ship. The Easton and Atnhoy and South Branch
Railroads have stations hi re.

This village has a church (Reformed), a school,
two stores, hay-press, tavern, Idacksmith- and wheel-
wright-shops, and twenty or twenty-five houses. John
1). Van Liew is postmaster, and Samuel Young sta-
tion-agent of the South Branch Railroad.

Pleasant Ri n was originally called " Brookye,"
but its present cognomen was bestowed about lsi 1 ". by
Joseph Thompson, Esq., when drawing up the con-
stitution for the school at that point. It is merelj i
collection of farmhouses on both Bides of the stream

Of the same name, in the BOUth part of the tOWnship.

It has a store, kept by Isaac R. Thatcher, a hla.'k-

Bmith-shop, and a post-office, John A. < ' tie officiating

in the latter.

StAHTON has l.orne several name-; it was

called "Mount Pleasant," formerly was known as
â–  I I.ii-i l's." at one time went by the name ol

"Wagoner's Hill, "and finally was named in honor

of Line. dn's Secretary of War. One church lie-



496



HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.



formed), a store and post-office, kept by John V.
Berkaw, a school-house, and about a dozen houses
constitute the place. Stanton Station is about a mile
distant, on the Easton and Aniboy Railroad.

Rowland's Mills is a post-village, one and a half
miles from Stanton, upon the South Branch. It de-
rives its name from the former owner of the mills ;
besides these, it has a blacksmith-shop and shoe-shop,
with five or six dwellings.

Drea Hook or " Three Corners" is about a mile
southwest from White House station. It was origi-
nally a Dutch settlement, as its name evidences. A
school-house, blacksmith-shop, and a dozen houses
constitute the settlement.

Ba.rley Sheaf is a small hamlet formerly known
as Campbellsville, and at one time as Farmersville.
Its present name is indicative of its rural surround-
ings. It is located on the direct road from Flemington
to White House, one mile from Metler's (now Stover's)
mills. It had in former days a hotel, but now con-
tains only wheelwright- and blacksmith-shops, to-
gether with half a dozen farmhouses.

CHURCHES.
Prior to 1717, about which time the Readington
Church was organized, the inhabitants of this town-
ship had to go to the Raritan church (Somerville) for
public worship. But during the next quarter-century
several churches were established, not only in the ad-
joining townships, but in Readington. Tradition as-
serts that there were at least two log meeting-houses
erected and used in the vicinity of White House at
an early day.* The site of one was on the farm now
owned by David Sanderson ; the other, on lands for-
merly owned by Baltus Pickel, but now in possession
of G. C. Gearhart.f But the first church known to
have been organized in this township was the

REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH OF READINGTON

This church was organized in the early part of the
last century. Its records begin in 1719. The first
church edifice was begun in 1718, and completed the
following year. It was a log building, and stood near
the junction of the North and South Branches, nearly
opposite the present residence of John Vosseller, in
what is now Branchburg township. The church was
then, and for many years, known as the North Branch
church. This log building was used for eighteen
years ; tradition says it was burned down. The first
sermon preached in it was Feb. 21, 1720, by Rev.
Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen,} the first settled
preacher of the four united churches of Raritan, Six-
Mile Run, Three-Mile Run, and " North Branch."



* It. R. Honeyman, In an article on tho New Gormantown Church, in
" Our Home," p. 118, says, " Long hefore this early date [1742] the ' High
Dutch' of tho county hud built thorn a log church near White Houso, the
old hurying-ground of which oxiBts. Doubtless that very anclont society
was the paront of this. Thoro was another still, of tho Lutheran denom-
ination, located at l'ottcrstown, which was in existence prior to 1740.

â– f William Balloy.

JSee personal skotch olsowhero in this work.



Among the original or first supporters and members
of this church were Jacob Sebring, Derrick Van
Veghten, Jan Van Sicklen, Abraham Dubois, Koen-
radt Ten Eyck, John Pursell, Daniel Sebring, Michael
Van Veghten, Alexander McDowal, Tunis Van Mid-
dlewaert, George Hall, Albert Louw, William Rosa,
Lucas Schermerhorn, Benjamin Burt, Jacob Stoll,
Paulus Bulner, Joshua Crison, and Coert Jansen.
This is not a complete list, but, as their names fre-
quently recur in the church record, we infer that they
were among the most active, and nearly all have had
successors down to the present time. The first elders,
appointed in 1719, were Cornelius Bogart and Jan
Hendricksen ; the first deacons, Abraham De la Meter
and Andreas Ten Eyck.

The first entry in the baptismal register is of date
Feb. 21, 1720, recording the baptism of Matthew, son
of Andreas and Adriantje Ten Eyck.

In 1736 the four united congregations resolved to
get a colleague for Dominie Frelinghuysen, and a
call was prepared and sent to Holland. At the same
time Simon Van Arsdalen was appointed a "helper."
The North Branch Church was at this time, and until
Dominie Hardenbergh was called, of the "Confer-
entie" party.?

The old log church was replaced in 1738 by a frame
building, which, with more or less repairing, was used
for ninety-five years. Joris Hall, Jan Van Sicklen,
Nicholas Wyckoff, and Martin Ryerson were the build-
ing committee. Its location was about three miles
west of the old log church, and in the township of
Readington.|| The first sermon in the new church
was preached Oct. 7, 1739, by Dominie Frelinghuy-
sen.

Sept. 6, 1721, Emanuel Van Etten was elected elder,
and Jan Lou deacon, in place of Jan Hendricksen
and Abraham De la Meter. In 1722, Abraham De la
Meter was chosen elder, and Volkert Dercksen deacon,
in place of Jan Lou. In 1727, Andries Ten Eyck was
chosen elder, and Pieter Van Neste deacon, and
Emanuel Van Etten went out of office. To the fore-
going were added, as elders or deacons, up to 1736,
Thomas Bouman, Abraham Loth, Simon Van Ars-
dalen, Dirck De Mott, Jan Van Neste. The minutes
are continued regularly, and the yearly election of
elders and deacons noted, until 1744, when Jan Van
Neste, Abraham De la Meter, and Pieter Wortman
were the elders, aDd Nicholas Wyckoff, Jacob Ten
Eyck, and Martin Ryerson deacons; but there is
nothing more until 1750. What occurred in those six
years we cannot know, only Dominie Frelinghuysen
died in 1748, and his son succeeded him. The latter,
Johannes Frelinghuysen, preached his first sermon in
this church Aug. 10, 1750. His ministry lasted only



I Tho Conference wore not men of progress ; on tho contrary, they
reprobated tho idea of independence from Holland, opposed Utterly any
attempt to found an institution of learning, and would only have a min-
istry from the Fatherland— Dr. A. Mesiler.

|| About 1835 tho name of the church was changed to " Readington."



READINGTON.



497



for three and a halt' years, when he died. A minister
could ii"i be procured in Holland, and so there was

in) pastor lor tin- induing lour years. Thru the young
student of Frelinghuyseii, Rev. .Jacob Kut-i-n Har-
denbergh, took hi^ place. During the interval, how-
ever, Dominic Krycninoct a fugitive minister frcun

Wawarring, N. Y.) preached several times, and there
was a strong effort made to secure him as pastor of

the associate churches. Still, they could M>1 agree,

and Dominie Fryenmoet wen! away.

Hardenbergh was ordained in 1757, and was the

first minister in the Dutch Church in America who

had not I •< ■• ■ 3 ■ obliged to go to Holland for study, ex-
amination, and licensure. His ministry embraced a
period of twenty-five years. In 1781 he resigned his
call and removed to Rosendale, X. Y.

In 1783, Simeon Van Arsdale was called, and in
May, 17s I. he hecaiiie the pastor.' 1 " His remains lie
in the lieadington churchyard, and on the tablet at
the head of his grave is the following inscription:

lii memory of ttio Kov. Simeon Van Ari-ilali-, uh-> departed thin life

11, 20th 'i ij 1 'i , 1

" Horo Hoi entombed a servant of tliu Lord,
A faithful preacher of tils sacred word,

\\ 1, n with Christ in glory is sot down,

Deckod in wliite nil"* and honored with a crown."

I Ic was succeeded in 1786 by the Rev. Peter Stud-

diford, who preached at Bechninster, in coi ption

with Readinglon, until 181 lit, and then al lleadinglon
alone until his death. His ministry lasted about forty
years, and was marked by large accessions of mem-
ber ,1 He did Nov. 21, 1826, in the sixty-fourth
year of hi- age, and his remains lie at Keadington, h_\
the side of those of I >. Van Arsdale.

The other pastors of this church have been Rev.
John Van l.ieu, 1X2X-69; Rev. .1. (i. Van Slykc,
1869 70; Rev. J. II. Smock, 187n to present time
(1880). During the forty-three years' pastorate of
Rev. Dr. Van I.icw, olio persons were wel ncd to



* The following is a minute from the church records of this data :

"Jan. IS, 1THI, the Itev. Consistory of Nnrih Branch convon.il at the
houso of Jan Slmonso, and wai opened with prayer.

" Article I. Was presented to tin- RoT.C , |
tho church hy M., who in his own house hu pormlttod the use of im-

propez ana (fbrblddon in God's. Word . bj a peraon bearing tl

1 1 1, for the rocovery of ft child *ii>! to be tormented by witch.
iiuti Thenld Hoboing present,dld not, upon presentation of his aeon."
â–ºulii. 11, show a sufficient knowledge of his transgression, wherau|n>n the

Mini, was post] 1 fur oonildontton al the earliest meeting of Con-

,1 1,,, f,

"Jan. oO, 1781, the Kov. Consistory met at the home "1" Sdward Bonn,
opened with prayer. Article I. Wai resumed tho matter oonoemlng M ,
taken Into consideration al the hut held meeting of Oonalitory, and the
».ii H., being present, haa manifested a ■uflelenl knowledge of his
transgress and I l.-i .upon lias mndo confession out of whi. h the It-v.

IhcUoo.
"Article it- â– ' D., concerning whoso child the above mi
oflbme was presented, having also Ignormntlj fallen Into the sams orror,
and being addressed concerning It, has also, by a hssrtyoonfeasl

complete satisfaction. Hla wlfo also has given aattsfacUoD In this. Thus
the meeting hi closed with thanksgiving.

"Ikwas, Simi » Vis LnrsoAiHt,

V. D K â–  â– â–  u. -., ivim."
t See sketch on pages iVI-,".! of tills work.



the communion of the church, and 1119 infants and
85 adults baptized. He died Oct. 18, 1869, and was
entombed in the new cemetery mar his church. He
was born in 1798.

Prom the church records are here reproduce
HUM. - of some of the early members : April 26, 1760,
at the house of Andreas Ten Eyck, were admitted to

the Communion of the church, on confession of faith,

Petrus Van Neste, Matthew Ten EJyck, and Maria
Van Arsdalen, wife of Dirck Sebring. dan. !:>, 1762,

xrafession, Nicholas Egbort and Jannetje Corse,

wifeof Edward Harrinton. Dec. 81, 1764, Derrick
Sutphin and Petrus Nevius from BedminBter), Cath-
iiii: wii ,i Edward Eunn, Neeltjis, wif: of Abra-
ham Montfort, Catharine, wifeof Peter Sutphin.

Tin new church at Readington was built in 1833;
it stood thirty-one years. It was consumed hy fire
Manh 22. 1 si ', I , and replaced at once by the edifice
now in use, 56 by 76 feet in size. It was dedicated
July 20, 186"). Both these churches were built during
the pastorate of John Van Liew, D.D.

T11K REFORMED DUTCH flll-RCH OF R0CKAWWY

was organized Jan. It", 1792, at the house of Abraham
Van Horn, by a committee from the Classis of New
Brunswick. Revs. John Duryea and John M. Van
Harlingen were present. This church "was origi-
nally formed out of persons who had heen connected

with Readington, with a few families from Bedmin-
stcr, a few from the Presbyterian Church of Laming-
tou, and also a few from the Lutheran Church of New
Germantown. It is first spoken of in the minutes of

Synod in 1 T * • : I as a place in which religious services
were rendered, and called Potterstown. John Duryea
rendered a part-service there from IXlMl to 1801, preach-
ing in the barn of Abraham Van Horn. John Schure-
man attended a catechetical class within the hounds

of thi ngregation while he was at Bedminster."}

This church was probably called the Potterstown

Church because of the residence there of Cornelius

Wyckoif, the firsl elder, whose family made up a

important part of the congregation, and whose

earlier meetings were held at his house. The BrBl
Consistory chosen was: Elders, Cornelius Wyckoif,
Sr., and Aaron l.ane; Deacon-. HenTJ Traphagen

and George Oovenhoven.J The firsl members re-
ceived into the communion were Abraham Van
Horn. Matthias Lane, John Wyckoff, Cornelius Wyc-
koif, dr.. Gertrude Wyckoif, wife of A. Van Horn,
Catharine Sulten, wife of John Wyckoif, and Altie
Covenhoven, wifeof Matthias Lane.

Subsequently, and previous to 1808, were received
into the church William Van lion, and Elizabeth,

his wife: Sarah Van Horn, wife of Jacob Wyckoif;

Cornelius W. Van Horn and Maria Suydam, his

Wife; Cornelia Wyckoif; Cha.rlse Wyckoif; l.ydia

r.amct. wife of George Covenhoven; Abraham Ten

• Rev. ALrnm Messler's " Historical Notes."
2 Book of Minutes.



498



HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.



Eyck ; Abraham Van Doren and Rachel Babcock,
his wife; Eleanor Montfert, Mary Johnson, Catha-
rine Kline, Catharine Adams, Cornelius Messier, Sr.
(father of Rev. Abram Messier, D.D.), and Roelif
Covenhoven. Of the thirty-five received under the
ministry of Rev. Demarest, none now survive, John
Reger being the last to depart. Among later mem-
bers we find, in addition to those before given, the
family names of Van Houten, Voorhees, Smock,
Brokaw, Space, Vescelius, Swackhamer, Nevius,
Stryker, Neff, Quick, Van Nest, Van Deventer,
Dilley, Roelifson, Dumont, Emory, Melick, Young,
Rodenbough, Sutphin, Van Vleet, Teunison, Lowe,
Plumley, Johnson, Stillwell, Farlee; and Rebecca
Van Cleef was the one hundredth person who joined
the church, Oct. 29, 1820.

The first minister was Rev. John Duryea, 1799-
1801 ;* Aug. 2, 1808, a call was made to Cornelius T.
Demarest; he continued until 1813. Later this church
united with the Lebanon Church, and called Jacob I.
Schultz, who was installed Nov. 26, 1816. He preached
on alternate Sabbaths in each church. His was the
longest pastorate the church has had, — over eighteen
years. His successors have been Revs. Peter S. Wil-
liamson, 1835-89 ; James Otterson, 1840-45; Goyn Tal-
mage, 1845-51 ; Lawrence Comfort, 1852-54 ; Aaron
Lloyd, 1855-56; Smith Sturgis, 1857-63; Evert Van
Slyke, 1864-66; William Bailey, 1868, still (1881)
officiating.

For fifteen years after the organization the congre-
gation worshiped in Mr. Van Horn's barn, but in
1807 a church was commenced. The site was in Abra-
ham Van Horn's orchard, not far from the historic
barn, and midway between the old white house and
the store of J. V. F. Wyckoff. William Van Horn
deeded the land and funds were raised by subscrip-
tions, aggregating $1200. As soon as the house was
fairly inclosed its use was begun. It was not until
1819 that the " galleries were floored, seats put up,"
and the church completely finished. This house was
used for more than forty years. In 1849 a " new and
comfortable and most respectable house of worship"
was erected. It was dedicated Jan. 10, 1850. The
church has a desirable parsonage property, free from
incumbrance.

The White House Missionary Association was or-
ganized in 1824, and is still in active operation.

THE REFORMED DUTCH CHUKCII, THREE BRIDGES.

This church is of recent date, having been organ-
ized in 1874 ; it had no settled pastor until 1880. Pre-
viously it depended upon the ministrations of neigh-
boring preachers as stated supplies. The Rev. P. D.
Oakley, D.D., who was teaching at Neshanic from
1870 to 1876, supplied the pulpit during the last three
years of that period. Rev. Gilbert Lane officiated in



* From 1702 until 1808 the church was supplied from tlio fJliiMHis of Now
Brunswick, anil between 1K01-8 tho following served the church : .lumen
S. Cannon, William K. Smith, John S. Vrcderibnrgh, nnd Ira Condit.



1877. Subsequently, and until quite recently, they
were supplied by Rev. M. N. Oliver, of Clover Hill.
The Rev. Edward Birdsall has been called as pastor
of this church. The present membership (1881) is
81, and there are 100 pupils in the Sabbath-school.

THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH OF STANTON

was formed out of families who had been accustomed
to attend divine worship at Readington, but the dis-
tance made it inconvenient and burdensome, and led
them to make an effort to provide a more convenient
place for themselves. This culminated, in 1833, in
the formation of what was then called " The Dutch
Reformed Church of Mount Pleasant." Its organiza-
tion was effected through the Classis of Philadelphia,
October 15th of that year. Its original members were
John M. Wyckoff, Josiah Cole and wife, Abraham
and Margaret Anderson. The first Consistory was
composed of John M. AVyckoff and Josiah Cole,
elders, and Abraham Anderson, deacon. In 1834
they proceeded to build a house of worship. Revs.
G. Ludlow, John Van Liew, and Jacob Kirkpatrick
officiated at the laying of the corner-stone. The
building was completed before the close of the year
and dedicated, the same reverend gentlemen again
taking part in the services.

In June, 1835, the congregation presented a call to
the candidate Jacob R. Van Arsdale. It was ac-
cepted, and he was ordained and installed in October.
April, 1850, he resigned and removed to Tyre, N. Y.
He was followed by Rev. Horace Doolittle, who la-
bored until 1872. His successor was Rev. Edward
Cornet, who officiated until 1876, since which date
Rev. Abraham J. Martine has had charge, and is the
present incumbent.

This church from small beginnings has grown to
fair proportions, having in 1872 reported 70 families
and 140 communicants.

THE MECHANICSVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.f

The first traces of Methodism in Mechanicsville
and White House take us back to the early part of
the century. The first definite knowledge of services
here dates to about 1836, when Rev. John Lenhart,
subsequently lost on the " Cumberland," in Hampton
Roads, and James O. Rodgers, still in the work, were
appointed to the Flemington Circuit, of which this
was a part. They preached at stated intervals in a
school-house located a short distance along the ridge
east of Mechanicsville. Class-meetings were held,
and Father Mendham, now sleeping in the Mechan-
icsville cemetery, is remembered as a class-leader in
those days. After a year or two the Germantown
Circuit was formed, with which this place was incor-
porated. About 1838, Rev. Curtis Tallcy preached
here. The first board of trustees consisted of Judge
Isaiah Large, George Hall, John Hall, AVilliam Ililf,
and J. S. Van Horn.



t By Rev. J. A. Kingsbury.



HEADINGTON.



499



In 1X44, Rev. Wesley Robertson traveled the cir-
cuit. He liclil :i meeting iii a grove, then standing

mi the north side uf tin- I urn | >i L. , when- non i ~ 1 1 1 1 â– 

centre of the village. There wen- aboul forty con-
versions, including several prominent citizens who
subsequent!] became pillars in the church, among
whom were Thomas Applegate, Dr. Scott, and John
and Peter Ditmars. Dr. Scotl furnished the society
with land, and quite a sum of money was raised on
subscription, lor tin- new edifice.

Rev. Abraham Owens came m-M ; he preached at
ill. beginning in the upper pari of a blacksmith-shop
located about where thai of I_. K. Wind, Esq., now
stands. He caused the erection of the first church.
The location was on the south side of the turnpike,
at the lower or eastern end of the village, where the

cemetery now stands. The building was plain, with-
out spiie, and cost (including work and materials
given I about $1600.

About 1850, Rev. Benjamin Eelley was sent to the
circuit. His labors at Mechanicsville were crowned

with great success. A revival occurred, during which
about 100 were converted.

During the next few years preachers came and went
in the order of their appointment, and small revivals
occurred which gradually swelled the membership of
the church. The circuit was reduced in size until

New Grermantown and Mechanicsville were alone
together, the parsonage being situated at the former
place.

Rev. W. W. Voorhi i- i'

md remained for only one year. A notable revival
occurred dining the year, resulting in lie- conversion
of about ion. This large accession led to a desire for

a new and larger church. Rev. Martin 1 1 en- t.,11., wed

mi the charge, and through his energetic zeal the
present large and beautiful building was erected.
The old church was sold and removed, and tin- lot,
which bad been considerably enlarged, was made into
:i burial-ground. A new property somewhat farther
west and v central, on the opposite side of tin-
street, was purchased. The church cost aboul $10,500,
and was dedicated I lee, liti, l.Si',7.

In 1869, Mechanicsville was severed from New Qer-

inantow n. About 1N7_! the church was damaged by
a high wind t.. such an extent a- to require >l ".on for
repairs.

During the second year of the mini-try of Rev. \.
Van Deusen (autumn of 1877) another large revival
occurred, and before it- close aboul 120 professed
conversion. The present pastor, Rev. J. \. 8 Lugs
bury, came here in the spring of 1879. The present
membership i- about 250.

A Sunday-school ha- been in operation since the
first edifice was occupied.

I'h.- societ; has long been burdened with debt, but
for the past \'<-k years, through a kind legacy of $1000,

and earnest labor and economy, it bafl been eut down

very considerably.



THB CKNTUEVIM.K MKTHODIST EPISCOPAL Clll'la II
The first preaching in any way connected with this

society wa- by Rev. David Walter-, then stati

l-'l. iiiin-_-t-.il. II.- commenced a series of meetings in

the school-house near the village, and the result was

nearly 100 conversions. The meetings were com-
iii. ie.il iii the early part of March, 1S(!0, and con-
tinued until tie- meeting of the Newark fouler, nee.

Ri . Walter- was returned to Flemington, and
continued to preach in tin- school-house, on a week-
day evening, once a week during the year. Before
having for Conference he had organized a society,
known as the "Centrcville Methodist I
eiety," and appointed J. A. Craig the first class-
leader. He had also taken steps toward- securing
the building of a church edifice. The land was
donated by David Van Fleet, Esq., of Flemington
(the deed bearing date of Feb. 14, 1870), along with
a subscription of $200 and tin- stone for the founda-
tion. Subscriptions were solicited and paid in, SO
that in March the church wa- erected, and dedicated,
on the 10th of that month, very nearly clear of debt.
It- cost was about $3000, including furniture. The
trustees wen- David Van Fleet, Charles M. Ball,
Hiram Hull', William Van Fleet, Oliver H. Smith,

I'eter D, Thatcher, and Jai-ob \. Craig. Among
those who had previously served was Khlridge

i ; i ..II.

Rev. John Davis was the first preacher in charge;
bis pastorate was during 1*70-71. I'.ro. Albert Van
Deusen supplied regularly for the following year, while
stationed at Readington and Allerton: He was fol-
lowed by Frederic Bloom, local preacher, is;:: - \.
In l*7"i no service- were held, except prayer- and
class-meetings, until September, when I'.ro. James
Perkins (local i supplied the pulpit. The next spring
he was returned by the Conference, and remained
until Dec. 1, 1876, when Rev, J. A. Craig was as-
signed to this charge in connection with .Mount Zion
Church. He remained three years, leaving in the
spring of 1879. Rev. Thomas Sharp was his suc-
cessor, serving in 1879, and being returned for bis
second year in the spring of 1880, but supplying the
two churches named abo\ i .

I'h. n- has been a Sabbath-school in connection with

the church since its fire! organization. The church

,-. itb a membership of about 60, and now num-
bers ab. ait 100. The Rev. .1. A. Craig, from whom

much of the above history has b.en obtained, is now
a student at Drew Seminary.

mi. QB01 i: Ml 111..W-1 I PISOOPAX QUI B ' i:i'M>-

This church w located near Barley Sheaf, in Read-
ington town-hip. (if it< early history it seems diffi-
cult to gather much that i- definite. >r satisfactory.

The Rev. Mr. Weed. Rev. John Creamer, and bifl as-
-i-tant, I-aae Winner, all preachers on the Trent. m