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The early Germans of New Jersey : their history, churches, and genealogies.

THE

EARLY GERMANS

OF

NEW JERSEY

THEIR

History, Churches and GEN£alogies

THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN CHAMBERS WITH MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2010 with funding from

Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

http://www.archive.org/details/earlygermansofneOOcham

THE

EARLY GERMANS

OF

NEW JERSEY

THEIR

History, Churches and Genealogies

THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN CHAMBERS WITH MAPS AND ILL US TR A TIONS

PREFACE.

This work is the result of an attempt to discover the exact time of the first settlement of New Jersey by people of the German race. It is believed that this fact has been ascertained with sufficient certainty. Between 1710 and 17 13 nearly all palatines, who have left any trace of their presence, began to arrive in the State and to fulfill their important part in the upbuilding of this commonwealth.

In the course of this investigation extending, as it needs must do, in so many directions and having to do with so many records, a large amount of valuable material would naturally accumulate. This has appeared to the author to be worth pre- serving, even though the labor and expense and risk of so large a book would be required for that purpose.

In tracing the families of the early settlers resort has been had to the records at Newton, Belvidere, Flemington, Somer- ville and Morristown. Every one of the 62 books of wills at Trenton was examined separately. The church records of Stillwater, German Valley, New Germantown, Lebanon and Mount Pleasant, were carefully compiled. To gather addi- tional data the inscriptions in 31 cemeteries from Newton to Flemington, including those of Lamington, Bedminster and Somerville, were copied. Every county, church and family history procurable was consulted, and on this account the writer feels warranted in saying that the genealogies are as complete and accurate as they can be made.

The families represented in the genealogies are more or less complete according to the circumstances of the case, but all the information has been given with regard to each family that

vi Preface.

could be found by careful and continued inquiry.

All wbo have ever attempted genealogical researches will readily understand how impossible it is to ever attain either perfect completeness or perfect accuracy.

The map of Washing-ton township, the author's own handi- work, is believed to be substantially accurate. Of course, as every surveyor knows, hardly any of the early surveys will bear mapping without alterations, such as actual surveys show to be necessary.

The illustrations are in every case the best that could be procured. The work of the Central Bureau of Engraving has been surprisingly excellent. In some cases the photographs, from which the photo-engravings were made, were either very poor when originally taken, or discolored and marred by age.

Mr. E. W. Rush, of Glen Gardner, is the engraver of the following cuts : The churches of New Germantown, Fair- mount, Lower Valley, Califon and Mount Olive.

In common with every one who undertakes to investigate the history of Morris county, the writer owes more than he can adequately express to the two gentlemen of Morristown who have been frequently associated in the preparation and publi- cation of valuable historical records. Of course I refer to the Hon. E. D. Halsey and Mr. William Ogden Wheeler, of Mor- ristown. The very large and most complete collection of material for the history not only of the county but also of the State, which they have so kindly placed at the author's com- mand, has been of the very greatest value to the writer.

All who are at all interested in the history of the palatine emigration either into New York or New Jersey, owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Samuel Burhans, of New York City, for rendering accessible the large number of German church records, especially those belonging to the valleys of the Hud- son and Mohawk.

Dr. Henry Race, of Pittstown, N. J., has most kindly granted the aid of his skill and experience in historical work. Mr. B. Van Doren Fisher, of New York, has enabled the writer to use the results of his invaluable labors, especially in the matter of family genealogies and the copying of archives.

Preface. vii

Mr. E. Y. Taylor, of Philadelphia, formerly of German Val- ley, kindly loaned the field books, maps and other papers of the surveyor, John Rockhill, who lived one hundred and thirty years ago. By the aid of these certain important facts were established, which would otherwise have remained in complete obscurity.

Mr. Augustus Dellicker, of Hackettstown, allowed the use of Caleb Valentine's papers, containing maps and surveys which could be procured no where else. The late Theodore Naughright and William S. Cary and son, Lewis, have taken the most generous interest in the writer's labors and have given him the full benefit of their extensive experience as surveyors.

Mr. Frank E. Everett, the capable editor of the Dover Iron Era, from whose office the present work is issued, has given to this book the benefit of his excellent taste and matured judgment.

The delay in publication may be easily explained to those who understand the unexpected difficulties involved in the verv nature of genealogical work.

The German edition of the Hallesche Nachrichten, (Allen- town, Pa., 1883), is the principal authority for the early history of the Lutheran churches in New Jersey.

To the Presbyterian congregation, of German Valley, of which the author has the honor to be the pastor, is due un- stinted praise for their intelligent co-operation in an undertak- ing, which, without their help and approval, could not have been prosecuted to a successful issue.

CONTENTS.

PART I.

Chapter I. The Celebration i

II. Our German Forefathers a

III. The Moravians 16

IV. The German Emigration 25

V. The German Immigrants 34

VI. Early Church History 45

VII. Rev.' Carl Rudolph 58

VIII. Rev. John Albert Weygand 63

IX. Rev. Ludolph Heinrich Schrenck 72

X. The Muhlenbergs 74

XI. New Germantown and German Valley 82

XII. The German Reformed 95

XIII. Fairmount Presbyterian Church 126

XIV. Reformed Church of Lebanon 137

XV. Settlers of Upper German Valley 141

XVI. Settlers of German Valley 146

XVII. Settlers of Lower Valley 158

XVIII. Settlers of Unionville 165

XIX. Settlers of Schooley's Mountain 169

XX. Schooley's Mountain Presbyterian Church.... 181

XXI. Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Grove 185

XXII. Settlers of Tewksbury Township 194

XXIII. Settlers from Southold and Southampton 199

XXIV. Chester Congregational Church 209

XXV. Chester Presbyterian Church 214

XXVI. Spruce Run— " Swake "— Clarksville Lutheran

Churches 221

Contents. PART II.

GENEALOGIES.

Abel 227; Adams 229; Aller 230; Alpock 231; Ammerman 234 ; Anthony 235 ; Apgar 236 ; Appelman 243 ; Aree 243 ; Ayres 244 ; Axford 248.

Baldwin 249 ; Bale 250 ; Banghart 250 ; Barkman 251 ; Bartles 252 ; Bartley 254 ; Batson 255 ; Beam 256 ; Beatty 258 ; Beavers 260 ; Bell 261 ; Bellis or Bellowsfelt 262 ; Bernhard 264 ; Berger 264 ; Bird 265 ; Bloom 266 ; Bodine 267 ; Bow- man 269 ; Brown 273 ; Buchanan 273 ; Budd 274 ; Bulmer 377 ; Bunn 278 ; Busenberry 280.

Carhart 280 ; Carlisle 283 ; Case 284 ; Castner 288 ; Chambers 290; Coleman 294; Colver 297; Condict 299; Cool 299; Cooner too; Corwin %o% ; Cosad 308 ; Couse 310 ; Craig 311;

Cramer 312 ; v^i<*i.ci jij , wcjm ji« , v^ummms" j*/. Dallicker 320 ; Davis 321 ; Deats or Teats 322 ; DeCue 323 ;

DeCamp 326 ; DeRose 327 ; Dickerson 328; Dierdorff 331 ;

Dilts 332 ; Dorland 335 ; Drake 335 ; Dufford 342. Eckel 345 ; Ege 345 ; Eich 348 ; Emmons 350 ; Engell 351 ;

Eofl35i. Faircloe 352 ; Farley 352 ; Farrow 357 ; Feit 358 ; Felmley 358;

Fields 359; Fisher 360 ; Fleming 371 ; Flock 372 ; Flumer-

velt 374 ; Folk 375 ; Force 375 ; Fox 376 ; Frace 377; Frel-

inghuysen 378 ; Frey 385 ; Fritts 385 ; Frone 386. Gray ; Griffiths 387 ; Gulick 387. Hager 388 ; Haines 394 ; Hance 395 ; Hann 397 ; Hartram 398 ;

Heath 398 ; Heaton 400 ; Hedges 400 ; Hendershot 401 ;

Henderson 402 ; Henry 403 ; Hildebrant 404 ; Hiler 405 ; Hilts 405 ; Hockenbury 406 ; Hoffman 406 ; Honness 416 ;

Hoppock 416 ; Horton 417 ; Howell 421 ; Hummer 425 ; Hunt

425- Iliff 426. Kelsey 427 ; Kemple 427 ; Kern 429 ; Kester 429 ; Kice 430 ;

King 431 ; Kinnan 432 ; Kline 432. LaGrange 434; Lake 435 ; Lance 436 ; Larason 437; Lawrence

439; Leek 442 ; Lerch 442 ; Lindabury 443 ; Lomerson 445 ;

Lucas 446 ; Luse 447.

Martinus 447; Messlar 447; Mettler 448 ; Miller 448 ; Ming 449; Moore 449.

Neighbor 450 ; Neitser 452 ; Nicholas 454 ; Nurm 455.

Ogden 455 ; Ort 458 ; Overton 458.

Pace 459 ; Parker 460 ; Pew 460 ; Philhower 460 ; Pickle 46s ; Pool 464 ; Potter 464.

Race 465 ; Rarick 466 ; Raub 467 ; Rawling 467 ; Read 467 ; Reed 468 ; Reeves 468 ; Reger 469 ; Rhinehart 470 ; Ritten- house 471 ; Roberts 471 ; Robertson 472 ; Rockafellow 472 ; Roelofson 473 ; Runyon 474 ; Rusling 476.

Salmon 476 ; Salter 477 ; Schenkel 478 ; Schleicher 479 ; Schooler 480 ; Schuyler 482 ; Swartzwelder 483 ; Seals 484 ; Seifers 485 ; Seward 485 ; Shafer 486 ; Sharp or Sharpenstine 486 ; Sherwood 492 ; Shipman 492 ; Shirts 493 ; Shultz 494 ; Silverthorn 494 , Skellenger 494 ; Skinner 496 ; Slaght 497 ; Smith 498 ; Snook 502 ; Snyder 503 ; Sovereen 504 ; Stark 505 ; Stein 505 ; Stephens 505 ; Stiger 507; Streit 508; Struble 508; Stryker 510; Sutphin 511; Sutton 512; Swackhamer 517; Swarts5i9; Swazey5i9.

Teel 524; Teeple 524; Terry 525 ; Terryberry 526; Thomas 527; Tiger 528; Titman 528; Todd 530; Topping 532; Trim- mer 533.

Van Atta 539 ; Van Buskirk 541 ; Van Fleet 541 ; Van Home 544 ; Van Nest 545 ; Van Pelt 546 ; Van Sickle 547 ; Van Vechten 548 ; Vernoy 550 ; Vescelius 551 ; Vogt 552 ; Vosler 55*-

Wack 553 ; Waldorf 554 ; Walters 555 ; Ward 556 ; Waer 556 ; Weise 557 ; Welsch 558 ; Weller 560 ; Werts 561 ; Wildrick 567 ; Wiley 567 ; Willett 568 ; Wills 569 ; Wintermute 570 ; Wire 571 ; Wolf 572 ; Woodhull 573 ; Wortman 574.

Yawger 576 ; Youngs 576.

PART III.

APPENDIX I.

Corrections and Additions to Genealogies.

Apgar, Bodine, Crater, Cregar, Dallicker 583 ; Eich, Fisher,

Hager, Hann, Martinus, McLean 584; Mellick 585 ; Muehlen-

ber£ S87 ; Naughright 590 ; Runkle 591.

Contents. xi

APPENDIX II.

Ministers. Blauvelt, Bolton, Campbell, Chambers, 597; Clark, Collins (B. B.), Collins (G. S.), Davis, 598; Davison, Delp, Denton, Depue, Deyo, Diener, 599 ; Duy, Fox, Gibson, Glen, 600; Harker, Hendricks, Hiller, 601 ; Hunt, Husted, Hutton, 602 ; Mulford, Keiser, 603 ; Klink, Knox, Krechting, Lane, Linnell, Long, 604 ; McClenaghan, McConnell, Megie, Mewhinney, 605 ; Mills, Nich- olson, Pohlman, Roe, Ruston, 606 ; Sawyer, Scofield, 607 ; Schultz, Scott, Smith (B.), 608; Smith (G. W.), Smythe, 609; Steele, Stephens, Travers, Van Benschoten, Vandervoort, 610; Vermilye, Voorhees, Wack, Wood, 611.

APPENDIX III. Mount Olive Churches 612

APPENDIX IV. Churches of Flanders 619

APPENDIX V. The "Old Straw" Lutheran Church at Phillipsburg 625

APPENDIX VI.

The German Reformed.

Ringoes, Mt. Pleasant, Knowlton, Stillwater 627

APPENDIX VII. Lists of Names. Persons Naturalized, Settlers on " Society Lands," Signers to Weygand's Call, Customers of German Valley store- keeper, 1763 632

APPENDIX VIII Public Institutions and Improvements 638

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Vmw of German Valley Frontispiece.

pag".

Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, D. D *

Old Union Church of German Valley 5

Rev. E. B. England and Rev. T. F. White, D D 10

Rev. T. W. Chambers, D. D., L.L.D., and Henry Race, M. D 15

New Germantown Lutheran Church 2°

Rev. E. M. Muhlenberg, D. D. (2) and Rev. Major Gen. J. P. G. Muh-

25 LENBBRG

Rev. E. L. Hazeltos, D. D., and Rev. G. H. E. Muhlenberg, D. D 30

Rev. Alfred Hiller, D. D., and Rev. H. N. Pohlman, D. D 35

Rev. J. C. Dut and Rev. J. F. Diener *°

.Rev. James R. Keiser and Rev. Valentine F. Bolton 45

The Lutheran Church of German Valley 5°

Rev. B. B. Collins and Rev. Ephraim Deyo 5s

Rev. W. B. Delp and Rev. J. P. Krechting 6°

The Presbyterian Church of German Valley 95

Rev. John C. Vandervoort and Rev. Chalmers D. Chapman 100

Rev. James Scott, D. D., and Rev. William R. Glen 105

Rev. Robert G. Vebmilye, D. D., and Rev. Mancius S. Hutton, D. D.. 110

Rev. I. Alsttne Blauvelt and Rev. E. P. Linnell 115

Rev. James H. M. Knox, D. D., and Rev. H. M. Voorhees 120

Rev. Theodore Freltnghuysen Chambers I*2

The Fairmount Presbyterian Church ""*

Rev. John R. Willox and Rev. Nathaniel B. Kline 130

Rev. Titus E. Davts and Rev. William O. Ruston, D. D 135

Rev. Charles Wood, D. D., and Rev. Edwin W. Long 1*0

The Lebanon Reformed Chubch 145

Illustrations. xiii

Rev. Robert Van Amburgh and Rev. W. E. Davis 150

The Presbyterian Church of LowerValley 15J

Rev. John Reed, D. D., and Rev. w! J. Henderson 160

Rev. James R Gibson and Rev. Alfred Nicholson 165

The M. E. Church of Califon 167

The Schoolet's Mountain Church 170

Rev. William J. Gill, D. D., and Rev. C. S. Osborn 175

Rev. Hdqh Smythe and Rev. William J. Mewhinney 180

Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church 185

Rev. Joseph Campbell, D. D., and Rev. Burtis C. Meole, D. D 188

Rev. H. W. Hunt and Rev. Samuel Sawyer 191

Rev. Samuel J. McClenaqhan and Rev. James H. Clark 194

Rev. Moses A. Depue and Rev. Gilbert Lane 198

The Congregational Church of Chester 200

Rev. Abner Morse and Rev. Luke I. Stoutenburgh 205

Rev. B. P. Bradford and Rev. P. A. Johnson 209

The Presbyterian Church of Chester 213

Rev. G. M. S. Blauvelt , 217

Rev. James Brewster and Rev. Frank M. Kerr 220

The Spruce Run Lutheran Church 225

Rev. Chester H. Travers and Rev. David Kline 230

The Glen Gardner Lutheran Church 235

Levi Farrow, M. D., and Rev. G. W. Smith 357

Gen. Fred. Frelinghuysen and Gov. George T. Werts 380

Hon. Theo. Frelinghuysen and Hon. Fred. Frelinghuysen 385

Jacob W. Miller 448

Mount Olive Presbyterian Church 612

Rev. John H. Scofteld and Rev. David James 615

Rev. 0. H. Perry Deyo and Rev. Daniel W. Fox 620

Flanders Presbyterian Church 625

Rev. John N. Husted and Rev. Baker Smith 630

Rev. Thornton A. Mills and Rev. G. H. Stephens 635

The M. E. Church of Flanders 640

Rev. Manning Force and Rev. William Stout 645

MAPS.

Washington Township, opposite page uq

Allen and Turner Tract " " 162

New Germantown in 1755 " " 194

EARLY

GERMANS »' NEW JERSEY

PART I

ARRIVAL, SETTLEMENT

AND

CHURCHES

TOGETHER WITH PROCEEDINGS OF THE

CELEBRATION AT GERMAN VALLEY OCTOBER 3ist, 1893

AND ALSO

THE HISTORY OF THE OTHER SETTLERS OF OLD

ROXBURY TOWNSHIP FROM SOUTHOLD

AND SOUTHAMPTON

^^o^^^y^O^^j^

CHAPTER I.

THE CELEBRA TION.

SB?

'i HE Centennial Celebration held at German

Valley upon October 31st, 1893, was of such peculiar interest and attended with such notable success, that it may well deserve special notice in any history of the events which it was held to com- memorate.

The day selected was Reformation Day, the anniversary of the nailing of the theses by Luther upon the church door at Wittenberg.

We quote from the local press the following account of the events of the day and the impression they produced upon those who were present.

The Iron Era, of Dover, had the following : " The little village of German Valley was alive with life and energy on Tuesday when a representative of the Era arrived there, and the latch strings of every house hung out to those sturdy, intelligent and prosperous descendants of the first Teutons who came to this fertile and beautiful valley nearly two centuries ago, and who had come to celebrate the one hundred and eightieth anniversary of the arrival of the first wanderers from Fatherland. The weather was perfect. It was one of those charming October days that make the month one of the most delightful of the year. The carpeting of the valley was still green, the touch of the frost not having yet turned it to gray, and the hills were bright in their clothing of red and rus- set and yellow, relieving the cold dead drab of the rocks and

2 Early Germans of New Jersey

stones. The visitors began arriving early and every available tie post in the village was needed for their teams, and the trains brought many more. It was a success. In fact it could hardly be anything else. With the evident care and labor exercised with regard to the music and the selection of speakers, one could be at no loss to explain the great pleasure afforded to the large and intelligent audiences which assembled at both afternoon and evening services.

" It was half -past three when the afternoon proceedings began in the Presbyterian Church. The church was tastefully decorated. In front of the pulpit the altar was banked with chrysanthemums and the red, white and black of the fatherland was draped gracefully over the desk. From the arch of the pulpit recess the national colors were prettily hung, and all around the room groups of the American flag were placed. From the centre of the pulpit arch a floral bell was suspended with the date 1743 in green figures, flanked on either side by the dates 1 7 13 and 1893. Tropical plants lent the beauty of their green luxuriance in contrast to the bright colors of the bunting, and the committee who had charge of the decorations are to be comr" ended for their taste.

" It was expected that Hon. Jonathan W. Roberts, President of the Washington Association of New Jersey, would preside, but he was detained by business from being present, and Rev. T. F. Chambers took his place. After an anthem by the choir Rev. V. F. Bolton, of Glen Gardner, invoked the divine blessing. The orator of the afternoon was Rev. E. B. England, of Chester, whose eloquence and ability are so well known to readers of the Era that the announcement that he will deliver an address carries with it a desire to hear him. His theme was " Chris- topher Columbus, the First Emigrant," and he spoke with his usual grace of oratory and charm of rhetoric. " The Obliga- tions of Protestantism to Martin Luther," was the subject of a well written paper by Rev. Dr. Theo. F. White, of Summit, Chairman of the Committee on History of the Presbytery of Morris and Orange, and the ripe scholarship of the distinguished divine was shown in the preparation of this paper. An address on " Our German Forefathers " by Rev. Talbot W. Chambers,

The Celebration 3

D. D., LL. D., ended the literary part of the afternoon proceed- ings. It was one of those charming little talks that " come like the benediction that follows after prayer." Dr. Chambers is a man of profound learning, and yet has the happy faculty of getting in touch with his hearers. There is nothing of the pedant about him, and the simplicity of his address was as charming as its matter was interesting.

" In the evening the proceedings were in the Lutheran Church and opened with an anthem by the choir. The decora- tions were very neat and appropriate. The church itself is a model of neatness and its pure white wall sets off very effectively the simplest decorations. It was a happy idea to present a Bible chained to a table as a forcible suggestion of the vast changes in religious opportunity which have taken place since ancient days. It would have been a great mistake to omit from the proceedings some account of the interesting community who once formed a most unique settlement at Hope, WaiTen County. Dr. Race's paper upon Greenland in New Jersey, or the Moravians, was carefully prepared and most complete and reliable. This is true of all the work of this gentleman, whose kindness in so ably representing the Historical Societies of the State and Hunterdon County, was fully appreciated.

"The Rev. Dr. Hiller, professor of theology at Hartwick Seminary, in New York State, gave an extended account of the Lutheran Church in New Jersey in its threefold character, as constituted of Swedes in South Jersey, Low Dutch in Bergen County and High Dutch or Germans in Western New Jersey. His address was delivered in a forcible and lively manner and was interspersed with amusing anecdotes and interesting inci- dents.

" Rev. William E. Davis spoke briefly but to the point, and in a very happy way presented the relations of the Germans to the Reformed Dutch Church, to which he himself belonged.

"The last subject of a program remarkable for its complete- ness, was the German Reformed Church which was to be pre- sented by Rev. T. F. Chambers. He excused himself from entering upon his theme at so late an hour.

"The whole proceedings were worthy of the occasion and

4 Early Germans of New Jersey

add new laurels to the well-earned reputation for historic zeal of Morris County. The careful preparations for the complete presentation of the history of the German part of our population demonstrate a high degree of intelligence on the part of the village of German Valley.

" The Secretary of the Committee and the Committee, under whose authority he acted, and by whom he was so heartily supported, the speakers, whose careful preparation and unques- tioned ability were so fully displayed ; the ladies of the decora- tion committee, whose refinement of taste was to be seen on all sides, and the inhabitants in general, whose cordial hospitality was enjoyed by the visitors, may all alike rejoice in the success of an occasion which will mark an era in the history of the village.

" It was a very gratifying feature of the occasion to find the two churches of the village co-operating apparently without the slightest hitch or jar in the services of the day. We were informed that the expenses of the occasion were met by private subscription, and one could not but wonder how so large and representative a celebration could be conceived and successfully carried out by a rural village with limited facilities for travel and for entertainment. The Washington Association of New Jersey are a most respectable body to whom the whole county are deeply indebted for their patriotic work with reference to the admirably arranged Headquarters at our county town, but we venture to affirm that they honored themselves not less than the people of German Valley, by being so well represented upon this occasion.

" We only voice the sentiment of every visitor, when we say that for once at least one of the smallest of our country villages has " set the pace" in celebrations for the rest of the county. The tasteful decorations of the Stephens Steam Heater Company and of the store of Lyman Kice are worthy of special notice. The colored lights on Mr. Naughright's residence produced a very pretty effect at night. We noticed the presence of the Hon. H. O. Marsh, President of the National Iron Bank, of Morristown, of the Rev. Wynant Vanderpool, rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church at Morristown, also of G. G. Kip, Mr.

The Celebration 5

Ford, P. H. Hoffman and W. Ogden Wheeler of the same place. Mr. Fred. H. Beach and Mr. Fred. A. Canfield, of Dover, were also present. Rev. William M. Wells and his elder Hiram Fisher, from the United First Church, of Amwell ; Rev. B. V. D. Wyckoff and Mr. Schomp from Readington ; Rev. T. E. Davis, of Bound Brook ; Rev. I. Alstyne Blauvelt, of Roselle ; Rev. J. H. Scofield, of Mt. Olive ; Rev. James R. Gibson, of Califon ; Rev. William Stout, of Flanders, and many others we noticed among the visitors. The special train from Rockaway brought many visitors among whom were Edmund D. Halsey and Rev. Dr. Stoddard."

The Morris County Journal and The Jerseyman both had very flattering notices of the Celebration, and all accounts seemed to agree in pronouncing the occasion one of great inter- est and a most successful commemoration of truly memorable events.

A most pleasing feature of the occasion was a very beautiful souvenir, containing photo-engravings of some of the former pastors of both churches, and also of the old Union Church, which was erected more than one hundred years ago. It also contained a brief but comprehensive account of the early emi- gration from Germany into New Jersey and the character of the settlers, who thus added a new element to the already cosmopolitan population of the State.

Invitations had been sent to officers of the Historical Socie- ties, to ministers, editors and many others. These invitations were neatly printed on card board and enclosed in envelopes to match. The names of the committee being found on the reverse side.

Early Germans of New Jersey

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The Celebration 7

PROCEEDINGS— TUESDAY AFTERNOON

IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Hon. Jonathan W. Roberts, Presiding.

Anthem "Wake Song of Jubilee"

Prayer

Rev. V. F. Bolton, Glen Gardner, N. J.

Music " Wake, Songs of Gladness"

Oration " Christopher Columbus, the First Emigrant"

Rev. E. B. England, Chester, N. J.

Music " Great God of Nations"

Address "Obligations of Protestantism to Martin Luther"

Rev. Theo. F. White, D. D.

Chairmali of Committee on History of the Presbytery.

Music " The Hand that Led Our Fathers Here"

Address "Our German Forefathers"

Rev. Talbot W. Chambers, D. D., LL. D.

Senior Pastor Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church, N. T.

Music " Praise Ye The Lord'

PROCEEDINGS— TUESDAY EVENING

IN THE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Rev. William S. Delp, Presiding.

Organ Voluntary— Anthem. . . " Praise the Lord O My Soul"

Prayer,

Rev. James R. Gibson.

Anthem "I Will Lift Mine Eyes"

Address " The Moravians of New Jersey"

Henry Race, M. D.,

Member of the New Jersey Historical Society.

Anthem " O, Come Let Us Sing"

Address " The Lutheran Church in New Jersey"

Rev. Alfred Hiller, D. D.,

Professor in Hartwick Seminary, N. Y.

Music " Ein Feste Burg"

Address "The Germans and the Reformed Dutch Church"

Rev. W. E. Davis, Lebanon, N. J.

Anthem " Praise Ye The Lord"

Address " The German Reformed Church in New Jersey"

Rev. T. F. Chambers,

Member of New Jersey Historical Society.

Music " Selected '

8 Early Germans of New Jersey

GENERAL COMMITTEE.

E. M. Bartles, Pres't, Rev.W. S. Delp.V. P. John Parker, L. Farrow, M. D. I. S. Vescelius, F. D. Stephens, Jacob W. Welsh, Jesse Weise, E. Willet, M. D., Jesse Hoffman, John Todd, J. V. Stryker, Anthony Trimmer, Isaac Dorland, L. R. Schoenheit, Silas Neighbour, Elias Buchanan, Andrew Axford, Hagar Trimmer, Fred. Sharp, William Dufford, Philip Welsh, M. T. Welsh, Henry Dufford, Isaac Roelofson, Elijah Dufford, M. M. Lindabury, C. B. Hendershot, James Anthony, Willard Apgar, Wm. S. Naughright, Daniel Swackhamer, John T. Naughright, W. N. Swackhamer, Lyman Kice, Sylvester Lake, Abner Dilts, Joseph Apgar, George Swackhamer,

Rev. T. F. Chambers, Sec'y. COMMITTEE on music.

F. D. Stephens, W. S. Naughright, I. S. Runyon, Theodore Van Nest, Jonathan Bartley, A. P. Down, E. J. Neighbour, William Dufford.

COMMITTEE ON PROGRAM.

Rev. T. F. Chambers, John Parker, Rev. W. S. Delp,

L. L. Rosenkrans, C. B. Hendershot.

committee on finance. Elias M. Bartles, Lyman Kice, L. Farrow, M. D. J. W. Welsh.

committee on entertainment. M- T. Welsh, J. w. Willet,

L. Richard Schoenheit, George McLean,

E. D. Naughright, Stewart Neighbour.

COMMITTEE ON DECORATION.

Miss Lillie Hager, Miss Annie Trimmer,

Miss Luella Weise, Miss Edith Schoenheit,

Mrs. Jesse Weise, Miss Lydia Runyon.

Representative of Order of Odd Fellows, Rev. B. B. Collins. Representative of Knights of Pythias, Hon. W. S. Naughright. Representative of the Grand Army of the Republic, L. Richard Schoenheit.

The Celebration 9

A very interesting feature of the celebration was not on the program. This was a most appropriate and welcome address from the Hon. H. W. Miller, President of the Morristown Sav- ings Bank. Mr. Miller was called upon on the opening of the- exercises in the afternoon to make some remarks in behalf of the Washington Association of New Jersey, which had sent a delegation of six prominent citizens of Morristown to represent them on this occasion. His address was as follows : Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen :

I thank you for the privilege and honor conferred upon me to express for the Washington Association of New Jersey its appreciation of your courtesy in extending to it an invitation to be present to-day at this 180th anniversary of the settlement of New Jersey by the Germans, and the Sesqui-centennial of German Valley.

We, who consider it our high privilege, as well as our sacred duty to guard and preserve the historic records and relics of the war that gave to us our glorious country, a country which is producing to-day the greatest achievements of human indus- try and thought, enlightening the whole globe and controlling the policies and markets of every nation, we feel that indeed we have a high duty to perform, and are encouraged and aided materially in this duty by the ceremonies so well conceived and carried out by you to-day, for the very creditable purpose you have in view. And what better object can we have to call us together, as we have been on this occasion, than that of pre- serving the history of those periods of our country's life when she was in her infancy struggling for existence, and when her people were overflowing with patriotic devotion for her welfare. In coming here to-day we seem to have stepped within the boundaries of an enchanted circle, where, as in the Sargasso Sea, the winds and storms and currents are all quieted by a peaceful influence, and from whence are bred again the powers which give life and progress to the air, and energy to the world. For here in this peaceful valley, just outside of the maelstrom which swept so near its borders in the War of the Revolution, throwing off to it the heartrending and heartstirring fragments and again catching up the zeal and energy of the honest and

io Early Germans of New Jersey

noble spirits, dwelling in this beautiful valley and throwing them with new-born energy into the battle for liberty, we find still at this day, peacefully dwelling the same families, the same names, with the same honesty, zeal, religion and patriotism, ready to develop the same energy with equal earnestness, as in those trying times of old.

It is with great respect to you, Mr. President, and to the Committee, that I thank you in the name of the Washington Association of New Jersey for your courtesy extended to us, and I regret exceedingly the absence of our distinguished President, not only for his own sake, but because he would express the mind of the Association in far better words than I am able to do.

May I in my own behalf express my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of addressing you in these few words, unworthy as the}- are, on this occasion, and on this spot, where my ances- tors soon after their arrival in their new country settled and lived, and where my father, so much honored by you, was born, and where he received in his boyhood those teachings of hon- esty and patriotism, which he never forgot, and which by example and precept he sought to use for the benefit of his fellow countrymen.

CHAPTER II.

OUR GERMAN FOREFATHERS

BY REV. TALBOT W. CHAMBERS, D. D., LL. D.

[AUL, the Apostle, in his epistle to the Ephesians, speaking of the work of the Lord Jesus in breaking down the wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles, said it was for the purpose of making " of the twain one new man," better, far better than either was before the reconciliation. Applying this procedure on a lower scale, many have supposed that a similar result would follow from the mixed population of our own country. The ancient Athenians used with pride to call themselves autochthones, sprung from the soil of Attica and un- contaminated by the intermixture of an alien race. We can make no such boast, nor do we desire to. Our people are descended from a number of nationalities. We count among them English, Scotch and Irish, Hollanders and Walloons.Huguenots of France, and Germans from the Rhine and the Palatinate, together with a few from Scandinavia and from the shores of the Mediterranean. Each of these for a time kept separate, but commerce, trade and alliances of every sort overcame the natural influence of dif- ferent languages, customs and prejudices until the fusion was made complete by the common trials and triumphs of the war of the Revolution. Hence it has been claimed that in the new

i2 Early Germans or New Jersey

world and under the influence of free institutions there has been developed a peculiar type of humanity, blending in itself the better traits of each of the races from which it was derived.

Supposing this to be true it may justly be asserted that among these elements composing the American people, a high place must be assigned that which came from Germany, a coun- try which from the earliest period has maintained a definite and strongly marked character. We are fortunate in having from the pen of the great Roman historian, Tacitus, an account which gives authentic information of the tribes who eighteen centuries ago held the region from the marches of Brandenburg to the Rhine. They were turbulent and adventurous nomads who wandered through the interminable forests, which covered the whole region, and, while their religion was mainly one of fear and their culture very limited, they had some noble instincts, and were distinguished for their respect for woman, their reverence for all family relations, and their love of per- sonal liberty and independence. This last mentioned charac- teristic made them a marked exception to the general fate of European tribes, in that they never fell a prey to the Roman arms. Northern Italy, Gaul, Switzerland, Spain and Britain were in succession brought under the sway of Rome, but Ger- many never. The attempt was often made but without success, and shortly before our era Varus, at the head of the flower of the Imperial soldiery, sustained a most disastrous defeat. The loss was so great that it is said the Emperor Augustus tore his hair in anguish and cried out, " Varus, Varus, give me back my legions !" The leader of the Germans in this conflict was Hermann, or, as the Romans called him, Arminius, and his fame is perpetuated by a gigantic statue erected on the battle field near the town of Detmold. Rome made further efforts at subjugation, but success, when attained, was only temporary, and soon it became settled that the Danube was the northern boundary of the Empire. The independence of foreign control thus attained by Germany was retained all through our era, the country being sub-divided into numerous smaller provinces, each having its own ruler. These were not consolidated into a. homogeneous empire until the latter part of our own century.

Our German Forefathers 13

The emigrants who came to America in the last century were mainly from the southern part of Germany, and they settled in different States or Colonies from the Mohawk to the Savannah, the largest single body settling in Eastern and Central Penn- sylvania. They brought with them their ancestral traits. Their valor was shown in the war of the Revolution under the lead of such men as Steuben, Herkimer and Muhlenberg. Nor did it fail to appear in the war with Mexico, nor in the longer conflict for the preservation of the Union.

They were distinguished for their industry and thrift, being mainly engaged in agriculture, and sometimes have been under- valued as inferior to other elements of the population. But the homebred virtues by which they were distinguished, their peace- ful and law-abiding character, and their orderly conduct made them a constituent part of the nation's strength and security. In intelligence and culture they fell below their neighbors, the Low Dutch or Hollanders, among whom reading and writing were as universally diffused two centuries ago as they are now any where. The reason is plain. The Low countries had the advantage of a large and varied commerce by sea, a rich devel- opment of the fine and mechanic arts, and a feudal system greatly modified by circumstances, whereas Germany was devastated by the thirty years war (1618-1648), terminated only by the Peace of Westphalia. We groaned under the four year's war of the Rebellion, but for more than seven times that period huge armies swept over the plains of Germany, cities were taken by storm (Magdeburg) when every man was slain and every woman outraged, the population was more than decimated, and fertile fields turned into a wilderness. So great was the scourge that it is said that even now after the lapse of centuries its track can be distinctly traced. Inter arma leges [et literae\ silent. In the struggle for existence education was neglected. And the German emigrants brought with them only those elements of culture that are inseparably bound up with the Protestant faith. How important these were is shown by the fact that a German Bible was printed in our country forty years before an English Bible was put to press.

As to religion the emigrants usually brought their ministers

14 Early Germans of New jersey

with them and soon erected their houses of worship. In other cases their wants were supplied through the kind offices of Holland where the classes of Amsterdam was the medium of communication with the Fatherland. Nor were they slow to avail themselves of other means of supplying their needs. I remember seeing in some of the old records of the church [Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church] I serve an account of some Germans living twenty miles north of Philadelphia, who being without a minister and having among them a lay catechist, the son of an organist at Wurms, who could instruct their young and baptize their children, sent to the Dutch of New York an earnest request to give this man orders so that he could serve their necessities. Their request was granted.

Along with religion there went a high tone of morality. The people lacked the enterprise of other communities, but they also lacked the taste for wanton speculation which so often proves an ignis fatuus leading to disaster and ruin. They cultivated contentment with the allotments of Providence. They practiced honesty not only as the best policy but as indispensable to peace of mind. They rendered obedience to the law of the land as a duty they owed to God. Their love of country was both a passion and a principle. And so the}7 lived, a peaceful, orderly, God-fearing people, making slow but sure progress in all that belongs to civic prosperity.

Hence the propriety of recalling what the)* were and what they did, and the great usefulness of such a celebration as is held to-day; an observance to which the people have responded in such numbers and with such heartiness. There is great ad- vantage as well as propriety in rescuing from oblivion or neglect the character of those from whom we trace our descent. As Lord Macaulay says, " It is a sentiment which belongs to the higher and purer part of human nature and which adds no little to the strength of states. A people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants." But a higher authority than the great English historian, even the Book of Books, has said, " The glory of children are their fathers." Since we have such an

Our German Forefathers.

*5

ancestry, so patient and virtuous and faithful, let us strive to preserve and perpetuate their memory. Nay more. The ser- vices of this day, interesting and appropriate as they have been, will surely be but an empty formality if they do not stimulate alike the old and the young to cherish the recollection of our forefathers and to exemplify the diligence, thrift, integrity, loyalty, valor, domestic virtue and obedience to law which characterized them from first to last. The most of them came to the shores of the new world as refugees from a bitter and remorseless persecution. The Palatines and the Salzburgers stand high on the page of history as confessors of Christ who were driven from country, home and friends because they would not renounce the faith. We in this land of perfect religious liberty have no such trial to endure, and therefore the more should we venerate the brave men, women and children who set such a bright example of holy living and immutable fidelity.

CHAPTER III.

THE MORAVIANS OF NEW JERSEY

BY HENRY RACE, M. D.

••^^J^ORAVIAN history in its earliest periods is somewhat obscure. It can be traced back to 1457 as one of the religious movements that followed the martyrdom of John Huss by the Council of Constance. They originated in Bohemia, and were at first called Bohemian Brethren. They were pTous people who repudiated the practices of the Roman Cath- olic Church and worshipped God in simple fashion in quiet meetings for prayer and reading of the Scriptures, and called themselves Brethren. They were not communists, but held that the rich should give of their wealth to the poor and that Christians should live as nearly as possible like the apostolic community at Jerusalem. In 1467 they constituted themselves into a church separate from that of the government. They steadily increased, and in the early part of the sixteenth century they included four hundred congregations and a hundred and fifty thousand members in Bohemia and Moravia. The terrible persecutions which followed the unsuccessful attempt at revo- lution crushed the Protestantism of Bohemia and in 1627 the Evangelical Church had ceased to exist.

A few families in Moravia held religious services in secret and preserved the traditions of their fathers. In 1722 some of them, led by Christian David, left their homes and property to

The Moravians of New Jersey 17

seek a place where they could worship God in freedom. The first company settled, by invitation of Count Zinzendorf, on his estate at Bertholdorp in Saxony. They were soon joined by others and built the town of Hernhut. Refugees came there from the villages and towns of Fulneck, Gersdorf, Gedersdorf, Kloten, Klandorf, Stechwalde, Seitendorf and Zauchtenthal, and were instrumental in the renewal of their organization. Their Episcopate had been continued, and in 1735 David Nitschman was consecrated first Bishop of the Renewed Moravian Church. Zinzendorf. with his wife and family and chaplain came to live among them, and they adopted a code of rules and ordained twelve elders to do pastoral work.

The Moravian Church has no formal creed, but holds that Scripture is the only rule of faith and practice. The Bohemian catechism, written by Bishop Luke, of Prague, in 152 1, compris- ing 76 questions and answers, and entitled " Christian Instruc- tion in the Faith for Little Children," corresponds generally with the fundamental tenets of the Protestant Evangelical denominations.

Their settlements were co-operative, and had for their ob- ject the support of their Ministry and Missions. The members mutually contributed their individual labor for the common cause and lived collectively as one family. The surrender of personal or private property was not required as a condition of membership.

It was from Hernhut that the Moravian Church sent out her first Evangelists and religious teachers, into the other States of Germany and the Continent, and into Great Britain and her American Colonies.

In 1735 a Moravian settlement was undertaken at Savannah in Georgia Five years afterwards it was relinquished and most of its members migrated to Pennsylvania where more successful enterprises were inaugurated. Settlements were made at Bethlehem, Nazareth and Lititz in what, later, became Northampton County. Of these the first named was instituted by Count Zinzendorf who gave the name of Bethlehem to the place, while celebrating the vigils of Christmas Eve in the soli- tary log dwelling which had been erected. The Bethlehem

18 Early Germans of New Jersey

tract consisted of 500 acres of land situated at the confluence of the Monocasy Creek with the Lehigh. It was bought April 2d, 1 741, of William Allen, of Philadelphia, by Henry Antes as agent of the Moravians. It was part of a section which the Delaware Indians called Welagamika, rich soil.

In 1741 a company of immigrants.encouraged by the renowned •evangelist, Rev. George Whitefield, and under the superin- tendence of the Moravian Bishop, Nitschman, set out from Philadelphia and found their way through the intervening forests to the new settlement. Year after year it grew.

Accessions came from the Fetter Lane Society in London, from Germany, Holland and other places on the Continent. The archives at Bethlehem show that in the first fifty years of the settlement 800 Moravians immigrated there from Europe ; 614 children were born ; 625 persons were buried in the church grounds ; 150 white adults and 125 Indians and Negroes were baptized ; and 134 persons ordained to the Ministry ; namely, 5 Bishops, 27 Priests and 102 Deacons.

The head men of the denomination resided there, men of devoted piety, who had consecrated their lives to the service of their Lord and Saviour, and in obedience to His last command to His disciples they labored as Missionaries in destitute settle- ments in nearly all the thirteen Colonies, and among the benighted Indians. The expressive device of their Episcopal seal was a Lamb with a Banner.

Many distinguished visitors from different parts of the coun- try were attracted to Bethlehem, some of whom were George "Washington, Gen. Horatio Gates, the Marquis de LaFayette and other Generals of the Revolution ; John Hancock, Samuel Adams, James Duane, Richard Henry Lee, William Duer, Henry Laurens, Benjamin Harrison, John Adams, Henry Marchant, William Williams and other members of the Conti- nental Congress came and participated in the worship as con- ducted by Bishop Etwein.

In August, 1742, Count Zinzendorf made a transit through the upper valley of the Delaware, and was followed by Mis- sionaries from Bethlehem. Soon after, the settlers in Walpack •and the region drained by the Paulin's Kill in Sussex, now

The Moravians of New Jersey 19

Warren County, New Jersey, applied to the Moravians for a school and for the Gospel Ministry. A church and parsonage were erected for the use of the Evangelists, on the Broadhead settlement in Walpack and dedicated to the worship of God by Rev. Abraham Reincke in May, 1753. They were burned by the Indians in December, 1755, aQd the mission was abandoned.

In the more Southern Counties of New Jersey the Society had regular preaching stations at Maurice River, Penn's Neck, Raccoon, Cohansey, Middletown, Trenton, Maidenhead, Cross- wicks, Cranberry and Princeton.

In January, 1743, Paul Daniel Bryzelius was ordained to the Ministry by Bishop David Nitschman and sent by Zinzendorf to preach the Gospel to the descendants of the early Swedish settlers at Maurice River, Piles Grove, Narraticon and Penn's Neck. His Ministerial services were not approvingly received by the Swedish Lutherans, who were in the majority, and they closed the doors of their churches against him and compelled his withdrawal.

After the Moravians had established their settlement at Bethlehem, Pa., some of their members passed, occasionally, through New Jersey for the purpose of preaching the Gospel to the Indians of New York and New England. These Mis- sionaries, and Indian converts who accompanied them, were -often entertained on these journeys by Samuel Green and his wife Anna Abigail, who lived in a log house where the village of Hope, Warren County, is now situated. The Moravian Ministers, Bruce Shaw, Joseph Powell and others, in passing, preached at their house. They were both baptized at Bethle- hem by the Revs. Nathaniel Leidel and John F. Cammerhoff ; they also had their children baptized and placed in the Moravian school to be educated.

During the French and Indian War they went to Bethle- hem for shelter, and lived for a time at Emaus, near that place. So great was their attachment to the Moravian brethren and so paramount their religious principles, that, in 1768, Mr. Green went to Bethlehem and offered them all the land comprised in the tract on which he lived, for the purpose of establishing a settlement at that place similar to the one at Bethlehem. After

20 Early Germans of New Jersey

consideration the brethren declined this generous offer because of regard for the interests of Mr. Green's children, who in their opinion would be wronged by their acceptance of the land as a gift. They purchased the tract for j£i,ooo cash, with the full consent of his two sons ; Green's house and garden, fire- wood and hay for two cows, weTe reserved for him and his family during their life time.

Samuel Green was the eldest son of Samuel Green, senior, a. deputy surveyor, who filled various official positions in Amwell, Hunterdon County, and removed to Sussex in, or shortly previous to 1738. He is recorded that year as a voter in Greenwich township, which at that time was in Hunterdon, now in Warren County. In the latter part of his life he settled near Johnsonsburg, formerly called the Log Jail, at one time the County Seat of Sussex.

In the Secretary- of State's office at Trenton, and also in the Moravian Archives at Bethlehem, Pa., is recorded a deed of conveyance of 500 acres of land from Benjamin Harris to Edward Kemp, dated March 26th, 17 18. This same tract was conveyed, December istk 1754, by Samuel Green, senior, to " Samuel Green, junior, heir apparent of said Edward Kemp." This implies that the wife of Samuel Green, senior, was the daughter of Edward Kemp, and her eldest son, Samuel Green, junior, by the law of primogeniture then in force, was heir apparent of Edward Kemp, he having no male issue.

He, Samuel Green, junior, was born in, or near, 1705. There is no record of his birthplace, but, presumably, it was Amwell, Hunterdon County. He married, in 1740, Anna Abigail, daughter of Marmaduke Light, of Springfield, N. J. The Light or Licht, now Lick family, of Lebanon, Pa., are Morav- ians. Mr. Lick, who endowed the University in California which bears his name, is of that family, and was born in Lebanon County. That Mrs. Green was related to that family is probable, but not certain.

In 17*9, Peter Warbas and family, the first settlers from Bethlehem, removed to the new settlement in Sussex County, and were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Green, until their bouse, a log Wilding, was erected. The next year, 177c, a Souring

Th* Moravians op New Jerssy 21

mill was built. In May of that year the place was visited by the brethren Christian Gregor, John Loretz and Hans Christian von Schweinitz, members of the Provincial Helpers' Conference, residing at Bethlehem, who gave the name Greenland to the new place.

In 1 77 1, Frederick Leinbach became manager, and opened a store for the accommodation of the settlement. Daniel Hauser had charge of the mill and Frederick Rauchenberger was Leinbach's assistant on the farm. In 1773, Frederick Blum commenced a tannery; in 1780, a saw mill was erected; in '83, a pottery; and in '91, an oil mill on the premises of the settlement.

The church edifice, a large stone building, was erected in 1 781. The following is a translation of a paper deposited under the corner stone: " In the year of our Lord Jesus Christ one thousand seven hundred eighty-one, the 2d day of April, this corner stone was laid in the name of God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, by the Right Reverend John Fred- erick Reichel, Bishop of the Brethren's Church, and. at present visitator from the Elders' Conference of the Unity, to the Brethren's congregations in" America, for a house of God, wherein the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be preached in purity, the Holy Sacraments administered and the congregation inhab- iting this place have their daily meetings, according to the rules, customs and usages of the Brethren's Church, of which this congregation is a small twig and new branch lately planted by the Brethren's congregation at Bethlehem, in Pennsylvania, to be a candlestick with a burning and shining light for this part of the country. This building was resolved upon and undertaken in a calamitous time, it being the sixth year of unhappy war between Great Britain and this continent.

"The watchword of the Brethren's Church on this 2d of April, 1781, was : ' The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.' — Isaiah XI ; 9.

"And the doctrinal text ; 'When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.'

"The present Elders' Conference or Board of Directors of

22 Early Germans of New Jersey

the Brethren's Church, appointed by the last General Synod,

held at Barby, in Saxony, 1775, a:a^ residing at said Barby,

consists of the following brethren :

Joseph Spangenberg, Frederick Rudolph von Watteville,

John von Watteville, John Frederick Reichel, Joachim Henry

Andresen, John Lorez, Peter Conrad Fries, Christian Gregor,

Abraham von Gersdorff, Henry the XXXIII, Count Reuss,

John Frederick Roeber, John Christian Quandt, Ernst William

von Wobeser.

" The present Provincial Helpers' Conference residing at

Bethlehem, consists of the following brethren : Nathaniel

Seidel, Episcopus Fratrum.

John Etwein, Matthew Hehl, Andrew Huebner, Hans

Christian von Schweinitz Paul Muenster, Franz Christian Laubke. "The following is a list of the inhabitants and first settlers

present at the dedication :

Joseph Neiser and Rosina, his wife, (pastor); Frederick and

Mary Leinbach, Joseph and Dorothea Huber, Daniel and Elizabeth Hauser, Henry and Margareth Schemer, Ephraim and Magdalena Colver, Louisa Partser, widow ; Hiram and Magdalena Demuth, Ann Abigail Green, widow ; Frederick and Catharine Blum, Henry Blum, Frederick and Ann Rauchen- berger, Samuel Schulze, Stephen and Ann Niclas, Christian Loesch, Adolph and Catharine Hartmann, Thomas Bulton, Martin and Ann Mary Schenke, Philip Hortman, Jacob and Ann Mary Schneider."

The first year after the commencement of the settlement Bishop Etwein frequently preached there, both in German and English, and administered the sacraments. In 1771, Brother Jacob Schwick was appointed minister ; in '73 he was succeeded by Brother Francis Boehler ; and in '74 by Brother David Sydrick. The latter part of the year Bishop Etwein officiated ; in May, '75, Brother Joseph Neisser was appointed. From November, '79, till March, '80, Bishop Etwein again took tem- porary charge, preaching in English every two weeks. In '82, Brother Joseph Neisser was again, appointed ; in '84, he was succeeded by Brother Meder ; in '87, by Brother Lewis F. Boehler ; in '95, by Brother Abraham Reinke ; in 1803, by

The Moravians of New Jersey 23

Brother Lewis Stohle, and in 1807, again by Brother Meder.

On the 25th and 26th of November, 1774, the site of the settlement at Greenland was surveyed and a town laid out by the Brethren Nathaniel Seidel, John Etwein, Hans Christian von Schweinitz and the surveyor, J. W. Golgosky. On the 8th of February of the following year it was decided, by lot, to call the name of the place Hope.

In June, 1777, Hon. William Ellery, of Rhode Island, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a member of Congress, from '76 to '85, and Hon. William Whipple, also a signer of the Declaration, a general in the Revolution and a member of Congress in '76, passed through the town. In their diary they wrote : "In our way to the next stage we stop'd at a little Moravian settlement called Hope, consisting of five or six private houses, some mechanics' shops, a merchant's store and one of the finest and most curious mills in America. All the Moravian buildings are strong, neat and compact and very generally made of stone."

In 1778, Gen. du Chastellux, of La Fayette's staff, passed through the town. In his published journal he describes the mill at some length : " I set out the 8th a little before nine, the weather being extremely cold and the roads covered with snow and ice ; but on quitting the ridge and turning towards the west, by descending from the high mountains to lower ground we found the temperature more mild and the earth entirely free. We arrived at half-past eleven at the Moravian Mill, and on stopping at Mr. Colver's, found that Mr. Poops had announced our coming, and that breakfast was prepared for us. This fresh attention on his part encouraged me to accept his offer for the evening. As soon as we had break- fasted, Mr. Colver, who had treated us with an anxietv and respect, more German than American, served us by way of conductor and led us first to see the saw mill, which is the most beautiful and the best contrived I ever saw. A single man, only, is necessary to direct the work ; the same wheels which keep the saw in motion serve also to convey the trunks of trees from the spot where they are deposited to the work house, a distance of 25 or 30 toises ; they are placed on a sledge, which,

24 Early Germans of New Jersey

sliding in a groove, is drawn by a rope, which rolls and unrolls on the axis of the wheel itself. Planks are sold at six shillings, Pennsylvania currency, (about three shillings four pence, sterling,) the hundred ; if you find the wood it is only half the money, and the plank in that case is sawed for one farthing per foot. This mill is near the fall of a lake (mill pond?), which furnishes it water. A deep cut is made in a rock to form a canal for conducting the waters to the corn mill, which is built within musket shot of the former ; it is very handsome, and on the same plan as that of Mrs. Bowling at Petersburg, but not so large. From the mill I went to the church, which is a square building, containing the house of the minister. The place where the duty is performed, and which may properly be called the church, is on the first floor and resembles the Pres- byterian meeting houses, with the difference that there is an organ and some religious pictures." — Travels in North America, ijio — '82, p. jot, et seq.

On July 25, 1782, Gen. Washington and two aides without escort, rode from Philadelphia to Bethlehem, where he passed the night. The next morning, escorted by the Moravian cler- gyman, John Etwein, he left Bethlehem, passing by way of Easton, and arrived at Hope in time for dinner. Etwein rode on ahead to notify the Moravians of the General's coming so that they might prepare suitable entertainment. At Hope Etwein parted from the General who continued on his journey to his headquarters at Newberg.

In 1790 the number belonging to the congregation at Hope was 147, of whom 66 were communicants ; 100 lived in town, and 47 in the vicinity. From this time the membership steadily decreased. On the 26th of May, 1807, it was announced that the church authorities had decided to break up the establish- ment at Hope and sell the property. This measure was necessary on account of the precarious financial condition of the settlement. On Easter Sunday, April 17th, 1808, the last sermon was preached, and, with the evening service of that day, the existence of the congregation terminated. Its mem- bers removed to Bethlehem and other settlements and the prop- erty was sold to Messrs. Kraemer and Horn, of Pennsylvania.

CHAPTER IV.

THE GERMAN EM1GRA TION.

»N PLACE of the historical address usual upon such occasions a small book was issued as a souvenir. This consisted of twelve pages containing a condensed ac- count of historical reasons for the cele- bration, and also thirteen photo-engrav- ings of former pastors and of three prominent speakers, who took part in the exercises of the day. The following is simply an enlargement of the same :

Formerly the usual explanation of the settlement of Ger- man Valley was that first published by Rupp in his work con- taining a list of thirty thousand names of German immigrants into Pennsylvania. This was as follows : " The period from 1702-1727 marks an era in the early German emigration. Between forty and fifty thousand left their native country — their hearths where soft affections dwell. The unparalleled ravages and desolations by the troops of Louis XIV, under Turenne, were the stern prelude of bloody persecutions. To escape the bloody persecutions awaiting them, German and other protestants emigrated to the English colonies in America. "In 1705 a number of German Reformed residing between Wolfenbuettel and Halberstadt, fled to Neuwied, a town of Rhenish Prussia, where they remained some time and then went to Holland, there embarked in 1707 for New York. Their frail ship was by reason of adverse winds carried into the Delaware Bay. Determined, however, to reach the place for which they were destined, to have a home among the

26 Early German* of New Jersey.

Dutch, they took the overland route from Philadelphia to New- York. On entering the fertile, charming Valley in Nova Csesaria, New Jersey, which is drained by the meandering Musconetcong, the Passaic and their tributaries, and having reached a goodly land, they resolved to remain in what is now known as the German Valley of Morrison (Morris) county. From this point the Germans have spread into Somerset, Bergen and Essex counties." He continues : "At Elizabeth- town, where the first English settlement was made in New Jersey, 1664, there were many Germans prior to 1730. There was also a German settlement at a place known as Hall Mill, which is some thirty miles from Philadelphia."

He quotes also from Bard's Religious America, p. 81, the following :

"A well supported tradition maintains that a Polish colony, consisting of two hundred protestants, settled in the early part of the eighteenth century, in the valleys of the Passaic and Raritan rivers in New Jersey. They were led by Count Sobieski, a lineal descendant of the wide-world-known John Sobieski, King of Poland, who routed the Tartars and Turks in 1683. The name Zabriskie, still found in New Jersey and New York, seems to be corrupted from Sobieski."

This explanation of the settlement by the Germans of this part of New Jersey is evidently only partly true. Of course, there may have been emigrants from Germany who fled to England as early as 1705, and these may have sailed for New York and been turned aside to Philadelphia in the year 1708 or 1709 ; but no authority is given for the story, and it receives no support from any records of land transfers or of family history.

Two important and decisive historical events form the starting points for our history of the Germans in New Jersey. One is the first act of service of the first German Lutheran pastor in this State. This was on August 1, 1714, "at the house of Ari de Guinea" [Harry from Guinea, a Christian negro], "on the Raritans," at which time a child was baptized who had been born March 25. As it is very likely that the parents of this child, John Peter Appelman and Anna Mag-

The German Emigration 27-

dalena, had come at least a few months previously into the State, we select the year 17 13 as the most probable beginning of our history. The other event of special interest was the first religious service in German Valley.

According to the letter addressed to Michael Schlatter in 1747 by the people of Fox Hill, Lebanon and Am well, this had taken place three or four years previously, or in 1743- Thus we feel entitled to celebrate in 1893 the one hundred and eightieth anniversary of the settlement of New Jersey by the Germans and the sesqui-centennial or the one hundred and fiftieth of that of German Valley.

We might also add another interesting date, viz., 1731, when the first German Lutheran Church in New Jersey was opened for worship. This church was located in the small hamlet now called Potterstown, about a mile east of Lebanon.

The records to which we have referred also enable us to trace the first emigrants to the very place and time of their arrival in this country, for we find on the list of baptisms, mar- riages and church members of the First Lutheran Church of New York a number of names, located in New Jersey, of those who came to New York in 17 10. For, strange to say, the parish of Rev. Justus Falckner, the Lutheran pastor, who began his ministry in New York City in 1703, extended from Albany, in York State, to the Upper Raritan region or Hunter- don county in New Jersey. From 1703 to 17 14 there are no intimations of any services rendered to any but Holland Lutherans in this State. These belong to the region of Hackensack, in Bergen county. In South Jersey there were, indeed, some families of German descent, who had come with the Swedes long before 1700, but they spoke the Swedish language, and their identity has been almost completely swallowed up in that of the predominant race.

Having found that our first settlers were among those who were sent over from London by Queen Anne in the second emigration of 17 10, we have opened to us a most inviting and extensive field of research.

Without pretending to enter at any length upon the questions connected with the settlement of Newberg and of

28 Early Germans or New Jersey

the valleys of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, we cannot properly omit some brief account of the stream of history which, starting in the Palatinate, rose so rapidly and spread so widely when it passed through London and finally reached these shores. This most unprecedented volume of emigration from one country is the more remarkable from the appalling difficulties in the way of ocean travel. In the first place, the cost of a voyage from Rotterdam to Philadelphia was three hundred and fifty dollars in copper coin [Acrelius, Hist, of New Sweden, p. 146]. And as very many, if not most of the emi- grants, were too poor to pay this sum, they were required to sell their time for three, four or five years to the captain in payment of their transportation. The poor emigrants thus became mere articles of merchandise, and were often treated accordingly. Being entirely at the mercy of heartless captains, who were not apt to learn compassion by this form of specula- tion in human beings, the poor emigrant rarely enjoyed on shipboard any but the most miserable accommodations and most insufficient food. Nearly all the horrors of the "middle passage " in the later times of negro slavery were fully antici- pated. With the slow progress of sailing vessels often be- calmed or driven out of their course the passage over was sometimes prolonged to the period of ten months, and was seldom less than three or four. Closely packed together in over-crowded vessels with the narrowest accommodations, the frequent scarcity of food and water was generally the source of diseases, which became contagious, and death was sure then to reap an abundant harvest. The surgeon of one vessel re- ported that there were 330 sick on board at one time.

When at last the welcome sight of land greeted the weary eyes of the weakened and emaciated traveler, he could hardly have anticipated the sad lot which often awaited him, and which in many cases turned the land of promise into one of bondage.

Children were torn from the arms of parents, never to be heard of again. Brothers and sisters were scattered often in different colonies and remained separated for years, and some- times for life. In some cases these bond-servants soon earned

The Germam Emigration 29

their freedom, but they often succumbed to work beyond their strength or grew hopeless and despairing, and died of sheer homesickness.

But oppression and injustice were not inflicted upon indivi- duals only, for even a whole community, as in the case of the settlers upon Livingston Manor, were cheated and robbed in the most barefaced manner, and even by the aid of those in authority. Reports of these experiences were written home to Germany and could not fail of some effect upon others who were intending to follow the example of the first emigrants. But nevertheless, the tide of emigration still flowed on without ceasing, and ship followed ship in rapid succession bringing full cargoes of human freight to New York and the Carolinas, but principally to Philadelphia.

A movement of population so general and persistent would seem to be an event whose causes were as powerful as its results were influential and lasting. Such, indeed, was the case. For nothing less than the material and political an- nihilation of Germany could explain as it does the voluntary expatriation almost all at one time of whole communities, moved by a common impulse such as could be only a mighty hope or a widespread despair. Indeed, as a matter of fact, the general feeling partook of both of these, but more largely of the latter. The cause of this state of mind is to be found in a course of events extending through the seventeenth century, but beginning more particularly with the Thirty Years' War in the year 16 18.

Before this war Germany could compare favorably with any other European country for material prosperity,, aud the com- fort and intelligence of its inhabitants. The peasant was "on the whole comfortable, moderately intelligent, and obtained in Protestant districts, at least, a fairly good training in school and church. He had his house neatly furnished, he had a little hoard of savings in coin, and valuable cattle in the pasture or stall. But the Thirty Years' War annihilated all this prosper- ity, and it took two centuries afterward to bring the village population to the state of civilization they had already reached at the beginning. It was the peasants on whom the curse of

30 Early Germans of New Jersey

the war fell. The villages were laid in ashes, the cattle de- stroyed, the tilled land went to waste ; corpses lay unburied ; the village dogs ran wild like packs of wolves ; and to the ruin directly caused by the war were added the miseries of famine and pestilence. During the second half of the war a Swedish general refused to take his army from Pomerania to South Germany, because the desert country between them would cause him greater loss than the most bloody defeat. In those days the mere occupancy of a city for a week by an invading army would often work wider ruin than a modern bombard- ment. License and plunder were universal. When a city was besieged, the neighboring country was first ravaged, and fugi- tives innumerable fled within the walls, so that famine almost invariably came with them, and pestilence soon after. The horrors of the siege of Jerusalem, so often thought incredible by readers of Josephus, were re-enacted in many a city of Central Europe among the contemporaries of Milton. The be- siegers of Nordlingen captured a tower on the wall ; the besieged fired it ; and when it fell into the city, famished women seized the half-burned corpses of the enemy, and car- ried away pieces to save their children from starvation. The woes of a stormed city, under the wild passions of the soldiery must be left to the imagination. The only pay the soldier received was the plunder he might accumulate. Making war became a trade and a class of men soon became very numerous who came from nearly every quarter of Europe to take their chances of success as soldiers of fortune under some renowned general. Thev cared not on which side they engaged. These men were generally the offscourings of different countries to whom a wandering life of unrestrained license and recklessness was the only life worth living. Accompanying the army was generally a miscellaneous rabble. The camp swarmed with the wives, mistresses and children of soldiers, with market women and wanderers. The Austrian and Bavarian army con- tained forty thousand men bearing arms and drawing soldiers' rations ; and beside a rabble of a hundred and forty thousand more, who had no rations, and could only be fed by plunder. (See History of Germany by Charlton T. Lewis, Chapter XIX).

The German Emigration 31

Such was war in the seventeenth century. And we must re- member that it was but little else than war the whole century through. Moreover whatever the cause of the war or the nations engaged in it, the battle ground for more or less of the time was always Germany. What wonder that the very tem- perament of the German race was changed and mirth and laughter almost ceased from among them. The first of our ancestors to arrive in this country came from regions that had learned war in all its bitterness. They themselves were born at a time when the air was filled with " war's rude alarms." Of those who came to New Jersey, having arrived in New York in 1 7 10, the dates of birth are as early as 1656, and from that date to 1680. These therefore just escaped the Thirty- Years' War but experienced the severities hardly less terrible of the French invasions.

The war of the Spanish succession brought the French again to the Palatinate and the city of Landau was made to suffer severely. From this place several families under their pastor Joshua von Kocherthal took their departure for England and reached London in March, 1708. They made application to Queen Anne for a free passage to America. This was granted and they were sent with Lord Lovelace, who had been appointed Governor of New York. The purpose the authorities had in view was twofold, viz., to use them to protect the frontiers from the Indians and secondly to take from Norway the trade in tar, turpentine and naval stores. Before their departure they were naturalized on August 25th, 1780. Pastor Kocherthal was granted the sum of 20 pounds sterling and 500 acres of land and provision was also made for the support of the others by gifts of land, seeds, agricultural tools and furniture, and the promise of support for one year. This band settled at New- burgh on the Hudson. The names of the heads of families were Lorenz Schwisser, Heinrich Rennau, Andreas Volk, Michael Weigandt, Jacob Weber, Jacob Plettel, Johannes Fischer, Melchior Guelch, Isaac Tuerk, Peter Rose, Maria Weimar (widow), Isaak Faber, Daniel Fiere and Hermann Schuneman. Only one of these was 52 years old and the rest were between 25 and 40. The most were vintners, others were

32 Early Germans of New Jersey

joiners, weavers, smiths, carpenters and stocking-makers. They landed in New York in October, 1708. They named their place of settlement Newberg, (sometimes called Quassaick) from the city of that name in the upper Palatinate.

Kocherthal almost immediately returned to England in the summer of 1709 to secure better provisions for the support of his company. He obtained an audience with the Queen and with her encouragement went to Germany and returned with 3,000 of his countrymen. This was more than were expected and the government were at a loss to know what to do with them. It was finally decided to undertake the production of tar and turpentine upon an extensive scale by means of these emigrants. In the meantime the arrivals of Germans, called Palatines, from the electorate whence they had come, continued. There were soon as many as 10, 12 or 30 thousand in England according to the different estimates of their number.

Public aid and private charity were severely put to it to keep this immense number from starving. Word was quickly sent to the continent to head off this tide of immigration.

Some of those encamped on the Blackheath near London were sent to Ireland, where they settled down and formed a prosperous community. Others were sent back home and others still became homeless wanderers over England. A band of 3,000 were chosen to send to America with Governor Hunter, who was to succeed the deceased Lord Lovelace as Governor of New York. This was the second emigration. Ten vessels were collected at Plymouth for their transportation. In the course of their embarking a boat load was overturned and drowned. The voyage was stormy and painful from the be- ginning. One vessel was driven back by a severe storm, which arose before they were out of sight of land. The whole num- ber suffered all the way over and a fatal disease finally broke out which consigned 470 of them to a watery grave.

These vessels reached New York at various times from June 14th, 1710, till some time in August. Their passengers were in a deplorable, sickly condition. They had embarked December 29th, 1709, and their voyage had lasted six months. Seven

The German Emigration

33

hundred altogether had died on the way over and soon after they had landed.

The authorities would not permit them to land at the city from fear of contagious diseases, and they were temporarily lodged on Nutten (now Governor's) Island.

On the 24th of June the frigate, Herbert, with the tools, tents and arms, provided for the emigrants was cast away on Montauk Point, and the Berkeley Castle was still missing. On the 12 of July the Governor established courts of justice on Nutten Island for the government and protection of the Pala- tines and forbade exactions and extortions in the price of bread and provisions purchased by them. On the 20th an order of council provided for apprenticing such of the Palatine children as were orphans or whose parents were unable to support them. The boys were bound out until seventeen years old and the girls until fifteen.

Fifteen hundred adults were sent a hundred miles up the Hudson and formed the settlements on both sides of the river, of East and West Camps, Haysberg, Annsberg and Queensberg.

CHAPTER V.

THE GERMAN IMMIGRANTS. — **—

Who They Were — Where They Settled, and Their Traits of Character.

JVEN at the risk of being tedious, it would seem necessary to give several lists of names, which may give some idea of the number of the early Germans of New Jersey. An extensive list of those who arrived before the Revolution may- be compiled from several sources : First, the list of arrivals in New Amsterdam in the second emigration of 1 7 10, compared with the records of baptisms and marriages in New Jersey by the Rev. Justus Falckner ; second, the list of those naturalized by the General Assembly from 1730 to 1772, who were described as " those born under the Emperor of Ger- many and other princes in amity with the Crown of Great Britain."

Next in order of time is the list of the lessees of the West Jersey Society lands in Hunterdon county in the year 1735. The land taken up by them in parcels of 100 or 200 acres

The German Immigrants 35

amounts to only 12 thousand acres, yet they included all who occupied the society lands (nearly all of what is now Hunterdon county) except the 10,000 acre tract of Cox and Kirkbride.

The list of voters of Hunterdon county (including what are now Sussex, Warren and Morris counties) in 1738 affords us a few additional names.

The signers to Rev. Albert Weygand's call in 1749 include every salary payer and are seventy-eight in number, to these we may add some additional names from the subscription list toward the building of a parsonage barn in 1754, and in 1756 toward the erection of a church at Bedminster.

In 1763 the estate was settled of the old German storekeeper at German Valley, John Peter Nitzer by name, and we obtain from his books 220 names, some of which would be otherwise unknown.

The baptismal registers of German Valley, Lebanon, Alex- andria, New Germantown, Spruce Run, Stillwater, all begin about 1760 and increase the number of names. The records of wills and of property transfers, gravestones and family bibles, complete our sources of information.

Those who arrived at New York in 1710 were : Johan Wm. Schneider, Johannes Lorentz, the widow Elisabeth Mueller, Hermanes Hoffman, Heinrich Schmidt, Michael Henneschid [Hendershot], John Peter ffucks [Fox], Simon Vogt, Johannes and Nicholas Jung [Young], Heironymus [Jerome] Klein, the widow A. Maria Cramer and Frantz Lucas.

Before 1720 — Marcus Koenig, from the principality of Halber- stadt ; Laurens Ruloffson, from Copenhagen ; Balthazar Pickle and Gertrude Reiter, from the Graff schaft Hartenberg; probably at the same time, John Nicholas and Frantz Wilhelm Pickel, John Peter Appleman, Jacob Risch, Michael Smit, Johan Titel, John Parleman, Daniel Shumacher, Paul Braun, Andreas and Johannes Roos [or Rose], Johann Peter Voss, Christian Streydt and wife Maria Ursula, Michael Shurts and wife Elis., Johannes Jurgen Riemer and wife Elis., Matthias Reinhold and and wife Eva, Hermen Richiman and wife Maria Elis.; Johannes, Johan Jurgen and Peter Kastner, Martin Stein and wife Johanna Maria, Jurgen Puff, Pieter Poel and wife Anna Sophia.

36 Early Germans of New Jersey

The other list of names will be given in full in the appen- dix.

As the Germans were predominantly a religious people we may locate them by their churches. In Amwell township, Hunterdon county, there was a German church in the present village of Ringoes. There was a settlement of Germans in this vicinity as early as 1721 as appears from a road survey of that date in which there is mention of "the palatins' land."

A few names of those who belonged to the stone church built here in 1749 are Woolever, Hoffman, Kase, Rockafellow, Young, Kuhl, Ballisfelt, Trimmer, Dietz, Winter, Snider, Min- gus. Perhaps also, Fisher, Bearder, Fulper, Hoppock, Hann, Dilts, Risler, Boss, Bishop, Servis, Snook, Werts, Lyst, Wombock.

In Alexandria township there was a church before 1766, where at present the Presbyterian Church of Mount Pleasant is situated.

Here worshipped the German Reformed families : Huner, Horn, Schlaut, Casper, Hollenberger, Fishbach, Bitzer, Schmid, Blom, Morkel, Young, Eberts, Loesch, Apgar, Alpock, Enders, Rockefellar, Henn, Metier, Lampen, Case, Dilts, Badenheimer, Reinschmidt, Otto, Bolsin, Klein, Schneider, Wagner, Kuhl, Geist, Alsentz, Solomon, Schrei, Zingler, Patenheimer, Rimer and others.

Near Phillipsburg there was a Lutheran Church at least as early as 1762, being mentioned as found there at that date in one of the surveys of John Rockhill.

In Stillwater, Sussex county, there was a Union church as early as the middle of the last century. Services in German were also held very early in the neighborhood of Newton, Sus- sex county. And these churches were attended by the follow- ing families : Schwartzwelder, Schuester, Merkel, Kien, Hafer, Schnauber, Kaiser, Savacool, Gerlach, Nolten, Goeler, Stahley, Weyker, Sipperly, Raub, Kunckel, Reuss, Ginsberg, Reiss, Waas, Adam, Main, Naedel, Sundel. Muth, Hess, Gruber, Shafer, Wintermute, Snover, Gottschall, Shiner, Dodderer, Willerich, Youngblood, Kirschbach, Knauble, Hamann, Shipman, Titman, Swick, Neubacker, Hawk, Koker and others.

At Pluckamin the Lutheran Church was supported by the

The German Immigrants 37

Appelmans, Castners, Teeples, Eoffs, Folks, Fishers, Gillings, Henrys, Kings, Loders, Moelicks, Neffs, Bergers, Pickles, Remers, Rushes, and others.

At Spruce Run we find the families, Lunger, Leininger, Hearelt, Saeger, Hoff, Heil, Skilly, Gebhard, Mohr, Eichler, Buchler, Faust, Castner, Martini, Simmens, Hipp, Benghard, Sasseman, Hess, Staenger, Boehler, Schwartz, Shultz, Miller, Gaeri, Hunold, Miltz, Felvert, Buckner, Hoffman, Baats, and others.

In the neighborhood of Lebanon settled the families of Apgar, Hofman, Hochstenbach, Scharfenstein, Becker, Roden- baugh, Hummer, Case, Lindaberry, Deats, Schnetz, Engel, Aller, Cramer, Dilts, Kempel, Henry, Lefier, Mueller, Wilhelm, Kohl, Schumaker, Schneider, Dildein, Popencher, Seifers, Crazly, Lance, Hess, Sevitsch, Humerich, Klacs, Seelbach, Philhower, Tiger, Cregar, Hiler, Felmley, Cripps, Yauger, Scharfenstein, Shirts.

To the vicinity of German Valley belonged the Welshs, Eicks, Raricks, Strubels, Sharfensteins, Heils, Schulers, Shu- mans, Hafers, Flomervelts, Mahlers, Bessels, Fishers, Hagers, Youngs, Longhaars, Stelts, Meyers, Webers, Hubers, Hanns, Terryberrys, Kochs, Cripps, Paces, Trimmers, Alpocks, Wein- gartens, Fraces, Bnnns, Creters, Heldebrants, Waldorfs, Kerns, Bitzers, Frones, Neighbors, Swackhamers, Weises, Duffords, Naughrights, Trimmers, Alpocks, Beams, Aders, Reinhards, Abels.

At Knowlton there was a German Reformed Church before the Revolution.

The Moravians were established at Hope, Warren county, and Montague, Sussex county, before the Revolution.

The New Germantown Lutheran Church was built in 1750 to take the place of the four churches of Rockaway, at Potters- town, built in 1731, Lesleysland or Whitehouse, " The Church on the Mountain," east of Pluckamin and Fox Hill, afterwards divided into German Valley and Fox Hill.

The bulk of the German population was therefore to be found between Lambertville and Newton and the Delaware and Bound Brook.

36 Early Germans of New Jersey

Their Characteristics.

New Jersey, was perhaps, the most cosmopolitan, so to speakr of all the original thirteen States ; and though small in size it was the theatre of a large part of the Revolutionary war. The character of its people would necessarily thus have much to do with the result of that most critical struggle. How interesting, therefore, that commingling of races, which arose from the presence of the Swedes in the southern, the Hollanders in the central, and the New Englanders in the northern part of the State. To these were soon added the Palatines or Germans of Hunterdon, Warren and a part of Morris and Sussex counties, and these moreover were representative Germans for they came from nearly all parts of the Fatherland. For we trace to the extreme north the Barthels and Roelfsens ; the former to Hamburg and the latter to Denmark ; while from the borders of Italy the Apgars began their long journey to the sea, and Sassenberg, Pungstad, Waldorf, Wittemberg and the Palatinate all added their several streams which united at the seacoast of Holland into a mighty flood of emigration that poured its teeming life into New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas. Nor was this the influx of an element whose character was weak or indifferent in itself. For though poor almost to star- vation and made more helpless, through their foreign language; the prey of land sharks, press-gangs and all the remorseless cruelty of the "White Slavery;" with their numbers decimated by incessant sickness and privation ; with families torn asunder and separated for years, these forsaken refugees finally over- came all difficulties and settled down in well earned, but hardly won, security and peace. No worse sufferings, no harsher treatment, than they had to endure, were experienced either by Puritan or Huguenot. And their final success was just as much a product and proof of their pre-eminent sturdiness of moral and intellectual character.

The German Race.

It is hardly necessary in the present age of the world to dwell upon the superior and innate excellence in many respects of the German race, and yet it is due to the very reality and

The German Immigrants 39

depth of this excellence that it is unobtrusive and largely be- neath the surface. Whatever, indeed, of racial vigor has brought the German Empire to the front and made it the Um- pire of all Europe, this may be safely attributed to the ancestry of the present subjects of Kaiser Wilhelm, from among whom our forefathers came.

While of course no complete picture can be presented of life as it existed in a frontier settlement and in connection with a hard struggle for mere existence, yet whatever knowledge does come to us from a time so remote and from surroundings so obscure, must be all the more decisive and reliable. Thus we find proof of

Their Intelligence

in the anxiety they expressed at the very start for the services of catechists or teachers and for an educated ministry.

The first settlers of German Valley, in particular, are said to have been distinguished by their intelligence.

In 1760 the large sum of money, for that time, of one thou- sand pounds was left to the church of New Germantown for the double purpose of supporting the church and the school.

With respect to the ministry we find that, although many uneducated men secured a hearing for a time, yet their con- gregations soon dismissed them and willingly faced the expense and trouble of procuring fully equipped pastors from across the seas.

Muhlenberg even recommends that the German pastors should be able to speak the Latin language, in order to conr verse with the ministers of other churches, whose language they might not understand. And Muhlenberg himself was able to preach In Low Dutch and High Dutch as well as in English and French.

Another excellent trait of our early settlers was their high

Sense of Honor.

This is shown by their persistent loyalty to the English Crown even in the American Revolution. They could not forget that when they first landed at Philadelphia, thev had sworn alle- giance to Great Britain, while the vast improvement of their

40 Early Germans of New Jersey

political condition in this country over that of their native land kept many of them from really understanding the nature of the great struggle of the colonies for freedom. Very many, how- ever, did understand the war with England and cheerfully sur- rendered life and property at the call of their country.

In 1747 when Michael Schlatter visited this vicinity and held service at Fox Hill in the old log church on what is now called the Aunt Katy Sutton farm, he received a pecuniary reward for his labors. This was so exceptional as to call for particular notice on the part of Father Schlatter. Moreover when the continental currency had suffered such disastrous depreciation, the members of the new Germantown vestry, who had bor- rowed the church funds some years previously, and then only to help the church along, refused to allow the church to suffer all the loss by depreciation of the money which had been en- trusted but offered to pay back the equivalent in real value to them. Their

Patriotism, with the exception noted above, was pre-eminent, at least in particular cases, and, indeed, nearly every family had repre- sentatives in the ranks of the continental forces.

For example, John Wesley Gilbert Nevelling, who served the Amwell Church at the beginning of his ministry, converted all his property during the Revolutionary struggle into money which, amounting to five thousand pounds, he loaned to the Continental Congress, and having lost the certificate or receipt of the government never recovered any of the amount. He also joined the army as a chaplain, was highly esteemed by Washington and equally hated by the enemy. A large reward was offered by the British Government for his capture.

The efficient and important services of Peter Muhlenberg, the eldest son of Henry Melchior, as a general in the American army are too familiar to need more particular mention here. In their

Religious Character our forefathers were generally devout, fervent and spiritual. They laid stress upon the inner life of the heart rather than upon outward forms and ceremonies. No conflict arose among

The Gernan Immigrants 41

them such as threatened to rend asunder the early Holland churches of this country between the evangelical party and the mere formalists. It was a general custom for Muhlenberg and his fellow ministers to conduct a regular inquiry into the per- sonal experience of church members at each communion season. And, indeed, after every preaching service the hearers were questioned about what they had heard and a more personal application was made of the truth which had just been publicly proclaimed. This would seem to have been a fair equivalent for the modern inquiry meeting.

In the midst of the ordinary difficulties by which they were surrounded, to maintain any religious interest at all would seem difficult enough, but tor them to still cling to the church in the face of active opposition from wandering preachers of loose character and from unfaithful pastors, who used their calling only as a cloak for the indulgence of evil passions, should awaken our astonishment and admiration.

The early Germans were almost universally

Religious People.

Their history is therefore largely the history of their churches. And though the more immediate motive for their emigration from their native land may not have been to escape from re- ligious persecution, yet the privations and restrictions of their life at home, from which they sought to escape, had been caused through their faithfulness to the truth in previous years.

The devastations and ravages of the soldiers of Turenne throughout Western Germany, in 1689 and 1692, was the re- mote if not the nearer occasion of the larger exodus to London in the year 1709. The destruction of ?,ooo villages and the frequent traversing of the Palatinate by the French armies would leave but a small chance of subsistence for the much enduring people. When we add to these misfortunes, the con- version of their prince, John. William, of Newburg, to Catho- licism, we cannot wonder at the sudden flight of the vast mul- titude, who sought refuge in England in the above year. At that time the suburbs of London were thronged with an army of Palatines who encamped there to the number of 13 thousand

42 Early Germans or New Jersey

and appealed to the charity of the astonished inhabitants. It was found by an official investigation that over-zealous land agents, representing the proprietors of large tracts in America, had spread throughout Germany printed notices of various kinds to encourage with various inducements a large emigra- tion to the colonies.

Religious Differences.

If the vigor of a religion is shown, as it is said to be, by the number and variety of its various divisions, then our first settlers must take the lead in this respect, for in 1734 a traveller through New Jersey and Pennsylvania found among the Ger- man population all denominations and sects, " Lutherans, Re- formed, Episcopals, Presbyterians, Catholics, Quakers, Tunk- ers, Mennonites, Sabbatherians, Seventh-day Baptists, Separa- tists, Boehmists, Schwenckfeldians, Tuchfeldtians, Eucthelists, Jews and Pagans &c." But the majority, at least in New Jer- sey, were either Lutheran or German Reformed in their form- of religious belief and practice. The difference between these two concerned matters of government, worship and doctrine. Indeed they differed in origin. The Lutherans taking their name from the great Reformer, were at first Reformed Catho- lics, while the German Reformed were so called because they claimed to be Reformed Lutherans. The adherents of Luther retained at first some of the objectionable features of Papal forms and ceremonies. In some places they accepted baptismal regeneration, and also believed that one who partook of the Lord's Supper really received the body of Christ whether worthy or not.

The Reformed, on the other hand, were guilty of going to the opposite extreme. They often used simply wooden platters in the Sacrament. They rejected the use of the organ and of church bells, threw out everything in the shape of an altar in their worship, and even of any 'distinctive vestments for the preacher. One was as much too fast as the other was too slow, in reforming old abuses.

In church government the Lutherans became Episcopalian, and the Reformed, Presbyterial.

The German Immigrants 43

In matters of doctrine, however, was to be found the most sharply dividing line. With respect to the doctrine of predes- tination, especially, the German Protestants soon took opposite sides. "At first all the Reformers were Predestinarians. The Romanists had so emphasized man's good works as necessary to salvation, that the Reformers went to the other extreme, and emphasized God's grace and sovereignity as the only source of salvation. Melancthon, in the Lutheran Church, finally retired from the high predestinarian position, and carried the Lutheran Church with him. While on the other hand Calvin progressed in it, until he formulated the doctrine for the Reformed Church."

We have been speaking of a state of religious opinion as it existed two centuries ago. In the present day, however, there is practically but little difference between the evangelical wings of these two great divisions of German Protestantism.

Theoretical and formal differences still remain but do not seriously interfere with hearty co-operation and reciprocal re- spect and good will.

CHAPTER VI.

EARLY CHURCH HISTORY.

HE denominational strictness of our Luth- eran brethren in the earl)- period of the history of our State, was of great advan- tage in keeping distinct from those of other religious bodies the historical rec- ords and development of at least one large division of the German settlers. The German Reformed, on the other hand, were under the charge of the Holland Church, and became in many cases identified with the Low Dutch. In this way they failed to have a distinct and separate history. We are, therefore, almost alto- gether dependent upon the records of the Lutheran Church for our account of the early history of the German emigrants. Hence the early history of our section must be found in the history of that body. Some account therefore of the early de- velopment of this denomination is in place here. Strange to say, the parish of the first

Lutheran Church of New York City included all of Northern and Central New Jersey. This organization was at first kept under and almost crushed out by the illiberal opinions and methods of the Reformed Church in the city. Governor Peter Stuyvesant was especially zealous in preventing all other forms of religious opinion but the estab- lished church, and the English, after they had attained to the supremacy, were not far behind him in their intolerance of any dissent. Thus it was not until the beginning of the eighteenth century that a complete and well organized church life became possible to our Lutheran ancestors. At that time, in 1703,

Early Church History 45

Justus Falkner became, practically, the first pastor of the Lutheran Church in the city. Other pastors had preceded him, but their labors were restricted and interrupted, so that they only sufficed to keep the flickering flame of their church's life from dying out altogether.

In the city and in Albany county, New York, and Bergen county, New Jersey, the members of the Lutheran Church were almost altogether of Holland descent. Thus, the history and the records of the churches of Hackensack, Ramseys or Saddle River, do not particularly relate to our subject.

Likewise the Lutheran Church in South Jersey, of very early origin, belongs more to the history of the Swedish settlers, of whom they were almost exclusively formed, than to that of the Germans.

With the first German emigration to New York, in 1709, came pastor Joshua Kocherthal, whose field of labor centred in the site of the present city of Newburg, But the first in- stallment of our ancestors came with the second emigration in 1 7 10. They found a consecrated and devoted religious teacher already at work in their new home in the person of the above mentioned

Justus Falcjcner.

This excellent man had come to this country with his brother Daniel Falckner, both of them being land agents of some of the proprietors in London. While at first actively engaged in secular pursuits Mr. Falckner felt an irresistible appeal touch- ing his heart from the pitiable religious condition of his fellow- countrymen living around him. Having been destined to the ministry in his native land and educated with that end in view, he now sought to renew those vows, which he had laid aside, and sought consecration at the hands of the Swedish ministers near the mouth of the Delaware. Pastor Rudman had selected him for his successor in New York and he was ordained in the Swedish Church in Philadelphia, 25th November, 1703, by the Swedish ministers Rudman, Biork and Sandel. This was the first full ordination in America of a Lutheran preacher. His ministry in New York and New Jersey continued from 1703 until his death in 1723.

46 Early Germans of New Jersey

A Model Pastor.

Of him a recent historian says : A particularly amiable, at- tractive character it is, which stands before us in the person of Pastor Justus Falckner during his twenty years activity ; a man of excellent gifts, fine learning, beautiful disposition, heartily pious mind, a decidedly Lutheran standpoint, quiet and persistent industry, in short, a complete pastor. He had accepted the office in the consciousness that he could do noth- ing without divine help. That God himself would make him capable was his heart's desire. In the Church book he wrote on the first day of his activity, after a short communication with reference to his arrival and his entrance upon his office, the following prayer in Latin : " God the father of all good and Lord of great majesty, who has thrust me into this har- vest, be with me, his least and wholly weak worker with his special grace, without which I cannot succeed under the burden of temptations, which often powerfully assail me. In thee, Lord, do I put my trust, let me not be put to shame. Make me fit for my calling. I have not run but thou hast sent me, yea, thrust me into my office. Free me from what- ever taint my lost nature, always without my consent, may mingle with my service. Pardon me I humbly beseech, through our, yea my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."

Such a man, as we might expect, performed with a great deal of feeling every service. The forms of baptism and con- firmation were observed with most devout and earnest prayer for the divine blessing as the records themselves abundantly attest.

The people here, both Holland and German Lutherans, were also under the care of Pastor W. Charles Berkenmeyer, who succeeded Mr. Falckner in his New York charge. Thus our forefathers enjoyed occasional preaching, probably only a few times a year, from the pastors in New York until 1734. By this time more immigrants had arrived, and were numerous enough to support a pastor of their own. But ministers were very scarce in those days, so it was necessary to send a call to the old country and have one sent out to supply this needy field. Upon the advice, therefore, of Mr. Berkenmeyer, a call

Early Church History 47

was formally made out and signed by those who promised to support him with the particular amount of salary each offered to give to his pastor. This call was forwarded to the minis- terium of Hamburg in the year 1734. This ecclesiastical body, corresponding to what we call a presbytery or conference, was to chose a minister that would be willing to come, and also suitable for the work, and ordain him. The money for his pas- sage was sent with the call, and everything seemed to have been done by the congregations that could be done to show their interest in religion and their generous and intelligent character.

The ecclesiastical body in Hamburg seemed to have exer- cised due care and deliberation in choosing the man whose name they were to insert the place left vacant for that purpose in the call which had been forwarded to them. But by a most mysterious providence, all this care and forethought proved in vain, and served only to introduce a source of discord and dis- sension and an occasion of most injurious scandal for twelve long weary years.

The following account of another minister who rendered service to the Germans Lutherans in this State and of the way in which the first pastor came to be called is translated from the recently published History of Lutheranism in America by Prof. Graebner of St. Louis :

" During the lifetime of Justus Falckner his brother Daniel Falckner had performed ministerial work among the Raritan churches. After the death of the former, the latter had also labored among the churches along the Hudson, as the following record in the Newberg church book shows : " In the year 1724 on the last day of September the following were baptised by me, Daniel Falckner, pastor at Millstone and in the mountains near the river Raritan in place of the deceased Kocherthal and of my deceased brother."

The following we quote from Prof. Graebrer's History of Lutheranism :

" In New Jersey a series of small German-Lutheran congre- gation extended north from the Raritan river. These were visited from year to year by Justus Falckner. They were, "In

48 Early Germans of New Jersey

the mountains," Millstone, at Uylekill [Wallkill ?], Remmers- pach [Ramapo], Hanover and Rockaway. In these congrega- tions, Daniel Falckner had settled as pastor, but had now grown old. Two daughters of his had married men belonging to his congregation, one a brewer William Dern by name, and the other a farmer by the name of John Kasner. Physically Mr. Falckner was still fit for service, his eyesight was still sharp and enabled him to continue his studies in botany. But he had a difficulty in his head, so that the congregation desired another pastor. Candidates were heard, the first of whom Caspar Stoever would have been called, if he had been able to get ordained, but the Swedish minister Cneberg, declared he had no authority to ordain. A schoolmaster by the name of Mues- selbach was also rejected and probably for the same reason. A committee from the congregations then appealed to Rev. Berkenmeyer, pastor of the New York congregation of Dutch Lutherans. They begged him to visit their people and admin- ister the communion. The}7 said that some of the people and especially at Rockaway had withdrawn from Falckner two years previously. Berkenmeyer consented to help them if they would decide to call a minister of their own. On the 3rd of August, 1 731, accordingly he was invited to come to Rockaway with two of his elders upon the 13th Sunday after Trinity. At the same time pastor Falckner was also invited to appear with his people to help to bring about a proper understanding con- cerning his relations to the congregations. On the 9th of Sep- tember Berkenmeyer set out with his elders John LaGrange and Henry Schleydorn. They travelled to Elisabeth Point by water and there obtained three horses. They rode until even- ing. After a short rest they started again at two o'clock in the morning, preferring the moonlight to the heat of the sun. They desired to visit Falckner on the way, in order to hear from him what he might have to say in his own behalf. After waiting some time for Falckner to return from a fishing and botanizing tour, the}' were greeted by him in a friendly way and received the assurance of his willingness to resign his office and to take part in the meeting to which he was invited.

At eight o'clock in the evening [Sept. 10, 1731], they arrived

Early Church History 49

at Rockaway [Whitehouse], where they found their host, John Balthazar Pickel, engaged in arranging the pulpit and seats of the new church [at Potterstown].

On Saturday, Sept. nth, preparatory service and a dedica- tion service were held. On the next day the communion was administered to about thirty people.

On Monday, Sept. 13th, the church officers had their meet- ing in Peter Kasner's house, in the congregation " In the mountains-" It was decided not to have preaching either by Berkenmeyer or Falckner, and also not to hold the meeting in the church. Berkenmeyer began the speaking, after prayer had been offered, with the expression of thanks for himself and his congregation for the generous contribution toward the building of the new church in the city, which Falckner had collected from his Raritan people and also from those at Claverack. This subscription had been sent to Berkenmeyer on the 23rd June, 1727. The conference was very successful finally, although at first the people were frightened at the suggestion of sending a written call which they should all sign, to some minister in the old country, who should be willing to accept it. Falckner admitted his inability to perform the duties of a pastor and willingly resigned his claims to the privileges of that position. It does not appear whether he had received a written call or not, although it is very probable that he had only a oral agreement and depended solely upon personal friendship for himself for any recognition as pastor of the three congregations of Millstone, Pluckamin and Rockaway. To these we might add Hanover.

The call, which was to be forwarded to Germany, was duly signed and sealed. It was entrusted to Capt. Bruyn, at New York, to take to Hamburg on the 15th of September, 1731. Nothing came of it, however, until the year 1734, when Mr. Wolff was ordained on the nth of May and started on his way to America. The salary mentioned in the call was ^50, the free use of a parsonage, free light and fuel, free transportation to and fro for the purpose of administering the sacraments in other places. Money for travelling expenses to this country was also sent along with the call. A second copy of the call

50 Early Germans of New Jersey

was sent to Hamburg by another vessel for greater security.

John Augustus Wolf was the man sent over here as the first pastor of the German people in this part of New Jersey. He was born in Loebegin, and was a cousin of a well-known and highly esteemed pastor in the old country of the same name.

He was ordained in the Church of St. Nicholas, Hamburg, the nth of May, 1734.

Let us now interrupt for a few moments the thread of our discourse to consider the significance of this historical event.

The call of which we have been speaking was given to Mr. Wolf by three congregations, called "On the Mountain," Rackaway [Rockaway] and Hanover. "On the Mountain" was the old church which stood about one mile east of Pluck - amin. In 1756 it was replaced by a stone church built in Pluckamin, on the site now occupied by a Presbyterian Church. The second church, called Rockaway, was in Potterstown, and is spoken of in a deed given for land " next to the church lot" by Aree Van Genee in 1741 to Matthias Scharfenstein.

But the most interesting question of all is where the third church called Hanover was situated. If this was Fox Hill, then we can claim a very early date for the settlement of this neighborhood. We must remember that the year 1734, when these churches are mentioned, was four years before Morris county was formed. What is now Morris, Sussex and Warren counties were at that time only so many townships of Hunter- don. I can find only three townships which would include, in 1738, what now constitutes the three counties. These town- ships were Walpack, Bethlehem and Hanover. Of course, the names were very loosely applied, and the limits of these town- ships were not defined at all. In fact, they were not townships at all, but only convenient ways of designating particular dis- tricts of this sparsely settled section.

For this reason, Hanover township might very easily in- clude this part of Morris and Hunterdon counties.

Still further, we do not know of any other place in Morris county where a German church could have been established. Of course, the New Germantown church was not established

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF GERMAN VALLEY.

Early Church History 51

until fifteen years later, when a united central church was built to take the place of the four that had formerly constituted one parish. For a few years before, at least as early as 1743, there were four churches, as follows : One near Pluckamin called "On the Mountain," another at Whitehouse, called Leslysland, a third at Potterstown called Rockaway, and a fourth at Fox Hill. This last was undoubtedly the log church on Aunt Katie Sutton's farm.

Now of all these four churches the only one that could with any reason be said to be in Hanover was the last or the church on Fox Hill.

This makes the church of German Valley one of the oldest in the two counties. The Readington church had as its first regular pastor the Rev. Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen, who came over from Holland just fifteen years before Pastor Wolf.

It must be remembered that nearly all churches in those days were union churches. Preaching was too rare and re- ligious services too infrequent to permit any sincere worshipper to make any difficulty over minor differences of doctrine or ritual. Thus a few German Reformed people added their names to John Weygand's call to the New Germantown church in 1749, and when the Lutherans built their church in 1756 at Pluckamin, some of the Episcopal families living in the neigh- borhood offered to help in its support if they could have preaching in English for a part of the time.

The first German Reformed preacher in this section was Michael Schlatter, who came here from Philadelphia five times : once in the year 1747, twice in 1748, once in 1749 and once in 1750. Before Mr. Schlatter, there no doubt had been occasional visits by Reformed preachers from Pennsylvania to baptize the children and keep the different congregations together, but the most of the Germans, both Lutherans and Reformed, wor- shipped together.

To return, now, to Mr. Wolf, we find him welcomed by the people to whom he had come with great rejoicing. They had sent a great ways for him and had been at considerable extra expense on his account, and they were prepared to give him every encouragement in his work among them.

52 Early Germans of New Jersey

But how great must have been their disappointment to hear bad accounts of his behavior as soon as he had landed in New York. But, of course, they hoped for the best, and made every allowance for his youth and inexperience. They were not per- mitted, however to remain very long undeceived with regard to his true character. He had shown on his first arrival that he was self-willed and obstinate, but he had no sooner settled down on the Raritan than he appeared to have no other object in life but to get married. Muhlenberg says : " Right at the start he ran after the girls and decided to marry, but has come into discredit thereby on account of misconduct."

This was bad enough, but much can be born from a pastor who is a good preacher. Yet this was just what Mr. Wolf does not seem to have been in the opinion of his people. And strange to say their objection to him on this ground was that he used written sermons. He was considered very well educated and as one who had made great progress in liberal studies but could not get along without notes. This, however, Muhlenberg says, the congregation could bear with, especially as he had given out that he had lost his memory upon the sea. But it seemed as though these afflicted churches were to drink their cup of sorrow to the very dregs. For worse soon followed.

Thus began one of the most bitter and prolonged church quarrels that one has ever heard or read of. Of course, it is not very edifying reading in itself, but it illustrates so clearly the difficulties in the way of maintaining church services in those days, and, it also furnishes such convincing proof of the sterling piety of the early settlers here, since they continued faithful even under such severe trouble, that no apology is ■needed for giving the full account of the whole matter in the words of Muhlenberg's own report to the authorities in Ger- many. To understand the pains that Muhlenberg takes to ex- plain the whole controversy fully, we must remember that the ecclesiastical bodies in Germany considered a call as given for life and would not consent except for the gravest reasons to dissolve the relationship of pastor and people. Let us notice also that the very reasons which made preaching so highly esteemed at that time, also made the preachers more indepen-

Early Church History 53

dent and constituted a temptation which only the most faithful pastors could resist. We might well ask ourselves the question as we hear more of this now notorious Wolf in sheep's clothing how many of us could have stood such outrageous behavior on the part of one who was our pastor, without losing all faith in the ministry and giving up once for all the difficult task of maintaining the church. Says Muhlenberg, " For eight years there were no confirmations, no sacrament, and everything was in decay." But let us permit him to tell the story in his own words. We now quote at length from the last edition of the Hailesche Nachrichten or Reports from the Missionaries here to the Seminary at Halle, Germany, which had sent them thither and who gave them the authority under which they labored, until a Synod could be constituted in this country, which was done in Philadelphia in 1748.

A Bitter Church Quarrel.

A letter to Germany of date December 12, 1745, from Dr. Muhlenberg contains the following : " Last summer ( 1744) some men came to me from the neighboring New Jersey. These men dwell upon the Raritan, where there were from 1732 to 1736 two strong German Lutheran congregations, which had written through Pastor Berkenmeyer to Hamburg, and had asked for a preacher. The reverend Ministenum of Hamburg had thereupon sent to New Jersey a Mr. August Wolf, of Leb- egin, with a license to preach. This Wolf proved himself at the start in New York in the presence of some witnesses, who are still living, a capricious head full of pride and obstinacy. He has shown himself one who has made great progress in liberal studies, but has no gifts and training in spiritual mat- ters, and especially for preaching. He was received in his* congregations with great love, and although he read all his sermons, yet the congregations had patience with him because he gave out that he had lost his memory upon the sea.

"They then fell into strife with one another, which pastor Berkenmeyer and Mr. Knoll from New York have again mediated. But Mr. Wolf does not look at his office rightly, for he is not willing or able to preach without his written sketches.

54 Early Germans of New Jersey

He has married a farmer's daughter and lived with her in con- tinual blows and quarrelling. This quarrelsome life and inefficiency in preaching made the congregations dissatis- fied, so that they do not pay him his promised salary and wished even to have nothing to do with him. They offered him his traveling expenses if he would return home again, but he would not consent to do so. He boasted then that he had brought his written call and seal from Hamburg. Mr. Berken- meyer and Mr. Knoll interfered, and complained to the Gover- nor of the unscrupulousness of the congregation. The Gover- nor ordered that the congregations pay and support him. The congregations complained on the other hand that he did not administer his office well. The matter then came to trial be- fore the Court. When a year had passed Mr. Wolf swore before the authorities that he had performed his duties according to contract. The members were then served with writs of execu- tion upon their property, and many of them were arrested upon the highway. In short, the office of preacher was by these means slandered, the youth neglected, the communion not ad- ministered, the sick not visited, indeed, there was such a deso- lation that it was made among the Germans a subject of street songs. The congregations were altogether scattered except a few families. Such complaints and legal processes had con- tinued for nine or ten years. The magistrates were at last tired themselves and did not wish to give a decision. In spir- itual matters the English magistrates cannot decide, these be- long to ecclesiastical courts. Finally the matter came before the Supreme Court and caused a heavy expense to the congre- gation. The lawyers found their advantage in it. Part of the members sold their property and moved away. Mr. Berken- meyer and Mr. Knoll tried in a friendly way to make up the differences. At one time Mr. Wolf was willing to take the amount of money and leave the congregation ; then the con- gregation would not be willing. At another time the congre- gation would be willing to give an amount of money and then Mr. Wolf would not consent. The congregations could not be brought into any agreement and reconciliation with Mr. Wolf. Then Mr. Wolf was obstinate and was not willing to take back

Early Church History 55

his wife nor to improve his manner of life. The congregations were also obstinate on account of the hard proceedings of law, and said " Mr. Wolf is an hireling." In short, so much scandal and injury to souls was caused in these ten years, that the effects will be felt forever. These congregations pestered me for two years to help them to get free. They shed abundant tears over their children who wished to know nothing more of religion, because it presented so bad an appearance, finally the congregations had brought the matter before the authorities in such a way that both agreed to submit their case to arbitration. The arbitrators were to be four preachers. Mr. Wolf named upon his side Mr. Berkenmeyer and Mr. Knoll ; the congrega- tions named Mr. Muhlenberg and Rev. Mr. Brunnholz. For the latter Rev. Mr. Wagner was afterward substituted.

" We gave both parties a hearing and were engaged four days and four nights in rumaging through the matters which had been for many years subjects of litigation ; and I can say that I never in all my life had a task so hard and disagreeable. There was such a bitterness between the congregations and the preacher Wolf, that an agreement was impossible. The congregations desired nothing but to be separated from the evil man, but Mr. Wolf could argue and speak to his own ad- vantage as well as the best of advocates. We would have will- ingly declined to interfere and let the matter come to the reverend Ministerium at Hamburg, but that was opposed to the purpose of the arbitration, and the magistrates wished it to be concluded and not to be prolonged still further.

After much investigation we found, first, that Mr. Wolf himself had been the primary cause of all the contention and scandal ; second, he was found to be an adulterer, who without right or reason had thrust away his wife ; third, he would not live with his wife again ; fourth, he had sworn several times before the magistrates that he had administered his office according to contract, and we find the contrary to be the case ; fifth, he had not once for the many years during which he had his children with him shown official and paternal fidelity enough to teach them the ten commandments.

Could one then with any equity force the congregations to

56 Early Germans of New Jersey

recognize as a guardian of souls, one who was a corrupt knave, an adulterer, a perjurer, a wolf and a disturber of the com- munity, who did not manage his own household, and should they in reward of his wickedness pay him so much money yearly ? The people had also, it is true, transgressed with hard words, but the most of them were innocent, and then Wolf had every time first given the occasion. Had we proceeded with vigor, then no other resolution could follow than to set the con- gregation free, since no reconciliation could take place. But we asked Mr. Wolf what he claimed ; his written answer was, that he desired a sum of money to resign, then he would give up his rights and claims on account of his call. I and Mr. Wagner came to a conclusion in the arbitration and decreed according to the protocol previously made, that the congrega- tions should be free and released. But before this conclusion was sealed and subscribed another was found, to wit, Mr. Wolf stated in writing, that he released and set free the congrega- tions from all claims and rights which he at any time asserted or might still assert, on account of the call. In short, he re- leased the two congregations and gave as a reason his own incompetency.

In return he claimed after a long bargaining the sum of ninety pounds, Jersey money. This money was laid upon those whose property had not been levied upon by the authori- ties, and who had gone over to the other sects. For those members who in consequence of the writs of execution had been compelled to pay from year to year, said it was fair that the others who had not yet given anything, should bear some- thing of the burden. Since now Mr. Knoll urged it and Mr. Wolf sought nothing else but a sum of money, and the mem- bers in part agreed to it, I arose and Mr. Wagner with me and made this the decree of the whole arbitration : Mr. Wolf sold his call and his right, for ninety pounds, and the congregations were glad with ninety pounds to get rid of the godless man, al- though much sweat of the brow and many drops of blood go into the ninety pounds, for which Wolf bad done nothing but cause scandal. When the ninety pounds had been promised to Wolf it was insisted that he should take upon himself the back-

Early Church History

57

standing costs of the court and should further deliver up the the call and the license from the reverend Ministerium of Hamburg, which he had hitherto grossly misused, and which had been like a sword in the hand of a maniac. He handed over the call, and the wardens, who had subscribed their names, tore off the seal and also their names, and gave the names and the seal to me. If the reverend Ministerium of Hamburg desires it, then the already long abused seal can be sent over or destroyed, that it may never again come into the hands of such men, who only bring reproach upon so reverend a body and put a stain upon our evangelical Lutheran religion in this western land.

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CHAPTER VII.

J2£F. CARL RUDOLPH.

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O GREATER service could be rendered to any church than Muhlenberg had per- formed as arbitrator for the Raritan flock and their unfaithful shepherd. For thus ended at last the long series of law suits and arrests and executions continued for ten years or more from 1734 at least to 1744. How any congregation could have held together after such experience we can hardly understand. But they were still eager for the truth and were only too glad to make another trial of the appointed means of grace, even though they had found to their cost that the truth had been committed to earthen vessels.

We find that the unfaithfulness of the wicked Wolf had not been permitted to deprive the children of instruction in the gospel, and another preacher by the name of

Langenfeld had been asked to supply the lack of service of Wolf. Says Muh- lenberg, "the young people had been well instructed in the heads of the catechism and although they had learned it in the Hol- land language, they also understand German and give the right answers. I administered the communion in both congregations which had not been administered in long years." In regard to settling a pastor over them Mr. M. says, "The two congrega- tions are able and willing to support a pious man generously." " I have found," he says again, " that the people there have

Rev. Carl Rudolph 59

much more esteem and reverence for religion and the service of God, than in the rough regions of Pennsylvania."

What a high tribute this was to a people who had been so much abused by one who had usurped the office of the ministry and used it entirely for his own selfish gain. Yet their suffer- ings were not over and we shall see that they were still to eat their bread with affliction and have their drink mingled with tears, for we are told that " In the meanwhile the condition of these congregations, although they were free from this Wolf, was very lamentable. For eight years there were no confirma- tions, no sacrament, and everything was in decay. The con- gregations now turned to H. M. Muhlenberg, who had been among them in the year 1745, as arbitrator in connection with pastors Knoll and Wagner. He says in his journal, Dec. 16th, 1748: " The situation of the Raritan congregation is as fol- lows : (1) Wolf still remains there, and will agree to nothing, but would rather rot there to affront the congregation than go elsewhere ; (2) Another preacher also remains there with his wife and children, by the name of Langenfeld, who had served half of the congregations eight years before and, tired of preaching, carries on farming, and like Wolf remains a mere spectator ; (3) The Hamburg ministerium also intends to take part should the Halle ministers enter the field, and pastor Berkenmeyer stands watching and would like to stir up Wolf to another law suit with the congregations, if a Halle man is settled there ; (4) The congregations have become in the high- est degree demoralized by twelve years of litigation ; (5) They are afraid to sign a call, as they should, and desire to have full liberty to call and dismiss their own pastors. They have neither a church building, a school house nor a parsonage, and would like to receive some help from the reverend fathers [at Halle]."

The churches in which they had previously worshipped must have been sold by Rev. Wolf, or perhaps were considered un- worthy of the name being simply rude structures of unhewn logs.

" Muhlenberg yielded to their requests and visited them in the fall of 1745, conducted catechetical instruction, confirmation

60 Early Germans of New Jersey

and the Lord's Supper. John N. Kurtz spent December of that year there and gave instruction and preached. In 1746 Muhlenberg visited them a second time and Kurtz spent three months there in the summer. In the spring of 1747 J. H. Schaum was sent thither with careful instructions from Muh- lenberg, and spent the greater part of the year there. But in November of the same year [1747] the miserable Carl Rudolph came hither with pretended greetings from H. M. Muhlenberg, and genuine recommendations from the wretched Andrea, which recommendations were opposed to the association with Pennsylvania pastors, and with which he gained a certain fol- lowing. In the meanwhile the friends of Muhlenberg were soon enlightened upon the character of the reprobate. But the congregations were once more disturbed and embroiled, and Kurtz was sent thither in March, 1748, to restore quiet. He remained four weeks. On the 25th of July Muhlenberg set out again thither on a visit, accompanied by a teacher, Loeser. The result was highly pleasing.. Hitherto the people had formed four small congregations and there had been preaching now here, now there. But now out of the members of the four congregations, one church council was formed with three elders and two wardens from each of the congregations."

The Carl Rudolph referred to by Muhlenberg was a disrep- utable man who had crept into the ministry and was enabled to work a great deal of mischief at first in North Carolina, where he had barely escaped hanging bj' running away, then in Penn- sylvania, where he had opposed Muhlenberg and the evangel- ical preachers, even by the use of the public prints, and finally in New Jersey. He obtained a call from a part of the congregations. But when information about him came from Philadelphia he was forsaken by all but a few. In the mean- while, however, he had proved himself a worthy successor of the abominable Wolf. Although he claimed to be a Prince of Wurtemberg and therefore of noble blood, he acted in every- thing but a princely manner. He was a thief and was detected in stealing a coat from Valentine Kraft; was also licentious and in the habit of getting drunk in the taverns.

Such was the second regular pastor of these early congrega-

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tions. He, probably, had a written call but remained only for a year and then went to Philadelphia, enlisted in the army and disappeared from sight. Muhlenberg says of him in one of his letters : " In this year (1747) just before the arrival of Handschuh, the godless so-called Prince of Wirtemberg, had crept in as a preacher, and in the pulpit and wherever he went slandered our colleague most shamefully. And as some well-disposed people were imposed upon by him, there arose two parties. One fought for our honor and industriously carried on all the beneficent and spiritual work. The other fought against us and indulged in abuse. Revs. Kurtz and Schaum did not labor without some results, but they were too weak and inexperienced in such emergencies and did not pos- sess at all times the power of speaking prudently, and this was to the advantage of the other party. The Prince conducted himself so satanically that the very worst elements of the com- munity turned against him and drove him away. Thus his coarsest calumnies even among his least respectable adherents were our best apologies. When the farce came to an end, both parties came to us and begged us for God's sake to forgive them and continue to help them.

" We gave them a book of condensed 'lessons.' I was com- pelled therefore to make a visitation upon the last of July, 1748. I found by investigation that only a few restless ones had stirred up the people and had said that no preacher would ever come to them from our college in Europe and that they ought to accept the Prince, who had shown himself to be a pious man from the beginning. When all four of the congregations [what are now Lebanon, Whitehouse, Pluckamin and Fox Hill or German Valley], were met together I was about to withdraw from them and said that we could not have anything more to do with them. The poor youth, the heart-breaking expressions of souls awakened by us, and the tears of the widows so affected me, that I had to promise not to wholly abandon them. They all begged in a pitiful way that we would give them our youngest brother, Mr. Schaum, if we could not give them any other, that they might not be wholly forsaken. After a long time I consented to this, if my colleagues were not opposed. I

62 Early Germans of New Jersey

then chose out of each congregation three men for a common church council, which the best of the congregations had advised and determined upon. These twelve deliberated together with regard to a church building. They wished to build a spacious stone church in some central spot, from which the most distant members would be about ten miles away. Three congrega- tions were united in respect to this. But in the fourth there were a few stubborn ones, who did not agree with the rest but, decided to build a church of their own among themselves. The liberty was given them to build as many churches among them- selves as they wished. The three congregations and a few men from the fourth have estimated the cost of the building at 300 and some pounds besides their labor, and they have already subscribed 240 pounds and commenced to build. As we now intend to send Mr. Schaum to them as a matter of necessity, for a long time we thought of his disposition, so weak for such a critical place and the poor congregation (York) across the Susquehanna did not wish to spare him."

This brings us to the pastorate of the third regular pastor namely, John Albert Weygand, and the building of the New Germantown church.

CHAPTER VIII.

REV. JOHN ALBERT WEYGAND.

^^j^2**^sINCE Schaum could not be taken away J^ 4(4 from York, the candidate, John Albert Weygand, whom Muhlenberg had re- ceived into his house at New Providence a short time before, was sent thither in November, 1748, but the congregations remained under the oversight of Muh- lenberg, under which it had remained since the fall of 1745, and he had occasionally visited them and preached and admin- istered confirmation and the Lord's Supper. For the others had not yet received ordination. Only in special and excep- tional cases did Muhlenberg decide that Weygand might offer the communion to individual sick people, but this was disap- proved in Halle. On the whole Weygand showed himself capable and faithful, but made a serious mistake in his all too early marriage with the daughter of a VanDieren, who had only just come among them. Yet Muhlenberg counted thirty young people in August, 1749, who were prepared for confirma- tion, and the new church was under roof so that the accession of the separating congregation was not needed. At the meeting of Synod in 1750 the ordination of Weygand was deferred, but was performed on the second of December of the same year by Brunholtz, Handschuh, Hartwig, Kurtz and Schaum, and the beautiful stone church which did service for nearly 80 years, was dedicated at the same time. On the 4th of the previous October, Muhlenberg had again visited Wey- gand, and, as opportunity offered, had met with his father- in-law, VanDieren. Now the particular congregations of Rach-

64 Early Germans of New Jersey

eway and Leslysland and Fuchsenberg, disappeared and the one central church in what is at present New Germantown, Tewks- bury township, Hunterdon County, N. J., took their place. Weygand remained in the service of the congregations until the beginning of the year 1753. Then he accepted a call, when a disturbance had arisen, to the Hollandish-Lutheran congrega- tions at New York and Hackensack and labored among them until 1767.

In speaking of Weygand Muhlenberg expresses what seems to have the opinion in those days of the education required for the ministerial office. In a request for advice from the society at Halle, Germany, he says : " We would not willingly cause the least damage to the cause of Christ by precipitancy nor would we lose a nail from the structure by negligence. I have with this view written to the Raritan council and have left to their good disposition and judgment the agreement with Mr. Weygand, and am willing to give a permission to preach for one year. In the region of the Raritan a man must understand Latin or English, because in that section there are many of New England Presbyterian preachers, who cherish a great respect for Halle and the blessed orphan house, and like to have intercourse with men from there. An English preacher of the church once complained to me that he wished to talk in Eng- lish and Latin with Mr. Schaum, but could get no reply. I said that he perhaps did not understand his accent and pronuncia- tion."

Although Weygand was a vast improyement as a preacher and pastor upon his predecessors, as we see by the extracts from his diary, which shall be given later, yet he does not seem to have had either the wisdom of the serpent or the hannless- ness of the dove. For when he had gone to the meeting of Synod at Philadelphia, which was the second one after its or- ganization, with the full expectation of being regularly ordained, he was extremely mortified to be put off. And this was after the time had been set for his ordination and notice of it published. The reason for this was found in certain com- plaints that were made against him by his elders. The account of this is as follows :

Rev. John Albert Weygand 65

A Minister's Wooing. In H. M. Muhlenberg's manuscript diary at the date of Jan- uary, 1750, is found the following: "Mr. Weygand reported that he had married in December the daughter of a Mr. Van Dieren. Mr. VanDieren is by trade a tailor and had been for- warded to the province of New York in a complimentary man- ner with a stock of books by the court-preacher, Bohme, of blessed memory (Ziegenhagen's predecessor in London). His comfortable circumstances and edifying address, the scarcity of preachers, the independent ways of America, the high esteem of the Germans for the court-preacher, Bohme ; the man's own desire and longing had all co-operated in enabling him to obtain ordination. The preachers in New York would not consent to it, but showered imprecations and numberless reproaches upon him in the public press. The Swedish preachers in Pennsyl- vania would not consent to it. At length he was ordained by an old German preacher in Pennsylvania, named Herkel, and sent baek with evidences of ordination. After this he preached and administered the sacraments for several years among a few congregations in the province of New York until he moved into New Jersey and labored for several years among the Low Dutch Reformed and Lutheran congregations in common. He was so accommodating there that he administered the com- munion to the Reformed after their manner, and to the Lutheran after theirs. But at last by this means both parties became at variance, said he was a hypocrite and cast him off. He did not live far from Raritan, visited us several times and would like to have taken charge of the mountain congregations in Upper Milford, Saccum, etc., but the Providence of God, whose leadings we desire to follow, did not so ordain.

" Weygand lived with one of the elders [Baltus Pickle, of Round Valley, New Jersey], who was a man of wealth and had helped on the building of the new church more than any other person, and had also provided out of his own means an organ and other things necessary for orderly worship. This man had two elderly (betagte) daughters. The older had died in the previous fall and the younger, whom I confirmed together with all his sons, was still living. This younger daughter was a

66 Early Germans of New Jersey

virtuous person, had the womanly adornment spoken of in I. Peter, 2, 3-4, was industrious, very skillful in household matters and lacked only the outward beauty of a worldly sort. She was no doubt intended for Mr. Weygand. But he paid his brief respects to her father very abruptly and demanded his consent to be given within a quarter of an hour, and would not give the father the usual time for deliberation, threw the father over [figuratively of course] and then went straight to VanDieren's house and was married to his daughter by her father. After this he kept urging the congregation very strongly to buy a farm upon which he might live. But the people were engaged in the difficult work of building a church and were already in debt. Nevertheless they involved themselves in more debt and bought a farm. Mr. VanDieren then sold his place and bought a farm near his son-in-law. In this neighborhood there also dwelt an old retired preacher, Langenfeld by name, and eight miles off Mr. Wolf is now living."

The elders of the church and another person of equal im- portance were disturbed by these proceedings and brought against their preacher the following complaints :

1. Mr. Weygand had wooed the elder's daughter not as a minister should, but like a dissolute college youth.

2. He had used in giving the communion to two sick people, instead of the consecrated wafers, red sealing wafers with which letters are closed.

3. When the elders called him to an account for this he had replied that the ministers in Frankford on the Main did thus.

4. He had married the daughter of a man whose oldest son had become a Quaker in Pennsylvania, and whose oldest daughter had married Deyling, a Zinzendcerfer.

5. He had thrown the congregation into heavier indebted- ness by impetuously urging them to buy him a farm.

6. Should his father-in-law come to live with him he might lead his son-in-law astray.

7. The congregation were at one time observing a day of strict fasting and prayer, which the authorities had ordered, when two of the elders, on coming into the parsonage after ser- vice, found the minister's wife busy at the spinning wheel.

Rey. John Albert Weygand 67

8. When he ought to have given the communion to a sick man, who was going to leave the church several hundred pounds, he was not at home but was engaged in doing his courting and was busied with his personal affairs.

Muhlenberg goes on to remark, " What this ferment may lead to only the future will show." Since the worthy fathers (on the other side of the ocean) could not find anyone to sup- ply the churches on the Raritan and Weygand came so oppor- tunely, I feel relieved of responsibility with regard to him, for I acted with deliberation and indeed under all the circumstances could not have done otherwise than I did. I find first in look- ing at myself and then in looking at others that the lack of faithful, steady and experienced laborers is a great hindrance to the spread of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. May the Lord have compassion upon us and send faithful laborers into his harvest."

Not long afterwards Mr. Weygand attended a meeting of the Synod of Philadelphia, when he expected arrangements would be made to ordain and install him over the congrega- tions on the Raritan. But what was his chagrin to find the above complaints against him presented by a committee of three elders, who asked that the ordination, already announced publicly to take place at a certain time, should be postponed at least until the new church was dedicated, and their pastor had had time to improve upon his past conduct. Says Muhlenberg " we dare not ordain him forcibly, as it were, but were at a loss what to do, and so also was Mr. Weygand, because it had been given out everywhere that he was to be ordained. The protest was indeed a very great punishment for Mr. Weygand since he had brought it upon himself by his frivolous behavior."

Some Natural Comments.

We do not find fault it is true with this decision of the min- isterium. It was the only thing to do under the circumstances. But we do think it is going a little too far, even for so apostolic and altogether adorable a man as Father Muhlenberg, to say that young John Albert, the warm-hearted young minister, should accept a wife, no matter how industrious and pious, who

68 Early Germans or New Jersey

was " intended" (zugedacht) for him. For that no doubt was the very reason he got himself rejected. To be sure her father was rich and influential, but on the other hand his daughter was no longer in her teens and her beauty was confessedly not of a dazzling character. And suppose the other girl be taken into consideration. Because she hadn't been confirmed by the good old Doctor it doesn't follow that she wasn't beautiful both inside and out. She was certainly industrious or she would have preferred the church on a fast day to her spinning wheel. And it was pretty hard for the young minister that he couldn't have time for so important a matter as courting a wife. Now if it had only been the other girl, the rich man's daughter, they might not have said anything about the time or manner of his courting.

Perhaps Muhlenberg's remark in his letter of November, 1749, may explain matters somewhat. " They desired last year to have Mr. Kurtz for their preacher especially under the in- stigation of the principal member who had a marriageable daughter." So there was match-making going on in the church so early as 140 or more years ago. No wonder young John Albert rebelled against such deliberate scheming. He ought to have been ashamed to have had two strings to his bow, but there seems to have been this difference, one (or at least her father) was courting him and he was courting the other.

The man who was sick and was neglected by his pastor was no doubt Balthazar Pickle, whose legacy of a thousand pounds helped the New Germantown church through the trying times during and after the War of the Revolution.

But notwithstanding his very human weakness Albert Wey- gand seems to have been a sincerely pious man. This I think will be evident from the following accounts of his work as he recorded it in his diary. He little thought when he wrote this that it would be read so long afterwards by some of the ■ de- scendants of the very people to whom he was then ministering.

A Minister's Diary in 1748.

Sept. 22. — I have arrived undermany good omens among my congregation through the guidance of the Lord. On my arrival

Rev. John Albert Weygand 69

my host, Balthes Pickel, told me how Pastor Hartwich openly complained of Pastor Muhlenberg, because he removed Pastor Wolf from his office. This appeared very strange to me since I firmly believed that Pastor Hartwich stood by our association. 25th. — A man of the Reformed Church came to pay me a visit, under the pretext, that a man who had come over the sea with me, had praised me so much, that he feels compelled to get acquainted with me himself. He dissembled at first and asserted the absolute decree [Gnadewahl, i. e. the doctrine of election] and quoted all the arguments in its favor, in order to hear what I would have to answer. But afterwards he said that if a reformed preacher should preach the absolute de- cree of God, he would publicly contradict him.

N. B. — I thus learned that the majority of the common people agree with us with regard to the absolute decree of God. From another [German] Reformed man I learned that he had noted 100 passages which were against the absolute decree, and this number I increased for him in a private visit. As to what belongs to the Holy Communion they slander us so much the more that I had advised our people not to dispute much with them over so high a mystery, but to answer briefly that we receive it according to the institution of our Almighty Jesus.

28th. — Set out with my host, Balthes Pickel, to visit the mem- bers, and to see what household worship they had and how they were off for books [prayer and song books]. This visit pleased various members of the council, who, on this account rode with us and informed me fully what sort of people they were. Among others we meet with a very sick woman whom I asked, after a previous inquiry about her sickness, how it was with her soui She answered that she cried night and day unto God, that He would have compassion upon one who was so great a sinner. After I had talked further with her, I prayed with her, sang a verse of the song, "Keep Me O Friend of My Soul," and commended her to the Lord. In the next house we visited I met a woman who said that we were not saved by faith but by good works. I answered her briefly, for night had already fallen. In the following visit we met two young married people, who had not been to communion in five years. The

70 Early Germans of New Jersey

reason of this was, as they said, that they had had no regular preacher and when Mr. Muhlenberg came over, they had always heard of it when it was too late.

29th. — Have spent the whole day in visiting, and, alas, have met many families in a truly pitiable condition. Many young people from 20 to 29 years of age, who do not know how to read or spell, have proposed to me, to prepare them for the communion. In the few days that I have been here I have found nothing but a wilderness.

Dec. 3d. — Again visited my people. On the way I talked with two German Reformed people, who lead truly Christian lives. Of these the man was blind. The Lord had on that account so much the more opened his spiritual eyes. After a short talk upon the only righteousness which avails with God, we sang some verses of the hymn, " The One on the Cross is My Dove." On my leaving him, he promised to give a contri- bution to our church, and begged me to visit them again.

Jan. 19, 1749. — Laid the old Hendershid (Hendershot) in the ground. In this man God has given a wonderful proof of his love for sinners. This man had stained his soul with many sins of unrighteousness as I learned from people who had known him from his youth up. In order to bring him to a knowledge of his sins God had laid him upon a sick-bed for a year and a half. By chance Pastor Muhlenberg visited him three months before his death, and wanted him to be reconciled with his son from whom he had been alienated. But not even the most urgent pursuasions were of any use, and he wished to cite his son to appear before the last judgment as is the custom with many revengeful people. At the end of November, 1748, 1 also visited him and asked him if he was prepared for eternity, but he made himself out so pious, that I had almost never met a man so pious as he appeared to be. I committed him to the compassion of God and gave him the passage in Rom. iv, 5 to think of, though not believing that it would subdue the hard- ness of his heart. Fourteen days afterwards he was reconcilad to his son. Thereupon he expressed a constant longing to see me. On account of absence from home I did not visit him until the day before his death. He could scarcely whisper any

Rev. John Albert Weygand

7i

longer. Yet he could understand so well that he said he called upon God day and night for a happy death, which his wife con- firmed. I prayed with him and sang a few verses of the song, " Lord teach me mine end to know." On leaving I pointed him to the bloody wounds of Jesus, saying, that with the bloody righteousness of Jesus he would overcome if he held on to it in faith and trust. That night he died.

CHAPTER IX.

REV. LUDOLPH H EI N RICH SCHRENCK.

jj/ EYGAND was succeeded in 1753 by Lu- dolph Heinrich Schrenck and his min- istry also was attended with difficulties and disturbance. The " Mountain" peo- ple, as the Pluckamin congregation was called, had refused to give up their sep- arate church and unite with the other three congregations, in 1749, and build one central church which should be not more than 10 miles from any of the people of the congregations. So it was now agreed that Pluckamin should have service one-fourth of the time and pay one-fourth of the salary.

This Rev. Schrenck was the fourth regnlar pastor. He staid three years, for two of which he was in the hottest kind of hot water. He was sensitive, proud and irritable in the extreme. He was anxious to marry a rich wife, and yet was very ready to suspect every man, who had a marriageable daughter and who showed him any attention, of having designs upon him.

Also at one time, when two of the most influential elders called upon him upon some matter, and in the course of the conversation mentioned that some of his congregation thought he preached the law too severely and did not present often

Rev. Ludolph Heinrich Schrenck 73

enough the persuasiveness of the gospel, he became very angry. But he bade these visitors good bye with every show of friendliness, kissing them both in true German fashion be- fore they left. On the next Sabbath before a large congrega- tion, after he had preached an excellent sermon, instead of making the closing prayer, he ordered the church doors to be locked, that no one might leave the house. He then began to abuse and revile the two men, who had been to see him the day before, with such violence that he foamed at the mouth. Every one was in consternation and wanted to know who were in- tended and who had been abusing the pastor. When it was found out who the elders were, who had so unconsciously give such great offence, all the elders went to the parsonage to reconcile matters, but the quarrel only become more bitter. The next Sabbath everybody flocked from far and near to hear what the minister would have to say for it had been given out that he was to plead his cause again in public. This he did as the account says "with fire and flame" and ended by calling out the names of these elders and excommunieating them from the church. One of these two men was Baltus Pickle, who had been the builder of the church, had paid 50 pounds towards the organ and 25 for the church. Moreover the church was still in debt to him for materials and work in building. This indebt- edness was included in the 1,000 pounds which Baltus Pickle afterwards left by will to the New Germantown Church at his death in 1760.

It is interesting to notice that this church had an organ as early as 1754. Schrenck continued to struggle on for two years until he was finally compelled to leave in the year 1756. He treated Mr. Muhlenberg afterwards most shamefully and has left a very unfavorable memory behind him. He finally left for Ireland where for a time he served a Lutheran congregation.

CHAPTER X.

THE MUHLENBERGS.

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg — Paul Daniel Bryzelius — J. Peter G. Mujilenberg — G. Henry E. Muhlenberg.

io HISTORY of the German settlers in this part of New Jersey, would be com- plete without an account of the two pioneer missionaries, Muhlenberg and Schlatter. For while they were not the first preachers to the Germans here and in Pennsylvania, yet they were in fact the real founders respectively of Lutheranism and the German Reformed Church in this part of the United States. They both possessed unusual organizing ability as well as a very high degree of piety and learning. They both, moreover, had to endure considerable persecution for righteousness sake. Also to both alike belonged the honor of bringing together the few scattered churches of their faith into a conference or synod. It is interesting to know that they knew one another and lived together in mutual confidence and esteem. Their paths often crossed each other but no friction ever arose between them. We shall give a short account of these remarkable men.

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg was born in the city of Einbeck in the Electoral Principality of Hanover, September 6th, 17 n. His parents were Nicholaus Melchior Muhlenberg, a member of the council of the above

The Muhlenbergs 75

mentioned place, and Anna Maria Kleinshmid, daughter of a retired military officer.

He went to school from his seventh to his twelfth year and was confirmed at twelve years of age. His father died soon after and he was compelled to set to work to help support the family. This he continued to do more or less> until he was twenty-one. He occasionally found time to learn to play on the organ. At twenty-one he resumed his studies especially of Latin and Greek. Providence opened a way for him to gratify his ardent desire for a course of study in one of the universi- ties. The different villages and towns of Germany contributed funds to the support of the recently established university of Gottingen, and were entitled on this account to send a student to the university for free tuition. Muhlenberg happened to be the only one of his native place, who was of the requisite age and had a desire to go to the University, and thus re- ceived the appointment. While at Gottingen he yielded for a time to evil associations but not for a long period, for he soon met with a change of heart. And he and some other students engaged in the work of teaching the ignorant and neglected. In May, 1738, he taught a primary school at Halle. But he rose rapidly in public esteem until he became instructor in Theology, Hebrew and Grc^k.

In August, 1730, he was ordained as a deacon, or assistant minister in the church at Grosshennersdorf, in upper Silesia.

In 1 741 he became, at the request of Dr. Francke, of Halle, a missionary to the scattered Lutheran congregations in Penn- sylvania. On his journey to the colony of Pennsylvania, he went first to Holland and thence to England. On the 13th of June, 1742, he set sail at Gravesend for Charleston, South Car- olina, which place he reached September 22d. During the voy- age he suffered very much both in body and mind, from a scarcity of water and fresh provisions, and the roughness of the crew. A similarly painful experience was connected with his journey from Charleston to Philadelphia, where he arrived November 25th, 1742.

At the very beginning of his work Father Muhlenberg, as he might well be called, had to encounter opposition.

76 Early Germans of New Jersey

" Perils by Mine Own Countrymen." Count Zinzendorf had preceded him and was claiming to be a Lutheran, while really teaching doctrines opposed to the orthodox faith. On this account Muhlenberg was compelled to withhold any official recognition from one whose course was not entirely straightforward. Thus the very earliest efforts of the missionaries from Halle were directed to the healing of schism and the correction of errors. And yet nearly all of these men showed excellent judgment in avoiding, as far as possible, all controversial subjects and in depending principally upon the power of the truth itself in its singleness and sim- plicity. The difficulties of the task committed to these early preachers arose largely from the necessity of satisfying, on the one hand, the rigid conservatism of the authorities in the mother country, where persecution on account of the truth, had made orthodoxy a matter of life and death, and, on the other, of providing preachers or teachers for the numerous congrega- tions scattered throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, who were pleading with heart-rending earnestness and persistency for almost any kind of a pastor, who could at least prevent them and their children from relapsing into utter barbarism.

"Perils by Land."

Many were the weary days and nights spent by these heroic men hastening from one scattered hamlet to another, through almost pathless forests and across frozen streams, sometimes with fevered pulse and aching limbs, in order to keep appoint- ments, made weeks beforehand, with people who would come twenty and thirty miles to hear once more the word of life. Often and often we read in the reports of sermons interrupted with the sobs of the hearers and not so much through grief as rejoicing at the sound of the gospel, which they had almost despaired of ever hearing again. In these absences from home wives and children would sometimes be put to sore straits, and the husband and father's heart would have an added load of anxiety to carry on their account.

" Perils by Water."

The following extracts from Muhlenberg's reports will illus-

The Muhlenbergs 77

trate what has just been said : " Now, as I had to hold divine service in Providence on the 26th of November, 1749, and had as yet to ride twenty miles to my residence, I was obliged to set out from Perkasie on the 25 th of November, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. They gave me a guide. Night soon overtook us, and therefore we could not ride rapidly, and only came to the Perkiomen creek at 1 1 o'clock at night, which is still two miles away from my house. To our great surprise, we per- ceived that the stream since my departure was frozen over hard, and covered with ice. My companion only had a small horse, which in addition was unshod, consequently I had to go before and break the ice. I did this at the peril of my life and remained in the saddle, notwithstanding the leaping and rear- ing of my horse, and let my companion follow in the footsteps and holes which my horse had broken. In breaking the ice my horse had always to raise himself up in front, and at the same time break a hole with the fore-feet, and keep the piece of ice on the bottom until he leaped after with the hind feet, and then went still further forward. I got over safely, but on account of the dark night, I missed the outlet on the other side ; and came with my companion to a bank, which was high and al- most perpendicular. Back I would not again venture, for the broken holes were not easily found again in the darkness. We took off the saddles, and by the aid of some bushes clambered up on land, and resolved to make an attempt with our horses also. We tied the girths to the bridle of the small horse, and compelled him to stand on his hind feet, so that he could reach on the bank with his fore feet. We pulled, and the horse helped himself bravely onward with the hind feet, and safely reached the shore, as he was young and nimble. But when we would do the same with my horse, that was old and stiff, the bridle broke, and the poor beast fell backward with all his weight into the ice, so that he lay on his back in the water with his legs up, and locked in by the ice, and must thus have been drowned. I gave up the poor beast, because I saw no possibility to help him. My companion, however, would not rest but in great anxiety he cut a lever with a small knife, sprang down with it, and made a great opening in the ice, helped the horse so that

78 Early Germans of New Jersey

he laid on one side, and at length worked himself on his feet again. Thereupon the horse anew broke through again, and would go back on the other side, but on account of weakness stuck fast in the middle of the stream in the ice, so that we could help him no more in any manner. We laid our saddles and baggage on the other horse and wished to go the rest of way home on foot, lost ourselves in the dark thickets, and walked around for about half an hour in a circle, -intil the stars once appeared in the heavens, and showed us where we were, when we got home about 3 o'clock."

The horse was rescued the next morning nearly dead and Muhlenberg had to meet his appointments with a serious illness creeping upon him as a result of his long exposure. The year before, 1748, he had been absent on one of his long tours, the return from which is thus described : " When I reached home on the 5th of May, I found my wife and two children down very sick with the measles. The wife was not properly cared for in my absence, and the wrong medicine was administered by which the measles were checked. This resulted in a suffo- cating catarrhal affection on the next day. It had proceeded so far that she had lost her speech and had assumed a brown color." Mrs. Muhlenberg finally recovered, though her life had been despaired of. She was the daughter of Conrad Weiser, who was prominent in the early history of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania as an interpreter and agent in connec- tion with the Indian tribes.

His Gift of Tongues.

And yet Dr. Muhlenberg was a man of very superior educa- tion. He had a good knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, and spoke the English, German, Latin, Holland and Swedish lan- guages. He was given the degree of Doctor of Divinity by the University of Pennsylvania in 1784.

He preached in New York on one Sabbath in German in the morning, in Dutch in the afternoon and in English in the even- ing. He was possessed of a fine tenor voice and could play on the organ. His disposition was gentle and conciliatory and he seemed incapable of resenting an injury or even remembering

The Muhlenbergs 79

a wrong. His tact and patience were often put severely to the test and never seemed to fail. He combined breadth of mind with the most methodical and conscientious regard for the details of routine duty.

It is principally the reports of Dr. Muhlenberg's work that make up the Hallesche Nachrichten. While the pastor of sev- eral churches in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, in name, he was really an itinerant bishop. He was a very earnest patriot during the Revolutionary war. He died Oct. 7th, 1887. His funeral was attended by a vast multitude. Three of his sons were sent to Germany to go through a course of theological training. One of these was Henry Ernst Muhlenberg, D. D., a man of scien- tific attainments, a skillful botanist as well as a most successful pastor and preacher. Dr. Muhlenberg's accounts of his work reveal him to have been a man of humble and fervent piety, a searching preacher and yet very gentle and considerate in his dealings with the weak and wayward. He seemed to find it his meat and drink to preach the truth. His consecration and zeal were unbounded. When once he had promised to visit a distant congregation, no weakness or weariness, no difficulty or danger could prevent him from keeping his appointment. In short there is no name on the annals of any evangelical church which represents a more exalted type of christian life and labor.

Pastor in New Jersey.

The stone church at New Germantown, N. J., was erected at his advice, and is a monument of his practical jndgment and of his powerful influence in this section. He was in fact the pastor of the Raritan churches from 1757 to 1775.

Father Muhlenberg's relation to the Raritan region began at the time of the trouble with Wolff in 1745 and continued for 30 years. For seventeen years he was the formally chosen rector while others served regularly in his place as his assistants. The gratitude awakened in the hearts of these people by the deliv- erance from utter ruin which he had secured for them by his patience, tact and decision, grew more and more warm and trustful, the more they learned to know him. It was therefore a most joyful time with them when in the year 1738 while on a

80 Early Germans or New Jersey

visit to them, he consented to come the next year and spend twelve months. He felt he could not do less, though his own people of Providence had a prior claim upon him, since the Raritan congregations had built a new and more commodious parsonage expressly for his use in four months after he had objected to the smallness of the old one.

The long expected month of June, 1759, came round and Muhlenberg set out on Monday the eleventh from Providence in a wagon with his wife and four children. The three others were left in Pennsylvania. Six wagons had been sent to the Delaware river, twenty-five miles from New Germantown, to meet him. When he arrived some elders and their wives were present to welcome him and his family and to offer them a well prepared repast. Mrs. Muhlenberg returned on a visit to Prov- idence, September 19th, and Muhlenberg on the 26th. They both returned on October 19th. He also visited Hackensack (Nov. 27th to Dec. 4th) with Wm. Graaf, a student of theology, afterwards his successor in the Raritan churches.

In June, 15th, 1760, Muhlenberg set out for Pennsylvania, accompanied by his son Peter and Jacob Van Buskirk, of Hack- ensack, a student of theology under his care. He returned again the next year, March 26th, and ministered to the Raritan churches in spiritual things. One year of such service as this man of apostolic spirit and power would render could not fail to produce lasting results.

It is interesting to note here the presence of Muhlenberg at the dedication of the Bedminster church [in Pluckamin] in 1758 at which time he preached both in German and English to a large concourse of people. He speaks of the great rejoicing at New Germantown, Bedminster and other places at the news received October 18th, 1759, of the capture of Quebec by the English.

According to the representations made to Muhlenberg, to induce him to spend a year with the Raritan people, by a dele- gation which visited for that purpose in the year 1757, he had a second time saved these people from falling into ruin. In 1 76 1 he sent

The Muhlenbergs 8i

Paul Daniel Bryzelius (or Prizelius) to them to act as assistant pastor. At first his services were acceptable and in 1765 he was given a regular call as assistant pastor, but he soon afterwards lost favor with the people and the next year, 1766, he left his wife and family in the parsonage, because his salary had not been fully paid, and set sail for London to receive Episcopal ordination. He then went to Nova Scotia, where, however, he was unsuccessful in his ministry. Bryzelius was born in Haeradshammer in the diocese of Linkoeping, Sweden, and came to Philadelphia in 1742 with Count Zinzendorf. He was converted from Mora- vianisin under the influence of Dr. Wrangel and was received into the Lutheran ministerium Oct. 29th, 1760.

The next year after the departure of Bryzelius, Muhlenberg visited the congregations April 23d, 1767, and in May, 1768, sent his oldest son,

John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, to minister to the Raritan churches. He remained until March, 1772. He probably occupied the parsonage as he married 16th November, 1770, Anna Barbara Meyer. Peter had returned from Germany in 1766 after a three year's sojourn there, dur- ing which time he had served as a clerk in a drug store and a soldier in the British army. For two years,however, he had studied theology with Dr. Wrangel and was licensed the 20th of June, 1769. From New Jersey he went to Woodstock, Va., after re- ceiving Episcopal ordination in London. His ardent tempera- ment could not resist the revolutionary fever and he became a Colonel in the American army and afterwards attained the rank of Major-General. His place as assistant pastor of the Raritan churches, was taken by his younger brother, Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst Muhlenberg, who had returned from Germany in 1770, was ordained the same year, on Oct. 25th, when he was not quite 17 years of age. He remained in New Jersey until he received a call to be the assistant of his father in Philadelphia on the 4th of April, 1774-

CHAPTER XI.

NEW GERMANTOWN AND GERMAN VALLEY.

£> W ^S** EV' ALFRED HILLER, D. D., delivered the following sermon in German Valley on the 2d of July, 1876 : When the first church building was erected at German Valley, it is hard to tell, as the church historian in those days it seems was not abroad. There is a tradition, however,

which has come down to us from the oldest inhabitant, that

the first building for divine service was

A Log Church, built many years ago, and that it stood on or near the site of the old stone church, the walls of which are still standing. This church, like the old stone church, was doubtless a union church, built probably as early as 1747 [1761] by the Lutherans and German Reformed. The Lutheran Church in the Valley was for many years associated with the church at New Germantown, where the pastor resided and preached at regular intervals, as well as at German Valley and Spruce Run, so that for a long time the church was only an outpost, with no pastor residing on the territory, but supplied by different brethren from abroad. In those days it was the fashion for the members of this church frequently to attend church at New Germantown, nine miles from here, often going on foot, and barefooted at that, the ladies carrying their shoes in their hands until they came within sight of the church.

New Germantown and German Valley 83

The fathers and mothers of those days were not " carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease."

[To avoid repetition part of the discourse is here omitted as the facts stated have already been given.]

In the year 1774, during the ministry of Henry Muhlenberg, Jr., the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations of Ger- man Valley determined to build a new church, to be the com- mon property of the two congregations. This is the

Old Stone Church.

Before building, an article of agreement was drawn up and signed by the pastors and officers of each congregation.

This building, now 100 years old, is still standing, and with proper care, the walls look as if they would stand another century. You are all familiar with the old church building. There used to be a heavy gallery on one side and across each end ; the entrance on one side, under the gallery, and on the opposite side was the pulpit — one of the Jack-in-the-pulpit style, with sounding board suspended above. There is no chimney on this church, for the fathers here had a novel way of making themselves comfortable on cold Sundays. In the centre of the church a space about eight feet square was made with a ground floor, and on this square a great mass of char- coal was burned, the congregation getting for their share at least the smell of fire, while the preacher from his exalted posi- tion, nearly over the burning mass, received a double portion of gas to mix with his sermon.

The next minister called to this field after the building of the old stone church was the

Rev. William Graaf, who was settled here as pastor in July, 1775. He came here from Bergen county and labored in this field until his death in 1808.

During his ministry a new church was built, and a congre- gation was organized at Spruce Run. Mr. Graaf was a native of the town of Liningen, in the southwestern part of Germany.

He pursued and finished his theological education in Giessen, in Hesse-Darmstadt. After his arrival in America he was or-

84 Early Germans of New Jersey

dained by Rev. Dr. Muhlenberg as pastor of Hackensack and Ramapo, in Bergen county, N. J. Mr. Graaf continued to labor here for thirty-three years — a pastorate longer by far than any who have as yet succeeded him. He is described as " a learned and pious minister of the gospel, faithful in the discharge of his official duties ; but when age and bodily infirmities forbade their continuance, the congregation cheerfully supported him until the time of his death." Mr. Graaf, who was pastor here one hundred years ago, was succeeded by

Rev. Ernest Lewis Hazelius, D. D.,

a native of Germany, who had for eight years been a classical teacher in the gymnasium at Nazareth, Pa. Dr. Hazelius took charge of the churches here in the month of August, 1809. His pastorate continued until near the close of the year 1815, when he accepted a call to the newly established Hartwick Seminary as the first Professor of Theology. This was the only pastoral charge that Dr. Hazelius ever served, the remainder of his life from the time he left this field having been devoted to teaching.

The name of Dr. Hazelius to-day stands high in the history of the church in this country, he having occupied the honored positions of Professor of Theology in the Theological Semin- aries at Hartwick, Gettysburg and Lexington, S. C.

The Records of the Church, now in our possession, begin with the ministry of Dr. Hazelius ; and of his ministry what is principally recorded is the num- ber of baptisms, which were transcribed from the records at New Germantown by Dr. Pohlman.

The following is the first entry by Dr. Hazelius : " On the 1 st day of May, in the year of Our Lord, 1815, a number of the Lutheran congregation in the Dutch Valley met at their meeting house in Washington township, Morris county, for the purpose of electing seven persons as trustees of said church agreeable to an act of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey, entitled 'An act to incorporate trustees of religious societies,' passed 13th June, 1799, when the following gentle- men were chosen by a maiority of votes of the members and

New Germantown and German Valley 85

voters then and there present, viz.: Isaac Roelofson, Jacob Karri, Philip Weise, Andrew Weise, William Nachrite, Frederick Swackhamer and Joseph Karr, who, having chosen Jacob Kara as president and Andrew Weise secretary, took upon themselves the name of Trustees of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Valley, Washington township, Morris county, by which name they will hereafter be known in law ; and on the 10th day of June the above-named gentlemen were sworn into office be- fore Nicholas Neighbor, Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Warren and the State of New Jersey, accord- ing to the oath hereunto subjoined. Witness our hands this 10th day of June. A. D. 1815.

Although the election took place sixty-one years ago, I am happy to say one of that Board of Trustees, F. Swackhamer, is with us to-day, and is still an office-bearer in the church. The record gives the names of seventy-five persons baptized by Dr. Hazelius.

Among these names we find the following : First on the list, Lambert Bowman, son of David Neighbor, October 29th, 1809 ; Lawrence Hagar, John H. Weise, Catharine Naughright, Jacob Weise, Sylvester Neighbor, Philip Welsh Swackhammer, Samuel Kara, David Swackhammer, &c. These are still familiar names in the Valley.

Dr. Hazelius was succeeded by the

Rev. Dr. Hendricks, a graduate of Union College, Schnectady. N. Y., and who had studied theology under the direction of the Rev. Frederick Mayer at Albany.

Rev. Hendricks took charge of this pastorate in August, 18 16, and labored here six years, when he accepted a call to the Lutheran Church at Saddle River, N, J.; of his subsequent his- tory I have no source of information. His records were im- perfectly kept, and from them we learn that during his ministry he baptized ninety-eight children. Among these are the fol- lowing familiar names : Isaac Roelofson, Isaac Stryker, Mar- garet Stelts, Isaiah Trimmer, Isaac Swackhammer, States N. Weise, &c, &c. On the resignation of Rev. Hendricks, a call was extended to

•86 Early Germans of New Jersey

Rev. Henry N. Pohlman the first graduate of Hartwick Seminary, who had recently left that institution, and had been preaching for the church at Saddle River. N. J.

Dr. Polhman took charge of the churches at New German- town, German Valley and Spruce Run in the month of August, 1822, and labored here most acceptably and efficiently for twenty-one years.

His records in the Church Book are beautifully written. The following is his first entry : " On the 1st of August, 1822, in consequence of an invitation from the Board of Trustees of Zion Church, New Germantown, the Rev. H. N. Pohlman visited that place and preached with approbation in the several churches."

Elections were held after public worship in each of the con- gregations at New Germantown, German Valley and Spruce Run on the 12th, 13th and 14th of said month, when it was unanimously resolved, " that the Rev. Henry N. Pohlman be called as rector of the three united congregations."

Accordingly, after a general meeting of the trustees of the said congregations held at the Valley on the 18th, the following call was presented to the said Rev. Henry N. Pohlman and was accepted by him on the 26th at a meeting of the Evangel- ical Lutheran Synod assembled in Schoharie, N. Y., in the presence of F. C. Schaffer and Lewis Ernest Hazelius.

Then followed the call which was signed by the trustees of each church.

The following are the names of the church officers who represented this church : Jacob Kara, Isaac Roelofson, Joseph Kara, Jacob Weise, Andrew Weise, John Dufford, John Duse- bery, William Naughright.

Dr. Pohlman was installed on the 20th of November, 1822, by the Rev. F. C. Schaffer, of New York. One of the most important events of Dr. Pohlman's pastorate was the building of a new church. This took place in the year 1832.

Up to this time the two congregations in the Valley — the Presbyterian (formerly German Reformed) and the Lutheran had occupied the old stone church. But now both congrega-

New Germantown and German Valley 87

tions conclude that it was not advisable to continue this part- nership arrangement any longer, and the two Congregations Separated. Hence this year each congregation built their own church and they have been separate and independent of each other ever since.

The New Church which forms the three walls of the present edifice was 40x45 feet from outside to outside, built of stone on this lot which was presented by Neitzer W. Weise, Esq. The following is the record of the laying of the corner stone : " The corner stone of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to be known hereafter by the name of Zion Church, German Valley, was laid with due solemnity and in proper place on Whitsun Monday, the nth day of June, 1832, and in the fifty-seventh year of the Indepen- dence of the United States of North America, under the direc- tion of Henry N. Pohlman, pastor, Jacob Karn, Jacob Weise, John Dusebery, John Dufford, Jr., Philip Karr, Trustees ; Jacob Karn, Jacob Weise, F. Swackhammer, Building Committee ; David Bulmer, master carpenter : John Gray, master mason." Conscious that except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it, the commenced work was then solemnly committed to the superintendence of the all-glorious Architect and Governor of the Universe, and the congregation dismissed with the usual benediction. The following is the Doctor's record of the consecration of this church :

Through the smiles of an ever kind and gracious Providence the work commenced in His fear, was duly finished and on the 25th of November, the pastor had the pleasure of consecrating it to the worship of the triune God in the presence of a crowded and attentive audience."

The Rev. W. D. Strobel, of St. James' Church, New York, who kindly assisted on the occasion, then led the minds of his willing hearers to an exemplification of the duties connected with the sanctuary by addressing them from 1st Tim., Ill, 15 : " That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." The pastor followed in an

88 Early Germans or New Jersey

address from Ps. V, 7 : " But as for me I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercies and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple."

May the solemnities of that day never be forgotten.

May the eyes of the Lord be open towards his house day and night ! May He abundantly bless His people into whose hearts He hath put it to build a house for His name, and may they be built up a spiritual temple — an habitation of God through the spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. May this prayer of the former, and now sainted pastor, be yet more fully answered. The following is the report of the Building Committee :

The Building Committee of Zion Church beg leave to report that in attending to the duties assigned them they have ex- pended the following sums :

To the master builders as per contract $i>355-°°

Materials and payment of workmen 619.91 %

To the purchase of stoves and pipe, trimming for

pulpit, &c 175.47

Making whole cost of the church $2,144.38^

Of this amount all was paid or subscribed except $230.88^. At a meeting held in 1840 we find this resolution: Resolved, That John Gulick be appointed sexton and that

he be allowed $5 per annum for his services. Labor was cheap in those days.

Lutheran Centenary.

At a meeting of the church officers in January, 1842, the fol- lowing resolution was passed :

Resolved, That depending upon the blessing of Him who loves the cheerful giver, we will endeavor to raise during the centenary year $500, to be applied as a permanent fund to the benefit of our beloved Zion, and hereafter to be known as the centenary fund of the Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church, German Valley.

Resolved, That the collectors, John Naughright, A. Howell, J. Dufford, P. Hann and G. Dufford, be special agents to receive

New Germantown and German Valley 89

subscriptions for the centenary fund and that the pastor be general agent for the same purpose.

This was the centenary of American Lutheranism, which dates back to 1742, the year that the Rev. Henry M. Muhlen- berg, D. D., came to this country.

Another interesting item for this year is the report of the Trustees that the pastor's salary was paid regularly in full and $5 still in treasury.

On the 28th of July, 1843, Dr. Pohlman resigned this charge and on the 10th of September preached his farewell sermon, having accepted a call to the Lutheran Church in Albany, New York. While pastor here Dr. Pohlman received eighty mem- bers into the church by confirmation and baptized 320 children.

The name of Dr. Pohlman is still fresh in the memory of the most of us gathered here to-day. Although it is more than thirty years ago since he left this charge, up to the day of his death, he never forgot his old and tried friends in the Valley, neither is he forgotten by you. His circle of friends and ad- mirers was not confined to his own church and his own denom- ination and of him it may be truly said to-day, " The memory of the just is blessed." Few, if any, men in the Lutheran Church in this country were more widely known or more highly honored.

At three different times he was elected President of the General Synod, while for many consecutive years he presided at the meetings of the New York Ministerium, New York Synod, and Synod of New York and New Jersey, Of all the pastors in German Valley and the region round about, none have been more generally popular than Dr. Pohlman. His suc- cessor in the church here was

Rev. James R. Keiser,

who took charge of this field in the month of November, 1843. Mr. Keiser, I believe, was a graduate of the college and sem- inary at Gettysburg, an excellent man and good sermonizer. He served the congregation for a short time, for it was during his pastorate, in the year 1846, that by mutual consent the ecclesiastical

90 Early Germans of New Jersey

Union was Dissolved,

which heretofore existed between the two congregations of New Germantown and German Valley. The following are the resolutions then passed at a joint meeting of the officers of the New Germantown and German Valley congregations :

Resolved, That the ecclesiastical union heretofore existing between the said congregations be by mutual consent dissolved at the close of the present month, October, 1846, and that each congregation relying on the assistance and blessing of the great head of the church will endeavor to make suitable provisions for comfortable support of a pastor.

Resolved, That we recognize with gratitude to God, the harmony and fraternal feelings which have characterized these two congregations in all their conduct toward each other dur- ing the many years they have been associated together, and that we will continue to regard each other as one in Christ, to love as brethren, and take a lively interest in each other's tem- poral and eternal welfare.

In those days all the church officers were called " Trustees'' and were sworn into office before the civil magistrate.

The records show that Mr. Reiser during his ministry here received 22 persons into the church by confirmation and two by certificate from other churches, and that he baptized 24 chil- dren. Near the close of the year 1849 he received and accepted a call to the church in Schoharie, N. Y., and labored in this important field for seven years, when he accepted a call to St. James Church, Gettysburg, from which he removed to Dixon, Illinois, in 1861. After three years labor there he engaged in an agency for the American Sunday School Union. His youngest son being brought home from Yale college, pros- trated by sickness to the verge of the grave, he resolved to make a home for his family in the milder climate of his native State, where he resided three years when the Master called him to his reward. He was born in Waynesboro, Augusta Co., Va., Sept. 28th, 1812 ; died near Petersburg, Va., October 12th, 1872, aged 60 years.

The following lines which were among the last pencilings

New Germantown and German Valley 91

in his common place book are inscribed upon his tombstone : " 'Tis sweet to labor in service blest, Though labor with pain be blended ; But sweeter by far with our Lord to rest, The toil and the warfare ended." We now come to the history of this church as an indepen- dent organization, and as most of you are familiar with this part of our history it will not be necessary to go into details.

As an independent self-supporting congregation this church is only thirty years old. The first resident pastor here was

Rev. Ephraim Deyoe, who succeeded Mr. Keiser in November, 1846. Mr. Deyoe is known to you all unless it be the younger members of the congregation. He is a graduate of Union college and I believe studied theology both at Hartwick and Gettysburg.

His first charge was at Woodstock, Ulster Co., N. Y., and from there he came to German Valley. His labors here were greatly blessed. To have a pastor of your own, who lived in your midst and devoted all his time to this one charge, gave a new impulse to the congregation and infused new life into the church.

At this time, and indeed before this time, the name of our esteemed brother,

John Naughright,

appears with a praiseworthy prominence among the office bearers and supporters of the church. On the arrival of the new pastor Mr. N. opened his heart and his doors too and took in the young dominie and his wife and for a very trifling con- sideration kept them during the whole winter and indeed until the parsonage which he was very largely instrumental in build- ing, was finished and ready for occupancy.

Many of you remember how in those days when the church was weak — when friends were few and foes formidable, this good brother stood by the church, sparing neither time nor money, nor influence in his efforts to promote the prosperity of Zion. In his attendance upon the preacher's word — in the cheerful and liberal support he gave the church and in his efforts to bring his friends and neighbors with him to the house

92 Early Germans or New Jersey

of God, providing and running a hack for years for this pur- pose he has set an example worthy of all imitation and his name deserves special mention in common with this part of the history of this church. During- the ministry of Brother Deyoe the church enjoyed several preciou*

Revivals

and large numbers were gathered together in the church. There were at one time, February 6th, 1848, thirty-five persons received into the church ; at another time forty-two ; at another thirty.

At the head of the list of confirmations we notice the name of E. M. Battles. Brother Deyoe labored here until in the spring of 1858, when he resigned and accepted a call to the churches at Saddle River and Ramapo, N. J., in the neighbor- hood of which he still continues to labor. The charge having been divided a few years ago, he now preaches at Ramseys station in a new church which he has organized at that place. From the records of the church we gathered the following sum- mary of Bro. Deyoe's labors while pastor here : Confirmations,. 176 ; baptism of infants, a 16 ; attended 97 marriages and 163 funerals.

Rev. Alfred Hiller, D. D.

Mr. Deyoe was succeeded by your present pastor, September 10th, 185;., nearly 18 years ago. As we to-day review these 18 years which have so rapidly passed into eternity we have great reason for gratitude for the repeated and continued tokens of the divine favor.

During this term the church record shows 239 additions to the church, 188 children baptized, 114 marriages and 206 funerals. Among the improvements made during the present pastorate, we would mention the rebuilding and enlarging the church in 1861. The total cost of these improvements was $4,485.66. Of this amount $415.24 were paid for bell and fix- tures and $349.16 for furniture, cushions, lamps, &c. Dr. Wil- let, Morris Naughright and Nathan Anthony, were the build- ing committee. In the year 1866 the parsonage was rebuilt and enlarged at an expense of about $2,400, and in the year

New Germantown and German Valley 93

1869 the organ was placed in the church at an expense of $1,200. The record shows 921 children baptized and 519 persons received into the church by confirmation. The present resident membership is 230 communicants.

Such, at the close of the first 100 years of our nation's his- tory, is the history of this church.

As we contrast the church to-day with what it was 100 years ago we have reason to thank God and take courage.

What the next centennial will be depends very much upon us and our children.

Let us remember we are making history, and with such a history before you may you gather new inspiration to-day.

With a faith so pure and scriptural — with a government so in harmony with our free institutions and with such a history together with the memory of what our own beloved church has done for us and for our fathers — truly she is worthy of our love and untiring devotion.

May the language of our hearts to-day be " For her my tears shall fall ; For her my prayers ascend ; To her my cares and toils be given, Till toils and cares shall end." We add to the above a few items to bring the history down to the present time. In the

German Valley Church the Rev. Dr. Hiller resigned his pastorate of 23 years in 1881 to accept a call to the chair of Theology in the Hartwick Lutheran Seminary at Hartwick, N. Y.

He was followed in the year 1891 by Rev. Benjamin B. Col- lins, a returned missionary from Africa, who served the con- gregation until the year 1890, when the Rev. William S. Delp, his brother-in-law, was unanimously called 27 November, 1890, and began his work the 12th of January, 1891, and is still labor- ing in this field. In the

New Germantown Church the Rev. Mr. Reiser's successor in 1850 was the Rev. George S. Collins, who was followed in 1853 by the Rev. Jacob Duy.

94

Early Germans of New Jersey

In 1872 the Rev. John F. Diener accepted a unanimous call and remained until 1879, when he was succeeded by the Rev. John P. Krechting, who is still serving most acceptably the congregation.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GERMAN VALLET.

CHAPTER XII.

THE GERMAN REFORMED.

Michael Schlatter — Wirtz — Stapel — Dalliker — Wack- and German Valley Church.

AVING FOLLOWED the history of the Lutheran division of the Early Germans we now turn to the German Reformed branch. What Muhlenberg was to the Lutheran churches, his friend and fel- low-countryman, Schlatter, was to the German Reformed people. Born at St. Gall, in Switzerland, in 1716, July 14th, he spent some time in Holland, after completing his studies as a teacher, and then, returning to Switzerland, became the Sabbath evening preacher in a church near his birthplace. He soon, however, offered his services to the Synod of North and South Holland as a mis- sionary to the destitute churches of Pennsylvania, which were at that time calling so loudly for help. He arrived at Boston August 1st, 1746, whence he proceeded to Philadelphia. He married, October nth, 1747, Maria Schleidorn, of New York. We have only space to notice briefly his very extensive labors in organizing and developing the very small beginnings of the German Reformed denomination. His labors were of the same o-eneral character as those of Muhlenberg. Like the latter he

p6 Early Germans of New Jersey

cheerfully placed his life in danger to visit the weak and struggling churches scattered so far from one another in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and even Virginia. No searcher for wealth, no enthusiast in scientific exploration endured more hardships or encountered more dangers than did these two devoted missionaries in their unwearied " work of service and labor of love." Schlatter's zeal was not without knowledge, and his tact and good sense carried him safely through trials and persecutions which would have overwhelmed a man of less balance of mind and correctness of deportment. It is said of him that " he was fond of order and had the power and tact of organization in an eminent degree. He was prompt and punc- tual in his appointments, careful and exact in all his business." Like Muhlenberg he was a man of fervent piety and insisted upon a personal experience of the power of the truth. Though carrying on his heart the burden of all the churches he could be in the social circle " free, familiar and full of vivacity and cheerfulness." Moreover, while devoted in heart and soul to his own inherited type of evangelical belief, he was entirely free from sectarianism and bigotry and no unseemly rivalry arose between him and his Lutheran compeer. In 1757 he accepted a chaplaincy in the British army and was present at the capture of Quebec. Two years later he gave up this posi- tion and settled at Chestnut Hill near Philadelphia. At the same time he served congregations at Barren Hill, Franklin- ville and other neighboring localities. He died in the month of October (?) 1790, in his seventy-fifth year.

The Church of German Valley.

The following church history is an enlargement in some parts and a curtailment in others of a discourse by Rev. Isaac Alstyne Blauvelt, delivered 28th April, 1870. Free use has also been made of Harbaugh's " Fathers of the German Re- formed Church."

On the twenty-third of May, 1746, the deputies of the Synods of South and North Holland commissioned a certain Michael Schlatter, to come to this country to visit the various German settlements, organize churches, preach the gospel, administer the sacraments, prepare the way for the settlement of ministers,

New Germantown and German Valley 97

who might be sent from the old country, and take the general oversight of the churches. He had received a considerable portion of his education at Helmstadt, in the Duchy Brunswick, in northwestern Germany. He was fully inducted into the office of the ministry in Holland — probably in the year 1745. In accordance with the commission received from the Synods of South and North Holland, he sailed for America on the 1st of June, 1746. He reached Boston on the 1st of August. From there he went to New York, and thence to Philadelphia. Bos- ton was at that time the largest town in America. He says it contained about three thousand houses. New York, or New Amsterdam, had about two thousand houses. Philadelphia had seven streets running north and south, and seven running east and west. It had about ten thousand inhabitants, and was the second city in America.

Schlatter made his home in Philadelphia, and became the pastor of the German Reformed Church in that city, in connec- tion with the one at Germantown. But he was at home only a small portion of his time, being mainly occupied in visiting and superintending the various churches throughout the country. He kept a journal of his travels, which is still preserved. In this journal are some matters of interest to us. Thus he writes in one place : " When I had safely arrived at home on the third of July, 1747, I found a very earnest and moving letter, written by several congregations in the province of New Jer- sey, namely, at Rockaway, Fox Hill and Amwell, in the region of the Raritan, distant about seventy miles from Philadelphia. They urge me, with the strongest motives, yea, they pray me, for God's sake, to pay them a visit, that I may administer to them the Lord's supper, and by baptism incorporate their children with the church, who have already, during three or more years, remained without baptism." The church of Am- well was at Ringoes, in Hunterdon county. Rockaway is now known as the Reformed Church of Lebanon, and the Fox Hill church is described as " located at the foot of a hill of that name, in German Valley, about thirty miles north of Amwell." [H. Harbaugh]. It was more probably the church on the aunt Katie Sutton farm between German Vallev and Fairmount.

98 Early Germans of New Jersey

It would appear from the letter which Schlatter received, that there had been no minister here for three years or more, and while the general state of morals and religion was, no doubt, pretty low, still the letter proves that there were some earnest christians. I quote again from Schlatter's journal : "On the thirteenth of November, 1747, I undertook the jour- ney to the three congregations in New Jersey, from which I had, on the third of July, received a most friendly and pressing invitation to meet them. On the fourteenth, after a journey of sixty miles, I came to Rockaway. Here I received twenty young persons into the church as members, after they had made a profession of their faith ; preached a preparatory ser- mon on the fifteenth, and on the following da}T administered the Holy Supper in a small church to an attentive and rever- ent assembly. In the afternoon I went to Fox Hill, where I preached a preparatory sermon, and on the following day, which was the eighteenth, administered the Holy Supper to forty members. After I had performed this solemn service, to the great edification of the congregation, and had yet, in each place, preached a thanksgiving sermon after the communion, I returned again to Philadelphia on the twentieth, joyful in heart and giving thanks to God for the support which He had ren- dered me. I cannot refrain from referring briefly to the fact that those three congregations, from gratitude for the service I had rendered them, handed me a pecuniary reward ; and this was the first money which, since my arrival in America up to this time, I have received from any congregation for my labor and pains." Thus early did this congregation show a disposi- tion to be liberal and generous toward its minister — a disposi- tion which it has always cultivated. In after years, the people of this valley acquired quite a reputation for kindness to their pastor — a reputation which they have never lost, and which they still continue to deserve. Schlatter again visited this church in the early part of June, 1748, preached and adminis- tered the sacraments. There was a third visit on the eleventh and twelfth of October, of the same year ; and a fourth visit, from the twenty-second to the twenty-seventh of May, 1749, and a fifth in June, 1750.

New Germantown and German Valley 99

In the fall of 1750, Schlatter was sent to Europe by the German Reformed Synod (which he had himself been instru- mental in forming), for the purpose of seeking help, both in men and in money. In his efforts he was highly successful, receiving the gift of seven hundred bibles and a considerable sum of money. Six young ministers were also sent over, and a general interest in America was awakened in the churches of Holland and Germany. This church, however, received no direct benefit from all this, for none of these men came to the Valley and the money was used elsewhere. For Schlatter said that the people here were " able to provide properly for the support of a minister, and also willing, with great cheerfulness to do it." Schlatter, moreover, reported to the Synods of South and Xorth Holland, that this church, together with that of Rockaway, " implores earnestly that God may at length send forth a faithful laborer into this harvest." This prayer was soon answered ; for in that same year, the people of the two congregations were made happy by having a minister settled among them. The first German Reformed pastor was

Rev. Johannes Conrad Wirtz.

In the town library of Zurich occurs the following : "Johannes Conrad Wirz left Zurich for the Carolinas ; is said to have met Anna Goetschi on the passage and to have married her in America, since which nothing has been heard of him."

This notice connects him with a family whose records, care- fully kept, go back to the middle ages. John Conrad was the fifth son of Johannes Conrad, Sen., who was born 1661, May 5, at Zurick, married Magdalena Klingler, and became a minister in 1682. He was catechist at Wiedikon and afterwards pastor at Neukirch in 1685 ; became pastor at Kloten in 1691 and was chosen deacon at the Silberschield, January 15, 1704. In 1728 he was appointed minister of the church at Kerensen, in Switzer- land, where he died April 20, 1730 ; beside our first pastor, he had five sons and six daughters.

On the 29th of May, 1735, the ship Mercury landed at Phil- adelphia. It contained Palatines and Switzers to the number in all of 186. First on the list of those who sign the declara-

ioo Early Germans of New Jersey

tion of allegiance at the Court House in the presence of Gov- ernor Gordon is Conrad Wuertz. In this same ship were Johannes Moelick, Jacob Maurer, Conrad and Jacob Conrad Naffe and Jacob Naeff. The first and last of these families, and perhaps also the second, settled in New Jersey in the vicinity of Pluckamin.

Among the passengers who are marked absent occurs the name of Henry Goetschy. Of those under sixteen we have Rudolph Goetschy and Moritz Goetschy. The Rev. Moritz Goetschy, who is said to have come over in the same vessel, and whose daughter John Conrad Wirtz married, must have died before the vessel arrived, or immediately afterwards, as his name does not occur in the list. (See Rupp's Thirty Thou- sand Names, p. 99).

The next we hear of Mr. Wirtz is that he (or at least a Swiss bearing his name, only spelling it as it is on the list of emi- grants, Wuert), is pastor of the " Egypter " congregation in Lehigh county in the year 1742. He served this congregation until 1744 and baptised fifteen children. It is said that noth- ing is known of this" man afterwards, but there is nothing to contradict the supposition that he was the same as John Conrad Wirtz.

" In 1746, Oct. 14th or 15th," says Michael Schlatter, " a cer- tain J. C. Wirts, of Zurich, came to visit me, who endeavored to excuse himself for having served as a minister for several years in some congregations in this country without any regular call or ordination. He said he had done this partly in compliance with the earnest solicitations of the people — who would be edified by an .unordained teacher [rather] than remain entirely destitute of spiritual nourishment — and partly on account of having been destitute of any other means of support ; and he humbly entreated me to lend him my counsel and assistance, that he might obtain from the Fatherland a regular ecclesias- tical induction into the office of the ministry, and afterward be properly installed as pastor in some churches that might desire his services. I gave him to understand that I was not yet sufficiently well acquainted either with his abilities or manner of life, nor with the disposition toward him of those congrega-

New Germantown and German Valley ioi

tions in which he had hitherto performed his irregular labors ; but that I hoped in the ensuing spring to be able to investigate the matter, and report to the respective Synods as the circum- stances of the case would seem to warrant, and then await their orders."

Meanwhile, it appears Mr. Wirtz continued in his congrega- tions. On the 28th of June, 1747, Mr. Schlatter came to Saucon, where he speaks of a congregation served, at that time, by this Mr. Wirtz. Mr. Schlatter preached there on the 29th and asked the congregation if they desired Mr. Wirtz to be authorized to serve them as their regular pastor. As there was not perfect unanimity, Mr. Schlatter went on nine miles farther to Spring- field, or Schuggenhaus, a congregation under the irregular care of Mr. Wirtz, where he preached on the 30th, and put the same questions with the same result as before at Saucon. There is nothing in all this, we are told, reflecting in the slightest degree upon Mr. Wirtz's moral character.

The next record relating to our first Reformed pastor is found in the minutes of the Synod of New York, which body included the Presbytery of New Brunswick. It is dated New- ark, Sept. 27th, 1750. "The High Dutch congregation of Rock- away, in the township of Lebanon, applied to the Synod that they might be taken under the care of Synod, and that a cer- tain person now preaching among them may be taken under examination, and, if approved, ordained as a minister. The Synod, in order to clear the way to transact anything with said people, do appoint Mr. Pemberton to make inquiry, of the Dutch ministers of New York, whether said people do belong to their jurisdiction ; and he is to acquaint a committee of Synod how that matter is. And the Synod appoints Messrs. Pierson, Burr, Arthur, Smith and Spencer ; their committee to sit at such time and place as they shall appoint, and transact, in said affair, according as things shall then appear to them." Sept. 21, 175 1. — The committee report that, difficulties rising in their way, from time to time, they could do nothing in the matter ; and, as application is again made, they recommend that it be referred to the Presbytery of New Brunswick, to do as they think best, when the matter is laid before them.

ioj Early Germans or New Jersey

Sept. 28, 1752. — According to the appointment of Synod, the Presbytery of New Brunswick examined the affair of the Dutch congregation at Rockaway, and ordained Mr. Worts (Wirtz) to be their minister." The above is from Records of the Presby- terian Church pp. 241, 243-4 and 246. Rev. Richard Webster in his History of the Presbyterian Church says, page 610, Conrad Worts " was taken up as a probationer, September 3d, 1751, Rockaway asked for him, May 9th, 1752, and he was ordained their pastor on the 5th of June. * * * He was dismissed Oct. 21st, 1761."

The following is an entry made by Mr. Wirtz in the church book of the church of York, Pennsylvania, which gives a de- tailed account of his removal from New Jersey :

"On the 21st day of August, in the year of our dear Redeemer, Jesus Christ, 1791, I, Johannes Conrad Wirz, minis- ter of the word of God and installed pastor of the congregations of Rockaway and German Valley in Jersey, received an invita- tion from this congregation by the hands of Mr. Balthaser Spangler, to visit and preach to them, in the hope that a gracious God would incline our hearts to an affectionate union, and thus again supply this forsaken flock with a faithful pastor and teacher. With the divine blessing and favor, I concluded to accept this invitation, and determined to undertake the jour- ney accompanied by the aforementioned Mr. Spangler. Ac- cordingly, we set out on the 27th day of August and arrived here safe and in good health on the first day of September. On the following Sabbath I preached my first sermon, and, by re- quest, delivered three or four additional discourses subsequently, which were so blessed by the Father of Light that the respected congregation, with unfeigned affection unanimously desired me to become their pastor, inasmuch' as the Rev. Mr. Lischy had forsaken them, and as the members, individually, had confi- dence in me. A formal and regular call, dated September 12, 1 76 1, and signed by the elders and members was tendered to me, which I was unable to decline, yet accepted only on con- dition that I should be able to obtain the consent of my con- gregations in New Jersey and of the reverend Presbytery of New Brunswick, by which I had been ordained to the work of

New Germantown and German Valley 103

the ministry. Subsequently, on obtaining the consent of my congregation and receiving a dismissal from the reverend Presbytery of New Brunswick, dated October 24th, 1761, I removed to this place in the name of the Lord Jesus, and arrived on the 5th of May, 1762, and on the following Sabbath, being the 9th of May, preached my introductory sermon from Rev. X, 10, having resolved to serve this congregation accord- ing to the grace of God in the preaching of the word and the administration of the sacraments, whereunto may a merciful God, for Jesus' sake, grant and communicate the grace, strength and aid of his Holy Spirit.

Johannes Conrad Wirz, V. D. M. May 1 2th, 1762.

There are no records of his ministry in any of the German churches he served in New Jersey. His descendants, however, are found in the State and in this vicinity to the present day Indeed the present Governor of the State, the Hon. George Theodore Werts, is a great-great-grandson of the Rev. John Conrad.

His ministry in the congregation of York continued for onlv a year and a half, when he was called home to his rest and reward on Wednesday, September 21st, 1763. He was buried on the Friday following. His wife survived him. His children will be found in the genealogy of the Wirts family. During the short period of his ministry in York, he baptised eighty- three children, and buried fourteen persons. How many were added to the church is not known, but it appears that the con- gregation flourished. A new church was erected during his ministry. At the' laying of the corner stone he preached from the text Ezra III, 10, 11. He seems to have been enabled to attend to his duties till near the end. His last baptism was performed August 14th, 1763, about one month before he died. At the time of his death the floor was not laid in the church ; so they buried him in the church, under the altar.

"Tradition," says Rev. Mr. Harbaugh, " has preserved his name in good savor, as an earnest and pious minister. The church records, at York, bear various incidental marks of his zeal for the church, and his personal piety and devotion."

104 Early Germans of New Jersey

"After the laying of the corner stone," says the records, " the pastor expressed the following wish : In the church now to be erected may Piety preside, Holiness reign, Truth ever prevail, Love and Harmony dwell."

After Mr. Wirtz left the Valley, the congregation was without a pastor for a number of years. It is probable, however, that the people enjoyed the occasional ministrations of

Rev. Caspar Michael Stapel,

who was settled over the German church at Amwell. This Mr. Stapel was an energetic and efficient minister, and his labors at Amwell were greatly blessed. In a short time, eighty-four persons were added to the church, and his consistory declared that he has " thus destroyed the thought, that in a short time, New Jersey must acknowledge the English Presbyterian church as their church." But Amwell is now a Presbyterian church, and there is not a German Reformed church left in the whole region in which Stapel may have labored. He probably preached also at Alexandria, Knowlton and Stillwater.

Mr. Stapel was born in 1721 and died March 17th, 1766. He was buried in the cemetery at Ringoes. October 29th, 1762, the consistory of the church at Amwell wrote to the Synods of North and South Holland in regard to Mr. Stapel. They praise him and gratefully rejoice in his success. There are, they say, two schoolmasters laboring under his direction ; they stand fully under the coetus ; his ill-natured wife refuses to come to this country ; they desire them to call upon her in the Hamburg papers, to come to her husband, and, if she does not obey, to free him, have him legally divorced, that he may marry again ; " as it is necessary for a minister, in this coun- try, to be married." They say seven years, the legal time, has transpired since she abandoned him. Stapel signs himself President of the Coetus of Pennsylvania, in a letter to the Fathers in Holland, May 17th, 1763. He was also president of a special meeting of the same body, October 24th, 1763.

His will dated Feb. 12th, probated March 5th (?), 1766, [Trenton, Lib. 12, fol. 414], speaks of his wife, "left behind in Germany," and his two sons, John Casper and John Andries,

New Germantown and German Valley 105

for whose benefit he leaves 72 ducats, in the care of his brother- in-law, John Peter Franks, of the city of Rostock, belonging to the Duke of Mecklenberg Schwerin. He also makes bequests to Catherine, the wife of John Housilt of Amwell, to the youngest son of Peter Hufman, late of Amwell, and to Peter Mire, "who formerly lived with me." In the probate of his will he is described as a doctor of divinity and physic.

Rev. Frederick Dalliker

was the second regular pastor of the churches of German Val- ley, Fox Hill, Rockaway, Alexandria and Amwell. He proba- bly also preached at Knowlton and Stillwater. He was born the 2d of February, 1738, and died the 15th of January, 1799, at 60 years of age. The name is said to have been originally de la cour, denoting Huguenot descent. The records of several of the churches under his ministry begin with his pastorate, viz., German Valley in 1769 (May 14th), Rockaway (Lebanon) in 1768 (Nov. 6th), Stillwater with the articles of Union in 1769 (Oct. 12th). The Lebanon book is dated 1762, August 5th, and it may be that the first records are torn out. The inscription on the first page reads Kir c hen- Buck fur die Racheweyler Evangelisch-Reformirte-Gemeine, 1762, den 3 ten August.

At this date Wirtz had left this charge and either Stapel or Dalliker took his place. It seems more probable that Stapel, whose death occurred at Amwell in 1766, and who was there- fore living in this part of New Jersey up to that date, was the pastor of these churches until then. This latter date would therefore be the more probable one for the beginning of Rev. Dalliker's ministry. He began to preach about 1757, according to the statement on his tombstone, where it is said that "he served the Reformed Church in this country forty- two years."

In the minutes of Coetus (Synod) of 1770, it is mentioned that Mr. Dallicker had left the congregation of Amwell on account of strife among them. He continued to minister to the other churches until the fall of 1782. He then removed to Goshenhoppen, Pa., where he remained until 1784. His family will be found in page 320 of the genealogies in Part II of this

io6 Early Germans or New Jersey

work. He is buried at Faulkner Swamp where a suitable memorial stone marks his grave. The text at his funeral was Heb. XIII, 17.

We have in our possession

The Church Records kept by Mr. Dalliker. They are very meagre, however, being not much more than a list of baptisms and confirmations. The following is a translation of the first record made :

" Names of elders and deacons of German Valley congrega- tion, 1769.

Wm. Welsch, Caspar Eick, Conrad Rorick, Diedrich Strubel. Officers elected in the year 1777, instead of those above : Morris Scharpenstein, Jacob Heil, Peter Heil, Jacob Schuler." After this we have a " list of those instructed in regard to the Holy Communion and confirmed." To understand this lan- guage, we must recollect that in those days, no person was admitted to the communion, without previously going to the minister to be taught by him privately, with respect to the doctrines and duties of religion. And all the church members were catechised before every communion. This list, as it ap- pears on the church record, is divided into four parts : First — Single men. Second — Married men. Third — Single women. Fourth — Married women.

For the year 1769, there are fourteen young men, three married men, twenty-five single women, and three married women — forty-six in all. After this, in the course of the twelve years of Mr. Dalliker's pastorate, there were eighty-five added to the communion of the church. Among these names, are a number not now found among us, but others are very familiar. The list of baptisms by Mr. Dalliker commences with the year 1768. Among them all, there is only one adult baptism recorded ; all the rest are infants. And for the thirteen years there are two hundred and twelve baptisms recorded — an aver- age of more than sixteen a year. In the year 1774, there were twenty-nine infants baptized, and the number was nearly as great for several years. During the Revolutionary war, there were not so many.

During Mr. Dalliker's pastorate, it was determined to build

New Germantown and German Valley 107

A New Stone Church. Jt is probable that the old log church had been the property of both the Lutheran and the Reformed congregations. At all events, the stone church was built by the two in partnership. Before building, articles of agreement were drawn up, and signed by the representatives of the two churches. The orig- inal paper was in German, and is not known to be in existence at the present day. But we have an old translation of this ancient document. This translation is as follows :

" Whereas, we the members of the Evangelic Reformed congregation, and we the members of the Evangelic Lutheran congregation, who by reason of the preachers which we have with Germantown, and by reason of the money expended for the church and parsonage-house are members of Zion's Lutheran Church, living in the Dutch Valley, Roxbury township, Morris county, are willing to build a meeting-house jointly :

Be it hereby known to all men that the following conditions were agreed to by the subscribers, representing both congrega- tions, viz :

I. Both parties have agreed to build the meeting-house at their united expenses, so that none of the parties may throw up anything to the other.

II. As the church is built jointly, so it shall be kept up by our posterity jointly : the friendship of both congregations giv- ing us hope that in case of the necessary repairs of the meet- ing-house, the weaker party will be supported by the stronger.

III. Both parties, with respect to Public Worship, shall have an equal right ; in case both preachers should meet to- gether, then, alternately, the one must wait till twelve o'clock, upon the servics of the other.

IV. For the good of both congregations, none shall be ad- mitted to preach, but such as are under a regular church gov- ernment.

V. Whereas, we do not only concern ourselves for ourselves, but for our posterity also, it is our will and opinion that none of the parties shall or can sell their right, in any way or manner.

Acted this 4th day of February, 1774, which is testified :

io8 Early Germans of New Jersey

Frederick Dellicker, V. D. M., Henry Muhlenberg, Jr., Deputy Rector of Zion's Corporation.

Wilhelm Welsch, Philip Weise,

Diediic Strubel, Christoph Karn,

Conrad Rohric, Leonard Neighbour,

Caspar Eick, Roulof Roulofson,

his

Anthony Waldorf, John X Schwachhamer,

mark Adam Lorentz, Andrew Flacky.

The above is a true copy of the original German agreement, translated by me the subscriber, this 3d day of May, 1817.

CASPAR WACK, V. D. M."

In the building of the house, the people of the two congre- gations turned out in a body to cart stone. It had been a previous agreement, that whoever on the day appointed, should bring the first load, should receive the honor of having his horses decorated with flags and rib oons which had been pre- pared for the purpose. There was much excitement on the subject, each one determined, if possible, to secure the prize. Judge David Welsh, who lived near the ground, where David the Fourth now resides, determined to try a little strategy. Accordingly on the evening before, he secretly loaded his wagon with stone, and then concealed it through the night. In the morning, he was up betimes, had his horses harnessed, and started for the ground before sunrise. But he was none too early ; for as he drove up to the spot, he heard the heavy wagons thundering down the mountains on both sides. And although he won the prize of the decorations, he was but little in advance of many others. And before he could get his stone unloaded, all German Valley was on the ground.

The building erected was a very creditable one for that time. It was of good size, and very substantially built, the walls after standing nearly a century, appearing as strong as ever. And from the present appearance, there was some attempt at elegance in the finish of the structure.

That the interior of this venerable building has been so despoiled is a matter for regret. It ought to have been pre- served intact, as a sacred relic of a by-gone age. The pulpit

New Germantown and German Valley 109

floor still remains, high up in the air, about the size of a barrel-head, with a great sounding-board suspended above it. At first no provision was made for heating the church— our fathers being made of better stuff than their children, and not so accustomed to study comfort. After a time a little " ten- plate" stove was introduced, but as this was found to be of little use, a pit was made in the centre of the building, in which, without any chimney, a mass of charcoal was burned.' The old people say that this did not warm the house, but it did make many of the people sick, and it was a common thing for people to be carried out of church. The remains of this old charcoal pit may still be seen in the building.

It would be an interesting thing if we could have a photo- graph of the congregation to which Mr. Dalliker preached in the new church. There were no dainty little loves of bonnets to catch the admiring eye ; neither was there a bewitching jockey hat and feather to drive the young men to distraction. The dresses were not cut according to the pattern of Harper's Bazar, or Godey's Lady's Book, but all was plainest homespun, made up in the plainest style. The men generally wore no coats, and a goodly number were barefooted. The whole as- pect of the congregation was such as would surprise us in these days. There can be no doubt but that you are a better looking people than your fathers.

In the year 1782, Mr. Dalliker left the Valley, and removed to Goshenhoppen, Pennsylvania. He died January 15th, 1799, at the age of sixty years, ten months and seventeen days. He was buried in the German Reformed graveyard of Faulkner Swamp. His descendants are still living in the Valley, and at other points adjacent.

Mr. Dalliker's successor as pastor of the Valley Church was

Rev. Caspar Wack, with regard to whose life we have a somewhat detailed account. He was the son of John George Wack, a native of Wittenberg, in Germany, who came to this country and settled in Philadelphia in the autumn of 1748. Soon after- ward he was married to Elizabeth Schuyler. He was a shoe-

no Early Germans or New Jersey

maker by trade ; a highly respectable man and an elder in the church on Race street, Philadelphia. He had four children : Caspar, John Jacob, Barbara and Elizabeth. Caspar was born August 15th, 1752. When a boy he gave evidence of consid- erable mental ability. His pastor, Dr. Weyberg, became inter- ested in him as a promising lad, took him into his family and educated him. In his seventeenth year he was sent to the vacant church at Lancaster to act as catechist. A few months afterward he preached publicly to the congregations of Tohic- ken, Indianfield and Great Swamp. These congregations were so much pleased with the young preacher that they sent a call to the Coetus for his regular services as their pastor. This was in 1 77 1. According to the minutes of the Coetus, " Mr. Wack was examined in the truths of God's word, and as to the way of salvation ; and, having rendered full satisfaction to the Reverend Coetus, it was agreed and resolved that he should continue to catechise and preach in these congregations as heretofore ; his ordination, however, shall be deferred for the present, till the Reverend Fathers, Synods of Holland, have been consulted in regard to the matter, and what they shall advise shall hereafter be done in regard to Mr. Wack." The precise date of Mr. Wack's ordination is unknown. It probably took place as soon as permission was received from the Synods of Holland. He was the first young man born in America who entered the ministry of the German Reformed Church, and he was the first man ever ordained by that church in this coun- try. Shortly after his ordination he received an invitation to visit Europe, with the promise of having his expenses paid and a handsome present beside. But, out of respect for the wishes of his parents, he declined the temping offer and went on with his ministerial labor. His charge was an extensive one, em- bracing a large part of Montgomery, Bucks and Northampton counties.

Not long after his ordination he was married to Barbara Leidy, of Franconia township, Montgomery county. He con- tinued in this Pennsylvania charge till 1782, when he was called to the churches of German Valley, Rockaway and Fox Hill. This call he declined ; but, on its being sent to him the second

New Germantown and German Valley hi

time, he accepted it, and soon afterward removed to the Valley. Beside preaching in these churches, as pastor, he also supplied the congregations at Stillwater, Knowlton and Sussex Court House. A truly extensive charge ! If your minister should be heard to complain of the length of the drive to the Lower Valley, it might not be improper to remind him of Caspar Wack.

Preaching in English.

When Mr. Wack first came to the Valley the preaching was all in German, but, in course of time, as the English came gradually to be the language of the majority of the congrega- tion, he adopted it in his pulpit ministrations ; and toward the latter part of his pastorate he preached only an occasional ser- mon in German to please the old people. As to the character of Mr. Wack's English in his earlier days, we may get an idea from a story that is told of a certain army officer, who happened on one occasion to be in the neighborhood where Mr. Wack was to preach. Having understood that Mr. Wack was a Ger- man, he went to church to hear how a German sermon would sound. On his return he expressed himself as very much pleased. He " never knew before that German was so much like English." He "could understand a great deal of what Mr. Wack said." It so happened that Mr. Wack's sermon on that day was in English ; or at least he meant it for English. In later years Mr. Wack came to understand English better, although he always had a decided German accent. It is said that there are some of his sermons still in existence, written with a great deal of care, in correct English, with the pronun- ciation of the words marked as he had found it in his dictionary. Mr. Wack was possessed of some knowledge of music, and while in the Valley he

Taught a Singing School.

This school met at private houses, and was attended with no little interest by the young people. The hymns sung were in German. I am told by one who was present in this school, as a child, that the " old Dutch singing was better than the English singing is now-a-days." It was generally in the fugue

ii2 Earl Germans of New Jersey

style — the various parts chasing each other about like snow- flakes in a high wind.

In addition to his ministerial labors, Mr. Wack carried on a farm. His farm embraced that now [1870] owned by Mr. John Swackhammer, together with that of Mr. Andrew Creger. He lived on the spot where Mr. Swackhammer's house now stands. Beside the farm, he made use of the water power which he had on his place, to drive an oil-mill and a fulling-mill. With all these irons in the fire, he yet made money, amassing a consid- erable property while in the Valley.

As may be conjectured from the number and diversified character of his employments, and from his general success he was a man of no little activity, both bodily and mental. Though a short man and quite stout, he was very light on foot, and he was fond of exhibiting his agility. In those days, before eight hour laws or ten hour laws were dreamed of, he used to be out with his men at the first peep of day ; and when the call to breakfast came, it was usual for him to say, " Now, boys, a race !" and as tradition has it, he was rarely beaten. There are several stories told of the quickness of

His Wit.

A Universalist preacher, once attempting to dispute with him, affirmed that his doctrine was an old one — that it was preached in Paradise — meaning to claim the promise of the seed of the woman to bruise the serpent's head, as a proof of the doctrine of universal salvation. Mr. Wack replied, " Yes, your doctrine was preached in Paradise, and the devil preached it ; his text was, Ye shall not surely die." At another time, a Restorationist was urging his false doctrine that after suffering a certain length of time, the wicked will all be released. " If that be so," said Mr. Wack, "I don't see what you have to do here, where I am doing all I can to prevent people from going to hell ; your proper mis- sion is in hell itself, preaching the gospel of prospective deliver- ance to those who are in torment." Another story is told of him which shows that he was not backward in rebuking sin. One day, while on one of his long journeys, which he always made

New Germantown and German Valley 113

on horseback, a young man stopped him and asked permission to ride. " Certainly," said Mr. Wack, " get up behind me." Now it happened that this young man was one whose life was a great way from the teachings of both law and gospel, and when once seated on the parson's horse, Mr. Wack gave him such an amount of wholesome admonition that the young man afterwards declared it to have been the hardest ride that he ever took.

Mr. Wack was regarded as a man of considerable learning for his day, and while in the Valley he had several students with him in course of preparation for the miristry. Among these was his only brother, John Jacob Wack. After complet- ing his course of study in the Valley, John Jacob Wack settled at Amwell, and afterwards removed to Fort Plain and Stone Arabia, in New York. He acted as chaplain in the army dur- ing the war of 181 2.

The ministry of Mr. Wack in the Valley was not unsuccess- ful, so far as gathering members into the church is concerned. During the twenty-seven years of his pastorate, ninety-eight persons were confirmed as communicants.

Mr. Wack had one daughter, who died young, and nine sons, who lived to grow up. Of these, George became a minister and preached in Pennsylvania ; William lived in this Valley and became an elder of the church, and many of the old pastor's posterity are still with us.

Mr. Wack left the Valley in 1809, to take charge of the churches of Whitemarsh and Germantown, in Pennsylvania. He served the two churches for twelve years. He then gave up Germantown and served Whitemarsh for two years longer. This was his last regular charge, though he supplied some churches in Chester county for several years. The last four or five years of his life, he resided with his son. Dr. Philip Wack. He died at his son's house, July 19th, 1839, lacking only seven days of being eighty-seven years old.

After Mr. Wack left the Valley the church was vacant for four years. And not only was there no settled pastor, but there was a destitution of the regular preaching of the word. It was only now and then, at irregular intervals that the con-

ii4 Early Germans or New Jersey

gregation enjoyed a visit from a minister. Still the church was held together, and the Lord's work went on. During the four years' vacancy, there were thirty-one confirmations.

But yet the people were not satisfied. They longed for the privilege of regular worship. And as from their remote posi- tion and other causes, the German Reformed Synod of Penn- sylvania was unable to help them, the people felt constrained to look to their Presbyterian neighbors. And as their only resource, they resolved, as a body, to seek admission into the communion and fellowship of the Presbyterian Church. The Reformed Synod remonstrated ; but the congregation answered that their only reason for desiring to change their ecclesiastical connection was necessity — a reason which is always satisfactory.

So here endeth the history of the German Reformed Church of German Valley.

The Presbyterian Church of German Valley.

In the year 1813, German Valley was within the territorial limits of the Presbytery of New Brunswick. When, therefore, the churches of German Valley and Fox Hill determined to enter the Presbyterian connection, they presented their appli- cation to the Presbytery of New Brunswick. Their request was made on the 5th of October, 1813, and on the 6th it was granted. On the same day, October 6th, they presented to the Presbytery a call for the pastoral services of

Mr. Jacob R. Castner, to labor in each of the churches one-third of the time. Mr. Castner was a native of Somerset county, brought up near Pluckamin. He had been licensed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, at Newton, January 15th, 1812. He had preached in the Valley for a little time before the call was made out, and it was partly on his account, and through his influence, that the congregation had decided to connect themselves with the Presbyterians.

On the 9th of November Presbytery met in German Valley for the purpose of ordaining and installing Mr. Castner. He was first examined as to his views of the sacraments and church government. He then preached his trial sermon from John

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New Germantown and German Valley 115

m : 16 — " God so loved the world that he gave his only begot- ten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." These exercises proving satisfac- tory, Presbytery proceeded with the ordination and installation services. George S. Woodhull presided, Rob't Finley preached the sermon, and David Comfort gave a charge to both pastor and people.

When Mr. Castner entered upon his pastorate he found

His Session

composed of the following members : David Welsh, David Miller, Henry I. Huffman and William Delliker.

When Mr. Castner came here the church consisted of thirty- seven members, of whom Mrs. George Neighbour is the only one now living, in attendance upon the church ; and, partly as a consequence of the long vacancy, the state of religion and morals was not very encouraging. The new pastor, therefore, set himself to work as a reformer of abuses. Mr. Castner was admirably fitted for this. He was a man of superior mind, strong convictions, both as to truth and duty, great persever- ance and energy, and a spirit that was perfectly fearless.

Rev. D. X. Junkin, D. D., says of him : " What virtuous mind that knew him did not love and admire him ? Had all my hearers known him, as many of them did, my task were done when his name was pronounced. But all did not know him. Bodily he was rather under medium stature ; but his frame was lithe, compact and firmly knit. Dark hair, a keen and penetrating dark eye, acquiline features, a brow betokening great powers of thought, a mouth and chin indicating great firmness of purpose and of principle, a manner and gate quick and determined, made him a man of marked presence. He possessed a mind of decided force and acuteness. He grasped a subject with strength, and wielded it with power. He was a natural orator ; and one of the best, if not the very best, extempore speakers in the Presbytery or the Synod. His read- iness in this respect was probably a hindrance to the full development of his really great powers. His very active and laborious habits, and the multitude of his preachings, led him

n6 Early Germans of New Jersey

to rely too much upon his extempore powers, and prevented that culture in the study that would have made him one of the most polished and impressive pulpit orators of his generation. As it was, he was an able, laborious and successful minister of the Word. An early and fearless champion of the temperance reformation, he probably did more for that cause than any man in the bounds of the Presbyter}7. Once convinced that a thing was right, nothing could swerve him from its advocacy. He was utterly fearless — a man of unwavering moral courage. But whilst bold as a lion in defending the right and denounc- ing the wrong, he was gentle as a lamb and tender as a woman in the intercourse of social life. A warm-hearted friend, a sympathizing comforter, he was one of the most interesting conversers I ever met. A natural gentleman, he could be firm without arrogance, and entertaining without egotism. He was almost idolized in his congregation and was respected and beloved by his brethren and throughout the churches. Born at Liberty Corner, he pursued his classical studies at Basking - ridge and Princeton, and studied theology under Dr. Finley, of Baskingridge, for whom he always cherished great veneration. German Valley, Fox Hill and Black River [Chester], were the first field of his labors. At the formation of the Presbytery of Newton he was pastor of Mansfield, in which he was settled in 182c, and here he continued until on the 26th of April, 1848, when he was suddenly arrested by the hand of death, and borne from his earthly toils to his heavenly rest. ' He fell with his armor on. Long had he stood in the front of the battle. For thirty-five years he fearlessly confronted error, immorality and worldliness, as an ordained minister of Jesus Christ. The effect of his sudden exit from us is as when a standard bearer falleth.' " — [Discourse at Jubilee Newton Pres.~\.

It was during Mr. Castner's pastorate that the first Sunday ■school in German Valley was established. This important event took place in the year 1816. The school was organized in an old red school-house, which stood at the southeast corner of the old grave-yard. Mr. Castner himself acted as Superinten- dent, though afterwards assisted by David Welsh, the third. A very efficient teacher in the school was a Miss Bracket, a New

New Germantown and German Valley 117

England lady, mistress of the day school. She was afterwards Mrs. White, and the mother of Rev. Dr. White, not long since pastor at Mendham. Among the other teachers in that first school were Conrad Raric, William and David Neighbour. They studied the bible and the New England primer. And not only did they learn the Shorter Catechism, but the Larger Catechism was also recited. Library books and children's papers there were none, but this lack was, perhaps, not in every respect a loss.

During Mr. Castner's pastorate there was no very extensive ingathering of members at any one time. Still, the preaching of the word was blessed, and there were additions to the mem- bership of the church every year except 181 8. During the whole seven years of his pastorate, thirty-four were added on profession and four by certificate. In the winter of 1820-21, Mr. Castner removed to Mansfield (Washington, N. J.), where he labored until his death.

Mr. Castner was succeeded almost immediately by John C. Van Dervoort. He preached here before he was licensed, while still a student of theology at New Brunswick. Dr. Campbell complained of this to Presbytery as an irregular proceeding, and, the Pres- bytery sustaining his complaint, it was brought before the Synod ; but no very decided action appears to have been taken by that body. Mr. Van Dervoort was soon after regularly ordained and installed as pastor of German Valley and Fox Hill. His home was in the Valley — the house now (1870) occupied by Mr. John Miller, at Middle Valley. This house was owned by the two congregations of German Valley and Fox Hill, in partnership.

Mr. Van Dervoort was not remarkable for his learning, nor for his ability as a sermonizer. But he was a good man, with a sincere love for souls. He had a remarkably fine voice, " a smarter voice than Mr. Hutton's," and showed a great deal of heart in his preaching. There are a number still living who remember the earnest, tender and affectionate manner in which he used to persuade people to seek the Saviour.

So far as the addition of members is concerned, Mr. Van

xi8 Earl Germans of New Jersey

Dervoort's pastorate was a successful one. In the year 1822 forty-three persons were added to the church at one communion season — forty-six during the entire year. The whole number of additions on examination recorded, from i82i-i825,was fifty- two. Mr. Van Dervoort left here in 1828 to take charge of the church of Basking Ridge. He died at Ghent, N. Y., in 1850.

The next pastor was

Mancius Smedes Hutton, who, though born and brought up in the Dutch Reformed Church, had studied theology at Princeton. After his gradua- tion he labored for a short time at Wawarsing, N. Y. From there he came to German Valley in 1828.

When Mr. Hutton came to the Valley he found a church composed of seventy-two members. During his pastorate twenty-two were added on examination and ten by certificate. The first entry made by Mr. Hutton in the sessional records is the account of the nomination by the session on February 6th, 1829, of David W. Miller, George Neighbour and Geo. Crater as

Elders of the church. They were all elected on the 18th of February and ordained soon afterwards.

One of the most important events of Mr. Hutton's pastorate was the building of the

New Church. It came about in this way : A new congregation had just been established at Clinton, and, as Mr. Hutton had been preaching there, greatly to the edification of the people, they called him to become their first pastor. This call Mr. Hutton was inclined to accept, but the Valley people were loth to lose him. There- upon, Mr. Hutton promised the congregation that if they would build a new church, he would decline the call to Clinton. So, partly under the stimulus of a desire to retain a much beloved pastor, and partly from a conviction that a new house was needed, the people set to work to build.

It was determined that the new house should belong to the Presbyterians exclusively, both congregations being convinced that it was not advisable te continue the partnership business

New Germantown and German Valley 119

any longer. The Lutherans accordingly built a church at the same time, 1832, and the two congregations have been indepen- dent of each other ever since.

In the building of the church, there was a great difficulty in determining the location. At one time, it was decided to build on the hill near Middle Valley, on the ground now occupied as a cemetery. Afterwards a lot was chosen a little below the present residence of P. W. Swackhammer, in a wheat field — and the unripe wheat was actually cut off to clear the ground for the builders. Finally, however, the present site was chosen, and the lot was given by Mr. Hager and Mr. Swackhammer. But this was not done without much discussion — Mr. Swack- hammer being anxious to save his garden, and Mr. Hager finding it hard to spare his favorite pear tree. The lot question being settled at last, the next thing was a plan for the new church. This Mr. Hutton procured from Mr. M. Thompson, a New York architect, the father-in-law of Robert Carter, the celebrated publisher. Such a thing as an architect's drawings had never been heard of in German Valley or any where in this part of the world. The event, however, proved the wisdom of Mr. Hutton's course in this particular ; for when the church was finished it was esteemed a marvel for beauty, and for many years it retained its pre-eminence as the handsomest church by far in this whole region of country.

The cost of the building was about three thousand dollars. This was raised by subscription. The largest amount given by any one man was three hundred dollars, from Leonard Neigh- bour, the father of all the Valley Neighbors. Considering the circumstances of the times, and the amount required for the building,this subscription was about equal to one of a thousand dollars at the present day. An example of liberality which is truly admirable, and well worthy of imitation.

Mr. Hutton left the Valley in 1834, to become the colleague of Rev. Dr. Matthews, in the pastorate of the South Dutch Church of New York. The congregation to which they min- istered afterwards divided, one portion with Dr. Hutton as pastor, forming the church on Washington Square. Dr. Hutton still continues in this charge, and has become one of the most

i2o Early Germans or New Jersey

prominent and influential ministers in the denomination to which he belongs.

Mr. Hutton's successor was

Rev. James Scott, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New York. Mr. Scott was a man of considerable learning, and superior ability as a preacher. He was a Scotchman, and he had the Scottish habit of preach- ing long sermons. But his sermons were not mere long strings of words ; there was solid timber in them. Some objected to his preaching that he was always harping on fore-ordination. And it is certainly not a little remarkable that within so short a space of time this church should have had two pastors — Mr. Castner and Mr. Scott — who were ultra Calvinists. Mr. Scott seems to have presented these doctrines out of their proper proportion, and in such a manner as to lead many to mistake the decrees of God for a blind fate. A good old man, a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, remarked that he " believed the Articles of the Synod of Dort, and that he liked to hear Mr. Hutton preach election, but that Mr. Scott he could not go."

Soon after Mr. Scott's settlement he became involved in some difficulties with respect to the

Lower Valley Church. The church building in the Lower Valley was erected in Mr. Hutton's time. It owed its origin in part to a disappointment in the location of the Presbyterian Church. Some time after- wards the Presbytery of Raritan organized a congregation in the Lower Valley. This action Mr. Scott opposed, but his opposition was ineffectual. Thereupon an appeal and com- plaint was made to the Synod by the session of the church. In advocating this appeal before Synod, Mr. Scott went into a somewhat elaborate explanation of the relative position of German Valley and Schooley's Mountain ; and in the course of his speech he gave the Synod to understand that " the Valley does not extend up over the mountain." The Synod sustained the appeal of the session, and although the Presbytery of Rar- itan never rescinded its action, the Lower Valley Church soon died out.

As already remarked, the Church of German Valley, when

New Germantown and German Valley iax

it first became a Presbyterian Church, was connected with the Presbytery of New Brunswick. Afterwards, when the Pres- bytery of Newton was formed, the Valley Church fell into the uew Presbytery. Still later, when the Raritan Presbytery was formed, this church was connected with it. But the congrega- tion, not being pleased with the action of Raritan Presbytery, with respect to the organization of the Lower Valley Church, by a unanimous vote, the Synod was requested to transfer the church to the Presbytery of Newton. The transfer was made accordingly, and the church continued in Newton until 1861, when it was set back again into Raritan.

Soon after Mr. Scott entered upon his duties here, the total membership of the church was reported at sixty-seven. Dur- ing the eight years that he continued here, forty-six were added on examination and fourteen on certificate. His Scotch dread of new measures and religious excitements, appears in a minute made on the reception of seventeen new members in 1843. '• These," he says, " were the fruit of a genuine revival of religion ; the session being well satisfied of their piety, and all of them having been exercised for a considerable period, the most two, three and even four years."

On the 6th of October, 1839, the session resolved to nom- inate Mr. David Neighbour to the office of ruling elder. On the evening of October 13th, after public service, Mr. Neigh- bour was elected by a unanimous vote of the congregation, and was at once ordained. Immediately after the ordination, the session elected Mr. Neighbour to represent the church at the meeting of the Synod to be held in Trenton, on the following Sunday. So immediately did Mr. Neighbour enter upon the responsible duties of his office. And from that day to this — with the exception of a few years, during which he resided outside of the bounds of the congregation — he has been con- stantly and actively engaged in the service of the church. Long may he live to bless the church with his wise counsels and his good deeds ; by his faithful discharge of duty, his gen- erous liberality, and his earnest devotion to the cause of Christ, to furnish an example and a stimulus to a younger generation !

There can be little doubt but that in former years the

U2 Early Germans or New Jersey

church had been making contributions to benevolent obiects. but there is no record of the fact before Mr. Scott's day. For the year ending in April, 1839, the church is reported as having raised " Missionary Funds" to the amount of $60. Two years later $72 are reported as contributed — $40 to Foreign Missions, $10 to the Bible Society, and $22 to the Theological Seminary. In 1842 the session ordered that hereafter quarterly collections be taken for benevolent objects, beginning with the Board of Foreign Missions, on the first Sunday in May.

At the beginning of the year 1843, Mr. Scott received a call from the Reformed Dutch Church of Newark, which he decided to accept. The Presbyter}- of Newton released him from his charge in the month of February. After he went to Newark he took a prominent position in the Dutch Church, and soon received the honorary degree of D.D. He died in 1858, at the age of forty-nine years.

As long as Mr. Scott continued here he and his horse, " Dack," had taken their regular trips to Fox Hill, good- humoredly enough. But, whatever the horse may have thought, his master was convinced that it was desirable for both the churches that they should have separate pastors. Accordingly, just before Mr. Scott left the Valley, at his suggestion, the session resolved " to support a minister for the future the en- tire of his time." The parsonage at Middle Valley had been previously sold, the money divided between the two churches of German Valley and Fox Hill, now Fairmount, and the house now owned by this church bought and enlarged ; and from that time the two churches have had no other connection than that of friendly neighbors.

Mr. Scott was followed by

Robert G. Vermilye,

a man of pleasant, gentlemanly address, a good scholar and an able preacher. While in the Valley he was much esteemed by the people ; but his stay was short — less than three years. During this time eight persons were received into the com- munion of the church on examination and five by certificate. It was in Mr. Vermilye's time (1844) that "the new hymn

REV. THEODORE FRELINQHUYSEN CHAMBERS.

New Gkrmantown and German Valley 123

book (psalms and hymns) was introduced, by vote of session." After Mr. Vermilye left the Valley, in 1846, he soon received the degree of D.D., became a professor in the East Windsor Theological Seminary, now at Hartford, and continues to hold a high rank among the ministers of the church. Mr. Vermilye's successor was

James Hall Mason Knox, a son of Dr. John Knox, of New York, and a grandson of the famous Dr. John Mason. Mr. Knox graduated at New Bruns- wick Seminary in 1845, and came to the Valley in 1846. He was one of the most popular and efficient pastors that the church ever had. The impression which he made upon the congregation was of a lasting character, and his sayings and doings are frequently quoted at the present day.

He introduced, in 1849, a custom of holding a monthly con- cert of prayer, for missions, in connection with the Lutheran congregation.

Through his influence and efforts a parochial school was started, which, with a little aid from the Board of Education, was carried on for several years, with no little efficiency and success. And not a few of the men and women of the Valley owe a great deal to that school, and to its excellent teacher, Mr. James S. Taylor.

During the five years of Mr. Knox's pastorate twenty-four persons were received into the communion of the church by examination and ten by certificate.

Mr. Knox left the Valley in 1851 to take charge of the Reformed Dutch Church of Easton, Pa. Two years later he accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church at German- town, Pa., where he continued until the fall of 1869, when he resigned his charge. Like the other ministers who had left the Valley, Mr. Knox soon received the Doctorate, and his name and fame are well known throughout the church. After Mr. Knox went away,

Garret Van Artsdalen came to the charge of the church. He stayed but three yean. During this period, nine persons were added to the church by

124 Early Germans or New Jersey

certificate and thirty-eight on examination — of these, thirty-six at a single communion occasion. After a vacancy of about a year,

Rev. William R. Glenn,

of the First Presbyterian Church of Tamaqua, accepted a call to the German Valley Church. He entered upon his labors here in the autumn of 1856. Mr. Glenn is a good preacher, as all affirm, and his labors here were attended by a fair measure of success. During the eleven years of his pastorate nine per- sons were added to the church by certificate and ninety by examination. This is the largest number received by any one pastor.

The pastoral relation between Mr. Glenn and this church was dissolved by the Presbytery, meeting at Clinton, January 13th, 186S. Mr. Glenn went to Bloomington, Illinois, where he is now laboring with very encouraging prospects.

Rev. Isaac Alstyn Blauvelt, D. D., the present pastor, was called from Clinton, N. J., in the sum- mer of 1868 ; commenced labor on the 1st of August ; removed to the Valley August 20th ; was installed by the Presbytery of Raritan, October, 1868. Since that time the most noteworthy event has been the remodeling and enlarging of the church. The people had before determined that this work must be done, and little urging from the pastor was needed. Silas Neighbour, Jesse Huffman and I. Alstyne Blauvelt were chosen to act as a Building Committee. Messrs. Graham, Elizabeth, N. J., furnished the designs for the improvements. The work has been done, the ladies have provided the furniture and bell, and the results are before the eyes of the world. This day we enter our new and beautiful house, full of hope for the future.

Recalling the history of the past, we are constrained to render grateful praise that hitherto the Lord hath helped us ; and, as we go over the story of our Father's loving kindness in the days gone by, we thank God and take courage.

Mr. Blauvelt resigned in 1874 to accept the call to the Pres- byterian Church of Roselle where he is still laboring. He had the degree of D. D. conferred upon him in 1893 by the college

i.

New Germantown and German Valley 125

of New Jersey. Mr. Blauvelt was born at Lamington, N. J., March 31, 1839. He is the son of old Dt. Blauvelt, who was pastor for so many years of the church of Lamington, Somerset Co., N. J., and who was recognized in his day as a man of un- questioned ability and entitled to all the influence and respect which his long and successful ministry had so well earned for him.

Mr. Blauvelt graduated from Princeton College in 1857 and Princeton Seminary in i860. He was stated supply for four years (1860-4) at Plumstead, Cream Ridge and Plattsburg, N. J.; pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Clinton, N. J., 1864-3.

Rev. Edward Pavson Linnell, followed Mr. Blauvelt in the summer of 1874. He had been supplying the pulpit, while a student in the Seminary. He was born on the t8th of April, 1846, at Granville, Ohio, and was educated both at Denison University at Granville, and at Hamilton College, N. Y. He graduated from Union Seminarv, N. Y., in 1874. His memory is connected with a sad bereave- ment at the beginning of his ministry in the loss of his young wife within a few months of their marriage and his own death at a time and under circumstances to make it seem doubly painful. Having resigned from the pastorate of German Val- ley on the 9th of May, 1882, he accepted an appointment to labor in Montana, in connection with the church at Miles City. It was in the midst of his exhausting labors in this extensive field that he was stricken down at the early age of forty years on the 23d of July, 1886. He had been installed as pastor of the Miles City church on the 8th of February, 1885.

A sermon in memorial of him was preached at German Valley Sept. 5th, 1886, by the Rev. J. F. Brewster. Rev. D. B. Hervey, of Granville, Ohio, says of him : "Asa preacher and brother I held him in high esteem. As a speaker he attracted attention in the early stages of his college course. His voice possessed an unusual clearness of tone, and this connected with a distinctness of enunciation, which was natural to him, gave a charm to his public address, which engaged every ear. His sermons were always characterized by richness of thought, -clearness of illustration and force of statement. * * * ge

126

Early Germane or New Jersey

was devoted body and soul to one purpose, and wholly absorbed in thoughts and plans for its accomplishment. That one pur- pose was the salvation of souls and the prosperity of the church." Mr. Linnell was followed by the

Rev. Henry M. Voorhees, who became the pastor here in 1883 and continued to serve this church until June, 1886, when he resigned to accept the call to become the pastor of a Reformed church in New York State. After preaching in that place for several years, finding the climate too severe, at the advice of physicians, he removed to the Reformed Church of High Bridge, N. J. He remained at High Bridge for several years when he removed to California on account of his health and is now living there as the pastor of a Presbyterian church.

Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen Chambers, the present pastor, came in the year 1887 and is still rendering service.

CHAPTER XIII.

FAIRMOUNT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

(0X HILL was originally the name of the whole region now centering in German Valley. It became the name at a later date of the church now called Fairmount. The history of this church should now follow. We condense the historical dis- course of Rev. W. O. Ruston, D. D., preached August 6th, 1876, at Fairmount. The church of Fox Hill was connected with the church of German Vallev until 1843. Previously to this date the same pastors served both churches. The first part of Rev. Mr. Ruston's historical sermon is largely omitted since it treats of the matters already pre- sented in the history of German Valley.

It would seem probable that more than 130 years ago there was an old log church at the foot of the hill, on the farm of Mrs. Kate Sutton, now farmed by Mr. George S. Hoffman. May it not be that it was in this church that Michael Schlatter preached in July, 1747, when he speaks of preaching in the church of Fox Hill ? All this is buried in deep obscurity, from which there seems to be no resurrection. The Second Church Building. About 120 or 125 years ago it was determined to build a new house for the service of the living God. Ground was obtained for this church on the hill known as Fox Hill, then called Foxenburgh — the site of the present church. The name Foxen- burgh was derived from the original owner of the hill — a man

128 Early Germans of New Jersey

named Fox. It seems that this Fox was a very enterprising farmer, introducing a new and superior variety of wheat into the country. The people took such a fancy to this brand that they would come to Fox's place from a gTeat distance around to buy wheat. Hence it began to be said they were going to Foxenburgh — and this name has clung to it ever since. It may be interesting to note that this Fox lived on the farm now owned by Mr. J. Van Dervoort Welsh, in an old log house in the hollow below the house now occupied by Mr. Jacob Helde- brant.

The land on which the church stands was given to the con- gregation by Jame6 Parker, the non-resident owner of a vast tract of country in this neighborhood, and from whom the place was called Parkersville.

On this spot a church was finally erected and dedicated to God Almighty. The exact date of the building of this church can not now be determined, and we can only approximate thereto. It must have been built before 1760, as by the testi- mony of old persons, now dead, it was standing at that date.

The old church must have been a curious affair from all that is said abeut it. Those who worshipped in it in their younger days — and there are many yet living — describe it as a wooden structure, shingled, not only on the roof, but on the sides also — it was a shingle church. Inside it was neither lathed nor plastered, but boarded up. The floor was formed of two-inch plank, not nailed, but pinned down. The seats were the plainest and most substantial that could be made, consisting simply of a board properly supported, and another board nailed up perfectly straight for a back. The house was lighted by two rows of windows, and the shutters consisted of plain boards with long iron bands to secure them in position. Galleries surrounded the church, while the pulpit was not placed at the end, as is customary, but on one side. This pulpit was hung up, as one who in youth often worshipped there has aptly described it, " like a swallow's nest," and a large sounding- board held up by a rod of iron formed a fitting cover for the "Dominie." The women used to bring their little foot-stoves with them, and stopping at some friend's house near the church

Fairmount Presbyterian Church 129

would light a charcoal fire, and so keep their feet warm during service.

The building of

A New Church

was determined on, and finally, in 18 16, the edifice was erected. This church was built on the site of the present one, though it was smaller in dimensions ; galleries were on three sides.

It was a stone church, like the present one, and, no doubt, was a fine church for the day in which it was built. This building cost $2,850.

In the following year, 1817, the church was incorporated according to law, and a board of trustees elected under the corporate name of " The President and Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church in Parker's Village, on Fox Hill." Henry Miller was President. The church was now fully organized and ready for work.

Mr. Castner did a good work in bringing about a better observance of the Sabbath. Mr. Castner was succeeded by

Rev. John C. Van Dervoort.

Mr. Van Dervoort had not as yet completed his education, but was still studying in the seminary at New Brunswick.

The Presbytery at first complained against his course as irregular and unpresbyterian, but it finally ordained and in- stalled him. He preac ed at German Valley and Fox Hill, giving two Sundays at he former place and one at the latter. Although not what would be called an able man, Mr. Van Dervoort was a most excellent pastor, reaching by his tender, earnest appeals the sinner s heart. He did not confine his labors to the Sabbath, but during the week, at the log farm- houses, or wherever he could gather a few together, he would preach the glorious gospel of Christ. Thus it was that from house to house he proclaimed Jesus Christ and him crucified. One incident will exhibit his characteristic zeal and earnest- ness, and will show how he would exhort the people till they were greatly moved. On one occasion he took for his text Prov. 29: 1, " He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."

130 Earl Germans of New Jersey

In the course of his remarks he said : " I have prayed with you, I have urged you, I have warned you, I have done every- thing to show you the danger, and I have pointed out the remedy. What more can I do ? This I will do : I will implore you here on my knees no longer to harden your necks" — and falling on his knees in the pulpit, he continued his sermon in the attitude of prayer, producing a most powerful impression. After a very successful ministry, he left here in 1827 to take charge of the church of Basking Ridge.

In 1828

Rev. Mancius Smede Hutton entered upon his duties as pastor of the two churches of Ger- man Valley and Fox Hill. At this time the elders of the church were Morris Crater, John C. Salter, George A. Vescelius and Philip Crater.

Mr. Hutton met with notable success in his ministrations, and at one time there was a very powerful revival in the church. The result of this special outpouring of God's Spirit was the addition of more than forty members to the church, and throughout his pastorate many were continually added.

Dominie Hutton left here to accept a call to the South Dutch Church of New York. Never has there been a pastor so greatly beloved as he.

During the year 1835

James Scott was installed pastor of the two churches that had so long been united together.

During Mr. Scott's ministry thirty-eight were united to the church — twenty-six on profession of faith.

On the 26th of March, 1843, Joseph Magee and John J. Crater were ordained elders by Mr. Scott, though he had already been dismissed by Presbytery to accept a call to the Dutch Church of Newark.

The following resolutions were passed at the congregational meeting which accepted the resignation of Mr. Scott, February 14th, 1843 :

Resolved, 1st, That the congregation of Fox Hill shall acquiesce in the decision of Presbytery. At the same time they

Fairmount Presbyterian Church 131

wish Presbytery to understand that nothing but what appears to be the movement of Providence could lead them to consent to the separation of a union so blessed to them, and one so universally acceptable.

Resolved, 2d, That in accordance with the recommendation of our pastor, Mr. Scott, if Presbytery dissolve the relationship this congregation take measures to support the gospel the whole of a minister's time for the future."

The church of Fox Hill now called as its first pastor the Rev. I. S. Davison. The effect of the change showed itself in a large ingathering of souls into the church. During his stay forty-seven persons were admitted to church membership, thirty-eight of them being on profession of their faith.

In March, 1846, two new elders were elected — namely, Fred- erick P. Hoffman and George H. Lindebaury, who still remain with us — the only members of the session as constituted at that time now living.

Mr. Davison sought and obtained a dissolution of the pas- toral relation in the spring of 1847. He still lives, being a teacher in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y. It is a very pleasing thought that all the pastors of this church, since its indepen- dent existence, except one (who died on the field), still live to do the Master's work.

Mr. Davison was succeeded after a short interval by Rev. Charles M. Oakley.

Mr. Oakley last autumn revisited his former charge. It was with great pleasure that the older members of the church once more welcomed their former pastor after twenty-five years' absence. He is a man of evident piety, having a spirit almost childlike in its simplicity and faithfulness. He eminently illustrates the childlike character of the Christian. Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. One such example of living Christianity is worth a hundred sermons.

Eleven persons joined the church under his ministration, two of whom were by certificate from other churches.

132 Early Germans of New Jersey

Mr. Oakley is still [1876] preaching the everlasting gospel of peace — supplying at the present time the pulpit of the Pres- byterian Church at Amagansett, Long Island.

Charles Wood

became pastor in 1851, and remained here till 1855. The total membership was eighty-one, which seems to be about the average. Nineteen entered the church on profession, and eleven by certificate, making thirty in all, showing a good degree of success. Two new elders were added, Conrad Rarick in 185 1, and Philip Philhower in 1853.

The most important event of Mr. Wood's ministry was the building of the present church. The old church began to be in such a dilapidated condition that a change was needed. The contract was made and the building commenced on the site of the old structure. The present church is considerably larger than the old one, though it has but one gallery7, while the other had three. The whole cost of building and furnish- ing the church was $3,800, and at its dedication only $450 re- mained as a debt on the church. The dedication took place July 25th, 1852, the sermon being preached by Dr. M. S. Hut- ton, the former pastor.

Before the dedication of the church it was determined to have a bell in the tower. The effort was made and the bell was obtained. It was a great day when the bell was hung, and the people turned out far and near to lend a helping hand. Fox Hill in this respect was in advance of the neighboring churches, having its bell before German Valley, New German- town or Lamington. The first bell in the neighborhood was owned by the Congregational Church of Chester. This was many years ago. The first time this bell was rung, the people crowded from all around to hear, and some even went from Fox Hill for that purpose, and these may remember the min- ister's coming to the door and saying that, as the bell was about to ring, they must hold their horses, lest they should run away; and so even- man stood by his horse's head while the sexton rang the bell. These are past days, and with the past has gone much of the simplicity and naivete" that characterized it.

Fairmount Presbyterian Church 133

In Nathaniel B. Klink the church again found a leader. Mr. Klink was a man of con- siderable ability, and during the four years of his pastorate there was quite a revival — fifteen joining the church at one time. During his ministry the church received twenty-six new members.

In 1856 Morris Rarick and Peter H. Hoffman were elected elders, neither of whom now act.

Mr. Klink will be remembered not only as a preacher, but also as a farmer. He was well trained in the farmer's life, and on the little parsonage lot he would raise grain that all the farmers envied. His spring pigs would weigh in October 250 or 275 pounds, and he had pork to sell. His chickens were wonderful ; and he would sell eggs all the year round. He kept two cows, and the butter made under the supervision of Mrs. Klink was most excellent. Thus Mr. Klink was a leader, not only in the pulpit, but out of it in the daily toil of a farmer's life.

After an interval of over a year,

Rev. John R. Willox

was chosen pastor, and this choice being confirmed by Presby- tery, he was installed in 1861. As Mr. Willox was so well known to those present, it will not be necessary to enter on any very extended narrative of his pastorate. He remained longer in charge than any minister since the days of Caspar Wack. Twelve years he labored among you, and it was not till the Master called that he laid down the charge which you had given him.

Mr. Willox was born in October, 1810. near Aberdeen, Scot- land. He came to this country and taught school for a time in the Valley. Becoming dissatisfied with Presbyterian doctrine, he left that church and joined the Lutheran, studying in the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. His first charge was at Friesburg, Salem Co., N. J., and finally he removed to Riegelsville, Pa., where he was very successful in his labors, 160 being united to the church during his ministry there. In 1861, having become convinced that the Westminster

134 Early Germans or New Jersey

statement of doctrine contains " that system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures," he sought a return to the Presbyterian fold. Hence he accepted the call to the Presbyterian Church of Fox Hill. During his long pastorate of twelve years, 54 persons joined the church on profession, and 5 by certificate, making a total of 59. He baptized 64 infants, and married no less than 93 couples.

In the year 1869 the church name was changed by an Act of the Legislature to the " First Presbyterian Church of Fair- mount," and no longer can it be called Fox Hill — that is a thing of the past.

In this year Philip P. Hoffman and John Rinehart were added to the board of elders.

In 1870 a fair was held, the second made by this church. This fair was very successful, so that your committee were enabled to refit the church and repair the parsonage.

But the faithful pastor was never permitted to worship in the church as renewed. On the 23d of February, 1873, ms spirit went home to its reward. Let me quote a few words from the funeral discourse of Rev. I. A. Blauvelt : " During his last illness, in speaking of his religious life, he said that he had often felt doubts of his final acceptance with God. Since he had been sick, however, and expecting to die, he had fresh disclosures of the love and mercy of God ; ' and now,' said he, I have a full assurance of hope — not that wild, enthusiastic assurance of which some speak, but it is an assurance like that spoken of by the Erskines and the Alexanders — an assurance which rests upon the complete atonement of Jesus Christ.' And then he went on to say that he took no comfort in looking over his past life ; that had been sinful. His hope all rested on Jesus Christ, whose blood cleanseth from all sin. And he con- tinued to speak in this way through his entire sickness. He very often repeated the hymn,

' Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee.'

The expressions of entire self-distrust and helpless reliance on Jesus Christ which this hymn contains seemed exactly adapted

Fairmount Presbyterian Church 135

to his views and feelings. When he had come face to face with death, he was made to feel that Jesus Christ was all."

So died John R. Willox. He has gone to his rest, and is waiting for those to whom he so long ministered to join him in glory. " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ; yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; and their works do follow them."

On the 20th day of September, 1873,

Rev. Frank P. Tompkins was elected pastor. His stay was short, and marked by no event of general interest, and on July 26th, 1874, the pulpit was again declared vacant.

During the next year the church was distracted by a mul- tiplicity of candidates, and it was not till September 1st, 1875, that they were able to unite. At that time a call was made out for your present pastor,

Rev. William Otis Ruston, who accepted it, subject to the consent of Presbytery, which, at its fall meeting, granted the request of this congregation, and your pastor was installed on the 5 th of October.

During the past winter God has graciously visited your community, and many souls have been gathered into his garner.

You have also deemed it wise to adopt the plan of term eldership, and have elected to the office of ruling elder the following persons : George E. Salter, Frederick Hoffman, Elias Hockenbery and Peter Hoffman, in addition to George H. Lindaberry and Philip P. Hoffman re-elected. These were ordained and installed on Sunday, May 6th.

There have been three churches erected on this spot — 1st, the old shingle church ; 2d, the first stone church, 1816 ; 3d, the second stone church, 185 1.

And now, brethren, from this history gather courage. The church has seen many a day of trial and dismay, 'lut " hitherto hath the Lord helped us." It is the Church of C irist, and we feel assured the gates of hell shall not prevail ag; <nst it. Out of the depths God has again and again brought yo , and to-day you are stronger than ever before. This is the old church con-

136 Early Germans of New Jersey

secrated by the memories of your fathers. Give it your vener- ation, your love, your devotion. From the past gather strength for the future, and go forward rejoicing always in the Lord.

Dr. Ruston, whose admirable historical discourse we have had to condense, is now the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Dubuque, Iowa. He is also vice-president of an institution for the education of German ministers to labor among their fellow-countrymen in the West.

Dr. Ruston remained until February, 1877, when he was followed by the

Rev. Titus Elwood Davis, whose pastorate continued for three years.

Mr. Davis was born at Flatbush, Ulster, Co., N. Y., April 15th, 1851 ; graduated from Rutgers College, 1874; from the Theological Seminar}- at New Brunswick, 1877. He was licensed to preach May 23d, 1877, and was ordained and in- stalled as pastor of Fairmount Church August 12th. 1877. He resigned on account of ill health in 1880. Since 1890 he has been pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Bound Brook. In a letter to the writer he speaks with great pleasure of his minis- try at Fairmount and still cherishes the friendships formed while he was pastor there. He was succeeded by the

Rev. Edwin W. Long, who began his ministry September 18th, 1880, and resigned April 28th, 1884. Mr. Long was well known and greatly respected by the neighboring congregation of German Valley as well as by his own people. He is now laboring most ac- ceptably as pastor of the Green Hill Church, at Wilmington, Delaware. The church was vacant for three years when the

Rev. John Rutherford was installed as pastor May — , 1887, and resigned February* 1 89 1 . Mr. Rutherford was a man of a good mind, a genial dis ■ position and an earnest spirit. He was followed by the candi- date

Tillman S. Rush

June 13th, 1891. He resigned 12th November, 1893.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE REFORMED CHURCH OF LEBANON.

EBANON, as it is now called, is a village of modern origin, but as the site of a church its history belongs to the first settlement of New Jersey by the Ger- mans. Before the old church was built in the old graveyard, there was a build- ing erected in Potterstown near by, which was dedicated on Saturday, September nth, 1731, by Rev. W. C. Berkenmeier, pastor of the Dutch Lutheran Church of New York. But we can carry the history of this place still farther back. For there is a strong probability that the first German Lutheran service, of which we have any record, was held on the site of this church on the first of August, 17 14. For we find that at that date a son of John Peter Appelman was baptised " at the house of Ari de Guinea on the Raritans, at our Christian Lutheran gathering." This was the record en- tered by Rev. Justus Falckner in the church book of the First Lutheran Church of New York City. Now we learn that the plantation, or which the church at Potterstown was situated, was sold to Matthias Sharfenstein on the 29th of July, 1741, by Aree Vangenee [the same as Ari de Guinea]; and by Matthias Scharfenstein's heirs was sold to Cornelius Wyckoff on the nth of May, 1 76 1. The words of special interest in the deed are, " containing about 132 acres, be it the same more or less, ex- cepting always forth of the same, a small lot formerly conveyed to William M. Kinney [McKinney?], and one other where the

138 Early Germans of New Jersey

Lutheran meeting house is built, both of them containing about one acre and half a quarter of an acre."

This farm was located by the late Judge Thompson, of Readington, who had surveyed formerly all through that vicinity, in Potterstown, placing the church on the site of the former tavern building. The only ground for doubt is the statement that Ari Vangenee bought the farm in question on the 3d or 4th of April, 1730, from Benjamin Rounseval. This may mean simply that he got his deed at that date. At all events, however it may be with the church service held in 1 7 14, there is no doubt at all about the service there in 1731. There was a church at the same time near Pluckamin devoted to German Lutheran and probably also, if preachers could be found, to German Reformed service. Of course the church at Lebanon was the successor of this church at Potterstown. It is most probable that this church building, east of Lebanon, was used by Rev. John Conrad Wirtz during his pastorate from ITS0-1?6*-

As the two churches at German Valley and Fairmount were built 1 761, to take the place of the one building which was between these places on the "'Aunt Katie Sutton farm," so it seems probable, that, as a result of Mr. Wirtz's labors, a church was erected near its present site at Lebanon at the same time.

The visits of Rev. Michael Schlatter, from 1747 to 1750, to this place, then called Rockaway, have been already narrated.

The congregation was taken under the care of the Presby- tery of New Brunswick. In doing which measures were taken by the Presbytery to avoid giving offense to the Dutch Reformed body. Werts was taken up as a probationer on Sept. 3d, 1 75 1, and having received a call from the congrega- tion of Rockaway in Lebanon township, on the 9th of May, 1752, he was ordained as their pastor on the 5th of June, 1752. It is not at all unlikely that Werts had been laboring among the Gerruan Reformed churches of New Jersey for several years before 1751.

The history of Lebanon church belongs to that of German Valley, Stillwater, Alexandria and Amwell, as these churches

The Reformed Church of Lebanon 139

were all served by the same ministers most of the time. We may add to these "Sussex Court House."

Caspar Michael Stapel, who lived in Amwell township and served the German Reformed church near what is now Ringoes, probably also preached in Lebanon. He was succeeded by Frederick Dal- licker and he by Caspar Wack. The history of these minis- ters is given in connection with the history of German Valley.

In June, 1788, the High Dutch Reformed congregation in Lebanon township was incorporated. The officers mentioned in the act of incorporation (on record at Trenton), were Peter Aller, Jacob Gearhart, Peter Young, Peter Henry, George Gearhart, Hans Peter Apgar.

The modern history of the church or the period when the preaching was altogether in English, began with the pastorate of

Rev. Jacob I. Shultz, who according to his own record in the church book, accepted a call from the United Congregations of Rockaway and Rock- away in Lebanon, September 29th, 1816, and was ordained and installed their pastor on November 26th, 1816.

The last record of baptisms by Rev. Caspar Wack is made in the handwriting of Mr. Shultz. They occurred on May 27, 1816. During his sixteen [or eighteen ?] years pastorate he baptised 334 children and adults. This is a remarkable show- ing and would seem to indicate either a very large field of labor or a larger birth-rate than is the case to-day. Mr. Shultz was succeeded by the

Rev. Charles P. Wack, whose record of baptisms begins July, 1835. From this date until July 12th, 1840, only 73 baptisms are recorded. The last baptism performed by Mr. Shultz was on April 25th, 1835.

In Mr. Wack's place came the

Rev. Robert Van Amburgh, who was twice called to be pastor of the Lebanon church, in 1740 and again in 1753, after he had been away for five years. Mr. Van Amburgh was born January 9th, 1809, near Pough- keepsie, N. Y. He was engaged in work on a farm until he was twenty years of age, when he was converted and decided

i4° Early Germans or New Jersey

to study for the ministry. He graduated from Rutgers Col- lege in 1837 and from the Theological Seminary in the same city in 1840. His first charge was at Lebanon, where he was the means of increasing the size of the congregation and where he was abundant in labors over a field of labor eight or ten miles square. He resigned from this charge in August, 1847, but was called a second time by this congregation to be their pastor in August, 1853, when almost immediately the old brick church gave place to a new, convenient and elegant frame structure. During the interval between his two terms of ser- vice as pastor in Lebanon, Mr. Van Amburgh had been pas- tor of a church at Fordham, N. Y., and from there he removed to be the pastor at Hughsonville, N. Y. He also took charge in 1869 of the church at High Bridge, N. J., which he had been instrumental in organizing. He next took charge of the church at Lower German Valley, and afterwards of the church of Annandale, also organized under his auspices. Here he re- mained pastor until 1878, when he retired from the active ministry. He lived until his death in the village of Lebanon.

During the interval that separated Mr. Van Amburgh's two pastorates, the church was served by the Rev. John Steele for a period of five years from 1848 to 1853.

The next pastor was the

Rev. William B. Van Benschoten, who came in the year 1870 and remained until 1873.

Rev. Joseph R. Campbell succeeded Mr. Van Benschoten in the year 1873 and remained for two years.

Rev. S. W. Roe, D. D., became the pastor of this church in the year 1875, and resigned in the year 1881.

Rev. William E. Davis, is the present pastor, and his ministry in this field promises to continue for a longer period than that of any of his predeces- sors. In September, 1893, he celebrated the twelfth year of his pastorate there, and also the anniversary of the origin of the church.

!

CHAPTER XV.

SETTLERS OF UPPER GERMAN VALLEY.

HE name Long Valley is by which Ger- man Valley was first known, and by this name the earliest surveys were located. It is marked on the map by the course of the South Branch of the Raritan from its descent into the valley below Flanders to its union with Spruce Run Creek at Clinton. The village of High Bridge forms a convenient ter- minus at the southern end. In length it extends in a south- westerly direction for about eighteen or twenty miles. It is situated between Schooley's Mountain on the west and Fox

Hill on the east.

Flanders,

the northernmost town in the valley, is a small hamlet pic- turesquely situated, which was formerly a scene of considerable industry in the old time forms of manufacturing.

'Burr Montanye in 1808 made high hats from Muskrat skins and also from wool. A bill of the above date was presented to Jonathan Nicholas for 56 dollars for a number of hats.

John Ayers was one of the first settlers. His house proba- bly occupied the site of the present residence of David Ayers Nicholas his grandson. John was the grandson of Moses Ayers of Basking Ridge. John Ayers moved from the latter place to Mendham, and from there to Flanders, where he bought 19

i43 Early Germans or New Jersey

acres in 1763. This land includes a large part of the present village.

The first school house was a log building and stood on the site of Mr. D. A. Nicholas store. The present school building is the second on the same lot, which was bought in 1805.

Jonathan Nicholas was another of the early settlers. He came from Wales with a brother, who died during the Revolu- tionary war. His son Rhece, the father of David A., married Elisabeth, the daughter of John Ayers.

William Bell, Matthias Luse, Daniel Barber, William Monroe and Paul Drake, a blacksmith, were also landowners here at a very early date.

The land on which the village is situated was part of the Breeches tract, 563 acres of which were sold to Jabesh Heaton by William Allen in 1770.

There are in the village three general stores, kept by Floyd Woodhull, Rev. Daniel E. Frambes and the one lately carried on by David A. Nicholas. A grist mill and blacksmith and creamery add to the business of the place.

One of the earliest Methodist Churches in this State was established here in 1788. The Presbyterian Church is a daughter of the Chester congregation. The post office was established in 1822, and from 1827 to about 1867 it was in marge of Rhece Nicholas and his son David.

Bartleyville is two miles south of Flanders. It contains the foundry and machine shop of Wm. Bartley & Sons. Established in 1846, this firm have enlarged their business, until they are now extensive manufacturers of portable saw mills, turbine water wheels, bark mills and general machinery.

In this place a forge was started about 70 years ago by David Welsh, the fourth, who was succeeded by Kempel and he by Hugh Bartley.

The upper line of the Budd tract runs through the mill pond in a course north twenty-six west across the valley. This tract was taken up by John Budd October 22d, 17 14 [Burling- ton Lib. fol. ], and contained 1804 acres. This was sold 22 June, 1733, to Wm. Allen. The northernmost farm, of 310

Settlers of Upper German Valley 143

acres, on this tract was bought by Dietrick Struble, a mason, December 17th, 1770, for ^166 ($442.66). This farm is now divided into the farms belonging to the John P. Sharp and the Decue estates. Dietrick Struble was one of the first elders of the Reformed church in the Valley. He came from Germany and arrived at Philadelphia on the 5th of September, 1748. His wife's name was Elisabeth Catherine and he had at least eleven children, whose descendants are found in Sussex, War- ren and Hunterdon counties and in Pennsylvania. He removed from the Valley to Hampton township, Sussex Co., and is said to have died in Pennsylvania at 100 years of age.

Matthias Able bought the next farm of 109 acres of Wm. Allen before 1767. This Matthias was probably a brother of MichaeL Paul and Andrew, and a son of Matthias, who arrived in Philadelphia from Germany in 1728, Sept. 4th, in ship Rose- tree. This family is quite numerous and settled also at Hack- lebarney and in Tewksbury township, Hunterdon Co. The Able farm was owned in succession by Jacob Arnold, Philip Darmer, William Welsh and Morris Sharpenstein, who bought it in 1800. It included the mill property at Four Bridges.

Morris Sharpenstein bought the next farm of 361 acres on the 31st of March, 1767, of Wm. Allen for .£344 ($917.33), and divided it by will in 1781, between his two sons Morris and Peter. Morris was probably the oldest son of Matthias, who lived at Potterstown, Tewksbury township, Hunterdon Co. He may have been a nephew of the first John Peter Sharpenstein, who lived near German Valley.

Anthony Waldorf bought the 258 acres between Sharp and the road crossing the valley at Naughright. Anthony, grandson of the first Anthony, was the last who owned the whole farm, which was divided in 1808 among his children.

This family probably came from the town of Waldorf, whence the well known family of Astors originated. Anthony had six children, John, Martin, George. Anna, Margaret and Gertrude, the wife of Adam Rhinehart. They have disap- peared from this vicinity. This property was sold out in parts to Abraham Sharp, whose descendant, Frederick Sharp, now owns the larger part of it.

144 Early Germans of New Jersey

Conrad Rarick bought 150 acres in 1773 of William Hew- lings on the western side of the valley next to the Budd tract. This farm was part of 294 acres, surveyed to Daniel Smith, of Burlington, in 1754. Of the rest of this tract George, Joseph and Jacob Meyers appear to have been the owners. At any rate George sold 33 66-100 to Morris Alpock, May 7th, 1808 and 118 to William Rarick in 181 1.

This tract was surveyed to Daniel Smith [Burlington Lib. S, fol. 217], June 10th, 1754, and sold to William Hewlings February 23d, 1755.

Conrad was the ancestor of all the Raricks who settled in this vicinity. He arrived at Philadelphia probably from Erbach, Wittenberg, October 8th, 1744, with Johannes Hend- rick., who may have been his father or brother. The latter appears on the court records of this county in 1753. He was one of the first elders of the Reformed church and sometimes read sermons in the absence of a minister. His eldest son Henry removed to Northern New York State and his other sons Conrad, John and William remained in New Jersey. Conrad also bought, May 28, 1767, lot No. 9 of the Boynton tract containing 143 acres.

Naughrightville.

Christopher Kern received in 1766, Dec. 16, the deed for 490 acres on which Naughright village now stands. He had settled upon the land some years previously. He paid ^466 ($1,242) to Wm. Allen for the land. [Trenton Lib. A F, fol. 81]. The Kern family is scattered throughout northwestern New Jersey and Canada. It is supposed that Christopher's father Jacob came to Philadelphia from Germany in 1739 in the "Jamaica Galley." It is claimed that considerable prop- erty is awaiting the heirs of John Jacob in the old country. The Kern property included what are now the farms of Elias Buchanan, John T. and John D. Naughright.

The village of Naughright contains a grist mill now turned into a felt factory, a store and a blacksmith shop. It was formerly a place of very busy activity, a large busiuess in wagon making being carried on by the late John Naughright. A creamery is situated about a mile north of the village, owned

LEBANON REFORMED CHURCH.

Settlers of Upper German Valley 145

until lately by the Hon. Wm. Naughright. Iron mines were opened on the mountain west of the village by the late Theo. Naughright, but proved unremunerative.

A Union Chapel was erected a few years since above the school house and religious service and a Sabbath school are regularly maintained. William S. Fisher is the Superintendent of the latter. The store belongs to George Swackhamer, of German Valley. Mr. Axford, a veterinary surgeon, owns the blacksmith shop and Hamley and Batson carry on the felt factory.

Herman Bitzer occupied the last farm on the Budd or Allen tract as early as 1750 and until it was purchased by John Peter Scharpenstein. Nothing is known of the Bitzer family, except that the name occurs among the settlers at Annsburg, near Rhinebeck, in 1711. This farm of 455 acres included the farms of Willard Apgar, the Wyckoff and Lambert Sharp place, and perhaps the Henry Wise, the Baldwin and Lance farms.

Frederick Sovereign bought May 10, 1768, part of the Ebenezer Large survey or 240 acres for ^125 ($333). This survey joins the Budd tract on the west. This land, 240 acres, was sold by Sovereign on May 21st, 1801, to Garret Lake for $2,400. The name Sovereign was originally spelled, as signed to the deed to Garret Lake in German hand-writing, Friedrick Zofrin. Frederick may have been the son of Johannes Soeffrens, who landed at Philadelphia 19th September 1734. He had probably ten children, of whom one, David, bought a farm on the Robins' tract north of his fathers, and another, Frederick, removed to Sussex Co. The Sovereens of Pottersville, engaged in the iron furnace there are of this family. Some of the children of the second generation removed to New York State.

Garret Lake was the first of the name in Morris Co. His descendants still live on the original property. Silvester Lake owns the original homestead. Garret was a Quaker, and came from Hunterdon Co. He was the son of Garret, who died 1 78 1 in Am well township, and the grandson of Thomas, who died 1765. The Rev. John W. Lake is a grandson of Garret.

CHAPTER XVI.

SETTLERS OF GERMAN VALLEY.

German Valley.

HJR own village of German Valley is sit- i3i£5. t\ uated on tne Logan tract of 1,666 2-3 «* B^kIShk! ll acres, surveyed to James Logan on the 1 2th of Ma}% 1 7 13 [Burlington, Lib. B, fol. 118, and Lib. E, fol. 154], and sold by ^^"*. ^j^ d&f^s James to his son William on the 9th of ^^5>!^fej^4*^^SJ/ July, 1743. It was resurveyed 20th June, 1749, and found to contain 1,813 acres. This tract was all bought by, or at least the deeds were given at about the same time, 1749, to six purchasers, John Peter Scharpenstein, Philip Weise, Tunis (Anthony) Trimmer, William Welsch, Leonard Neighbor and Matthias Trimmer.

The oldest part of the village is the grist mill, which was first run by Philip Weise, as early at least as 1767. In 1791 the mill belonged to Nitser and Welsh. Of the houses still stand- ing, the residence of Richard Schoenheit, called the Old Fort, F. D. Stephens house and the Hagar Weise residence, are the oldest and were probably built about 1774. The old Kager house is probably as old as the above.

William Nitser was the first tavern keeper and he was fol- lowed by Jacob Drake, Jr., 1800-4 ; Lambert Boeman, 1805-9 ! David Welsh, Jr., 1810 ; Joseph Miller, 1811-13 ; Azal Coleman, 1814-16 ; Philip Crater, 1816-18 ; William W. Willett, Archibald Sickley, James Fisher, Will. D. Lusk, David Crater, Philip

Settlers of German Valley 147

Crater, James R. Denniston, John McCarters, Will. Goodwin, George Crater, Augustus Mettler and Nelson Hyde.

The grist-mill, referred to above, has been recently furnished with new process machinery, and is now owned and run by Isaac W. Dorland. M. T. Welsh carries on an extensive lumber and coal business ; and the stone quarries of Mr. Bartles and Mr. Schoenheit, the latter leased by Lyman Kice, are found to meet an increasing demand for superior building stone. John Todd is the blacksmith.

John Peter Nitser, the first storekeeper, was succeeded by William Nitser and he by Lawrence Hager.

The present stores are kept by George Swackhamer, in the building erected by Samuel Welsh ; by Jesse Weise, as the successor of Hagar Weise and his son Edward ; by Lyman Kice, succeeding his father-in-law Morris Naughright. The F. D. Stephens Co., agents for the Florida steam heaters and engaged in the tin-ware and stove business, carry on an exten- sive business. Also the Allen and Van Nest Steam Heating Co., have their headquarters here.

The German Valley Quarterly, formerly The Independent Quarterly, has been published here for twelve years and has attained a circulation of nearly four thousand. The two churches, Lutheran and Presbyterian, both date back 150 years. Johannes Peter Scharpenstein bought the first farm in the northern part of the tract. He was in actual possession of the 210 acres, for which he paid .£100 ($366), when he received his deed in Philadelphia on the 8th of December, 1749- His farm, like the others, ran across the tract from one side of the valley to the other. It is probable that John Peter was a brother of Matthias Scharpenstein, of Potterstown, and there fore an uncle of Morris of the Upper Valley. He died intestate in 1760. He had at least seven children : Morris, Mary Cath- erine, the wife of Lawrence Hager, the first ; John Peter, whose descendants are all those of the name of Sharp now living in this vicinity; Anna Maria, the wife of William Hann (son of William 1st); Jacob, who kept a tavern at Hackettstown ; George, who removed to Sussex Co., near Lafayette, where his descendants are still found ; and Anthony, who lived for a time

148 Early Germans of New Jersey

on Schooley's Mountain, but afterwards moved away.

An account of the other families of this name, who lived near Lebanon and in Greenwich township, Warren Co., will be found in the genealogies in Part IT of this work. It is quite probable that the Sharps, as the name is now spelled, came from the vicinity of Rhinebeck. If that should be found to be the case, then their origin in the old country was in the town of Sassenberg, County New Witt, or Neuwied, and their arrival was as early as 17 10. They are found in New Jersey as early as 1734.

Philip Weise purchased the next farm of 262 acres for ^125 ($335), and was in actual possession, when he received his deed December 8th, 1749. He settled here probably as early as 1743, if not in 1738 At this date he arrived in Philadelphia on September nth in the ship Robert and Olliver along with Leonard Neighbor, Stephen and John Michael Terriberry Philip Dufford, Sr., and Philip Dufford, Jr., and Heinrich Shenckle. Philip Weise had two sons, Philip and Jacob and two daughters, Elisabeth, the wife of John Hager, and Mar- garet, the wife of William Nitzer. His descendants are living on the original property. He or Philip, Jr., built the " Old Fort," now Richard Shoenheit's stone house, in 1784.

Tunis Trimmer bought the farm next to Philip Weise of 315 acres for ^150 ($400), 30th May, 1750. This farm included the farms now occupied by Mrs. Addie Hager and Matthias T. Welsh. Tunis was the son of John, of Hunterdon Co., and the brother of Matthias, of German Valley. He died 1754. His will [Trenton, Lib. 8, fol. 77], dated 7th November, probated 21st December, 1754, names wife, Elisabeth, and children : Paul, the oldest ; Mary, who perhaps married 2d December, 1768, Caleb Swayze ; and Anthony. Thomas Faircloe, who was appointed, Nov. 1st, 1770, the guardian of the son Anthony, may have married the widow Elisabeth and not, as we have stated in the genealogy, the daughter of Tunis. The property was bought by John Hager, one of the executors of the will, before 1759.

Johannes Heger (Hager) had first settled in Hunterdon Co., Tewksbury township, and from there came to the valley

Settlers of German Valley 149

and occupied a part of the "leased lands." He was one of three brothers, Hans George Hegi, Johan Hagea and Jacob Hagea, who landed at Philadelphia from the ship Dragon 30th of September, 1732. One brother, probably George, went to New York State, and Jacob Hauge, or Hager, another brother died in Oxford township, Warren Co., in 1757. The descend- ants of the latter probably removed from the State. The Hagers, of Holland township, Hunterdon Co., are of another family and came from Pennsylvania to this State. John, of German Valley, had a son Lawrence, who remained in the val- ley; and John, who bought a property at Drakestown, 1763, and kept a tavern at the cross roads. Jacob, a third son, lived near Newberg, on the Musconetcong ; George bought 330 acres of land above Springtown on Schooley's Mountain, first about 1776, then repurchased it in 1796. This property is in the pos- session of one of his descendants, Mrs. J. V. Stryker. David, the youngest, lived for a time on the mountain and then moved away. The late Hon. John Sharp Hager, Senator of the U. S. from California, was a great-grandson of John's oldest son, Lawrence. His father, Lawrence 2d, kept a store for many years in German Valley in the old stone store recently torn down.

William Welsh, or Johannes Wilhelm Welsch, as it is in the original German, bought the farm next to Tunis Trimmer in the year 1743, as is stated in an old field book of Caleb Valentine. But he did not get a deed until probably the last payment was made on May 30th, 1750. He paid ,£122 ($325) for 258 acres. On the 8th of April, 1779, he sold to his son David 175 acres, part of which he had purchased from John Hager in 1759, November 5th.

William and Michael Welsh arrived from Germany at Phil- adelphia, 27th September, 1741-

Johannes Michael Welsch had a fulling mill on the Mus- conetcong, near Newberg, in 1768, but nothing further is known of him or his family. William married Elisabeth, a daughter of Leonard Neighbor, and had a son William, who became very wealthy owning land in Hunterdon and Morris counties. The first William was one of the first elders of the Reformed church.

150 Early Germans of New Jersey

Judge David, the first, was another son. He lived where Jacob Welsh now lives, and was a very prominent man in church and state. He had no children. Philip, a third son, lived for a time on the Isaac Roelofson farm at Naughright and then occupied the old homestead, now belonging to his grandson of the same name. The late John C. Welsh, Esq., was his grand- son. The latter was President, when he died, of the Hacketts- town National B^-nk, which owed its success very largely to his unusual shrewdness and practical sagacity. He was also in other respects a leading man in the community, whose counsel was sought by men from far and near, and he occupied most efficiently for many years the position of an elder and leader in the Presbyterian Church of his native place.

Leonard Neighbor or Leonhard Nachbar, as the name was originally, bought the fifth farm of 310 acres, on the Logan tract for ^147 ($352)- This land was left to his only son Leonard 2d, by whom it was ordered to be sold to one of his family. Leonard 3d then bought the farm and left it at his death to his two sons, Leonard and Jacob, one taking the Arthur Neighbor place and the other the Silas Neighbor farm.

Leonhard, the emigrant, might be called the " Father of the Valley," inasmuch as every Shenckel and every Welsh and nearly every Trimmer must trace their descent up to him. For his three daughters married respectively the heads of these families: Mary Elisabeth married John William Welsh, Anna Martha married Matthias Trimmer and Anna Margaret married Heinrich Schenckle. Of the children of Leonard Neighbor, 2d, Nicholas and David went West and founded the town of Newcomerstown, Ohio, about 1815. Their descendants are found also in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and California. Mr. Byron Roberts, of Topeka, Kansas, and Mr. L. B. Neighbor, of Dixon, Illinois, belonging to this family, are men of prominence in the community. " Uncle" David Neighbor, of Lower Val- ley, who was born 1797 and died 1892, at the age of 95 years, and whose birthdays were annually celebrated by large gath- erings in his home to do him honor, was remarkable for an equable temperament, a judicious mind, unimpeached integrity and a genial disposition, all of which were sanctified by a fer-

Settlers of German Valley 151

vent christian faith. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church for many years ; a member of the Assembly and of the Constitutional Convention. His son James Leonard is a prom- inent lawyer of Dover, N. J.

Matthias Trimmer bought the farm next to Leonard Neighbor, the last one of the Logan tract. He paid .£160 ($427) for 338 y* acres, of which he was in actual possession, 30 MaY. ^S0- This property now includes the farms of William Dufford and James Anthony. It was divided by Matthias in '793 between his sons John, who received 220 acres, and David, who received no acres. He also owned 30 acres on Schooley's Mountain, 265 acres in Lower Valley, which were left to his son Jacob, and on Fox Hill, 70, which went to David, and 150, which were given to Leonard. He owned altogether 845 acres.

Matthias was the oldest son of John Trimmer, who came with his brother from Germany or Holland to America. The brother and his family cannot be traced. All of this name in Morris and Hunterdon counties are descendants of John. He probably arrived in ship Davy at Philadelphia on the 25th of October, 1738. He and his son Matthias were naturalized by act of Assembly in 1 744. He had twelve children by two wives, nine sons and three daughters. Four of his sons settled in the valley. Besides Matthias, "Yilliam settled east of Middle Val- ley and had one son Conrad ; Tunis on the Hager property, and Nicholas near Parker. George, Harbert and John settled in Amwell township, Hunterdon Co., where their descendants are still to be found.

The Leased Lands included all the Budd and Scott tract. This tract was divided into farms, which were leased in 1747, for a term of one hun- dred years. The farms, however, were passed from owner to owner, and as the rent was small, it was not regularly paid and the settlers looked upon the land as theirs in fee simple.

Disputes arose and the heirs of the original lessors scattered throughout the country refused to resign their title. In the meanwhile the land had arisen in value and was worth contend- ing for. For fifty years or more up to the year r844 the title to these farms was in dispute. No one cared to spend any

152 Early Germans of New Jersey

money in improvements, of which some one else might reap the benefit. Fences and buildings and the proper care of the land were largely neglected. Finally at the above date a com- promise was effected ; commissioners were appointed to sur- vey the whole tract and allot the different sums which each farm was to pay towards the whole amount, which had been agreed upon between the parties. The long contest was thus at length decided and new deeds were given, which were made valid by a special act of the legislature, passed the 8th of March, 1844.

Beginning at the northern end of the Budd tract, the first farm of 200 acres wbs leased in 1747 to Jacob Dufford. A copy of this lease, now in the possession of James Anthony, will serve as a sample of the rest. It is dated the 20th of May, 1747-

John Budd of the County of Morris, gentleman, and Sarah his wife, to Jacob Tefort. weaver of said county, gives a lease * * of a certain tract of land in that place called Long Valley, whereon he now dwells, lying on both sides of the Rarington River, bounded as follows * * by lands of James Logan and Stofe Terberger, * * the said Jacob Tefort from the 26th of March last past [1746], for and during the term of 96 years * * and the said Jacob Teford doth agree * * to pay 3 Spanish Pistolls [ ] of full weight on or before Nov. 1st next

ensuing. On failure of payment of said rent, twenty days after the respective days of payment of said rent yearly * * the said John Budd may enter upon the leased lands themselves and seize &c. any goods or chattels &c. which shall be found thereon and keep them 20 days and if no payment be made to redeem them then the said John Budd may sell them at auction to the highest bidder and the overplus * * be returned to the lessee. The witnesses are Nathan Cooper; Andreas Kiliau ? and Johannes Heger are in german. This lease is endorsed on the back with the No. 5, and the words, John Trimmer and Adam Winegarden were present when I took possession of this plantation, with consent of Stephen and Jacob Tefort, Aug. 8, 1781.

Jacob Dufford, to whom the lease was given, was the son of Philip Tofort or Dufford, who was the first of the name to come to the valley. He arrived at Philadelphia nth Septem- ber, 1738, in the ship Robert and Olliver. He was probably of Huguenot origin, the name being Devoor or Dufoor. (See Genealogies p. 342). He died 1767, his son Jacob having probably died before him. His son Adam prebably removed to Greenwich township, Warren Co., as his name is found on the " Old Straw Church" book. His son George has left no descendants in this vicinity. Philip, Jr., also disappeared very

Settlers of German Valley 153

early. Jacob is therefore the ancestor of all of his name in this section. Of his sons, Matthias settled on Schooley's Mountain, where he bought 185 acres of the Stevenson tract in 1775 ; George Stephen (" Yerestuffy") remained on the old place, now owned and occupied by Nathan Anthony and Abner Dilts.

Stephen Terryberry (" Stofe Terberger") leased, in 1747, the farm of 150 acres, next to Dufford. This is the farm now owned by Isaac Sharp Vescelius. About 1796, when Jacob Trimmer bought his 600 acres below the county line, John Swackhamer moved from that place, where he was living, to the Terryberry place, which his son Frederick occupied for many years. Mr. Vescelius is a descendant, on his mother's side, from both these families. Stephen died 1776 and left two daughters, Margaret, who probably married John Swackhamer and Elisabeth, who married Adam Sager. His son George Frederick removed to Oxford township, Warren Co., and his son Philip settled upon Schooley's Mountain, where he owned considerable property which was left to his son Philip 2d, who died in 1852.

Johannes Heger leased the next farm, which was after- wards owned in succession by William Welsh 2d, Aaron Howell and Anthony Trimmer, by whom it has been sold to his son the Hon. Hager Trimmer.

Thomas Niel leased, in 1752, 166 acres east of the three farms mentioned above. Of this family nothing is known. In 1744 John Dufford and Adam Hoffman divided this tract between them.

Lorentz Schleicher ("Sliger") leased the next 200 acres in 1750. In 1844 this plantation included the land of I. Ves- selius (13^ acres), Dr. Sherwood (75.90), part of S. G. Hoffman and David Swackhamer.

Lorentz was the father of all of his name. He was one of the signers in 1749, of Rev. J. A. Weygand's call. He had at least three sons : John Leonard, of whom nothing is known; Lorentz, who went to Wyoming, but whose son came back here and settled at Pleasant Grove ; John George, settled at Beattys- town.

Peter Mains leased in 1747 the next farm of 133 acres.

»54 Early Germans of New Jersey

The Mains family, of which Peter was probably the first, re- moved to Stillwater and to Sparta, where they are still to be found. This farm was owned by David Miller in 1844.

John Stine, leased in the same year, the next farm of 217 acres. This farm was afterwards owned by Jacob Kern and George Wack. The Stine family have removed from this vicinity.

John Hendershot leased 13th April, 1747, 333 acres for eight years rent free, " to make improvements.' This planta- tion was afterwards, 1760, leased by Scott to Thomas Neil for 84 years. The Neil family have disappeared.

The first of the name of Hendershot was probably Michael, who came to New York in the second emigration in 17 10. He had probably six children, Casper, Maria Sophia, John Peter, Michael, Elisabeth, Eva and John. These children settled at Hackensack, in Monmouth and Sussex counties. Some of their descendants probably went to New York State. The John who settled on the leased lands is said to have come from Connec- ticut and to have afterwards removed from German Valley to Greenwich township, Warren count}'. The name would indi- cate that they came from Holland.

Cornelius Hobbock took the next 150 acres in 1747. This included the farms of Silvester Neighbor and George Trimmer. The former of which has recently been purchased by Mr. Hoffman.

The Hobbock, or Hoppock, family was probably of Holland descent. Cornelius was probably a brother of Hendrick, Teunis and Jost. The family is now scattered from Lambertville to Sparta.

Jacob Bodine held the lease for 133 acres, which now be- long to William N, Swackhammer. The Bodines descended from the Huguenot Jean Boudin, who came from the town of Medit, France, to London before 1681, with his wife Esther Bridon. He died on Staten Island in 1695. He had a son Francis, whose son Isaac settled at the North Branch. Jacob was probably the son of Isaac. Another son of Isaac, viz. Frederick, was probably the father of Gilbert, who lived in

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LOWER VALLEY.

Settlers of German Valley 155

Chester township, and whose daughter Elsie married Matthias Trimmer.

On the east of the original Budd tract land had been bought by Scott from Daniel Smith. This was included in the leased lands.

Michael Pace, a son-in-law of the first Welsh, leased 1775, 58 acres of this tract. This farm belonged to Philip Philhower in 1844. Michael kept a tavern here in 1772. He afterwards removed with his family to Wyoming, Pa. One son, John, remained here and was brought up by his uncle, Judge David Welsh. Two daughters, Elisabeth and Susan, married respec- tively, Conrad and William Rarick. Michael had a brother Daniel, whose son Frederick left many descendants settled for the most part in Mud street.

William Trimmer, probably a son of the first John, in 1775 leased 84 acres and Thomas Neil 3054 next to him. William appears to have had only one son, Conrad, who was the grand- father of Asa and Nathan Trimmer and of Uncle Jesse Hoffman.

Middle Valley, about three miles from German Valley, is situated on the Budd tract or " the leased lands."

Dr. Ebenezer K. Sherwood, a physician, was settled here more than half a century ago, practiced medicine in this region for 45 years, and at one time maintained a private asylum for the insane. He had come from Somerset county, having orig- inally belonged to Connecticut. His son, the Rev. Jonathan H. Sherwood, married Dr. Hutton's sister, and was for many years the beloved pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Milford, New Jersey.

David W. Miller kept the store more than fifty years ago. His character is well described in the following obituary notice which appeared at the time of his death :

In Brooklyn, N. Y., February 12th, David W. Miller, died in the 68th year of his age. There is a special significance and value in this notice, in that it is the record of the death of the last one of a family of nine brothers and sisters, in the lives and death of all of whom is strikingly illustrated the covenant faith- fulness of God.

156 Early Germans of New Jersey

The father of this family was one most fitly characterized by the phrase "An Israelite in whom is no guile." The mother was a woman remarkable for earnest, enthusiastic, active piety. These parents, as will be readily inferred, trained their house- hold in the fear and admonition of the Lord. And they were privileged before they died to see all their children in visible connection with the church of Christ, and leading lives of con- sistent piety ; they witnessed the joyful, triumphant departure of more than one of them, heard from over the sea, words of calm Christian faith of one who died in a far land ; and after they had ascended each of the surviving sons and daughters, as they successively departed, left behind them good evidence thai they had gone to join the covenant host.

One of these was Jacob W. Miller, who served New Jersey in the Unjted States Senate twelve years ; another was William Miller, well known in Newark and vicinity as an orator of rare promise, but who died at an early age in the city of Paris, where he had gone in the vain hope of arresting the progress of a fatal malady.

David W. Miller was born in German Valley, New Jersey, in the 3'ear 1799. He was a man of ardent, enthusiastic spirit, gifted with good intellectual powers, and especially a vivid imagination, and on several occasions addressed public assem- blies with marked effect.

His leading characteristic was ardent devotion to the cause of Christ. In every agency that seemed fitted to advance that cause, he took an earnest, active and untiring interest. He was one of the earliest movers in the cause of Sunday schools in his county and State ; and one of the first addresses on that subject published in the State was from his pen.

In the country neighborhood where he lived many years, some miles from any church, he sustained, much of the time almost unaided, the ordinances of religion, laboring untiringly in the Sunday school, the evening meeting, by prayer and ex- hortation and the reading of good books to quicken believers and save the impenitent. He delivered an able address at Morristown, N. J., 10th April, 1827, at an anniversary of the Morris County Sunday School Union.

Settlers of German Valley 157

He removed from German Valley to Brooklyn about the year 1848, and was there employed for a series of years alter- nately in private business and government employ. During the war he was for some time in the work of the Christian Commission, being actively engaged with earnest devotion and hearty satisfaction, as in his true work amongst the sick and wounded at City Point.

During the last ten years of his life, with impaired health, and no regular business, he gave what strength he had to every good work that presented itself, being deeply interested in and a constant attendant upon the noon-day prayer meetings.

The Miller family of this vicinity were descended from John Henry Miller or Mueller, who was born in the village of Niedermastahn in the Zweibrucken Palatinate, and came to Philadelphia 12th August, 1752. Henry had four children, Elisabeth, the wife of Christian Kline, Mary Catherine, the wife of Baltis Stiger, Henry, who settled at New Germantown, and David, who settled at Middle Valley. A daughter of the latter married Rev. John C. Vanderwoort. Of the other children of David, of Middle Valley, William W. and Jacob W. became prominent lawyers, the latter being first Senator of New Jersey and then of the United States, both being acknowledged to be men of pre-eminent gifts both as orators and lawyers. William W. however died young and left only the promise of a great career.

Andreas Miller was the ancestor of another family of the same name, which settled in the vicinity of Hackettstown.

CHAPTER XVII.

SETTLERS OF THE LOWER VALLEY.

Lower Valley, Califon and High Bridge. Lower Valley.

|EGINNING with the county line of Hun- terdon county we enter upon the West Jersey Society tract. This comprised speaking generally all of what is now Hunterdon county, at least that part of it which is west of a line drawn from Pickels Mountain to Pottersville and north of the boundary line, which runs between Hunterdon and Mercer counties.

It contained 91,800 acres, of which there was owned, before 1760, by Allen and Turner 10,800 acres; by Coxe and Kirk- bride, 11,377 ; by Coxe and King, 1,527 ; by Hoff and Bonnell, 500; by Harmon Rosencrants 568; by Alexander, Morris, White and Dunstar, 10,500 ; surveyed and laid out in farms 32,000.

As early as 1735 this tract was settled by a number of people and leases were given for four years to 98 families of farms in size from 50 to 300 acres. A list of these names will be found in the appendix. These were all the settlers on the whole tract with the exception of the ten thousand acres sold to Coxe

Settlers of the Lower Valley 159

and Kirkbridge, which extended from Clinton to Flemington.

Jacob Trimmer, son of Matthias 1st, bought a tract of 603 acres from Livingston, being lots No. 68 and 69 of his allot- ment, for .£1809 ($1809 ?) gold or silver, 4th July, 1797. The land is described as now in the possession of John Swackham- mer. There was excepted from this purchase a farm of 81 acres previously (4th July, 1794) sold to Rev. Caspar Wack. This well known Trimmer tract is now in possession of Jacob's descendants.

John Swackhammer, son of Samuel, the emigrant, was charged in the year 1766 with the rent of lot No. 69, of 448 acres, valued then at .£896, and Jacob Cummins with the rent of lot No. 68 of 238 acres.

Samuel Swackhammer settled on a part (162 acres), which he had bought, of a tract of 376 acres, which belonged to Anthony White, at least as early as 1762, and it majr be that this was where he was settled in 1735. This tract extended from the road to Califon from the Lower Valley, southwesterly on both sides of the South Branch, two-thirds of the distance to Hoffman's crossing. The farm north of Swackhammar's, of 126 acres, had been bought in 1762 by Philip Sheeler, and an- other lot of 2Y2 acres was in possession of Conrad Swackham- mer, and a fourth part of 66^4 acres was o.ccupied by William Haugh (Hawk ?). The two latter parts were unsold.

Samuel was the first of the Swackhammers and came to this country in 1731. He died in 1782 at 82 years of age, leav- ing a family by three wives of 25 children, 73 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Such is the statement in the old German church book by Dominie Graaf, but his will only names 13 children, of whom we can trace the descendants of only Conrad and John. The former, Conrad, leaving descend- ants in Hunterdon county, and the latter, John, in Morris.

Philip Shseler, now called Schuyler, was the first of his name in New Jersey. He was born 1718, married Ann Ander- son and died 1784. He had 14 children, of whom Philip and Jacob removed to Sussex county, while Peter, William and John left descendants in Hunterdon and Morris counties.

160 Early Germans of New Jersey

Califon. The village of Califon is of comparatively recent origin, but more than makes up by the rapidity of its growth for delay in starting. The name was originally California, which became ab- breviated to Califon. Jacob Neighbor, who formerly owned the mill there and also the store, gave the name to the place. Several years ago the Methodists rebuilt their church and now worship in one of the most beautiful and convenient churches in all this region. The Rev. Mr. Jones, the present pastor, is a man of fine elocutionary powers as well as a liberal minded and enter- prising pastor, and under his ministrations the church is grow- ing in size and efficiency. The business men are noted for their enterprise and push. G. W. Beaty and J. W. Beavers and Peter Philhower are the general merchants of the place, S. N. Weise and the Weise and Neighbor Company are extensive dealers in a superior quality of lime.

Presbyterian Church of Lower Valley.

This church is located in the southeast corner of the town- ship, near the thriving village of Califon. The original mem- bers were from other churches, and more especially from the Presbyterian Church at German Valley, with which it was at one time connected. Many of the members living in the vicinity of Lower Valley began to feel the need of a place of worship nearer home, and September 30th, 1870, half an acre of land, upon which the house now stands, was purchased of Samuel K. Weller. A building committee was at once ap- pointed, consisting of Samuel Trimmer, Oliver Bunn and David Neighbour. The corner stone was laid in May, 1871, by Rev. I. A. Blauvelt, of the German Valley Church, and the building was completed and dedicated December 19th, 187 1. It is of wood, 38 by 65 feet and cost $12,000. May 7th, 1872, this church was regularly and legally organized by the Presbytery of Morris and Orange, with the following constituted members : On certificate from German Valley Church, George Neighbour, Elisabeth Neighbour, David Neighbour, Jacob M. Trimmer, Susan L. Trimmer, James Trimmer, Catherine Flumerfelt, Adaline Neighbour, Caroline Apgar, John Neighbour, Marga-

.

Settlers of the Lower Valley 161

Tet Q. Neighbor, Charles Miller, Mary Miller, James Foster, Ellen Foster, Elias V. Cregar, Eliza Ann Cregar, Sylvester Neighbour, Zilpha Neighbour, Mary Trimmer, Elisabeth Miller, Gilbert Trimmer, Caroline Trimmer, Samuel Trimmer, Ann C. Trimmer, Leonard G. Neighbour, George E. Naugh- right, Caroline Trimmer, George Apgar and Ann Naughright ; from Pleasant Grove, Rachel Apgar, Peter Bunn and wife, Abraham Hoffman and wife and Oliver Bunn ; from Flanders, Mary Welch ; from Reformed Church at High Bridge, Benj. Cole and Sophia Cole ; from Evangelical Lutheran Church of Spruce Run, O. B. Hoffman and Margaret A. Hoffman. The first elders were George Neighbour, David Neighbour and Jacob M. Trimmer. May 18th, 1872, the following additional elders were elected : Elias V. Cregar, Benj. Cole and Abraham Hoffman. In 1874 the church officials purchased three-quar- ters of an acre, adjoining the church lot, and built thereon their present beautiful and commodious parsonage at a cost of $4,000. The first pastor was Rev. I. A. Blauvelt. He preached at German Valley in the forenoon and at Lower Valley in the afternoon. He was succeeded in December, 1 871, or January, 1872, by Rev. R. H. Van Amburgh, who remained only till February, 1872, when Rev. John Reed was called. He was succeeded by Rev. Chester Coe Murra, installed in May, 1875. His successor was Rev. W. J. Henderson, installed in May, 1877. Rev. James R. Gibson was called 1884, and remained the pop- ular and efficient pastor of the church until the year 1894.

For six months he was pastor of a Presbyterian Church, of Berwick, Penn., but was called back to his former charge, which had been unable to unite upon any one to fill his place. Mr. Gibson resigned on account of impaired health to seek relief in the employ of the Prudential Insurance Company, of Newark.

He was followed by Rev. A. Nicholson, who is the present pastor. The church a year or two ago purchased a pipe organ at an expense of $1,200, and have recently procured an expen- sive steam heating apparatus. This church is now in the Presbytery of Elisabeth. Present value of property, $16,000 •

io: Early G**mans of New Jmwby

membership 154. The Sunday school was established in 1840 by David Neighbour, the first superintendent. High Bridge.

This township was included in the Allen and Turner tract of 10,000 acres. The whole tract was purchased, 21st October, 1752, of the West Jersey Society by William Allen and Joseph Turner for .£3,997, New York currency. It included 586 acres previously purchased by them [Trenton, K, 194].

In 1742, December 1st, William Allen had purchased 3,000 acres and in the deed a forge is spoken of as already in opera- tion. The same company owned land in Sussex county, includ- ing the Andover Furnace, and in Chester township, Morris county. They were large iron manufacturers and are said to have been engaged in this business as early as 1728.

In 1802 the tract including the present township of High Bridge and also part of Bethlehem, was divided into 52 farms. The map of these farms is now in the possession of Mr. Lewis Tavlor, of High Bridge, who has kindly permitted it to be copied and it will be found in this volume.

William Alpock occupied farm No. 1 of 184 acres.

On the 23d of September, 1734, there landed at Philadelphia, Zacharias and John Wilhelm Ahlbach, with three others of the same name, who were under sixteen years of age, viz., Johann Wilhelm. Joh. Gerhard and Johann Peter. Zacharias and Wil- liam occupied parts of the Society Lands in 1735. The three brothers William, George and Peter, who tradition says were the first, were probably of the second generation. Of these Peter settled in Alexandria township, and George, between Bray's Hill and Cokesburg.

Morris Alpock was the first of the name in Morris county and owned or occupied land on the road from Bartley to Flanders. He had three children, William, Philip and Elisa- beth. From the first of these, William, have descended all the Alpocks of Morris county. William bought 223 acres, in 1773, of the Bowlsby tract, between German Valley and Chester. This farm is now owned by Theodore Coleman. Morris, his oldest son, owned 265 acres at Naughright until his death in

SSTTLMS OF THE LOWER VALfcEY 163

Hwry Lindaberry occupied lot No. 3. He was the ances- tor of those of his name in Tewksbury township and in Morris county. He had eight children, Conrad, Jacob, Harbert, Ann. the wife of Tunis Updike, Casper, John, George and Eva the wife of Peter Hockenberry.

Conrad Lindaberry, who removed from near the White- house to Hope, Warren Co., was probably the brother of Her. -v. George Lindaberry, of Whitehouse, the grandfather of William N. Lindaberry, of Hackettstown, and Mrs. Leonard F. Apgar, of Middle Valley, may have been a brother of Henry and Conrad.

There were originally two brothers, Conrad and Nicholas Leinenberger, who came to Philadelphia, 15th September, 1752. Caspar Lindaberry bought in 1796 a farm of 176 acres east of the John Sharp place near High Bridge.

Joseph Hockenberry, who occupied lot No. 5 of 266 acres was probably a grandson of Herbert, who died in 1769, and left twelve children, of whom six were boys, viz., John, Peter, Jost, Henry, Christopher and Harman.

Harm an Lance occupied lot 9 and Herbert lot 12. Three brothers of the Lance family came to this country together. They were Jacob, who settled in Warren county, and whose descendants are found near Sparta ;■ Michael, who died in Greenwich township, Warren county, leaving five children ; and John, who was the father of Harman and perhaps also of Herbert. The three brothers came to Philadelphia on October 28th, 1738, in ship Thistle.

Matthias Cramer was probably the father of George, who is found on lot 11 of 193 acres. The former had at least two sons : Matthias, one of whose daughters, Anna, married John Hager, and another, Mary, married John Sharp ; Morris, who removed to Mendham, and left descendants in Chester township. John Adam Apgar was probably the first of the family in this country. His name was originally Ebcher and he came from the borders of Italy. His oldest son, Herbert, was prob- ably the father of George, who occupied lot 13 of 268 acres, and of Peter, who lived upon lot 17 of 219 acres.

There were ten sons and one daughter of John Adam, the

164 Early Germane or New Jersey

emigrant : Herbert, who settled east of Cokesburg ; Henry, in Alexandria township, Hunterdon county ; Jacob, west of Cokesburg ; Peter, of Lebanon ; John Peter, near Whitehall ; William, of Clinton ; Adam, of Cokesburg ; Frederick, of Alex- andria township ; Conrad, of Mountainsville ; George, who went West, and Catherine, an only daughter, who married first John Emery, and second John Sharp.

John Seals, an English school-teacher, who came to this country adout 1762, was the father probably of Daniel and William Seals, who lived on lots 22 and 15 respectively. John lived on lot 20.

CHAPTER XVIII.

SETTLERS OF UNIONVILLE.

S filMSra NIONVILLE, or Parker, includes the hilly section between German Valley and Fox Hill. The post office is in the store of Mr. Sutton, at the cross-roads where are also the school house and a blacksmith shop. The Bowlsby Tract of 2,365 acres taken up in February, 1765, by Thomas Bowlsby, joins the valley tracts on the east. Part of this, 1,652 acres, had been surveyed 29th October, 17 14, for Samuel Barker [Burlington L., 3 and 4].

William Alpock bought 225 acres of this tract 1773. This is now the farm of Theodore Coleman.

Conrad Bunn bought the next farm of 358 acres November 18th, 1772. Of this land Bunn sold 112 acres to John Dean in 1783, and he to Andrew Shangle in 180 1. The rest finally came into the possession of J. J. Crater and Stephen I. Howell.

Caleb Swavzie bought 250 acres next to Conrad Bunn, and on both sides of Mudd street. This farm was sold to Conrad Bunn. From Conrad it came to John Bunn and the latter sold the 250 acres for $1,000 to William D. Lusk, 17th November, 1824. The Messlar property, formerly Lomersons, belonged to this land. Two hundred and eight acres were sold April, 1855, by James Vanderveer and D. C. Horton to Henry M. and Ser- ing Hoffman.

Hedges Howell sold the next farm of 159 acres to George Weise in 1847. It is now owned by Lauerman.

i06 Eari<y Germans or Nkw Jbrsw

John F. S>«th owned the next fwm of iao acres, which it now Theuoore Philbower'R.

Jeremiad Afgar owns the next place of about go acres, Isaac How-kll bought at an early date about 243 acres,

which was divided up at his death into six shares, now occupied by his descendants.

Peter Hoffman now owns the next and most southern farm on the Bowlsby tract. It contains 97 acres, 48 acres west of this farm and between it and the old Trimmer property there were 48 acres which were sold in 1790 by J. Culver to Leonard Neighbor.

Nicholas Trimmer purchased 119 acres extending from the old Fox Hill road at Parker to and across the present turnpike. This is the property on which the store and school house stand. It now belongs to the Salter estate.

Conrad Bunn bought 158 acres, including the present Albert Bunn farm, of Gershom Gard, 19th July, 1784.

North of this property Nicholas Trimmer bought, 19th March, 1789, 155 acres which he sold 1820, April 4th, to George Dufford.

Henry Smith gave a mort