the laymen, Gen. John and Frederick Frelinghuysen,
Andrew How, II, Benjamin McDowell, Michael Van
Ycghten, P. '/,. Blmendorf, John M. and Samuel Bay-
ard, Peter B. Dumont, William B. Gaston, Nicholas
Du Bois, Joseph Annin, William I. BiOgers, John M.
Mann, Samuel 1.. Southard, Van Nest, Beekman, and
l>rs. Swan. Schenck, Stryker, and Hageman.
1 Of nil those preson! at the finl annual i ting, bul am B
vYo im, ilnoe deceased — sun I BlUeth
olva] -an.
names include not only the founders, Imt other- uln.
followed them, and those who bore them are now
numbered with the dead.
The object of this society, as stated in it- constitu-
tion, is "to supply the poor of this county with Billies
and Testaments, Jratw." Any surplus fund that may
reiican >.-â– . pal I to the BOO] iv ol \vl:i h thi ; t anxilfirv
The qualification of membership is the payment of
one dollar annually to the society. Its officers an- a
president, two vice-presidents, and a secretary and
treasurer, selected from the board of- managers, which
is chosen annually.
i leu. John Frelinghuysen was secretary for fourteen
years, until bis death, lie was followed, after a \\\v
temporary appointments, by Judge William T. Rod-
gers, who served for < â– i -_r 1 1 1 year-, and was followed by
I â– '. J, rrelingbuyseii. the present incumbent.
The first treasurer was . lodge Andrew Howell, who
held the office for fourteen years, until stricken with
paralysis. He was succeeded by John M. Mann. Un-
faithful incumbent for thirty-three years. His buc-
cess or was S. S. Hartwell, Esq.; he was followed by
J. !â– '. Mesick, who still fills the position.
The record of ibis society has been one of " steady
growth and progress. The annual meetings have been
punctually held, and have always been attended with
a good and encouraging degree of interest. Measures
have been adopted, & time to time, to increase the
interest, BOmetimes by changing the annual sermon
for addresses bj distinguished laymen and civilians
whose hearts were deepl] engaged in the cause. The
meetings, instead of being at a stated place, a- at lirst,
have been held in the different churches in succes-
sion throughout the county." Agents have been ap-
pi luted to vi it 3V :v I'iinih in Somerset t unit' flic
first canvass was in 1827, another, tor a re-supply, in
Is:;:;, and again in 1835. In hiii the work was per-
formed again, and five hundred dollars voted to aid
the American Bible Society in supplying the State
with the Scriptures, in 1866 a resolution was passed
toaidthi iety in supplying the whole United
State-. In L855 the entire income of the society was
Voted to the parent society to aid it in publishing an
Arabic version ofthe 1 >i t • I< -. From 1862 it distributed
Copies of the Word of God yearly during the war in
the camp and on shipboard.
In L886 the SU f $41 1.56 was paid to the parent
society; in 1846, $555; in L856, $1627 ; in 1866, $3297.
The fiftieth anniversarj of the Somerset County
Bible Societ] was celebrated in the First Reformed
church of Somerville, Aug. !â– "â– . 1867. The attendance
was verj large, and the occasion was one of solemn
interest After prayer bj Bev. Dr. Rankin, of Bask-
ing Ridge, the Rev. Gabriel Ludlow, D.D., of Nesh-
anic.t preached the annual sermon, linin Exodus xii.
ii This day -ball be unto you a memorial."
addressi - were also delivered on that occasion bj Rev.
t Being .a ibi- Urn
632
SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
Dr. Taylor, delegate from the American Bible Society,
Hon. Peter D. Vroorn, Hon. F. T. Frelingkuysen,
J. F. Hageman, and others.
The last annual gathering was held at Franklin
Park, Aug. 10, 1880, in the newly-erected Reformed
church, which was well filled on the occasion. The
president, John De Mott, presided over the meet-
ing. The report of the executive committee, pre-
pared by Rev. Dr. Messier, chairman, was read by
the secretary, F. J. Frelinghuysen, in his absence.
The treasurer's report showed that the annual re-
ceipts had been $938.98, which amount had been dis-
bursed (save a balance on hand of $21.10) during
the year, as follows :
J. L. Stillwell, three days distributing Bibles in
North Plaiufield $9.96
American Bible Society 905.00
A. V. D. Honeyman, circulars 2.50
Incidental expenses . 42
8917.88
The depository's report embraced the following:
Number of volumes received from the Amer-
ican Bible Society 544
Cost of 544 volumes $204.87
Number distributed and sold 185
Cost of 185 volumes 60.82
Value of volumes in depository $144.05
Number of volumes in depository 359
Number of volumes sold, 37 87.91
Expenses 2.00
$5.81
The following resolutions were adopted :
" Resolved, That we highly approve of the semi-millenial celebration
of the Wicklifle translation, to be hold in the State-House at Trenton on
Sept. 21 and 22, 1880.
" Resolved, That twelve delegates be appointed by this Society to that
meeting,— viz., Rev. J. F. Mesick, D.D., Rev. A. Messier, D.D., Eev. P.
M. Doolittle, Eev. James Le Fevre, Eev. E. T. Corwin, D.D., Eev. A. Mc-
Williams, Eev. Samuel Parry, Eev. L. F. Burgess, J. V. D. Hoagland,
Esq., Peter A. Voorhees, Esq., JameB E. Negus. Twelve alternates were
appended.
"Resolved, That not less than twenty-five dollars be raised by a special
committee as our proportion to meet the expenses of the convention."
The Committee on Nominations reported the fol-
lowing officers for the year ensuing : President, James
E. Negus ; Vice-President, George V. Tunison ; Sec-
retary, Frederick J. Frelinghuysen ; Treasurer, Rev.
J. F. Mesick, D.D.; Depository, James Gaston; To
Preach the Sermon, Rev. C. H. Pool, and Rev. Wil-
liam E. Davis his alternate.
SOMERSET COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTE*
In the holding of teachers' institutes Somerset was
a pioneer, the first ever held in the State being at
the court-house in Somerville, commencing on Mon-
day, June 18, 1849, and closing on the following Sat-
urday. Mr. J. F. Severance was president, Abraham
Hess vice-president, and William H. Jelliff secretary.
The instructors were Prof's. C. W. and J. C. Sanders,
and James B. Thomson, of New York. An address
upon education was delivered by Dr. King, State su-
perintendent, and another upon temperance by Horace
* By .1. S. Haynes.
Greeley. The second institute was held in Somer-
ville in 1851. The instructors were Profs. Fowle and
Stone, of New England. The third was at Millstone
in the summer of 1853, under the instruction of D. G.
Eaton, of Brooklyn, and S. T. Bowen, of New Bruns-
wick. One of the most interesting of those earlier
educational meetings was held in Somerville, com-
mencing July 31, 1854. The instructors were D. G.
Eaton, David Cole, and Dr. Hoagland. Addresses
were delivered by Governor Price, David Cole, and
Rev. John A. Todd. Prof. Eaton's beautiful illus-
tration of the structure of the human eye, and Mr.
Todd's lecture upon the " Dynasty of the Pen," were
among the finest things ever given to the teachers of
this county. The fifth was at Peapack, in Septem-
ber, 1855, with Charles W. Sanders and James B.
Thomson as instructors. The attendance was not so
large as usual, but the charming weather and the
bountiful hospitality of the people made the week at
Peapack a pleasant event. The institute of 1856 was
at Middlebrook, with Professor Fowle, of Boston.
From 1856 to 1861 there were three, — one at Somer-
ville, under Prof. Fowle ; another at Bound Brook,
with Prof. Giddings, of Brooklyn, as instructor; and
the third at East Millstone, with Profs. Sanders,
Stoddard, and Potter. In 1861 there was an insti-
tute at Raritan, under the instruction of William F.
Phelps, principal of the Normal School at Trenton.
From this time until 1874 there were three, — two at
Peapack and one at Pluckamin. The instructors
were Messrs. Dalton and Sanders. This completes
the list of institutes under the old regime, when every
teacher in attendance gave his time and was mainly
dependent for entertainment upon the hospitality of
the people. The sessions of an institute in those
days generally continued about a week. The attend-
ance ranged from fifteen to fifty, twenty-five to thirty
being the usual average.
The law of 1867 intrusted the care of the institutes
to the county superintendent. Under this arrange-
ment an institute has been held every year from 1874
to the present time, with the exception of 1878. They
are all now held in Somerville, on account of its cen-
tral location and its facilities for the entertainment of
teachers, who now pay their own expenses, but whose
time is given by their districts. The sessions continue
three days; the number of teachers in attendance
averages about eighty. The first of this series was
organized in March, 1874, by County Superintendent
E. W. Rarick. The instructors have been E. A.
Apgar, State superintendent, Professors Johnson and
Apgar, of the Normal School, Miss Minnie Swayze,
Mrs. Randall Diehl, Rev. Samuel Lockwood, Pro-
fessor Northrop, of Connecticut, B. W. Putnam, of
Boston, Professor De Graff, of Albany, and prominent
teachers of the county. The subjects discussed have
been the common English branches and the natural
sciences, with especial prominence given to drawing
and reading.
COUNTY SOCIETIES.
633
The Thompson brothers ami Drs. Rankin, Ro.lg.r-,
ami Messier were interested friends of the earlier
meetings; hut the most energetic ami enthusiastic
friend of education in this county twenty-live years
:igo was Mr. C. C. Iloaidainl, lowu superintendent 'it'
Hillsborough. With an interest thai never flagged
ami a vigilance that never wearie.l, he kept the cause
befon the people, inspiring everybody with the same
spirit, until the county journals teemed with at
upon the subject, ami Somerset was claimed t'> be the
banner e ity of the State lor public schools.
SOMERSET COUNTY SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION* !
The "Somerset County Sun. lay-School Associa-
tion" was organized Feb. 7, lsi',11, in the Reformed
Dutch church of East Millstone.t The Rev. David
Cole h:nl In 1 n ujipointeil by the State Association at
its last convention corresponding secretary for Som-
erset County, and accordingly he called a convention
of churches and Sunday-schools to meet in his church
on the day above named. The meeting was aol largi .
but was spirited and unanimous. Representatives of
three evangelical denominations — Baptist, Presbyte-
rian, ami Reformed Dutch— were piv-ent. Henry
Garretsorj was made temporary chairman, and Fred-
erick R. Brace clerk /"'" lull. The Rev. Stephen
Searle, of ( iriggstown, opened the convention with
prayer.
The corresponding secretary, Rev. David Cole,
staled the object of the meeting, and in his usual
earnest and practical manner set forth the advantages
of a county organization auxiliary to the State asso-
ciation, lie closed his remarks by offering the fol-
lowing :
" /too/cod, That wo prococd to form a Somerset County Sunday-School
Assi'diitl.iu."
The motion was seconded by Rev. James Le Fevre,
of'Ruritan. After further remark- by several Speak-
ers, the resolution wa- unanimously carried.
The following were appointed to report a constitu-
tion: P. .Mason, l'.apii-t: i.. V. 1 >. Shepherd, Presby-
terian; Rev. .1. Le Fevre, Reformed Dutch. Sub-
sequently they reported the following, which was
adopted :
"ArrrioU I. SsoKra 1, Xlii- — 1. a.. .I. .hill bo (.ailed tlio Somerset
Sunday-Sol I a itatlon. 11 shall In auxiliary '" ""' Saw
â– issoclatl in.
1 cd i i-t ..I* nil pastors and superintend-
ents of 00-opoiHtlug Sabbath*schools l togolhei with nil uthei
whom these Sabbath-echo >la shall from Urns to time â– â–
1 in, '11, ipoi ons only shall have a right I
1 1 this association r-lmll be to
Mr, in., the attondam (of I 'i|-"ii th.<
Sabbath' 10I 1 ; t" organize, through ii- oill.-.-i-., mi. i. i
b DC ary; and t,> 1 to, In .11 propot ways, a general interest In
thenar, ibbal
"Aril. 11 III S ' 1 I),. 1, , -hull Ik- a
pie Idont, 1 . .. |. 1 . nlnationa,
a recordln isurar.
• Hy Rar, Junta La ITevra.
f- The Ural Sunday-eohool I ltd In the count] in
bath In April, 1810, in the Tillage ..r 9 rrtlla,
41
" Section 2. These officers shall tie elected annually, and shall consti-
tute the execuliv imnitl 1
I, When anyone elected to qii office shall positively decllno
lent of the association shall bare power to nil the Te-
nancy thus oraatod In the executive onuunittoe.
" Article IV. Section 1. Tho duti. ut, -rice-president,
recording secretary, and treasurer shall be those osually devolving upon
such ofllcors.
"Section 2, It shall bo tho duty of each secretary for a township to
vii.it and address all the schools in hi- township, to gather their statistics
tnblankj tobe fuml -sociation, and to
1 hi- work to the county secretary of tho State asso-
ciation at least .me month previous to the annua] meeting of this asso-
ciation.
1 V. The necessary oxpensos of this association shall bo pro-
vi.i.ii for as the exocoilre committee may direct.
- \ etxi 11 VI, The annual meeting of this association shall be held
on tho second Tuesday in September, at 10 o'clock a.m., at such place as
tho association shall tlx upon from 11 to time by rote,
" Article VII. This constitution, or any part of it, may bo changed
only at annual meeting*, and thou by a vote of a majority of tho mem-
bers proei
The first officers of the association were the follow-
ing: President, Rev. R. K. Rodgers, D.D. ; Vice-
Presidents, Isaac F. Frazee, Methodist; J. M. Lath-
rop. Ilaptist; Isaac R. Cormdl, Episcopal; David
llotrinaiin. Presbyterian; Lawrence Van Derveer,
Reformed Dutch; Recording Secretary, Peter N.
Beekman; Treasurer, J. \'. D. Eoagland; Town-hip
Secretaries: Franklin, T. R. Brace; Hillsborough,
F.lias Van fleet ; Montgomery, Joseph 11. Voorhees;
I'.ranchburg, Joseph Thompson; Hridgewater, A. D.
Hope; Bernard, Nathaniel Kelly; Bedminster, Jacob
L. Sutphen ; Warren, John Dunn.
The first annual 111. cling was appointed to be held
in the Third Reformed church, at Raritau, Tuesday,
Sept. II. 1860, al 10 L.M., and it wasagreal success.
Lawrence \'an Derveer. in the absence of the presi-
dent, presided. Mr. Beekman, the recording secre-
tary, has this note of th. meeting:
e ..f tli.. in. - t i-l.-.i-iiiu- f.. ut in..- ,.1 the day was tho singing by some
of tho children beloi iV church, under tho efll-
i-iont lead of Miss Frelioghuysen, The iweel melodlesmng tiy them
tended, no doubt, to the i tl t the harmony and good feeling of
ti..- meeting. 11
1 f tweiilv ,,ar- tl:i a - " i: : i 11 ha- 1 11 in suc-
cessful operation, and ha- had the cordial support and
entire confidence of the best people in the county.
ii,. Rev. David Cole, who was -.. prominent in or-
ganizing and in shaping the lite of the organization,
after four years' service a- it- county secretary, was
called to bis the professor of Greek in Rutgers College.
Upon hi- lea\ ing the county the Re v. James Le Fevre
wa- Dominated by the county association, ami con-
firmed bj the Siate a— o.i aii on. t.. be its corresponding
secretary, and he continues in that office to the present
time. During 1874, when Mi. Le Fevre was president
of the Stale a— oeialioii. I [on. P( 1 A. Voorh
, lary.
The presidents of the association have been ;
1;. v. is h â– ' t sli ;.. 1;. . a 11.
I' I' little, Henry II. G
Btephi ' V.Kirlioes, Ju.lgo
Balph â– . I'm- hsr, Vi llllam N Adair, Bar. s, Par-
ftoT. Samuel rarry, and It. 1 0. B
634
SOiMEKSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
The vice-presidents for twenty years have been
chosen from the co-operating denominations, and
have been working and representative men.
The recording secretaries were Peter N. Beekman,
five years; John H. Wilson, five years ; Richard Gar-
retson, one year ; Daniel Porter, up to the time of his
death, eight years ; Edward B. Porter, one year.
The association has had but one treasurer, Judge J.
V. D. Hoagland.
The township secretaries have been :
Bedminster. — Jacob L. Sutphen, two years ; Simon Hageman, one year ;
William S. Potter, one year; David K. Hoffman, three years; G. C. Ap-
gar, two years ; Wilbur F. Wilson, four years ; T. V. Van Arsdale, seven
years.
Bernard. — Nathaniel Kelly, one year; Isaac S. Itunyon, four years;
Rev. William II. Dykeman, eight years; Calvin D. Smith, seven years.
Branchburg. — Judge Joseph Thompson, four years ; Daniel Ammerman,
five years; J. B. D. Myers, ono year; Gilbert L. Kershon, three years;
John Vosseller, two years ; George II. Stephens, one year ; Ira Voorhees,
four years.
Bridgewater. — A. D. Hope, one year; J. V. Perlee, four years; James
Davis, eight years; L. D. Cook, two years; William N. Adair, five years.
Hillsborough. — Elias Van Fleet, three years; William H. Nichols, one
year; Peter N. Beekman, one year; John H. Wilson, one year; Daniel
Stryker, fourteen years.
Franklin. — F. R. Brace, two years; Peter A. Voorhees, eighteen years.
Montgomery. — Joseph H. Voorhees, twenty years.
North Plainfield? — Dr. Lewis Craig, two years; James R. Perine, five
years.
Warren. — John Dunn, one year; John S. Mallet, two years; Rev. J. F.
Neef, one year; Jacob Smith, two years ; W. H. Curtis, one year; Samuel
Voorhees, one year; Rev. George Bowers, one year; Dr. Lewis Craig,
three years; Rev. G. T. Jackson, two years; Lewis P. Eager, five years.
A brief extract from the last report of each of the
two corresponding secretaries will exhibit the growth
and condition of the association at periods quite re-
mote from each other. Rev. Mr. Cole, in his report
to the State association, in 1863, says, —
"Somerset County is now in perfect working order. Statistics of Sun-
day-schools have been collected regularly for four consecutive years, and
the plans and objects of the New Jersey State Sunday-School Association
are clearly understood. The county association is well organized, aud is
really one of the most thoroughly understood and most heartily loved
institutions of the county. ... At the last meeting, in Somerville, the
excellent township secretaries presented their annual reports promptly,
exhibiting, as usual, a fidelity in the discharge of their duty that is truly
remarkable. ... It will bo seen that the county has this year eighty-
five schools, all of which are fully reported:
Number of schools
Number of schools reported
Number of teach.
nty..
lfico.
77
lsn:t.
Benevolont contributions 8707.53"
The present corresponding secretary, in his last
report to the State association, in 1879, says, —
"The Sunday-school is ono of the best-loved institutions in Somerset
County, arid a Sunday-school anniversary or convention will, in any part
of our county, command a crowded assemblage. The religious character
* New township.
of the people and the prominence long given to the different forms of
Christian work leave little room for marked changes in our statistical
table. We report ninety -three schools, — two more than last year, — with
an average attendance of live thousand children. Seventy-one schools are
open the whole year, which is an increase of ten over last year. Perhaps
in two years, at this rate nf prugress, we shall be able to report all our
schools as never closing. There is also a slight increase in the number
of conversions this year, — one hundred and fifty-one againstone hundred
and thirty.
" Our township secretaries are all experienced, and some of them
veteran workers. Some of our townships have never known but one
secretary, and most of us are growing old in the offices we hold by the
good pleasure of our county association. This aversion to frequent
changes and rattling machinery is one of the peculiarities of our people
We are steady and diligent workers, and, while we may be considered a
little too conservative, yet we venture to affirm there is as much intelli-
gent and effective teaching of the word in our schools as in any county
of our State."
Number of schools in operation in county 93
" schools reporting.. 92
" officers 394
" teachers 1032
Average attendance of officers and teachers 1031
Number of teachers church-members 935
" scholars, including primary class 6727
Average attendance of scholars. 4592
Number of scholars church-members 11 (i9
" primary scholars. 1433
" conversions or confirmations 151
Special temperance lessons given 20
Amount contributed for State and county associa-
tions $140.68
Have school all the year 71
Use international uniform lessons 86
The county secretaries have printed and published
every year, by order of the association, a county
report, with full statistical tables.
The twenty-first annual convention of the Somerset
County Sunday-School Association was held Sept. 14,
1880, in the Methodist Episcopal church of Bernards-
ville. The following were chosen as the officers of
the ensuing year :
President, Kev. C. C. Winans.'.Bernardsville ; Vice-Presidents, Wm. N.
Adair, Raritan ; Rev. Samuel Parry, Pluckamin ; Rev. L. F. Burgess,
Raritan; Rev. Wm. E. Davis, South Branch; Corresponding Secre-
tary, Rev. J. Le Fevre, Middlebush ; Recording Secretary, B. B. Por-
ter; Treasurer, J. V. D. Hoagland, Millstone.
TOWNSHIP SECRETARIES.
Bedminster. — T. V. Van Arsdale, Pluckamin.
Bernard. — Calvin D. Smith, Bernardsville.
Branchburg. — George H. Stephens, North Branch Depot.
Bridgn.wnter. — A. V. D. Honey man, Somerville.
Hillsborough.— Daniel Stryker, Plainville.
Franklin.— V. A. Voorhees, Franklin Park.
Montgomery. — Joseph II. Voorhees, Rocky Hill.
North Plainjield,— James R. Perrine, Plainfield.
Warren. — Israel J. Coon, Plainfield.
CORRESPONDING DELEGATES.
Morris County. — Rev. C. T. Anderson, IVapack.
Middlesex County. — Rev. A. E. Baldwin, Bound Brook.
Hunterdon County, — Rev. W. H. Huffman, Pottorsville.
DELEGATES TO STATE CONVENTION.
Revs. J. B. Mulford, N. McConaughy, Charles II. Poole, J. V. D. Hoag-
land, P. A. Voorhees, C. C. Winans, P. M. Doolittlo, and Messrs. J. V.
Perlee, S. P. Dunham, C. D. Smith.
The next annual session (1881) will be held in the
First Baptist church of Somerville.
COUNTY TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION^
" The Somerset County Temperance Association"
was organized Jan. 3, 1866. It was the result of a call
f By Kov. Charles II. Pool, secretary.
(or.NTV SOCIETIES.
635
to the temperance | [.I.- of tin- county by .Jacob L.
Sutphen, then of Somerville, and one of the vice-presi-
dentsof the Not Jersej Stale Temperance Alliance,
to assemble for thai purpose in tin' Second Reformed
church of Somen ille on the day above named. After
the war the use of intoxicating drink Beemed to in-
crease in the comity to an alarming extent, both in
public phee- ami in more private social gatherings;
ami tin- prompted ilie desire, on the part of some, for
the founding of a county temperance association. It
was made auxiliary to the State Temperance Llliance,
and its object, as declared in the second article of its
constitution, is "to advance lie- cause of tempi
in this county l.\ means of sermons, lecture-, tract-,
and other prii I matter, and by all lawful ami nil
means in our power."
The history of the association daring the fifteen
pears of its existence has been a comparatively un-
eventful one. Like all temperance societies, it has
I" i M popular with only a i\w, though Somerset
( lounty comprises mostly a thrifty, moral, ami church-
going people, aiul it jet i I t" have little influence in
checking the evils of intemperance. It held meetings
annually, 1 hi t the} were generally small, ami because
of smallness lacked, if nol enthusiasm, certainly effi-
ciency. Within a lew years, however, there has been
a change for tin Letter. The annual meetings are
more largely attended and re interesting. The
eleri men of the county co-operate more generally
ami heartily, ami many prominent laymen
interested in the work of the association.
Persistent effort to find anil appoint active temper-
ance worker- (mostly laymen a- secretaries in each
township has been rewarded, ami this ha- resulted in
some township organizations, a large increase of tem-
perance meetings, and in the circulati f temper-
ance literature, many signers to the pledge, ami a
decided decrease in the number of reputable men
who arc willing t" sign applications tor tavern ami
saloon license-. In several instances licenses have'
I n revoked or refused through the influent f the
society, and a noticeable advance has been made in