1871, with Henry ReimerasO.il.; Ferdinand Gutter,
U. B. ; Charles Sehwed, Sec-.; Lewis Phillips, Treas.
It contains at present 32 members, and its present <>lli-
cers are C. T. Fredericks, 0. B. ; Jacob Miller, U. B. ;
Adolph Hock, Treas. ; Charles Sehwed, Sec. Meetings
were held at first in a room in the house of Mr. Lania 1 ,
but iii 1878 Schwed's Hall was fitted up and the meet-
ings are now held there.

"Somerset Lodge, No. 13, I. O. of O. F.," was insti-
tuted June 27, ISSii, with twelve charter members.
Meetings are held at .Masonic Hall. The officers are

Joseph Vickcry, N. G. J John W. Van Horn. Y. <;.;
W. W. Dorian. I, U.S. ; John K. Quick, P.S.J Ira D.

Cronse, Treas.

"Naratieony Council, No. 31, Improved Order of
Red .Men," was instituted in 1871, and continued until
August, L880, when the charter was returned to the
Great Council. Ii numbered al one tune fiftj mem-
bers.

"Somerset Council, No. 68, U. A. AL," wa- in-ti-
tuted Nov. 20, 1872, with Martin Earl as Councilor;
C. T. Chapman, Vice-Councilor ; Garret B.Sanborn,
Senior Ex-Councilor; George Sanborn, Junior Ex-
Couneilor; D. Rockafellar, K. Sec.; Thomas Van
Allen, P. Sec; Noah Dunham, Treas. The society
numbered about 76 members, but is now discontinued.

Meetings were held al Somerset Hall, at Doughty's,
and finally at Schwed's 1 [all.

The charter for " Eastern Star Lodge, No. lo.">, ]\

and \. M.." of Bound Brook, hears date January,

1874, with Theodore Giles as Master; James P. Bush,

Senior Warden; James P. Curry, Junior Warden;

B. P. Littell, See.; Samuel Kennedy. Tivas. Meet-



ings were held after 1876 in the present hall in Gil-
lem's brick block.

The pre-, nt officers are Kit hard I i. Spieer. S. W. ;
John M. Rowland, J. W. : Benjamin 1". Littell. Treas. :
i rarrel V. Morlette, Sec. : James p. Bush, 1'. ,M.,S. D. ;
Daniel Somers, J. D; John G. Smith, I'. M.j M.ofC;
John B. Coddington, 1'. M.. M. of C. : Peter Koehler,
Tiler: James p. Currey, l'. M. At present the lodge
numbers 82 members.

r-et Lodge, No. 56, K. of P.," Bound Brook,
was organized and instituted March B, L876, with a
membi rship of eleven. The following were tin- first
officers: Theodore 1!. Bodge, Past Chancellor; Duer
\. Melvin, Chancellor Commander; Gilbert Molli-

son. Vice-Chancellor: Ceorgi- Cr I. Prelate; J. I.

Staat-. Master-at-Arms ; Charles W. Thomas, Keeper
of Records and Seal-: Henry K. Ramsey, Master of
Exchequer; Peter Koehler, John G. Smith, Trustees.
The membership attflate, Sept. 7, 1880, was 28, with
the following officers: Samuel Allen, P. C.; John
Neagle.C. C.j John S. Smalley, Jr., V.C.; Edwin
s. Barber, Prelate ; Cyrus Peterson, M. al A.; George
W. Shampanore, K. of R. and S. : Peter Koehler, M.
of F. ; H. K. Ramsey, M. of E.

The lodge has nin, ncellor-, as follows:

Theodore K. Hod Lie. Duer \. Mel\ in, ( iilhert Mollisoll.

John t I. Smith, William S. Smalley, I lenry K. Ram-
sey, Charles C. Bush, Samuel Allen, John Neagle.
The lodge-room is in Masonic Hall, -Main Strict,
Bound Brook.

"The Women's Christian Temperance Union" of
Bound Brook was organized Oct. 1, 1877, with a mem-
bership of 14 : the present number of members (Sep-
tember. 1880) is 50. Officer-: President, Mrs. John
Smalley; Vice-Presidents (one from each church),
Mrs. L. D. Cook. Mrs. J. D. Eaton, Mrs. A. R. Lib-
bey. Mrs. S. X. Kingsbury, Mrs. Ahram Ross; Sec-
retary. Mi— M. II. Rounder: Treasurer, Miss Mattie
1". 1'arrott. This Onion is auxiliary to the State
Women's Christian Temperance Tnion. hold- its
annual meeting on first Wednesday of ( Ictober, and
a Weekly prayer-meeting throughout the year. Pub-
lic temperance iiieclin.Lrs are held from time to time,
and courses of lectures given on general subje

the purpose of raising funds. A free reading-r i,

supported l>\ the Union, is open even evening, I
perance literature is widely circulated. An auxiliary

juvenile union has been maintained for over two

ad now numbers about 80 members. < leneral
sentiment i- steadily advancing in the direction of

temperai and 889 persons have signed the total

abstinence pli

1-1 It 1 : DEPARTMENT 01 SOMERVILLE.

A number of Ore companies have been organized
at different times, but have disbanded for some cause.
About is;:: the board of commissioners of Somer-
ville erected a hriek bOUSe On Maple Street, about lli

by C' feet, two stories in hi ight, tor an engine-house,



6S4



SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.



and also purchased an Amoskeag steamer, with the
necessary hose and hose-cart. A company was then
in existence, and continued two or three years. The
present company was organized Sept. 19, 1878, with
60 members, and is known as " Somerville Fire En-
gine Company, No. 1." The company has at present
55 active members, all of whom are business men of
the village. The present officers are George W. Ab-
bott, Foreman ; R. L. Day, First Assistant Foreman ;
James B. Brown, Second Assistant ; George W. San-
born, Secretary ; John Maxwell, Treasurer.

An independent hook-and-ladder company was
organized in July, 1880, with 20 members, and elected
officers as follows : William Steele, Foreman ; William
Taylor, Assistant Foreman ; George Jones, Secretary ;
John Garretson, Treasurer. A truck with the neces-
sary equipment has been purchased.

MANUFACTURES.

Raritan Water- Power Company. — Soon after the
close of the Revolution the progressive men of the
State of New Jersey turned their attention to the
encouragement of manufactures, and in 1791 a com-
pany was incorporated by act of the State Legisla-
ture, under the name of " The Society for Establish-
ing Useful Manufactures." The society was organ-
ized the next year, and employed practical engineers
to make examination of the different rivers of the
State for the purpose of selecting the best site for a
water-power. After a thorough examination, three
localities were reported, — "the Falls of the Passaic,
the Raritan River near Somerville, and the Falls of
the Delaware." The former was finally decided upon.
But the selection of Raritan River at this place as
one of the locations naturally attracted the attention
of practical men from time to time, and under an act
of Legislature approved Feb. 16, 1820, a dam was
erected across Raritan River, just west of where the
bridge now crosses the river at Raritan village. A
flour-mill was built on the north side. These im-
provements were made by Jacob Van Doren, and
afterwards owned by J. V. D. Kelly. It is the mill-
property now owned and operated by Col. Read. The
dam continued in use until after the canal was built,
and was then demolished.

A survey was made about 1836 with a view to con-
structing a race-way from the Raritan River. The
projectors of the enterprise were John I. Gaston,
Garrett D. Wall, and James S. Nevius.

Work was commenced by them, and other capital-
ists became interested in the enterprise. A company
was formed and incorporated, Feb. 28, 1840, under
the name of " The Somerville Water-Power Com-
pany," with Garret D. Wall as president, Luther
Loomis treasurer, and Isaac P. Lindscy treasurer.
Besides those mentioned, the other gentlemen inter-
ested were Samuel P. Lyman, Robert Van Renssalaer,
Abraham Suydam, Rynier Veghte, Thomas A. Hart-
well, and William Thompson. The company started



with a capital stock of $200,000, with the right to in-
crease to $300,000. Full power was vested in them
by the charter to purchase and hold lands and water
rights, to erect a dam, make a race-way, and divert the
water of the Raritan River from its channel. Land
was purchased and a dam constructed across the Rari-
tan a short distance below the confluence of the North
and South Branches ; this raised the water of the
river two and a half feet above its ordinary level, con-
ducting it into the race-way, and thence to the contem-
plated sites for manufactories. A race-way was made,
commencing at the dam and running nearly parallel
with the river, 3 miles in length, and secured on each
side by a permanent embankment. The tail-race was
about a quarter of a mile in length. A reservoir was
also built 2 miles below the dam, and another near
the termination, covering about 5 acres. The esti-
mated cost was $100,000, but the sum was not suffi-
cient to complete it, and a mortgage for $50,000 was
given by the company, which after several years was
foreclosed. This action was followed by a lawsuit,
which lasted twelve years, and the mortgage was in-
creased to $80,000. In 1863 it was finally sold, and
purchased by the stockholders.

"The Raritan Water-Power Company" was organ-
ized and incorporated March 24, 1S63, with the follow-
ing corporators; Joshua Doughty, John M. Mann,
Hezekiah B. Loomis, John M. Martin, Stephen B.
Ransom, Edward F. Loomis, and Hugh M. Gaston.
The capital stock was $50,000, " with power to pur-
chase all or any part of the real estate now or formerly
owned by the Somerville Water-Power Company,
including canal, head-gates, water-power, water rights,
franchises, and water." The property of the old com-
pany was purchased, and new head-gates and a race-
way 300 yards in length were constructed. When
the company commenced the rebuilding of head-gates
and making other improvements an injunction was
issued on petition of the landowners, who alleged the
company had no right to divert the water from the
river, and ignoring the written consent of the prior
owners of the land permitting it. The company al-
leged that they had such consent. An extended liti-
gation ensued, in which some of the ablest counsel of
the State were engaged. The right of the company
to use all the water of the river was fully established.
The company have sold . building lots to the amount
of $35,000 since their organization. Water from the
canal is now used to a limited extent by the different
manufacturing establishments on its banks. The
present officers are James S. Davenport, President ;
Edward F. Loomis, Secretary and Treasurer ; Joshua
Doughty, James S. Davenport, Edward F. Loomis,
Culver Barcalow, Thomas Davenport, and Hugh M.
Gaston, Directors.

The Somerville Manufacturing Company was incor-
porated in 1837, but nothing was done. About the
time of the completion of the works of the Somerville
Water-Power Company, in 1841, the James Screw



RRI D< ;k water.



C85



Company erected a stone building on the bank of the
canal for the purpose of manufacturing wooden
screws. This building was erected on ground be-
tween Kinyon'a mill and the New Jersey Enamel
Paint-Works. It was taken down years after, and
the stones were used in the construction of the pres-
ent Kinyon mill. The screw company failed after a
lime, and the building was rented by a paper-mill
company, of which Richard I). Covert was the man-
ager and principal owner. Two flour-mills on the
hanks of the river and canal were also in operation
about thai time. The building of the canal stimu-
lated manufacturing enterprises, and many were
started, but few accomplished anything. The names,
date of incorporation, and objects arc given below,
with such facts as can be obtained.

The Rope and Bagging Company was incorporated
March 19, 1846, with a capital of $100,000, for the
purpose of manufacturing rope, bagging, and duck,
The incorporators were David Ilcran, Luther Loomis,
Samuel P. Lyman, William Thompson, Thomas A.
Bartwell, David Sanderson, and Allen Clarke. \

building was creeled, 40 by 100 feet, on the hank of
the canal, and the company manufactured their goods
four or live years and then failed. The building was

used in various enterprises at different times, and is
now the oldest structure of the Raritan Woolen-Mill
Company. April 3d of the same year the Somerset
Cotton-Mill Company and the Somerville Woolen-
Mill Company were incorporated ; neither was organ-
ized, but the latter kept its charter, and its name was
changed on Feb. 25, 1856, to "The American Gutta-
percha Company." It occupied the building erected
bj the Rope and Bagging Company, manufactured a

lew years, and failed,

Kinyon'a Machine- Shop. — About 1842, Joseph D.
Moore erected a small foundry and machine-shop, and
carried on the business until 1X44, when David P.
Kinyon settled at Raritan and purchased it. In 1X4H
lie bought the properly and ere. led new buildings.

The machine-shop burnt down in 1868, and he pur-
chased the >lone building formerly owned by the
Bcrew company and with the Btone constructed the
present edifice, Mill-machinery of all kinds is manu-
factured. Job C. and David I!. K inyon, son - of l>avid
I'. Kinyon, assumed charge of the business in 1867.
William S. Opie & Co. - In 1850, Whitenack &

Davis erected a w len building on I'ir.-t Avenue,

where the present brick shops now Btand. It was

useil first B8 a foundry ami afterwards as a machine-
shop, bul was sold to Dunham ci Staat.s. I'pon the
death of the former a company from Phillipsburg
bought out his interest. Still later, a company was
formed called "The Screw Mower and Reaper Com-
pany." It is now owned by sis of the original hands
who worked in the shop. The present brick build-
ings were erected about 1X70.



• Successors to tho Screw Mowor and Reaper Company.



Tin- Wwnh Shhujle-Machine Company was incorpo-
rated March 27, 1X4"), and manufactured goods in the
basement of the -crew company's building. They

failed alter a few year-.

The Angular Home Company and Hol<iat<- /•' I
Company. — Andrew Diet/, of New York City, com-
menced the manufacture of a Diet/ angular hainc in
the second story of Kenyon's machine-shop. Later,
J. V. D. Kelly and N. P. Todd were associated with
him. A stock company was soon formed, brick build-
ings were erected, and a malleable-iron foundry was
started near the track of the Central Railroad. Busi-
ness was conducted three or four years, and then
ceased. The building was used by J. V. D. Kelly
for bending-works for a time, and was afterward- oc-
cupied by the Holgate Braid Company for three or
four years. It now belongs to the Central Railroad
Company.

New Jersey Enamel Paint- Works. — In 1867 a patent
was secured for an article called " Bradley's Enamel

Paint." A stock company was organized in Plain-
field in 1XIJX for the manufacture of the paint, and

arrangements were made to that end, but in 1870 the
business was removed to Raritan. The brick build-
ing now in use was purchased, and business was con-
tinued by the company until 1878, when Kyncar
Veghte became the proprietor, and so continues.

The Raritan Wimh-n-Milln Company was incorpo-
rated March 23, 1869, with Lewis, David L., and
Henry L. Einstein. Robert Brown, and Adolph Mack
as corporators, for the purpose of manufacturing heavy
woolen goods and coatings. The ground containing
the brick building erected by the Lope and Bagging
Company was purchased, other buildings were creeled.
and business was commenced with ti sets of cards and
2"> looms. The present capacity is :'.2 -et-. 21"> looms.
and 600 hands are employed. The power is furnished
by a G0o horse-power engine. This mill ami those
of the Somerset Manufacturing Company are under

nearly the same management, and together us ■ 13, •

tons of coal annually. The buildings arc all of brick.

J'/if Somerset Manufacturing Company was incorpo-
rated in December, 1 x7ii. for the manufacture of cas-

simeres. The members of tin mpany are David L.

Einstein (president . Manuel Einstein (treasurer),
William Einstein (secretary), Adolph Mack, J. Har-
per Smith, and Felix Lamson. The buildings are

located near the Baritan Mill-, and were erected in
lXxo. They consist of the main structure. 80 feet
wide. ::7o feet in length, and two stories in height,
and numerous outbuildings. It IS 19-861 mill, run-

ning 1 26 loom-, and employ - 850 hand-. A 200 horse-
power engine supplies the machinery.

The Raritan Flouring-Mill was originally built on
the south side of the river, a .-liort distance Weal of

the present bridge. After the purchase of the mill

property of Mr. Dawes by the Somerville Water-
Power Company, this mill was given as part payment.

to David Stiers. The mill eventually fell into the



686



SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.



hands of William Steele and Mr. Frelinghuysen, who
were sureties for Mr. Stiers ; they sold it to James
Coleman, by whom it was moved across the river and
enlarged. It passed, at different times, from Joshua
Coleman to George Y. Ford & Co., and to Henry
Westcott, and is now owned and operated by William
N. Adair & Co. It has at present three run of stone,
and is situated between the Raritan Woolen- Mills and
the New Jersey Enamel Paint- Works.

The Star Mills are situated on the Raritan River
and on the canal of the water-power company, from
which power is derived. Feb. 16, 1820, Jacob Van
Doren was authorized to build a dam across the Rari-
tan River for the purpose of utilizing the water for a
grist-mill. He built the mill at the north end of the
dam, and put in an undershot-wheel. He afterwards
sold to Janney Dawes, who also erected a small mill
on the opposite side of the river. Upon the organi-
zation of the Somerville Water-Power Company, in
1840, the property was purchased by them and sold to
J. V. D. Kelly. A small oil-mill on the east end of
the grist-mill was in operation for a few years. The
mill property passed to Randolph, Tucker & Co., and
since that time has been held by numerous owners.
It is now operated by Col. Hugh B. Reed, and has
five run of stone.

Bound Brook Woolen-Mills. — In 1878 the present
buildings were erected on the banks of the Raritan
River by Henry L. Einstein. They are 380 feet in
length, two stories in height, with a capacity of 6 sets
of cards, 48 looms. Jan. 15, 1880, the Bound Brook
Woolen-Mill Company was incorporated, with H. L.
Einstein as treasurer, L. Rosenfeld secretary, and H.
L. Einstein, L. Rosenfeld, and C. Einstein as direc-
tors. The present capacity is 12 sets of cards, 96
looms, with a 400 horse-power engine. Hands em-
ployed, 300.

Smalley's Anti-Friction Machinery Manufactory. —
This factory was erected in 1855 by J. Smalley, who
manufactured mowers and reapers for ten or twelve
years, when the works were discontinued and were
used as a spoke-factory, and afterwards rented for
seven or eight years to Williams & Co. as a reduction-
works. In 1878, Mr. Smalley commenced the manu-
factory of anti-friction bearings for machinery. The
factory is situated on Main Street, between Church
and John. The firm-name is J. Smalley & Co.

PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST.

There are in the township a few ancient dwellings
invested with historic interest. The oldest is the brick
house standing on the bank of the canal, near the
woolen-mill, in the village of Raritan. It was built
in 1730 by Andrew C'oejeman, and remained in the
possession of that family till 1804.

In the summer and fall of 1778, William Wallace
built the mansion in Somerville since known as the
Miller House. Gen. Washington and wife spent here
the winter of 1778-79, rooms being fitted up expressly



for their use. At this house Washington and his gen-
erals planned the campaign so successfully carried out
by Gen. Sullivan in 1779. The house is still standing
and in good repair.

The old parsonage now owned by Joshua Doughty
was built in 1751 by the Rev. John Frelinghuysen,
the bricks having been imported from Holland. At
this house was really commenced the first theological
seminary of the Dutch Reformed Church, which cul-
minated in the founding of Rutgers College. During
the Revolution the Rev. Dr. Jacob R. Hardenburgh
resided here as pastor of the First Reformed Church of
Raritan. He was intimately acquainted with Wash-
ington, and many were the visits made to the Reverend
Doctor and his accomplished wife by the commander-
in-chief.

In this connection the following letter is inter-
esting. June 1, 1779, an address of the minister,
elders, and deacons of the Dutch Reformed Church
of Raritan was presented to " His Excellency George
Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of
the United States of North America," which was
signed "by order of the Consistory, Jacob R. Harden-
burgh, V.D.M."

The address was answered by the general the next
day, in a letter dated at " Camp Middlebrook,"* as
follows :

"Gentlemen, — To meet the approbation of good men cannot but be
agreeable. Your affectionate expressions make it more so. In quarter-
ing and supplying its wants, distress and inconvenience will often occur
to the citizens. I feel myself happy in the consciousness that these have
been strictly limited by necessity ; and in your opinion of my attention to
the rights of my fellow-citizens. I thank you, geutlemon, sincerely for
the sense you entertain of the conduct of the army, and for the interest
you take in my welfare. I trust the goodness of the cause and the exer-
tions of the people, under Divine Protection, will give us that honorable
peace for which we are contending. Suffer me, gentlemen, to wish the
Dutch Reformed Church at Raritan a long continuance of its present min-
ister and Consistory, and all the blessings which flow from piety and Re-
ligion.

" I am, &c,

"G°. Washington."

WASHINGTON AND MRS. BROKAW.f

On the east side of the North Branch of Raritan,
about a mile below the church, stands a brick house,
still in a state of good preservation. In it resided a
farmer named John Brokaw, who when his country
called enlisted in Capt. Peter D. Vroom's company.
He was chosen lieutenant, and at the battle of Ger-
mantown, Pa., fell while leading his men. By his
side stood Joseph Stull, a friend and neighbor, who
carried him from the front, took charge of his
watch and sword, carried them home to his family,
and many years after became the husband of his
daughter Phcebe, from whom the particulars of this
narrative have been derived.

In the spring of 1779, while Washington was yet
residing in the Wallace house, in Somerville, he was

* Ilia headquarters woro still at tho Wallace mansion. The army was
encamped all along tho Raritan, tho headquartors of Gen. Greene being
at Derrick Van Veghtou's house, near what is now Finderno Station.

t Rov. A. Messier, D.D.



BRIDGEWATER.



687



nnnle iii'iiuaiiitnl with tin- <-ir<-u m-i:i n.-< - :i\<^\ e related

(probably fron aversation with Dr. Hardenburgh,

who was the pastor of Mr-. Brokaw), and bie sympa-
thiea were so excited in her behalf thai be rode up to
this house one- day — a distance of five miles — to call
on her. When lie entered the li.m-r he \va- cleejily

affected, and with many kind and nfortinj? wurds

expressed his sorrow for licr bereavement. We bave

always regarded this incident in : Revolutionary

history as one of the most affecting and beautiful
manifestations of the great and tender heart of the
father of his Country.

The bouse is now occupied by Mr. Nevius, whose
wife is a great-granddaughter of Capt. Brokaw. As
a monument of Washington's tender heart, it ought
tu stand until it crumbles into dust.

THE LEGEND OF CHIMNEY ROCK.
The following legend of the Itaritan Indians and
Chimney Bock is condensed from an article written
bj Rev. Al.r. Messier, D.D., in 1841 :

History Informs us that the 1200 Indians of the Baritan were presided
over l»y two kings, and ihal they were tin- deadly enemies of the Man*

hatlaiis. Till? two UttritHI) » lii'-l-i were tiaim-d I 'ma Lain ;n k and Thin-

gorawist according to the signatures affixed to the deeds of Indian title.
Tradition gives the origin of tlie fend i^t w.-.-n tin- two tribes, who had
long dwelt in amity. \.<>uj, prior to the time of the kings above named
■ ion Of the king of the Manlmlae, with a hunting-party, fell in with ;i

hiinii u partly of the Raritans, Mter • ■ -. - ■ ■ t 'lay.-, .it ni.-iMh r.iinpanion-
ahlp, during which the young Bfanhatae chief was a guest in the wigwam
of the king «f the. Raritans, the latter promised him tii" hand of bis
only daughter, the beautiful Oblnquoka [" Goldfinch") as his brido. Tho
youth ami maiden (earned to love, and happily passed the Bummer. But
afanasamltt, an inferior chief of the Raritans, who also loved the maiden
and bad long designed winning her for himself, grew jealous of tho
il determined to avonge hid loss upon the favored suitor. An
opportunity noon presented. Beturning one evening from the hunt ho
discovered the lovers sitting, as was often their wont, npon tho ledge of
rocks, gazing upon the Umpid waters fai below. The maiden fled, and