISTORY OF

on Staten Island. His knowledge of the Dutch language,
and possibly of the Indian tongue also, made him a valuable
acquisition to the new colony of Achter Kol.

His house-lot contained four acres, 10 by 4 chains, and
was bounded, W., by his brother-in-law, Humphrey Spinning ;
S., by John Winans ; JST., by William Johnson ; and, E., by
a highway. This lot, with his house, barn, orchard, &c, he
sold, Feb. 8, 167-f-, to John Winans. He had 100 acres* on
the South Neck of E. T., which he sold, Mar. 9, 167f , to
Nicholas Carter. For himself, wife, and two servants, he
was allowed 360 acres. His patent gave him 450 acres. He
was a partner in the whaling company of 1669. During the
Dutch rule, 1673-4, he was in high favor, being appointed
one of the Schepens of the town, and Captain of the militia
company. He removed to New York in 1674, and resided
in the Mill st. Lane [S. William st.]. Two of his children,
Susanna and Jacob, were baptized in the Dutch chh., N. Y.,
Oct. 3, 1674; and three others, Daniel, Samuel, and Abigail,
Aug. 7, 1677. Subsequently to 1683, he removed to Boston,
probably for the convenience of educating his son, Samuel
(afterwards a minister of this town), who graduated, in 1696,
at; Harvard College. At Boston, he traded in leather, and
served, several years, as constable. His decease occurred in
December, 1706, his wife surviving until 1717. His daugh-
ter, Abigail, married (1.) William Tilley, and (2.) Chief Justice
Samuel Sewall. His daughter, Joanna, born in 1683, about
the time that he removed to Boston, became the wife of the
Rev. Jonathan Dickinson of this town. .In his will, he
affirms that he had spent £300. on Samuel's education. In
the Boston News Letter, Oct. 1, 1705, is an Advertisement
in these words : " A House and Land in the High-Fore-Street
at the Sign of the Buck, in the South End of Boston, now in
the Occupancy of Mr. Jacob Melyen, to be Sold."*

Thomas More [Moor, Moore] was from Southold, L. I.
He was the son of Thomas, who came over, in 1630, in the

* E. T. Bill, p. 10S. E. J. Records. 1. 101, 8, 163 ; II. 46; III. 25. N. Y. Col. Docmts., II.
571, 5S2, 603, 706. Calendar of N. Y. His. Mss., 28, 40, 46, 124, 181. Savage, III. 195. Valen-
tine's N. Y., 1863, p. 795. Boston News Letter, No. 76.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 85

Mary and John, to Dorchester, Mass. ; joined the Church, at
Salem ; was admitted a freeman, May 18, 1G31 ; and removed,
with his brother, Deacon John Moore, first to "Windsor, Ct.,
then to Southampton, and theD toSonthold, L. I. The father
was a man of influence, and represented Southold in the
General Court at New Haven, in 1G58, and at Hartford in
166 4. Thomas, Jr., was at Newtown in 1661, whence, the
following year, he came to this town. His house-lot, " for-
merly belonging to Joachin Andrissen," he sold to William
Pyles, previous to 1672, and purchased, June 22, 1675, the
house-lot, containing four acres, bounded, N., and E., by a
highway ; S., by Matthias Hatfield ; and W., by Denis White.
He had, also, 60 acres of upland, "towards Rahawack," ad-
joining Benjamin Wade ; also, 42 acres " on the South side of
Elizabeth River," bounded by Benjamin Wade, Humphry
Spinage, the River, and the plain ; also, 60 acres of upland,
"on the North side of the said "River," bounded by Hum-
phry Spinage, Stephen Osborne, and " the branch of the said
Elizabeth River; " also 20 acres of meadow, adjoining William
Pilles upland ; in all, 187 acres. Thomas Moore, in 1676, had
80 acres surveyed for him on the S. side of Staten Island.
He survived until June, 1708.*

Robert Mosse [Morss, Morse], and his son Peter, were
from Massachusetts. They were at Boston, in 1641, at New-
bury in 1654, and still later at Rowle} 7 , whence, in 1665, they
came hither. The father was a tailor, and had a large family.
His house-lot contained six acres, bounded, iST., by his Bon,
Peter; S., by William Pardon; AY., by the highway; and,
E., by Elizth. river and a highway. He had, also, L2 acres
of upland, bounded by William Trotter, his son, Peter, and
Crane's brook; also, 44 acres of upland, bounded by the
river, William Pardon, William Trotter, Daniel Tuttle, his
son, Peter, and the Common; also, "a Neck of Land Lying
between two brooks," C)Q acres, bounded by West brook,
Peach Garden brook, and Thompson's Creek; also, another

* N. II. Col. Records, II. 52, 66, 160, 280, 6, 3: - Ct CoL Beeordi, I. 28, 112,

8. Alb. Records, III. 110. Savr.ge, III. 227 231. E. J. Records, I. 24, 40, 157 ; II. 21, 31.
T. Bill, p. 108.

86 THE HISTORY OF

plot of 66 acres, adjoining on the West, lying on Peacli Gar-
den brook ; also, 6 acres of meadow on Thompson's Creek, 9
acres on the Sound, and 7 acres on Peach Garden and. West
brooks : in all, 202 acres. The tract on the E. T. Creek he
disposed of, Sep. 26, 1681, to his son-in-law, William Broad-
well ; and several other tracts, June 24, 1686, to Jonas Wood.
The next day he obtained a warrant for 150 acres more.

Peter's house-lot contained six acres, bounded, W., by a
highway ; 1ST., by William Trotter ; S., by his father ; and, E.,
by E. T. Creek. He had, also, 12 acres of upland, adjoining
his father; also, 40 acres of upland, "near the Ash Swamp
upon a hill," bounded by William Pardon, Stephen Crane,
John Little, and the Common ; also, " a Neck of Land, at
Rawack," 140 acres, along West brook, Rawack Swamp, and
the Common ; also, 18 acres of meadow on Thompson's Creek,
and 6 acres on Luke Watson's Point : in all 224 acres ; of
which 20 acres were " in Right of Joachim Andrissen." The
homestead was on " Thompson's Creek," hence more gener-
ally known of late as "Morse's Creek," long the boundary
between Railway and Elizabeth. Peter died in May,
1702.*

ISTathanael Norton was from the E. end of Long Island,
but, though admitted one of the 80 Associates, was induced,
after a short sojourn, to return to the Island. He took up
his abode at Brookhaven, where he was living in 1675, and
in 1683. His E. Town rights were transferred to Henry
Norris.f

William Oliver cannot now be traced with any certainty.
He was, probably, the son of John, who died in 1646, or
of Thomas, who died in 1652, at Boston or its vicinity, each
of them leaving a large family. Thomas was of Bristol, and
■came over, in 1632, from London. William had a house-lot
containing eight acres, 20 by 4 chains, bounded, W., by
Charles Tucker; S., by Jonas Wood; and, !N\, and E., by
highways. He had, also, 12 acres of upland, " at Luke

* Savage, III. 241. E. J. Records, I. 148, 9, 150 ; II. 19, 23; III. 153, 9; B. 121. 132 ; L.
90. E.T. Bill, p. 104.

t N. York Doc. His , II. 46S, 533.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 87

Watson's point," bounded by Jeffry Jones, Caleb Carwithy,
the meadows, and a highway ; also, 84 acres of upland "at
Rawack," bounded by reter Morse, Samuel Marsh, Sen 1 ",
David Oliver, and William Pilles. He died about 1G94 *

Josepu: Osborn [Osbourne, Osburni:], and Jeremy Os-
born were from East Hampton, L. J. They were the sons of
Goodman Thomas Osborne, one of the founders of that town,
in 1G40, or 1G50. He had been, also, one of the founders of
New Haven, Ct., in 1639, where, in 164:3, he was rated at
£300, and had a family of six, Richard, then of New Haven,
and afterwards of Fairfield, was his brother. Thomas was at
Hingham, Mass., in 1635, and removed to Connecticut before
the Pequot war of 1637, in which he served. Thomas, John,
Jeremiah, Joseph, and Stephen were his sons. The first two
settled in East Hampton ; the others joined the company of
emigrants to Achter Kol, and were founders of this town.
Jeremiah was a witness, Aug. 18, 1665, to the payment of
the money, to the Indians,for the purchase of the town. He,
probably, died soon after, as his name does not appear among
the original Associates. His brother, Stephen, had taken his
place before 1673. Jeremiah Osborn, who was one of Mr.
Harriman's parishioners from 16S7 to 1705, and afterwards
became a Quaker, was a son of Stephen, was born in 1661,
removed to Morris Co., and lived to an extreme old age.
He made a long deposition, Mar. 23, 1741, in the celebrated
case of Daniel Cooper vs. John Crain and others, printed at
length in the E. T. Bill in Chancery, Schedule X.

Joseph Osborn received a warrant for 150 acres of land,
but the returns of the survey are not on record ; consequently
his several parcels of land cannot now be located. Stephen
had two house-lots "Lying: and beins in Elizabeth Towne
Upon the Mill Creek," containing 12 acres, 1- by 10 chains,
bounded, W., by the Creek; S., and I-]., by highways; and
E"., by an unsnrveyed house-lot. One of these two lots,prob-
ably, was Jeremiah's. He sold them both, Oct 13, 1689, to
Joseph Wilson. He had, also, L2 acres of upland on " the

* N. E.HIs. <fcGen. Register, XII. 53. E J. Beoords, II W. l'»3; 25, o. c. ; III. 159. E. T.
Bill, p. 103. Savngo, IV. 101.

88 THE HISTOKY OF

little Neck," bounded by Jeremiah. Peck, Joseph Sayre,
John Woodruff, Moses Thompson, and a swamp ; also, 121
acres of upland on " the South branch of Elizabeth Towne
Creek," bounded by Nathaniel Bonnel, Thomas Moore,
George Ross, and the branch; also, three acres of meadow
on the E. T. Creek, and 12 acres " in the great Meadows at
the upper end of Forkey Creek : " in all 160 acres. He died,
July, 1698. Joseph was living in 1707.*

Geoege Pack came with the first colonists, but whence can-
not now be learned. He had a house-lot containing six acres,
bounded, N. "W., by John Little, and on the other sides by
highways. He had, also, 30 acres of upland, bounded by
Barnabas Wines, John Little, Nicholas Carter, and unsur-
veyed land; also, 40 acres of upland, bounded by Joseph
Sayre, Nicholas Carter, two small brooks, and unsurveyed
land ; also 4 acres of swamp, and 12 acres of meadow on
" the great River" [the Sound] : in all, 118 acres. He died,

Feb. 170ft

Richard Paynter [Painter] was a tailor, who came hither
from New York, but originally from Southampton. Carter's
son was apprenticed to him, Mar. 25, 1669. His house-lot
contained three acres, 10 by 3 chains, bounded, S., by Capt.
Philip Carteret — formerly Abraham Shotwell; and, N.,E., and
"W., by highways. He had, also, 20 acres of upland, bounded,
by a round hill, the Mill Creek, and Mrs. Baker ; also, 96
acres of upland, bounded by Isaac Whitehead, Jr., Leonard
Headley, Joseph Sayre, and the Mill brook ; also, 15J- acres
of meadow : in all, 134J- acres. His residence here was of
short duration. In the winter of 1670-1, he removed to New
York, and sold, Ap. 3, 1671, his "Plantation with the Dwell-
ing House, &c." to Balthazar He Hart of New York, Mer-
chant. De Hart died in January, 1672, and his Executors
sold, July 4, 1672, to Richard Skinner, of E. T., " Joyner," the
house and property bought of Richard Painter, (" wherein
the above-named Richard Skinner now Liveth and was ser-

# Savage, III. 319. Barber's Ct., p. 160. Thompson's L. L, I. 295. E. J. Eecords, II. 21,
24, 129. E. T. Bill, pp. 106, 10S, 113-5.

t E. T. Bill, p. 10S. E. J. Eecords, 11.19, 21, 96.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 89

rant unto the said Richard Painter and also to the said Bal-
thazar De Hart,") for £48; "£16 in Porkc at Three Pounds
the Barrel], Wheat at four Shillings the Bushell, Pease at three
shillings the Bushell Beef in Life at three Pence the Pound."
Skinner must have forfeited the property for want of fulfil-
ment of the conditions of payment, and it was again sold,
March 21, 16S-J-, by Daniel De Hart, to George Jewell, then
a recent comer from Piscataway. Painter was living, in
1679, at Southampton "on the west street running by the
swamp." *

John Pakkek, it is thought, was from the East End of Long
Island, probably of the Bridgehampton family. His house-
lot contained six acres, bounded, E., and N., by Gov. Car-
teret ; S., by the highway ; and, W., by Joseph Ogden. He
had, also, six acres of upland on " the North Neck," bounded
by Leonard Ileadley, John Ogden, Jr., and " the Common
pasture ;' : also, 60 acres of upland, bounded by John Wood-
ruff, the Meadow, and the " Common Land ; " also, 12 acres
of upland on the W. side of Mr. Woodruff, and between- two
swamps; also, 12^ acres of meadow in the same vicinity: in
all, 96 acres. His house-lot he sold to Carteret, Aug. 15,
1675, for £8, probably without improvements. He died in
Dec. 1702, leaving his property to Robert Smith of Egg Har-
bor, Widow SarahBrowne, Thomas Headley, and "the Church
of Christ in Elizabeth Town ; " to the latter £3.f

Thomas Pope was an associate, in 16-14, of Strickland, Og-
den, the Dentons and Jonas Wood, in settling Hempstead,
L. I. He seems to have either accompanied or followed
John Ogden to the East End of the Island, as, in 1652, ho
had a house-lot of 3 acres, "next to Mr. Stanbrough," granted
him at Southampton. His son, John, also, is named among
the early settlers of that town. His house-lot here was on
the S. side of the Creek, adjoining the Governor. Be sold
it, Feb., 166J, to William Pilles. He died previous to 1677.
Mary, his widow, and her sun, John, sold, Feb. 25, 167-$,
their dwelling house and lot, with 60 acres of upland, for

* E.J. Records, I. 7,25, 36; II. 15, 73; A. 113. E. T. Bill, pp. 102, 7. Ilowell p. 153.
t -IlDwell, p. 2G0. E. T. Bill, p. 103. E. J. Records, I. 149; II. 3, 26.

90 THE HISTORY OF

£39, to Benjamin Wade. John was one of the 80 As-
sociates. He received, Mar. 28, 1676, a warrant for 100
acres ; and, July 9, 1686, another for 150 acres. Of this
last, 120 acres were located " on Raway River," bounded by
the river, " Pope's brook " [in the township of Springfield, near
Milltown], and unoccupied land. The other 30 acres were
bounded by Jeifry Jones, William Johnstone, and u Common
Land." Of the first grant, a plot of 80 acres was bounded by
John Miles, Joseph Frazee, and unsurveyed land. He had
died in 17lf . He gave the name to " Pope's Corners." *

Benjamin Pkice was from East Hampton. He came to
the Island, it is thought, with Lion Gardiner, in 1639. He
subscribed, as a witness, the deed, given, March 10, 16ff,
by James Farret, Lord Stirling's Agent, to Gardiner, for the
island that has ever since borne his name. He settled first
at Southampton ; but, in 1649, united with several of his
neighbors in settling East Hampton. He resided on the E.
side of the main street, not far from Gardiner, and the Rev.
Mr. James, and next to " the Parsonage-lot, in the hart
of the Towne." He took a leading part in town affairs ; was
appointed, Oct. 7, 1651, Recorder, or Town Clerk ; and,
Aug. 1, 1660, was one of the Patentees of Montauk Point.
He took an active part in furthering the emigration of so
many East Enders to this locality, and was held in honor by
his townsmen here. In 1675, he represented the town in the
House of Burgesses ; and was appointed, Dec. 13, 1682, one
of Gov. Rudyard's Council ; Feb. 4, 168f , Justice of the
Peace ; Mar. 28, 1683, one of Gov. Lawrie's Council ; and,
Jan. 29, 169f, one of the Judges of Small Causes. He out-
lived, the most of the founders, his death occurring after Aug.
30, 1705, when his will was made, and not later than Oct. 7,
1712, when it was admitted to probate. ,

The locality of his house-lot is not on record. He had 24
acres of upland, " along the Road Leading to the Point,"
adjoining his son, Daniel ; also, 50 acres of upland, adjoining
" Henry Lyon's House," the Town Creek, " a Little Creeke

*E. J. Eecords, II, 20; B. 370; L. 99, 197. E. T. Bill, p. 109. Thompson's L. I, II. 6.
Howell, pp. 806, 7.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 91

on which Henry Bakers Tannfatt stands," Margaret Baker,
John Woodruff, Leonard Headley, Ephraim Price, and Peter
Woolverton ; also, 20 acres of upland, on the Point road, ad-
joining- Margaret Baker; also, 120 acres of upland near the
Great Meadow ; also, 9 acres of upland in the Great Meadow,
North of Capt. Young ; also, S acres of upland " on the Long
Meadow Island," on this side Rahway River ; also 25 acres
of upland, on the Point road, adjoining Margaret Baker;
also, ltt acres of meadow : in all 270 acres.

Benjamin, Jk., his son, was also one of the 80 Associates.
He was appointed, Aug. 22, 1695, one of the Justices of the
Peace. His house-lot contained six acres, bounded. S.. and
E., by the highway; "W., by his brother, Thomas, and X.,
by Isaac Whitehead, Sen'. He had, also, 41 acres of upland,
bounded by Robert Bond, Joseph Bond, and unsurveyed
land ; also, 19 acres of upland, adjoining his father and un-
surveyed land ; also, 14 acres of upland, adjoining his father
and Joseph Ogden ; also, 8S acres of upland " near the Gov-
ernors point," bounded by his father and Daniel Dellart ;
also, ten acres of upland, bounded by his father and Col.
Richard Townley ; also, two acres on " y° way to y e meadows,"
adjoining his father ; also, ten acres " of Salt Marsh in the
great Meadow ; " also 8 acres of meadow, " by the Long pond
& the forked Creek ; " also, six acres of meadow " on a creek,
called the Long Creek or fforked creek : " in all 200 acres.*

Evan Salsbury, of whose origin nothing certain can now
be ascertained, was, probably, Carwithy's friend and* asso-
ciate, coming with him from the East End of Long Island.
His house-lot adjoined "William Cramer, on the S. E. He
bought Cramer's house-lot, and his second lot-right ; but sold
the two, Dec. 26, 1670, to John Little, for £65. He is called
a " brickmaker," but was bred a carpenter, and had previ-
ously, it is thought, followed the seas. Capt. John i onng,
of Southold, L. L, sold him, Oct. 4, 1671, his shallop of 8
tons burden, " or there about,'' with all its appurtenances, the

* E. J. Records, II. 21 ; A. 169 ; ( '. 6, 7.'., 171, 2.13 ; E. 119 ; L. 1. 19 ; O. 40, 106, G. 7. E. T.
Bill, pp. 102, 9. Doc. His. of N. Y., I. 680, 6. Thompson's L. I., 295, 9. Hedges' E. Hampton,
pp. 0, S2-4.

92 THE HISTORY OF

mast, sails, rigging, cable, anchor, &c, for " 18000 good Mer-
chantable White Oak pipe Staves," a bond being given for
the pajment, signed by Salsbury, Carwithy, and Cramer.
The witnesses were Benjamin Price and Joseph Sayre. It
is quite likely that he and Carwithy, who disappears from the
records about this time, became " coasters," and of uncertain
residence. Salsbury was here when the Dutch enrolment
was made in 1673, but no further mention of him is made.*

Abraham Shotwell, whose original is not known, was cer-
tainly in sympathy with the popular party of the town. In
the contentions between the people and Carteret, described
in succeeding, pages, Shotwell was bold and outspoken
agahist the Governor's usurpations. He became the victim
of Carteret's wrath, his house and grounds were confiscated,
and he himself driven into exile. His house-lot was " next
E. of the mill." In July, 1683, it was thus described :
" Bounded on the North by the Land now in possession of
George Jewell and runs along by his Fence three Chains and
one third of a Chaine from thence running upon a South and
by West Line twelve Chains to the highway which Leads to-
wards the Mill or meeting house from thence it runs by the
said highway westward three chains and one third part of a
chain and from thence it runs along by the highway that
leads from the Mill towards Newark upon a North and by
East Line Twelve chains Containing in all four acres. Also,
a small peece more Containing One Acre English measure
running by the highway which Leads from the Mill or meet-
ing house Eastward three Chains and one third part of a
Chain from thence it runs downward to the Creek upon a
South and by West Line Three Chains & from thence it runs
away Westward as the Creek or highway runs, three Chains
and one third part of a Chaine and from thence it runs by the
highway which Leads from the Mill towards Newark upon a
North and by East Line three Chains." It is easy to iden-
tify this property, as including the whole East Side of Broad
Bt. from the stone bridge to a point 792 feet north of Elizth.

*E. J. Eecords, I. 25-6, 59. E. T Bill, p. 107.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 93

Avenue. A most valuable piece of property. Shotwcll re-
tired to "N. York, and appealed to the Lords Proprietors.
In the mean time, he returned to his home, sustained by his
townsmen. His appeal was not sustained, and he was in-
formed, by orders from the Proprietary Government, that he
must depart the town, and, should he return, that lie would
be subjected to severe indignities. His property was sold at
public auction, Aug. 25, 1GT5, for £12, to Thomas Blumfield,
carpenter, of Woodbridge, who resold it, a fortnight later,
for £14. to Gov. Carteret. It was on Shotwell's one acre lot
that the Governor is thought to have built his new house,
where he resided at the time of his decease. Shotwell ob
tained a grant of land from the N. York governments-"'*
died in exile. Daniel, who settled on Staten Isloi>and
probably, his son. John, another son, married, .-md, was,
Oct. 1679, Elizabeth Burton. After Carterof at N. York,
death, John appealed to Gov. Rudyar^t's removal and
by order, May 29, 1683, the property who restored him,
rily wrested from his father. Tty that had been arbitra-
mostly in the S. and S. ~W. p~- ]l e Shotwell family settled

Michael Shipkin was ^ rts of> the town.*
kins, in 1634, was Ca~ l0m Stamford, Ct. Nicholas Sim-
Simkins [SmikingV*- of the Castle at Boston. Vincent
accompanied thr tl son or brother, probably, of the Capt.,
of the Compr jarl 7 colonists to Wethersfield, and was one
[Stamford] $ that bought, Oct. 30, 1640, Rippowams
1641, Mar/™ the New ^aven people, where he married,
two sons, l dan g n ter of Henry Ackerly. He had, at least,
had die^ mel and JoiIN 5 most l&ely, Michael, also. He
John, / n , 165 . 6 * ^niel settled in Bedford, K Y., and
the mT Ilis widowed mother, removed to this town, where
IIe 7er, soon after, became the wife of William Oliver.
bon an allotm cnt of SO acres of upland, on the W. brook,
an/ d by Wmiam 0r amer and William Oliver, a swamp
A ic two mile brook; also, 4 acres of meadow adjoining
R . Thompson; also 3 acres of meadow on "Rawack

;" also 2 acres of meadow adjoining Jacob Melyen

p.tT.Eecords II. 19 ; III. 64; A. 41 ; L. 1, 4. E. T. Bill, p. 110. N. Y. Land Calendar
i. Y. Marriages, p. 349.

94 THE HISTORY OF

and George Pack : in all 89 acres. John died unmarried
before Sep.^ 1679, and his mother administered on his estate.
Michael must have died soon after his coming, as no further
mention of him is found.*

Humphry Spin age [Spinning] was from New Haven,
Ct. He was a nephew of Goodman Humphrey Spinage, one
of the original settlers of New Haven, and one of the party
that attempted to plant a colony on the Delaware, in 1651.
The nephew took the oath of fidelity at New Haven, April 7,
1657 ; and, Oct. 14, 1657, married Abigail, the 3d daughter
of George and Mary Hubbard of Guilford, and sister of Han-
nah, the wife of Jacob Melyen. George Hubbard came from
-^ lj land about 1635, and was one of the early settlers of
Wethe^eld, Ct. He removed, in 1644, to Milford, and, in
1648, to Vailford. The house-lot of Humphrey Spinning
contained four ares, 12 by 4 chains, and was bounded, N. E.,
and E., by the rear of the house-lots of his brother-in-law,
Jacob Melyen, WilliamTohnson, and John Winans; and, on
every other side, by a highway. He had, also, 12 acres of
upland " on the Neck," bounied by Jeffry Jones, William
Johnson, the meadows, and a higway ; also, 80 acres of up-
land, " by Peach Garden Hill," bonified by Jacob Melyen,
Charles Tucker, Peach Garden brook, aid his own meadow ;
also, 40 acres of upland, on the S. side of tlu branch of Elizth.
Eiver, bounded by Thomas Moore, John "$inans, the plain
and Elizabeth Creek ; also 60 acres on the ^. side of the
branch, bounded by Benjamin Wade, Thomal Moore, the
plain, and " the said Eiver into Cranberry me ^ow ; " also,
7 acres of meadow on Peach Garden brook ; also 6 acres of
meadow on Elizth. Creek ; also, 9 acres on " the Point of
Eawack Neck : " in all, 218 acres. He died, Sei^ 1689 >
leaving an estate, valued at £223. 8. O.f

Thomas Tomson [Thompson] was one of the founG ers of
East Hampton, L. L, in 1649, having come from Lynn ^ ass ->
by way of New London, Ct. At E. Hampton, he resio) ed on

m ™^-' L m Sava * 6 ' 1Y - 101 - E - J - *-«i ii- i 102; « |- *•; m -

Xj. o. .Kecoras, 11. 19, 36. E. T. Bill, pp. 105, 118.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. <J5

the W. side of the street, near Robert Bond and the two Mul-
fords. Goodman Thompson was one of the Deputies of
Elizabeth-Town in the Legislature of 1672. He was active in
opposing the arbitrary measures of Gov. Carteret, and was
mulcted for his patriotism. His house-lot contained six acr
bounded, N., and S., by Barnabas Wines ; W., by a highway ;
and E., by the Mill Creek. lie had, also, 18 acres of upland,
" on Luke Watson's Keck," bounded by Jacob Melyen, David
Ogden, and a highway ; also, 52 acres of upland, bounded by
Stephen Crane, Dennis White, George Pack, and his own
land ; also, 20 acres of upland adjoining the last, bounded
by his son Ilur, Joseph Say re, George Pack, and unsurveyed
land ; also, 4 acres " in Rawack Meadow ; ' also 18 acres of
meadow on a creek, which was named for him, lt Thompson's
Creek," and since, "Moris Creek:' in all 1 IS acres. J lis
three sons, also, were among the original Associates. Moses,
who took the oath in Feb. 166-jj-, had a warrant for 180 acres,
but the survey is not on record. Aaron, came into posses-
sion of the homestead, at his father's death, Sept. 1GTG, and
had a warrant for 60 acres, in his own right, of which no
return was made. Hue had a house-lot, containing four acres,
bounded, S., and E., by a highway ; N., by Thomas Osborn ;
and E., by unsurveyed land. He had, also, 12 acres of up-
land, bounded by Leonard Headley, Joseph Osborn, John
Wilson, and a highway ; also 45 acres of upland, bounded
by Joseph Sayre, 2 small brooks, and unsurveyed land; also,
40 acres of upland, bounded by Benjamin Meeker, a small
brook, and the Common; also 45 acres of upland, bounded
by William Pardon, a small brook, the West brook, and un-
surveyed land ; also 6 acres of meadow on the Bay, 4 acres
on Woodruff's Creek, and 10 acres more; in all 161 acres.
The father's estate, at his death, was valued at £152. L5. 6.*
William Trotter came from Newbury, Mass. It may
have been at his suggestion, that bo many of his former towns-
men came on, in the course of 1GGG-7, ami Bettled the town
of Woodbridge. His house-lot contained four acres, bounded,

* Hedges' E. nnmplon, pp. 4, 44. E. J. Recordi, II. 21, 24, 29, 104; 20, o. e. E. T. Bill,
pp. 104, 5.

96 THE HISTORY OF

E., and W., by a highway ; S., by Peter Morse ; and INT., by
Stephen Crane ; also, an addition of two acres, bounded, E.,
by the river, and on the other sides, as the house-lot ; also,
13 acres of upland, bounded, 1ST., and W., by Robert Morse ;
S., and E., by " Elizabeth Town brook ; " also, 138 acres of
upland, bounded by William Broadwell, a swamp, and un-
surveyed land; also, 23 acres of meadow in "the Common
Meadow : " in all, 180 acres. In 1676, he had died. His
name was given to a bridge in the northern part of the town
plot*

Charles Tucker [Tooker] was, also, a New Englancler,
coming hither, with the East Enders of Long Island. His
parentage has not been determined. He was, probably, the
son (or may have been the brother) of John Tooker of South-
old, residing, as early as 1655, in that part of the town that
was called River head, originally from the vicinity of Boston,
Mass., and made a freeman at Southold, Oct. 9, 1662. Charles
had a house-lot, containing eight acres, bounded, 1ST., by the
highway ; E., by William Oliver ; W., by Caleb Carwithy ;
and, S., by " the Swamp in Common ; " also, 21 acres of
meadow on Thompson's Creek, and adjoining " the great
Island." He had, at first, a plot of upland containing 86
acres ; but, as this was found, by survey, to be included in
Jacob Melyen's allotment, he obtained, in lieu, 69 acres of
upland on the two mile brook ; he had, also, a parcel of land,
called " Peach Garden Hill," containing 86 acres, bounded
by Capt. John Baker, Humphrey Spinage, Peach Garden
brook and the Common : in all, 184: acres. f

Nathaniel Tuttle [Tuthill] was from Southold, L. I.
His father, John Tuthill, and uncle, William, were from
ISTorfolkshire, Eng. The latter came over, in 1635, in the
" Planter," landing at Boston. The two brothers settled at
New Haven, in 1639-40. John came to Southold, in 1641,
with the Rev. John Youngs. In 1647, he was one of the
four patentees of Oyster Ponds, L. I. Nathaniel came here
with the first emigration, probably a young and unmarried

* Savage, IV. 332. Coffin's Newbury, pp. 62, 116. E. J. Records, II. 50 ; L. 85.
t E. J. Record?, 1. 177 ; II. 3. 22. 88. E. T. Bill, p. 105. Thompson's L. I., I. 409.

ELIZABETII, NEW JERSEY. 97

man. His house-lot contained six acres, bounded, 1ST., by
William Pardon; E., by the Mill Creek; S. E., by Aaron
Thompson, and Barnabas Wines, a small hollow and a high-
way lying between ; W., and S., another highway, lie had,
also, 12 acres of upland, on the S. side of Crane's brook,
adjoining Richard Reach; also, 34 acres of upland, adjoin-
ing George Pack and William Pardon ; also, 75 acres, bound-
ed by Richard Peach, William Pardon, Stephen Crane, Rob-
ert Morse, and the Mill Creek ; also, G acres on "the great
River" [the Sound], near "the Points of Rawack ; " also,
20 acres of meadow on the W. of Thompson's Creek; in
all 153 acres. At his death, Feb., 169-JJ-, his estate was valued
at £107. 3. 0.*

Robert Vauquellin, and his wife, came over with Gov.
Carteret, in the ship Philip, landing, July 29, 10G5, at New
York. He was a native of the city of Caen, Lower Nor-
mandy, France ; and a grandson, doubtless, of Jean Vau-
quelin de la Fresnaye, Lieut. General of the Bailiwick of
Caen, and Chief Justice of that country, whose decease oc-
curred, 1606, in his 71st year. Robert is styled, in the E.
Jersey Records, " Sieur des Prairies [de la Prairie] of the
city of Caen, France ; " whence he is commonly called, in
the Records and other documents of the day, 4i Laprairie." f
In modern histories, he is more frequently, but erroneously
called Yan Quellin, as if he had been a Dutchman and not
a Frenchman. Jersey, the home of the Carteret family, was
inhabited principally by Frenchmen, and there, most prob-
ably, Vauquellin resided before his emigration. He accom-
panied Capt. Philip Carteret, Jan., 166$, to England, and,
Feb. 10, 1604, was appointed, by Berkeley and Carteret,
Surveyor General of their new domain in America. The
surveys, recorded in the E. J. Records, from 1675 to L 681, all
bear his signature, generally — " Ro Vauquellin," and b<

*K. J. Records, I. 1C0; II. 10, 21. B. T. BUI, p 5. Javage, [Y. 860. Thompson's L.
I., I. 074. 886.

t The varieties of orthography at this period ore shown by the f;irt, that this name was
written in at least 22 different ways : Vanquelin, VaaqueUin, Vangoellln, Van Qnellln, Van-
quillcn, Voclin (as pronounced), Voclan, Vorklaln, La Prairie, La prairjf* La prarU, Laparary,
La prerie, La Trie, La priere, Leprary, Liprary, Delapraryj ■ ' ' pray, DcU'pricrre, Delap
and Delapierre.

98 THE HISTORY OF

times, " La Prairie." He was appointed, Feb. 2, 166$, one
of Carteret's Council, and adhered faithfully to the Gover-
nor's party and interests. Though admitted by the town as
one of the 80 Associates, he had scarcely any interest in
common with these sturdy Puritans.

He had a warrant for 300 acres of land " in Right of him
and his wife that came with the Governor." He had a
house-lot, containing 12 acres, 30 by 4 chains, bounded, E.,
by Philip Carteret, Esq., and Richard Pewtinger ; W., by
William Pardon, Joseph Meeker, Benjamin Meeker and
George Morris ; S., by a highway ; and, K., by his own
land ; also, 8 acres of upland or swamp, bounded by George
Morris, Richard Pewtinger, Henry Norris, and a highway ;
also 4 acres of upland " near the Gov r point, on the S. Side
of Math. Hatfeilds Line ; " also, 40 acres of upland, bounded
by John Woodruff, Benjamin Parkhurst, Samuel Moore,
George Morris, and a highway ; also, 40 acres of upland " at
Rawack," bounded by Simon Rouse, Samuel Marsh, Jr., un-
surveyed land, a small brook, and " Rawack river ; " also,
40 acres of upland, " at the two mile brook ; " also, 27 acres
"of upland, bounded by Leonard Headley, Joseph Sayre, Isaac
Whitehead, Joseph Meeker, unsurveyed land, and the Mill
Creek ; also, 4 acres of meadow, on E. T. Creek, 4 acres on
" Rawack River," and 12 acres " on a small branch in
Rawack River : " in all, 191 acres. A caveat, or protest,
was entered by Benjamin Price, against the four acres ad-
joining Matthias Hatfield. He was naturalized, Mar. 8,
1669-70. Finding, at length, that the puritanic townsmen,
with whom he was compelled to associate, were any thing
but congenial company, he concluded to change his res-
idence. In 1678, he had removed to Woodbridge. He
obtained, Feb. 4, 1681, a warrant for 200 acres of Land
and Meadow on the Raritan, for himself, " in Right of
two men Servants and one Woman viz. Elizabeth Hallard,
Edward fox & Francis the Spaniard ; " also, shortly after,
another warrant for 500 acres on the Raritan. He had
obtained a Patent for 175 acres in Woodbridge, as early
as Dec. 20, 1669. He received a warrant, Mar. 10, 168f ,

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 99

for 200 more acres adjoining Lis own land in Wood-
bridge. After this no further mention is made of him
in the Records. In 1GS1, he was succeeded by John Ileid,
as Surveyor General.*

Dennis White was from Southampton, L. I. John White,
the first settler of this name there, was at Lynn, Mass., in
1630, and at Southampton in 1047. Dennis was cither his
son, or Iiis brother. He had a house-lot, containing nine
acres, bounded, E., by Thomas Moore, Matthias Hatfield,
and unsurveyed land ; S. S. E., by Jonas Wood ; W., and
N. W., by highways, lie had, also, 90 acres of upland, ad-
joining Aaron Thompson ; also, 12 acres of meadow : in all,
101 acres. In 1675, this property had come into the pos-
session of Gov. Carteret. It is likely, therefore, that Dennis
White had removed from the town previous to that date, as
nothing more is heard of him. Kobert White (his brother,
it is thought), was also numbered among the 80 Associates,
and had come in at an early date. His house-lot contained
8 acres, bounded S. W., by Roger Lambert ; X. E., by John
Little ; S. E., by William Letts ; and N". W., by a highway.
He had, also, 50 acres of upland, bounded "by a little brook
& a highway that goes to Woodbridge," John Winans, his
own land, unsurveyed land, and the mile brook ; also, 34
acres of upland adjoining Jonas Wood; also, 4 acres of
swamp, and 12 acres of meadow : in all, 108 acres, granted
him, "in Right of himself his wife <fe Daughter." The
latter, whose name was Ann, was old enough in March, 167|
to be married/ His wife Agatha had become a widow in
1688.f

Isaac Whitehead was of the New Haven Company of im-
migrants. He was the son of John, one of the founders of
N. Haven. Isaac was a planter there, as early as 1613, and
took the oath of fidelity Mar. 7, 164}. He resided on the E
side, next the sea, beyond the Cove River. He came hither
with a wife and 7 children. He was chosen the lirst Town

♦Moron's nis. Die. of 1740, VIII. torn. ii. 19. E. J. Records, L 15, 107, 139,239; II. 3, 91,
132, 143 ; o. e. 22 ; III. 7, 167 ; L. 189. E. T. Hill, p. 109.

t Savago, IV. 810. Thompson's L. I., I. 887. Howell, pp. 16, ^0, 96 2^6, 7. E.J. Eecords, I.
165; o.o. 1; II. 3, 19, 51, 73; o. e. 4; B. 3S3, 4; C Q 64. E. T. B.ll, pp. 106, 110.

100 THE HISTORY OF

Clerk, and served as such until his death. He was appointed,
Mar. 22, 16-Jf, Captain of the Military Company ; also, Mar.
28, 1683, one of the Judges of Small Causes ; also, in 1686 ;
also, Dec. 3, 16S3, Coroner of the County. He had a house-
lot, containing six acres, bounded, S. E., by Nathaniel Bon-
nell ; 1ST. "W\, by his son, Isaac ; N. E., by his own land ; and,
S. W., by a highway. He had, also, 18 acres of upland,
bounded by his son, Isaac, Benjamin Price, Jr., Nathaniel
Bonnell, and his own house-lot ;*also, 12 acres of upland, " at
the W. side of the plain," bounded by Robert Vauquellin,
Samuel Hopkins, and Joseph Meeker; also, 20 acres of up-
land, on " the Long Neck," bounded by Robert Bond, Benja-
min Price, Jr., Nicholas Carter, and Henry Lyon ; also, 45
acres of upland, adjoining Benjamin Meeker and Henry
Lyon ; also, 55 acres of upland, " at the great pond," bounded
by Rev. Jeremiah Peck, Henry Lyon, and " the Sinking
Marsh ; " also, 8 acres of meadow on Woodruff's creek ; also,
10 acres of meadow on " Arthur Cull's bay ; " also, 3^- acres
of meadow, on E. T. Creek : in all 177J acres. His decease
occurred in Feb. 169f.

His eldest son, Isaac, born at New Haven, Nov. 20, 1652,
w r as bred a cordwainer, and early became one of the Asso-
ciates. He, too, was held in much consideration ; he became,
Nov. 4, 1693, captain of the militia ; was appointed, Sep.
16, 1692; Sheriff of the town; also, Jan. 29, 169f, one of the
Judges of Small Causes ; also, April 1, 1693, Coroner for the
County ; and, Aug. 22, 1695, a Justice of the Peace for Essex.
He had a house-lot containing four acres, bounded, E., by his
father, and on the other sides by highways ; also another
house-lot, of six acres, bounded, N., and W., by his father;
E., by Thomas Price; and, S., by a highway ; also, 64 acres
of upland, " on the East Side of the Mill Creek of Elizabeth
Town," bounded by Jonathan Ogden, John Ogden, Jr., and
Baltus DeHart ; also, 65 acres of upland, " to the North-
ward of the Spring hill," bounded by Henry Lyon, and Mar-
garet Baker ; also, 35* acres of upland, " on the North side of
the Country road to "Woodbridge," bounded by John Toe,
James Hinds, Robert White, and Roger Lambert ; also, 6

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 101

acres of fresh meadow, adjoining John "Woodruff; also 20
acres of meadow, a part " on Sloping Creek," and another
part on " Oyster Creek : " in all 200 acres. He died, July 1,
1724.*

John Wixaxs [Wynes, Waynes, Winons, Winnons, Wy-
nons, Wynenb, Wynans, Wynnings] was, doubtless, of the
company that came from the East End of Long Island. It is
quite likely, that he was of the same family with Barnabas
"Wines, their names being frequently spelt alike. lie \v;
bred a weaver — a handicraft, in great request at that early
day. lie had a house-lot, containing 5 acres, 10 by 5 chains,
bounded, N., by Jacob Melyen ; W.,by Humphrey Spinage;
and, S., and E., by highways. He had, also, 10 acres of up-
land, "on the Neck," between Matthias Hatfield and Samuel
Marsh, Sen r ; also, 120 acres of upland, " on Peach Garden
brook," bounded by Robert Morse, Matthias Hatfield, Robert
White, and unsurveyed land ; also, 40 acres of land, on " the
S. branch of Elizabeth Creek or River," bounded by Hum-
phrey Spinage, Matthias Hatfield, and the plain ; also, -i
acres of meadow, " at Rawack," and 6 acres on Elizabeth
Creek : in all 200 acres. When his next neighbor, Jacob
Melyen, had removed to New York, Winans bought, Feb. S,
167 J, his house-lot, house, barn, orchard, &c. He died at
the close of 1691. His estate 'was valued at £271. 15. S. f

Barnabas Wines [Wyxes, Winds] was from Southold, L. I.
He was the son of Goodman Barnabas, who was made, May ,; .
1635, a freeman of Watertown, Mass., sold out in 1642, and
removed to Southold, where Barnabas, Jr., was made a free-
man in 1664. His brother, Samuel, remained with his father,
but he himself joined the Acliter Kol band of emigrants and
came here in 1665. His house-lot contained six acj
bounded, X., by Aaron Thompson ; S., by William Cramer;
E., by the Mill River; and, W., by a highway; also, two
acres of upland, adjoining Aaron Thompson ; also, four aer
of upland, "at Luke Watson's point;" ako, 30 acres of up-

* N. H. Col Records, L 94, 122, 196, I '. I ' '• ', IT rds,

II. IS, 04; o.e.24; C. 13, 106, 150, 171, 288; B. 16, LIT; L t% O. 104, S, 117. K. T. Bill, pp.
83, 4, 103.

1 E. J. Records, I. 10S, 161 ; II. 22, 37 ; I). II 1 & T. BUI, p. 105.

102 THE HISTORY OF

land "in a Swamp between Pichard Beach and "William
Cramer ; " also, 86 acres of upland, bounded by Nicholas
Carter, George Pack, Francis Barber, and unsurveyed land ;
also, 12 acres of upland, " Joy mug to the Calf pasture," and
George Ross; also, six acres of meadow at Thompson's
Creek ; also six acres of meadow at the S. side of E. T. Creek,
and 12 acres by " the boggish meadow ; " in all, 164 acres.*

Peter Wolverson [Wolferzen, Wolphertsen] Yan Cou-
wenhoven was a genuine Hollander, from New Amsterdam.
He was born at Amersfoort in Utrecht, Holland ; and was
a step-son of Wolfert Gerritsen, who emigrated to New
Netherland, in 1630, as overseer of Kilian Van Rensselaer's
colony, at Rensselaerwyck, near Port Orange. Gerritsen,
in 1633, entered the Company's service, and removed to
New Amsterdam. Three years afterwards he took up his
abode at New Amersfoort, or Flatlands, L. I., of which he
was one of the founders. Young Wolferzen, in 1639, or earlier,
came to New Amsterdam, where, at that time, he contracted
to build a house for Thomas Hall. The next year, Dec. 2,
1640, he married Hester Symons, a native of Amsterdam,
but then of New York. His brother, Jacob, also a resident
of New Amsterdam, erected, in 1645, a brewery in Stone st.
Peter, too, became a brewer, and a general trader, first in
company with his brother, and then by himself, at the N. W.
corner of Whitehall and Pearl sts. He served one term of
two years, and four terms of a year each, as one of the "Wor-
shipful Schepens " of the city. In March, 1655, he was ap-
pointed City Surveyor; also, June 30, 1663, a lieutenant of
the military company, of which Martin Kregier w T as Captain.
As such he did good service in the Esopus War, in the latter
part of 1663, of which Kregier published a detailed narra-
tive.

After the English conquest, Wolferzen had some difficulty
with the Court of Assizes, and concluded to unite with his
friends, John Ogden and Capt. Baker, in founding their new
.colony. In Nov. 1665, his w T ife having died, he married

* N. H. Col. Records, I. 97, 292, 400. Savage, IV. 593. Hinman's P. S. Ct., I. 198. E. J.
iBecords, II. 22. 90 ; o. e. 11.

ELIZABETn, NEW JERSEY. 103

Alice Sybrants, of French extraction, with whom he removed
at once to his new home. She died, the following year, in
giving birth to her son, Peter, and was buried at New York.
Her child was baptized, in the Dutch Church, Feb. l ; 7, lGG'J.
In the list of Associates, he is called, " Peter Conenhoven."
Having built a brewery, he obtained, from Gov. Carteret, a
license " for the keeping of an Ordinary in Elizabeth Towne
and for the selling and retailing of all BOrta of drink and
strong Liquors," for one year from Sep. 29, 1GGG. To n
his expenditures, he borrowed, July 12, 1607, of the Gov-
ernor, " 2727 gilders 17 stivers ; ' mortgaging, as he .-ays —
"all my Land dwelling hows and outdionses. Brewhows,
Copper and all other appurtenances thereunto belonging, to-
gether With all my goods and cattle moveable and immovea-
ble that I now have or may hereafter have in Elizabeth
Towne." When the Dutch reconquered New York, Wolfer-
zen returned to the City, and Carteret came, by foreclosure,
into possession of the property. He is said to have been
" well-versed in the Indian lanirua^e."

He was entitled to 480 acres, for which the Governor is-
sued a warrant, Mar. 14, 1G75, to himself. Of this amount,
200 acres were surveyed, April 14, 1G77, as follows: The
house lot, " formerly belonging to Peter Woolverson," con-
tained eight acres, " being a Triangle peice," near John
Woodruffs landing, by a small creek ; also, 40 acres of up-
land, on the Keek, bounded, S. W., " by the highway that
goes to the point, and all round by Governo r Philip Carter
Land;" also, 152 acres of upland "towards the plaine '
bounded by Daniel Del Tart, Elizabeth Creek, Leonard Bead-
ley, and unsurveyed land ; also, 3 acres of meadow, adjoining
the house-lot, on Elizabeth Creek; also, G acres of meadow
on " the bay of Kill van Kull," and 15 acres of meadow on
Oyster ('reek and the great pond: in all, 224 aer

Jonas Wood, and his wife Elizabeth, were neighbors of
John Ogden, in 1G52, at North Sea, or Northampton, in the

•Valentino's X. Y., pp. S9, 90. 0'Oftllagh*n , l N N.th . II. 176, Brodt .-vis N. Y.,

I. 353, 648, 571, 712-4 Doe. His. of N. Y . IV -»: >.'. Valentine*! Ilea for 1859, pp. M
Alb. Rcconls, 1. 156,228; II i; IV. L98; \ 170,888; XXIII 8T7 r. J. Record*, L 167; II.
19, 50, 5; III. 10, 11. E. T. Bill, p. 109. Hiker's Newtown, pp. 55, SCO, 1.

104 THE HISTORY OF

town of South amp ton, L. I. Jonas and Edward Wood were
members of the church at Watertown, Mass., in 1635; and,
with John Strickland and others, were dismissed, May 29,
1635, to plant a colony on the Connecticut river, to which
they gave the name of " Wether sfield." In 1640, Jonas, Ed-
ward, Jeremiah, and Jonas, Jr. removed from Wethers-
field, and, with others, settled Rippowams [Stamford], Ct.
Jonas and Edward are thought to have been brothers, and
the other two their sons. In the spring of 1644, they joined
the colony that crossed over to Long Island, and settled
Hempstead, Jonas being one of the patentees. Jonas, and
Jonas, Jr., subsequently settled at Huntington, L. I., and
were both living there in 1675. The Jonas, therefore, who
accompanied John Ogden to Northampton, and, in 1665, to
this town, must have been a son of Edward, and a cousin of
Jonas, Jr., supposing the latter, as is most natural, to have
been the son of Jonas, Sen r — there being three persons, con-
temporaneous, bearing the same name, and thus occasioning
confusion in tracing their genealogy. He appears to have
been much respected by his townsmen here. He received
license, July 10, 1679, to keep an ordinary, and was chosen,
ISTov. 3, 1693, and again in 1694, a Deputy to represent the
town in the Legislature.

He had a house-lot, containing six acres, bounded,- N. W.,
by Eichard Mitchell; S. W., by William Letts; S. E., by
the highway ; and, 1ST. E., by Samuel Marsh, Sen . He had,
also, 9 acres of upland, bounded by William Oliver, Charles
Tucker, Richard Clarke, and George Ross ; also, 3 acres of
upland, adjoining Dennis White and the Common ; also, 150
acres of upland " at Rahawack," adjoining Jeffry Jones and
Capt. John Baker ; also, 50 acres of upland, " a Ridge of
Land between two Swamps," adjoining Robert White and
the Common ; also six acres of meadow, on Elizabeth Creek,
bounded by William Johnson, William Cramer, and Richard
Clark; also, 14 acres of meadow adjoining his upland at
"Rahawack;" and 10 acres of meadow on "Rahawack
River : " in all, 228 acres. Several of these parcels he ex-
changed, May 29, 1678, with Simon Rouse. In company with

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 105

his son, Samuel, he purchased, June 24-, 1G8G, several parcels
of Robert Morse; and Bold, Aug. 25, 1686, a part of his patent;
also, June 29, 1GS7, 100 acres to "Andrise Price Gaer of
E. T. ;" and, Oct. 17, 1GS8, the half of Iris house-lot to James

Emott Esq., a new comer in lo's:j.' :: "

John "Woodruff [Woodrofe] was of the Southampton
colony, lie was the son of John Woodruff, who was livii
1G57, on the E. side of the street, between Thomas Bun
and John Foster. The father died, at Southampton, in May,
1G70. In his Will, May 4, 1G70, is this bequest: "I give
unto my Eldest son John Woodruff of Elizabeth Town one
halfe Crown e piece of Money in full of all portions & Pat-
rimony whatsoever, to be expected from mee, or out of any
part of my Estate." At the close of the Will, he says — " I
by this make my Wife Anne Woodruff and myyoungesl son
John Woodruff joynt Executors of this my Last Will and
Testament." Here are two sons of the same father named
"John" Were they children of the same mother, also? Or
was one of them an adopted son ? f His daughter, Elizabeth,
was married to a son of Ralph Dayton (probably, Robert) of
East Hampton. His daughter, Anne, was married to a son
of Robert Wooley. The emigrant son brought with him, to
this town, his wife, Mary, with " two men and a maid ser-
vant." His children were born after his arrival. He was
appointed Constable of the town, Dec. 11, 1671, Ensign,
July 15, 1G75, and Sheriff of the County, Nov. 28, 1684.
* His house-lot contained but 1|- acres, bounded. W., by
John Ogden, and, on the other sides, by highways. He had,
also, "a Farme cont g Two Hundred Ninety two Acr<
since known as ''Woodruff's Farms," bounded, N., and W.,
by a great Swamp ; E., by the Common Meadow; and, S.,
by a small brook and John Parker; also, 14 acres on the
North Neck ; also, 5 acres bounded bythe Common Pasture,

* Ct. ( I rods, 1 •'. 172, 4, 190, 2. 2T6, 881, 8, 879 101. Chapln nbury,

pp. 27,47. Hlnman'a P. S.ofCt,! 18,988,465. Thorn] -III
Howell, p. 305. E. J. Records, I. 70, 109, 164; II. 91, 99; III 158; B 1; D. 49

E. T. Bill, p. 105.

t A similar case is related In the Shattack family of Saybrook, Ct, at this same period.
Sbattuck Memorial, p. 72.

106 * THE HISTORY OF

his own land, a small brook, and Leonard Headley ; also, 8
acres of upland, bounded by the Governor, and Jonathan
and Joseph Ogden's house-lots ; also, 6 acres of upland join-
ing John Parker's house-lot " at the Farmes," bounded by
John Parker, the Common Swamp, John Wilson, and his
own land, " through which a way must be Left for John
Parker to pass through to his Plantation ; " also, 30 acres of
meadow, joining the great Island and his own land ; also,
4: acres of meadow adjoining the above ; and 5|- acres of
meadow on E. Town Creek: in all, 320 acres. Still later
he obtained 120 acres more : an island or hammock in the
great Meadow, containing 36 acres ; also, 22 acres by the
brook in the swamp ; also, 30 acres of hassocks adjoining
George Morris ; also, 14 acres of hassocks adjoining John
Parker ; also, 9 acres of meadow on Oyster Creek ; also,
five acres of meadow on the Bav ; and four acres on Forked
Creek.*

Capl n Thomas Young and Christopher Young were from
Southold, L. I. They were sons of the Rev. John Youngs,
the first pastor of the Southold Church. The father was born
in 1602, and Joan, his wife, in 1603. They married early,
and had six children in 1637 : — John, Thomas, Anne, Rachell,
Mary, and Joseph. Christopher was born at a later date.
John Young, in 1637, was the minister of " St. Margretts,
Suff." in England. They sought, May 11, "to passe fo
Salam in New England to inhabitt ; " but leave was refused.
Three years later they succeeded, and, with some of their
church, came to ISTew Haven, whence they crossed to Long
Island, and founded Southold. John and Thomas were both
mariners, in command of coasters. Thomas was born, 1627,
in England, and married, at Southold, Rebecca, a daughter
of Thomas Mapes. In 1654, he removed to Oyster Bay.
His wife died, and he married, 1658, Sarah, a daughter of
John Frost.

It is quite probable, that it was in Capt. Thomas Young's
vessel, that the first colonists from the towns on the East

* N. Y. Book of Wills, 1. 131. Howell, p. 303. E. J. Eecords, 1. 150 ; II. 14, 25 ; III. 20.
23, 105- A. 406 ; O. 87 ; L. 103, 4. E. T. Bill, p. 102.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 1Q7

End of Long Island removed to this place ; and, in the
same way, others afterwards came, encouraged by the good
reports brought them, by Capt. Young, of the new home so
happily found by their old neighbors.

His name heads the list of those who took the oath of
allegiance, Feb., 1GGJ . On the 12th of the same month, he
was appointed one of the Governor's Council. Two days
afterwards, John Day, Cooper of E. Town, binds himself as
a servant to Capt. Philip Carteret, and Capt. Thomas Young,
of E. Town, for two years, in the craft or trade of a Cooper,
to receive " competent meat Drink and house-room, " and
" the halfe p ts of "What Coopers Work he shall doc and
earne." By Indenture, Mar. 25, 1672, Sewanam, a Long
Island Indian, binds himself to "Thomas Young of Elizabeth
Town, mariner," as his servant, for four years, " about the
House or Family or abroad whether by Land or "Water,"
on condition of being supplied " with sufficient Meat Drink
and Clothes Washing and Lodging according to his Rank
and Quality," to receive for his services a Mare, and, " after
the first voyage to Europe or Barbados, one suit of apparel."
It thus appears that Capt. Young was in the European and
West India trade, and quite a venturesome navigator for
the times.

He had a warrant for 240 acres of land, of which only
112 acres are described : 100 acres, at Young's point, bound-
ed on three sides by Sir George and Philip Carteret, a
great pond, and unsurveyed land ; and on the other side by
meadow ; one line running " along the meadow till it comes
to a point of land Near the Indian wigwam ; ' also, 12 acres
of meadow contiguous to the above, the great pond, and
the swampy meadows. The locality was chosen, doubtli
because of his sea-faring pursuits. It was at the junction of
Achter Kol Sound, and Newark Bay, a point of land then call-
ed " Thomas Youngls Point," but, in later years " IK' Hart's
Point," about a mile N. from the Governor's or k * Old Point,"
where the Carterets had most of the land. A lot of land
was laid out for him, in 1676, "ii the S. side of Staten Island,
N. E. of "Seedar Poynte." His brother, CriitiSTorma;, 6old

108 THE HISTORY OF

'Nov. 20, 1667, all his accommodations, at E. Town, being a
first lot-right, and a house-lot of four acres (bounded, S., by
George Pack ; !N"., by the Common ; W., " by the highway
that goeth to Woodbridge ; " and E. by another highway),
to Dennis White, for £10. On the 8th -of June following,
White assigned it to Young again, by whom, not long after-
wards, it was sold to John Little. Neither of the brothers
became permanent residents here. Capt. Thomas returned
to Oyster Bay, where he rested from his earthly pilgrimage,
in 1689. Christopher returned to the Island, and settled at
Southold, his former home, where he was living in 1675, and
1683.*

Benjamin Concklin came with his East-Hampton neigh-
bors, but, for some unexplained cause, soon after returned
to his former home. Joseph and Joshua Conklin, of the
same lineage, came here some forty years later, and found-
ed the Conklin family of this town. They were probably
children or grandchildren of the Benjamin here noticed. 1 ' f

Eodeeick Powell was a servant, and, in the May fol-
lowing, having run away from his master, is described as
" a pittiful fellow." A Richard Powell of another lineage,
doubtless, was here, only a few years later, to whom the
Governor sold, Jan. 167-f-, his Woodbridge lands, taking
Powell's E. T. house and lands in exchange, and selling the
latter, soon after, to Henry Lyon. \

Jacob Clais, Zackery Graves, Moses Peterson, and
Thomas Seillman, who all took the oath, were either tran-
sient persons, or were mere laborers, and not freeholders.

Three other names, at least, are to be added to the list
of those who were settlers during the first year — James
Bollen, Robert Sealey, and Philip Carteret.

James Bollen came over, it is thought, with the English
fleet in 166L As he was styled " Capt.," he may have

* 4*Mass. His. Soc. Coll., 'I. 101; IT. 383. Thompson's L. I., I. S95; II. 381-3. E.J.
Eecords, I. 1, 25, 6; II. 18, 105 ; o. e. 26; III. 7, 8. E. T. Bill, pp. 61, 109, 110. N. York
Doc. History, II. 451, 5, 536.

t Hedges' E. Hampton, pp. 4, 63. Thompson's L. I., I. 295, 310. Littell's Passaic Valley,
pp. 83-90, 5.00-1. % E. J. Eecords, I- 93, 131 ; III. 8.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 109

been in command of one of the vessels. Col. Nicolls ap-
pointed him " Commissary of the Ammunition," at New
York, lie was one of those who were deputed by Nicolls,
to receive the surrender of the fort at New Amsterdam,
Sep. 8, 16G-4. He remained at New York until Aug. 1665.
In the Court Records for thai year, it appears, that he fre-
quently served as Foreman of the Jury, his name being
written — " Bullaine," and " Balline." When Capt. ( larteret,
on his first voyage to America, arrived at " Newportes newes,
Virginia," he sent his dispatches, June 13, 1665, " to Capt.
James Bullaigne in [New York;" indicating previous ac-
quaintanceship, probably in the Island of Jersey, and, quite
likely, a French extraction for Bollen. He attached himself
to Gov. Carteret on his arrival at New York, and, as Se >re-
tary of the new Province, accompanied him, in August, to
this town. lie adhered, most rigidly, to the Governor
through his troublesome administration, and was rewarded
with the entire confidence of his superior. lie was appoint-
ed Justice of the Peace, Jan. 20, IGOj}, and, as such, officiated
in almost eveiy instance in the marriage-services of the
period. He presided at the town meeting when the oath
of allegiance was administered in February. He kept the
Records of the Proprietary Government, and several of the
earlv volumes are the work of his finders. Becoming ex-
ceedingly obnoxious to the town, by his readiness to do all
the Governor's bidding in opposition to the people, he ex-
changed properties, Sep. 30, 1673, with John Martin, of
Wbodbridge, and thenceforward ceased to reside here. His
house-lot adjoined Abraham Shotwell's on the Fast. Martin
sold the property, Nov. 6, 1074, to Henry Lyon, who resold
it, May 1, 1675, " together with the Cow Yard Orchard or
Garden," to Carteret, for £30. lie died, intestate, in March,
168$, having survived his friend, Carteret, but a few wee!

Robert Sealei [Se let] came over, probably, with A\ in-
throp. He was at Watertown, Ma>s., in L630 ; was employ-
ed as Surveyor, in 1G34: ; came to Wethersfield, Ot, in 1636;

* N. Y. Col. Docmts., II. 47"; in. 89 Ttlenl " tanal fur 1868, pp.

492, 5. 3 Hau. His. Soc. Coll., X. BA & J. Kecorda, I. S»; III. C; A. 1.

HO THE HISTORY OF

was a Lieutenant in the Pequot "War of 1637 ; was one of
the first settlers of New Haven, in 1639 ; returned to Eng-
land, about 1646 ; came back, and joined the Delaware
Colony, that was driven off by the Dutch, in 1651 ; had
command of the troops raised by New Haven to resist the
Dutch, in 1654 ; was at Saybrook, in 1662 ; was at Hunt-
ington, L. I., and in charge of the militia, in 1663 ; and
was at New York, in 1664. The next year he united with
Ogden and others in settling this town. His house-lot con-
tained six acres, bounded, N., by Rev. Jeremiah Peck ;
W., by the Mill Creek ; E., by the highway ; and, S., by
" the Parson's house Lott." John and Nathaniel Seeley, of
Eairfield (1657), and Obadiah, of Stamford, Ct., it is thought,
were his sons, by his first wife. In December, 1666, he
married Nancy Walker, at New York. He died, intestate,
in Oct., 1668, and his widow sold, Nov. 2, 1668, his lands
and rights here, for £45, to Gov. Carteret The latter re-
sold it, Feb. 22, 1669-70, to one of his Old Jersey friends.
Claude Yallot, " of Champagne in the kingdom of France,"
who had come over with the Governor, and, having lived
here five years as one of Carteret's "menial servants," had,
12 days before been naturalized. In the list of Associates,
" Sealy Champain" is mentioned; it should be, "Robert
Sealy, transferred to Claude Yallot of Champagne." Yallot
exchanged the property, Aug. 8, 1672, with Benjamin Park-
hurst of Woodbridge, and thenceforward made the latter
place his home.* .

Ccvpt. Philip Carteret, the governor, is usually styled
" the brother " of Sir George Carteret. Philip, the brother
of Sir George, as stated on a previous page, died in 1665.
Consequently, the E. Town Philip could not be the Pro-
prietor's brother. Nor could he be a brother-in-law. Lady
Elizabeth Carteret, the wife of Sir George, had also a brother,
Philip, but he died in 1662. The mother of Sir George
was Elizabeth Dumaresque ; and the mother of the Lady

* 3 Mass. His. Soc. Coll., III. 143, 153. Bacon's New Haven, p. 315. Chapin's Glastenbuiy,
p. 46. N. Y. Marriages, p. 345. Savage, IV. 49. E. T. Bill, p. 108. E. J. Eecords, 1.6,7;
II. 95. JT. Y. Wills, I. 64. ■-

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. HI

Elizabeth was Ann Dowse ; but Capt. Philip, the governor,
in his "Will, speaks of his mother as " Rachel." Samuel
Maverick, one of the Royal Commissioners, who knew Gov.
Carteret intimately, says, June 29, 1669, " As Sir George
Cartcrett writes to his coscn, the present Gouernor." The
confusion may have been owing, in part, to the fact, that
each of them was the son of a Holier Carteret. Bat the
father of Sir George was the great-grandson of Edward,
and the father of Philip was the great-grandson of Edward's
brother, Richard ; so that Sir George was but the fourth
cousin of the governor.

Philip Carteret was the son of Helicr De Carteret, At-
torney General of Jersey, and of Rachel . He was

the first born of his mother, his birth having occurred in
1639, the year after her marriage. As such, he became
Seigneur of the Manor of La Houque, Parish of St. Peter,
Jersey. He was the grandson of Peter De Carteret, Jurat
of the Royal Court of Jersey, whose father, Francis, was
the second son of Richard, Seigneur of the Manor of Vin-
cheles, and brother of Edward, the ancestor of Sir George.
Philip was forty years the junior of Sir George, being only
in his 26th year, full of the vigor and elasticity of early man-
hood, when he embarked to seek his fortune in the ±sew
"World. His subsequent history is, elsewhere in this narra-
tive, related at length.

The family, and their friends in Jersey, were originally
French; and the language, manners and customs of France
prevailed on the island. Most of those who came with Car-
teret, in the ship " Philip," were, probably, from the Carteret
estates in Jersey, and of French origin. The family, as has
been seen, had been ardently devoted, throughout the Civil
"War, to the fortunes of the house of Stuart, and were high in
the favor of the King, and the Duke of York.*

It appears, from this review, therefore, that the number of
planters, found here in February L66£, or, if not on the

ground, yet identified with the settlement, was about seventy.

* Collins' rcerago, (Ed. of 1735), IV. S21-8.

112 THE HISTOKY OF

A large proportion, nearly all, had brought their wives with
them. Some of them had several children, also. A small
number were considerably in years. The most of them,
however, were young, vigorous, robust men, between the
ages of twenty-five and forty, — just the men to lay the foun-
dations of many generations.

It further appears, that the town was actually settled be-
fore the arrival of Gov. Carteret ; and that he, and the peo-
ple whom he brought with him, had but a small share in
' founding it. The current histories have generally left the
impression, that the first planters, with the exception of four
families, came over in the ship " Philip." Gordon says, that
Carteret " arrived with a company of thirty settlers, from
England, and established themselves at Elizabethtown." Dr.
Murray repeats the same story. Smith says, " With him
came about thirty people, some of them servants." So says
Whitehead ; both of them drawing their information from
the Bill in Chancery ; which says, that he came " with above
thirty people, whereof some were servants and others free."
Mulford says, that, "in .company with a number of persons
who were disposed to adventure as planters, he started from
England." Graham says, that he " arrived with a company
of thirty emigrants from England." Stearns calls them —
" thirty men, gentlemen and their servants." *

These thirty " men r were, part of them, wome7i-servants.
The only gentlemen were Carteret and Yauquellin, the latter
of whom brought only his wife. The men-servants,,as already
related were eighteen in number, belonging to Sir George
Carteret — " menial servants," as the Governor calls one of
them. The town was founded, not by Carteret, but by Ogden,
Watson, Baker, and their personal friends. The men, who
met here in town-meeting at the close of the winter of 1665-6,
were nearly all New England people, the most of whom had
come hither by the way of Long Island. The larger part had
been, for a while, residents of the three English towns on

* Gordon's N. J.,, p. 28. Murray's Notes on E. T., p. 18. Smith's N. J., p. 67. White-
head's E. J., p. 36. E. T. Bill, p. 28. Mulford'sN. J., p. 188. Graham's IT. States (Am. Ed.),
I. 465. Stearns' Newark, p. 9.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 113

the east end of the Island, Southold, Southampton, and East
Hampton. Some of them had resided a short time, at Hemp-
stead, Huntington, and Jamaica. Either then, or at a pre-
vious day, they had come from the other side of Long Island
Sound, from Stamford, Fairfield, Milford, New Haven and
Guilford. Quite a number had come from Massachusetts
Bay by way of Wethersfield. In their various pilgrimages,
they had been, nearly all of them, associated together in the
settling of other plantations. They were neighbors and
friends, who had intermarried, and in other ways become
familiar one with another. When they met here, they met
as old acquaintances, — as one people.*

As truly, therefore, as in the case of Newark, Southold,
Southampton, East Hampton, Huntington, and Hempstead,
this town was of New England origin. Its founders were of
the old Puritan Stock, and brought with them, to these fer-
tile shores, their Puritan religion, habits, manners, and cus-
toms. They were of one mind and one heart. The only dis-
turbing element amon^ them came from abroad. With
Carteret and his company they had no congenialit}^, and al-
most no sympathy. Though it has been charitably conjec-
tured, " that the settlers brought here by Carteret were
mainly of Puritan faith," not a doubt can be entertained of
the erroneousness of the conjecture. Carteret's men were
not properly immigrants. They were colonial agents, gov-
ernmental officials, house-servants, and farm-laborers. A
large part of them were, probably, Roman Catholics ; and
the remainder, of the Church of England — the religion of the
Court, if such a Court could be said to have any religion.
These were not the men that gave character to the town, that
laid its foundations, and gave form to the social, moral and
religious character of the people. f

The planters of this town had, the most of them, matured'
under the Commonwealth. They had learned, almost from
their earliest days, to abjure the divine right of kings ; and
to regard the House of Stuart with holy aversion, as invaders

* E. T. Bill, pp. 107, 9. E. ,T. Reoordfl, III. 80.
t Manual of 1st P. Cbh. E. T., 1S58, p. 8.

114 THE HISTORY OF

of the vested rights of the people, and as essentially imperi-
ous despots. They had been trained to the largest liberty
in government. The towns, which they and their fathers
had founded, had been constituted, and their government ad-
ministered, according to their own conceptions of truth and
right. No praetorian governor, from a far country, presided,
either in person or by proxy, in their town-meetings, or med-
dled with their affairs in the least. Their governors, and all
their rulers, were of themselves, freely and periodically
chosen and inducted. The Deputies to their General Court
were annually chosen. They met and deliberated, made and
administered the laws, and took measures for the welfare of
the people, with none to molest, or " make them afraid."
The Constitution of government, under which most of them
had lived, was thoroughly democratic, making " no mention
whatever, either of king or parliament or the least inti-
mation, of allegiance to the mother country ; " in which
" an oath of allegiance " was " required directly to the State,"
and the " General Court " was declared to be " the Supreme
Power of the Commonwealth." *

Carteret and his company, on the other hand, were mon-
archists ; diligently and sacredly taught to believe in the di-
vine right of kings ; to be jealous for the royal prerogative ;
to hate and abjure both Cromwell and the Commonwealth ;
(the Isle of Jersey having been the very last to hold out
against the Parliamentary forces) ; to look with contempt
upon the u round-heads ; " to make sport of Puritan strict-
ness in religion and morals, and to live in the unrestrained
indulgence that so commonly and shamefully characterized
the Court of Charles. These were not, it will be seen, very
congenial elements for the organization of social, political
and religious institutions. In the very nature of the case,
occasional collisions between the Court party and the people
were to be expected ; they could not be wholly avoided.

* Dr. Bunnell's Speech for Cfc., p. 12.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. H5

CHAPTER VI.

A. D. 1GG6-16G9.

Government of the Town — Forms of Marriage Licenses — Indentures, and the
> Hue and Cry for Runaways — Sale of the S. half of the Town — Settlement
of Woodbridge and Newark — Traffic in Pipe Staves — Cold Winter — Rev.
Abm. Pierson at Newark — Brackett appointed Ass. Surveyor — Newark
Boundary prayerfully settled — Great Mortality — "Duke's Laws" — First
Legislature of N. Jersey at E. T. — Laws — Second Session — Collision with
the Governor — Abrupt Adjournment — Whaling Company — Disputes about
Staten Island — Berkeley and Carteret in Trouble — Mortality.

Governor Carteret appears to Lave entered upon his ad-
ministration with a desire to ingratiate himself with the peo-
ple of the town, which he had chosen as the seat of govern-
ment. John Ogden was commissioned, Oct. 26, 1665, as
Justice of the Peace, and, Nov. 1, appointed one of the gov-
ernor's Council. Capt. Thomas Young was, also, Feb. 12,
166jj, appointed of the Council. A military company was
organized, somewhat later, for the defence of the town against
the Indians ; of which Luke Watson was made Lieutenant,
and John Woodruff, Ensign. Watson was, also, made the
constable of the town.*

The work of planting and building went on rapidly. Car-
teret had brought over, not only a large company of laborers
to aid in subduing the wilderness, but also " several goods of
great value, proper for the first planting and settling of New
Jersey." Doubtless, it was regarded by the Associates, in
their simplicity, as a special providence, that a man of such
cultivation, and of resources so ample, with apparently such
kind intentions, and so well-disposed to cast in his lot with

* E.J. Record?, III. 3, 4, 7,20,21.

Iiq THE HISTOEY OF

them, should have been sent over, at this very time, to this
very spot. Not apprehending any difficulty from the conflict-
of opinions and claims, which might grow out of their pecu-
liar relations to each other, the town's people were rather flat-
tered, it may well be thought, at the idea of the distinction to
be given to their humble plantation, by having the Governor
of the Province as one of their number, and their town made
the seat of government.*

It is affirmed, and not denied, so far as appears, that the
" ship Philip," that brought over the Governor,

Having remained about six months in New-Jersey, returned for Eng-
land ; and the year afterwards made another voyage to New-Jersey ; and
sundry other ships and vessels from time to time, were sent by the Lords
Proprietors to New Jersey with people and goods, to encourage the plant-
ing and peopling thereof; and, that upon the said Governor Carteret's
arrival aforesaid, at Elizabeth Town, he paid to the Indians, with whom
the said Bailey, Watson and Denton had bargained for the said lands as
aforesaid, the greatest part of the consideration that had been agreed to
be paid them.

The means of verifying, or of disproving, these statements
are not at hand. If the former be true, it accounts, in part
for the rapidity with which the town advanced in substantial
prosperity. If the latter, also, be true, it furnishes another
confirmation of the conjecture, that, at his first coming, the
Governor did not presume to call in question the validity of
the Indian purchase and of the grant by his predecessor,
Gov. Nicolls.f

Owing to the loss of the early Records of the town, as al-
ready noticed, very few of the incidents of theevery-day life
of the planters have been preserved. Here and there the
pages of the Proprietary Records shed some light on what
was passing among them. As an illustration of their mode
of contracting marriages, the following may serve as a speci-
men. It is the first entry of the kind on the Records, and
probably the first that occurred in the town. The parties
were servants, who had come over with the Governor, and
afterwards settled on Staten Island : —

* E. T. Bill, p. 28. t E. T. Bill, p. 28.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. Hf

License of Marriage.

Whereas I have rec' 1 Information of a mutual Interest and agreement
betwene Daniel Per r in, of Elizabeth Towne in the province of New
Jarsey and Jflaria Thorel of the same Towne Spinster to solemnize
Mariage together for which they have Requested my Lycense and there
appearing no Lawfull Impediment for y e Obstruction thereof These are to
Kequire You or Eyther of you to Joyne the said Daniel Pen-in and Marie
Thorel in Matrimony and them to pronounce man and Wife, and to make
record thereof according to theLawes in that behalfe provided, for the do-
ing Whereof this shall be to you or Eyther of you a sufficient Warrant.
Given under my hand and scale the Twelft day of february An° 1CQ5 and
•in the 18th Yeare of his Ma ties Raign King Charles the Second.

To any of the Justices of the Peace

or Ministers W'hin the Government Ph Carterett

of the province of New Jarsey

These Couple Where Joyned together in
Matrimony the 18 feb. 16££ by me J Bollen*

An Indenture is on record, of the 7th of April, 1666,
wherein Robert Gray binds himself as a servant for three
years to Luke Watson ; the latter to give him, at the end of
the term, " a good cowe." This is followed, on the 7th of the
next month, May, with "a Hue and Cry" for a servant be-
longing to Mr. Luke Watson, who has " lately absented him-
seife and runn away from his Master's service." A descrip-
tion of the fugitive is given in these words :

His name Robert graij an Englishman bornd, about 20 yeares of age, a
lustij bodied portely fellow, light brownish haire, very little haire on his
face, a little demij Castor, a gray broad cloth sute, the breeches tyed att the
knees, and a red coate, besides a light graij coulored Serge breeches, and a
Snap hansminskell that hee hath stollen awaije w th many other things.
It is Supposed that hee is in Company w th one Ruderic Powell, a pittifol
fellow, who hath also absented himselfe and runn awaij.t

The territory purchased by the Associates of the Indian-,
and patented by Gov. Nicolls, was evidently ample enough
for several towns, — vastly too large to be soon occupied by
the original purchasers. The fame of the newly-opened
country had reached the most distant parte of New England,
and colonists were attracted hither. Some of the people of
Newbury, Mass., finding themselves uncomfortably straiten-

* E. J. Records, III. G. t lb., r S.

118 THE HISTORY OF

ed for farming lands, sent a deputation to visit these parts,
and, if pleased with what they saw and heard, to secure an
eligible location for a town. Hospitably entertained on their
arrival, and made acquainted, by personal inspection, with
that part of the Elizabeth Town patent that lay between the
Raritan and Rahway rivers, that had been offered them, on
fair terms, by the town, they concluded to purchase it. Ac-
cording to the custom of the times, they applied to Gov. Car-
teret and received, May 21, 1666, the necessary permit — John
Pike, Daniel Pierce, and Abraham Tapping, [Tappan, or
Tappin], in behalf of themselves and their Associates — to set-
tle two townships within the bounds specified : for which a
deed, duly executed, was given them, December 11, 1666, by
Carteret, Ogden, and Watson, representing the Associates of
the Town.*

It has been affirmed, that, " at the date thereof, no other
persons were intitled to what right the said Indian purchase
gave, than the said Philip Carteret, John Ogden and Luke
Watson." It seems to have been forgotten that both the In-
dian deed, or " bill of sale," of Oct. 28, 1664, and the .Nicolls'
patent of Dec. 1, 1664, expressly conveyed the territory to
the Grantees and Patentees respectively, " and their Asso-
ciates" whoever they might be, who thus, severally, became
entitled to a right of property in the purchase, as truly as any
one of the men described by name. If the Town-Book, in
which their early transactions were duly recorded, were now
accessible, it would, doubtless, show, that the matter had been
submitted to the people in town-meeting, and a vote taken,
giving to Carteret, Ogden and Watson, authority to alienate
" the one moiety or half part" of their purchased possession.
It was sold as such "half part of the said tract of land which
was purchased of the Indians." By becoming a party to this
transaction, therefore, Carteret again acknowledged the va-
lidity of the original purchase and patent.f

The consideration, for which this moiety was sold, as ex-

* E. T. Bill, p. 29. E. J. Eecords, B. 182. Whitehead's E. Jersey, pp. 41, 2, 183, 4. White-
head's Perth Amboy^ pp. 355. Albany Eecords, XXII. 35.

t E. T. Bill, p. 30. Learning and Spicer's Grants, Concessions, &c, pp. 670, 1.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. H9

pressed in the deed, was £S0 sterling ; a sum more than suf-
ficient, it has been said, to reimburse the people for the origi-
nal outlay ; so much of it as had been advanced by Carteret
being returned to him, and the remainder being paid into the
common treasury."

The town was originally regarded as extending on the
North, to the mouth of the Passaic river ; but arrangements
were in progress, at this very time, to reduce these limits.
Robert Treat, of Milford, who, in Nov. 1G61, had, with
others, endeavored to come to an agreement with Gov. Stuy-
▼esant, for the settlement of a plantation in these parts, and
had failed to secure satisfactory conditions from the Dutch
Government, had, some time in the winter of 166$, or in the
early spring, been again deputed, with others of his towns-
men, to visit this section, and secure land sufficient for a town.
On their arrival, they found themselves, at once, among old
and valued friends and neighbors — men and women, with
whom, at "Wethersfield, Milford, New Haven, and Guilford,
they had taken sw T eet counsel together. The Branford peo-
ple, who w r ere meditating a union with the others in the new
plantation, were many of them emigrants from Southampton,
from which place and its neighborhood, a large portion of
the people of this town had come. This was, evidently, a
principal attraction to the new settlers from Connecticut. f

It w r as not difficult, in such a case, to agree upon terms.
The town's people welcomed their old friends, and cheerfully
consented to part with that portion of their purchase, which
lay on the other side of what has, from that day, and on that
account, been called " Bound Brook ; " and Carteret agreed
to extinguish the Indian title to the land beyond the town
line to the northern bend of the Passaic river. Treat and
his associates returned, and made so favorable a report, that
about thirty families determined, at once, to remove to New
Jersey ; and, on the very day, May 21, 1666, that Pierce and
his company had arranged for the settlement of Woodbridgc

*E. T.Bill, p. 29.

t E. T. Bill, p. US. Whitehead's E. Jersey, pp. 42-G. Newark Town Pwecords, pp. tI
vii., 1-3. Steams' First Cbh., Newark, pp. 10-14.

120 THE HISTORY OF

and Piscataway, the Milford people arrived in boats, and
held their first town-meeting on the Western bank of the
Passaic river, and thus laid the foundations of another town-
ship — since the flourishing City of Newark. The limits of
Elizabeth Town, North and South, were, in this manner, con-
siderably reduced, the town thus extending only to Railway
river on the South, and to Bound Brook on the North.*

The following document, one of the very few now accessi-
ble of this period, serves to bring before us, in some particu-
lars, the circumstances of the people, (the early distribution
Of land, and the traffic in white oak pipe staves), during the
second year of the plantation :

"Whereas I am informed by way of complaint, from divers of the In-
habitants of this Town, that there are several persons that do presume to
fell and cut down the best of timber-trees in and about this Town, with-
out any license or leave from those that are or may come to be the true
owners thereof, converting them to their own private advantage and
profit, to the great destruction of timber for building, and the Lords Pro-
prietors woods, and to the great discouragement of all those that are al-
ready and that are to come to inhabit this Town : For the preventing
thereof, and to avoid so great an inconveniency and destruction of this
plantation, as may ensue by permitting such disorderly proceedings, I
have thought fit, and do by these presents, together with the advice of
my Council, will and command, that no person or persons whatsoever,
shall presume to cut down or fell any timber trees that are useful either
for building, fencing, or the making of pipe staves, in any home lots not
properly belonging to themselves, nor within the compass of three miles
of any home lot belonging to this Town, without license first obtained
from the Governor, or leave from the owners of the land ; upon the pen-
alty of forfeiting the sum of Five Pounds sterl. for every such tree so
fallen or cut down ; provided^ that it may and shall be lawful for any of
the inhabitants of this Town to clear their own lots, and other lands to
plant upon, according to the Act made the 30th day of April last past,
and in so doing it shall and may be lawful for any of them, to convert the
wood and timber growing upon the same to their best use and advantage,
and not otherwise. Given under my hand at Elizabeth Town, the 13th
of June, 1666. Ph Carterett
James Bollen, John Ogden.f

•tE. J. Records, III. 9, 10. E. T. Bill, p. 34. The act of Ap. 80 is not to be found. It was
probably an Act passed at a town-meeting, respecting the first and second divisions of land'
and other such matters, and so was recorded in the Town Book, A., unhappily lost, or destroyed'

* Stearns' Newark, pp. 1Q, 11.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 121

The second winter of the settlement appears to have been
attended with excessive cold, and heavy snows. Col. Nicolls
writes, from New York, Jan. 11, 1GG", to Van Curler, then
at Albany, as follows : —

Mons r fountaine hath kept his Christmas with Cap' Cartcrett in New-
Jersey and cannot stir thence this moneth but if he could 'tis impossible
for him to march from hence to Canada through the snow a foot.

"Writing to Capt. Baker, of this town, also then at Albany,
he says, — "Wee have no late newes from any Parts being
shut up with a hard winter."

Mons. Fountaine, or " La Fountaine," was a young French-
man of Quebec " who unfortunately fell into the barbarous
hands of his enemies, and by the meanes of Mons r Curler ob-
taind his liberty," and in the following summer was restored
to his home.*

This incident confirms the supposition, that Carteret and
his employees were quite as much French as English,
probably more so, as svas the case with his kinsmen and
the other inhabitants of the Isle of Jersey. Young Foun-
taine could, doubtless, understand nothing of the English
language, and so, he is sent by Gov. Nicolls to sojourn with
Gov. Carteret, at whose house he could converse in his
native tongue.

The affairs of the town, so far as can be discovered, moved
on very quietly and harmoniously during the first two years
after Carteret's arrival. Large accessions were made to the
sister town of Newark, from Branford and Guilford, Ct., in
the course of the summer and autumn of 1607, and the vene-
rable Abm. Pierson, the old pastor of some of the people of
this town, had now, Oct. 1, 1G67, taken up his residence,
with many of their kinsmen, also, within six miles of their
new home in the wilderness. This, doubtless, served, to
reconcile them still more to the hardships incident to the
settlement of a new plantation, in the midst of savage tribes,
on whose friendship but little reliance could be placed. It
made their position vastly more secure, as well as pleasant.

* N. Y. Col. Docmts., III. 147, 8, 156.

122 THE HISTORY OF

It is not unreasonable to suppose, that, until they had secured
a minister for their own town, some of them occasionally
were found, wending their way through the wilderness to
Newark, on the morning of the Lord's Day, to enjoy the
privilege of hearing the gospel preached once more by the
pastor of their earlier days. They were sturdy men, and not
unaccustomed to such journeys.*

The work of surveying the house-lots and planting lands,
had been performed very imperfectly ; possibly by Wol-
phertsen, who had been the City Surveyor of New Amster-
dam. The description of these lots is so imperfect, as re-
corded in the books of the province, that their location and
the bearing of their boundary lines cannot now be deter-
mined. This would indicate that the lots had been laid out
before the arrival of the Surveyor General, Vauquellin, with
the Governor. Circumstances had occurred that made it
necessary that Vauquellin should be "sent on business to
England by the Governor ; " and no one else was authorized
to act in the matter of laying out lands. A few of the in-
habitants, in consequence, were put to some inconvenience,
and drew up the following paper : —

"We, whose names are under-written, do humbly petition unto the Gov-
ernor and his Council, that we may have our lands laid out unto us, ac-
cording to the Agreements made by the inhabitants and consent of the
Governor with them, as may more fully appear in the Town Eecords ;
which if it cannot be granted, we do not see how we can possibly subsist
in the Town, but shall be forced to look out somewhere else for a liveli-
hood. Nathaniel Bonnell, Joseph Bond, Leonard Headley, Ben-
jamin Homan, Joseph Meeker, Benjamin Meeker, Jonathan Ogden, Joseph
Ogden, Joseph Osborn, Stephen Osborn, Benjamin Price, Benjamin
Price, Jr., Joseph Seers, Thomas Tomson, Hurr Tomson, Moses Tomson,
and Isaac Whitehead. t

The signers were seventeen in number, and most of them,
either of the second generation, or new-comers. The others
w r ere, probably, in difficulty about their boundary lines. The
petition is without date, but as the commission, given to John
Brackett, noticed on a previous page, is thought to have been

* Stearns' Newark, p. 20. Newark Town t E. T. Bill, pp. S3, 102-9.

Eecords, p. 10.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 123

issued in response to this petition, it must have been presented
in the early part of December, 1G67. The services of Brackett
were only temporary, and confined, most likely, to the few
cases of difficulty which gave rise to the petition. It is not
to be concluded, from this occurrence, that no surveys had
thus far been made, nor that the difficulty was at all general,
or extensive. The earliest records of surveys were made in
the lost town book, as was frequently attested in subsequent
years, and as was provided for by the people of Newark in
their own case.*

The boundary line between this town and Newark needed
adjustment; and John Ogden, sen., Luke Watson, Robert
Bond, and JefFry Jones were deputed to arrange the matter
with the commissioners from Newark. They met together
for this purpose, May 20, 1668. It appears from an affidavit
of Joseph Woodruff of this town, made, July 26, 1743, be-
fore Judge Joseph Bonn el, also of this town, that, being at
Milford, Ct., about the year 1699, he heard Gov. Treat say, —

That the inhabitants of Newark did first settle under the Elizabeth
Town Purchase ; and did allow the Newark river to be the bounds of the
said Purchase ; and said, that the Elizabeth Town people was so kind to
the Newark people, that they could never reward them enough. And
further this deponent saith, That he, at that time, heard the said Gov-
ernor tell after what manner the Line was settled between the two towns ;
and that it was done in so loving and solemn a manner that he thought it
ought never to be removed ; for he (the said Governor) himself being
among them at that time, prayed with them on Dividend-Hill, (so called)
that there might be a good agreement between them; and that it was
agreed upon, by the settlers of each town, that the Line between them
should stand and remain from Dividend-Hill, to run a north-west course ;
and the Governor said, that, after the agreement, Mr. John Ogden (being
one of the first purchasers) prayed among the people, and returned thanks
for their loving agreement.

It was thus, that the founders of these two towns sought
the blessing of the Almighty, and his guidance, in all their
transactions. They were, the most of them, men of faith and
prayer.f

* E. J. Records. III. 12.

t Ans. to E. T. Bill, p. 47. Newark Town Records, p. 10. Stearns' Newark, pp. 40, 1. j

124: THE HISTORY OF

In the autumn of the same year, there was " great sickness
in New York and over the land in general. Some persons
were daily swept away, and many more lying on their lan-
guishing beds, expecting each hour their dissolution." In
view of it, Gov. Lovelace, of New York, proclaimed a day
of humiliation, and called attention to the " swearing, the in-
temperate way of drinking, and all manner of impieties, as
being prevalent in the Province." *

The Concessions of the Lords Proprietors made provision
for a General Assembly, to meet annually ; — the members of
the popular branch, the " Body of Representatives," to be
chosen on the first day of every January, by writ from the
Governor ; " to appoint their own time of meeting and to
adjourn their sessions, from time to time, to such times and
places as they shall think convenient." In accordance
with this provision, Gov. Carteret concluding, that, " by
the infinite goodness, providence, and blessing of Al-
mighty God, the province of New Jersey was in a probable
way of being populated," issued a Proclamation, April 7,
1668, requiring the freeholders in each of the several towns
of the province, to make choice of two of their number, to
meet in a General Assembly, at Elizabeth Town, May 25,
1668,

For the making and constituting such wholesome laws as shall he most
needful and necessary for the good government of the said province, and
the maintaining of a religious communion, and civil society, one with the
other, as becometh Christians, without which it is impossible for any
Body Politic to prosper or subsist.!

Three years had passed since the pioneers of the settlement
had planted themselves on this soil, during which they had
lived under an orderly administration of law, with Justices
of the Peace to adjudicate in all litigated cases. It is not
possible, now, to determine positively, in the absence of all
documentary information, under what code of laws they had
hitherto lived. But it is almost certain, that the Laws of his

* Valentine's N. Y. Manual for 1856, p. 514.

t Learning and Spicer's Grants, &c, p. 15. E. J. Becords, II. Lib. 3. Whitehead's E.
Jersey, pp. 51, 2, 188, 9.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 125

Royal Highness, the Duke of York, or " the Duke's Laws,'' as
they were commonly called, were in force here, as well as in
the neighboring province, so far as they were applicable.
This code had been enacted by an Assembly, convened, Feb.
28, 1664, at Hempstead, L. I., by warrant from Gov. Nicolls,
and had been " collected out of the several laws then in force
in his Majesties American Colonyes and Plantations." They
were mainly such as were of authority in Connecticut, some
of them being in the very words of the Connecticut Code of
1650.*

The first General Assembly of New Jersey, convened, in
accordance with the Governor's warrant, at Elizabeth Town,
and was constituted, May 26^1^ 1668. Three of the six mem-
bers of the Council were residents of this town : Robert Bond,
Robert Yanquellin, and William Pardon; Bond and Pardon
having been appointed, Jan. 2, 166J; and James Boll en,
also, of this town, being the Secretary. The town had chosen
John Ogden, sen., and John Brackett, to represent them in
the House of Burgesses. The Legislature remained in ses-
sion five days, and passed several Acts, or Laws, by some
denominated " the Elizabeth Town Code of Laws ; " of which
it has been said, that " Puritan austerity w T as so tempered by
Dutch indifference, that mercy itself could not have dictated
a milder system." The laws were few and simple, scarcely
worthy the name of a "Code," and were taken, in almost
every instance, and nearly verbatim, from the Hempstead
Code, or the Connecticut Code of 1650. The Puritan laws.
as well as the Puritan manners and customs, prevailed in the
new settlement. Every possible precaution was taken to
preserve the rights of property; to secure the orderly ad-
ministration of justice; to regulate the intercourse of the
sexes; to restrain the vicious within proper bounds; to make
human life as sacred as possible; to prevent disrespect to pa-
rents, drunkenness, and profanity ; and to enforce obedience
to the constituted authorities. f

♦IN. York His. Soc. Coll., I. 307-428. Thompson's L. I., I. 131-5. IlildreUYa U. States,
II. 44-51.

t Learning and Spicer'a Grants, &c, pp. 77-S1. Bancroft's U. States, II. 819.

126 THE HISTORY OF

As an illustration of the strictness, with which, at that
early day, they watched over the morals of the rising genera-
tion, the following enactment is cited at length :

For the better preventing disorders and misdemeanors in young persons
and others, Be it also enacted by this present General Assembly, that if
any person or persons shall be abroad from the usual place of their abode,
and found in night- walking, Drinking in any tapp-house, or any other
house or place at unreasonable 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, 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 unreasonable times, he or they shall be bound
over to the next Court, and receive Such punishment as the Justices upon
the Bench shall see cause to inflict upon them.*

Provision was made for an annual meeting of the General
Assembly on the first Tuesday in November, and for the
election of Deputies on the first of January. The rates for the
support of government were to be five pounds for each of the
towns, to be paid, into the hands of Jacob Mollins [Melyen]
of E. Town, in country-produce at the following prices :

"Winter wheat at five shillings a bush ell, summer wheat at four shil-
lings and six-pence ; pease at three shillings and six-pence ; 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.

Capt. Bollen was to receive twenty pounds for his services
as Secretary. Little time, however, could be given, especially
in the planting season, to matters of legislation. The full
consideration of these enactments was referred by the Gov-
ernor to the November sessions, " by reason of the week so
near spent, and the resolution of some of the company to de-
part." The Assembly met here again, by adjournment, on
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1668. Jacob Mollins [Melyen] appeared
among the Burgesses, in place of John Brackett, who had,
probably, returned to New Haven. Mr. Ogden was ap-
pointed " to take cognizance of the country's charge and

* Learning and Spicer's Grants, &c, p. 80.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 127

rates;" and Mr. Watson, of this town, was appointed, with
Mr. Samuel Moore of Woodbridge, to so to Middletown and

Shrewsbury to collect their proportion of the rates levied <>n
the towns. Mr. Melyen was to he one of a committee to
treat with the Indians, " for the preventing of future dama-
ges and wrongs that otherwise may accrue to the towns or in-
habitants, in reference to horses or cattle that may range up
into the country, to the indangering the peace in respect to
the Indians." Two men, also, were appointed, " and Bent to
the Sachem of the Indians that killed the Indian boy at
Elizabeth Town, to demand the murtherer to be surrendered
to the Governor." A few other acts, of not much import-
ance, were passed, and the Assembly was brought, abruptly,
to an end."

A radical difference of opinion, which must have been fore-
seen, between the Governor and the people, in respect to the
rights of the people, and the power of the legislature, was
very soon, in the course of the session, developed. The Dep-
uties were disposed to exercise the right of originating meas-
ures for the good of the people, without previous consultation
with the Governor. The latter was jealous of his own pre-
rogative, and sought to prescribe the course to be pursued by
the Deputies, as he was accustomed to do with the Council,
who were creatures of his own will. On the fourth day of
the sessions, the Deputies, therefore, sent a message " to the
Governor and his Council," to this effect :

Honored Gentlemen, We finding so many and great inconveniences by
our not setting together, and your apprehensions so different to our-, and
your expectations that things must go according to your opinions, though
we see no reason for, much less warrant from the Concession-, wh<
we think it vain to spend much time of returning answers by writings that
"are so exceeding dilatory, if not fruitless and endless, and therefore we
think our way rather to break up our meeting, seeing the order of the
concessions cannot be attended unto.t

Carteret received the message on Friday evening, and, on
the plea that it was " too late to night to entertain so long a
debate," asked them to send two of their number, to discuss

* Learning and Spiccr's Grants, Ac, pp. 81 , S5- 9. t Ibid. p. 90.

128 THE HISTORY OF

their differences on Saturday morning; "if not," he added,
" you may do what you please, only we advise you to con-
sider well of your resolutions before you break up." They
did consider well, and so broke up, on Saturday, the fifth
day of their sessions.*

These matters properly belong to the history of the Prov-
ince. But they are so intimately connected with the particu-
lar annals of the town, and have so much to do with the
subsequent difficulties into which the town was brought by
the exactions of the Governor, that they could not well be
omitted. , Carteret disregarded the express provisions of the
Concessions, and refused to call an Assembly for the next two
years, preferring to rule the province, at his own pleasure, by
means of his complaisant Council.

In the course of the following winter, a company was
organized among the people of this town, for whaling pur-
poses. They obtained a charter from the Governor, Feb. 15,
166-f, granting to " John Ogden, sen 1 "., Caleb Carwithy, Jacob
Moleing [Melyen], Wm. Johnson, and Jeffry Jones, all of
Elizabeth Town and their companie consisting of 21 persons,"
the exclusive right, for three years, of taking whales, &c,
along the coast from Barnegat to the Eastern part of the
province, one twentieth part of the oil in casks to be given
to the Lords Proprietors. The charter also granted them,

In case Statten Island falls within this Government, some convenient
place or Tract of land upon the said Island, near unto the water side for
the Settlement of a Town or Society to consist of 24 Famelies, and that
they shall have a competent proportion of Land allotted to each Family
or Lott with Meadow Ground* as well as planting Land and free com-
monage upon the Island.!

Whales were then abundant on all the coast. Maverick
writes, July 5, 1669, to Col. Nicolls, from New York, " On
y e East end of Long Island there were 12 or 13 whales taken

* Learning and Spicer's Grants, &c., pp. 90-1.

t E. J. Records, III. 22. Whitehead's E. Jersey, p. 173. Staten Island was claimed by
Carteret, as included in the Duke's grant to the two Lords. Nine days after the date of this
charter, Maverick, a.t New York, wrote to Gov. "Winthrop, of Connecticut, that Gov. Love-
lace had just received a letter from Col. Nicolls at London, announcing that " Staten Island
is adjudged to belong to N. Yorke." By whom or how " adjudged " is not stated. 4 Mass.
His. Soc. Coll., X. 315.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 129

before y e end of March, and what since wee hearc not; here
are dayly some seen in the very harbour, sometimes within
ISTutt [Governor's] Island. It is not possible to describe
[1670] how this bay swarms with fish, both large and small,
whales, tunnies and porpoises," &c. The E. Town Whaling
Co., it is likely, having most of them followed the business
on Long Island, found the fishery a lucrative business.*

Much uncertainty attended the matter of jurisdiction during
the year 1669. Both Berkeley and Carteret were in trouble
at home. The former had u been detected in the basest cor-
ruption," and had been deprived of office. Carteret had
long been under accusation, by Parliament, of being a de-
faulter, as Treasurer of the Navy, to a large amount ; and his
accounts were subjected to a rigid investigation by a Parlia-
mentary Committee, of which the result was his expulsion, in
the autumn of 1669, from the House .of Commons. Gov.
Nicolls had, in 1665, early remonstrated with the Duke ot
York against the grant of New Jersey to Berkeley and Car-
teret. He had now returned to England, and renewed, with
still greater earnestness, his remonstrance. Measures were
accordingly taken, by the Duke, for the recovery of the lost
territory. Late in the year 1668, Col. Nicolls wrote from
London to Gov. Lovelace at New York, (as we learn by a let-
ter from the Royal Commissioner, Samuel Maverick to Gov.
Winthrop, dated Feb. 24, 166|), that

The Lord Barkley is vnder a cloud, and out of all his offices, and offers
to surrender vp the Patent for 1ST. Jarsey. Sir G. Carterett, his partner,
is in Ireland, but it is thought he will likewise surrender, and then
N". Yorke will be inlarged.

In a subsequent letter, Maverick writes, June 20, 1669, to
Gov. Winthrop, that

New Jarsey is returned to his Royall Ilighnes, by exchange for Delawar,
as Sir George Carterett writs to his cosen, the present Gouernor : some
tract of land, on this side of the river & on the other side, to reach to
Maryland bounds.t

* N. Y. Col. Docmts., III. 188, 107. Dankors and Sluytor's Jor.rn .1 p. 100.
t Pepys 1 Diary, IV. 97, 114, 115. N. Y. Col. Docmts., II. 410. III. 105, 113, 114, 174. White
head's E. Jersey, pp. 30-1. 4 Mass. Ilia. Soc. Cull., VII. 315, 319.

130 THE HISTORY OF

Gov. Carteret, of course, having received such an announce-
ment, from so high a source, — one of the Lords Proprietors
himself, — -must have regarded his tenure of office as soon to
be terminated, and have been, in consequence, not at all dis-
posed to prolong his controversy with the people. While
the latter, expecting shortly to come under the jurisdiction
of Gov. Lovelace, of New York, must have been quite will-
ing to let the matter pass without further trouble. So the
matter rested for a season.

The Newark people were evidently in perplexity on the
same account.

At a Town Meeting, 28th July 1669 — the Town made choice of Mr.
Crane and Mr. Treat, to take the first opportunity to Goe over to York, to
advise with Col. Lovelace Concerning our Standing, "Whether we are de-
signed to be Part of the Duke's Colony, or Not.*

The autumn of this year was made memorable, as well as
that of the previous year, for the prevalence of fatal dis-
orders. Maverick, writing from u N. Yorke, 15th Octo r 69,
to Col. Nicolls, in London," says :

The flux, agues, and fevers, have much rained, both in cittie and coun-
try, & many dead, but not yett soe many as last yeare. The like is all
N. Engl d over, espetially about Boston.t

* Newark Town Records, p. 21. t N. Y. Col. Docmts., III. 1S5.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 131

CHAPTER VII.

A. D. 1670-1673.

Quit Rent Controversy — Gov. Carteret's Usurpations — Claude Vallot — Arbi-
trary Edicts — Watson not to drill the Militia — First Jury Trial in the Town

— Case of Capt. Ilacket — Court illegally held — Case of Richard Michel —
His House destroyed. — Carteret overawed by the People — Capt Jamee Car-
teret arrives from England — Legislative convenes at E. T. — A lawful Court

— Trial of Meeker and others — Newark people take the Alarm — Other Ses-
sions of the Legislature — Capt. James Carteret chosen President — Arrest
and Escape of Wm. Pardon — Gov. Carteret removes to Bergen — Re-arrest
of Pardon, and Seizure of his Goods — Memorial of the Council to the Lords
Proprietaries — Gov. Carteret and Officials return to England — Capt. Berry,
Dep. Governor — Marriage of Capt. Carteret — The Officials return — Conflict
renewed — Patents to betaken out — Appeal to the Lords Proprietors — Gov.
Winthrop's Endorsement of the People.

The negotiations for the transfer of "New Jersev to the ju-
risdiction of the Duke of York, though so nearly completed,
failed of the expected result. Berkeley was made Lord Lieu-
tenant of Ireland, of which Carteret was already Deputy
Treasurer. Strengthened bv the favor of the king, and ccr-
tain political occurrences of the clay, the two lords retained
possession of their charter, and Elizabeth Town remained the
seat of government for the province, and the residence of the
Governor and his officials.'-

"The Concession and Agreement of the Lords Propri
made provision for the Survey and Patenting of all lands
taken up in the Province by new settlers, and required of all
such the payment of one half-penny per acre yearly rent, be-
ginning with March 25, 1G70. As the people of this town
claimed to hold their lands, not by gift or lease from the

♦Collins' Tcerago, (Ed. of 173C), III. 2S0. 1. N. V. Col. Docmtf., III. 500. Pepys' Diary
III. 275, 7.

132 THE HISTORY OF

Lords Proprietors, but by purchase from the native proprie-
tors of the soil, and the warrant and patent of Gov. Ni colls,
previous to Carteret's arrival, they had paid no attention to
these provisions. ISTo patents had been issued, or applied
for, within the bounds of the town. This was true of the offi-
cials as well as the people. Carteret, Bollen, Vauquellin,
and Pardon, all had become Associates, and as such had
shared in the assignment of house-lots, and in the first and
second divisions of planting land and meadow, all which
were duly entered, at the time, in the lost Town-Book. JSTone
of them, however, had taken out patents from the Lords Pro-
prietors. The original purchasers and their American asso-
ciates were utterly opposed to a proceeding, which might be
construed into an acknowledgment of the invalidity of the
titles, by which they had acquired, and hitherto held, their
"purchased and paid-f or lands." They would neither, there-
fore, take out patents from the Governor, nor pay the yearly
rent to be exacted in all other cases.*

As the time for the payment of this rent approached, let-
ters were sent to the several towns, reminding them of these
conditions. We have not the means of knowing whether the
demand was formally made of the freeholders of this town,
or, if made, what was their response. In the latter case, they
must have made a response, not less firm and decided than
that of the Newark people ; who, at a town-meeting, held
Feb. 3, 1669-70, after "the Governors Writing" had been
read and debated, voted to make return as follows :

That they do Hold and Possess their Lands and Eights in the said
Town, Both by Civil and Divine Eight, as by their Legall purchase and
Articles doth and May Shew. And as for the payment of the Half Penny
per Acre for all our Allotted Lands, According to our Articles and Inter-
pretations of them, You assuring them to us, "We are ready when the Time
Comes, to perform our Duty to the Lords or their Assigns.

Whether they received the assurance, or not, at the ap-
pointed time they made a tender of the rent, in wheat, but
not "in lawful money of England," as .the Concessions re-
quire d.f

* Learning & Spicor, pp. 23-5.

t Newark Town Eecords, pp. 29, 30. Stearns 1 Newark, pp. 43-6.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 133

Nothing of the kind, probably, was attempted or done
here. It is not intimated, in any of the records or documents
of the day, on either side, that the people of this town re-
garded themselves as under any obligation whatever to pay
rent for their lands to the English Lords. S<> many of the
people as were of the Governor's party, doubtless, complied
with the demand. The others disregarded it. The breach
between the two parties, occasioned by the occurrences of
November, 1668, was thus considerably widened. The rela-
tions of the people to their townsman, the Governor, from
this time forth, were any thing but pleasant — scarcely ami-
cable.*

One occasion of this unpleasantness was the unwarranted
interference of Carteret in the local affairs of the town —
claiming, as he did, the prerogative of presiding, in person,
or by proxy, in their town-meetings ; of admitting whom
he pleased as freeholders ; and of allotting the town-lands as
rewards to his servants. The people could not but regard
all such proceedings as unwarranted acts of usurpation.

Claude Vallot was one of the 18 servants whom Carteret
had brought over with him in the " Philip." Having
found him faithful and true, the Governor, without obtain-
ing, or even asking, so far as appears, the consent of the
town, determined to bestow on him the rights and privileges
of a freeholder :

Glaude Valot of Champagne in the Kingdom of France Laving
Lived in this Country for the Space of five Years time as one of my
Menial Servants, and now being desirous to settle himself an Inhabitant
within the said Province, (says the Record, Feb. 10, 1GG9-70). I i!<>e
hery Declare the said Glaude Valot to be a true Denizen of the aforesaid
Province of New Jersey.

Twelve days after he puts him in possession, by deed of
sale, of the property that, in Nov. 1G6S, he himself had
acquired by purchase, for £45, from the widow of ('apt.
Robert Seeley — viz., a " house and home-lot, with all such
lots and allotments of upland and meadow, as is and shall
be thereunto belonging, according to the rate of a third

* Whitehead's E. J., \\ 54. MulforJ's N. J., p. 151.

134 THE HISTORY OF

lot;" thus giving liim a place, as an Associate, among the
third-lot right men.*

A military company, in accordance with an Act of the
General Assembly, had been organized in 1668 ; of which,
Aug. 24, 1668, Luke Watson had been commissioned Lieu-
tenant and Commander, and John Woodruff, Ensign. Wat-
son and Woodruff were among the leading men of the town,
and devoted to its interests. In some way not specified,
but, probably, because of their zeal in opposing the arbitrary
course of the Governor, these worthies had provoked his
displeasure. On the last day of October, 1670, (possibly,
one of the autumnal training days), he revoked the com-
mission of Watson, and declared Woodruff's null and void.
Such a proceeding did not tend in the least to conciliate
the people, whose patience had already so repeatedly been
tried. They understood the movement as designed to break
up the military company, and so to deprive them of the
power of self-defence. Against these imputations, he put
forth, July 1, 1672, the following plea: It is reported, he

says,

That I have, to the great discouragement of the Inhabitants, for-
bidden, nay required them upon paine of death, not to trayne. In
answer whereunto the officers of each Eespective Town in this Province,
being commissionated for that end and required thereunto, will suffi-
ciently Cleer me ; only for reasons which I am willing to give To my
Masters, I did issue out my Summons to Luke "Watson in Elizabeth
Town, being before by me Commissioned Lieutenant under my Self,
Calling in my Commission, requiring him upon pain of death at that
time not to Call the Company into Field Nor Exercise them, the which
notwithstanding he did Continue and Exercise them twice after, f

Language like this could not but exasperate. The people
had never known, in this country, what it was to have a
master. They had never been " in bondage to any man."
This young stranger from a far land, whose unexpected com-
ing among them, with such pretensions to dominion over
them, they had barely tolerated, who had already set him-
self above the Representatives of the people, and had exacted

* E. J. Eecords, I. 6, 7, 15. t E. J. Eecords, III. 55.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 135

of them a galling tribute, as the price of lands folly and lawful-
ly purchased before he came, now threatens one of their num-
ber with the " pain of death," for Bimply giving a few lessons
in the art and science of war. Who gave him this kingly
power? How did he propose to carry it into effect i By
whom was the penalty to be inflicted I The refusal, too, to
give the reasons for his course, save to his " masters," was not
fitted to inspire his townsmen with confidence or 1 m, but
just the reverse. It was not the way to secure the hearts of
the people and perpetuate his power.

The more thoroughly the matter is investigated, the more
fully it appears, that the difficulties, with which the found*
of the town had to contend, in respect to the Proprietary
government, were of vastly greater moment than the pay-
ment of the paltry sums that were demanded as " Quit-
Rents." The grievances were of the most serious character.
They had respect to the very foundations of government.
The great question of popular rights was involved — the same
question, that was continually coming up between the Amer-
can people and their foreign rulers, and that issued in the
conflict of 177G. This town and this province were not sin-
gular in their disaffection. It pervaded the neighboring
provinces. The people of Long Island, at this very time,
were deeply agitated with similar grievances. All New
England was filled with excitement and alarm, by reason of
the efforts made by the Royal Commissioners to bring them
under subjection. The Stuart dynasty had no sympathy with
the democracy of the American people. The Colonies stood
in dread of the imperialism of the two sons of Charles I., wh<
"taking off," by the people, these sons could never forgive.*

"All Causes arc tried by Juries," said Gov. Lovelace,
1670, in respect to the Province of New York. The Bame
rule, doubtless, prevailed in New Jersey. The first Jury
trial in the town, of which any record has beeo preserved,
took place in May, 1671. - v Bpecial Court, consisting of
Capt. Wm. Sandford, President, Robert Vauqnellin, Robert'

* Thompson's L. L, I. 146-160 ; II. 320--. Palfrey'a N\ Eng., II. 57S-C34.

136 THE HISTORY OF

Treat, and ¥m, Pardon, was convened here, on the 16th, by
order of the Governor, for the trial of ¥m. Hacket, Capt.
of the sloop " Indeavor of Salsbury in the County of Nor-
folk in New England," for illegal trading in the province,
mostly at Woodbridge. Gov. Lovelace claimed, that all ves-
sels coming in and going out of Sandy Hook entrance should
enter and clear at New York. Gov. Carteret opposed the
claim so far as concerned the waters of New Jersey; de-
manding, that, in order to trade in these parts, entrances and
clearances should be made at the custom-house in Elizabeth
Town. Capt. Hacket had entered his vessel, and paid duties,
at New York, but not here. A jury was empanelled, con-
sisting of Benjamin Price, foreman ; Nicholas Carter, ¥m.
Pyles, George Ross, Barnabas Wines, Nathaniel Bonnel,
Matthias Hatfield, John Wynings, William Oliver, Stephen
Osburn, Wm. Meeker, John Woodruff; all freeholders of
this town, and the most of them leading men. Gov. Car-
teret testified for the prosecution. Capt. Hacket argued his
own cause, with much ability, presenting not less than four-
teen points as grounds of defence. The case went to the
jury, who

Went forth and, upon a second and third going forth, declared to the
Court that the matter Committed to them is of too great waight for them
and desires the Court to make Choice of other Jurymen.

On the 18th, the case came before another jury, two only
of whom, Samuel Hopkins, and Capt. Thomas Young, were
of this town, none of them from Newark, and the remainder
from Bergen and Woodbridge. The prosecution succeeded,
and the vessel was forfeited.*

It is quite probable, that the true reason for the failure of
the first jury to pronounce a verdict, was the fact, that the
Governor had acted without warrant, in constituting the Court;
according to "the Concessions" — the fundamental Bill of
Rights — it being the prerogative of the General Assembly,
and not the Governor, " to constitute all courts." f The
Assembly had not authorized the Governor to call and com-

* E. J. Records, III. 75-^7. t Learning and Spicer, p. 16.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 137

mission this tribunal. Jealous, as the town had become, of
the Governor, they could not but look upon this proceeding,
as an additional act of usurpation ; and so the G rnor
must go out of town for a jury sufficiently compliant.
Another serious grievance was thus added to the calendar.

A few weeks later, the two parties came into direct collision.
Among the " menial servants" brought over by dipt. Car-
teret in the " Philip," in 1GG5, was Richard Michell. Hewn
"the son of Symon Michell, of Mundcn parva in the Conn! •
of Hereford," Eng. Richard had married, Ap. 23, 1668, Ellen
Prou, "the daughter of Charles Prou of Paris in the parish
of St. Eutache, In France." She, too, had come over, doubt-
less, in the "Philip," and was, also, a "menial servant. "
possibly a housekeeper, in the Government house. Michell,
as well as Vallot, aspires to be a planter. Carteret, well-
pleased with Richard's course, and willing to reward his
faithful services, takes it upon himself, without consulting
the town, or any other than his own pleasure, to make him
a grant of land for a house-lot, bordering on " the swamp
in common," and lying at the rear of the house-lots of Francis
Barber and George Pack, S. of Charles Tucker, S. E. of Jonas
Wood, and ~N. E. of Wm. Letts. This was in the spring of
1671. Michell fences it in, and leases a part of the ground
to George Pack for a tobacco-crop. On the other part, he
builds a house covered with clapboards, and lays out a gar-
den. Pack sub-lets one half of his field to Win. Letts, the
weaver.-

All this was contrary to the fundamental agreements of
lGGjj, made in town-meeting, and consented to by the Gov-
ernor. None but the people, in town-meeting, conld deter-
mine who should be admitted as associates and freeholder ,
It was a clear case of usurpation on the part of Carter. IT
tolerated in this instance, it might be followed by many
others, and presently the town would be overrun by French-
men, and other foreigners, claiming an equal Bhare with
themselves in the plantation, [fnoi r> I, they might as

well give up all thought of self-government

* E. J. Records, III. 78-SO.

138 THE HISTORY OF

The town was deeply moved by the occurrence. It was
the common talk. The neighbors had occasion to meet at
Goodman Carter's on the south side of the Creek. The mat-
ter was warmly discussed. They agreed to give Pack warn-
ing not to put a plow into the ground. He and Letts were
greatly grieved at their prospective loss, but deemed it best
to regard- the timely warning. A town meeting was called,
at which the whole subject was gravely debated. Here is
the record :

June 19tb, 1671, it was agreed by the Major Yote that Richard Michel
should not enjoy his lott given him by the Governor. Upon information
June 19th 1671 It was agreed that there should some goe the next morn-
ing and pull up the said Michel's fence.

The Governor must be taught, that it is not his to give away
town-lots ; it belongs to the people. Michel had " never
asked the town for it," and, therefore, could not have the
" lott given him by the Governor." It was " concluded to
take the piece of land from him again, because it was not
after vote of the town that he had it." What followed is thus
related by George Pack :

The next morning after the said town-meeting, the said Eichard Michel
came to my house, and I went with him up to the said lot, and going we
came to the said Wm. Letts house, and lighted our pipes, and, when we
had lighted, people came upon the said ground. Goodman Meaker, the
young John Ogden, Jeffry Jones and Nicholas Carter, and we running
down to them at the corner of said lot, the said Eichard Michel fore-
warned them of pulling down the said fence, and spake to them of a riot,
upon that goodman Meaker put to it and began to pluck down the fence
and then all the rest did the like and left not off till they had plucked
down one side and one end.

Among those who aided in the work, as Letts, Michell, and
Ponyon testified, were Joseph Meeker (the "eldest son" of
Goodman M.,) Hur Tomson, (son of Goodman T.,) u old
Mash," (Samuel Marsh, sen.), and Luke Watson, the Lieu-
tenant. When Michel forewarned them,

Goodman Meeker answered, Do you forewarn me? and with that
went to pull it down. While they were so doing Mr Pardon came in,
then they asked him whither he was come to help pull down the fence

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 139

and Mr Pardon answered that he did not come to help pull down the fence
but to take notice what you do, the said John ( tgden Baid wo do not care
if a hundred such fellows as you are do take notice of what wc do, and
Mr Pardon answered you speak very sansilv. Luke Watson did Dot put
his hand to pull down the fence but said if I am in [the] place it
but after Mr Pardon came then he heaved ono I from the tea

said you shall not say but I will put my hands to it.

Awhile after, (says Letts,) being at my own house th ime in I :

Moss and Mr Crayne of this town who asked for drink and I having none
they went away presently, and presently after they were goi lard

A noise and looked out and saw the said Robert Moss and Mr ( ray:.
ing down the claboards of Richard Michel's house and plucked up the
pallasades of the garden and before I came the hogga within an ho
time had rooted up and spoiled all that was in the garden which was full
of necessary garden herbs.

Pardon was one of the Governor's Council, and had been
appointed, June 5, 167-?-, a Justice of the Peace, lie was
known to be the Governor's obsequious parasite. Morse and
Crane were next door neighbors, residing on the West side
of the Creek. It is probable, that not a few others, drawn
thither by curiosity, especially of the boys of the neighbor
hood, witnessed the transaction, and spoke of it in later
years, as one of the memorable incidents of their pioneer life.

"Warm work it was for a midsummer's day, (June 20) ; but
needful work, unless they are prepared to succumb to the
whims and dictates of the cavalier lordling, sent over the
seas, by a brace of corrupt speculators, to exercise arbitrary
rule over these honest and sturdy planters. It was a day to
be remembered in the annals of Elizabeth ; a day for the
inauguration of an open and determined resistance to all
usurpation, and a manly defence of their vested rights.
They acted as one man, and were not to be trifled with.
Carteret and his adherents are powerless to withstand the
tide; and, however chagrined and vexed at the result, are
compelled, for the present, to let the matter drop, Win.
Meeker, the chief actor in the drama, is chosen Constable
the town, to succeed Wm. Cramer, and receives, Oct. 13,
1671, a commission from the Governor.*

Another actor of some importance now appears on the

* E. J. Record.*, HI. 47.

140 THE HISTORY OF

scene. Sir George Carteret has two sons, Sir Philip, and
James. George, a third son, had died in 1656. James, the
second son, had followed the seas from his youth, havirg
been advanced to the command of a merchantman in the
India trade, previous to the Restoration, and, subsequently, to
the Captaincy of a British man-of-war. " Capt. Carteret " 1: ad
acquired considerable distinction in his profession, and was
thought deserving of promotion. " He was administrator or
captain general, of the English forces which went, in 1666, to
retake St. Kitts, which the French had entirely conquered,
and were repulsed. He had also filled some high office,
during the war, in the ship of the Duke of York, with two
hundred infantry under his command."

His father, Sir George, was one of the eight proprietaries of
Carolina. Ashley Cooper, the distinguished Earl of Shaftes-
bury, was also a proprietor; and to him had been committed
the task of preparing a Constitution of government for the
province. Shaftesbury entrusted the work to his greatly-
admired friend, John Locke, the well-known author, twenty
years later, of the " Essay concerning Human Understand-
ing." A most impracticable, but greatly lauded Model of
Government, called the "Fundamental Constitutions of Caro-
lina," was the result of his political lucubrations. It was
therein provided, that each county should be governed by a
landgrave and two caciques, the former ranking as Earls, and
the latter as Baron's, — hereditary nobles, — to have possessions
corresponding to their dignities, for ever inalienable. Locke,
in compliment to Shaftesbury, and as a recompense for his
literary services, was appointed one of the Landgraves ; Sir
John Yeamans, afterwards Governor, was honored with the
same title ; and, in compliment to Sir George Carteret, the
Landgraviate of the remaining County, was assigned to his
second son, Capt. James Carteret. The Constitution was
signed, March 1, 1669-70, and the appointments made in April
of the following year.*

* Collins 1 Peerage, IV. 321-S. (Ed. of 1T35.) Bankers' Journal of a Voyage to K York, in
1679-80, p. 137. Graham's TJ. States, I. 343, 351-7. Bancroft's XL States, II. 129, 144-151.
Hildreth's U. States, II. 30-4. " You are to take notice yt wee have made Mr James Carteret,

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 141

Early in 1671, Capt. Carteret made ready to embark for
America, to take possession of his newly-acquired domain
and dignity. He was, probably, instructed by bis father to
take New Jersey in his way, and confer with Gov. Philip
Carteret in respect to the affairs of this province, then getting
to be quite complicated. lie arrived here in the summer of
1671, and was graciously received as became his rank and
relationship. He was the son of one of the Lords Proprie-
tors, and might become heir to his father's estate and dig-
. nities. It was well to receive him with marked consideration.

Shortly after his arrival, Gov. Lovelace convened an ex-
traordinary council at New York, Sept. 1671, in reference to
the Indians on the Delaware. Gov. Carteret, and Capt.
James Carteret, with the mayor (Capt. Thomas Delavall) and
secretary of New York, and Maj. Steenwyck, (a previous
mayor), constituted the council. As one of the results of the
conference, it was concluded,

That the Governor of New Jersey, and Capt. James Carteret, (then
present), should expeditiously order a General Assembly to be called in
that government, (according to their custom upon, all emergent occa-
sions) to know the people's strength and readiness ; and how far they
were willing to contribute towards the prosecution of a war against the
Indians.

These gentlemen must have regarded Capt. James Carte-
ret as having, at least for the time being, something like co-
ordinate, if not supervisory, authority with the Governor,
either by commission, or as the representative of his father.-

Sr Jno Yeamans and Mr Jno Locke, Landgraves. White Hall, 1st May, 1G71. Rivers' His .
Sketches of S. C, p. 36S. His. Coll. of S. 0., I. 45-7, 52 ; II. 292-6.

* Smith's N. J., pp. 69, 70. Great injustice has been done to the memory of Capt. James
Carteret. The Bill in Chancery (p. 35) calls him "a weak and dissolute youth.'' lie could
scarcely have been less than 40 years old. Gov. Philip was but 32. Wynne calls him "a dis-
solute son of Sir George," (I. 205.) Chalmers speaks of him as "a natural son of the Propri-
etor," (p. 616). Grahame uses the same language, (1.466). Gordon describes him as "a
weak and dissolute natural son of Sir George," (p. 29). WMUhtad makes him "an illegiti-
mate son of Sir George," " a weak and dissipated young man," (p. 55). Mulford uses the samo
epithets, (p. 152). That ho was the laicful son of Sir George and his wife Elizabeth, cannot
be questioned. Dankers, the Labadist Journalist, who knew tnd met with him, at N. York,
in 1679, calls him "a person of quality," ami gives not the least intimation of his being other
than the lawful son of Sir George, but much to the contrary. Dankers' Journal, p. 139. See-
this History, postea. Collins' Peerage (17:;. r >), III. 829; IV. BfT-8, His morals at the time-
could not have been much worse than those which generally prevailed at court ; they may
have been better

142 THE HISTORY OF

No Assembly had been held since Nov. 1668, greatly to
the dissatisfaction of the people. An occasion had now oc-
curred that called for such a convention. In accordance with
the agreement at New York, the Governor issued his war-
rant, and an Assembly convened here, Oct. 3, 1671. Newark
was represented by Jasper Crane and Robert Treat ; but
who were the representatives of the other towns, and what
were their proceedings is not known, as the records of the
\ meeting were destroyed. It is very certain that Gov. Car-
teret found but little encouragement in relation to the con-
templated enterprise against the Indians. It is known, as
Stated by the Governor, in a document, dated Feb. 10, 167J,
that the Assembly were in session in' this town, on the 14th
oi December preceding, when an Act was passed constituting
a Court of Oyer and Terminer, and another for the appoint-
ment of a Marshal for the province. This must have been
an adjourned meeting of the Assembly that met in October,

1(371.

A court had now been lawfully constituted. A writ was
issued, Feb. 10, 167^-, authorizing and appointing " Capt.
/John Berry, President, Robert Yauquellin, Samuel Edsal,
f (Robert Bond, Capt. John Fyke, Capt. Robert Treat, William
J pardon, or any three of them to be a Court to meet together
+iid sit upon Tuesday morning 27 Feb. at 9 o'clock at the
town house in Elizabeth Town," &c. The object of conven-
ing this court was the punishment of the so-called rioters of
the previous June. All of the members, with the exception
of Bond and Treat, were of the Governor's Council. Nei-
ther Treat nor Yauquellin were present at the trial. Of the
Jury, seven were from Woodbridge, and five from Bergen ;
1 tone from this town, or from Newark.

1 6 -n-r

An indictment was found against " Wm. Meaker, Jeffery
nes, Luke Watson, Nicholas Carter, Samuel Mash, sen T ,
\ Ogden, J r , Joseph Meaker, and Hurr Thompson," for
p.. jng down MiehelPs fence on the 20th of June previous.
They all appeared in court, on the 8th of March, — when the
trial came on, — heard the indictment, were asked, — " Guilty,
or not guilty ? " — and made no response ; but, though ordered

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 143

to remain, left the house without putting in any plea at all.
The complexion of the court and jury was such as to satisfy
them, that the issue was a foregone conclusion ; that Carteret
was determined to sustain Michell, and to secure a judgment
against the town in the persons of Meeker and his associates.
A trial, in such circumstances, was a mere mockery. The
persons indicted would have nothing to do with such a tri-
bunal, and the people sustained them in their contumacy.
The case proceeded. Evidence was given for the prosecu-
tion, by George Pack, Win. Letts, Vincent Ronyon, Wm.
Cramer, Richard Michell, and Wm. Pardon. No evidence
was given for the defence. The accused were severally
found guilty of a riot ; and, the next day, appearing in court,
received sentence ; Wm. Meeker to pay £5, and each of the
others, £3 ; the fines to be collected by distraint. The fines
were not payed ; yet no distraint followed. The marshal,
Samuel Moore, of Woodbridge, was powerless in the presence
of an outraged and indignant people, whose opposition to the
Governor and his party had now become more than ever de-
termined.*

The Newark settlers appear to have been in full sympathy
with their brethren here. They were evidently quite as little
pleased with the Governor's policy. At a

Town Meeting 22d Jan'y, 1671, Mr. Treat and Lieut Swain are de-
puted, to Take the first opportunity to Advise with Mr. Ogden, or any
other they see Cause, what may be the Safest and Best Course to he
taken for the Town, about our Lands and Settlements here.

If Carteret may give away land in E. Town, he may in
Newark ; if one lot, he may dozens. There is ground for
alarm, f

The General Assembly met again in this town, March
26th, following, and held an adjourned meeting, on the 14th
of May. As in the case of the meetings of the previous year,
the record of these two meetings, also, has been destroyed.
The proceedings evidently were not to the Governor's mind,
and he takes the responsibility, through .Mr. Pardon, the
Secretary, utterly to suppress them — a fearful responsibility

* E. J. Records, III. 7S-S0. t Newark Tuwu Eecords, p. 43.

144 THE HISTORY OF

in a free government ! He might just as well suppress the
Legislature itself. It is the policy of the Stuarts, transferred
to America, where it is less likely to prevail than in Great
Britain. The people, neither there nor here, will be trifled
with. They will not submit to despotism.*

The character of the deliberations of the popular branch
of the Legislature may be readily conjectured by the follow-
ing extract from the Newark Records :

Town Meeting, 13th May, 1672. Mr. Crane and Lieut Swain that
were Chosen representatives for the Town, are desir'd by the Town to
consult with the rest of the representatives of the Country, to order Mat-
ters for the safety of the Country.

This was the day before the adjourned meeting. Of
course " the safety of the Country," as put in jeopardy by
Gov. Carteret, was the all-engrossing topic.f

As the Governor refused both to preside over the Assem-
bly, either in person or by deputy, and to recognize the law-
fulness of the convocation, the Representatives, as authorized
by the Concessions, called Capt. James Carteret, who still
continued to reside in the town, to preside over the House of
Burgesses, as they were called. By virtue of this appoint-
ment, he issued a warrant, " to the constable of E th Towne
or his deputy," May 25, 1672, as follows :

These are in his Ma ties Name to Will and require You to apprehend the
body of William Pardon and him to keepe in Safe Custody untill further
order, or untill he deliver up the Acts of Laues made by the General As-
sembly at their Setting the 26th of March Last the Which Laues the said
Wm Pardon now refuseth to deliver." J

Constable Meeker does not hesitate to acknowledge the
authority of Capt. James, and proceeds to make the arrest of
the Governor's partisan and fellow-conspirator. Finding the
atmosphere of the town somewhat dangerous, Gov. Carteret
flies to Bergen, and, on the 28th of May, convenes his coun-
cil, Yauquellin, Edsall, Bishop, Berry, Andrus, Pyke and
Pardon, the latter having escaped the custody of Meeker.
Treat has returned to Connecticut, and Bond favors his

* E. J. Eecords, III. 64 t Newark Town Eecords, p. 44.

t E. J. Eecords, III. 64. Learning and Spicer, p. 15.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 145

townsmen: A Proclamation is issued, in which the following
language is used :

Whereas, we are certainly informed of several Eregular and Illegal
proceedings and Actions of several Persons styling themselves The Depu-
ties or Representatives for the Country, ia Attempting the making an Alter-
ation in this Government by Assembling together at Elizabeth Towne,
the fourteenth day of May Last under the Denomination aforesaid, with-
out writts from the Governor, or without the knowledge, approbation or
consent of the Governor and Councill abovesaid, and by Electing a Pres-
ident for the Country and making Proclamation publickly of these their
Illegal Actions, All which tends only to Mutiny and Rebellion, &c.

From this document it appears, that the Assembly was
composed of u Deputies for Elizabeth Town, Newark,
Woodbridge, New Piscataway and one from Bergen." The
Governor expresses his determination, unless they " declare
their submission within ten days," to proceed against them
" as Muteeneers and as Enemies to the Government ; " adding,
" and if by this means there should be any blood shed. We
do hereby Cleer our Selves before God and Man from the
Guilt thereof," A plain declaration of war, truly, and of
evil portent. The breach is irreparable. The people have
taken their stand deliberately, and are not to be driven from
it. They know their rights, and how to maintain them.'-

How it was, that Capt. James Carteret, the son of one of
the Lords Proprietors, was led to take sides with the town
against the Governor, is not clear. He may have come into
collision w T ith his kinsman on the question of authority, or of
deference to his position ; or he may have been playing the
game of Absalom, hoping soon to supersede the present in-
cumbent. Or, with the liberal impulses of a sea-captain, he
may have heartily espoused the cause of the people, in the
interests of truth and right. At all events, he was quite
willing to take the leadership of the popular party in the
province.

Armed with the Proclamation of the refugee Governor,
the fugitive Secretary returns, June 3, to overawe his old
neighbors, and to read the document in town-meeting, as

*E. J. Records, III. 53.

146 THE HISTORY OF

was required of each of the towns. But, to his utter confu-
sion, he is once more arrested by Goodman Meeker, and
brought before Capt. Carteret, at 10 o'clock at night, by
whom he is consigned to the custody of the constable, and
kept a close prisoner for three weeks.

" Denyed liberty," as be testified, "tobave private discourse with any,
or to write, burried before tbe Capt., by wbom, as also by tbe said Meaker,
I was frequently taunted at, and menaced, and also treated witb scurrilous
and vile language." On Monday, tbe 24tb, "baving received a letter
from tbe Governor tbat I sbould repair to him to confer about [tbe mat-
ter] and bands being sent for me att nignt I slipped out of tbat town and
came to tbe Governor, at Bergen." *

The next day, 2£th, a warrant is issued by Justice Ogden,
requiring Meeker " forthwith to assemble four men of good
report and with them to repair to the said William Pardon's
house and to* attach what moveables of his can be found."
His offence is thus recited in the warrant :

"Whereas "William Pardon of Elizabeth Town in tbe Province aforesaid
was arrested upon tbe Province account for unjustly and obstinately de-
taining tbe Laues of tbe Province made by the General Assembly at their
sitting March 26, 1672, which Lawes weare committed to the said Wil-
liam Pardon to take a Copy of tbem by order of tbe said Assembly, which
he hath neglected and refused and also to deliver up the said Lawes unto
tbe Assembly at their next Sitting by whom they were demanded, &c.

Calling to his aid " Goodman Tomson " (one of the Deputies)
and his son Hurr, Stephen Osborn, Robert and Peter Morse,
Nathaniel Tuttle, and John Wilson, the wheelwright, Meeker
proceeded to Pardon's house on the west side of the Creek,
between Tuttle's and Robert Morse's, and broke open a boarded
window in the side of the house, at which Peter Morse en-
tered, and so opened the door, when they all entered and
carried away the moveables to Goodman Tomson's house, ex-
cept his writing desk and papers, which were carried to
Capt. Carteret. Besides these, they seized his " crops on
the ground, 5 acres of pease," his "stock of hoggs," his
" mares and coults," &c. " James the Governor's man,
Nicholas Mundy, Cramer and his wife, and many others,"

* Files, at Trenton, N. J., Off. of Sec. of State.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 147

were standing by. The testimony of Cramer and his wi

taken shortly after, is on file, as also the copy of a letter from
Elizabeth Cramer, dated, July 1, 1672, addressed to " M r
Pardon w tt my love nnto you," both at the beginning and the
ending.*

These were serious times for the infant settlement, calling
into exercise their Christian graces, and developing the
strength of their political principles. They had experii
no such trials in their former homes, and had anticipated no
such collisions here. But they had taken their stand and
were not to be driven from it. The excitement, of
was intense.

Ten days before this transaction, the Council met and ad-
vised Governor Carteret to " repair to England to Sir ( I
Carteret to acquaint his Honour fully of the state of the affairs
and grievances of this Province." A fortnight later, July 1,
they drew up a Memorial to " the absolute Lords Proprietors,"
in which they use this language. They complain of "several
persons,"

Who have a Long time teen discontented and Oposit nnto the G> .-
ernor and Government who have of Late hv their plottings and Combi-
nations so carried matters that they have had such Influence into the
Election of Deputies for the Assemblys as that there are such \
chosen as Deputies who having avoided taking the Oath of Assembly]
according to the Concessions, and have taken Liberty to differ from the
Governor and Councill in Establishing matters for the Peace and B<
ment of the People, and have now at last disorderly Assembled and | ro-
cured Cap 1 James Carterett as their President, who Joyned with them in
making disturbance in this Province, he taking upon him to head 1 1
persons endeavoring not only to disingage the people in subjection m
but also opposing and abusing the Governor and Councill, commanding
their Obedience to himself by virtue of his Warrants which he \ uts forth
in the King's name for that end, as also Prohibiting Bnch -
the Governor's Commission, and commanding them wholy to
ing their oflices untill they receive orders from himself, d

They affirm that "all these proceedings he carried on
with pretence that he hath Tower sufficient, he being Sir
George Carterett's Bonn, and that he himself Is Proprietor and

* E. J. Reconls, III. 0$, 88. Filea In Sec'a Cff., Trenton.

148 THE HISTORY OF

can put out the Governor as he pleases, and that his Father
hath given him his part of the Province." They add,
" Although hee be Sir George Carterett's sonn, and for his
Father's sake we Honnour him accordingly, yet our oune
reason doth persuade us to believe that his Hon ble Father
will never Countenance his son in such dishonorable unjust
and violent proceedings." *

These simple-hearted planters had dared to think for them-
selves, and to have a policy of their own in relation to the
making and the administering of the laws by which they
were to be governed. They had even " taken liberty to dif-
fer from the Governor and Council]," in these matters, — a
liberty not to be tolerated under the Stuart dynasty. Such
was their offence, as set forth by the opposing party — noth-
ing more. It must be borne in mind, that the documents
now accessible present only one side of this controversy.
The Representatives of this town, Newark and Piscataway,
prepared and forwarded a Memorial to the Lords Proprie-
tors, setting forth their grievances and complaints, which
drew forth a brief response from Berkeley and Carteret.
But neither this memorial, nor any other paper or records
emanating from the people at this juncture, from which the
precise nature of the difficulties can be learned, is known to
have survived the conflict. They have probably all per-
ished.

On the first of July, Gov. Carteret issued a Declaration,
denying the truth of certain ".Reports raised and bruited
abroad that tends to Render the Governor unjust in his Ac-
tion and unfaithful to the Lords Proprietors and country."
Shortly after, he and his officials, Bollen, Yauquellin and
Pardon, with Samuel Moore, the Marshal, left the country
and returned to England, Capt. Berry, of the Council, hav-
ing been appointed by Carteret, " Deputy to officiate in his
Absence." On the 9th of July, Capt. James Carteret issued
a writ of attachment against the house and lands and all the
estate of ¥m. Pardon, " escaping away for England." And
thus the matter rested for a season. Berry kept himself

* E. J. Records, III., 55-6.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 149

mostly on his own plantation at Bergen, Capt. James Car-
teret occupying the government house in this town, and
making occasional visits to the house of Mayor Delavall, at
New York. These trips to the neighboring city resulted in
his marriage, April 15, 1GT3, t<» Frances, daughter of ("apt.
Thomas Delavall, Merchant and Mayor of New Fork.*

Bollen, Pardon and Moore returned from England, early
in May, 1673, having arranged every thing to their satisfac-
tion, and obtained the requisite papers and all necessary au-
thority, from the Duke and the two Lords, to reduce the
people to subjection. One of these papers, bearing date,
Nov. 25, 1G72, was addressed, by the Duke of York, to his
Deputy at ]STew r York, Col. Lovelace ; instructing him to
take notice, that the grant of his predecessor, Col. Nicolls,
to John Baker and his Associates, of Dec. 1, 1CG4, was v
in law, and directing him to make it known to the persons
concerned : void, " as I am informed," says the Duke ; re-
ferring to " an extra-judicial opinion " of certain counselors
in England, to whom the case had been referred for advice ;
an opinion in which " the facts are untruly stated and the
law mistaken ; " so much so, that, when the Duke's letter
was read to Gov. Lovelace's Council in New York, May 25,
1673, a previous " letter from the Lords Proprietors to Col.
Nicolls, confirming his Patents before Capt. Philip Carteret's
arrival " in 1665, was produced ; whereupon it was ordered
that "the State of the Case be returned to his Iloval High-
ness." At a later date, as, in the course of events, will ap-
pear, a regular judicial opinion was obtained, and Nicolls'
patents declared to be in accordance with law and of full
force and obligation. f

They brought, also, a letter, dated, Dec. 0, 1672, from the
King, to Berry and his Council, confirming their authority,
and requiring them to exact from the settlors all due obedi-
ence; thus making, for the first time, the Governor and
Council officers of the Crown. " Instructions "' were, al .

* E. J. Records, III. 55. Now York Marriage?, pp. G3, 105. Valentine's Manual vt ET. Y.
for 1355, p. 493. Steams' Newark, pp. 52-7.

t Learning and Spicer, pp. 31-32. E. Town Bill. pp. 40-1. Ans. to do., pp. 25-6, 30-1.

150 THE HISTORY OF

sent, from Berkeley and Carteret, to the Governor and Coun-
cil, — a Paper explanatory of the Concessions ; — and a
Declaration to the People of the Province ; both papers de-
signed and adapted to sustain Gov. Philip Carteret in his
pretensions. In their Response to the Petition of the Rep-
resentatives, they give them no encouragement of redress,
but promise to consider their case, if they should send over
any person to make good their Allegations. Pardon had se-
cured an order of indemnity " for the several Indignities,
Losses, and Injuries done unto him by "Win. Meeker, Con-
stable of Elizabeth Town, his Assistants and all others con-
cerned." *

The first recorded proceeding of Dep. Gov. Berry and his
Council, after the reception of these papers, was the issuing
of a proclamation, May 21, 1673, forbidding all persons to
buy the estates of Meeker and his associates, if offered for
sale, of which the constable of the town was to notify the
people. An order was published, the next day, requiring
all malcontents — u those persons who were the chief actors in
attempting the making an alteration in the government," to
make " their submission at the towm of Bergen," on " the
10th day of June next ensuing," " wdien such as are con-
scious of their offences may repair to crave remission,
and after that time to expect no favour but what the Law
affords." f

Not content with this exhibition of power, they issued on
the same day a Proclamation, in which they reminded the
people, that, according to the Declaration of the L. Propri-
etors,

No person or persons whatever shall be accounted a freeholder of the
province, nor have any vote in electing, nor be capable of being elected
for any office of trust, either civil or military, until he doth actually hold
his or their lands by patent from them.

Therefore, they required all who desired to be regarded as
freeholders to repair to the Secretary of the Province, to ob-
tain warrants for surveys ; or if already furnished with such

* Learning and Spicer, pp. 82-41. E. J. t E. J. Kecords, III. 82.

Kecords, III. 64,

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 151

warrants, then to obtain patents in due form, within a limited
time ; ten weeks being allowed the people of this town :

And whosoever shall neglect so to do within the time limited as afore-
said shall lose the benefit of the L. Proprietors 1 favour in the premises
and forfeit such lands as fchey are settled npon ami pretend unto.

With so high a hand, did Berry,

"Armed with a little brief authority,' 1

proceed to carry out his instructions. Such measures, so far
from conciliating the disaffected, and uniting the discordant
elements of the population, tended directly to kindle anew,
and with redoubled fury, the flames of strife and bittern
So slow were the Stuarts and their creatures in learning the
very first rudiments of social and political economy ! *

Meeker and his associates were brought to trial, June 24,
1673, for the damage done to Pardon the year before ; and,
of course, they were cast ; Meeker being condemned to for-
feit his estate to Pardon, and the others to pay each £10.
Meeker was afterwards remunerated by the people, at least in
part, for his losses in this affair.

To counteract and nullify the designs and measures of their
now exultant adversaries, it was determined to send a mes-
senger, with a suitable petition, to the authorities in England.
At the "Town Meeting, July 1st, 1G73," of the Newark
people,

It was Voted and agreed hy the General and universal Consent ami
Vote of all our People, that there should be an Address hy way of Peti-
tion, sent to the Lords Proprietors of this Province, for the removing of
the Greviances incumbent, and obtaining of what may be necessary lor
the Good of the Province. t

A committee of five men were chosen "to consider with
the messengers from the other Towns about sending a Petition
to England." Also "to agree with Mr. Delevall [of New
York], the father-in-law of Oapti Carteret, about Money to
send a Messenger to England." The same course, doubtless,
was taken by this town.

* E. J Eocord?, III. fowtrk Town Records, p 50

152 THE HISTORY OF

Many of the first settlers, here and at Newark, were per-
sonally known to Mr. John "Wmthrop, Governor of Connec-
ticut, " the most accomplished scholar and gentleman of New
England," an humble and devout Christian, and of influence
second to none in America. He was personally known to
Berkeley and Carteret, having spent a considerable time at
court in 1662, in negotiating the Charter of Connecticut. A
full representation of the case is made to him ; and in con-
nection with Mr. Samuel Willis, one of the Magistrates at
Hartford, he wrote, July 2, 1673, to Sir George Carteret, at
London, as follows :

Eight Honourable : There having divers persons of good repute and
approved integrity who were formerly improved in publicke offises in this
Colony, viz : M r Jaspar Crane, M r John Odgden, M r Robert Bond, M r
Abraham Peirson, M r Brewen with many of their Lovinge Neighbours and
friends wel disposed men, of sober and peaceable conversation did Trans-
plant themselves And famalys into your Honours Province, who beinge
persons well known to us, But strangers to your Honour desired us to
give you our Carracter of them that soe they might not bee misrepresent-
ed, whose presence in this Colony was both acceptable, and usefull ; and
theire return To us would bee very gratfull. But that wee would promote
in your Honour's Colony that good worke of subduing the Earth and re-
plenishinge of it, which in this remote, desert part of the world never
Formerly inhabited nor Cultivated is A very difficulte worke, and requires
much hard Labour, to subdue so Ruff and woody A wildernesse. In this
Cold Clymet where clothinge is very Deare, beinge so far distant From
the Market. Soe that the people will need the more encouragement which
we doubt not upon all occasions will be afforded them. Upon which the
progresse and prosperity of your province doth depend. In order to which
we would further make bould to suggest unto your Honours Wisdome
and prudence, As very expedient, that your Colony be Branched out into
Convenient Townshipps, which we findeBest Conducinge to Safty and the
advansinge of Civill Societays. Thus wishinge your Honour all pros-
perity in the well settlement of this your American Province — wee
are, &c.

Of this letter, so complimentary to the early settlers of this
aieighborhood, and so complete a vindication of those worthy
men from the aspersions then and now cast upon them, Capt.
Berry presently received kuowledge, and, supposing that it
was designed to induce the New England people to return to
Connecticut, he wrote in remonstrance, and received, by

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 153

Capt. 'Nicolls, a reply from Winthrop, dated July 29, 1G73,
in which, after correcting Berry's misapprehensions, lie

says :

It hath beene very fan* from my acting or intentions to incourage or
invite any one to a removall thence. I havo often at their first beginning
there and since, as I had occasion, incouraged that good publicke designe
of planting that place, and am alwaies desirous to promote the prosperous
increase of those plantations, and therein, and all other good respects to
he ever Your very reall servant.*

It is not known whether the messenger, with the people's
petition and Gov. Winthrop's introductory letter, was sent or
not. Circumstances occurred soon after, that suddenly put
an end to these negotiations, and brought the town into en-
tirely new and unexpected relations.

* 3 Mass, Uis. Soc, Coll,, X. $5, 0.

154 THE HISTORY OF

CHAPTER VIII.

A. D. 1673-1674.

Capt. James Carteret had scarcely completed his honey-
moon, before he received, by Capt. Bollen, dispatches and
instructions from his aged father, requiring him to retire from
the scene of conflict in New Jersey, and look after his patri-
mony in Carolina. He was now the only surviving son of
his father, — his elder brother, Sir Philip, having been slain
in battle, almost a year before, — May 28, 1672. Bidding
farewell, therefore, to the kind people of the town, he took
passage, with his wife, early in July, 1673, (after nearly two
years' sojourn in the town), on board of a sloop, Samuel Da-
vis, captain, bound for a southern port. Samuel Hopkins,
one of the planters of the town, accompanied them. Eng-
land had now been at war with the United Provinces of Hol-
land since March of the previous year. The fleets of the
contending parties were traversing the seas in search of mer-
chantmen, rendering navigation peculiarly hazardous.

As Davis's sloop was entering between the Capes of Vir-
ginia, a Dutch fleet was seen coming out of James River,
where, July 11th, they had captured, " near Point Comfort,"
several English vessels. The sloop was speedily overhauled
and added to the list of prizes. Capt. Carteret and his wife

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 155

were set ashore in Virginia, to pursue their course further
south, as best they could. Bopkins, because, probably, of his
interest in the cargo, was retained ; possibly, by choice.
How it fared with Carteret, afterwards, in Carolina, and at
what time he returned, if at all, to the Isle of Jersey, history
does not inform us.*

Anxious to get possession once more of their old American
colony, New Netherland, the Dutch commanders rly

sought, of Capt. Davis, information of the defences of N
York. Davis " told them,"

That New Yorke was in a very good condicon, & in all r <lc

to defend itsclfe haning receiued a good supply of amies & ammunicfa
from his Royall Highness tho Duke of Yorke w Ul aduice of their designe
on that place w ch made thera resolue to steere another course, & not goo
to New Yorke, when one Samuell Hopkins a passenger in y e said b1<x pe,
& Inhabitant at Arthur Call in New England, & a professor there did
untarily declare to y e Dutch that what the said Dauis had informed was

* N. Y. Col. Docmts., III. 200. Tho last that is known of him is very deplorable. Jasper
Dankers and Peter Sluyter, the Labadist travelers, being at Harlem, N. Y., Oct. C, 1G79, wore
under the necessity of spending the night, at a house " constantly filled with people, all the
time drinking, for the most part, execrable rum." Dankers says,

"Among the crowd we found a person of quality, an Englishman, named Capt. Cart
whose father is in great favor with the king [James II.], and he himself had assisted in sev-
eral exploits in the king's service. The king has given to his father Bir(G Carteret,
the entire government of the lands west of the North River, in New Netherlands, with p
to appoint as governor whom he pleases; and at this present time there is a governor over it,
by his appointment, another Carteret, his nephew, I believe, who resides at Elizsbethtown,
in New Jersey. This son is a very profligate person. lie married a merchant's daughter
here, and has so lived with his wife that her father has been compelled to take her home again.
lie runs ahout among the farmers, and stays where he cau find most to drink, and
barns on the straw. If he conducted himself properly, he could be not only governor here,
but hold higher positions, for he has studied the moralities, and seems to have been of a good
understanding; but that is all now drowned. His father, who will not acknowledge him as
his son, as before, allows him yearly as much only as is necessary for him to live."

From the fact that his father disowned him on account of his profligacy in his later yoar«,
grew, most probably, the report of his having been an illegitimate son— utterly I
as it is, with tho above statement, and other well-ascertained facta preTionaly adduced in
these pages. James Carteret, it is probable, did not long survive hi* father, who

14, 1679-SO. His daughter, Elizabeth, was married, in Jersey, (1.) to Cartel

Nov. 11, 1C99, to Philip Pipon, Esq., of Jersey. She was buried, on tho annlYerSSry of her

marriage-day, in 1720. Their children were, 1. .Tames, baptised, Oot 1,

Nov.22,1702; 3. IhlavalUa daughter), bap., May 14, ITOe; i. L

Jeane, bap., Mar. 10, 1709; G. Philip, bap , duly 28, 1711 ; and. 7 John,

dell's Island, adjacent to New York, purchased by her lather, (with <

came, on the division of the estate, to Mrs. James Carteret ; and aftei itfa of herself and

husband, to this daughter, Elizabeth. Hereon, Ellas, relinquishing the estate in Jersey to his

brother James, camo to thiscountry in 17:52, and : lion of the island. Oiling

Isle. In 1789, it was sold for tho benefit of his creditors, after which, he is thought to have

returned to England. Historical Magazine, I. 297-9 X. 1M -. Valentine^ Manual for I

pp. 493-4.

156 THE HISTORY OF

alltogether false, that New Yorke was in no condicion to defend itselfe
ag* the Dutch, &c. ; all w ch encouraged the Dutch to visitt that place ; all
theyr cry was for New Yorke, to which place they came ; w cli was pres-
ently taken by them [July 30] : Where the said Hopkins encouraged the
Dutch to proceede to the takeing of Arthur Cull haueing discovered to
them allso the weakenes of that place : The said Hopkins had formerly
made his aboade w th Cap* James Carterett.*

Sucli was the testimony given, by eye-witnesses, on the oc-
casion of investigating the circumstances of the surrender of
New York to the Dutch. Hopkins had been identified with
the popular party in the town, and, doubtless, welcomed the
advent of the Dutch forces, and the change of government,
as likely to put an end to the vexatious exactions, to which
he and his neighbors had so long been subjected. It seemed,
moreover, like a special providence for their relief — an answer
to their fervent prayers. The term set by Berry and his
Council for their submission, was just then expiring, and
they were preparing for another contest, in which the domi-
nant party would be supported by Gov. Lovelace of New
York, and thus enabled to enforce the Proprietary exactions
to the utmost. Berry and Lovelace are now, by a remarka-
ble interposition, summarily deposed, and deprived of all
power to harm them.

It is not strange, therefore, that the sturdy pioneers of the
town, wearied out with the vexations of the previous five
years, should readily give in their adhesion to the new gov-
ernment. Nine days after the surrender of New York, Nathan
Gould of Stamford writes to Gov. "Winthrop, — " Its informed
that Authur Cull M r Cartwright's party hath all ready com-
plyed & the other party is sumoned to appeare next Tues-
day," the 12th of September. It must have been with pe-
culiar satisfaction, u that when Cap* Berry came to the ffort
uppon the Account of surrender M r Hopkins tould him that
his business was done " — his occupation gone.f

Three days after the surrender, Saturday, Sept. T 2 ^-, the
following record is entered on the Minutes of the Council of
War, at "New Orange," as New York was now called :

* X. Y. Col. Docints , III. 200, 1, 13, 14. t N. Y. Col. Docmts.,;III. 201.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. ^5;

John Baker, Jacob Melyn, John Ogden, cum sociis, Deputies from
the village of Elizabethtown, Now-worke, Wood bridge and Piscatteuay
situate in the Province heretofore called New Yarsej, praying by peti-
tion, that they may be allowed to send some Da - from their said
villages to treat with the Admirals and associate Council of war respect-
ing the surrender of their towns under the obedience of their High
Mightinesses, the Lords States of the United Netherlands and hi :ie
Highness, the Prince of Orange, and that no audience be grained to their
late Governor, Capt. John Berry, before and until the mine be granted
to the said Delegates, &c.

Ordered — The Petitioners, namely the inhabitants of the villages of
Elizabets Towne, Nieworke, Woodbridge and Piscattaway, are hereby
allowed to send their Delegates hither on next Tuesday morning, to treat
with us.

The three remaining villages were ordered to send their Deputies
at the same time, or be subdued " by force of arms." *

On the following Friday, ^-th, it was ordered, " that all
the inhabitants of those towns shall be granted the same
Privileges and Freedoms as will be accorded to native born
subjects and Dutch towns ; also the Petitioners and their
heirs shall unmolested enjoy and possess their lawfully pur-
chased and paid for lands, which shall afterwards be con-
firmed to them by the Governor in due form ; " and "the
Petitioners are granted and accorded Freedom of conscience
as the same is permitted in the Netherlands. "f

Again, it is recorded, Saturday, Aug. v^th, that

The Deputies from the Towns of Elizabets Towne, Xeu uorkc "Wood-
bridge, Piscattaway, Middeltowne and Schrousbury appearing, nre or-
dered to call together the inhabitants of their respective Towns, and to
have them nominate by plurality of vote?, a double number for Scbepena
or Magistrates of said Towns ; also from each Town to elect two Depu-
ties, who shall meet together as one Board, and then nominate, by the
greater number of votes, three persons for Schout and three for Secretary.
over the said six Towns.

Bergen had been already provided for.J

Four days afterwards the nominations for Schepena were
presented to the Council, and od the following day, 14,
u John Ogden, Senior, Samuel Hopkins, and Jacob Melyn,"

* N. Y. Col Docmts., II. 571, 9. t N. Y. Col. PocmUj., II. 57G. : lb., II. 579.

158 THE HISTORY OF

were elected " Schepens of Elizabets Towne," and ordered
to " come hither on the first opportunity to be sworn in." *

The several towns chose their Deputies, and these met to-
gether and made their nominations for Schout and Secretary ;
from which nominations, the Generals and Council of "War
made choice, Sept. 1, 1673, of "Mr. John Ogden to be
Schout and Mr. Samuell Hopkins to be Secretary " of the six
towns,

Griveing & by these presents granting unto the s d John Ogden & Sam-
nel Hopkins & each of them, full pouwer strenght & authority in their
said offices. The said Schout together w th y e Schepens or magistrates of
y e respective Townes to Eule & governe as well their Inhabitants as Stran-
gers and y e s d Samuel Hopkins to administer the office of Secretary in y e
s d Townes.t

The Schout and Secretary were, also, directed " to take an
Inventory of the Estate of the late Governor .Carteret."
Captain Knyf and Captain Snell, with Abram Yarlet as
Clerk, were appointed, Sept. 6, to repair to the several towns
"at Achter Coll, and to administer the oath of allegiance to
all the inhabitants." £

Sept. 7th, 1673,

Schout John Ogden and Secretary Samuel Hopkins appearing, com-
plain that Bobert Lapriere hath removed divers goods from the house of
Philip Carteret which he refuses to restore ; also that one John Single-
tary refuses to obey their commands ; whereupon 'tis ordered to arrest
said persons and bring them hither, to which end some soldiers are fur-
nished. They are furthermore ordered to summon James Bollen, late
Secretary of the Province of New Yersey, to deliver up, agreeably to
former order the Governor's papers within the space of 10 days after
this date, or in default thereof, his property shall be at the disposal of the
Hon ble Council of "War. §

This order sheds light upon some of the troubles of the
town. " Lapriere," or Laprairie, was the familiar name by
which the Surveyor General, Yauquellin, was known. Both
he and Singletary (of whom no other record is known),
were arrested by Schout Ogden, sent to !N"ew York, and, on

* N. T. Col. Docmts., II. 582. t lb., II. 595. t lb., II. 595, 8.

§ lb., II. 600. Singletary is afterwards called "Jonathan; 1 ' the same, probably, with
him -who was at Haverhill, Mass., in 1663. Savage, IV. 102.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.

159

the 9th, examined by the Council, the charges against them
being denied. Four days after, Mr. Ogden being present,
the charges were sustained; Singletary was fined £'5, and
put on his good behavior : Vauquellin, was found guilty, not
only of contumacy, but of sedition, and was condemned " to
be banished as an example to others.'' ::

The same day, the commission returned to the city, anil
reported that, on the 11th of September, they had adminis-
tered the oath of allegiance to the inhabitants of the several
towns. They rated " Elizabethtown " at a S<» men, 76
whom have taken the oath; the remainder absent" The
names are recorded as follows :

John Ogdon senior
Sarnuell Hopkins
Jacob Moleyn
John Baacker
Math y as hettffield
Jonathan Ogdon
John Woodrooff
Leonard hendly
Benjamin Price senior
Benjamin Price junior
Thomas price
Nathaniel buniell
Isacq Whithead sen r
Isacq Whitbead jun r
James Bullin
John Ogdon jun r
Joseph Ogdon
David Ogdon
Benjamin Ogdon
Benjamin Parkis
Richard skinner
George Moris
Steven Ozburn
Benjamin homes
Joseph Seers
Joseph bond
Moses Tomson

Joseph Ozburn
Tho 3 Willson

Truax (Dutch)
Tompson
Henry Moris
William Meecker
Joseph Meecker
Benjamin Meecker
Henry homes
Garret Egberts (Dutch)
John . . ttle
Hcndr Jans (Dutch)

Simonson (Item)

Simpkins

Johnson
Humphry Spinidge
William oliver
David Oliver
Charles Tucker
George Ross
Nickles Carter
John Carter
Sarnuell Mash s •: ior

ucll Mash juif
Joseph ffrasey
George Packer

Thomas Tomson
henry Thomson
Nathaniell Tutle
John Pope
Robbert Moss
Pieter Moss
William Hall
Samuel Trotter
Stephen Crane
William Cramer
Francis barber
Henry Lyon
Thomas Lyon
Dirck Teunisen (Dutch |
Jacob Cornelis (Item)
Tyss Servaes (Item)
William Pills
Jonas Wood
Simon Rows
Thomas Jongo
Jeffrey Joik i - out of

the governm I
Roger Lambath
8tev< na Salsberry
Lake Wattson
Ephraim Prit <

* N. Y. Col. Docmts., II. 603, C, 7.

t Alb. Records, XXIII. 2".

160 THE HISTORY OF

The manuscript being torn and defaced, some of the names
are not fully recorded. Others are manifestly incorrect :
" Hendry " should be Headley ; " Buniell," Bunnell ; " Bul-
lin," Bollen ; " Henry Moris," Henry Norris ; " Packer,"
Pack; "Jonge," Young; " Lambath," Lambert; "Stevens
Salsberry," Evans Salsbury ; " Thomas Willson," John Wil-
son ; "John . . ttle," is John Little; "Benjamin Homes" is
probably Benjamin Homan; "Hall" should be Hill, and
"Henry Tomson," Hurr Tomson.

Of those who took the oath in Feb. 166|-, Andris, Dicken-
son, Thomas Pope, Trotter, and " the greater John Wilson,"
had died : three were represented, each of them, by a son.
Shotwell had been exiled by Carteret. Eobert Bond may
have been enrolled at Newark ; Wolverson had returned to
New Orange [York] ; Brackett had sold out to Samuel Hop-
kins, and returned to New Haven; Richard Painter had
sold out to Daniel De Hart, and left the town ; Carwithy had
returned to Long Island ; Christopher Young and Dennis
White had sold out and removed ; John Haines may have
been absent ; and Jeremiah Osborn had either removed or
had deceased; John Winans, Barnabas Wynes, Thomas
Moore, John Gray, and John Parker were residents but not
enumerated.

Two more sons of John Ogden, Joseph and Benjamin, had
come to years; three sons, also, of Benjamin Price, viz., Ben-
jamin, Thomas, and Ephraim; Isaac Whitehead's son, Isaac,
also ; Goodman Thompson's two sons, Aaron and Hurr ; Wil-
liam Meeker's two boys, Joseph and Benjamin; William
Oliver's son, David ; Nicholas Carter's son, John ; and
Samuel Marsh's son, "Samuel ; these all had grown to men's
estate, since 1665. Stephen Osborn, too, has followed his
brother, Joseph, to this new country.

Several new planters had come in, and some, who had
come before, had become land-owners. They are worthy of
being numbered with the Founders of the town, as they came
when every thing was new, and were valuable accessions to
the Colony.

William Hill [not Hall] was a cordwainer, and had come

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 1(31

over with Carteret. lie obtained an allotment of CO acres,
of wliicli the survey is not recorded. He Bold, Jan. 1, 167-f,
his house and lot to Benjamin Wade. He, or his son, of the
same name, was numbered among Mr. Harfiman'a parishion-
ers from 1694 (perhaps earlier) to 1703. He was admitted
among the later Associates, and drew No. 70 of the 100-acre
lots, next to Robert Woolley.*

Samuel Hopkins was at Milford, Ct., in 1658, and j >ly

much earlier. Thence he removed to New Haven, where,
Dec. 5, 1667, he married Hannah, daughter of Capt. Nathan-
iel Turner, of New Haven. Her father was lost, Jan. 1646,
in the celebrated merchantman sent out by the people of
that town. The daughter was baptized at New Haven. Nov.
17, 1G39, and occupies the first place in the baptismal r
ord. Her son, Samuel, was born at New Haven, Aug. 30,
1668, and her daughter, Hannah, May 2, 1670. In the latter
part of the same year, Mr. Hopkins, with his wife and two
babes, removed to this town, induced thereto, most probably,
by John Brackett, Sen 1 *, whose third lot-right he had pur-
chased. Mention has already been made of him in connec-
tion with Capt. James Carteret, from which it appears that
Hopkins was an active and influential member of the church,
and a zealous advocate of the people's rights. Under the
Dutch rule, he was chosen one of the Schepens of the
town, and appointed Secretary of the Province. His house-
lot contained four acres, bounded, N., by a highway ;
"W., by Samuel Sturrige; S., by Elizabeth Creek; and,
E., by John Ogden, Jr., a way passing between them to
the landing-place. lie had, also, 12 acres of upland,
"within the Common Fence at the W. side of the plaine,"
bounded by Joseph Sayre, Isaac Whitehead, Sen', and
two highways. His "great accommodation," as the larger
division of land was called, is not on record Be had a
warrant for 120 acres. He was, doubtless, a trader, and
accustomed to trawl into distant parts, as when he ac-
companied Capt. James Carteret t<> Virginia in 1673. His

* E. T. Book, B. 23. B. J BecOfds, B. 60.
11

162 THE HISTORY OF

death occurred not later than Oct. 1678. His wife survived
him.*

Roger Lambert was a blacksmith, from Wiltshire, Eng.,
and was descended from an ancient Norman family — Ro
dolph de Lambert's, and from a collateral branch of the fam-
ily of Oliver Lambert, Earl of Lavan, 1617. Jesse Lambert,
of Milford, Ct., was his cousin. Roger, who had never seen
him since coming over, wrote to him from this town, Sep.
25, 1684, a loving epistle of fraternal greeting :

After my lone to you with my wife's, these are to lett you understand
that I haue been informed by seuerall of your being att Milforde, in New
Englande, the which caused me to write seuerall letters to you before this,
but neuer could haue one line from you. I haue written very often home
to England — to my father, but neuer could heare from him, and soe y e
last letter that I did send it was to your father ;

and much more of like import, written in a Christian spirit,
signed — " Roger Lambard." He was, evidently, a man of
substance and consideration. ■

He had a house-lot containing 16 acres, 16 by 10 chains,
bounded, N., by the highway; E., by Robert White ; S., by
Daniel Ogden " in y e Swamp ;" and, W., by his own land.
He had, also, six acres of upland, adjoining Capt. John
Baker, and the Common Swamp ; also 8 acres of the swamp ;
also, 30 acres of upland, on the N. W. side of the Swamp,
adjoining Richard Beach, William Cramer, and Nicholas
Carter; and 8J- acres of meadow, on "the Great River Called
the Sound, between two Small Creeks." He had, also, 60
acres u in a Swamp at the Mile brook," adjoining Nicholas
Carter, John Little, and George Pack ; and six acres of
meadow " in the Rawack Meadows : " in all 131 J acres. His
son John, also, had an allotment, consisting of 100 acres on
" the Bay," adjoining Gov. Carteret, and William Letts. f
For some reason, the father had made himself obnoxious to
the ruling powers, possibly during the land controversies of
the day ; and, in consequence, execution was issued, by Jns-

* Savage, II. 462. N. T. Col. Doc, II., 582, 595/600, 2, 5, 6, 633; III. 200-1 213-4. E. J.
Eecords, II. 97, 105 ; o. e. 25. E. T. Bill, p. 102.

t Lambert's New Haven, pp. 205-9. E. J. Eecords, I. 154; II. 19, 29, 89; o, e, 7. E. T.
Bill, pp. 107, 118.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 1G3

tice Sandford of Bergen, to Samuel Moore, Provost Marshal,
against the goods and chattels of linger Lambert, of Eliza-
bethtown, N. J.

John Little was from Newbury, Mass. He was Dear of
kin, probably a brother, to George Little, who, in March,
16G9-70, became a planter at Woodbridge, but afterwards
returned to Newbury. The family were from London. John
Little was a carpenter.' He came here, not later than 1G7 .
He purchased, Dec. 1G, 16T0, for £65, of Evan Salisbury,
William Cramer's landed estate. lie had two house-lot :
one, containing 10 acres, bounded, S., by George Pack; X.,
by William Cramer; E., by a highway ; and W., by "the
highway that goeth' to Woodbridge ;' : the other, containing
9 acres, bounded, S. W., by Eobert White; X. E., by Ri h-
ard Mitchell; S. E., by William Letts; and X. W., by the
Woodbridge road. Lie had, also, 30 acres of upland, adjoin-
ing Capt. John Baker and lloger Lambert ; also, 20 acres of
upland, adjoining Peter Morse and Stephen Crane ; also, 30
acres of upland, "in the plain," adjoining George Pack and
George Ross ; also, 6 acres of swamp, N. W. of the Wood-
bridge Road, adjoining Robert White and Richard Mitchell ;
also, 6 acres more of the same swamp, adjoining William
Cramer and George Pack ; also, 7 acres of meadow, a triangle,
"between the great River and Tomson's Creek;' also, 16
acres of meadow " in Rahauack meadows being between two
Creeks" — in all, 13i acres. Lie married, April 20, 16S0,
Mary, a daughter of his neighbor, Robert White, who, at
his death in April, 1713, survived him. He left, also, four
sons — John, Jonathan, Robert, and Anthony, and thr<
daughters, Martha, Comfort, Constance. His widow died in
1715.*

Henry Lyon was one of the founders of Milford, I .. in
1G39. He married, in 1652, Elizabeth, the only daughter of
William Bateman, of Fairfield, Ct, whither Ik- removed in
1664. In 16G7, he joined the Milford people, and came to
Newark, of which he was one of the founde He was ajp-

* Coffin's Newbury, p. 303. Littcll'8 PttMlo Vu'.Iey, p. 213. E.J. EecorcLs I. IS I
69 ; II. 19, 42. E. T. Bill, p. 107.

164 THE HISTORY OF

pointed, Jan. 166-f, to keep the ordinary at Newark. For
several years, he was Treasurer of the town. He had an al-
lotment of 1301 acres within the bounds of Newark. Shortly
before the Dutch conquest, he became one of the Associates
of this town, where he ranked among the leading men of the
place. His was the largest annual subscription to the sup-
port of the Rev. John Harriman, of whose church he was a
member. He was appointed Justice of the Peace, Aug.
1681 ; also, Feb. 28, one of the Council; also, Feb. 4, one of
the Judges of Small Causes, the commission being renewed,
May 1, 1686. He was a merchant, and of quite extensive
business.

He purchased, Nov. 1674, of John Martin, Sen r , of Wood-
bridge, Capt. Bollen's property, and sold it, the following
year, to Carteret. He purchased, also, March 13, 167-J, Yau-
quellin's house and grounds, for £60. He received a war-
rant for 36 acres, " due to him by Rights and purchase from
others." His house-lot contained 7 acres, bounded E., by
Henry Norris ; S., by Hurr Thompson ; W., by a highway ;
and N, by a by-way. He had, also, 16 acres of upland, ad-
joining the N. side of the above, with Henry Norris on the
E., and Benjamin Parkhurst on the N. ; also, 24 acres " in
the plaines," adjoining Joseph Bond; also, 20 acres of upland
on "the Long Neck," a triangle between Benjamin Price,
Sen r , and Isaac Whitehead, Sen r ; also, 90 acres of upland,
adjoining the plain, Benjamin Meeker, Joseph Meeker,
Robert Bond, Henry Norris, and Isaac Whitehead, Sen r ; also
100 acres of upland, " Lying by the Lyne of Elizabeth Towne
and Newark," having " the boggy meadow " on the E., and
unsurveyed land on the W., the highway to Newark to go
through it, [since known as " Lyon's Farms "] ; also, 4 acres
of meadow on E. T. Creek, 7 acres of boggy meadow " at the
Cove," 18 acres on the Bay, and 20 acres on the Creek,
formerly old John Ogden's : in all 306 acres. He died in
1703, leaving a second wife, Mary.* Thomas Lyon, who,

* Lambert's N. Haven, pp. 90, 1, 3. Barber's His: Coll. of Ct., p. 231. Newark Town
Eecords. Index. Newark Bicentenary, p. 125. E. J. Eecords, I. o. e. S9 ; II. 17, 18, 93, 129,
141 ; o. e. 23; C. 13, 75, 106; E. 531. E. T. Bill, p. 107.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 105

also, took the oath in 1673, was his son, and, at that time,
was about 20 years old.

George Morris was, doubtless, from New Haven, Ct., a
near kinsman of Thomas Morris, one of the founders of
Newark, in 1GG7. lie came here, probably, a single man, as
his allotment was only 90 acres, lie is known on the records
as a " Cordwainer." lie had a house-lot, containing
acres, bounded, E., by Robert Vanquellin; S. by a highway;
W., by unsurveyed land ; and, N., by Benjamin Meeker, and
Vanquellin. lie had, also, 6 acres of upland, bounded by
Benjamin Parkhurst, Henry Norris, John Wilson, and Henry
Lyon; also, 20 acres of upland "on the Plaine," adjoining
Leonard Headley ; also, 20 acres of upland on " the highway
that goes to Woodroffes Farme," adjoining Henry Norn
Robert Yauquellin and John Wilson ; also, 40 acres of up-
land on the E. side of the Plain, adjoining Henry Norria,
John Woodruff, and Henry Lyon ; also 8 acres of meadow on
"the bound Creek," and 4 acres on the W. side of "Wood-
rofFes Creek :" in all, 104 acres. He died, Jan. 1689-90.*

Henry Norris was, probably, from Salem, Mass. The
Rev. Edward Nbrris [15S9-1659] came from England to
Salem, in 1639, and became the colleague of the celebrat-
Hugh Peters there. He left one son, Edward, born, 1(314.
who may have been the father of Henry. The latter came
here before 1670, and proved to be a valuable settler. In
October, 1672, he came into possession of the allotment of
"Little John Wilson," first as Executor, and then, Dec. 11,
1675, as purchaser. 'Nov. 2, 1692, he was appointed one of
the Town Deputies to the Legislature. He had two house-
lots, containing 14 acres, bounded, S. W., by William
Meeker; S. E., by Robert Yauquellin; X. E., and N. W.,
by highways. He had, also, 16 acres of upland, " on the E.
6ide of the Plaine," adjoining Joseph Bond, Henry Lyon,
and George Morris; also, 24 acres of upland, bounded by
George Morris, Benjamin Parkhurst, Ilnrr Thompson, Henry
Lyon, and John Wilson; also, 50 acres of upland, adjoining

•Newark Town Records. Index. Newark Bicentenary, p. 196 EL J. Records, 11.19,
101; o. c. 25. E. T. Bill, p. 10S.

166 THE HISTORY OF

Eev. Jeremiah. Peck, and Joseph Bond; also, 85 acres of
upland, " on the N. of the Plaine," and on the W. side of the
Newark Koad, bounded by John Ogden, J r , Benjamin Park-
hurst,, and Joseph Meeker; also, 20 acres of meadow "at
M r Woodroffe's Creek," having " Geese Creek " on the E. ;
also 4 acres on the Bay, 2 acres on the E. T. Creek, and an-
other plot of 4 acres on the Creek : in all, 249 acres. He
died in May, 1706.*

Benjamin Parkis [Parkhurst] came here from Wood-
bridge, of which lie was one of the first settlers. He proba-
bly came thither with the Newbury Colony, and was of the
family of George Parkis, who settled at Watertown, Mass.,
as early as 1643. He exchanged, Aug. 8, 1672, as already
related, his properties at Woodbridge, with Claude Yallot, of
this town, and became a permanent resident of this nlace, being
regarded with much consideration. He was a joiner, and
was appointed, Mar. 22, 1679-80, Lieutenant of the Company
of Foot; also, Justice of the Peace, Feb. 4, 168 J- ; also, Judge
of Small Causes, Mar. 28, 1683, and Captain, Dec. 3, 1683.
His house-lot, formerly Seeley's, has been described. He
had, also, 30 acres of upland, " on the E. side of the
Plaine," adjoining Henry Lyon, John Wilson, George Morris,
and Henry Norris ; also, 60 acres of upland, adjoining Jona-
than Ogden and John Wilson ; also, 6Q acres of upland in
the Plain, bounded by Leonard Headley, Jonathan Ogden,
Henry Norris, and Margaret Baker; also, 12 acres of meadow
on Woodruff's Creek, next the Great Island, 6 acres on
" Arthur Cull Bay," and 3 acres on E. T. Creek : in all, 183
acres. He died, Feb. 168f-, and his estate was valued at
£118. 16. O.f

William Pilles [Piles, Pile, Pyles] was from Piscat-
away, N. H. He was at Salisbury, on the ~N. side of the
Merrimac river, opposite Newbury, in 1659 ; afterwards, at
Nantucket, and then at Dover, on the Piscataquay. As
several of his neighbors had migrated hither, and settled the

* Savage, III. 2S8-9. E. J. Eecords, I. 5S ; II. 18, 100 : o. e. 23. E. T. Bill, p. 103.
t Savage, III. 85& E. J. Eecords, 1. 134 ; II. 18, 96 ; o. e. 22 ; III. 1G6 ; C. 13, 20, 5T. E. T.
Bill, p. 108.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. » 1(J7

town of Piscataway, X. J., he was induced to follow them,
bringing with him two servants. lie purchased of Gov.
Carteret, Feb. 10, 1 66%, " all his third Lott and hows' on
the S. aide of E. T. Creek. The same year, he succeeded
Luke Watson as Town Constable, lie purchased, June 2,
1669, of John Ogden, Sen r , fur £10, 60 acres of upland and
20 acres of meadow on Rabway A'cck; also, Feb. 8, I'm'/,
Caleb Carwithy's second division of land, 30 acres, i'nv gll.
His house-lot adjoined Nicholas Carter, on the E., and Thorn
Pope on the W. lie had 106 acres of upland, " called Raha-
wack Neck," on "Rahawack River," adjoining Humphrey
Spinage and Luke Watson ; also, 230 acres of upland, " on
the AV*. branch of Rawack River, beginning at a wigwam
called Peters' Wigwam," &c, adjoining a great swamp;
also, 41 acres of meadow, "on the N. side of Rawack Neck,"
and on " Pjlles Creek ; " and 14 acres of meadow, on the S.
and S.AV. side of the Neck : in all 394 acres."''

George Ross w r as a carpenter from New Haven, Ct, where,
in 1658, he married Constance Little, and, the same year, was
admitted a freeman. He came here about 1670. He was
appointed, Dec. 3, 1683, Lieutenant; and May 1, 16S6, one
of the Judges of Small Causes. He was, also, one of the two
deacons of the church in Mr. Ilarriman's time. lie had an
allotment of 120 acres "in Right of himself & his wife."'
His house-lot contained six acres, bounded, N.E., and X.W.,
by highways ; S.AV., by Jonas Wood ; and 8.E., by Caleb
Carwithy. He had, also, 18 acres of upland, ' ; in the Neck,"
adjoining Barnabas Wines, William Johnson, and John
Gray ; also, 40 acres of upland, " on the plaines," adjoining
John Little and the fresh meadows ; also, 50 acres of upland,
" at Rahawack, upon the two mile brook," adjoining Peter
Morse ; also, in a triangle, 6 acres of meadow " at the ( Outer-
most point of Elizabeth Town Creek," and on k> the great
River;" and 12 acres at Railway: in all, 132 acres. 11
death occurred in 17o2.f

Josepii Sayke [Sayres, Sj lbs, Seers] was from South-

* Savage, III. 437. E. J. records, I. 21, 24, -10, 66, 154 . II. 20, 3S ; III. 24 B. T. Bill,
p. 10S. t Savage, III. 577. E. J. Eecords, I. 1C0 ; II. 19, CI; C. IOC. E. T. Bill. p. 105.

168 * THE HISTORY OF

ampton, L. I. Thomas Sayre, of Bedfordshire, Eng., with a
family of several children, emigrated, in 1635, to Lynn, Mass.,
and thence, in 1641, to Long Island. His son, Job, was one
of the six adventurers arrested by the Dutch authorities, in
May, 1640, for trespassing on their territory. Joseph, the
brother of Job, came here in 1667. In December of that
year, he united with others in a petition to the Governor to
have his lands surveyed. His house-lot contained 5 acres,
bounded, K, by Robert Bond ; W., by the Mill Creek; E.,
by the highway ; and, S., by Benjamin Homan. He had,
also, 9 acres of upland, " in the plaine," adjoining Daniel
DeHart ; also, 12 acres of upland, adjoining Rev. Jeremiah
Peck, and Stephen Osborne ; also, 22 acres of upland, " on
the small Neck," adjoining Rev. Jeremiah Peck, and Joseph
Meeker ; also, 9 acres of upland, on " the mill brook," adjoin-
ing Robert Bond, and Robert Vauquellin ; also, 36 acres of
upland, near a swamp, and adjoining George Pack ; also, 35
acres of upland, adjoining Hurr Thompson ; also, 10 acres of
meadow, at "Woodruff's Creek, and 4 acres on E. T. Creek :
in all, 142 acres. He died, Dec, 1695.*

Rtchard Skinner was a joiner, and came over with Gov.
Carteret as one of his servants. He married, May 1, 1666,
Susannah Poulain, one of the French girls that came at the
same time, from the Isle of Jersey. He became, subse-
quently, the servant of Balthazar DeHart, of E". York, and
then of Richard Painter, of this town, whose house he occu-
pied first, after its purchase by DeHart, and then bought,
July 4, 1672, of DeHart's executors. He was not admitted
as an Associate. f

According to the Dutch census, 80 men were residing
here in 1673, of whom four were absent. Their list includes
78 names. At least six more, of those who took the oath in
Feb. 166f, continued to reside here. To these are to be
added the names of as many as six residents not included
in either list : Richard Beach, William Letts, "William
Pardon, Jeremiah Peck, Richard Powell, Vincent Ronyon,

* Howell, pp. 18, 27, 96, 276. Brodhead's N. T., I. 29S-300. Savage, IV. 32-3. E. J.
lEecords, II. 21, 99 ; o. e. 24,^E. T. Bill, p. 104. t E. J. Records, I. 36. III. 8.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 169

and John Wilson. The whole number exceeded 90 men.
Three others, also, came about this time : Simon House,
Benjamin "Wade, and William Looker.

Richard Beach was from New Haven, Ct., of which he
was one of the founders, his name being attached to the
original compact, June 1, 1G39. Zophar, of Newark, 1'
was the son of his brother, Thomas. In L640, Richard
married, at New Haven, the widow of Andrew Hull. He
took the oath of fidelity, July 1, 1(511. His name is of fre-
quent occurrence in the Colonial Records. His house-lot
contained 13 acres, 13 by 11 chains, bounded, E., and W..
by highways; !N"., by Crane's brook; and, S., by Evan
Salisbury. lie had, also, 30 acres of upland, on Crane's
brook, adjoining Barnabas Wines, and William Cramer ;
also, 50 acres of upland, on "Beaches brook," adjoining
John Little, William Pardon, Nathaniel Tuthill, and Stephen
Crane ; also, 10 acres of meadow on the S. side of Thomp-
son's Creek ; in all, 102 acres. His house-lot he sold,
Mar. 31, 1681, to Mary, the widow of James Mitchell ; and
Mar. 31, 168S, he sold all his lands in E. Town, to the
widow Agatha White, who, 16 days later, resold them to
William Darbie of E. Town. He removed, it is thought, to
Morris Co., where many families, supposed to be his descend-
ants, are now to be found.*

William Letts was a weaver, and came with some of
the first settlers, most probably as a laborer. He married,
Sep. 2, 1667, (Justice Bollen officiating.) Elizabeth Laud,
who, also, was, most likely, at service, no family of that
name being residents here. His name is not to be found
among the Associates in the Town's Book, although he ob-
tained an allotment of land. The printed lists of Asso-
ciates in the E. T. Bill are not reliable. His house-lot c
tained seven acres, 13 by 5 chains, bounded, W. S. 'W ., by
Joseph Frazee; S. S. E., by the highway; N. X. E., by
Richard Mitchell and the swamp; and E. S. E., by Simon
Rouse. He had, also, 40 acres of upland on " Pipe Stave

* Savage, I. 1*4. N. II. Col. Records, I. Index. E. J. Records, I. 107 ; II. 19, 37. B. 158,
383, 4. C. C. 64. E. T. Bill, p. 107.

170 THE HISTOEY OF

ridge," adjoining Capt. John Baker ; also, 20 acres of up-
land, adjoining the above, and the great swamp, next to
David Ogden and Samuel Marsh ; also, 70 acres of upland
at "Rawack," adjoining Robert Yauquellin, and William
Cramer ; also, 18 acres of meadow on the S. side of Thomp-
son's Creek : in all, 155 acres. He sold, May 2, 1685, 12
acres on the S. side of the Creek to Matthias Hatfield.
Letts, it has been seen, was a witness for the prosecution
in the Mitchell case, and found the grudge of the people
not the pleasantest thing to bear. Soon after the founding
of Perth Amboy under government auspices, therefore, he
removed thither, where he died in March, 170£.*

William Looker, a brewer, came hither from Jamaica,
L. I. His property there he sold, Sep. 4, 1676, to James
" Heynes," Cooper, of this town. How much earlier than
this he came here does not appear. He was, probably, of
the lineage of Henry Looker, who settled, in 1640, at Sud-
bury, Mass. His house-lot he bought of Joseph Frazee, as
already noticed. He 'had, also, 172 acres of upland and
boggy meadow, u at the head of the South branch of the
Mill brook, or River belonging to Elizabeth Towne," ad-
joining Jacob Melyen, Benjamin Wade, and the Governor ;
also, 100 acres adjoining; and 10 acres of meadow on the
E. side of Woodruff's creek. He resided awhile at Wood-
bridge, but eventually became a permanent resident here.
His Woodbridge property he sold, 'Nov. 8, 1686, to Myles
Forster, of Perth Amboy. He was appointed, Dec. 2, 1695,
a Deputy to the Legislature. In Mr. Harriman's Ledger,
he is credited by " 3 Jorneys to Amboy on Alice Rouse
her business £1. 7. 00." f

William Pardon has figured largely in the previous
history. He was an abject sycophant of the Governor, and,
doubtless, came here, with Carteret, or shortly after under*
his auspices. He was appointed, Jan. 2, 166-J, one of the
Governor's Council, and soon after an Assistant to the

* E. J. Eecords, I. 147; II. IS, 23, 72 ; o. e. 4 ; III. 11, 201. E. T. Bill, p. 106.
t E. J. Eecords, I. 87, 137 ; II. S9 ; o. e. 5 ; A. 40S ; B. 155 ; L. 52, 101, 104, 111. E. T. Bill
p. 107. Savage, III. 111.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 171

Justices ; also, Jan. 5, 167 J, a Justice of the Peace ; and.
July 3.1, 1671, Receiver General. He was, also, employed,
for a time, as the Governor's Secretary. His house-lot con-
tained six acres, bounded, N., by Robert Morse : E., by
Elizabeth River; S., by Nathaniel Tuthill ; and \\\. by the
common highway. He had, also, 20 acn .' upland on
Crane's brook, adjoining Peter Morse; also, 1T."> acr - of
upland on Elizabeth River, S. of the " A.sh Swan; d-

joining Nathaniel Tuthill and Peter Morse ; also a triangle
of 16 acres, adjoining the above, on the River; also, 8 acn •
of upland, "in the name of an Island," in the meadow
below Luke Watson's point; also, 27 acres of meadow od
"the great River or the Sound:' in all, '2'ri acr I:.

addition, William Meeker's lands were awarded him for the
injuries that he sustained, as related on a previous pag
His wife, who came here with him, having died, he married,
Sep. 1675, Anna Bostoe, having, on the 16th, settled on
her for her dowry his house and house-lot in E. T. He
was then, " of the City of New York," having found it too
uncomfortable to reside here, hated as he was by his old
neighbors. In 1679, at his own request, he was discharged
from the Council, and his connection with the town was
finally severed.*

Jeremiah Peck is fully noticed on a subsequent page.

Richard Powell has been noticed in connection with
Roderick Powell. No record is made of his allotments. IK-
resided, for a time, in Vauquellin's house. Gov. Carteret
sold him, Jan. 5, 167J, his Woodbridge land.-, in the d^vd
for which he is styled "Richard Powell, Planter, of Eliza-
beth Town." He removed to Woodbridge, where his wii .
Katharine Hughes, whom he had married in L676, died, May
16, 1689. On- the 1th of December following, he married
Elizabeth, the widow of Thomas Thorpe, of Woodbridge, lie
died in January, 1704.+

Simon Bouse was from Dnxburv, Marshfield District. Mass.
He was the son of John Rouse and Annie, a daughter of

» E.J. Records, L 50, 146; II. 14, 18, 29,89 ; o.e.l; III. 18,5 . -. I '•. ;• 114,188,168.

E. T. Bill, p. 103. t E. J. Reoordfl : I. 98, LOT, 18] ; III. 188. WoodbriJso Town llecords.

172 THE HISTORY OF

John Peabody. He was born in 1645. An elder sister,
Mary, was married to a Mr. Price ; possibly one of the E. T.
family, and thus Simon may have been led hither. He was
here in 1676, and probably some years earlier. No record
is made of the survey (though ordered) of his house-lot. He
had 58 acres of upland on "Rahawack River," adjoining
William Johnson ; also, 98 acres of upland, adjoining the
above on the N. E., and having Robert Yauquellin on the 1ST.
W. ; also, 100 acres on the E. side of the same river opposite
Pope's brook; also, 24 acres of meadow on the same river, 6
acres on E. T. Creek, and 10 acres in the great meadow: in
all, with the house-lot, 300 acres. • He resided at Railway.
His lands here he exchanged with Jonas Wood, May 29,
1678, and bought, Nov, 27, 1679, Yauquellin's land adjoining
his own. He died in 1690, and his wife, Alice, soon after,
without issue. She was a kinswoman of Sarah Manning, of
Boston. Frances, a daughter of Samuel Moore, of Wood-
bridge, inherited the estate, being, probably, an adopted
daughter, as she lived with them.*

Vincent Runyon [Rognion, Ronton] was a carpenter, and,
tradition says, of French origin. He, probably, came over
from Jersey, in a second or third importation of laborers by
the Governor. He bought, Mar. 20, 167|-, of Francis Bar-
ber, Thomas Moore's original house-lot, S. of George Pack.
He was a witness for the prosecution in the Mitchell case,
and so lost caste in the town ; on which account he removed,
not later than 1677, to Piscataway, where he had 154J- acres
allotted to him, Mar. 167-J, on the Raritan River. He died
in November, 1713, his wife, Martha, surviving him.f

Benjamin Wade was a clothier. He was, doubtless, of the
family (probably a son) of Robert Wade, who was at Dor-
chester, Mass., in 1635, at Hartford, Ct., in 1640, afterwards
at Saybrook (where, Aug. 1657, he was divorced) and finally
at Norwich, in 1659, where he died, in 1682 ; his first wife
remained in England, and Benjamin may have been her, son.
He came here not later than 1675, probably much earlier,

* E. J. Records, 1. 108, 9, 139, 159 ; II. 1, 32 ; B. 44, 372 ; D. 59 ; L. 53, 196. Savage, III. 579.
.. + E. J. Records, I. 20 ; II. 69, 74 ; III. 73-80. E. T. Bill, pp. 96, 7.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 173

At his first coming, lie rented Luke 'Watson's house and
grounds, which lie purchased, Mar. 16, 1G7C', for L'lM. The
same day, lie bought of Nicholas Garter, for £30, payable in
Pipe staves, his house-lot and 40 acre Twenty days before,
he had bought, for £39, Thomas Pope's house, house-lot, and
GO acres of upland. Less than two yean after, he bought,
Jan. 1, 167-|, of William Hill, his house and lot. Previous
to all this, he had received an allotment of 14± acres: — 48
acres "in Rahawack Swamp," adjoining Thomas Moore,
and Samuel Marsh, Jr. ; also, 40 acres el* upland "in the
Plaines of Cramberries Meadow," on the S. side of the branch
of E. T. River; also, 40 acres of upland on the north Bide of
the branch, and of the said Meadow ; one acre, formerly John
Gray's, on the S. side of E. T. Creek; 12 acres of meadow at
Rahway, and 3 acres out of Thomas Moore's meadow. He
died about 1G98.*

John Wilson, Carpenter, and John Wilson, Wheelwright,
were both here at an early day, and were distinguished as
"Great John," and " Little John." The former died un-
married, at New York, Oct. 12, 1672, leaving his land here
to Antony Jansen of JN". Y. The other John had a house-
lot, containing 6 acres, bounded, 1ST., by Hurr Thompson ; E.,
by the highway; S., by Joseph Osborn ; and W., by the
Mill brook. He had, also, 60 acres of upland, bounded by
Benjamin and John Parker, Henry Norris, John Woodnitf
and Robert Vauquellin ; also, 23 acres on the S. side of the
Woodruff's Farm road, adjoining John Woodruff, John
Parker, and Benjamin Parkhurst; and 12 acres in the great
meadow : in all, 101 acres. Wilson was concerned, as al-
ready related, in the Pardon disturbance, for which he v
lined, the next year, £10. To secure the payment of the tine,
he mortgaged, Ap. 19, 1GT5, his house and lol at E. Town, to
the Marshal, Samuel Moore, of Woodbridge. Wilson died
a few months afterwards, ami Samuel Moore administered on
his estate.f

* Savage, IV. 37^. Mlaa Calkins' Norwich (Ed. of 1866), p. J B.J Beoorda, I Tl, 2, 8,

159; II. 19, 32 ; A 407; L. 68, 102. E. T. Bill, p. 109.

t N. Y. Wills. E. J. Records, I. 42; II. IS, 90, 100; o. c, 20; III 83, 121. K. T. Bill,
p. 104.

174 THE HISTORY OF

Of the seven Dutchmen mentioned in the Census of 1673,
only two have left any memorial by which they can be iden-
tified. The names of Jacob Tryax [Truax] and Dirck Teunis-
sen, are found among the settlers of Middletown, N". J. The
others were, doubtless, adventurers, wjio disappeared with
the termination of the Dutch rule."*

Capt. KnyfF and Lieut. Snel, having administered the oath
of allegiance to the settlers, swore in, also, Jacob " Molyn,"
as Captain ; Isaac Whitehead, as Lieutenant ; and John
Woodruff, as Ensign, f

Instructions were sent, Oct. 1, 1673, by the Council of
War, to Schout Ogden and the Schepens of the town, for
the preservation of the public peace, and the administration
of justice. Among other things, it was carefully provided,
that

" The Sheriff and Magistrates shall, each in his quality, take care that
the Eeformed Christian Eeligion be maintained in conformity to the Synod
of Dordrecht without permitting any other sects attempting any thing
contrary thereto." Power was given them for " laying out highways,
setting off lands and gardens and in like manner what appertains to agri-
culture, observance of the Sabbath, erecting churches, school-houses, or
similar public works." The Sheriff was to " take good care that the places
under bis charge shall be cleansed of all mobs, gamblers, whore-houses
and such like impurities ; to receive the half of all civil fines accruing
during his term of office together with one-third part of what belongs to
the respective villages from criminal cases." In the nomination of Schep-
ens, " a double number of the best qualified, the honestest, most intel-
ligent and wealthiest inhabitants, exclusively of the Eeformed Christian
Eeligion or at least well affected thereto, were to be presented to the
Governor for his election." J

Some of the Indians having committed depredations in
the neighborhood, Mr. Ogden writes to Gov. Colve, Sept.
29th, [O. S.], for instructions, and receives in reply a letter,
dated at " ffort Willem Hendrick 11-th Octob r 1673, [N. S.],
as follows :

Mr. John Ogden. Yesterday I sent you y e Instructions bij ije waij of
New "Worke since that time I Received y rs of y e 29 th of Septemb r last and
Vnderstood out of y e same y e proceedings of ijour people w th y e Indians

* £. J. Eecords, II. 128, 130 ; L. 17S. % IS, Y. Col. Docmts., II. 620-2.

t N. Y. Col. Docmts., II. 608.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. j 7-

of w ch I do wel approve and according to your desire I wil alsoo Bodeav-
our that Satisfaction maij be given by y* Indian- to y owners to v.
I have once more thought iit thai j Lodian Baohem he summoned to sp-
peare before me to give me satisfaction about it, and that
doth signify to him that I do mooh wonder thai all I ems

hereabouts as also those of y' Mbhacks hav< hereto] I them-

selves nnto me and that he onlij Remains Defective therein when I

wonld willingly Speake w 01 him to know y e Reason ; andth him

& his Company freely to Passe & Repas without any M a you may

alsoo give Order what goods lie hath Tendred or yett shall tender to Re-
store y e people maij Receive from him and lett an ace 1 1 me what
y° losse maij be of y e goods w ch still are wanting. You are also R
to send hether bij y e first opportunity the armes & other goi ling
to Inventory formerly belonging to y e Late Gouvern" Oartrett and to
Cause this Inclosed order of arrest to be published in your Several!
Townes and to order y e severall Olarkes to return an ace' thereof unto
you for to be presented unto me. And lett M r Hopkins Ezamin Q]
what Conditions y e Tennants are Seated uppon the plantations 1
Oarterett and ace 1 thereof Returned unto me; not Else at Present but that
lam, Your Loving ffriend A: Oolve.*

It would thus appear, that the Indians, with their Sachem,
still continued in the neighborhood, and, at times, were n
little troublesome — having, just before this date, carried off a
considerable amount of property, and refused to r< • it.
What the result was is not recorded.

As an illustration of the Dutch Rule at this period, the
following Proclamation of Xov. 15, 1673, applicable to this
town as well as every other part of New Netherland, is
worthy of attention :

Trusty & Welbeloved, Concidering the Manifold Blessi] fa-

vours w"* the Bountifull & Merciful god hath bene pleazed graol >usl,
Bestow uppon this Province and the Inhabitants thereof amoi is

to be Esteemed beyond all others the free & pure worshipp 1 I w

Blessing together w a all others' ought Not only to drawe & ol I
dutifull thanckfulnesso butalsoto meeknese ■ & Rependi our

Manifold sins & Transgressions to the End the - Bl<
our god may be Continued towards us & this People & Country I
from this weldeserved Wroth and Indignation, Know Yee then that

wee have thought it N. & do by these Pr >. Proolaime

an nniversall day of fast humiliation & than< eing n shall be I

w th in this Province on the first Wednesday on every mounth & begnnn

* N. Y. Col. Docmts., II. C33.

* •

176 THE HISTORY OF

on the first wesnesday of the next ensuing month of Decernb r being Sec-
ond day of the s d Month, & soo Alsoo nppon Every first Wednesday of y e
month thereunto Ensuing ; And to the End the s d day of humiliation &
thankxgiveing may bee the better put in practice & due Execution, Wee
do hereby strictly prohibite & forbid on the s d day of humiliation Thankx-
giving all manner of Labour & exercizings of hunting ffishing gaming
Excesse in drincking and the Lyke & all Inkeepers and ordinaris not to
Eetayle any Licquors or drinke uppon Penalty of Corporall Punishment,
To the true p r formance of w ch wee do hereby stricktly order & Co-
mand all Magistrates officers & Justices of this Province & prolecute
against the Transgressions according to the Tenn r : thereof and to Cause
this Proclamation to bee published in due time and place, Soo we Rec-

ommand you to the protextion of the Almighty godt ; Antony Oolve.*

■

An Assembly, composed of " the Sellout and Magistrates
of Achter Kol, to make laws and orders," was held here,
commencing on the 18th of November, 1673. The ordi-
nances enacted were few and simple, pertaining mostly to
questions of morality and religion. They were submitted to
the Dutch authorities for ratification. At the same time,
Schout Ogden requested, that the bail-bonds of Meeker and
Tomson, in the hands of the late Marshal, Sam. Moore, be
put into the hands of Ogden, and the records of the late
government, deposited with Secretary Hopkins. The records
were put in charge of Hopkins, and Meeker and Tomson
were told to bring the matter into court. Moore was ordered,
by the court of " deputed councillors," " to deliver up the
bail-bond executed by " Meeker and Tomson, " on the 26th
June, 1673, to Capt n John Berry then Deputy Governor,"
in the case of ¥m. Pardon ; on his refusal, Mr. Ogden was
required to demand the said bail-bond of Sam. Moore ; and,
in case of default, to arrest him, and send him to the fort at
New York.f

For more than a year, the land was at rest. The people
lived on good terms with the authorities at Fort Orange,
and were secured in the enjoyment of their lands and privi-
leges. Ogden was virtually Governor of the English towns
in N. Jersey, and the government was administered very

* N. Y. Col. Docmts., II. 658.

t Alb. Eecords, XXII. 375 ; XXIII. 19. Whitehead's E. Jersey, pp. 61, 2. N. Y. Col.
Docmts., II. 682, 3, 728.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 177

much after the fashion of New England. Their old troublers
had either left the town, or were kept in quiet, shorn of all
authority. The people bad it their own way.

But the Dutch rule waa soon terminated. A treaty of
peace was signed, at Westminster, Eng., Feb. 0, 107 : , ; . pro-
viding for the mutual restoration of all captured territory.
Possession of these provinces was retained by the Dutch,
until they were superseded by the English, in November
following.

178 THE HISTORY OF

CHAPTEE IX.

A. D. 1674-1681.

Restoration of English Rule — Berkeley sells "West Jersey — Sir G. Carteret
sole Proprietor of E.Jersey — Return of Gov. Carteret — Stringent meas-
ures to subdue the People — Requires them to take Patents for their Lands —
Old Conflict renewed — Compromise proposed, but rejected by Carteret —
Schedule of Surveys — Militia System — Legislature at E. T. — Enactments —
Prices — Act of Oblivion — Thanksgiving Day — Meeker indemnified — Inns
regulated —Marking of Cattle — Troubles with Gov. Andros of N. Y. — Car-
teret seized, and imprisoned at N. Y. — Tried and acquitted — Legislature at
E. T., again — They decline the jurisdiction of Andros — Marriage of Car-
teret — Andros recalled — Carteret reinstated — Legislature meet again —
Collision with Carteret — He dissolves them — Death of John Ogden.

Capt. Philip Carteret, after an absence of more than two
years, returned to his old home, in November, 1674. He
came over from England, in the same vessel with his kins-
man, Col. Edmund Andros, Governor of New York, arriving
Oct 31, 1674. Berkeley had sold, March 18, 167f, his half
of the province for £1000, to John Fenwick, in trust for Ed-
ward Byllinge, of the Society of Friends. Sir George Car-
teret had thus become the sole proprietor of the eastern
moiety of the province, which was confirmed to him, June
13, by royal mandate, requiring obedience, from the people
of the territory, " to the laws and government " of Sir George,
as having "the sole power under" the king, "to settle and
dispose of the country, upon such terms and conditions as
he shall think fit ; " as broad a basis for despotic power as
could be desired. A new patent for the whole territory was
given, June 29, to the Duke of York ; by whom East Jersey
was reconveyed, July 29, to Sir George Carteret, " in as full
and ample manner as the same " had been granted himself.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 179

The " Concessions," so remodeled as to give, to the Governor,
the control of the Legislature, and deprive the people of all
original jurisdiction, were re-issued, July 31, and the same
day, Capt. Philip Carteret was newly commissioned ae Gov-
ernor.*

Immediately after his arrival, Carteret proceeded to Ber-
gen and called about him his old Council , by whom, of
course, he was heartily welcomed. A summons was issued
at once, ISTov. G, calling upon "the inhabitants, by their Dep-
uties, to meet for to hear his Majesty's Letter, the Governor's
Commission, and those Instructions and Orders read that the
Governor brought over with him." Deputies were " .-cut by
all the towns except Shrewsbury ; ' before whom the pap
were read and the Governor's policy set forth. The spirit of
that policy may be gathered by what the Council wrote to
Sir George Carteret on the 7th of November :

We are very sensible of the disorders and troubles that have happened
amongst us, occasioned by some turbulent spirits, which hath cost us
much time, labour and pains to redress, and brought your Honour's Or-
ders, Desires and Instructions to Perfection, had not the Dutch unhappily
come in and nipt us in the bud, to whom these old, turbulent people were
more willing to submit, than to their lawful King and Lord.t

In a Proclamation issued by the Governor and Council,
dated at Elizabeth Town, Dec. 11, they speak of " the late
past distractions of times," as

Occasioned first by the meeting of several male-content inhabitants,
and then by the arrival of the Dutch forces in our neighbor Ooli giv-
ing opportunity to those seditious spirits, to cover their former guilt with
the mantle of treason.

They further say :

"We find ourselves not obliged to countenance the oommissionatii
person or persons, to any office military or civil, who ban patented

their lands, &c., nor to yield the privileges of a Corporation to any other-
wise qualified, than the said Orders of our said Proprietor doth allow.

Notice is thereupon given, "that the Surveyor General, or

his substitute shall attend and remain at Elizabeth Town from

* Whitehead's E. Jersey, pp. G3-5. Mulfonl's N. .1., pp. 159-102, Learning .and Spicer, pp
46-9. t E. T. Bill, pp. 40, I. E. J. Records, III. 9S, P.

180 THE HISTORY OF

the first day of April, until the 15th day. of May following,
for riming out and surveying land there, in order for pat-
enting the same."*

The "Instructions and Orders " of Sir George Carteret, to
which they thus allude, of date, July 31, 1674, were to this
effect :

For such as pretend to a right of propriety to land and government
within our Province, by virtue of any patents from Governor Colonel
Kichard Mcolls. as they ignorantly assert, we utterly disown any such
thing. But if such persons as have not already received patents of their
land from us, shall not within one year after notice to them given of this
our pleasure therein, desire and accept patents of the said land, we do
hereby order our Governor and Council to dispose of such lands and ten-
ements, in whole or in part for our best advantage to any other persons.

All other grants were declared " to be null and void in
law." It was further ordered, by the same authority :

That those persons who were the chief actors in attempting the mak-
ing an alteration in our government be proceeded against, except they
shall immediately upon publication hereof, make their addresses to our
Governor and Council, for remission of their offences ; (further) that all
persons that have sustained loss or damage, by maintaining our just
rights and interest since the 26th of March, 1672, may have reparation
in law.f

These were the orders that the Governor and Council
deemed themselves bound to put in execution among the
people of this town, who had been among the principal of-
fenders in the province. Carteret's residence abroad for the
space of two years, and his attendance during this period
upon a court so aristocratic and corrupt, had, evidently, not
induced him to be a whit more tolerant of the principles and
spirit of the Puritan settlers of the town than before. 'Nov
were the people any more disposed to yield their own con-
victions of truth, of right, of duty ; nor, as has been affirmed,
" to regard with satisfaction the return of their governor."
The only " demonstrations of good-will ' to the Governor
were on the part of those who had sided with him in the pre-
vious conflicts.^

* E. T. Bill, pp. 41, 2. t Whitehead's E. Jersey, p. 66. Graham's

t Learning and Spicer, pp. 51-2. U. States, I. 448.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 181

By the same proclamation of Dec. 11, a General Court, to
be composed of the Governor's Council, was ordered to be
held in this town, on the second Tuesday (9th) of March fol-
lowing; and the Marshal, Samuel Moore, was ordered to
collect the fines that had been imposed on the tw<» compa-
nies that tore down Michell's house and fence, and broke
open Pardon's house. So little occasion had the people of
the town to hail the return of their old townsman, the Gov-
ernor. They had openly espoused the cause of those so-ca: I
rioters, and were not to be driven from it. The Go vera «
coming- was the renewing of the old troubles.

AVearied with these conflicts, the town at length sou "-ht to
make some kind of a compromise with the Governor and
Council. A town-meeting was held on Thursday, the 11th
of March, 167|, when it was resolved to offer the following
Petition to those dignitaries :

"We, the inhabitants of Elizabeth Town, are willing to pay the Lord
Proprietor the sum of Twenty Pounds per annum, current pay of this
country, in consideration of a Township of eight miles square, to be di-
vided according to our Agreement, of first, second and third lots, to be
confirmed by Charter to us and our heirs for ever, with all such privileges
as any other towns in the Province have or shall have; which we do ap-
prehend may be sufficient, in regard of the badness of the soil, which has
deceived us all, and the half or more being but waste land. This was
voted by all present, on the 11th of March, 167|. Voted, Isaac White-
head and George Ross to present this writing to the Governor and his
Council. Isaac "Whitehead, Clerk.

But these gentlemen were determined to abate not oue j<>t
of their exactions. Accordingly, the following answer was
indorsed upon the back of the petition, March loth :

There cannot be granted any variation or alteration from the Procla-
mation dated 11th December, 1G7-4, but accordingly the Surveyor i> n -
quired to attend at the time appointed, and its expected thai Buital
sons bo provided for his assistance, according to the said Proclamation.

By order of the Governor and Coancil,

James Bollen, Secretary.*

Finding no present prospect <>f securing their rights, with
no means of redress at hand, and threatened by their imperi-

• E.Town Bill, pp. 42, 3.

182 THE HISTORY OF

ous rulers with a summary confiscation of all their lands and
improvements, laboring, too, under grievous embarrassments
for want of definite surveys and a recognized title, the people,
with great reluctance, yielded to the compulsion put upon
them, and, without prejudice to their previous titles, con-
sented to receive such as the Governor chose to give them.
One after another they applied for surveys, and warrants
were given them by the Governor ; but so distasteful was it,
that only one of their number, with the exception of Yau-
quellin, the Surveyor, applied within the time assigned —
A]3ril 1st to May 15th, 1675 ; and only ten more, including
Pardon, in the latter half of the year. The Schedule in the
margin shows the date of the Governor's warrant ; the per-
son in whose favor the warrant was given ; and the number
of acres to be surveyed for him. The warrant was ordinarily
in the words following :

To the Surveyor General, or his Deputy. These are to require you to

lay out butt and bound for A. B , acres of upland and meadow

in proportion within the bounds of Elizabeth Towne in right of A. B ,'

and his wife [&c] and to return a certificate thereof into the Secretary's
Office, and for your so doing this shall be your Warrant. Date .*

" Good old John Ogden " was the very last to make ap-
plication for a survey ; and, when he did, it was, doubtless,

* Warrants for Surveys.

Ap. 8, 1675, Symon Eows ISO acres.

May 3, " Eobert Vauquellin, and wife 300 "

June 30, " Charles Tucker 140 "

" " " EobertBond 360 "

" " " Joseph Bond 160 "

" " " Jacob Mellins 300 "

Sept. 12, " Eobert White, wife and daughter 180 "

Oct. 6," Leonard Headley, and wife.... ....120 "

" " " John Parker 90 "

" 22, " Nicholas Carter 360 "

" 23, " William Pardon, and wife 200 "

Nov. 5, " John Woodruff, wife, and three servants 450 "

Jan. 21, 167|, Luke Watson 400 "

Mar. 8, " Henry Lyon, rights and purchase 360 "

" 14, " William Letts 180 "

« " " Charles Tucker, (a 2d warrant) 180 "

" " " Benjamin Parkis ISO "

" " " Henry Norris, self and John Wilson, Carper 210 "

" " " Daniel De Haert, right of Eichard Painter 120 "

" " " Wm. Pardon, right of Wm. Meaker 120 <l

* " " Isaac Whitehead, sen'' . 180 "

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 1^;;

nnder protest, as in the case of the most of his associates.

The surveys were made in due form, and patents obtained;

Mar. 14, 1C7|, Samuel Mooro, right of John Wilson, tho Loss 90 acres.

" M " Capt. Thomas Yountr 240 "

" " " Capt. Jolin Baker, wife and 8 others 1200 '■

" " " Bir George and Philip Carteret, and 18 servants -'700 "

" " " Philip Carteret, right of Abraham 8hotwell 160 "

" " " Do. Do. Do. " Peter Wolverson 180 "

" " " Do. Do. Do. " Dennis White 120

" 1, " Benjamin Wado ISO "

" 20, M Richard Beach 90 "

M H " Robert Moss, and wife 1-n "

"22, " William Cramer l$o '•

" " " Nathaniel Tutthill 90 "

" " " Peter Moss, and wife 180

" 27, 1670, George Ross, and wife 120

" " " Humphry Spinings 180 "

" u " George Morris 90 "

" " " Roger Lambert 120 "

" " " Stephen Crane 120 •■

" " M William Hill GO "

"23, " William Johnson 240 "

« « « John Little, right of self and Stephen Balsbury ISO «

" u " George Pack 120 "

" " " William Olliver 180 ««

" u " Samuel Marsh, Sen r ISO "

" " " Samuel Marsh, Jun r 100 "

" '< " John Pope 100 «

" " " John Carter 60 "

" " " David Olliver 60 "

April 8, « William Pills 320 "

" " " Benjamin Price, Sen r * 270 "

" " " Benjamin Price, Jun r 90

" 10, « Stephen Osborne ISO M

" " " Nathaniel Bonnel ISO M

" 11 " JesephSaars ISO "

" 14, " Jonas Wood 300 "

" " " ThomasMoore 1^0 «

" 25, » Jeffery Jones ISO "

" 27, " David Ogdon 120 "

May 2, " Hur Tompson 120 "

" 9, " Jeremiah Pock 18

« " " Joseph Fraize 120 "

" " « John Winons 120 M

" " " Barnaby Wines 240 "

" " " Richard Michell 1

" 30, " Math: Hetfield 120 ••

" 31, " Joseph Osborne 150 "

" " " Moses Tompson 1

" « " Joseph Mcaker 120

June 12, M Benjamin Bleaker 120 "

" 14, " Benjamin Waide IK

«« » " John Ogden, .Tun' 150 '«

" " " Isaac Whitehead, Jan* 120 "

« «' " Jonathan Ogdon 120 "

Sept. 12, " Aaron Toinson, right of his father, Thomas 120

184: THE HISTORY OF

but, in many cases, the number of acres differed very con-
siderably from the number specified in the warrant ; several
of the people having added to their estates by large purchases.
Hurr Thompson's survey was for 160 acres ; Stephen Crane's,
156; Nathaniel Turtle's, 153; Humphrey Spinage's, 218;
John Winans', 200 ; Matthias Hatfield's, 208 ; John Pope's,
150 ; and Jeremiah Peck's, 223.*

A season of comparative quiet ensues. Carteret applies
himself to the erection of a new and more substantial house ;
for which purpose he leased from Henry Lyon, Dec. 8, 1674,
two acres of Lyon's house-lot, adjoining his own, for brick-
making, at a yearly rent of " one thousand of good and Mer-
chantable Bricks." Yauquellin takes up his abode in "Wood-
bridge. Bollen finds it expedient to sell out to Lyon, and go
down to Woodbridge to live. Pardon, evidently, discovers
that the atmosphere of Elizabeth Town does not agree with
him, and he retires to New York to engage in merchandise.
His former wife having proved a disloyal partner, and ab-
sconded, he procures a release from the bonds of wedlock,
only to bind himself at once to Anna Bostoe, on whom he
bestows, Sept. 16th, 1675, for her dowry, his house and home-
lot of six acres. Being still regarded as an Associate, how-
ever, by reason of his considerable estate in the town, and
continued a member of the Council, he makes request, April
12, 1679, " to be .discharged from all further service as mem-
ber of council, justice, or any thing more to do on public
concerns, but to remain in the condition of any other private
gentleman, f

Some apprehension of famine existed, at the close of the
winter of 167f, on account of the failure of the crops the pre-
vious season ; and an order was published, Feb. 24, 167f,

Sept. 12, 1676, Aaron Tomson, right of self 60 acres.

" " " John Lambird 100 '•

Oct. 27, " Joseph Ogdon . 90 "

Nov.23, " John Simkins. 80 "

Dec. 27, «' ■ Samuel Trotter, right of his father, Wm 90 "

Feb. 1, 167£, Margaret Baker, right of Peter Wolverson .200 "

July 11, 1677, James Haynes, and wife 120 "

Oct, 26, 1678, Mrs. Hannah Hopkins, wife of Samuel Hopkins ,120 "

",. 29, « John Ogden, Sen' .. . .300 "

* E. J. Eecords, II. f E. J. Records, I. 50; III. 158. Steams' Newark, p. 54.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 1S5

prohibiting the export of corn and grain. In the summer of
the same year, the eastern provinces were surprised into a

bloody war with the native tribes, and fears were entertained
of hostilities with the tribes in New Jersey and beyond the
Delaware. A militia system was, therefore, inaugurated,
July 15, 1075, by which all able-bodied males, from L6 to 00,
years of age, were to be enrolled, to supply themselves with
arms and ammunition, and to train four da;, i rv rear.*

The first General Assembly, after the restoration of British
rule, was held here, in Xovember, 1075, beginning on Friday,
the 5th, and continuing until the 13th. Henry Lyon and
Benjamin Price represented the town. Provision was order-
ed to be made to guard against surprise by the Indians, to
such an extent as to show, that the alarm was very general.
Jacob Mollins [Melyn] the Province Treasurer, was to have
twenty shillings salary. Newark and E. Town were consti-
tuted a County.

An adjourned session was held from Nov. 29th to the 9th
of December, when the code of 16CS was revised, enlarged,
and enacted. The following statute shows at least an out-
ward regard for the ordinances of religion :

"Whosoever shall prophane the Lords Day, otherwise called Sunday,
by any kind of servile work, unlawful recreations, or onnecessory travels
on that day, not falling within the compass of works of mercy or n<
sity, either wilfully or through careless neglect, shall bo punished by
fine, imprisonment, or corporally, according to the nature of the se,

at the judgment of the Court Justice or Justices where the offence is
committed.

The following rates were established for country produce :
"Winter Wheat, 5 shillings; Summer Wheat, four Bhilli
and sixpence ; Rye and Barley, four shillings ; Indian Corn
and Pease, three shillings, a bushel ; Beef, two%ence : Pork,
three pence; Bacon, six pence; TryM Tallow, six pence J
Green Hides, three pence; Dry Hide-, sa pel j "Hogfl
fat good and try'd," six pence; and Tobacco, four pence, a
pound ; Beef, fifty shillings, and Pork, Beventy shillings, a
barrel.f

* N. Y. Col. Docmt?., III. KM. E.J. Records, ill. 110, 117.
t Learning and Spicer, pp. 93-103.

1S6 THE HISTORY OF

At the close of the session, an act of oblivion was passed
by the Assembly in respect to the troubles of the preceding
live years, providing :

That there shall be an utter abolishing of all actions, tending to re-
cover damages, costs and charges, for any action committed or done
against any one within this Province, that hath been a party or any way
concerned in the endeavoring and making an alteration in the govern-
ment here settled by the Lords, anytime from the year 1670 until June
1673.*

All previous judgments of Court, however, were to stand.
No abatement, was made of the fines and penalties in the
Michell and Pardon cases. The peace intended to be se-
cured by this measure, was, after all, a compulsory peace,
designed, apparently, on the part of of the government, the
more effectually to establish their arbitrary claims ; of which
they had abated "not one jot or tittle."

Something of the temper of the popular branch of the
Legislature may be gathered from the fact, that Isaac White-
head, the town- clerk, and always of the town party, was, and
continued to be for years, Clerk of the House of Deputies.

Two sessions of the Assembly were held in 1676, the first,
beginning, April 6th, in this town, and the second, from the
5th to the 8th of October, at "Woodbridge. On the latter
occasion, the custom of an autumnal Tranksgiving-Day, so
common in New England, was introduced here, by Act of

Assembly.f

As "William Meeker had been adjudged to lose his estate,
because of what he had done, as the town's agent, in the cases
of Michell and Pardon, a petition for indemnity was sent by
him to the Governor, Council, and Deputies, of which no no-
tice is taken in the proceedings of the Legislature, but which
resulted, November, 1676, in a voluntary contribution in his
behalf on the part of this town and Newark, and probably of
other towns, also.J

During the years 1677-9, the Assembly met annually in
October, at this place ; but in 1677 and 1678, nothing of

* Learning and Spicer, p. 110. % Newark Town Records, p. 65.

t Learning and Spicer, pp. 121, 2.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. IS;

special interest in respect to the town affairs was transacted. .
JSTo collision, apparently, occurred between the people and
the court. Both parties evidently were seeking to "follow
after the things which make for peace." A regulation re-
specting Inns, passed, Oct. 10, L677, is of interest, as Bhowing
the cost of living at that day :

jNo Ordinary-keeper shall by the Gill exceed ten shillings and eight
pence the gallon strong liquors; if by the quart two shillings and six
pence; good wine after the rate of seven shillings the gallon ; <•; nr

pence the quart; eight pence a meal for victuals; 31 . pence a day natu-
ral for pasture for horse in the summer, and the like for winter ; and nine
pence a peck for oats, the ordinary keeper be left at liberty for snch as
will bespeak their own provision.*

Stringent laws were made against selling strong drink to
the Indians, and in private houses, as well as against disor-
derly conduct on the Sabbath-day. Much trouble grew out
of the custom of having a common pasturage for cattle and
swine ; leading to numerous regulations for the branding and
marking of animals, the making of fences and keeping them
in repair, as well as providing a pound for estrays.f

The first travelers, of whose visit to this place we have any
printed record, were Jaspar Dankers and Peter Sluyter, of
Friesland. They visited the town, on Friday, Oct. 13tb,
• 1679, coming here from Staten Island, of which they had just
made the circuit. "Pierre Jardinier," at whose house they
had lodged the night before, brought them,

In his canoe over to the Point of Mill Creek in Xew Jersey adder l-ol.
We learned immediately, (they say), that there was a boat np this creek
loading with brick, and would leave that night for the city. After we
had thanked and parted with Pierre le Gardinier, we determined to walk
to Elizabethtown, a good half hour's distance inland, where the boat v 1
From the Point to this village there is a fine wagon road, but nowh<
in the country had we been so pestered with mosquitos (muggen) as we
were on this road. The land about here is very poor, and is not well
peopled. We found the boat, and spoke to the captain who lei out
two hours afterwards; but as the wind was against going out of the ere*
he lay by and waited for the title. We returned by evening to the Point

* Learning and Spircr, p. 138.

t A register of the various ear-markf» of cattle within the town has been preserved to
present day, which is not without interest to the antiquarian.

188 THE HISTORY OF

where we were to stay until morning. There was a tavern on it, kept
by French papists. "We slept there this night, and at three o'clock in the
morning we set sail.

At the end of a month, they were again at " the Point of
Elizabeth's kil : "

We all went ashore, and lodged for the night in the house of the
French people. We all slept on the floor, and supped upon what we had
brought with us.

Again, Jan. 1, 1680, they say, —

We made good speed past Smoker's hook, and by evening arrived at
the Point of Elizabethtown Creek, in the tavern before mentioned, where
we lodged for the night ; but there was nothing to be had there except to
warm us. We had something left in our traveling sack, upon which we
made our supper, and then laid ourselves down to sleep in our old fashion
upon a little hay, before the fire.*

Gov. Carteret found it, doubtless, a desirable thing to be
on good terras with his townsmen, because of his apprehen-
sion of difficulties with Gov. Andros, of New York. The
Duke of York, out of regard to his brother, or in obedience
to his order, and because of the services of Berkeley and Car-
teret to the royal family in the days of their exile, had waived
his claim to jurisdiction, in his Grant to the two lords. But
Berkeley had retired from the concern, and Sir George Car-
teret was then getting old and infirm. The opportunity
might soon occur of reclaiming East Jersey. The commis-
sion, given to Andros, gave him jurisdiction over all the ter-
ritory from the Connecticut to the Delaware rivers. Andros
wanted but an occasion to assert and maintain his claims. f

The question had been under discussion from the time that
the two Governors came over in 1674. But Andros had
been told to exercise caution in the matter, as long as Sir
George retained the proprietorship. The interests of the lat-
ter were safe in the hands of Gov. Philip Carteret. From
the very first, he had been determined on developing the
commerce of his colony. Many of the planters had been ad-

* Journal of a Voyage to New York and a Tour in Several of the American Colonies in
1679-80. By Jaspar Dankers and Peter Sluyter of Wiewerd in Friesland : Brooklyn, 1867
pp. 147-8, 168, 252-3. + N. Y. CoL Docmts,, III. 229, 240.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 189

dieted to sea-faring pursuits. Their position on tide-water
gave them great i'aeilities for navigation, and they readily
embraced them. Several of them, as has been Been, engaged
in the whale fishery. They were in constant communication
by water with New York. Vessels were fitted out lor the
coasting trade as far east as Piscataqua, ami South i<> the
Carolinas, Barbados, and St. Christopher's. These \
cleared and entered at Elizabeth Town, greatly to the an-
noyance of Andros, though, as yet, he could n<>t openly re-
sist it. In November, 1677, he returned home for further
instructions. Previous to his departure, he paid Carteret the
compliment of a short visit :

November y e 16th the Governo r parted from New Yorke, and went to
take liis leave of Governo r Carterett in New Jersey, & lay there all ni^ht ;
the 17th went aboard neare Staten Island, weyed & went down in y e Bay
neare Sandy point, whence hee sayled.*

Andros returned in August, 1678, having been thoroughly
posted, in the meantime, as to the policy of the Duke. The
colonists of West Jersey were speedily apprized of his pur-
pose to press his claims of jurisdiction to the very letter of
his commission. An opportunity soon presented itself for a
similar interposition in East Jersey :

In the year 1G79, Governonr Carteret declares that all vessels that will
come and trade to East New Jersey shall be free. One M r . Hooper orders
a Ketch from Barbadoes to goe thither upon that proclamation; the
Ketch was brought up to New Yorke and made to enter here & pay the
dutys before she could carry her rumm to New Jersey.

So says Graham, Lord Bellamont's Attorney General, at
New York, in 1G98, giving reasons against a free port in
East Jerse}\f

A meeting of the Assembly was held here, April 3, 161
probably, on account of the above transaction, at which it
was resolved, to raise " the sum of one hundred ami fifty
pounds for the security and encouragement <»t" a Bhip or ves-
sel to come into this Province for trade, by way .»{' Sandy
Hook, to enter and clear in his Maj I m-Honse

* N. Y. Col. Docmts., III. 287. t N. T. Col Docmts , IV.

190 THE HISTORY OF

which is at the Governor's House in Elizabeth Town, where
is the King's Customer and Collector of New Jersey ; " the
money to be used to repair any damage accruing in case of
any trouble from the authorities at New York.*

To be fully prepared for this conflict of jurisdiction, An-
dros, having, possibly, heard, that Sir George Carteret is no
longer among the living, writes, on Monday, March 8 [18,
"N. S.] 1679-80, to Gov. Philip, reminding him of his claim,
and informing him, that he [Andros] had determined to take
possession of Sandy Point and proceed to erect there a fort.
Five days afterwards, 13th, he sent another message to Car-
teret, commanding him to desist from all further exercise of
authority, forbidding all persons exercising any authority
under Carteret, and requiring all constables, whom he at the
same time confirmed in office, to act under his commission.

To all this Carteret replied, on the 20th, as follows :

If you intend to set a fort at Sandy Hook, I shall be constrained to en-
deavor to prevent the same ; and shall be necessitated, if any force be
used, to defend ourselves and families the best we can, which if any blood
be shed it will be contrary to our desires, and the just and righteous God
require it at your hands who are the causes thereof. And therefore we
intreat you to forbear your threats or any other acts of hostility towards
us, until his Majesty decides this controversy, which we shall endeavor
to have effected as soon as possible may be. The occasion that hinders
this from being sent you sooner, is the foulness of the weather hindering
the Councils meeting, as also an alarm we had yesterday of your being
come with your sloops and a considerable number of soldiers which con-
strained us to put ourselves in a posture of defence.

A few days after, 29th, Carteret sent Andros another mes-
sage, commanding that no more of his " Emissaries be sent
or appear here, under penalty of being proceeded against by
imprisonment, trial, condemnation and penalty, as his Majes-
ty's laws direct to spies or disturbers of the peace, unless with
particular message to " the Governor " and so return." The
people appear to have been quite as much opposed to a
change of rulers as Carteret himself, if his word is to be be-
lieved : — " the people resolving to live and dye with the name
of true subjects and not traytors."f

* Learning and Spicer, pp. 131, 2. t Learning and Spicer, pp. 673-7.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 191

The case had now assumed a serious aspect. Resolute as
Carteret was, he had to do with a mosl determined and un-
scrupulous autocrat, It was well that, at the sessions of the
Assembly in November, they had made more stringent regu-
lations for the calling out and exercising the militia, to guard
against the evil designs of their savage neighbo

They have more to fear from the wily Andros, than from
the savage Sachem of Piscatacjua, to whom, six months be-
fore they had sent an embassy of peace, of which " old John
Ogden," at that time a member of the Assembly, was <»ne.
Andros had sent his- writs to all the towns, demanding their
subjection to his authority as the representative of the Duke
of York. The answer sent by this town was, undoubtedly,
similar to that sent by the people of Xewark :

The town being met together the 29th of March, 1G79-80, and gi
their positive Answer to the Governor of York's Writ, (viz) : That they
have taken the Oath of Allegiance to the King and Fidelity to the pres-
ent Government, and untill they have sufficient Order from his Majesty we
will stand by the same.*

The next scene in the drama is well described by Gov.
Carteret himself, in a letter to Sir George, of whose decea.- .
Jan. 14th, 1679-80, he had not yet heard :

Sir Edmund Andross, came hither on "Wednesday the 7th instant, ac-
companied with several of his officers, councellors and merchants, to de-
mand the government of this your Honour's Province, supposing to have
gained it either by threats or flattery, — and having notice of it beforehand
I had gotten together a matter of 150 men in arms to receive him, doubt-
ing he would have brought some offensive forces along with him but did
not, and having leave with his train to come a shore, he came up to my
house where after the civilities past, he began to show by what author
he had to lay claim to the government.

Both parties presented their documents and plea- ; endii
of course as they began :

Bis last answer was, that he had showed what authority he had and
according to his duty did require it iu behalf of his Master, and if we would
not obey him, let it rest at our perils, for that we answered him we had
sent away our Appeal to his Majesty, and should be ready to submit to

* Newark. Town Ilccords, p. T-.

192 THE HISTORY OF

■what his Majesty should determine, and then we went to dinner, that
done we accompanied him to his sloop and so parted.*

What Andros saw and heard, that Wednesday, was enough
to convince him, that neither the court nor the people of this
metropolis were at all disposed to favor his pretensions ; that,
however much the two parties differed from each other, they
were entirely of one accord in looking upon Andros as an im-
pertinent usurper, to be resisted, if need be, by force of arms.

Dankers, who was in the country at this very time, and
cognizant of the whole affair, says, —

He sent "boats several times to Achter Kol to demand the submis-
sion of the place to his authority, which the people of Achter Kol jeered
at and disregarded, being ready to uphold the king and their own gov-
ernor, whom they bound themselves to maintain. At night, and un-
seasonable hours, and by surprise, he took from New Jersey all the staves
of the constables out of their houses, which was as much as to deprive
them of the power to act. Seeing he could accomplish nothing by force,
he declared the inhabitants released from their oaths to the Heer Carteret ;
they answered they could not acknowledge any release from their oaths,
unless by the same authority which had required it of them or the exhibi-
tion of a higher one, that of the king.

The sequel is thus related by Carteret. He says of Andros,- —

After many debates and disputes, we concluded to decide it rather by
arguments than arms, but the rancor and malice of his heart was such
that on the 31st [30th] day of April last he sent a party of soldiers to
fetch me away dead or alive, so that in the dead time of the night broke
open my doors and most barbarously and inhumanly and violently hailed
me out of my bed, that I have not words enough sufficiently to express
the cruelty of it ; and indeed I am so disabled by the bruises and hurts I
then received, that I fear I shall hardly be a perfect man again.

The testimony of Dankers is more full and explicit :

At length he corrupted one of Carteret's domestics, for Carteret had no
soldiers or fortifications, but resided in a country house only. He then
equipped some yachts and a ketch with soldiers, arms, and ammunition,
and despatched them to Achter kol in order to abduct Carteret in any
manner it could be done. They entered his house, I know not how, at
midnight, seized him naked, dragged him through the window, struck and
kicked him terribly, and even injured him internally. They threw him,

* Learning and Spicer, pp. 677-8.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 193

all naked as lie was, into a canoe, without any cap or hat on his head, and
carried him in that condition to New York, where they furnished him
clothes and shoes and stockings, and then conducted him to the fort and
put him immediately in prison. When t! '.zed him at Achter kol

the armed boats had gone home, and the seizure was accomplished through
treachery. Two of the head men of Oi [Bollen and Vanqnellin]

immediately took possession of his papers, Bach as were of importance
to him and travelled, one to Maryland, and the other, crossing the upper
part of the North river, to Boston over land, and both to E gland, in
order to remonstrate. The governor [Andr sent immediately to
Achtcr kol, took possession of the place, posted up o and ci

inquiries to be made for the man who had set Oarteret['fl man, Bollen]
over the river, but without success. While Carteret was in prison he
was sick, very sick, they said, in regard to which there w
surmises.*

Carteret was kept a prisoner at New York, under tin-
charge of Capt. John Collyer, until the 27th of May, when
he was arraigned before a special Court of Assizes, and tried
for presuming " to exercise jurisdiction and government over
his Majesty's subjects within the bounds of his Majesty's
Letters Patents granted to his Eoyal Highness," the Dnke of
York. Carteret presented his " Commission with other In-
structions," in justification. The jury brought in a verdict
of " Not Guilty."

" Upon which," says Carteret in a letter to Bollen, "he
asked them questions and demanded their reasons, which 1
pleaded was contrary to law for a jury to give reasons after
their verdict given in, nevertheless he sent them twice or
thrice out, giving them new charges, which I pleaded as a1 firs!
to be contrary to law, notwithstanding the last verdict of tin-
jury being according to the first brought in by them, — * the
prisoner at the bar not guilty,' upon which I was acquitted
accordingly."

A singular order, however, was annexed to the record :

But the Court declare their opinion and give judgment, that it' be the
said Capt. Carteret shall go to New Jersey, he Ehould( enrityor

engagement not to assume any authority or jurisdiction t : . ivil or

military.

* Learning and Spicer, p. 07?. Bankers' Journal, pp. G17-;

194: THE HISTORY OF

The effect of this order was to give him his liberty on
parole, but to deprive him of that very authority of which,
by the verdict of the jury, he had been declared to be law-
fully possessed.

The trial took place on Thursday ; and, on Tuesday of the
following week, June 1st [11th N. S.],

The governor [Andross] attended by his whole retinue of ladies and
gentlemen, escorted Carteret, the governor of New Jersey, in great pomp,
home to Achter kol ; with all the magnificence he could.

Carteret drew up the necessary papers, and sent them, as
he tells Bollen, July 9, 1680, by the hands of "Mr. George
Heathcott for England," to be laid before the Home Govern-
ment.*

In the mean time Andros had called a General Assembly
to meet in this town, on the 2d of June, five days only after
the conclusion of Carteret's trial, and the day after his return
to the town ; at which time he presented himself befo v e
the Deputies with " the King's Letters Patents," under the
Great Seal of England, and claimed, contrary to the jury
verdict, to be their right and lawful Governor. He brought
with him, also, a copy of the Hempstead Code of Laws to be
adopted and enacted by the Assembly.

True, however, to their oaths of fidelity, the Deputies re-
turned for answer, that

As we are the Representatives of the Freeholders of this Province, we
dare not grant his Majesty's Letters Patents, though under the Great Seal
of England, to be our rule or joint safety for the Great Charter of England,
alias Magna Oharta, as [is] the only rule, privilege and joint safety of
every freeborn Englishman.

At the same time, they presented Andros with a copy of
their own Laws, as enacted by previous General Assemblies,
declining to exchange them for the " Duke's Laws." Andros
gained nothing by his visit here, but a tacit acquiescence, on
the part of the people, in the existing state of things, until
the authorities in England could be heard from.f

Carteret returned to his residence here, and devoted him-

* Learning and Spicer, pp. 683, 4. lb., p. 679. linkers' Journal, pp. 346, 8.
t Learning and Spieer, pp. 6S0-3.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 195

self to the improvement of his estate, and the construction of
his new house, for which he had been making preparation.

He improved his leisure, also, in making Bome friendly visi
either to the city, or to Lou-- bland, resulting in hie marriage,
April, 1G81, to Elizabeth, the widow of ('apt. William Law-
rence, of Tew's Neck, L. I., who had died in 1680, in the 58th

year of his age. Mrs. Oarteret was the dan-liter of Richard
Smith, patentee of Smithtown, L. I., and brought with her, to
this town, seven children: Mary, Thomas, Joseph, Richard,

Samuel, Sarah, and James. Samuel died Aug. L6, L687,
aged 15 years, and Thomas, Oct. 26, 1687, aged 19 years : and
both were buried in the rear of the meeting-house. Their
t graves are now covered by the First Presbyteriau Church,
and their monuments adorn the rear wall of the building,
being the most ancient stones in the Cemetery. This was,
in all probability, the Governor's first marriage, no allusion
to any other having been discovered. lie resumed office by
proclamation, March 2, 16SJ."

The controversy with Andros had brought into prominence
the fundamental constitutions of the government. Carteret.
in his triumph over Andros, was disposed to stretch his pre-
rogative to the utmost, as if in condensation for his recent
expulsion from power. The town, as well as the other parts
of the Province, was now agitated very considerably by this
question. The Assembly met here, Oct. 19, 1681. At the
very opening of their sessions, the Deputies determined to
re-assert and establish their fundamental rights, according to
the terms of the Concessions, as originally published in 161

A conflict ensued, which resulted in the dissolution of the
Assembly by the Governor, a few days after they met.

Carteret had learned nothing by his troubles, and his long-
continued association with the people. The breach I en

them must have been greatly widened by this transaction.
It was the first time he had ventured to exercise this doubt-
ful and dangerous prerogative. f

* Scot's Model of E. Jersey, p. 13. r >. Thompson's L. I.. II Hiker's Newtown, pp.

2S2, 3. N. York Marringos, pp I 3, US Whitehead 1 ! E -' .. p. B6. frttmlng and Spicer, pp.
6S5-7. t N. Y. Col. Docmts., III. 293-SuO. Whitehead's E. Jersey, pp. BO, IM-ft

196 THE HISTORY OF

An unquiet time these humble pioneers had, it must be
admitted. Seventeen years had passed since Baker and
Bailey, Ogden and Watson had acquired, lawfully and hon-
orably, a title to the soil, and entered into possession. Yet,
year after year, almost from the beginning, they were coming
into collision with the ruling powers of the territory, and
compelled to resist what they could not but regard, as en-
croachments on their vested and sacred rights. Some few of
them, wearied with conflict, had parted with their interest to
others, and removed. But by far the most of them remained,
and manfully maintained the principles so dear to them.

Nor were these troubles without their use. They served
to strengthen and develop character ; fostering and bringing
into active exercise, in a remarkable degree, an intelligent
love for freedom, for independence, for well-regulated self-
rule, for constitutional principles, for popular rights ; pre-
paring them, all the better, for the work of laying the foun-
dations of the town, the state, the church. Their children,
too, who were just coming to years, were thereby subjected
to an admirable training, fltting;them to occupy the place and
do the work of the founders, when these sturdy yeomen
should cease from their care and toil.

One by one, they were dropping into the grave. Seeley,
Andris, Dickinson, Pope, Simpkin, Trotter, Hopkins, Parker,
Wilson, Goodman Tomson, Bond, and possibly others, had
gone the way of all the earth. And now " good old John
Ogden," whose wanderings for forty years had justly entitled
him to rank with the " Pilgrim Fathers," — the acknowledged
pioneer of the town, in whose house the first white child of
the settlement was born, the accepted leader of the people,
a pillar in the church and in the state, honored and trusted by
all, — just as the year 1681 is expiring, lies down and dies ;
leaving the impress of his political and religious principles,
not only upon his children, but upon the community that he
has so largely aided in founding. A man he was of more
than ordinary mark — a man of sterling worth ; of whom the
town, as well as his numerous posterity, should be gratefully
mindful. He was called a "malcontent," and regarded as

ELIZABETH, NEW JEBSET. L97

"the leading malcontent of Elizabeth Town ;' hut Burelj
tlie man that was held in such high esteem by the accom-
plished, sagacious and pious Winthrop, — the man who, both
at Southampton and here, had been an honored magis-
trate, loved and trusted by the people, and, during the Dutch
rule, the virtual Governor of the English portion of the
Province, is not to be ranked with restless agitators because
of his persistent opposition to an arbitrary governmi A

true patriot, and a genuine Christian, he devoted himself
while living to the best interests of the town, and dying be-
queathed to his sons the work of completing what he had so
fairly and effectually inaugurated — the establishment of a
vigorous plantation founded on the principles of civil and
religious liberty.

198 THE HISTORY OF

CHAPTEK X.

A. D. 1664-1682.

Ecclesiastical — Church early organized, of Puritan type— First Meeting-House
and Grounds — Ministry — Rev. Thomas James — Rev. Jeremiah Peck —
Rev. Seth Fletcher.

The early religious history of the town is involved in great
uncertainty. But few memorials remain, from which any
thing, respecting the ecclesiastical affairs of the town, during
the first score of years, can be learned. It is known, that
the greater part of the settlers, and especially the leading
men, were professing Christians, God-fearing men, of Puri-
tan principles, and religiously observant of the ordinances of
Christianity ; that they were early organized as a Christian
Church ; that this was the only church-organization in the
town for forty years ; that, soon after their arrival, they
erected a " meeting house," in which they were wont to
worship on the Lord's Day, and hold their town-meetings.
But, of the date of these events, and of the circumstances
connected with the founding of the church, and the erection
of the meeting-house, nothing is known.

Mention is made of " the town house," as early as June,
1671. Pardon, in his testimony relative to the Michell case,
says, " that on the 19th of June, 1671, he was at a meeting of
several inhabitants of this town who were met together at
the town house." It was, in all probability, in this " town
house," that the first General Assembly of the Province met,
May 26, 1668, and subsequent Assemblies, also, met. In the
Act of 1682 for the erection of County Courts, it is provided,
that " the County of Essex Sessions ' : shall be held " in the
publick Meeting House of Elizabeth Town," twice in the

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. IO'.i

year. The "town-house' and the " meeting-house ' were
one. The Puritans did not believe in consecrated plac

and so had no scruples in respect to the transaction of secu-
lar business in their meeting-houses. As John Ogden had.
more than a score of years before his coming here, Jted

the stone church in the fort at New Amsterdam, and had,
soon after his coming, put up and operated a Baw-mill at the
bridge; and as several of the original A itee \ car-
penters and joiners ; it is more than probable, thai
their first public concerns was the building of their meeting-
house. As early as Feb. 19, 166-J-, they held "a meeting
court," at which the whole town was present, and Bixty-five
men took the oath of allegiance and fidelity. The house had.
most likely, been built before this date.*

Nothing can now be determined as to its size, cost, arrang
ments, or general appearance. Something may be conjec-
tured, by reference to the town house at Newark, built in
1609, which was to be erected "with a Lenter to it all the
Length which will make it Thirty Six foot Square, with the
doors, and Windows, and Flue Boards at the Gable Ends ;" to
cost seventeen pounds, and the Town to furnish the timber.
It was a frame building, and, probably, somewhat larger and
more sightly than the one at Xewark.f

The lot, on which the house was built, included the presenl
burying-ground of the First Presbyterian Church, extent
on the west to the river, and contained about eight acr
The earliest survey of the lot, now to be found, bears di
dune 5, 1732, and was made by Joseph Man, Surveyor.
is recorded by Jefferys, the Town Clerk, in these words:

Surveyed for the Committee of the Freeholders of Elizabeth town I
meeting house Lot beLooging to 3 - Eli town Begining at y* : n : E:
Corner of m* will™ Williamsons li.ni-' Lot thence Rnning North
deg : 7: m: & a | wesi L8:Ohanes: 75: Linl mil! ' thence

Kuiiin^ :i ■; y s' 1 River Huns: 2: Chan & a j to m r . Jewels 1
thence Runing South. 88 : degr - . Easl fifteen Chai , 16: Lin
highway thence Rnning Sonth 15 deg - . & a | west 9: Ohanes : &
[inks to j« first mentioned place Bounded 00 . S ith by Oap: william-

* Learning and Spicer, pp. 77, 881 E. T Bill, p. -.in

t Newark Town B pp. 10,11.

200 THE HISTORY OF

sons and west by y e mill Eiver and north by mr. Jewels and East by y e
highway, the Contents of: y e aboue. s d . peace of Land is Seuen acres and
foure hundred parts of one acre which is but a Narey small mater a bout
6 Rod & all most a \.

Another survey was made by Joseph Morss, May 22, 1766,
including more ground on the South, and estimating the whole
as containing about eight acres. The Trustees claimed " that
the first Purchasers & Associates did give the af d Tract of
Land, for the Use of a Presbyterian Church, the Record of
which on or about, the year 1719 was either lost or destroyed."
Whereupon the Committee of the Freeholders allowed " the
above Lot of Land to the s d Trustees their Heirs & Succes-
sors on the Right of Matthias Hatfield, one of the s d Asso-
ciates." *

The meeting-house occupied the site of the present church ;
but, as it was much smaller, it did not cover much, if any,
more than the front half — the other half containing the graves
of most of the first settlers. Graves were sometimes dug " in
the church," as will appear on a subsequent page; so that
nearly the whole area of the First Church, probably, is occu-
pied with the remains of the first two or three generations of
the people of the town.f

Provision was made, by the Associates, for a " Town Lott
for the Minister ; " who was to have " a third Lot Eight in
the p r misses ; " and reference is occasionally made, in the
Records of Surveys, to u the parsonage lot ; ' but the survey
of the lot itself, and of the first and second divisions of the
third-lot right, is not on record. £

The Rev. Thomas James, pastor of the Church of East
Hampton, L. I., as already stated, had been chosen the first
minister of the town, and had consented to cast in his lot
with them ; but was persuaded, by those of his people who
remained, to abandon the enterprise. 'Great must have
been the disappointment, especially to the godly men and
women who composed so large a part of the community, as,
from the scarcity of worthy ministers of the gospel, it was

* E. Town Book, B., pp. 47, 170-1. $ E. Town Book, B. p. 2.

t Trustees' Book, Mar. 24, 1766.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. Of)i

no easy matter to supply his place. Thai it was supplied,
to some extent, can scarcely be questioned.

But whence their pnlpit was Bupplied for the first two
years is not known. Possibly Bome one of the ministers of
Long bland, or Connecticut, may have made them an occa-
sional visit. The venerable Pierson may have made them
a visit, before he removed to Newark, < >«■-,. 1, L667. Daven-
port, or Street, may have come on from New, Haven, to 1
after the scattered sheep of their flock. Newton, from Mil-
ford, or Eliot, from Guilford, or Bishop, from Stamford,
may, for a like reason, have made them an occasional vi
The venerable John Young, of Southold, had two Bons in the
colony and several of his flock, whom he may have visi
now and then. The same may have been true of Jami
of East Hampton, Fordham, of Southampton, Leverich, i '
Huntington, and Walker of Jamaica ; or some recent graduate
of Harvard, or some probationer of more humble pretensions,
may have here made trial of his gifts ; or they may have had
to rely only on " deacon's meetings," as they were called.

REV. JEREMIAH PECK.

The Rev. Jeremiah Peck became a freeholder of tl
town, as early as 16GS. The home-lot of Capt. Rob*
Seeley, deceased, is described, Nov. 2, 1668, as lying " be-
tween the Personage Lott and Jeremiah Peck' The
precise date of his coming is not stated.-'

He was the eldest son of Dea. Wm. Peck, of New Baven,
Ct. ; was born near London, Eng., in 1022, or 1623 ; and,
at the age of fifteen, accompanied his father, in the Bhip
Hector, to this country, arriving at Boston, June 26, L687.
Thence Dea. Peck, with his family, proceeded to New
Haven, in 1G39, and became one of the founders of that
town. According to Cotton Mather's statement, Jeremiah
studied at Harvard Coll graduating in L654. bis

name is not included in the Harvard Catalog BLe wi

at this time, in his 32d year; and must, therefore, have
commenced his Btudiea Late in life.f

* E. J. Records, I. c», 7. t Savage's Gen. Diet, III. 881. M ■ mpoUs.

202 THE HISTOKY OF

Devoting himself to the work of teaching, he was employ-
ed at Guilford, Ct., where, 'Nov. 12, 1656, he married
Johannah, daughter of Robert KitcheH, of that town; and
where, Jan. 18, 1659-60, his eldest son, Samuel, was born.
In the Records of the Colony of New Haven, under date of
June 28, 1660, appears the following entry : —

It was agreed that M r Pecke, now at Guilford, should be schoole-
master, and that it should begin in October next, when his half yeare
expires there ; he is to keepe y e schoole, to teach the schollers Lattine,
Greek and Hebrew, and fitt them for the Colledge ; and for the salary,
he knowes the alowance fro the colony is 40 u a yeare and for further
treaties they must leave it to New haven, where the schoole is ; and for
further orders concerning the schoole and well carrying it on, the elders
will consider of some against the court of magistrates in October next,
when things as there is cause may be further considered.

Mr. Peck accepted the appointment, and returned to his
old home, in Oct. 1660, a house and a plot of land being
also allowed him. Under date of May 29, 1661, the follow-
ing record is made : —

There was sundry propositions presented by Mr. Pecke, schoolemaster,
to this Court as followeth : (in all fifteen, relative to the school ; closing,
as follows) : these things being suitably considered and confirmed, if it
please the honoured court further to improue him who at present is
schoole master, although unworthy of any such respect, and weake for
such a worke, yet his real'l intention is to giue vp himselfe to the work
of a grain er schoole, as it shall please God to giue opportunity and
assistance.

His propositions, with some considerable modifications,
were accepted, with which " M r Pecke seemed to be very
well satisfied."

Nov. 5, 1662. M r Pecke ppounded about some dhTerance betwixt
the treasurer & himselfe in making vp their accounts, but the Court left
it to them to issue it between themselves.

It was alsoe ppounded about 4 n abated of M r Pecke's sallary, for some
time that he left y e schoole, whether it should not return to y e jurisdic-
tion. Owino; to the distraction of the time the school was laid down.*

This settlement of accounts was owing to his removal, a
year previous, to the town of Say brook, having entered into

* N. Haven Colonial Eeeords, II. 377, 407, 8; 471, 2.

KLIZABETn, NEW JERSEY. 9<>3

an agreement with the people, Sept. 25, L661, to labor
among them in the work of the ministry, and to receive, ae

a settlement, £100, in lands in fee, and 655, in B house and
lot to revert to the town it' he removed within live years;
his salary to be £60, a year, to be paid in two firkins "1"
butter, and the rest in corn and flesh at current prices : hi
maintenance to be, if necessary, increased. Bis ordination
must have taken place in the latter part of 1661, or early
part of 10G2,"

The people of Saybrook were either a little fastidious, or
reasonably convinced that Mr. Peck was nol jusl tl
preacher that they needed, as appears from the followii
letter :

Anno Domini 63 feb. 2 Respected and loving ffrienda the Inhabit)
and planters of Seabroke I understand and that from divers that there
much Dissatisfaction with Reference to myselfe in respect to my proceed-
ing in the Ministiy at least to a settlement and that there ar d in
many to provide themselves with a more able Help: I do freely have my-
self to the providence of God and the Tiiots of his people : and so far a- 1
am any waves concerned herein I doe leave the Towne wholly to their
own Liberty to provide for themselves as God shall direct: and with re-
spect to laying aside the future Term of years expressed in the Covenant
as also of laying me aside from an Employment of so great a Concernment
I do desire that these Things may be duly considered and dealt tenderly
in that I may not be rendered useless in future service for (!od : altho I
am unworthy to bo improved so I am yours in what 1 may as God shall
please to direct and enable.t

Notwithstanding these difficulties, he continued at Say-
brook nearly two years longer, closing his engagement, dan.
30, 166$, the town " giving him full possession oi' his accom-
modation," and purchasing it of him for his successor, lie
returned to Guilford, where he found his father-in-law, mai
of the Guilford people, and the greater part of Branford with
Mr. Pierson, their aged minister, talking aboul a removal to
New J* Casting in his Lot with them, ho came t"

Newark, either in the autumn of L666, or the spring of 1<>»I7,
and became ^nv <>f the founders of the town. Hi- house-lot
was on the E. corner of Market and Mulberry Bts., adjoining

* Bronson's Waterbury, pp. 2'tl-lJ. \ SI ' Itinerary, in Y I I.S.III I

204 THE HISTORY OF

his father-in-law's, on Mulberry st., and Obadiah Bruen's on
Market st. It is probable, that he served the town in the
ministry until Mr. Pierson's arrival, Oct. 1, 1667.*

The close relations, that subsisted between the people of
this town and Newark, may have led them to seek a supply
for their vacant pulpit at Newark. Mr. Peck was not
needed there, after Mr. Pierson came, and, in all probability,
soon after removed to this town, and entered on the work of
the ministry here, occupying himself, also, as a teacher of
the rising generation. As stated before, he was a townsman
in November, 1668, and may have been such for a year
previous. In July, 1670, the people of Woodbridge instruct-
tecl their committee for the supply of the pulpit, to apply to
"Mr. Peck of Elizabethtown," or "Mr. Samuel Treat, to
preach six or seven months." A subsequent application, May,
1675, was made to Mr. " Jeremiah Peck," but with no better
success. f

It is evident that Mr. Peck was known extensively as a
minister of the gospel. An application for his ministerial
services was made in March, 167f , by the people of Jamaica,
L. I. At a town meeting, March 6, 167-|, they made " choise
of Jonas holsteade & John Foster to goe to Mr rs Pek or any
other minister that may be procured to come and live
amongst us as our minister." In the Records of the Prov-
ince of E. Jersey, he is designated as " Clarke," or Clergy-
man. J -^

In the absence, therefore, of all evidence to the contrary,
it is safe to conclude, that Mr. Jeremiah Peck came to this
town as early as 1668, on invitation of the people, to serve
them in the ministry of the gospel ; and that he is to be re-
garded as the first pastor of the church in this place. His
house-lot is described as containing 5 acres, 13 by 4 chains,
bounded, N. & E., by highways ; S., by Ben. Parkis (for-
merly Capt. Seeley's) ; and W., by the Mill Creek. He had
an allotment of 180 acres, with a third-lot right.§

In 1672, he became, with others, a purchaser from the In-

* Newark Town Kecords, pp. 3, 5, 10. E. J. Eecords, II. 9S.

t Whitehead's Amboy, p. 3S1. $ Macdonald's Jamaica, p. 59. § E. J. Eecords, II. 98.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 205

dians, of a tract of land, in the western part of the present
town of Greenwich, Ct. In the autumn of L678, he accepted
an invitation to settle with them in the ministry, where he
continued until 1690; when, having made himself obnoxious
to some of the Greenwich people, by his opposition to "the
half-way covenant," and having been invited to settle at
Waterbury, Ct., he entered upon the pastoral work at the
latter place, and continued there until his death, June 7.
1690, in the TSth year of his age. His eldest Bon, Samuel,
remained at Greenwich, and became the father of the numer-
ous family of that name in that vicinity.*

REV. SETH FLETCHER.

The second minister of the town was the Rev. Setb
Fletcher. After the removal of Mr. Peck at the close of
1678, there is nothing on record to show, that any minister
of the gospel had become a permanent resident until the
summer of 16S0, when Mr. Fletcher was employed to
preach.

He was the son of Robert Fletcher, of Concord, Mass., who
died, April 3, 1677, aged 85. His sister, Hope, was married
to the Rev. Samuel Stow r , son of Thomas Stow, of Concord, a
graduate of Harvard in 161:5, the first minister of Micldletown,
Ct., from 1616 to 1655, and thenceforward a citizen of Mid-
dletown till his death, in 1701. Mr. Fletcher made a profes-
sion of religion, at Hampton, JS". H., in early life, under the
ministry of the Rev. Timothy Dalton, with whom he studied for
the ministry. He married, previous to 1655, at Portsmouth,
N. H., Mary, the only daughter of Maj. Bryan Pendleton,
a man of considerable property and distinction. Their only
child inherited, at his grandfathers death, in 1681, the home-
stead at Winter Harbor, Me. As early as 1655, Mr. Fletcher
became the minister of Wells, Me. ; but, owing mainly to the
laxness of his views on the Banctificatioo of the Sabbath, he
was dismissed, in Oct., 1660. From this time until the
breaking out of the Indian War, in 1<'»7.\ he resided at Saco,
Me., supplying the pulpit, except for Bhort intervals, from

* Bronson's Waterbury, pp. 201-12. Mead's Hist of Greenwich, pp. 67, s 106,

206 THE HISTORY OF

year to year. Retiring with his father-in-law from the ex-
posed frontiers, he tarried awhile at Salem. Mass., where he
preached occasionally for the Rev. John Higginson, at whose
instance, in 1676, he visited the towns on the east end of Long
Island. Fordham, of Southampton, had died in 1674, and
had been succeeded, until July, 1676, by John Harriman.
Pie had now returned to New Haven, and Mr. Fletcher was
employed as his successor.*

Mr. Fletcher remained at Southampton about four years,
(1676-80) ; at the expiration of which time he was induced
to remove, and become the minister of this town, in the sum-
mer or autumn of 1680. Of his ministry here, the only me-
morial is a letter to Mr. Increase Mather of Boston, dated
"Elizabeth Towne, March 25,1681." It is a document of
great interest, and the earliest ecclesiastical memorial of the
town. It presents some facts not otherwise known : —

Eev. Sir : You may please to call to mind that since I saw you in March
(or Aprell) the year past, I wrott a Letter to you bearing date May 28 ;
1680, and another before that, May 10, 1680. That upon May 10 (espe-
cially) being about Mr. Gershom Hobart's 16s. 6d. which he is indebted
to mee, and Mr. Trapp's Exposition from Komans to the end of the Bible
(in quarto.) I never heard from you since what hath been done with it.
I am now more remote and so the more to secke of cash. New York not
being such a place for the production of money as Boston is. Be pleased
therefore to acquaint Mr. Bateman at the draw bridge foote what you
have done, or like to doe, or are inclined to doe about it. I have been
much molested with Quakers here since I came. New ones comeing in
one ofter another. Upon February last past upon the motion of two of
the sect, one of which two is a schoolemr to some children in the towne
(by nation a Scott, by name John Usqnehart,) by former profession (as
fame makes known to mee) a Popish Priest. A sch oiler he doth prof esse
himselfe to be, and I find that he hath the Latine tongue. The businesse
of that day was for mee to maintain an Assertion viz. That a Quaker liv-
ing and dyeing as a Quaker (without repentance) must find out a new
gospell, which might aford them hope of salvation, for what God hath
revealed in his holy word there was no salvation for them in their impen-
itent condition. I opened the terms Explicated by way of distinction of
sedusers and seduced aDd so their sirmesj and likewise what God expected
from the one and the other sort, which being done (although there were

♦Savage's Gen. Diet., II. 173-4. AUen's Am. Biog. 'Diet., Art., Stow. Greenleafs
Sketches, p. 53. Folsom's Saco and Biddeford, pp. 130-6. Felt's New England, II. 173,
249, 392. Mass. Beoerds, IV. 426, 434.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 0Q7

four or five more Quakers in the throng, yet none appearing in the cause
but the scholler aforesaid and a Chirurgeon) I demanded of them -what
they had to say against my Explanation. Instead of shaking pertinently
the scholler (whom I understand had been at the University lour or five
years) begins to tell tho people a story of Moses, Ezra, Habaconk their
being Quakers. Whereupon having the people on account of the b
of the day I proceeded to six severall Arguments by which to make good
my Assertion, viz. That a Quaker living and dyeing as a Quaker (without
repentance) according to what God hath revealed in his word, he could
not be saved. I in every argument demanded what part of the Argu-
ments they would deny but instead of answer there was railing and
threatening mee that my destruction was nigh at hand. To prove the
Minor I continually produced their owne authors and sever.il things out
of their Eabbie's books, which so exceedingly gauled them that then they
set themselves to Humming, singing, reeling their heads and bodies (An-
tique like) whereby both to disturb mee and to take off the people from
attending to what I had to say for the maintaining the Assertion. Since
that (I heare) I must ere long be proved to be no minister of Christ, and
they have attempted to raise as great a party at Road Island and Delle-
way Bay against mee as they can. Nay more they say England and their
friends there shall heare of it and in speciall Will. Penn, whom I men-
tioned once and but once and then but in my 4th argument, Namely his
denyall of Christ being a distinct person without us from his book en-
titled Counterfeit Christian p. 77. As for news about Commonwealth
affairs I saw a Proclamation of the old Governor forbideing upon Peri 11
the graunting any obedience to those in present power, promiseing open
courts shortly. The proclamation was put up here at our meeting house
upon Sabbath morn March 1680-1, but before morning exercise taken
down, and the day after sent to York. What the issue will be God (in
time) will discover. Sir no further to inlarge I take leave committing
you, to the keeper of Israel, remaineing yours to serve you in the Lord.

I saw Mr. Abraham Person in health upon Thursday morning March
9 at his own house and the next day Mr. Allen (in health also) at my
house.*

During Mr. Fletcher's residence at Southampton, he had
become somewhat intimately acquainted with the family of
Mr. Henry Pierson, the ancestor of the Pierson family. Mr.
Fletcher, whose wife had died some years previously, may
have been an inmate of his house. Mr. Pierson died, Oct,
1680, leaving Ins wife, Mary, and their children, Joseph,
Henry, (b. 1G52), Benjamin, Theodore, and Sarah (b. dan.

* Mather Papers. Folsom's Saco. pp. 1C0-6

208 THE HISTORY OF

20, 1660). His estate was valued at £1256, 1, 2,— a large
sum. In due time Mr. Fletcher made proposals of marriage
to the widow, which were accepted ; and, May 30, 1681, or
shortly after, they were united in the bonds of wedlock. A
written contract was drawn up, and entered on the Records
of the Province, as follows : —

,This writing witnesseth A Covenant Contract and Agreement by and
between M r Seth Fletcher of Elizabeth Town in the Province of New
Jersey of the one part and M rs Mary Pearson of Southampton in the East
riding of Yorkshire on Long Island of the other part and is as followeth

Imp 8 the said M r Seth Fletcher by and upon the said M rs Peirson's
and his sollom Contract of Marriage doth hereby bind himself his heirs
Executors and Administrators firmly by these presents, that he will not
at any time vase or dispose or in the Least ever Concern himself or desire
any of the Estate of her the said M rs Peirson notwithstanding their Mar-
riage togeath Onely one hundred pounds which the said M rs Peirson doth
Ens-a^e to Deliver into his hands for the Mutual Comfort of each other
and doth Engage himself that if it should please God to call him out of
this Life before the said M ls Pearson to Leave unto her the said hundred
pounds again and also to give unto her one hundred pounds more of his
own proper Estate and to take three of her children with her as Long as
she shall see cause to have them so to be with her and she the said M rs
Mary Pearson doth hereby Engage herself and her Executors that if she
shall depart this her Natural Life before him the said M r Seth Fletcher
that then he the said M r Seth Fletcher shall Quietly have and forever as
his own proper and free Estate Enjoy the aforesaid One Hundred Pounds,
without the Least demand of any by from or under her the said M rs Peir-
son Clayming or Laying any manner of title or Claime to any part or
parcell thereof and this our mutual sollomn Covenant and agreement, wee
Joyntly and Severally before the sollomn Tye of Matrimony have here-
unto for the Conformation of this our Covenant both of us set our hands
and scales in Southampton this thirtieth day of May in the thirty' third
yeare of the Eeigne of our Sovereign Lord Charles the Second By the
Grace of God King of England France and Ireland Annoq, Dom 1681.

Seth Fletcher

In the presence of us Josuah Barnes Mary Peirson

Henry Peirson Thomas Harris.*

Benjamin Pierson, and, probably, two others of her chil-
dren, accompanied Mrs. Fletcher to her new home, and thus
the Pierson family were introduced here — distinct from the

* E. J. Eecords, IV. 14. N. Y. Book of Wills, II. 62h1.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 209

Newark family, who sprang from the Rev. Abraham Pierson ;
though the latter was probably an ancle, or elder brother of
Henry Pierson, Sen r , of Southampton.*

Mr. Fletcher's death occurred in August of the following
year (1682), and his widow took, Sept. 1 s . Letters of Admin-
istration from Governor Carteret. His estate was valued at
£559, 5, 8, of which the hooks were rated at 6175, !. I.
His library must have been quite large for the tin: I It-

appears to have been a man of vigorous thought, of scholarly
attainments, and of much zeal for the truth, — though, at
time, somewhat lax on the doctrine of the Sabbath. Possibly,
his controversies with the Quakers in these parts may have
led him to entertain more orthodox views on that subj< :
He was, probably, nearly sixty years old at the time of his
decease. The children of his son, Pendleton, (who died a
captive among the Indians in 1G98), settled in the vicinity
Wells and Saco, Me.f

* Howell's Southampton, pp. 208, 4.

t E. J. Records, IV. 14. Folsom's Saoo, pp. 130-6.

210 THE HISTORY OF

CHAPTER XI.

A.D. 1682-1688.

With the decease of Sir George Carteret, Jan. 14, 16f|, a
new administration of the government of East Jersey became
a necessity. In his will, dated Dec. 5, 1678, all his property
in E. Jersey was devised to Trustees for the benefit of his
creditors. Fruitless attempts were made, for two or three
years, to obtain a purchaser, though the whole territory with
the right of jurisdiction was offered to Lord Eorreys and
others for less than £6000. The government of the Province,
in'the mean time, was administered in the name of" The Right
Hon ble The Lady Elizabeth Carteret, Baroness, Widow, The
Relict and Sole Executrix of the Right Hon ble Sir George
Carteret, Knight and Baronet Deceased Late Lord Proprietor
of the said Province, and Grandmother and Guardian to Sir
George Carteret Baronet Grandson and Heir of the said
Sir George Carteret Deceased, the Present Lady Proprietrix
of the Province aforesaid." *

The Province, with the Jurisdiction of the People, was at
length disposed of to the highest bidder in January, 168J,

* E. J. Kecords, II. 37.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 211

together with all arrearages of rent and sums of money due
to the late Proprietor, for which, Deeds of Lease and Release
were executed, Feb. 1 & 2, 16&J-. The Bum paid for tin-
property and privileges was £3400. The purchasers were
an Association of twelve persons, residents of London and its
vicinity, the most of them connected with the Society of
Friends, Wm. Penn, Thomas Rudyard and Samuel Groome
beinir of the number. Presently after, the number of the
Associates was doubled, six being added from Scotland, and
the remainder mostly from London. Among the Scotch
were James Drummond, the Earl of Perth, Lord High Chan-
cellor of Scotland, a thorough monarchist of the Stuart typi .
and subsequently a Papist and an exiled Jacobite ; his brother,
David Drummond ; and Robert Barclay, of Uric, the Quaker
Apologist. Gawn Lawrie, the Quaker merchant, was one of
the new Proprietors, from London. One Proprietor was thus
exchanged for twenty -four ; and the Cavalier for the Quaker
rule.*

Robert Barclay, originally a Presbyterian, then a Papist,
and now a Quaker, being in favor not only with William
Penn, the leading Quaker, but with the royal family, was
chosen Governor of the Province, with the privilege of non-
residence and of acting by Deputy, lie made choice of
Thomas Rudyard, one of the Proprietors, and a London bar-
rister, as his Deputy. Samuel Groome, another Proprietor,
and a sea-captain, of Stepney, near London, who had visited
America in 1G70, was appointed Receiver and' Surveyor
General, f

Rudyard and Groome arrived, and took up their resident
in the town, November 13, 1G82 ; thus superseding ( 'arteret
and Vauquellin, and putting an end to Carteret's long c< -li-
test with the people. Rudyard brought with him hia two
adult daughters, Margaret and Anne, and, possibly, hia two
sons, Benjamin and John, also. Groome, whose family n
mained in England, became the Governor'a host. Carterel

* Learning and Spicer, pp. 141-150. Whitehead'*! ' ..;.;' . - • B.T

Bill, pp. B, '.», >-'•

t Grahame's United States, 1. 489, 8; :■-. Whitehead^ B. Jenej, pp. 89-01

1. 8. Whitehead's Ainboy, p. 13.

212 THE HISTORY OF

continued to occupy the government-house, which he claimed
as his own property. Groome's house was on the north side
of the Creek, below the bridge, on tide .water.*

Carteret survived his retirement from office only some four
weeks, his will, made just before his death, bearing date,
Dec. 10, 1682. Of the cause, occasion and circumstances of
his death, no record remains. It mav have resulted from the

J */

injuries received at the time of his capture by Andros.
However well-qualified, by gifts and attainments, he may
have been, for the administration of the government of a
newly-founded Colony, he failed to secure the confidence and
respect of the town and province. Living among, and asso-
ciating daily with, a community in full sympathy with the
men and manners and principles of the Commonwealth, he
was ever exemplifying, asserting, and upholding the social
and political (if not the ecclesiastical) principles of the
Stuarts, and exacting a deference, as the representative of
that aristocratic and vicious court, which the Puritan colo-
nists of the town and Province were among the very last to
concede. Instead of identifying himself as much as possible
with his townsmen, and seeking to conciliate them, he seems
to have pursued a course, almost from the first, that, he must
have known, would excite their prejudices, and thwart their
plans and purposes in founding a settlement in the wilderness.
From the time of the first collision with the people in 1668,
he persisted in excluding, from his council and confidence,
the very best men in the community — men of sterling integ-
rity and of great moral worth, putting in office, and persist-

* Scot's Model of E. N. J., pp. 149, 150. The government house, built by Carteret, just
before his death, was subsequently known as the " White House;" sometimes as "Schuy-
ler's House," it having passed into the hands of Col. Peter Schuyler. It was converted into
a public house, and was kept by Mrs. Margaret Johnston, formerly the widow of Wm, Wil-
liamson, and then of Mr. Chetwood, a daughter of Capt. Matthias De Hart, and sister of Mrs.
Samuel Mann. It was then called, "the Nag's Head Tavern." In 1766, it was offered for
sale, by Jonathan Hampton. In 17S4, it was again advertised (by Col. Edward Thomas) for
sale, as " that large, commodious, and famous Brick House, known by the name of the White
House, built in the strongest and best manner, by a former Governor of New Jersey, for the
seat of government, beautifully situated on the river running through the town, on which is
a very good wharf." It is thus fully identified as Carteret's house. In 1749, St. John's Par-
sonage is described in the deed of sale, as "on the South side of the said Elizabeth Town Creek
opposite to a large white house now or late belonging to Mr. Peter Schuyler." This deter-
mines the locality. Weyman's N. Y. Gazette, No. 249. Holt's N. Y. Journal, No. 1214.
Clark's St. John's Church, p. 186.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 213

ently retaining, when notoriously rejected and despu
for their sycophancy, such parasites as Bollen, Yauquellin,
and Pardon. His administration must be regarded as a com-
plete failure, opposed, as it was, almost from tin- beginning,
by the worthiest men of the Colony. He seems to have had
no party in the town, outside of the clique that came with
him and lived on his favor and patronage.

His position enabled him to acquire some of the very be
properties in the settlement; not less than 4,000 acres baying
been surveyed for him and Sir George, lie died in his 44th
year. His widow survived him, and continued to r< side in
the town, occupying for a considerable time, and claiming
as her own, in her husband's right, the government house
and property. She became, in 1685, the wife of O >1. Richard
Townley, who had become a resident of the town very shortly
after her husband's death. Her eldest son, Joseph, married
in 1690 Mary Townley, who was undoubtedly, Col. Richard's
daughter, by his first wife.*

With the change of proprietorship came a new era in the
history of the town. Rudyard was furnished with a kind
and conciliatory letter from the Proprietors to the planters.
Everything connected with the new order of affairs gave
promise of peace and prosperity. Rudyard was a man of
amiable instincts, and courteous demeanor, though not want-
ing in firmness. He represented, not the lordly cavalier
an aristocratic court, but a trading association, of which the

* E. J. Kecords, A. 17-18; II. 2,, p. 34S. Whitehead's E. Jersey, p. S5. Extracts from
the Will of Philip Carteret. "I give & bequeath my Soul to Almighty God that G.v
me in full Assurance that I shall be made Partaker of Eternal Life by & through the Merriti
of my most Dear and blessed lledeemer Jesus Christ my Bavlonr, and my Body to bo bn
in such decent manner as my Executrix shall think, meet in the Vault at Govern' Stephen*
son's Bowry, if Liberty may be obtain'd, otherways "Liberty to be pnrohae'd in the I hurch att
New York." All his Estate in New Jersey he gives to his "most dean Wife EUaebeth «'ar-
teret" and her heirs; ho then adds: "And all my EfogroM end Other 8ervai ;ting

Black Jack who Ja. sett freo from servitude from ami after the Day of my Burial." •• Into
my Mother Mrs. Rachel) Carteret if she bo yett living All thai my llannor n . -■ . 1. 1
Buildings 'with all my Lands, Tenements A- Hereditaments within the Island ..f
in case of her death, to bo "equally conveyed to my Brother's and E I children of m\

Mother." He appoints his " deare Wife sole Executrix;" and dealrea his " wrell-Uloved
friends Thomas Rudyard and Bobert Vicars of Eliabeth Town aforee' to be as>i.-t*nt to my
said Executrix appointing them to be my T rojt eOB and Bnpei The WitneMM to the

Will aro Robert Vicars, I^aac Swinton, James Bmott, <3 and Martha Byrnes.

It was proved Dec. 80, 16S2. See, also, Gouealogy of the Lawrence Family, pp. 188, 149-50.
Learning and Spicer, p. ITT.

214 THE HISTORY OF

members were, most of them, plain and unassuming men,
attached to a sect everywhere spoken against, familiar with
adversity, and who, in person and estate, had suffered not a
little from the intolerance of the crown.

Some few of this sect, but not the most favorable speci-
mens, had, as appears from Mr. Fletcher's statement, already
found their way into the settlement. Shrewsbury, one of the
seven associated towns that constituted the Province, had
been settled in 1667, almost exclusively by Quakers, the first
religious meetings of the Society in 1$. Jersey having been
held there in 1670. The territory of "West Jersey had, since

1674, been in the possession of members of the Society, and
the lower part of the Delaware had been peopled, on either
side, by numerous arrivals of Quakers, year by year, since

1675. This town had now become the seat of a Quaker gov-
ernment, and so gradually began to receive accessions to the
number of its planters from the better class of the Society.
These mostly took up or bought lands on the Railway river,
where their successors in lineage and doctrine are found at
the present day.*

An " Account of the settled towns " " in the Province of
East ISTew Jersey," in 1680, " given under the hand of Cap-
tain Nicholls, Secretary of the Duke in New York," contains
the following statements respecting this town : — ■

It lies up 3 miles within a Creek, the entrance whereof is opposite to
the Northwest end of Staten Island. There are several Out-plantations
on the North end of the Eiver which divides the hounds between this
Town and Woodbridge, particularly where the roads pass over, to which
place is about 7 or 8 miles. There are other plantations at the point or
entrance of the Creek, on the North side of it, commonly called Gov-
ernor Carteret's point, where there is another farme, between the pro-
prietor and him. Its but a narrow passage there over to the meadows of
Staten Island, then 'on Northward there are other Plantations fronting
to the Bay that lies to the North part of Staten Island, besides some other
within Land, from the Town to New York bounds. There is in this
Town a house, orchards and farm, within the Town in partnership be-
tween the Proprietor and Governour, Philip Carteret, it being one of the
first houses built there, and hath all along been the resident of the Gov-
ernour, untill of late he hath finished his New house. The Town is built

* Proud's Hist, of Pa., 1. 161.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 215

on both sides of the Creek, and cousins of 150 Families and of 700 In-
habitants. The Acres taken up by the Town are computed to bo 10,000,
and for the Out-Plantations 30,000.*^

Several interesting statements respecting tbe Town are,
also, preserved in a letter written by Go v. Rndyard, May 30,

1683, about six months after his arrival, lie speaks of the

Fresh and salt meadows, which now arc very valuable, and DO man
here will take up a Tract of Land without them, being the support of their
flocks in Winter, which other parts must supplie by store, and taking
more care for English grass. But know, where salt marshes are not ti
is no muskettos and that manner of Land the more health.

We have one thing more, — which is vast Oyster hanks, which i- Con-
stant fresh victuals during the winter, to English, as well as India]
we are supplied with salt fish at our doors, or within half a tyde'fl pa-
sage, and fresh Fish in abundance in every little brook, as Pearch, Trout,
Eels, &c. which we catch at our doors. Provisions here are very plenti-
ful, and people generally well stockt with cattle. New York and Bur-
lingtow r n have hitherto been their market ; Few or no Trading Men being
here in this Province. I believe it hath been very unhappy heretofore
under an ill managed Government, and most of the people who are such,
have been invited from the adjacent Colonies by the goodness of its soil,
and convenient Scituation.

There is 5 or 6 Saw mills going up here this Spring, two at work al-
ready, which abates the price of boards half in half, and all other timber
for building: for although timber cost nothing, yet workmanship by
hand was London price, or near upon, or sometimes more, which these
mills abate.

My habitation with Samuel Groome is at Elizabeth Town, and here
we came first ; it lyes on a fresh small river, with the tyde, ships of 30 or
40 Tuns, come before our doors, throughout this town is good English
grass, and very good burthen, we cannot call our habitation solitarie for
what with the public employ I have little less company at my bouse
dayly, than I had in George Yard, although not so many pass by my
doors. The people are generally a sober professing people, Wise in their
Generation, Courteous in their Behaviour, and Respectfoi to us in office
among them.

As for the Temperature of the Air, it is wonderfully scitnated to the
Humours of Mankind, the wind and weather rarely holding in one point
or one kind for ten dayes together. It is a rare thin- for a vessel to be
wind bound for a week together, the wind seldom holding in a point more
than 48 hours; and in a short time we have wet and dry, warm and cold
weather. Yet this variation nvates not cold, nor have we the tenth part

* Scot's Model of E. J., pp. 154, B.

216 THE HISTORY OF

of the cold as we have in England : for generally I go with the same
Cloaths I use to wear in Summer with you ; but warm Oloaths hurt not.
I bless the Lord, I never had better health, nor my family, my Daughters
are very well improved in that respect, aud tell me they would not change
their place for George Yard, nor would I. People here are generally set-
tled, where the tyde reaches ; and although this is a good Land, and well
Timbered, and plentifully supplied with salt Marsh, yet there is much bet-
ter Land up higher on the Eiver, where they may go up with small boats,
where many now are settling. There's extrordinary Land, fresh Meadows
overflowed in the Winter time, that produces multitudes of Winter Corns:
and it is believed will endure 20, 30, or 50 years overflowing without in-
termission, and not decay. William Penn took a view of the Land, this
last month when here, and said he had never seen such before in his
life: All the English Merchants, and many of the Dutch have taken,
and are desirous to take up Plantations with us. At a town called New-
ark, 7 or 8 miles hence, is made great quantities of Syder, exceeding any
we can have from New England or Rhod Island or Long Island. I hope
to make 20 or 30 Barrels out of our Orchard next year, as they have done
who had it before me, for that, it must be as Providence orders.

We have store of Clams esteemed much better than Oysters ; on Fes-
tivals the Indians feast with them ; there are shallops, but in no great
plentie. Fish we have great store, as our relation sets forth, but they are
very good when catcht (as the proverb is). I have several barrels by me
now, which are good for our Table and for Sale. In probability, there is
not an industrious man, but by God's blessing may not only have a com-
fortable, but plentiful supplie of all things necessary for this life.

Samuel Grooine, the Surveyor General, observes, Aug. 11,
1863 —

Well here is a brave Countrey, the ground very fruitfull, and wonder-
fully inclinable to English grass, as Clower, &c. It Predominates over the
more wild grasse : very little barren, much dry upland, and good meadow,
some phenny, swampy land and small running brooks and rivers through-
out all the parts of the Countrey I have been, and this phenny and swampy
Land bears great burdens of grass ; in short, the land is four times better
than I expected.*

Gov. Rudyard subsequently obtained a Grant of 3000
acres, mostly on the Rah way and Raritan rivers; and became
a Planter on a large scale, thus confirming his declaration of
preference for these new settlements over the crowded thor-
oughfares of London. f

* Scott's Model of E. Jersey, pp. 147-154, 8. t E. Jersey Kecords, L., 16, 17.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 217

Among the Council, whom Rudyard appointed. I aber
13, 1682, was Benjamin Price, Sen*, of this town. On the
20th of December, the Governor took the oath of office, and
shortly after called a General Assembly to meel in this town
on the 1st of March next ensuing. Henry Lyon, [saac
Whitehead, Benjamin Price, and Benjamin Parkis, all of
them men of character and influence, and true iv; ita-

tiyes of the people, were appointed, February 4, 168f, Jus-
tices of the Peace. Capt. John Baker and Benjamin Parkis
were appointed, March 28, Justices of the Court of Common
Right; Capt. John Baker, Coroner ; George Jewell, CI
and Messenger ; and James Emott, Clerk of the new County
of Essex. These appointments indicate, on the part of Rud-
yard and the Council, a disposition to conciliate, and be
good terms with, the populace, whose preferences were,
evidently, consulted in these nominations; with the excep-
tion, possibly, of the last, — Emott, who was a new comer,
and not in full sympathy with the town. It was, at all
events, a great change from the old regime under Carteret,
when an entirely different class of men were put in power.*

The General Assembly met here the first day of March,
and continued in session until the 28th. An adjourned meet-
ing w r as held in May, and another in December following :
both in this town. At their first sessions, the Province was
divided into four counties, Bergen, Essex, Middlesex and
Monmouth; " Essex and the County thereof, to contain all
the settlements between the West side of Hackinsack River,
and the parting line between Woodbridge and Elizabeth-
Town, and so to extend westward and northward, to the ut-
most bounds of the Province.'' Provision was made for the
appointment of Sheriffs, Coroners, Justices, Clerks and other
officers, and for the erection of County Courts, a Courl <>f
Small Causes for every town, and a Superior Court t<> he
called the Court of Commbn Right, to be held quarterly in
this town. Numerous laws, mostly such as were passed in
Carteret's time, for the preservation of good morals, the
rights of property, and the welfare of the community, were

• E. J. liccords, a, 9-20.

218 THE HISTORY OF

enacted. The same strictness in regard to profanity, intem-
perance, licentiousness, and Sabbath-breaking, was retained.
Evidently, a healthful tone of morals prevailed, in the sev-
eral settlements, notwithstanding the recent disturbances.*

At the adjourned meeting in May, the existence of domes-
tic slavery is distinctly recognized. They say, that

It is found by daily experience, that negro and Indian slaves or servants
under pretence of trade, or liberty to traffick, do frequently steal from
their masters and others, what they expose to sale at distance from
their habitations ; (and, therefore, they forbade all) barter, trade or traf-
fique with any negro slave, or Indian slave, or servant, for any rum,
brandy, wine, or strong drink, or any other goods, wares, or commodi-
ties, living or dead.

At the sessions in December, Benjamin Price, Henry
Lyon, and Benjamin Parkis were appointed on the Commis-
sion to lay out and appoint " all necessary highways, bridges,
passages, landings, and ferries, for the County of Essex." As
the country was every where, at this early day, infested with
wolves, a bounty of 15s. was offered for every wolf's head.
Of the six assessors for the county of Essex, three, Benjamin
Price, Benjamin Parkis, and George Boss, were of this
town.f

Budyard's administration was brief. In July, 1683, Bar-
clay appointed Gawen Lawrie, also one of the Proprietors,
his Deputy for East Jersey. Lawrie had been, for several
years, associated with Win. Penn, in the Trusteeship of West
Jersey, but had not yet come to America. He was a London
merchant, and of the Society of Friends. He arrived, in
January, 1684, at the new town of Perth Amboy, bringing
with him his wife, Mary, his son, James, and his two daugh-
ters, Marv and Bebecca. The latter became the wife of
Miles Forster, of Perth Amboy, and her sister, Mary, married
William Haige of this town. Isabel, the daughter of James,
married Wm. Davis of New York.ij:

It has been said, that Lawrie's appointment was occasioned
by a variance between Governor Buclyard and Surveyor

* Learning and Spicer, pp. 227-251. t lb., pp. 252-2TS.

t lb., pp. 16S-170. Whitehead's E. J., pp. 99-100, 126, 7. Scot's Model, pp. 160-3.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. O^Q

Groome, in relation to the proper course to be pursued in the
allotment of lauds. But this variance did not occur until
after Lawrie's appointment. Groome was not suspended
from his office until after July 24, 1683, at which time he
was serving as Surveyor; and Lawrie was appointed Dep.
Governor not later than July 20. Groome's death occurred
here soon after, as his will was admitted to probate, March
1, 168f *

It has, also, been affirmed, that the Associates of this town,
" in the year 1675, or soon after, laid aside the pretension by
Indian purchase and Nicholls's grant ; and continued peace-
able and quiet; inhabitants until the death of Cam ret. and
until the year 1699, except that in the year 16S4, John Baker
and some others of the Associates, endeavour'd to impose
upon Governor Lowry, at his first Arrival in the count ry."
It would seem that Rudyard had to do with some " tumultu-
ous spirits," who still adhered to their old claims. So, also,
it appears, from the first instructions given to Lawrie, w!
w^as directed to examine and determine the character of "the
Patents and Grants of land given by Governor Xicholls
which several seems to stand upon."

The same thing appears from the Address of Barclay and
the other Proprietors, Feb. 29, 16SJ, to the Planters of the
Province, in which they say : —

We must be plain to acquaint you, that we were not a little troubled.
to find that there are too many dissatisfied aud self-ended persons, among
you whose indirect designs did quickly appear in seeking to subvert our
just interest, that they might advance their own unwarrantable pretences,
who we hope are in some measure rebuked by the disappointment of their
vain expectations of the invalidity of our right and title to the govern-
ment.

We have seen and considered yo r Addresses, made to some of I ►or Num-
ber upon their Arrival!, and hope that in a great Measure y.. Desires
therein are Answered, as to what Relates to the former < >p; . yo

have been under, either from yo r Neighbours, or those who have hereto-
fore Govern'd yo". But we find yo" lay that Stress upon your Pnrohaf
from the Indians w rh it will never beare, for wee would have yo- informed
that thereby yo u have acquired noe Right but what is duly Confirmed by

us or Our Legal Processors.

* E. J. Records. I. 182-5.

220 THE HISTORY OF

Again, JSTov. 13, 1684, they give Lawrie power,

To end all controversies and differences with the men of Neversinks,
and Elizabeth-Town, or any other planters or persons whatsoever, con-
cerning any pretended titles, or claim to land in the said Province: And
we do hereby declare that we. will not enter into any treaty on this
side, with any of those people who claims by Colonel Nicholls Patent,
nor with any others that challenge land by Patents from the late Gov-
ernor Carteret, as being both an affront to the government there and of
evil consequence to make things to be put off by delays, and thereby hin-
der the settlement of our affairs in the Province.*

It is perfectly evident, therefore, that the same claims
were put forth by the town in respect to their rights of
property, as in Carteret's time, and the same resistance was
made to these claims by their Quaker rulers. The old
planters never wavered in their conviction of the lawfulness
and equity of their title, and never shrank from avowing and
maintaining it. A second generation were now coming
forward, in whom this conviction had " grown with their
growth and strengthed with their strength." If possible,
they were even more resolute than their fathers.

The General Assembly, at their sessions in December,
1683, had passed a stringent militia law, and an act for the
appointment of a Chief Ranger in every County, to look after
the estrays of the flocks and herds. Benjamin Parkis was,
thereupon, appointed Captain ; George Ross, Lieutenant ;
and John Woodruff, Ensign, of the E. Town Foot Company ;
James Emott was made Chief Ranger ; and Isaac White-
head, Sen r , Coroner of Essex Co. In their commissions,
dated Dec. 3, 1683, they are all, w T ith the exception of Emott,
styled, " Gent." This law relative to the militia troubled
the Quaker Proprietors not a little, especially " wherein
power is given to the military officers to take distress upon
defaulters ; which clause, (they say,) so far as it extends to
the people called Quakers, who for conscience sake cannot
bear arms, or contribute to the same, we do not confirm,
but that the same is void to all intents and purposes, so far
as it concerns them." f

* E. T. Bill, pp. 43, 4. Learning and Spicer, pp. 174, 188-190. E. J. Records, 1. 140-50.
t Learning and Spicer, pp. 262, 277, 281. E. J. Eecords, C, 57, 8, 65, 6.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 221

„ The law against Sabbath-breaking, also, came into con-
flict with their religious prejudices, and so they recommend-
ed " a further consideration thereof. Least it prove a burthen
to some tender consciences who may find it their duty not
only to testify against the Jewish superstitions, but also
against some others in that point." ::

Governor Lawrie,on his arrival in January L 68 J, occupied
himself, for live weeks, in laying out the town lots of the
new city of Perth, at the mouth of the Raritan; u tl
came in a Boat, privately, to Elizabeth Town the L2th of
February ; the next morning went to New Fork to visit the
governour [Dongan] ; staid there two or three days, and
found him very kind." He then returned, about the l s th.
to E. Town, and found the people " kind and courteous."
On the 2Sth he published his commission before the Council
and took the oath of office. Rudyard gracefully retired to
the more humble station of Secretary of the Province ; but
soon after, Aug. 16S4, became Attorney General of the Prov-
ince of New York. Groome had died a few weeks pre-
viously, Phillip Welles having, since Aug. 1683, occupied
his place as Dep. Surveyor. Wm. hlaige, who with eight
servants had accompanied Lawrie to this country, had re-
ceived the appointment, July 22, 1G83, of Receiver General.
Lawrie also brought eight servants. Other servant.-, 22 in
number, with two overseers, were sent over by the Pro-
prietors. Wm. Dockwra brought over 24 servants ; Stephen
and Thomas Warne, 11 ; and John Barclay, brother of the
Governor, 5 servants. f

These servants were Scotch laborers, of the poorer cL
The most of them were under the necessity of leaving home,
because of the terrible persecution.-, to which, as Presby-
terians, they had been subjected at the hands of the cruel
Mackenzie and the bloody Claverhouse, minions of the
crown. A large number came over in L684, — "the killing
time," as the Scotch called it. The most of these immi-

* Learning and Bpieer, p. I

t Scot's Model, pp. 162, S. v.. J. B oords, A. 154, 171 '• N. V. CoL I>or:

III. 351, 2.

222 THE HISTORY OF ,

grants were employed in and about Perth Amboy. Some of
them found a home in E. Town — how many is not known.
They were diffused through the Province, and proved a
valuable acquisition, both as laborers, and as men of sterling
principle. Many of them became planters and most respect-
able members of society.

~No sooner had Lawrie assumed the reins of government,
than he wrote home a glowing account of the new country.
Under date of March 2, 168f, he wrote to the proprietors
from this town, as follows : —

Now is the time to send over people for settling Here. The Scots, and
William Dockwra's people coming now and settling, advance the Province
more than it hath been advanced these ten years. Here wants nothing
but people ; There is not a poor body in all the province, nor that wants ;
Here is abundance of provision, Pork and Beef, at 2d per pound. Fish
and Fowl plenty, Oysters I think would serve all England ; Sider good
and plenty, for Id per Quart. Good Venison, plenty brought us in at
18d the quarter, Eggs at 3d per dozen, all things very plenty. Land very
good as ever I saw : "Wines, "Walnuts, Peaches, Strawberries, and many
other things plenty in the woods.

I have put two houses in repair upon the Kiver, called the Point 2
miles from Elizabethtown ; have let one of them, with 10 acres of Pasture
ground, and 10 acres of "Woody ground, for 7 years at 26 lib per annum :
the man to cleare the ten acres of "Woody ground and make it fit for
Ploughing or Pasture. I intend to let the other also with some land.
All the houses were like to drop down, all the land lying without fence,
and a barn quite fallen down and destroyed ; another without any cover,
and that other next to the house where I dwell, all to pieces, and all the
fences and out houses were down, but repaired before I came.*

A few clays later, March 26, he gives a friend at London a
more particular account of the country :

It is beyond what I expected. It is scituate in a good Aire, which makes
it healthy, and there is great conveniency for travelling from place to
place throw the Province in Boats, from a small canoe to vessels of 30,
40, or 50 Tuns, and in some places 100.

The soil is generally black, and in some places a foot deep, beareth great
burthens of Corn, and Naturally bringeth forth English grass 2 years
ploughing : the ground is tender, and the ploughing is very easie, the
trees grow generally not thick, but some places 10, in some 15, in some 25

* Scot's Model, pp. 160-5.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 223

or 30 upon an Acre. This I find generally, but in some particular
places there are 100 upon an Acre, but that fa very rare: The trees are
very tall and straight, the general) are Oak, Beeob, Walnut: Chesnuts
and Acorns lie thick upon the ground for want of eating, Peaches, Vin< b,
Strawberries and many other sorts of Fruit grow commonly in the
Woods. There is likewayes Gum tree, Cedar, White Wood, like our Fir
tree; Walnuts, Chesnuts and others lye thick upon the ground.

We have good brick earth, and stone for building at Amboy and else-
where, the countrio Farnie houses are built very cheap, a carpenter, with
a man's own servants, builds the bouse, they have all materials for nothing
except Nails; their Chimnies are of stones; they make their own Ploughs
and Carts for the most part, only the Iron work is very dear. The poorer
sort set up a house of two or three Rooms themselves after this manner.
The walls are of cloven Timber, about 8 or 10 inches broad, like plank-
set on end to the ground, and the other nailed to the raising, which they
plaister within ; they build a Barn after the same manner, and these cost
not above 5 lib a piece; and then to work they go, 2 or 3 men in one
year will clear 50 acres, in some places 60, and in some more. They sow
Corn the first year, and afterwards maintain themselves ; and the encre.
of Corn, Cows, Horses, Hogs and Sheep comes to the Landlord. Several
Merchants of New York have left their several Plantations there, to come
to East Jersey; 2 or 3 join together, bring 12, 15 or 20 servants and one
Overseer, which cost them nothing for the first year, except some shoes,
Stockings, and shirts ; I have been to see these Plantations; and find they
make a great encrease by them, maintain their Families at New York with
all provisions, sell a great deal yearly, and for Servants our English peo-
ple are far better Husbandmen than the New England men ; the Servants
work not so much by a third as they do in England, and I think feed
much better, for they have Beef, Pork, Bacon, Pudding, Milk, Butter
and good Beer; and Cyder for drink. When they are out of their time,
they have land for themselves, and generally turn Farmers for themselves.
Servants w r ages are not under 2 shil. a day beside victuals. I is . 'Io-

nian since I came here sold his Plantation for £1500 lib. the whole was
1G00 or 1800 acres, whereof only 120 acres were cleared, upon which he
had a house, Garden and Orchard, and Barn planted ; I know several men
who lett cleared Land at G shil 8 pennies to 10 shil. the acre yearlie rent,
which is a good encouragement for sending over servants to plant.

Jle urges the Proprietors to send over more people, which
would "encourage others to take up Land, and bring all the
division that hath been here* to an end, for these men Beeing
that they shall he ballanced are already more complyant than
they were.'' *

* Scot's Mode), pp. 1GG-171.

224 THE HISTORY OF

The confident calculations of Lawrie, in respect to the
people of this town, were far from being fulfilled. The land
about the town was in the possession of the old families and
held by the old Indian purchase. The new comers, in order
to obtain a freehold in the town, were under the necessity of
buying land thus held and transferred. They, too, therefore,
became interested in upholding these titles and defending
these claims.

Still another letter is extant, evidently from the pen of
Lawrie, but signed conjointly by David Barclay, (a brother
of the Governor,) and Arthur Forbes, (brother to a Scotch
Lord,) and himself, dated March 29, 16S4. It repeats much
of what is said above, and adds other particulars :

Many of those who have settled here upwards of sixteen years, have
lived upon the product of the Land They cleared the first two years after
they came, (and cleared none since), which produced not only Corn to
maintain their own Families, but to sell every year, and the increase of
their Bestial, whereof they have good store of several sorts, Cows, Oxen,
Horses, Sheep and Swine, yields them other provisions and to sell besides ;
yet there be some more Industrious among them who have continued
clearing aud Improving Land, and these have got Estates, and would not
sell their Plantations for several hundred pounds.

They build not only of Wood, but also of Stone and Brick, yet most of
Oountrey Houses are built of "Wood, only Trees split and set up an end on
the ground, and coverings to their Houses are mostly shingles made of Oak,
Chesnut and Cedar wood, which makes a very neat Covering, yet there
are some houses covered after the Dutch manner with pantikles. The
Towns are all settled upon Bivers, where Vessels of 30 or 40 Tuns may
come up to their doors, and the out plantations generally upon some
Brooks or Bivulets which are as plenty here as in our own Countrey, and
curious clear water, and in many places are good spring wells; but' in the
Towns every man for the most part has a well digged by his own hand.

There be People of several sorts of Eeligion, but few very Zealous. The
People being mostly New England men, doe mostly incline to their way,
and in every Town there is a meeting house where they worship publickly
every Week : They have no publick Law in the Countrey for maintaining
public Teachers, but the Towns that have them make way within them-
selves to maintain them. We know none that hath a settled Preacher
that follows no other Imployment, save one Town Newark.

The richest Planters have not above 8 or 10 Servants; they will have
some of them, 1 Dozen of Cows, yea some 20 or 30 ; 8 or 10 Oxen, horses
more than they know themselves, for they keep breading Mares, and keep

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 225

no more horses at home than they have occasion to work ; The rest they
let run in the wood both Winter and Summer, and take them as they Lave
occasion to use them. Swine they have in great iiock.s in the wood, and
Sheep in flocks also, but they let them not run in the woods for fear of
being destroyed by wolves. Their profit arise- from the Improvement of
their Land, and Increase of their Bestial.

Every house in the Town hath a Lott of 4 Acres lying to it: so that
every one building upon his own Lott makes the town Irregular and scat-
tering. Their streets arc laid out too large, and the Sheep in the Tow:
are mostly maintained in them : They are so large that they need not
trouble to pave them.

There is no Ships belonging to this Province particularly, or built he
save one which Samuel Groome built here the last summer, which stand-
yet in the Stocks (a stop being put to it by his death). There is con veniency
enough to build ships. The Ships in this part trade mostly to the West
Indian Islands, and some to Newfound Land, where the Provisions of
this Countrey vends.

There are but few Indian Natives in this countrey. Their strength is
inconsiderable, they live in the Woods, and have small towns in some
places far up in the Countrey. They plant a little Indian Corn, shoot
Deer, and other wild Beasts and Fowls for their food.*

These letters are invaluable for their details of the early
state of the town and neighboring country, and of the man-
ners and customs of that period, particularly in the matter of
livelihood. They are preserved in a work published at
Edinburgh, in 1685, entitled, "The Model of the Govern-
ment of the Province of East-Xew-Jersey in America ; '
written by George Scot, of Pitlochie ; who, having Buffered
greatly for his religion, embarked, with his wife, two chil-
dren, and a large company of emigrants, at Leith, Sept. 5,
1685, for America ; but both he and his family died on the

passage. f

From other letters contained in the same volume, several
other particulars, illustrative of the state of the town and
neighborhood may be learned. Peter Watson, one of David
Barclay's servants, but withal an intelligent man, writes,
Aug. 20, 1684,—

There are here very good Religious People, they go under the name of

* Scot's Model, pp. 178-188.

t Whitehead's P. Amboy, pp. 24-31. Reprinted in tho Appendix to "Whitehead's E. Jer-
sey, pp. 239-333. A copy of the original is In the Library of the N. J. His. Soc, at Newark.

226 THE HISTORY OF

Independants but are most like to the Presbyterians, only they will not
receive every one to their Society ; we have great need of good and
Faithful Ministers ; we have none within all the Province of East-Jersey,
except one who is Preacher in Newark ; there were one or two Preach-
ers more in the Province, but they are dead, and now the people they
meet together every Sabbath day and Eead and Pray, and sing Psalms
in their Meeting houses. This Countrey is very well settled with People,
most part of the first Settlers came out of New England, very kind and
loving people, kinder than in Scotland or England ; And for the Indian
Natives, they are not trouble sojme any way to any of us, if we do them
no harm, but are a very kind and loving people ; the men do nothing but
hunt, and the women they plant corn, and work at home; they come
and trade among the Christians with skins or Venison, or Corn, or Pork.
And in the summer time, they and their "Wives come down the Eivers in
their Canoes, which they make themselves of a great tree, like a little
Boat, and there they Fish and take Oysters.

Charles Gordon, writing from Amboy, March 5, 168f-,

says,

The highest designe of the old Buckskin Planters is to acquire a piece
of monie to drink in the change house. I am just now drinking to one
one of them, our Countreyman, who was sent away by Cromwell to New
England ; a slave from Dunbar, Living now in Woodbridge Like a Scots
Laird, wishes his Countreymen and Native Soyle very well, though he
never intends to see it.

David Mudie wrote, March 9, 168-f-, —

This "Winter hath been exceeding hard and sharpe, the like not seen by
those who have lived 20 or 30 years in it.

Robert Fullerton, one of the Proprietors, Jan. 7> 168-f-,
says, —

As to the number and nature of these Quit-renters, they are about 2
or 800 Families, some civill and Discreet, others rude and Malcontent
with the late Purchassers, and need something of austerity to make them
complaisant. We have at present sharp frosts, and a good deall of Snow,
three dayes of vitrifying frosts this winter, had not its match for cold
these 16 years by gpne, as the Inhabitants do inform us.

Charles Gordon, March 7, 168-f-, also says,—

This hath been the hardest "Winter that was almost since ever there
were English here ; The sound betwirt Jersey and Staten Island was
frozen in January that carts and horses went upon it; betwixt Martenmas
and Christmas flying showers of snow with clear moderate frosts; in

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 227

January deep snow and most bitter frosts which ever I found ; about the
20 of January, the snow went off insensibly, and about 3 weeks In Feb-
ruary it was almost like Summer in Scotland ; the end of February and
beginning of March for the most part rain and wind.

James Johnstone, March 0, 168£, Bays, —

Quakers are not numerous : Wolves are so far from troubling men, that
if a man should lay a Glove upon a Carcass or their prey, they w ill yell, but
not come nigh it. You cannot come nigh a rattle-Snake, but they will
rattle with their taile, whereby a man is advertised either to kill them <>r
go by them ; they frequently charm the Squirrels, or other little BeOS
off the tops of the Trees unto their mouth, and that without touching
them with their teeth ; which if they did, they would poison themselves.
There is a Flee by the Salt Marshes most troublesome in Summer, but is
not in the up-lands.*

The publication of these letters, together with a detailed
statement of the capacities and prospects of East- Jersey, was
• not without effect. " A great many inhabitants of Scotland
emigrated to East Jersey, and enriched American society
with a valuable accession of virtue refined by adversity, and
of piety invigorated by persecution." " Is it strange," says
Bancroft, after a recital of their cruel w T rongs, " that many
Scottish Presbyterians of virtue, education, and courage,
blending a love of popular liberty with religious enthusiasm,
came to East New Jersey in such numbers as to give to the
rising commonwealth a character which a century and a
half has not effaced ? " A portion of this increase found their
way into this town, especially into the interior section. The
settlement known as " Scotch Plains," then included in the
territory of this town, derived its name from these settlers. f
It had been recommended, by the Proprietors, to Lawri .
"to use all means of gentleness and tenderness with the peo-
ple," "not standing much with them upon small matters."
So far as can be gathered from existing documents, the Gov-
ernor fully complied with the recommendation. Beseems
to have cultivated a good understanding with his fellow-
townsmen, and was so well pleased with his residence here,
that, notwithstanding the desire expressed by the Proprietors

* Scot's Model, pp. 193-200. 224-5, S , 2G2-3.

t Grahamc'o U. States, I. 451. Bancroft/a V. Slates II. 414.

228 THE HISTOKY OF

that lie should make the new 'town of Perth his capital,
he continued to reside here until his death, respected and
honored of all."*

It is even affirmed of him, that, so far from troubling the
settlers about their Indian title, on his coming into the coun-
try, " he asked old Isaac Whitehead and Capt. John Baker
(divers others of the principal men of Eliz. Town being
present), how they held their Lands ; who answered him by
Elcholl's Grant and an Indian Purchase ; " and that then he
asked them to shew him the Bounds of their Lands so pur-
chased and granted, " saying he had a Mind to make a Pur-
chase of some Lands lying Westward of their Purchase." It
is further said, that Stephen Osborn was sent by the town
to call the Indian Sagamores together to mark out the bounds,
w T ith whom Lawrie and others had a conference at the house
of Capt. John Baker ; also, that a few days afterwards, Pich-
ard Clarke, Jr., Capt. John Baker, Jonas Wood, Stephen
Osborn, Joseph Meeker, and Joseph Wilson, with two lads,
Pichard Baker and John Cromwell (who went to see the
woods), set out with the Indian Wewanapo (cousin of one of
the Sagamores that sold the land originally), to mark the
western bounds of the town.

Instructed by the old Indian Chief, they went, "on or
about the 16th clay of July, 1684, to a Plain back of Piscata-
way, to a marked tree with some stones about it and a stake
by the tree," and thence " forward towards the Green Piver,
near where it comes out of the mountain, and lodged by the
river-side that night ; and the next day they made a circle or
compass along the foot of the mountain, by the directions of
the Indian, till they came to the Minisink Path, and then
came down to Eliz. Town." It was affirmed, however, that
it was confessed by the Indian chief, that this compass in-
cluded only a part of the town lands.

In this conference, it is said, that " Capt. Baker was the
Dutch interpreter, and an Indian interpreted the Indian lan-
guage into Dutch to said Capt. Baker, who again interpreted
into English." It is also said, that an Indian who had been

* Learning and Spicer, pp. 171, 4.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 229

at sea, and knew the use of the compass, was of the explor-
ing party.

This transaction, however, became the source of a serious
litigation. Baker was charged with having prevailed on
the Indians to include a much larger tract within the
bounds than the town had originally purchased ; and so
with having contravened the Act of Feb, I68f, forbiddii
private purchases from the Indians ; on which charge he
was indicted, Aug. 12, 1GS1, and, on the 28th, was tried,
found guilty, fined £10, and bound to good behaviour for
a year.

Lawrie is also said to have bought, Oct. 30, 1684, of the
Indians Seweckroneck, Mindowaskein, Canundus and Wc-
wonapee, a large tract about Green Brook and the Blue Ilill^,
supposed to be to the West of the E. Town Purchase; en
which several of the most considerable Scotch immigrants
presently were located with their imported Presbyterian
servants of humbler condition. This purchase served greatly
to complicate, in after da}'s, the question of land titles ; a
portion of the territory thus acquired, if not the whole of it.
lying within what were subsequently claimed as the bounds
of the original purchase of 1661, and therefore distributed by
allotment to the Associates, their heirs, or assigns.*

Lawrie, before leaving London, had been instructed u to
take possession of the house belonging to the Proprietor-,
with the orchards and grounds beloninno: thereto : v an order
being at the same time sent to Thomas Pudyard to put Law-
rie " in possession thereof; and we desire thec,' , said the In-
structions, " to clear all the frivolous pretences of Widow
Cartrisjlit thereto.'" What was the issue of this demand do<
not fully appear. Her marriage to Col. Townley occurred
shortly after. +

On the enlargement of the Council, Nov. 26, L684, tten
Lyon was associated with Benjamin Price, as a proper repre-
sentative of this town. On the 28th, John Woodruff, Ben r ,
was appointed High Sheriff of K— e\ ('<■. +

In the course of the winter, or spring, following, Lawrie

* E. T. Bill, pp. 5-1-7, 110-G. t Learning and Bptcer, p. 177. | E, J. Records, C SO, 7.

230 THE HISTORY OF

received instructions from the Proprietors, dated Nov. 13,
1684, requiring that the new town of Perth Amboy be hence-
forth regarded as the capital of the Province ; that the Court
of Common Eight, if possible, be always held there ; " and
that all other necessary Courts, as also the Assembly (when
•called) do sit there ; and particularly the Deputy Governor,
for the time being, do inhabit there, and convene his Council
in the said town of Perth." *

Notwithstanding this order, Lawrie continued to reside in
this town during his continuance in office and until his death.
So that no Assembly having been convened during 1684 and
5, this town remained the virtual capital almost to the close
of his administration.

In May, 1685, tidings were received of the death, Feb. 6,
168-f-, of Charles II., and of the peaceful accession of the
Duke of York, James II., to the throne. The news created
a profound sensation here, as well as elsewhere throughout
the Colonies. James was an avowed Papist. The Puritan
population hated Popery with perfect hatred, and dreaded
greatly the influence of a Papal Sovereign, especially one so
unscrupulous as James ; — " a libertine without love, a devotee
without spirituality, an advocate of toleration without a sense
of the natural right to freedom of conscience, — in him the
muscular force prevailed over the intellectual ; " so that " he
floated between the sensuality of indulgence and the sensual-
ity of superstition." f

Dongan, the Governor of New York, a Papist also, had
kept up the agitation, begun by Andros, respecting the union
of the two Colonies under one head, — a project that now was
likely to be effectively prosecuted. This state of alarm con-
tinued to the end of Lawrie's rule, and tended to promote
peace between him and the people.

A difficulty sprang up about this time between this town
and Newark, as appears from a vote of the latter town, March
9, 168-J, when certain persons were " chosen as a Committee
to treat with Elizabeth Town about the Bounds, and to issue

* Learning and Spiccr, p. 199. t Bancroft's XJ. States, II. 408.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 231

it with them if they can ; n — a vote renewed, April 5th,
1686, and Jan. 2-1, 168f *

A General Assembly being needed, ii was called, obedient
to instructions, to meet at u Amboy Perth," A.p. 6, L686;
and from this time Amboy became the Beat of government
for the Province. The Couri of Common Right, the Supreme
Court of the Province, was ordered, by Act of Assembly, to
be held semi-annually at Amboy, on the preteuce that it \
"more conveniently situated, and near the centre cf the
Province, and the most encouraging place for trade and
traffick by sea and land, which will occasion great concoui
of people:" an expectation yet remaining to be fulfilled.!

The Quaker Pule had now continued about four yeai
long enough to give it a fair trial. The Proprietors had been
at great expense in sending over colonists and .all manner "f
necessary material for the planting of towns and the culti-
vation of the soil, but had been greatly disappointed in the
results. The Indian titles had not been surrendered, the
rents came in slowly, and the prospect of regular dividends
was quite unpromising. It was intimated that Lawrie, as
well as Pudyard, was more intent on securing the best lands
for himself, than on promoting the interests of the Proprie-
tors. A change is agreed upon. A new Deputy must be
appointed — not, how r ever, a Quaker. A large proportion of
the present Proprietors are Presbyterians — and these had
sent over a considerable number of Colonists of like faith.
The old Puritan settlers would greatly prefer a Presbyterian
to an Episcopalian like Carteret, or a Quaker, as Lawrie was
— as Pudyard had been. Lord Neill Campbell receives the
appointment.^

* Newark Town Records, pp. 97, 9, 100. t Leamli g and Sp'.ccr, pp. 2S3, 293.

} Learning ami Spicer, pp. 211, 2.

232 THE HISTORY OF

CHAPTER XII.

A. D. 1686—1702.

Lord Campbell, Dep. Gov. — And. Hamilton, Dep. Gov. — French War — Rates —
Annexation to New York and New England, under Gov. Andros — Revolu-
tion of 1688 — Political Agitations — Leisler in power at N. Y. — Jacobite
Party at E. T. — Interregnum — 'Death of Rob. Barclay — Col. Hamilton,
Gov. — Legislature — Appointments — Bounds of the Town — Lawsuit of
Fullerton vs. Jones — Nicolls' Grant sustained — Notice of Wra. Nicoll,
Esq. — Associates in 1695, and 1699 — Administration of Basse, Bowne and
Hamilton — Tumults at Newark and E. T. — New Allotment of Lands —
List of Surveys — Notices of New Settlers — End of the Proprietary Gov-
ernment.

The history of the town has thus far been, to a considerable
extent, identified with the history of the province. As the
place of the Governor's residence, and of the meetings of the
General Assembly, it exerted a powerful influence over pub-
lic affairs. Gradually, however, as it ceased to be the pro-
vincial metropolis, and the patronage of the Proprietary gov-
ernment was withdrawn, and expended on their favorite
project, the establishment of a great commercial mart at the
mouth of the Raritan, it lost, in part, its paramount influ-
ence, and its prominence in the provincial history. Some years,
however, elapsed before Amboy became a desirable place of
residence, and the comfortable government-house in this
town, erected by Carteret, held out superior attractions, and
was at least occasionally occupied by the representatives of
the Proprietors.

Lord Keill Campbell was the brother of that " excellent
and truly great and good man," Archibald Campbell, Earl of
Argyle, who, in defence of the Church of Scotland, and in
dread of the restoration of Popery by the cruel and intolerant

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 233

James II., had adhered to the Duke of Monmouth, taken up
arms against the government, and, having been taken
prisoner, was beheaded, June 30, 1GS5, at the Market-cross
of Edinburgh. "So high did the tide run at this time against
this noble and excellent family, that the Earl's brother, that
excellent person, Lord Neill Campbell, could have no liberty
to live at his own house, but was forced to go in the hazard
of his life to America, and leave his lady and family behind
him." His son, Archibald, however, who had been, Aug. 1,
1GS5, condemned to death for treason — which Bentence was
commuted, Aug.lSth, to banishment, — accompanied his father,
and a large company of servants, to this Province, of which
he became an influential resident.

Lord Neill, like his noble brother, was " heartily aver m

prelacy and popery," and thoroughly a Presbyterian in his
principles. He found a refuge and hearty welcome here,
among his countrymen and fellow Proprietors. He arrived
in the autumn of 16S6, and, for a season, at least, became a
resident of this town, and, probably, a guest of Gov. Lawrie.
His commission, as Deputy Governor, was received about the
1st of Oct., 16S6, and published on the 5th, at which time he
took the oath of office. The town was represented in the
Council, appointed on the ISth, by Gov. Lawrie, and Richard
Townley. The latter had come over in 16S3, with Francis
Howard, Lord Effingham, Governor of Virginia, whence, in
168-1, he found his way to this Province, and became a resi-
dent, and soon, by his marriage with Mrs. Carteret, and other*
wise, an influential citizen of this town, where his posterity
still continue to reside. Mr. Townley was made Captain of
the Train bands of this town, Dec. 10, 1686. *

James II., having tried to the fullest extent the policy of
persecution, was now gravitating towards toleration, in ord<
to the restoration of Popery. Lord Neill must have become*
aware of it, many months before the Declaration of [ndulg-
ence, Ap. 4, 1687. He had not Bought the post to which he
had been appointed, and so relinquished il it was

* Woodrow's Chh. of Scotland, IV. 43, 311, 32 \ WblH B J., p. 117, ami Amboy,

pp. 21-3. E. J. Records, C, 115.

•

234 THE HISTORY OF

possible for liira in safety to rejoin his loved ones at home.
Capt. Andrew Hamilton, of Amboy, who had come over in
the autumn of 1684 (having previously been a merchant in
Edinburgh), and had been one of Lord Weill's Council, was
left in charge of the government, in March, 1687, and Gov.
Campbell returned from exile to his home and estates in
Scotland.*

The invasion of the country of the Five Nations by the
French from Canada, about this time, was filling the land with
alarm. It gave occasion to a call of the General Assembly,
to meet May 14, 1688, at Amboy, and for an assessment of a
penny on the pound, for the service of his Majesty against
the French ; to be paid in Wheat, at 4s. and Indian Corn, 2s.
a bushel ; Butter, 6d. ; Pork, 2Jd. ; Beef, 2d., and Tobacco, 2Jd.
a pound ; Land to be rated at £10. a hundred acres ; Oxen of
4 year old or more, £4 ; Cows of 3 years old or more, £3 ;
Cattle of 3 years old £3, of two years old, £2, and yearlings,
£1 ; Horses, of 3 years old or more, £3, two years old, £2,
of one year, £1 ; and swine of one year old or more, 10s. a
head. Benjamin Price, who, after the decease of John Og-
den, seems to have been the leading man of the town, was
appointed Assessor for this place.f

Dongan, the Governor of New York, in almost every dis-
patch to the authorities at home, was insisting on the neces-
sity of including the Jerseys under the jurisdiction of New
York : " There is an absolute necessity," he said, Feb- 22,
1687, " those Provinces and that of Connecticutt bee annexed."
The Mayor and Council of New York, also, in an Address to
the King, March 2, 1687, insisted on " the absolute necessity
there is that those adjacent parts of Connecticut, East and
"West Jersey, Pensilvania, should be united to the Province
of New York." James required no urging. He was de-
termined to reduce his American Provinces to his sovereign
will, and to consolidate them under one rule. Sir Edmund
Andros had already been commissioned, and sent over, as
Capt. General of all New England, and was eagerly prose-
cuting the work of subverting the liberties of the elder com-

* Whitehead's E. J., pp. 118, 9, 120. t Learning and Spicer, pp. 306-7.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 235

monwealths in the land of the Puritans— filling those orderly
communities with apprehension and terror.

At length, the decree went forth, Ap. 7, L688, and the
two Jerseys and New York were united with New England,
under the rule of Andros, to be governed l>v the same royal
pleasure, that for three years had been grinding the liberties
of Britain to powder, the whole to be henceforth known i
"New England." Writing from N. York, Oct. 4, L688,
Andros says, " I arrived here the eleventh of August past,
when His Majesties Letters Pattents being published, received
this place, as alsoe East New Jersey the fifteenth, and W<
New Jersey the eighteenth following." "I have since settled
all officers Civill and Military ; — to their great satisfaction,"
says Capt. Francis Nicholson, whom he had appointed
Lieut. Governor. The E. Jersey Proprietors in Great
Britain had been compelled, immediately after the decree
of consolidation, in April, 16SS, to surrender their right of
jurisdiction.*

Secretary Randolph writes from New York, Oct. 8, 16SS,
(after giving an account of the transactions there), as follows :

From thence His Excellence with severall of the Councill set lor ward
for East Jarsey and arriving at Elizabeth Town belonging to that Provinc .
on Wednesday following [15th] His Ma ,ios Commission was ther published
and also the proclamation for continuing the revennue and civill and mili-
tary officers till farther order. They all shewed their great satisfaction
in being under His Ma ties immediate Gov*.

It appears, therefore, that this town was still regarded as
the capital of the Province. The "satisfaction," to which
both Nicholson and Randolph allude, so different from what
was witnessed at Boston, Hartford, and elsewhere, and from
the manifestations here in 1GS0, when Andros arrested Car-
teret, and usurped the government of the town, may have
been entirely superficial, and limited to the few recent comers,
who gloried in the measures of .lames II. Bat it is quite
probable, that it was a real and general satisfaction, to be rid,
at length, of the Proprietary government, of which they had
had such an unhappy experience; Imping, as they did, that

* N. Y. Col. Docrats., III. 392, 425, 530-19, M, 4. GrahMM'l V. States, I. 25G-G1

236 THE HISTORY OF

their rights would be much better maintained " under his
Ma ties immediate Gov*." *

Col. Hamilton, as well as the other officers, was retained
in power as the deputy of Andros, administering the gov-
ernment as before, but without respect to the instructions of
Barclay or the Council of Proprietors. Personally he seems
not to have been objectionable to the people, but quite other-
wise. IJe was intelligent, judicious, resolute, and courteous,
possessing qualities both of mind and heart that had secured
for him the confidence of all classes.

Early in the following year, Feb. 168-f, information was
received of the landing of William, the Prince of Orange, on
the British Coast ; and, in rapid succession, of the fl'ght and
dethronement of James, the triumphant progress of William,
and the grant of the crown to him and the Lady Mary, his
wife. The agitation here, as well as everywhere in the Colo-
nies, was intense and profound. Andros, it was soon learned,
had been degraded and imprisoned by the outraged Puritans
of Massachusetts Bay. Capt. Leisler, backed by the rougher
elements of the populace, had seized the fort, and ousted the
authorities, at New York. So closely was this town, even then,
connected, socially and commercially with the neighboring
city, that these events deeply affected the peace of the com-
munity. Some few openly sided with Leisler. Of the Com-
mittee of Safety, to whom, June 28, 1689, was intrusted the
sole jurisdiction of the Province of "N". York, two were of the.
County of Essex, !N". J. The utmost efforts were put forth,
by the faction in power, to obtain the support of the towns in
E. Jersey — to overthrow the old governments, and set up
their own, but without success ; the people here resolving to
maintain the existing government, until they received orders
from the new authorities at home. A messenger was sent,
by the Leisler party, to proclaim William and Mary at Am-
boy, who was drowned on his return at Staten Island, and
was buried at E". York, in great state. Col. Hamilton, whose
wife was extremely sick of a fever, was prevented from
taking her to N. York, for fear of violence to his person, be

* N. Y. Col. Docmts., III. 567.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 03-

cause lie had arrested some of Leister's agents. Armed men
were sent hither, from N. York, to hunt for so-called popish
refugees. For many months the town was thus kept in a
state of much disturbance and anxiety.*

Some of the inhabitants adhered tenaciously to the fallen
dynasty, and resisted all innovation. Many, also, ol same
party fled hither from New Fork, where their lives v. ao
longer safe. They were mostly men of high social standing,
and great personal influence. A Jacobite party was thus
formed in the town, which served, of course, greatly to in-
crease the ferment. The Quakers, in sympathy with William
Penn (between whom and James II. a peculiar intimacy had
grown up), were classed with, this party. Leisler and his
Council, writing, Jan. 7, 1689-90, to Burnet, the Bishop of
Salisbury, use this language : —

Many resort to our Neighbours of East Jersey and Pensilvania being
many Quakers in these parts, who (: without abusing tliein :) encourage
if not outdo the Roman Catholiques and most of our Calamities and divi-
sions are truly indebted to them, covering their pernicious practices by
their blind scruples, and impudent interpretations, depending still upon
and asserting Mr. Pen to be a person of undoubted sincerity: in the mean
time they advance the Interest of K. James and say that all commissions
are good to this day Colonel Tuwnly with others committing riot upon
our Justices bordering next to them, owning none save King Jam -.
openly drinking his health ettc which we hope in due time to subdue.
Most of the suspected are fled into the next colony amongst the Quakers.

Leisler writes again, Mar. 31, 1G90, to the Bishop, as fol-
lows : —

The raging spirit of malice obstructs us much in the neighborii I ay
of East Jersey, whither our Chief adversarys fly for sanctuary and Jirc
embraced — Coll: Townly one M r Emott an Attorney and sOme n
their principall members asserting that the Throne of England is not
vacant, for that whilst King James was in Franc.- he remained in hi
dominions being annexed to the Crowne, with many other w petu-

lant and rebellious Notions and Assertions.

Mayor Van Cortlandt, writing, May 19, L690, to Sir Ed-
mund Andros, Bays : —

Coll : Hamilton, Townly, Capt" Bourne, Pinhorne and others off* New

* >\ T. Col. Docmta., III. W7, CO?, 13, 17, 4?, S, 60.

238 THE HISTORY OF

Jarsay Gentlemen, dare not come in town ; Gov r Dongan was confined in
his house att Hemstede, but is gone to New Yersay. Mr. Plowman
[Collector of 1ST. York, and a papist] had about sixty barrels of porke and
beefe in Elizabeth towne for which Capt n Leisler sent about 100 men and
tooke it by force.*

Among the depositions respecting the .Riots, sworn before
"Peter D. Lanoy" [Delancy], Mayor, Feb. 27, 16-ff, was
one by Thomas Masters, bricklayer, aged about 50 years,
who declared, — ■

That he was in East Jersey at the house of James Emott coming from
New York was saluted by his wife and asked him from whence he came :
whereupon the said Emott replyed, he came from New Yorke, had been
on board the ship the Beaver, and had taken before Father Smith the
oath of Allegiance to be true to the King ; his wife asked what King ;
he the said Emott answered King James, w ch the Depon* declared was
past in March last.f

Gov. Hamilton left the country for England, late in May,
1690. He presided over the Council of Proprietors at Am-
boy, May 20th, and signed a warrant for a survey, May 22.
" I understand," says Cortlandt, May 19, 1690, " Coll : Hamil-
ton intends to goe for England." It would seem that he left
no substitute ; and no other dignitary ventured to assume the
direction of provincial affairs. An interregnum, consequently
ensued, during which the people of the respective towns were
left to manage their own affairs by their local officers. In a
memorial of a subsequent date, complaint is made to the
king, by those holding under the Nicolls' Grants, that " from
the latter end of June, 1689, till about the latter end of Au-
gust, 1692," they were left li without any government." This
would indicate that, from the transpiring of the accession of
"William and Mary to the throne, Col. Hamilton had ceased
to be regarded, except by the Jacobite party, as the Governor
of the Province. He was really nothing more than Presi-
dent of the Proprietary Board, his authority as Deputy Gov-
ernor having lapsed with the fall of Andros and his royal
master.:}:

* N. Y. Col. Docmts., III. 656, 7, 701. 16, 17. t N. Y. Col. Docmts., III. 747.

t E. J. Eecords, 0., 34-40. N. Y. Col. Docmts., III. 718. Smith's History, of N. Jersey,
p. 55S. E. T. Bill, p. 124. Bancroft's U. States, III. 47.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 239

Robert Barclay, for the last eight years of his life the
nominal Governor of East Jersey, died, October 3, 1G90.
Hamilton, having fallen into the hands of the French, (with
whom the English were then at war), and been detained a
captive, had now arrived out, and Laid before his fellow-Pro-
prietors abroad the state of affaire in East Jersey. Takii
advantage of the anarchy abroad and the confusion at home,
they determined to re-assume the jurisdiction, wrested from
them, and yielded by nominal cession, in April, L688; and,
therefore, proceeded to elect a governor in Barclay's place.
They chose John Tatham [Tatem], a West Jerseyman, who,
about the same time, was appointed by Gov. ( loxe, of W
Jersey, his deputy ; but, " being a Jacobite, and as such by
principle disqualified, him the Assembly rejected." For the
same reason, doubtless, the people of East Jersey " scrupl
to obey' him. They then requested Col. Joseph Dudley to
take the place.*

He had been sent a prisoner to England in February, 1(390,
and returned to !N". York, at the close of the year, having
previously received a provisional appointment mentioned
by Gov. Sloughter of N. York. It is possible, that Slough-
ter took some oversight of the Province of East Jersey,
inasmuch as among the " persons of approved Loyalty and
Integrity," whom he recommended, March 27, lG91,as mem-
bers of his Council, was Richard Townley of this place, an
adherent, as lias been seen, of the Stuart dynasty. Sloughter
died, July 23, lCOl.f

At length, the governorship was given, March 25, 1692, to
Col. Hamilton, then at London, who arrived with Gov.
Fletcher, of N. York, August 30, and was peaceably reeeii
by the people. They acquiesced in his government, by Bend-
ing deputies to an Assembly that convened, by warrant from
Hamilton, at Amboy, Sept. 28,1692, to take mea6ur aid
the Province of New York against invasion by the French.}

* Whitehead's E. J., pp. 120, 130. Smith's n. J , pp. 891, •-'. a T. Bill, p. 124 X. V. Col.
Docmts., III. 761.

t Moore's Governors of X. Tlym. nml IfftM Bey, pp. 390-1 X. V. CoL I .111

3C4, 543, 7f>S. Whitehead's S. J., p. 181. Bmith'a ff. York, L 105.

% Whitehead's E. J., pp. 1S3, 1. X. T. Col. Docmte, ill. 10, T. Learning and Bp

312.

240 THE HISTORY OF

Isaac Whitehead, of this town, was appointed, Sept. 16,
1692, High Sheriff of the County of Essex ; Isaac Whitehead
and Benjamin Price, Jr., Oct. 10, Justices of the Peace for
E. Town ; Henry Norris and John Lyon, Nov. 2, Deputies
to the Assembly ; George Jewell, Dec. 3, County Clerk ;
Isaac Whitehead, Benjamin Price, Jr., and John Lyon, Jr.,
Jan. 29, Judges of Small Causes ; and, Feb. 21, Isaac White-
head, Lieutenant, and Daniel Price, Ensign, of the E. Town
Company of Foot. Isaac Whitehead, who seems to have
been in high favor with Hamilton, was, also, appointed, Ap.
1, 1693, Coroner for Essex Co. ; and, Nov. 4, 1693, Captain
of the Foot Company, Daniel Price being appointed, at the
same time, Lieutenant, and John Lyon, Ensign. Piehard
Townley, also, had been appointed, March 7, 169J-, a mem-
ber of Gov. Fletcher's Council, of the Province of New
York. Mrs. Townley had a large estate on Long Island.*

At the meeting of the Assembly, in October, 1693. an Act
was passed defining the bounds of the respective townships
of the Province, in which, for the first time, the territory of
this town is described by legislative authority :

The Township of Elizabeth-Town, shall include all the Land from the
mouth of Raway Kiver West to Woodbridge-Stake, and from thence
Westerly along the Line of the County to the Partition Line of the Prov-
ince, and from the mouth of the said Kaway Paver, up the Sound to the
mouth of the Bound-Creek, and from thence to the Bound-Hill, from
thence North-west to the Partition Line of the Province.!

The territory thus defined embraced the whole of the
present Union County, and considerable portions of Somerset,
Hunterdon, Morris, "Warren and Sussex Counties, including
Morristown, Stanhope, Schooley's Mountain, and Newton, — ■
according to Keith's Partition Line, then understood to be
the true dividing line between East and West Jersey. The
township was thus extended beyond the western bounds of
the Indian Purchase, which at no point was more than 34
miles from Newark Bay, or double the distance from the
mouth of the Paritan to the mouth of the Passaic rivers4

* E. J. Kecords, C. 151-207. N. Y.; Col. t Learning and Spicer, p. S29.

Docmts., III., 818. X Gordon's N. J. 71-5.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 041

John Harriman [Rev.] and Jonas "Wood were appointed,
Nov. 3, 1693, Deputies, and again in 1694. Benjamin ( »_
den received, Oct. 10, K594, the appointment of Sheriff;
Ephraim Price, Jan. 15, 169£, Ensign ; and John Woodruff,
Jan. 29, Judge of Small Causes.*

A period of great suspense and anxiety commenced BOOH
after the return of Gov. Hamilton. During the Long con-
troversy respecting the land titles of the town, no regular
judicial investigation of the points at issue had been under-
taken — no decision reached. But now that the Proprietors
have resumed their jurisdiction, and seem to be quietly Boat-
ed in the government of the Province, they determine to
bring the matter into the courts; confident that, as the
courts are mostly under their control, judges and juries both,
the case will be decided in their favor, and the planters be
compelled to pay the arrearages of Quit Rents from 1670, or
be dispossessed of their plantations with all the improve-
ments put upon them. The Fullerton brothers, Thomas,
Kobert and James, came to the Province in 1684, and settled
on Cedar Brook, on the plot, bought by Gov. Lawrie of the
Indians, but previously claimed by the E. Town people un-
der the Xicolls Grant. Jeffry Jones, one of the E. T. A— >-
ciates, had, by conveyance from Lawrie, come into possession
of land there, on which James Fullerton (schoolmaster at
Woodbridge, in 1GS9) had settled ; " upon which the said
JeofFrey Jones did enter and oust him." This was in 1693.
Fullerton, in Sept. of that year, brought an action of trcspa
and ejectment against Jones, and issue was joined. The
case came to trial in the Court of Common Pleas at Perth
Amboy, in May 1G95. The whole merits of the case \v<
brought out before the Judges and Jury, on both sit! '1 he

events were then recent; the documentary evidence n ;
ample, and well preserved; the firsl E. Town Book was in

the hands of Samuel Whitehead, the Town Clerk, and w.
perfectly accessible. So that the facts were fully before the
Court, or within their reach.

A special verdict was agreed upon, but the jury gave a

• E. J. Records, C. 21-. -- BL

242 THE HISTORY OF

general verdict for Jones. The Court, however, pronounced
judgment, May 14, on the special verdict against Jones;
who thereupon appealed the case to the King in Council.
In the Court at Kensington, both parties again were fully
heard, ¥m. Nicoll, Esq., being Attorney for Jones. The
Committee of the Privy Council, Lord Chief Justice Holt,
Sir Philip Williamson, and Sir Henry Goodrich, offered their
Opinion to his Majesty in Council, that the judgment be re-
versed ; and his Majesty in Council, February 25, 169^-, re-
versed and repealed the said judgment, and, also, declared
all issues thereupon null and void. Nicoll afterwards de-
clared on oath, that, in the Council,

The sole dispute was, "Whether Col. Bichard Nicholls, as Governor un-
der the King of England, in those parts, might not grant Licence to any
of the Subjects of England, to purchase Lands from the native Pagans?
and if, upon such Licence and Purchase, the English Subjects should gain
a Property in the Lands so bought ? all which was resolved in the Af-
firmative, and the Judgment given to the Contrary, accordingly reversed.*

"William Nicoll, Jones' Attorney, was a lawyer of great
prominence at New York, the son of Matthias, first Secretary
under Gov. !N"icolls. In 1687, he received the appointment
of Attorney General of !N". York. He opposed Leisler in
1689, and was severely treated as a Jacobite. He was a
member of the Council under Govs. Sloughter and Fletcher,
whose policy he sustained. Early in November, 1695, he
was appointed an Agent of the Province to proceed to Eng-
land, to present an Address and a Memorial to the King.
On the voyage, he was captured, in January 169f, near the
Scilly Islands, and kept a prisoner at Brest, in France, till
the month of April. Jones, it seems, took advantage of this
mission, to employ him to manage the appeal before the
King in Council. As Nicoll was shortly after admitted an
Associate of E. Town, with a third-lot right, and as he never
became a resident, but retained his domicile, first in Queens,
and then in Suffolk, Counties on Long Island, it is thought
that this third-lot right was given him by the town for his
services, and the Associates made common cause with Jones

* E. T. Bill, pp. 120, 2. Ans. to do,, pp. 30, 1. LeainiDg and Spicer, p. 690.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 043

in the defence of his title, involving, as it did, the title of
every one of them to their purchased p >3se8sion9.*

These judicial proceedings served to kindle anew the old
animosity between the town and the Proprietors, and neces-
sitated a more complete organization of the planters. A lar_
proportion of the original settlers had either died or left the
town. A new generation had taken their place, heirs or
assigns of the old pioneers, and fully prepared to maintain
their inherited rights. It was determined to make from
these a considerable addition to the number of the 0-
ciates. Of this transaction, the only extant record is found
in the Town Book, under date of June 7, 17o5, in the hand-
writing of Caleb Jefferys, Town Clerk, at that time,
follows : —

Be it always Remembered that Those whose Names are under written
were admitted associates according to thire Lot Rights anexed to Each
there names and ought to have Been Enteared In page the third of This
Book all which is menifastly known By Living Tcstamony amongst us
and Doth allso appear By an Instrument made In the year one Thousand
six hundred Ninety and five

The Associates admitted as aboucs d were as folio weth (viz) Joseph
willson fi e Lott Right henry Norris foure Lott Right and to Each a
third Lott Right peter Nue Henry Lyon and to Each a second L<
Right in the same premisses Jeffery Jones John Miles Samuel Barnet
John Littel Samuel Winancc Joseph meeker Joseph Savers Robert
Morss and Moses Thompson and to Each a first Lott Right in the same
permisses- Nathaniel Bonell, Sen r Stephen Crane John arskin Joshua
Clark Thomas Moore Daniel Dehart John meeker : a Loott & a half
Ro„ r er Lambert George pack, John Ogden Stephen osborne .'
osborn George Ross Nathaniel Tutted Isaac hetfeild Jonas wo id at
Lot Right and a half and to a first Lot Right Samuel Sayea
mor-s Benjamin Bond a Lot Right and a half, and to a first I
marry Johnson, John "Woodruff, wiiliam miller, John parker, J< -ah
Stanbroagh, Henry martain, John pope Benjamin meeker a half I
Right one Lot Right was Entered in pare \* 8 of this Book, ond to a
first Lot Right Joseph ffrazey Richard mattuk and Jonathan- Ogden a
first Lot Right and one Entered In page the o ofThii Book vrhiofa make
two in the Second Taken in of the atea Richard Clark' or

Deceased a second Lott Right wiliiam Cramer Senor-a Second Lott
Right.

•N.Y.Ool. Docmta., III. TOO; IV. 153, 171, 509.

24:4: THE HISTORY OF

On pages 2d and 3d of the same Book is the following
entry : —

" In the Yeare of our Lord one thousand Six Hundred and Ninty-Kine,
At a Town-Meeting (in Elizabeth Town) of the s d Associates and those
Holding under them or Some of them were admitted as Associates with 4
them in the affores d Premisses, all those Persons whose Names are here-
inafter next mentioned (viz.) "William Looker, a Second Lott-Bight,
Benjamin Wade Ditto, John Harriman Ditto, William Nicholls, a third
Lot-Right, and to first Lot-Rights, William Brown, Ephraim Clarke,
Obediah Sale, Jonathan Ogden, Samuel Carter, Jeremiah Crane, Joseph
Whitehead, Samuel Whitehead, David Woodruff, Benjamin Meeker,
Mordecai Burnet, ISTathanael Whitehead, William Miller, Joseph Lyon,
John Thompson, John Harriman, Ju r , JSbenezer Lyon, John Woodruff,
Abraham Hetfield, Robert Woolley, William Hill, William Cramer,
Denis Morris, John Megie, Benjamin Lyon, John Osborne, Joseph Wood-
iuff, Thomas Darling, William Stray hearne, Andrew Craig, John Johnson,
Nathaniel Lyon, Joseph Hallsy, Benjamin Ogden, Jno. Ailing, Jacob
Mitchell, Samuel Willis, Andrew Hamton, George Thorp, John Pearce,
Samuel Oliver, Samuel Clarke, John Gould, Richard Clarke, John Clarke,
and Cornelius Hetfield. And since Cap* Ebenezer Willson, a second Lot-
Right.

In these lists, several of the original Associates are named
as having obtained an addition to their lot-rights. The
children of the old planters are largely represented ; in some
cases, two, three, four, or five sons taking the place of the
father. Ten new-comers are found in the list of 1695,
and twenty, in that of 1699 ; the most of whom became per-
manent residents and founders of families. In addition to
these, were found among the residents a considerable number
of persons, who had attached themselves to the Proprietary
party or were themselves Proprietors, whose lands were
located chiefly on the lower Railway river and its branches,
that section being then included within the territory of the
town.

Daniel Price was appointed, May 3, 1697, Captain of the
Train-Bands : William Brown and Ephraim Price, Lieu-
tenants : and Richard Baker and Samuel Oliver, Ensigns.

J 7 O

John Woodruff (son of the old planter) received, May 30, the
appointment of High-Sheriff of Essex Co. ; John Harriman
[Rev.] and Andrew Hampton, Dec. 1, 1698, were chosen

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. L >45

Deputies; Robert Smith (the iirst of the name in the town)
became, Dec. 26, 1099, High-Sheriff; and, Feb. 15, 1699-

1700, George Jewell, County Clerk.*

The period, immediately subsequent to the decision of the
Jones' case in 1095, was one of much confusion and excife -
ment. Great indignation, of course, was manifested by the
town party against the Proprietors and their anoinalou
government, Restive as they had been under it from the
first, they could no longer restrain the expression of their
dissatisfaction. The reversal by the King and his ( 'ouncil, in
1697, of the adverse judgment of 1095, confirming, as it did,
unquestionably, the validity of their titles, emboldened them
still more in their opposition to Proprietary rule, and in
the determination to be rid of it, and come under the
immediate government of the King, whom they had learned
to trust.

In these purposes they were greatly strengthened by the
state of public affairs in the Province. The Proprietors, as
has been said, relinquished their claim of jurisdiction in
April, 16S8, but reasserted it in 1690. Owing to the perils
by which the Orange dynasty was then surrounded at home,
but little notice was taken, by the ministry, of this colonial
incident. As the government, however, gained strength and
a firm foothold on British soil, the colonies were regarded
with more interest. The pleadings in the Jones' case bad
.turned attention more particularly to the Jerseys. I he
authorities at New York, also, were perpetually pleading for
the annexation of this inviting territory to their own.

The issue must have been clearly foreseen. It could I
be averted. The Proprietary government was doomed, lhe
ministry wisely withheld their assent from the appointn
of the Board at London. Acceptable, personally, as their ap-
pointee, Gov. Hamilton, was, his authority was questioned,
and tlie jurisdiction of the courts denied. When he was su-
perseded in April, 1698, by Jeremiah Basse, in conformity
to a law that required the Colonial Governor* to be natives
of England, the opposition party were greatly strengthened.

* E. J. Record?, 0. 2C1-7, 818,12*

246 THE HISTORY OF

Tlie American Proprietors took ground against the English
Proprietors, and opposed Basse ; while he, on the other hand,
sided with the opposition, and so lent his influence to the
subversion of the power to which he owed his advancement.
The people soon learned to hold the government in contempt.
Revolt ensued. The leaders were imprisoned, but speedily
rescued by the populace.

In May, 1699, Basse left the government in the hands of
Andrew Bowne, (President of the Council, and in sympathy
with the opposition), and sailed for England. Bowne's exer-
cise of authority was respected no more than his predeces-
sor's ; but it stirred up less resistance, as he sided mainly
with the people. The return of Gov. Hamilton, at the close
of 1699, with a new Commission, served still more to com-
plicate matters. In the course of the following spring and
summer (1700), the opposition openly revolted; the Assem-
bly, called to meet in May, 1700, demanded of Hamilton
credentials from the King, and were dissolved the same day.
A period of strife and violence followed ; courts were broken
up ; sheriffs and others were obstructed in serving processes ;
and, as during Basse's rule, there were " mutual breaking of
Goals, rescuing of Prisoners, and beating and abusing of
officers."*

In this culmination of events, towards which they had
long been rushing, the people of this town took a deeply-
interested part. The Newark people openly refused, at a
town meeting, April 11, 1699, to be taxed for the raising of
money, ordered by the Assembly, for redressing a force of
the Province of E". York ; and in this they were fully sec-
onded by this town, at their meeting, on the 21st. At a meet-
ing of the County Court in this town, March 12, 1699-1700,
the Sheriff having been ordered to arrest Samuel Carter for
contempt of Court, the " noise and howling of the people,"
were such that the Court was obliged to adjourn. A similar
scene took place at the County Court in Sept. at Newark,

* E. J. Eecords, C, 273, 31 1, 328, 331, 4. E. T. Bill, pp. 45, 124. App. to Do., p. 33. Ans. to
Do., p. 32. Smith's N. J., pp. 209-11, 558-60, 568-9. Learning and Spicer, pp. 592, 3, 605.
Gordon's N. J., p. 53. Whitehead's E. J., pp. 13S-41, 147-50, 219-20, 223-7. Mulford's N. J.
pp. 257-64. Analytical Index of N. J. Col. Docmk. pp. 19-81.

ELIZABETH", NEW JERSEY

247

several of the inhabitants of this town taking part in the dis-
turbance.*

In this terrible confusion of public affairs, it was deter-
mined to make an appeal directly to the King. A Petition
was prepared, purporting to be from u the Freeholders, In-
habitants, and owners of the Land, of and belonging to
Elizabeth-Town, or Township, and other Lands thereto adja-
cent, in the Province of East New Jersey in America,
in behalf of themselves and many others.." reciting

their title, they say, —

The said Purchasers, and those claiming under them, still continue in
the possession of the Lands by them Purchased, and peaceably fed the

same, until about September, 1693, being near Thirty Years, and during
that Time, great Labour and Expence, built, planted, and improved the
same; and they humbly conceive they ought according to Law, Reason
and Justice, still to enjoy the same.

They then rehearse the troubles to which they had been
put in defending their title, and their need of an impartial
tribunal.

They ask, therefore, either to be placed under the civil
government of Isew York, or to have indifferent Judges a] -
pointed to whom 'all these matters might be referred; and
that the usurpers be admonished no more to usurp the royal
authority in "constituting courts" and " comrnissionating
Judges." The paper was signed as follows :

John Lamb,
John Osborn,
Abraham Hill,
Joseph Ilallsy,
John Woodroof,
Robert Woolcy,
Joshuah Clarke,
Henry Lyon,
William Looker,
Jeremiah Osborn,
Cornelius Hatfield,
Henry Norris,
John Cory,

John Megie,
Daniel Dehart,
Robert Marsh,
William Strayhearn,
Nathaniel Boinel,
Samuel Clark,
John Willis,
Daniel Crane,
David Woodruff,
Ebenezer l.\

Joseph Woodroof,
And. Hampton,
John Thomas,
Ephram Clarke,

Joseph William-.
William Miller,
- DttUel Whiteh'
Ro^er Lambert.

Benjamin Lyon,
Joseph Meeker,

Jonathan Ogden, jun., Ephraim Pri<
Obadiah Sale, Bamael Garter,

John Little, Jonathan < tgrien,

* Anal. Index, pp. 24, 5, 9, 31. Newark Town Records, pp. 113,4.
p. 145

Whitehead's B. J

248 THE HISTORY OF k

Isaac Boinell, Thomas Thompson. Isaac Whitehead,

Benjamin Ogdin, Joseph Lyon, John Earsken,

Benjamin Wade, sen., William Brown, Thomas Price,

Benjamin Price, jun., John Meeker, Benjamin Hatter,

Benjamin Meeker, s John Thomson, John Clarke,

John Looker, Daniel Price, John Miles,

Jeremiah Crane, John Harriman, jun., Jacob Mitch el,

Daniel Sayre, ■ John Eoss, Samuel Williams.*

George Boss, jun., Abraham Hatfield,

A small proportion only of the large territory belonging to
the town had hitherto been occupied. The new generation
and the new comers were eager for more land. It was deter-
mined, therefore, in town-meeting, in the autumn of 1699, to
proceed to an orderly distribution of the back country lands,
and the remaining meadows on the Town Creek, among the
Associates, now 120 in number. For this purpose, John
Harriman, J r ., the eldest son of the minister, was chosen Sur-
veyor, and Messrs. Jonathan Ogden, Benjamin Lyon, John
Clarke, Samuel Carter, and Cornelius Hatfield, his assistants,
" to Lay out, Divide, and Equally assise all the Lands and
meadows within the whole Bounds and purchase of Elizabeth
Town, to every one Interested therein by Right of purchase
under the honourable General Richard Nieholls, their Several
and Respective parts and shares of the whole.f

They entered upon their work, Dec. 26, 1699, and com-
pleted it, March 5, -J-| Iro • The ground surveyed w T as watered
by the Railway river in its southerly course, and extended
from the Newark line on the North, to the Woodbridge line
on the South, reaching to the foot of " the mountain " on the
West. It included a considerable part of the present towns
of Union, Westfield, and Plainfield, and a small part of the
town of Rahway. It comprised about 17,000 acres, and was
divided into 171 one-hundred acre lots, mostly 40 by 26
chains, the general direction of the length being from East
to West, and of the breadth, from North to South. The first
lot, assigned to Isaac Whitehead, Sen r , deceased, bordered
on " the North-west line between Eliz th Town and Newark : '

the 107th, 111th, 112th, and 119th, bordered South on the

* Learning and Spicer, pp. GS9-92. t E. Town Book, B., p. ST.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 249

Wood bridge Line ; the intervening lots, in the order of their
enumeration filling up the interval ; and the remaining lota
lying to the West of the others. The settlement of Connecti-
cut Farms and Westlield dates from this allotment ; the
staple of the population of these townships being the descend-
ants of the old planters among whom these lands were ap-
portioned.*

In these lists, and other documents of the period, several
new names occur, not noticed in the schedule of 1666, and
the Dutch Census of 1073. Of some of them but little is
known ; the origin of a few cannot now be discovered : and
of the remainder a brief account only can he given.

John Alllng [Allen] was in humble circumstances, labor-
ing by the day, employed by Mr. Harriman in "bottoming
chairs." The day after Mr. Harriman's death, his daughter,
says the old Ledger, " Abigail Ailing came to our service."
His father, John, died, intestate, April, 16S5. lie himself
was admitted an Associate in 1699-1700. What relation, if
any, he bore to Samuel Ailing, the founder of the Newark
family, from New Haven, Ct. is not known, — probably
none.f

Andrew Alexander was one of Mr. Harriman's parishion-
ers. He resided here as early as Jan., lG9f. He was,
doubtless, of the same family with George and John Alex-
ander, who came over with the Scotch emigration about
16S5, and had large allotments of land on the Rahway river,
and at the Scotch Plains, on Green Brook. Andrew was a
schoolmaster, and had among his pupils, in lG97-i\ three of
Mr. Harriman's children, who credits him, in his Led.
thus: "for schooling my 3 children at 5 s 3 d — 15 9," IK- v
living here in 17054

Margaret Baker was here as early as i<!76\ She obtained,
Feb. 1, 167$, a warrant for 200 acres, "in right of Peter
Wolverson, r who had returned to New York. She is r ded
as Mrs. Margaret Baker, but her deceased husband's name is
not given.

* E. Town Book, V,., 12-37. UnrrimiuiN Ledger, pp. H^-150.

t Newark Town Reoords, p. 11''. Mr. H.irrim.in's Lodger, p. 1.7.

* lb., p. 108. E. J. Record*, L., 50, 101, 170, 206.

250 THE HISTORY OF

She was a sister of Gov. Peter Stuyvesant, and quite a
noted character. Jacob Backer, her husband, was a pros-
perous merchant in New York. He resided on the E. side
of Broad st. near Beaver st, and adjoining his store. He
was Schepen for several years, and held in high esteem. He
went over to Holland, in 1660, and left his business here in
charge of his wife, Margaret, returning only occasionally.
Their eldest child, Nicholas, was baptized in the Dutch
Church, N. Y., Mar. 25, 1657 ; their 2d child, Hillegond,
Sep. 7, 1759 ; Henricus, Sep. 26, 1660 ; and Abraham, Nov.
23, 1664. After the English conquest he returned once or
twice more to Holland, and seems, after 1669, not to have
come back. It was reported that he died in the East Indies.
His property was heavily mortgaged, to Jean Coussean, who
foreclosed in 1670. Balthazar de Haert, a wealthy merchant,
living in Pearl st. between Broad and William streets, pur-
chased the property, in Oct. 1670, at public sale. As the
sequel shows, he had become quite intimate with widow
Baker. He died the next year but one, 1672, and, having
never married, left the most of his estate to his three brothers,
Daniel, Matthias and Jacob, having first made provision for
his natural son, Matthias; and bequeathed to his "Naturall
son Daniel De Haert, procreated by Margarett Stuyvesant,"
the house and lot then occupied by him and Elias Provost
Smith, and " two greate stilling kettles ; " also 600 guilders
wampum annually ; of all which the mother was to have tire
use until their son, Daniel (who had been baptized, Sep. 1,
1671), should come of age.

Among the Albany Kecords is a Petition, dated Ap. 29,
1676, of Margaret Stuyvesant " for an examination of her
account against the estate of the late Balthazar de Haart,
with whom she was engaged to be married, and who in his
lifetime made use of her estate." Oct. 2, 1676, Daniel de
Haart asks for a subpoena to be served " in the suit between
Daniel de Haart, administrator, &c, and Margaret Stuy-
vesant alias Bakers." In the following winter, Mrs. Margaret
Baker has taken up her residence here, induced thereto,
probably,, by a settlement with Daniel de Haart, his brother

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 051

Balthazar having acquired considerable land here before his
death. Not many years after, she found it convenient to
change her condition once more. A very singular covenant
of marriage is on record, dated March 11, 167-J-j betw<
Hendrick Droogestradt and Mrs. Margarita Stuyvesant, both
of Elizabeth Town, in which, Hendricus, Nicholas and Abra-
ham Backer are mentioned as her children. The wit] - to
the covenant are John Woodruff, George Jewell, and Rich-
ard Pettinger. The identification is complete. (Mr. Drooge-
stradt had been a resident of New York, and, Feb. 2G, L671,
had obtained license to marry Mary Jansen. They were
still living, in Jan., 1674, at New York, tenants "1* Rev.
Jacob Fabritius.) According to the Dutch custom, Mi .
Baker retained her maiden name, Stnyvesant, after her
marriage. The three children named above were born in
wedlock. Mrs. Baker, having bpen a resident of Xew York,
was doubtless well acquainted with Wolverson, and so be-
came a purchaser of his rights here. The amount surveyed
for her was 224 acres, already described in connection with
the notice of Wolverson. The larger part of it adjoined
Daniel de Hart's land on the West, which Daniel was,
doubtless, her own son.*

Shamgar Barnes was one of Mr. Harriman's parishioners,
in humble condition. He may have been a son of Thomas
Barnes, of Shrewsbury, N. J. ; but, more probably, he was
from Southampton, L. I., the home of so many of the early
settlers of this town. William Barnes was there as Boon as
1641r, and Joshua Barnes, in 1G53 and onwards. Thomas
Barnes was at New Haven, Ct., in 1643.f

Samuel Barnet was the founder of a larcje family, but his
origin is not known. The Rev. Thomas Barnard, of New
London, Ct., is called "Barnet," by Cotton Mather. Such a
conversion of names is very common in the old records, lie
was admitted an Associate in 16954

John Blanch akd is called, by Mr. Ilaniinan, u gallicus"
i. e. a Frenchman. in one place, he writes the name,

* Alb. Records, XXV. 105, 1-C. X. Y. Wills, I. 3^5-392. B, J. 1: II. 50, 56 ; III. 140

N. Y. Marriages, p. 117.

t IIowoll, pp. 90, 151, 179, 206. : Savage, I. 123. Mather's Magnalin. E. T. Book, B. -4^.

252 THE HISTORY OF

" Blankshard ; " in another " Blankskaw," in accordance
with the French pronunciation. The name first occurs in
1700. Several French families became residents of the town
during the first few years of the 18th century. He opened,
as early as 1700, a country store here, which was kept by
him, or some member of his family, a great many years.
The following debit appears against him in Mr. Harriman's
Ledger : " 1703. May 17th, p a house &c sold you this day at
80 lb is £80, 00, 00." In 1711, he was one of the Justices of
the Peace, and, in 1720, one of the Town Committee. He
was a man of much distinction and influence, and the founder
of a numerous and respectable family.*

John Boardman first appears at the Town Meeting, Jan. 18,
169f, when he subscribed 6s. per annum to Mr. Harriman's
support. He seems to have been a day-laborer, and may
have been the sexton of the church, an entry made in Mr.
Harriman's Ledger, by his son, John, being in these words :
" 1705 August 21 by Diging fathers grave — 0, 4, 0." Mr.
H. died on the 20th. Boardman died in 1707, his will
bearing date, March 4, 170-|. His wife, Sarah, to whom he
left all his property, survived him.f

William Boyell [should, probably, be Boyle] and Jane
Jansen, both of E. Town, were married, Sep. 27, 1675, at E.
Town, by Justice Bollen. Nothing further is known of them.
He may have been the ancestor of Solomon Boyle, who
owned 600 acres on the Upper Passaic, adjoining the Berk-
ley tract, and was the father of a numerous family. Charles
Boyle was at Oyster Ba} r , L. I., a few years later .J

William Broadwell was a cordwainer, who married, Aug.
25, 1677, Mary, a daughter of Robert Morse, tailor, all of
this town. She was his second w r ife. He purchased, Oct. 30,
1678, 148 acres of land in E. Town, of Luke Watson, who
had removed to Delaware; also, Sep. 26, 16S1, 35 acres, a
part of his father-in-law's lands, bordering East on Eliz.
Eiver. He obtained, Feb. 26, 1679-80, a warrant, " in Eight
of him & his wife." He sold a part of his lands, July 4,

* Old Ledger, pp. 128, 131, 145. Eecords Quarter Sessions, 1711, 12. E. T. Book, B. 1.
t Old Ledger, p. 114. X E. J. Eecords, III. 118. Alb. Land Papers, X. 161.

ELIZABETII, NEW JERSEY. 053

16S2, to Joseph Frazec ; lie bought, Oct. 20, 1684 of Joseph
Kerr, another tract, and on the 24th, sold to Capt. Andrew
Bown, of Middletown, N. J., (Deputy Gov., in 1699), 27 acres
adjoining Leonard Headley. lie applied, Jane 11, 1685, for
500 acres in E. T., and obtained " 250 at 2d. per Ac He

had surveyed, Nov. G, 1GS5, a tract of i ; <*>7 acres, at E. side
of Asli Swamp, adjoining Wm. Pardon, Robert Morse, Wm.
Trotter, and George Pack; also 16 acres more on the E.
of the above; and 38 acres of meadow on the B. of

Bound Creek : in all, 320 acres. His saw-mill was one «.t'
the landmarks of the day. lie died early in April, 16fc
His estate was valued at £07, 9, 1.*

AVilliam Browne was a wheelwright and carpenter, lie
was one of the early settlers of Southampton, L. I., and Oct.
7, 16ttS, was chosen one of the freemen of the town. IK-
came to E. Town, probably, about 1GS0. He was commis-
sioned Lieutenant of Capt. Daniel Price's Company of Foot,
May 3, 1697. In March, 1699-1700, he was chosen one of
the Associates of the Town. He was a brother-in-law of
Capt. Isaac Whitehead. Joseph and Isaac Ogden were his
sons-in-law. He died in Dec, 1702.f

Mordecai Burnet was, also, from Southampton, L. I. His
father, Thomas, came thither from Lynn, Mass., as early as
1643. He had 7 sons : John, Aaron, Lot, Joel, Dan, Mor-
decai, and Matthias. Mordecai was the son of his second
wife, Mary Pierson, whom he married in 1GG3, at Lynn.
He was admitted one of the Associates in March 1699-1 .'■ '.
No record of his residence here at an earlier date has be
found. He was born, probably, about 1670, and may have
come here about 1G90. Dr. Ichabod Burnet, who came here
later, and was one of the Associates in 1729, was the son of
his brother Dan, and the father of the Burnet family of this

town.J

Kiohabd Clarke, shipwright, also, was from the East End

of Long Island, [n a deposition made, March 22, 17-ll,his

son, Richard, then "aged abont fourscore years,"

* E. J. Records, 114; o. e. 160; II. 128; o e IV. It, I MS; L M>

t Howell, pp. 29, 90. K. J. BeooTd I Old Lc ■ r,p :

% IIowcll, pp. 92, 203, 9. E. T. Book, B., p. 3.

254 THE HISTORY OF

" that lie was born, as he hath heard, at South-Hampton on
Long Island ; and that he was brought to Eliz. Town by his
Father, named Richard Clarke, when he was between six-
teen and seventeen years of x\ge." The father's name is not
found among the early inhabitants of Southampton. He was
living at Southold in 1675. Mr. Clarke, with his wife, Eliza-
beth, daughter, Elizabeth, and five sons, Richard, John,
Joshua, Samuel and Ephraim, came here, about 1678. Two
sons, Thomas and Benjamin, were born to him after his arri-
val. The first five were all admitted as Associates in 1699-
1700. He obtained, Feb. 25, 1679-80, a warrant for 300
acres "in Right of himself his Wife his Sons Richard, John
and his Daughter Elizabeth Clarke." These three were of
sufficient age [14 years] at the time to have an allotment of
land granted their father for them. The survey of this land,
located near Rahway, is not on record. He had purchased,
in 167S, Caleb Carwithy's land, at Luke "Watson's Point.
He was admitted an Associate, in 1695. His Will is dated,
New York, April 1, 1697, where he may have been taken
ill, and where, probably, he died, a day or two later. His
son, Thomas, was the grandfather of Abraham Clark, the
" Signer." His estate was valued at £159, 5, 1|-.*

Jonathan Clement was one of Mr. Harriman's parishion-
ers from 1691 (and probably earlier) to 1705. But little is
known of him. The Clement family were numerous at Hav-
erhill, Mass., and Jonathan may have originated there. One
of the entries in the old Ledger, against Mr. Clement, is in
these words : " 1705 May 26 your negro came to board." f

John Cokey first appears here as one of the Memorialists
of 1700. He came from Southold, L. I. Abraham was a
resident of that town, as early as 1662, where he married
Margaret, a daughter of Jeffry Christophers. John Cory, in
1675, was assessed, at Southold, for £41 ; and Jacob Cory,
for £93. It is likely that the three were brothers. He died,
in Dec. 1722, and his widow, Priscilla, in Dec. 1723. %

Andrew Ceaig [Ceaige, Ceage, Ceag, Ceagg], it is

* E. T. Bill, p. 115. E. J. Records, II. 103, 111. t Ledger, p. 6T. Savage, I. 407, 8.

X Savage, I. 459, 60. N. T. Doc. His., II. 449-52.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 255

thought, came with the Scotch emigration, in Gov. Lawrie's
time. John and James Craige came with Lord Campbell in
1685. As related, on a subsequent page, the Rev. George
Keith, Episcopal Missionary, was entertained at his house, in
Nov. 1703, preached there the first Episcopal pennon ever
delivered in the town, and baptized Bar. Craig 1 fourchildn
lie was admitted an Associate in March, 1 , *.'. , : , -17 n(l , and
drew No. 1G2 of the 100-acre lots, on the S. W. Bide «'t' the
Railway river, and on the lower side of t lie " Noramahcgon
branch,'' in the bounds of the present township <>!" Westfii
being its easternmost point. A part of the family became at-
tached, subsequently, to the Westfield Church. Bia aul
graph appears among the Associates, Nov. L >v \ 1729, in the
Town Book. He died, about Oct. 1, 1738.*

James Ckigiiton is known only as one of Mr. Harrimai
parishioners. A John Crichton was one of the banished
Scots who arrived in Dec. lOSo.f

"William Darbie was a resident of the town in 1GSS. Ap.
16, of that year, the widow Agatha White sells all the lands
of Richard Beach in E. Town, bought of him, March 31,
1688, to William Darbie of E. Town. Nothing further is
known of him. A William Darby was one of the respond-
ents in 1752, to the E. Town Bill in Chancery. £

Thomas Darling was admitted one of the Associates in
1699-1T00, and drew No. 150 of the 100-acre lots, near the
Rahway river and N. E. of it, between Joseph Woodruff
and llurr Thompson. A Thomas Darling was at Salem,
Mass., in 1690 ; George, at Lynn, 1650 ; and John Darli
wh<> married Eliza, daughter of James Beers, Mas one of the
earlv settlers of Fairfield, Ct. §

. Daniel De Hart was erroneously numbered by ,W remiah
Osborn, in his affidavit, as one of the original
He is not included in the Town list, as recorded in their
book, lie was a physician and a resident of New Fork.
Four brothers, Balthazar, Daniel, Matthias, and Jacobus,

♦P.Ep. His. Soc. Coll., p. 4t. Clark's St. John's Chh. of K. T.. p Ifi B T. Book, 1
Whitehead's P. Amboy, p. 89 M .■•;•"• "

t E. J. Records, B. 883, 4. E. T. Bill, pp. 106, 7. Ans. to do.
§ Savage, II. 10. E. T. Book, B. 8, 83.

256 THE HISTORY OF

De Haerdt were early citizens of New Amsterdam, the
former having engaged in the shipping business, about 1658,
and having been greatly prospered. Balthazar resided, at the
English Conquest, on the S. side of Wall st. He purchased,
Ap. 3, 1671, of .Richard Painter, one of the original Asso-
ciates of this town, who had removed to N". York, his house
and plantation here. At his death, early the next year, his
executors sold, for £48, July 4, 1672, the property to Richard
Skinner, " Joyner" of this town, who had been a servant
both to Painter and to De Hart. Skinner, however, being
unable, probably, to comply with the terms of purchase, relin-
quished the possession. Whereupon Daniel De Haert, as
" Executor of Baltaz De Haert," obtained, March 30, 1675, a
warrant for 120 acres, " in Right of Richard Painter," and,
Ap. 1, 1678, obtained a survey of 134^ acres, including a
house-lot of 3 acres, already described in the notice of Painter
on a previous page. Two years later, Mar. 28, 1680, he sold,
in behalf of the heirs of his brother, all their estate in the
town, to George Jewell of Piscataway.

After his brother's death, Daniel succeeded to his business,
and died without issue, late in 1689, or early in 1690. His
brother, Jacob, married Cornelia Beeck, and resided on the
W. side of Pearl, below Wall st. Their children were— Wil-
liam, Peter, Elizabeth, and Balthus, 1673-80, and another,
1684, not named. Matthias married, in 1670, Jannetie, the
widow of Joannes De Witt, a wealthy flour-merchant of Kew
York, and had a daughter, Catalina, bap. Jan. 21, 1673. He
had died in 1675. Since Dr. Daniel De Hart died as early
as 1690, he could not have been the Daniel, who was admit-
ted one of the Associates in 1695, and who signed the memo-
rial to the King in 1700. This Daniel was, undoubtedly, the
son of Mrs. Margaret Baker and Balthazar De Hart— the
first one of the name who took up his residence here. Capt.
Matthias De Hart, born 1667, must have been the son, Mat-
thias, mentioned in the will of Balthazar. He was the an-
cestor of the E. Town family.*

* E. J. Kecords, I. 25 ; II. 18, 73 ; A. 113. Valentine's N. York, pp. 84, 7. N. Y. Wills, I.
385-392 ; V. 123.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 057

Anthony Elcock appears to have been ono of the early
Associates of the town, as a meadow-lot, in 1699-170<> ? was
drawn in his right. His name occurs nowhere else in the
town records. lie was at New Haven, Ct., in 1G57; had
four children, Mary, John, Thomas, and Sarah born to him,
16G1-9, and had died in 1672. His early death, probably,
prevented his intended removal.'"

James Emott came from England to this town, as early
1GS2. As a lawyer, lie attached himself to Gov. Carteret,
and was one of the witnesses to his will, Dec. 10, 1682. He
was appointed County Clerk, March 2S, L683, and Chii
Ranger of the town, Dec. 3, 1GS3. Soon after, he removed
to Perth Amboy, the new capital of the Province, ami, in
1GS5, kept the ordinary there. The next year, he was ap-
pointed Provincial Secretary. Xone, who have occasion to
consult the original Records at Trenton, pertaining to this
period, will soon forget his peculiar chirography, so difficult
to decipher. He had married, 1GS2, or 3, Mary Lawrence,
of this town, the step-daughter of Governor Carteret, who v
born 16G5, and was about 1G years old, when, at her mother's
marriage, in 1GS1, she came with her six brothers and sisU
to reside here. He removed from Amboy to New York, and
resided on the E. side of Broadway, just above Wall st. He
received, Feb. 5, 168$, a warrant for 300 acres in E. Town,
bordering on RaliWay river, and " Emott's Creek." He was
a zealous Jacobite, and, in lG'Js, was charged with being one
of the brokers for the pirate Every. He was one of the li:
vestrymen of Trinity Church, N. Y., and contributed liber-
ally to its funds. In 1G99, he visited Boston to intern
with the Earl of Bellemont (the Governor) for the pirate
Capt. Kidd. In 1701, he was recommended to be one of the
Gov.', Council. He died. April, 1713, at New Fork, Leaving
four H>ns, George, William, James and John.f

John Erskinb [Eabskenb, Ak-klw Abskins] was a Scotch-

• Ledger, p. 149. Bavage, II. 107. The nun* la ldenl • . • \' k."

t N. v. Wills, Vlli 287 9. E •'. i: oorde, \ .11 . - • W|ftehead'i r.

Amboy, pp. 23, 41, 261. Valentino's N. Y., pp. S I B.Y.< mti . m .101, :i: .

IV. 808, 528, 583, 162, 849. Berrlan'i Trinity Chh., pp. 13, IT, - B I widow, soon after,

became the wife of the lav. Edward Vanghaa, town.

258 THE HISTORY OF

man, as his name imports. He was admitted an Associate in
1695, and drew No. 143 of the 100-acre lots, in the town of
Westfield, recently owned by the late Gideon Ross. His sub-
scription in town-meeting, Jan. 18, 169-f-, to Mr. Harriman's
support, was 5s. per annum, who credits him with making a
pair of leather breeches for each of two of his sons, Richard
and Joseph, 3s. and 6d. each ; also with " 3 dayes work of his
negro Robbin in threshing wheat at 3 bits p day — 6s. 9d."
He was, therefore, a tailor, and, in common with his pastor
and most of the planters, a slaveholder. He was one of
the Memorialists of 1699. St. John's Church, in 1738,
or 9, received a glebe of 9 acres, " by the Piety and favor
of a very worthy widow, Mrs. Anne Arskins. of Elizabeth
Town."*

Nathaniel Forbes was a shoemaker, and is known only as
a subscriber, in 1694, of 6s. a year to Mr. Harriman's support,
and the maker of a pair of shoes for the pastor, in full of the
subscription, f

William Gaethwaite, the father of a numerous family, was
born, 1677, in England ; married, as early as 1702, Ann, the
daughter of Maximilian Laulon, of France. He came here
as early as 1703, his son, Henry, having then been born in
this town. The family tradition brings him here as early as
1695. The earliest date, at which his name appears in any
town document, is 1706. He, or his son, located on what has
since been known as the Roberts' property, on the West side
of the town. He died, Dec. 11, 1738, leaving, at least, two
sons, Henry and James. :{:

Edwakd Gay was a physician. Letters of Administration
were granted, Aug. 3, 1687, to " Edward Gay, of Elizabeth
Town, Doct 3 * of Physick," for the Estate of John Wren, of E.
Town, dec d . This is the first mention of him. No hint is
given of his previous history. He frequently appears as a
witness to the Wills of the early settlers, — his patients, most
likety. He obtained a warrant, Aug. 15, 1693, for 50 acres
of unappropriated land in E. Town. ~No other trace of him

* E. T. Book, B., 82, 43. Ledger, p. 109. Clark's St. John's, p. 55,
t Ledger, p. 88. % lb. p. S.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 259

remains. John Gay was at Watertown, in 1635, and Ded-
hatn, Mass., 1039.*

John Gould [Gold] was admitted one of the Assoc in
1699-1700. In Jnne, 1694, he subscribed L2s. a year to Bir.
Harriman's support. A John Gould was at Southampton,
L. I., in 1GS3, and was, doubtless, the same man. John
Gould, who was at Charlestown, Mass., in L636, had a
John, born, Aug. 5, 161S. The latter may have been the
E. Town Gould. A Daniel Goulde was at Shrew ibnry, \. J.,
previous to 1077. t .

Joseph IIalsky came from Southampton where, and in i
vicinity, the family is largely represented at the present day.
Joseph was the son of Isaac, and the grandson of Thomas,
who was at Lynn, Mass., in 1637, and was the wealth'
founder of Southampton, in 1610. Joseph was born about
1603, and bred a weaver. He was here in 1091. He lived
in the neighborhood of the Wheatsheaf tavern on the Wood-
bridge road. He purchased of Derick, the son of Capt John
Baker, " all the Divisions accruing to a second Lot Eight in
Elizabeth Town." He was one of the Memorialists, and one
of the Associates, in 1700. He died, April, 17254

Andrew Hampton [Hamtox] was here Ap. 12, 16S8, when
he administered on an estate; perhaps earlier. Tradition
(not very good authority) says, that he was a tailor, and
eloped, from Scotland, with Lady Margaret Cummin. No-
where in the Records has she this honorable prefix. It is
much more probable, that he came here from the old hive —
Southampton, L. I. James Hampton, of Salem, Mass., re-
moved to Southampton, as early as 1652, living at the X.
end of Main st.,near the Bridgehampton road, next toB
Woolley (afterwards of E. Town), and near Thomas Sayrt .
a house bought of Win. Barnes. Andrew was, p: ly, his

son, and, therefore, named one of his own sons, Jam The

Be v. George Keith, being here in 1703, says: "Noveinl
4. I Baptized the Children of Andrew Heniton, eight in

•
♦ E. -T. Records, B. 188 ; 0. 103. Savage, II. 8

t E. T. Book, B. 3. Ledger, p, W B 11 Ige, II -

X Howell, pp. 15, 227-33. Littell's Tossaic Valley, p, 1M. N. Y. Wills, I. S3 1 . E. T. Bill,

p. 49.

260

THE HISTORY OF

Number ; He and his Wife are come over from Quakerism
to the Church." His tenets would not allow him to aid in
the support of a " hireling ' : minister ; yet, as he had con-
siderable dealings with Mr. Harriman, he allowed the latter
to charge him in the old Ledger, "169|- 8 br 1. p gift in
ord r to my maintenance 26 8 [£] 1. 6. 0." In 1696, he is
charged with " mending glass for y e brick house ... 3. 4-J."
In that year he built his " brick house " on the site of
the present parsonage of St. John's Church. A portion
of the old house still remains, in which is still
seen the old corner-stone with this inscription :
A smaller stone is inscribed h_

A 1696 M

1697
ANDEEW
HAMTON

and
MAEGEET

as follows :
He was appointed, Dec. 1, 1698,
with Mr. Harriman, a Deputy to the Legisla-
ture. His name is found among the Memorialists of 1700,
and among the Associates of that year, but not among those
of 1729. He died, Jan. 173$*

John Harriman, 1687, is noticed at length on a subsequent
page.

Henet Harris was one of Mr. Harriman's parishioners,
employed by him, at times, in " fetching shells, mowing salt-
grass, killing hogs, pitching hay," and the like. His sub-
scription was 6s. George Harris was at Northampton, L. I.,
in 1657, and this Henry may have been of his family.
George, of the next generation, in this town, was, probably,
Henry's son. A George Harris was at Salem, Mass., with a
family, in 1636. Daniel and Arthur were in 1610 at Dux-
bury.f

Capt. John Harrison was a merchant here, as early as
June 6, 1701, at which date he obtained license from Gov.
Hamilton to " purchase of the Indians or Natives a tract of
land at or Near Milton Eiver," in W. Jersey. No connec-
tion has been traced between him and the Harrison family of
Newark. His father, John, was an early settler in Monmouth
Co., N. J. (having four sons, John, William, Henry, Ed-

* Howell, pp. 151, 6, 305, 7. E. J. Eecords, C. 267. P. Ep. His. Soc. Coll., I. 44. Ledger,
p. 102. Clark's St. John's, p. 61. t Savage, II, 360, 1. Howell, 231 Ledger, p. 104.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. Ofll

ward), and was, probably, that son of Edward Harrison, who
was baptized at Boston, May 21, 1G18. Or he may have
been the son of John, of Boston, whose son, John, was born
there, Ap. 2, 1G52. John Harrison, in 1695, was the Sheriff
of Queens Count}-, L. I., and, July 22, L697, applied for a
patent for a tract of land at Oyster Bay. Soon after, he re-
moved to this town, and engaged in trade. II*- purchased,
Jan. 23, 170 J, one-fifth of Robert Barclay's Propriety in the
E. Jersey lands, which was JJJths of g^th, and consequently
became an advocate of the Proprietary Claim-. In 1709 he
served as Captain on the frontiers, at Albany, N. Y., acting,
also, as Commissary. He purchased, Sept. ID, 1713, of
Thomas Barker's widow, \ of jfg-th of his propriety. In L718,
he was employed, occasionally, as a surveyor, having pre-
viously removed to Amboy, where, the same year, he served
as Sheriff. He died in 1724.*

Benjamin Hatter was one of the Memorialists of 1700,
but has left no other record.

John Heron died, July, 1GS7, and Jonathan Ogden, with
Roger Lambert administered on his estate, valued at £2G.
13. l.f

John Herrick is known first as an 8s subscriber to Mr.
Harriman's support, in 1694. He was, probably, a member
of the Southampton family. He was a witness, May 28,
1G95, to the Will of Thomas Lee.J

Zerah IIiggins was from Piscataway. Mrs. Mary Higgina
of Piscatawa}' obtained, Ap. 2, 1077, a warrant for ISO acres,
in right of herself, her deceased husband, Richard, and her son
Eliakim, "<& another Right for Zera ETiggii Richard

was at Plymouth, Mass., in 1G33, married, Nov. 23, 1634,
Lydia Chandler, and had Jonathan and Benjamin ; removed,
1G14, t<> Eastham, Mass., and was Representative of the town,
1647-51 ; married, (Jet. 1651, Mary Fates, and had Mary
(b. Sep. 27, 1652), Eliakim (b. Oct 30, 1654), William (b.
Dec. 15, 1655), Judah (b. Mar. 5, 1657), Zerniah (b. June,

* Savaze, II. 3rt6. LOk Beoofds, XXXiil 63, ; XL. 88. B. #. Boeord*. IL 141

153-5, 8, 180, 209, 288 ; 0. 22T. B. Towo BiU, pp 34,8,1 Sowed, pp. 47, 202 Whitehead?!

P. Amboy, pp. 53, 66-9.

t Inventories. I Lodger, p. bT. Howell, p. 239. E. J. Records.

2G2 THE HISTORY OF

1658), Thomas (b. Jan. 1661), and Lydia (b. July, 1664).
They emigrated to !N". Jersey, about 1670. Zerniah [Zerah],
after his father's death, came to this town, where he died,
intestate, Dee., 1695, in his 38th year. Richard Baker and
Andrew Hampton administered on his estate, valued at
'£134. 15. 10f.*

John Hume was a mason, and came over with the Scotch
immigration in 1685, and soon after had a tract of 150 acres
surveyed for him, for which he obtained a patent, Ap. 28,
1686. The land adjoined John Pearce, on the S. side of E.
Town Brook. At his death, the property passed to his three
daughters : Catharine, the wife of John Matthies, of Perth
Amboy ; Jane, the wife of John Brown ; and Hannah, the
wife of Andrew Pedford. The title was contested, at a later
date, by claimants under the Town Associates. f

John Indes was a poor parishioner of Mr, Harriman, sub-
scribing 3s. per annum only to his support, from 1694 to
1699. He was living in 1717, near Winans' Landing, on
the Creek, and just beyond Isaac Hatfield, dec d .J

George Jewell was one of the early settlers of Piscataway,
N. J., having previously resided at Newtown, L. I., of which
he was, in 1665, one of the Overseers. He was, probably, of
the lineage of Thomas Jewell, who was at Braintree, Mass.,
in 1639. He purchased, Mar, 21, I68f , of Daniel Be Hart,
acting for the heirs of Balthazar, all their estate in E. Town.
Four pieces of land, in all, 200 acres, were surveyed for
him ; one, adjoining land of Hendrick Baker and Nathaniel
Bonnell ; another, on the N". side of the Woodbridge road,
adjoining Robert White, Poger Lambert, and John Toe ;
and two, of meadow, one of them on the S. side of E. Town
Creek. He was appointed, Mar. 28, 1683, Clerk and Mes-
senger of the Court; also, Dec. 3, 1692, County Clerk, and
again, Feb. 15, 1699-1700. His death occurred, Aug. 1734.§

Alexander Keenee [Kinney] was a parishioner of Mr.
Harriman as early as 1694, and was still here in 1709.

* E. J. Records, IT. 53. Savage, II. 412. Inventories.

t E. J. Rec, A. 336. E. T. Bill, p. 44, 5. } Ledger, p. 01.

§ Savage, II. 54S. Riker, p. 418. E. T. Bill, pp. 102,7. E. J. Records, II. 69, 78; A. 113 ;
C. 13, 176, 323; E. 103; O. SS.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 263

At a town meeting, March 11, 170 J, Thomas Kecnee, also,
subscribed 5s. ajear. The)- were sons of Alexander Keeney,
of "Wethersfield, Cfc., of which he was a freeman in 1667, and
died there in 1G80, leaving his wife, Alice (who died, in

1G83), and seven children. Alexander was born in L662,
and Thomas in 1GGL They were neither of them admitted
as Associates.*

John Lamb was one of the Memorialists of 1700, and Sam-
uel Lamb was here in 170S. They were, probably, of the
lineage of Thomas Lamb, who came in the Winthrop ileet,
1630, and settled at Eoxbury, Mass. The names of John
and Samuel occur frequently among the children and grand-
children.")"

Peteu Laueensex was licensed, Aug. 30, 1G7G, to marry
Sophia Mannard, both of this town. He mast have been a
Dutchman, and has left no other memorial. The name was
a familiar one at New York.}

Abraham Lawrence was numbered among the 80 Asso-
ciates ; but no mention is made of him as a settler at that
early day. He was, doubtless, from Newtown, L. I., and, it
may be, a cousin of Mr. Carteret's children, with whom he
may have come here. In the drawing of the 100-acre lots,
No. 42 fell to his share — the same that was afterwards owned
and occupied b} r Elder Andrew Hatfield, of Westfield.

William Leagry, of E. Town, carpenter, made his will (to
which Benjamin Wade and George Jewell were the wit-
nesses), November 3, 1GS3, appointing Thomas Johnson, of
Newark, his Executor, and giving all thai he had to Benja-
min Wade. The name was, probably, Leo are, found at I:
ton as early as 1641, and sometimes written, Leager, and
Lege r. J

Thomas Lee married, March 14, 167-J-, Ann, a daughter of
Robert White, Justice Bollen officiating. Of which of the
numerous families <«f the name, found al the time in N. Eng-
land, he sprang, cannot be told, lie was one of Mr. llarri-
man's subscribers from the beginning, and died, June, 1G05.*^

* Savage, III. 8. Ledger, pp.27. Ml. f Ib > P lrt - Barege, III. 17.
; E. .'. l:.. III. ISA. § E. T. Book, 15. 3, 17.

t Savage, III. CS. E. J. Records. ' lb. III. 194

2G4: THE HISTOEY OF

•

Samuel Leveridge was owner of land here at an early clay.
¥m. Broadwell sold, Oct. 24, 1684, to Capt. Andrew Bowne,
a tract of land, joining Leonard Headley's, formerly Samuel
Leveridge's. If he ever lived here, it was but for a short
time ; as appears from the above record. In 1703 he was
living, with a considerable family in ISTew York City. Though
not mentioned by Riker, he was, doubtless a son of Rev.
William Leverich, of Newtown, L. I.*

Henry Maetain was admitted an Associate in 1695, but
his name nowhere else occurs. He may have been a son of
John Martin, previously of Dover, 1ST. H., one of the founders
of Piscataway, 1ST. J. James Martin, in 1726, was, probably,
his son, of whom the following record is made by John Har-
riman, Jr. : "1726 May the 3' Day James Martin came To
Bord at my House. 1727 August the 19 Leaft my House
and wee never made no agreement how much a Week I
promist him to be Low In price will take vp with 4 B p weeke
which acount makes 67 weeks and 4 Dayes makes £13. 10.
Since I concluded to Take but 3 s 6 d £11. 16. 6." f

Samuel Matthews, of this town, died in 1695, leaving a
small property, which was appraised, Dec. 17, 1695, at £15.
4. 3, by Richard Baker and Andrew Hampton. He may
have been the son of that Samuel Matthews, who was one of
the founders of Jamaica, L. I., and was living there in 1694.J

Richard Mattock [Mattuck, Mattake, Mattucks] was
admitted an Associate in 1695. In 1669, Richard Mattocks,
of New Haven, married Grace, a daughter of Christopher
and Grace Todd, but soon deserted her. This was, doubtless,
the same man. He was here in 1677, and purchased, Dec.
9, 40 acres of John Winans, on the S. side of E. Town Creek ;
also, Mar. 21, 1689-90, of Mary, the widow of Matthias Hat-
field, and Cornelius, her son, the 40 acre lot on the W. branch
of the creek, North of the Plain. Nothing further is known
of him. June 21, 1680, Edmund Loftis of Chester river,
Md., assigns 3 years' services of William Madox to John Lit-
tle of this town. Sept. 14, 1680, John Little, of E. Town, so-

* E. T. Bill, p. 102. Kiker, pp. 350-4. Valentine's N, T., p 354.
t Savage, III. 162. E. T. Book, B. 48. Ledger, p. 20.
% E. J. Kecords. Macdonald's Jamaica, pp. 27, 86.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 265

licits a "line and cry " for the recovering of William Mat-
take, a runaway servant. A John Mattocks was living, at
the time, in Salem, N. J., and a Lewis Mattix, at Middle-
town, N. J."

JonN Megie [Mc Gie, Magie, Maggee] waa a blacksmith,
and came over from Scotland, daring the period of persecu-
tion, 1GS5-7. He became a parishioner of Mr. Harriman, in
1700, subscribing 10s. a year towards his support Be pur-
chased land just W. of the town-plot, which, in great part,
his descendants have occupied until now. Jle was admitted
an Associate in 1699-1700, and drew a hundred-acre lot, be-
tween Joseph Sayre and Benjamin Lyon, near the foot of the
mountain. His autograph is found among those of the A
ciates in 1729. lie died in 1736.f

John Miles was a blacksmith, and came from Kew Ha-
ven, Ct. His grandfather, Richard, was at Milford in 1039,
and settled at New Haven in 1642, where he died, Jan. 7,
1667; his son, Capt. John, born, Oct., 1644, married, Ap.
11, 1665, Elizabeth, a daughter of John Harriman, Senr., and
a sister of the Rev. John Harriman, afterwards of this town.
Their eldest son, John, was born, Jan. 9, 1668. The mother
died, Dec. 3, 1674, and the father, ]S T ov. 7, 1704. The son
followed his uncle Harriman to this town, either in 1687, or
soon after. He was admitted an Associate in 1695. His
uncle credits him, Jan. 28, 169i, with u 1 the purchase of
John Brockets right in Elizabeth Towne 15'." He charges
him, in 1694, with u l- an acre land yo r house Btands on.
005.00.00;" and credits him, May 24, 1703, with u his
dwelling house &c sould to me at 65 lb . 00'. 00V Either this
or his own " house, &c," he had sold, for L'^0,just one week
before, to Mr. John Blanchard, through whom the payments
were made to Miles. The latter was one of the Memorialists
of 1700. His will was made, Mar. 22, 17"; ; and was proved,
June 15, 1708. His wife, Elizabeth, his sens Leonard and
John, and his daughters, Sarah, Elizabeth and Mary, out-
lived him. His son, Leonard (a common name in the Har-
riman family), was one of the Associates of L729. £

* Savnge, III. 177; IV. 809. E. J. Reoorda, D. IfT. Aik Beoords, XX i\ tl .

t Ledger, p 139. E. T. Book, B. 5, 24. ♦ Ledger, pp. G4. 105. Savage, III

266 THE HISTORY OF

"William Miller [Millar] was a weaver, and is thought to
have been from East Hampton, L. I. John Miller was one of
the founders of that town, and William Miller was residing
there in 1675 and 1683. He was here in 1687, and his annual
subscription to Mr. Harriman's support, in 1694, was 30 s , —
more than the average. He was admitted an Associate here
in 1699-1700, and was one of the Memorialists of 1700. He
drew No. 62 of the 100-acre lots, at " the Edg or foot of y e
mountain," adjoining Joseph Lyon, at Scotch Plains. It is
reported, that when he went to reside on this lot, so far away
from the town-plot, " the parting was rendered very solemn by
the expectation, that they should seldom if ever see him again,
the difficulty of passing and repassing seemed so great. But
to their surprise, as they went to the church on the next
Sabbath morning, they found him standing on the steps."
His will bears date, Sep. 22, 1711, and was proved, Oct. 4,
1712. His Avife, Hannah, his five sons, Samuel, Richard,
Jonathan, William, and Andrew, and his two daughters,
Sarah (the wife of Peter Elstone, of Woodbridge), and
Hannah (the wife of Daniel Crane), outlived him. The
family have been mostly connected with the Westfield
people.*

James Mitchell was an early resident of the town, but
was soon removed by death. His wife, Mary, had become
a widow, previous to Mar. 31, 1684, when she purchased of
Richard Beach, his house-lot and improvements. She re-
ceived, Ap. 12, 1686, an allotment of 125 acres, which tract
was located on Westbrook near Raway River, and a swamp
or brook head. She died in the early part of 1688, and
Andrew Hampton administered on her estate. Her son,
Jacob, was admitted an Associate in 1699-1700, and drew
USTo. 107 of the 100-acre lots, on the Woodbridge line, adjoin-
ing Erancis Barber and Benjamin Price. He was a tailor,
and married Mary a daughter of Robert Morse, Jr. The
father was, probably, the son of Matthew Mitchell, who came
over in 1635, was successively at Charlestown, Concord, and

* E. T. Book, B. 50. Hedge's E. Hampton, pp. 4, 6. N. Y. Doc. Hist., II. 441, 541. Hnnt-
tings VTestneld, pp. 8-11.

ELIZABETII, NEW JERSEY. 2G7

Springfield, Mass., Saybrook, and Stamford, of Ct. and at
Hempstead ; dying at Stamford, in 1645.*

William Niciiolls [Niooll] was admitted an Associate in
1099, but never became a resident. I [e had a third lot-right.
As elsewhere stated, he was the well-known lawyer of that
name in New York.

Peter Noe [ Ni r. ] was a Huguenot refngee. The nami
originally, it is thought, " Neau.'' Elias .Wan was one of
the founders of the French Church in New Fork, and em-
ployed as a catechist by the Propagation Society. " that good
man." Peter Noe was admitted an Associate in L695, with
a third lot-right. His son, John, in 1G91, was a subscriber
to Mr. llarri man's support, but resided in Middlesex. His
daughter, Mary, became the wife of Jean Tranbles [John
Trembly], of this town, also a Huguenot. The father died in
Dec. 1709. In his Will dated, Dec. 16, 1700, be conveys to
bis daughter, a dwelling bouse, on the corner of New and
Broad streets, New York. He may have been a son of Elias
Neau, and obtained this property by inheritance. f

Parde [Pardey] is the name of one of the original As-
sociates, and of one of those for whom a meadow lot w;
drawn; but not the slightest clue has been found to his
identity. His rights were transferred to Henry Norris, It
may be that George Pardee, of New Haven, who married,
in 1650, Martha Miles (the sister of that John Miles who
married the Rev. John Harri man's sister), designed coming
to this place among the New Haven Colonists, and purchased
a first lot-right, but afterwards concluded to remain at New

Haven.J

William Parent subscribed, at the town meeting, dan.

IS, 1605, 6 8 annually for Mr. llarriman. Bis name app<
in no other connection. John Parent was at Ilaudam, Ct.,
1662-86.§

John Pearoe had land here as early as L685. He had
surveyed for him, Ap. 11, 1686, a tract of 60 acres on the S.

* E.J. Records, B. 158, B55, L 71. ri. B T. Book, I ill WL

t Savage, III. 806, 7, 344. B. Town Book, B. -. L< IgCT, p. 1 1' 1 .

X Ledger, p. '.»-'. N. v. Doo. His. in. 118, U Trinity Chb„pp 84-8.

$ Lodgi-r. p. ]13. Borage, III. 845.

268 THE HISTORY OF

side "of E. Town .brook, and adjoining John Hume and Wil-
liam Bedford. He was admitted an Associate in 1699, and
drew No. 130 of the 100-acre lots. He is styled, May 4,
1686, "a planter of E. Town," and yet the same name is con-
nected with a survey at Middletown in 1685, and in 1689, a
warrant for 60 acres is given to " John Pearce of Middle-
town." He settled, doubtless, at the latter place.*

Benjamin Piersun was the son of Henry Pierson, of South-
ampton, L. I. Henry must have been of the lineage of Rev.
Abraham Pierson, the first minister, both of Southampton
and Newark. He came to S., either with or a few months
after the pastor. He was town clerk for many years, and a
devout Christian. He died in the autumn of 1680, and his
widow, Mary, administered on his estate (Nov. 8), which was
appraised at £1256. 1, 2. The next summer she became, as
previously stated, the wife of the Bev. Seth Fletcher, of this
town. Her son, Benjamin, accompanied his mother ; possibly,
other children, also. He was then about 26 years old, and
lived until 1731.+

Samuel Potter was a grandson of John Potter, one of the
first settlers of New Haven, Cfc., 1639, who had two sons
John and Samuel. The latter was baptized, Oct. 17, 1641,
and became one of the early settlers of Newark, N. J. John
remained at New Haven, married, 1661, Hannah, a daughter
of John Cooper, and had a son Samuel, born, Jan. 2, 1675.
This may have been the Samuel Potter of this town. But,
more probably, it was the son of Samuel of Newark, that
settled here, locating at Connecticut Farms. He appears to
have been born in 1672 or 3, being in his 84th year when he
died, Feb. 5, 1756. He became a subscriber to Mr. Ham-
man's support in 1700. A tract of 60 acres was " laid out "
for him, May 8, 1701, by John Harriman, Jr., Town Sur-
veyor, adjoining John Littell, Jeremiah Osborn, Thomas
Keeney, Bobert Woolley and Samuel Clarke. In 1720 he was
chosen one of the Town Committee. His autograph appears
in the List of Associates in 1729. A tract of 414J acres, at
the foot of the second mountain, by the side of an old mine,

* E. J. Records, L. 72, 116. 0. 25. t Howell, p. 263. N. York Wills, II. 61-4.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 209

and on the E. side of Green River, between the two moun-
tains, was laid out for him, Feb. 2G, 1 7 - > .V - H° was ll Justice
of the Peace, and one of the first Elders of the Presbyterian

Church at Connecticut Farms.*

Andrise Peioeqaee bought, Jnne 29, L687, of Jonas Wood,
a tract of 100 acres. The name nowhere else occurs, either
in the Records of this town, or in any other American docu-
ments as far as known. f

John Radley was a Gs subscriber to Mr. Harriman in L694.
John Ratliffe was married, Aug. G, 1681, t<» Elizabeth,
daughter of N icholas Carter; probably the same person, I
possibly the son of William, of Stamford, Ct. Among the
soldiers in the Fort at Albany, who took the oath, Xov. 10,
1GS9, to William and Mary, was John Radecliffe. In the
Borough Charter, Feb. 8, 17JJ, John Radley, Sen 1 "., was
named as one of the Overseers of the Poor, and John Radley,
Jr., one of the Assessors of the Town 4

Nathaniel Raulins, was residing here, Oct. 10, 1G91,
when he made his Will (witnessed by Thomas Mullincr and
his son-in-law, William Chamberlain), in which mention is
made of his eldest son, wife, and daughter, but their names
are not given. The Will was entered, June 11,1707. lie
was, probably, of the lineage of Nathaniel, of Roxbnry,
Mass.§

William Redford obtained a patent, Jan. 14j 169f, for 1
acres of land on E. Town brook, adjoining Benjamin Wade,
John Hume and John Pearce, "in Right of Head Land.
himself, his Wife, and seven Children." They, probably,
came over directly from England to this place. The plot was
occupied by himself and his son Andrew; but the title \
contested, as against the grandson John, claiming by Prop
tary grant, on the part of John Maxiield and Joseph Willis,
claiming under the Indian Title.]

William Richardson was a man in humble condition,
who had died before Aug. G, 1G9G, when his goods were ap-

+ Savago, III. 4G0. Newark bicentenary, p. 148. Ledger, p. 138. & T. Book, B. -.40.

t E.J. Records, B. 188.

t E. J. Records, III. 170. Murray's Notes, p. 32. 1. III. 509.

§ lb., III. 309. E. J. Records. I E T BUI, p. 14.

270 THE HISTORY OF

praised by Isaac Whitehead and John Hinds, at £5. 18. 9.
His annual subscription in 1694, to Mr. Harriman, was 3s.*

"William Robinson was a physician, residing in the Rail-
way neighborhood. He came here as early as 1685, pur-
chased land of John Toe, and had surveyed for him, Ap. 1,
1686, a tract of 700 acres, on the !N". side of the Woodbridge
line, and " on the Branch of Raway River called Robinson's
Branch," adjoining Joseph Frazee, Richard and John Clarke,
George and John Alexander, William Piles, Simon Rouse
and Thomas Rudyard. He bought of John Toe, Sep. 12,
1688, another plot of 40 acres on the W. branch of Rahway
River. In 1692, he obtained a survey of 550 acres in Mon-
mouth Co., "in full of his Share of the first Division." He
had purchased, Feb. 7, 168 j-, of Robert Burnet, one of the
so called Proprietors, one-fourth of one forty-eighth of a Pro-
priety. He was one of the witnesses to the Will of Mrs.
Rouse, Jan. 17, 169-J-, when his name appears as " William
Rob^feon, Doctor of Medicine." But his own Will, elated
May 18, 1693, has it " William Robmson, Doctor of Physick."
His death occurred soon after. His estate was appraised,
June 2, 1693, by Andrew Hampton and John Winans (whose
son married his daughter, Ann), at £250.. 15. 3. He was,
doubtless, of the Scotch immigration.f

Robert Rogers and the widow Anna Ail ward, both of E.
Town, were married, 'Nov. 26, 1675, by Justice Bollen. He
was the son of Robert, of Newbury, Mass., was born there,
Ap. 20, 1650, came, at 20 years of age, or before, to Wood-
bridge, N". J., and obtained, Dec. 30, 1670, a patent for 91
acres of land there. He had died, probably, in 1682, and his
widow was married, Aug. 1685, to Peter Dessigny, u Chirur-
.geon " of Woodbridge, who had, a few months before, Feb.
11, 168f, purchased of Samuel Marsh, his saw-mill at Rah-
way. It is quite likely that both Rogers and Dessigny lived
along the line between the two towns4

Obadiah Sale was a cooper, and resided at Southampton,

* Ledger, p. 89. E. J. Records.

t E. J. Records, B. ; L. 68, 82 ; O. 93, 96. E. Town Bill, p. 85.

t lb., p. 101. E. J. Records, III. 120; A. 413. Savage, III. 568. Whitehead's P. Amboy,
pp. 356, 7, 367.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 271

L. L, in 1678, at which time he bought, of William Russell,
the lot now used as a bnrying-ground at the N. end of the
town. lie sold it soon afterwards and removed to Boston,
his former home, of which he became a freeman in 1081, and
where (1681-4), he had lour children horn. lie w.as, doubt-
less, the son of Edward (born 1611), who came from London
in 1635, and resided at Salem. Ephraim, of Boston, for
whom his own son was named, was his brother. lie was
admitted an Associate in 1609-1700, and drew X«». 6, of the
100-acre lots, between Deacon George Ross and Ephraim
Clarke. He was one of the Memorialists of 1700. His an-
nual subscription to Mr. Harriman was 15s., commencing
about 1690, or before. lie probably removed from Boston,
soon after his 4th child was born, 1684.'-

Alexander Scott, of this town, made his Will, July 8,
1700, to which Thomas Akin and Samuel Whitehead were
witnesses. He had died before Sep. 17, when the Will was
entered for Probate. lie was, probably, the son of John
Scott, who came from Hartford, Ct., about 1660, to North-
ampton, L. 1. ; and spoke so disrespectfully of Chas. II., in
Ap. or May, 1661, that he was carried a prisoner to Hart-
ford, Ct., heavily lined and disfranchised.!

Robert Smith was the first of that common name among
Hie early settlers of the town. He, too, was probably from
Northampton, the old home of John Ogden. Richard Smith
was chosen a freeman of Southampton in 161S. Robert was
a resident, in 1675, of Brookhaven, L. 1. He was here as
early as 16S7, and subscribed, at that time, £1. 0. 0. to
Mr. Ilarriman's support. He was a merchant and planter.
Dec. 26, 1699, he was appointed High Sheriff of the County.
Mention is made of his " negro man." Mr. Harriman credits
him, Nov. 7, 1695, with "killinga hogge & cutting it out, I .
and, " Ap. 23, 1699 p plowing my garden him self & horse,
Is. 6." lie died intestate, and his widow, Sarah, was quali-
fied, May 10, 1705, as Administratrix.;':

♦Savage, IV. 5. Howell, pp. 168, 0. 190, 807. E. T. I i. 11. •' M' I -

Mrch','' a BOD of Obadiali, is charged, by Mr. Uarriinr.ii, in Oct. 170 1, with l, ii:y fee atowcdby
him for marrying him ; o. 0. ft," Ledger, pp. •'>•;. 106.

t E. J. Records. Howell, pp. 2T9-800. Borage, IV

X Howell, pp. 32, 90. N. Y. Doc. History, II. 4C9.

272 THE HISTOEY OF

Josiah Stantsorough [Stansbroctgh, Stanberry, Stanbury]
was from Southampton, L. I. His father, Josiah, was at Lynn,
Mass., in 1637, and soon removed to Southampton, of the
founding of which he was one of the original " undertakers."
He died in 1659. His son, Josiah, married, July 24, 1670,
Admah, a daughter of Thomas Chatfield, of E. Hampton, had
7 children born at Southampton (1670-87), and soon after
removed to this town. He was admitted anAssociate in 1695,
but his name is not found in Mr. Harriman's Ledger, begin-
ning with 1694. His death must, therefore, have occurred
soon after this date. Mention is made, in 1711, of the " widow
Sarah Stanbrow." The family located at Railway.*

"William Strayhearn [Strahern] as his name indicates,
came with the Scotch immigrants. He was here in 1694,
and was admitted an Associate in 1699-1700, and was one of
the Memorialists of 1700. He drew No. 152 of the 100-acre
lots, in 1700, near the Rahway river, and adjoining Henry
Norris. He was appointed a Constable, Feb. 12, 171f ; and
again, the next two years. He died in 1733. Llis house was
near Morse's Landing.f

Samuel Sturridge [Sterridge] was here before 1678, and
had a house-lot E. of Mrs. Hopkins, not particularly described.
He resided at the time of making his Will, Ap. 10, 1683 ; at
Rahway, but had land on the Mill river. The witnesses to
his Will were James Emott and J. Thwinton. He was
probably unmarried, as he gave all his property to Joseph
Hart of Rahway. William Sterridge, who died intestate,
Dec, 1705, was, probably, his brother.:]:

Thomas Terrill was a blacksmith, and came here from
Southold, L. I., where, in 1675, he had a considerable estate.
He was, probably, the son of Roger Terrill [Tyrrel], one of
the founders of Milford, Ct, in 1639. He bought of William
Cramer, Aug. 19, 1696, a plot of land in this town, to which
he then, or soon after, removed. His name is not found
among Mr. Harriman's parishioners. He died in 1725. §

* Lewis' Lynn, pp. 64, 6, 103. Howell, pp. 15, 27, 89, 2S0. Ct. Col Rec., I. 363.
t E. T." Book, B. 34. Ledger, p. 93. E. J. Records. % lb., II. 105.

§ N. Y. Doc. His., II. 454. Savage, IV. 268. Barber's Ct., p. 231. Lambert's 3ET. Haven,
p. 90. E. T. Book, B. 57.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 273

Joiin Thomas, a tailor, was one of the Memorialists of
1700. It was he, probably, who, in 1675, and 1083, was
living at Brookhaven, L. L, and may have been the son of
John of New Haven, Ct. His name occurs among those of
the IS". Y. people who accompanied Capt. Mil burn's expedi-
tion to Albany, April, 1G90. His land adjoined William
Brown, near Samuel Scott. He died in December, 1712,
leaving his wife, " Fiftie," and five children, Elias, Edward,
Margaret, David, and Esther.*

George Thorp was a son-in-law of George Back of this
town, having married his daughter, Elizabeth, who had died
in 1704. He was a parishioner of Mr. Harriman from 1694
to 1697, subscribing 5s. yearly. He was. doubtless, a son i
Thomas Thorpe, Senr., of Woodbridge, whither, probably,
after his wife's death, he returned. f

John Toe was a weaver, and came here from Kewtown,
L. I., as early as 1677. Samuel Toe was one of the founders
and principal men of that town. The name (erroneously
thought, by Savage, to be a mistake for Coe) appears origi-
nally to have been "Tew," — Lawrence's Neck having for-
merly been called " Tew's Neck," where Mrs. Gov. Carteret
resided with her first husband. It is likely, therefore, that
John Toe, of this town, was the grandson of Bichard Tew, of
Newport, B. L, who came over from Warwick Co., Eng., in
1640. He married, Oct. 9, 1679, Lydia, a daughter of Robert
Morse. He purchased, Sep. 1, 1677, of ¥m, Cramer, 115
acres including his house-lot ; also, Feb. 6, 16SJ, of Joseph
Frazee, 40 acres; Aug. 25, 1686, other lands of Jonas Wood.
He sold, Ap. 27, 16S3, a plot of ground to Samuel Groome;
also, Jan. 27, 1685, two house-lots in the town to Dennis
Morris ; also, Sep. 12, 16S8, to Dr. Wm. Bobinson, the 10
acres bought of Jonas AVood. He died, in 16S9, and hi
widow, the following year, her estate having been appraised,
Jan. 25, 16$$, by Deacon George Boss and John LUtell, at
£84. 10. 0.+

* N. T. Doc. His., II. 21C, 463, 532. Savage, IV . .
t Ledger, p. S3. Whitehead's P. Amboy. p. 357.

X Savage, IV. 270, 309. Kiker, pp. 33, 43, 282. E.J. Records, I. 109; III. 169; A. 87;
B. 22, 46, 132, 390.

274 THE HISTORY OF

Richard Townley took up his abode here as early as 1684.
He was the 8th son of Nicholas Townley, of Littleton, Eng.,
and of Joanna White, of Northain, Sussex Co., Eng. He
was one of the very few whose lineage can be traced back in
their old-world home. He was descended, through Nicholas,
Richard, Nicholas, Francis, and Nicholas, from John Town-
ley, A. D, 1400. The pedigree extends back to the days of
William the Conqueror. No other family in the town had a
higher social position. Col. Richard, of this town, came over
in the suite of Francis Howard, Lord Effingham, Governor of
Virginia, in 1683, and, soon after, coming to New York, he
concluded to try his fortunes in this town. His father, ii is
said, had squandered his estate. But the son had not been
long here, before he had made himself so agreeable to Mrs.
Gov. Carteret, as to receive herself and fortune, in 1685, by
marriage. He had, probably, been married in early life ;
and Mary Townley, who married Mrs. Carteret's eldest son,
Joseph Lawrence, is thought to have been his daughter. It
is not certain, but quite likely, that his daughter, Mrs.
Shackmaple, was also, by a former marriage. As Mrs. Car-
teret's first marriage took place in 1664, she must have been
about 40 years of age, at the time of her third marriage.

Col. Townley received his military title after coming
hither, having been appointed " Captain of the Train Bands,"
Dec. 10, 1686, and Col. before 1691. He was made one of Lord
Neill Campbell's Council in Oct. 1686. He adhered to the
Stuart dynasty in the Revolution of 1688-9, and became so
obnoxious to the ruling powers, that Leisler of New York,
Feb. 21, 16-JJ, ordered his arrest. When the change of admin-
istration took place, Townley was requested, March 14, 169-}- ,
to march his company to the city, for the subjugation of
Leisler and his forces. In 1692, though a resident of New
Jersey, he was appointed one of the Council of Fletcher,
Governor of New York ; and, in 1697, one of the Earl of Bel-
lomont's Council. The next year, however, he was suspend-
ed, Sep. 28, 1698, for non-residence; for, says the Earl, "he
formerly refused to be of the Council!, and never has come
near the Councill in Colonel Fletcher's time or mine, besides

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 275

his constant residence in East Jersey." Almost wholly by
his means, St. John's Church was gathered soon after the
beginning of the lSth century; his own honse having been
the home of the first Episcopal missionaries, and the place
for their Sabbath services. The Church-lot was his gift, and
his was the principal contribution towards the building of
the house of worship. He was one of the Justices of the
Peace, and, at the time of his decease, April, 1711, he was
Presiding Judge of the Quarter Sessions.*

Henry Walvin subscribed 3s. a year, in 1094, for Mr.
Harriman, and was here in July, 1G9G. Nothing more is
known of him.f

John Warren, of this town, married, Jan. 24, 16£$, by the
help of Justice Pollen, Miss Grace Whitehead, daughter of
Isaac Whitehead, Sen r . He died childless, between March
12, 169-J-, and March 28th following. George Warren, of
whom nothing further is known, probably a brother of
John, died here in Sept. 1G97, and his property was apprais-
ed, Oct. 1, 1697, by Richard Townley and Andrew Hampton,
at £143. 10. 04

Samuel Williams was one of the Memorialists of 1700,
together with his son, Joseph. He was then a new comer,
as his name is found in no earlier document. He was the
son of Matthew Williams, of Wethersfield, Ct., and the
brother of Matthew, who settled at Newark, IS". J. He was
born in 1653, and married Esther, a daughter of Nathaniel
Wheeler, of Newark. He died in 1706, leaving live sons,
Joseph, Samuel, Nathaniel, David, and Josiah ; and three
daughters Susannah, Sarah, and Hester. His wife is not

* Littell, p. 432. N. Y. Doc. His., II. 74, 33G. N. Y. Col. Docuit?., III. 656, 101,
SIS; IV. 2S4, 29S, 399, 690; V. 204, 885, B, 355. Clark's St.John's Chh., pp. 16
E. J. Records, II. 8, p. 348. Lawrence (J encalogy, pp. 139, 149. Depositions are OB I
dated Oct. 5, 1C91, in one of which, Serjeant Isaac Whitehead testifies, " that he.»aw,in April,
1C90, John Tunison and Beget Oarrleon roll several harrcls of beef end pork out of the goose
house belonging to Mr. Townley, and Fell some ofittoold Mr. Whitehead for dririk." In
another, Joseph Whitehead testifies, " that he saw John Tunison, .Taqucs PnlliOB, John Gecna-
dick, Lawrence Jansen, Dcrick Cruise, Thomas Morgan, and Segar Garrison roll ont of I
goose house of Mr. Townley several harrcls of beef and pork as above." Three other d< p -
tions, by Benjamin Meeker, llichard Townley, and Benjamin WadOi in relation to the s.i!
transaction, follow. Theso men were either servants or soldiers. Alb. Beoorda, XXXYIIL
3G-40. t Ledger, p. 90. I K. J. Beoorda,*!!!. 157.

276 THE HISTORY OF

named in his Will, and had, probably, died before. The
family located on the Westfield road, and gave the name of
" Williams' Farms," to the locality, several of the name still
occupying portions of the old plantation.*

Samuel Willis came here from Newark, where he was
living as early as Feb. 168-f, when he obtained a warrant for
land. At the time of his decease, in 1696, he was residing
in this town. His estate was appraised, July 21, 1696, by
William Looker, Jr., and Samnel Carter, at £96. IT. 0. His
son, John, was one of the Memorialists of 1700. The father's
name appears among the Associates of 1699-1700, and No.
114 of the 100-acre lots was drawn in his right, " at the
Edg of the ash Swamp," latterly the property of Jonathan

LittelLf

Joseph Wilson was the son of Samuel, a wealthy merchant
of New York. The father came to New York, soon after the
English conquest in 1664. He resided on the S. side of Wall,
near Pearl sts., where he owned considerable property. He
may have been at New Haven, Ct., in 1644, and removed in
1649 to Fairfield, where a Samuel Wilson is found in 1654.
The Rev. Mr. Peck, of this town, formerly of New Haven,
was, probably, an old acquaintance of Mr. Wilson, the latter
having purchased, for £30., of Mr. Peck, June 17, 1675, his
property and rights in Newark, and receiving, in his right,
the next clay, a warrant for 180 acres. The mother of his
children having been removed by death, he married Eliza-
beth North, of N. York, the ceremony having been per-
formed, Ap. 29, 1679, by Justice Bollem, at the Governor's
house in this town.

Mr. Peck having, in the autumn of 1678, removed to
Greenwich, Ct., induced Mr. Wilson to purchase, Oct. 23,
1679, his property here also. Thus it was, that his son, Jo-
seph, became a resident of this town, Mr. Peck's house
having come into his father's possession. Joseph appears to
have established here a branch of the N. York house, as may
readily be gathered from the Ledger of his pastor, Mr. Har-

* Savage, IV. 499, 564. Newark Bicentenary, pp. 133, 152. Newark Eecords, pp. 60,6.
r E. J. Eecords, L. 71, 187.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 277

riman. He is there particularized as Mr. Joseph Wilson,
and, next to Mr. Henry Lyon's, his is the honor shared with
John and Jonathan Ogden^ of the largest annual contribu-
tion (£3), to the minister's support. The lather, Samuel,
made large purchases, May IS, 1GS1, also, of Nicholas Car-
ter, in this town. Having served, a- Alderman of the City,
1679, 'SO, '82, and, as Assistant, 16S1, 'SG, he died in 1GS9,
leaving his property mostly to his two sons, Joseph ami Kb-
enezer.

Joseph continued to add to his possessions here, purchas-
ing, Oct. 13, 1GS9, (soon after his father's death), of Stephen
Osborn, two house-lots, 12 acres, in the town plat. He v,
admitted an Associate in 1695, with a five right lot, the only
one of whom as much is recorded. He disappears from the
Records after 1699, either by death, or removal to Xew
York. Capt. Ebenezer, his brother, came into possession, as
early as 1693, of John Ogden's Mill, already noticed, possi-
bly by foreclosure of Ogden's mortgage to Mr. Steenwyck,
of which Mr. Ogden's son Benjamin and Rev. Mr. Harriman
became Joint Lessees, at the annual rate of about £2i, for
seven years. Capt. Ebenezer succeeded to his father's busi-
ness in X. York, was Assistant Alderman from 1690 to 169±,
was one of the first Vestrymen, in 1697, of Trinity Church,
and Mayor of the City, in Cornbury's time, from 17C7 to 1709.
Sometime subsequent to the allotment of 1700, he was ad-
mitted an Associate of this town with a second-lot right.*

Robert Woolley was from Southampton, L. I. He was
at Fairfield, Ct., in 1649 ; but in 1653 removed to Southamp-
ton, where, from 1657 to 16S3, he was living on Main sr?,
next to Mr. James Hampton. Possibly it may have bem a
son of this Robert, that removed to this town, where his name
first appears as an Associate in lo'!»:». and a Memorialist in
1700. He drew No. 69 of the l< v 0-acre lots, between Wil-
liam Hill and Abraham Hatfield, not far from the foot of the
mountain. John, William, and I'M ward Wbolley, the 60D.8,
doubtless, of Emanuel of Newport, R. I., were at Slnvws-

* Savage, IV. 5S3. E. J. Records, I. 47 ; II. ft, 114 ; III. 151 : 1 \ '.:'«. D. ITS, 18ft. E. T.
Book, B. 43. Ledger, pp. 47, 120. Valentine's X. Y. Manual fur 1S53, p. 402. Berrian's
Trinity Chh., pp. 15, 17,22.

278 THE HISTOKY OF

bury, "N. J., as early as 1685. It is not known how, if at all,
the two families were related to each other.*

John Wren is known only by his death. Letters of Ad-
ministration were granted, Aug. 3, 1687, to " Edward Gay,
Doctf" of Physick," on the Estate of " John Wren of Eliza-
beth Town, Deceased." f

These were all the new comers since the period of the
Dutch rule, of which any mention has been fou^i. Many
of these would have escaped detection, but for the old Ledger
of the worthy pastor, Mr. Harriman ; whence, also, many
particulars have been gleaned touching individual pursuits,
and domestic relations, together with a variety of minor mat-
ters, such as prices current, shedding much light on that re-
mote period of the town's history. Doubtless a complete
record of the inhabitants of the town during its first forty
years would include some, who came hither and remained
for a season, but soon passed away, leaving no memorial of
their residence. Others were day-laborers, aiding in the cul-
tivation of the soil ; or craftsmen serving as apprentices or
journeymen ; or boatmen, occupied in navigating the numer A
ous small craft, which even at that early day were found in
these waters. Of negroes there were not a few — some in al-
most every family ; while here and there, a " poor Indian "
also, was held in bondage and served as a menial.

The following Record, from the lost Town Book, appears
in Book B. :

At a Meeting of the freeholders of Elizabeth Town, October y e 20th
Anno 1699. The following Conclusions were Made (viz.)

Imp rs By a Unanimous Yote of the freeholders afores d it was and is
Agreed and Concluded that if any have been at Charges in the Clearing
and fencing of Land which no Particular Purchases in the whole of this
Township Can Justly Claim a Mile or More out of the Town plott Shall
have So much there where he has So fenced and Cleared as is Sufficient to
make a plantation (Provided always that the Possor, or Setler of all Such
Lands have a Eeal Eight in the whole of this Township by Purchase and
also that Such have not Taken up more then there proportion of the
whole or if nearer shall have a Sufficient field."

* Savage, IV. 643. E. J. Records, L. 26, 186 ; 0. 96, 147. Howell, pp. 30, 304. N. Y. Doc
His., II. 537. , t E. J. Records, B. 133.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 279

This minute was recorded in the original Elizabeth Town
book of Records, pp. 14, 15, out of which it was copied,
Aug. 24, 1711, and ordered to be entered in the New Book,
June 2, 1747.*

The conflict between the Basse and Hamilton factions, and
the anarchy consequent, were terminated, at length, by the
final and unconditional surrender, Ap. 15, 1702, on the part
of the so-called Proprietors, of all claim and right to the
jurisdiction of the Province. Then, in reality, New Jersey,
for the first time, became a Poyal Province, governed no
longer by a Company of Land Speculators, but directly by
the Crown. King William died, Mar. 8, 170 i, and Anne,
Princess of Denmark, ascended the throne. A royal Gover-
nor of the combined Provinces, New York and New Jersey,
was appointed, Dec. 5, 1702, in the person of Edward Hyde,
Lord Viscount Cornbury, cousin to her Majesty. In May,
1703, on the arrival of the royal commission, the Proprietary
Government of East Jersey was brought to a perpetual end.

* E. Town Book, B., 24, o. e.

280 THE HISTORY OF

CHAPTEE XIII.

A. D. 1682-1707.

Ecclesiastical — Pastorate of Rev. John Harriman — Introduction of Episcopacy
by Rev. Geo. Keith — Pastorate of Rev. Samuel Melyen — First Episcopal

Missionary, Rev. John Brooke — Erection of St. John's Church.

At the decease of the Rev. Seth Fletcher, in August, 16S2,
the people of this town were left without the stated ministra-
tions of the sanctuary. Nor was it easy to obtain a com-
petent person to fill the vacancy. The Quaker administra-
tion came into power, three months after Mr. Fletcher's
decease, and the tide of immigration from Scotland began to
set in. In the letters written home by the exiles, as has been
seen, one of the chief, and almost the only one of the, com-
plaints made, is the dearth of ministers. It became necessary
to resort to " Deacon Meetings," as referred to in 1684 by
Watson : " And now the people they meet together every
Sabbath day, and Read and Fray, and sing Fsalms in their
Meeting-houses." At that time, there was no settled preacher
" within all the Province of East Jersey, except one who "
was " Preacher in Newark," Abraham Pierson. John Allen
was at Woodbridge, but had ceased to supply the pulpit.*

Possibly Mr. Allen, of whose " good abilities," after more
" experience," the "Woodbridge people were not as confident
as at first, may have been occasionally employed here. But
nowhere, in any accessible document, has any intimation
been found, by which it can be determined, how or by whom
the pulpit was supplied during the five years next succeed-
ing Mr. Fletcher's death. At length, in 1687, they united
in a call to the

* Scot's Model of E. J., pp. 199, 200. Whitehead's P. Amboy, pp. 383, 4.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 281

REV. JOHN HARRIMAN.

This worthy minister of the gospel was a native of New
Haven, Ct., the associate, in his boyhood, of many of the
more youthful of the early settlers of this town. His father,
John, was at New Haven, in 1646, and soon after was mar-
ried to Elizabeth , and had two children: — John, bap-
tized, January 24, 164 J ; and Elizabeth, baptized, July 23,
1648. He was put in charge of the town-ordinary, of which
he was the keeper many years. He was, also, a respected
member of the Church.

His only son, John, was trained from childhood under the
eye of that rigid old Puritan, the Rev. John Davenport, by
whom he had been baptized. The old pastor, finding him
apt to learn, encouraged him to seek, and his father to give
him, a liberal education. In his 13th year, he came under
the instruction of his townsman, Mr. Jeremiah Peck, at that
time, principal of the grammar-school at New Haven, and
afterwards the first pastor of this town. At the age of fifteen,
he was sent to the college at Cambridge, Ms., to be educated
under the supervision of the Rev. Charles Chauncy. He
graduated in 1667, in the same class with Gershom Hobart,
and one year in advance of Abraham Pierson, Jr., and John
Prudden.

After his graduation, he returned to New Haven, and
taught the Hopkins grammar school, several years, being
occasionally employed as a preacher at New Haven, East
Haven, and Wallingford, Ct. During the life-time of the
Rev. Mr. Street, he had probably preached for him occasion-
ally at New Haven ; and at his death, Ap. 22, 1674, he was
frequently called upon to supply the vacant pulpit. In the
latter part of that year, or the early part of the next; he went
over to Southampton to preach as a candidate for the pulpit,
made vacant by the decease, in 1674, i^ the Rev. Robert
Fordham. He accepted their call, and was put in possession
of the parsonage, " upon tennes y c towne and he hath agreed
on," April 12, 1675. Early in 1676, he returned to New
Haven, and, in July of that year, became the stated supply

282 THE HISTORY OF

of the pulpit in his native town. He continued there until
1682, preaching most of the time ; but the people were
divided between him and Mr. Joseph Taylor, who preached
a part of the time, from 1676 to 1679, and was then settled
at Southampton.

In 1682, the East Haven people appointed a Committee to
" goe to Mr. Harriman, and treat with him, and desire his
help in the Ministry amongst" them, "and further, to give
him an invitation to a settlement in the work of the ministry."
They agreed to give him £50, for his support — "current
money with the merchant." In November 1683, they gave
him a formal call, and resolved to build at once a house for
the minister, 36 ft. long, of 2 stories; for which they sub-
scribed £104. 10. 0. The house, however, was not built, and
Mr. Harriman remained with them but a short time longer.

In October 1684, he was associated with Robert Yauquel-
lin, [" Yorklain "], in running the boundary line between
New York and Connecticut, having been appointed Surveyor,
for this purpose, by the General Court, at Hartford, May 8th,
1684. It is probable, therefore, that he had been previously
employed, and perhaps, for years, occasionally, as a Practical
Surveyor. Yauquellin had long been so employed in East
Jersey, and it is not likely, that in an affair of so much im-
portance, any but the most skillful surveyor would be ap-
pointed on the part of Connecticut. In occupations of this
kind, he was, probably, employed for a year or two, when
his steps were directed hither— possibly by Yauquellin him-
self. He had many old friends here, as also had the South-
ampton people. It is not strange, therefore, that his name
should have been suggested, and a desire expressed to hear
him. He was installed the pastor of this Church, most
probably, September 30th, 1687, as appears from the follow-
ing memorandum in his Ledger, under date of Nov. 1, 1694 :
" we Reckoned & my 7 th year payd w ch ended 7 b r 30 th last
pceeding this date." All his reckonings with his parishioners
are from the same date. Gov. Lawrie lived a few days only
after his coming. The Quaker rule had ceased a year before,
and the Scotch were now in power. Lord Campbell had

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 2S3

returned home, but Hamilton, his deputy, was also Scotch,
and, doubtless, a Presbyterian.

Mr. Harriman married, as early as 1G73, Hannah, a
daughter of Eichard Bryan, of Mil ford, Ct. She was born
in 1654, and her twin sister, Mary, was married (1.) to John
Maltby, of New Haven, and (2.) to a Mr. Howell, of Long
Island, probably Edward of Southampton. Another 6ister,
Frances, was married to Joseph Treat of Milford ; and yet
another, Sarah, married (1.) Samuel Fitch, and (2.) Mungo
Nisbett, whose name appears in his old Ledger. Mr. Bryan,
as his father had been before him, was the richest man in
Milford. Six children had been born to Mr. Harriman, when
he came, in his 40th year, to this town. John was his eldest
son, (born 1674), and, like his father, became eminent as a
land surveyor. Samuel was born, June 25, 1676 ; Ann,
July 5, 1678 ; Mary, in 16S0 ; Leonard, in 16S3 ; and Eichard,
in 1685. Three sons were born to him here. His family
having increased since his settlement, and his salary being
only £60 a year, he applied, in 1692, to the Proprietors, for
a grant of land, in consideration, also, of his having " ex-
pended large sums in purchasing and improving." He re-
ceived a crant of one hundred acres.*

He was evidently a man of great exactness, a trait of char-
acter greatly promoted by his occasional practice of the art
of surveying. Soon after his entering on the pastoral work
here, he opened an account with every one of the subscri-
bers to his support ; noting carefully the amount of the sub-
scription, and the times of payment; specifying by whom
and to whom (in many cases) the sum was paid ; whether in
cash, or otherwise ; whether in merchandise or services ren-
dered. These accounts were kept in two books; the first
covering the period from 16S7 to 1693; the second, from
1694 to 1705. The h'rst of these books is lost ; the second is
preserved, having been presented t<> Rev. John McDowell,
some sixty years since, by Mr. William Earriman, the grand-
son of the old pastor. Several particulars of much interest,

* Savajre, I. 2S1-2 ; IL 35S. Bacon's New Haven, pp. 15S-60, 310. Howell's Southampton,
pp. 104-5, 132. Whitehead's E. J., p. 1CS. E. J. Kccords. Dodd's E Haven Register, pp.
60-1. N. Y. Col. Docmts., IV. 630-2.

284

THE HISTORY OF

illustrative of the town-history, have been gathered from
this venerable and well-preserved folio. A list of subscri-
bers to his support in the year 1694, is given in the margin,
in the order in which their accounts arc entered.*

. £. s. d.

_ £. s. d.

Mr. Henry Lyon,

8. 10.

Nicholas Baker,

' 0. 10.

Deacon George Eoss,

1. 10.

Abraham Baker,

0. 5.

Daniel Eoss,

0. 10.

Obadiah Sales,

0. 15.

James Hinds,

0. 15.

John Eoss,

0. 10.

David Woodruff,

0. 10.

Capt. John Baker,

0. 15.

John Parker,

1. 0.

John Meaker,

0. 12.

William Browne,

1. 10.

Eichard Clarke, Jr.,

0. . 6.

Deacon Jonathan Ogden,

3. 0.

Ebenezer Lyon,

0. 10.

Mr. John Ogden,

3. 0.

John Clarke,

0. 6.

Widow Hannah Lyon,

1. 10.

John Hinds,

0. 12.

Joseph Lyon,

0. 18.

Nathaniel Tuttle,

Benjamin Lyon,

0. 15.

Thomas Thompson,

0. 6.

Mr. Isaac Whitehead,

0. 10.

George Pack,

0. 10.

Joseph Osborne,

1. 0.

John Miles,

0. 15.

Nathaniel Bunnell,

1. 10.

John Pope,

0. 8.

Nathaniel Bunnell, Jr.,

0. 6.

Jonas Wood,

0. 12.

Nathaniel Lyon,

0. 15.

Jonathan Clement,

0. 10.

Moses Thompson,

1. 0.

John Looker,

0. 1. 6

Mr. John Woodruff,

2. 0.

Jeremiah Crane,

0. 6.

Henry Norris,

2. 0.

Stephen Crane,

0. 15.

Mr. Benjamin Ogden,

1. 10.

William Hill,

0. 10.

Benjamin Meeker,

1. 10.

Eoger Lambert,

0. 6.

Mr. Benjamin Price, Jr.,

1. 10. o,

Ebenezer Spinning,

0. 6.

Eobert Smith,

1. 0.

Joseph Halsey,

0. 6.

Eobert Moss,

1. 0.

John Lambert,

0. 6.

Benjamin Pierson,

0. IS.

John Gold,

0. 12.

Alexander Keenee,

0. 10.

James Crighton,

Joseph Woodruff,

0. 12.

George Jewell,

,1. 0.

Benjamin Trotter,

0. 6.

Jeremiah Osborn,

0. 6.

Joseph Sayer,

1. 0.

Edward Frazee,

0. 8.

Thomas Price,

0. 15.

William Looker, Jr.,

0. 4.

Ephraim Price,

0. 10.

Joseph Ffrazee,

1. 0.

Capt. Daniel Price,

0. 15.

George Thorp,

0. 5.

John Prioe,

0. 6.

Charles Tooker, Jr.,

0. 1.

Mr. Benjamin Price,

1. 0.

John Eadley,

0. 6.

Aaron Thompson,

0. 15.

Shamgar Barnes,

0. 3.

Mary & John Thompson,

1. 5.

John Herrick,

0. 8.

John Winans,

1. 10.

William Eichardson,

0. 3.

Widow Mary Bond,

0. 5.

Henry Walvin,

0. 3.

Joseph Whitehead,

0. 10.

John Indes,

0. 3.

Eichard Clarke,

1. 0.

John Nuee,

0. 3.

Cornelius & Mary Hatfield,

1. 10.

William Strahern,

0. 6.

Nathaniel Whitehead,

0. 6.

William Oliver,

0. 5.

Thomas Lee,

0. 6.

Samuel Oliver,

0. 6.

William Millar,

1. 10.

William Oliver, Jr.,

0. 6.

Jeoffrey Jones,

0. 10.

Joshua Clarke,

0. 6.

Mr. Joseph Wilson,

3. 0.

John Osborne,

0. 6.

Samuel Trotter,

0. 5.

Eichard Baker,

0. 6.

Joseph Meaker,

2. 0.

Derrick Baker,

0. 0. 9

Hendrick Baker,

0. 15.

Henry Harriss,

0. 6.

The number of the names is

ninety-nine, not

including Widow Mary Hatfield,

mentioned

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.

285

The whole number of actual subscribers was one hundred
and twenty-four; and the subscriptions amount to £S3. 11. 0.
The names of several prominent inhabitants are wanting in
these lists. Mr. Harriman had large dealings with the Qua-
ker, Andrew Hampton, whose principles would not allow
him to subscribe. Mr. Hampton is credited, however, Oc-
tober 1st, 1698, with "gift in order to my maintenance 26b. m
The names of Col. Richard Townley, Thomas Terrill, Andrew
Craig, afterwards identified with St. John's Church, do Dot
appear; nor of any who came over with Gov. Carteret,
cept William Hill, who had early been admitted as one of
the Associates of the town. The Governor's party had al-
most wholly died out.

A very small part only of the subscriptions were paid in
cash. The most of them are credited with produce, meat,
grain, and vegetables. Many of them, with labor by the
day, on the farm, at the mill, in the garden, in building his
house or barn, in repairing ; in shoemaking, tailoring, weav-
ing ; in dry goods and groceries. A list of the prices current
from 1691: to 1705 is subjoined for the entertainment of the
curious.* '

with her son Cornelius, and Widow Mary Thompson, with her son John. Of the three sons
of Mrs. Hatfield, Cornelius subscribed 10s. Abraham, 10s., and Isaac, 15s.

At the town meeting, held January IS, 169°-, the following additional subscribers were en
rolled

8. d.

s. d.

Samuel Sayer,

Francis Sayer,

John Krskin,

William Parent,

Samuel Whitehead,

John Board man,

Benjamin Bond,

Samuel Millar,

The following were added (all but the last t

xo) at the town meeting,

March 11,

li ,

John Ailing,

Samuel Clarke,

Isaac Bunnell,

15.

Benjamin Woodruff,

Thomas Clarke,

John Mngie,

f>.

Jonathan Hinds,

Thomas Bayer,

Samuel Little,

Thomas Kocnee,

Joseph Ogden,

C. 9

Qeorge Rosa, ''r..

Samuel Wood,

Thomas Moore,

10.

Ephraim Clarke,

* Veal, H to 2d. lb.

ILnsOd. en.

Beef, do. do.

do.

Oxen, £4. 10. "

* Fork, 2£ to 3d.

Colt-. 14a.

Venison, Id.

Ewe Sheep, K

i lie.

ca.

Turkeys, 15d. en.

Capens, Is. 6d. en

Bef, £1 L& 0., barrel.

Ducks, IGJcL u

- . t shad, 3d. en.

286

THE HISTORY OF

Mr. Harriman was a man of large business. His 100 acre
lot "in the plains" he cleared and cultivated. He charges
" my lot in y e plaines," June 6, 17 01, with cost of " beer, cake
& rum to y e volunteers at y e clearing s d lott — £1. 7. 1£."
He rented ot Capt. Ebenezer Wilson, of New York, the mill
on the creek, (the same that " old John Ogden " built at the
bridge, and mortgaged Oct. 9, 1668, to Cornelius Steenwyck
of !New York), for which he and Capt. Benjamin Ogden, his
partner, paid £25, per year. Nathaniel Whitehead had
charge of the mill. In 1698, he built a new house in Meadow
st., north of Jersey st., finishing it, however, in 1701, and
moving into it in the fall of that year. Where he lived pre-
viously does not appear ; probably, on the parsonage ground,
south of the creek, near the present Rail Road crossing. His

«
<«

Oysters, 9d. to 14d., hun. ; 2s. 9d. gal.

Wheat, 4s. to 6s. bush.

Buckwheat, 2s. "

Eye, 3s. 4£d. "

Meslin, 3s. 9d. "

Indian corn, Is. 6d. to 3s. bush.

Turnips, Is. "

Oats, 22£d. "

Peas, 4s. "

Apples, 2s. to 3s.

Salt, 4e. 4d. to 5?.

Cider, 13s. bbL

Butter, 6d. lb.

Cheese, 4£d. lb.

Sugar, 6d. "

Flax, 9d. to le. 6d. lb.

Hops, Is. "

Pepper, 6s. "

Tobacco, 4£d. to lOd. lb.

Hides, 2d. «'

Allum, 9d. "

Indigo, 4|d. to 8df oz.

Eggs, 3d. to 4d. doz.

Hay, 10s. to 20s. load.

Stones, 3s. "

Wool, 13£d. lb.

Rum, Is. 6d. qt.

Cider, 3d. "

Molasses, 2s. 9d. gal.

Whale Oil, 2s. lOd. jar.

Raccoon skins, Is. 6d. ea.

Making cider, 4£d. bbl.

Killing a cow, 2s. 3d

" « calf, Is. 6d.

" " hog, Is.

" " pig, 8d.

Killing a sheep, 9d.
Shearing " 2d.
"Weaving, 8d. yd.
Day's work, 2s. 3d. man.

" " Is. woman.

" " Is. boy.

" " 3s. man and oxen.

" " 5s. man and team.
Pasturing ox, Is. week.
Panning, 2d. bush.
Shingles, 3s. 6d. hun.
Rails, 6s. to 14s. "
Clapboards, 5s. "
Shoes for chil., 3s. pr.

H " women, 5s. pr.

" " men. 6s. 9d. pr.
Barrels, 3s. ea.
Pails, 2s. 3d. «
Buckets, 2s. "

Hats for men, 22s. to 33s. ea.
Paper, Is. 6d. to Is. lOd. qu.
Powder, 3s. 6<L lb.
Shot, 4£d. "

Brooms, 4|d. ea.
Pins, 13£d. paper.
Ozenbriggs, Is. 8d. yd.
Kersey, 5s. 6d. to 7s. yd.
Holland, 3s. 6d to 4s. 3d. yd.
Fustian, 2s. 3d. "

Linsey wolsey, 4s. "

Linen (blue), Is. 4d. to 2s. yd.
Serge, 4s. 6d. to 6s. "

Buttons, 6d. to 9<L doz.
Stockings, 4s. 6d. pr.
Gloves, 4s. 6d. "
Silk (black), 4s. 6d. oz.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 2ST

"new barne" lie built in 1702 " length 24 feet : breadth 22,
height 11 feet." It was built " by Benj n Meaker cv; Benj D
Trottar." Benjamin Pierson, Joseph Woodruff, Alexander
Keeney, Joseph Osborn, Daniel Ross, and Richard Ilarri-
man have each the credit of carting for it one load. The
builders received £7. In addition, he says, u the cost of my
barne, built this summer, £7. 14. 0." — the "timber getting
& framing given me except 18s To y e carpenters."

Not content with preaching, pastoral visitation, farming,
and carrying on a flour mill, he had, also, a cider press ; he
had an agency for furnishing glass to his neighbors ; he sur-
veyed lands now and then ; he attended the Legislature, as
a Deputy, having been thus elected, in 1G93, 1G94, 1G95, and
169S. Like the most of his profession, he kept a boarding
school, also. His Ledger shows, that, from 1695 to 1702, he
had the following pupils under his care, most if not all of
whom boarded with him : David Selleck, Richard Lawrence,
John Potter, John Thelwell, John Wessels, John Ranselere,
Wm. Cooley, Andrew "VVandler, (his son) Richard, Jeremiah
Floyd, Wm., son of John Crooke, of New York, John Man-
verte, Joshua Swaine, James Robeson, Joseph Tapping,
Joseph Meaker, Jonathan Sayer, John Harrison, John
Le Roax, Edward Taylor, and Peter Jewey. His price for
board was 5s. a week ; and for teaching " the art of Naviga-
tion," £3.

He dealt considerably in real estate, also. In 1G91, he sold
to John Miles, his nephew, half an acre of land, on which to
build his house, for £5. In 1703, he bought of Miles "his
dwelling-bouse, &c." for £65. The date of this transaction is
May 24. But under date of May 17, 1703, " John Blanchard,
gallicus," [Frenchman], is charged with " a house See sold yon
to day at £80." Could this be the same, or was it his own
new house? Still earlier, March 25, 1703, Aaron Thompson
is credited with " his 4 acre home lott at £20," the payment
of which was completed, May 12, 1704.

He dealt, also, in slaves, at least, for his own use : " We
bought the Negro Toney Aug 1 11 th 1G97 of Charles Tooker
jun r for 48 lb -" It is probable that Capt Ben. Ogden was one

288 THE HISTORY OF

of the " we " and that Toney was principally employed at
the mill. Or the " we " may include his son John. Again,
Oct. 28, 1701, he bought of " Mr. James Emot, an indian
girle named Hagar," for £19. 10. 0.

Occasionally he records the hire of a horse, or of a man
and horse, for a journey to "New England. On one occasion,
Jan., 169-|, Joseph Woodruff accompanied him to Milford, Ct.,
where they had a conference with Gov. Treat, as appears from
Mr. Woodruff's affidavit in the answer to the E. T. Bill in
Chancery, p. 47.

It appears, also, that it was customary fo take a contribu-
tion in the church every Lord's Day, of the proceeds of which
an account is preserved, only for a part of 1699. A speci-
men of these entries is here given : " Feb 7 19 — cash 19s. lO-Jd.
wampom lid.— £1. 00. 9J."

Feb. 1st, 169-f- , John Woodruff, carpenter, is credited with
" making a coffin for my dear Leonard ; " and in September,
" w th a coffin for my son Alexander." Two sons taken from
him in one year ! Leonard was 13 years old ; Alexander
was at least 5 or six years younger, having been born in this
town.

Of the preaching of Mr. Harriman no w T ritten memorials
remain, and scarcely any thing traditional. It is greatly to
his credit, that, in the midst of the excitements of 1688, of the
anarchy of 1690-2, and of the revolutionary period from
1699 to 1702, he should have succeeded in retaining not only
his place, but also the affection and confidence of his people.
His sympathies were altogether on the side of popular rights.
His manly words of cheer on the Sabbath greatly encouraged
the town in their long-protracted struggle against oppression.
Like his predecessor, he, doubtless, had to contend with
opposers. The Quakers, under the influence of Rudyard and
Lawrie, had increased in number and influence, and probably
had formed themselves, as in other settlements, into a reli-
gious society, in the southern part of the town. The Scotch,
of course, with their national preference for Presbyterian
doctrine and worship, adhered to him and his Puritan
Church. Col. Morris wrote, in 1700, as follows :

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 239

Elizabeth Tcnvn and Newark were peopled from New England ; arc-
generally Independents; they have a meeting-house in each town for
their public worship. There are some few Churchmen, Presbiteriang,
Anabaptists, and Quakers, settled among them.*

" Some few Churchmen," there had been from the begin-
ning. Gov. Carteret, of course, was a Churchman ; and
such were, doubtless, the most of those who sided with him
in his conflicts with the people. Emott and Townley, and
the men that associated with them in adhering to the fortunes
of the Jacobite government, were either Churchmen or
Papists. It seems somewhat strange, that, in these circum-
stances, no attempts should have been made, for a whole
generation and more, to introduce Episcopacy into the town ;
that the Episcopal portion of the community should, so Ioiil ,
have been content to worship with their Puritan neighbor-.
That so long a period should have elapsed, before any at-
tempt was made to gather a separate Society, argues the
fewness of their number, and the vast preponderance of the
Puritan element.

The first efforts, so far as known, to perform Episcopal
services in the town, were made shortly after the commence-
ment of the royal rule, under Lord Cornbury, in 1703. Corn-
bury had been charged with a special mission in behalf of
the Church of England : —

You shall take especial care, that God Almighty bo devoutly and
duly served throughout your Government, the Book of Common Prayer
as by Law established, read each Sunday, and Holy-day, ar.d the
Blessed Sacrament administered according to the Bites of the Church
of England." t'

Opportunely for the fulfillment of these Instructions, " the
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Par
had just been chartered, and their first missionaries to A.mer
ica, George Keith and John Talbot, appointed. Keith had
been a Quaker, though a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, (born
in 1638), and a Presbyterian. He had emigrated to Amer-
ica in 1682, and had been Surveyor General of Bast Jereej

* Proceedings of N. J. His. Boa, IV. 118.

t Learning and Spicer, p. 60- Bmlth'l >'. J., p

290 THE HISTORY OF

\
from 1685 to 1688, when he became a preacher. His com-
manding abilities and scientific attainments (bred as he was
at the University of Aberdeen) gave him great influence
among the Quakers, and made him the leader of the ortho-
dox party among them. In 1700, he left them, and was or-
dained a priest by the Bishop of London. He returned to
America in June 1702, and traveled extensively for nearly
two years, principally among his old friends. Here, in this
town, and its vicinity, he had numerous acquaintances, and,
of course, it was not difficult to gather for him an audience
among his old neighbors and friends. At the house of An-
drew Craig, a fellow-Scotchman (with whom, probably, he
had been acquainted at home before they came to America
in 1682), he was hospitably entertained ; and there, Friday,
'Nov. 3, 1703, he preached, from 2 Pet. 1 : 5, on the Christian
Graces. On the same occasion, he baptized the four children
of Mr. Craig. The next day, he says, "I Baptized the
children of Andrew Hemton, [Hampton], eight in Number ;
He and his Wife are come over from Quakerism to the
Church. And November 3 I Baptized Seven children of a
Widow Woman there." At the end of six weeks, he re-
turned, and, at the invitation of Col. Townley, performed di-
vine service at his house, twice on the Lord's Day, December
19 ; of which the following record is preserved :

December 19, Sunday. — I preached at the House of Col. TWnly, in
Elizabeth-Town, both Forenoon and Afternoon, on 1 Pet. 2 : 9. Many
of that Town having been formerly a sort of Independents, are become
well affected to the Church of England, and desire to have a Minister of
the Church of England sent to them. There I baptized a Child of Mr.
Shakmapie, — (the son-in-law of Col. Townley).

This was the first occasion, doubtless, of a separate service
of public worship on the Sabbath, since the settlement of the
town, a period of 39 years. (Gov. Carteret, as D ankers in-
forms us, went " often to New York and generally to
Church." Others may have done the same.) It must have
been quite a trial to Mr. Harriman and his people to have a
rival interest in the town. But the establishment of an Epis-
copal Church in the town was a foregone conclusion. The

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 291

Governor, Lord Cornbury, had just been holding his first
General Assembly, for four weeks, at Amboy, and had cer-
tainly prepared the way for such a movement in the several
towns of the Province. On the previous Sunday, 12th, and
on Christmas day following, Keith preached at Amboy; on
the 12th, "at my Lord Cornbury's lodgings, where he wa
present." *

Mr. Harriman was removed by death, Ang. 20, 17<C», in
the 5Sth year of his age. The only particular notice of this
eyent is found in the "Boston News Letter," of Sept. 1".
1705, as follows :

Elizabeth Town m Jersey, Aug. 30. On Monday the 20 Currant. 1 1
here in the Afternoon the Reverend Mr. John Harriman, Pastor of the
Church in this place, Aged about 60 Years: Who the same day at a
Church Meeting told his people, that his time of departure drew near,
and exhorted them to Peace and Unity one with another, and to stand
fast in the Covenant that thev had encased themselves to.

, o"-o'

Some light may be cast on this sad event, and on the state
of the people consequent upon it, by reference to a commu-
nication from the pen of the Rev. John Brooke, the first
Minister of St. John's Church in this town, dated Oct. 11,
1706, in which he says :

Col. Townley's house (wherein I preacht at first), in half a year's time
grew too little for my congregation, and the best place we could get to
meet in was a barn, which, in Harvest, we were obliged to relinquish,
whereupon the Dissenters, who, presently after I came, were destitot
their old Teachers (one of them being struck with death, in their meet-
ing-house, as he was railing against the Church, and the other being
Boston), would not suffer me upon my request to officiate in their m
ing-house unless I would promise not to read any of the prayers of the
Church, which I complied with upon condition I might read the Psalms,
Lessons, Epistle, and Gospel, appointed for the day, which I did and
all the rest of the service by heart, the doing of which brought a great
many to hear me who otherwise, probably, would never have heard the
service of the Church, and (through God's blessing) hath taken ;.
their prejudice to such a degree as that they have Invited me to pn
in their meeting-house till our church be built. Their Teacher begins at

* Humphrey's B. P. G.F., pp. 4-15, 84, 84, 76. Whitehead'! P. Amboy, pp. 16-21,211-15.
Pprague's Annals, V. 25-80. Clark's St. John's, pp. 16 8 V I ■

Keith's Journal, in P. Ep. His. Soc. Coll., I. 44, 5, Dankera' Journal, p. 34C.

292 THE HISTORY OF

\
eight in the morning, and ends at ten, and then our service begins, and in
the afternoon we begin at two. The greatest part of the Dissenters gen
erally stay to hear all our service.*

This letter sheds not a little light on the obscurity in which
the early Church Annals of the town are involved. The
early hour at which public worship was held, 8 o'clock A. M.,
deserves notice. This must have been an established custom.
It is not probable, that they would give up their ordinary
hours of service to accommodate a rival interest. Mr.
Brooke was a missionary of the Propagation Society already
named, and " arrived in East New Jersey, July 15," 1705.
Lord Cornbury, to whom he applied at New York for counsel,
"advised" him to (i settle at Elizabeth Town and Perth
Amboy." On the 20th of August, the very day of Mr.
Harriman's decease, he wrote from Elizabeth Town to the
Secretary of the Society. The coming of Mr. Brooke, as a
local missionary to settle in the town, had probably occa-
sioned Mr. Harriman to preach on the distinctive doctrines
of his faith, and to contrast them with the doctrines of Epis-
copacy. And, on the very day of his death, he may have
been urging them, in this respect, to stand fast in the faith.

He must have died of apoplexy. His son, John, was a mer-
chant, as well as a Surveyor. He exerted a wide influence
over his townsmen. After his father's death, his accounts
appear in the old Ledger, and some of them are very curious ;
a specimen has been given in connection with the notice of
the Martin family. David Harriman is mentioned in the
Ledger, as follows : "1711. John Kirtland In Say brook In
New England C r . by Bording David Harriman from the 17
of October to the 12 of June next at 4 s 6 d pr weke is <£7. 8.
6 ; by candles 3. 4 ; by fire wood 8. 8. D r . June 10, 1712.
To Cash Delivered your wife In Saybrook, £8. 0. 6." David
was, doubtless, his son, and pursuing his studies as a member
of Yale College then located at Saybrook. Mr. Kirtland was
the father of Rev. Daniel, of Norwich, Ct., the grandfather
of the Rev. Samuel, " the Oneida missionary," and the
great-grandfather of the Rev. John Thornton Kirkland, D. D.,

* Clark's St. John's Church, p. 19.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 293

LL. D., of Harvard University. David, probably, died soon
after.* Mr. Ilarriinan's successor was

REV. SAMUEL MELYEN.

Mr. Brooke refers to the fact, that " the Dissenters," or
Independents, had two ministers, at the time of his arrival,
one of them "being at Boston," at that time. It appears
from Mr. Harriman's Ledger, that Mr. Melyen was ordained
and installed Pastor " of the Church of this town, about the
twentieth of May, 1704, the expenses of the occasion being
£1. 5. 10. Mr. Melyen was ordained the colleague of Mr.
Harriman, as may be most properly inferred from the letter
of Mr. Brooke.f

The Rev. Samuel Melyen [Melyn] was the son of Jacob
Melyen, one of the founders of the town, ot whom a particular
account has been given on a previous page. Samuel, with his
brother, Daniel, and sister, Abigail, was baptized in the
Dutch Church at New York, where the family then resided,
Aug. 7, 1677. His brother, Jacob, and sister, Susanna, had
been baptized, Oct. 3, 1674, at which time, it is quite certain
Samuel had not been born. His birth took place, most like-
ly, in 1675, at New York, where his earlier years were spent.
As early as 1690, probably,, the family had removed to
Boston, and soon after Samuel entered Harvard College, and
enjoyed the instructions of that eminent divine, Rev.
Increase Mather, D.D. He graduated in 1696, one year
after Jedediah Andrews of Philadelphia, and one year before
Jabez "Wakeman of Newark, N. J. In a class of nine his

* Clark's History of St. John's, pp.16, 19. In the old account book, John Boardman is
credited, by John Harriman, Jr., Aug. 21, 170?, " by Dicing fathers ut:iv<- 4."

t " The exact account of w 1 we spen upon y e occasion is as follows

p money layd out in sweet spice at X. Y 3.6

p J of a bush" of wheat at 4u is 3.00

p a bush" of barley mault 3.9

p 6 n> of butter 3.0

p 1 q l of rum 15 J 1.3

p 3 a shug r at 6't is I

p pepper 9' 1 is 1X9

p 4 lb. of cheese 9L0

p aq tr » lamb. w l 8lbJ at 4 d is J. 11

p2q' veal Li

1.6.10

This provision was, doubtless, for the ordination dinner, of which "toddy'" seems to

have been a necessary element. Harriman's Ledger, p. 146.

294 THE HISTORY OF

\
was the lowest rank. A letter is extant among the Mather

Mss. at Boston, addressed to Cotton Mather, in which he
begs his aid, though unsuccessfully, in restoring him to a
higher rank.*

In 1700-1, he taught the grammar-school at Hadley, Mass.,
one year, for £38. In December, 1702, he was either a resi-
dent or a visitor in this town, his name appearing, on the
14th, as a witness to the will of John Clark. His uncle,
Humphrey Spinning, 13 years before, and his cousin Daniel
Spinning, the following year, had departed this life ; but
Mrs. Spinning, his mother's sister, may yet have been living.

* Valentine's Manual for 1863, p. 795. Savage's Gen. Diet., III. 193.
As the only written memorial of the man, save the inscription on the next page, it is
here given entire ; as found in the Proceedings of the Mass. His. Soc. for 1864-5, p. 34 :

Mat 19th Afio 1698
Reverend S r . — After my Respects are paid to yo r self and the Lady yo r worthy
consort, this is come to inform you that I have not as yet finished yo r hoot, but intend that
by y e Last day of this week, (God willing) to put a conclusion thereunto. S r I hope you
will not impute my tardyness to any thing of unwillingness, — but partly to y e license you sent
me, when you last sent y e original, & partly to my intervening business. Pray S r be assured
by this that I am not only willing & ready to serve you as far as in me lies, but esteem
it an honour to be in your service, wherefore S r , I hope you will not decline yo r Impos'ing
it upon me, at any time when yo r occasions call for it.

One favo r , Worthy Sr. ! I should be exceedingly rejoyced to obtain at yo r benign hands,
if it may not engage yo r self in a too great a trouble, which I will manifest after I have
p r mised, y l towards y e End of o r Sopbymoreship by my audaciously calling freshmen at
y e doo T of y e worthy M r Brattle in a way of contempt, y e Venerable and Reverend Presi-
dent with my Tutor, y e well deserving M r Leverett saw it convenient to place me y e Lowest
in y e class, whereas before I was placed between S r Remington and S r Whitman.

Now, S r my humble request is (seeing y e Catalogue hass not since been printed, & is
before y e Ensuing Commencement to be printed) that you would be pleas'd to motion to y*
Reverend President, that I may be reduced into my former station — Nothing S r can be
more gratefull to my Father & Mother, nor any thing more encouraging to me — I am very
Sorry (& desire to be very penitent) that in that as well as in many other things I have dis-
pleased so worthy a Gentleman as y e President, and so kind a Tutor as M r Leverett w th y e
Rev d M r Brattle, hoping that y e remainder of my days may be so manidg'd that glory may
redown to God, & thereby some satisfaction may be made for y e wrong I offer'd them —
I lye at their feet & humbly beg their Pardon (praying y e Lord to forgive me in & thro
his son Jes: Christ) hoping they will henceforth pretermitt y e offences of my former life
and grant me this favour, which will much encourage me in my labour & lay me und r
fresh obligations to serve them & yo T noble self in any thing y 4 1 may or can — Had I S r
been placed at first Inferio r to y e rest, I should have been contented & thought it my place,
(wherefore S r I hope you will not conjecture that pride is y e Impulsive cause of this my
Petition) but it being after such a nature as it was, makes me very desirous of reducem' —
S r All our class y* were placed at first beneath me, have voluntarily manifested unto me
y* they were very willing I should enjoy my Antient standing. Thus S r hoping you will
do yo r Endeavor & pardon my boldness, I shall at p r sent beg leave to conclude myself
yo r humble petitioner & hearty Serv'

These Samukl Melykn.*

To y e Rever d M r Cotton Mather
with my hearty Respects
pr Bishop Elliott . r r sent

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 295

Possibly, through the influence of his cousins, he may have
been sent for to aid Mr. Harriman in his ministerial work ;
or he may have studied theology with him. At the decease
of the latter, he was left in charge of the congregation. It
is he, to whom Mr. Brooke refers, in speaking of " the Difi
seaters," as " their Teacher." At this time lie was about 30
j ears old. The memorials of his ministry here are few and
unsatisfactory. One of his books — u The Cambridge Con-
cordance," published in 1G98, — is now in the possession i
Mr. Thomas O. Crane, of Railway, whose father, Isaac I "ran©,
of this town, bought it of Elizabeth Crane. It is a rare old
book, and in good preservation. It contains the following
beautiful autograph inscription :

Vita sine Uteris est Mortis Imago ; at
Vita sine Christo est Morte pejor.
Si CHRISTUM discis, nihil est si caetera nescis.
Si CHRISTUM nescis, nihil est si caetera discis.
Samuelis Mclyen
Liber,
Martii, 1°
Anno Domini, 1702.

His ministry was short, his sun going down behind a wry
dark cloud. He was preaching regularly at the time Mr.
Brooke wrote of him, Oct., 1706, and may have continued a
year longer. The pulpit was vacant in 17oS. Tradition,
with some show of probability, accuses him of some immoral-
ities unfitting him for the pulpit, and destroying the confi-
dence of the people. The story reported by Dr. Murray is
not very plausible, viz : That, " being strongly Buspected of
intemperance, the choir, on a certain Sabbath morning, sung
a hymn as a voluntary, which he considered as designed t->
reprove and expose him. AYhilst being sung, ho descended
from the pulpit, and taking his wife ho walked <>ut of the
church, and never again entered it." The days of choirs and
voluntaries, it should be remembered, had nol yet come.
Music in churches was but rudely performed ; " in the latter
part of the seventeenth, and at the commencement of the
eighteenth century, the congregations throughout Xew En

296 THE HISTORY OF

land were rarely able to sing more than three or four tunes."
No mention is made of choirs in churches before 1720, and
none " of any regular choir having separate seats, in any
church for thirty or forty years" after that date. "There
were few country churches with a choir before 1765 or 70 ;
and they certainly did not become common until near the
time of the American Revolution." At the time of Mr.
Melyen's ministry, anthems, or voluntaries, as a part of the
Sabbath service, were unknown. Note books were not to be
found. All singing in the Churches was congregational, led
by a precentor.

It is quite certain that Mr. Melyen was never married ; his
sister, Joanna, about seven or eight years younger than him-
self, may have kept house for him. That he was intemperate,
however, is quite likely. The temptations to this vice were,
at that period, very great. The Rev. John Miller, of New
York, in 1695, gives an appalling representation of the preva-
lence of dissipation, there and then, among all classes of
society.

Mr. Melyen, in retiring from the pulpit, continued to reside
in the town until his death. In Feb., 170 T 9 T , he was ap-
pointed, with Thomas Price, Overseer of High- Ways. At
the Court of Quarter Sessions, sitting at this town, in No-
vember of the same year, a complaint was brought against
him by Matthias De Hart, of the nature of which no record
remains. A true bill was found against him by the Grand
Jury, and he was ordered into the custody of the Sheriff,
until he should give special bail. At the sessions of the
Court, in Newark, Aug. 21, 1711, he is reported as having
deceased since the sessions in May. He died nearly at the
same time with Col. Richard Townley, who was President of
the Court by which he was indicted.

His Will bears date, May 10, 1711, and expresses a high
degree of faith in the gospel of the Redeemer. He gives £35.
to Mrs. Ann Gardener ; £5. to his Executor, George Jewell ;
his pewter tumbler and silver f poon, to Mrs. Sarah Jewell ;
his looking-glass and three " Turkev worked chears," to

CD CD t/ j

Sarah Jewell ; his saddle, pillion, books, bow and arrows,

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 097

and " portmantlc," to Cornelius Jewell; and the remainder
of his possessions to his sister Abigail Tilley, at Boston. His
Will was proved, July 20, 1711. No mention is made of wife
or children. He appears to have boarded with George
Jewell, and was, doubtless, a single man." *

It was during the ministry of Mr. Melyen, that the first
Episcopal congregation of this town was gathered, and the
foundations of St. John's Church were laid. This work was
principally effected by their first minister, the

REV. JOHN BROOKE.

Of his birth and parentage nothing is on record, so far as is
known. He was an Englishman, and, probably of Emanuel
College, Cambridge, where one of his name took the Bache-
or's degree in 1700, and the Master's degree in 1704. Hav-
ing been admitted to orders in the Church of England, he was
appointed, by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel
in Foreign Parts, one of their Missionaries to America. His
first report, Aug. 20, 1705, says —

I arrived safe in East N*ew Jersey July 15, and thence went to my Lord
Cornbury — our Governor — who, after he had perused your letter, advised
me to settle at Elizabeth Town and Perth Amboy. There are five Inde-
pendent Ministers in and about the places I preach at, and the greatest
part of the people are followers of them. But I question not (thro: God's
blessing), but if you please to permit me to have only Elizabeth Town,
Amboy, and the adjacent Towns under my care and to allow me enough
to subsist upon without depending upon the People, that I shall gain a
considerable Congregation in a very few years. As for those that are of
the Church of England already, their Number is very inconsiderable, and
I expect nothing from them for some years, seeing they are like to bo
at an extraordinary charge in building of a Church at each place. t

The "five Independent Ministers" were Messrs. Harriman
and Melyen of this town, John Prudden of Newark, Samuel
Shepard of Woodbridge, and the Minister of Piscataway,

who left soon after, and whose name has not been preserved.

The circumstances connected with the early mini-! rat ions

* Valentine's N. Y. Manual for 1863. p. I9& BftTftge, III If* CUrk'l St. John's, p, 10
Dr. McDowell** Ms. Sermon, Jan. 1, 1811 Murray's Notes on K. T . p. M Hoodl Music in
N. Eng., pp. 56-9 ; ISO. Hlldreth's U. States, IL 189-01 Records of Courl rark,N.J.

Wills at Trenton, No. 1. t Cat. of Univ. of Cambridge, Eng. Clark's St. John's, pp. 16, 17

298 THE HISTORY OF

of Mr. Brooke have already been detailed (p. 291), in his own
language. During the fall and winter of 1705-6, Col. Town-
lej's house accommodated the congregation on the Sabbath,
and, it is thought, furnished a home for the missionary. In
the spring of 1706, they began to worship in a barn, fitted
for the purpose. After the harvest season, the barn being
occupied with the summer crops, the missionary was per-
mitted to officiate twice every Sabbath in the Independent
Church, on terms, which, though literally observed, were not
fulfilled in fact. He was " not to read any of the prayers of
the Church." The obvious understanding was, that the ser-
vice of the Common Prayer-Book was not to be used. He
evaded these conditions by committing the prayers to mem-
ory, and saying them " by heart." It certainly is very much
to the credit of the old church, that they allowed the rival
congregation the stated use of their " meeting house," twice
every Sabbath, on any terms, and continued this permission,
when they saw that, in effect, the contract was habitually
broken by Mr. Brooke.

In his report of Oct. 11, 1706, Mr. Brooke says : —

The people, in general, in all the places where I officiate, were either
Dissenters or of no religion at all, when I came ; but now (through the
blessing of God) many are come into the Fold. There are about ten
communicants added since I wrote last. I laid the Foundation of a Brick
church, at Elizabeth Town, on St. John the Baptist's day, whosename it
bears. It is fifty foot long, thirty wide, and twenty-one high, — it hath
nine windows— one in the East end, ten foot wide and fifteen high, two
in each side, six foot wide and ten high, and four ovals — one of the East
window, one in the "West end, and one over each door, which are near the
west end. The church is now covering, and I hope to preach in it in six
weeks or two months. "Wee shall only gett the outside of our church up
this year, and I'me afraid t'will be a year or two more before we can
finish the inside, for I find these hard times a great many are very back-
ward to pay their subscriptions.*

Secretary Basse said of the Church, that it was " erected
chiefly by the care and diligence of Colonel Richard Town-
ly, who has given the ground it stands on, and a place for a
Burying Ground. "f

* Clark's St. John's, pp. 18-20. 1 lb., 26. Prot. Ep. His. Coll., I. 70.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, ELI2ABETH, IN 1350.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 099

He seems to have labored very conscientiously and dili-
gently in his vocation. Ue performed no small amount of
missionary work : —

Upon my arrival here (lie says), insted of a body of church people to
maintain me, I only met with a small handfull, the most of which cottld
hardly maintain themselves, much less build churches or maintain me.
Upon which, being almost discouraged to find tin.- Ohuroli had ;- r <>t so little
footing in these parts, I resolved heartily and sincerely to endeavor to
promote her, so much as in my power, in order to which I began to
preach, catechize, and expound, twelve, fourteen, sometimes fifteen da;
per month (which I still do), and on other days to visit the people,
through which means, by the blessing of God, my congregations Increased
every where so that I found very great necessity for churches.

Towards the building of five churches, and printing a
tract, he contributed £50 ; and, besides, he says, —

It hath cost me above £10 in riding about the Provinces of New York
and Pennsylvania, and this to get subscriptions. I could not have given
near so much out of your £100 per annum, had not I been very well
stocked w r ith cloaths I brought from England, and had had some money
of my own. For I ride so much, I'm obliged to keep two horses, which
cost me £20, and one horse cannot be kept well under £10 or £11 per
annum. 'Twill cost a man near £30 per annum to board here, and sure
'twill cost me much more who, Pilgrim-like, can scarce ever be th:
days together at a place. All cloathing here is twice as dear, at least, as
'tis in England, and riding so much makes me wear out many more than
I ever did before. The Ferries which I've frequently to cross, and every
thing else I've occasion for here, are very chargeable, and I've nothing
to defray all my charges but what I receive from your Society ; neither
can I expect any thing from my people before their churches be finished.
To ask anything [from them] yet, would be a means to deter people from
joyning with me, and would be looked upon as offensive. I've s<> many
places to take care of, that I've scarce any time to study ; neither can I
supply any of them so well as they should be. I humbly beg, therefore,
you'll be pleased to send a minister to take the charge of IT:/ .!>■ t . Town
and Haw way upon him, and I'll take all the care I can of the rest.*

The Secretary of the Society, Kev. Dr. Enmphreys, said

of him, —

Mr. Brook used exceeding diligence in his cure, and TVttB pleased to
find the best of all sorts of peoplo coming over t-» the Ohnrch of El
land. He exerted himself and at times used to perform Divine Bervioe at

♦ Clark's St. John'*, pp. 20-2.

300 THE HISTORY OF

soven places, fifty miles in extent ; namely, at Elizabethtown, Rah way,
Perth Amboy, Cheesequakes, Piscataway, Rock Hill, and in a congrega-
tion at Page's. This duty was very difficult and laborious.*

The ministry of Mr. Brooke came to an abrupt termina-
tion, in November, 1707. The Kev. Thorowgood Moore, of
Burlington, had, by his faithful rebuke of Lord Cornbury's
disgusting immoralities, drawn upon himself the wrath of
the Governor, by whom he was arrested and imprisoned
at !N". York. Mr. Brooke deeply sympathized with his afflict-
ed brother, and, when in prison, visited him. Mr. Moore
escaping, and Mr. Brooke being sought for by the en-
raged Governor, they resolved to proceed to London, and lay
their grievances before the proper authorities at home.
They embarked at Marblehead, Mass., in November, 1707,
for England, but the vessel was lost at sea, and all on board
perished. f

Mr. Brooke seems to have been greatly esteemed and much
lamented. The Rev. Mr. Talbot says of him and Mr. Moore,
they are " the most pious and industrious Missionaries that
ever the Honorable Society sent over." " Honest Elias
Neau," as Col. Morris called him, said of them, — they

"Were assuredly an honor to the mission, and labored with much vigor
for the enlargement of the Kingdom of our glorious Redeemer, and we
may say, without prejudice to the rest, that they were the Glory of all
the Missionaries the Illustrious Society has sent o^er hither. The purity
and candor of their manners preached as efficaciously as their mouths, in-
somuch that we cannot sufficiently lament the loss of these two good
servants of God, — whose crime was for opposing and condemning boldly
vice and immorality.

His people, years afterwards, spoke of him as their " worthy,
and never to be forgotten Pastor, whose labors afforded them
universal satisfaction." J

He left a widow, the younger of the two daughters of Capt.
Christopher Billop, whose residence and large plantation at
the southern extremity of Staten Island, gave to it the name
of Billop's Point, which it still retains. Subsequently she

* Humphreys' His. of S. P. G. F. P., pp. 188-90.

t Clark's St. John's, pp. 24-32. N. T. Col. Docmts., IV. 10T7.

t Clark's St. John's, p. 25. Humphreys' S. P. G. F. P., p. 190. N. Y. Col. Docmts., V. 318

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 301

became the wife of the Rev. Wm. Skinner, of Amboy, but
died without issue.*

By the death of Mr. Brooke, and the retirement of Mr.
Melyen, both of the churches of the town became vacant at
the same time, and the people were once more left without a
preacher.

* Whitehead's P. Amboy, p. 94.

302 TH1 ? HISTORY OF

CHAPTER XIV.

A. D. 1702-1 740.

Land Titles — Political Parties — Lord Cornbury, Gov. — Corruption of u:e
Court — Act of Indemnity — Lord Lovelace, Gov. — His Death — Robert
Hunter, Gov. — Death of Col. Townley — Officials of the Town — Card-Playing
not tolerated — Newark Bounds — Suit of Yaughan vs. Woodruff — Early
Town Books lost — Town Committee of Seven — List of Freeholders in 1729 —
Lithgow vs. Robison, &c. — Measures" of Defence against the Proprietors

— Sale of Town Lands — Fenn vs. Chambers & Alcorn — Sale of more Land —
Distribution of Land in 1737 — Cooper vs. Moss, &c. — Logan vs. Manning

— Newark Bounds — Lewis Morris, Gov. — Borough Charter — Officials —
Newspaper Notices.

The surrender of the right of Jurisdiction to the Crown,
on the part of the Proprietors, while it greatly simplified the
matter of government, made no change whatever, in respect
to the contest growing out of the conflicting titles to the lands
of this town and vicinity. It rather served to intensify the
excitement and the hostility of parties ; inasmuch as, by an
implied compromise, it was understood, that the royal gov-
ernment would confirm the Proprietors in their claims to the
possession of the soil, as a compensation for their surrender
of sovereignty.

In the political agitations that followed the change of gov-
ernment, this question of titles exerted a powerful influence,
especially in and about this town. The people were divided
into parties or factions, the lines of which were mostly deter-
mined by this issue, — to them of all-absorbing interest.
The character of the party-strife that ensued may, to some
extent, be gathered from a communication written by Col.
Lewis Morris, Feb. 9, lTOf, to the Secretary of State. Ke-

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 303

ferring to the period of Lord Cornbnry's accession to the gov-
ernment of New Jersey, he observes, of the Province, that

lie found it divided into two parties, the one called Ilainiltons and the
other Basses partie ; Hamilton's partie in East Now- Jersey, consisted of
the gentlemen of the Lest figure and fortune and majority of the people.
Basse being formerly an Anabaptist Minister, those of that religion, some
Quakers, and a miselanious mob, where of his partie.*

Col. Richard Townley, of the Hamilton party, and a noted
enemy to democracy, was chosen to the Assembly of 1703 ;
and, when there, became so warm a partisan of Lord Corn-
bury, as, Nov. 29, 1705, to be appointed one of bis Council, —
a position which he retained until his death in ltll.f

In the Assembly, that met in November, 1704, this town
had no representative, the county members being from New-
ark. By questioning the qualifications of three of the mem-
bers, Cornbury obtained a majority, and carried his measures.
A militia law was passed, that proved a terrible grievance to
the Quakers who constituted so large a portion of the popu-
lation. The laying out of the highways was entrusted to the
most inveterate party men, of whose proceedings Col. Morris
drives the following damaging account :

They pull'd down their enemies inclosures, laid waics through their
orchards, gardens & improvem ts ; there was one gentleman at whom thi
had an extraordinary pique, and they laid a way over a mill pond, to ne-
cessitate him to pull down dam & mills that could not be erected for 10< »< •
pounds, or to pull it down themselves, though the gentleman ottered to
build a bridge over the streame, at his own charge, \ of a mile distant
w ch W ould have been f nearer and better way. To be short th
omitted an ill turn they could do, and alwaics went out of their v.
do it.

The country was impoverished by excessive taxation to
support the government : —

The whole Province was filled with murmurs and complaints; I
neither that nor y° hearty curses they libcraly bestow \1 opon the vilni
that were y° authors of their sufferings, avail'd any thing; thej w<
forced to get money, some by takeing it np at 10, 20, 80, & more ;•' C< I
interest, those whose credit would nol go, even on . iperate

* N. Y. Col. Docmts., V. 34.

t Smith's N.-T., p. 270. Analytical Index of V J. DocmU., pp. 49, 68, 4. T, C4.

304: THE HISTORY OF

terms, were forc't to sell w 4 they had was vendible, to raise the money,
and very many there was y* sold good milch cowes to raise six shillings.*

This is the language of a partisan, Col. Morris, belonging
to the Proprietary party ; yet, taken even with the needful
abatement, it serves to show the state of parties, the corrup-
tion of officials, and the distress of the people at that period ;
in all of which this town bore its full share, and more.

The Act of Indemnity, sought the previous year, was passed
by the Assembly of 1704, and received the Governor's sanc-
tion.

The ignorance of Cornbury, in respect to the issues before
the people, is well exemplified in a letter, June 14, 1704, to
the Lords of Trade, in which he says :

Col. Nichols coming into these parts found y e people of New York re-
fractory and not inclinable to submit to him, but found y e people of Eliz-
abethtown ready to obey his orders in all things, by which means y e
people of New York became tractable and did submit. Col. Nichols
thought himself obliged to doe something for y e people of Elizabethtown
y* might be as a reward for their fidelity upon y* consideration granted
them y e lands they now hold.f

This, in a State Paper, from the Head of a Colonial Gov-
ernment ! Contemptible ! ISTo such town existed before his
coming.

In the Assembly that met at Burlington, Ap. 5, 1707, this
town was represented by Capt. Daniel Price. The Burgesses
openly rebuked Cornbury for his outrages on the rights of
the people, and stood up manfully for their own prerogatives.
Nine members of the Council, of whom Col. Richard Town-
ley was one, drew up and transmitted to the Queen an un-
qualified defence of Cornbury, in which they expressed their
" dislike and abhorrence ,: of the proceedings of the repre-
sentative body. Counter statements were forwarded by the
Assembly, which, in connection with the complaints from
every quarter of the two Provinces, !N". York and N. Jersey,
resulted in Cornbury's displacement, and the appointment,
April 22, 1708, of John, Lord Lovelace, to succeed him.J

* N. T. Col. Docmts., Y. 36, 7. t Analytical Index of N. J. Docmts., p. 47.

$ Smith's N. J., pp. 283-95, 345-8, 55.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 305

The town made choice, in 1708, and in 1700, of Benjamin
Lyon to represent them in the Assembly. Lovelace was re-
moved by death, May 0, 1709, less than six months after Lis
arrival, and the government devolved on Lt. Gov. Richard
Ingoldsby, until the arrival of Gov. Robert Hunter at N
York, June 14, 1710. Col. Townley was retained in
Council, and Joseph Marsh, of this town, was a re]
tive in the Assembly, that met in December of the .-;imc
year. In a representation, made by the Representative b<
to the Governor, of the affairs of the Province, it was in
upon, that, in order to reconcile the people to the
ment, it was indispensable that eight of the members of the
Council, who had rendered themselves obnoxious, should be
removed. Col. Townley was of this number. Similar re]
sentations were made by IS of the Proprietors. Com.
statements, in justification of their course, were made by the
obnoxious gentlemen of the Council, in which they declai
themselves "in conscience bound 7 ' to preserve the royal pre-
rogative from licentious encroachments. Gov. Hunter, writ-
ing to the Board of Trade, May 7, 1711, says, —

Unless Her Majesty be pleased to remove from Her Councill in the
Jersey's TVilliam Pinhorne, Daniel Cox, Peter Sonmans, and William
Hall there are no hopes of peace and quiet in that Province, Collonel
Townley is since dead.

These representations prevailed; the removals were e.-
fected, and peace was restored. Gov. Hunter proved an
acceptable ruler, his administration contrasting with Corn-
bury's to great advantage.

In the absence of other material, something of the history
of the town during the first ten years of the eighteen:'
tury may be learned from these general statements n
ing the Province. In all the agitations of the til]
quent on these provincial events, the people of tl vn,

ever foremost in the warfare for popular i ■'. c raid I
but have taken an active and decided part— the more so
because of the persecution, by Cornbnry, of the R
Mr. Brooke, their worthy townsman, and his untimely

death.

306 TF \ E HISTORY OF

In 1710, Col. Richard Townley, Benjamin Price, Jr., Daniel
Price, and Jonas Wood, were Justices of the Peace ; John
Hainds, Constable ; and Samuel Melyen, and Thomas Price,
were Overseers of the highways, for this town. Andrew
Hampton and Richard Baker were on the Committee for
regulating the highways of the County. In 1711, Isaac
Whitehead, Benjamin Price, Benjamin Lyon, John Wood-
ruff, and John Blanchard were Justices ; John Hainds and
Benjamin Meeker were Constables; and Benjamin Ogden,
Jr., and Samuel Ogden were Overseers of the highways. In
1712, the Justices were the same ; James Seeres and Samuel
Ogden were Constables ; and Samuel Winans and John
Scudder were Overseers of the highways. In 1713 ; Con-
stables — Ebenezer Lyon and Wm. Clarke ; Overseers of the
highways — John Craine and Joseph Kellsey. In 1714 ; Con-
stables — John Thomson and Benjamin Spinning ; Overseers
— Daniel Gale and Robert Little; Assessors — Capt. Price
and John Harriman. In 1715 and '16 ; Constables — Richard
Harriman and Elijah Davis ; Overseers — James Hinds, Jr.
and Jacob Mitchell. In 1717 ; Constables — Benjamin Bond,
Nathaniel Whitehead, and Wm. Strayhearn ; Overseers —
Joseph Bond, John Lambert, Jeremiah Peck, and Benjamin
Parkhurst; on the County Committee of highways — Ben-
jamin Lyon and Samuel Potter. In 1718 ; Constables — John
Gould, Nathaniel Whitehead, and Wm. Strayhearn; Over-
seers of the highway s —Edward Frazey, Benjamin Spinning,
Robert Wade, and Daniel Woodruff; Surveyors of the high-
ways — Capt. Daniel Price, and James Say re. In 1719 ; Con-
stables — Wm. Strayhearn, Samuel Oliver, Jr., and Thomas
Currey ; Overseers— David Morehouse, Samuel Oliver, Jr.,
and Joseph Marsh, Jr. In 1716 and 1721, Joseph Bonnel
was chosen to the Legislature."

These appointments, embracing a period of about ten
years, may serve to show who they were of the second
generation that were chosen to office, and were looked upon
as men of activity and influence, by their townsmen. In
almost every instance they were the sons or grandsons of

* Eecords of Court, at Ne-wark.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 307

the old planters, whose names are still represented in the
town.

A single incident will illustrate the manners of the day.
At the Quarter Sessions, in this town, August 19, 171 J.
Richard Baker, Joshua Jlenlock, and George Jewell, were
indicted " for suffering the Game of Cards to be played in
their houses." At the next term, in November, the indict-
ment was quashed on their payment of the fees.

The old difficulty about the northern boundary line re-
mained unadjusted, as appears from a Town-Meeting at
Newark, Feb. 21, 171J.

The Inhabitants of Newark were asked, whether they were willing to
come to an Agreement with the Inhabitants of Elizabeth Town about
settling the Bounds between them and us, which was unanimously con-
sented unto: And in Order thereunto by vote chose a Committee to en-
deavor for an agreement, (viz. :) Mr. John Treat, Mr. Jasper Crane,
Capt Johnson, Mr. Theophilus Pierson, Mr. Joseph Harrison, Sarj 1 . John
Morris, and John Cooper — did likewise put into their Hands the full
Powder of agreement, and did verbally by Words engage to rest satisfied
with what the said Committee should do in that Affair.*

Similar, doubtless, was the course pursued here. Confer
ences must have been held, and probably some thing agreed
upon ; and yet more than -12 years afterwards the line be-
tween the two towns had not been finally adjusted.

A series of prosecutions was commenced, the first year of
George I., in the interest of the Proprietors, to test once more
the validity of the Nicolls 1 Grant, subjecting, for a long term
of years, the Associate settlers to vexatious annoyances, great
disquietude, and no small expense.

James Emott had obtained, April (>, 1GSG, of the Propri-
etors, a Patent for 300 acres of land on the Wc of
Rahway river, within the town bounds, and claimed by tl.
Associates as part of their lands in common. In the <iiv;.-:<>n
of 1699-1700, LotXo. 148, containing 100 acres, surveyed
by John Ilarriman, Jr., and the Town Committee, was as-
signed to Joseph Woodruff. It covered a part ot % the land
that had been surveyed, March 20, 16&f, by John Reid,

* Newark Town Record.", pp. 1C3, Ml.

308 THE HISTORY OF

(Surveyor for the Proprietors), for James Emott. At the de-
cease of Emott, this claim came into the possession of his
widow, Mary Lawrence, the step-daughter, first of Gov. Car-
teret, and then of Col. Townley ; and so, into the hands of
the Rev. Edward Vaughan, the Episcopal Minister of this
Town, by her marriage to him in 1714.*

Whereupon, in the November Term of the Supreme Court
of New Jersey, 1714, Mr. Yaughan brought an Action of
Ejectment against Joseph Woodruff. The Cause came to
trial, in May, 1716, the judges being, as was alleged, in the
Proprietary interest. A special verdict was found ; and, for
several Terms, the case was argued at length on both sides,
resulting, May, 1718, in a judgment by the Court in favor of
Yaughan. Thereupon, by Writ of Error, Woodruff carried
the Cause before the Governor and Council, in Lending, if
judgment were given against him there, to appeal it to the
King in Council ; but " the Governor and Council would
never be prevailed upon to give a Judgment in the said
Cause ; but after about Ten or Twelve Years Delay, and a
vast Expense in the Cause, the said Case dropt without being
decided. "f

About the time of this Judgment and Appeal, the old
Town Books, in which the proceedings of the various Town-
Meetings from the beginning of the settlement for more than
fifty years, and the various surveys ordered by vote of the
town, had been regularly recorded, — to the irreparable
loss of the town-history, disappeared, and have never since
been recovered. The earliest statement of the loss is found
in the initial entry of Town-Book B. (which, happily, has
been preserved), under date of Aug. 2, 1720, and which is as
follows :

W*hereds 9 The Books of Eecord, Belonging To The said Elizabeth
Town, wherein The Important affairs of The same Towne were Eecorded
from The Begining Thereof; have Been privately Taken Away from
him unto whose Care and Custody They were Committed; And Are not
Likely To be Again Obtained : It is now Therefore, By A free And
unanimous Agreement of the freeholds afores d Concluded and Eesolved ;

* E. Town Book, B. 33: E. J. Eecords, L. 64, 70 ; A. 334.
t E. T. Bill, pp. 45, 122. Ans. to Do., p. 32.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 309

That This present Book Now Is And Shall Be Improved To be, A book
of Records, for the use and behoof of the freeholders of Elizabeth Town
Afores d , And for no Other use whatsoever.*

At a later date, July 30, 1731,

Samuel Whitehead Being Duly Sworn and of full ago Saith that accord-
ing to y e Beest of his memory (he Being for more than Thirty yean ( lark
of Eliz th Town) and having the Charge and Care of y e Town Book
Eecords that the Said Books of Record were priviatelj Btollin and tal
away, Wherein was Contained a certain Grant and License to purcl
&c.

In a document, prepared with much care, and signed, No-
vember 18, 1729, by one hundred and eleven Assoc i a •
with their seals affixed, the story of the lost books is thus
recited :

But it so happened, that the s d Books wherein the s d Surveys or
the greater Number of them were Entred by Some One or more Design-
ing Person or persons were Crafcily and Maliciously Stole and (as there
is no Small reason to believe) were Burnt or otherwise destroy'd, So
that the benefit thereby intended to the parties affores d and their Assigns
became Wholly frustrate and Void ; Yet not so but the like Good Effect
may be hoped for, from something of a Like Nature since the Original
Surveys affores d are as Yet Existing as appears Not Only by the Oath
of the Officer who was Surveyor, but by divers Other concurring Cir-
cumstances to the Satisfaction of the Parties affores d .t

In the Chancery Bill, Thomas Clarke, &c., vs. James Alex-
ander, &c, 1754, it is affirmed that the books were taken out
of the house of Samuel Whitehead, by Henry Norris and
Thomas Gould, in 1718 or 1719, at the instance of those in
the Proprietaries' interest.^

On the other hand, the Proprietors affirmed, that the
" Book pretended to be lost or. destroyed, v had been con-
cealed, or destroyed by the Associates themselves. Against
which, however, in reply, a Btrong argument is presented by
the Associates, to show, for several specified reasons, thai it
is the height of absurdity to suppose that they would destroy
a Book so essential to the proof of their several properties.
They say: that they "hope to prove, thai this 1 Book was
taken away from the Custody of Samuel Whitehead, to whom

* E. Town Book, B. 1, 2, o. ond. t E. T. Book, B. 6, o. end ; 8. I p. 16.

310 THE HISTORY OF

it was committed by the People of Elizabeth Town, to be
safely kept, by the Means of one or more Persons, who
claimed Shares of Propriety Eights." They say, " That, to
their great Disappointment, the Town-Book is lost ; " but,
that it was destroyed by " those who claimed under the first
Purchasers and Associates, and by or with their consent and
Approbation " they " believe to be utterly false." Reference
is frequently made subsequently to these early books, in
which the language almost uniformly used is, — " being, as is
supposed, destroyed or conveyed away;" showing a lurking
suspicion that the books were in a place of concealment, and
intimating that possibly they might yet be recovered — a
hope never fulfilled. There is no intimation anywhere to be
found, that they have ever been seen since their disappear-
ance in 1718 or 19, and not the least prospect now of their
ever being recovered.*

As it was quite likely that others, holding by Proprietary
rights, would follow the example of Mr. Yaughan, the Epis-
copal Missionary, and prosecute their claims before the
Courts, the Associates determined to make common cause
with the sufferers, in defending them against all claimants,
and legal procedures. Accordingly, at a town-meeting,
purporting to be "a Meeting of the Inhabitants and freehold-
ers of Elizabeth Town, August 2, 1720," the following record
was made :

Item. By a Unanimous Vote of The freeholders afores d It Is Agreed
and Concluded, That a Committee of seven men Be Chosen from Among
Them, To Eepresent Them and Every of Them the s d freeholders, In all
affairs, Touching the Settlement of Their, and Every of Their Just Eights
& Properties.

And Accordingly, by a Unanimous Vote of the freeholders afores d the
Day and Year Aboves d there was Chosen A Committee of Seven men, all
being of the freeholders Afores d whose Names are As followeth (viz 1 ) M r
John Blanchard, Cap 1 Joseph Bonnel, John Crane, Joseph Williams, Samuel
Potter, Nathaniel Bonnel, And Daniel Sayre; To whom the freeholders
afores d have Given and Granted, And by these Presents Do Give and
Grant, ail their full Power And Authority, To Act and Do for them And in
their name and behalf, whatsoever to them (or the Major part of them the

* E. T. Bill, p. 32. Ans. to Do., p. 22. Town Book, B., ubique.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 3H

said Committee, shall (by themselves or their Councill Learned) seem
Mete and proper In all things Touching the settlement of all, & Every of
the said freeholders, In their Just Rights And properties, As they and
Every of them Claim by force of Grant and Purchase, under Governour
Richard Nicholls.*

This seems to have been the first instance of the appoint-
ment of Trustees, or "Committee Men," as they were more
generally called, for the disposal of the common hinds of the
town, and for the systematic and organized defence of the
people's title to their inheritance, of which they or their fa-
thers had now been in possession more than fifty years. The
measure was wise and salutary, as well as necessary. It
served as an effectual barrier to all encroachments from out-
siders, and gave great annoyance to the wealthy and power-
ful Board or Council of Proprietors, who found themselves
continully checked and thwarted ever afterward, by this res<>-
lute and most efficient bodv of Committee Men, to whose
energy and efficiency they could not but bear the most de-
cided and positive testimony, f

The members of this Committee appear to have served at
the pleasure of the town, the term of their holding office not
being specified. Changes were made, as circumstances
required.

More than nine vears afterwards, at a numerous meeting of
the Associates, full power was again given to the Town Com-
mittee, to act in the premises, at which time, Nov. IS, 1729,
Benjamin Bond, Joseph "Woodruff, and John Harriman were
appointed on the Committee in the place of John Cran
Joseph Williams, and Daniel Sayre, the first and the last
having deceased.

The names of the Associates present are attached, with
their seals, to a paper, previously recorded, of the same date,
in which arc recited briefly the Nature of their Title-Deed .
the Names of the Original Associates, and of those of 1699
additional, together with a statement of the I. «sof the Town
Books, and an Agreement to allow the new Book t.» he re-
garded as a Lawful Record of Surveys and Conveyances.

* Town Book, B., o. end. I. t E. T. Bill, 47-.VJ. Ans. to Do., 33

312

THE HISTORY OF

The several subscriptions are as follows :

Jonathan Ogden
John Woodruff
Jonathan Dickinson
Samuel "Whitehead
John Lambert
John Harriman
Eichard Clarke
John megie
benj min Wade
Eobert Wade
Joseph x osbourn
Leonard milse
Ephraim Price
John Moriss
John Blanchard Jun r
Jeremiah Orain
Stephen Harriman
Simon Searing
Jhon royno
Peter Blanchard
John x Bryant
Benjamin x Clarke
Joseph woodroff
John Wade
Stephen Crane
Joseph Ludlam
Joseph woodruffe
Joseph x Morss
Daniell Meaker
Joseph Halsy
Henry Clarke
John Willis
W m Brant
John meeker
Matthew Connet
W m Broadwell
JSTath : Bonnel
Eicherd Miller

Daniel Potter
William Strayhearn
Joseph willis
Sam 11 miller
Joseph Williams
George Eoss Jun r
Samuel Potter
Samuel x Serin
Joseph Tooker
Benjamin Watkins
Jona tk : Allen
John Eoss
Ichabod Burnet
Henry Connet
Thomas x Baker
John Megie Jn r
William Clarke
John x Eobeson
Nath 11 Hubbel
Matthias Hetfield
Noadiah Potter
Eobert Wade 2 d
Joseph Bonnel
Benja Bond
John Thompson
Abraham Clark
John x Baker
Joshua x Marsh
Ben Woodruff
Joseph Megie
John Peirson
Timothy Woodruff
Thomas Woodruff
Caleb Woodruff
Daniel Eoss Jr
Moses Thomson
Eobert Ogden

John Clark
John Osborne
Isaac orsbon
hope carpntr
David Dunham
Andrew Craige
John Crane
Caleb Jefferrys
John Denman
Thomas Price
Miles Williams
Thomas x Akin
Eichard Lambert
Joseph Clark
John Atkinson
Elnathan Cory
Jonathan Crane
Edward Gillman
David Lambert
richerd hall
Eichard Clark jn r
Josiah Terrill
John larabert 3 d
Joseph Cory
John Shotwell
Ephraim Terrill
John Terrill
Samuel Woodruf
Daniel Williams
David x Jennings
Jonathan Dayton
Jonathan Whitaker
James Colie
Ezekiel Sayre
Benjamin x Acarleo
Thomas Jefferrys
Thomas Chapman*

It is rather creditable to the humble yeomanry whose
names are here given, that all of them, save those that are
marked with x , were able to write their own names ; though

* Town Book, B. 1-10.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 313

it must be admitted that the chirography, in most cases, is
capable of much improvement. The list is far from complete.
Other lists, a few years later, show that very many, who were
living in the town at this date, and in lull sympathy with
these subscribers, are not included in the list of signatures.
It contains, probably, only those who were present at the
town-meeting and voted. The subscribing witnesses were,
Thomas Price and Thomas Hill.

Several new names appear. Among them, and third in
order, is the nameof the two Presbyterian ministers, Jonathan
Dickinson, of the town, and Nathaniel Hubbell, of Westfield,
among the leaders of the party of popular rights, as Mr.
Vaughan, the Episcopal minister, whose law -suit was still
pending, was of the opposing party. So numerous, too, was
the former party, it will be observed, that their business was
transacted in the name of the town, — at a u town-meeting,"
and not a meeting of the party.

An almost entire change was made in the membership of
the Committee of Seven Select Men, at the town-meeting,
April 4, 1732, Joseph Williams, Joseph Halsey, Jeremiah
Crane, Samuel Miller, Caleb Jefferys, John Crane, and
Joseph Bonnel, Esq r , having been then appointed.*

Another litigation was commenced in 1731. Patrick Lith-
gow had become a claimant, by a Proprietary right, to a
tract of land west of the Railway river, within the bounds
of the town, that originally, Ap. 11, 16S2, had been surveyed
to Sir George and Philip Carteret, and conveyed subsequent-
ly to Peter Schuyler. A portion of the same tract, by 1 irtue
of the Allotment of 1699-1700, and by right oi' the [ndian
purchase of 1GG1, had come into the p< 1" John

Pobison, Henry Clarke, Andrew Craige, Joshua Mai ad
others of the E. T. Associates. Actions of Ejectment wei
brought, in the May Term of the Supreme Courl New
Jersc}', 1731, against these four occupants. These C
came to trial at the May Term of 1734, and a general verdict
was found by a Middlesex jury, for the defendants: —
thus, as understood by the latter and their friends, confirm-

# Town Bock, & 11.

314 THE HISTORY OF

ing the validity of the E. Town Purchase and the Nicolls
Grant.*

In order more firmly to bind themselves and those who
purchased of them, to the defence of their Titles, bonds were
given to [Rev.] Nathaniel Hubbell, John Crane, and Joseph
Shotwell, a Committee of Trustees chosen for this purpose,
whereby they severally came under obligation, to pay (not
exceeding the sum of £10, Proclamation Money,) such sums
as should be duly assessed upon them by the said Trustees
towards defraying the charges and expenses of maintaining
and defending the E. Town Title, according to the judgment
and discretion of the Committee of Seven.f

Further to provide the means of defraying these charges,
"it was agrea d and voted by a Greait majorility of those In-
terested " in the Nicolls Grant, at a town meeting, July 1,
1734, to empower the seven select men, to dispose of

All that Tract of Land or any part or parcel Thereof Begining at
Ceder Brook where Essex Line Croses the said Brook and from Thence
Euning west six miles and from Thence the Nearest Corse to the moun-
tain from Thence as the said mountain Euns to the hundred acres Lots
formerly survea d according to the Town order and agreement and from
Thence to the first mentioned place to the said Ceder Brook. (Also)
To Dispose of what money, shall arise from the Sale of The said Lands,
or any part Thereof for the Genoral Intrust of the said Associates and
freeholders. In Defending Them or any of Them In The possion of Their
property or In dispossessing any That shall unjustly Intrude upon any
part of the aforesaid purchase and Grant. J

This tract was wholly in what is now Somerset Co., and
included a considerable part of the township of Warren,
with a small part of Bridgewater. In the subsequent pro-
ceedings connected with these litigations, this measure
was made a matter of complaint against the Associates.
It was replied, that the Proprietors, "to defray and sup-
port the Expense of their Proceedings and Law-Suits,
have sold at public vendue, and among themselves, several
Thousand Acres of Land," the one following the example
of the other. §

* E. T. Bill, p., AT. Ans. to Do., p. 33. t E. T. Bill, pp., 11S-9. Ans. to Do., p. 33.

X Town Book, B. 3. § Ans. to E. T. Bill, p. 38.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 315

This controversy, affecting, as it did, every man's interests,
was, for long years, the all-engrossing topic of thought and
conversation, in all circles, among all classes. It came up at
every town-meeting, and was discussed in the Justices'
Courts, and at the Quarter Sessions. It forms, therefore, the
staple of the town-history for this period.

At a town-meeting on the second Tuesday tilth) of
March, 1T34-, the seven Trustees were authorized to lay
out the remainder of the common land of the town, hack
of the first mountain, into lots of 100 acres each, to be
divided by lot among the Associates ; and to arrange with
those who had already improved any portion of these lam
the money thus received to be appropriated to the defence
of the people against those claiming under proprietary
titles.*

It was charged by the other party, that the measure, then
discussed and adopted, was fully and effectually carried out ;
that a great number of the Proprietary tenants, fearing the
loss of their improvements, were induced either to purchase,
or take leases of, the land thus occupied, from the Town
Trustees. Nor was the fact at all denied or questioned. Con-
sequent on this conversion of title, an Action of Ejectment
was brought, in the August Term of the Supreme Court of
New Jersey, by James Fenn, holding by Proprietary right
derived from the three sons, (John, Thomas, and Richard),
of William Penn, against John Chambers and a Mr. Alcorn ;
thus opening anew the litigation which had been quieted by
the decision in the Schuyler case, and requiring another con-
siderable outlay to meet the charges necessary for defending
their titles. f

A town meeting, therefore, was held, Sept. 16, 1735, duly
convened by warrant from the Magistrates, Joseph Bonne]
and Joseph Man, Esq™, at which the seven Trustees were im-
powered, to dispose of

A Certain Tract or Parcell of Land Lying west from a place Known
by the name of Baskine Ridge and between the west Jersey line d t to

* Town Book, B. 4, 5. t EL T. Bill, pp.17, S. Ans. to Do., pp. 33, 4.

316 THE HISTORY OF

exceed Eight Milles upon the East and west line and to Extend to our
utmost bounds upon the North and south Lines Provided always That
the s d Tract of Land be not convey'd and sold for Less then two Thousand
Pounds Current Money of New Jersey and so in Proportion for a Lesser
Quantity of said Land and it is further agreed and Concluded That
we the said Associates and ffreeholders Do Eeserve one Third part of
said Tract of Land to ourselves if Kequired by said freeholders and
then and In such case to Deduct one Third part of said Two Thousand
Pounds all which money is to be Improv'd for the General Good of s d
ffreeholders.*

This tract, remote as "it is from the locality of the original
settlement, was clearly included in the township of Elizabeth-
Town, as defined by the Act of 1693, and as clearly in the
land conveyed by the Indian purchase and the Nicolls
patent. It embraced the northern half of Somerset County,
and a considerable part of what is now Morris County. 'No
wonder, that the Proprietors, astounded by this vigorous
action of the irrepressible yeomanry of Elizabeth Town, should
speak of u the Lines of their vast Pretensions ; " nor that
James Alexander, the father of " Lord Stirling," should write,
Oct. 1, 1735, to Col. John Hamilton [son of Gov. Andrew],
at Perth Amboy, "advising him to call a meeting of the
Proprietors of East Jersey, to devise measures to stop the
proceedings of the Elizabeth Town people in extending their
bounds and granting lands. ? 'f

A large body of land yet remained unappropriated, lying
to the West of the surveys and allotments of 1699-1700, in-
cluding what were familiarly known as the First and Second
Mountains, as far as the Newark Line on the North, with the
intervening Yalley drained by Blue Brook, the Eastern Branch
of Cedar Brook, on either side of which the village of Feltville
has since grown up ; and the whole region watered by the
Passaic River above Chatham, embracing the whole of the
present Township of New Providence, in Union County, and
the Southern parts of Chatham and Morris Townships in
Morris County. Portions of the tract were exceedingly rug-
ged, and others low and swampy ; but other portions, of large
extent, were quite productive and desirable. Immigration

*E. T. Book,B.8. t E. T. Bill, p. 49. Analytical Index, p. 1G4.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 317

had already found its way thither, in search of fruitful soil,
healthful residences, and valuable mill-sites.

It was, therefore, deemed Lest to repeat the measure of
1G99, and make a further distribution of the lauded domain
of the town. A new generation, the grandchildren of the old
planters, had come to years, and needed room to plant and
build for themselves. A town-meeting was held, accord;
ly, Nov. 8, 173G, and measures were taken t<> effect the de-
sired object. Joseph Morse (the son of Joseph, and the
grandson of Peter Morse, both deceased) was chosen and
duly qualified as the Town Surveyor; and John Megie was
chosen, Nov. 14, 1737, one of the Seven Men, in place
Samuel Miller, whose growing infirmities of body unfitted
him for service.*

The work confided to the Seven Men and the Survey
was duly and faithfully performed. The first 43 lots were
surveyed Dec. 27-9, 1736 ; Lots, 44-104, Nov. 22 to Dec. 3,
1737; the Additional Survey, 1-109, Jan. 17 to Feb. 22,
173-J; and Corson's Survey of 7 Lots, Jan. C, 173f The
whole of this large territory — the back country of the town
— was regularly laid out, and divided into 2S0 one-hundred-
acre lots ; of all which due report was made at a town-meet-
ing, held, March 28, 1738, for the distribution, by lot, of the
respective shares to which each of the Associates, by their
heirs and assigns, was entitled. The mode of allotment was
determined by the following vote :

All such persons as shall have a first, second or third Lett Right within
the s' 1 Elizabeth Town purchaso and in the first Division of the 1
the Northward of the South mountain (Xow to he drawn for) and 1
Disposed of or Conveyed any such Eight or Eights to any pen
sons whatsoever that he or they to whom s cI Disposal or Conveyance of Bf
first, second or third Lot Right has first been made or Conveyed as
afores' 1 may and shall by virtue of this vote (as
conveyed) have the first Drangh of the alotmenl of the Lai to be

Drawn for in the Division of the s d Lands and those that ha)
Conveyance shall have the second Lot and so on a Ld.t

* E. Town Book, I). 1G, IT.

t This latter Survey Included the greater part of the Passaic \ - ith of Chatham;

occupied at the present day, to a great extent, by descendant, of these first occupants; of whom
astended notices are given by John Littcll, in his " Genealogies of the first Betters of Pas-

318 THE HISTORY OF

Joseph Williams having died, and Jeremiah Crane by rea-
son of age having become infirm, Messrs. Jonathan Dayton
and John Ogden were chosen, Mar. 13, 173f, Committee
men in their place.

The new allotments gave occasion for renewed litigation
with the Proprietors, and their Assigns. Daniel Cooper held
a Proprietary claim to a portion of the lands thus surveyed
and allotted. An action of Trespass was, therefore, brought,
in his name, " against Joseph Moss, John Crane, John Den-
nan, John Scudder, John Terril, Samuel Norris, sen. and
Samuel Norris, jun., the then Committee or Managers for
the said Clinker Lot Pight Men." So they were styled in
the bill; but erroneously, as only one of the number, John
Crane, belonged to the Committee. The Cause came on for
a hearing in the May Term of the Supreme Court, 1738, and
the defendants pleading — " Not Guilty " — it was deferred
for proof.*

James Logan, also, about the same time, holding by a Pro-
prietary claim, brought sundry actions of Trespass and Eject-
ment against a number of his tenants, in the Western part of
the Elizabeth Town purchase, who had, also, bought, or
taken leases, of the Town Committee. Similar actions were
brought in the August Term of 1738, against Benjamin Man-
ning and Wright Skinner, in the name of Daniel Axtell, de-
ceased. In respect to one of these actions, the following
record was made, in the Town Book, of the proceedings of a
town-meeting, held, June 18, 1739 : —

Agreed and Concluded, that m r John Blanchard mr Eduard Sale mr
Jonathan alien mr william miller and mr thomas Clark are to cullect
money of the Inhabitants of the purchase of Elizabeth town for Defray-
ing the Charges in Euning out the said purchase By a Jury of Eevieue In
an action Depending Between James Logan plantiff and Joseph manning
Defendant and a rule of Court made for y e same. (Also), mr John Cram
and m r Jonathan Dayton are Impowerod to Eeceiue the money cullected
By mr John Blanchard mr Eduard Sale mr Jonathan alien mr william
miller or thomas Clark and Dispose of the same in Defraying the Charges
of Euning out the s d purchase to the Jury of Eevieue or any other Charges

saic Yalley, (and Vicinity,) above Chatham— with their Ancestors and Descendants, as far as
can now be ascertained. 1851." E. T. Book, B. 16, o. e. E. Town Book of Surveys, C. 1-60.
* E. Town Biil, pp. 49, 50. Ans. to Do., pp. 34, 5.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 319

which they the s d m r John Craiu or rar Jonathan Dayton shall think
Necessary in that affair.

As Logan's claim was in the extreme West of the Pur-
chase, and it was doubtful whether it was included therein,
the Court had ordered the question of fact to be determined
by a Jury of Review.

At the same town-meeting, the question of the Newark
boundary Hue, also, came up again for consideration, and it
was agreed,

That Justice andrew Joline mr John Blanchard and mr Daniel pot!
are Impowered by the associates and freeholders aboue said to aGree with
the people of Newark to settle and ascertain a Division Lino !!ct\veen the
Town of Newark and Elizabeth town and to take sueh n
means as to them the s d Justice andrew Joline mr John Blanchard and mr
Daniel potter shall seem proper in order to obtnin the ?aid Division Line
to be Established and to have Reasonable Satisfaction for their service in
that affair.

The Newark people appointed, Oct. 24, 1730, " Jonathan
Crane Esq'r, Col'l Josiah Ogden, and Samuel Farrand Esq'r.
a Committee to treat with the People of Elizabeth Town
about settling a Line between the two Towns."*

"Whatever was done in the matter, the result was the same
as on former occasions ; inasmuch as the line was still unad-
justed, fifteen years later. It was a large and valuable in-
heritance that the Town received from the original pur-
chasers, but it cost them a vast deal of time, expense, and per-
plexity, to determine its exact bounds, and to defend it agai
all trespassers. f

It was, probably, the difficulty experienced in conduct;
these delicate and intricate affairs in town-meeting, and the
doubtfulness of the authority claimed, In some instance - by
the Committee men, or Trustees, that led the principal i
of the town to seek an Incorporation — to obtain a Cha
by means of which they could more promptly and thoroughly
transact the public business.

The time was opportune. New Jersey, after having bi
for thirty-five years an appendage of the Province of New

* E. Town Book, B. 20, o. c. Newark Town B
t Newark Town Records, p. 141.

320 THE HISTORY OF

York, under a succession of Royal Governors residing in the
City of ]STew York, had at length, after repeated remonstran-
ces and entreaties, obtained a position independent of the
other Provinces, with one of her own citizens,, Lewis Morris,
as Governor. His long familiarity with the Territory and
with the people, as a private citizen and in public office, had
made him acquainted with the towns and their need. Joseph
Bonnel, a man of commanding influence at home, had repre-
sented the town in Gov. Morris' first Legislature (1738-39),
of which he had been chosen Speaker, from which position
he had been transferred by the Governor to the Bench of the
Supreme Court, having been appointed, May, 1739, Second
Judge, Robert Hunter Morris being Chief Justice.*

A petition, therefore, was prepared, and circulated, praying
Gov. Morris to procure from his Majesty, the King, a Charter
of Incorporation for the town, as a free town or borough. It
was extensively signed, the first names being in order as
follows : " Joseph Bonnel, Andrew Joline, Thomas Price,
John Ross, John Blanch ard, John Crane, Thomas Clark,
Matthias Hetfield, IsToadiah Potter, John Halstead, Nathaniel
Bonnel, Samuel "Woodruff, Samuel Marsh, Jonathan Hamp-
ton, William Chetwood, Edward Thomas, and Cornelius Het-
field." These were the leading men of the town, representing
both of the parties into which it was divided, and both of the
religious denominations. As Judge Bonnel's name leads the
petition, it is quite likely that he himself had prepared it, and
presented it.

The petition was favorably received, and a Charter granted
by his Majesty, George II., bearing date Feb. 8, 17f|- R
constituted the Passaic River, from the mouth of Dead River
to the Minisink Crossing, the Western boundary of the
Borough. The territory was nearly co-terminous with the
present Union County. On the South-west, however, it in-
cluded nearly the whole of the town of Warren in Somerset
County. It was to be known " by the name of the Free
Borough and town of Elizabeth." It appointed Joseph Bon-
nell, Esq r , "Mayor and Clark of the Market," and Coroner,

* Anal. Index of N. J, Docmts., p. 175.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY 321

also; John Blanchard, Esq 1 ", Recorder; "Andrew Jolinc,
Matthias Hatfield, Thomas Price, John Ross, John Crane, &
Thomas Clark Esq rB ," Aldermen; "Noadiah Potter, John
Halste ad, Nathaniel Bonncl, Samuel Woodruff, Samuel Marsh
& Jonathan Hampton Gent.," "Assistants and Common
Councill;" "William Clictwuud J Sheriff; Jonathan

Dayton, Chamberlain; Thomas Hill, Marshall; "John Pad-
ley, George Ross, Junior, Daniel Marsh & John Scudder,
Assessors ; Robert Ogden, John Odle, John Terrill & Wil-
liam Clark, Collectors; James Townley, High Constable;
and Robert Little, Nathaniel Price, Richard Han-imam John
Looker, John Craige, Daniel Dunham to be petit Constables ;
Henry Garthwait, Cornelius Hetfield, John Radley Sen r ,
John Allen, Ephraim Marsh & Daniel Day," " Overseers for
the Poor;" and "Michael Kearny, Esq 1 "," Common Clerk.

It accorded to the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Coun-
cil all the Rights, Immunities and Privileges usually granted
to bodies corporate ; as will be seen by reference to the ex-
ceedingly voluminous Document itself.*"

Of the above-named officers of the new Corporation, An-
drew Joline had been Collector for this town from 1731 to
1738, and Justice, as early as 1735. His death occurred d
later than 1712. William Chetwood had been Sheriff of the
County, as early as 1735, succeeding Benjamin Bonnell.
Joseph Bonnell, Thomas Price, and Matthias Hatfield had
been Justices.

The town had, from the first, been the leading town in East
Jersey. In 1731, the Rates for Essex Co. were as follows:
for Elizabeth Town, £5G. 0. : for Newark, £11. 11. : for
Acquackanong, £11. 7. 3. Agreeably to the action of the
town, June 18, 1739, the Line was drawn separating Essex
County from Middlesex and Somerset Counties, for which
the following charges were paid: To Mr.' Joseph Bonnell,
"for procuring a Writ or Warrant for Riming the 1 >n

Line," B2. 11. 0.

To Wm. Chetwood, Sheriff, for time and Expences, ,: . 0. 0.
To John Blanchard, Surveyor, " " " 2. i ; . 0.

* Murray's Notes, pp. 2--4I.

322 THE HISTORY OF

To Jonathan Hampton, Surveyor, for time and

Expences, £2. 0. 0.

To John Crane, for time and Expences, 1. 8. 0.

To Nathaniel Bonnel, " " 1. 19. 10.

To Daniel Potter, " " 1. 6. .

February 27, 17ff." £i7 ' 9 * 10 *

During the first sixty years of the settlement the newspa-
per was unknown. Information of current events at home
and abroad was received by correspondence, or oral commu-
nication. The gathering at the "meeting-house," on the
Lord's Day, was the principal occasion for the diffusion of
intelligence, whether of domestic occurrences, or of provin-
cial and foreign events. Advertisements were posted at the
doors of the meeting-house, where all could read them. The
Boston " News-Letter," a half-sheet of paper, 12 by 8 inches,
was started, April 24, 1704 ; but it is scarcely probable, that
it circulated here. Possibly a single copy may have found
its way hither occasionally. The same may be said of the
" Boston Gazette," commenced at the close of 1719, and of
the " New England Courant," commenced at Boston, Aug.
17, 1721.f

" The New York Gazette " was introduced to the public
by ¥m. Bradford, Oct 16, 1725, being the first Weekly Pa-
per established in the City of New York. Though a dimin-
utive affair, the event was of no small importance. This
humble periodical brought the people of the city and neigh-
boring towns, into a familiar and accurate acquaintance with
passing occurrences of greatest interest, and was made, also,
the vehicle of communicating one with another. The Ad-
vertisements were few and brief, and the News-items exceed-
ingly meagre. But occasionally a paragraph appears shed-
ding light on the social and commercial interests and history
of this town. The earliest notices of the kind, now to be
found, are worthy of a place in these pages. The very first
is connected with the institution of Domestic Slavery, now,
by the good providence of God, brought to a perpetual end : —

* Essex Co. Justices' Account Book.

t Buckingham's Specimens of Newspaper Literature, I. 4, 44, 9.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 300

• >

Kun away from Solomon Bates of Elizabeth Town, a Negroe Man,
called Clause, aged about 27 years old, has got with him a Homspnn
Coat of Linen and Wool, with Brass Button-, an Ozenbrig Vest with
black Buttons and Button-holes, and an old striped Vest, Leather Breeches,
new Homespun Wosted Stockings, black Shoes with Booklet; he has 1
Hat and Cap, and he can play upon the Fiddle, and speaks English and
Dutch. Whoever c:m talCe up the said Negro, and bring him to his said
Master, or secure him and give Notice, so that his Master can ha.
him again, shall have reasonable Satisfaction, besides all reasonal
Charges.*

Mr. Bates' name first occurs, Nov. 9, 1711. in the old
" Record of Ear Marks for Elizabeth Town ; ' but hi
to have had 110 connection with the Associat- His nai
occurs, also, in "the Morristown Bill of Mortality," p. 1
as having died of old age (100) November, 1771. Hie widow
died, also of old age, March 18, 1787, 97 years old. Tl
must have removed to Morristown at an early day. Claus,
or Nicholas, formerly belonged to Daniel Eadgley. lie was
arrested and restored to his master. But he had a pel at
propensity to have his own way; and, less than two yean
afterwards, Mr. Bates complains that he had taken himself
away again, and, this time, —

He has taken with him a grey Homespun Drugget Coat trimM with
Black, a white linnen Vest trim'd with black, and a homespun K<
Vest, a Pair of Leather Breeches, with red Pulls and Shoes an k-

ings.t

" Mr. Benjamin Price, Attorney at Law in New Fork,"
has for sale a House and Lot in New Brunswick. Mr. Pri
was a grandson of one of the Associates and bore his Dame.}

The public are informed that

there is good Entertainment for Men and Horses and II

Let at all Times by William Donaldson at the R< Be and Orown in I

beth Town, New Jersey.§

The House, Stable and Garden of Benjamin Hill in Elisabeth-Town in
New Jersey, is to be Let from year to year, or for a term of yean, It is
a very convenient place for a Trades-man or a Shop-keeper. |

At the Sign of the Ship In Elizabeth-Town lives Benjamin Hill, who
keeps Horses to Let, and where all Travellers and others may h m-

♦N.Y. Gazette, June 1, 1730. I lb., M»y - . . 7 I | lb , July 20, 1730.

§ lb., Oct. 16, 1732. I lb., Mar. 25, 1734.

324: THE HIF/TORY OF

modated with good Entertainment for Man and Horse at all Times in the
White House which Mr. Schuyler hought of Mr. Townley.*

This was the house built by Gov. Carteret shortly before
his death, of which Col. Townley became possessed by marry-
ing the Governor's widow.

On "Wednesday the 23 of April next at the Taper Mill in Elizabeth-
Town, there will be Sold at Public Vendue to the highest Bidder, all
sorts of Household Goods, Cattle, Horses, Hogs, Cart, Plows, Harrows
with Iron Teeth, and other Utensils : The Plantation adjoyning to the
said Mill will also be sold, which contains about Ninety Acres, &ct

It was at this Mill that the Paper was made, on which the
Gazette was printed. It is not known by whom the Mill was
built ; but, in 1728, it was purchased by William Bradford,
of New York, who, in 1730-1, was a resident of the town.
His son, Andrew, was, at the same period, printing the
" American Weekly Mercury." The father and son had
quite a monopoly of government printing, and needed a mill
independent of the foreign manufacturers. This was the
first paper mill in New Jersey.^

To be Sold at Publick Vendue, on Tuesday the 26th of August instant,
at Elizabeth-Town in New Jersey, a Grist Mill and fulling Mill, also a
Lot of Ground, adjoyning to the Dwelling House of Edward Thomas, in
the said Town, very convenient for a dwelling house and Garden, and
near the said Mill, as also sundry Household Good. All which were lately
belonging to Wra Williamson late of said Town, deceased, and power of
Selling the same given by his last Will to Margaret Williamson his Wid-
dow Now living at Elizabeth Town aforesaid. §

This was the old Mill that was still standing, until within
a few years, at the stone bridge in Broad street, — originally
constructed by the pioneer John Ogden, — the last vestiges of
which have now disappeared before the march of modern
improvement.

In the Month of December last an Apprentice Lad named Abraham
Hendricks ran away from his Master John Ross of Elizabeth Town New-
Jersey ; said Lad is about Years of Age, was of small Stature, had a
brown great Coat and a Linsey Wosley under a Beaver Hat half worn

* N. T. Gazette, Mar. 81, 1735. t lb., Ap. 7, 1735.

% Historical Magazine, I. 86, 123 ; III. 173; VII. 210.
§ N. Y. Gazette, Aug. 25, 1735.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 305

having light colored hair and took a set of Shoemakers Tools along with
him, being a Shoemaker by Trade. (A Reward of 30s. and charges of-
fered.)*

Mr. Ross was named, in the Borough Charter, one of the
Aldermen of the Corporation, and became, in 174S, Mayor
of the Borough. Hendricks was, probably, the brother of
Isaac, and the son of Jonn Hendricks, who came here as
early as May, 1721, from Piscataway, where Daniel and
Jabez Hendricks, brothers, and Leonard Hendricks w» •:
numbered among the original settlers. Abraham returned,
and his name is found among a large number of citi/.n.-.
attached to a Memorial forwarded in 1713 to the Kin
George II.

These are to desire all Persons not to Trade with nor Trust my Wife
Hannah Tunis on my Account, for I will not pay any Debts that she shall
contract. Peter Tmiis.t

This is the first occurrence of the name in the Records, or
Chronicles of the Town. The family were early found among
the Dutch in New York.

We have an Account also that two Boys, the sons of Matthias Hat-
field of Elizabeth Town in New Jersey, being in the Woods hunted a
Rabbit into a hollow Tree, and in order to get it cut down the Tree,
which fell upon the younger Brother and killed him dead on the Spot.t

Mr. Hatfield was one of the magistrates of the town, be-
came High Sheriff and Alderman, and, by his daughter
Phebe, wife of Kobert Ogden, Esq., was the grandfather of
Gen. Matthias and Gov. Aaron Ogden, and an ancestor of
Gov. Daniel Haines.

* N. Y. Gazette, Ang. 25, 1TC5. t lb, Sep. 29, 1735. t lb., Jan. 13, ITSf.

326

THE HISTORY OF

CHAPTEK XV.

A.D. 1*708-1747.

Ecclesiastical — Rev. Jona. Dickinson — Parentage, Education, Marriage, and
Ordination — His Parish and Salary — Joins the Presbytery, Episcopal Con-
troversy, "Westfield Chh. — "Adopting Act" of 1*729 — Practices Medicine

— His " Reasonableness of Christianity " — Presbytery of E. Jersey — Elders

— Case of Hemphill — Another Episcopal Controversy — New Providence Chh.
—Presbytery of N. York — Whitefield at E. T. — Dickinson's "Witness of
the Spirit." — Revival of 1740 — Dickinson's "Five Points"— His "Display
of Special Grace" — Controversy on Regeneration — His " Familiar Letters."

The vacancy occasioned by the retirement of the Rev.
Samuel Melyen from the pulpit of the Independent Church,
was filled, shortly after, by the Ordination and Installation
of the

REV. JONATHAN DICKINSON.

He was the son of Hezekiah, and grandson of Nathaniel
Dickinson. His grandfather was among the early settlers
of Wethersfield, Ct., and emigrated thence, in 1659, to
Hadley, Mass. His son, Hezekiah, was born at "Wethers-
field, Feb., 164f, became a merchant, and resided successive-
ly in Stratford, Ct., and Hatfield, Hadley and Springfield,
Mass. He married, at Stratford, December 4, 1679,
Abigail, born Nov. 11, 1663, daughter of Samuel, and grand-
daughter of Rev. Adam, Blackman, [Blakeman], the first
minister of Stratford, Ct., and a graduate of the University
of Oxford.*

* Savage's Gen. Diet, 1. 195. II. 47. Hinman's Pur. Settlers of Ct., 1. 244. Goodwin's
Genealog. Notes, pp. 6, 7, 123.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 327

Jonathan was the second child of these worthy parent
He was born, April 22, 1688, at Hatfield, Mass., removed to
Hadley, in 1690, and to Springfield, in L695, where he spent
the most of his youth. Possibly, a portion of bis yonnj
days may have been passed at bis grandfather Blackman's,
in Stratford. The worthy minister of Stratford, Rev. [srael
Chauncy, was one of the principal founders of Yale ( bib
which went into operation in 1702. Through his influence
it was, probably, that young Dickinson, entered the new
college the same year, and was received into the family of
the Rev. Abraham Pierson, of Killingworth, Ok, the first
President, at whose house the students received instruction
until his death in 1707. His tutor for three years, (IT 1
1706), was John Hart, subsequently the minister of 1
Guilford, Ct. He graduated in 1700. His classmates w<
Jared Eliot (Mr. Pierson's successor in the ministry at Kill-
ingworth, and highly celebrated as a physician as well as B
divine), and Timothy Woodbridge, minister of Simsbury, Ct.,
from 1712 to 1742.*

Shortly after he left College, his father died, (June 14,
1707), and his mother married, January 21, 170*, Hiomae
Ingersoll, of Springfield, Mass. With whom young Dickin-
son studied theology, and by whom he was licensed to preach,
no record informs us. While in College, at Killingworth, he
may frequently have extended his visits to Guilford, the next
town on the West, and there, among the Hnbbards and Fow-
lers, have met and courted their cousin, Joanna Melj
the daughter of Jacob, and the sister of the Rev. Samuel
Melyen. lie may thus have had his attention dir I to
the vacant pulpit in this town ; or the people here may ba
been thus directed to him. Mr. Pierson, t<> ( », who had, for
more than 20 years, been the pastor of the Church ■•: \< .vark,
and familiar with this whole region, may, at or BOOH after his
graduation, (for Mr. Pierson died, March 1 7, 1 . . ave
advised him to go to East Jersey. f

He was in his twenty-first year, a men ipling, when he

* Trumbull's Conn., I. 501. Baldwin's Yalo OolL, rp ' 'i* 1 -

t Chapin's Glastenbury, p. 11%

328 THE HISTOKY OF

came hither in 1708. His marriage to Miss Meljen must
have taken place as early as March, 1709, the birth of his
first child being thus recorded in his Family Bible : " Our
son Melyen was born December 7, 1709." His wife was
more than four years his senior, having been born in 1683.
His ministry proved so acceptable, that 'measures were soon
taken for his ordination as Pastor. The ministers of Fair-
field County, who had just become consociated, according to
the Saybrook Platform of Sept. 9, 1708, were invited to per-
form the services on that occasion. These ministers were
John Davenport of Stamford, Stephen Buckingham, of Nor-
walk, Joseph Webb of Fairfield, and Israel Chauncy of
Stratford. Tliese, with "Messengers" from the several
Churches, constituted the ordaining Council, together with,
probably, the Pev. Nathaniel Wade with a Messenger from
the Church of Woodbridge ; and the Pev. Nathaniel Bowers
with a Messenger from the Church of Newark. The Pev.
Joseph Morgan had just left Greenwich, Ct., and been in-
stalled at Freehold, N. J. He, too, was invited, and it had
been arranged that he should preach the sermon. The
ordination took place, on Friday, Sept. 29, 1709. Mr.
Morgan preached, from Mark xvi : 16,— "Go ye into all the
world," &c. The discourse was printed, by W. & A. Brad-
ford, at New York, in 1712, and a copy of it is preserved in
the Library of the Connecticut Historical Society at Hartford.
The theme of the sermon was, " The Great Concernment of
Gospel Ordinances, manifested from the great effects of im-
proving or neglecting them." It was probably abbreviated
in the delivery, as " one of the ministers frequently desired
him to be brief, on account of the shortness of the day and
the greatness of the work in hand." He urges the duty of
thorough preparation for the pulpit, by the adage "A tow
lace ill beseems a silk garment." *

It was an extensive field of labor, with the cultivation of
which young Dickinson was thus entrusted. The town had
been spreading itself in every direction. It included, in

* Webster's His. of the Presb. Chli. in Am., pp. 358-61; Spragae's Annals, III. 14-18.
Trumbull's Conn., I. 501, 2, 9, 15, 23.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 309

addition to the main settlement along the Creek, the neigh-
borhoods of Woodruffs Farms, Lyon's Farms, Connecticut
Farms, "Williams' Farms, a considerable population on Loth
sides of the upper Railway river, and a large settlement on

the North of the River, at the crossing of the WoodLridire
road. A few scattered hahitations were found in the present
town of Westfield, and at the Scotch Plains. Neither church
nor minister was yet to Le found in the regions beyond

towards the setting sun. It was the extreme border of
civilization. An Episcopal Church, as already related, had
Leen organized within these hounds, Lut its numbers v
yet inconsiderable, and its pulpit was not yet supplied. Mr.
Vaughan had Leen appointed to the place, Lut had not
arrived. It was a weighty charge to be laid on such youth-
ful shoulders. And yet not too weighty, as the sequel
proved. Quietly and diligently he applied himself to his
work, and his profiting presently appeared to all. It was not
long before he took rank among the first of his profession."

The only information thus far obtained in regard to his
compensation is contained in a letter from the Rev. Thomas
Halliday, Episcopal Missionary, dated, "Elizabeth Town,
8th Nov., 1716 :—

In this part of East-Jersey there are three large Townships, Newark,
Elizabeth Town and Woodbridge which consist of upwards of a thou-
families the chief settlers of which were New England Independents, who
are now old and confirmed in their erroneous way. In each of those
towns there is a large Independent Congregation who support their
preachers with the allowance of £S0 per anuum besides House, Gl<
and perquisites of Marriages.!

Ycry brief notices only remain of the first few years of his
ministry. He took part, as a corresponding member of the
Presbytery of Philadelphia, Oct. 20, 1715, in the ordination
of Robert Orr, at Maidenhead, now Lawrenceville, N. J. It
was, doubtless, through his influence, principally, that John
Pierson, one year younger than himself, with whom he had
been intimately associated, at the house of his father, lav.
Abraham Pierson, at Eillingworth, was introduced to the

* Clark's St. John's Cbh., p. 84. t Clark's St. John's Cbh., p.M4.

330 THE HISTORY OF

people of Woodbridge, and settled there. Dickinson took
part with Prudden, Andrews, Morgan and Orr, April 29,
1717, in this ordination, also.*

Hitherto the church of Elizabeth Town had remained In-
dependent, retaining the forms and usages of the New Eng-
land churches. At the time of their organization, no Pres-
bytery had been formed in America. It was not until forty
years had passed, that the Presbytery of Philadelphia was
constituted. One after another, the churches out of New
England were becoming connected with it. The church of
Freehold had joined the Presbytery as early as 1706 ; Wood-
bridge, and their minister, Nathaniel Wade, in 1710 ; New-
town, L. I., and their minister, Samuel Pumroy, (a fellow-
student with Dickinson, at Yale, where, in 1705, he gradu-
ated), in 1715 ; and Southampton (with whom the people of
this town were so intimately connected), with their minister,
Joseph Whiting, and his colleague, Samuel Gelston, had been
received in 1716. Dickinson, it may be presumed from the
well-known preferences of President Pierson, was not averse
to the change from Independency to Presbyterianism. But
he was very young, and needed first to establish himself with
his people before proposing any innovations. They were
thorough Puritans, and, as has been abundantly exhibited in
this narrative, men of spirit. They were slow to part with
what they conceived to be their rights. Dickinson was not
a member of the Presbytery previous to September, 1716, as
appears from the roll. It is quite probable that he united
with the Presbytery of Philadelphia, at their meeting in
Woodbridge, April 29, 1717, for the ordination of Mr. John
Pierson, on which occasion, he took part in the services.f

At the meeting of the newly-constituted Synod of Phila-
delphia, Sept. 17, 1717, his name is enrolled as the youngest
member. His church, also, either then or very soon after,
put themselves under the care of the Presbytery. The fol-
lowing year, Sept. 19, 1718, it is noted in the Records, that
" Mr. Dickinson delivered one pound twelve shillings from

* Records of the Presb. Chh., U. S. A., pp. 41, 3.
+ Eecords, P. Chh., pp. 7, 16, 39, 42, 6.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 001

his congregation of Elizabeth-town, for the fund, "for pious
uses." This was, undoubtedly, the first contribution for
Presbyterian purposes ever made by this congregation.
From 1719 until after 1724, probably until 1783, he was the
Stated Clerk of the Presbytery, as appear.- from the Record
of the Synod : — "The book of the Presbytery of Philadelphia
was not produced by reason of Mr. Dickinson's a
He was "necessarily detained by his brother's Bickness."
His brother, Moses, had been settled at Hopewell [Penning-
ton], in 1717. He took part, Oct. 22, 1719, in the ordination
of Joseph Webb, at Newark, by the Presbytery of Philadel-
phia. So rapidly had he risen in the estimation of the Synod,
that, when a Standing Commission was appointed in ITl'o, he
was made one of the number.-

For the first time, the church was represented in the Synod
of 1721, by one of their elders, Robert Ogden, son of Deacon
Jonathan, and grandson of " Old John Ogden." Mr. Dick-
inson was chosen Moderator. Though he had, in good faith,
adopted the Presbyterian system, he could not wholly forego
that in which he had been trained. Against an overture,
adopted by the Synod, which savored of the stricter and
more rigid system of the old world, he, with five other breth-
ren of like liberal views, — Webb, of Newark, Pierson, of
Woodbridge, Morgan, of Freehold, and two Welsh breth-
ren, — protested. At the opening of the Synod, the following
year, he preached the sermon, from 2 Tim. iii. 17; in which
he took occasion to define his views of ecclesiastical jurisdic-
tion, in justification of his Protest of the previous year : "an
excellent Sermon," says Foxcroft of Boston, "where the true
Boundaries of Church-Power are particularly considered and
set in their proper Light." f

At this meeting he succeeded, after the subject had be<
fully discussed, in BO harmonizing the views of the Synod by
the presentation of a paper on the Bubjoct, as to carry il.
unanimous assent, and lead them to a hearty giving of thanks

* lb., pp. 46, 51, 4, 62, 7f>, SO. Steams' Newark, p. 122.

t Records, P. Chh., pp. 02, G, 7, 72. Webster" • P. CM*., p. 80ft IV t to * B .vonablenes*
of Chy." p. is.

332 THE HISTORY OF

in prayer and praise, for the composure of their difference."
In this paper, the power of the keys is accorded to the church
officers, and to them only ; care is taken to distinguish be-
tween legislative acts binding on the conscience, and orderly
regulations conformed to God's "Word; and the right of
appeal from the lower to the higher court is admitted. His
sermon on this occasion was shortly after published, being
his first appearance in print. The church was represented
in the Synod, this year, by Elder Joseph Woodruff, whose
affidavit relative to the Newark Boundary Line is recorded
in the Answer to the Elizabeth Town Bill in Chancery.*

Mr. Dickinson was also fully alive to the zealous efforts of
the Rev. Mr. Yaughan, his townsman, and others of the
Episcopal ministry, to extend the influence of the Church of
England in the Colonies. The defection of Timothy Cutler,
President, and Daniel Browne, Tutor of Yale College, with
Samuel Johnson, Minister of West Haven, Ct.,to Episcopacy,
in the autumn of 1722, followed by Messrs. Hart, Eliot,
Whittlesey, and Wetmore, shortly after, produced a profound
impression throughout the country, turning the attention
of the ministry and churches, both Congregational and Pres-
byterian, to what they regarded as " the assumptions ' of
Prelacy. Mr. Johnson, having received Episcopal ordina-
tion, was appointed a missionary to Stratford and vicinity, in
Connecticut, — the only Episcopal minister in the Colony, —
commencing his work in November, 1723. One of his zealous
parishioners, shortly after, published a pamphlet, entitled,
" A modest Proof of the Order and Government settled by
Christ and his Apostles in the Church." A copy of this
pamphlet came into the hands of Mr. Dickinson, many of
them, probably, being circulated in the town. He imme-
diately prepared and published, in 1724, at Boston, a reply in
" Defence of Presbyterian Ordination." f

His antagonist, wholly unable to cope with him in argu-
ment, called in the aid of his minister, Mr. Johnson, by
whom he was furnished with " a sketch of the common argu-

* Eecords, ut antea.

t Sprague's Annals, V. 51. Chandler's Life of Johnson, pp. 26-32, 9, 69.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 333

ments in favour of the doctrine of the Church. " of England ;
which the other sent in his own name to Mr. Dickinson.
This drew forth another publication from the latter, in which
he affirmed that "High Churchism is properly no more a
part of the Church of England, than a wen is of the human
body." To this, also, Mr. Johnson furnished his parishioner
with a rejoinder. "Sometime after Mr. Dickinson enlarged
and printed his own papers in this dispute; upon which Mr.
Johnson thought proper to publish what he had written on
the other side." *

The Records of the Synod, year by year, give abundant
evidence of his interest and activity in ecclesiastical matters,
as, also, of the confidence reposed in him by his brethren, —
his name appearing on almost every commission, to which
matters of moment were referred. He w T as appointed, Sept.
20, 1723, to visit certain Memorialists in Virginia, and preach
some Sabbaths to them, within the vear following. It is not
known, whether he went or not. His rare and commanding
ability as a preacher subjected him to many invitations to
go abroad and be helpful to other ministers and churches.t

That portion of the congregation, who had removed back
into the country, beyond the Railway river, had, in 1727,
become so numerous, and found it so inconvenient to attend
public worship in the old meeting-house, that they began to
hold public services among themselves, on the Lord's Day.
and had secured the ministrations of the Rev. Nathaniel
Hubbell, a portion of the time. The "Westfield Church was
organized, probably, at a somewhat later date. X

At the meeting of the Synod in 1727, it was prop to

require of every minister and candidate a hearty assent
the Westminster Confession and Catechisms. No action was
then taken. In 1728, it was taken up, but deferred until the
following year. Mr. Dickinson, "the ablest and most influ-
ential member of the Synod," as Dr. I lodge falls him, at once
took ground against the proposition. II is constitutional love of

* Chandler's Life of Johnson, p. 70.

t Records, P. Clih.. p. 74.

% lb., pp. 83, 6. Webster's P. Chh., p. 386. Huntting's Hie. Sermon, pp. 10, 13.

334: THE HISTORY OF

liberty, and his fear of any infringement of the rights of the
ministry, led him to oppose the measure, and present his
reasons for rejecting it. The overture had been printed. A
response to it from the pen of Dickinson was also printed, by
Zenger, at New York, a copy of which is found in the old
South Church Library, Boston. It is dated, April 10, 1729,
and shows, that, while he himself cordially accepted these
Symbols of Faith, he was opposed to all imposition of creeds
of human composure. Having been placed on the Commit-
tee to whom the proposition was referred, he succeeded in
modifying it to such an extent, as to unite the whole Synod,
with thanksgiving to God, in the support and adoption of the
measure, thenceforward known as, " the Adopting Act? *

It will be remembered that only a few weeks later, Mr.
Dickinson subscribed, at home, a paper designed to unite
more closely and effectively his townsmen in their opposition
to the pretensions of the East Jersey Proprietors. Having
cast in his lot with his people in defence of their homesteads,
he proved himself, in that controversy, as in the Synod, an
invaluable counselor and organizer in defence of popular
rights. In all the straits and trials, growing out of the liti-
gations with which they were disturbed, he ever stood with
them, and never shrunk from any responsibilities thus de-
volved upon him. He endeared himself to his congregation,
not only by his admirable pastoral qualifications, iully ex-
emplified in all his intercourse with them, but by attention
to their bodily maladies. He gave himself to the study of
medicine as well as of divinity, and acquired a high repu-
tation as a physician. In Zenger's Weekly Journal, Feb. 16,
173|-, will be found a communication from his pen, descrip-
tive of " the Throat Distemper " (at that time prevailing
fearfully and fatally in these parts), and proposing what he
regarded as an effectual remedy.f

The period in which he served the Church was noted for
the prevalence of scepticism. The writings of Hobbes,
Blount, Toland, Shaftesbury, Collins, Woolston, Wollaston,

* Records, pp. 89, 91, 2, 3. Hodge's P. Chh., 1. 162-173. Webster's P. Chh., pp. 103-8.
t E. Town Book, B. 4, App. to Green's Discourses, p. 297. Christian Advocate, X. 52.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 335

Tindal, and Chubb, the modern apostles of Deism, had ob-
tained a wide circulation, and were greedily devoured. It
was fashionable to decry both Inspiration and Revelation.
Men gloried in "the Religion of Nature," and decried the
Holy Scriptures, the Church, and the Christian. Reason was
deified and Christ dethroned. The tendencies of the pulpit
were towards a low Arminianism — latitndinarianism in doc-
trine and practice.*

Mr. Dickinson set himself to breast and beat back the
waves of error. lie prepared and preached to his people, :i
short series of discourses, which, soon after, were printed in
a convenient manual edition, with the following title :

The Reasonableness of Christianity, in Four Sermons, Wherein The
Being and Attributes of God, the Apostacy of Man, and the CrediUlity
of the Christian Religion, are demonstrated by rational Consideration -.
And the Divine Mission of our blessed Saviour prov'd by Scripture-Ar-
guments, both from the Old Testament and the New; and vindicated
against the most important Objections, whether of ancient or modern In-
fidels. By Jonathan Dickinson, M. A. Minister of the Gospel at Elizabeth-
Town, N. Jersey. Cum dilectione fides Christian! : Sine dilectione fides
daemonum : Qui autem non credunt, pejores sunt quam daemones. —
Aug. de charit. With a Preface by Mr. Foxcroft. Boston • X. E.
Printed by S. Kneeland and T. Green, for Samuel Gerrish at the lower
end of Cornhill. MDCCXXXII.

The author is thus introduced by the Rev. Thomas Fox-
croft, of Boston : —

The reverend and learned Author of the ensuing Discourses needs not
any Epistles of Commendation to such as are acquainted with his Per-
son and Character: Whose Praise is in the Gospel thorowout all the
Churches in those remote parts where Divine Providence has cast his
Lot. Neither is he unknown to the Publick : which has been favour'd with
several lesser Writings of his, formerly publish'd on special occasion
that must have left on the Minds of those who have read them, a gr&l
ful Relish, and such an Idea of Mr. Dickinson's peculiar Genius, Capacity
and Judgment, as cannot but prepare them to come with raised expecta-
tions and a particular Gust, to the perusal of the foil. wing Tracts; Which
it would therefore be as superfluous to recommend to Booh, as it would
be thought vain in me to attempt a profasi oomium on them for the

# Dickinson favored the "Half- Way Covenant," but not tbo lax views of Doctrine grow-
ing out of it. Chu. Advocate, X. 147.

336 THE HISTORY OF

sake of others ; nor indeed would the known Modesty of the Author in-
dulge me in taking this Liberty.

They are truly admirable discourses, learned, discriminat-
ing, and logical ; full of pith and power ; pointed and im-
pressive. Happy the people favored with the ministry of
such a teacher ! Happy the children whose early years were
blessed with such instructions !

In 1733, was published, at Boston, JSTew England, " The
Scripture-Bishop Vindicated. A Defence of the Dialogue
Between Praelaticus and Eleutherius, upon The Scripture
Bishop, or The Divine Right of Presbyterian Ordination and
Government, Against The Exceptions of a Pamphlet Intitled
The Scripture Bishop Examined. By Eleutherius, Y. D. M.
In a Letter to a Friend." This book, now exceedingly rare
(the only copy known to the author of this history being in
his own library), was ascribed, a few years later, by Rev.
George Beckwith, of Lyme, Ct., to Mr. Dickinson. It was
undoubtedly the product of his pen.

In the following year he was called to preach the funeral
sermon of Ruth, the wife of his friend, Rev. John Pierson, of
Woodbridge, and the daughter of the Rev. Timothy "Wood-
bridge of Hartford, Ct. This sermon was printed at New
York, the same year, by William Bradford.*

In 1733, the Presbytery of East Jersey was formed out of
the Presbytery of Philadelphia, and Dickinson became, at
once, the acknowledged head of the new Presbytery. In
1734, his Elder, Matthias Hatfield, accompanied him to Synod.
As the early Records of the Church are not extant, it is only
by reference to the Records of the Synod, that the names of
the Elders previous to 1765 can be ascertained. Robert
Ogden had a seat in the Synod of 1721 ; and Joseph Wood-
ruff, in 1722. In 1730 William Miller represented the Church
in the Synod ; Joseph Woodruff, again, in 1740, and 1745 ;
David Whitehead, in 1742 ; John Ogden in 1743 ; Ephraim
Price, in 1748; Joseph Ogden, in 1755, 1756 and 1762;
Joseph Lyon, in 1759 ; Thomas Tobin, in 1760 ; Robert

* Webster, p. 358.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. . 337

Ogden, in 17G3 ; and Samuel Woodruff, in 1764, and
1765*

Dickinson's next publication appeared in September, 1735,
anonymously. It was entitled, —

Remarks on a Letter to a Friend in the Country ; oont lining the suh-
stance of a sermon preached at Philadelphia in the congregation of the
Rev. Mr. Hemphill, in which the terms of Christian and ministerial com-
munion are so stated that human impositions arc exploded, a proper en-
closure proposed for every religious society, and the commission justified
in their conduct towards Mr. Hemphill. t

In the following year, 1736, Mr. Dickinson again became
involved in a controversy about Episcopacy. An unhappy
disturbance had been created in the church at Newark, by a
case of discipline. Col. Josiah Ogden, (a grandson of " Old
John Ogden/' of this town), residing at Newark, and a mem-
ber of the church, was censured for Sabbath-breaking, in
laboring to save a crop of wheat, on the Lord's Day, after
long-continued rains. Being a man of great influence, a
party was created, absorbing the disaffected elements of the
congregation. Though the censure, on appeal, was removed
by the Presbytery, and the Synod endeavored, by kindly
interposition, to heal the breach, the grievance proved incur-
able. The dissentients gravitated towards Episcopacy, and
sought, of Mr. Vaughan and others, Episcopal ministrations. J

In these circumstances, Mr. Dickinson was invited and
consented to preach at Newark, on Wednesday, June 2, 17
His text was Mark 7 : 15; " Howbeit in vain do they wor-
ship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
The sermon was given to the press shortly after, with the
Title, — "The Vanity of human Institutions in the Worshi]

* Records, P. Chh., pp. 94, 104, 5, 134, 14S, 160, 0,202, 5, 201, 270, 291, 7, 310,022, 838, 041.
Webster, p. 192.

- t Samuel Hemphill was an Irish adventurer, who had gained adJ the Bynod in

1734, and, by means of a lluent tongue, had been employed as assistant to Mr. Andrews in the
Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. His sermons savored ■omnehof Deism and Armln-
ianism, that complaint was made to the Bynodlcal Commission, by whom he was tried,
found guilty, and suspended. Benjamin Franklin wis one of his hearera, and warm)]
poused his cause. It was found, after all, that his sermons were not his own, but were re-
peated verbatim from the liev. Drs. Samuel Clarke, Iobots, and Foster, men noted for their
Arianism. On this discovery he sunk into obscurity. Webster, pj>. 11", 2, 3, 41C-20.

X Stearns 1 Newark, p. 143. McWhorter's Century Sermon, p. 17.

338 THE HISTORY OF

God." It was called " his famed sermon," and was read witli
great interest. An answer was attempted by the Rev. John
Beach, of Newtown, Ct., who four years before had left the
Church of his fathers, and connected himself with the Episco-
pal Church. He issued a pamphlet, entitled, — " A Vindica-
tion of the "Worship of God, according to the Church of Eng-
land." " A Defence " of his sermon was published by Mr.
Dickinson, in 1737 ; and a rejoinder was put forth, the same
year, by Mr. Beach, under the Title, — " Appeal to the Un-
prejudiced : In a Supplement to the Vindication of the Wor-
ship of God, according to the Church of England." The
Controversy was closed by Mr. Dickinson, in 1738, by his
publishing —

The Keasonableness of Nonconformity to the Church of England, in
Point of Worship. A Second Defence of A Sermon, preach'd at Newark,
June 2, 1736, Intitled, The Vanity of human Institutions in the "Worship
of God. Against the Exceptions of Mr. John Beach, in his Appeal to
the Unprejudiced. Done in the Form of a Dialogue, wherein Mr. Beach's
Arguments are all expressed in his own Words.*

In his Prefatory Letter, dated " Elizabeth-Town, Feb. 1,
1737, 8," he apologizes for the delay of this replication :

It is not from a Disregard to your Person, nor a Neglect of your tri-
umphant Performance, that I have not before now acknowledged your
Favour ; but from bodily Indispositions, which rendered me incapable of
writing.

In the year, 1737, about the time of the Survey, by Joseph
Morss, of the land back of the First Mountain, the popula-
tion had become so considerable, as to make it desirable that
a separate religious Society should be constituted. The
Presbytery of East Jersey, to whom they applied, granted
the request, and sent them Mr. John Cleverly, a graduate of
Harvard in 1715, who preached in a log -house built for the
purpose, of small dimensions.f

At the ordination of Aaron Burr, by the Presbytery of
East Jersey, at Newark, Jan. 25, 173J, Dickinson presided

* Chandler's Life of Johnson, pp. 62, 3. Sprague's Annals, V. 82, 3, 5. App. to Green's
Discourses, p. 298.

t Ms. Records of P. Chh. of N. Proyidente, 1.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 339

and gave the charge. In his account of the transaction, Mr.
Burr says, — "Mr. Dickinson, who presided at tin's work, has
been of great service to me by his advice and instruction,
both before and since my ordination." The same testimony
might have been borne, by all the ministry of this section of
country. He was the chosen counselor and ready adviser
of ministers and churches in all their straits and emer-
gencies.*

In May, 1733, Mr. Dickinson and his church became con-
nected with the Presbytery of New York, then newly formed
by the union of the East Jersey and Long Island Presby-
teries. f

In the midst of the exciting controversies through which
he had passed, Mr. Dickinson had not been inattentive to
the spiritual wants of his people. Faithfully and earnestly
he preached the word, and diligently he sought to lead his
people to the Cross for salvation. But the results were not
answerable to his expectations. Of the year 1739, he writes,
" Religion was in a very low state ; Professors generally dead
and lifeless ; and the Body of our People careless, carnal
and secure ; there was but little of the Power of Godliness
appearing among us."

Some time in August 1739, the people of Newark became
deeply interested in religious affairs. The young, particu-
larly, were remarkably exercised, and many of them were
hopefully converted from the error of their ways. The con-
cern at length became general, resulting in a marked reforma-
tion among all classes, and large accessions to the Church^

In November, 1739, while this revival was in progress at
Newark, the Rev. George Whitefield, then a youth in hie
25th year, whose fame, as an eloquent divine, and an awaken-
ing preacher, had preceded him, first visited these parts. ( >n
his way from Philadelphia to New Fork and again on his
return to Philadelphia, he passed through this town :

^Wednesday, Nov. 14. Set out from Brunswick, in Company with Mr. ^
Tennent and my other Fellow-Travellers; and as we 1 along vro

* Davis's Life of A. Burr, I. IS. Steams' Newark, p. 155.

t Records of P. Chh., p. 134. I Prince's Cun. History, I. 252-4.

340 THE HISTORY OF

spent our Time most agreeably in telling one another what God had
done for our Souls. About Noon we got to Elizabeth Town, 22
Miles from Brunswick. Here we took Boat, and about Four reached
New-York.

Monday, Nov. 19. Took Boat about Five in the Morning, and reached
Elizabeth-Town Point at Seven. — Dined with Mr, Dickenson a worthy-
Dissenting Minister, who had sent a Letter of Invitation to New York,
and offered me the Use of his Meeting House. — About Twelve I preached
in it, according to Appointment, to upwards of 700 People, many of whom
seemed much affected, and God was pleased to open my Mouth against
both Ministers and People among all denominations, who imprison the
Truth in Unrighteousness.*

In reference to this discourse, Mr. Dickinson says, —

I could observe no further Influence upon our People by that Address,
than a general Thoughtfulness about Eeligion; and a Promptitude to
make the Extraordinary Zeal and Diligence of that Gentleman, the com-
mon and turning Topick of their Conversation. I don't know that there
was any one Person brought under Conviction, or any new and special
Concern about their Salvation, by that Sermon ; nor more than one by
any Endeavours that were used with them that Fall, or the succeeding
Winter.

Mr. Dickinson was evidently expecting much from the
young Revivalist, and was disappointed with the results : —

Tho' there was such a shaking among the dry Bones so near to us, as
is above represented, and we had continual Accounts from Newark of the
growing Distress among their People, (their young People especially) and
of their awful solicitous Concern about their Salvation ; our congregation
remained yet secure and careless ; and could not be awakened out of
their Sleep. You will easily conceive, that this must needs be an afflict-
ing and discouraging Consideration to me : that when from other Places,
we had the joyful News of so many flying to Christ as a Cloud, and as
Doves to their Windows, I had yet Cause to complain, that I labour'd in
vain, and spent my Strength for nought. But notwithstanding all these
discouraging Appearances, I could not but entertain an uncommon Con-
cern, particularly for the young People of my Charge, during that Win-
ter ; and the ensuing Spring ; which not only animated my Addresses to
the Throne of Grace on their Behalf, but my Endeavours also, to excite
in them if possible, some affecting Sense of their Misery, Danger, and
Necessity of a Saviour. To that End, there were frequent Lectures ap-
pointed for the young people in particular, but without any visible
success.!

*_Whitcfield"s Journals, I. 274, 7. t Prince's Christian History, I. 254, 5.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 341

In the spring, they were favored with another sermon from
the gifted Whitefield. On Monday, April 28, 1740, after
preaching at 10 o'clock A. M., to a great congregation in
Woodbridge, he says, —

After Sermon, I and my Friends dined at the Dissenting Minister*!
[Rev John Pierson's] House, who invited- nle to preach; and then we
hasted to Elizabeth-Town, where the People had been waiting for mo
some Hours. — I preached in the Meeting-House, as when I was there last.
It was full, and was supposed to contain 2000 People. .War ten dissent-
ing and two Church Ministers were present. I used much Freedom of
Speech. No doubt some were offended: Bnt Events belong to God. —
After Sermon I intended to ride six Miles : But being over-ruled by the
Advice of Friends, I stopped, and lay at an Inn all Night, near the Water-
aide where People take Boat to go to New York[E. Town Point].*

Mr. Dickinson took a deep interest in the progress of the
work of grace at Newark, and frequently assisted hie young
brother Burr (then only 24 years old, and, at the best, of
feeble health), in the services of the pulpit. On one oc-
casion, he preached a sermon, from Rom. viii : 1G, bo ad-
mirably adapted to the state of the congregation and of the
times, that its publication was generally called for. It was
printed and had a wide circulation. It was entitled,

The "Witness of the Spirit. A Sermon preach'd at Newark, in New-
Jersey, May 7th, 1740. Wherein is distinctly shewn, in what Way and
Manner the Spirit himself bearetli Witness to the Adoption of the Children
of God. On Occasion of a wonderful Progress of converting Grace in
those Parts.t

A second edition was published in 1743. It exposed so
faithfully some of the delusions, that were cherished by the
more violent promoters of revivals of religion at that day. that,
when the Synod met at Philadelphia, three weeks later, and
all the intervals of business were given t<» preaching. Dickin-
son was excluded from participating in the work, because of
this sermon — its doctrine being regarded by tin- TenoentB
and their friends as untenable, and detrimental to the ise;
and yet the Revival had no truer friend, and qo abler ad-
vocate.;):

* Journals, I. &49. t Trince's Cbn. Hi.- . I 818. SUarns - Newark, p.

% Webster's P. Chb. p. 143

34:2 THE HISTORY OF

These services prepared him for a similar work of grace
among his own people. Scarcely had he and his Elder,
Joseph "Woodruff, returned from the meeting of the Synod,
" in June, 1740," when the people were favored with " a re-
markable Manifestation of the Divine Presence." He thus
describes it : —

Having at that Time invited the young People to hear a Sermon, there
■was a numerous Congregation conveen'd, which consisted chiefly of our
Youth, tbo' there were many others with them. I preach'd to them a
plain, practical Sermon ; without any Pathos or Pungency, or any special
Liveliness or Vigour ; for I was then in a remarkably dead and dull
Frame, till enliven'd by a sudden and deep Impression which visibly
appeard upon the Congregation in general. — There was no Crying
out, or Falling down ; (as elsewhere has happen'd) but the inward Dis-
tress and Concern of the Audience discover'd itself, by their Tears, and
by an audible Sobbing and Sighing in almost all Parts of the Assembly.
There appeared such Tokens of a solemn and deep Concern, as I never
before saw in any Congregation whatsoever. From this Time, we heard
no more of our young People's meeting together for Frolicks and extrav-
agant Diversions, as had been usual among them ; but instead thereof,
private Meetings for religious Exercises were by them set up in several
Parts of the Town. All our Opportunities of publick "Worship, were care-
fully and constantly attended by our People in general ; and a serious and
solemn Attention to the Ministry of the "Word, was observable in their very
Countenances. Numbers were almost daily repairing to me, for Direc-
tion and Assistance in their eternal Concerns. There were then prob-
ably more came to me in one Day on that Errand, than usually in half a
Tears space before. In a Word, the Face of the Congregation was quite
altered; and Religion became the common Subject of Conversation among
a great Part of the People.*

Tho' there are some of those who were then under special Convictions,
that have worn off their Impressions, and are become secure and care-
less ; yet I don't know of any two Persons, who gave reasonable Hopes of
a real Change at that Time, but what have hitherto by their Conversa-
tion confirm'd our Hopes of their saving Conversion to God.

I would be very cautious of any confident Determinations, with Re-
spect to the Conversion of particular Persons ; but if we may judge the
Tree by the Fruits, which we have now had so long a Time to observe, we
have Reason to suppose, that near about sixty Persons have received a
saving Change in this Congregation only, (and a Number in the Parish

* Writing to Mr. Foxcroft, Sept. 4, 1740, he says,— "I have had more young People ad-
dress me for Direction in their spiritual Concerns within this three Months than in thirty
Years befoTe*"

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 34?

next adjoining to us, tho' I dare not pretend to guess how many) since
the Beginning of this Work.*

The letter, from which these extracts are taken, was writ-
ten Aug. 23, 1743, to the Rev. Mr. Foxcroft, of Boston, at
his particular request. It describes scenes and events alto-
gether unprecedented in the history of the town. The moral
reformation, at that time wrought, was one of the most re-
markable phenomena till then witnessed and experienced in
the settlement. It gave to the town a peculiar character — a
reputation for moralit} T and religion that survived the stormy
periods of war and political convulsions, and continues, to the
present day — its defence and its glory.

The Revival of 1740, it is well known, was of wide extent,
and of vast influence in the English Provinces of America.
But, with ail its manifest and marvelous benefits, it was not
unattended with serious evils, affecting, to no small extent,
the peace and purity of the churches. Ever watchful for the
interests of religion, and ready, at all times, both for aggres-
sive, and for defensive, measures, Mr. Dickinson set himself
to meet the demand of the times. In 1741, he sent forth
"The True Scripture Doctrine Concerning some important
Points of Christian Faith ; Particularly, Eternal Election,
Original Sin, Grace in Conversion, Justification by Faith,
And the Saint's Perseverance. Represented and Applied in
Five Discourses:" an admirable book, replete with sound
doctrine, logically and scripturally maintained and defended,
suited to all classes and climes, and of standard value in all
periods of the Church. It has repeatedly been reprinted, in
Great Britain and America. Foxcroft, in his Preface to the
original edition, gives it unqualified praise : —

I'm of opinion, a book of this nature has long been wanting among
us ; and I give unfeigned thanks to God, which put this same earnest care
for us into the heart of our brother ; whoso praise is in the gospel
throughout the churches, particularly by means of his elaborate writings
in vindication both of tho faith and order of tho gospel, and other more
practical publications. — I look upon his present work tho supply of a real
dfioiency; and more especially seasonable at this juncture. Now as

* Triucc's Christian History, I. 2o5-S. Gillios' III?. Coll. II. 142-0.

344 THE HISTOEY OF

Paul said of Timothy, I have no man like-minded, so I will presume
to speak it, without any design of flattery or offence, I know no man
better accomplished (in my opinion) for a work of this kind, than
Mr. Dickinson.

Not content with this masterly vindication of the Doctrines
of Grace, and finding the current of prejudice and opposition
to " the Great Awakening " running strong and deep in al-
most every direction, he next prepared, and published at
Boston in 174:2,

A Display of God's special Grace. In A familiar Dialogue Between A
Minister & a Gentleman of his Congregation, About The "Work of God, in
the Conviction and Conversion of Sinners, so remarkably of late begun
and going on in these American Parts. "Wherein The Objections against
some uncommon Appearances amongst us are distinctly consider'd, Mis-
takes rectify'd, and the Work itself particularly prov'd to be from the
Holy Spirit. With. An Addition, in a second Conference, relating to
sundry Antinomian Principles, beginning to obtain in some Places.

The first edition was anonymous, but sent forth with an
Attestation, signed, Boston, Aug. 10, 1742, by the ReVi
Messrs. Colman, Sewall, Prince, Webb, Cooper, Foxcroft,
and Gee, all Ministers of Boston. A second edition was
published, at Philadelphia, in 1743, with the author's name,
and an additional Attestation by Messrs. Gilbert and Win.
Tennent, Samuel and John Blair, Treat and Finley. The
book was of convenient form, plain and practical in style,
and well-adapted to accomplish its end. " E"o contempora-
neous publication," says President Green, " was probably as
much read or had as much influence." *

At the meeting of the Synod in 1742, Mr. Dickinson was
again chosen Moderator ; and, in 1743, as such, preached the
opening sermon, from 1 Cor. 1 : 10, — a text admirably
adapted, as, no doubt, the sermon was, to the divided and
couvulsed state of the Synod. The same year, 1743, he pub-
lished —

The Nature and Necessity of Eegeneration considered in a Sermon from
John 3 : 3, preached at Newark, N. J. at a meeting of the Presbytery
there. To which is added some Remarks on a Discourse of Dr. Water-

* Green's Discourses, App., pp. 256-61.

ELIZABETH, XEW JERSEY. 345

land's, entitled u Regeneration stated and explained, according to Scrip-
ture antiquity." *

Dr. Waterland's book had been imported and circulated
by the Episcopal ministry, and circulated as an antidote to
the revival doctrines of Whitefield and his sympathizers.
Dickinson's Remarks drew forth, in 1744, from the Rev.
James Wetmore, Rector of the Parish Church of Rye, X. Y.,
"A Defence of Waterland's Discourse on Regeneration/'
This was answered promptly by Mr. Dickinson in

Reflections upon Mr. Wetmore's Letter in Defence of Dr. Waterland's
Discourse of Regeneration. With a VindicatioD of the received Doctrine
of Regeneration, and plain scriptural Evidence that the Notion of Bap-
tismal Regeneration is of a dangerous and destructive Tendency.!

In the same year, 1745, his prolific pen produced " Faniil"
iar Letters to a Gentleman, upon A Yariety of Seasonable
and Important Subjects in Religion : " a work of very great
ability, in which he discusses colloquially and familiarly, with
direct reference to prevailing prejudices, the evidences of
Christianity, and the Doctrine of God's Sovereign Grace in
the redemption of men. The way of salvation, by repentance
and faith, is clearly exhibited, and the Dangers of Anti-
nomianism are fully set forth. It has been frequently re-
printed at home and abroad, and, with his book on " the Five
Points," is on the Catalogue of the Presbyterian Board of
Publication.

In the agitations, (resulting mainly from the Revival), and
in the exciting discussions, by which the Synod and the
Churches were convulsed, extending through a period of five
years, he not only took the deepest interest, but the conceded
position of a leader in the maintenance and defence of what
he believed to be the truth and the right. When the Pres-
bytery of New Brunswick and their party were virtually ex-
cluded in 1741', he and his Presbytery being absent, it grieved
him deeply. He sought, by every means in his power, to
cast oil on the troubled waters, and bring about a reeoneilia-

* Records, P. Clih., pp. 160, 3.

t Bolton's Ep. Chta. of W. Chester Co., N. Y., pp. 272, 3.

346 THE HISTORY OF

tion of the contending parties. In the spring of 1742, he had
occasion to visit Boston to bring out his " Display of God's
Special Grace," and took advantage of the opportunity, to
consult the Boston ministers and others in relation to the
matters in controversy. Year by year, he sought to act, in
the Synod, the part of a mediator and pacificator, in the
embittered strife, of winch the " Records " give painful illus-
tration. But finding, at length, no hope of an honorable re-
construction of the old Synod, he cast in his lot with the
aggrieved brethren, and united with them and their friends
in constituting the new Synod of New York ; the former
comprising the " Old Side," and the latter the " New Side "
brethren. For the details of this mournful controversy,
reference must be had to the authorities in the margin.*

The first meeting of the New Synod was held, September
19, 1745, at the Presbyterian Church in this town, 22 Minis-
ters, and 12 Elders being present. Elder Joseph Woodruff
represented this Church — Mr. Dickinson was chosen Moder-
ator. His opening sermon, the following year, at New
York, was from Psalm 24 : 4.f

In the midst of these troubles and anxieties, preaching,
writing, publishing, and caring for his own flock and the
churches of the Synod, his soul was stirred within him at the
benighted condition of the savage tribes in N. Jersey and the
adjacent Provinces. In connection with Pemberton of New
York, and Burr of Newark, he addressed, in 1740, " the
Honorable Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge,"
formed at Edinburgh in 1709, and urged them to send mis-
sionaries to the Indians on Long- Island, in New Jersey and
Pennsylvania. These three brethren were appointed Corre-
spondents of the Society, and authorized to employ mis-
sionaries to the Indians. They prevailed on Azariah Horton,
a brother of Simon Horton, of Connecticut Farms, in this
town, to undertake a mission to the Indians at the east end
of Long Island, for which -purpose he was ordained by the

* Kecords, P. Chh. pp. 153-182. Hodge's His. P. Chh., II. 124-252. Log College, pp. 57-
73. Stearns 1 Newark, pp. 166-173. Gillette P. Chh., I. 76-91.
t Record?, P. Chh., pp. 232-4.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 34,7

Presbytery of New York in 1740. Two years later, they en-
gaged David Brainerd for a similar serviee among the In-
dians, near New Lebanon, N. York. In 17-44, (June 11,)
Brainerd was ordained at Newark, for a mission at the Forks
of the Delaware. *

From the timeof his removal to N. Jersey, Brainerd found,
in Mr. Dickinson, a faithful counselor, and devoted friend ;
and, in his house, an ever-welcome home. At the time of
his ordination, he spent more than a fortnight here. In April
following, 1745, he was here again. In August, he came on
to consult with Mr. Dickinson. Nov. 10th, he occupied the
pulpit, preaching, in the morning, from 2 Cor. 5 : 20, and,
in the afternoon, from Lu. 14: 22; and took up a collection
for the Indian mission amounting to £7. 5. 0. Of the morn-
ing service he says :

God was pleased to give me freedom and fervency in my discourse,
and the presence of God seemed to be in the assembly ; numbers were
affected, and there were many tears among them.

He spent the next Sabbath here also, and several days
afterwards, being deeply exercised for the spiritual welfare
of the town :

Had some longings of soul for the dear people of Elizabeth Town, that
God would pour out his Spirit upon them, and revive his work among
them.f

The first week in December he was here again, in attend-
ance on the Presbytery at Connecticut Farms ; also, the
third week in January, in consultation with the Correspond-
ents, and supplied the pulpit at Connecticut Farms, on the
26th. The second week of April found him here again in
attendance on the Presbytery; again on the 20th, for three
or four days ; and the first week of July : —

, Lord's Day, July G. Enjoyed some composure and serenity of mind,
in the morning : heard Mr. Dickinson preach, in the forenoon, ami was
refreshed with his discourse; was in a melting frame, some part of the
time of sermon : partook of the Lord's supper, and enjoyed some sense of
divine things in that ordinance. In the afternoon I preached from Ezck.

* Water's P. Chh., pp 3.")?, 513. Edwards 1 Works, X. 141, 2.
t Ibid, X. 187, 216, 244, 5.

348 THE HISTORY OF

33 : 11. "As I live, saith the Lord God," &c. God favoured me with
freedom and fervency, and helped me to plead his cause, beyond my own
power.

. He met the Presbytery here again on the 22d, and remained
three days. He had the fever and ague at Mr. Dickinson's
house, for a fortnight in October. 'Nov. 5th brought him
back again from his mission, too enfeebled for work or travel.
And here, at his " home " in the parsonage, he remained
nearly six -months — until April 20th, (with the exception of
four or five days), — his last winter on earth, — in so low a
state, much of the time, that his life was almost despaired of.*
Mrs. Joanna Dickinson, the pastor's wife, had been taken
from him by death, Aprii 20, 1745, in the 63d year of her
age. Brain erd's intimacy with the family was mostly of a
later date, the daughters of the pastor ministering to him in
his chronic infirmities. The missionary makes the following
entry in his Journal for 1747 :

April 7. In the afternoon, rode to Newark, to marry the Kev. Mr.
Dickinson : and in the evening performed that service. Afterwards rode
home to Elizabethtown, in a pleasant frame, full of composure and sweet-
ness.! j

In 1745, the Eev. John Beach of Newtown, Ct., and the
Rev. Henry Caner, of Fairfield, Ct., both preached for the
Eev. James Honyman, in Trinity Church, Newport, R. I.,
and printed their sermons, in which they reflected upon the
revival doctrines of the day. The Rev. Dr. Samuel John-
son, of Stratford, Ct., also, published, about the same time,
" A Letter from Aristocles to Anthades," designed to set the
doctrine of the divine sovereignty and promises in its true
light, as he, and the other Episcopal ministers of the day,
understood them. These several publications were designed
as antidotes mainly to Mr. Dickinson's works on the same
subject. He was not slow, therefore, in issuing, 1746, his
reply, entitled,

A vindication of God's Sovereign Free Grace. In some Eemarks

* Edwards' Works, X. 247, 262, 283, 290, 353, 4, 6, 371, 374-360, 444
t Edwards 1 Works, X. 379.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 349

on Mr. J. Beach's Sermon, with some brief Reflections upon II. Corner's
Sermon, and on a pamphlet entitled A Letter from Aristocles to Anthades.

It called forth a rcponse from Dr. Johnson, to which Mr.
Dickinson wrote a rejoinder, called "A Second Vindication
of God's Sovereign Free Grace," which was published, after
his death, by his brother, Moses Dickinson, <>f Nor walk.*

Mr. Dickinson had long felt the necessity of a Collegiate
Institution, more accessible than Harvard or Yale, for the
colonies this side of New England. The course pursued by
the authorities of Yale College, in denying to his young
friend, David Brainerd, his degree, on account of a Blight
irregularity, and for whom he and Burr had both interceded
in vain, determined him to establish, if possible, a Colli
in New Jersey. Something had been done, already, by the
friends of the Log College at Neshaminy, Pa. Mr. Dickin-
son, it is credibly reported, had for years taught a Classical
School, or at least received young men into his house, to lit
them for the ministry. The Rev. Jacob Green, of Hanover,
and the Rev. Caleb Smith, of Orange, N. J., both of them
were his students. Incipient steps were taken by the Synod
as early as 1739, to obtain aid from Great Britain, for this
object, Mr. Dickinson being on the Committee for this pur-
pose, "but the war breaking out" with Spain prevented it.
At length, application was made, to John Hamilton Esq.,
President of his Majesty's Council, and (by reason of the
death, May 14, 171G, of Gov. Lewis Morris) Commander in
Chief of the Province of New Jersey, for "a Charter to in-
corporate sundry persons to found a college." The applica-
tion was successful, and it was granted, under the great seal
of the Province, Oct. 22, 174G. Notice of the event and of
the intentions of the Trustees was duly given, in the Now
York Weekly Post Boy, No. 211, dated February 2, IT .
as follows : —

"Whereas a Charter with fiill and ample Privileges, hi
by his Majesty, under the Seal of the Province of N\ -w Jersey, bearing
date the 22d October, 174G, for erecting a College within t I Prov-

ince, to Jonathan Dickinson, John Pierson, Ebenezer Pemberton and

* Spraguc's Annals, III. IS, V. 55, C3 ; S3. Chandler's Life of Johnson, p. 71.

350 THE HISTORY OF

Aaron Burr, Ministers of the Gospel and some other Gentlemen, as
Trustees of the said College, by which Charter equal Liberties and
Privileges are secured to every Denomination of Christians, any different
religious Sentiments notwithstanding.

The said Trustees have therefore thought proper to inform the Public,
that they design to open the said College the next Spring ; and to notify
to any Person or Persons who are qualified by preparatory Learning for
Admission, that some time in May next at latest they may be there
admitted to an Academic Education.

Subsequently, in No. 222, Ap. 20, 1747, notice is thus
given : —

This is to inform the Publick, That the Trustees of the Colledge of
New-Jersey, have appointed the Eev. Mr. Jonathan Dickinson, Peesident
of the said Colledge : which will be opened the fourth Week in May next,
at Elizabeth-Town; At which Time and Place, all Persons suitably quali-
fied, may be admitted to an Academic Education.

At the time specified the first Term of " the College of
New Jersey " was opened at Mr. Dickinson's house, on the
south side of the Old Rahway road, directly west of Race st.
Mr. Caleb Smith, of Brookhaven, L. I., a graduate of Yale
College, in 1743, and now in the 24th year of his age, was
employed as the first Tutor. Enos Ayres, (afterwards a
Presbyterian minister at Blooming Grove, Orange Co., N. Y.),
Benjamin Chesnut, (an Englishman, and subsequently of the
Presbytery of New Brunswick), Hugh Henry, (afterwards of
the Presbytery of New Castle), Israel Reed, (shortly after
the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Bound Brook, N. J.),
Richard Stockton, (of Princeton, the well-known civilian),
and Daniel Thane, (a Scotchman, and subsequently pastor of
the Church of Connecticut Farms in this town), were the first
graduates of the Institution, and were all qf them, doubtless,
under the instruction of Mr. Dickinson and his Tutor, Caleb
Smith ; with others, perhaps, of the succeeding class.*

In the midst of these useful and laborious employments,
full of honors as of service, Mr. Dickinson's career on earth
was brought to a close. He died, of pleurisy, Oct. 7, 1747,
in the sixtieth year of his age. The Rev. Timothy Johnes,
of Morristown, visited him in his last illness, and found him

* Memoir of Kev. C. Smith, p. 8. Triennial of C. of N. J.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 351

fully prepared for the event : " Many days have passed be-
tween God and my soul, in which I have solemnly dedicated
myself to Him, and I trust what I have committed unto
Him, He is able to keep until that day." Such was his testi-
mony, in death, to the gospel in which lie believed. On the
occasion of his burial, a sermon was preached by his old
friend and neighbor, the Rev. John Piereon, of Woodbridge,
which was afterwards published. The following notice of
his death and burial appeared in the X. York Weekly Post
Boy, of Oct. 12, 1747 :—

Elizabethtown in New Jersey, Oct. 10.
On Wednesday "Morning last, about 4 o'clock, died here of a pleuritic
illness, that eminently learned, faithful and pious Minister of the Gospel,
and President of the College of New Jersey, the Rev. Mr. Jonathan Dick-
inson, in the 60th Year of his Age, who had been Pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church in this Town for nearly forty Years, and was the
Glory and Joy of it. In him conspicuously appeared those natural and
acquired moral and spiritual Endowments which constitute a truly excel-
lent and valuable Man, a good Scholar, an eminent Divine, and a serious
devout Christian. He was greatly adorned with the Gifts and Graces of
his Ileavenly Master, in the Light whereof he appeared as a Star of supe-
rior Brightness and Influence in the Orb of the Church, which has sus-
tained a great and unspeakable Loss in his Death. He was of uncommon
and very extensive Usefulness. lie boldly appeared in the Defence of the
great and important Truths of our most holy Religion and the Gospel
Doctrines of the free and sovereign Grace of God. lie was a zealous Pro-
moter of godly Practice and godly Living, and a bright Ornament to his
Profession. In Times and Cases of Difficulty he was a ready, wise and
able Counsellor. By his Death our infant College is deprived of the
Benefit and Advantage of his superior Accomplishments, which afforded
a favorable Prospect of its future Flourishing and Prosperity under his
Inspection. His Remains were decently interred here Yesterday, when
the Rev. Mr. Pierson, of Woodbridge, preached his funeral Sermon, and
as he lived desired of all so never any Person in theso Parts died more
lamented. Our Fathers where are they and the Prophets, do they 1!
forever ?

This notice was probably written by the Rev. Mr. Pem-
berton, of New York, with whom Mr. DickinsOD had been
intimately associated, for years, in the defence of the truth,
and the promotion of the cause of Christ. The testimony
thus borne to his great work was fully confirmed by all who

352 THE HISTORY OF

•

knew him. President Edwards called him " the late learned
and very excellent Mr. Jonathan Dickinson." The Hev. Dr.
Bellamy called him " the great Mr. Dickinson." The Eev.
Dr. John Erskine, of Edinburgh, said, "The British Isles have
produced no such writers on divinity in the eighteenth cen-
tury as Dickinson and Edwards." The Eev. David Austin,
of this town, writing of him in 1793, gathers up the traditions
of that day concerning him as follows : —

There are those alive, who testify that he was a most solemn, weighty
and moving preacher — that he was a uniform advocate for the distin-
guishing doctrines of grace, as his writings prove — that he was industri-
ous, indefatigable, and successful in his ministerial labors — as to his per-
son, that it was manly — of full size : solemn and grave in his aspect, so
that the wicked would seem to tremble in his presence.*

His monument in the Presbyterian " Burying Ground "
bears the following inscription : —

Here lyes y e body of y e Kev d

Mr Jonathan Dickinson, Pastor

of the first Presbyterian Church

In Elizabeth Town, who Died Oct r

y e 7th 1747. Aetatis Suae 60.
Deep was the Wound, O Death ! and Vastly wide,
"When he resign'd his Useful breath and dy'd :
Ye Sacred Tribe with pious Sorrows mourn,
And drop a tear at your great Patron's Urn !
Conceal'd a moment, from our longing Eyes,
Beneath this Stone his mortal Body lies :
Happy the Spirit lives, and will, we trust,
In Bliss associate with his precious Dust.

Another monument, by the side of his, has the following :—

Here is interred the body of Mrs. Joanna Dickinson— Obiit. April 20,
1745. Anno Aetatis 63.

Eest, precious Dust, till Christ revive this Clay
To Join the Triumphs of the Judgement Day.

They had nine children. (1.) Melyen was born Dec. 7,
1709. (2.) Abigail, married to Jonathan Sergeant, a widow-
er, of Newark.f Her son, Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, was

* Edwards' Works, X. 879. Webster's P. Chh., p. 361. Preface to the Five Points, viii.
t His first wife was Hannah, (born, 1709, and died, 1743), the daughter of the Eev. John

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 353

born in 174G, and married Margaret, daughter of Rev. Elihu
Spencer, D. D., Mr. Dickinson's successor in the ministry

here. Their children were lion. John Sergeant, lion.
Thomas Sergeant, Hon. Elihu Spencer Sergeant, and Sarah,
the wife of Rev. Samuel Miller, D. D. (3.) Jonathan, born,
Sept. 19, 1713, graduated at Yale College in 1731, and died
in 1735. (4.) Mary, married, (1.) to John Cooper, a tailor,
of this town, and had a daughter, Martha, and two sons,
William and Caleb Cooper. Mr. Cooper died in March, 1753,

and she was married, (2.) to Plum, of Newark, and had

Elizabeth, Mary, and Martha Plum, the latter married to
David Burnet. She died in 1763. (5.) Joanna, born, Feb.
27, 1716, and died, May 9, 1732. (6.) Temperance, married to
Jonathan Odell, of Ct. Farms, and had four children : Jona-
than, Joanna, Eunice, and Elizabeth. Mr. Odell died, June
25, 1750. His son, Jonathan, was then a member of the
Freshman Class of the College of JSTew Jersey, at Newark,
where he graduated in 1754 — afterwards, entering the gos-
pel ministry. (7.) Elizabeth, born in 1721, married to Mr.
Jonathan Miller, ofBarnet's Mills, in this town, and died,

Nov. 27, 1783. (8.) . (9.) Martha, married, Sept. 7,

1749, to Rev. Caleb Smith, of Newark Mountains, [Orange],
N. J., and died, August 20, 1757, leaving three daughters,
— Nancy, Elizabeth, and Jane. She is described as

A Lady endowed with many amiable Qualities; she was superior to
most of her Sex in Strength of Genius, her intellectual Qualities were quick
and penetrating, she had a Thirst for Knowledge, and was greatly delighted
in Reading : Kindness, Ease and Friendship composed her natural Tem-
per; she was an agreeable Companion, very obliging in ber Behaviour,
and admired and loved by all who had the Happiness of her Acquaint-
ance: As she was blessed with an early religious Education so the things
of Eternity began betimes to exercise her: She had serious Impressions upon
her Mind even from her Childhood, and began a Course of secret Prayer
while Young. She was a most faithful Friend, an amiable and affection-
ate Companion, and the Heart of her Husband safely trusted in her.*

Nutman of nanover, N. J. Her daughter, Hannah, was married, about 1 T.">9, to the Rev. John
Ewing, [afterwards, D. D.], ofl'hiladelphia. Mr. Sergeant removed at an early day to Trinco-
ton, N. J.

* Murray's Notes, p. 60. Spraguc's Annals, III. 17. HaTs Trenton, p. 2S9. Memoir-of
Eev. Caleb Smith, p. 4S.

354: THE HISTORY OF

Mrs. Mary Dickinson survived her husband, and died,
August 30th, 1762, in the 68th year of her age. Her remains
repose in the Cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church of
Newark, ~N. J. She was the widow of Elihu Crane, and the
mother of Lewis, Christopher, Charles, Elder Elihu, Isaac,
Hannah (married to Dr. Moses Scott), and Phebe (the wife
of Rev. John Carmichael, of Chester Co., Pa.). Her grand-
daughter, Martha Crane (daughter of Elihu), was the wife of
the Et. Pev. John Croes, of N". Jersey.*

Mr. Dickinson was, by common consent, the greatest man,
whose name adorns the Annals of the town. Tracy, in his
" Great Awakening," p. 404, calls him " one of the greatest
and safest men of that age ; " and Dr. Sprague ventures the
assertion, —

It may be doubted whether, with the single exception of the elder
Edwards, Calvinism has ever found an abler or more efficient champion
in this country, than Jonathan Dickinson.

This peculiar prominence is a sufficient apology for giving
him so large a place in this history. His name, during the
nearly forty years of his ministry, gave the town itself a
prominence both in the province and in the country.

* Bicentenary of Newark, p. 116 Sprague's Annals, III. 231.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY 355

CHAPTER XVI.

A. D. 1708-1747.

Ecclesiastical — Rev. Edward Vaughan, Episcopal Missionary, arrives from
England — Call to Jamaica, L. I., declined — Poverty of his People —
Preaches at Rahway, Woodbridge, and P. Amboy — Marrie3 Mr3. Emott
— Removes to Amboy — Returns — Church Edifice not finished for years —
Annual Reports to the " Society " — Cbh. Glebe — Opposes Mr. Whitefield —
His Death and Character — Increase of Religious Congregations in 40 years.

REV. EDWARD VAUGHAN.

After the departure of the Rev. Mr. Brooke, Nov., 1707,
for England, the Episcopal Congregation were left without a
preacher nearly two years. They were dependent entirely
on missionary service from England. Urgent representa-
tions were made to " the Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts ; " and, in the summer of 1709, the
Rev. Edward Vaughan was appointed their missionary for
this region. Occasionally the Rev. John Talbot, of Burling-
ton, extended his ministrations as far as this town, as maybe
learned from a letter written by him to the Secretary of the
Society, Sept. 27, 1709 :

I hear Mr. Vaughan is arrived at Boston, but is not yet come into this
province, ho will have enough to do to supply Mr. Brook's charge at
Elizabeth Town, Amboy, Pisoataway, who have had none since he left
them ; but I have done for them, maybe once in a quarter, or so ; some-
body occasionally passing by that way.*

Mr. Vaughan arrived shortlv after the date of this letter
and commenced his ministry here and in the neighboring

* Clark's St. John's Chh., p. 34.

356 THE HISTORY OF

towns. He was from the West of England, and a brother of
the Rev. Robert Vaughan, Rector of Llantewy and Yicar of
Llantrissent, Monmouthshire, "Wales, and of Jane, the wife
of Thomas Godden, of Leather Lane, near Holborn, London.
His prospects were by no means flattering. Writing from
Amboy, Dec. 4, 1709, he says : —

I believe that the most inverate enemies of our mother church would
recant their pernicious notions were there a faithful pastor in every town
to instil better principles into their minds ; here are a vast number of
Deists, Sabbatarians, and Eutychians, as also of Independants, Anabap-
tists, and Quakers, from which- absurdities Mr. Brooke brought a consid-
erable number of them to embrace our most pure and holy Eeligion, and
I hope that my labors also will be attended with no less success, and ob-
serve that those late converts are much more zealous for promoting the
interests of our church, and more constant in the public worship of God,
than those who sucked their milk in their infancy.

Referring to the decease, in August, 1709, of the Rev. Mr.
TJrquhart, of Jamaica, he adds, —

Whose cure I have been solicited to supply, but declined it in obedi-
ence to the Society's instructions, whose leave and approbation for my
removal to that cure I must humbly beg for these following reasons : 1st.
That there is not one family in Elizabeth Town that can accommodate me
with an ordinary lodging excepting Colonel Townly, who, upon the ac-
count of some difference with Mr. Brooke (though a gentleman of an
unblemished character), hath declared never to entertain any missionary
after him. Secondly. That my salary of £50 per annum will not afford
me a competent subsistence in this dear place where no contributions are
given by the people towards my support, and where I am continually
obliged to be itinerant and consequently at great expenses, especially in
crossing Ferries.*

Mr. Yaughan seems not to have obtained the desired leave,
but proceeded to cultivate diligently the field assigned him.
At the expiration of a year, Dec. 4, 1710, he informs the
Secretary, that, —

The people have not contributed any thing towards my subsistence
since I came amongst them, and, indeed, to desire it from them, or to
show an inclination for it, would very much tend to the dis-service of
the Church, in causing our proselytes to start from us rather than bear
the weight of such burthens, which to their weak shoulders and poverty,

* Clark's St. John's Chh.,pp. 35, 6,

ELIZABETH, >'EW JERSEY. 357

would seem intolerable. I frequently visit the Dissenters of all sorts in
their houses, and I experimentally find that an affable even temper with
the force of arguments is very prevalent to engage their affections and
conformity to holy mother, the Church, which I do assure you is con-
siderably increased by late converts from Quakerism and Anabaptism *

It is mainly from his periodical reports to the Society, that
his life and labors are to be sketched. He writes, Sept. 12,
1711, a few months after the decease of Col. Hichard Town-
ley, (the main pillar of St. John's, at that early period), as
follows : —

I preach to them in the fore and afternoon of every Lord's day and ad-
minister the blessed Sacrament monthly to twenty eight or thirty com-
municants. I have baptized since my arrival to this government seventy-
two children, besides eleven adult persons, unfortunately brought up in
dark Quakerism and Anabaptism, and are now so happy as to be mem-
bers of the Church of Christ, whose worship they constantly frequent
with great devotion and seeming delight, t

In the summer of 1711, the Rev. Thomas Halliday was
sent by the Society to take charge of Amboy and Piscata-
way, and Mr. Yaughan divided his labors between the town
proper and that part of it called Railway — a monthly lecture
being given to the latter place. Shortly after the decease of
Col. Townley, the Congregation obtained from his son, Charles,
a clear title to the church lot, for want of which the interior
of the Church had not been " fitted according to the rules of
decency and order."

Owing to a serious disaffection in the Presbyterian Church
of Woodbridge, a few families withdrew, and formed an
Episcopal Society. Mr. Yaughan was requested to officiate
there occasionally — in a house built for the purpose — "prob-
ably the smallest you have ever seen, but amply suilicient
for the congregation at this day."

Though I reside, (he says, Feb. 28, ITU), at Elizabeth Town, whose
distance is ten miles from Woodbridge, yet I promise through God's bless-
ing to supply both cures by officiating on ever; Lord's day, in the fore-
noon in the former and once a fortnight in the afternoon in the latter,
which I hope to perform in the summer time when the days are long,

* Clark"s St John's Chh., p. 36. t Ibid, p. 3S.

358 THE HISTORY OF

but in the winter season I shall, as I now do, divide my service between
both congregations by preaching alternately.*

Mr. Halliday proved to be utterly, unworthy of his office,
and, in 1713, was obliged to leave Amboy, when Mr. Yaughan
was requested to include that place within his parochial dis-
trict. Mrs. Mary Emott, the widow of James Emott of New
York, and the daughter of Mrs. Philip Carteret, had been,
doubtless, a frequent visitor at the house of her step-father,
Col. Townley. Her husband had died in April 1713, leaving
her with four sons and a handsome "fortune of £2000." She
was about 48 years old, and of high social standing. Mr.
Yaughan was accepted as her second husband. » They were
married at the close of the first year of her widowhood. f

By his marriage, he came into possession of the house and
grounds, afterwards owned and occupied by Col. Wm. Rick-
etts, on the Point Road ; which, thenceforth, became his
home ; also, of lands held by Proprietary rights ; and, as
already related, to secure a portion of this property, he
brought, in 1714, the year of his marriage, an Action of
Ejectment against Joseph Woodruff, one of the Elders of
the Presbyterian Church at its reception into the Presbytery
in 1717, and probably a Deacon previously. It is likely, that
Mr. Yaughan bore much the same relation to the Proprietary
party, that Mr. Dickinson did to the Associates ; and that
the two congregations were separated very nearly by the
same lines.

At or soon after his marriage, Mr. Yaughan removed to
Amboy, for the benefit of his health, "which," he says,
" was much impaired during my abode in Elizabeth Town
where I still do and shall continue to officiate in the fore and
afternoon three Lord's days successively in every month,"
the other being given to Amboy. The Society seem not to
have favored this plan of non-residence, and to have inti-
mated to him, that some one else would be sent to take his
place here ; as he expresses, Sept. 28, 1716, a desire to be
restored to his former charge at Elizabeth Town.f

* Clark's St. John's Chh., pp. 38-41. "Whitehead's P. Amboy, pp. 216, 7, 387. Webster's
P. Chh., pp. 333, 4. t Clark's St. John's Chh., p. 42. t Ibid., p. 43.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 359

How the matter was finally arranged the correspondence
does not show, nor how long he continued to reside at
Amboy ; save the fact, that he returned to his former charge,
and was residing here in 1721. lie continued to divide his
time between the several stations as before, giving the chief
attention to this town. "Writing, July 8, 1717, he says, —

Elizabeth Town itself is a considerable village and equals if not exceeds
any in the Province as well in bigness as in number of Inhabitants, custom
and education has engaged them for the most part in the Congregational
way, but notwithstanding they are not so very rigid in that persuasion as
altogether to deny their attendance on my ministry.*

The Church, which had been erected of brick, in 1706,
had not yet been finished. Mr. Halliday, who seems to have
resided here at the time, and to have been retained as a mis
sionary in the service of the Propagation Society, wrote to
the Secretary, Aug. 1, 1717, of the building of St. John's
Church, in these words : —

There was £400 raised by subscription of Charitable People. Mr.
Brooks received most of the money and as Mr. Townly informs me be
went to England before ho made up his accounts, several subscriptions
remaining in his hands unpaid, but as his father [Col. Townley] being en-
gaged for the payment of the workmen, he had made up the deficiencies
and given bond for £20 to Elizabeth Town Church however this is, the
Bond is now in Mr. "Willock's hands but I think ought rather to be em-
ployed for the use of the Church, there being only the shell of Brick, no
pews, Pulpit, notwithstanding so much money has been raised for it.t

In such circumstances, it is not strange, that the congrega-
tion grew but slowly, and that the most they could raise for
their minister was £30, without a glebe or parsonage. That
they were pleased with his ministrations is testified by a let-
ter sent in their name to the Society, in the course of the
same year : —

"We esteem ourselves happy under his pastoral care, and have a thor-
ough persuasion of mind that the Church of Christ is now planted among
us in its purity. Mr. Vaughan hath, to the great comfort and edification
of our families, in these dark and distant regions of the world, prosecuted

the duties of his holy calling with the utmost application and diligence:

# Clark's St. John's Chh., pp. 41, 5. t lb., pp. 45, 6.

360 THE HISTORY OF

adorned his character with an exemplary life and conversation ; and so
behaved himself with all due prudence and fidelity ; showing uncorrupt-
ness, gravity, sincerity, and sound speech ; that they who are of the con-
trary part have no evil thing to say of him.*

In 1721, his audience had increased to 200 souls, and the
communicants were more than 40 in number. For ten years
no memorial of him is found. But, Oct. 6, 1731, he writes :

My congregation encreaseth not only in this Town, but in the neigh-
bouring Towns of Newark,, Whippany and the Mountains [Orange] where
I visit and preach to a numerous assembly occasionally and in the wilder-
ness and dispense the Sacrament to them. I have Baptized here and
elsewhere within the compass of two years last past 556 children besides
64 adults, and find in the people a general disposition to receive the Gos-
pel according to the way and manner taught and established in the
Church of England.!

At the close of 1733, he reports the baptism, for the year,
of 88 children and five adults ; and for 1734, " 13 Adults 6
of which were negroes, and 162 children." The communi-
cants were seventy. In the year, ending, May 29, 1739,
he baptized 129 Infants and 3 adults, and the number of
communicants was 84. A glebe " of nine acres of good land,
with a fine orchard thereon," had been acquired " by the
Piety and favor of a very worthy widow Mrs. Anne Arskins
[Erskine] of Elizabeth Town. J

" Mrs. Arskins " was the widow of John Erskine, who
came over in the Scotch immigration of 1684-5, who was, in
all probability, originally a Presbyterian.

When Mr. Whitefield visited the town in 1739 and 1740,
Mr. Yaughan stood aloof from him, and wrote to the Secre-
tary of the Society giving an account of his preaching with
strictures on his doctrine. §

Mr. Yaughan continued in the work of the ministry, as the
Rector of St. John's Church, until his decease about the 12th
of October, 1747, "far advanced in years." It has been
said, on high authority, that Mr. Yaughan and Mr. Dickin-
son " both lay corpses on the same day, the latter having

* Humphrey's Hist, of the S. P. G. F., p. 77. t Clark's St. John's Chh., pp. 48, 9.

t Ibid., pp. 50, 1, 5. § Clark's St. John's Chh., p. 55.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 3d

died a few hours the first." But in a letter, written less than
three months after the event, in the name of the Church
"Wardens and Vestry of St. John's Church, it is said, " A few
days before the death of Mr. Vanghan, Mr. Dickinson late
Dissenting Teacher in this place departed this life." As the
latter died on the 7th, it is probable that Mr. Vanghan died
on or about the 12th.*

It is, also, reported, that when tidings reached Mr. Yaug-
han, then old and feeble, and nigh unto death, that Mr. Dick-
inson was dead, he exclaimed, "Oh that I had hold of the
skirts of Brother Jonathan ! ' As their " personal relations
were always of the most pleasant character," the report is
not improbable. It must have been a season of great desola-
tion, when the town was thus deprived, at the same time, of
both of its pastors — settled at the same period, continuing
with them nearly forty years, and then stricken down the
same week.f

Mr. Vaughan's Will was dated, July 30, 1747 : in which
he speaks of his brother-in-law, Charles Townley, his niece,
Mrs. Sarah Townley, and her sister, Mary Townley (subse-
quently married to Stephen Burrows) ; also, his sister-in-law,
' Mrs. Shackmaple. To Sarah Townley (afterwards the wife
of John Harriman, 3d) he left his negro-man Jack, his plate,
his carriage, and the use of his dwelling house. His books
he gave to Walter Dongan, one of his Executors. To the
Propagation Society for the use of a Church of England
minister in Elizabeth Town, he gave his nine-acre lot. His
wife was the half-sister of Charles Townley, but about 20
years older.

The memory of Mr. Yaughan, as in the case of Mr. Dick-
inson was very precious to the people of his charge. Prom
the information received by the Rev. Dr. Itudd, from Gen.
Matthias Williamson, who died Xov. 8, 1S07, at the age of
91 years, and whose recollections of Mr. Vanghan were very
distinct and grateful,

* Clark'B St. John's Chh., p. 65. Rev. Dr. Rudd's Diet. Notices of St. John's Cbh., p.
10. Dr. Chandler f.ays, that they " died in the 6amo month of the year— 47."
t Rev. Dr. Murray's Notes, p. 129.

362 THE HISTORY OF

It would appear that lie was happily constituted for the times in
which he lived, and the sphere of his labours. He was sprightly and
engaging as a companion, as a friend and neighbour kind and liberal, and
his public ministrations were marked by great solemnity and tenderness,
especially the administration of the holy Supper.

At the time of the settlement of these two patriarchs, their
two congregations were the only ones in the town, and the
Episcopal congregation had just been gathered, including
but a very few families. At the time of their decease,
Presbyterian congregations had been gathered and ministers
settled over them, at "Westfield, at Connecticut Farms, at
Turkey or New Providence, at Pahway, at Basking Ridge,
at Pocsiticus [Mendham], at West Hanover [Morristown],
and at Springfield, — all of which were included within the
original township of Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 363

CHAPTER XVII.

A. D. 1740-1764.

Negro Plot — Land Conflicts — Appeal to the Crown — Tumults — Secret Meet-
ings — E. T. Bill in Chancery — Answer — Death of Gov. Morris — Jonathan
Belcher, Gov. — Issue of the long Conflict with the Proprietors — Death of
Mayor Bonnel — Lottery Mania — Two Lottery Schemes — Prof. Kalm's
Notices of the Town — Col. Rickett's Affair in N. Y. Harbor — Notices of Gov.
Belcher — Removes to E. T. — His Hospitality and Piety — Befriends the Col-
lege — Gives it a new Charter — Incorporates the Presbyterian Chh. — Makes
E. T. the Seat of Government — His Death and Character — Judge Ross —
Addresses of the Corporation — Town Officers — Newspaper Notices — The
Barracks — First Centenary Celebration.

The Incorporation of the Borough, Feb. 8, 17f|, was fol-
lowed, the same year, by the scenes and excitements of " the
Great Revival," absorbing the attention and interest of nearly
the whole community. The year following, 1741, witnessed
one of those remarkable panics to which a slaveholding com-
munity are ever liable. The city of New York, in the
spring and summer of that year, was terribly agitated by the
report of a Negro Conspiracy to burn the city and murder
the white population, the particulars of which, by Recorder
llorsmanden, have been so minutely and faithfully described
in his " History of the Negro Plot." To the disgrace of
humanity,

During the progress of this affair, one hundred and fifty four negroes
were committed to prison ; of whom fourteen were burnt at the stake ;
eighteen hanged; seventy one transported, and the rest pardoned or dis-
charged for want of proof. Twenty white persons were committed, of
whom four wore executed.*

Two were burned on the 3d of May, and the remaining

• ValoDtinc's N. York, p. 275.

364 THE HISTORY OF

twelve in June following. Horrible as these transactions
were, they were not confined to New York. The panic ex-
tended to this neighborhood, whither some of the suspected
blacks had fled for safety. Two at least of the poor creatures
were arrested, within the County of Essex, tried, found guilty,
and condemned to the same inhuman fate. The Account
Book of the Justices and Freeholders of the county contains
the following records :

June 4, 1741. Daniel Harrison Sent in his account of wood Carted for
Burning two Kegros allow d Cur?. 0. 11. 0.

February 25, 174|-. Joseph Heden ace* for "Wood to Burn the Negros
M r Farrand paid allowed. . 0. 7. 0. Allowed to Isaac Lyon 4/ Curr? for
a load of "Wood to burn the first Negro . . 0. 4. 0.

At the latter meeting were present, " Matthias Hatfield
Justice for Eliz th town, John Halsted freeholder for Eliz th
town." At the former, " John Ogden, Justice, John Halsted
and John Stiles freeholders for Elizebethtown." Zophar
Beech was allowed 7s. for "Irons for y e Negro that was
Burnt." The latter seems to have been allowed, Feb. 27,
17f f , and probably refers to a prior event. Possibly, there
were three burned at the stake. The Sheriff on whom it de-
volved to to execute the judgments of the Court, at this pe-
riod, was William Chetwood of this town.

"Whether these executions had any connection with the
so-called " Negro Conspiracy " at New York, or not, they
show a feature of the times not to be overlooked by the faith-
ful historian.

The troubles with the " Proprietors " were perpetuated,
and soon after the occurrences just mentioned greatly in-
creased. In 1740, the Town Committee consisted of John
Crane, Jonathan Dayton, John Megie, Thomas Clarke, An-
drew Joline, Joseph Man, and Andrew Craige. Robert
Ogden, (the second of the name) a young lawyer, 24
years old, was chosen, Oct. 2, 1740, " Town Clark." He
became, subsequently, one of the most influential men in
the town.*

The two Actions of Ejectment, brought by the Penn

* E. Town Book, B. 21, 2.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 365

brothers, against Chambers and Alcorn, in 1735, (as already
noticed), came on for trial, at Amboy, Aug. 14, 1741 ; result-
ing, on the 16th, in a general verdict for the plaintiffs, on
the ground that the lands in question were not included in
the E. Town Purchase. To meet the expenses of this suit, it
was resolved at a town meeting, Dec. 15, 1741,

That the Committee of said Town should have full Power and Athor-
ity Given To them By Us To Sell and Dispose of all that three Hundred
Acres of Upland Lying near Ash Swamp which was Layed Out in the
Year One thousand Six Hundred and Ninety Nine (Alias) Seven Hun-
dred for the Town Aforesaid : in Order to Defray the Cost and Charge of
the Sute Between William Pen Thomas Pen and Others : and the Said
Town.*

An Action of Ejectment had, also, been brought, August,
1737, in the name of James Jackson, on the right of Joseph
Halsey, one of the Associates, against John Yail, holding by
a Proprietary right, which came to trial, March 17, 174-J-,
resulting, on the 19th, in a general verdict for the plaintiff;
which was carried, by appeal, before the Governor and
Council. f

The case of Cooper vs. Moss and. others, also, came to trial
in August 1742, resulting in a verdict, by a Morris County
Jury, for the plaintiff. Other Actions were brought, of a
similar character, some of which were, by compromise, with-
drawn ; and others went to trial with like results. " To enume-
rate all the Actions of Trespass, and Trespass and. Ejectment,
which have been occasioned by the different claims of the Peo-
ple of Elizabeth-Town and the Proprietors," would occupy too
much space in this Memoir. It was alleged, that the County
of Morris had been so formed, March 15, 173 J, and the County
of Somerset had been so altered, Nov. 4, 1741, as to bring much
of the land in question into those counties, so that these cases
might be tried before Somerset or Morris Co. jurors, known
to be inimical to the claims of the E. T. Associates. So,
also, it was alleged, that the Judges were mostly in the in-
terest of their persecutors.^:

* E. T. Bill, p. 43. Ana. to Do., p. 34. E. T. Book, B. 23.

t E. T. Bill, pp. 43, 9. Ans. to Do., p. 34. $ Ans. to E. T. Bill, pp. 35, 6.

366 THE HISTORY OF

In these circumstances, it was determined to cany the
matter directly to the King's Most Excellent Majesty. Solo-
mon Boyle, of Morris Co., writes, ~Nov. 16, 1743, to James
Alexander, (both of them in the interest of the Proprietary
party), that he

Had been to Elizabethtown the week before, and been informed that
the people of that place and the people of Newark had come to a written
agreement relative to their boundary — the Newarkers to join in sending
home against the Proprietors, but Col. Ogden said it was not finished,
and that none of the Ogdens would agree to it.

David Ogden, also, of Newark, one of the counsel of the
Proprietors, writes, Dec. 12, 1743, to James Alexander, his
fellow counselor, confirming what Boyle had written, with
additional information about the proposed agreement between
the two towns, and stating farther, that

Mr. Fitch, from Nor walk, had met the Elizabeth Town Committee, and
left with them a petition to the King for relief against the Proprietors,
with which they were much pleased ; that Matthias Hetfield and Stephen
Crane had been chosen by them to, go to England during the winter, and
lay it before the King.*

It is somewhat strange that the Associates should have em-
ployed a lawyer of Norwalk, (afterwards Governor of Ct.) to
draw their petition, as it is not known, that he had any in-
terests or connections here. They had no reason, however,
to regret it, as the work was well done. It recites very
clearly and fully the matters in controversy ; narrates suc-
cinctly the history of the Indian Purchase and of the opposing
claims ; refers to the litigations determined, and others not
yet issued ; shows the difficulty of obtaining an impartial
hearing, as the courts and the country are constituted ; and
appeals to his Majesty for relief and redress. f

This Appeal was signed by 304 persons, purporting to be
" the Proprietors, Freeholders and Inhabitants of a Tract of
Land now called Elizabeth-Town, whose Names are hereunto
subscribed, in Behalf of themselves and others their Asso-
ciates, Proprietors, Freeholders, and Inhabitants of said

* Analytical Index, pp. 183, 9. t E. T. Bill, pp. 121, 2.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 367

Tract." A large portion of the actual inhabitants, known to
be of the same party, are not included in the list. No one
of the ministers of the seven congregations signed the paper,
except John Cleverly, at Morrietown, and he had retired
from active service.

The Petition was forwarded to his Majesty, George II.,
probably by the hands of the persons appointed, Messrs.
Hatfield and Crane, and read in Council, July 19, 1744;
when it was referred to the Lords of the Committee of Coun-
cil for Plantation Affairs; by whom, Aug. 21st, it was re-
ferred to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.
Its subsequent fate is not known.*

The people of Newark, especially those who lived at
Newark Mountains [Orange], in 1744, began to have trouble
with the Proprietary party, similar to that which the people
of this town had experienced for three fourths of a century.
Acts of violence were committed, arrests made, and offenders
imprisoned. In 1745-6, the jails were broken open, and the
prisoners released. Indictments were found against the
rioters, and society was convulsed. The Government, under
Hamilton, was " too weak to put a stop to " the riotous as-
semblages of the opposition ; and, as Jas. Alexander and R.
H. Morris wrote, Dec. 4, 1746, " the infection of insubordina-
tion was daily spreading ; " — all " on account of the disputed
title to the lands " purchased of the Indian owners of the soil.
Party spirit ran high. The excitement spread far and wide.
Deep sympathy was felt, of course, for the aggrieved settlers,
by the popular party in this town, though they were only
indirectly concerned in the issue. Gradually, however, the
field of contention widened. Collisions ensued between the
people of Turkey, who had drawn lots in 1736-7, near the
Passaic river, and others occupying portions of the same
ground by leases or purchase from the Proprietary party.

Secret meetings, or caucuses, were held by both parties to
devise measures to carry into effect their purposes, and to
gain advantages over their opponents. Secret communications

* E. T. Bill, p. 123.

t Uoj-fs Orange, pp, (£-75. E. T. Bill, App., pp. 1-S9. Ann] Index., pp. 19S, COS.

"£■£- £s

368 THE HISTORY OF

were passing back and forth, the intercepting of which at
times created no little trouble. William Chetwood, of this
town, an-cl Sheriff of Essex County, finds an open letter on a
table in one of his rooms, from one of the leaders of the pop-
ular party, and forthwith transmits it, May 7, 1747, to C.
Justice Morris, one of the lawyers of the aristocratic party,
with a note, in which he gives a little personal history as
follows : —

I intended to have waited on you myself, but have for some time past
and am still so troubled with a swelled face, and cold I have got that I
cant possibly do it.*

A copy of an affidavit by Solomon Boyle aforesaid, before
C. Justice Morris, in relation to some of these meetings and
plottings, is found, singularly enough among the Colonial
Papers of K York. It bears the date of May 13, 1747. He
lived on a part of the land claimed by Daniel Cooper, of
whose suit against John Crane and others mention has been
made. He testifies, that —

About the end of October last being at the house of Samuel "Woodruff
Alderman in Elizabeth Town, he was there desired by several persons,
particularly one they called Lawyer Daniel Clarke and one John Osborn
both of Elizabeth Town, to acquaint Daniel Cooper that in a fortnights
time the Mob intended to pay him a visit. He came to Dalrymple's place,
[Boyle's tenant], just after the house was broke open and the said Dal-
rymple with his wife and children turned out of doors on the 8th of April
last by a number of persons with Clubs, that he saw several of the persons
concerned in that Eiot, carrying the Man's goods out of the House, some
in particular he remembers to have been present and active therein to
witt: Nath 11 Davis (who was called their Capt n ) Abraham Hendricks,
Daniel Little of Turkey, Nath 11 Eogers, Wm Johnston, *W m Breasted, and
James Hampton of Horris Town. He heard on the last training day being
the sixth day of April on Monday, the day appointed by Act of Assembly,
the Company at Turkey gave out, that they had liberty to chuse new
officers, and that they either chose or were about to chose the said ITath 11
Davis for their Capt n and one Badgely Lieutenant.

Further, that

He with the said Joseph Dalrymple on the second day of this instant,
had occasion to go to Turkey, where they saw at Abraham Hendricks

* N. Y. Col. Docmls., VIII. 345.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 309

liousa the said Abr : Hendricks Daniel Little and he thinks Isaac Ilen-
dricks and some men that were present a turning Dulrymple out of posses-
sion and as this informant has been told by Daniel Cooper and Moses
Ayrcs, that since their turning Dalrymple out of possession, they said they
were mi?led and were sorry for it. (When questioned, they said), if the
thing was to do again and if wo had the same information, which we now
have, wo would do it yet.

The affidavit is drawn out to a great length, with much
more to the same effect, showing that the people of Turkey,
claiming by E. Town right, had taken the law into their own
hands, and were determined to drive off all other claimants ;
and that they " said the Land at Turkey and much further was
theirs and they would have it as far as they claimed, and
that there would be more such doings by the Mob than ever
yet has been done in the Country. *

It was an unhappy state of affairs, without much prospect
of improvement. The trouble had been prolonged for eighty
years, and become more aggravated from generation to
generation. The law was powerless with a people who
knew the justice of their claims and how to defend them.
It would have been far better for the Carteret party from the
first had they acknowledged these claims, and been content
with the vast domain beyond the town. The course actually
pursued was sure to end in rupture and revolution. f

All this while, for at least three years, the so-called Pro-
prietors had been preparing, with great pains and expense,
a complete and labored argument in defence of their long
litigated pretensions to the soil of this town, by the Duke of
York's Grant to Carteret. It purports to have been filed.
April 13th, 1745. It was written on about 1500 sheets. It
bears the names of James Alexander and Joseph Murray, as
" Of Counsel for the Complainants," eminent lawyers of N.
York. Murray was one of the first lawyers of the land.
Alexander, the father of " the Earl of Stirling," was at the
head of his profession. The Bill was, undoubtedly, the
product of his pen — " one of the very few literary remains
of a man highly distinguished in his day, but who has left,"

* X. Y. Col. Docmt;., VIII. 31G-9. t Mulford's W. Jersey, pp. 349-51. Gor-

don's X. j., pp. lcs-ii.

370 THE HISTORY OF

says Sedgwick, " but scanty testimonials of his character and
ability behind him." This bill is any thing but " scanty."*
It bears the following imposing Title :

A Bill in the Chancery of New Jersey, at the Suit of John Earl of
Stair, and others, Proprietors of the Eastern-Division of New-Jersey ;
Against Benjamin Bond, and some other Persons of Elizabeth-Town,
distinguished by the Name of the Clinker Lot Right Men. "With Three
large Maps, done from Copper-Plates^ To which is added ; The Publica-
tions of the Council of Proprietors of East New-Jersey, and Mr. Nevill's
Speeches to the General Assembly, concerning The Riots committed in
New-Jersey, and The Pretences of the Rioters, and their Seducers.
These Papers will give a better Light into the History and Constitution
of New-Jersey, than anything hitherto published, the Matters whereof
have been chiefly collected from Records. Published by Subscription.
Printed by James Parker, in New-York, 1747; and a few copies are to be
sold by him and Benjamin Franklin, in Philadelphia; Price bound, and
Maps coloured, Three Pounds ; plain and sticht only, Fifty Shillings,
Proclamation Money.

The printing was finished, July 21, 174:7. It is a folio,
with double columns, and contains, besides the Maps, 124
pages, with an Appendix of 40 pages*. So plausible is the
plea, that nearly all the historians of the State have relied
almost implicitly on its statements, and, in many cases, have
thus been led into error. It is a special and one-sided plea,
and, as in all such cases, is to be received with caution, and
its statements of facts are to be subjected to a rigid scrutiny.f

The preparation of an Answer to this formidable Bill was
entrusted, by the Town Committee, to William Livingston
and William Smith, Jun., as their Counsel. Livingston was
the pupil of Alexander, and, if emploj^ed, as is likely, in
1750, was only in the 27th year of his age ; but he had al-
ready acquired a high reputation at the bar in New York.
The interest that he took in this case was, probably, one of
the reasons that induced him, a few years later, to become a
resident of this town. Smith was still younger, in his 23d
year. Yet he was associated, that same year, !Nov., 1750,
with others, in preparing the first Digest of the Colonial

* Sedgwick's Life of Wm. Livingston, pp. 49, 51.

t Anal. Index, p. 205.—" 1500 seres of rights had been sold to hear the expense of Eliza
bethtown suit." lb., p. 289.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 371

Laws of New York. lie wrote the History of the Province,
and, after the Revolution, was made Chief Justice of Canada.*
The " Answer" was read in town meeting, Aug. 27, 1751,
and filed a few days afterwards. It w r as put in print the
following year, 1752, in similar form with the Bill itself (but
contains only 48 pages), with the following Title :

An Answer to a Bill in the Chancery of New Jersey. At the Suit of
John Earl of Stair, and others, commonly called Proprietors of the East-
ern Division of New-Jersey, Against Benjamin Bond, and others claim-
ing under the original Proprietors and Associates of Elizaheth-Town. To
which is added ; Nothing either of The Publications of the Council of
Proprietors of East New-Jersey, or of The Pretences of the Rioters, and
their Seducers ; Except so far As the Persons meant hy Rioters, pretend
Title Against The Parties to the above Answer ; But A great Deal of the
Controversy, Though much less Of the History and Constitution of
New-Jersey, than the said Bill. Audi alteram partem. Published by
Subscription. New York : Printed and Sold by James Parker, at the
New Printing-Office, in Beaver-Street. 1752.1

It professes to be " The joint and several Answer " of 449
Freeholders and Inhabitants of Elizabeth Town, recorded in
alphabetical order.

The Town Committee, on whom was devolved the responsi-
bility of conducting the Defense, were, for 1750, Messrs.
John Crane, Andrew Craige, William Miller, John Halsted,
Stephen Crane, Thomas Clarke, and John Chandler.

At the time of the preparation and the filing of the Bill
in Chancery, Lewis Morris was Governor of the Province.
lie had long been conversant with the matters in litigation,
and was deeply interested in the issue of this most important
case — holding a large part of his property in !N". Jersey by
Proprietary rights. Gov.' Morris had presumed, without, as
was alleged, due authority, to erect a Court of Chancery, and
to exercise the prerogatives of Chancellor. Could the Bill
in question have been, with its Answer, submitted to his
adjudication, the plaintiffs would, undoubtedly, have obtained
just such a decision as they desired.

But this favorable prospect was blighted by the decease of
the Governor in May, 174G. Unfortunately for the advocates

* Sedgwick's Livingston, rp. 4S, 66, 3. Smith's N. York, pp. i., Js.-xvl.
t Anal. Index, p. 277.

•

372 THE HISTORY OF

and friends of the Bill, Jonathan Belcher, a famous old Pu-
ritan, of Boston, Mass., was entrusted with the executive
functions, and entered upon his office as Governor of New-
Jersey, in August, 1747. Before the Answer to the Bill
could be printed, Gov. Belcher became a resident of this
town, and immediately identified himself with the First
Presbyterian church and congregation, with which, and its
branches in the back country, the defendants in the Bill were
nearly all connected. The sympathies of Gov. Belcher,
therefore, would, most naturally, be given to the Presbyterian
party, for such, in fact, the defendants were. Owing to these
or other similar reasons, Gov. Belcher seems not to have
adjudicated the case; Alexander, who had the principal
management of the Bill, died, April 2, 1756. Murray died,
April 2, 1757, before the death of Gov. Belcher. The French
War succeeded. Then came the Stamp Act Excitement, fol-
lowed by the Revolution. No place was found for the E.
Town Bill, and it fell by its own weight. Such was the end
of this famous struggle, continued for a whole century, and
resulting in the vindication of the ^original purchasers of the
soil, and the defeat of their opponents.

Other matters, in the meantime, engaged the attention of
the people, for the moment. Joseph Bonnel, Esq., the first
Mayor of the Borough, at the close of the winter of 174-J ,
was removed by death. He lived in the neighborhood of
Connecticut Farms, where, in the graveyard of the Presby-
terian Church, his remains were buried. A monument was
erected over his grave with this Inscription :

"Who knew him living must lament him dead,
Whose corpse beneath this Verdant Turf is laid.
Bonnel, in Private Life, in Public Trust,
"Was Wise and Kind, was Generous and Just.
In Virtue's rigid Path unmoved he trod,
To Self Impartial, pious to his God.
Religion's Patron, and a Patriot True,
A general Good, and private blessing too.
"What Bonnel was, and what his Virtues were,
The Eesurrection day will best declare.
Joseph Bonnel, Esq., deceased March y e 14, 1747-8, in y e 63d year of

his age.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 373

He was repeatedly chosen, from 1710 to 1743, to represent
the town in the General Assembly. In 1738, he was chosen
Speaker, and the same year appointed Second Judge of the
Supreme Court.

In 1748, the Lottery mania infected all classes of the com-
munity. Not less than eight different schemes, for raising
money for public purposes in New Jersey, were advertised
in the papers of New York and Philadelphia. Two of them
related entirely to this town. The first was called u the
Elizabeth-Town Raway Lottery." The object was "To raise
a Sum of Money [£1050] for building a Parsonage-House,"
at Rahway. It consisted " of 1500 Tickets at 14s. each."
The prizes were £60, and £40, one each ; 3, of £20 ; 4, of
£17 ; 5, of £10 ; 10, of £7 ; 20, of £5 ; 60, of £2. 10. 0, and
200, of £1. 8. 0. It was drawn at Railway, on Tuesday and
Wednesday, Aug. 2 and 3, 1748, " under the Care and Man-
agement of John Ross, Esq., Thomas Clark, Esq., Jonathan
Freeman, Elifelet Frazee, Stephen Burrows and Josiah
Terrill." *

A similar " Scheme of a Lottery in Turkey, in Elizabeth
Town," was advertised, Aug. 8, 1748, " to raise a sum of
Money [£152. 5. 0.] for building a Parsonage-House, consist-
ing of 1450 Tickets at 14s. each." The highest prize was
£30 : " The Drawing to commence on or before the first
Tuesday in November next, at the House of Benjamin Pettit,
Esq ; in Turkey, if filled by that Time, under the Care and
Management of Messrs. Benjamin Pettit, David Day,Elnathan
Cory, John Badgley, Nathaniel Davis and Josiah Broad-
well." t

To such an extent was society demoralized by this per-
nicious custom, that the Legislature of the Province, near
the close of the year, Dec. 16, 1748, passed a stringent act
against Lotteries and all other kinds of gambling; prefixing
to the Act the following admirable Preamble:

"Whereas Lotteries, playing of Cards and Dice, and other Garuing for
Lucre of Gain, are become of late frequent and common within this Colony,

* N. Y. Weekly Tost Boj, Nos. 273, 4, 8, 2SS, 290.
t N. Y. Weekly Tost Boy, No. 290.

374: THE HISTOKY OF

whereby many Persons have unjustly gained to themselves great Sums of
Money from unwary Persons, as well as Children and Servants, tending to
the manifest Corruption of Youth, and the Ruin and Impoverishment of
many poor Families: And whereas such pernicious Practices and Desire
of unlawful Gain may not only give frequent Opportunities to evil-minded
Persons to cheat and defraud divers of the honest Inhabitants of this
Colony, but may in Time, if not prevented, ruin the Credit thereof, and
be a Hindrance to Trade and Industry, and a great Temptation to Vice,
Idleness and Immorality, and consequently against the common Good,
Welfare and Peace of his Majesty's Government : Wherefore, &c. *

The law, however, was evaded by drawing the lotteries in
a neighboring province, though the tickets were sold and
purchased in this province.

The celebrated Swedish Naturalist, Prof. Kalm, in his
Botanical Explorations of these provinces, visited this part of
the country in 1748. On his way from Philadelphia to New
York, he tarried here a night and was gone in the morning.
He came to New Brunswick, at noon on Saturday, the 29th
of October, and proceeded north the same afternoon. After
passing the forks of the road, eight miles this side of New
Brunswick, at "Fairfield," he says: —

The country now made a charming appearance ; some parts being high',
others forming vallies, and all of them well-cultivated. From the hills
you had a prospect of houses, farms, gardens, cornfields, forests, lakes,
islands, roads, and pastures. In most of the places where we traveled
tjiis day the colour of the ground was reddish. I make no doubt, but
there were strata of the before-mentioned red limestone under it. Some-
times the ground looked very like a cinnabar ore.

"Wood-beidge is a small village in a plain, consisting of a few houses :
we stopped here to rest our horses a little. The houses were most of
them built of boards ; the walls had a covering of shingles on the outside ;
these shingles were round at one end, and all of a length in each row :
some of the houses had an Italian roof, but the greatest part had roofs
with pediments ; most of them were covered with, shingles. In most
places we met with wells, and buckets to draw up the water.

Elizabeth-town is a small town about twenty English miles distant
from New Brunswick : we arrived there immediately after sun-setting.
Its houses are mostly scattered, but well-built, and generally of boards,
with a roof of shingles, and walls covered with the same. There were
likewise some stone buildings. A little rivulet passes through the town

* Allinson's Laws of N. J., p. 1ST.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 375

from west to east; it is almost reduced to nothing when the water ebbs
away, but with the full tide they can bring up small yachts. Here were
two fine churches, each of which made a much better appearance than
any one in Philadelphia. That belonging to the people of the church of
England was built of bricks, had a steeple with bells, and a balustrade
round it, from which there was a prospect of the country. The meeting-
house of the prcsbyterians was built of wood, but had both a steeple and
bells, and was, like the other houses, covered with shingles. The town
house made likewise a good appearance, and had a spire with a bell. The
banks of the river were red, from the reddish limestone; both in and
about the town were many gardens and orchards ; and it might truly be
said, that Elizabeth-town was situated in a garden, tho ground hereabouts
being even and well-cultivated.

At night wo took up our lodgings at Elizabeth-town Point, an inn.
about two English miles distant from the town, and the last house on this
road belonging to New Jersey. The man who had taken the lease of ,it,
together with that of the ferry near it, told us that he paid a hundred aud
ten pounds of Pennsylvania currency to the owner.

Oct. 30th. We were ready to proceed on our journey at sun-rising.
Near the inn where we had passed the night, we were to cross a river,
and we were brought over, together with our horses, in a wretched half-
rotten ferry. The country was low on both sides of the river, and con-
sisted of meadows. But there was no other hay to bo got, than such as
commonly grows in swampy grounds; for as the tide comes up in this
river, these low plains were sometimes overflowed when the water was
high. The people hereabouts are said to be troubled in summer with
immense swarms of gnats or musquetoes, which sting them and their
cattle. This was ascribed to the low swampy meadows, on which these
insects deposit their eggs, which are afterwards hatched by the heat. :;:

An exciting incident occurred in 1750, which deeply
stirred the growing, though yet latent, hostility to British
domination. It is best related in the words of the weekly
chronicler of that period : —

N. York, June 11, 1750. — Thursday last [7th] as Col. William Rickets
of Elizabeth Town, with his Wife and Family were going home from this
City in his own Boat, accompanied by some of his Friend-, they unfor-
tunately left the Burgee living at their Mast Bead ; and on their coming
abreast of his Majesty's Ship Greyhound, then lying in the North River, a
Gun was fired from <>n board her; but they not apprehending it to be at
them, took no Notice of it, on which a Becond directly followed ; and the
Shot passing through the Boat's Mainsail, struck a young Woman, Nurse

• Tctcr Kalm's Travels in North Am., I. If 1-3.

376 THE HISTORY OF

*
to one of Col. Kicket's Children, in the Head, and killed her on the Spot ;
she had the Child in her Arms, which happily received no Hurt. The
Boat on this immediately put back to this City. And the Coroner's In-
quest being summon'd, and Evidences on both Sides examin'd, they
brought it in Wilful Murder. *

The name of the nurse was Elizabeth Stibben ; it turned
out, that " she expired a few hours afterwards." The Grey-
hound was a Ship of War, under the command of Capt.
Robert Roddam, a son-in-law of George Clinton, Governor of
the Province of New York. The Captain was on shore at
the time, having left the vessel in charge of Lieut. John
How, by whom the swivel gun was pointed. The gun was
fired by James Park, the Gunner's Mate. Col. Wm. Rickets
was the son of Capt. Wm. Rickets, dec d , of New York. Clin-
ton speaks of him, as " a hot headed rash young man : ' in
other words, probably, a young man of spirit, little inclined
to bow down to the British officials of the day, and, like a
multitude of other such young Americans, exceedingly galled
by the lordly exactions of their imported rulers. Clinton
says, that he had passed the Greyhound the day before with-
out lowering his pendant, and, before leaving the city wharf,
on his return, had declared that he would doit again in spite
of the man-of-war. The affair took place "between Nut ten
[Governor's] Island and the great Battery."

The democratic party, of which Chief Justice Delancy was
the head, took advantage of the sad event, to bring the ad-
ministration into disrepute, and awaken popular indignation
against the despotism by which the people were oppressed.
Delancy imprisoned the Gunner's Mate for Murder ; and a
Habeas Corpus, demanded by Capt. Roddam, was refused
by Bradley, the Attorney General. Lieut. How was sent
"home" for trial, while Parks was kept in prison at New
York, as late as July 27th. How his case terminated does
not appear. The indignation and excitement of Ricketts'
townsmen, of course, was intense. Much of it was smoth-
ered, only to break forth, in due time, with greatly-increased
power.f

* N. T. Weekly Post Boy, No. 3S6.

t N. Y. Col. Doomts., VI. 571-6 ; 5S8-6. N. J. Hist. Soc. Coll. IV. 64.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 377

GOV. JONATHAN BELCHER.

At the close of the year 1751, Gov. Belcher became a resi-
dent of this town. lie had been appointed Governor of
New Jersey, in 1747, to succeed Gov. Morris. He arrived,
in the Scarboro' man of war, at New York, Aug. 8, 1747, an
old man, in the 66th year of his age, having been born, at
Cambridge, Mass., Jan. 8, 168J-. lie was the son of Andr w
Belcher, (a Boston merchant, and a gentleman of great
wealth), and graduated at Harvard College in 1699, second
on the roll. He married, at Piscataway, N. II., Jan. 4,
170$, " Mrs. Mary Partridge, daughter of L. Gov. Win. Part-
ridge." lie became, at an early day, an active member of
the church, and ever, through life, honored his profession.
He spent six years abroad, was admitted to court, and was
treated with great respect by the best society. On his
return, he engaged in merchandise. He visited England
again, in 1729 ; and, Nov. 29, was appointed Governor of
Mass. and New Hampshire. He returned in Aug. 1730,
and continued in office until 1741, when he was superseded.
On the occasion of the visit of Whitefield to Boston in 1741,
he openly and warmly espoused the cause of that eminent
preacher, and became his personal friend and correspondent.
He went abroad again, in 1744, to vindicate himself, at
Court, from the aspersions of his opposers, reinstated him-
self in the royal favor, and returned as Governor of N.
Jersey.'-'

He published his commission at Perth Amboy, Aug. 10,
1747, met the Legislature, at Burlington, Aug. 20, and soon
after became a resident of that place — living, at first, with
Richard Smith, the Quaker, and, after Dec. 4th, in his own
house. While he was delighted with the air, soil, and situa-
tion, he was much tried with the moral and religions state of
the people. IK: described it, as u a land flowing with milk
and honey," but the people bad no relish for virtue and true
religion ; " they pay little regard to the Sabbath," — according

• Allen's Biog. Diet.

378 THE HISTORY OF

to the Quaker tenets — "the men journey — the women divert
— the children play in the streets without reproof — these are
the most uncouth and unpleasant things of my present con-
dition." He occasionally went to the Quaker meeting and
Episcopal worship, " and at other times officiated as priest
in his own house." Having a coach and four, he proposed
to drive down (20 miles) to Philadelphia, and spend " the
Lord's Day often there, with his friend Mr. 'Tennent ; " — Rev.
Gilbert Tennent, with whom he became acquainted, in 1741,
at Boston, and who, at this time, was pastor of a Presb.
church in Philadelphia.*

His wife had died before he went abroad, in 1744 ; and,
while in England, he became acquainted with a lady to whom
he offered himself in marriage. She came over to this coun-
try, about Sept. 1, 1748, and was married to him on the 8th,
at Philadelphia. While in attendance on the Commence-
ment of the College of JSTew Jersey, at Newark, September 26,
1750, he was afflicted with paralysis*, from the effects of which
he suffered during the remainder of his life. He says, July 3,
1752, that "for eighteen months he had not been able to hold
a pen." f

Finding that Burlington air did not agree with him, he
made arrangements to remove to this town. A house was
prepared for his residence, in Jersey st., (occupied in later
years by Dr. Davis), and his wife, with her daughter, came
on, March 19, 1751, to examine it. To Mayor Samuel "Wood-
raff, who took a great interest in his removal, he wrote, April
11, that Mrs. Belcher approved of the house, and desired to
have it made as commodious as possible. His removal, how-
ever, was delayed until the following autumn.;):

That the anticipated event excited a considerable sensation
appears from a letter, written, Aug. 28, 1751, by Capt. Jona-
than Hampton, of this town, to James Alexander, at New
York : —

Our Prime Minister has sent two boats to Burlington for Governor
Belcher's Goods — when he Comes We Expect every thing will be Done

* Anal. Index, pp. 20T, 11, 18, 24, 5. t Ibid. p. 291

% Ibid., pp.l263,.9 K 231, 3, ^Murray^Notes, p/71.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 379

in our favour but I pray the Lord may Send Lis lieabus Corpus and Dis-
cbarge our Borough of such a heavy Load of (Honour) (as our People Call
it) to have a Numerous Train of Bostonians whineing, Praying, & Cant-
ing, Continually about our Stroets, from Such evils (Deliver us)

I hope I shall not be caried by Sheriff Hetfiold before Governor
Belchor for not answering, &c*

Gov. Belcher writes, Sept. 10, 1751, that "Mr. Hatfield
is come hither by Mr. Woodruff's request, to assist in getting
my House Furniture to Elizabeth Town, and wants a sloop
of about 30 or 40 tuns to complete the matter." Again,
Sept. 12, — that he u is engaged in putting his clothing and
furniture on board of three small sloops to take them round
to Elizabethtown." On the 19th, he writes to Mr. Samuel
Woodruff, that the men, u with the coach and the cows, and
the three sloops, with what they have on board," were u to
leave to-day," and that his daughter (Mrs. Elizabeth Teale)
" would soon be in Elizabethtown to assist in unpacking."
She left Burlington on the 23d. In a subsequent letter to
Mr. Woodruff, Oct. 17th, he says, " I regret to learn that one
of the vessels, laden with the effects, has carried the small
pox to Elizabethtown," and expresses the hope that it may
not spread. f

In a letter of Oct. 7th, he says, that he would " be 70
years old the next 8th January," and that he commonly
drank "besides water and small beer, about half a bottle
of old Madeira a day." And again, Nov. 4th, that he had
arrived at Elizabethtown on the 1st instant, "heart whole,
tho' money-less." At a later date, Ap. 11, 1752, he says,
— " For you must know if I indulge my taste in any one
thing more than another, it is in malt drink." Subse-
quently, May 30th, he asks Mr. Samuel Woodruff, who
had a vessel going to Madeira, " to import for his own
use three pipes of the best Madeira wine, and a quarter
cask of Malmsey." %

The removal of the seat of government to this town was
deemed an event of too much consequence not to be appro-
priately noticed. A respectful Address was prepared by the

♦ Rutherford Mm. t Anal. Index, pp. 277, S, 9, SI. * Ibid, pp. 279, 251, 290, 8.

380 THE HISTORY OF

Corporation, and presented to the Governor on his arrival,
Nov. 1, 1751, signed by

John Sfcites, . John Chandler, Thomas Clark,

John Kadley, Samuel "Woodruff, . John Halsted.*

Stephen Crane, Eobert Ogderi,

Previous to his being afflicted with paralysis, Gov. Belcher
" possessed uncommon gracefulness of person and dignity of
deportment." While Governor of Massachusetts and New
Hampshire, " his style of living was elegant and splendid,"
and he was distinguished for hospitality. As his fortune had
been impaired by his profuseness, it was not in his power to
maintain as much style here as at Boston, and the growing
infirmities of age made it still more impracticable. But the
urbanity of his demeanor never forsook him ; and, while he
lived, it was his delight to extend the benefits of his large-
hearted hospitality as widely as possible. None, however,
were so welcome to his home as the pious and godly. A
sincere and devout Christian himself, he gathered about him,
and welcomed to his board mostly such as were of like sym-
pathies with himself. The passing missionary, the traveling
preacher, the pious visitor, were sure of a hearty reception
at his comfortable home. The incomparable Whitefield
writes, to Lady Huntington, from " Elizabeth-Town (New- Jer-
sey), Sept. 30, 1751,"—

I am now at Governor Belcher's, who sends your Ladyship the most
cordial respects. His outward man decays, but his inward man seems to
be renewed day by day. I think he ripens for heaven apace. (To another
correspondent, he says, — ) I write this from Governor Belcher's, who is
indeed singularly good, and whose latter end greatly increases as to
spirituals. Oh that this may be my happy lot ! t

President Edwards, also, describing a journey that he took,
in September, 1752, into New Jersey, says, —

I had considerable opportunity to converse with Governour Belcher ;
and was several times at his house at Elizabethtown. He labours under
many of the infirmities of age, but savours much of a spirit of religion,
and seems very desirous of doing all the good he can, while he lives.J

* New York Weekly PoBt Boy, No. 462.

t Allen's Biog. Diet. Whitefield's Works, III. 103, 5. $ Edwards 1 Works, I, 510.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 381

From his first coming into the province, lie proved himself
the staunch friend of education and religion. To the infant
College of New Jersey, he not only gave anew Charter with
enlarged privileges, hut used the whole weight of his personal
and official influence in behalf of its endowment and perma-
nent establishment. After his removal to this town, at the
request "of a great number of" the members of the First
Presbyterian Congregation, a Charter of Incorporation was
granted them, by the Governor, August 22, 1753, appointing
Stephen Crane, Cornelius Hatfield, Jonathan Dayton, Isaac
"Woodruff, Matthias Baldwin," Moses Ogden, and Benjamin
Winans, the first Trustees of the Congregation, with power
"to erect and repair Public Buildings for the Worship of
God and the Use of the Ministry, and School-Houses & Aims-
Houses, & Suitably to Support the Ministry & the Poor of
their Church : and to do & perform, other Acts of Piety &
Charity;" a boon, which was so long and persistly denied,
by the Ro}*al Governors, to the First Presbyterian Congre-
gation of the City of New York, f

Through the favor of Governor Belcher, also, on application
of " divers of the Inhabitants and Freemen " of the Borough
and Town, an Act was passed, June 21, 175-1, by the General
Assembly at Perth Amboy, "to enable the Mayor, Recorder,
Aldermen and Common Council-men of the free Borough and
Town of Elizabeth, to build a Poorhouse, "Workhouse and
House of Correction, within the said Borough ; and to make
Rules, Orders and Ordinances for the governing of the same ;
and to repair the Gaols of the said Borough ; . . . to the Intent
the Poor of the said Borough may be better employed and
maintained; poor Children educated and brought up in an

* Mr. Baldwin was tho son of Jonathan, and tho grandson of John Baldwin, of Newark. His
father died, when ho was but seven years of age. Ue was born in 1719, married Mary, a
daughter of Alderman John Boss of this town, and thus became a resident here. Hi- only
Bister, Joanna, married Isaac Nuttman. who, also, removed to this town, where be died Nov.,
1749, leaving three children: Jolin, Phebo, and Sarah. His wife survived him He died
July 1. 17. r )9, leaving his wife, and several children. The late Matthias W. Baldwin, <>i" Phila-
delphia, so memorable both for his wealth and munificence, was his grandson. Th« BtO e that
marks the resting-place- of his remains is inscribed with tho following Epitaph : * * lit- was a
good Neighbour; | a generous Friend; | an earnest promoter of the | PUBLIC GOOD; | A
Kind Father, a tender Husband, | In short ho was | A CHSIfi PI \N. | PASSENGER |
Imitate him, &, be for over | II APP Y. | t Murray's Notes, pp. I

382 THE HISTORY OP

honest and industrious Way ; as also for setting to work and
punishing all Yagrants, Vagabonds, Pilferers, and all idle
and disorderly Persons, Servants and Slaves within the said
Borough ; . . . for the Encouragement of Honesty and In-
dustry, and suppressing of Yice and Immorality, and better
Government of said Borough.*

During the excitement and alarm consequent on Braddock's
defeat, July 9, 1755, and the consternation created by the
Indian outrages on the western borders of New-Jersey, Gov.
Belcher did all in his power to rouse the province in defence
of their habitations. The Nineteenth General Assembly, on
account of his growing infirmities, held their second session,
Feb. 21, 1755, and their six subsequent sessions, during the
next two years, in this town, — giving the town peculiar
prominence, at the time, in provincial affairs. The principal
legislation of the period had respect to the arming of the
militia, and making provision for their support while in
active duty against the French and the savage tribes of the
interior. Of the armed force, sent out of the province on
this service, a full proportion went forth from this town.f

A letter from this town, July 28, 1756, gives the following
information :

This Day was published here, by Order of his Excellency the Governor,
His Majesty's Declaration of "War against the French King ; at which was
present his Excellency the Governor, attended by the Mayor and Corpora-
tion of this Borough, together with five Companies of Foot, and two
Troops of Horse, who on the Occasion fired three handsome Yollies. J

Governor Belcher did not long survive these agitations.
He departed this life, at his home in this town, on Wednes-
day, Aug. 31, 1Y57, in the 76th year of his age. As Mr.
Kettletas, the youthful minister of the congregation had not
yet been ordained, and doubtless felt incompetent for the
service, President Burr was called upon to preach the
Governor's funeral sermon. A vast congregation assembled
in the Presbyterian Church, on Lord's Day, Sept. 4, when
Mr. Burr (just 20 days before his own decease) preached
from Dan. xii : 13, — " But go thou thy way till the end be, for

* Allison's Laws of N. J., pp. 19S-201. t Ibid., I. p. 203-14.

N. Y. Mercury, No. 209.

ELIZABETH", NEW JERSEY. 383

thou shalt rest, and stand in 'thy lot at the end of the days."
The discourse was published, with the Title, — " A Servant
of God dismissed from Labor to Rest." He spake of him as
having had, before he was deformed by paralysis, " a peculiar
Beauty and Gracefulness of Person, in which he was excelled
by no Man in his Day." He adds : —

The Scholar, the accomplished Gentleman, and the true Christian, were
seldom ever more happily united, than in him. His unshaken Integrity
and Uprightness, in all his Conduct, his Zeal for Justice, and Care to have
it equally distributed, have rendered him the Admiration of the present
as they will of future Generations. The Prospect of worldly Interest,
earnest Solicitations of Friends, or Fear of Loss, seem to have had no
Influence to move him from what appeared to be his Duty. . . No Man
was ever more thoroughly Proof against all Kinds of Corruption and
Bribery. . . His distinguished and unaffected Piety, spread a Glory over all
his other Endowments, and rendered him a peculiar Blessing to the
World. . . By his sacred Regard to the Lord's Day, his steady and conscien-
tious Attendance on all the publick Ordinances of his House ; he has left
a noble Example, worthy of the Imitation of all Eulers in a Christian
Land. . . This Practice he continued even when his great "Weakness of
Body, and growing Infirmities would have been thought by every Body
a sufficient Excuse for his Absence. . . In his declining Days, he seemed to
ripen fast for the heavenly State ; had his Conversation much in Heaven,
and would frequently speak of the Things of another World, as Things
that were quite familiar to him. . . His approaching Dissolution he kept
daily in view, lived in a continual Expectation of it, and would often ex-
press his Desires, that it might be hastened.*

His will was dated, July 14, 1755. It refers to the Mar-
riage Articles between hiin and his wife Louisa, executed,
Sep. 0, 1748 ; makes mention of his son Andrew (whom he
appoints his Executor), his son, Jonathan (Chief Justice of
jSTova Scotia), and his daughter, Sarah, the wife of Byelield
Lyde, Esq. Elizabeth, the wife of his son, Andrew, is also
remembered. Samuel Woodruff and Robert Ogden, Esqs.,
are appointed Executors in trust, until Andrew can come on
from Mass. Matthias Hatfield, Esq., Cornelius Hatfield,
Esq., and John Radley are witnesses.

His decease created a great chasm in the town, followed
as it was by the removal, also, of the seat of government.

* Burr's Sermon, pp. 14—19.

384 THE HISTOKY OF

He was universally lamented, as his administration had been
eminently successful, and his personal character had com-
manded unbounded respect.

Of another distinguished citizen, who preceded him, about
three years, to the world of spirits, the following notice was
taken at the time :

Elizabeth-Town, August 15, 1754. "Wednesday morning last [7th]
departed this Life, after a short but painful Illness, John Eoss, Esq ;' one
of the Judges of Essex County Court, and a Master in Chancery : He
was a Gentleman of a very affable and obliging Disposition, of steady
and unshaken Principles, a strict Observer of Law and Justice, and a
truly honest Man. In his Death the Country have really a sensible Loss,
and a worthy Family an irreparable Damage ; which nothing can so
much alleviate, as the lively Hope and Assurance of his being translated
into a State of blessed Immortality: — This Testimony is now given of
him, by a Friend to his Person and a Lover of his Virtues.*

Judge Ross was the son of George Ross, who died in
October, 1750 ; and the grandson of Deacon George Ross,
who came here from ]STew Haven, about 1670, having mar-
ried there, in 1658, Constance Little. The grandson was one
of the original Aldermen of the Borough, so named and ap-
pointed in the Charter of Feb. 8, lYj-j}-.

The concluding years of the first century of the town pre-
sent but little of particular interest, save in respect to its
religious history, yet to be related. On the death of Gov.
Belcher, the government of the Province devolved on Lieut.
Governor Pownall, ad interim. At the time, he was, also,
Governor of Massachusetts, and was residing at Boston.
Learning that the old Governor was dead, he came hither to
look after the royal interests in the Province, and to prevail
upon the Senior member of Council, Mr. John Reading, to
act as Governor. On his arrival here, Sept. 21st, he was
formally received and made welcome, by the Corporation,
on which occasion, an Address, signed by Robert Ogden,
Recorder, was presented him, in which they speak of the
place, as " the oldest and largest town in the Government of
New Jersey." f

* N. T. Weekly Post Boy, No. 204. t N. Y. Mercury, No. 269.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 385

In like manner, when Francis Bernard, Esq., was pro-
claimed, at Amboy, Governor of New- Jersey, a formal
Address was presented, to his Excellency, June 17, 1758, by
the Corporation of the Borough of Elizabeth. When Chief
Justice Nathaniel Jones came to reside in this town, he was
made welcome by an Address from the Corporation, Samuel
Woodruff, Mayor, "a genteel Entertainment " having been
provided on the occasion. Governor Thomas Boone was re-
ceived, July 3, 1760, at E. Town Point by Capt. Terrill'a
troop of horse and escorted to the Woodbridge line on his
way to Amboy. On the 7th, the Corporation of E. Town
presented their Address and were publicly entertained by
the Governor. So, too, his successor, Josiah Hardy, Esq.,
on his landing at E. Town Point, Oct. 29, 1761, was received
by the Council and some of the chief gentlemen and magis-
trates of the Borough, and escorted by Capt. Terrill's troop.
The presentation of the Address followed, as in the former
cases.*

From the County Account Book, it appears, that, during the
last thirty years of the first century of the town, the follow-
ing persons sat in the Justice's Court as Chosen Freeholders :
Cornelius Hatfield, John Halstead, Samuel Woodruff, Daniel
Potter, *Wm. Winans, John Stiles, John Chandler, Joseph
Morse, and Ephraim Terrill.

The following were Justices : Andrew Joline, Joseph Bon-
nell, Thomas Price, Matthias Hatfield, John Halstead, Jo-
seph Mann, John Blanchard, John Stiles, Samuel Woodruff,
Thomas Clark, and Jacob DeHart.

The office of High Sheriff was filled successively by Wm.
Chetwood, Matthias Hatfield, Stephen Crane, and Matthias
Williamson. The following were Collectors for the county :
Cornelius Hatfield, John Harriman, and Ephraim Terrill.

The old Account Book shows, that, May S, 1715, they
" allowed to William Chetwood for hanging Negro John and
Burning Harry Hartwel's Hand, €5. 0. 0, proc." — May 13,
1752 : " Allowed to Samuel Meeker 1/proc" a day for y c 39

* N. T. Mercury, Noa. 306, 332. Whitolicad's Amboy, pp. 171, 7, 1S3.

386 THE HISTORY OF

days which he spent in taking the list of y e Estates of Eliz Ul
town to be paid out of y e next County tax proc 11 £7. 16. 0." —
Dec. 18, 1753 : "Allowed to M r hatfield the high Sheriff for
the Indightment & Whiping John Williams proc n £3. 6. 3.
Allowed to the Widow Conger 33/4 for Getting a 100 loads
of Stone at /4p. on her land for Eliz th town brig," [bridge].
— Feb. 20, 1759 : " allowed Cap*, terrel for plank & Work
on a brig over Raway River by John Morises Cur y £10. 2. 0."
—June 19, 1759 : " allowed Ezekiel Ball for Building a Pil-
lory at Elizabeth Town, £2. 2. 0."

The Provincial Tax for 1753 was for E. Town, £116. 16. 1. ;
for Newark, £79. 2. 6. ; for Acquacknong, £35. 2. 10. Of
the £200. County Tax, E. Town paid £99. 6. 11. Of 155
" arms " to be furnished by the county, 78 were required of

E. Town.

Of the Advertisements and Notices in the New York
Weeklies, the following pertain to this town : —

(Dec. 24, 1744.) An Indian "Wench named Sarah, absented sometime
ago from her Master the Eev. Mr. Simon Horton, at Connecticut Farms :
She formerly belonged to Mr. Samuel Bayard, Merchant in New York,
and has been seen lately in Jhis City : She is a short thick Wench,
about 24 Years of Age, and has lost some of her Tore Teeth. "Whoever
can take up the said "Wench and commit her to the "Workhouse,- or other-
wise secure her, shall be well rewarded by Simon Horton.*

(April 27, 1747.) To be Sold, The Mill in Elizabeth Town, near the
Bridge, with the bolting Cloths, and other Utensils thereto belonging ;
and also a House and Lot, convenient for the same. "Whoever has a Mind
to purchase the aforesaid Mill and Lot, may enquire at the House of "Wil-
liam Chetwood near the Premises, and be informed of the Title and Con-
ditions of Sale.t

(Nov. 23, 1747.) Aaron Miller, Clock Maker, In Elizabeth Town, East
New-Jersey, Makes and sells all Sorts of Clocks, after the best Manner,
with Expedition : — He likewise makes Compasses and Chains for Survey-
ors ; as also Church Bells of any size, he having a Foundry for that Pur-
pose, and has cast several who have been approved to be good; And will
supply any Persons on a timely Notice, with any of the above Articles, at
very reasonable Rates. J

(Jan. 25, 174^.) To be Sold, a very good House and Lot, lying
in Elizabeth Town, containing 7 Acres, and a good Orchard, in the

* N. T. Weekly Post Boy, No. 101. t Ibid, No. 223.

X Ibid. No. 253.

ELIZABETII, NEW JERSEY. 3S7

Heart of tho Town, near the Church, very well situated for a Store;
and also a one Horse CIiai.se, at a reasonable Price. Enquire of Elias
Grazeillier. *

(Jan. 2, 174$.) Whereas abont 6 or 7 Weeks ago one Samuel Smith, of
the Borough of Elizabeth, in NTew-Ji came to this city, and bought

sundry Goods; but in his Way home was lost near ESlizabeth-Town Point :
The Persons who sold him the said Goods are desired to inform the
Printer hereof, that his Friends may know their Contents and which of
them remain unpaid for. t

(June 2G, 1749.) Through the excessive hot Weather of Sunday la-t,
many fish died on Monday in Elizabeth Town Creek. J

(Feb. 19, l7f£.) William Pool's plantation is to be sold, on Tuesday,
the 27th inst. about a mile from town on the Woodbridgo road. §

(July 16, 1750.) "We have an Account from Ash Swamp, near Elizabeth
Town, that about ten Days ago, a Shower of Hail, incredibly large, fell in
a Vein of some Miles in those Parts, which laid waste and entirely con-
sumed every Field of Wheat and Corn that was within its Compass ;
Limbs of Trees broke to Pieces, and Birds and Fowles, scarce one within
its Beach escaped. 'Tis said some of the Hail Stones were as big as
Hen's Eggs. ||

(Sept. 24, 1750.) Ran away the 10th of September, Inst., from John-
Cooper, of Elizabeth Town, in East New-Jersey, a young Negro Man,
named Caesar, between 20 and 25 years of Age; is small of Stature, and
speaks good English ; he is as black as most any in the Land. Had on
when he went away, a grey Linsey Woolsey Waist-Coat, with one or two
Buttons on the Sleeve, a Pair of Tow Trowsers, and a Leather Jockey
Cap instead of a Hat. 1T

Mr. Cooper, Caesar's master, was the son-in-law of Rev.
Mr. Dickinson.

(Aug. 12, 1751.) We hear from Elizabeth Town, that two Women have
been killed within these few Weeks past, near that Place, by falling out of

riding Chairs.**

As specimens of the domestic Slave Trade, the following

advertisements, by one of the most prominent citizens, an
active member of the Presbyterian church, President ut' the
Board of Trustees, and subsequently, an Elder, for many
years, arc worthy of notice : —

(April 27, 1752.) A likely Parcel of Negro Boya and Girls from 12 to
20 Years of Age, who have all had the Small Pox, To be sold by Cornelius
Iletfield, in Elizabeth Town.

* N. Y. Weekly Poel Boy, ffo. 268. I I Id. GTo. 311. X Ibid. No. 8S&

§ Ibid, No. 370. H Ubid. No. G01. ^ Ibid. No. 401. ** Ibid. No. 447.

388 THE HISTORY OF

(June 4, 1753.) To be sold very reasonable by Cornelius Hatfield, at
Elizabeth Town, East New Jersey, A Parcel of likely healthy Negro Men
and "Women, from between 14 and 22 Years of Age.*

(June 8, 1752.) Matthias Williamson offers for sale his Dwelling House
and Kitchen, Garden, Yard, Barn, Stables and Chair House.!

(Nov. 20, 1752.) Eun away from Dr. Matthias Dehart of Elizabeth
Town, an Irish Servant Man named William Davis, but changes his name
to Davison, a small Eellow, lanthorn jaw'd, his left shoulder out of joint,
pretends to be an Englishman and a Sailor, red complexion, red Hair and
Beard, about 24 Years old, had on an old Bever Hat cut across the Crown,
a light Ratteen Jacket, a striped under- Jacket, new Shirt, Leather
Breeches and new Shoes ; 'tis like he has Tar-Spots on most of his Cloaths,
as he workt on board a Vessel for some Time.

Also run away with him, a Servant Irish Woman, named Mary Kelley,
belonging to Capt. Jonathan Hampton, of the same Town, a likely Girl,
about 20 Years old ; 'tis supposed they will pass for Man and Wife ; She
is short and well-set; had on an old short red Cloak, old brown Calli-
manco Gown, no Bonnet, and otherwise but very poorly cloathed. They
were lately advertised in the Pennsylvania Gazette, have ran away twice
before this since last May, once from Newcastle, and once from Glouces-
ter County. They used to travel by Night and steal Fowl, &c. for
Sustenance. Any Person that shall bring them back to their Masters,
shall have Three Pounds Keward, and all reasonable Charges, paid by

Matthias Dehart and Jonathan Hampton.J

(Dec. 25, 1752.) Kobert Milburn, Blacksmith, advertises a Runaway
Servant, Samuel Cooper, & a journeyman, Daniel Eaton.

(Oct. 1, 1753.) Cooper has run away again, and Bichard Brown an
Irishman, has also absconded from Milburn.§

(June 4, 1753.) Imported in the Samuel and Judith, Capt. Griffiths,
from London, and the Grace, Capt. Nealson from Bristol, and to be sold
by Capt. Jacob Dehart, in Elizabeth Town, A large Assortment of
European and East India Goods. ||

(April 5, 1756). Last Monday morning [5th] about 8 o'clock, the House
of Mr. Edward Sears of Elizabeth-Town, in New-Jersey, was burnt to
Ashes, occasioned, 'tis Conjectured, by some Sparks of Fire getting through
a Crack in the chimney, and falling on the Roof. IT

(Aug. 27, 1757.) Three affidavits, before Robert Qgden, Esq., are pub-
lished, from which it appears that Samuel Woodruff, of Elizabeth Town,
was part owner of the Schooner " Charming Betsey," Wm. Luce, Capt.,
which was loaded at E. Town, in Feb., 1757, with provisions and lumber
and sailed from the Point to St. Christophers, W. I. Joseph Jelf, at that
time, was of full age, and had been Clerk and Book-keeper, upwards of

* N. Y. Weekly Post Boy, Nos. 484, 540. t Ibid. No. 490. t Ibid. No. 512.

§ Ibid. Nos. 517, 557. || Ibid. No. 540. 1 N. Y. Mercury. No. 192.

ELIZABETn, NEW JERSEY. 339

three years, for Mr. Woodruff. Soon afterwards lie became his partner
in business.*

(Oct. 24, 1757.) On Tuesday, the first Day of November, Will be sold
at public auction, at Elizabeth Town, in New-Jersey, the househould
furniture, plate, cattle, &o., of his late excellency governor BELCHER.
Also, if not before disposed of at private sale, a good coach, and four very
fine black coach-horses.f

(June 24, 1758.) Captain Jonathan Hampton, of Elizth-Town, writes
from Cole's Fort, on the Frontiers of New Jersey, giving an account of
the progress of the war against the Indians.}:

(Aug. 21, 1758.) Pwun away On the 13th of August, from William Per-
tree Smith, Esq. ; of Elizabeth-Town, in New-Jersey, a Negro Man, called
Prince, &c.

The same date, is advertised a Horse Race to take place
at Elizabeth-Town, in East New Jersey, on Tuesday, Oct.
30tli ; three two mile heats ; for £20. Horses entered by
William Euen.§

(Jan. 8, 1759.) To be Let, the noted Tavern, in Elizabeth-Town, kept
by the late Widow Chetwood, known by the Sign of the Hogshead, being
very convenient for a Tavern, Merchant, Shop-keeper, or Tradesman.
Apply to Matthias Williamson in Elizabeth Town near the Premises.
Mr. Williamson has, also, to sell a good House, Barn, Storehouse, Garden
and six acres near the Bridge in Elizabeth Town.||

(Dec. 31, 1759.) A Lottery for making an Addition to, and repairing
St. John's Church, in Elizabeth-Town : Erected and -to be drawn near
Schuter's Island, about two miles from Elizabeth-Town Point. 3334
Tickets, at $4 each. One Prize of $1000; 2, of $500; 4, of |200; 8, of
$100 ; 16, of $50 ; and 30, of $20. Drawing to begin, Feb. 5, 17G0, under
the Direction and Management of Jonathan Hampton and John De Hart,
Es<]-.

(Feb. 4, 1760.) The Drawing of the above Lottery postponed to March
14. Tickets to be had of (among others) the Reverend Mr. Chandler, in
Elizabeth-Town. 1

It was contrary to law to draw a lottery in the Province;
and to evade the law, it was common to have lotteries drawn
at or near Schuter's Island.

(Feb. 18, 1700.) Choice Deer Skins, of all Sorts to be sold by David
Ball and Matthias Swain, at Springfield, in tho Borough of Elizabeth,
New-Jersey, for cash only.

* N. Y. Mercury, No. 265. t Ibid. No. 271. I Ibid. No. 308.

5 Ibid No. 314. I Ibid. No. 334. r. Ibid. Nob. 385, ZOO.

390 THE HISTORY OF

(The same date). To be Sold, a likely Negro Wench, about 18 Years
old ; enquire of William P. Smith, Esq., at Elizabeth Town. She has had
the Small pox and Meazels.*

(June 10, 1760.) Last Wednesday evening [5th] the Son of Eobert
Ogden, Esq., of Elizabeth-Town, a Boy of about 10 Years old, was
drowned in the Creek, in the Place, as he was bathing.f

(Dec. 8, 1760.) Edward Arnold, near the Bridge in Elizabeth-Town,
Has imported a general Assortment of Goods fit for the Season, (&c), all
which he will sell wholesale and retail, as cheap as they are to be had in
New York. |

(Feb. 1, 1762). To be sold at publick Vendue, on Monday the 14th
Instant, at Mr. Thomas Tobines in Elizabeth-Town, for the benefit of his
Creditors, an Assortment of Goods fit for the Season.§

(Feb. 22, 1762.) To be let and entered upon the first day of May
next, at Elizabeth-Town in the province of New- Jersey, a large commo-
dious Dwelling house in which Cornelius Hetfield, Esq : now lives : Said
house is two story high, has six rooms on a floor, with seven fire-places,
and a very good cellar under the whole house, with a large kitchen, and
a good garden, about six acres of good land, a young orchard on the same,
and an excellent good living spring near the house, and is very pleasantly
situated in the Town. Said Hetfield has to dispose of a good assortment
of Dry Goods, Ironmongery and. Cutlery ware, which he will sell at prime
cost, for Cash ; and all persons that are indebted to him, are desired to dis-
charge their respective accounts in a short time. N. B. He has likewise
to dispose of a quantity of choice seasoned two inch planks. || '

(Sep. 13, 1762.) On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 5th 6th &
7th of October, horse races are to be run on the Course of Elizabeth
Town, in the Field of Isaac Hatfield, about a mile from the Bridge.1T

(Nov. 15, 1762.) Moses Ogden of Elizabeth Town advertises three
Apprentice Lads, who had run away on Sunday evening, Oct. 31st. : —
James Anderson, Tanner, 19 years old, 5 feet, 7 inches high ; TTzal Wood-
ruff, shoemaker, 18 years old, 5 feet 6 inches high; and Epenetus Beech,
shoemaker, 5 feet, 5 inches high. Eeward, £15.**

(May 16, 1763.) Samuel Meeker's Negro, Sampson, has run away.

(Sept. 19, 1763.) Margaret Johnston (Formerly the Widow Chet-
wood), Who, for many Years, kept the Nag's Head Tavern, near the
Bridge in Elizabeth Town, begs leave to inform her old Customers and
Friends that she now keeps a Public House near said Bridge, in Elizabeth-
Town, in the large and commodious House, lately belonging to the Estate
of Col. Peter Schuyler, deceased, commonly called the White House, at
the Sign of the Nag's Head, (&c.) ft

* N. T. Mercury, No. 392. t Ibid. No. 409. t Ibid. No. 434.

§ Ibid. 496. II Ibid. No. 499. IT Ibid. No. 52S.

** N. Y. Mercury, No. 53T. tt N. T. Gazette, Nos. 231, 249.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 391

Elizabeth Town (in New Jersey) Jan. 23, 1764. Last Friday departed
this life, Miss Mary Eldrington, an old virgin, in t lie 10'Jth year of her age.
She was of an ancient family, born at Eldrington-ll.ill, in Northumberland,
Old England, and on the next day she was decently interred in St. John's
Church-yard, at Elizabeth-Town. — It is remarkable, t hat. notwithstand-
ing her great age, she was very desirous of getting a husband before she
died; and not two years since, nothing could offend her so highly as to
tell her that she was too old to be married.*

(Jan. 30, 17G4.) Last Friday, as Robert Ogden, Esq., of Elizabeth
Town, with his wife, Son, and President Finley's wife, &c., were passing
over on the ice at New Brunswick, it gave way with them, and it was
with the greatest difficulty, their lives were saved. t

(May 14, 1764.) John Graham, who formerly kept the sign of the

Duke of York at "Whitehall, in New York, now keeps the Sign of the

Marquis of Grandbj in Elizabeth Town, in the most publick part of said

town, and the most noted tavern for many years past. It was formerly

kept by Mrs. Chetwood, but latterly by Mr. John Joline.J

During the troubles consequent on the long war with the
French, extending from 1754 to 1763, repeated calls were
made on the town for recruits ; and these requisitions were
answered by numerous enlistments. A military policy, also,
was adopted, requiring that soldiers should be quartered in
some of the principal towns of the province, ready for the
emergencies of war. At first, the troops, while in winter
quarters, were billeted upon private families"; but. it being
" found by Experience," that this practice was " not only at-
tended with a very heavy publick Expence, but many other
pernicious Consequences to private Families," an Act was
passed, by the Legislature, April 15, 1758, providing that
substantial Barracks, each sufficient to accommodate three
hundred men, should be constructed at Burlington, Perth-
Amboy, Elizabeth-Town, Xew Brunswick and Trenton. The
Act was carried into effect in the course of 1759.^

The Barracks in this town were erected on the rising
ground fronting on Cherry st., near Jerse}' st., and extendi'' I
from the street east towards the Creek, fronting the South.
They were constructed in a substantial manner, and were
probably not much unlike the Barracks at Perth Amboy,

* Mass. Gazette and Now.-, Letter, of Feb. K>, 1704.

t N. Y. Mercury, No. Oil . I N York Gazette. No. 254.

5 Allinson's Laws of N. J., p. 21& Whitehead's Amboy, pp. 256, 7.

392 THE HISTORY OF

which survive to the present day. They were occupied, soon
after their completion, by British soldiers, some of whom
were almost constantly quartered here — the 44th and 47th
regiments in particular — until the War of the Eevolution.
The presence of the troops had, for the most part, a demoral-
izing effect on the society of the town. The Barracks were
destroyed by the British during the war.*

At the close of the first century of the town 's history, the
event was celebrated, Oct. 28, 1764, by a centennial dinner,
on which occasion an ox, roasted whole, in the centre of the
town, opposite Barnaby Shute's house, was served to the
guests.f

* Murray's Notes, p. 99. \ Ibid. p. 164.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 393

CHAPTEE XVIII.

A. D. 1747-1760.

Ecclesiastical. — Rev. Elihu Spencer — Early Life — Ordination and Installa-
tion — His Marriage — Public Services — Removal — Subsequent History —
His Death — His Family — Rev. Abraham Keteltas — Early Life — Licensure,
Call and Ordination — Chh. Clock — Removal to Jamaica, L. I. — Subse-
quent History — Death — Children.

The death of the Rev. Jonathan Dickinson was a sad and
deplorable event in the history of the First Presbyterian
church. It was not to be expected, that a successor could
be obtained of equal capacity. The church Wardens of St.
John's wrote "home," Dec. 26, 1747,— "The Dissenters can
with great ease be supplyed with a Teacher ; but alas ! our
infelicity is such that we must have recourse to a distant aid."
The facts were that St. John's was supplied, at least in part,
almost without delay, — while the " Dissenters " were with-
out a pastor, or stated supply, nearly two years.*

No record remains, by which it can be learned, who sup-
plied the Presbyterian church during the first of these two
years. The eccentric James Davenport was settled over the
church at Connecticut Farms at this period, and probably
officiated here occasionally. The Pev. Elihu Spencer began
to supply the pulpit in the spring of 1749. Pres. Edwards
writes, May 20, 1719,—

Mr. Spencer is now preaching at Elizabethtown in New Jersey, in the
pulpit of the late Mr. Dickinson, — and I believo is likely to settle there.
He is a person of very promising qualifications : and will hopefully in
some measure make up the great loss, that people havo sustained by the
death of their former pastor.t

* Clark's St. John's, p. 5S. t Edwards' Works, I. 274.

394: THE HISTORY OF

THE KEY. ELIHTJ SPENCER

was a townsman and a beloved kinsman and friend of David
Brainerd. He was the son of Isaac Spencer and Mary Selden,
and was born at East Haddam, Ct., Feb. 12, 1721. He was
the seventh child of his parents. His father was the grand-
son of Jared Spencer, who came to Haddam as early as 1665.
Samuel, the son of Jared, was his grandfather, and Hannah,
the daughter of Jared, was the grandmother of David and
John Brainerd, who consequently were his second cousins.
Jerusha Brainerd, sister of David and John, was the wife of
his eldest brother Samuel ; and Martha Brainerd, a third sis-
ter, was the wife of his second brother, Joseph Spencer, after-
wards Maj .-General of the Army of the Revolution, and Mem-
ber of Congress. A peculiarly close intimacy, therefore,
existed between Elihu Spencer and the two Brainerds. It
was at the house of Samuel Spencer, Jerusha's husband, that
David Brainerd found a home, whenever, in his public life, he
visited his native town. To this sister Brainerd was greatly
attached, and the news of her death, brought him shortly be-
fore his own departure, deeply affected him. John Brainerd
was about one year, and David about three years, older than
Elihu Spencer. They grew up, ancf fitted for College, to-
gether. Spencer and John Brainerd entered Yale College at
the same time, and graduated in 1746, in the same class with
the Rev. Dr. Ezra Stiles, subsequently President of Yale Col-
lege, and with Lewis Morris and John Morin Scott, after-
wards members of Congress. The Rev. Dr. Thos. B. Chandler
of this town, and the Hon. ¥m. Smith, the historian, pre-
ceded them one year."*

Three or four weeks only before his decease, David Brai-
nerd recommended, to the Commissioners at Boston, his be-
loved kinsman, Elihu Spencer, as a missionary to the Six

* Goodwin's Geneal. Notes, p. 203. Hall's Trenton, pp. 203-9. Brainerd's Life of John
Brainerd, pp. 25-35. Sprague's Annals, III. 165. Jerusha Brainerd was the mother of Col.
Oliver Spencer, at a later day a citizen of this town, of high social position, introduced here,
doubtless, by his uncle, the Eev. Elihu Spencer. He married Anna, the 2d daughter of
Kobert Ogden and Phebe Hatfield, and the sister of the distinguished Kobert, Matthias and
Aaron Ogden.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 395

Nations, together with Mr. Job Strong, of Northampton,
Mass. They were accordingly appointed, and directed to
spend the winter following, with John Brainerd, at Bethel,
N. J., among the Christian Indians, the better to become ac-
quainted with the manners and customs of the Indians. They
came to Brainerd's house, early in January, 1748, and re-
mained until the spring, when they returned to Boston for
further instructions. They were then directed to repair to
Northampton to pursue their studies with the Rev. Jonathan
Edwards, during the summer ; and to be present at the Con-
ference in Albany, N. Y., July 23, 1748, between the Gov-
ernors of N. York and Massachusetts and the Chiefs of the
Six Nations ; with which instructions they complied. Ar-
rangements were made at this Conference for the reception
of missionaries among the Oneidas.

Mr. Spencer, who had probably been licensed by one of
the Mass. Associations, returned to Boston, and was there
ordained, Sept. 14, 174S, as a Missionary to the Oneidas.
Shortly after, he entered upon his missionary work at Ono-
hohguaga, [Unadilla], on the Susquehannah River, where he
spent the winter. Meeting with many discouragements by
reason of the incapacity and unfaithfulness of the interpreter,
he returned to Boston, to obtain a better interpreter and a
colleague. In the meantime, he was providentially directed
to this town, soon after his return, and was employed, about
the 1st of May, 1749, as a Stated Supply of the pulpit, and a
candidate for settlement.*

At the meeting of the Synod of New York, at Maidenhead,
N. J., May 17, 1749, Mr. Spencer was present as a Corre-
sponding member, and was appointed, with Messrs. Prime.
Davenport and Youngs, to write to the Fairfield County
Association, East, to induce them to send ministers to Vir-
ginia, in response to an appeal by the Rev. Samuel Davies.
This would indicate, that his connection with the Synod, as
the prospective pastor of Elizabeth Town, was even then
regarded as quite certain. He was in attendance at the

* Edwards' Works, I. 2CS-70, 274. Brainerd's John Brainerd, p. 143. Uall's Trenton, p.
311. Webster's Presb. Chb., p. 5SS.

396 THE HISTORY OF

College commencement in New Brunswick, Sept. 27, and
had a pleasant time with his kinsman John Brainerd, with
whom he spent the evening. Brainerd visited him in this
town, on Wednesday, November 8th, and found him enjoy-
ing the hosjntality of Mr. Samuel Woodruff. Two or
three days they spent very lovingly together, and on
Saturday, Mr. Spencer went down "to Bethel to spend the
Sabbath with his old friends, the Christian Indians, and
Mr. Brainerd remained here to supply the pulpit on the
Sabbath, Nov. 12th.*

As the prospect of returning to his work among the Oneida
Indians was not hopeful, a call was extended to him to become
the pastor of the Presbyterian church of this town, which he
accepted. He was installed by the Presbytery of New York,
February 7, 1749-50 ; of which he made the following record
in his family Bible : —

This day was installed E. Spencer, and took the great charge (onus
humeris angelorum formidandum) of the ministry in Elizabethtown,
setatis sua? 28. The Lord help me.t

In the Diary of the Bev. John Brainerd, occurs this pas-
sage :

Monday, Sept. 25. — Spent the forenoon at Mr. Eaton's (it being rainy),
partly in reading and partly in conversation.!

This was at Shrewsbury, at Eatontown, near the present
Long Branch, and about 25 miles East of Bethel near Cran-
berry. The village took its name from Mr. Thomas Eaton,
who was settled here as early as 1685. It was at the house
of John Eaton, the son of Thomas most probably, that Brai-
nerd was a welcome guest. And here, quite likely, during
the winter that Spencer spent with Brainerd at Bethel, he
too enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. Eaton, and first saw and
loved his daughter, Joanna, then a blooming girl of 19 years.
She became his wife, Oct. 15, 1750. §

Scarcely any memorials remain of his pastoral work in
this town. That he was a fluent and attractive preacher is

* Records of Presb. Chh., p. 237. Brainerd's John Brainerd, pp. 1S7, 218, 9.

+ Hall's Trenton, pp. 211, 2. J John Brainerd, p. 185. § Sprague's Annals, III. 166.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 397

well attested. That lie lived in peace with his congregation
is most probable. That he secured the respect of the Gov-
ernor and the people generally cannot be questioned. But
of the fruits of his ministry, in the absence of the Church-
Records, nothing can now be learned. His ministry termi-
nated in 175G, about seven years from the time of its com-
mencement. It does not appear why he left. It could not
have been, because of a call to Jamaica, L. I. ; for his work
there seems not to have commenced until May 22, 1758, at
which time, as appears from the Records of the Synod of
New York, he was expecting an appointment as Chaplain of
the New York forces.*

After leaving this town, he supplied the Presbyterian
clmrch of Jamaica, L. L, and Shrewsbury, N. J. ; after
which he became pastor, first, of St. George's, Delaware, and
then of Trenton and Maidenhead, N. J., where he continued
until his death, Dec. 27, 178i. In 1782, he was honored, by
the University of Pennsylvania, with the honorary degree of
Doctor of Divinity. He was buried at Trenton, and a mon-
umental stone was placed over his remains, with the follow-
ing inscription, commemorating as well the virtues of his
spouse :

Beneath this stone lies the body of the Kev. Elihc SrEXGEK, D. D.,
Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Trenton, and one of the Trustees
of the College of New Jersey, who departed this life on the twenty-
seventh of December, 178-i, in the sixty-fourth year of his age.

Possessed of fine genius, of great vivacity, of eminent and active
piety, his merits as a minister and as a man stand above the reach of
flattery.

Having long edified the Church by his talents and example, and finished
his course with joy, he fell asleep full of faith, and waiting for the hope
of all saints.

Mrs. Joanna Spencer,

Relict of the above, died November 1st, 1791, aged sixty- three years.

From her many virtues she lived beloved, and died lamented. The
cheerful patience with which she bora a painful and tedious disease threw
a lustre on tho last scenes of her life, and evinces that with true piety
death loses its terrors.!

* Eecords, P. Chh., p. 2S3. McDonald's Jamaica, p. 176.

t Uall'a Trenton, pp. 215-22-, 27S, 2S7-S. Sprague'a Annale, III. 1GT-8.

398 THE history or

Their adult children were one son and seven daughters ;
one or two sons having died in infancy.

1. John, graduated, 1784, at the College of New Jersey,
practised law, married, and died, leaving several children.

2. A daughter, who died unmarried.

3. Sarah, born, 1756, married Stephen Lowrey, a Mary-
land merchant, and died, May 1780, at Trenton, N. J., leav-
ing at least one daughter.

4. Margaret, married, as early as 1778, Jonathan Dickin-
son Sergeant (grandson of President Dickinson), an eminent
jurist, and member of Congress, who was born at Newark,
N. J., in 1746, graduated at the College of New Jersey, in
1762, studied law with Richard Stockton, Princeton, N. J.,
and died at Philadelphia, in 1793. Of their children were,
(1.) the Hon. John Sergeant, born in 1779, graduated, C. N.
J., 1795, an eminent lawyer, and a distinguished statesman,
who died at Philadelphia, Nov. 23, 1852 ; (2.) Hon. Thomas
Sergeant, who graduated, C. N. J., 1798, became Chief Jus-
tice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and died in
1860; (3.) Sarah, married, 1801, to Rev. Samuel Miller,
D. D., of New York, and had ten children, of whom the
eldest became the wife of the Rev. John Breckinridge, D.D..,
two of the sons became ministers of the gospel, one a surgeon
in the Navy, and one a lawyer.

5. Elizabeth married George Merchant, who graduated,
C. N. J., 1779, became a distinguished classical teacher, and
left several children.

6. Valeria married Richard Fullerton, a broker of Phila-
delphia, and left no children.

7. Lydia married Win. M. Biddle, broker, of Philadelphia,
and had several children. She outlived all her father's
family.

8. A daughter, who died unmarried.*

KEY. ABRAHAM KETELTAS.

Shortly after the departure of Mr. Spencer, the pulpit of
the First Presbyterian church was supplied by Mr. Abraham

* Sprague's Annals, III. 169.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 399

Keteltas. He was the son of Abraham Keteltas, a well-
known merchant of New York City, who emigrated thither
from Holland at the close of the seventeenth century. The
son was born at New York, December 2G, 1732. In his
youth he resided, a considerable time, among the Huguenots
at New Rochelle, N. Y., and thus acquired a great familiarity
with the French language. He was educated at Yale College,
where he graduated in the class of 1752, with the Rev. Drs.
Josiah "Whitney and Elizur Goodrich. He received license
to preach, Aug. 23, 1756, from the Fairfield East Association
of Congregational Ministers, and, at the close of the winter,
or early in the spring following, began to preach in the First
Presbyterian church of this town. The Account Book of the
Trustees shows that he was paid, on Monday, May 23, 1757,
the sum of £19. 10. 0. for preaching ; as he was to receive
£1. 10. 0. per Sabbath, this would indicate that he had al-
ready preached 13 Sabbaths, and that he must have come
here as early as Feb. 22, 1757. Another entry in the same
book tells where he lived :

July 5, 1757, then paid to the widow Ross for M r Kettletas Board
£4. 10. 0.*

This was, doubtless, the widow of Judge John Ross, of
whose death, Aug, 7, 1751, notice has already "been taken.

Mr. Keteltas, having preached as a candidate for six
months, to the acceptance of the people, received a call to
the Pastorate, on a salary of £130 " Lite Money," per year,
and was ordained Pastor of the congregation, on Wednesday,
Sept. 11, 1757, by the Presbytery of New York— just a fort-
night after the decease of Gov. Belcher. He was, at the time,
in the 25th year of his age.f

Previous to his licensure, he had been married, Oct. 22,
1755, to Sarah, the third daughter of the Hon. William Smith,
member of the Council, and Judge of the Court of King's
Bench. She was born in 1732, four years after her brother
William, the historian. Mr. Keteltas and his wife both occu-

* Thompson's L. Ishl., II. 111. Ere. Con- t Trustees' Book of Pros. Chh.

tributions to the £cc. Uis. of Ct., p. G10.

400 THE HISTORY OF

pied a high social position, consorting with the most dis-
tinguished families of the two provinces.*

The accounts of the Treasurer of the congregation, Samuel
Woodruff, show, that the salary of Mr. Keteltas was paid by
regular weekly contributions on the Sabbath, averaging, for
the years 1758 and 9, about £2. 16. 0. each Sabbath. They,
also, show, that, in the spring of 1759, the belfry of the
church was provided with a public clock, probably for the
first time, — the handiwork, doubtless, of Aaron Miller, who,
as has been seen, had established himself in the town, as a
clock-maker. At whose expense it was provided, is left to
conjecture ; as no charge for it is found in the Treasurer's
accounts. It had but one face, for the making and painting
of which, were paid to Mr. Ball, carpenter, and Joseph
Woodruff, painter, £10. 6. 9. Mr. Abraham Woodruff was
paid, £1, 8. 9. for " a clock rope."

The same old Account Book tells other tales. Repeatedly
the charge is made — " To 1 quart of rum 1/4 ; " supplied to
the men repairing the#ld church : u June 24, 1758 ; 2 quarts
of rum @ 2/8 for y e people to pry up the sleepers : " from
which it would appear, that the floor of the old edifice had be-
gun very seriously to feel the effects of age. " June 18, 1759,
paid David meeker Riding to Collect m r Spencer Arrerejes,
£0. 5. 0." Mr. Spencer's account was not settled until May
21, 1760. Abraham Woodruff was paid 6s " for Rideing one
Day to Collect yn the Scribtion."

At a later date, Sept. 10, 1760, occurs the following :

To Cash for highering a man Calling the Deakens and Elders a Bout
m r Ketteltass, £0. 2. 0.

Also, Sept. 17, the following : .

Paid Thomas "Woodruff for himself & Expences to Prince Town &
shewing a hors for to cary Letter to y e pressbetiry, £1. 0. 8.

The ministry of Mr. Keteltas continued nearly three and a
half years, terminating with the month of July, 1760. The
meeting of the Elders and Deacons noticed above had respect

* N. York Marriages, p. 212.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 401

to the dissolution of the pastoral relation ; as, also, the re-
quest to the Presbytery, for their concurrence.

Something had appeared in the conduct of Mr. Keteltas,
that led the Presbytery, in dissolving t lie pastoral relation, to
pass a vote of admonition very much like a censure ; of
which Mr. K. complained to the Synod, at their next meet-
ing, in Philadelphia, May 23, 1701. The action taken was
so mild and so carefully expressed, that nothing can be
learned of the nature of the offence. It could not have been
regarded as very flagrant, or the Presbytery and Synod
would not have passed it over so lightly. He soon after
withdrew from the Presbytery.*

Leaving this town, after a short stay in New York, he took
up his abode, at the close of the year 1760, at Jamaica, L. I.,
where, for the most part, he continued to live, during the
remainder of his life, preaching as occasion offered, but with-
out a pastoral charge. His familiarity with both the Dutch
and French languages, as well as the English, made him a
welcome preacher among the Dutch and French in and
about JSTew York. Certificates, dated, April 11, 1769, and
Oct. 6, 1775, are on record, in which he signs his name as
" minister of the French Protestant church of New York."
A Charity sermon, which he preached in the same church,
Dec. 27, 1773, was published, by James Pivington, in 177-1,
the preface being dated at Jamaica, Feb. 25, 1771.t

In the political contests of the day he took a deep interest,
espousing heartily, and advocating warmly, his country's
Cause, against the British Government. In March, 176^, he
was an unsuccessful candidate for the Assembly of N. York.
He was appointed, by his townsmen, Dec. 6, 1771, Chairman
of the Committee of Correspondence and Observation. He
was, also, elected a member of the Constitutional Convention
in 1777; and, by his political essays and patriotic efforts,
made himself so obnoxious to the enemy, and the Tories of
Long Island, that, after the battle of Flatbush, Aug. 27, 1770,
he was obliged to seek refuge in New England, until the close
of the contest, leaving his property to be occupied, and

* Records, Tresb. Chli., pp. GU, 2, 0. 333. + CaL frfN. Y. lib. Mis., Eng., pp. 775, S34.

402 THE HISTORY OF

greatly injured, by the British. He supplied the pulpit of
the First Presbyterian church of Newburyport, Mass. for a
season ; also of the Congregational church of New Fairfield,
Ct., in 1782, and, probably, was frequently called upon to
preach among the Ct. churches, during the period of his
exile.*

His last days were passed in peace, iri the midst of his
family and friends at Jamaica. In the grave-yard of the
First Presbyterian church there, a memorial tablet makes
the following record : —

Sacred to the memory of the Eev. Abraham Kettletas. Obt. 30th Sept.
1798, A. E. 65 years, 9 mos. and 4 days. He possessed ■unusual talents,
that were improved by profound erudition, and a heart firmly attached
to the interests of his country. His mind was early impressed with a
sense of religion, which fully manifested itself in the choice of the sacred
office, in which he shone as the able and faithful divine. It may not
perhaps be unworthy of record in this inscription, that he frequently offi-
ciated in three different languages, having preached in the Dutch and
French Churches in his native city of New York.

Kest from thy labors now thy work is o'er :
Since Death is vanquished, now free grace adore ;
A crown of glory sure awaits the just,
"Who served their God, and in their Saviour trust.

His children were Jane (1st), Mary, Jane (2d), Sarah,
Abraham, William, John, Elizabeth Scott, Ann, Philip Dod-
dridge, and Clarissa. Sarah married John Fish, of E~ewtown,
L> I., who was, subsequently, a merchant of New York,
whence he removed to Tarry town, JST. Y., where he died in
1807. Ann married, in 1799, Thomas Hackett, who had
come, in 1794, from Holland. She was the mother of James
Henry Hackett, the actor, who was born, March 15, 1800.
William died suddenly, Eov. 19, 1812. Clarissa was never
married. She died, greatly lamented, July 21, 1810. Jane,
the first born, died in infancy. On the occasion of her death,
the father composed fifteen stanzas of elegiac poetry, which
are still extant, f

* Prime's L. Isld., pp. 318, 9. Onderdonk's Queens Co., pp. S3, 40. McDonald's Jamaica,
pp. 191, 2, 3. Contrib. to the Ecc. His. of Ct., pp. 434, 521.

+ Alden's Epitaphs, IV. 180-5. Thompson's Long Island, II. 111-3. Biker's Newtown,
p. 368. ,

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 40

CHAPTER XIX.

A. D. 1764-1776.

Retrenchments at Funerals — Death of Alderman Thos. Clark — Non-Importation
Leagues — Patriotism of the Town — Stamp Act — Gen. Congress — Robert
Ogden, Speaker of N. J. Congress, resigns his seat — Stephen Crane succeeds
him — Opposition to Stamp Act — Its Repeal — Non-Importation Leagues
revived — County Meeting at E. T. — Patriotic Action — British Regulars
quartered here — " Boston Tea Party " — Boston Port Bill — Great Indigna-
tion everywhere — Principal Patriots 'of the Town — Lines drawn — County
Meeting at Newark — Town Meeting — Congress sustained — Committee of
Safety x-Non -Intercourse with Staten Island — Exciting Affair — Case of the
Beulah — Sheriff Barnet implicated — Battle of Lexington — Uprising of the
People — Aaron Burr and Matt. Ogden — General Congress — Gen. Washing-
ton, Com. in Chief — Battle of Bunker-Hill — Powder sent from E. T. to the
Am. Army — Mrs. Washington at E. T. — Earl of Stirling in command here —
Capture of the ship Blue Mountain Valley — Names of the Captors — Military
Officers — Military Preparations — Fortifications at the Point — "Washington
and the Am. Army at N. Y. — Appearance of the Town in 1776.

The opening of the second century of the town's history
found the people in a state of great agitation and apprehen-
sion. The following incidents will serve to introduce the
whole subject. They are taken from the current news of the
day :—

December 24, 17G-4: We hear from Elizabeth-Town, that upon the 29th

of last Month, near fifty Heads of the principal families, in and about that
Place, entered into an Engagement to retrench the present as ial and un-
necessary Expenses of Funerals and Mourning, as the giving of 8<
Gloves, and Liquor at Funerals, and wearing black Apparel as Mournu .
nothing but a black Crape round the Ann being allowed for the Future.

Elizabeth-Town, September 14, 1765. On Wednesday evening 1.
[11th], died here after a severe illness, Thomas Oi ibx, 1.- ;., one o
judges of the county court; who has been unanimously elected a
magistrate in this Corporation, ever since we had a Charter ; and Friday

404 THE HISTOEY OF

was decently buried, in the plain manner, by his own directions, accord-
ing to the new mode — none of his relations or friends appearing in mourn-
ing, though he was universally lamented by all who knew him, as he left
the character of an honest man. "We flatter ourselves that this laudable
example, so very seasonably set by people of fortune, will be imitated by
all ; especially by those in slender circumstances, (no liquor was given at
the funeral).*

Mr. Clark was one of the first Aldermen of the Borough,
father of the Signer, Abraham Clark, and a man of great
personal worth. He was, also, an eminent patriot, and had
entered heartily into the agreement of the previous Novem-
ber. It was customary, in those days, at the funeral of
respectable persons, to distribute gloves, scarfs and badges _
of crape, by the dozens, with liquors in great abundance for
all comers. Mourning-rings were, also, given, in the case of
wealthy persons. The expense was often so considerable, as
to impose great burdens on the surviving members of the
family. It was not everybody that could afford to die and
be buried according to the prevailing custom. f

The principle of taxation without representation, so per-
sistently maintained at this period by the British ministry,
and so resolutely opposed by the colonies, nowhere met
with more determined opposition than in the English towns
of East Jersey. Descended from an ancestry of Puritan
origin and principles, they had cherished those principles,
from generation to generation, with jealous care, and kept
themselves in full sympathy with their New England breth-
ren. Tiie love of civil and religious liberty, and the hatred of
despotism, they had inherited as almost their only birthright.
Their fathers had fled from bitter persecution at home, and
the story of their wrongs had sunk deep into the hearts of
the children of the exiles. These wrongs were associated
with the British monarchy ; and the only knowledge which

* N. T. Mercury, No. 687. Barber's His. Coll. of N. J., p. 48. Holt's N. T. Journal.
No. 1185.

t Whitehead's Amboy, pp. 89, 145. Watson's Annals of 1ST. Y., pp. 308, 9. Ind. Re-
flector, No. 29. The Old Merchants of N. V. City, III. 263-4. At the funeral of Philip
Livingston, Esq., of New York, .£500 were expended for the occasion of his burial; His
son, Gov. Wm. Livingston, (afterwards, and for many years, a resident of this town), made
an appeal to the public, as early as June, 1753, in favor of putting an end to this kind of
extravagance.

ELIZABETH, XEW JERSEY. 405

the second and third generations of these colonists had, of
that monarchy, was of injury and wrong. They were far
removed from the pomp and circumstance of courts, sur-
rounded everywhere by staunch republican-', and accustomed
always to institutions, in church and state, thoroughly demo-
cratic. The ties that bound them to the throne were of the
slenderest kind, and were constantly losing strength. These
constituted the great majority of the people of these towns.

But, in addition to all this, a fundamental principle of the
Constitution, under which they and their fathers had been
born and nurtured, was perfectly identical with that which
the British government were now seeking to overthrow. It
was provided, by the " Concessions " of Berkeley and Car-
teret, in respect to the Governor and Council, that —

They are not to impose, nor suffer to be imposed, any tax, custom,
-subsidy, tallage, assessment, or any other duty whatsoever, upon any
colour or pretence, upon the said province and inhabitants thereof, other
than what shall be imposed by the Authority and consent of the General
Assembly, and then only in manner as aforesaid.*

In all periods of their history, under the Proprietary Gov-
ernment, and under the Crown, the people of New Jersey,
both East and West, had resolutely and consistently guarded
this natural and covenanted right, and refused all induce-
ments to part with this corner-stone of their free institutions.

Still further : the people of this town, as has been shown
in this history, had, as early as 1670, or almost from the very
first settlement of the place, been brought into conflict with
the Proprietary government, in respect to the validity of
the titles to their homesteads and plantations. In this con-
flict, continued now for more than fourscore years, they had
been thrown very much upon their own resources ; had been
compelled to make common cause, one with another, as Asso-
ciates, and in their municipal capacity, in defence of their
vcstod and inalienable rights ; had been educated and thor-
oughly disciplined, to resist everything like oppression, and
to maintain their right to all the blessings of civil and re-
ligious liberty. That portion, therefore, of the people of the

* Smith's N. J., p. M7. Learning and Spicer, p. 90.

406 THE HISTOKY OF

town, who held their lands by the Indian purchase, and were
leagued together to defend themselves against the plaintiffs
in the now celebrated u Bill in Chancery," could be safely
relied upon to embark, heart and soul, in the wider conflict
that was now opening, for the defence of American liberties.
For the same reason, it might be anticipated, that not a few
of those, to whom, in these land-conflicts, they had been op-
posed, would be disposed to take sides with the monarchical
party, and cast in their lot with the defenders of the royal
prerogative. It was scarcely possible, after the experience
of the previous twenty years, for the two parties in the town
to act together on the broader field of American politics.
Unanimity in regard to the question of resistance to the
arbitrary measures of Parliament was not to be expected, and
was not attained. It was not every one, moreover, however
patriotic, that had the moral courage requisite, or the strength
of nerve demanded, for times so fitted to try men's souls.

The Stamp Act was passed, March 22, 1765. Tidings of
its passage reached America in May following. The General
Court of Massachusetts was in session, and, early in June, it
was resolved by the Representatives of that Colony, to
recommend to each of the otheiv Representative Bodies u of
the several British Colonies on thfs' « continent ? to appoint
Delegates to a General Congress to mee v t at !New York " on
the first Tuesday in October next," then and there " to con-
sult together on the present circumstances of the Colonies." *

The Massachusetts Circular was laid before the ]STew Jersey
Legislature, June 20, 1765, " the last day of the session," at
Burlington, t; some members gone, others uneasy to be at
their homes," and on a hurried conference between the mem-
bers, it was, on the whole, deemed best to take no action in
the premises. The responsibility of this proceeding was,
(whether justly or not, it is not easy to determine), thrown
upon the Speaker, Robert Ogden, of this town. He^ had
been elected to the Legislature in 1751, and rechosen at, each
succeeding election. In 1763, he was chosen Speaker c)f the
House. He was the son of Robert Ogden, who was

* Pitkin's II. States, I. 442.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 407

grandson of " old John Ogden," the planter. He had for a
long time been connected with the Presbyterian church, and,
for several years, had been one of its Elders. His patriotism
was unquestionable, as evinced in the course of the struggle
with the mother country, and in the training of his sons,
Matthias and Aaron, of revolutionary fame. He was the
son-in-law of that incorruptible patriot, Matthias Hatfield,
for whom his son Gon. Matthias Ogden was named.*

Shortly subsequent to the adjournment, Speaker Ogden
called a meeting of the Representatives at Amboy, when he
himself, Hendrick Fisher, of Somerset Co., and Joseph Bor-
den, of Burlington Co., were appointed Delegates to the New
York Congress. This first Continental Congress, emanating
from the people, met as contemplated, and continued in ses-
sion until Oct. 25th. " A Declaration of Eights and Griev-
ances," in 14 particulars, was drawn up, with an Address
to the King, and a Petition to each House of Parliament, —
admirable papers, skillfull}' drawn, full of patriotic principle,
yet courteous and respectful, well-designed to procure the
repeal of the obnoxious legislation of Parliament. The pro-
ceedings were approved and signed by all the members,
except Timothy Ruggles, the presiding officer, and Mr. Ogden
of New Jersey. These two gentlemen maintained, that the
proceedings were to be submitted to the several provincial
Assemblies, and, if sanctioned, forwarded by them, as their
own acts. They were, doubtless, quite sincere and conscien-
tious in maintaining this position ; Mr. Ogden certainly was.
Mr. Ruggles " was severely censured by the Massachusetts
representatives," and subsequently became an avowed enemy
to the patriot cause. u Mr. Ogden was burned in effigy by
the people of New Jersey." It was a blunder, to say the

* Gordon's N. J., p. 139. Mulford's X. J., p. 3G7. Kobcrt Ogden, the father of Spanker
Ogden, died Nov. 20, 1733, aged 46 years. The following Epitaph is inscribed on his grave-
stone :

" One dear to God to Man most dear
A Pillar in both Church A; State
Was he whose predOTU I>ust lies here
Whoso Soul doth with bright Seraphs mate
His Name immortal shall remain
Till this cold Clay revive again."

408 THE HISTORY OF

least, on the part of Mr. Ogden, who was so annoyed by it,
as to request the Governor to convene the Assembly, when,
Nov. 27, 1765, he resigned his position, and his membership.

In the election that ensued to fill the vacancy, Stephen
Crane, Esq., one of the most influential citizens of the town,
and Mayor of the Borough in 1772, was chosen his successor.
He, also, became Speaker of the House in 1771. Mr. Ogden,
however, continued still to be honored with the confidence
and esteem of his townsmen. In 1776, he was the Chairman
of the E. Town Committee of Safety.*

The " Sons of Liberty " were here both numerous and.
thoroughly organized. Care was taken, that the Stamp Act
should not be enforced in any part of the town. The Act
was to take effect, Nov. 1, 1765 ; but not a Stamp was to be
found, nor was it safe either to vend or use one. A New
York paper, of Feb. 27, 1766, says, —

A large Gallows was erected in Elizabeth Town, last "WeeK, with a
Eope ready fixed thereto, and the Inhabitants there vow and declare that
the first Person that either distributes or takes out a Stamped Paper shall
be hung thereon without Judge or Jury.

A very summary process, but, probably, never called into
requisition. At the same date, the Editor says, —

"We have certain Intelligence from Elizabeth Town in New Jersey that
the Magistrates and Lawyers carry on their Business in the Law as usual
without Stamps.!

With the repeal of the Stamp Act, March 18, 1766, much
of the excitement and alarm of the people came to an end.
A series of measures were subsequently adopted, however,
well fitted to excite the fears, and provoke the resentment of
the Colonists.

The non-importation agreements were renewed, and all
trade with the mother-country was brought to a stand. The
people of this town and vicinity entered, with all their heart,
into the measures of the day. At a meeting of the Free-
holders, Merchants and Traders of the County of Essex, held

* Gordon's N. J., pp. 140, 333. Pitkin's U. States, I. 1S1-6. Hildreth's IT. States, II. 531.
Force's Am. Archives, IV. 818. t Holt's 1ST. T. Journal, No, 1208.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 401)

at Elizabeth Town, on Tuesday. Juno 5, 1770, it was, anion
other things, unanimously resolved,

That we will not ourselves or by others, receive, purchase, sell, or
otherwise use, any of the Manufactures or Merchandize imported from
Great Britain, contrary to said Agreements ; and that we will nut trade
or have any Intercourse with such Persons, who shall import Goods, or
Cause them to be imported, or with any Person who shall purchase < ioods
or other Merchandize so imported, — but that we will use every lawful
Means in our Power, to hinder the Sale of such Goods, in any Way what-
soever.*

When it became known, that some of the Xew York mer-
chants were disposed to recede from their engagements, the
Freeholders and Inhabitants of Essex Co. met in Elizabeth
Town, July 16, 1770, when it was resolved,

That we will strictly adhere to our Resolutions of the 5th of June last :
as far as they relate to purchasing Goods imported from Great Britain.

At the same meeting, a Committee of Correspondence was
appointed to look after matters of common interest to the
country, f

During the previous three years the Twenty-Sixth regiment
of British Regulars had been quartered in the barracks at
ISTew Brunswick, Perth Aniboy, and Elizabeth Town. (Their
Colonel, the Hon. Sir John Sinclair, Bart.,- had married,
while here, a Miss Morehead, and died Nov. 20, 1707. His
widow, the Lady Sinclair, was married, in this town, Mar.
14, 1709, to his successor, Col. Templar.) They were trans-
ferred to Xew York, and their place supplied, the last week
in May, 1770, by the 20th Regiment from Boston, the same
that was stationed there at the time of the "Boston Massacre,"
March 5, 1770. The presence of a portion of this regiment
in the town was not adapted to pacificate the excited people.
When the 20th were about to leave town, an Address was
presented by the Corporation of the Borough, to Col. Templar
and Major Charles Preston, acknowledging the good behavior
of the officers and soldiers while quartered in the town, and
complimenting them on the harmony that subsisted between

* Holt's N. Y. .Tourn.il, ffo. 1481. Pitkin's l'. Btates, I. ':i2.
t Holt's N. Y. Journal, No. HCi.

410 THE HISTORY OF

them and the Inhabitants. The 29th were succeeded by the
47th regiment under Col. England.*

The well known " Boston Tea-Party " took place, Dec. 16,
1773. The measure was sustained by the whole population,
with few exceptions. The Boston Port Bill, closing the port,
and transferring the seat of government to Salem, was en-
acted by Parliament, March 25, 1774, as a retaliatory meas-
ure. When tidings of the passage of this vindictive Act
reached this country, May 10, 1774, a furious flame of
hitherto-suppressed wrath burst forth, all over the land.
Town-meetings were called ; whole counties assembled ; the
provinces met in Congress ; and, with one heart and voice,
the American people determined to stand by the Bostonians
in their conflict with British despotism.

Nowhere was this spirit more fully developed than here
in this town. A noble body of patriots, headed by such men
as William Livingston, William Peartree Smith, and Elias
Boudinot, men of controling influence, were then citizens of
the borough, and in power. Stephen Crane, Esq., was the
Mayor ; Ephraim Terrill, Deputy Mayor ; John Blanchard,
Elias Dayton, John Ross, Abraham Clark, Ephraim Marsh,
and William Livingston, were of the Corporation. The great
body of the people were outspoken patriots ; a few were in
sympathy with the British officials; and some endeavored to
pursue a conservative course. Parties were formed here
somewhat as in ISTew York, with which this town had the
most intimate connection ; although the trading interest here
was subservient and not preponderant.

Measures were taken by the patriots of this town and
county, shortly after receiving tidings of the Boston troubles,
to give expression to the indignant feelings of the people,
and to extend sympathy to the Bostonians. At a formal
meeting, held at the Court-House, in Newark, on Saturday,
the 11th of June, an admirable paper, prepared, probably,
by Wm. Livingston, was unanimously and heartily adopted,
urging the country to stand united and firm in their opposi-

* Holt's N. Y. Journal, No. 1481. N. Y. Mercury, Nos. 840. 908. DeHart's Passages in the
His. of E. T., No. II.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 411

tion to Parliament, and inviting a Provincial Convention to
assemble speedily to appoint Delegates to a general Congress.
The following gentlemen were appointed a Committee to
cany into effect the resolutions of the meeting, — viz : Ste-
phen Crane, Henry Garritse, Joseph Biggs, William Liv-
ingston, William P. Smith, John De Hart, John Chetwood,
Isaac Ogden, and Elias Boudinot, Esquires.*

Of this Committee, Mr. Garritse was of Aquackanock,
Messrs. EiggS and Ogden were of Newark, and the re-
mainder, two thirds, of this town. The movement un-
doubtedly originated here, controling the County, and giving
impulse to the whole Province. This place became, thence-
forward, the headquarters of the patriot movement in
JS[ew Jersey.f

The several County Committees, elected in accordance
with these suggestions, and with a circular letter issued by
the Essex Committee, met at JSTew Brunswick, July 21, 1774,
and appointed Stephen Crane, of this town, to preside over
their deliberations. They made choice of James Kinsey,
William Livingston, John De Hart, Stephen Crane and
Pichard Smith, (three of the five being of this borough),
delegates to a- General Congress. A Standing Committee
of Correspondence, ten in number, (of whom two, Wm.
Peartree Smith, Chairman, and John Chetwood, were of this
town), was appointed to look after the interests of the coun-
try. The several County Committees, also, " agreed to pro-
mote collections in their respective counties for the relief of
such of the unhappy inhabitants of the town of Boston as
may be now reduced to extremity and want." On the :2Sth
of July, Wm. Peartree Smith, as Chairman of the Committee
of Correspondence, addressed a letter of sympathy to the

* N. Y. Mercury, No. 11 S3. Force's Am. Archives, 4th Ser., I. 209-300 ; 1
t In the midst of these agitations, ono of the most venerable an>l distinguished citizens of
the town, Dr. Ichabod Burnet, departed tins life. He was born at Southampton, L. I., about
1634, and removed with his lather, Den (son of Thomas), about 1700, to this town. Bit wife,
Hannah, was born in 1702, and died, Feb. 19, 1'rf. They had two sun-. Wm. nnd Eehabod,
both of whom became physicians. The lattor die 1 Mar. 12, 17.">G, in his 21th year. Dr. Wil-
liam removed to Newark, and distinguished himself as a patriot in the revolutionary war. lie
was the father of Judge Jacob Burnot, of Cincinnati. Dr. Ichabod died at E. Town, July 13,
1774, aged 90 years.

412 THE HISTORY OF

Boston Committee of Correspondence — asking them, also, to
advise in what way their necessities could best be answered.*
The results of the deliberations of the General Congress,
that met at Philadelphia in September and October, being
published, new energy was imparted to the people in their
determination to resist the oppressive measures of the British
ministry. The Essex County Committee of Correspondence
issued a call for town meetings to organize the respective
towns for the more vigorous prosecution of the measures
recommended by Congress. In compliance with this call,
the Freeholders of this town met at the Court House, on
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 1774, Stephen Crane, Esq., in the chair,
when a large Committee was chosen for the above-mentioned
purpose, viz.

Jonathan Hampton, Matthias Williamson, Elias Dayton, Isaac "Wood-
ruff, William Barnett, Wm Herriman, Oliver Spencer, George Eoss, Ed-
ward Thomas, Cornelius Hetfield, John Blanchard, Ephraim Tyrrel, Abra-
ham Clarke, Eobert Ogden, Junior, Jeremiah Smith, Eichard Townley,
Junior, Samuel Shotwell, David Miller, Thomas Woodruff, John Clawson,
Jonathan Dayton, Ephraim Marsh, Eecompense Stanbury, Jedediah Swan,
William Parsons, Samuel Potter, William Bott, Jonathan Williams, Chris-
topher Marsh, Isaac Wynants, Daniel Halsey.

Stephen Crane, John De Hart, "William Livingston, Wil-
liam P. Smith, Elias Boudinot, and John Chetwood, Esqrs.,
were unanimously reelected for the Borough of Elizabeth, on
the Essex County Committee of Correspondence. It was,
then,

Yoted, That two certain Pamphlets lately published, the one enti-
tled " A Friendly Address," &c, and the other under the signature of
" A Farmer," as containing many notorious falsehoods, evidently calcu-
lated to sow the seeds of disunion among the good people of America,
grossly misrepresenting the principles of the present opposition to Par-
liamentary Taxations; vilifying the late Congress ; and intended to facili-
tate the scheme of the British Ministry for enslaving the Colonies, be
publickly burnt, in detestation and abhorrence of such infamous publica-
tions.

And the same were accordingly committed to the flames before the

* Am. Archives, 4th' S., I. 624. Gordon's N. J., p. 156. Mulford's N. J-, pp. 888, 9. Sedg-
•wick's Livingston, pp. 168-172.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 413

Court House, with the universal approbation of a numerous concourse of
people.*

The Committee of Observation, thus appointed, were not
idle. As the town had denounced the two pamphlets just
mentioned, they called the attention of the people, Decem-
ber 19, 1774, to the dangerous character of " Rivington'fl
Royal Gazetteer," published at JS'ew York, declared their
determination individually to patronize it no longer, and called
upon all the people to follow their example, and banish it
from their habitations. The article was signed by " Jonathan
Hampton, Chairman." f

This was followed, Feb. 13, 1775, by the following inter-
dict : —

Whereas the inhabitants of Staten Island have manifested an unfriendly
disposition towards the liberties of America, and among other things have
neglected to join in the General Association proposed by the Continental
Congress, and entered into by most of the Townships in America, and in
no instance have acceded, thereto. The Committee of Observation for
this Town, taking the same into consideration, are of opinion that the n>
habitants of their District ought, and by the aforesaid Association are
bound, to break off all trade, commerce, dealings, and intercourse whatso-
ever with the inhabitants of said Island, until they shall join in the General
Association aforesaid ; and do Resolve that all trade, commerce, dealings,
and intercourse whatsoever be suspended accordingly, which suspension is
hereby notified and recommended to the inhabitants of this District to be
by them universally observed and adopted. George Ross, Clerk.J

A day or two afterwards, an oyster-boat, belonging to
James Johnson, of Staten Island, came up the Creek to the

* Am. Archives, 4th S., 1. 1009-10, 1012-3. The former of these pamphlets was entitled,
" A Friendly Address to all Reasonable Americans, on the subjectof our political confusions.
In which the necessary consequences of violently opposing the King's troops and of a g
eral non-importation, are fairly stated.'' Dr. Hawkins attributes it to tho Kev. Dr. T. B.
Chandler, of Elizabeth Town, N. J., but erroneously. It was the production of the B
Myles Cooper, D. D., President of King's College, N. Y. Such was the popular Indignation
against him, that his house was sacked. May 10, 177.", and he, barely escaping tho hands of
the mob, took refuge on board a ship of war, and fled to England Ella Majesty gave him a
pension of JE200. per year. Tho latter pamphlet was entitled, " Free thoughts on tho pro-
ceedings of the Continental Congress held at Phila. . r > Sept. 1774 by ft Farmer." It was
written by Isaac Wilkins, subsequently the Kev. Dr. Wilkins, oi Westohesti r Co., N. V. lie
wrote, rd so, " Tho Congress Canvassed ; or an Examination Into the Conduct of the Dele-
gates." It may havo been this hut, to which the rote of oensure refers. Ho too fled to
England, in May 1775, but returned the next year. N. Y. Col Docmts., VIII. 297, 509, 5S1.
Sabine's Loyalists, 1st Ed pp. 692-T05.

t Am. Archives, -ith Ser., I. 1051, 2. \ui. Archives. 4th S., I. 1204, 5.

414 THE HISTORY OF

stone bridge, and the owner endeavored to make sale of his
freight. But a pair of horses were speedily attached to the
boat by the indignant people, and the poor craft was hauled
up the street to the Court House. Johnson was advised by
James Arnet to seek redress from Jonathan Hampton, Chair-
man of the Committee of Observation, who was, also, a
magistrate. Hampton was found, in conference with Joseph
Tooker, at Samuel Smith's tavern, next to the Court House.
Hampton gave him a protection, allowed him to sell his
oysters, and in the evening, with his skiff, to return to the
Island.

This incident, trivial enough, was reported to Rivington in
New York, and an account of it appeared in his Royal
Gazetteer of March 2d, in which the affair was magnified
into a disgraceful and turbulent riot. Mr. Hampton was ac-
cused of being " completely drunk," and Messrs. Blanchard
and Dayton, two of the Aldermen, were represented as hav-
ing " exerted themselves greatly to suppress those violences,
but they were only able to check them." Rivington's in-
formant says of the mob, (Feb. 18), that " about four o'clock,
they proceeded to abuse all the people in the town who were
known to be well affected to the Constitution [the Tories] ;
they erected a gallows, and fixed up a liberty pole in the
middle of the town." Both, however, were soon taken down.
A fortnight afterwards, (23d), affidavits were published in the
Gazetteer, completely exonerating Mr. Hampton and the
town from the calumnies of Rivington's informant.*

The vigilance of the Committee was called into requisition
a few days afterwards, in another direction. The ship Beulah
arrived, Feb. 1775, at Sandy Hook, with an assorted cargo
from London, consigned to Robert and John Murray, the old
Quaker merchants of New York, and men of great wealth.
The vessel was named for one of Robert Murray's daughters.
The Murrays were required by the N. York Committee of
Correspondence, to send the vessel back without breaking
bulk; with which they professed their willingness to comply.
John Murray, however, came over to Elizabeth Town, and

* Rivington's Royal Gazetteer, Nos. 99, 101. Moore's Diary of the Am. Rev. I. 23, 4.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 415

conferred with Icliabod B. Barnet, Sheriff of the County,
and the husband of his sister. By his aid, a sloop belonging
to Isaac Woodruff, but leased to Capt. Samuel Lee, was hired,
and sailed for E. Town, ("Barnet going as a hand with
Lee"), on Sunday morning, March 5, 1775. They reached
]ST. York, the same evening, and unloaded the next morning.
The same day, they sailed to Sandy Hook, and came along
side of the Beulah about dusk on Monday evening. Capt.
Lee retired to his berth and went to sleep. At 12 o'clock he
was called, and sailed, with John Murray and his clerk,
Graham, (Barnet, also, continuing on board), for Elizabeth
Town. They stopped some hours at Statcn Island, and
reached Barnet's Store House on Wednesday morning about
one o'clock. Several bales, boxes, and other packages ot
goods, about two tons in weight, taken from the Beulah, were
then landed, one Marsh, passing by at the time, being em-
ployed to aid them.

In the meantime, or soon after, it began to be whisp ered
about at New York, that something was wrong. Isaac Sears,
the noted patriot, suspecting what had been done, wrote to
Jonathan Hampton, Chairman of the E. Town Committee,
who called the Committee together on Friday, the 10th, and
soon the whole affair was ferreted out. Samuel Lee made a
deposition, and the Committee exonerated him from all
complicity in the matter. John Murray deposed as to the
facts stated above, and endeavored to exonerate Barnett, as
having acted in pure friendship for himself. He professed
his penitence, and gave the Committee a check of £200, for
the rebuilding of the City Hospital, recently destroyed by
fire. Capt. Lee was fully cleared by the E. T. Committee,
and declared to be " a person well known here to be of good
character, and who by his honesty and industry, has justly
acquired the esteem, of all the inhabitants of this town."
Murray sent in a petition to Congress with proper acknowl-
edgments, and both he and Barnett sought forgiveness of the
Provincial Congress of K. Jersey, and were reinstated. The
goods were delivered on the 15th, to the E. T. Committee to
be kept until after the war. A year or two later, tents being

416 THE HISTOKY 01

greatly needed, and there being no duck in the country, the
New York Committee obtained, from the E. T. Committee,
several bales of Osnaburghs from these stores, which were
devoted to this laudable purpose. "What became of the
remainder of the goods does not appear. The affair created
at the time no little excitement, and the vigilance of the
Committees had a most happy influence in promoting the
patriot cause.*

The following extract from a communication that appeared
March 25, 1775, shows what was then thought of this whole
procedure : —

Some would have lately attempted to land goods in America contrary
to the Association of the Congress ; but such is the vigilance of those
excellent inspectors, the Committees of New York, and Elizabeth Town,
and such the awful guilt of the delinquents, that they could not be hid.
They have confessed their fault and laid a heavy fine upon themselves for
their base conduct. Another person concerned in the same dark affair is
also detected, and will, it is thought, be sufficiently punished.

Blood flowed at Lexington, Mass., on Wednesday, April
19, 1775. It was the blood of patriots, shed by minions of
Great Britain. That blood made America free and independ-
ent. It cried from the ground, and its voice was heard in
every habitation of the United Provinces. It, roused the
sleepers ; it fired the populace ; it united the people as one *
man, to resist unto blood the tyranny of the Lords and Com-
mons of Britain. Tidings of the 'event reached ISTew York
on Sunday, the 23d, and the city rose in its strength to
sustain the common cause. Loyalty was at a woful discount.
The tory faction, till then exultant and defiant, were palsied
with dismay. Sears and Lamb swayed the multitude at their
will, and effectually closed the harbor against the export of
all supplies for the British at Boston.

The same day, or the next, it was known all over New
Jersey. This ancient town was all ablaze. The sterling
patriots, whose voice was all-powerful among the people,
took up the cry that came to them from the bloody ground
of Lexington, and bore it to every dwelling in the wide

* N. Y. Mercury, No. 1223. Am. Archives, 4tli S., II. 144-8, 8ST-891.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 417

borough. The die was cast. Negotiation was at an end.

CD O

Nothing remained but tlie sword. And lie that would not
take up arms, in his country's need, was worse than Judas.
The young men of the town were eager for the tray.

Aaron Burr, in his childhood, was an E. Town boy. His
mother's brother, Timothy, the eldest son of the IJcv. Jona-
than Edwards, had married, Sep. 25, 176*0, Rhoda, daughter
of Robert Ogden, Esq., and granddaughter of Matthias Hat-
field, Esq., of this town, " and made a home in Elizabeth
Town for the family." Mr. Edwards resided here, highly
respected and influential, from 17C0 to 1771. Burr and his
sister, left orphans in 1758, were received into their uncle
Edwards' family, the former in his 5th year. Here the lad
grew up, and was fitted for Princeton College, under the
instruction of Tapping Reeve, teacher of the grammar-school,
who soon after married Burr's sister. Mrs. Edwards was the
sister of Matthias and Aaron Ogden, the latter being of Burr's
age, and the former nearly two years older. They grew up
together as children of the same family, and Matthias became
Burr's bosom companion. In 1772 young Burr graduated,
and in 177i began to study law with his brother-in-law, at
Litchfield, Ct *

In his retirement among the hills of Connecticut, he heard
the cry of Lexington, and immediately wrote to Ogden to
come on and accompany him to the tented field. Ogden
caught the infection, and rested not, until he obtained his
father's leave to go. He was then in his twenty-first year,
and Burr a little more than nineteen. They were boys in
years, but men in spirit — types of numerous others — their
townsmen and associates, who panted to join the patriot
army, and fight their country's battles. Nothing could ex-
ceed the martial ardor that pervaded all classes of the eom-

* Davis' Life of Burr, I. 25-G, 40-7. Barton's Life of Burr, pp. C>0-3. Mi.-^s Jones' Stock-
bridge, pp. 160, £

Three of President Edwards' children married here; Timothy, his eldest son, as noticed
above; Eunice was married here, Jan. 1764, to Thomas P< and after his death, about

1780 to Bobert Hunt of this place ; Pierpont married, May, 1769, Fi laghtex

of Moses and Mary (Cozzens) Ogden, and sister of Nancy, the second and surviving wife of
Col. Francis Barber, all of this town.

418 • THE HISTOEY OF

miinity. It was not safe to breathe a word against the patriot
cause.*

The Continental Congress were to meet at Philadelphia,
May 10, 1775. As the delegates from Massachusetts, joined
on their way by their brethren from Connecticut, drew near
to New York, on Saturday, May 6th, they were met, three
miles from the city, by a vast concourse of military and
citizens, and escorted to their lodgings with ringing of bells,
and loud huzzas. On Monday, with a part of the Delegation
from New York, they were escorted to Newark, where they
dined ; thence they " were escorted to Elizabeth Town and
on their way were met by the gentlemen and militia of that
place." Such was the enthusiasm of the people.f

The Provincial Congress of New Jersey met at Trenton,
May 23d. This town was represented by "William Peartree
Smith, John Stites, John Chetwood, Abraham Clark and
Elias Boudinot. Smith and Boudinot were sent to Philadel-
phia, on the 25th, to confer with Congress, on some joint
plan of action, and returned on the 30th.

The combat thickened. British reinforcements arrived at
Boston. The cry — " To Arms ! " — had brought together con-
siderable numbers of patriot soldiers. Congress was loudly
summoned to create an army. They assumed the charge of
the New England recruits, and chose George Washington,
June 15, as General in Chief of the Continental Army. The
effect of these measures was electric. Hope was invigorated,
confidence inspired. The battle of Bunker Hill followed
two da}^s after, June 17th. That Americans would fight
was no longer doubtful. That British regulars were not in-
vincible was certain. The yeomanry took heart at once.
The people everywhere flew to arms. Even cowards were
brave.

Ammunition was greatly needed. But for this, Bunker
Hill would have been a greater triumph. Powder was in
demand, in the army and everywhere. The Committee of
this town deeply interested themselves in procuring and fur-

* Davis' Life of Burr, I. 58. t N. T. Mercury, No. 1231. Holt's N. T. Jour-

nal, May 11. Moore's Diary, I. 7C.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 419

lushing the needed supply. On the 17th of July, they for-
warded, by way of Dobbs' Ferry, fifty-two quarter casks
just received from Philadelphia. On the same day, they

Resolved, That this Committee, for every hundred weight of Saltpetre
made within this Town for the first three months after this day, will pay
the sum of twenty pounds, proclamation money of New Jersey, on the
delivery thereof to this Committee, and fifteen pounds of same currency,
for the like quantity of Saltpetre, made and delivered as aforesaid, within
the next three months thereafter.*

The whole stock of powder, at Washington's command,
August 13th, for the use of the armv around Boston, was
about ninety barrels only — " not more than nine rounds a
man ; " they had " but thirty-two barrels in store." The
destitution continued " a fortnight or more, till the Jersey
Committee of Elizabethtown, upon receiving the alarming
news, sent on a few tons, which they were obliged to do with
the greatest privacy, lest the fears of their own people, had
it been known, should have stopt it for their own use, in case
of an emergency." On the 20th of August, Washington
acknowledges the receipt of u six tons and a half of powder
from the southward." f

At the same meeting of the Committee, July 17th, the
following action was taken :

The Chairman of this Committee having received a letter from Mr.
Pwichard Lawrence, a Delegate of Richmond County for the Provincial
Congress of the Colony of New York, informing that the inhabitants of
said County had, in general, signed the Association recommended by the
Committee of New York, this Committee are therefore of opinion that
the inhabitants of said County be restored to their comnercial privileges
with the inhabitants of this Town. I

The martial spirit that prevailed in the town may be seen
from the following item :

Elizabeth Town, October 4, 1775. Yesterday sixteen Companies of
Foot, and one of Horse, belonging to this Borough, were reviewed on the
Parade, went through their Military Exercises with Alertness and Reg-
ularity, and mado a very handsome Appcaram

♦N.Y.Mercury, No. 1241.

t Gordon's Am. Revolution, I. 380. Sparks' Washington, III. G5. Irving'6 Washington,
II. 26. t N. Y. Mercury, No. 1241. § Ibid, No. 125*.

420 THE HISTORY OF

The following pleasant incident occurred nearly two
months later :

Deo. 4, 1775. Wednesday evening last [Nov. 29,] arrived at Newark,
in their Way to the Provincial Camp at Cambridge, the Lady of his
Excellency General Washington, the Lady of Adjutant General Gates,
John Custis, Esq. and his Lady and "Warren Lewis, Esq; They were
escorted from Elizabeth Town, by the Company of Light Horse, and
most of the principal Gentlemen of that Borough. On Thursday morn-
ing they departed for Dobbs Ferry, escorted by a Party of the Elizabeth
Town Light Horse, and a great Number of Gentlemen and Ladies from
Newark.

Mrs. "Washington accomplished the whole distance from
Virginia to Cambridge, Mass., in her own conveyance, " a
chariot and four, with black postillions in scarlet and white
liveries," traveling by easy stages.*

At the close of November, by order of Congress, a recruit-
ing agency was established here, and the town was made
the headquarters of the first N\ J. regiment of regulars,
under the command of Win. Alexander, [titular] Earl of
Stirling: He had been, for several years, a resident of
Baskinffridoje, had recently been chosen Colonel of a Somer-
set County militia regiment, and had carried many of
them with him into the Continental service. He took
care, that all vessels coming from foreign countries to New
York, should (on account of restrictions laid on the commerce
of that port by Capt. Hyde Parker, of the Phenix man-of-
war in the harbor), enter at Amboy or Elizabeth Town, and
at the latter place if possible. Apprehensive, therefore, of a
visit from some of the armed boats of the Phenix, he urged
Congress, Dec. 19, 1775, to furnish the town with "an imme-
diate supply of ammunition, and, if possible, half a dozen
field-pieces, with some round, grape and cannister shot ; "
and soon after, Jan. 6, 1776, he wrote to the President of
Congress, —

I have the pleasure to inform you that several vessels with valuable
cargoes from foreign ports, have arrived in this Province ; and, under the
protection I have afforded them, have landed their cargoes. Among the
rest, are some hundred barrels of gun powder.f

* N. T. Mercury, No. 1260. Irving's Wash., II. 120, 1. t Life of Stirling, pp. 116, 118.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 421

On the recommendation of Lord Stirling, William Barnet,
Jr., was appointed, by Congress, Surgeon of the First Jersey
Battalion, and Matthias Ilalstead, Quartermaster. Four
companies of the Battalion were stationed here, such of them
as could not be accommodated in the barracks, finding quar-
ters among the people. Some weeks elapsed before they
were fully equipped. *"

An opportunity soon occurred for calling into requisition
the martial ardor and energy of the town. The occurrence
is related at length, by Robert Ogden, Esq., (who had now
succeeded Jonathan Hampton, as Chairman of the Town
Committee), in a letter to John Hancock, President of Con-
gress, dated, E. Town, Feb. 10, 1776 : —

Sir, I am ordered by the Committee of Elizabeth Town to acquaint the
Congress of the Capture and state of the -hip Blue-Mountain- Valley, now
lying at Elizabeth-Town Point, and to desire particular directions from
the Congress what is to be done with the said ship, cargo, officers, and
seamen.

On Monday, the 22d of January, between eleven and twelve o'clock,
Lord Stirling, with about thirty men of his regiment, being near all that
were then armed at this place, the rest being at Long Island, f set out for
Amboy, on a serious enterprise. In the evening of the same day, an ex-
press arrived in this town, with a letter directed to Lord Stirling, and, in
his absence, to the Chairman of the Committee of this place, informing
that an armed vessel, with a detachment of marines and seamen, was sent
ofY from New York that day from the ships of war in New York, and to
the transport ship.

On the Chairman's receipt of this letter, he immediately called the Com-
mittee, which met about six o'clock in the evening, and from the letter
and express, collected and concluded, that Lord Stirling left this place
with an intention to procure a vessel at Amboy, and go in quest of the
transport-ship, which he then thought was in a defenceless condition, not
knowing of the reinforcement sent from New York, and that if intelli-
gence sbould reach him that night, he would not be able to procure v, --
sels and assistance in season at Amboy to secure success, and might
repulsed with loss. On which the Committee resolved to send a detach-
ment of one hundred volunteers in three or four boats, by the way of the
Narrows, to take, or assist Lord Stirling to take, the armed vessel or
transport, of which they immediately n< tified Lord Stirling by an express;

* Am. Archives, 4th Scr., IV. 168, 217.

t Soouring the country to disarm the T • -t the most dangerous of the Loyal-

ists N. T. CoL Docmti, VIII. 668, T. Htldreth, III. 114-5

422 TH E HISTORY OF

and to encourage volunteers to enter, assured them, they should share of
the prize or prizes, according to the regulations that were or should be
made by the Continental Congress. Volunteers were soon procured, -and
furnished by the Committee with ammunition, provision and what arms
were wanting; of the townsmen, about eighty, and of the Continental
troops, about thirty. The Committee also procured three boats, and
fitted them in the best manner the night and hurry would admit of. Be-
tween twelve and one o'clock at night, the armament was ready to sail,
but on account of the tide and ice, * they could not proceed by the way of
the Narrows ; they, therefore, set out with a fair wind by the way of Am-
boy, where they stopped, and called upon Lord Stirling, who, with a boat
procured by him for the purpose, and about forty of his regiment, set
out with them in quest of the ship and armed vessel. At sunrise, from
the mast-head, they descried the ship at sea, stood for, met and boarded
her, without opposition, at ten o'clock in the morning ; they found her
to be a transport from London, with coals, porter, potatoes, hogs, and
horse-beans, designed for the Ministerial troops at Boston, commanded by
John H. Dempster, brother to George Dempster, member of Parliament
for Dundee, &c, in Scotland. But the armed vessel, by great good for-
tune, saved herself by returning to New York, not having discovered the
ship, to the great disappointment of our people. Lord Stirling gave the
command of the ship to Mr. Eogers, a sea captain, with orders to proceed
for this place, but being detained by tide and contrary winds on "Wednes-
day near Amboy, the Committee being apprehensive of an attempt by
the man of war to retake her, on "Wednesday evening sent a reinforcement
of about eighty men, to secure her against any such attempt, and on Fri-
day she arrived in safety, at Elizabeth-Town Point, where she remained
under the command of Lord Stirling, guarded by some of the troops un-
der his command, until Tuesday last, when he and his troops were ordered
to New York, since which time she hath been, and now is, under the care
of the Committee. By order of Lord Stirling, and the Committee, the
porter and beans are stored, the sails and rigging are taken on shore.
The potatoes which are chiefly rotten, and coal, remain on board the
ship. The Captain and seamen remain prisoners at large in this town.
The Committee expected Lord Stirling would have, before this time, pro-
cured the particular directions of the Congress for the disposition of the
ship and cargo, but in this they are disappointed, and every thing respect-
ing the ship is in suspense. The hogs remaining, being only seven (out
of eighty) and the remaining potatoes, they have concluded to sell. The
coal is in great demand for makiDg of arms, and is liable to be destroyed
with the ship, by an armed force which may be dispatched privately in
the night from New York, which is but about fourteen miles distance.

* The season had been very severe. Navigation about N. T. had been much obstructed.
N. Y. Col. Docmts., VIII. 667, 674. \

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.

423

The seamen, who are boarded out by the Committee, are uneasy and
soliciting the Committee for their wages which, they say, were promised
by Lord Stirling. The Captain is anxious to know how long he is to be
detained, and the Committee arc desirous that ho may be soon dismissed,
and be at liberty to return homo and inform his friends and countrymen
of the usage he has received from the Americans. This, sir, is the state
of affairs relating to the storeship called the Blue-Mountain- Valley and
brought to this place.

Appended to this statement, is a list of the officers and
crew, — a Captain, 3 Mates, a Carpenter, a Boatswain, a
Stewart, 7 Seamen, and 2 Apprentices. Their "bill for wages
was £123. 3. 7., of which £23. 6. 7. had been paid.

The Manifest is also given, dated Sept. 30, 1775, showing
107J chaldrons of coal, 30 bundles of hoops, 100 butts of por-
ter, branded — " Calvert," 225 bags of beans, 156 sacks of
potatoes, 10 casks sour-krout, 80 live hogs, and 35 empty
puncheons, for water ; shipped by Mure, Son, and Atkinson,
of London, by order of the Eight Hon. the Lords Commis-
sioners of his Majesty's Treasury. The vessel had sailed from
London, Oct. 13, 1775.

An accompanying paper gives

A List of the Officers and Men, belonging to the Militia of Elizabeth-
Town, who entered on board of the different shallops as Volunteers, in
order to take the Ship Blue-Mountain- Valley, January 22, 1776, under
the command of Elias Dayton, Colonel :

Elias Dayton, Colonel,
Edward Thomas, Lieut. Col.,
Oliver Spencer, Captain,
"William Britton, Captain,
Francis Barber, First Lieut.,
Aaron Hatfield, First Lieut.,
Thomas Morrel, Second Lieut.,
George Everson, Quartermaster,
Smith lletfield, Capt. of Boat,
John Thomas, Capt. of Boat,
John Trail, Capt. of Boat,
William Barnet, Surgeon,
"William Iligins, Sergeant,
David Ross, Sergeant,
Henry Baker, Sergeant,

Samuel Smith,
Lewis Blanchard,
Edmund Thomas,
Thomas Elstoue,
Ephraim Marsh,
Adam Lee,
Thomas Quigley,

Macar

Henry M. Munagal,
Price Parcel,
Barney ( ».- r <len.
Timothy B. Stout,
Joseph Meeker, Jun.,
George Weeks,
Edward .

424:

TH-E HISTOEY OF

Beaty,

David Stewart.
Daniel Craig,
Thomas Lee,
Stephen "Wheeler,
Farrington Price,
Elijah "Woodruff,
Daniel Woodruff.
Aaron Ogden,
Edward Jones,
"William Clark,
Jonathan Clark,
Jonathan Nichols,
Samuel Mann,
Silas Freeman,
"William Meeker,
Samuel Ogden,
Gabriel Meeker,
Jonathan Pierson,
Elihu Parsons,

Daniel ,

Eobert Spencer,
"William Eamsden,
Samuel Sealey,
The above is a true list,
Elizabeth-Town, Feb.

Samuel Lee,
Thomas Hoyt,
Lewis Woodruff
Isaiah Gray,
"William Livingston, Jr.,
Brockholst Livingston,
John Hendrix,
Samuel Morehouse,
Jacob Carle,
Benjamin "Woodruff,
Jonathan "Woodruff,
Benjamin Hinds,
John Gray,
James Clenchy,
John Miller,
John Eunyon,
Nicholas Deane,
Moses CoDnel,
Godfrey Blackney,
Timothy Burns,
Simon Simonson,
Eichard Miller,
John Miller, 2d.

to the best of my knowledge and belief.
9, 1776. Edward Thomas. *

Several of the men, whose names are included in this list,
afterwards became decided loyalists, and some of them ma-
lignant tories ; but \he vast majority of them continued true
to their country, and several of them became highly dis-
tinguished for their military services. The names of a few
are not familiar. These were of the Continentals, from the
back country.

In his " Life of Lord Sterling," Judge Duer gives the
credit of this affair to Sterling, as having " planned and exe-
cuted " the enterprise ; overlooking the fact, that the Town
Committee undertook, of their own motion, without even a
suggestion from Stirling, by far the heaviest part of the work.
Lord Stirling's letter to Congress, also, dated, Jan. 24th,
1776, is given incorrectly. It should read, — ■

* Am. Archives, 4th Ser., IV. 9S7-9.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 425

I immediately set out for Amboy, and there seized a Pilot-boat, and,
"with forty men, was just pushing out about two yesterday morning 1 , when
I was joiner] by three other boats from Elizabeth Town, with about forty
men each, many of them gentlemen from Elizabeth Town, who volun-
tarily came on this service, under the command of Col. Dayton, and
Lieut. Col. Thomas.

lie describes the vessel, as " a ship of about one hundred
feet, from stem to stern, above, capable of making a ship of

war of twenty six-pounders, and ten three-pound< Of

the captain, he says, Jan. 27, — "lie is a sensible, genteel
young man ; all his property (about one hundred pounds
sterling) is on board." In bringing the vessel in, she
grounded, on Thursday, in the Sound, near the Blazing Star ;
but, being lightened, she was got off on Friday morning and
brought to the Point. ' :: *

On the Monday following, 29th, Lord Stirling's letters hav-
ing been read in Congress, it was

Resolved, That the alertness, activity, and good conduct of Lord Stir-
ling, and the forwardness and spirit of the gentlemen and others from
Elizabeth-Town, who voluntarily assisted him in taking the ship Blue-
Monntain-Valley, were laudable and exemplary ; and that his Lordship
be directed to secure the capture until the further order of Congress ; and
that, in the meantime, he cause such part of the lading as would other-
wise perish, to be disposed of by. sale, t

Lord Stirling received orders from Gen. Lee, Feb. 4, 1776,
to transfer his regiment to New York ; and, the next morn-
ing, he marched, with the four companies, stationed here,
to the North River, and, having been detained by the ice,
on the following day arrived at New York. On the 9th, he
received and transmitted from Congress the vote of thanks,
and sent orders to Mr. John Blanchard to take charge of the
cargo of the transport, with a request to Brig. Gen. Living-
ston, and John Dellart, Esq., to aid him in the management
of the affair. At the same time, he took the opportunity of
requesting Mr. Ogden to give his best thanks to the Com-
mittee of Elizabeth Town, lor their readiness, at all times to
assist him in carrying on the service under his direction, and

* Am. Archives, 4th Ser., IV. I 561 - 1 Life of Stirling, p. 125.

t Journal of Congress, for 1776. Duer's Stirling, p. 124.

426 THE HISTOEY OF

to the inhabitants in general for the many instances of confi-
dence and friendship received from them.*

Finally, the Provincial Congress of ISTew Jersey, ordered,
March 2, 1776, the vessel and cargo to be confiscated, a com-
mission to be appointed for the sale of the ship and its con-
tents, and the proceeds to be distributed among the captors.
John Blanchard excused himself, March 2d, from serving on
the Committee, because he was so much occupied in building
a powder-mill, and, on his recommendation, his son Cornelius
was, March 8th, appointed in his place, f

Col. Stirling, having been appointed, March 1st, a Brigadier
General, Robert Ogden wrote him, March 4th, a letter of
congratulation, and took occasion to add, —

There are many fire-arms lost, or, at least, at present missing, that
were lent (by the inhabitants of the town) to furnish Capt. Meeker and
the parties under him, to assist your Lordship in taking the Ship Blue-
Mountain- Valley. He has been applied to for the arms, but says he
knows nothing about them, who had them, nor where to be found. His
ignorance and high temper makes it difficult to treat with him.J

Sterling wrote, March 1st, to Blanchard, authorizing him
to deliver 34 chaldrons of the coal to Moses Ogden, at the
Market price, Ogden having a contract with the government
for iron work. The remainder of the cargo, with the ship
and its appurtenances, was sold at auction, by order of the
Committee of E. Town, March 18th. A gratuity was allowed
the seamen, who, with the officers, were set at liberty, and
the proceeds of the sale were divided among the captors.

By order of the Provincial Congress, Feb. 2d, Edward
Thomas and Isaac Woodruff, Barrack Masters, were author-
ized to dispose of, at their estimated value, for the use of the
Continental Troops, the blankets belonging to the E. Town
barracks. On the 3d^ Abraham Ogden was appointed Lieut.
Col., and "William Barnet, Major of the Regiment of Light
Horse in the Eastern Division of the State. On the 23d,
Edward Thomas was appointed Col., Jeremiah Smith, Lieut.
Col., and Oliver Spencer, First Major of the First Regiment

* Am. Archives, 4th Ser., IV. 1199-1200.

t Ibid, p. 1606. Stirling Mss., N. T. His. Soc. % Am. Archives, 4th Ser., V, 56.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 427

of Essex Militia. On the Oth of March, Elias Dayton was
appointed, by Congress, Col., and Francis Barber, Major, of
the Third Battalion of 2s r . Jersey Continentals. And, on the
requisition of Lord Stirling at New York, six thousand
cartridges were furnished him by the E. Town Committee. ,: "

Gen. Clinton arrived at New York, from Boston, Feb. 4th,
in the ship-of-war Mercury, in company with a transport
brig, with 200 marines, on his way to the South. Shortly
afterwards the vessels weighed anchor, and fell down to the
watering place, near Staten Island. On the evening of Satur-
day, 10th, word was brought to this town, that the marin.
were intending to make a raid on Staten Island and carry off
the live stock. Gen. Livingston, who had been put in charge,
on Stirling's transfer to New York, called out 300 of the
militia, sent out a part to reconnoitre the south side of the
Island, and marched with the troops at three in the morning.
At Ward's, in sight of the Light House, they were joined by
Capt. Blanchard and his company of light horse. Learning
here that the vessels had left Sandy Hook the day before, a
squad, under the command of Col. Edward Thomas, were
left to guard the coast, for fear of a feint, and the remainder
were ordered home. The militia were highly commended
for the alacrity with which they responded to the call of their
commander, on this occasion.!

Owing to the commotions of the times, and the close con-
nection of the town with Xew York, the place was visited by
many strangers, some of whom rendered themselves liable t«»
suspicion, as unfriendly to the cause of the country. The
Committee of the Town, therefore, represented the ease, Feb.
12th, to the Provincial Congress, then in session, who passed
an ordinance, requiring, among other tilings,

That all suspectd persons removing into the colony; should be imme-
diately returned to the place whence they came, unless their detention
as delinquents should he proper ; or unless they produced certificates from
the Committee of the precinct, from which they came, that they had
signed the Association recommended by Congress, and had not subse-
quently contravened it.{

* Am. Archives, 4th Ser., IV. L&SO, •_>. 9, 96, 16 I N. YoA Tackot, Feb. 22.

I Am. Archives, 4th S c r., IV. L5SB. Gordon's N. -T., 173, 4.

428 THS HISTORY OF

Thus gradually, but surely, the lines of demarcation be-
tween the patriots and the loyalists were becoming more and
more distinct, and the people were compelled to show their
colors, as friends or foes, to Congress and the country.

On the 14th, ¥m, Livingston and John DeHart, of this
town were re-elected, by the Provincial Congress of N. Jersey,
members of the General Congress, which had continued in
session till this time.*

Fears were entertained, that the British Army at Boston
were about to be transferred to New York, of which Lord
Stirling received intimation, March 13th, from Gen. Wash-
ington. Stirling immediately called upon each of several
adjacent Counties in New Jersey to send forward imme-
diately three or four hundred men to aid in fortifying the
City and harbor. Lewis Ogden, Chairman of the Newark
Committee replied, on the 14th, that they would send 150
men : " We also sent a Deputation from our Board to the
Committee at Elizabeth Town to inform them what we had
done and request that they would furnish 150 more, — they
have agreed to do it."

Stephen Crane, who had succeeded Robert Ogden, as
Chairman of the E. Town Committee, wrote to Stirling, also,
on the 14th, to the effect, that they had no right to send a
Detachment out of the Province ; urged the desperate state
of the Colony ; and said, —

The Arming the two battalions in the Continental Service hath drained
us of our best Arms, and in case a Decent should be made at New York,
we should be liable to continual excursions of the enemy.

Wm. Burnet, Chairman of the Essex Co. Committee, wrote
on the 15th, that a copy of Crane's letter had been sent to
him, " from which we are afraid no men will come from
Elizabeth Town ; . . . however we shall Endeavour to prevail
with them to furnish their quota, and hope we shall succeed.' 5
The next day, he writes that " the confusion is owing to your
writing to the Township and not the County Committee."

Two days after, Stirling acknowledges the services of Bur-

* Gordon's N. J., p. 201. Mulford's N. J., p. 425.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 429

net and the Newark people ; informs him of his intention to
fortify East Jersey, and says, —

I shall send to explain my designs to you and to engage the people of
Elizabeth Town to carry them into execution which according to my
plan they will be able to do with two or Three hundred men in a few
days. Some Intrenching tools will bo necessary, and it will be proper to
have them Collected as soon as possible at Newark or Elizabeth Town.

And so the men were kept at home to work on their own
fortifications. Stirling knew the people too well to believe,
that they were wanting in patriotism. One of the stannchest
patriots of the town, Abraham Clark, the Signer, wrote to
the Committee of Safety, at this very time, March 15th, in
reference to a resolution of the Provincial Congress, calling
for arms to equip a battalion for Canada, — " If all the Con-
gresses upon the Continent required us to disarm ourselves
at present, unless we are deemed dangerous to liberty, I
would not obey." The situation of the town was becoming
exceedingly critical, and they needed to husband all their
resources.*

Col. Dayton, in command of the Third Continental Regi-
ment stationed at E. Town, in the mean time, had received,
March 10th, orders from Stirling to put his regiment in
marching trim. On the 14th, he writes, that " the companies
of Captains Bloomfield, Dickinson and Potter have passed
muster," and that the others are nearly full. He refers to
the scarcity of Arms, and says, — " The Militia are now more
than ever unwilling to part with their Arms ; " and adds,
that he and Major Barber had been to Congress at Philadel-
phia about it, but without success. On the 23d, he received
orders to march forthwith to New York.f

In accordance with the intimations in the letter to Burnet,
Lord Stirling came over, on the 22d, to this town, to survey
the ground, and lay out a line of fortifications at the Point.
After conference with Gen. Livingston in relation to the plan,
he returned to the city on the 21th, to procure engineers to
be employed on these works under the direction of General
"William Thompson.

* Stirling Mss., N. Y. nis. Soc. Anal. Index, p. 451. t Stirling Mss.

430 THE HISTORY OF

Boston was evacuated by the British Army, March 17th,
and, as it was naturally inferred that they would make a
vigorous effort to establish their headquarters at 'New York,
the American army was, in the course of a few weeks, mostly
transferred to this section of the country. General Washing-
ton arrived and took command at New York, on Saturday,
April 13th, The work of erecting and strengthening fortifi-
cations at exposed points was renewed, and carried on with
great vigor.

The Provincial Congress of New Jersey, chosen on the
4th Monday in May, met at Burlington on the 10th of June ;
and John De Hart having been permitted to resign his seat
in Congress, Abraham Clark, also of this town, who had
served for some time as Secretary of the N. Jersey Commit-
tee of Safety, was chosen, June 22d, in his place. ¥m.
Livingston, another member from this town, having been
appointed Commander-in-Chief of the New Jersey Militia,
resigned his membership, and established his headquarters
at Elizabeth Town Point, while his own family, and others,
retired into less exposed portions of the country, in anticipa-
tion of the near approach of the British army and the full
realities of- war.*

* " It may be interesting to some to know what was the appearance of the town at the
beginning of the war in 1776. The writer," eays Capt "William C. De Hart, " can describe
a portion of it by which at least, may be seen the great change since that day. From the
Barracks, south as far as the corner of the lot where stands [1846] the present residence of
Mr. Mayo it was entirely open. At this spot stood the ' Eed Store-house,' which will be
mentioned hereafter, and then came the stone house (Mr. Mayo's) and between that and Mr.
Jelf 's now the residence of Mr. Oliver Price, there were but two small wooden buildings.
On the other side of the road was the mansion of Mr. John De Hart, which appeared then
much as at the present day, with the exception of a piazza and shed which extended entirely
across the south front. To the south of this last stood a wooden building occupied by John
Blanchard, and probably makes a part of it, as it occupies the same ground of the building
now tenanted by Mr. Leavenworth. Proceeding from this on the west side, and crossing tbe
road which runs obliquely toward the Eahway turnpike, stood a small frame building ; and a
little further on was the Presbyterian Parsonage occupied by the Eev. James Caldwell.
This last was a frame building, covered with shingles and painted red ; in form it was long,
two low stories in front, and the roof declined to the rear in a long slope, terminating at the
height of one story above the ground. Between the Parsonage and the road, south, there
was no other building, and the glebe attached was a large square lot behind the dwelling, and
bounded on one side by the road to the corner (Capt. Williamson's) and thence some distance
on the Philadelphia road towards Mr. Charles King's residence. The nest house was that of
Judge Chetwood now in the possession of Mr. Bryant, and opposite to this, east, stood a small
building on the corner.

From the corner (Jelf 's Hill) east, there was a building near what is now Mr. Cleaveland's
Bakery. The next building, well remembered, and a portion of which is still standing, was on

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 431

the 'flats' and occupied by a very worthy person for many years, Maam'selle Nancy Salnavo
(pronounced Snaw,) the popular dress-maker of the village, the MarcJiande des Modes, and
the arbi tress of matters of fashion in those pristino times of taste and troubles. Proceeding
eastward, on the corner stood a small building where now lives Mr. James Cree, and beyond
a few yards was another small house. From this point to the bridgo was vacant; and on the
other side of the river was the old mill which yet stands:— tho peaceful clack of whoso
wheels with its rushing stream, had discoursed their music to tho cars of a preceding genera-
tion.

The next hurtling was the ' Bed Lion 1 inn, distinguished in its time, for having been for
a brief space tho quarters of General "Washington. Beyond this a few yards was a house
known as 'tho Lodge, 1 erected it is believed by an association of Free Masons — a portion of
this still remains. Tho next in succession was the Court House, a small frame shingle-covered
building which had never been adorned with paint, — and in the same condition, and style of
architecture, was the adjacent building, the Presbyterian Meeting House, both of which re-
spectively occupied tho ground whereon now stand the structures devoted to the same ob-
jects : and where is now the Lecture-room of tho ' First Congregation' stood a small wooden
building familiar to all as ' The Academy,' where a Barber taught, not ' rebellion,' but gram-
mar and 'old English undefiled.' From this last point up to Jersey street, there were but
two houses, the first where Miss Crittenden now resides, and the second a little beyond the
residence of Mrs. "Wilson, and which was destroyed by fire a few years since. On the opposite
side of the street from the corner house now occupied by Mrs. Barber, as far as St. John's
Church, intervened but five houses : tho first on the corner; one about where now is Mr.
Ludlow's shoe store ; a third on tho site now covered by Mr. Earle's store; a fourth, which is
yet standing though carried up another story since that day, and at present in possession of
Mr. M. Ilalsey ; and the fifth adjoining tho Church-yard, and then well known to the children
of the town as the ' Cake Shop.'

South of the Church stood the two small brick tenements which are still there, and now
occupied by Squire "Winnns and our worthy post-master ; and thence to the residence of
General Williamson, now the ' Union Hotel,' was an open orchard. Crossing tho street, on
the corner stood a small shop, and next, towards tho river, where since has been erected the
' Thomas' House,' was a long low one and a half story building, kept as a tavern, and famous
in its day, as the resort of the British officers of the garrison, and other gay young men about
town.

From this sketch may be seen the changes which have since taken place, and as the busy
ir.art where men most did congregate for the business of the day, was then the corner known
as ' Jelf's Hill,' the neighborhood just described maybe supposed to have been the most popu-
lous part of the village. The old Bed Store House, which sometime afterwards was re-
moved to the opposite side of the road, having been rebuilt, forms tho house occupied by the
late Edward rricc."— [De Hart's "Passages in the History of Elizabeth Town."]

432 THE HISTORY OF

CHAPTER XX.

A. D.' 1776-1777.

Independence — Lines drawn — Sentiments of Abraham Clark, theSigner — Brit-
ish Fleet — Staten Island taken by the British Troops — The War at the
Door — Defence of the Town — Arrest of Traitors — Female Patriot Forays
— Changes in the Town — Error of Mr. W. Irving — Disaffection of Pa.
Troops — Battle of Flatbush — "Wm. LivingstoD, First Gov. of the State —
Gen. Matt. Williamson, in command here — John DeHart declines & Robert
Morris appointed Chief Justice of N. J. — Depot for Prisoners here — Am.
Army evacuate N. York — Letter of Rob. Ogden — Disasters — Retreat
through N". Jersey — People flee — Town occupied by the British — William-
son resigns — Defections — Protection Papers — Am. Troops at Short Hills —
Rev. J. Caldwell — Skirmish — Death of Col. Ford — Capture of Hessians at
Trenton — Capture of Princeton — Retreat of British Army — Washington at
Morristown — Enemy driven out of Newark and E. T. — Capt. E. Littell —
Barbarity of the Enemy — Tories and Neutrals driven out — Frequent Skir-
mishes — British Army evacuate the State.

A new Era now dawns on the Town, the State, the Na-
tion. A resolution had been submitted, June 7th, to the
General Congress, by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, to the
effect, " That these United Colonies are, and of right ought
to be, Free and Independent States ; that they are absolved
from all allegiance to the British Crown ; and that all polit-
ical connection between them and the State of Great Britain
is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." On the 10th, having
been freely and earnestly discussed for three days, it was
adopted in committee of the whole, by a bare majority of the
several delegations. For the sake of greater unanimity, it
was reconsidered and postponed until the first of July."

In the meantime, it was warmly debated among the peo-

* Pitkin's TJ. States, I. 362.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 433

pie, and in the several provincial congresses. The new Dele-
gates from New Jersey, chosen June 21st, were instructed,
u in case they judged it necessary and expedient for support-
ing the just rights of America, to join in declaring the United
Colonies independent, and entering into a Confederation for
union and defense." The consideration of the question was
resumed in Congress on Monday, July 1st, in committee of
the whole, and passed by the vote of nine colonies. Being
reported to the house, it was deferred until the next day*,
Tuesday, July 2d, when it was passed by the vote of twelve
Colonies, the Delegates from New York, though personally
favorable, being restricted by official instructions from voting.
The Declaration of Independence, having been referred to a
special committee, was reported on the 28th of June, and,
having been closely scrutinized for two days, on the evening
of the fourth of July, was adopted by the same vote.*

The die was now cast. The state of vassalage was termi-
nated. The house of Hanover was dethroned. Royalty was
abolished. All dependence on Britain was abjured. A Re-
public was inaugurated. A Nation was born. The struggle
ceased to be a civil war. Rebels were now patriots. The
British were foreign foes. The war was henceforth to be
waged by rival nations. Loyalists were now traitors, and to
be treated as foes to their country. Neutrality could no
longer be tolerated. King or Congress must rule. Sides
must be taken. Every man must be a friend or a foe — for
or against his country. lie could not be neither.

Tidings of this event soon spread all over the land. Here
in this town, as elsewhere, it was received with mingled joy
and sorrow. The great majority of the people, including
nearly the whole of the Presbyterian party, and some few of
the Episcopalians, hailed the Declaration with the utmost
satisfaction and exultation, and nerved themselves anew for
the conflict. But u from that time," some who had hitherto
consorted with the patriots, Jonathan Hampton among the
number, " went back, and walked no more with " them. Of
these some few subsided into a state of apparent quietude,

♦ Pitkin's U. States, I. SG4, 5. Bancroft's U. S., VIII. 457, 9, 63, 7.
28

434 THE HISTORY OF

and of constrained acquiescence with the new order of things,
taking little or no part in public affairs. Others took the
first opportunity to connect themselves, openly and violently,
with the cause of royalty.

The " Declaration" was entered on the journal of Congress,
on the fourth, and immediately published to the world. But
no signatures were appended to it. On the 19th, it was or-
dered to be engrossed on parchment, and signed by every
member. Accordingly the engrossed copy was presented on
Friday, Aug. 2d, and received the signatures of all the mem-
bers then present, some of whom had not been present at its
adoption. This town has the honor of having contributed
one of her noble sons, Abraham Clark, to that immortal
band. In a letter, written at Philadelphia, Aug. 6th (four
days only after signing the Declaration), to his townsman,
Col. Elias Dayton, then on service at German Flats, he gives
utterance to the following appropriate sentiments :

As to my title, I know not yet whether it will he honourable or dis-
honourable ; the issue of the war must settle it. Perhaps our Congress
will be exalted on a high gallows. We were truly brought to the case of
the three lepers : If we continued in the state we were in, it was evident
we must perish ; if we declared Independence, we might be saved, — we
could but perish. I assure you, sir, I see — I feel, the danger we are in.
I am far from exulting in our imaginary happiness ; nothing short of the
almighty power of God can save us. It is not in our numbers, our union,
our valour, I dare trust. I think an interposing Providence hath been
evident in all the events that necessarily led us to what we are — I mean
independent States ; but for what purpose, whether to make us a great
empire, or to make our ruin more complete, the issue only can determine.*

Mr. Clark was a man of prayer, and was quartered, at
Philadelphia, with his colleague, the Rev. Dr. Witherspoon.
Both these worthy men had acted throughout on Christian
principle, and with a deep sense of their responsibility to
Almighty God.

The transition from vassalage to independence, on the part
of the people of Elizabeth Town, was made in the midst of the
most serious alarms. Washington wrote from N". York,
June 29th, to General Livingston, commanding at E. Town :

* Titkin's U. S., 1. 369. Journals of Cong. Am. Archives, 5th Ser. 1. 7S5.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 435

I have received certain information from the Hook, that about forty of
the enemy's fleet have arrived there, and others are now in sight, aud
that there cannot be a doubt, but the whole fleet will be in this day and
to-morrow. I beg not a moment's time may be lost, in sending forward
such parts of the militia, as Col. Reed shall mention. We are so very
weak at this post, that I must beg you to order the three companies, which
I mentioned in my last for Staten Island, immediately to this citj ■

These ships were the British fleet from Halifax, under the
command of Admiral Shuldham, with the British Army un-
der General Howe, recently driven out of Boston, with six
transports filled with Highlanders just sent over. Orders
were immediately issued for the removal of the live stock
from Staten Island, and the people of this town were called
upon to aid in this movement. Washington writes from N.
York, July 3d, to the President of Congress, —

I am this minute informed by a gentleman that the Committee of Eliza-
beth Town sent their Company of Light Horse on Monday to effect it,
and that some of their Militia was to give their aid yesterday [Tuesday], —
he adds that he was credibly told last night by part of the Militia coming
to this place, that yesterday they saw a good deal of stock driving off the
Island and crossing to the Jerseys.t

The Staten Islanders had made profession of patriotism, it
has been seen, and so were allowed to resume trade with this
town. The value of their professions may be seen from the
report of Gov. Try on of JS r ew York to Lord George Germain,
dated, " Dutchess of Gordon, off Staten Island, Sth July,
177C : "—

(iencral Howe disembarked the troops under his command on Staten
Island the 2d Instant without opposition, on which occasion the inhabit-
ants of the Island came down to welcome the arrival of their deliver.
& have since afforded the army every supply & accommodation in their
power. On Saturday last [Cth] I received the Militia of the Island
Richmond Town, where near four hundred appeared, who chearfnlly. i
my Recommendation, took the Oath of Allegiance & fidelity to his Ma;
ty. To-morrow I am to have another muster for the enlistment of Volun-
tiers to form a Provincial Corps for the defence of the laland.J

By this defection and the occupation of the Island by the
British, this town was brought into the very fore-front of the

* Sparks' Washington, III. pp. 445, C. t Am. Archives, 4th 8er., VL 1234.

X N. r.Col.vDocmtfl., VIH.6

436 THE HISTORY OF

field of conflict, and so continued throughout the war. Staten
Island became thenceforward not only a British post, but a
nest of Tories, and the common resort of the " Loyalists," in
their flight from East Jersey.

The day after their landing, the enemy made their appear-
ance on the western shore of the Island, opposite E. Town
Point.

As soon as the troops landed (says a correspondent), they paraded the
north shore, and. on Wednesday morning [3d] made their appearance near
Elizabeth-Town point; but the country being soon alarmed, they re-
treated, took up the floor of the drawbridge in the salt meadows, and im-
mediately threw up some works. Their near approach to Elizabeth-Town
point greatly alarmed the inhabitants of Essex county, and particularly
the people of Elizabeth-Town and Newark ; but they are now in a con-
dition to receive them whenever they may think proper to approach.
Two young men from Elizabeth-Town crossed the river in a canoe last
Thursday [4th], and fired upon the regulars; but a number of them rush-
ing out of the woods, they were obliged to retreat and cross the river
again.*

Livingston writes to Washington, on the 4th, that they had

Thrown up a couple of small breastworks on the causeway leading
from the Point over the Salt Meadow. We have between four and five
hundred at the Point who have thrown up a line from the Point House
eastward to answer as a cover. We have two field-pieces, with a part of
the Company of Artillery of this Province [Capt. Neill's], (He adds),
Our men are raw and inexperienced, our officers mostly absent, want of
discipline is inevitable, while we are greatly exposed for the distance of
twelve or fourteen miles.t

He makes an urgent appeal for troops to defend the town
against the disciplined troops on the Island, from whom an
invasion was constantly expected. "Washington, thereupon,
writes, on the 5th, to the President of Congress, —

General Mercer arrived here on Tuesday, and, the next morning, was
ordered to Paulus Hook to make some arrangements of the militia as
they came in, and the best disposition he could to prevent the enemy's
crossing from Staten Island if they should have any such views. The
distressed situation of the inhabitants of Elisabeth Town and Newark has
since induced me, upon their application, to give up all the militia from

* Pa. Eve. Post, No. 229. Pa. Journal, No. 1753. t Am. Archives, 4th Sen, VI. 1262.

ELIZABETn, NEW JERSEY. 437

the Jerseys, except those engaged for six months. I am hopeful they will
be able to repel any incursions, that may be attempted.*

lie writes to Livingston, the next day, Gth, —

General Mercer has just set off for Jersey. In his experience and
judgment you may repose great confidence, lie will proceed to Amboy
after conferring with you. You will plea?e to keep mo constantly in-
formed of the proceedings of the enemy, and be assured of every assist-
ance and attention.!

In the same letter, he writes, in answer to one from Liv-
ingston, of the same date, as follows : —

The known disaffection of the people of Amboy, and the treachery of
those of Staten Island, who, after the fairest professions, have shown
themselves our most inveterate enemies, have induced me to give direc-
tions, that all persons of known enmity or doubtful character should be
removed from places, where they might enter into a correspondence with
the enemy, and aid them in their schemes. For this end, General Heard
[of Woodbridge] has directions to apprehend such persons, as from their
conduct have shown themselves inimical, or whose situation, connexions,
or offices have given just cause of suspicion.}:

This order had a very salutary effect, resulting in the ap-
prehension of a considerable number of suspected persons, in
this town and vicinity, but more particularly in Amboy.
Maj. Dnyckinck, of the Middlesex militia, had arrested nine
of the principal inhabitants of Amboy, and sent them here to
General Livingston, giving occasion to Livingston's letter to
"Washington^

A Philadelphia paper, of August 10th, relates the follow-
ing : —

On the late alarm at Elizabeth Town, when an immediate attack of
the regulars was expected [July 3d], and every man, capable of bearing
arms, was summoned to defend it, there were three or four young men
[brothers] going out from one house, when an elderly lady, mother or
grandmother to the young men, without betraying the least signs of
timidity, with a resolute calmness encouraged and assisted them to arm.
When they were ready to go, and just setting out, she addressed them
thus : —

"My children, I have a few words to say to you ; you are going out in

* Sparks 1 Washington, III. 449-50. t Ibid., p. 454.

$ Ibid., III. 451-2. § Whitehead's Amboy, p. 830.

438 ,. THE HISTORY OF

a just cause to fight for the rights and liberties of your country. You
have my blessing and prayers, that God will protect and assist you. But
if you fall ; his will be done. Let me beg of you, my children, that if
you fall, it may be like men ; and that your wounds may not be in your
back parts."

A noble specimen of the Christian heroine ! It is to he
regretted that her name is not recorded on earth ; it is in
heaven.*

The two field-pieces, of which mention has been made,
very soon gave a good account of themselves. Under date
of July 4, 1776, 12 o'clock at' night, it is said, —

One of the enemy's armed sloops of fourteen guns, having this evening
run up near Elizabeth Point, was attacked from the shore, with two
twelve-pounders, a great number of her men killed, she set on fire and
entirely destroyed.!

As this occurred just about the time that the Declaration
of Independence was adopted by Congress, or within two or
three hours of that event, it was probably the first military
exploit of the new-born nation, and an auspicious omen of its
career.

" About one hundred and thirty sail," as Washington in-
forms Gen. Schuyler, on the 11th, had now arrived from Hali-
fax, and the British army on the Island numbered "between
nine and ten thousand." The next day several ships of the
line arrived, and among them the Admiral's ship, who had
boen daily expected. The utmost vigilance now became ne-
cessary, the more so, as two British men of war had the same
afternoon run up Hudson's River, and taken possession of
Tappan Bay. Livingston, in command of the militia here,
and Mercer, in charge of the Flying Camp at jAmboy, kept
their eye on the opposite shore of the Sound, and prevented
all foraging incursions from the enemy on the Island. Living-
ston found himself very much in need of military stores. In
a letter to the Pro v. Congress, July 6 th, he says,—

The number of men that are now in the service here loudly call for
more ample supplies o£ almost every necessary (except provisions), than

* Pa Eve. Post, No. 243. Pa. Journal, No. 175S. t Am. Archives, 4tli Ser., VI. 1272.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 439

can be obtained here, such as ammunition, flints, arms, and indeed stores
of every kind, an attention to which I cannot give in the manner I could
choose in the present exigency.*

The following incidents, taken from letters written, in the
Camp at Elizabeth Town, show that the troops were kept
continually on the alert : —

Last Wednesday noon [10th] a soldier belonging to one of the regiments
on Staten Island, being in liquor, and having wandered from his compan-
ions, got upon the meadows near Elizabeth Tow,n Point, which being ob-
served by Col. Smith, who had the command that day at the Point, !
sent over a party of men who took him prisoner.

Yesterday nine of our Eiflemen crossed the river [Sound] in order to
harass some Regulars who were throwing up a kiud of breastwork on a
bridge for their enemies, who kept firing on our men for some time, with-
out doing any execution, till one of the brave fellows went within a few
yards of the enemy, and desired them to surrender. At that instant he
received a ball through his head, which killed him on the spot. The Col-
onel sent over a flag of truce to the commanding officer on the Island, de-
siring leave to bring off his man, which the officer very politely agreed to
and let him take man, rifle and all his accoutrements.!

A few days before this, Gen. Mercer had come on here
from Amboy, in order to surprise the enemy on Staten Isl-
and. He planned an invasion for the night of the 18th, pur-
posing to cross the Sound from the mouth of Thompson's
Creek, a little below the Point, to the Blazing Star. Maj.
Knowlton was to head the Continental troops. The first di-
vision marched to the Creek by 9 o'clock in the evening.
The Pennsylvania troops, attached to the Flying Camp, were
to follow ; in all about 1300 men. But the Pennsylvanians
had marched that day from New Brunswick, and were com-
pletely exhausted on their arrival. A tremendous thunder-
storm, also, came on, making it impracticable to cross the
Sound, and the expedition was reluctantly abandoned. J

Abraham Clark, in the letter to Col. Dayton, Aug. 0th,
referred to above, in giving him local information, Bays, "f the
militia, —

* Sparks' Washington, III. 463, 8. Irvlng'8 W m, 1 1. 854 Eta l-:wick\s Livingston,

p.193. t Pa. Journal, No, 1754 Am. AM.;

$Am. Archivos, Cth Sor., I. 470. Marshall's Washington, II. 124. Sparks' Washington
IV. 20.

440 THE HISTORY OF

They form a chain from Elizabeth Town Point, where strong works*
are erected at an amazing expense of labour, chiefly effected by our Mili-
tia before the Pennsylvanians arrived to their assistance. (He adds),
Elizabeth Town was in great consternation upon General Howe's taking
possession of the Island ; but at present I believe they are very easy. I
formerly informed you that Mrs. Dayton had sent the chief of her goods
into Springfield. Many that moved away from Elizabeth Town have since
returned.

Our election for Council and Assembly, Sheriffs, &c, comes on next
Tuesday in all the Counties of New Jersey. I now feel the want of you
in Elizabeth Town. I sat down to consider to whom I might venture to
write on politicks, and have none that I dare speak plainly to. Had you,
or my much esteemed friend Mr. Caldwell, been there, 1 should have
been at no los3. I have none like-minded. I have friends, it is true, but
none there now that I dare speak with freedom to.*

The war, brought thus to their very doors, had wrought a
great change in the society of the town. A large number of
the best men of the place had taken up arms, either in the
militia, or in the service of Congress, and so were of uncer-
tain residence. Intercourse between families had become
much more reserved, as no one knew at what time he might
be betrayed to the one or the other party, nor which party
might presently be in the ascendant. With the vast host of
disciplined troops on Staten Island, the very flower of the
British army, and daily increasing in numbers by the arrival
of reinforcements, the tories had great reason to expect to be
shortly restored to their homes and estates, and in turn to
vex and dispossess their patriot neighbors. It is not strange
that Clark wrote as he did.

Mr. Irving, however, has (undesignedly, no doubt), done
injustice to the town, by inserting, at this point of time, what
Gov. Livingston humorously wrote, Feb. 19, 1784, more than
seven years later, of " his own village of Elizabethtown, as
being peopled in those agitated times by ' unknown, unrecom-
mended strangers, guilty-looking tories and very knavish
whigs.' " Seven years of war on the frontiers would, ot
course, occasion great revolutions and convulsions in the so-
cial fabric of such a locality, f

* Am. Archives, 5th Ser., I. 785. Mr. Caldwell, his pastor, had, about [the 1st of May ; ac-
companied Col. Dayton to the North, as Chaplain of his regiment,
t Irving's Washington, II. 255. Sedgwick's Livingston, p. 246.

ELIZABETH, XEW JERSEY. 441

Notwithstanding the failure of Gen. Mercer's attempt to
invade the Island on the 18th of July, Washington wrote, on
the 27th, that he was hoping still to " make some efforts to
annoy them" from this direction. Bat, on the 29th, he in-
forms Congress that, —

By the advice of General Mercer and other officers at Amboy, it will
be impracticable to do any thing upon a largo scale, for want of craft, as
the enemy have the entire command of the water all round the island. I
have desired General Mercer to have nine or ten fiat-bottomed boats built
at Newark Bay and Elizabeth Town, with a design principally to keep
up the communication across Ilackinsac and Passaic Pavers.

The plan alluded to contemplated an attack from the
Point, with a force of three thousand nine hundred men, hut
boats could not be procured to transport half that number
across the Sound ; and so it was abandoned.*

The militia from Pennsylvania, attached to the Flying
Camp, and stationed at the Point and its vicinity, soon be-
came so disaffected with the service, that " many were daily
returning home without orders," adding greatly to the
gathering gloom that was settling over the town. It became
necessary for Washington to make, Aug. 8th, an earnest
appeal to their patriotism, in order to arrest the move-
ment, representing to them " that the fate of our country
depends, in all human probability, on the exertion of a few
weeks." f

The first battalion of Philadelphia, and the" Pennsylvania
Rifle Battalions were, at this time, stationed in the town and
at the Point. A writer at New York, Aug. 20th, says, " Our
people at Elizabeth-Town and the enemy on Staten Island,
cannonaded each other yesterday afternoon [Sunday], with-
out doing any damage except disturbing the congregation."}

The foreign mercenaries from Waldcck, Hesse Cassel, and
Brunswick were now arriving by thousands, their numbers
being greatly exaggerated in the reports that were alarm-
ingly spread over the country. Gov, Tryon wrote from Sta-
ten Island, Aug. 14th, to Lord Germain, —

The whole armament destined for this part of America, except tho

* Sparks' Washington, IV. 19-20. t Ibid., pp. 37-3. $ Ta. Journal, Nos. 1755, 17G0.

442 THE HISTORY OF

last division of the Hessians, being now assembled here, I expect, by the
courage and strength of this noble Army, tyranny will be crushed and
legal government restored. (15th Aug.) Yesterday evening S r Peter Par-
ker brought into the Hook a Fleet of Twenty five Sail from the South-
ward.*

These last were the forces that had been ineffectually em-
ployed against Charleston, S. C. They numbered three
thousand troops, and were under the command of Lord

Cornwallis.f

On the 21st, Gen. Livingston wrote to Gen. Washington,
that the enemy were in motion ; that he had sent over a spy
the night before, who had returned in safety, and reported,
that 20,000 men had embarked, to make a descent on Long
Island, and ascend the Hudson ; that 15,000 Hessians were
to make, at the same time, a diversion at Bergen Point,
Elizabeth Town, and Amboy. Owing to a terrific thunder-
storm that came up the same evening, the movement was
postponed to Thursday morning, 2.2 d, when 9000 British sol-
diers under Sir Henry Clinton effected a landing at Graves-
end, L. L, without opposition. Others followed subsequently,
and the disastrous battle of Long" Island was fought at and
near Flatbush, on the 27th, compelling the American army
to evacuate the Island on the night of the 29th.J

At tliis date, and before the real nature of the disaster to
the army was fully known to him, Livingston wrote to "Wm.
Hooper of 1ST. C, in Congress, from the " Camp at Elizabeth
Town Point," as follows : —

I removed my quarters from the town hither to be with the men, and
to enure them to discipline, which by my distance from the camp before,
considering what scurvy subaltern officers we are ever Jlke to have while
they are in the appointment of the mobility, I found it impossible to
introduce. And the worst men (was there a degree above the super-
lative) would be still pejorated, by having been fellow-soldiers with that
discipline-hating, goodliving-loving, ' to eternal fame damn'd,' coxcombi-
cal crew we lately had here from Philadelphia. My ancient corporeal
fabric is almost tottering under the fatigue I have lately undergone :
constantly rising at 2 o'clock in the morning to examine our lines, — till
daybreak, and from that time till eleven in giving orders, sending de-

* N. Y. Col. Docmts., VIII. 6S4. t Irving's Washington, II. 298-9.

-. Irving's Washington, II. 310—335. Pa. Journal, Aug. 28.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 443

spatches, and doing the proper business of quarter-masters, colonels, com-
missaries, and I know not what.*

Two days afterwards, Aug. 31st., Gen. Livingston was
chosen the first Governor of the State of jSTew Jersey. Pre-
sently after, he resigned his military command, and entered
upon his executive duties. The command of this post de-
volved upon his friend and townsman, Col. Matthias William-
son, who received, a few days after, from the Legislature,
a commission appointing him Brigadier-General of the New
Jersey Militia. In a letter to the Governor, Sept. 15th, lie
gratefully acknowledges the honor, promises that, as far as
his small abilities enable him, he will execute the trust com-
mitted to his care with the utmost fidelity, and represents
the importance of longer terms of militia service and prompt
pay, or " the important posts at the ferries of this Town will
in a great measure be abandoned by our militia." lie finds,
also, that the ammunition magazines in this town are very
deficient. A ton of powder was sent, in response to this
communication. f

At the same time, John De Hart, Esq., of this town re-
ceived the appointment of Chief Justice of the State, and,
on the 16th gratefully acknowledged the "great honor " con-
ferred him, expressed the wish that his " abilities were equal
to that high and important office," and declared, that " such
as they are they shall be exerted to discharge with dignity
and uprightness the very great trust reposed in " him. At
the meeting of the Legislature in January following, the
Governor stated, that De Hart had refused to qualify as
Chief Justice, notwithstanding his letter of acceptance, and
Robert Morris was appointed in his stead.;}:

On Tuesday, Sept. 24th, four transports -arrived at this
town, with 420 American soldiers, taken prisoners at Quebec,
the previous winter. They had been liberated on parole.
From a representation made by Gov. Livingston to Congref
it appears, that while he was in command of this post, so

* Sedgwick's Livingston, pp. 199, 200.
t Am. Archives, 5th Ser., II. 3Gi'>, 13G2. N. J. licv. Correspondence p. 9.
. % Ibid., p. .11. Mulford's N. J., p. 435.

444 THE HISTORY OF

many prisoners were sent to him from the army, that the
town gaol could not contain them, and he was obliged to
send them to Millstone, Somerset Co. In all its dire aspects,
the people of the town were brought to know by experience
the intense excitements and the awful horrors of war. In
the hospitals here, 82 were reported, Nov. 1st, as sick ; of
whom 25 were from Canada.*

The disastrous campaign on Long Island was followed by
the abandonment, on the part of the American army, of the
city of New York, on Sunday, Sept. 15th, and its occupation
by the British. A large portion of its inhabitants fled into
the interior, and many of them into New Jersey, while the
tories of this section, many of them, made their way as
speedily as possible to the captured city. More and more it
was becoming doubtful, whether the whigs, or tories, would
prevail. It was in this gloomy period of apprehension that
the following letter was written by the Hon. Robert Ogden,
of this town, to his son-in-law, Maj. Francis Barber, in service
with Col. Dayton, at German Flats, N. Y. : —

Eliz a Town, Oct. 6, 1776, Sunday Eve= 8 o'clock.

My dear Son, Mr. Barber,

Through divine good our family are all in the land of the living, and
we still continue in the old habitation, [on the Point Eoad] though almost
surrounded by the regulars. They have long been on Staten Island, about
a month on Long Island, three weeks had the possession of New York,
which by the way is, nearly one-fifth of the city burnt to the ground ;
who set it on fire is unknown, but the regulars charge it to the Whigs,
and 'tis said have put several to death on that account, whether just or
unjust the great day will decide.

He then gives some account of the battle of Long Island,
and the battle near the Blue Bell ; says that he has been sick,
and adds :

Through divine goodness the fever has now left me, but in a continual
hurry, having much more business than a man of my years ought to do,
but don't at present, know how to avoid it.

In the beginning of my letter I told you we were almost surrounded —
began at Staten Island, and led you round by Long Island, New York,

* Am. Archives, 5th Ser., II , 5S8, 59T, S58.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 4-15

and Blue Boll. But now come to a very serious part of the story — Our
troops yesterday evacuated Bergen — carried off the stores and artillery,
moved off as many of the inhabitants as they could get away, drew the
wheat and other grain together, and 50 men were left to set fire to it,
and last night it was sot on fire, the flames were seen here.

Your Mother * still seems undetermined whether to stay here by the
stuff, or remove up to Sussex. A few days will determine her, but
perhaps in a few days it may be too late to determine a matter of this
importance. Your uncle David [Ogden] and Mother's maxim is " they
that live by faith won't die with fear." It has been a sickly, dying tirao
in this Town for a month past. Stephen Crane has lost his wife [Aug.
17, 1776], Daniel Williams his, John Harris his, Benjamin "Wiuans his
Timothy "Woodruff his, Sister Ogden, llannah Ogden [wife of David] has
lost her son Samuel, Mrs. Stubbs is dead, Mr. Nocl,t and last night Col.
Dayton's father [Jonathan] died suddenly in his chair, besides a great many
children. Also Aunt Betty Mother Hetfield has been very sick but is
recovered. Robert is and has been very poorly this fall and a great
to his wife and children are moved up to Morris Town, and most of
our gentry are gone off. Matthias' wife [Hannah, daughter of Col. Elias
Dayton] and her granny Thompson are moved up to Springfield. Friends
in general well. Hannah [bis daughter, set. 15,] has been sick but is got
well and is grown considerable this summer, lives at Doct. Caleb Haly-
stead's [his brother-in-law] with her aunt [Mary, wife of Job] Stockton.

Your Mother has been lying for a month past — the old sore ankle —
but the sore is now healed up. Major Morris Hatfield was taken prisoner
on Mountrisse's [Montresor's] Island, and is sent down to Xew York to
be cured of his wound as he was shot through the cheek.

It is said Major natfield fought valiantly, that he fired his musket 9
times, and the last account of him by our men was, a grenadier was
coming up to him with bayonet fixed to run him through, and they saw
the Major fire, and the grenadier drop at his feet ! I have now done with
my story for this time, having wrote as I generally tell my stories, in a
blundering, unconnected way. However I you would receive this.

Your Mother joins me in tenderest affectionate regards to you, and all
the family desire to be remembered to you and to all friend-.

I am yours affectionately Robert Ogden.

The battle of White Plains was fought on the 28th of Oc-
tober ; Fort Washington was taken im the ICtli of November;
and Fort Lee evacuated on the lSth. The campaign was
now transferred to the soil of New Jersey. Washington,
with the fragment of an army, reduced by the expiration ot

* rhebe, eldest daughter of Matthias natfleld, Esq.

t Garret Noel, previously bookseller. N. Y ; he died, Sep. '22«JL

446 THE HISTORY OF

militia enlistments, and the consequent scattering of his forces
to their homes, and utterly unable to obtain new recruits or
levies, was compelled to retire before the vastly superior
troops of the enemy. A slight diversion had been made by
Gen. Williamson, from the Point, on Staten Island, Sunday,
*Oct. 13tli ; but it amounted to nothing. The very next day,
Col. Slough's Battalion of Pennsylvania Associates, which
had been stationed here, was discharged to return home, with
the thanks of the General for their decent and orderly be-
havior while at the Point, and during the excursion of the
day before. Thus, in every quarter, the patriot army was
melting away.*

In anticipation of the invasion of New Jersey by the enemy,
Gen. "Washington wrote from White Plains, 'Nov. 7th, to Gov.
Livingston, urging the importance of placing the Jersey mili-
tia on the very best footing, and to forward him new re-
cruits. He then adds : —

The inhabitants contiguous to the water, should he prepared to remove
their stock, grain, effects, and carriages upon the earliest notice. If they
are not so, the calamities, which they will suffer, will be beyond all de-
scription, and the advantages derived by the enemy immensely great.
They have treated all here without discrimination; the distinction of
Whig and Tory has been lost in one general scene of ravage and desola-
tion. The article of forage is of great importance to them, and not a blade
should remain for their use. What cannot be removed with convenience
should be consumed without the least hesitation.

')
He urges, also, that the barracks here, at Amjboy, and at

Brunswick, be put in order " to cover our troops." He in-
forms Congress, Nov. 14th, that the army has left the other
side of Hudson's River, and that he intends to quarter them
at Brunswick, Amboy, Elizabeth Town, Newark, and Hacken-
sack. Fort Washington had not then been taken.f

Gen. Williamson at once wrote, Nov. 26, (on hearing of
the capture of Forts Washington and Lee), to the brave and
patriotic Col. Jacob Ford, Jr., of Morris Town, in the most

urgent terms : —

* Pennsylvania Journal, No. 1769."

t Sparks' Washington, IV. pp. 163, 4, 174.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 44.7

Yoa are ordered to bring out all the Militia in your County immediately,
and march them down to Elizabeth Town, and see that each man is fur-
nished with a gun, and all his accoutrements, blanket, and four days 1
provision, and when they arrive to join their respective companies and
regiments.*

"Washington had fallen back upon " Aquackanonck," oil
the right bank of the Passaic River, Nov. 21st, and, the next
day, fell down to Newark, where he remained unmolested
for six days. The interval was improved by the people of
Newark and Elizabeth Town, in removing their families and
effects beyond the Newark Mountains and the Short Hills,
into the more inaccessible interior. The distress and conster-
nation that prevailed all along the expected route of the two
armies can better be conceived than described. It is not
known that a record of it remains. On Thursday morning,
Nov. 28th, Washington, with the wreck of his army, not more
than 3500 in number, entered the almost deserted town by
the old road from Newark, the advanced guard of Lord
Cornwallis entering the latter town as the rear of the Amer-
ican army left it. Pushing on to secure an encampment on
the right bank of the Raritan, so as to be ready to oppose any
troops that might be sent by way of Staten Island to Amboy
for cutting off his retreat, he reached New Brunswick on
Friday ; remaining there but two days, and then, on Sunday,
December 1st, he took up the line of March for Trenton, ar-
riving there on Monday morning. Writing from Brunswick,
on Saturday, the 30th, he says,

From intelligence received this morning, one division of the enemy
was advanced last night as far as Elizabeth Town, and some of their quar-
termasters had proceeded about four or five miles on this side, to provido
barns for their accommodation. Other accounts say another division,
composed of Hessians, are on the road through Springfield, and arc re-
ported to have reached that place last night, t

Col. Huntington writes, Dec. 2d, from Ramapo to Col.
Heath, that not more than a hundred of the enemy remained
at Hackensack, and that their main body was at Elizabeth

* Am. Archives, 5th Ser., III. 1121 t Sparks' Washington, IV. 1S9, 190, 3-5, 200.

448 THE HISTORY OF

Town. A field officer in the British army, on the same day,
wrote to a friend in London, —

The troops under General Lord Cornwallis, after driving the Eebels
from Fort Lee, or Fort Constitution, in New Jersey, proceeded from Hack-
ensack to Newark, and from Newark to Elizabeth Town, where they
found great quantities of stores amongst which are twenty tons of musket
bullets. The Eebels continue flying before our army. *

On the approach of the enemy. Gen. "Williamson, with the
militia under his command, retired up the country. Writing
from Brunswick, on the 1st, to Gov. Livingston, Washington

says,' —

I have not, including General "Williamson's militia, more than four
thousand men. I wrote to General "Williamson last night, and pressed
him to exert himself ; but, I have reason to believe, he has not the confi-
dence of the people so much as could be wished.

Gen. Williamson writes from Morris Town, December 8th,
in defence of his apparent inefficiency, as follows : —

Very few of the Counties of Essex and Bergen joined my command.
(I) have it from good intelligence that many who bore the character of
warm "Whigs have been foremost in seeking protection from General
Howe and forsaking the American Cause. Colonel Thomas of Essex
County is with us, but has no command of men. ... I can declare before
God, I have worried myself to the heart in endeavouring to serve my
country to the extent of my power. General Mercer is knowing to many
difficulties I laboured under to keep the Militia together while he had the
command at Elizabeth Town. Upon the whole, I am so entirely disabled
from doing my duty in the brigade, by my lameness that I have wrote to
Governor Livingston to request his acceptance of my resignation. f

The difficulties with which he had to contend were not ex-
aggerated. The most disheartening was the defection of so
many professed patriots. Washington wrote, on the 5th, to
Congress,

By my last advices, the enemy are still at Brunswic ; and the account
adds, that General Howe was expected at Elizabeth Town with a rein-
forcement, to erect the King's standard, and demand a submission of this
State.

The next day, 6th, he writes, —

* Am. Archives, 5th Ber., III. 1037, 9. t Ibid., p. 1120.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 449

By a letter of the 14th ultimo from a Mr. Caldwell, a clergyman, and
a staunch friend to the cause, who has fled from Elizabeth Town, and
taken refuge in the mountains about ten miles from hence [thence ?J I
am informed that General or Lord IIowo was expected in that town to
publish pardon and peace. I lis words are, " I have not seen his procla-
mation, but can only say he gives sixty days of grace, and pardons from
the Congress down to the Committee. No one man in the continent
is to be denied his mercy." In the language of this good man, "The
Lord deliver us from his mercy." *

The proclamation by the brothers Howe was issued, on
Saturday, Nov. 30th, the day after the British occupation of
this town. It commanded all persons, who had taken up
arms against his Majesty, to disband, and return home ; and
offered to all who should, within sixty days, subscribe a decla-
ration, that they would be peaceable subjects, neither taking
up arms themselves, nor encouraging others so to do, a free
and full pardon for the past. Care was taken to give every
possible publicity to this document, and means, not always
the most gentle, were used to induce subscriptions, f

The people had witnessed, but a day or two before, to
what a sad plight the army of Washington — " the grand
army," that so recently confronted the British forces, — was
reduced, as in tattered array it fled before the enemy to the
Raritan. They were, at that moment, surrounded by the
well-caparisoned troops of Cornwallis, whose squadrons were
spreading themselves over the whole land, and, unresisted,
occupying every town and hamlet. The patriot cause ap-
peared to be utterly hopeless. It seemed impossible for C< in-
gress to retrieve the disasters that, since the fatal held of
Flatbush, had come upon the country. The "Declaration of
Independence " seemed now but an idle boast. It w.
yarded as certain, that the authority of King George would
soon be reestablished in all the States. Such was the e<>nli-
dent expectation and boast of the Loyalists at New York, on
"Long Island, on Staten Island, and in every place occupied
by the British troops. Even the must sanguine of patriots
spake and wrote in the most despondent term-.

* Sparks' Washington, IV. 204, '<. t Rid., p. 205. Gordon's Am. Rev., II. 129.

* Irving's Washington. II. '

450 THE HISTORY OF«

In these circumstances, it is scarcely to be wondered at, that
the artifice of Lord Howe and his brother met with very con-
siderable success, as intimated in Gen. Williamson's letter.
Dr. Ashbel Green observes, —

I heard a man of some shrewdness once say, that when the British
troops overran the State of New Jersey, in the closing part of the year
1776, the whole population could have been bought for eighteen pence a
head.*

The main body of the British army was pushed forward
beyond the Paritan towards the Delaware. But a consider-
able detachment remained to occupy this post, and to guard
against any surprise from the militia of the interior. Gen.
Charles Lee, with reinforcements for "Washington, reached
Chatham, from Peekskill, on the 8th of December, and on
the 11th, from Morris Town, wrote to Gen. Heath, on his
way from Peekskill, that, at Springfield, seven miles west of
Elizabeth Town, ..." about one tho.usand Militia are collect-
ed to watch the motions of the enemv." These were Col.
Ford's troops. They were stationed at the Short Hills, just
back of Springfield, from which point every movement of
the enemy on the plains below could readily be seen. An
eighteen-pounder was planted, subsequently, on the heights
near the residence (in after days) of Bishop Hobart, to give
the alarm in case of the enemy's approach. A tar-barrel was
fixed at the top of a lofty pole near by, to be set on fire when
the alarm-gun was discharged. These ccoild be heard and
seen over a great extent of country. f

The Rev. Mr. Caldwell had found an asylum for himself
and family at Turkey [New Providence], where he soon put
himself in communication with Col. Ford. His experience,
the previous summer and autumn, at the North, as Chaplain
of Col. Dayton's regiment, enabled him now to be of great
service to his country. Hearing of the arrival of Gen. Lee,
he wrote him on the 12th, as follows :

Dear Sir : I thank you for your favour from Baskingridge, of this morn-
ing, and intended to do myself the honour to wait upon you, and set out

* Jones' Life of Kev. D r . Ashbel Green, p. 122.

t Am. Archives, 5th Ser., III. 116T. Jones' Life of D r . Green, p. 96.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 451

for the purpose, but found my horse would not perform the journey with
sufficient expedition, and cannot procure another horse. And indeed I
find this the best place to observe the enemy's motions. From sundry
persons who have been upon the road, between Brunswick and Princeton,
I learn the Army has very generally inarched forward; indeed, all except
guards of the several posts. Yesterday they sent a reinforcement to
Elizabeth Town from Amboy, of near one thousand. Some say the whole
at Elizabeth Town are about one thousand; others say fifteen hundred.
They are carrying off the hay from Elizabeth Town to New York. ... I be-
lieve Elizabeth Town is their strongest post, as they were afraid of our
Militia, who have taken off many of the most active Tories, made some
prisoners, and among others shot their English Foragemaster, so that he
is mortally or very illy wounded. A company of our Militia went Is
night to "Woodbridge, and brought off the drove of stock the enemy had
collected there, consisting of about four hundred cattle and two hundred
sheep. Most of these cattle are only fit for stock. . . . They are driven op ■
the country to be out of the enemy's way.

At a Council of the Field Officers this morning, a majority of them
advised to remove the brigade of Militia back again to Chatham, for which
they assign these reasons. Many of the Militia, rather fond of plunder
and adventure, kept a continual scouting, which kept out so many detach-
ed parties, that the body was weakened; and the enemy being now
stronger at Elizabeth Town than they are, they thought they would
better serve the cause by lying at Chatham till the expected army ap-
proaches for their support.*

The next morning, 13th, Gen. Lee was captured by a sur-
prise-party of the enemy. f

General Heath, having reached Ilackensack, wrote to

Washington, on the 15th, in respect to the enemy, "Several

thousands landed at Elizabeth Town on yesterday or the day

before." The movement of the troops under Lee and Heath, .

and the posting of the militia under Ford, at the Short Hilb

had not escaped the e} T e of Cornwallis. A portion of his

forces, as appears from the following correspondence, were

ordered to retrace their steps, and look after these Americans.

In the night of the 17th, Ford writes from Chatham to Heath,

by express, and says,

"We have since sunset had a brush with the enemy, four miles below this,
in which we have suffered, and our Militia much disheartened They are
all retreated to this place and will in all probability bo attacked by day-
break. The enemy, we have reason to believe, are double our numbers

* Am. Archives, 5th Ser., III. USD t Irving'* Washington, II. J59-G3.

452 THE HISTORY OF

If in your wisdom you can assist us, we may possibly beat them yet ; but
without your aid we can't stand. They are encamped (say one thousand
British troops) at Springfield, and will be joined by four hundred and
fifty Waldeckers from Elizabeth-Town, by the nest morning's light.

The next day, he again writes to Heath : —

I have certain intelligence that the troops we engaged last night were
General Leslie's brigade, who marched some few days since from Eliza-
beth Town to the southard. They received an order to counter-march
to the same place. The brigade is from twelve to thirteen hundred strong
and the "Waldeckers upwards of four hundred. At Spanktown [Eahway],
six miles to the southard of Elizabeth Town, there is five hundred British
troops. This is all the enemy you have to combat in this country at pres-
ent, "We are not certain whether the enemy who attacked us have or
have not yet returned to Elizabeth-Town.*

Col. Syinmes, in a sketch of Col. Oliver Spencer, of this
town, gives a much more detailed account of this transaction :

On the approach of Gen. Lesley's troops towards Springfield they were
discovered by Maj. Spencer's videts stationed on the western road. Maj.
Spencer instantly despatched a light horseman on full speed four miles
to Chatham, to notify the Colonel commandant, that the enemy, in con-
siderable force, were within two miles of Springfield. The brigade were
already under arms, and were ordered instantly to march towards Spring-
field to sustain Maj. Spencer ; mean time the Major prudently abandoned
Springfield and retreated towards Chatham — he met the brigade at
Briant's tavern. After Major Spencer had communicated, to the Colonel
commandant, the position of the enemy then occupying Springfield, the
brigade advanced to the attack. Capt. Brookfield, who commanded the
flanking party on the left, made the first onset on the right of the enemy
extending from the Church up the Yauxhall road. Capt. Seely, who
commanded the flanking party on the right, made a warm attack upon
the left of the enemy spread along the Westfield road. The centre of the
enemy occupied the gronnd in front of, and the meadow behind, Wood-
ruff's tavern. The Colonel commandant of the militia supported by Col.
Lindsly on the left and Maj. Spencer, who now commanded the Essex
regiment, on the right, brought the centre of the brigade, retaining their
fire until within pistol-shot of the enemy — the conflict continued about an
hour, when the darkness forbade a longer contest at that time, and the
firing seemed mutually to cease on both sides. On this occasion Major
Spencer displayed by his conduct, the calm but intrepid soldier ; his horse
was shot under him, when, with a smile on his countenance, and a pistol
in each hand, he came up to the Colonel commandant, to inform him that

* Am. Archives, 5th Ser., III. 1235, 1260-1, 1277.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 453

he had been dismounted by the death of his horse. The brigade fell back
that evening only one mile to Briant's tavern — struck up fires and lay all
ni^ht on their arms; intending to make a second attack in the morning.
But in the morning the enemy was not to be found ; lie had withdrawn
in the night with all possible silence, taking off his dead and wounded in
wagons. The militia pursued him to AVestfield, but could not come up
with him. This was the first instance in the State of New Jersey, when
the British troops turned their backs and fled from those they called
rebels ; and this success, small as the affair was, taught the Jersey militia
that the foe was not invincible.*

Leslie's brigade entered Newark on the morning after the
"brush." Col. Ford, four days afterwards, found his forces
so much scattered, that only about two hundred remained.
Previous to this affair he had done good service, harassing
the enemy, " surprising their guards, and taking their wagons,
stores," &c. Ford was so much exposed and exhausted by
this short campaign, that soon after he was seized with peri-
pneumony, and died on the 11th, at Morris Town, in the 40th
year of his age — eight days before his father, Col. Jacob

Ford, Sen r .f

Washington, learning that " about eight hundred militia
had collected " near Morristown, sent, on the 20th of De-
cember, Gen. Maxwell, " to take the command of them, and,
if to be done, to harass and annoy the enemy in their quar-
ters, and cut off their convoys." Gen. McDougall was, also,
detailed for the same purpose. The state of affairs, the same
day, at Elizabeth Town is thus reported from Chatham : —

John Ilalstead left Elizabeth Town this morning at eight o'clock.
Says there is no troops in Elizabeth Town but Waldeckers, the same that
has been there for two weeks past. Says the drums beat this morning,
about day-break, and ho understood they were to have marched ; but that
they did not, and the reason why, as he understood, was the badness oi
the weather. Knows not which way they were to march, but it is said
they were to have a little march out o' town ; that he thinks six or seven
hundred British troops went through town the day before yesterday, near
twelve o'clock towards Newark, and that they have nut as yet returned.}:

On the morning ol Thursday, the 2Gth of December,

* N. J. Journal, No. 463G.

t Am. Archives, 5th Scr., III. 1200, 1305, 1 110. Morris Town Bill of Mortality, p. 29.

% Spark's Washington, IV. 239,240. Am. Archives, 5th Scr., III. 131G.

454 THE HISTORY OF

* Washington surprised and captured 918 Hessians at Trenton,
parts of Anspach's, Rani's, and Kniphausen's regiments,
with the loss of only four wounded. This brilliant manoeuvre
completely turned the tide of affairs. The British, who be-
lieved themselves masters of the country, and scouted the
idea of any opposition, were painfully roused from their rev-
eries, and began to be alarmed for their safety. The Amer-
icans, on the other hand, were electrified with delight, and
inspired with new life.

On the 30th, at Trenton, Washington wrote to Maxwell,
to collect as large a force as possible at Chatham, " and, after
gaining the proper intelligence, endeavour to strike a stroke
upon Elizabeth Town or that neighborhood," instructions
that Maxwell prepared at once to carry out.

Following up his advantages, Washington once more
crossed the Delaware, passed around the British at Trenton,
marched forward by night, surprised and captured Princeton
on the morning of January 3d, 1777, and then took post for
two or three days, at Pluckemin, in Somerset Co., a few
miles below Baskingridge ; thus compelling the British com-
mander to evacuate all his posts beyond ISTew Brunswick,
and provide, by a concentration of his forces, for the safety
of his stores, at the latter place. On Monday, the 6th,
Washington removed to Morris Town, to give his wearied
troops some rest, and to watch the panic-stricken foe.*

Gen. Sir Wm. Howe writes, from New York, Jan. 5, 1777,
that " Lord Cornwallis returned with his whole force to
Brunswick, and the troops at the right being assembled at
Elizabeth Town, Major General Vaughan has that com-
mand, f

Taking advantage of the consternation of the enemy, and
the advance of the American army, Gen. Maxwell, with the
militia under his command, came down from the Short
Hills, compelled the British to evacuate "N"ewark, had a brush
with them at Springfield, drove them out of Elizabeth Town,
and fought them at Spank Town [Railway] a couple of hours.

* Irving's Washington, II. 500-18. Dr. Tomes' Battles of Am., I. 42S-SS.
t Parliamentary Eegister, XI. 376.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 455

Of these movements, a meagre record only is preserved.
Washington writes to Congress, on the 7th, from Morris
Town, —

There Lave been two or three little skirmishes between their parties and
some detachments of the militia, in which the hitter have been success-
ful and made a few prisoners. The most considerable was on Sunday
morning [5th] when eight or ten Waldeckers -were killed and wounded,
and the remainder of the party, thirty nine or forty, made prisoners,
with the officers, by a force not superior in number and without receiv-
ing the least damage.*

This was at Springfield. The troops were led by Maj.
Oliver Spencer, and for his bravery on this occasion he was
presently after promoted to a colonelcy. Three days later,
(Sth), our forces recovered possession of this post : —

Philadelphia, Jan. 16, 1777. Our army marched from Pluckemin and
arrived at Morris Town on the sixth. Gen. Maxwell with a considerable
body of Continental troops and militia, having marched towards Elizabeth
Town, sent back for a reinforcement, which having joined him, he ad-
vanced and took possession of the town, and made prisoners fifty Wal-
deckers and forty Highlanders, who were quartered there, and made prize
of a schooner with baggage and some blankets on board. About the same
time one thousand bushels of salt were secured by our troops at a place
called Spank Town, about five miles from Woodbridge, where a party of
our men attacked the enemy at that place, they sent for a reinforcement
to Woodbridge, but the Hessians absolutely refused to march, having
heard we were very numerous in that quarter. The English troops at
Elizabeth Town would not suffer the Waldeckers to stand centry at the
outposts, several of them having deserted and come over to us.

Another account, dated, Trenton, January 9th, says, —

A regiment of British troops at Spank Town, six miles below Eliza-
beth Town, was attacked on Sunday by a party of Jersey militia ; the
encounter continued about two hours. Two regiments marched np from
Woodbridge and Amboy to reinforce the enemy; and thus saved them.f

Still another account says, Jan. Oth, —

The enemy have abandoned Elizabeth Town. Our people b itered

it and taken thirty Waldeckers and fifty Highlai bout thirty

gage waggons fully loaded. The enemy who had all the Jerseys, are
mow only in possession of Amboy and Brunswick.}

* Sparks' Washington, IV. 264. Gordon's N. J., p. 2:
f Alraon"s Remembrancer, 7. 70, 1, 2-4 Moore's Diary of Am. Kev., I. C73.

456 THE HISTORY OF

General Sir "Wm. Howe writes, on the 17th, from New
York, —

The enemy still continuing in force at Morris Town, and in that neigh-
borhood, and receiving daily reinforcements from the eastern militia,
Major General Yaughan, with the corps he had at Elizabeth Town, is
removed to Amboy.*

In Congress, March 23, 1778, it was " Ordered, That a
warrant issue on the treasurer in favour of James Norris, for
1527-ff dollars, in full payment of his capture from the ene-
my on the 9th of Jan. 1777, at Elizabeth-town, in !N\ Jersey,
which was disposed of to the army of the United States." f

At this time, occurred the following : It is related of Capt.
Eliakim Littell, of this town, " a partisan of great merit,"
and of " remarkably fine and imposing personal appear-
ance : " —

On the day that the British force abandoned Newark, which they had
occupied as a garrison, and marched to Elizabeth Town, a company of
"Waldeckers was dispatched on some particular service towards the Con-
necticut Farms. Littell and his followers speedily discovered and fol-
lowed them. Dividing his small force into two bodies he placed one
ambush in the rear, and, appearing in front with the other, demanded an
immediate surrender. The Germans wished to retrograde, but, meeting
with the party expressly concealed to impede their retreat, and briskly
assailed in front, surrendered without firing a gun. The British general,
exasperated by their capture, ordered out a body of Hessians to revenge
the affront ; but the superior knowledge of Littell and his associates
enabling them to goad the enemy at various points with spirited^attacks,
without any great degree of exposure, they were also driven into a swamp
and compelled to surrender to inferior numbers. Mortified beyond meas-
ure at this second discomfiture, a troop of horse were ordered out ; but
they in turn were routed, and were only more fortunate than those that
preceded them, by being able, by the rapid movement of their horses, to
escape pursuit. A tory, to whom a considerable reward was offered for
the performance of the service, now led 300 men to the house of Capt.
Littell, who, believing he was securely pent up within, commenced a
heavy discharge of musketry upon it from all sides. The Captain, how-
ever, was not to be so easily entrapped, and while they were making
preparations to storm the deserted dwelling, they were attacked in the
rear, being previously joined by another body of volunteers, and driven
with precipitation from the field. Littell in the interim, with a part of

* Parliamentary Eegister, XI. 3T6. t Journals, IV. 122.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. 457

his force, had formed an ambuscade along a fence side, and perceiving the
enemy slowly approaching, leveled and discharged his piece, and the
commander fell. Tho British, unable, from the darkDess of the night,
to make any calculation with regard to tho number of their opposers,
were intimidated, and sought safety in flight.*

Some allowance should be made for rhetorical embellish-
ments in these statements. The numbers, it is quite likely,
are somewhat exaggerated. Yet this may be taken as a
specimen of the kind of warfare, that for several months, at
this period, was prosecuted by the militia of this town and
vicinity. At this period, i