Contributions to the early history of Perth Amboy and adjoining country : with sketches of men and events in New Jersey during the provincial era

Front matter

genealogy collection

3 1833 02236 7335

CONTRIBUTIONS

Preface

On a promontory of commanding height, overlooking the hroad bay formed by the junction of the Earitan Eiver with Arthur Kull Sound, and dividing their respective waters, stands Perth Amboy. Although the prominent position it once occupied among the towns and cities of the land, has long been lost, yet there are associations connected with it as the former seat of government and the place of residence of many of the most eminent citizens of New J ersey in other days, which must ever render its history worthy the consideration of the people of the State. To many, who cherish for the ancient city an attachment based upon personal acquaintance with its many pleasing scenes — for

“ The very Autumn of a form once fine Eetains its beauties,” —

— a reference to those who long since gazed upon those scenes, and a recurrence to events to which they can give, so readily, “ a local habitation,” will afford more than ordinary interest.

No apology is therefore offered by the author, for presenting to his fellow Jerseymen these crude memorials of the past, which, favored by occasional leisure and opportunity, he has been enabled to collect. The result gives little evidence of the time and labor expended in his researches ; and although he feels some satisfaction at the success of his undertaking, he regrets that abler hands, at an earlier period, had not entered upon it; while yet individuals were living, who, from personal knowledge, or traditions recollected, could have supplied so much of interest to the “ snapper up of unconsidered trifles : ” — those trifles which constitute so large a portion of the warp and woof of local history.

The illustration of the early history of Perth Amboy and the Adjoining Country, is not, however, the only purpose of the volume.

Vi

PREFACE.

It serves as the thread on which is strung much miscellaneous matter bearing upon the general history of the State, accumulated while engaged in the preparation of other works, which is given to the public at the request of gentlemen whose genealogical and local researches have been facilitated by reference thereto ; it having been suggested that such publication would render the information thus collected more available, and preserve, in a proper form, what was likely otherwise to be printed by others in a disconnected and unsatisfactory manner. The author’s delay in so doing may lead to the supposition that, in some instances, he has failed to give credit to others, when, in fact, he has merely resumed possession of the results of his own researches. He has endeavored to make due acknowledgment in all cases, in connection with the specific topic, whenever indebted to books or written communications for the facts stated ; not being disposed to adopt the practice, sanctioned by some recent writers of reputation, of summarily cancelling all obligations to others by giving a list of the works consulted. Niebuhr would not allow himself even to quote at second hand, without naming the author through whom he had obtained the reference, although he may have examined the work himself ; — “ He who acts otherwise,” he says, “ gives himself the appearance of greater reading than he possesses : ” and the labor bestowed upon historical researches is assuredly deserving of the trifling recompense of an acknowledgment from those by whom the results are appropriated.

No attempt has been made to clothe with the importance of history, these desultory gleanings from the fields of the past ; and collected, as the items have been, during brief periods, which, amid many cares and under the pressure of various pursuits, have now and then been presented, they have been allowed to retain in most instances the form in which they were at first arranged ; no attempt being made, by skilfulness of combination, to supply any deficiencies in their interest or value. To bind together the scattered sheaves, howover, has been a recreation rather than a task, and the author will consequently be doubly compensated should they prove acceptable to those for whom they have been gathered, and to whose service they are now dedicated.

Newark, New Jersey, February , 1856.

CHAPTER I— The Settlement. PACK

The selection of the site — Origin of the name of Amboy — Proposals for building and peopling the Town — Plans of Samuel Groom and Gawen Lawrie — Views of the Proprietaries in reference to the Seat of Government, - 1

CHAPTER II.— The Settlers

Thomas Rudy ard. Gawen Lawrie, Samuel Groom, William Haige, William Dockwra, Benjamin Clarke, George Keith, The Campbells, The Scotch Immigrants by the “Henry and Francis,” John Forbes, James Emott, John Barclay, Stephen and Thomas Warne, Thomas and Robert Fullerton, John Reid, Miles Forster, David Mudie, Garret and Walter Wall, - - - 12

CHAPTER III.— The City

Its first Charter — Its progress under it — Notices of the place by different writers— Its second Charter — Last act of Incorporation — Population at different times, • - - - * - - - - -50

CHAPTER IV— The Citizens

None of the original families left — Causes, of the change — The Gordon Family — The Johnstone Family — The Sonmans Family — The Willocks Family — The Lyell Family — The Harrison Family — The Kearny Family — The Farmar Family — Elias Bland — The Skinner Family —

The Nevill Family — The Barb errie Family — The Watson Family — The Parker Family — Thomas Bartow — -The Sargant Family — The Stevens Family — The Bryant Family, -------- 59

CHAPTER V.— Resident Governors. Robert Hunter — William Burnet — John Hamilton — Francis Bernard

Thomas Boone — William Franklin, .... - 147

CHAPTER VI. — Religious Denominations

Protestant Episcopalians — Presbyterians — Baptists — Methodists — Roman Catholics, - - - 208

CHAPTER VII.— Public Buildings and Places

The Town or Court House— Jails — The Stocks — The Old Market — The Barracks — The Office of Provincial Records — Brighton House — Inns and Taverns— The Spa— The Cove— Tower Hill— The Wreck of the Caledonia, 250

Vlll

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER YIII.— Travelling Facilities.

PAGE

Early routes and roads through the Province — Ferries at different points — Transmission of the Mails — Establishment of Post Offices — The Carriage of Passengers and Transportation of Merchandise — Different Stage Routes — Intercourse between Newark and New York, - - 267

CHAPTER IX— Miscellaneous Topics. Early Educational Schemes — Commercial Projects — Fairs and Races

The Public Bathing Day — Fires and Engines — The Pirates and Their Hidden Treasures — Slavery — Lotteries, 290

CHAPTER X.— Events during the Revolution

Operations of the Armies in the district of country north of the Raritan- Predatory Excursions — Local Incidents, 325

CHAPTER XL— Woodbrigde.

Its Settlement and subsequent History — Allotment of land among the Settlers— Their names — Lists of the Deputies to the General Assembly and of Town Officers — Notices of the Old Families — Historical Sketches of the Presbyterian and Episcopal Congregations — Educational Schemes — Appropriations for Schools and for Support of the Poor — Miscellaneous Items, 355