History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, with illustrations and biographical sketches ... Compiled by J. P. Snell ... assisted by ... W. W. Clayton, etc

Preface

. A " preface" is not generally, as the word seems to imply, the beginning of a book, except as to its location, inasmuch as it embraces the last words that come from the author's pen and is the last — with the title-page and contents — to be printed. This enables the writer to have a final word with his readers, even after the book proper is completed. In this instance the opportu nity will be used in returning our grateful acknowledgments to the many citizens of the two counties who have assisted in the preparation of this volume.! We are particularly indebted to Hon. Thomas Lawrence, D. S. Anderson, Esq., Hon. Sam uel H. Hunt, Thomas G. Bunnell, David Thompson, Esq., John T. Stewart, Richard F. Good man, Thomas Kays, Esq., Jonathan Havens, M.D., George H. Nelden, Theodore Morford, Thomas Ryerson, M.D., William M. Smith, Maj. William R. Mattison, Rev. A. A. Haines, of Sussex County; and to Hon. James M. Robeson, Hon. William H. Morrow, Hon. Samuel Sherrerd, Jehiel S. Shipman, Esq., Judge J. T. Kern, Hon. John I. Blair, Charles E. Vail, Charles Scranton, J. V. Creveling, John Simerson, Josiah Ketcham, Rev. E. C. Cline, B. F. Howey, Oscar Jeffery, Judge P. H. Hann, J. E. Fulper, Joseph A. Shrope, Augustus H. Del liker, Caleb H. Valentine, Ziba Osmun, Israel Harris, Drs.

Brakeley, Johnson, Griffith, Cook, and Clark, of Warren County ; and Hon. Henry C. Kelsey, Trenton, etc.* The list of those who have contributed to, and in various ways aided in the preparation of, this work is so large that we may be pardoned for not attempting to enumerate each individually. But to the members of the press generally, and the various representatives of the clerical, legal, and medical professions, in Sussex and Warren Counties, we are particularly indebted. The old residents — descendants of the early pioneers — have also nobly come to our aid, placing at our disposal much that is rare and ancient in documents and verbal lore, and which must prove of inestimable value in the future. The efficient and polite county officials have rendered valuable assistance, especially in the documentary portions of the work and in the compilation of the county and township civil lists.

So generally and so generously has encouragement been given to our labors that we can charitably overlook the very few exceptions. Conscientious labor has been bestowed upon this history, with a view to make it as thorough and accurate as possible. These endeavors have been prosecuted often in the face of obstacles, — * Many acknowledgments are specially made in the various departments of this volume.

PREFACE.

. loss of records, imperfect recollections, and conflicting accounts, — and we trust that a charitable public will keep this in view in passing judgment upon this volume, the result of these efforts. Our work has been performed as if it was not for the day only, but for all coming time ; and it is safe to assume that these gathered annals will grow in value with each passing year. To the author's zealous and able staff of writers much credit is also due, particularly to Prof. W. W. Clayton, who with skill and care has told the tale of the birth, infancy, and de velopment of this country, as found in the general history chapters of Sussex and Warren Coun ties; also to Messrs. W. H. Shaw, E. O. AVagner, D. Schwartz, etc., who have labored in the special department of township and borough histories.

The publishers have embodied in this handsome volume the historical manuscripts which the author and his numerous assistants have gathered and edited, and with our best wishes they now go back, on the printed page, to the citizens of Sussex aud Warren. JAMES P. SNELL. Philadelphia, April 29, 1881. V CONTENTS HISTOKY OP SUSSEX AND WAKKEN COUN- TIES.

Chapter I

Brief Review of the Early History of New Jersey. Discovery by Henry Hudson— Occupation of New Netherlands — Settlements at Bergen and on the Delaware — Swedish Colony, New Sweden — Grant to the Duke of York — Proprietary Government — Proprietary Government of East Jersey — Surrender of the Government to the Crown 9

Chapter II

Original Counties and their Boundaries. Counties under the Proprietors — Counties defined by the Act of 1709 — Counties in Northwestern New Jersey 15

Chapter III

Indian Occupation — The Original People. General Tribal Divisions — The League of the Iroquois — The Delawares, or Lenni Lenape — Traditions among the Delaware Tribes — Totems, or Tribal Badges of the Indian — Indian Population in New Jersey — Conquest of the Lenni Lenape by the Iroquois — Final Disposal of the Delawares — Local Indian Names 17

Chapter IV

First Settlement in Sussex and Warren. Pioneers from Ulster County — The old Dutch Records — Names of Early Settlers of Sussex County — Marriages 24

Chapter V

Early Settlements (Continued). The Minisink Country — Minisink Settlement — Minisink Precinct — Settlements in other Parts of Sussex and Warren 28

Chapter VI

French and Indian "War, 1755. Causes of the Disturbance — The Van Campen and Belcher Correspondence — Defensive Measures adopted — Indian Incursions and Murder — Precautions and Adventures of Frontier Settlers — Military Organizations — Fighting the Indians — Extracts from the " New American Magazine" — Conferences — Negotiations for Peace — Teedyuscung.. 33

Chapter VII

Partition-Line between East and West Jersey. Establishment of the North Station Point — Action of the Commissioners fully Approved— Survey of the Partition Line — Transfer of Estates from East to West Jersey — Movement for a New Partition-Line — The Keith Line 41

Chapter VIII

Sussex and Warren Counties in the Revolution. The Situation in 1774 and 1775— "The Spirit of '76"— Sussex County Committee of Safety— The Provincial Congress — Adoption of the Constitution of 1776— The Provincial Committee of Safety — Indian Raids during the Revolution — Sussex Steel and Cannon-balls 49

Chapter IX

Sussex and Warren Counties in the Revolution (Continued), Toryism — Lieut. James Moody — Prominent Men of Sussex and Warren in the Revolution — Women of Sussex in the Revolution 67

Chapter X

Sussex and Warren Counties in the Revolution [Continued), Troops furnished by the County during the War — Regular Troops of the Jersey Line — The Militia Levies — Rosters of Officers and Privates — Military Roll of Joseph Gaston 66

CHAPTER XL

Slavery and Servitude in Sussex and Warren. Negroes and Slaves in the Early Days — " Redemptioners" — Persons sold for their Passage Money — Laws respecting Slavery — Action of the Quakers — Abolition of Slavery in New Jersey — Statistics — Last Slaves. 75

Chapter XVIII

Rosters of Officers and Enlisted Men in the War of the Rebellion from Sussex and Warren Counties. Sussex County Soldiers— Warren County Soldiers VI CONTENTS

CHAPTER XII.

Physical Features of Sussex County. General Topography aud Scenery— Lake Hopatcong— Delaware River and Water Gap— Geology of Sussex County— Gneiss— Crystalline or Metamorphic Limestone— Potsdam Sandstone— Magnesian Limestone — Fossiliferous Limestone— Hudson Eiver Slate— Oneida Conglomerate —Medina Sandstone— Water-lime— Lower Helderberg Limestone— Oriskany Sandstone— Cauda-galli Grit— Onondaga and Corniferous Limestone— Marcellus Shale— Surface Geology— Mines and Ores— Iron- Mines— Drowned Lands of the Wallkill 236 TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES OF SUSSEX COUNTY. Newton 247 Wantage 287 Walpack 313 Hardyston 33* Vernon 346 Montague 361 Lafayette 37° Stillwater 379 Frankford 390 Sparta 404 Sandy6ton *1T Green 426 Andover 441 Hampton 449 Byram 460 "W^A-ZR-ZEilEIISr COTJZLsTT'Z".

Chapter IV

Civil History of Warren {Continued). Civil List — MembetB of Congress — Judge of the Supreme Court — JudgeB of Court of Errors and Appeals — Members of the Legislature — Delegates to the Constitutional Convention — Judges of the Court of Common Pleas— Sheriffs of Warreu County— Prosecutors of the Pleas Surrogates— Clerks of Warren County— Justices of the Peace— Commissioners of Deeds — Notaries Public — Bank Commissioners — Coroners 480

Chapter V

Internal Improvements. The Morris Canal— Railroads— Central Railroad of New Jersey— Belvidere Delaware Railroad— The Warren Railroad— Morris and Essex Railroad— Blairstown Railway— Lehigh Valley Railroad— Contemplated Railroads— Steamboating on the Upper Delaware— Steamboat Disaster aog

Chapter VI

Bench and Bar of Warren County. Early Lawyers and Judges— Members of Warren County Bar— First Courts held in Warren-General Quarter Sessions of the Peace— Inferior Court of Common Pleas-Oyer and Terminer— Biographical Sketches— Important Trials— The Warren County Ring 490 SUSSEX: COTX2sTT"¥"_

Chapter IV

Sussex County Civil List. Representatives in Congress — Judges of the Supreme Court — Governor and Chancellor — Secretaries of State — Members of the Legislature — County Judges — Appointments by the Governor — Appointments by Joint Meeting — Under the New Constitution — County Clerks — Sheriffs of the County — Surrogates — County Collectors — Present Justices of the Peace 159

Chapter V

Progress — Internal Improvements. Increase of Population — Heathfnlness — Longevity — Other Elements of Progress — Post-offices — Railroads — The New Jersey Midland Railroad — Sussex Railroad — Ogden's Mine Railroad — Morris and Essex Railroad 162

Chapter VI

Education in Sussex County. Early Schools — Bequestof Rev. Elias Van Bunschooten — Classical Schools — William Rankin, Deckertown Classical School — Public Schools — Public School Funds — School Statistics (1879) — County Superintendents —Edward A. Stiles— Luther Hill 168