Crook, who had served for a time as teller, n
ted to (ill the vacancy thus created, and continued to
act until January, 1874, when he resigned the office,
ami the teller, Isaiah P. Smith, was elected in his
stead. Hampton C. Shafer was chosen in the place
of Mr. Smith, and continued to act as teller and as-
sistant cashier until his removal to Scranton, in
January. 1 ss ] . Frank Phillips was chosen to fill his
place.
The original capital of the hank was $50,000;
present capital, $100,000. It was chartered as a
national hank July 20, 1865.
Samuel 1>. Stryker, the first president, was one of
the most successful and sagacious business men Lam-
bertville has ever had. He came t" this place in the
spring of 1826, and remained bere until bis 'hath.
He was for many years treasurer, and then for a long
while president, of the Hunterdon County Bible
Society. He was seventy-two years of age at the time
of bis death. He left a large estate and bequeathed
a -urn of money for a public library, to bei te
available when a like sum, principal and accruing
interest, should be raised bj the tow d of Lambertville
or by any association of its citizens. Such an associa-
tion, after a long delay, is about to l"' for I, to be
known as the "Stryker Library Association." The
money needed to meet the conditions has almost all
been raised.
AMWELL NATION \|. BANE.
"The Lambertville Building and Loan Sa
I '.auk" was ii rporated Feb. 11, 1875, and dissolved
. 1 1 1 1 > 26, 1876. Its first officers were the following:
Samuel Lilly, -M.l>.. President; William V. (
Cashier; Richard McDowell, William I.. Hoppock,
John A. Anderson, Nelson V. Young, Henry C.
Hooker, George A. Allen. Ashhcl Welch, John Gro-
maii. William V. ( loole] , I directors.
On the dissolution of tin- hank the Ainwell Na-
tional was formed, with a capital of $60,000, which
continued to be the capital until Jan. 14, 1879, when
ii was increased to $70,000. On Jul] 28, 1876, the first
hoard of directors was elected, -viz.. Samuel Lilly,
M.D., William V.Cooley, Ashbel Welch, Richard Mc-
I low a -I I, limn ( '. Hooker, William L. Hoppock, John
A. Anderson, Hugh II. Ely, William V. Case, Hiram
Scarborough, J. Patterson Smith. Samuel Lilly,
M.D., wa~ chosen president, Ashbel Welch vice-
president, William Y. Cooley cashier, and F. W.
Van Hart teller.
mi iii n i i LiioN . oi n n HUT! \i. ii i; i ins| BANCS I om-
PANI
was organized March 13, 1845, and the first meeting
was held at that date. John 1 'oryell. Esq., was elected
president and Jacob Servis Garj secretary.
The officers of the company at the present time are
as follows: Dr. Jeremiah Hayhurst, President ; Joseph
Smith, Secretary; Charles A. skillman. Treasurer;
Augustus < '. Barber, < leneral Igent.
.. is LIGHT ' 0MPANT.
The Lambertville Gas Company was chartered
April 21, 1856. The first officers chosen were the
following: John Runk, President; Charles A, Skill-
man. Secretary; Samuel Lilly, M.I'.. Treasurer;
Samuel Lilly, M.D., Liscomb R. Tims, [ngham
286
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
Coryell, Samuel H. Titus, Thomas B. Carr, Alexander
H. Holcombe, Directors.
The gas-works were built under contract with Lis-
comb R. Titus. These have been much enlarged and
improved. For several years they were not remuner-
ative, but under the efficient management of Richard
McDowell they have become profitable. For the five
years beginning with 1870 and ending with 1874 the
gas stock yielded a dividend of ten per cent, per
annum, clear of tax, but since 1874 the dividend has
been seven per cent. The present capital is $30,000,
divided into 1500 shares at $20 a share. The present
officers are James D. Stryker, President; William V.
Cooley, Treasurer; Charles A. Skillman, Secretary;
Richard McDowell, Superintendent; William V.
Cooley, William G. Moore, Richard McDowell, Henry
C. Hooker, Augustus C. Barber, Charles A. Skillman,
Directors.
LAMBBRTVILLE WATER-POWER COMPANY.
The Lambertville Water-Power Company was or-
ganized Oct. 28, 1857, and purchased of the estate of
Dr. John Wilson, deceased, valuable lands and water-
rights along the feeder of the Delaware and Raritan
Canal, in the lower part of the town. Some of the
most valuable mills have since been constructed on
that water-power. Liscomb R. Titus, Imlah Moore,
Charles Moore, Ingham Coryell, and Augustus G.
Richey were elected the first board of directors. Lis-
comb R. Titus was chosen president, Imlah Moore
vice-president, and Charles Moore secretary and treas-
urer.
The following persons were chosen officers of the
company in February, 1880 : James D. Stryker, Presi-
dent ; A. H. Holcombe, Secretary and Treasurer ;
James D. Stryker, A. C. Gandy, Joseph Sproat, Henry
Matthews, Richard McDowell, Directors.
LAMBERTVILLE WATER COMPANY.
The Lambertville Water Company was organized
July 21, 1877. The water-right of a pond on Swan's
Creek and two and eight-tenths acres were bought of
A. Smith Wilson. The reservoir contains, when full,
1,800,000 gallons of water. The daily flow of the
creek into the reservoir has been carefully estimated
at 400,000 gallons daily for nine months of the year,
and 70,000 gallons daily for three months.
The water-shed from which the water is collected
is the " trap-dike" known as " Goat Hill," and has
an area of 1000 acres, and, from a low estimate of the
amount of rain-fall during the year that could be
made available by impounding all the water, it would
reach the enormous quantity of 326,700,000 gallons.
THE LAMBERTVILLE VIGILANT SOCIETY*
was organized Feb. 24, 1837. Jacob B. Smith, Esq.,
was made chairman, and William B. Ely secretary.
* Wo are indebted for the facta here given to Dr. J. Hayhurst, who,
as president, gave an historical address to the society at tlioir annual
meeting in February, 1877.
Amos Ely, Ezekiel Blue, and William M. Case were
appointed a committee to draft a constitution.
Jacob B. Smith was elected the first president of
the association, and continued to be re-elected every
year until his death, when Dr. Samuel Lilly was
elected president in his stead, and served in that
capacity until the annual meeting in 1857, when
Johnson Barber was chosen. Mr. Barber was suc-
ceeded, in 1860, by John H. Anderson, who held the
office for two years. James D. Stryker was the next
president. He was elected at the annual meeting in
1862, and held the office for six years, when the present
incumbent, Dr. J. Hayhurst, was chosen.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
We are not able to give the date at which the first
fire company was formed in Lambertville, but of the
first fire-engine many of the citizens have a distinct
recollection. It was a very small machine, rotary in
its action and turned by a crank upon each side. It
was nicknamed the " coffee-mill." This gave place to
a heavy, lumbering machine named the " Globe,"
bought at second-hand from a Philadelphia com-
pany.
The fire company was then known as the " Union
Fire Company." It was suffered to decline in interest,
and became virtually defunct. This state of things
continued for some time, when the "Aquetong Fire
Company" was formed, in 1863, and a new engine
purchased from the manufacturers at Cohoes, N. Y.
The new "Union Fire Company," was formed July
18, 1864. In September, 1869, a steamer was purchased,
and has proved to be a very effective engine.
"The Fleet- Wing Hook-and-Ladder Company" was
organized in 1864 and incorporated in 1867. In 1868
its truck-house was built, and is creditable to the
company and ornamental to the town.
During the past year the Aquetong Company was
dissolved.
"The Hibernia Fire Company" was formed Jan.
13, 1870. The members purchased a hand-engine,
which has been of great service when occasion re-
quired.
The fire department of Lambertville, in its equip-
ments and management, will compare favorably with
that of any town of its size.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
MASONIC.
The first lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in
this vicinity was established in New Hope, in the
house now occupied by William H. Murray. When
the brick hotel in New Hope was built, by William
Maris, a room in it was fitted up for the use of the
lodge, and was occupied by them for a considerable
period. The Hon. William Wilson, Capt. John Lam-
bert, and Thomas Thomson, all of Lambertville and
vicinity, were members.
In June, 1847, Ancel St. John, William Wilson,
CITY OF LAMBERTVILLE.
287
Thomas Stcrrctt. John Hunk. Thoma- Thomson, Ed-
ward Badger, and McKenzie Hal] petiti 'I the Most
Worthy (irand Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable
Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of thi â–
of New Jersey for a dispensation to open a Masonic
lodge in Lambcrtville, N. J. The dispensation was
granted June I", IS 17, and "Amwell Lodge, No. 1 :'.,"
was instituted June 16, 1847, by the following
officers: John Merchant, M. W. Grand Master ; John
J.Crockett, B. W. Senior Grand Warden; William
IL Earl, K. W. Junior Grand Warden; Edward
Stewart, W. Senior I irand Deacon ; John Vanderbilt,
Tiler. The first officers of the- lodge were ijicel
St. John, W. Master; William Wilson, Senior Warden;
Thomas Stcrrett, Junior Warden; McKenzie Hall,
Tresis.; Thomas Thomson, See. A charter was granted
to the lodge Jan. 12, 1848. Since its institution 233
have joined the lodge. The present number of mem-
bers is 96.
From "Amwell Lodge" went forth "Darey Lodge,
Nb. 37," located at Flcmiiigtoii. N. J., and instituted
in 1835; "Orion Lodge. No. oil." locate. I at French-
town, N. J., and instituted during 1860; "Orpheus
Lodge, No. 137," located at Stockton, and instituted
In 1878; and a portion of "Cyrus Lodge, No. |::s,"
located at Pennington, X. J., and instituted Feb. 7,
1877.
The "Wilson Chapter of Royal Arch Masons" in
Lambertville was instituted .May 11, 1864. The first
members were William Wilson, John F. Schenck,
Frederic M. Slaughter, Jacob S. S. Pittenger, Charles
Schulhaus, Jacob Young, Gabriel II. Slater, Isaac S.
Cramer, William 1'.. I'.rown, and J. dm T. Sergeant.
Since the chapter was instituted 108 new members
have joined it. The present member-hip is 67.
The " St. Elmo I lommandery of Enights Templar"
was instituted Oct. 4, 1878. The first officers were
Joseph II. Boozer, E. C; J. S. Roberts, Gen.; J.
Simpson Large, C. G.; W. II. Everett, S. W. ; R. B.
Beading, J. W. ; C. Schulhaus, Treas.; W. 11. Titus,
Recorder; John Lilly, J. S. Cramer, ' >. II. Sproull,
Trustees.
In the year Is;; the Masons built their presenl
hall. This Spacious and tasteful edifice is an orua-
iiicnt to the town.
ODD-FEU.ous.
About the year 1840 there existed in Lambertville
a secret society called the "forlorn Hope." The
principal officers were Hiram Blake and Louis Pax-
son ; the members, Amasa Ely, William B. Ely,
Thomas L. Southard, Jonathan Fisk, Thomas B.
Carr, besides others whose names we have not ob-
tained, from this association originated the society
Of ll "der Of Odd- Fellow-, and on Jan. 19, L848,
"Lenni Lenape Lodge. No. 16," [.0.0. F.. of NV»
Jersey, was instituted. The first officers were Daniel
Skinner, Thomas B. Oarr, Martin Coryell, Joseph B.
Cray, and Samuel Lilly. Meetings have been held
regularly every Tuesday evening for 38 year-. six
lodges have had their origin in tin- lodge. In May,
1 879, the lodge commenced rebuilding their hall, and
now have a -lately and commodiou- edifice, an orna-
ii 1 1 ill to i lie town and a -pee inn u of thorough a- well
as tasteful Workmanship.
UNITE!' AMl.KI'W Ml.cn \s|i -.
The first council of United American Mechanics
instituted in Lambertville was the "Star Council."
The date of it- institution i- not known, as the books
and charters of the council were given to the State
Council after it- dissolution.
The next formed in Lambertville wa- " Union
( louncil," which was organized Jan. 4, 1848, and con-
tinued in operation under a dispensation from the
State I louncil till May 31st of the same year, when it
ceased to exist.
( >n Aug. 23, L858, the persons who had previously
composed the membership of Union Council organ-
ized themselves into a tribe of Bed Men known as
"Tuscarora Tribe, No. 11. Improved Order of Bed
Men," which continued in operation until some time
during the year 1m'.". when, in eoiiseipicnce of the
war reducing their membership, they returned their
charter to the Great Council of the State of New
Jersey, and the tribe was disbanded. After a lapse
of a little over five years the council wa- reinstituted,
I lee. 2X, I Si'.S, since w Inch time it has continued in
operation, and is now flourishing.
"Vigilant Council of United American Me-
chanic-," now in operation, was organized Dec. 30,
1870.
OTHER SOCIETIES ANP ASSOCIATION'S.
"Red Jacket Tribe of Improved I Irderof Red Men"
was instituted Nov. 17, 1873.
"Lone Star Lodge, No. Hi, Knight- of Pythias,"
was organized Dec. 22, lxbs, with nine charter mem-
bers, — viz., Theodore Abbott, .lame- Gordon, Ashbel
W. \ugel, Charles EL W. Van Sciver, Thomas Fla-
hertj , Augustus ' '. Barber, J. I taddis, Amos Johnson,
and Charles W. Crook.
The " Major C. A. Angel Post, No. 20, Grand Army
of the Republic," has the following-named officers,
who were in-tailed Nov. 20, 1878: Post Commander,
0. II. W. Vim Sciver: Senior Vice-Commander,
Ashbel W. Angel; Junior Vice-Commander, G •ge
W. P. Fisher; Officer of the Day, Charles A. Slack;
Quartermaster, Frank B. Pierson; Chaplain, Barry
S. Kroesen ; Surgeon, John J. Green ; Adjutant, B
jimtu II. J ■1 1 1 -. • i- i >th er of the I uard II i..( mover
Quartermaster-Sergeant, Asa L. Miller; Sergeant-
Major. William 11. Moon; [nside Guard, Henry L.
Van Horn; Outside Guard, Joseph Taylor; Ord-
nance-Sergeant, < '. L. A kers.
"The Emerald Beneficial Association" was organ-
ized June 8, 1878. Tl las J. Murphy was
president. John Hurley secretary, and Martin Hru.lv
tre.isiirer.
288
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
The present officers are John F. McEntee, Presi-
dent ; John E. Kilroy, Secretary ; John Purtell,
Treasurer.
PATRIOTISM DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
The contribution of Lambertville for the support
of the national government in the late war of the Re-
bellion in men and supplies, as shown by the rosters
of the companies sent forth and by the amounts
raised by the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, deserves
honorable mention.
For a list of the three months' men, — Co. E, Capt.
Angel, and Co. I, Capt. Huselton, of the Third
Regiment, — as well as of other soldiers enlisted for
the three years' service, see Chapter X., et seq., in
the "General History of Hunterdon and Somerset
Counties," at the beginning of this work.
In this historical sketch of Lambertville it is due
to the patriotism of its citizens, especially to that of
the ladies, that some account should be given of what
was accomplished in supplying the wants of our sick
and wounded soldiers in the late war of the Rebel-
lion. In this respect Lambertville bears favorable
comparison with any place of its size in the land.
LADIES' SOLDIEHS' AID SOCIETY.*
"On Sunday, Oct. 6, 1861, a call wag read in the different churches of
the place for a meeting 'to consider the subject of supplyiug clothing
aud reading-matter to the troops now in the field for the defense of the
government.' "
This meeting was held on Monday evening, October
7th, in the Presbyterian church. The clergymen and
a large number of the people of the different churches
were present. Samuel D. Stryker, Esq., presided.
After brief appeals by the clergymen and others, an
eloquent address was made by the Rev. J. L. Jane-
way, of Flemington, who spoke by special invitation.
" A letter from Governor Olden was read by the Hon. John Runk, fol-
lowed by some remarks from Mr. Runk urging the citizens to raise funds
to procure rubber blankets for the soldiers, aud a committeo was ap-
pointed for the purpose.
" By a vote of the ladies, it was determined to hold a meeting on Thurs-
day, the loth, to form an aid society. This meeting was accordingly held,
and largely attended. The ladies were favored with the presence and
advice of Mrs. Samuel D. Ingham, who had been engaged in working for
the soldiers for some time in the city of Trenton.
" A Bociety was then formed, and Homo of the officers were chosen. At
subsequent meetings the organization was perfected and a constitution
adopted. It was determined to hold weekly meetings for work during
the war.
" The following were the officers of the association, chosen at its or-
ganization, — viz.: President, Mrs. J, A. Anderson; Vice-President, Mrs.
Jane N. Van Horn; Secretary, Miss Mary M. Welch; Treasurer, Mrs.
D. P. PaxBon, — with a board of eight managers, composed of the follow-
ing persons, — viz.: Mrs. A. A. Kneaes, Mrs. John Runk, Mrs. M. L.
Reeve, Mrs. Alexander Coryell, Mrs. Sidney Blackwell, Mrs. William
UVtberill, Mrs. Ingham Coryell, and Mrs. William Jamiey.
" During the second year Mrs. Paxson resigned the position of treas-
urer, and Mrs. A. A. Kueass was chosen to fill the oilice. The vice-pres-
ident, Mrs. Jane Van Horn, died in June, 1864. At a subsequent election
Mia. William Wotherill was chosen in Mrs. Van Horn's place, the presi-
dent, secretary, and treasurer were re-olcctod, and Mrs. J. A. Anderson
was elected corresponding secretary."
* Taken almost verbatim from the Third Annual Report, Oct. 10, 1864,
of the Ladies 1 Soldiers' Aid Society.
Our brief space will not allow us to enter into par-
ticulars, but in justice to the society, which accom-
plished so much good and reflected so much credit on
our town, it may be permitted us to mention that at
the close of the third year of the war $3658.76 had
been raised, and 297 boxes and barrels of stores for
the sick and wounded had been sent to the front.
The report of the society for the last year of the war
the writer has not had access to.
Through the instrumentality of the ladies, also,
funds were secured for the erection of
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
On one face of this monument are engraved the
names of the officers from Lambertville who were
killed or died from wounds or disease in the service
of their country, — viz. :
Lieut. C. Augustus Angel, Lieut. William Eagan, Lieut. George C. Jus-
tice, Capt. Charles L. Kneass, Adjt. Josiah S. Studdiford, Lieut.-Com-
mander H. M. Blue, Lieut. C. W. Arnett.
On the other side of the monument the names of
non-commissioned officers and privates :
Adam Mann, John Mann, Charles Mann, Alexander H. Naylor, John
O'Daniell, Jr., Anderson Pidcock, Patrick Pursel, George W. Phillips,.
Patrick Rogan, Michael Reagin, Hiram Rooks, Augustus Risler,
Joseph B. Snook, Richard Sibbett, Jr., George W. Taylor, Hugh S.
Taylor, Palmer Thorn, Israel Trauger, William H. Tracy, Elias Van
Camp, William B. Phillips, William B. Cook.
FROM DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.
William H. Keth, George F. Williams, Evin J. Green, Richard G. Everitt,
Edward Naylor.
On another side of the monument the following
names of non-commissioned officers and privates :
Samuel Ashbrook, Albert Black, Abram Black, Charles Brandt, George P.
Brewer, James Bell, Isaac Cathrall, William Chidcster, John Craig,
Patrick Dever, John Ely, William Fisher, Lorenzo D. Gibson, James
Gibson, Jacob W. Garis, John Gutchol, Wilson Horn, Elias Kramer,
John Mahau, Gottlieb Mueller.
MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY.
A meeting of the citizens of Lambertville for the
purpose of considering the question of forming a
cemetery association was held July 25, 1847. An or-
ganization was effected, and on Feb. 17, 1848, an act
of incorporation was obtained, under the title of "The
Mount Hope Cemetery Association of Lambertville."
The corporators were Ancel St. John, Louis S.
Paxson, John H. Wakefield, Jacob S. Gary, John H.
Anderson, and Amasa Ely.
At a meeting held May 29, 1849, of which John H.
Wakefield was chairman and Thomas Chattle secre-
tary, the following were elected a board of managers :
John H. Anderson, Thomas Chattle, John H. Wake-
field, Samuel Lilly, M.D., and Ashbel Welch. Samuel
Lilly, M.D., was made president, Thomas Chattle
secretary, and John H. Wakefield treasurer.
The first interment in the cemetery was in Decem-
ber, 1849.
THE H0L00MBE RIVERVIEW CEMETERY.
This was incorporated in September, 1878. The first
meeting for the purpose of effecting an organization
U*h4UijuLUMMsU
cm' of la.mi;i;i:t\ ii.ij:.
289
was hclc] Awl'. -!\ ! -S7-S. The following persons wen;
chosen managerB, viz., William Dean, Stacy I!. Bray,
Jacob S. S. Dean, John C. Holcombe, John V. ' '.
Barber, George \V. Day, ami Jonas Mortz.
Tin- first intermenl made was in September, 1878.
The number of lots sold to January, 1SS1, was three
hundred and twenty-live.
INCORPORATION' OF THE VILLAGE.
The village of Lambcrtville was incorporator] as a
horoitL'h March 1. IS-1'.I. The Ji i- 1 mayor was Sam-
uel Lilly, M.I).
Supplements were made to the charter Feb. 19,
L851, Feb. 26, 1855, March -".'. LS5S, ami March 15,
1 859.
"An act to revise and amend the charter of the
Town of Lamhertville" was passed li\ the Legislature,
ami approved hy the (iovcrnor April \'.'>, 18I>8. In
the following year, March :;i-t. a supplement to the
revised charter was approved, and on March 26, I 872,
the borough of Lambertville became a city, a legisla-
tive enactment t<> thai effect having been approved
by the Governor on that day. Joseph II. Boozer was
mayor when the citj charter was obtained, Richard
McDowell being the iir~t elected under that charter.
The city was divided into three wards by this new act
of incorporation.
The population of Lambertville, according to the
census of 1880, was 4183.
The ratio of the growth "i Lambertville during the
decade ending with 1880 was much less than that of
the two decades immediately preceding. This was
owing partly to the effeel of the lease of the Belvi-
ileie Delaware Railroad to the Pennsylvania Railroad
C pany, which occasioned the re val of all the
work in the construction of locomotives and passenger-
aml freight-cars, and partly to the financial depres-
sion. There are, however, brighter prospects now ;
and si Id the Delaware be utilized for manufactur-
ing purposes, as it certainly will be in time, there is
i ason why the valley of the Delaware should not
be as thriving in manufacturing enterprises as the
valley hi' the Connecticut. When that desideratum
-hall be attained, considering its already-assured po-
sition, Lambertville musl share largelj in the general
prosperity.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
&SHBSL WBLCH.
Ashbel Welch was born in Madison Co., V Y..
Dec. t. L809. Bis father was originally n farmer,
living near Windham, ( !onn., on land occupied by his
ancestors of the same name since about 1680, Be is
the seventh in descent from each of the following
original settlers of New England i < tovernor William
Bradford, of Plymouth, and Alice Carpenter, his
sec. ,ml wife; Thomas Richards, of Weymouth, and
Welthean his wife; Rev. Peter Bobart, tir-t minister
of Hingham, Mass. ; William Manning, of Cambridgi ;
and Isaac Stearns, of Watertown.
When Mr. Welch »;i- about sis or seven year- oi
age, the family removed from Madison County to the
m ighborhood of Utica, where, si years later, he at-
tended the school of Abraham Kasson. One of his
schoolmates there was Boratio Seymour, and oneof
the younger scholars was Ward Hunt. Be afterwards
Studied mathematics and natural philosophy at the
Albany Academy, under Professor Henry, late of the
Smithsonian Institution. In his eighteenth year he
left school i though he never discontinued his studii - 1
and commenced his professional career, — that of a
civil engineer, — under his brother, Sylvester Welch.
on the Lehigh Canal. Anions hi in that
hard-working corps were W. Milnor Roberts, Bolo-
in. .n W. Roberts, and Edward Miller, all of whom
afterwards became eminent civil engineers. In L880
he entered the service of the Delaware and Raritan
(.'anal Company, under Canvass White, one of the
ablest and most original of American engineers.
Since then he 1 1: i-~ been a citizen of New Jersey, and
since 1882 a resident of Lamberts ille.
In lX.'ili. Mr. Welch took charge of the work's of the
Delaware and Raritan Canal Company, and retained
that charge for many years, in the mean time con-
structing Beveral other works, among which was the
Belvidere Delaware Railroad, commenced in
and finished in 1854. I >n the 20th of December, 1852,
the stockholders of the canal company suddenly de-
termined to double the capacity of their locks and