The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jersey City and its Historic Sites, by
Harriet Phillips Eaton
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Title: Jersey City and its Historic Sites
Author: Harriet Phillips Eaton
Release Date: January 10, 2015 [EBook #47936]
Language: English
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[Illustration: MAP OF JERSEY CITY, N. J.]
JERSEY CITY
AND ITS
HISTORIC SITES
BY
HARRIET PHILLIPS EATON
PUBLISHED BY
THE WOMAN'S CLUB
OF
JERSEY CITY
"_Perhaps a remembrance of these things will prove a source of future
pleasure_". "_These who have insured their remembrance by their
deserts_."--VIRGIL.
To the
Citizens of Jersey City,
this book is most cordially dedicated
by
the Author and Publishers.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1899,
BY HARRIET PHILLIPS EATON,
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
PRESS OF A. V. HAIGHT, POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y.
CONTENTS.
Sheyichbi and its People 9
The Lenni Lenape and their Customs 10
Arrival of the Dutch 13
Wampum 14
The Relations of the Delawares with the Whites 16
Indian Names of Localities 16
Pavonia 18
Massacre of Indians 19
Indian Troubles 20
Communipaw 22
The First Ferry 23
The First Roads 24
Bergen 25
Bergen Court 27
The First Schoolmaster 27
School Houses 28
Early Ministers 30
The First Church, 31
The First Pall 33
The First Communion Set 33
The Second and Third Churches 35
Early Church Customs 35
The Voorleezer 37
Church Funds 38
Marriages and Town Poor 40
Burial Customs 41
Cemeteries 44
Paulus Hook 47
Paulus Hook Ferry 47
Revolutionary Period 50
The Battle of Paulus Hook 53
Lafayette in Bergen 57
Sergeant Champe 60
Bergen Patriots 61
Early Customs 64
New Years 64
General Training 65
Early Dutch Recipes 67
Cooking by Open Fires 69
Spinning and Weaving 71
Candle-making 72
Slavery 74
Lotteries 74
Jersey City 75
Municipal Changes 75
Forming the City 77
Newark Turnpike 78
Robert Fulton 80
The Ferries 81
Edge's Windmill 85
City Hall and Schools 87
Public School No. 1 88
Scholarships 89
Post Office 91
Churches 92
Business Interests 94
Jersey City Pottery 95
Fire and Police Departments 99
Hudson County Bar 99
Street Lighting 100
Railroads 101
Steamships 102
Street Railways 103
Waterworks 105
War Records:
Army 107
Navy 110
Militia 111
Hospitals and Churches 117
The Clubs 120
Libraries 130
Parks 133
The City of To-day 135
The Old Houses 136
The City of the Future 143
FROM THE MINUTES OF THE LITERATURE COMMITTEE OF THE WOMAN'S CLUB OF
JERSEY CITY.
At a meeting of the Committee January 5th, 1898, one of the subjects
for the day was "Jersey City's Old Landmarks." In the discussion that
followed, Miss M. Louise Edge moved that Mrs. Eaton be requested to
write a short history of Jersey City, to be published by the Club: the
proceeds of which to be used to erect memorial tablets on historic
sites of the Colonial and Revolutionary periods.
At the meeting of October 12th, 1898, Mrs. Eaton made the following
report:
_Madam Chairman and Ladies of the Literature Committee:_
I take pleasure in reporting that in accordance with the request of
this Committee embodied in the motion made by Miss M. Louise Edge
upon January 5th, 1898, I have prepared the story of Jersey City. My
authorities have been: Winfield's History of Hudson County, The Jersey
City Journal's History of Jersey City, Colonial and City Records,
Versteeg's Translation of the Deacons Accounts of the Bergen Church,
Taylor's Annals of the Classis and Township of Bergen, and numerous
descendants of the old colonial families,--the Van Reypens, Van Horns,
Van Winkles, Sips, Newkirks and many others, to all of whom I am
greatly indebted. Also to Dr. Brett, who has kindly assisted me with
his great store of historic data.
I wish particularly to express my great indebtedness to Mr. C. C. Van
Reypen, who, with his wonderful memory and knowledge of Bergen, has
been of invaluable assistance to me.
Respectfully submitted,
Harriet Phillip Eaton
SHEYICHBI AND ITS PEOPLE.
Before the white race came to America, the locality now known as
Jersey City, was occupied by a branch of the Minsi division of the
Lenni Lenape Nation of the Red Men, and was called Sheyichbi. The
whole of the present state of New Jersey belonged to the Lenape, and
was occupied by bands bearing different names according to the special
features of the locality, but all recognizing their unity as one
people. Those who lived here, along the western shore of the New York
Bay, extending to the sea, were known as the Wapings, or Pomptons,
and were the first of the Lenape to meet the white man when Verrazano
visited this harbor in 1524. Their last home was along the Raritan
river. The name Lenni Lenape means "Men of our Nation," and they
claimed to be the oldest nation and root of the great Algonkin stock,
which, in its various divisions, with forty distinct dialects, occupied
this continent from Hudson's Bay to South Carolina, and from the
Atlantic to the Mississippi and the great plains, with the exception of
a portion east of the Lakes where the Huron Iroquois dwelt. The other
Algonkin nations were spoken of by them as "children," "Grandchildren,"
or "younger brothers," and to them was always accorded the respectful
title of "grandfathers." Their traditions taught them that they came
from Shinaki, the "Land of the Fir Trees," which was probably north of
Lake Superior, and in their migrations they came upon the Cherokees,
probably in the ninth or tenth century of our era, with whom they
fought one hundred years for possession of the Ohio Valley. Finally
the Cherokees went south and the Lenape eventually, in the eleventh or
twelfth century, made their home in the mountainous region of the head
waters of the Delaware river. Their hunting grounds included lands now
in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. In 1758, New Jersey paid them
$5,000 for their lands in this State.
They were called by the western nations Wapenachki,--"People of the
Rising of the Sun." The name Delaware was given to them and one of
their rivers, after Lord de la Ware, which they at first resented but
accepted it after being told that he was a great "Brave." In character
they were a noble spirited but gentle, kindly people, and all the early
writers concur in testimony to their hospitality. Each family lived in
its separate wigwam, a wattled hut with rounded top, thatched with mats
woven of corn leaves, sweet flag, or bark of trees. These were built
in groups and usually surrounded with palisades of small tree trunks
firmly planted in the ground, sometimes two or three rows, interlaced,
and from twenty to thirty feet in height. Their clothing was made of
deer skin, soft and pliable and beautifully embroidered with wampum
beads or dyed porcupine quills. In some of the arts they had attained
great skill, excelling in dressing deer skins and in feather work;
carved stone, made ornaments of shell and a rude pottery, some in the
shape of animals. They recognized the value of the Trenton clays and
Indian potters used them for centuries before the white men came. While
their weapons and utensils were principally of stone, they also used
copper, both native New Jersey ore and that brought from Lake Superior,
which they deftly hammered into shape. Old mining holes and Indian
tools have been found between Elizabethtown and New York. Bowls were
carved from wood and from soap-stone, kettles were made of the latter
which would hold from ten to twelve gallons. They used both vegetable
and mineral paints and dyes; were very expert fishermen and hunters.
They were accurate in computing time and had some astronomical
knowledge; women and children could give names to many of the stars,
and their year began with the first moon after the February moon. The
time for planting was calculated by the rising of Taurus in a certain
quarter. To this constellation they gave the name of a mythical great
horned beast. They had a word for year, and counted their ages and
sequence of events by yearly periods, but recognized only twelve moons
in the year. They kept a record of the years by adding a black bead
of wampum for each year in a belt kept for the purpose. Their picture
writing was scratched on stones or cut or painted on bark or wood. It
was a record of current events, the past history of the nation, and in
memory of famous men, events, and actions of note. They also recorded
abstract ideas, as, when an Indian gave William Penn a drawing of the
"Great Man" within a series of concentric circles as their idea of God.
These picture writings were understood and could be read by the various
branches of the Algonkin stock. Bunches of slender sticks notched or
painted were also used as records.
In religion, they worshipped Light and its representatives, the Sun,
Fire--"a special messenger to the Sun," the Four Winds--"Bringers
of rain and sunshine," and Totemic Animals. "Light was the body or
fountain of Deity," something "All Light, a Being in whom the earth and
all things in it may be seen; a Great Man clothed with the day, yea,
with the brightest day, a day of many years, yea, a day of everlasting
continuance. From Him proceeded, in Him were, to Him returned all
things, and the souls of all things." This was their faith taught by
their Priests, called "Powow," meaning dreamer. They interpreted dreams
and claimed to have visions which foretold future events. They believed
in reincarnation and that the pure in heart might recall former
lives. There were traces of the survival of Serpent worship among the
people of this locality. Cast-off serpent skins were believed to have
wonderful curative properties and supplications were offered to them.
In 1683 Penn said there were ten divisions of the Lenape, numbering
about six thousand souls, but they soon began to decrease from disease,
massacres and migrations. The New Jersey Indians rapidly died out,
Peter Kalm said,--"Smallpox had destroyed increditable numbers, but
brandy had killed most of the Indians."
[Illustration: HUDSON'S HALF MOON]
ARRIVAL OF THE DUTCH.
In the fall of 1609, Hendrik Hudson anchored the "Half Moon" off
Communipaw, and the simple natives met him and said "Behold the Gods
have come to visit us." Little they dreamed of the long sequence of
evil results which would follow his coming and the introduction he gave
them to "rum," the most potent destroyer of their race. When Hendrik
Hudson anchored off Communipaw, where lower Jersey City now stands, it
was largely salt marsh, and the heights above were crowned with heavy
forests.
When he first came within Sandy Hook and gained his first view of
Jersey shores he pronounced it a "very good land to fall in with, and
a pleasant land to see." Later the country about Communipaw he thought
"as pleasant a land as one need tread upon." He found an Indian village
near the shore called Gemoenepa and another at Hackensack. It is said
that Summit Avenue follows a part of the trail or path connecting the
two villages. Hudson found the natives along the west shore, from Sandy
Hook to Weehawken, friendly and generous; they brought him oysters,
corn and fruits. Of the beauty of these people Verrezano, who visited
New York Bay in 1524, was quite enthusiastic and declares of two chiefs
that "they were more beautiful in form and feature than can possibly
be described." He said that "the women greatly resemble the Antique,
of the same form and beauty, very graceful, of fine countenance and
pleasing appearance in manners and modesty." The early writers all
unite in describing these people as "generous, giving away whatever
they had," also as "being sumptuously clothed in embroidered deer skins
wrought in damask figures," and that the women wore more ornamental
clothing than the men.
Van Der Donck says that the "wampum with which a woman's skirt was
embroidered was frequently worth from one to three hundred guilders."
They wore, also, wampum embroidered caps and head bands, the latter
worn across the forehead and tied behind in a "beau's knot." Many
earrings and curiously wrought necklaces and bracelets, with various
colored feathers in their hair were worn by both men and women. Wampum
and "seawant" as it was also called, were the Indian terms for beads
made from clam shells. By the primitive methods of the Indians the
beads were difficult to make, being ground down on grooved stones, and
pierced by a sharp splinter of flint fastened in one end of a reed, the
other end being slowly revolved upon the right thigh while the bead
to be pierced was held between the thumb and forefinger of the left
hand. The beads were usually from 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch in length,
and because of the difficulty of manufacture they became one of the
most valuable Indian possessions and to a certain extent a standard
of value. Long Island, called by the Indians Sewan-hackey--land of
shells--which was inhabited by branches of the Lenni Lenape family was
the great center of wampum manufacture. There were specialists who
devoted their time to making wampum. It was largely used by all of the
eastern Indians, not alone for embroidery and ornamentation, but in
record belts which were used in their treaties. The two colors, white
and purple, being wrought into figures which were mnemonic and enabled
the "wampum keepers" to remember the words of the speech which were
"talked into" the belt presented at the time. It was used in bunches
of strings, strung in a certain manner, to represent the hereditary
Chieftain name, and from the convenience of carrying it, it had become
nearer to being a recognized currency than anything else of value among
the Indians. Therefore it was used among the white colonists all along
the coast, not only for the Indian trade but among themselves until
late in the 18th century. They gave it a corresponding value to their
own currency. At one time four black and eight white beads equalled a
stiver, but in 1673 the Governor and Council of New Jersey decreed that
henceforth three purple and six white wampum beads should equal one
stiver or an English penny; twenty stivers, a guilder. As currency it
was usually carried in strings, one hundred and fifty in a string, a
"fathom of wampum" is often mentioned by early writers, and it was also
used loose. The following list will show the value in "seewan" of the
kinds of money mostly received by the Deacons of Bergen:
=st=.
A piece of eight was worth f12.00 in seewan
A realtje, about 1.10 "
A loan dollar 11.00 "
An £ English 40.00 "
so that $1 American was worth 8.00 "
The Dutch early manufactured wampum at Hackensack, turning it upon a
lathe; this manufacture was continued until late in this century.
During the French and English war the Delawares joined the French.
In 1776 they joined the Federal cause and fought with us in the
Revolutionary war. In their relations with Penn's colonists "they
showed" to quote Dr. Brinton, "a sense of honor and regard for pledges
equal at least to that of the white race." From 1782 to 1795 there
was a bitter war between the white people and the Lenape owing to
the desire of the whites to possess the Indian lands, which resulted
in three cruel massacres of Christian Indians, and of the removal of
the Lenape, first to Ohio, next to Kansas, and last to the Indian
Territory. "In this long contest," as Dr. Brinton says, "the history of
the relations of the white race with the Lenape is not one calculated
to reflect glory upon the superior civilization and Christianity of the
white race." In the war of 1863-65, one-half of the adult population
of the Lenape officered by their own men were in the volunteer service
of the United States. "No State in the Union furnished so many men for
our armies from the same ratio of population as did the Lenape nation."
The old men, women and children worked the farms and while the men
were away fighting for the Union their white neighbors stole from them
$20,000 worth of stock.
Of our Indian predecessors in this region the only trace remaining is
in a few corrupted names of localities:
HACKENSACK, FROM ACKENSACK--low land.
SECAUCUS, FROM SISKAKES OR SIKAKES--the place where the snake hides.
The Indian name for Snake Hill, now transferred to the upland
between Pinhorne Creek and Hackensack river.
WEEHAWKEN, FROM AWIEHAKEN--at the end of (the Palisades.)
HOBOKEN, FROM HOPOGHAN HACKINGH--the land of the tobacco pipe. At this
point they procured the stone from which they carved their pipes. It
was a piece of upland called by the Indians, an island with salt marsh
lying between it and the Hill.
HARSIMUS, FROM AHASIMUS, the meaning is now lost; it was another bit
of upland lying south of Hopoghan.
COMMUNIPAW, FROM GEMOENEPA, the meaning is not known.
NAVESINK--a good fishing place.
PAVONIA.
On July 12th, 1630, Mr. Michael Pauw, Burgomaster of Amsterdam and
Lord of Achtienhover, near Utrecht, obtained through the Directors
and Councillors of New Netherlands, a deed from the Indians to the
land called Hopoghan Hackingh, this being the first deed recorded in
New Netherlands. On November 22nd, of the same year, the same parties
procured from the Indians a deed to Mr. Pauw of Ahasimus and Aresick
(burying-ground), the peninsula later called Paulus Hook. These were
the first conveyance by deed of any land in East Jersey. To these
tracts Pauw gave the name Pavonia from the Latinized form of his own
name, Pauw in the Dutch and Pavo in Latin meaning Peacock. When the
first settlement was formed or the first house built is unknown. In
May, 1633, Michael Poulaz or Paulusson, an officer in the service of
the Company, was living at Pavonia. He probably occupied a hut on
the Point which received from him the name of Paulus Hook. In the
latter part of 1633, two houses thatched with reeds were built, one at
Ahasimus, near what is now the corner of Fourth and Henderson streets,
and the other at Communipaw. So far as is known these were the first
regular buildings in this county.
Paulusson had charge of the trade with the Indians and was
Superintendent of Pavonia. He was succeeded in 1634 by Jan Evertsen
Bout, who selected the house at Communipaw for his home, and was the
first white resident there; this farm which Bout leased after Pauw
had sold his rights to the Company, was known as Bout's farm, and
included all of the upland lying between Communipaw Creek, where the
Abattoir stands, on the south, and the meadows where the engine house
of the Central railroad stands, or Maple street, on the north. Later
the Governor, General Kieft, and the Council gave him a patent for this
farm. The house was burned in 1643. It was in commemoration of Jan
Evertsen Bout that the circular hill and section of upland at the mouth
of Mill Creek was named Jan de Lacher's (or John the Laugher's) Hook.
In 1636 Cornelis Van Vorst became Superintendent of Pauw's property and
lived in the house built by Pauw at Ahasimus. For several years there
was trouble between the Company and Pauw, which was finally settled by
the Company paying to Pauw 26,000 florins for his interest in Pavonia.
[Illustration: THE VAN VORST HOMESTEAD.]
[Illustration: JAN DE LACHER'S HOECK.]
In February, 1643, about a thousand Indians fleeing from the Mohawks
came to the Dutch for protection. They were encamped on the upland near
the present intersection of Pine street and Johnston avenue. Here,
on the night of February 25th, a party of Dutch soldiers, by order
of Governor Kieft, murdered and brutally mutilated a large number of
men, women and children. The sickening details of this massacre by
white Christians cannot be surpassed by the records of savage races.
This led to serious troubles; all the Indians united and for a year
and a half made war upon the Dutch. They burned the house at Ahasimus
in which the widow and family of Van Vorst lived. A portion of the
farm-house built on the site of this first house was still in existence
in 1895. Between 1649 and 1655, there were quite a number of patents
for lands issued, principally to soldiers, at Communipaw, and as far
down as the present town of Greenville, and there were quite a number
of flourishing farms at Hoboken, Ahasimus, Paulus Hook and Communipaw.
The land upon which they lived was known as Bouweries, and the outlying
farms as plantations. At that time the land known as Kavans Point,
below Communipaw, extended farther into the bay. Winfield states that
"within the present century the waters of the bay have encroached over
200 feet, and that a cherry orchard once stood where fishermen now
stake their nets."
In 1655, an Indian girl stole some peaches from a farm near the
present site of Trinity Church, New York, and was shot by the farmer.
On the night of September 15th, 1655, five hundred Indians made a
night attack upon New Amsterdam, being repulsed, they crossed the
river and set fire to every house in Pavonia. Twenty-eight farms and
outlying plantations with crops and buildings were all destroyed. Of
the settlers one hundred were killed, one hundred and fifty were taken
prisoners and three hundred were left homeless. For five years the
settlements were practically abandoned. According to the Indian laws
the title to the lands was again vested in them by right of conquest.
In 1658 the Indians made a new deed of the territory to the Dutch.
The former settlers who were about to return to their farms asked
for exemption from taxes that they might be able to put their farms
in order. The petition was granted on condition of their building a
fortified village. In February, 1660, a decree was issued ordering all
farmers to move their houses into groups, that might be protected by
palisades or stockades, from six to seven feet above the ground. Indian
stockades always were of tree trunks, as are those of the Hudson Bay
Company to this day. Probably the early Dutch were also, although the
later stockades may have been of heavy plank.
COMMUNIPAW.
On September 8th, 1660, Jaques Cortelyou was ordered to survey
Gemoenepa and lay it out into village lots. The village site fronted
on the Bay, was two hundred feet deep and extended from what is now
Communipaw avenue on the north to the Bay Shore House on the south. The
Council ordered that the village should be stockaded, but there seems
to have been numerous delays, for in June, 1663, Gerrit Gerritsen,
Harman Smeeman and Dirck Claussen were appointed commissioners to
fortify Gemoenepa. May 9th, 1661, Egbert Sandersen and Jan Theunissen,
inhabitants of Midwout and Amersfoort, L. I., petitioned for leave to
erect a saw-mill on a stream at Gemoenepa and move their families there
and for a lot of land for each. The request was granted and probably
they erected a mill below the Point of Rocks on the stream formerly
called the Creek of the Woods and "Creek of the High Woodlands." In
papers of 1671, the mill is mentioned as the "Mill of Hossemus;"
probably from this mill the creek received its name of Mill Creek.
Later Priors Mill was built upon this site and remained until removed
and the creek filled in when the cut was made for the Pennsylvania
railroad in 1837. In October, 1661, Sandersen asked permission to erect
a saw-mill on Showhank Brook; this creek had its rise in an Indian
spring in West Hoboken; it ran south until it reached the point where
New York avenue crosses Palisade avenue; thence it turned down the
hill through a wild ravine and emptied into Mill Creek. There was a
saw-mill on this stream at the foot of the hill, until it was destroyed
by fire in 1835.
The first legalized ferry across to Manhattan Island was established at
the foot of Communipaw avenue when the village of Bergen was started in
the fall of 1660 by William Jansen. The boats were periaugers, the old
Spanish pirouge, pointed at both ends, with two masts, but no bowsprit.
When horses and carriages were to be transported they were detached and
lifted into the boat. The Governor General and Council fixed the rates.
Jansen had much trouble, he claimed the exclusive right to transport
people and goods to Nieu Amsterdam and objected to people crossing in
their own boats. He complained to the authorities at Nieu Amsterdam and
the people brought a counter charge against him for refusing to ferry
people across; judgment was rendered January, 1663, that "the Sheriff
must assist him in getting his pay and that he must do his duty or be
discharged." He and his successors ran regular boats three times a
week. In 1669 Governor Carteret issued a license to Peter Hetfelsen to
run a ferry from Communipaw to New York with a list of the rates to
be charged; all of which were payable in wampum. "Any person, letter,
packett or message of public business, and the Governor and his family
were to be carried free." Hetfelsen was succeeded in 1672 by John
Tymensen under the same conditions. From that date there is no mention
of the ferry until 1783 when Aaron Longstreet and Company advertised
that "constant attendance was given by the boats at the ferry stairs,
near the Exchange, at 3 p. m. to bring passengers to Communipaw where
the Newark stage would be ready to convey them to Newark and thence by
the Excellent New York and Philadelphia Running Machines in one day to
Philadelphia."
The first road built in this county was from Communipaw to Bergen in
the fall of 1660. It ran along the present Communipaw avenue to Summit
avenue, then northerly along Summit avenue to Academy street; thence
westerly to Bergen. It was called the "Off-fall" road, from the stream
that ran from Tuers pond and fell over a ledge of rock at the present
intersection of Grand street and Communipaw avenue. Until Grand street
was extended across the marsh in 1848 the people from Communipaw and
along to Bergen Point could only reach Jersey City by way of Bergen,
and the Priors Mill road or Newark avenue; where Monticello avenue now
is was a marsh until comparatively recent times. On November 24th,
1790, the Legislature appointed five commissioners to locate and build
bridges across the Hackensack and Passaic and lay out a road four rods
wide from the Newark Court House to Paulus Hook. They were authorized
to raise by lottery £27,000, part of which was to aid in completing the
road, part to build a bridge over the Raritan, and part in providing
suitable buildings for the Legislature.
[Illustration: COMMUNIPAW.]
[Illustration: BERGEN AND BUYNTEN TUYN.]
BERGEN.
March 1st, 1660, Tilman Van Vleck petitioned for permission to found a
village near the maize land, a clearing and Indian corn field at and
around what is now the junction of Montgomery street and Bergen avenue.
He was refused and again asked, to be again refused, April 12th. A
third application upon August 16th of the same year was successful. It
was granted upon the following conditions: "The site should be selected
by the Governor and Council; it must be a place easily defended; the
land to be distributed by lot, and work on each plot begun within six
weeks. Each owner of a lot to send one man able to bear arms. The
houses were to be within a fortified village, and the farms were to
be outside." It is highly probable that Governor Stuyvesant planned
the new village, which was surveyed and laid out by Jaques Cortelyou,
Surveyor of Nieu Netherland. This, the first village in New Jersey,
was named Bergen, after a small town in Holland, the most important of
the provinces constituting the United Netherlands. A square of eight
hundred feet on each side was cleared and crossed with two streets that
intersected at right angles. A plot in the centre of 160 by 220 feet
was reserved for public use. On the exterior of the outer streets now
known as Vroom, Idaho, Tuers and Newkirk, surrounding the entire plot,
the stockade was erected, with gates at the cross streets, which are
now known as Academy street and Bergen avenue. This was completed in
1661. Tradition states that on the corner of Vroom and Tuers streets
was built a block house as a protection against the Indians. It was
near the first church. Winfield thinks that the houses were of logs and
probably thatched with cattails. It is an interesting fact that the
first lot taken in the new village, now known as 201 Academy street,
was bought by Cornelis Van Reypen, 1st. The house now occupied by Mr.
Cornelius Van Reypen, 3d, is the second upon the lot, which has always
been in the possession of and the home of the lineal descendants of the
founder of the family in Bergen. It is also true of the Van Wagenens,
Romeyns, and Van Winkels on Academy street, that they are living on the
lands allotted to their ancestors at the founding of Bergen, which have
never passed from the family possession. Representatives of the Sip
and Newkirk families also still hold ancestral lands. In this respect
Bergen has quite an exceptional record for an American town.
BERGEN COURT.
Here in Bergen the first local Court in New Jersey was organized in
September, 1661, with Tielman Van Vleck as schout or sheriff, and
Michael Jansen, Herman Smeeman and Casper Stynmets, as schepens or
magistrates, something like justices or aldermen. The schout was
afterwards authorized "to fill and execute the office of auctioneer."
All criminal cases were referred to the Director General and Council
of Nieu Netherland. Only minor offenses, such as brawls, slanders,
scolding, threats, etc., could come before this Court. On July 19th,
1673, Mr. John Berry's house in Bergen was made "ye prison for the
Province," until a house could be built for that purpose, and Adrian
Post, the constable, was appointed keeper. Later a "lock up" was built
on the easterly side of the square near the school-house. On the
westerly side were the stocks and the whipping post. The stocks were
still standing in 1824, and even later, and the whipping post was a
terror to evil doers as late. In 1662, a well was dug in the center of
the square. Troughs were placed around it for the use of the cattle,
and a long sweep used to raise the water. This well was used into the
present century, when it was covered and during the war of 1812-14 a
liberty pole was erected in it. In 1870, when the square was paved the
pole was taken down and no trace of the well is left.
Engelbert Steenhuysen was the first schoolmaster in Bergen, having
been licensed October 6th, 1662. He was allowed two hundred and fifty
guilders in wampum annually and "some other stipulations beside the
school money, as reason and equity shall demand." It seems that he was
required "to look out and procure a suitable place in which to keep the
school." According to the Albany records (_vide_ Winfield) the people
of Bergen addressed a memorial to the Council that he might be obliged
to fulfill his contract to act as Voorleezer and Schoolmaster for two
years. The church records do not mention him as Voorleezer. In 1664 the
first school-house was built on the lot set apart for school purposes
on the northeast corner of the square. Mr. Winfield states that this
school-house was of logs, but from the records in the Deacons Account
books it evidently was not. It is not known positively whether it was
of stone, brick, or frame, but several entries of "lbs. of nails,"
"whitewashing" and "nailing boards in the gable," are included in the
account of work and repairs upon the building. Whatever it was, for
about fifty years it was used, and then a new school building was
erected on the site of the first. The records state that, "On Tuesday,
May 11, 1708, Mathews Bensum had made a foundation, and Mr. Adrian
Vermuelen, Voorleezer at Bergen, laid the corner stone."
The following is the itemized account of the expenses incurred:
1708 To Adrian Quackinbush for 100 boards st.
at 28 st. apiece f140.
" To Mathew Bensum, 10 days at 10f per
day; mason 100.
" To Martin Winne, 21 days at 10f; mason 210.
" To Risso, the hod-carrier, 21 days at 3
realtje per day 95.10
" To 6 lbs. nails at 3f per lb. 18.
" To the glazier, 23 feet of glass 69.
" To Samuel Bayard, for 84 lbs. nails at
3f per lb. 252.
" To 5 lbs. nails at 3f per lb. 15.
" To lock for the door 7.10
--------
Total for 1708 907.
1710 Expended over 1708 f907.
May 3 To Mathew Mott for iron work 84.
" To Helmigh Roelofse for paving stone
(steen blinkers) 86.
" To Cornelis Van Vorst, 2 lb. nails at 3f
per lb. 6.
" To Hendrik Clausse Kuyper for 4 lb. nails 12.
" To Gerrit Stynmets for 4 lb. nails 12.
Oct. 3 To Gerrit Roose for laying the ceiling 40.
" To his board 6.
" 10 lbs. nails 15.
" To 10 boards at 36 stivers apiece 18.
" For carting the boards 7.10
--------
Total cost f1,193.10
[Illustration: COLUMBIA ACADEMY.]
Several citizens, evidently gratuitously, carted materials to the site,
in all sixty-three loads of stone, twenty-one loads of clay, five loads
of sand, one load of lime. Repairs were made in 1782. In 1790 the
Columbia Academy was erected on the same site and stood until 1857,
when the present school-house, No. 11, was built. In the rear wall of
this building are many of the stones used in the old Academy and it is
ornamented with the same weather vane that adorned the former building.
Tradition states that this is the veritable weather vane that first
surmounted the steep roof of the Octagonal Church, then was removed to
the second church, from which it was placed on Columbia Academy when
the present church was erected in 1841.
In the early days of the little settlement, religious services
were undoubtedly held in the school-house, and in the absence of a
minister were conducted by the Voorleezer or clerk. In 1662 the schout
and schepens of the village petitioned the Council for a minister,
stating that certain persons had pledged themselves to subscribe four
hundred and seventeen guilders in wampum annually for the support of
a minister. But there was no local pastor of this first church in New
Jersey until 1750. Until then the pastors from New York came over at
stated times of the year, very often during week days, to administer
the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, admit new members,
install the elected elders and deacons and to conduct special services.
Also pastors from Long Island, Esopus, Fishkill, Tapan, Raritan and
other places preached occasionally at Bergen. These visiting pastors
received from the Bergen congregation from twenty-five to seventy-two
guilders per service besides expenses and board. The accounts show that
the New York ministers paid six guilders for ferriage and six guilders
for a carriage from the ferry to Bergen. Twelve guilders for board was
charged after every visit of a minister. From 1672 to 1680 Domine Van
Nieuwenhuysen preached and administered the sacraments at Bergen three
times a year on week days, for which he received "thirty bushels or
fifteen bags of wheat."
[Illustration: THE "LITTLE CHURCH."]
THE FIRST CHURCH.
In 1680 the first church building was begun in Bergen, the total cost
so far as it is possible to get at the figures, was two thousand
six hundred and twelve guilders. It was an octagonal stone building
with the roof sloping to a point and surmounted with a vane bearing
a rooster. The windows were placed very high. In the summer of 1683
the first bell was placed in the high pointed roof, probably a gift
from some of the members. The bricks in the windows and arch over the
door were brought from Holland. Over the door was a stone with this
inscription: "Kirk Gebouwt in Het yaer 1680." Domine Taylor gives an
interesting description of the interior of the "little church" as it
is often called in the account books. "The bell-ringer stood in the
center of the church. Pews were placed around the walls and occupied
only by the men; the women sat in chairs. The pulpit was high and
reached by stairs; below and in front of the pulpit was a little pew
with a book-board in front of it for the use of the Voorleezer, who had
a long rod with a slit in the end which he reached up to the minister,
who inserted in the slit notices to be read." The collections were in
wampum for many years, and it was one of the duties of the deacons to
sell the wampum to the heads of families, who each distributed it among
the members of his family and they deposited it in the collection bags.
These bags were of black velvet attached to a long pole. At the bottom
of each bag was a small bell to arouse the people at collection time.
The bags were hung on hooks in a suitable box beside the pulpit near
the deacons' seat; at the proper time the deacons each with bag in hand
presented themselves before the pulpit, received their charge from the
minister and then went among the congregation and made the collections.
The bags were spoken of as "the bell." This custom continued until
1800.
THE FIRST PALL.
The first pall the church was able to buy, cost, according to the
Deacons account:
10 el of black cloth at 24[f] per el f240
A linen cover to protect the pall 14
-----
Total f254
It was first used at the funeral of Engelbert Steenhuysen, January
16th, 1678. The rent of the pall was quite a source of income to the
church. The price to an adult was fourteen guilders and to a child
seven guilders, until June 14th, 1715, when it was reduced to six
guilders for an adult and three guilders for a child. On January 17th,
1715, the second pall was bought for one hundred and ninety-five
guilders, and the old one probably refitted to use at the burial of
children. On January 1st, 1798, a fine large pall was bought for £5 11
s., 3 d. and a small one £2, 13 s., 10 d. The cost of the bier used at
funerals was usually seventeen or eighteen guilders, and one lasted
five or six years. On May 26th, 1678, Bergen's first communion set
was bought at an expense of seventy-four guilders and ten stivers,
and consisted of the following articles: "Eight pounds of pewter,
being three plates and a pitcher of 6 guilders the lb., and two pewter
beakers at 12 guilders apiece, and one el of Osnaburger linen." At the
same time 11 el linen was bought for a table cloth, costing 5 guilders
10 stivers per el, or 60 guilders 10 stivers for the whole. On January
26th, 1731, the pewter cups were changed for two silver ones, bought
of Hendrikus Boele and costing five hundred and nineteen guilders
and ten stivers in wampum. The latter cups are still used at every
communion service of the Bergen Reformed Church. A large Staten Bible
was bought in 1620, costing sixty guilders and was probably used until
the services were conducted in English.
[Illustration: THE SECOND CHURCH.]
THE SECOND AND THIRD CHURCHES.
In 1773 a new church building was erected in the second cemetery,
which had been opened in 1738, on the southwest corner of Vroom
street and Bergen avenue. It fronted Bergen avenue, about the center
of the east side of the lot. The stone above the door of the first
church was placed above the door of the second building with a stone
beneath with the inscription: "Her bowt in Het yaer 1773." Both are
now over the door on the south side of the present church building
on Bergen and Highland avenues of which the corner stone was laid
August 26th, 1841. This site is part of the land originally reserved
for the pastor's use. In the walls of the present church are many of
the sand stone blocks from glacial bowlders that were formerly built
into the walls of the earlier church buildings. The third church was
dedicated July 14th, 1842. The dedication sermon was preached in
Dutch and understood by many of the congregation. Mr. Versteeg, in
his translation of the Church Records states that Dutch ceased to
be the language of the pulpit and of the church records May 26th,
1793, when Mr. John Cornelison was ordained and installed as pastor,
although in some instances English and Dutch were used alternately
in the records as late as 1805. Old residents tell me that they have
heard occasional sermons in Dutch at a very much later date. In "The
Annals of the Classis and Township of Bergen," Domine Taylor states
that "singing in Dutch was discontinued about 1809, but preaching in
Dutch continued for some time later." Two of the hymns sung at the
dedication of the new church were composed by Mrs. Anna R. Taylor,
wife of the pastor, the Rev. Benjamin C. Taylor. In the early days the
Bergen Reformed Church required of the applicants for membership a very
rigid examination before the minister and consistory in Bible history,
evidences of the truths of Christianity, and the Doctrines of the
Church as set forth in the Heidelburgh Catechism. The young people went
at least once a week to "Catechism" to the pastor, the Voorleezer or an
elder, until perfectly familiar with the Catechism.
In the early Dutch Churches on Long Island there was an officer
called Krank besoecker--Sick Visitor, also sometimes called
Zieck-trooster--the Sick Consoler, or Comforter; undoubtedly the same
office existed in the early Bergen Church, but if so whether it was
filled by the Voorleezer or some other member of the congregation I
cannot say. The name of "Sick Consoler" is very suggestive of kindly
brotherhood, expressing much more than the modern name of the same
office.
THE VOORLEEZER.
The Voorleezer was a very important official in the Reformed Church and
combined the duties of several offices. 1st, as Voorleezer or clerk,
upon Sundays, before the minister entered the pulpit, the Voorleezer
took his place at the desk in front of the high pulpit or "preaching
chair," as it was called, and opened the services by announcing and
reading a verse from the Psalms. He then led the congregation in the
singing of it, which gave him the title of foresinger. After the
verse had been sung he first read the ten commandments or the creed,
and then a portion of the Scriptures. In the meantime the preacher
had ascended the pulpit, a verse was again sung and the Voorleezer
went to his seat in the pew set apart for the consistory. When the
sermon, which usually lasted an hour and a half, was half finished the
minister announced a Psalm verse, the foresinger returned to his desk
and led the singing, while the deacons went around with the "bell" to
gather in the collections. At the close of the services the Voorleezer
again led in singing and the minister dismissed the congregation with
the benediction. 2d, during the week days, the Voorleezer taught the
village school, and was at the same time catechiser, using in early
days of Bergen a question book written by Domine Johannis Megapolensis
of Nieu Amsterdam. If there was no minister the Voorleezer took the
place of a local pastor in all respects except baptizing children and
administering the Lord's Supper. Not being allowed to ascend the
pulpit he read sermons from his desk. (Among items charged in the
Deacons Accounts were several books of sermons.) On Sunday mornings he
held a service at Bergen and on alternate Sunday afternoons at some
farm-house in Ahasimus and Communipaw. An hour-glass stood on the
reader's desk and when the sand had run from the upper into the lower
hollow he was to suspend services and dismiss the congregation.
He officiated as bell-ringer, kept the church records, took care of
the Communion set, which his wife kept clean, the bier, and the pall,
acted as bookkeeper for the Deacons and also served as Aanspreker or
funeral director, in which capacity he kept the records of the dead.
For services as Voorleezer and schoolmaster the salary exceeded f600.,
and as bookkeeper and Aanspreker he charged for his services, and
probably received extra fees for baptismal and marriage records. The
first Voorleezer mentioned in the church records was Regnier Bastianse
Van Giesen who served in that capacity from 1665 to May 12, 1707, when
he died. He probably came from Utrecht in the Netherlands, lived awhile
at Midwout, L. I., then came to Bergen. He was an educated man who
wrote the language correctly and was evidently versed in the history
of his country. These Voorleezers were men of great influence in the
early days of Bergen, especially before there was a settled pastor. The
office continued until 1789 when Mr. John Collard received the title of
Clerk with the salary of £2, 15s. per annum.
After the receipts of the church began to exceed the expenditures the
Deacons invested the surplus funds in cows which were rented out to
responsible members of the congregation for 12 lbs. of butter per annum
or its value in money. In 1679 butter sold at 22 stivers per lb. and
the rent for one cow was 13 guilders, 4 stivers. After 1715 the Deacons
gave up the "butter rent" business and loaned the church funds at 6% on
the bond of the borrower and his securities, or upon personal property
to the value of the sum loaned given as collateral security. In the
early days for more than a century, accounts were reckoned in "guilders
seewan" and wampum often accumulated in quite large amounts in both
loose and braided. In 1691 f4,000 in wampum was taken to Stephen Van
Courtlandt to be exchanged for silver money. The Church Treasury has a
package of $1,214 in Continental bills and $700 in worthless State and
communal paper of still earlier date.
MARRIAGES--TOWN POOR.
Until October 3, 1681, all marriages in Bergen were performed in the
school-house, thenceforth in the church, it was the custom to be
married in the presence of the congregation either by the minister
or the Voorleezer, if by the latter, the record bore the clause "in
the presence of the Court of Bergen." In the early days the usual fee
was f6 in wampum, paid over to the church funds. Often a collection
was taken up among the wedding guests for the poor. There are several
instances of the kind on record. There was no almshouse until recent
years, and in the early days the town paid for the board of the poor,
but the method of arranging the matter sounds very strange nowadays.
It seems from the records that the poor dependent upon the town were
sold to the lowest bidder. Winfield quotes the following: "At Bergen
Town meeting Dec. 15th, 1784, at a public Outcry is sold Enoch Earle
to the lowest bidder for the sum of seven pounds, ten shillings, the
conditions are as follows, the byer is to find the said Enoch Earle a
Good Bed, Washing, Lodging and Victuals, and mending his close; the
Overseers of the Poor are to find all the New Close and then the said
Enoch Earle is to work for the Byer as much as he is able to do until
the year's End."
BURIAL CUSTOMS.
The burial customs were probably the same as those of their fatherland
and very peculiar in some respects. The most important character was
the Aanspreker, upon whom rested the whole responsibility of the
affair. Immediately upon a death he was notified, and at once repaired
to the sterfhuis (house of the deceased) with a few sheets of mourning
paper, upon which he took down the names of friends to be notified of
the death, and marked those who were to be invited as bearers or as
mourners. Until after the funeral he had full charge of all details.
If necessary he appointed assistants, in case the deceased was very
rich or very prominent there were often ten or even twenty Aansprekers
employed to announce the death, and one, usually an old servant of the
family, went in the middle of the street, walking slowly with bowed
head and face buried in a large mourning handkerchief and led by two
Aansprekers, one on each side, while the others were doing the "wete"
or announcement at the houses. On these occasions all were dressed in
low shoes, black stockings, black knickerbockers, a black cutaway coat
covered by a long, flowing black mantle, with a white cravat or bands
and a queer looking three-cornered hat or "steek," from one corner of
which to the right floated a long black crape streamer, whilst upon the
left corner was pinned a rosette showing the sex of the deceased and if
married or single.
At the funeral all gathered at the sterfhuis, the closest friends a
little earlier, who were served with beer or spirits and long clay
pipes or segars; when all were gathered the chief Aanspreker made a few
consolatory remarks or offered a prayer, then signalled the bearers to
carry out the bier and martialed the relatives and guests in order,
the youngest members of the family coming first. All the mourners and
bearers, and sometimes the driver of the hearse, were either dressed as
the Aansprekers or else wore rosettes pinned upon the sleeve or lapel
of their coat. The Aanspreker wore white or black gloves according to
the sex of the deceased. One or two Aansprekers led the procession,
the bearers walked beside the hearse; if there were other Aansprekers,
they went between the hearse and first carriage and the procession
slowly wended its way to the cemetery. All people meeting a funeral
stood still with bowed head and doffed hat until at least the hearse
had passed; at the cemetery gate the bearers bore the coffin to the
grave, and the Aanspreker made a prayer. After the coffin was lowered
and covered with earth, all filed out in the same manner as they had
come and returned to the sterfhuis. Here refreshments were served by
the women, who as a rule did not go to the cemetery.
To be buried within the church, in or before the baptistery, was a
great honor and showed deep veneration by the congregation and was
usually accorded only to ministers or men prominent in the church, an
extra price being paid for the privilege. The record is effaced of the
first burial within the Bergen Church; but the second was a little
daughter of Enoch Michielse Vreeland on August 1st, 1682; the third,
on September 4th of the same year, was Peter Mercelis. On June 21st,
1683, was "buried the corpse of Maekje Baltusen, daughter of Baltus
Bartensee, the sixth in church, and the first with knell." The last
burial in church mentioned in the records, was that of "Anntje Jackson,
aged forty-nine years, who died on Friday, January 13th, 1738, at about
8 A. M., and was buried on Sunday, January 15th, in the church in the
baptistery." It was not compulsory that interments should be made in
the cemetery or church and many burials were made upon bouwerijen or
farms. It was an old Dutch custom lasting until quite recent times, to
have burial clothes prepared and kept in store for each member of the
family.
The following account of the burial of a pensioner of Bergen Church is
dated 1690:
Coffin and spirits f25.10 stivers
1/2 keg of beer 15.16 "
Flour and milk 6.05 "
Sundries 15.05 "
Aanspreker 19.10 "
Mathew Cornelinsen for carting the goods 3.00 "
-----
Total f85.06 "
CEMETERIES.
The first cemetery of Bergen was on the south side of Vroom street,
just outside of the southeast corner of the palisade of the new town,
where it is said there was a little fort for protection against the
Indians. In this burial ground the first church was built, on the site
now occupied by Dominie Cornelison's family vault, and fronting on
Vroom street, facing Tuers avenue. After the cemetery had been used
over seventy years, in 1738 the second burying ground was opened on
the southwest corner of Vroom street and Bergen avenue. These older
cemeteries were not laid out in family lots, but the graves were made
in any place convenient, and thus the last resting places of the
different members of a family were seldom near together.
For nearly two centuries these two burial grounds were the only ones
in this vicinity. In the fall of 1829 an episode occurred which led
to the opening of the Jersey City Cemetery. One morning a passer-by
saw the body of a drowned man washed ashore at Harsimus; he drew it up
on the grass, and after a little several others gathered there and in
the discussion that followed it was decided to give the body suitable
burial and mark the grave with a stone that it might be identified
in case any friends of the dead man might eventually be found. The
little group contributed a sum sufficient, as they supposed, to make
the desired provision, and a committee was appointed to attend to the
matter, and see that the body was properly buried in the cemetery
of the Bergen Church. The sexton charged $12 to open a grave, which
seemed to the people of Jersey City such an enormous price that it
aroused universal indignation, which resulted in a public meeting at
Hugh McCutcheon's Farmer's Hotel at 42 York street (quite a celebrated
tavern of the day), at which it was decided to open a new cemetery and
no longer be dependent upon that of the Bergen Church. Subscriptions
were taken and a cemetery company was formed of which David C.
Colden, one of the associates, and at that time Mayor of New York,
was President, Robert Gilchrist was Treasurer, and J. D. Miller was
Secretary. The result was the purchase of five and a half acres on the
hill-side south of the Newark Turnpike, and the Jersey City Cemetery
was opened, at that time a quiet, country place, where under the
drooping willows, many families, prominent in the early life of Jersey
City were laid to rest far from the noise of the young city; but with
the passing years, the city has extended out to and far beyond their
resting place, all about them are city streets and a railroad now runs
along at the foot of the hill.
[Illustration: THE OLD M'CUTCHEON HOTEL.]
In 1831 or thereabouts, the third burial ground of the Bergen Church,
east of Bergen avenue and south of Vroom street, was bought of Aaron
Tuers for $500, and surveyed and laid out in fourteen foot lots by
Colonel Sip. These lots were sold at $5 each, the gore lots being
reserved for the poor. In 1849 the New York Bay Cemetery was opened; it
is one of the largest Protestant cemeteries in the county, embracing
about one hundred acres, sloping to the waters of the bay, a very
beautiful location on Ocean and Garfield avenues. About 1857 Abraham
Spier, while acting as sexton for the Bergen Church, laid out a burying
ground south of and adjoining the west end of the second church
cemetery, which is still known as Spier's Cemetery. Since then the
Catholics have opened a cemetery south of Communipaw avenue, and west
of West Side avenue. Jersey City has other cemeteries outside of the
city limits, of more recent organization.
[Illustration: PAULUS HOOK FROM HARSIMUS IN 1823.]
PAULUS HOOK.
Paulus Hook was a circular piece of upland lying east of what is now
Warren street, and consisted of sand hills, some of considerable
height. On the north was Harsimus Cove, First street; on the east the
river, on the south Communipaw Cove, South street; and to the west,
salt marsh, which was covered with water at high tide. It was sold by
the West Indian Company to Abraham Isaacsen Planck, May 1st, 1638,
for the sum of four hundred and fifty guilders, calculated at twenty
stivers to the guilder. It remained in the Planck family until August
2d, 1699, when it was sold to Cornelius Van Vorst for £300 "current
money of New York." During this time it was used as farm land until
1794, as most of it continued to be until 1804.
Early in 1764 a new Post route was established between New York and
Philadelphia, and Abraham Messier, who owned a wharf at the foot of
Cortlandt street, New York, and Michael Cornelissen made arrangements
with Cornelius Van Vorst for a landing at Paulus Hook (foot of Grand
street.) The boats were two periaugers, which made the trips across the
river "as the wind served." The Ferry Company was to keep in repair
the causeway leading out to the road to Bergen. The new Post route to
Philadelphia was by way of Bergen Point and Staten Island. Formerly
travellers from New York to the south had gone by boat to Amboy, thence
by stages to Philadelphia and other points. Just when the Post route
was changed I have been unable to ascertain, but in 1715 commissioners
were appointed to lay out a road across the meadows, intersecting the
Bergen Point road, with ferries across the Hackensack and Passaic. The
road was nearly the same as the one since known as the Newark plank
road. Mr. Thomas Brown, one of the commissioners, owned the land from
New York Bay to Newark Bay. He owned what is known as the Gautier
house, and on his land on Newark Bay side built the ferry known as
Brown's ferry. After the completion of this road and ferries the Post
route came by the mill and church road to Bergen, thence by the road
across the meadows. The stages stopped over night at Princeton.
Van Vorst laid out a small park, semi-circular in shape, at what is
now the foot of Grand street. Michael Cornelisen built a tavern just
north of Grand street, near the water, a low frame house about forty
feet in length, with a porch in front over which projected the extended
Dutch roof. In 1800 this house, used as a tavern and ferry-house,
with several spacious barns, stables and a store-house, were the only
buildings on the Hoeck. In 1769 Van Vorst laid out a race course one
mile long around the sand hills and along the edge of the upland;
this was in use, except during the war, until the founding of Jersey
City in 1804. This was the only race course in Jersey City until the
Beacon Race Course was established on the Hill in what was later Hudson
City, about 1837-38, and discontinued about 1845. It was located
southeast of where the reservoir now stands and was the scene of some
very celebrated races. It was here on August 1, 1839, that Dutchman,
trotting against time, made three miles in seven minutes, thirty-two
and a half seconds. Hiram Woodruff claimed that he could have done it
in seven minutes, twenty-seven seconds, or better; this record was not
beaten until by Huntress at Prospect Park, September 21, 1872.
The ferry was leased to several different parties. In 1771 Abraham
Messier obtained a lease for three years; this was renewed in 1774 and
as he died soon after his widow remained in charge, probably during
the war subject to military control. Soon after the war her name is
connected with the ferry, and in 1786 she petitioned for repairs to the
ferry stairs on the New York side.
REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
In the early spring of 1776, Lord Stirling, then in command of
the American forces in this locality, took measures to put Bergen
and Paulus Hoeck in condition of defense, and to open means of
communication with the interior of the State. A fort was built at
Bergen Neck, later called Fort Delancy, to prevent the English from
coming over from Staten Island. It was located on the rising ground
now bounded by 44th and 45th streets and Avenues B and C in Bayonne,
one quarter of a mile below the canal. After it was given up by the
Americans it was held by the Tories until September, 1782. Lord
Stirling personally examined the grounds and proposed to have the
militia of Bergen, Essex, and Middlesex counties build broad, good
roads from Paulus Hoeck to Brown's Ferry on the Hackensack, and from
Wiehawken Ferry to Hackensack Ferry. Upon the arrival of Washington,
the immediate construction of works at Paulus Hoeck was ordered as "of
great importance." These were soon completed and troops from New York
and Pennsylvania stationed there, under command of General Mercer, the
veteran of Culloden and De Quesne.
On July 12th, 1776, the batteries of the new fort opened fire on the
British men of war, the Phoenix of forty guns and the Rose of twenty
guns, as they came up the Bay to New York. The fire was returned with
broadsides as they passed. That same evening Lord Howe sailed up the
harbor to New York. Troops were stationed at Paulus Hoeck and Bergen
ready to reinforce Washington. After the battle of Long Island these
orders were countermanded and the troops were stationed at Paulus
Hoeck and Bergen Neck. On the 15th of September, the British captured
New York City and again the Paulus Hoeck troops had a little skirmish
with the enemy. Occasionally Washington came over from his camp at
Harlem to reconnoiter along the Jersey shore as far as Paulus Hoeck.
Recognizing that the fort could not be held, preparations were made for
its evacuation. General Mercer removed all guns, stores and troops with
the exception of a small guard under orders to leave upon the first
appearance of the enemy. On the afternoon of September 23d, 1776, the
English ships cannonaded the fort for half an hour or more, then landed
a force. About twenty boats also came over from New York. They found
nothing but a few guns unfit for use. General Mercer and his troops
retired to Bergen with an outpost at Prior's Mill. October 5th, the
American troops left Bergen to join Washington in his retreat to the
Delaware.
For a long time Paulus Hoeck was the only British stronghold in New
Jersey. They greatly strengthened the defences built by the Americans
and made their landings at this point. At high tide boats could pass
over the marsh and even over the causeway that connected Paulus Hoeck
with the main land. An elevated foot path or board walk had been made
parallel to the road to enable people to pass at all stages of the
tide. This was still in use well into this century.
I quote Mr. Winfield's description of the fort: "It was a very strong
position with the waters of the river and coves on the north, east and
south, and on the west a marsh, with a creek running near the westerly
edge of the upland from near Montgomery street southwesterly into the
southerly cove near the foot of Van Vorst street. This creek had been
connected with the Harsimus cove by a ditch about on the line of Warren
street. Over this ditch on the line of Newark avenue was a drawbridge
with a barred gate. Thirty paces inside of the ditch and the creek was
a row of abattis extending into the river. The main works were in the
line of Sussex street extending from about St. Mathews Church easterly
to Greene street. The barracks were at the intersection of Essex and
Warren streets. From the main fort a redoubt extended southerly along
Washington street to a half moon fort on the southerly side of Essex
street. There was one fort on the north west corner of Grand and
Washington streets. Some block-houses had been constructed north of the
main works, and one of them north of the road leading to the ferry. The
burying ground was on the west of Washington street, extending from
Sussex to a short distance south of Morris street."
BATTLE OF PAULUS HOOK.
At four o'clock on the afternoon of August 18th, 1779, Major Henry Lee,
with four hundred infantry and a troop of dismounted dragoons started
from New Bridge (Hackensack), on a march of fourteen miles through the
woods to make an attack upon the fort at Paulus Hoeck. He detached
patrols of horse to watch the communication with the North River and
stationed parties of infantry at different roads leading to Paulus
Hoeck. At Union Hill he filed into the woods where by the guide's
timidity, or treachery, the march was prolonged to three hours before
gaining the right road. The same night Colonel Van Boskirk left Paulus
Hoeck with a force of one hundred and thirty men to make a raid upon
the English neighborhood. Fortunately the two parties did not meet.
Major Lee and his men reached Prior's Mill at 3 A. M., August 19th; at
3:30 they reached the ditch at the intersection of Newark avenue and
Warren street. The tide was rising but Lieut. Rudolph found the canal
fordable, and led by Lieuts. McCallister and Rudolph the troops pushed
through and soon gained possession of the outer fort. Major Sutherland,
who was in command of the fort, retired into a small redoubt with a
few officers and forty Hessians. It was nearly daylight and Major Lee
had no time to dislodge them. He had intended to burn the barracks,
but on finding sick soldiers, women and children in them he refrained.
He retreated, carrying with him one hundred and fifty-nine prisoners,
officers and men; he lost two men killed, and had three men wounded.
Captain Forsyth was ordered to Prior's Mill to collect such men as were
most fit for action and take a position on Bergen Heights to cover the
retreat. This position was in the woods near Bergen and Sip avenues,
said to be about the site now occupied by Dr. Hornblower's house, 631
Bergen avenue. Dr. Hornblower's grandmother was then a little girl,
Anna Merselis, and that morning in looking for a cow, she came upon
Lee's soldiers, who detained her while they waited, to prevent her
carrying any report of their presence to possible enemies. The troops
remained there until messengers had been sent to ascertain if the
boats that Major Lee had arranged to have in waiting for him at Dow's
Ferry were there. He had intended to cross the Hackensack and by the
Belleville Turnpike reach the high ground east of the Passaic, and
thus return to New Bridge; but the boats had been removed to Newark,
and Major Lee with ruined ammunition and tired men, encumbered with
prisoners, was obliged to return by a route liable to be interrupted
by troops from New York. With undaunted courage and wise precautions
the brave troops started on the return march of fourteen miles to New
Bridge; at "Weehock" Captain Catlett came up with fifty men and good
ammunition. At the Fort Lee road Col. Ball met him with two hundred
fresh men, and Major Lee and his men safely reached New Bridge about
one o'clock in the afternoon. The English were greatly annoyed and the
Americans exceedingly jubilant over the affair.
In a letter to Congress General Washington said: "The Major displayed
a remarkable degree of prudence, address and bravery upon this
occasion, which does the highest honor to himself and to all the
officers and men under his command. The situation of the fort rendered
the attempt critical and the success brilliant." On the 24th of
September, Congress passed the following resolutions respecting the
affair:
"_Resolved_, That the thanks of Congress be given to His Excellency
General Washington for ordering with so much wisdom, the late attack
on the enemy's fort and work at Powles Hook.
"_Resolved_, That the thanks of Congress be given to Major General
Lord Stirling for the judicious measures taken by him to forward the
enterprise and to secure the retreat of the party.
"_Resolved_, That the thanks of Congress be given to Major Lee for
the remarkable prudence, address and bravery displayed by him on the
occasion; and that they approve the humanity shown in circumstances
prompting to severity as honorable to the arms of the United States,
and correspondent to the noble principles on which they were assumed.
"_Resolved_, That Congress entertain a high sense of the discipline,
fortitude, and spirit manifested by the officers and soldiers under
the command of Major Lee in the march, action and retreat, and while
with singular satisfaction they acknowledge the merit of these gallant
men, they feel an additional pleasure of considering them a part of
an army in which very many brave officers and soldiers have proved,
by their cheerful performance of every duty under every difficulty,
that they ardently wish to give the truly glorious examples they now
receive.
"_Resolved_, That Congress justly appreciates the military caution
so happily combined with daring activity by Lieuts. McCallister and
Rudolph in leading on the forlorn hope.
"_Resolved_, That a medal of gold emblematical of this affair be
struck, under the direction of the Board of Treasury, and presented to
Major Lee.
"_Resolved_, That the brevet and the pay and subsistence of Captain be
given to Lieuts. McCallister and Rudolph respectively."
Congress also placed in the hands of Major Lee $15,000 to be
distributed among the soldiers engaged in the attack. On one side
of the medal awarded to Major Lee is a bust of the hero, with the
words "Henrico Lee, Legionis Equit Praefecto, Comitia Americana. The
American Congress to Henry Lee, Colonel of Cavalry." On the reverse,
"Non Obstantib fluminibus vallis astutia et virtute bellica parva manu
hostes vicit victosq armis humanitate devinxit. In mem. pugn. ad Paulus
Hook, die XIX August, 1779." "Notwithstanding rivers and entrenchments,
he with a small band conquered the foe by warlike skill and prowess and
firmly bound by his humanity those who had been conquered by his arms.
In memory of the conflict at Paulus Hook, nineteenth of August, 1779."
[Illustration: THE LEE MEDAL.]
[Illustration: "THE KING OF THE WOODS."]
LAFAYETTE IN BERGEN.
On August 24th, 1779, General Lafayette and his troops marched on a
foraging expedition from near Fort Lee to Bergen. On the morning of the
25th they arrived at the brow of the Hill and encamped about the large,
old tulip tree, known as "oude Boom" to the early settlers and as the
"King of the Woods" to those of later date. The locality is now known
as Waldo avenue, between Henry street and Magnolia avenue. The tree
was cut down December 20th, 1871. Lafayette's headquarters were at the
Van Wagenen place on the northwest corner of Academy street and Bergen
square. Mr. Taylor states, "in the orchard on the old parsonage site
on northwest side of Square," where he entertained at dinner General
Washington who came over from Hackensack. The dinner was cooked in the
Van Wagenen weave-house and eaten under an apple tree. This tree was
blown down in a gale on September 3d, 1821, and from a portion of it
was made a very handsome cane, gold mounted and with this inscription,
"Shaded the hero and his friend Washington in 1779; presented by the
Corporation of Bergen in 1824." When Lafayette visited America in
1824, when he was on his way from Jersey City to Newark, there was a
gathering of all the people of this vicinity to meet him at Riker's
Tavern, Five Corners, which is still standing on the southwest corner
of Newark and Summit avenues. Upon this occasion Domine Cornelison
presented him with the cane, making a very appropriate address.
The farmers living near Guttenburgh during the Revolutionary War were
ostensibly neutral, as the roads were often traversed by the soldiers
of both parties. Stories are told of the bare and bleeding feet of the
Americans cut by the sharp rocks, and many traditions of interest are
connected with different places in that locality; notably with the old
homestead known as the "Lake property." The story of one tragedy with a
touch of the absurd, should be preserved. One bitter cold night in the
winter of 1777-78, after all of the family in the old stone farm-house
on the Lake property, except the good haus-frau, had retired to their
beds, while she was still busy in the kitchen arranging her earthenware
jars of milk before the wide fire-place preparatory to the morrow's
churning, she was startled by the entrance of a party of English scouts
who had come over from New York and attracted by the firelight shining
through the wide kitchen window, had stopped to warm and rest awhile,
leaving their horses tied to the trees. While they were enjoying
the spirits in their flasks and the comfort of the fire, a party of
American scouts that had come down the Hudson to reconnoiter, came
along and seeing the tethered horses outside and the group of redcoats
within, opened fire upon them through the window, killing them all.
In the melee the milk jars were broken and the milk mingled with the
blood of the dead scouts covering the floor. The old lady was terribly
frightened, but her new guests came in and carried out the dead, and as
the ground was frozen hard, buried them under the deep snow at some
distance from the house; then they brought water from the well and
asking for brooms scrubbed up the floor, and brought in fresh piles of
wood and building up a great fire made themselves comfortable until
daylight. Before leaving they made up a little fund to compensate their
hostess for her broken jars and wasted milk.
SERGEANT CHAMPE.
After Andre's execution General Washington formed a plan to seize
Arnold and bring him to the Jersey shore, first to punish him, second
to exonerate from suspicions of treachery another of his Generals,
St. Clair. Major Lee persuaded Sergeant Major John Champe of Loudon,
Virginia, to attempt to carry out the plan. He was to desert to the
British, join Arnold's American Legion and if possible bring Arnold
within reach of American troops. About 11 o'clock on the night of
October 20th, 1780, he started upon his perilous adventure; within
half an hour his absence was discovered and reported to Major Lee who
delayed the pursuit as long as he possibly could, but a little after
twelve, troops started after the supposed deserter. At Union Hill
Champe was only a short half mile ahead. Knowing that his flight to
Paulus Hook would be intercepted, he started for the British patrol
boats lying in Newark Bay near Brown's Ferry (near the Newark plank
road). His pursuers were within two or three hundred yards of him,
when he dismounted and running across the meadows plunged into the Bay
and swam for the boats, calling for help. The British sent a boat for
him and fired upon his pursuers. He soon established the innocence of
the other Generals and sent word to Lee to meet him at Hoboken upon a
certain night when he would deliver Arnold. But his plan miscarried
owing to the fact that Arnold moved his headquarters to another part
of the city. For a long time Champe endured many hardships, and was
unable to escape and return to his comrades until serving under Lord
Cornwallis at Petersburgh, Virginia.
[Illustration: THE OLD TUERS HOMESTEAD.]
BERGEN PATRIOTS.
The English evacuated Paulus Hook November 22, 1783. It is said that
during the Revolution there were only fourteen families in Bergen whose
sympathies were with the Colonies. Among these were some very devoted
patriots whose memory should be cherished. Prominent among them are
the names of Mrs. Jane Van Reypen Tuers and her brother Daniel Van
Reypen. Mrs. Tuers lived at the old Tuers house, the site of which is
now occupied by the Armory on the corner of Mercer street and Bergen
avenue. During the time the British occupied New York the American
prisoners in their hands suffered for food and Mrs. Tuers carried to
them sacks of provisions every week. From the weight of the heavy
burthens she injured her shoulder and arm so seriously that she was
crippled for the remainder of her life.
Upon these occasions she used to go to "Black Sam's" Tavern, which was
a rendezvous for the English officers. One day, under pledges to not
reveal the source of her information, Black Sam told her that he had
overheard British officers talking of a conspiracy in the American
Camp. She told her brother, Daniel Van Reypen, who went to Hackensack
ostensibly to visit relatives; he saw General Wayne, and saying that he
could trust him, advised him to mark every tent in the camp as there
was a conspiracy. General Wayne sent the warning to Washington; thus
was Arnold's treason learned three days before the capture of Andre.
General Washington offered Mr. Van Reypen a reward in money to which
he replied, "No, I do not serve my country for money; but in case I am
taken prisoner by the English I would like to be released," upon which
Washington said "that the best hostages should be given for him." Mr.
Van Reypen built and lived in the house still standing on Fairmount
avenue, No. 320, a little west from Bergen avenue. Mrs. Tuers died
in 1834, and her remains lie in an unmarked grave in lot 136 of the
cemetery on Bergen avenue, east of the church.
General Bayard, who owned an estate at Hoboken called Castile--since
known as Castle Point--was at one time friendly to the Americans, but
later he became a very pronounced Tory and very vindictive towards
all who sympathized with them. At one time Mr. Daniel Van Reypen was
arrested and taken before him, when General Bayard greeted him with
the question, "Old man, where is your rebel coat?" Mr. Van Reypen
responded, "The coat does not make the man, it is the heart." Later,
Mr. Van Reypen met General Bayard in New York, near the river, when
General Bayard threatened to strike him with his riding whip, to which
Mr. Van Reypen coolly replied that if he did, he would throw him off
the dock, and the angry General passed on.
Another sister of Mr. Van Reypen's had an amusing encounter with a
loyalist friend, a Mrs. Outhout, who was constantly assuring her that
the rebels would be defeated and that "there would be a devil of a
stroke very soon." When Cornwallis surrendered, Mrs. Van Horn quietly
reminded her of her prophesies and asked "if this was the stroke?"
Catherine Van Winkle and her younger sister Maria were very heroic
girls whose names should not be forgotten. They often carried messages
from Lafayette to Washington at Belleville; on one occasion they
walked there in the night to warn Washington of a plot of the English
to surround and capture him. To their quick wit an American soldier
owned his life. He was at their father's house, an old stone house a
little south of Colonel Spier's burying ground, near where Highland and
Idaho avenues now cross, when a party of English soldiers surrounded
the house in search of him. The girls hid him between the feather and
straw beds of their bed, and then retired, and when the English entered
the room to search for him were seemingly sound asleep. The English
prodded with their bayonets under the bed and searched every closet and
corner but failed to find him. Catherine married a Mr. Sheppard and
was a well-known and beloved character on the Hill until comparatively
recent times; born in June, 1763, she lived to be one hundred years and
six months old, and was bright, cheerful and active to the last. Her
remains lie in an unmarked grave in the cemetery opposite the Dutch
Reformed Church. Washington appreciated the loyalty of the family and
was a guest of their father's, sometimes dining there. One branch of
the Van Winkle family still have in their possession a handkerchief
left by Washington upon an occasion of his staying over night at the
Stuyvesant Tavern.
EARLY CUSTOMS.
It is to be regretted that so much has been forgotten of the early
customs and habits of former generations of this locality. For a long
time the city grew slowly; in comparatively recent times the farms have
been changed into city lots and the occupations and amusements have
taken different forms. Even traditions of early customs does not reach
much farther back than the beginning of the present century; but, owing
to the Dutch tenacity of clinging to inherited customs, it is probable
that the manners of eighty and a hundred years ago were not so very
different from those of their ancestors, especially as they retained
the quiet, simple life of a farming community. The great holiday of
the year, looked forward to alike by the old people, young men and
maidens and the children, was New Year's Day. Christmas was observed by
a service at the church, and not by gifts and friendly reunions; all
the jollity was reserved for New Year's day. Then the mother or the
grandmother brought out the bag of Spanish silver dollars, and each
child was allowed to take out one as a New Year's gift. In every house
was a store of "oley koecks" and New Year's cakes, a sort of "jumble"
or cookey, in shape either oblong or round, stamped with a design of a
vine, or bird, or flower, from a wooden stamp; these were kept ready
to give to the bands of visiting children who went from house to house
wishing the inmates a "Happy New Year." The young people went for long
sleighrides to neighboring towns, or friendly calls; the older people
made visits in the evening, dropping in upon their friends without an
invitation and staying to supper. After the New Year's festivities, the
"quilting parties" were the favorite social entertainment, when the
young women spent the afternoon in quilting the elaborate patch work
or other quilts; some were made of homespun woolen cloth and instead
of cotton, wool was used as a filling, and the quilting was in most
elaborate designs of vines and flowers. The young men came to supper
and the evening was spent in games and dancing. Then came the "Husking
bees" in the fall, varied by occasional "Apple-paring bees," but the
latter were more unusual. The women made occasional afternoon visits,
guests coming soon after the mid-day dinner and staying to tea.
The great day among the men came in June at the general muster of
the militia, or "General Training Day." This dated from the early
days of Bergen, the first militia having been organized June 30th,
1663. All men between eighteen and forty-five (or fifty) years of age
were required to meet upon that day each year to go through military
evolutions. All who absented themselves without a valid excuse
were subject to a fine. There was a company at Hackensack, one at
New Durham, one at Bergen and another at Bergen Point. The several
companies of the county formed a brigade and met at different places
on successive years, more frequently at New Durham or Bergen. Colonel
Sip was a colonel of militia and John I. Van Horn a captain. Both
served in the war of 1812-14. Captain Van Horn was in charge of a rough
block fort at Sandy Hook. He used to say that there was nothing to do
only when an American ship was being chased by the enemy, their guns
afforded it protection and enabled it to get safely into port. The war
of 1812-14 being largely a naval war, the militia of this locality
did not take a very active part in it. But during the war, the fort
at Paulus Hook was held by Drum Major John G. Sexton of the militia
and six men under his command. One great enjoyment of "Training Day"
with the Bergen Company was the supper they always had at the tavern
on Bergen avenue. This supper was a great event, looked forward to
through many months. While all meals at this tavern were held in high
esteem, upon this one day there was an unusually fine menu. The praises
of those gastronomic successes are still sung by such of the fortunate
participants as are still with us.
One peculiar custom among the Bergen Dutch, handed down from
generations even to recent times, has been that the masculine head of
the family always cut the smoked beef (a never failing dish) and the
bread. Formerly the bread was baked in large loaves in yellow earthen
dishes in a brick oven, and put upon the table uncut, then as each
person wished a slice the head of the house, holding the bread against
his breast, cut off a portion. Generally they lived very plainly;
sauerkraut, which was such a favorite dish among the Mohawk Valley and
Albany Dutch, seems to have been almost unknown here. Pound cake was a
favorite recipe and in the early part of this century the Communipaw
housewives carried their butter and eggs to certain bakers in Greenwich
street, New York, to have their pound cake baked for them. Their recipe
for crullers was very similar with the addition of a little more
flour. In all well regulated houses "Oley Koecks" were indispensable;
there was quite a difference in the way of making them, some recipes
are plain doughnuts of raised bread dough, sweetened and spiced only.
The following is a more elaborate recipe of 1750:
"One pint of milk, one cup fresh yeast, flour to make a stiff batter,
mix at night; in the morning add five eggs, two cups of sugar, one
cup of shortening, (half butter and half lard), one teaspoonful soda,
flour to make like bread dough, let stand until light, which will be
two or three hours; have ready chopped apples sweetened and flavored
with nutmeg and raisins; roll out and cut in pieces about four inches
square, place a tablespoonful of apple on each square, double over and
pinch together, drop in hot lard to fry."
In the old recipes pearlash is used, in these the modern term soda and
baking powder have been substituted. The early settlers made their own
pearlash by burning either corn cobs or a bit of wood, often birch or
maple, on the hearth, and from the clean ashes put in water obtained
the carbonate of potash desired.
The following recipes are also handed down from the early Dutch
housewives:
"Jumbles, (Koeckjes): One pound of flour, one half pound of sugar, less
than half pound of butter, three eggs, four tablespoons sweet milk, one
teaspoon saleratus."
"Dried Biscuits, (Old Dutch): Take one and a half pints warm milk,
one cake compressed yeast, one teaspoonful salt and flour enough to
make a sponge. When light, which will probably be in half an hour,
add one-fourth pound of butter, and knead with flour to about the
consistency of bread. Let rise again and then mould each biscuit in two
parts, putting one on the top of another, that they may be broken open
more easily. Put in pans and let rise before baking. When baked break
open and put in the warming oven until thoroughly dried."
"Soft Waffles, (Old Dutch): One quart of milk, make a batter with
flour, raise with yeast, when light add four eggs, one-quarter pound of
melted butter and a little salt. Beat all together, let rise again, and
add half a cup of sugar. Eat with sauce."
Old waffle irons with initials of early owners and the date are still
in existence; one has A. D. 1709.
"Fried Spack and Opples: Take slices of pickled pork, fry them well,
then take slices of apple and fry in the hot fat; if the apples are
sour, put a little molasses or brown sugar over them, when the apples
are brown, turn over and brown on the other side; serve with the slices
of pork laid around the edge of dish. If the apples are sweet, do not
use sweetening."
"Mince Pie, (Old Dutch): Seven bowls chopped tart apples, three bowls
chopped meat, seven pounds of sugar, one gallon cider (not sweet),
seven nutmegs, four tablespoonsful cinnamon, two tablespoonsful cloves,
two pounds of raisins, one pound of currants, one pound of citron, salt
and pepper."
"Buling Pudding, (Old Dutch): Four quarts of water, let it come to a
boil. Add one pint of rice, two cups of sugar, one-fourth pound of
cinnamon, one tablespoonful of salt, and buckwheat enough to make a
very stiff batter. Boil half an hour. Put in pie dishes and when cold
cut in slices and fry."
"Buckwheat Pudding, (Old Dutch): Have one quart of water boiling. Mix
two cups of buckwheat meal to a smooth batter with cold water; stir
this mixture into the boiling water; add to this one slice of raw, fat
salt pork chopped fine, one cupful of sugar, one teaspoonful each of
ground cloves, allspice, cinnamon and salt. Simmer one hour, stirring
frequently. Pour into a deep dish to cool. When cool this will leave
the dish easily if sufficiently cooked. Slice, fry brown and serve with
powdered sugar."
These two puddings recipes are still used in Holland.
Cookstoves were not introduced until about 1825 or later, the cooking
being done over an open fire. In the wide fire-place was fastened at
one side the "crane," a swinging iron bar, on which were hung iron pot
hooks, or trammels, upon these were swung the pots and kettles for
cooking. These were cleaned from soot and smoke by rubbing them in
the sand. The fire was built with a large log for back log, resting
on andirons, and in front and above it were piled smaller sticks and
chips of wood. They used kettles of different sizes made with three
iron feet, long handled frying pans; bake kettles--broad, shallow
kettles with iron covers upon which hot coals were piled; skillets, a
small iron pot, holding from one to two quarts, with short handles and
three iron feet, to set on a bed of coals in front of the fire to cook
little messes. Meats were roasted suspended by a string before the fire
and twirled from time to time, or in tin Dutch ovens, which were open
towards the fire. Bread, cake, etc., were baked in the brick oven. The
ordinary bread used was of rye and Indian meal. The brick ovens were
prepared for baking by building a hot fire in them and when the wood
was burned to coals it was shovelled out and the bread, etc., put in
and the oven securely closed. A long handled shovel called a "peel" or
a "slice" was used to put the things in to bake. Beside the fire-place
stood shovel and tongs, and usually there hung there a bellows for
blowing up the fire when low, and a turkey's wing to brush up the
hearth. The first stoves used were the Franklin and many of those used
in Bergen were cast by Martin Ryerson at Pompton, N. J. Coal was not
used for fuel until about 1826, and at first in grates only.
The killing of their own beeves and pork was practiced by the farmers
of Bergen and Communipaw as late or later than 1840. They lived almost
entirely upon the produce of their farms. In November they killed and
laid up their year's supply of meat. The skins of the beeves were sent
to the tanner who cured them for the half; from their share the boots
and shoes for the family were made by a shoemaker who came to the house
to work. This custom was kept up until 1825.
In the early days there were large tracts of white cedar along the
western slope of Bergen Hill, on the old swamp road to Belleville
which led from the Newark Turnpike and near Sikakes. From this cedar
the farmers had casks made in which to keep their salted meats. Fresh
meats, sausages, in immense quantities, head-cheese, and "roellachoje"
(a pickled preparation of beef tongue and tripe) were kept in a cool
garret. The first butcher in Jersey City was John W. Holmes, who
started about 1814; he was succeeded in 1816 by Henry Drayton, who
came to Jersey City from Somersetshire, England, but city ways and
conveniences did not reach Bergen and Communipaw for many years later.
It is said that the first huckster known in Jersey City was a character
called "High, Low, Jack," who, in the '60's, began to go about from
house to house selling clams and huckleberries. His cries were a
constant amusement to the children, who used to follow him in crowds.
During the first quarter of this century, wool from their sheep was
spun and wove at home; the spinning was done by the women of the
family, sometimes assisted by young women who "went out spinning." Men
went about to do the weaving. On some places there were weave houses,
in others there was a weave room in the cellar. When the cloth was
woven it was usually dyed blue; a blue dye tub being kept to dye the
stocking yarn and cloth. Later the cloth was sent to the fullers, then
tailoresses came to the house and made it up into clothing for both men
and women.
The women went to New York to market, carrying butter and eggs to sell,
and there are traditions in some families of their avoiding the "Mill
and Church road" on their return, and climbing over the rocks, in the
long walk from the ferry, fearing that they might be robbed of their
store of silver dollars, carried in the large pocket, fastened about
the waist and worn under the dress skirt. A story is told of a very
philosophic old lady who sold buttermilk which her customers accused
her of diluting with water. The proceeds she invested in a silver
tankard. Upon her return from New York in a row-boat across the river,
it was so rough that in the rocking of the boat the parcel with the
tankard fell overboard and was lost. "Well," exclaimed the old lady,
"let it go, it came from the water and has gone back to the water."
A great event to the children was the yearly candle-making in many
families; they were all allowed to make a few little candles for
themselves when they were so fortunate as to be the happy possessors of
toy candlesticks. Candle-making was quite a long and wearisome process.
First the proper length of candle wicking was doubled over long slender
rods, and the ends twisted together to form the wick of the prospective
candle. The number of these upon a rod depended upon the size of the
candle to be made, whether six or eight to the pound. These were
prepared the day before the dipping was done. In the early morning long
pieces of scantling were laid upon two saw-horses, and across these
scantlings were laid the rods with the wicks hanging down. At one side
was placed a large "cauldron kettle" filled with hot melted tallow into
which the operator dipped the rods of wicks. The kettle of hot tallow
was kept replenished and the dipping process was repeated again and
again until the candles were of the required size. After being properly
cooled they were slipped from the rods, the wicks cut off and they were
carefully packed away in boxes. Later candle moulds were invented,
which made it very much easier than the old method.
In dress the women did not wear the ornamental caps, such as were
worn in Holland, but very plain ones; neither did they wear as many
petticoats as their sisters across the sea, three or four usually
being the limit. It was not the custom here in Bergen, to set apart
a dower chest for each daughter, to which yearly additions were made
of household and personal linen, and a silver spoon, as was practiced
by some of the Holland families in Albany and in some parts of
Pennsylvania. Upon marriage each daughter was given a little store of
linen; upon the death of her father, perhaps a little money; but, as
a delightful old lady told me, "the land and the property mostly went
to the sons, the girls were expected to marry money." Under the old
Dutch law both sons and daughters became of legal age at twenty-five.
The girls were carefully trained in household arts and in the use of
the needle. Little girls under nine years of age wrought elaborate
samplers. It was a common practice to make the pillow cases with an
insertion of drawn work in linen at the closed end of the case, under
which showed the bit of red cloth sewed on the end of the pillow; the
open end of the pillow case was left untrimmed.
Children were taught to be very courteous to their elders; upon meeting
any one in the street little girls curtesied and the boys made a bow.
The Bergen Dutch women and their daughters were very practical thrifty
women, most excellent housewives and devoted mothers. Both men and
women devoted themselves in the most matter of fact way to the duties
of life, never allowing anything less serious than a funeral to disturb
to any great extent the routine of daily life. I have heard of a
bride brought home upon her wedding day to her father-in-law's house,
who, upon the first evening started out to milk the cows, saying she
"preferred to take up the duties of her new position at once." I have
heard also of a bridegroom, a merchant who attended to his usual duties
upon the morning of his wedding day, and after the ceremony returned
again to his store.
Slavery existed until 1820, when all slaves were made free at
twenty-five years of age. The old slaves were cared for during the
remainder of their lives. It was for the colored people that the first
Sunday School in Bergen was opened in 1828, in the garret of the
school-house. Many of the slaves ran away to New York and Connecticut.
Those who went to New York lived in cellars or wherever they could
find shelter. When any of them died their friends always brought them
back to Communipaw to bury them, and their funerals were held at the
old Garrabrant stone house, which used to stand on what is now Philip
street. One peculiar feature was that on every coffin was placed a
bunch of freshly plucked spearmint. They were buried on the Garrabrant
farm in what is now Lafayette, and also on the Van Reypen place.
A hundred years ago, lotteries were held in great esteem, as a popular
means of raising funds to build churches, colleges, schools, roads,
prisons, and charitable institutions. The first ever drawn in this
locality was at Paulus Hook in 1773, and in 1824 a "Queen's College
Literature Lottery" was advertised in Jersey City. Some of Jersey
City's most reputable people were engaged in lotteries and accumulated
fortunes in the business. Later the Legislature passed laws making
it illegal and the parties then conducting a lottery in Jersey City
removed their business to Wilmington, Delaware, where it was carried on
for many years.
[Illustration: A. Dey]
[Illustration: Jacob Radcliff]
[Illustration: Rich. Varick]
JERSEY CITY.
Paulus Hook with its ferry rights passed from the possession of the
Van Vorst family to Anthony Dey of New York, on March 26th, 1804. The
consideration was an annuity of $6,000 in Spanish milled dollars.
Dey conveyed it to Abraham Varick, who on the 20th of the same month
conveyed it to Richard Varick, Jacob Radcliff, and Anthony Dey. These
men were eminent and successful lawyers in New York and became the
founders of Jersey City. They divided their purchase into one thousand
shares, associating others with themselves. A map of the property was
issued and a sale of lots was advertised for May 15th, then adjourned
to June 12th, 13th and 14th. Upon the 10th of November, 1804, the
Legislature passed an act incorporating the "Associates of the Jersey
Company." This bill was drawn up by Alexander Hamilton. To this
corporate body Radcliff and Dey conveyed Paulus Hook, February 1st,
1805. For fifteen years the Associates possessed the government and
shaped the destinies of the town and their influence lasted long after
the original members of the company were all dead. The corporation
still exists and owns much valuable property.
MUNICIPAL CHANGES.
At various times the city limits have been extended, and various
acts of Legislature have changed the governing power. In 1820 the
Legislature passed an "Act to Incorporate the City of Jersey, in the
County of Bergen." On the 23d of January, 1829, the corporate name
was changed to "The Board of Selectmen and Inhabitants of Jersey
City." On February 22d, 1838, the governing power was vested in the
"Mayor and Common Council of Jersey City." It now ceased to be a part
of Bergen Township and became a separate municipality. Dudley S.
Gregory was the first Mayor of Jersey City. He served in that capacity
in 1838-'39-'41-'58 and '59. He lived in the building now used as a
post office on Washington street, in what is still a pretty part of
the city, with its four park corners on Washington and Grand streets.
Mr. Gregory was a man of wealth and of public spirit; he imported a
large number of European shade trees, among them the variety of "horse
chestnut" which has become a favorite shade tree throughout our eastern
states, to such an extent that our native horse chestnuts or buckeyes
are scarcely known in the east, the principal difference being that the
native varieties have smaller clusters of flowers which shade from a
yellow or pink tinge to a deep pink or dull red. On March 8th, 1839,
the city boundaries were extended along the northerly side of First
street to the center of Grove street, thence southerly into Communipaw
Bay to the line of South street, extended. Hudson County was set off
from Bergen County in 1840. The township of Van Vorst, founded in 1804
by John B. Coles, was separated from the township of Bergen, March
11, 1841; it included all that portion formerly known as Ahasimus. In
March, 1851, it became a part of Jersey City.
In 1869 there was an effort made for the consolidation of the several
cities and townships in Hudson County, east of the Hackensack river,
into one under the name of Jersey City. At the election held October
5th, 1869, Jersey City, Bergen and Hudson City became one. The latter
had been taken from the township of North Bergen and incorporated as
the "Town of Hudson in the County of Hudson" on March 4th, 1852. On
the 11th of April, 1859, it was incorporated as the "City of Hudson,"
with powers of government vested in a mayor and common council. In 1873
the town of Greenville was annexed to Jersey City by legislative act.
Greenville was originally a settlement of German families on a part of
the Gautier tract. Lafayette was never a separate municipality; the
name was given by a land company to the Garrabrant farm when it was
bought and mapped out in town lots in 1856. The lots did not sell well
until after the war.
[Illustration: PAULUS HOOK AND VAN VORST.]
FORMING THE CITY.
In the map of the new city prepared by the Associates, the streets were
laid out at right angles and one thousand three hundred and forty-four
lots were laid down. The eastern boundary was Hudson street, which was
laid in the water with the exception of a small piece of upland that
extended outward at Morris street. The southern boundary was South
street, later called Mason street, and a few years ago vacated by
the city. Harsimus was the northern boundary. It was nearly circular
upland, of which the greatest extent was from one hundred feet north
of Montgomery street to one hundred and seventy-five feet south of
Essex street. More than half of the site for the proposed city was
marsh and land under water. The westerly boundary was a line drawn
from the east side of South street to a point near the corner of
First and Washington streets. It was the plan of the Associates that
the western border should front on a tide water canal, an island city,
bordered by piers and docks and surrounded by navigable water. The
Jersey City Journal's History of Jersey City claims that the city has
lost commercial prestige by the failure to carry out that idea, also
that another and even greater blunder was committed by the filling in
of Mill Creek, which had been navigable by small sloops. The new city
met with many discouragements; New York claimed jurisdiction over all
lands under water up to low water mark on the Jersey shore. Alexander
Hamilton and Joseph Ogden Hoffman, as counsel to the Associates, gave a
guarded answer that New York had no right to land under water at Paulus
Hook. This boundary dispute was not settled until 1889. Mr. Van Vorst
would not accept an equivalent for the annuity, which affected deeds
and prevented many from purchasing the lots.
In March, 1804, Colonel John Stevens, who had bought the confiscated
estate of William Bayard, known as Castile, founded the city of
Hoboken. One of the first measures was to build a road to Hackensack
and to the Five Corners to bring travel from the different villages
to his ferry. In December, 1804, the Associates organized the Newark
Turnpike Company, which built the road now known as Newark avenue from
Warren street to the Hackensack river. Through lower Jersey City it was
a macademized road through a marsh. Previous to this there were but
three roads in Harsimus--one the causeway leading to Paulus Hook now
known as Newark avenue, second "the road to church and mill." This
followed what is now the line of Henderson street, along the shore of
Harsimus Cove to First street, where a bend carried it to the corner of
Grove street and Newark avenue; thence it followed the present line of
Newark avenue to Monmouth street, along the foot of a sand hill which
was the site of an earthwork outpost erected by the British during the
Revolution. The last vestige of this hill, at the corner of Mercer and
Brunswick streets, was removed in 1894. From this hill, nearly on the
line of Railroad avenue, the road ran to Prior's Mill on Mill Creek
just below the Point of Rocks, thence by what is now Academy street to
the village of Bergen. The third road began near the Van Vorst house on
Henderson street and ran northwesterly to a point where Jersey avenue
and Second street now intersect; thence at an angle to the base of
Bergen Hill, where it crossed the road built by Stevens to Hackensack.
[Illustration: PRIOR'S MILL.]
The Associates built several little piers and a retaining wall along
the east side of Hudson street from Grand to Essex, which served as a
wharf for light draught vessels. They partly graded several streets
and set out along them some six hundred shade trees, among them
some Lombardy poplars, of which almost the only survivor is, or was
recently, still standing near Mills' Oakum works on Wayne street.
Lombardy poplars were introduced into this country by Andre Michaux, a
French botanist, who came here in 1786 with letters from Lafayette to
Washington. He was authorized by the New Jersey Legislature to acquire
an alien's title to two hundred acres of land and to "establish a
Botanical Garden at Bergen." His place was known as the "Frenchman's
Garden," and is now included in the "Macpelah Cemetery." The Associates
reserved land for churches, a school, a shipyard and a public market.
They urged Robert Fulton to establish his works in Jersey City and
sold to him a block of ground for $1,000 on five years time without
interest. The deed was dated November 3d, 1804. His foundry was on the
corner of Green and Morgan streets, with a dry dock in front of it;
here he built his first machinery for propelling a vessel by steam. The
first steam boilers were of copper and wood was used for fuel.
THE FERRIES.
In 1804 Joseph Lyon, of Elizabethport, leased the ferry and moved the
landing and stairs about midway between Grand and York streets, the
slip opening diagonally up the river. There were two row-boats with
two oarsmen each and extra oars for the passengers to use if they
were in haste to cross, and two periaugers. In 1805 the Associates
built a new tavern of brick, known as the Hudson House. It is still
standing on Grand near Hudson street, and is part of the Colgate Soap
works. Between this hotel and the ferry landing was a semi-circular
plot around which the stages would run to unload their passengers. In
the center of this plot was a willow tree which was sometimes used as
a whipping post. Winfield tells that as late as 1814 a white-headed
old man here received thirty-two lashes. The newspapers of the day
advertised over twenty daily stage lines, besides the irregular stages,
communicating with all parts of the state, and farmers wagons, even
from Pennsylvania, brought produce to New York by way of this ferry.
Horses and wagons were lifted on to the sail boats, but the ferriage
was so expensive that in general the produce and freight was put upon
the boats and the teams and wagons left in the stables of the Hudson
House. The ferry site has been frequently changed. Its second removal
was to the foot of York street; on April 1st, 1839, it was changed to
the corner of Montgomery and Hudson streets; in 1856 the block east of
Hudson street was filled in and the landing was changed to its present
location.
In the fall of 1809 several Newark gentlemen subscribed $50,000 to
start steam ferryboats, and Fulton was asked to construct such a boat
as he would consider suitable for the purpose. In March, 1811, they
obtained the lease of the ferry and the right of landing on the New
York side. Two boats were built by Charles Brown, a noted ship-builder
of New York, who had built the Clermont in 1807 for Fulton, and whose
shipyard was on East river near Fourth and Sixth streets. They were
eighty feet in length and thirty feet in width. The boats were named
the Jersey and the York. The Jersey was the first boat finished and
began her regular trips on July 17th, 1812. A passenger on its first
day wrote to the "Centinel of Freedom," "I crossed the North river
yesterday in the steamboat with my family in my carriage, without
alighting therefrom, in fourteen minutes, with an immense crowd of
passengers. I cannot express to you how much the public mind appeared
to be gratified at finding so large and so safe a machine going so
well. On both shores were thousands of people viewing this pleasing
object." There was a grand entertainment to celebrate the occasion
given at Lyons Tavern, to the Mayor and Common Council of New York and
others.
I give Fulton's description of the boats as quoted by Winfield in
his History of Hudson County: "She is built of two boats, each ten
feet beam, 80 feet long and five feet deep in the hold; which boats
are distant from each other ten feet, confined by strong transverse
beam knees and diagonal traces, forming a deck thirty feet wide and
eighty feet long. The propelling water wheel is placed between the
boats to prevent it from injury from ice and shocks on entering or
approaching the dock. The whole of the machinery being placed between
the two boats leaves ten feet on the deck of each boat for carriages,
horses and cattle, etc.; the other having neat benches and covered with
an awning, is for passengers, and there is also a passage and stairway
to a neat cabin, which is fifty feet long and five feet clear from the
floor to the beams, furnished with benches and provided with a stove in
the winter. Although the two boats and space between them give thirty
feet beam, yet they present sharp bows to the water and have only the
resistance in the water of one boat of twenty feet beam. Both ends
being alike and each having a rudder she never puts about.
[Illustration: THE PLAN OF THE JERSEY.]
"The dock is one hundred and eighty feet long and seventy feet wide,
the bridge is fastened to the middle of the bulkhead. The boat being
only thirty feet wide and the dock seventy, leaves twenty feet vacant
on each of her sides; in each of these twenty feet spans and in the
water are floating stages, made of pine logs, which lie favorably to
the boat for thirty feet, and these run diagonally to the extreme end
of the wharves, so that the boat when coming in hits within the seventy
feet and the stages guide her direct to the bridge."
In 1813 the York, built on the model of the Jersey, was completed and
placed on the ferry. It is said that "they ordinarily took an hour
and a half to make a trip." They started at sunrise from each side
of the river and ran all day, every half hour, by "St. Paul's Church
clock." The fares were collected on the boat during the passage over.
The Jersey was in service for many years and finally being condemned,
was broken up and sold to Mr. Isaac Edge, who built a stable from its
planks and beams. From a portion of this wood two canes were made,
which are still treasured in the Edge family.
The Ferry Company had a very unfortunate experience; they sank all of
their capital and in 1824 were obliged to assign their lease to Francis
B. Ogden, Cadawalder D. Colden, and Samuel Swartout, who secured a new
lease for fifteen years and six months from November 1st, 1825. They
were to provide two good steamboats, but were afterwards permitted to
use a team-boat in place of one. They were also to provide row boats.
They bought and placed on the ferry the Washington. Within a year
Messrs. Ogden and Swartout transferred their interest to Mr. Colden;
he failed to make it remunerative and surrendered the lease to the
owners, "the Associates of the Jersey Company." January 1st, 1831, they
leased it to the New Jersey Railroad and Transportation Company. By
renewals the lease was continued until 1853, when the Railroad bought
up the stock of the Associates and became the owners of the ferry. The
first night boat was put on in June, 1835. The line to the foot of
Desbrosses street was started in 1862. These ferries were transferred
to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1871. Among the various schemes
to secure patronage for the ferry by bringing people from New York,
was the erection in 1825 of a large amphitheatre on the south side of
Sussex street, between Hudson and Green streets, on land leased from
Mr. Drayton, Sr. For about two months large numbers, mostly from New
York, gathered here on Fridays to witness the fighting of bulls, bears,
buffaloes and dogs.
[Illustration: THE EDGE WINDMILL.]
EDGE'S WINDMILL.
A quaint and interesting landmark of lower Jersey City, for some
thirty years, was the windmill near the corner of Montgomery and Green
streets; to be exact, it stood upon a pier one hundred feet in length,
seventy-five feet north of Montgomery street, and fifty feet east of
Green street. According to the family traditions this mill, an exact
duplicate of one owned by himself in Derbyshire, England, was sent
by Mr. Edge, Sr., to his son Mr. Isaac Edge, soon after he settled
in Jersey City in 1806, in appreciation of his success in the New
World. Every part was marked to insure its proper erection. The motive
power was a windmill upon an octagonal stone tower seven stories in
height. The fans on the wings were originally of canvas, but these
were destroyed by a September gale in 1821, when Mr. Edge replaced
them with iron fans. It was quite a celebrated mill and considered the
best in America. It faithfully ground its grists until taken down in
1839 to make room for the New Jersey Railroad tracks; but its days of
usefulness were not over, it was removed to Town Harbor, L. I., from
there it was taken to Southold, L. I., where it continued to do good
work until destroyed by fire on June 25th, 1870.
In connection with the mill Mr. Edge started a bakery, which not only
supplied Jersey City people with their daily bread at twenty-five cents
a loaf, but ships also. The bakery stood on the southwest corner of
York and Green streets. It was burned in 1811, but Mr. Edge rebuilt
it and the building is still standing. The family still have in their
possession the ledger of the old mill and some of the entries are very
interesting. The accounts were kept in English currency until 1816.
In 1812 flour was sold at the mill for eighteen dollars per barrel.
Abraham Reynolds paid one pound, sixteen shillings to have forty-five
bushels of wheat ground and three shillings and six pence for its
ferriage across the river. The freight on three barrels of bread sent
to Sandy Hook was four pounds, four shillings, three pence. James
Parker received for his labor only five shillings a day, while Jabez
Spinning received thirteen shillings. Mr. Edge lived at the corner of
Green and York streets on the water front.
[Illustration: TOWN HALL AND SCHOOL.]
CITY HALL AND SCHOOLS.
The first school on Paulus Hook was started in 1806. The Associates
gave the land and the town authorities provided the money for the
building, which was located on the two lots east of St. Mathew's
Church. The building was used also as a town hall and a meeting place
for the different religious denominations. The school was called the
"Mechanics' Institute" and was a pay school. Soon after the "Columbia
Public School" was started and supported by subscriptions. In 1834
both failed financially and were combined and reorganized in 1835 as
the Mechanics' School. In 1838 the mayor and common council, under the
new charter, removed the building to the rear lot and remodeled it as
a school-house, town hall and jail, at the cost of $1,300. After a
time the building used as town hall, church, school and jail ceased to
be used by the city officials, who met at different taverns and halls
until 1861, when the city hall was completed at a cost of $135,145. It
was situated on the south side of Newark avenue west of Coopers' alley.
The council chamber was artistically frescoed by a brother of General
Garibaldi, then a refugee here. The wall behind the president's desk
represented a Venetian scene from a columned piazza, and was dainty
and effective. Some years later it was ruined by a house painter in
repairing and renovating the room. In 1887, measures were begun to
erect a larger city hall to meet the demands of the larger city. The
corner stone of the new building was laid at noon May 26th, 1894,
and it was completed January 1st, 1896. It is located on the block
between Grove and Henderson, Mercer and Montgomery streets. The total
cost, $736,267.56. It is quite an imposing building and large enough
to accommodate the various departments of the city government. The
interior arrangement is particularly fine; upon entering, the broad
corridors give a pleasant impression, and the offices are spacious,
light and commodious. An attempt is being made to have in the mayor's
room, portraits of the mayors of Jersey City. Several have been
presented but the list is not yet complete.
PUBLIC SCHOOL NO. 1.
In 1843 the state school money, the receipts from liquor licenses and
the money received from the Bergen Township funds were appropriated
for the Public School, then first called School No. 1. It was still
held in the Town House. The primary pupils paid fifty cents a quarter,
in the higher branches the fees were one dollar a quarter. Where the
pupils were unable to pay, their dues were charged against the public
funds. In 1847 a new school house was erected in York street, west of
Washington street. It still forms the central portion of the present
school building which has just been remodeled and rebuilt, and is now
a very beautiful structure. In 1848 the school was opened with Mr.
Linsley as principal, who is said to have organized at School No. 1
"the first Normal School in the country," possibly in this state, but
in 1840 there was a Normal School at Camden, Oneida County, New York.
[Illustration: NEW CITY HALL, JERSEY CITY.]
SCHOLARSHIPS.
In 1846 Columbia College presented Jersey City with a free Scholarship,
which was accepted by the Common Council on March 26th, 1847. Several
students from Jersey City had the benefit of this scholarship as late
as 1890, about which time the privilege seems to have been withdrawn.
At present a free scholarship in the University of the City of New
York and one in Rutgers College are open to the young men of Jersey
City who attend the High School. The only condition being that the
applicant must attain a certain percentage and stand in the upper third
of the graduating class. The next vacancies will occur in June, 1899,
In 1860 Mr. William Dickinson became a member of the School Board and
practically reorganized the school system. Until his death he was
connected with the Board in some capacity and to him is due in a large
degree the excellence and the high standing of the Jersey City schools.
The High School was organized in 1872 and in 1876 stood second only to
the Boston High School.
In her various public schools, Jersey City possesses a splendid
corps of teachers, whose faithful, efficient work has been broadly
demonstrated in the practical education of hundreds of men and women
of Jersey City. The many who have been able to have more extended
educational advantages look back with pride to their early school
days in Jersey City's public schools, where were laid the thorough
foundations of their education. In 1897 the Women's Club started a free
kindergarten; in 1898 the Board of Education came to their assistance,
and before very long we hope to see the kindergarten a recognized
branch of the public school system of our city. There are many private
and parochial schools of great excellence in the city, but this is too
limited a sketch to do them justice.
POST OFFICE.
The first post office was established in Jersey City in 1807 by
Postmaster General Grainger. Up to that time people went to New York or
Newark for their letters. For many years people called at the office
for their mail; then there was a local system of carriers, people duly
authorized who delivered letters at the houses, for which they received
one cent on each letter, the only pay allowed them. This method was
in operation as late as 1867, possibly later, but about that time
carriers were appointed and paid by the government. Sub-stations were
started after the consolidation of the cities. The lamp post boxes came
somewhat later. I am told that there was no post office in Bergen until
the establishment of a sub-station. After the consolidation of the
cities, newspapers were sent from the Newark or Jersey City office to
a store in Bergen. Just when the Hudson City post office was opened I
cannot say, but during the Civil War the Bergen people came to Hudson
City for their mail.
CHURCHES.
The Bergen Church had made an effort to start a branch at Jersey City,
but the first successful church society was that of St. Mathew's
Episcopal Church which was organized August 21, 1808. The services
were held for several years in the school building. October 22, 1831,
the corner stone of the church was laid on Sussex, between Washington
and Warren streets; the building was consecrated November 26, 1835.
The first Presbyterian society in Jersey City was founded in 1809 and
held services in the Jersey Academy. The first Presbyterian Church
was organized December 15th, 1825. The Particular Baptist Church of
Jersey City and Harsimus was organized March 11, 1839. The building is
still standing on the west side of Barrow street, between Newark and
Railroad avenues. Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in
1836. It is said that the first Catholic services in Jersey City were
held for the French potters that were brought over to make porcelain,
but the Roman Catholics of New Jersey were under the jurisdiction of
the diocese of New York until October 30th, 1853, when the diocese
of New Jersey was created. St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, begun
in 1831, opened for service in 1837, stood on the site now occupied
by St. Aloysius Academy. The second and present building is on the
northeast corner of Grand and Van Vorst streets. This parish has
been in possession of the Jesuit Fathers since April 13, 1871. The
Tabernacle Church, the first successful Congregational Church in Jersey
City, was organized in 1858; it is situated on the southeast corner
of Henderson and York streets and is noted among other things for its
"People's Palace" and good work among the poor of the parish. From
1853 until 1859 there was an Unitarian church on the southeast corner
of Grove and Montgomery streets. The pastor, Rev. O. B. Frothingham,
was a very talented man and popular lecturer, but soon after he left
the society disbanded. As early as 1852 attempts were made to organize
an Universalist Church, but none were successful until 1872, when the
First Universalist Church of Jersey City was incorporated. There are
now nearly one hundred churches of the various denominations in the
city.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
1824 saw the opening of Dummer's Glass Works on Communipaw Cove,
west of Washington street and south of Morris Canal. The site is now
occupied by the sugar house. The flint glass of these works, started in
1824, has never been excelled. In 1825 the Jersey Porcelain and Earthen
Ware Company was incorporated in the Town of Jersey, County of Bergen.
Under the Act of Legislature George Dummer, Timothy Dewey, Henry
Post, Jr., William W. Shirley and Robert Abbatt, Jr., were named as
incorporators. In 1826, at the exhibition of the Franklin Institute in
Philadelphia, a silver medal was awarded to this pottery for the "best
china from American materials." This pottery is exceedingly interesting
from the fact that it was the pioneer in America along several lines;
it was the first to manufacture porcelain, for which French workmen had
been brought over. For three years they manufactured porcelain of good
body and excellent glaze. About 1829 Messrs. D. and J. Henderson bought
the works and manufactured flint stone ware of superior quality.
In 1833 David Henderson organized the "American Pottery Manufacturing
Company," for the purpose of manufacturing various kinds of pottery.
By Act of Assembly of January 18th, 1833, the following commissioners
were appointed to solicit stock subscriptions: David Henderson, John
V. B. Varick, Robert Gilchrist, J. Dickinson Miller, of Jersey City,
and Edward Cook, George Tingle and J. Steele, of New York. During
the seven years following there was made at this pottery the first
successful competition with England in the manufacture of a buff
or cream colored ware of excellent quality, and for the first time
in America was adopted the English method of printing transfer in
decoration. During the Presidential campaign of 1840 there was made
here a large eight-sided water pitcher of cream colored ware; on
the four front panels were black under glaze prints of a log cabin
above the legend "The Ohio Farmer," and below a portrait bust of
W. H. Harrison, with the American Eagle. The mark on the bottom in
black under glaze was a flag with the inscription, "American Pottery
Manufacturing Company, Jersey City."
In Jennie Young's "Ceramic Art" it is said that at the old Jersey City
Pottery the "throwing and turning of earthenware upon the English
principle was first performed in America by William and James Taylor."
About this time Daniel Greatback, a member of a family of noted English
potters, and at one time a modeller for the Ridgeways of Cauldron
place, England, came to this factory and designed many ornamental
pieces. For its first embossed ware the factory received a medal from
the Franklin Institute. One style, a spittoon, was of a glazed white
ware with raised white figures on a blue ground, the upper surface
fluted and solid blue. About 1850 the name was changed to "The Jersey
City Pottery." Many of the best potters in the United States learned
their trade here. After several changes, Mr. John Rouse and Mr.
Nathaniel Turner became proprietors of the pottery. Mr. Rouse came
from the Derby works, England, and Mr. Turner from the Staffordshire
potteries at Tunstall, England. They made porous cups for telegraphic
purposes and many ornamental forms in white biscuit and glazed ivory
white for decorators. One of the most graceful forms was the Worcester
vase, a reproduction of an old pattern at the Worcester works in
England. Among others were four different sizes and varieties of Toby
jugs, a pitcher with rope and anchor design, a figure of Christ, and
Apostle jug; some, if not all, designs of Greatback. On many of the
wares portraits were modelled in relief, that of Daniel O'Connell was
among the best. The pottery property was sold in 1892 and the old
buildings destroyed. It is said that many priceless old moulds were
thrown out upon the meadows and broken up. Mr. John O. Rouse still
manufactures porous cups within two blocks of the site of the old
pottery.
Previous to 1829 there were but few manufacturing interests in Jersey
City. In that year several factories were established here, and since
1840 they have steadily increased until they are now so extended and
varied, that in a sketch of this limited character they can only be
lightly touched upon. While many business firms began here, others
have removed to this city from other places; notably the Lorillard
Tobacco Factory, which, started in New York in 1760, has grown to be
the largest of its kind in the country. It is also a leading company in
its care for the three thousand and more of its employees, providing
a library, evening schools, sewing classes, and dispensary, besides
the most careful sanitary precautions. The Sugar House, whose output
approximates seven thousand barrels a day. The Colgate's Soap and
Perfumery Works started in New York in 1806, but have been in Jersey
City for many years.
The Dixon Crucible Works, started by Joseph Dixon, the inventor of
the Graphite Crucible, first established at Salem, Mass., in 1826,
removed to Jersey City about 1850. Mr. Dixon introduced his invention
in numerous factories in America and Europe, but the one in Jersey
City, with its importations of graphite from Ceylon and Bohemia, its
ownership of graphite mines in New England and New York State, and of
a great cedar working plant in Florida, is the only factory in the
world where all graphite products, crucibles, pencils, stove polish and
lubricants are manufactured under the one management.
About 1830, Mr. Isaac Edge established a factory for the manufacture of
fireworks, which grew to be the largest in the country, and was widely
known in Europe and South America. He was the inventor of the scenic
fireworks, so popular to-day, and his manufactory was a training school
for American pyrotechnists.
Jersey City can boast a long list of inventors, from Robert Fulton
down; Professors Morse and House were residents of Jersey City while
evolving the telegraph; and in many of the factories and foundries are
numerous inventions of the mechanical experts connected with them; for
instance, the weaving and knitting machinery of the fire hose factory
are the inventions of Mr. D. L. Stowe, an officer of the company and a
resident of Jersey City. The Thompson and Bushnell Foundry Company are
inventors of numerous valuable patents in their line; the list might
be extended far beyond our limit. The first Stock Yard and Transit
Company in the country was opened at Communipaw in 1866.
I have found the statement that the "first bell made in a mould from
blistered bar (cast) steel was made May 27, 1827, at Jersey City."
Also that the Kamschatka, "the largest war steamship in the world,
in November, 1840, received her machinery at Jersey City." I have
been unable to learn to what nation the Kamschatka belonged, nor what
foundries furnished her machinery, and made the bell.
FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
In 1829 a Fire Department was started by public subscription; about
the same time the Police Department also had its remote beginning in
the appointment of seven watchmen. After their term of office expired
their places were not filled until, in 1837, four night watchmen were
appointed and the City Marshal served by day. In 1844 three men were
appointed to serve as watchmen and lamplighters, with a salary of
$32 a month. In 1845 they were required to call the hour during the
night "until the hour of calling off arrive." Not until 1851 were
uniform caps and clubs introduced. In 1859 the first station house
was built at Cooper's alley and Gregory street. The present form of
police government was started in 1866 and the first mounted police were
organized in 1873.
The first attorney to practice law in Jersey City was James Wilson,
who opened an office in 1812. The Hudson County Bar dates from the
forming of Hudson County in 1840; at that time there were only eight
lawyers in this locality. The first court of the new county opened in
Lyceum Hall in Grand street, Jersey City, on April 14th, 1840, where it
continued to be held until September 19th, 1843, when the court removed
to the Newkirk house at the Five Corners, until the new Court House was
completed March 11, 1845. The situation of the Court House was warmly
debated, each town strongly urging its claims, but finally Hudson City
was decided upon, and a site on Newark avenue was selected for the
Court House and Jail; the latter was finished a little later than the
Court House, and both were built from trap rock quarried on the site.
Until 1843 there had been neither a City Attorney nor a City Physician,
but in that year both of these offices were created. In that same year
the city introduced street lamps, but at first in only those localities
in which the property owners had made application for them. Gas was
first used in Jersey City on December 1st, 1852; the streets were first
lighted with it a few days later, one hundred and seventy-four street
lamps being required. Electric lighting for the streets began about
1884. The first telephone service in the city was in 1878.
RAILROADS AND STEAMSHIPS.
In 1834 the New Jersey Railroad and the Paterson and Hudson River
Railroad were opened and led to a new era in the history of Jersey
City. The New Jersey Railroad extended to Newark, with work in progress
toward Philadelphia. Its one car was advertised as "the passenger
car 'Washington,' a splendid and beautiful specimen of workmanship,
containing three apartments besides seats on top." Regular trips began
September 15th, 1834. Eight trips a day were made, going from Jersey
City to Newark in one hour and a half. The railroad cut was made by
the New Jersey Railroad in 1837, following the line of a water course,
and a depression across the ridge, which made it very crooked; the
earth from the cut was piled up over one hundred feet high on the land
belonging to the railroad back of the Tonnele place. The cars were
drawn by horses until the locomotive, the Newark, was used December 2d,
1838.
Beyond where the Boulevard and Pavonia avenue now join, the Railroad
Company made a reservoir, which was fed by springs in the hill-side,
and from this they supplied their engines with water. Eventually this
was incorrectly known as Tonnele's Pond. This road consolidated with
the Camden and Amboy in 1867. The consolidation was leased to the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1870. After they gained control they
straightened the cut by blasting out a roadway through the solid rock.
The Paterson and Hudson River Railroad advertised its "three splendid
and commodious cars, each capable of accommodating thirty passengers,
and drawn by fleet and gentle horses." In 1848 the road was extended to
Sufferns and the Paterson dock was built to accommodate this railroad
line. The "Long Dock Company," incorporated in 1856, completed the
Bergen Tunnel January 28th, 1861, and in the following May opened
the Pavonia Ferry. From 1853 the road was known as the Erie Railroad
Company. The Central Railroad of New Jersey terminated at Elizabethport
for many years. In 1860 an act was passed authorizing the company to
bridge Newark Bay and extend its line to Jersey City. This extension
was completed and opened to travel August 1st, 1864. In 1836 the Morris
Canal was completed.
Some of the old inhabitants remember when the European Packet ships
anchored in the river and their passengers were transferred to small
boats to land them. It was in the decade of the 40's that the first
trans-Atlantic steamship lines were established, and the Cunard
Company, which was one of the earliest, the second I believe, built
its docks at the foot of Grand Street, Jersey City, in 1847. Its first
steamer, the Hibernia, sailed on New Year's Day, 1848; it was a great
gala day for the citizens, and on behalf of the city Mr. Joseph G. Edge
fired a salute of 100 guns. Later the White Star S. S. Company had
their docks in Jersey City, but eventually both lines removed to New
York. At present the Vogemann and American lines have their freight
docks here.
STREET RAILWAYS.
In early days the people of Bergen and Communipaw had to go by private
conveyance or else walk to the ferry by the Mill road; later stages
were run by Peter Merselis from the ferry to Bergen, via Five Corners.
There was an office and waiting room at the corner of Bay street and
Newark avenue, and in Bergen the stages started from the Columbian
Hotel, a building now known as Foye Hall, at Foye Place. After a time
omnibuses were introduced, and large open sleighs were used in the
winter. Peter Merselis sold out to the Jersey City and Bergen Railroad
Company which was incorporated by an act of the Legislature of New
Jersey approved March 15, 1859. Under this act they were authorized
to lay out and construct a railroad from some point on the Kill von
Kull, at or near Bergen Point, to the Newark Turnpike road leading from
Jersey City to Newark, with the privilege of constructing one or more
branches extending to the several ferries in the County of Hudson,
south of Hoboken. During several years they ran a line with dummy
engines from the Pennsylvania Railroad ferry to Bergen Point.
The Common Council of Jersey City granted permission to lay a single
track of iron rails in Montgomery street, Newark avenue, Grove street
to Montgomery street, Gregory street to York street, and Hudson street
to Montgomery street. After the railway was laid it was lawful for the
company to run cars to be drawn by horses. These first street cars
were peculiar; they were like the body of an omnibus set on a truck;
the driver's seat was up on top in front; by means of a strap he opened
or pulled shut a door in the rear of the car; the door was reached by
two or three steps. Fares were passed up to the driver through a hole
back of the driver's seat. At the ends of the route the driver turned
the horses and the car turned upon the truck, which was stationary.
Long after ordinary street cars were introduced these were used for
night traffic, the last car leaving the ferry about midnight.
The Common Council of Bergen granted a franchise in 1864 for the
operation of horse cars; this franchise included that part of the city
known as Lafayette. As late as 1870 long open sleighs were used in
heavy snows during the winter, instead of the cars. For ten or fifteen
years the cars were not heated during the cold weather, straw being put
on the floor as a protection for cold feet. The first trolley car was
run in Jersey City on the Montgomery street line, from Bergen avenue
to Monmouth street, in 1890. In 1893 the Consolidated Traction Company
took charge, and in November of that year on several of the lines the
horse cars were replaced by the trolley system. The extensive car sheds
of the Company are on the south side of Montgomery street east of
Bergen avenue, and on the north side of Montgomery street between Tuers
avenue and Jordan street, partly on the site of Tuers Pond, which was
filled in over thirty years ago.
WATER WORKS.
In lower Jersey City the water supply from the wells was inferior
and insufficient in quantity. According to Winfield there was quite
a business carried on at one time in carting water from the hill and
selling it by the pail from door to door. Upon March 1st, 1839, a
company was incorporated and authorized to arrange for a water supply
for the city, but it failed to accomplish anything. On March 18th,
1851, Edwin A. Stevens, Edward Coles, Dudley S. Gregory, Abraham J. Van
Boskerck and John D. Ward were appointed a Board of Water Commissioners
to supply Hoboken, Van Vorst and Jersey City with pure water. They
employed William S. Whitwell as engineer. Numerous plans were suggested
but the commissioners decided upon taking the water from the Passaic at
Belleville. Mr. Whitwell began the work near Belleville, August 26th,
1851, and submitted his plan on December 9th of the same year. On March
25th, 1852, legislative authority was given to construct the works.
Upon June 30th, 1854, water was let into the pipes from Belleville, and
on August 15th, distributed through the city. Up to that date the cost
was $652,995.73. At that time the water in the Passaic at Belleville
was so pure and clear that the stones could be seen at the bottom of
the river. At the same time the board adopted a sewerage plan, a tidal
canal from Communipaw Cove to Harsimus Cove, principally along the line
of Mill Creek and Hoboken Creek. The scheme provided that it should be
open to navigation, and it was believed that factories, lumber, coal,
and stone yards would locate along its shores, but it was never carried
out. The water and sewerage questions are still unsolved problems of
grave importance in Jersey City.
WAR RECORDS.
ARMY.
In the Civil War Jersey City was well represented. It is estimated
that from the district now included in the city, one man from every
five went to the war. From no part of the North was the response to
the Nation's need more prompt or more loyal than in Jersey City.
The President's call for seventy-five thousand troops was issued on
Monday, April 15th, 1861. At the mass meeting held at the Hudson House
on Grand street, on Tuesday evening, the first man in the state to
sign the rolls of volunteers was James M. Weart, a young lawyer in
his twenty-third year. He re-enlisted when his first term expired and
served with distinction throughout the war. The Second Regiment of
three months men was recruited entirely from this district. At the
first call for troops some of the business men of Jersey City advanced
the money necessary for their outfits. A camp was formed for the Jersey
troops west of the reservoir and was occupied from the beginning to the
close of the war. The Second was the only regiment recruited entirely
from Jersey City, but different companies joined various Jersey
regiments and many men enlisted in New York regiments, but wherever
they went they sustained the reputation won in Revolutionary days of
the "True Blues of Jersey."
Many of her brave men, officers and privates, were left upon southern
battlefields. After the battle of Antietam eleven families in one
block in Fifth street mourned for their dead heroes. Colonel Zabriskie
and Colonel Van Houten both fell in battle. Their memories are still
cherished and their brave deeds comemmorated in the Grand Army Posts
which bear their names. Others were more fortunate and lived to wear
the honors won by them. Chief of Police Benjamin Murphy enlisted before
he was seventeen, in the 8th N. J. Infantry, which belonged to the
famous Second New Jersey Brigade. He was one of less than twenty men
of his regiment who served with it continuously from its organization
until it was mustered out without having been absent during its service
of four years and eleven months. He was promoted from private through
the various grades of non-commissioned officers up to captain. After
the war he was connected with the post office for a time, and raised
Company "C" of the 4th Regiment about 1893. After he joined the
police force he resigned from the National Guard. The good order and
discipline of the police force is due to his executive ability. He
was the author of and secured the passage of "The Tenure of Office"
law, which has improved the police force throughout the state. Colonel
Robinson of the police force is a war veteran also, but served with a
Maryland regiment and came to Jersey City after the war.
Brevet Major General John Ramsey had "few superiors as a stubborn
fighter." Several times he received honorable mention in official
reports and won his promotions step by step, from 1st Lieutenant up,
for "distinguished gallantry." Colonel John J. Toffey entered the
Second Regiment a boy of eighteen, re-enlisted in the 33rd Regiment
as Lieutenant, and at Chattanooga was called upon to lead a forlorn
hope in the place of two captains who had fallen in the attempt; his
"superlatively brave conduct saved the position and enabled the entire
line the following morning to press forward and unite the lines of the
army of the Cumberland with those of General Sherman's army at the
mouth of the Chickamauga." At the moment of success Colonel Toffey
received a wound which incapacitated him from future service on the
field, but he has continued his military services in the Veteran Corps
and in the State Militia. He is the proud possessor of a Medal of
Honor, granted by Congress under the Act of 1863, "for distinguished
bravery in the battle of Chattanooga, November 23, 1863."
Although Jersey City has been so well represented in the volunteer
army, there are but three Jersey City men in the regular army; Captain
J. B. Vreeland, now retired, but serving as Quartermaster in the war
with Spain, and George B. Arrowsmith and John J. Toffey, Jr., who have
been appointed Second Lieutenants during the present summer. The late
Major Gaines was in the regular army and served during the Mexican War.
He organized a regiment during the Civil War. For a great many years
he was connected with the Surveyors' Department of the New York Custom
House, and was the delegate appointed by the United States at the Paris
International Conference to bring about a uniform system of measuring
the tonnage of vessels. He was also prominent in procuring increased
cubic space for steerage passengers.
NAVY.
Mr. William Knickerbocker Van Reypen entered the service as Assistant
Surgeon December 26th, 1861. Having been promoted through the various
grades, he now holds the position of Surgeon General of the Navy.
Of good Dutch lineage on both sides of the house, he is proving his
sterling inheritances by the masterly manner in which he is meeting
the terrible responsibilities of his position in providing for all
emergencies in the Medical Department of the Navy in this war with
Spain. To Surgeon General Van Reypen the world is indebted for the
Hospital Ship in war. At the International Medical Congress, held in
Moscow in 1896, he presented the plan which was carried out by the
United States Government in fitting out the Solace and Relief during
the present summer, which were the first ever used. A most valuable
addition to a fleet in war, not only in the relief afforded to the
sick and wounded, but in rendering the ships more efficient by leaving
them with fighting men only, unhampered by the sick and disabled.
There is so little space on board men-of-war which can be utilized for
hospital purposes that the chances of recovery for the wounded are
largely increased. Civilian doctors who have visited the Solace are
enthusiastic over the perfection of its arrangements for the sick and
wounded. It is a marvel that a ship not built for the purpose could be
so well adapted to hospital needs. Jersey City may well be proud of
Surgeon General Van Reypen.
The only other representatives of Jersey City in the navy during
the war, so far as I can learn, were in the volunteer navy: Acting
Master James M. Van Boskerck, who was in command of a guard boat at
Alexandria, Virginia; Dr. Forman, who served as assistant surgeon
during the war, and Mr. Daniel Toffey, who acted as captain's clerk
for his uncle, Captain John L. Worden, on the first Monitor that was
built and went into service as an experiment in 1862. Mr. Toffey acted
as aid in carrying orders during the famous battle between the Monitor
and the Merrimac. Of the nine monitors ordered by the government during
the Civil War, six were built in Jersey City shipyards. Aside from
the above named, I have been unable to learn of many other citizens
of Jersey City who have served in the navy. About 1835, Commodore
Wetmore built a large white house on Newark avenue below Baldwin avenue
where he and his family lived for many years. At one time he was in
command of the Constitution at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. At the building
of the Hudson County Court House, Commodore Wetmore determined the
astronomical position and the following is the latitude and longitude
of the observation spot:
Latitude 40°, 43´, 50", north.
Longitude 14h., 48m., 44., 1s., or 74°, 3´, 40.5", west.
At present Lieutenant Harry Phelps, who graduated from the U. S. Naval
Academy in the Class of 1880, Lieutenant Charles Phillips Eaton of the
Class of 1883, and Lieutenant Philip Andrews of the Class of 1886, are,
I believe, the only line officers in the navy from Jersey City.
NATIONAL GUARD.
The Journal's History of Jersey City gives an interesting sketch of the
origin and development of the National Guard of the state and ascribes
to Mr. William E. Rogers, a former resident of Hudson City, the honor
of being the founder of the 4th Regiment and of the National Guard
of New Jersey. He was a member of the National Zouaves, a New York
company, drilled by W. W. McChesney, the former drill master of the
Ellsworth Zouaves. This company was one of the first to enlist for two
years in the beginning of the Civil War. During the first year Private
Rogers was severely wounded while on picket duty and incapacitated
for active field duty, but he obtained a detail as chief clerk of the
General Hospital, now the Soldiers' Home at Fortress Monroe, where
he served until mustered out of service. After his return he became
the teacher of a Bible class of forty boys in Simpson M. E. Church on
Central avenue. The boys induced him to give them instruction in the
manual of arms. A company was formed which was known officially as
"Company A, unattached, N. J. Rifle Corps." Its first public appearance
was in a parade at Newark, on Washington's birthday, 1865. It turned
out eighty strong, in a blinding snow storm, and by its discipline and
soldierly bearing won the commendation and friendship of Governor Ward
and Major General Runyon, the reviewing officers.
There was much opposition to Company A by the officers of the old
Hudson Brigade, of which there was not left a single uniformed and
equipped company. Through the efforts of Mr. Rogers a committee was
appointed to draw up a law to conform with the National Guard Act
passed by Congress. General Runyon, Colonel Plume and Colonel Rogers
were the committee. After much opposition the Legislature passed
the law and Governor Randolph signed the act March 9th, 1869. Other
companies were formed: Company B, by Captain Bullard; Company C, by
Captains McLaughlin and Murphy; Company D, by Lieutenant J. J. Toffey;
Company E, by Captain Henry G. Shaw; Company F, by Captain John B.
Randolph. General orders were issued creating the six companies into
the 4th Regiment, N. J. Rifle Corps, with Colonel William E. Rogers,
Lieutenant Colonel C. G. Van Reyper, Major William B. Shafer. By a
general order issued by Adjutant General W. S. Stryker on April 14th,
1869, these six companies and Company G of the Second Regiment, N. J.
State Militia, were assigned to the Fourth Regiment, First Brigade.
Colonel Rogers was appointed Inspector General on the Staff of General
Runyon, and for more than a year was constantly occupied in securing
compliance throughout the state with the National Guard Act. The
regiment gave an inaugural concert and hop at Kepler's Hall (now the
Academy of Music) on the evening of May 12th, 1869--"one of the most
brilliant events in the history of the city up to that time." For
twenty-five years their armory was at 25 and 27 Newark avenue. The new
armory in Bergen avenue was completed in February, 1895. The regiment
has served honorably on several occasions in suppressing riots, both at
home and in other states; it has joined in numerous parades, and has
acted as Guard of Honor at the funerals of several notables. At the
State Camp its members have nearly all qualified as marksmen at the
state rifle ranges. One of its early officers, Lieutenant Colonel Shaw,
was the author of the competitive system of rifle shooting as practiced
in the United States. He was instrumental in starting the Creedmoor
Range, which was known for years as the American Wimbledon, but has
since been surpassed by the New Jersey State Range in the variety of
ranges for different shooting.
NAVAL MILITIA.
The Naval Militia of New Jersey was organized in the spring of 1895.
The members are largely from Jersey City, Newark and Hoboken. The Navy
Department allowed them the old man-of-war, the Portsmouth, which had
been dismantled and consigned to "Rotten Row." The Jersey sailors have
fitted her up with masts and rigging and again she is fit to go to sea
and has become once more a school to turn out thorough going seaman.
In addition to the yearly cruise on the Portsmouth, the militia have
drills, inspections, etc., on board other men-of-war. In 1897 these
drills were aboard the Maine off Tompkinsville, and from the official
report of the Board of Naval officers to inspect them, the following
data is taken:
"The Battalion of the East:
"Fifteen commissioned officers; eight chief petty officers; one hundred
and eighty-six officers and enlisted men.
"The commander, executive officer and navigator are elected by majority
vote of all the commissioned officers; the adjutant, ordinance officer,
paymaster, surgeon and assistant surgeon are appointed by the
commander; the divisional officers are elected by the men of their
divisions. Three of the commissioned officers are graduates of the
Naval Academy. Another passed two years and seven months at the Naval
Academy; and two are from the merchant service.
"The state appropriations average about $7,500 and the balance of the
fund needed has been contributed by the citizens and by the members of
the battalion.
"The armament consists of:
"Main battery; eleven 8 inch Dahlgreen M. L. smooth bore; one converted
Parrott B. L. R. Secondary battery; one 1 pounder Hotchkiss Repeating
Rifle, mark II; two 3 inch B. L. R. (Navy Howitzer 350 pounds); one
Gatling, long. Of the guns, all the secondary have field carriages.
Boat mounts are to come out of the U. S. appropriations. Small arms:
200 Lee rifles, 2d model; 45 calibre and accoutrements; 150 Navy
revolvers; 150 cutlasses; 150 belts, boxes and frogs.
"The boats include 1 steam cutter, 3 cutters, 2 whale-boats, 1 gig, and
2 dinghy. The signal outfit consists of the International Code, Navy
numerals and wigwag flags.
"The uniforms of the officers are similar to those worn in the regular
Navy and that of the petty officers and men of the Navy pattern.
"Tents are furnished when required by the Quartermaster of the state.
The battalion owns a complete outfit of mess gear.
"Drills and exercises on board ship: Seamanship, compass, log line,
boats, signals, ship routine and discipline. Onshore: Infantry,
artillery, signalling.
"The men of the Engineers' division have technical instruction at
Stevens' Institute, on steamers of regular lines running out from New
York, and in operating and caring for the steam plant on board of the
Portsmouth."
On several occasions the Battalion of the East has won praise and
distinction in public parades, and during the present year have
acquitted themselves with honor in the war with Spain. Among the first
volunteers to be called into service last spring five of their men
had charge of a signal station at Barnegat. Detailed to the Badger
they took part in blockading duty off Cuba, where for several days the
Badger was the flag ship. The Badger is the only ship manned by Naval
Militia that captured any prize, and the Jersey boys are very proud of
their record, having captured three.
[Illustration: U. S. S. PORTSMOUTH.]
HOSPITALS AND CHARITIES.
The plot an Washington street and South Cove, originally designed for
a market site, was used on several occasions for cholera and small
pox patients. In 1868 the city decided to use it for the City Charity
Hospital. In 1882 the city erected a larger hospital on Baldwin avenue
near Montgomery street. In 1885 the name was changed from Charity
to City Hospital. At present there are two hospitals, the Warden's
house, the stable and dead house. It is under the police management.
The surgeons and physicians gave their services: George O. Osborne
has been Warden since 1882. Samuel D. Key, the pharmacist, has served
since 1870, and much of the excellence of the hospital is due to
the efficiency of these two men. Christ Hospital, an Episcopalian
institution, was first started in the old Tonnele mansion on Magnolia
avenue. After a few years Dr. Abercrombie rented the building, and
largely through his efforts the hospital was made a success. In 1889
the new hospital was opened on Palisade avenue, and this year a large
addition is being made to the building. In 1890 a training school for
nurses was organized, which has graduated highly skilled and efficient
nurses. There is an out-door department which gives medical aid to
a large number. The maintenance of the hospital is managed by the
council, assisted by the hospital guilds.
St. Francis Hospital was founded in 1864, by the "Sisters of the Poor
of St. Francis," in a small way in a private dwelling on the northeast
corner of old Fourth and Coles streets. Now they have the most complete
hospital in the state, due, says the Journal's History of Jersey
City, wholly to the tireless work and activity of the noble order of
sisterhood who have charge of it. It is not endowed, is distinctly a
charitable institution, receiving neither state nor municipal aid. Its
charities are free to all, irrespective of creed, color or nationality.
Its a splendid evidence of the devotion to duty, indomitable courage,
perseverance, energy and self-denial of the Sisters. The number of
patients treated annually at St. Francis exceeds that of all other
hospitals in Jersey City.
The Home of the Homeless, started by a few ladies in 1883, now
situated at 266 Grove street, has accomplished a vast amount of good
in sheltering hundreds of children and a few homeless women. The
Children's Friend Society was incorporated in 1864. They established
the first Children's Home on southeast corner of Erie street and
Pavonia avenue, but in 1874 built the present home in Glenwood avenue,
near West side avenue. Here destitute homeless children are cared for,
clothed and educated, trained to become self supporting men and women.
One of the most worthy charities of the city. The Home for Aged Women
grew out of the efforts of a few ladies who started a fund in January,
1866. In 1868 the Society was incorporated. For seventeen years the
Home was at 131 Wayne street. In 1885 Mrs. Moore, a Scotch lady, gave
the Society her property on the corner of Bergen and Fairview avenues,
in consideration of a home in the institution for the remainder of her
life. They have added to the building, and it is now a comfortable home
for a large number of old ladies. The Catholic Societies support the
St. Michael's, St. Joseph and St. Mary's Orphan Asylums, each with a
school connected.
One of the most beneficent institutions of Jersey City is the Social
Settlement, the Whittier House, founded by Miss Cornelia Bradford, in
the old Clark house, 179 Grand street, in May, 1894. Miss Bradford is
the head worker, and is assisted by five "resident workers" and fifty
"out workers," who come in from neighboring towns and Jersey City, to
take charge of certain departments. The members of the various clubs
and classes pay small fees which are merely nominal. The work has been
extended to such a degree that last year it became necessary to hire
another building and still another will be required this year. The work
includes a kindergarten, medical and dental dispensaries, a sewing
school, classes in dancing, physical culture, in household service
(the kitchen garden) and cooking; numerous clubs, among which are the
"Mothers," the "Newsboys," "Working-Girls," the Civic League, etc.; a
Penny Provident Fund, a station of the Public Library, and altogether
too many branches of usefulness to be enumerated here. In another part
of the city Mrs. Brice Collard has a flourishing sewing school of over
six hundred members; also a Mother's Club, both of which do much good
work.
THE CLUBS.
There are in Jersey City over fifty clubs of various kinds. A few own
handsome club houses, others meeting in hired rooms or at the homes of
the members. So far as I can learn the Everett was the pioneer club of
the city, and therefore justly gives precedence to the literary clubs.
In 1865 the "Everett Literary Union" was organized, and met in a room
over a store on Newark avenue. Debates and essays on various topics
were the order of proceedings. Judge Dixon started it, and he, Judge
Collins, Mr. William Brown and Mr. Walker were among the twenty-five
gentlemen who composed the society; most of whom now belong to the
Cosmos Club. The Cosmos Club was founded some years ago by the Rev. Dr.
Stoddard, with the original intention of a "Membership from different
professions and employments, that each might speak with authority upon
the particular branch of work in life to which they were devoted." For
many years they met at houses of the members, but of late years their
method is to meet once a month at the Washington Hotel, dine, and,
after dinner, have a special speaker upon some stated subject, followed
by a general discussion. Washington's birthday is their High Festival
occasion. A few years ago they made an innovation upon their former
custom by inviting ladies to their annual festival. In February, 1897,
the Odd Volumes were their guests--a red letter occasion in Jersey
City club life. In April, 1898, the Odd Volumes enjoyed the pleasure
of entertaining the Cosmos Club, at an "Authors' Reading" by Mrs. Ruth
McEnnery Stewart.
The Æsthetic Society, a literary club of ladies and gentlemen, was
founded by Mrs. Erminnie A. Smith. In the records of Jersey City no
name stands higher than that of Mrs. Smith, whose home was at 203
Pacific avenue. She was a woman of wonderful magnetic and personal
influence, of rare culture, great ability and scientific attainments, a
profound student along many lines, an expert in geology and mineralogy,
an authority upon "Indianology." Her talents were widely recognized.
In the interest of the Ethnological Bureau she made personal
investigations into the history, legends and folk-lore of the Iroquois
Indians, and prepared a dictionary of the Tuscarora language. She was
an honorary member of the British Archeological Society, a member of
the American Archeological Society; the first woman elected a member
of the New York Academy of Sciences; not only a member of the American
Society for the Advancement of Science, but also Secretary of the
Section of Anthropology. Withal she was a most womanly woman. Jersey
City owes to this gifted woman a debt of gratitude, not alone for her
influence in awakening a love for science and literature among the
young people, but for forming the Æsthetic Society, and in bringing
hither the most celebrated people of the day, both American and foreign
visitors, to our shores. She developed an interest among Jersey City
women in intellectual pursuits which has grown and deepened with the
years. May her memory ever be held in loving remembrance. The Æsthetic
Society was composed of women and men, many of whom were prominent
in literary circles. The younger members of the society studied
history and literature, and, aside from the lectures from celebrities,
interesting essays were prepared by the members. At the death of Mrs.
Smith, in 1886, the society ceased to exist. A short time after a few
of Mrs. Smith's friends, principally ladies of Jersey City, raised a
sum of money to create a prize and presented it to Vassar College, the
interest of which is to be given in two prizes each year for the best
work in geology and mineralogy. A fine portrait of Mrs. Smith was also
presented to Vassar. This was considered a most fitting memorial to one
who was always helpful to others.
ODD VOLUMES.
In the fall of 1887 Miss Cecelia Gaines proposed to a few friends the
formation of a club for the study of Literature, and the Odd Volumes
came into existence with a membership of eight which was soon increased
to the limit of twenty-five. After a few years the limit was increased
to thirty-five. The meetings are held at members houses. That it has
become an ideal woman's club is proved by its long list of waiting
candidates for admission, and the desire for invitations to its regular
meetings and its special festivities. While the club has accomplished
much good and serious work in its literary and historical studies,
it has not lost sight of the social feature which has been such an
important factor in its success and popularity. Miss Gaines is the
president. In that office the club will not allow any change, but with
the other club officers rotation in office is the rule.
JERSEY CITY WOMAN'S CLUB.
In 1894 was formed the Jersey City Woman's Club, which has a membership
of over two hundred and is unlimited. It is a department club, its
several sections being Education, Woman's Exchange, Philanthropy,
Town Improvement, Home, Literature, Music and Art. "Its object shall
be to awaken interest in subjects which especially concern women; to
stimulate inquiry in questions of public significance, and to promote
effort toward social and educational advancement. Motto: 'In great
things, unity; in small things, liberty; in all things, charity.'"
Miss Gaines was the first president; she was succeeded by Mrs. Alice
May Scudder. The meetings are held at Hasbrouck Institute, the first
Thursday in each month.
The Ramblers is a young ladies' literary club, connected with Hasbrouck
Institute. The Open Hand is a club in the northern part of the city,
for the study of history and literature; although still young it has
made most notable progress. The Ceramic club is a society of ladies who
are enthusiastic students of china decorative art, and of the history
of pottery and its associated literature. At their social meetings
there is a fine display of artistic work of the members. Once a month
they usually have a talk by a specialist upon some branch of their
work. The women's clubs of Jersey City are all represented in the New
Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs, which was organized in 1864,
in response to a call of the Woman's Club of Orange, at Orange, with
Mrs. Yardley, of Orange, as its first president. In October, 1896, its
convention was held at Jersey City in the Bergen Reformed Church; a
very notable occasion. At that time Miss Cecelia Gaines was elected
president. During the past summer she ably represented the state at the
convention in Denver, Colorado.
BOAT CLUBS.
The Orion Rowing Association, the pioneer boat club of Jersey City,
was organized in August, 1872, and Judge J. H. Lippincott was its
first president. The first club rooms were on the southwest corner of
Newark and Baldwin avenues, those formerly occupied by the Hudson City
Free Library. The first boat house was a fat factory on the meadows, a
quarter of a mile from the Hackensack River, but the enthusiasm of the
members was so great that they carried their four-oared barge to and
from the river until they were able to secure better quarters. Through
Mr. Levering's efforts Gill Ward, one of the famous Ward brothers, at
one time champion oarsmen of the world, coached the Orions in the fall
of 1872, and again for several weeks in the following year. In October,
1876, the Orions united with the Hudson Athletic Club, which had been
organized by Messrs. H. and C. Hoe, C. Rooney, F. Hill and W. H. Kuran,
and was henceforth known as the Orion Rowing and Athletic Association.
They then made their headquarters in the Beach block, opposite the
Court House, where they fitted up a fine gymnasium, with an instructor
from New York. These gymnasium privileges were extended to a junior
class.
For many years their receptions were social events and largely attended
by prominent people. Exhibitions were held every spring and autumn for
many years at the West Side Driving Park. The inaugural exhibition, on
Decoration Day, 1877, was a red letter day in athletic circles. There
was the largest list of athletic games on record up to that date, with
entries from most of the prominent amateur athletes in all lines,
from all over the United States. Stages were run from the ferries and
the elevator to the West Side Driving Park. From that date the Orions
gained and held a most desirable reputation for honor, fairness and
excellence in athletics, and became a very popular club. Referees and
judges, on field days, from the Orion members were selected by athletic
clubs, not only in New Jersey, but in other states. There are treasured
in the club annals a long list of names of athletes who won on numerous
fields honor and medals. In this same year, 1877, the club built their
boat-house on the Hackensack River, at the foot of St. Paul's avenue,
twenty by one hundred and twenty-five feet. On the lower floor the
association boats are kept, eleven in number--a barge, two four-oared
gigs, two pair-oared gigs, three single gigs, and one four-oared shell.
The second floor is used for lockers and dressing rooms, with tables
and chairs. A two-storied veranda extends across the building, and
the upper one makes a delightful lounging place for the club members.
From the flagstaff floats the blue and orange flag of the Orions. The
boat-house occupies an exceptionally fine location. It fronts upon deep
water, with a straightaway course of a mile and a half, where a dozen
boats could be sent off abreast. At no time are they prevented from
rowing by rough waters or heavy winds. Every year the Orions hold a
regatta, but no entries are allowed from other clubs. Competition and
honors are strictly among themselves. There is a long list of efficient
oarsmen whose names are honored in the club. Orions are famous for
their jolly good times; with all of their hard work, they have kept up
the social side of club life, and are deservedly popular. The Hudson
Boat Club, which was organized about the same time as the Orions, had
its headquarters at Communipaw Cove, near the Sugar House, and was
at one time a very popular club. The Jersey City Athletic Club has a
boat-house, and rowing forms a part of the athletic exercises.
GUN CLUBS.
In July, 1877, were organized two Gun Clubs in Jersey City--the Jersey
City Heights and the New Jersey--both of which were in existence for
several years and achieved some very fine records in pigeon and ball
shooting. The Jersey City Heights Gun Club was organized July 11th,
with the object of "the education and advancement of its members in the
art of wing and trap shooting; also for the enforcement of the game
laws of this state." The rules required that the butt of the gun should
be clear below the elbow when the shooter called "pull." The club rooms
for many years were at the northwest corner of Oakland and Newark
avenues, and their grounds were at Marion, where there were held many
interesting shooting matches among themselves, and with other clubs.
Under their auspices were held exhibitions by such celebrated shooters
as Dr. Carver and Capt. A. H. Bogardus; and numerous tournaments open
only to amateurs, besides the regular club days, when the members
contested for their club prizes, the fifteen and twenty ball badges or
the cup.
One of their most celebrated contests was with the Fountain Club,
May 31, 1883, at their grounds, at Prospect Park Fair Grounds, L. I.
The Fountains were one of the most celebrated clubs in the United
States, having won the Richmond Diamond Badge in 1882, at the New
York State shoot; also the Dean Richmond cup valued at $1,000. The
score was twenty men, ten birds to each man, twenty-five yards rise,
both barrels, a friendly match for the birds only; the judge for the
Fountains, the referee and trap puller were all Fountain club men,
while a member of the New Jersey club was judge for the Jersey City
Heights Gun Club. Mr. Alfred Heritage was captain of the Jersey City
Heights team. The score was:
THE FOUNTAINS. THE JERSEY CITY HEIGHTS.
1st squad 43 1st squad 43
2d " 37 2d " 43
3d " 36 3d " 43
4th " 45 4th " 46
--- ---
Total 161 Total 175
The story is still told among the old members of the club who claim
that under the circumstances and rules of carrying the gun the record
has never been beaten.
The New Jersey Gun Club was organized July 18th, 1877. Its object
to protect and enforce the Game Laws of New Jersey; to foster and
encourage the improvement of the dog and gun; to promote friendly
intercourse and generous emulation among sportsmen, and also to engage
in such sports, games, and matches as desired by the members. The
shooter was required to hold the butt of the gun at the hip until the
bird was on the wing. The rifle rules were the same as those adopted
by the State National Rifle Association, with the exception of the
arms, which were decided by a two-third vote of the club. Mr. Thomas
W. Harrison was a prominent member, also Mr. William Hughes, who was
also a member of the Jersey City Heights Gun Club, and known as "Old
Reliable," for his uniformly good scores. The medal of the New Jersey
club was a retriever's head holding in its mouth a woodcock with
diamond eyes, costing $80. The club prize was a beautiful silver cup
costing $200. When the club disbanded, about 1885, the members competed
for final ownership of these and Mr. John Pearson won the medal, and
Mr. Hughes the cup.
SOCIAL CLUBS.
The New Jersey, Palma (which began as a Rifle Club), the Jersey
City Athletic, the Cartaret and Catholic Clubs are social clubs
and immensely popular. The most of them extend many privileges and
courtesies to their women friends. The Catholic Club was organized by
Father Kelly, now of St. Mary's Church, Hoboken, in 1892, and was an
outcome of his desire to provide a place of recreation for the young
men and women of his church. It was the first club in the city where
young women had free access and right as associate members to the use
of the reading room, library and bowling alley. I believe that they are
still restricted to certain days in that respect, and in voting they
are not upon a perfect equality with the masculine members, but what
they have is a long step in the right direction, and has been a very
great success. The club now has a membership of one thousand, and the
plan is being followed by the clubs of the other Catholic churches.
POLITICAL CLUBS.
The most prominent are the Union League and Hudson County Democratic
Society, both of which own handsome club houses on York street facing
Van Vorst square.
LIBRARIES.
About 1866 a few gentlemen in Bergen formed the Bergen Library
Association. They collected subscriptions and organized a library of
one thousand volumes. A room was given for their use in Library Hall
and Major Gaines acted as librarian and secretary. After a few years
the interest in it died out and the books were sold. In 1867 a few
gentlemen in Hudson City formed a Free Library Association and hired
a room on the southwest corner of Newark and Baldwin avenues for
the library. Books were given and bought until quite a respectable
beginning was made. The ladies formed an aid society to help raise
funds to start and support it. It existed for a few years, and then,
for lack of funds and public interest, was discontinued. The books were
packed and stored in a stable belonging to one of the trustees. In 1873
the Board of Education was authorized to establish a free library, with
an allowance of $1,000 per year. It was kept at the High School and was
open on Saturdays only. It was patronized principally by the pupils and
teachers of the High School; in fact, there was a general impression
abroad that none others were entitled to the privilege of the library.
In 1884 the New Jersey Legislature passed a law providing for free
libraries in cities where the provisions of the law were accepted
by the people at the general election. At the first election held,
through indifference of the voters, there was not a majority in
favor of a library, and the matter rested until another opportunity
was given in 1889. At the April election of that year the requisite
majority was secured. In May the Mayor appointed a Board of Trustees
to create a library. They were Dr. L. J. Gordon, Michael Murray, W. C.
Heppenheimer, Nelson J. H. Edge and Charles S. Haskell. The Mayor and
City Superintendent of Schools, ex-officio members. The library was
opened July 6th, 1891. Mr. George Watson Cole was the first librarian,
but was soon succeeded by the assistant librarian, Miss Esther E.
Burdick. In the beginning the library met with many obstacles from the
politicians, but owing to the indefatigable energy of Dr. Gordon and
some of his colleagues, these and all other hindrances were overcome. A
sinking fund was started for the purchase of lots and the erection of
suitable buildings. The site purchased fronts on Jersey avenue, with
fifty-one feet on Montgomery street, and fifty feet on Mercer on the
block east of Jersey avenue.
The library has established fifteen stations. These will be increased
as there is demand. In the reading room three hundred and ten
periodicals and newspapers are on file, and it is well patronized every
day of the year. The reference room is a greatly appreciated feature of
the library, and is patronized by men, women and school children, who
always find in Miss Burdick a courteous, kindly, interested assistant,
one who always seems to know just where the needed knowledge is to be
found. The very superior cataloguing of the library is due to Miss
Burdick. While she is invaluable to all who frequent the library, her
warmest sympathies seem to go out to the school children; to help
solve their difficulties is her greatest delight. The cherished hope of
her heart is that in the new library building there may be a children's
room, well supplied with the very best juvenile literature. She
recognizes fully the importance to the future of our city of the proper
direction of the minds of the children, and in this line is doing
most noble work for her adopted city. The library has many excellent
features, notably the system of book circulation among the schools--the
works in German, French and Italian--and its department of books for
the blind. Jersey City may well be proud of its library and of its
trustees and officials.
PARKS.
Jersey City is lamentably deficient in parks. Before the city was first
established, some say that there was a small park in front of Lyons
Hotel, others assert that there was only one willow tree there. After
the city came into existence there was for many years, on the site now
occupied by the brick-yard, south of Essex street, between Essex and
the Canal, a pleasure resort called the Thatched Cottage Gardens, with
trees, flowers and vines, where there was music, balloon ascensions and
games, and ice cream served in the summer houses and arbors. A place
very popular, not only with Jersey City people, but also with many New
Yorkers. It was the scene of many interesting events, among others it
is said that Jenny Lind sang there. An interesting illustration of
the growth of local expressions had its origin in a little incident
connected with a visit of Bergen boys to the Thatched Cottage Gardens
to see a celebrated aeronaut of the day, named Gilley. After their
return home the boys arranged a balloon ascension of their own in the
barn belonging to the father of the chief actor, who by means of ropes
fastened about him and thrown over the beams above, holding an open
umbrella, was drawn up by the other boys to what he considered a proper
height, then bidding them let go, he expected to sail off by means of
his umbrella, but instead, came suddenly to the barn floor, with a
broken leg as the result, amid the derisive jeers of his mates, "You're
a Gilley!" To this day the term is used among Bergen children when an
over smart scheme of a mate proves a failure.
In Bergen the old orchard on the Merselis farm, near Orchard street,
called the Merselis Grove, was for years a resort for picnic parties.
To-day there is the Caledonia Park; the Blakely Wilson Homestead, on
Baldwin avenue, belonging to a private corporation and hired out to
associations for picnic and games. The only city parks are Van Vorst
Square and Hamilton Park, which were originally given to the town of
Van Vorst, the first by the Van Vorst family and the other by John
B. Coles, the founder of the town, and the four park corners at the
intersection of Washington and Grand streets. A few years ago, when
there were still acres of woodland between Jersey City and Bergen
Point, where people could go for a day's outing, there seemed less
need for city parks, but with the growth of the city and the vast
increase of the manufacturing population, there is necessity for the
establishment at different points of small parks and play grounds as
breathing places for the crowded portions of the city. At present the
Boulevard or County road is the great resort on Sundays and holidays,
when it is crowded with people in vehicles of all characters, on
bicycles and afoot.
JERSEY CITY OF THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE.
What of Jersey City to-day? It has been said that when the plan of
the tide-water canal on the western border of the little city started
on Paulus Hook failed to be carried out, that it was a blow to the
prosperity of the city. Perhaps it was, but when the consolidation
of all the towns in Hudson County was started in 1869, the movement
embodied greater possibilities for the city than were ever dreamed of
by the associates. The first effort failed of its complete realization,
but it will eventually be carried out. Last winter legislative action
was begun looking to the including of the whole of Hudson County in the
Jersey City of the future, thus giving it an area of nearly thirty-nine
thousand acres, and a magnificent water front of about seventy miles
along the Hudson, the Kill von Kull, Newark Bay, the Passaic and the
Hackensack, giving the city almost unlimited business possibilities.
The city is already the center of several of our great railroad lines,
and year by year is steadily growing in commercial strength and
population, which is now nearly one hundred and ninety-six thousand.
Situated as it is, it combines magnificent residence locations along
the Heights, from the northern limit of the county to Bergen Point,
with the business sites of the lower portions of the city on either
side of the dividing ridge. Nature has been lavish of her gifts to our
city; from almost any point of the Boulevard are magnificent views,
unsurpassed in any city in the country. We already have many beautiful
streets and buildings, both public and private residences, and each
year is adding to their number.
An interesting feature of the city, and one that is a matter for
congratulation, adding, as it does, to the historic interest of the
town, and is a connecting link between the city of to-day and the early
settlers who founded here the first village in New Jersey, is the fact
that there are still in the limits of Jersey City quite a number of old
houses built upon the Dutch plan, although there are but few dating
beyond the present century. The Gautier house, on New York Bay, for
some years the home of the Greenville Yacht Club, was built in 1760 by
Captain Brown, and called "Retirement Hall." In the old days it was
the scene of a lavish hospitality, and gay hunting parties were often
gathered there. Captain Brown was the owner of slave ships, and the
slaves were kept in the large cellar of his house, where the rings
and staples to which they were chained were still in the walls, and,
with the large fire-place, remained until a few years ago. The house
became known as the Gautier house through the marriage of his daughter
and heiress with Mr. Gautier. It has been held by several different
owners, the latest of whom, the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, are
about to remove it. People who have resided there tell interesting
stories of hearing the "swish" of oars and grating of boats upon the
beach, followed by the tramp of feet from the shore to the cellar,
and groans, with the rattling of chains. Originally the house had a
double veranda across the front, and within the memory of the present
generation it was still a beautiful place, with fruit trees and
grape-vines planted by the original owner, still in existence not many
years ago. Mr. Brown was a devoted patriot, and served the country in
many capacities. Then there is the old Midmar house, between Gates
avenue and the Morris Canal, probably built by a Vreeland, some time
in the last century. The Daniel Van Reypen house, at 320 Fairmount
avenue, was also built before the Revolution; a story and a half Dutch
house, originally with two wings. When the street was laid out one wing
was cut off, leaving it with the gable end to the street; otherwise
the house has not been changed much, only as time has brought ruin and
dilapidation.
[Illustration: RETIREMENT HALL.]
[Illustration: OLD SIP MANSION.]
[Illustration: INTERIOR OF OLD SIP MANSION.]
The other old houses that are left date from the early part of the
present century. The Van Reypen house, 201 Academy street, a little
west of the site of the original house built in 1660-61, was built in
1802. The Sip house on the corner of Bergen avenue and Newkirk street,
which, like the Van Reypen house has sheltered four generations, is
probably about the same age. The Van Horn house near Philip street,
fronting the New York Bay, was built in 1804, on the site of an earlier
house. It was here that Washington Irving wrote his "Knickerbocker
History of New York," and it is to this house he refers in his sketch
of "the House of the Four Chimneys." It has been remodelled, but the
lower portion remains not greatly changed. 631 Bergen avenue was built
in 1805, a square two-story brick and stone house, with an extension
at one side. The old tree which formerly stood in front of this house,
about which were clustered many stories connected with Washington, was
an English elm and probably set out about the time that the house was
built.
Then there are the Newkirk houses, built by the two families of that
name. The one on Newkirk street and Tuers avenue, a little northeast of
the site of the original house, was built in 1810. In the parlor is the
high, carved wooden mantle, and the wide hall has the Dutch half doors,
although the upper and lower portions are now nailed together. It is
said that the father of the present owner, Mr. Gerritt Newkirk, who
died in 1893, shot in Greenville, in 1873, the last wild deer seen in
Hudson County. The house 52 Sip avenue was built by Mr. John Newkirk,
on part of the Newkirk farm. The stone house at 36 Church street was
built in 1829, by a member of this family, Mr. Henry Newkirk. The other
Newkirk family built the old house on the east side of Bergen avenue,
between Magnolia avenue and the bridge, also the house on the southwest
corner of Bergen and Jewett avenues, which has been remodelled and is
now one of the prettiest houses in Bergen.
Another very interesting old house which has been remodelled is the
Halmagh Van Houten house, west of the reservoir, on Summit avenue
near Germania street. On the southeast corner of Bergen Square stands
the DeMott house, still in most excellent condition. The old house on
the southwest corner of Glenwood and Bergen avenues, was built about
seventy-five years ago by Mr. George Tise, upon the site of the old
Stuyvesant tavern, largely of the material of the former building; in
the rear wall is the date stone of the old house, marked "P. S. 1762."
This house was a tavern within the memory of comparatively young
people and was quite celebrated for the good dinners and suppers served
there. Fricasseed snapping turtle and roast pig were among the choice
dishes. The barns and sheds were on what is now the opposite corner of
Glenwood avenue, and here, the people who came from a distance, put up
their teams during the Sunday services.
At the Five Corners are several interesting old houses; Riker's Tavern
on the southwest corner of Newark and Summit avenues, and Coulter's
general store, now a grocery store and dwelling house, on the southeast
corner of Newark and Summit avenues. Coulter's Tavern was on the site
now occupied by the Avenue House; the old stone house built for a
tavern by Mr. John Tise, on the northwest corner of Newark and Summit
avenues, and the old building, formerly a store kept by Nicholas
and Justus Jerolaman, on the northeast corner of Summit and Hoboken
avenues. It is said that at the Corners, just in front of the point
where stands the Avenue House, there was formerly a Liberty pole,
probably erected about 1812-14, but at a St. Patrick's celebration, not
long before the Civil War, there was found in the early morning a St.
Patrick hung in effigy upon it; the indignant Irishmen cut the pole
down and it was never replaced.
Many of these old houses are a story and a half, some fronting the
street, others with the gable end to the street, with dormer windows
in the sloping roof which extended out over the porch, sometimes upon
both sides of the house; in others the porch was only in front, and
in the rear the roof sloped to within a few feet of the ground. One
peculiarity in many of these early houses is that instead of using
lathes, the "brown coat" of plaster was mixed with straw and thickly
plastered on to the stone. Almost invariably an extension was built
at one end, with the roof a few feet lower than the main part. In
later days this was the kitchen, but in olden times the kitchen was
a detached building, and the slaves slept in the loft. In the main
part there was a wide hall, usually through the center of the house,
but sometimes at one end, with the Dutch half doors at either end.
During the summer months the family meals were usually served in the
hall; they used a "comfore," a sort of chaffing dish with hot coals,
upon which the kettle was set to boil the water for the tea. During
the winter the living room was also the dining room. There are still
preserved in some of these old houses, choice heirlooms of quaint
furniture, rare old Delft, Prints, Psalm books with great silver
clasps, a few old Dutch Bibles with board covers, and interesting
relics of many kinds, of which an occasional glimpse is given at some
loan exhibition, but usually they are carefully guarded from profane
eyes.
In 1806 the United States Government became possessed of the property
on Palisade avenue between Hoboken and Newark avenues. Here was
situated the old building known as the Arsenal, which served as
arsenal, barracks, and hospital during the war of 1812-14, and once
again as barracks in the war of 1861-65, the Anderson Zouaves and the
New York troops being quartered there. Several of the soldiers who died
there in 1812-14, are buried in the west corner of the cemetery on the
southwest corner of Vroom street and Bergen avenue. After 1865 the
old Arsenal was used as a tenement house until it was torn down, about
twenty years ago. Although all trace of it is now lost, the memory of
it should be preserved.
Two very interesting houses in lower Jersey City are on Wayne street,
of Ionic architecture, built about seventy years ago--one, No. 95, by
Cornelius Van Vorst, and the other by Dr. Barrowe--and so carefully and
well built that to this day they have needed no repairs. The houses
are forty-seven feet front by fifty five feet deep. The columns in
front are twenty-eight feet high. The doors are of solid mahogany,
and it is said that the original window glass was tinted and imported
from Venice. The veined marble mantels were also imported. In the
wide central hall was a great stove, with pipe running up through the
hall above. This, with the grates in each room, was the only means of
heating the house. When built the houses were the only ones on the
block, but that was too limited a space for houses as large as those.
Another very interesting old place was the Tonnele homestead, built
in 1837-8. In 1835 Mr. Tonnele bought the old Dr. Hornblower place,
on the west side of Summit avenue, a ten-acre plot, extending from a
little south of what is now Magnolia avenue to the center of what is
now Pavonia avenue, where it joined a Van Reypen farm. Dr. Hornblower
served in the Revolution, having joined the army from Belleville.
After the war he studied medicine, and came to this locality in 1789,
and began the practice of medicine--the first doctor known to have
practiced in Jersey City. He married, and built a house about the
center of the block between Pavonia and Magnolia avenues. The date of
building is not known, but probably it was about the beginning of the
century. The house had a wing on either side--one used as an office,
and the other as a kitchen. After Mr. Tonnele bought the property he
removed the main part of the house to its present location on the
southwest corner of Magnolia and Summit avenues, leaving the wings
for a lodge and gardener's cottage. Along Summit avenue he built a
high stone wall with iron gates, about where the old house had been.
Inside the wall was a hawthorn hedge and a row of mulberry trees.
A driveway, bordered with cherry trees, extended from the gate and
around a circular lawn in front of the house, which stood on the
west side of the grounds. It was built of trap rock, some forty feet
square, three stories and basement, with a wide veranda in front. A
wide central hall with large rooms on either side. The ceilings were
beautifully frescoed, the mantels were of Sienna marble, and the doors
of solid mahogany. It also was heated from a great stove in the hall
and grates in the rooms. It is said that John Kelly, the Tammany Sachem
of New York, put the grates in the house. The grounds were beautifully
laid out, and many of the fruit trees were imported from France. The
furniture for the house was made by a Frenchman in New York.
Mr. Tonnele was born in New York City; his mother a daughter of General
Waterbury, of Connecticut, and his father a Frenchman, who came to
this country about the time of the Revolution. He founded a chamois
glove factory in Water street. It is said that he never spoke a word
of English, nor did his wife ever speak a word of French. Mr. Tonnele,
of Jersey City, was the first Catholic member of the New Jersey
Legislature, and served in county offices. He laid the corner stone
of the Court House. The old stone house has passed through numerous
changes in its comparatively short life. From the hospitable home of
the Tonneles it became the first home of Christ Hospital, later a
tenement house. The grounds have been sold off in city lots, and the
old walls are a dilapidated ruin.
The question is often asked, what is there and what can there be in
Jersey City? It is a question that cannot be briefly answered; this
book only answers it in part. We have very much that should make us
proud of our city. Our location is superb, our historic legacies are
rich and enviable. But few American cities can boast of church and
school in uninterrupted continuance for two hundred and thirty-eight
years. There might be given a long list of names of citizens, honorable
and upright men, whose lives in many ways reflect glory upon their
city; business men, patriots, clergymen, lawyers and judges, who have
made Jersey law a synonym for justice and right; doctors whose lives
have been a constant blessing to the sick and suffering; men in all
walks of life, whose simple devotion to duty has made the world better.
Phillips Brooks said that "no man, woman or child could think a good
thought without the world being better for it."
Of course, there are shadows, but, if we choose, they can easily be
removed. Our streets are not as clean as we hope they soon will be,
but it is claimed by good authority that there is less crime here
than in any other city of its size in the world; and city streets are
more easily made clean than criminal characters reformed. Let our
citizens once realize that our city will become just what we choose to
make it, and its future is assured--a future of honor, of beauty, of
substantial, thorough excellence in all directions. The foundations are
already laid.
[Illustration: THE OLD STONE HOUSE.]
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jersey City and its Historic Sites, by
Harriet Phillips Eaton
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