Succasunna school.
Mill Brook was a larger and more thriving place than Dover in those
364 NEW JERSEY
days, about 1829-30. It had a grist mill, two saw mills, a fulling mill for
making cloth, a Methodist church, and a school. Halma Cisco had the
fulling mill. ' He afterwards left a thousand dollars to the Methodist
Episcopal church there, which was built in 1832. John A. Briant was
"brought in" at this church. He has been a good Methodist for yj years.
He has been the leader of the choir of the Methodist church in Rockaway
for thirty years. His wife sang a beautiful leading soprano and he sang
tenor. He learned music at the Mill Brook school. Henry Extell of
Morristown used to come over to Mill Brook and teach singing every
night in the week for one dollar a night.
Mr. Briant's wife was named Harriet Coe. He recently attended
the funeral of a relative, Ferdinand Briant of Center Grove. The services
were held at Mt. Freedom. He was very much delighted with Mr.
Osborne's discourse and the beautiful "quartet" or four-part singing of
the choir.
In early days the Methodists of Dover used to hold religious services
in the little red school house, where Birch's feed store now is. The
Presbyterians worshipped in the Stone Academy. In 1838 Rev. James O.
Rogers, a Methodist minister of Rockaway, was appointed to preach in
this Dover public school.
He built the First Methodist church of Dover. That is what he was
"appointed" for. He just got on his horse and scoured the country and
collected money to build the new church.
Richard Brotherton was the mouthpiece of the Quakers in the early
days. He was known as a perfect honest man. In the Quaker meetings
he sat up front on the platform and when they had sat through the meeting
and it was time to go he just tapped on the floor with his cane and
the meeting was over. That took the place of a benediction. They all got
up, shook hands, and went out — not a word. Thomas Dell owned a farm
near Mt. Fern and his son Thomas after him.
Dover was a center for the General Training of the militia for the
County. John Briant used to come down to Dover to see the General
Training, with all the Captains, and Colonels, and Generals drilling their
troops. He also came down to Fourth of July celebrations of the olden
time, when they had orations, and chorus singing, and a parade. There
was a Mr. Jackson, an able man, who taught school in Dover.
When I was speaking with Mr. Briant I spoke of today as Tuesday,
but he at once corrected me and showed me how to keep account of the
day of the week. He brought out a piece of board on which he had
written, the first thing that morning the name "Wensday." The next day he
will turn the board over and write Thursday. Then he will erase the
"Wensday" and can thus keep his reckoning about the days of the week
as they pass.
Mr. Thomas B. McGrath of Rockaway married Ella M. Cooper, one
of the Samuel Cooper family. See Margaret L. King, of Ironia.
Mr. David Bern' of Rockaway, July 2, 1913.
Mr. Berry showed me a number of old deeds of property, made out to
Titus Berry: i. Deed signed by John Jacob Faesch (the autograph evi-
dentlv by one accustomed to the German script) to Titus Berry of Pe-
quanack £ 68 2 s. 4 d. 178S. 2. Israel Canfield of Morristown to Titus
Berry 1802. 3. May 22, 1801. Silas Condict of Morristown to Stephen
Losey of Byram in Sussex Co. $82.00 Signed by Joseph Cutler, Lewis
MORRIS COUNTY 365
Condict, Joseph Lewis. 4. June 9, 1794. John Cory of IMendham to Titus
Berry. Signed John Cory, Benj'n Lamson, James Swaney. 5. Jan. 10,
1804. John Doughty. Morristown to Titus Berry. Signed Jno. Doughty,
John J. Faesch, Stephen Jackson. 6. Nov. 23, 1787. Wilham Winds of
Mendham & John Cory of Mendham. Signed W'iUiam \\'inds, Moses
Ross. Benjamin Lamson. 7. April 10, 1789. Robert Avers, of Pequannock,
yeoman, to Titus Berry, Taylor. 8. April 12, 1791. Reuben Ayers of
Woodbridge in Middlesex Co. Taylor, & Titus Berry. 9. March 21, 1805.
Stephen Jackson to Titus Berry. 10. Signed by William Burnett.
Diary of Airs. Sarah C. Berry, wife of Asa Berry, who lived on the old
farm in Dover. Beginning Jan. i, 1836:
Thursday, 24 ?ilarch, 1836. This day have had the blessed priviledge of meeting
the Maternal Association of R and it was a delightful season to my soul to call
on God in his own appointed way and to meet the dear sister in Christ and spend
a few of our fleeting moments as they are hearing us on to the judgment seat to
pray for the dear children that God has given us and told us to bring them up for
him.
Tuesday, April 5. Why am I so anxious for the body which is so soon to be
food for the worms? Why am I groveling in the dust so much? Awake my sluggish
soul.
• Thursday, 21 April. This day I have had the priviledge of attending the meeting
of the Maternal .\ssociation of R and may my mind be deeply impresst with the
responsibility that is resting on Mothers of the present day.
Sab. 24. Heard Mr. Newton this day in the church. He is a missionary among
the Cherochee Indians.
Dec. 27, i
Mrs. L. M. Crittenden. June 30, 1913:
* * * It is some years since I saw the Jackson genealogy but I think it probable
that John Jackson, who bought land in Dover, and built the forge, was my husband's
great grandfather. His mother was the daughter of Stephen Jackson of Rockaway.
In my young days there was a barn on the place, once owned by General Winds.
It was called the old Winds barn. * * *
I have been interested in the Huguenot celebration in New Rochelle. My
ancestral line, on my mother's side, is from a Huguenot who was born in Normandy
(Lawrence De Camp) about 1645. came to New .\msterdam with other Huguenots
in 1664. I have the direct line down to my mother.
Louis.-\ M. Crittendex.
From a history of the Stiles family in Kentucky and Missouri with
a .sketch of New Jersey and other kindred by LaFayette Stiles Pence:
Lebanon, Ky., 1896.
Mary Stiles, died 1830-1, married Moses Hurd. Children: i. Jacob
Stiles Hurd, inarried Mary Hoagland in 1823; kept tavern in Dover;
father of John Ward Hurd, donor of Hurd Park, who married ( i) Hawley,
(2) King. 2. Ezekiel Munson Hurd, married Phebe Hoagland. 3. Nancy
Hurd married Andrew Baker. 4. Moses Hurd married Mary Pragnall.
5. Malinda Hurd born 1805, married Manning Rutan. 6. Elizabeth Hurd.
7. Maria Hurd, married Thomas Kirkpatrick. 8. Harriet Hurd, married
E. Peck.
Jacob Stiles Hurd left a daughter, Emma Caroline, who married Jacob
VanDeventer.
E. Munson Kurd's children : Mary. William. Edward, Andrew D. ;
Cornelia, who married Simeon D. Rose ; Miss M. F. Rose is daughter
of last named.
Nancy Hurd married Andrew Baker. Her children are: Emily
Baker, born 1824. married Henry Byram. her son is Andrew B. Byram;
Jeremiah Baker, married Salmon; Adeline Baker, married Thomas Post;
366 NEW JERSEY
Louisa M. Baker, married Jas. R. Beemer; Elizabeth Ann Baker, married
David Jardine; Adolphus Baker, married (i) Kanouse (2); Augustus
Baker, married .
Moses Hurd, Jr.'s children are: Harriet Hurd, Mary Lib. Hurd,
married Peter VanDerhoof ; Frank (dec), Minnie, married Thomas Tone.
Malinda Hurd married Manning Rutan: child, Eugene Rutan.
Soon after 1722, Moses Hurd came from Dover, New Hampshire. His
dwelling was on the same site or nearly so, as that of the Hurd Homestead
where John Ward Hurd died. The first house on this lot was a log house.
Then a long double house was built near the street. The house where John
W. Hurd died was built back of this and so close to it that planks were
laid across from the rear of old house to front of the new one and the
furniture moved across on them. Then the old house was torn down.
Stated by Miss M. F. Rose, as she heard it from John W.
From Old Family Letters :
New Jersey, Morris Co., Randolph, February 13. 1812.
Dear Nephew (Lewis Stiles) : I would have to prove Grace Homer had separate
estate if I made my money. Ask David (Stiles) about that, the debt is honest and
just. We are all well at present, hoping to you the same. I remain your affectionate
uncle till death.
J^IosEs Hurd.
Morristown, Jan. 30, 1818.
Dear Cousin : * * * Mathias has commenced to keep a little store in Dover.
No one to oppose him, he will likely do well. He has settled in Jersey for life. * *
Your cousin.
Is.i^.^c Ford Pierson.
Saratoga, N. Y., Nov. 11, 1825.
Dearest Cousin : I am here in search of health. They are digging a canal from
Delaware to Paterson, which passes between Rockaway and our home. * * Mahlon
Alunson married Henry Parsons' daughter, who is rich. Jacob and Munson Hurd
are both married. They each married a daughter of Peter Hoagland. Nancy Hurd
married Andrew Baker, and has done well.
Mathi,\s Kitchell.
Rockaway, N. J., Feb. 26. 1847.
Dear Cousin : Aunt Eunice Pierson boards with Charity at Dover. She liked to
have burned up in the house in Pennsylvania. Isaac Pierson has 22,000 acres in
Pennsylvania, brings lumber down the canal. Rockaway has six stores, two taverns,
lot 50 feel front by 100 feet deep sell for $100 — on a boom. The lowering of the
tariff, as I was in the iron business, like to have ruined me. It has gone down from
$85 and $go a ton to about $50, and had I not had a large farm to depend on,
would have broke me up. * * Mahlon Munson owns the "Old Stiles farms," and
is well off. * *
Mathi.^s Kitchell.
Dover, N. J., Sept. 2. 1S48.
Dear Cousin : * * I married Henry Parson's daughter, Eunice, have seven chil-
dren, the oldest twenty-four, youngest eight — Henrietta, Mahlon, Charles. Rhoda,
Emeline. Mary and Robert. Polly's (Hurd) husband is living. Their son came from
Mexico six weeks ago from the war. Jonathan Ball sold his interest in Jacob (Stiles)
estate to Stiles Pettibone. Present my love to all my cousins.
Yours truly,
Mahlon Munson.
To Capt. Lewis Stiles.
From J. Wellington Briant, Coal Office, Dover, July 7, 1913:
Referring to what John A. Briant of Rockaway had told about his
grandfather's leaving Springfield in 1780:
Honas (pronounced Hahnus) or Hahns (German, Hans) meaning
MORRIS COUNTY 367
John — Briant, the old father in Springfield, would not leave his house to
escape with his son, when the British were burning the village. His house
was riddled with bullets, but when the British commander looked in and
saw this old, white-haired man sitting there, he gave orders not to disturb
him and saved the house. In Hatfield's History of Elizabeth we are told
that four houses were spared at that time, and used by the British to house
their wounded men. Old Honas Briant came from Amsterdam, Holland.
His son, Andrew Briant, married Rachel Meeker. She was born in 1734.
Rev. Jacob Briant, called "Priest" Briant, because of his venerable
appearance and way of Hfe, was a man much beloved and revered by
his people. He was a real pastor of the people, a friend to every one
in his flock. He had long, silvery hair that hung down on his shoulders. He
was a very devout man. (This was sixty years ago from 1913, — 1853.)
He belonged to another branch of the Briant family. His tomb-
stone may be seen in the Mt. Freedom burying ground. See also the
old records of the church. He supplied the pulpit of the church at Mt.
Freedom and also preached in four school houses in outlying districts,
preaching in them by rotation, on Sunday afternoons. They were Center
Grove, Shongum, Wolfe school house, beyond Golden Corner at Frank
Merchant's, and one other.
Hannah Carteret, a titled lady, of whom there was a portrait, was a
connection of the Carterets of Elizabeth, N. J. She married Cornelius
Briant, from whom, on the mother's side, J. Wellington Briant is de-
scended. On the father's side he is descended from the Andrew Briant
who escaped from Springfield.
From Mr. Hulbert, postmaster in Mt. Freedom, over 80 years old:
Mt. Freedom, on the highway from Newark to Newton and Penn-
sylvania. Sometimes thirty teams would stop for the night at the tavern.
Traffic from Pennsylvania came through by wagon. Two trips a day
by stage coach from Newark to Newton. In early times had to go to
Mendham or Succasunna for mail.
The name Mt. Freedom was changed to Walnut Grove by a man who
set up a tavern and had some walnut trees in front of it. Afterwards the
people had the name changed back to Mt. Freedom. This man had the
first postoffice in the village and had the name entered as Walnut Grove
P. O.
From James Lincoln Hurd, Morris St., Dover, July 9, 1913:
Mr. Hurd has a very complete account of the Hurd family, which
has cost him many miles of travel, and much research. He has about three
thousand names. The name is found in the forms Hurd, Heard, and
Hord, perhaps Hard.
It is stated in the "History of Morris County," published in 1882,
that Moses Hurd came from Dover, New Hampshire, to Old Tye, New
Jersey, and that the name. Old Tye, was changed to Dover in connection
with this fact. But the fact appears to be that the first Hurd to come
to Dover, New Jersey, was Josiah Hurd, whose tombstone, with appropriate
dates, may be seen in the graveyard of the Presbyterian church at Suc-
casunna, and, morover, he came from Killingworth, Connecticut. The
legend about Dover. New Hampshire, may have got started in connection
with the Heard Garrison House of that place, which was famous as
being the only fort which withstood the Indian attack and massacre of
368 NEW JERSEY
June 27, 1689. The poet Whittier, in his poem, "Snowbound," refers to
relatives of his who had a part in that deadly encounter with the Indians :
Our mother, while she turned her wheel
Or run the new-knit stocking-heel,
Told how the Indian hordes came down
At midnight on Cocheco town,
And how her own great-uncle bore
His cruel scalp-mark to fourscore.
John Hurd, civil engineer, born in Somerset County, England, came
over in the ship Mary and John, and landed at Plymouth, March 20,
1630. (See Stiles' History of Ancient Windsor, Ct.) John Hurd was
among the first settlers in Windsor, Ct., and in 1644 was in Stratford,
Ct. (See Orcutt's History of Stratford, Ct., Vol. i, p. 113.) This is the
original immigrant.
Adam Hurd, born 161 1, was a son of the above John Hurd. Adam
Hurd had a son John Hurd, who married Anna Judson. This John Hurd
died in 1683. His son Ebenezer Hurd, born Nov. 9, 1668, married Sarah
Lane.
He was famous as the great mailrider of Connecticut. His son Josiah,
born Nov. 5, 1701, married Phebe Buell in 1725. He is buried in Killing-
worth (now Clinton), Conn. His son Josiah, born in Killingworth, Ct., on
June 7, 1734, removed to Morris County, N. J., and married Hannah
Brown of Bottle Hill. He settled in Dover, N. J., somewhere about 1756.
He died June 29, 1807, and his tombstone may be seen near the Pres-
byterian church at Succasunna. He was a private soldier in the Revolution.
His son, Moses Hurd, born Oct. 4, 1771, married Mary Stiles. He died
1831. His son, Jacob Hurd. born Oct. 4, 1798, married Mary Hoagland.
He died Aug. 6, 1871. He kept a noted tavern in Dover. His son, John
Ward Hurd, born Aug. 12, 1827, married (i) Hawley, (2) King. He
died Dec. 31, 191 1. He was the donor of Hurd Park.
Jaines Lincoln Hurd is a descendant of Joseph Hurd, of Hurdtown,
brother of Moses Hurd who married Mary Stiles. Joseph — David B. —
Edward C. — James Lincoln — John Schrader Hurd.
All the Dover Hurds are descendants of John and Priscilla Alden.
Jacob Hurd was a trustee of the Dover public school in 183 1, and later.
His signature may be seen in the old record book, as chairman of a
meeting held April 5, 1842.
On February 6, 191 1, Mr. John W. Hurd donated the land for a park,
to be known as Hurd Park, in front of the Hurd homestead on Blackwell
street. The Common Council accepted the gift. The park consists of six
acres and more. On October 12, 191 1, Hurd Park was formally dedicated
with appropriate exercises held on the ground in front of Mr. Hurd's
house. Mr. Hurd sat in his house and witnessed the proceedings.
Mr. Wm. H. Baker has a specimen of pen work made by Stephen
Hurd. who was a Dover teacher about 1807-8. It shows the names of
members of the Baker family and is beautifully illuininated in color. This
Stephen Hurd, then, is the earliest Dover teacher of whom we have any
trace. He was a brother of Dan and Major Joseph Hurd, who founded
Hurdtown. He married Lydia Fairchild. He afterwards went to Sparta,
built a store there and became a prominent citizen. He died about the age
of thirty, leaving a family. George W. Hurd, of Abilene, Kansas, a
lawyer, is a descendant. The old Hurd house in Sparta is a notable
MORRIS COUNTY 369
mansion, with hand-carved mantels. A facsimile of this pen work by
Stephen Hurd would be of interest, in color.
P. 313.* The first store in Dover was kept by Canfield & Hunt near
the Depot of the C. R. R., about 1810. The next store, a small one, was
kept by Moses Hurd, Senr., near the old school house on the corner of
Dicker'son and Morris sts., it burned down.
The Moses Hurd who came to help John Jackson in 1722 might have
been 20-25 years old then. 1722. U he lived to be 90, he would have
died in 1792-1787. The Moses Hurd who married Mary Stiles could
have kept a store in 1820-1831. He died 1831— was he IMoses Hurd,
Senior?
* Munson's History, Morris Co.
The Old School Records of Dover.
The book of earliest record for the Dover schools begins thus : The
following is a summary account of the Minutes kept by the Trustees &c
of the Dover Common School District up to the Annual Meeting, April
6th, 1840, taken from a Book in the possession of A. Doty Esq.
The first record of a meeting was August 15, 1831. when Aaron Doty, Wm.
Ford. Samuel Hicks Jun.. Stephen Conger and Jacob Hurd were appomted Trustees.
A public Meeting 8th Feb'v. 1832. It was resolved that the Trustees use all
lawful effort to secure the school house. That the expenses be defrayed by Subscrip-
tion & Each Subscriber pay in proportion to his State. County & poor Tax. 1 he
Trustees were incorporated the i6th Feb'v, 1832, as follows:—
To all to whom these presents may come, greeting— That we. the subscribers.
Trustees appointed according to law bv an association of persons in the Village
of Dover in the township of Randolph, in the County of Morris, for the promotion
of learning, according to the act entitled an act to incorporate Societies for the
promotion^'of learning, do hereby certify under our hands and Seals that _we have
taken on ourselves the name of 'The Trustees of the Dover School House."
As witness our hands and Seals, the Sixteenth day of February, A. D. 1832.
Signed, Aaron Doty, William Ford. Sam'l Hicks Jun., Stephen Conger, Jacob Hurd.
Witnesses — James Ford. Benj. F. Harrison.
Endorsed on the book :— "Rec'd in office. September loth. 1832. and recorded
in Morris Co. Record for Religious Societies, &c. folio 63. Daniel Day, Clk.
Under the Common School Act passed ist March, 1S38. The Township Com-
mittee of Randolph, consisting of Messrs. Daniel P. Merchant, Jabez L. Allen, &
F. B. Dalrymple, the Public School District of Dover was set off & bounded as
follows, viz. — . ,•
Beginning at the bridge over the Dell Brook near Elizabeth Vail s on the line
of the'Township of Hanover & Randolph— from thence to the house of Stephen
Conger's— thence to the house of Ezra B. Sanderson — thence to the house of Widow
Chrvstal's— thence to the house of Josiah Hurd' s— thence to the Harvey House-
thence to Washington Forge and on the boundary line of the Township of Randolph
to the place of beginning, including the house beforementioned & all the inhabitants
within said boundaries. Said committee also appointed a District Meeting to be held
on the 28th May, 1838. for the election of Trustees, agreeable to said Act.
First Annual fleeting under the .^ct of March i. 1838. was held 28 May. 1838.
When the Trustees. Jacob Hurd. Titus Berry, .^aron Doty. James Ford. Sidney
Breese. who were elected the 9th April preceeding were re-elected. Resolved, that
Seventy-two (72) days of instruction shall be considered a quarter.
Among those who were elected trustees from time to time, we find the names
of Joshua Butterworth, William Winters, Th. B. Segur.
April 8, 1840, it was resolved that the acts of the Trustees be recorded in a
book, and Mr. Jacob Hurd presented the Trustees with "this book, which cost seventy-
five cents." An account of all monies, contracts, and taxable inhabitants was also
ordered kept. .A meeting was called, at Jacob Hurd's house, at 7 o'clock in the
evening of the next Saturday, at which the taxable inhabitants were to express their
wishes in reference to building a school House &c.
April 10, 1840, Mr. John^ O. Hill was engaged as Teacher at One dollar &
seventy-five cents per quarter for each scholar who may attend sixty-six full days.
April II, the Trustees were requested to have a School House built on the site of
370 NEW JERSEY
the present one or near it, provided they are satisfied that the ground belongs to the
District. It was decided to build a house of two rooms, by a vote of 17 to 4.
April 20th it was reported that there were 136 children between the ages of
5 and sixteen. It was found that 43 desired a Male Teacher, 49 desired a Female
Teacher, and 12 were undecided, being a total of 104 children, whose parents voted on
this question. It was resolved to employ a female teacher, to assist Mr. Hill. Miss
Stickle was engaged.
July 3d, Miss Antoinette Magie was employed.
July 16. Resolved unanimously that the ground which has long been occupied
by the "District be run out and described by a Surveyor and entered by the Clerk
on the Books. Also resolved to build a school house 42 ft. long. 24 ft. wide, 12 ft.
posts, and finished 10 ft. in the clear, with a hall across the west end, 8 ft. wide,
with 5 windows in the rear and 4 in front, of 24 lights 8 by 10 each.
Oct. 22, 1840. Mr. Joseph H. Babcock was employed as Teacher. Some addi-
tions to the school house were ordered, such as a cupola for a bell, on the end over
the hall. The specifications for building are given in detail, Oct. 28.
Nov. 7, 1840. Mr. Hurd officiated as salesman, when the old School House
was bid off to .^byram Prudden for $26., being the highest bid offered. Conditions :
the House to be moved off within a week and the money to be paid when called for.
March 5, 1841. Mr. Babcock was requested to continue "teaching after the
present quarter expires and that he be allowed two dollars per quarter for each
scholar. He to board' himself and collect his bills.
June 3. 1841. .Agreed to allow Mr. Searing $150. for finishing the new school
house. On the second of November, 1840, he had secured the contract, as the lowest
bidder, at $700. "and would subscribe $50." June 3d, a ladder was ordered, "to get
up inside."
June 14. it was arranged that the school should "neat" Mr. Babcock $100. per
quarter, no more, no less.
Sept. 17, 1841. Mr. Searing presented his bills amounting to $850.
Dec. 6, 1841. Mr. Julian M. Loveland was employed "to teach our school." The
days in a quarter are now reckoned as 66. Charges for tuition, 16 shillings per
quarter for reading, writing and arithmetic, and 18 shillings for higher branches.^
the parents or guardians directing what their children or wards shall study. Payment
is guaranteed to the teacher for persons who are unable to pay their bills. This
is one step towards a free school. An assistant teacher is to be engaged by the "said
Teacher."
Resolved that said Teacher receive the wood that may be wanted and measure
it and allow the common price in the village for such wood, that he have it cut and
prepared for the fire, and charge the whole and also for pail, brooms &c to those who
send, in proportion to the number of days sent.
1842 Feb'y 19. Mr. John C. Lewis was employed as Teacher.
April 5, 1842. The following were elected trustees : — John M. Losey, Enos T.
Peck, James Ford. Sidney Brees, & Elias Garrigus. Autograph signature, Jacob
Hurd. James M. Fleming, Sec.
April 8, 1843. The school was offered to Mr. Babcock. He refused. It was
then offered to ^Ir. Lewis. He accepted.
April 7, 1845. The price to be paid for Oak wood for the use of the school
was fixed at 20 shillings, and the other wood in proportion. E. T. Peck, Sec.
April II, 1846. Employed j\Ir. Franklin W. Pease and his wife to teach our
schools. Mr. Pease is to occupy the school House and Mrs. Pease a room in the
Academy. The price of tuition for all common branches of education to be Two
Dollars per scholar per Quarter of 66 days and if he teaches the higher branches he