t "Lowlng's Field-Book of the BeToluUon,
B i with ih"' colonial IbrooatD I765,and on ; :
Honongnhelu Anrt mol Qen. Horgmn, Then tame men met a ho twenty
â– win luurt'Is as Hi i Morgan,
Philip. Johnston, .ma w Ulbun Maxwell,
' 1 ..-sing's Flold-Book ..f the BeToloUon," ii.. i
252
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
Warren County. John Maxwell, of Flemington, was
his brother, and the eminent lawyers, George C. and
William, of the same place, were his nephews. Gen.
Maxwell resided near Clinton, but after the Revolu-
tion removed to Greenwich, Warren Co.
Col. Chaeles Stew art was born at Gortlea,
County Donegal, Ireland, in 1729. His grandfather,
Charles, was a Scotchman and an officer in the army
of William of Orange. For his services at Boyne he
received the estate in Ireland called Gortlea. The
grandson emigrated to America in 1750. He became
a favorite at the house of Judge Johnston, whose
daughter, Mary, he married. Many of his friends
were loyalists, and vainly tried to retain him on the
ting's side, but he was firm ; the puritan ideas and
love of liberty inherited from bis ancestors, and which
impelled him to leave the mother-country, made him
& staunch patriot. Union farm, rented from Allen &
Turner, of Philadelphia, was the residence of Col.
Stewart and family during the war, after which he
returned to his own mansion, at Landsdown, later re-
moving to Flemington.
Col. Stewart died June 24, 1800, and was buried in
the cemetery of the old stone church at Bethlehem,
where a tablet is erected to his memory, containing
an epitaph composed by his lifelong friend, Chief
Justice Smith, of Trenton. He was a leading spirit
in Hunterdon County during the Revolution, and
rendered important services from the commencement
to the close of the struggle. He was colonel of the
First Regiment of minute-men, then colonel of the
regiment of the line. In 1776 he became one of
Washington's staff as commissary-general, and so re-
mained to the end of the war. He was a member of
the Congress of 1784-85, and also surveyor-general of
the province of Pennsylvania. His daughter, Martha,
was the wife of Capt. Robert Wilson, of the Conti-
nental army, who was wounded at Germantown, and
who died in Hackettstown in 1779. A grandson,
Charles (son of Samuel), was a classmate in Prince-
ton of Judge Alexander Wurts, was a missionary to
the Sandwich Islands, a chaplain in the navy, and
died at Cooperstown, N. Y., in 1870* A grand-
daughter, Mrs. Hoyt, widow of the late Capt. Hoyt,
lives at Landsdown.
Col. Stewart was of medium height, spare in flesh,
with keen blue eyes, expressing intelligence, kind-
ness, and firmness. His portrait, executed by Peale,
is still preserved. His homestead estate remains in
the possession of his descendants.
Col. Philip Johnston, a brother-in-law of Col.
Charles Stewart, was the eldest of seven children, and
was born in 1741. His father, Judge Samuel John-
ston, was a colonial magistrate thirty years before the
Revolution. The family were from Scotland, and be-
longed to an ancient barony in Anandale. They
were a warlike clan and a great terror to the border
* A Bon of liifl was graduated at West Point witli Gon. McClellan, and
served faithfully and efficiently during the lato war of the Rebellion.
thieves. Philip left his class in Princeton College to
serve in the French war in Canada, from which he
returned with military honor and reputation. This
fact drew many to his standard when he called for
volunteers in 1776. He was appointed by the Pro-
vincial Congress of New Jersey to the command of
the First Regiment. At the head of this regiment he
went into the battle of Long Island. He was one of
the bravest in that hotly-contested fight. Force's
" Revolutionary Archives" gives the following extract
from a Philadelphia journal of the day : " We hear
that in the late action on Long Island, Col. Philip
Johnston, of New Jersey, behaved with remarkable
intrepidity and fortitude. By the well-directed fire
of his battalion the enemy were several times repulsed
and lanes were made through them, until he received
a ball in his breast, which put an end to as brave an
officer as ever commanded. Gen. Sullivan, who was
close to him when he fell, says that no man could be-
have with more firmness during the whole action."
Just as he was leaving home for the seat of war he
went into the room where his little children were in
bed, and, kissing them, he kneeled down and com-
mended his family to God in prayer. One of those
three daughters, Mary, became the wife of Joseph
Scudder, and was the mother of Dr. John Scudder,
the world-renowned missionary to India, t
Col. Joab Houghton, a native of Hopewell, then
in Hunterdon County, was born in the northeast part
of the township, near the present boundary line of
Hunterdon. He was an active partisan officer of the
Revolution, served all through the war, and did good
service in repelling and harassing the marauding-par-
ties of British while their army overran this section
of country. On one occasion, at Pennington, he cap-
tured a Hessian sergeant and twelve men. After the
war he served as a member of the Legislature from
Hunterdon County. He was a member of the Bap-
tist Church, and died about 1795, at an advanced age.
Col. Mark Thompson, one of the most prominent
men of his day, lived about two miles from Clarks-
ville, at the site of the Change-water forge, of which
valuable property he was an early owner. He was a
colonel in the militia in the first levy of troops for the
defense of the State during the Revolution. His son,
Robert O, inherited the property. Of the six sons of
the latter all were long since deceased except Theo-
dore, who removed to Princeton, where he was living
at last accounts.}.
Col. Isaac Smith, born 1740, graduated at Prince-
ton, 1755, was a tutor in 1757, a member of the State
Medical Society in 1767. Upon the breaking out of
the war he was commissioned colonel of the First
Regiment, Hunterdon. From 1777 to 1795 he was a
f Theso facta are takou from an article in the Christian Intelligencer by
Rev. William Hall, Jan. 25, 187Y. The correctness of them is asserted
by Mrs. Hoyt, granddaughter of Col. Stewart.— Dr. Motes Hist. Hunter-
don Co.
X " Our Homo," 1873.
SOME OF THE PROMINENT MEN OF EUNTERDON COUNTY.
253
justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. He
wa- subsequently elected to Congress. He was a suc-
cessful physician, although public duties withdrew
him much from his practice. He died \u<^. 29, 1*07,
aged sixty-eight, and was buried in Trenton. A
sketch of Ids life and character may be found in the
•• Portfolio," vol. i., February, 1809*
John Mehelm was another member of the Pro-
vincial Congress of 1775 who represented this county
and afterwards took an active part in the Revolution.
lie emigrated to this country from Ireland. In early
life be was a schoolmaster in Berks Co., 1'a. He was
a handsome writer and a fine scholar. He purchased
one hundred acres of land and a mill on the North
Branch, mar Pluckamin, since known as Hall's Mills.
Here during the Revolutionary war be manufactured
Hour, which was used by the army while lying at
Pluckamin and encamped at Morristown. lie was
colonel id' the Fourth Regiment, Hunterdon, served
<m the staff of Maj.-i ten. 1 lickinson ; was also quarter-
master-general, and continued a pure and able patriot.
He was often associated with John Hart, and was also
the friend and companion of Washington. Col. Me-
helm was a member of I he Provincial < longress which
met at Burlington, June 1". 1776. He was appointed
surrogate for the counties of Hunterdon and Somer-
set, which office he held until 1801, when he wa- n -
\ I'd. I
JOHS 1 1 A Iff, one nf the most prominent nun of
Revolutionary times, and one of the signers <>f the
Declaration of Independence, was born iii the town-
ship of Hopewell, N. J. He was a deputy in the Pro-
vincial Congress of 1775 from Hunterdon County, a
member of the Committee of Safety in 177U, and a
member of the Continental Congress. When the
British troops took possession of this portion of the
Mr. Hart's farm and stock were pillaged and
destroyed by the Hessians, and his children -
from insult only by removingfrom the vicinity. Mi-.
Sort, at the time too sick forte val, died amid the
soldiers, her end no doubt hastened by the exciting
scenes then transpiring. .Mr. Hart himself was driven
from the bedside of his dj ing wife and hunted through
the hills and woods of his native county. It is little
Wonder, then, that he wa- a pal riot, and that he earn -
e-tK espoused the cause of the colonists. He died
in 1780, leaving a bright example of patriotism and
devotion to his country.
.lolls STEVEN8 Was an early settler in the Kotind
Valley. Be was the grandfather of Edward Edwin],
John, and Robert Livingston Stevens, who became
the pioneers in the railroad and steamboat enl
of the state. Robert, when only twenty years old,
took the " Phoenix" a steamboat built by his lather,
and one of the first ever constructed from New fork
to Philadelphia by sea, which i- indisputably the/ir.-f
instance of ocean steam-navigation. This was in 1 S08.
Tradition says that Livingston, the associate of i
Fulton, was a frequent visitor at Hound Y:
Col. John Stevens i horn L749, died L888) as early
as 1789 presented a memorial to the Legislature
State of New York stating that he had perfected his
plan- in regard to steam-navigation. In 1804 he
launched a -mall vessel worked hy steam with -
and in 1807 he built the steamboat " Phoenix." Pul-
ton, meanwhile, had constructed the "Clermont" and
obtained the exclusive right of navigating the Hud-
son; Stevens, therefore, sent his vessel to the Dela-
ware. He subsequently invented a revolving steam-
battery, and was the pioneer in the matter of the use
of -team for railway-. su^ge-ting the construction of
one from Albany to Port Erie. The Camden and
Amboy Railroad was planned by him. But when he
applied to the state for a franchise to build it. it was
denied on the plea of being so visionary a scheme
that they did not wish to encourage him ill his at-
tempts to bankrupt himself and impoverish his fam-
ily. He had six sons and five daughters ; the names
of the former were John Cox, Robert Livingston,
James Alexander. Richard, Francis Bowes, and
Edwin Augustus.
Richard Stevens graduated from Columbia < al-
lege and became a surgeon in the navy (horn 1788,
died 1856).
RoBElt r L. Si i:\ ins wa- the assistant of his father
in perfecting his inventions, and was himself an emi-
nent inventor. In 1813 he devised and made for the
government elongated percussion-shells for smooth-
bore guns, and in 1822 used anthracite coal in a fur-
nace, and soon after in his steamers; in 1886 intro-
duced the T-rail on the Camden and Amboy I tail mad,
of which he was president, and in 1842 was com-
missioned to build for the United States government
an iron-plated floating battery, which remained un-
completed at his death.
Edwin At oi -ii - Stevens was born in L795, and
died at Paris in 1868. In conjunction with his
brothers he established passenger- and tow-boi
the Hudson and other rivers. At the breaking out
of the late civil war he urged the government to put
in service the ironclad battery of which his brother
had long before commenced the construction, offering
to complete it and to receive pay for it only in case it
should prove successful. This offer being decli I.
he expended considerable sums upon it. and at his
death bequeathed it to the State of New Jersey, to-
gether with one million dollars for its completion;
this amount, however, proved insufficient, and the
battery remains unfinished.
Rev. mo, ford wa- the son of < 'apt.
John Studdiford, from Pen Kyn. Cornwall. England.
His mother wa- Catharine Burgher. Capt. Studdi-
I Uolaa
t Moil's HUtorj ..r Hunterdon Count;
; " lii-i c. ntur) .if Hum. rami Count; .
S
254
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
ford died of yellow fever in the West Indies, leaving
his wife and orphan son in New York City, where
Peter was born. The celebrated De Witt Clinton was
his room-mate at Columbia College, where they
formed a warm friendship. He finished his education
under the Rev. Dr. Livingston, and settled, in 1796,
at South Branch Mills, having been previously licensed
by the Synod of New York (1787). The service of
ordination was performed by J. R. Hardenbergh, John
M. Van Harlingen, Jr., and John Duryea. Mr. Stud-
diford preached at Bedminster and Readington until
the year 1800, and from that time until his death was
pastor of the Readington Church alone. He died in
his own house at South Branch Mills. His remains
lie at Readington, beside those of Simeon Van Arsdale,
and the following inscription is engraven upon his
tomb :
" Beneath this tablet lie the remains of the Rev. Peter Studdiford, who,
after a long and laborious ministry, died on November 21st, a.d. 182G, in
the sixty-fourth year of bis age. He was born in the city of New York,
a.d. 17G3. Having completed bis collegiate and theological studies in
the place of his birth, he was installed pastor of the Dutch Reformed
Church of North Branch. Here he continued to labor with unabated
zeal and diligence until visited by the sickness which issued in his death.
Possessing enlarged views of divine truth and a rich store of various
knowledge, bo was ready, instructive, and forcible in his preaching. He
loved his Master's work, and shrank not from labor in its performance.
As a pastor he was affectionate and faithful ; as a citizen, truly patriotic ;
as a neighbor, benevolent, candid, and obliging; and as a Christian,
humble, devout, and liberal."
He married in early life, and his wife sleeps beside
him. Her tombstone is inscribed :
" Sacred to the memory of Phoebe, wife of the Rev. Peter Studdiford,
and only daughter of James and Lavinia Vanderveer, of the township
of BedminBter, and county of Somerset. She departed this life March
17, 1808, aged 33 years, 9 months, and 11 days."
Later in life he married Maria Van Horn, who
long survived him, and died in Somerville, at the
house of her daughter, Mrs. Ruckle.
Mr. Studdiford was one worthy to wear the mantle
of the Frelinghuysens and other pioneers of the Re-
formed Dutch Church in America. He traversed the
wilderness of upper Hunterdon to jjreach in the rude
meeting-houses at Lebanon, White House, and Stan-
ton, which afterwards were colonized from his church
and became flourishing congregations; he often jour-
neyed as far as the Delaware, and held meetings in
private houses where no churches were near. His
labors in this direction were immense, and he per-
formed them, not that they were a part of his charge,
but because the great love he bore his Master's service
would not let him rest while famishing little congre-
gations needed his services. Therefore he was gen-
erally beloved, and his death was mourned by those
of all denominations, within the whole limits of Hun-
terdos and Somerset Counties, as that of a near and
dear friend.
J I is son, Rev. Peter O. Studdiford, became a com-
municant of the Readington Church, and after being
licensed preached his first sermon at Lambertville,
where he gave his life's labors, and where he died.
(See sketch of his life in connection with the history
of Lambertville.)
Rev. John Vanderveer was born in Hunterdon
County, May 5, 1800 ; was graduated from the College
of New Jersey in 1817, from the New Brunswick
Seminary in 1822, and was licensed by the Reformed
Church in the last-named year. He was one of
Nature's noblemen. He was noted as an educator,
the " Vanderveer School," at Easton, being famous
for more than a quarter of a century. Among the
hundreds who received their education at the " Min-
erva Seminary" there were not a few who became
distinguished in the different walks of life. He was
honest, pure, warm-hearted, and benevolent.
Rev. George Scudder Mott, D.D., resident of
Flemington and pastor of the Presbyterian Church,
was born in the city of New York, Nov. 25, 1829.
His father was Lawrence S. Mott, also a native of
New York City. One of his ancestors had to flee
from the city on its occupation by the British ; an-
other was killed at .the Indian battle of Minisink.
Our subject prepared for college at a private school
in his native city, and was graduated from the Uni-
versity of New York in 1850, taking the fourth honor.
He entered Princeton Theological Seminary in the
fall of 1850, graduating therefrom in 1853. He im-
mediately accepted a call to the Second Presbyterian
Church of Rahway, N. J., and remained five years.
For the nine years following he was pastor of the Pres-
byterian Church of Newton, N. J. He removed to
Flemington in 1869, to assume the pastorate of the
Presbyterian Church of that place, which position he
is still (1880) filling with great acceptance.
In 1873 he was elected professor of sacred rhetoric
in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, but declined
the proffered position. In 1874, Princeton College
conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
He is an able writer, the author of several valuable
works,* and a frequent contributor to the periodical
press and denominational publications of the East.
He takes a lively interest in all moral and reformatory
measures, and is actively participant in the Bible
cause and Sunday-school work in Hunterdon County.
He is at the present time the corresponding secretary
of the Hunterdon County Bible Society.
Henry D. Maxwell was born in Flemington,
Dec. 5, 1812, and was the son of William Maxwell,
Esq., whose biography is given in the chapter on the
"Bench and Bar." At fifteen years of age he was
prepared for college, but the death of his father left
to his care and that of his brothers a widowed mother,
and he was compelled to abandon the project. Ob-
taining a situation as usher in the boarding-school ot
Rev. Dr. Steel, at Abington, Pa., he for eighteen
months aided in preparing young men for that college
life which he was compelled to forego. When seven-
teen, Hon. Samuel L. Southard, then Secretary of
* See chapter on " Books and Authors," preceding.
CIVIL LIST OF HUNTERDON COUNTY.
255
tin- Navy, sent him a warrant as midshipman in the
navy, but, again nut of consideration for his mother's
wishes, In declined it. Returning now to Fleming-
ton, he studied law with Nathaniel Baxton, Esq., but
afterwards entered the office of Thomas A. Eartwell,
Esq., of Bomerville, and completed his term with his
cousin, John P.B.Maxwell, of Bclvidere. lie was
admitted to practice in .September, ix:'.4, and opened
an office at Phillipshurg. In 1885 he removed to
Easton, and practiced law there until his death.
In ISoit, rresident Taylor appointed him United
consul to Trieste, Austria. Imt he resigned the
post in one year. In July, ISoii, he became, by ap-
pointment, president judge of the Third Judicial I >is-
trict, and again in lsiiii. In the war fate was paymaster-
general of Pennsylvania, and the local offices held by
him were almost innumerable. His death occurred
Oct. 8, 1874.
Km BOSENBURY, of Clinton, State senator from
Hunterdon County, was born in Delaware township,
this county, Sept. !>, 1 *22. He was in early life a car-
penter and builder, but in 1SIJ4 became engaged a- a
manufacturer and wholesale dealer in lumber. He
was elected and served as mayor of the town of Clin-
ton during the year- 1 - 7'i-74. Democratic in polities.
In 1879 he was elected to the state Senate, his term
expiring in 1S82.
PbTEK Cramkk, State senator from Warren Co..
N. J. (elected in 1878, — the first Republican senator
f Warren County), is a native of Hunterdon
County, being born near Germantown, Feb. 1". 1824.
For the past thirty year-, however, he has been a
resilient of Warren ( 'ounty.
I'm iti.r.s \V. ( I >w\, member of the State Lcg-
islature Brom the First District of this county (em-
bracing Delaware, Ivingwood, llaritan, Keadington,
East and West Aniwell town-hips, and city of Lam-
bertvillei, was born in Delaware township, Hunter-
don ( 'o.. iu 1*24. I le is a carriage-manufacturer, has
filled several minor offices in his township, and in
1878 received the Democratic nomination for the As-
sembly and W.aS elected.
James W. Ramsey was born in Lebanon, Clinton
township, Hunterdon Co., and is about fifty-nine
years of age. He is a far rby occupation, and is
also engaged as a He has been for
nearly twenty years a director of the Clinton Bank,
has for two terms served as a member of the board of
eh. i ii freeholders of Hunterdon County, and
was elected a member of the Assembly from the Sec-
ond District of this county by the Democratic party,
of which he is an earnest supporter, bein 1879 80
the chairman of the 1 democratic < longressional Com-
mittee. Mis residence is at Lebanon, X. J.*
Sketches of Frederic \. Potts, James V Pidcock,
ami others will be found elsewhere in this work.
• Legislative Manual, 1880, p, 110.
Numerous biographies of Hunterdon County notables
will also be found in the chapters devoted to the
Bench and liar, the Medical Profession, Authors, etc.
CHAPTER XI.
CIVIL LIST OF HUNTERDON COUNTY.
A List of the National. State, and County Officers of Hunterdon County.
Tin; following is a li-t of persons who have held
office, by election or appointment, in the county of
Hunterdon, and a I -o of those who, being natives or
residents of the county, have held office under the
State and national governments.
GOVERNORS.
1767-68, John RcodinR; 1790-92, William Patcrson; 1802-3, John Lam-
bert; 1829, Garret D. Wall. -J
STATE TREASfRER.
1S:I0, Jucub Klin...
QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL.
1770, John Moholm; 1824, Garret D. Wall.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
1776, William Patereon.
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL.
1802-3, John Lambert.
VICE-1'KESIHEXT OF THE COUNCIL.
1798-1800, John Lambort.
PRESIDENTS OF THE SENATE.
1852, John Manners; 1801, Edmund Perry.
SECRETARIES OF THE SENATE.
1867-68, A. B. Chamberlain; 1859-80,1870, John C. Raflerty; 1876-70,
1879, N. W. Voorheos.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.
1830, Alexander Win Is.
CLERK OF THE HOUSE.
1848, Adam C. Davis.
R0SSLNG CLERK OF THE nOUSE.
I-.,; i I, l. |.n l' i ,,,,,.,.
CHIEF JUSTICES.
1723, William Trent ; 1SJ3, Alexander Wurta (declined).
via: 'ii \m i i.i.or.
1875-82, Abraham V. Vou Fleet
CLERKS OF l 1 1 1: 3UPRBME OOUBT.
1812, Garret 1>. Wall ; 1^7, Zaoharlah Russell.
3IDBNTIAL ELECTORS PROM HUNTERDON
C01 \ IV,
1805, Mooro Furman ; 1809, Benjamin F.gbort ;{ 1813, Dr. Wm. McQoe :i
1817, Kobort McNoely ;l 1821, Aaron Van Syckel ;f 1821, Samuel L.
t Declined.
J Died at Pattanbarg, llimt.r 1 booty, March 28, 1848, aged elghty-
\ Also in -.'tod.
i ranton.
f Member of Assembly and aheret - is, aged •oTonty-
fonr.
256
HUNTEKDON COUNTY, NEW JEESEY.
Southard ;* 1S24, Isaac G. Farlee ;f 1S25, Jacob Kline ; 1S29, Gabriel
Ho£f;t 1837, Joshua S.Bunn; 1S41, John Eunk ; 1849, John Runk;j8
1857, David Van Fleet ; || 1877, John C. Dunham.
FISH-WARDENS.
1SS0, Richard B. Reading, Andrew J. Scarborough.
UNITED STATES SENATORS.
1809-15, John Lambert; 1835hH, Garret D. Wall.
UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVES.
1805-9, John Lambert (deceased); 1830-39, William Halstead (died
March 4, 1 878, aged eighty-four) ; 1842^13, Isaac G. Farlee (died Jan.
12, 1855, aged seventy-six) ; 1844, John Runk (deceased) ; 1852, Dr.
Samuel Lilly (died April 3, 1S80, aged sixty-five ; 1808-74, John T.
Bird.
INSPECTORS OF CUSTOMS, NEW YORK.
1857-02, John P. Rittenhouse ; 1809, David Van Fleet.
FOREIGN CONSULS.
1830, Chas. D. Cox, at Tripoli (died December, 1830) ; 1801, Samuel Lilly,
consul-general to Calcutta, British India.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
Richard Stockton, Garret D. Wall.
CONVENTION OF 1787.
John Stevens, Hon. David Brearley, Joshua Corahon.
REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.
1S05-9, John Lambert; 1811-13, George C. Maxwell; 1833-37, 1830-41,
Philemon Dickinson ; 1844-45, Isaac G. Farlee ; 1846-47, John Runk ;
1854-55, Samuel Lilly.
DELEGATES TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
1776-77, John Hart ; 1783-84, John Stevens.
MEMBERS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
1776-80, John Stevens (vice-president) ; 1781-83, Joseph Reading; 1784,
Philemon Dickinson (vice-president) ; 1785-88, Robert Lettis Hooper
(vice-president); 1789-90, Benjamin Van Cleve; 1791-1806, John
Lambert; 1800-7, John Wilson; 1808-14, John Haas; 1815-16,
George Anderson; 1817-21, Elnathan Stevenson; 1822-23, John