The first physician al Rosemont was John Barcroft,
is ii 12, George N. Besl is the pre-. ait physician
at Rosemont.
II. I >. Spr.nil has practiced at Stockton from lxiii',
to the present time, and is the only physician there.
STATE ANIi COUNTY OFFICIALS.
The following have been elected to the positions
named from Delaware township : Stale senator, Hon.
William Wilson ; members of the State Legislature,
John Lambert, David B. Boss, C. W. Godown;
sheriffs, James Synder, A. B. Chamberlin; judges,
Mahlon Smith. 1". S. Eoll ibej county clerk. \ I'..
Kittenhouse.
388
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
!J Joseph Williamson, son of Matthias and Susan
(Slack) Williamson, of Hunterdon County, was born
in the township of Delaware, Oct. 10, 1839. His
grandfather was Abraham Williamson, who was born
in Germany or Holland, and came to this country
about 1773. He was a soldier in the war of the Rev-
olution, and fought in several battles under Washing-
ton. He settled in Delaware township about the year
1780, on the road from Sergeantsville to Kingwood
church, on property now owned by his grandson,
Joseph Williamson. He had five children, four of
whom, Derick, Abraham, Eleanor, and Sarah, signed
the deed, May 1, 1828, given to Matthias Williamson,
father of our subject, for the homestead farm. All
lived to an advanced age, but are now deceased.
Matthias Williamson, the youngest of the family,
bought out the other heirs, and remained upon the
homestead where he was born in 1787, and died in
1875, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. He
married Susan Slack, Oct. 13, 1832, and had four
children, two of whom died in infancy and two sur-
vive, — viz., Joseph, our subject, and Margarette, for-
merly wife of the late Martin V. B. Rittenhouse, of
Kingwood township, and present wife of Bartlett
Hann, a farmer in Kingwood.
Joseph Williamson was born on the homestead
farm, and resided there till 1877, when he purchased
the farm adjoining the village of Sergeantsville on
the west, the homestead of John H. Gordon, whose
daughter Mary Ann he married, Dec. 15, 1864. He
has followed the occupation of a farmer and peach-
culturist all his life, and since 1877 has resided on the
place near Sergeantsville, still owning and carrying
on the old farm. He may be regarded as a model
farmer of his district, and has rendered the occupation
successful financially and in every other respect.
In politics Mr. Williamson is of the faith of his
fathers, — a Democrat, — and is also a member of the
Masonic fraternity. For two terms he has held the
office of justice of the peace, and has been called to
fill other offices of trust and responsibility in his
township. He has frequently been a delegate to the
county and congressional conventions, and has served
the interests of his party and constituents with intel-
ligence and ability. He has five children, — four sons
and one daughter, — viz., Franklin P., Kate G., Mat-
thias, John H., and Fred B., in the order named.
ANDREW LARASON.*
Andrew Larason, son of Andrew and Mary (Wil-
son) Larason, was born in Kingwood township, two
miles from Frenchtown, N. J., Oct. 2, 1803, and re-
^f??^c^c
fcs<a<jc?v
moved with his parents to Harbortown, Mercer Co.,
when he was eight years old. After remaining there
five years he removed with his father to the farm
where he now resides. The place is known as the
" Old Larason Farm," and was purchased by his
* Sometimes spelled Larison.
CS£
*~Â¥ l
*£
otAsC^Crj^/
DELAWARE.
389
father of Joseph Higgine in L816. At thai time there
was a tannery upon the place, which was then quite
old, ami the house which Mr. Larason -till occupies.
He lived with his father <>n tin- place iill the death
hi' the latter, in 1861, when In' came into possession
of the estate. His mother had already departed this
life.
Mr. Larason married .Mary Ann, daughter of John
Phillips, in January, ls.'iT. Tiny h.nl two children,
both sons, — viz., John P. and I >:i \ i < 1 \V. The former
died of scarlet fever at the age of seven years; the
hitler married Sarah, daughter of I leorge Wilson, and
has four children, Mary, John, Cora May, and
Howard Larason.
Mr. Larason has lived a quiet, unobtrusive life on
hie farm, which is one of the finest in this section of
New Jersey, and hears the evidence of many im-
provements made by his own hands. He is an up-
right and worthy citizen of the old school, conscien-
tious and conservative in politics, and a supporter of
the church of his neighborhood.
BENJAMIN LARISON.
Benjamin Larison was born Jan. 5, ISO"), in King-
wood township, near Prenchtown, .V J. He is a son
Of Andrew and Mary (Wilson) Larison, both Datives
Of Ainwell township.
Andrew Larison, Sr., moved with his family in 1810
to a large farm which he purchased at I [arborton, in
( 'ounly, win-re he remained till 1816, when he
purchased the large farm known as the Larison home-
stead, "ii the Xork Road, between Mount Airy and
Ringos, N..I. This farm has ever since remained in
the family. Here Andrew Larison, Sr., -pent the re-
tnainder of his life. He was a prominent and well-
to-do tanner and drover, and represented hi- district
two term- in the Legislature 'is:; - , and 1886 . Hi
was In, rn Ma\ 17. 1776, and died duly I'll. l-<<il, aged
eighty-five years, two months, and nine days. His
wife Mary was born Oct. 15, 1778, and died Sept. 24,
[866, aged Beventy-seven years, eleven months, and
nine daj 3.
Benjamin was the youngest of three sons, the others
being John and Am hew. and the daughters, Sarah and
Lavina. The former married Aaron ( '. Wilson, a
huge tanner near llarhorlown, in Hopewell town-
ship. The latter is the wife of Samuel R. Holcombe,
of Hopewell. Benjamin was raised on the old home-
stead and educated at the I i n Schools. lie
married Hannah Ann, daughter of I 'apt. '
Holcombe, near Lambertville, N.I., by whom he had
nine children, all living except the late Andrew B.
Larison. M.D., pastor and founder of the Baptist
church at Ringos. The survivors are rge ll
m, M.D., of Lambertville; Cornelius W. Lari-
son. M.l>., of Ringos; John, residing on the home-
stead farm; Lucy A., residing at home; Mary ('..
who married Thomas ( '. Johnson ; Sarah, wife of
Reading Bodine; Ellen and Jane, at home.
Mr. Larison has never Bought or held any political
offices, but has been deacon of the Baptist Church at
Sandy Ridge for several years. He is an upright and
worthy citi/.en ami an exemplar] Christian.
He lived on the old 1 lestead from L828 to 1874,
when his wife died and he bought the adjoining lot,
on which he has erected an elegant bI cottage,
beautified the grounds, and made other improve-
ments. I See CUt of the [dace, on another page. I
BLISS \ I'VH BRSON TOMLINSON.
The original ancestors of the Tomlinson family
were of Scandinavian origin, or descendants of the
Northmen. The first of the name who came to this
country was Matthew T linson, who embarked on
hoard a ship at London, Richard Goodladd master,
bound for A ica, Maj 21, L688. Matthew Tomlin-
(p, <y c^r^L^C^-j^L^o
cry\
Mm'- age, a- -et down in this ship record, wa- thirty-
one year-. He appears to have settled at New Haven,
Conn., among the early colonists of that place. We
find that William Tomlinson and his wife Abigail
were accepted as citizens of Hell'}. New Haven Co.,
Conn., in December, 1677. Mr. Tomlinson trace- his
de-cent directly from this couple through l-aae. Sr.,
Isaac, dr.. Timothy, and Samuel, hi- father. The
latter wa- a native of \V Uniry. Litchfield Co.,
Conn., where the family resided at the time of the
hirth of our subject.
Hi- maternal ance tors, the Pattersons, are traced
390
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
back through six generations to the first settlers of
Stratford, Conn. His mother, Jennett Patterson, was
the oldest daughter of Elisha Patterson, of Roxbury;
he was a son of Samuel Patterson, who was a son of
Abraham, a son of Charles, etc. Thus his ancestors
on both sides were among the early settlers of New
England, — the Tomlinsons of New Haven, and the
Pattersons of Stratford, Conn., — whence they have
become scattered widely in the Eastern States and
other portions of the country.
Elisha Patterson Tomlinson was born in Woodbury,
Litchfield Co., Conn., Aug. 2, 1822. In the spring
of 1861 he purchased his farm in Delaware township,
Hunterdon Co., N. J., upon which he settled and has
since resided. He married, Jan. 1, 1867, Delia A.,
daughter of John Reading.
In the management of his farm Mr. Tomlinson
combines the three branches of agriculture, — dairying,
grain and stock raising. He is a progressive, wide-
awake farmer, and has devoted much attention to the
subject, both theoretically and practically. Of late
he has taken a deep interest in promoting agriculture
by the establishment of analysis and experimental
stations, for the testing of fertilizers adapted to the
various sections, — a mode of safety to farmers and of
practical development of the resources of the soil
destined to be of great benefit to the State. He has
been for some time a member of the State Horticul-
tural Society, and is a reader of books on that subject,
as well as on agriculture, and has a large and choice
collection.
As a member of the Patrons of Husbandry he has
taken an active interest in that order, and during the
first two years of his connection with it held the office
of lecturer of the grange at Sergeantsville.
ISAAC S. CRAMER, M.D.
Isaac S. Cramer, M.D., son of Peter E. and Sarah
(Smith) Cramer, was born at Changewater, Hunter-
don Co., N. J., May 24, 1834. His paternal ancestors
were German, those on his mother's side English.
His grandfather, Noah Cramer, was bom in Lebanon
township, and married a Miss Emery. His maternal
grandfather was Isaac Smith, born in Bethlehem (now
Union) township, and married Nancy Potts, who was
born in Warren County, near Washington; both she
and her husband died at Asbury, N. J., — the former
Sept. 4, 1867, aged eighty-three; the latter Feb. 9,
1845, aged fifty-seven years, eight months, and five
days. Isaac and Nancy (Potts) Smith had two sons
and two daughters, of whom Sarah, the mother of
Dr. Cramer, is the eldest, and is still living, at Wash-
ington, Warren Co. She was born Aug. 20, 1813.
The other surviving members of the family are Amos
Smith, residing near Chicago, and Cornelia II., wife
of Hon. John Blanc, M.D., of Perryville, Hunterdon
Co., N. J.
Peter E. Cramer, father of Dr. Cramer, was born
March 6, 1810, and died Jan. 3, 1836. The early life
of Dr. Cramer was spent chiefly at school, although
he was clerk in a country store for about two years.
His parents removed from Changewater, his native
place, to Upper Valley, in Morris County, where his
father, being a miller by occupation, went to take
charge of the mills, and died there, at the age of
twenty-six, Jan. 3, 1836, leaving his widow and two
young children. The subject of this sketch was then
only twenty months old. His mother, being thus de-
prived of the support of her young husband, went to
her father's, in Union township, formerly Bethlehem.
In April, 1840, she removed to Bloomsbury, Hunter-
don Co., and during two years in that place put her
children to school. She then removed to Asbury,
where the children enjoyed schooling privileges for
three years, and then, for the purpose of enjoying
better advantages, she spent a year with the boys at
New Hampton. Returning to Asbury, she remained
there till the spring of 1849. During the year 1849,
Mr. Cramer attended the academy at Stewartsville,
Warren Co. ; returned to Asbury in the spring of
1850, and, after a short time spent in a store, com-
menced the study of medicine with Dr. John Blane.
He continued his studies till he went to attend lec-
tures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in
New York, where he graduated, receiving his well-
earned degree of Doctor of Medicine March 10, 1854.
After graduation he commenced practice with Dr.
Blane, and continued there till Jan. 8, 1855, when he
removed to Sergeantsville, where he has pursued the
practice of his profession ever since. The country
practice has rendered the doctor's ride extensive and
laborious, but he has realized the pleasure of doing
much good, as well as that of achieving success as a
practitioner.
Dr. Cramer has taken an active interest in Masonry
since 1858, at which time he was made a member of
Darcey Lodge, No. 37, of Flemington. He was subse-
quently chosen Master of the lodge. He assisted in
instituting Orpheus Lodge, No. 137, at Stockton, in
1873, of which he was Master for two years. He is
now treasurer of the lodge. He is a member of the
Royal Arch Chapter, No. 13, of Lambertville ; St.
Elmo Commandery, No. 14, of Lambertville; and is
Past High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter.
In politics he is a Democrat, and has taken an active
interest in behalf of the party, being frequently a del-
egate to county, Congressional, and State conventions,
although declining to hold office himself. He has
been for several years secretary of the District Medi-
cal Society of Hunterdon County, and has done much
to advance the interests of that institution. He has
also been president of the society, and delegate to the
State Medical Society and the American Medical As-
sociation, of which he is a member.
Feb. 14, 1855, Dr. Cramer married Margaret R.,
daughter of Jonathan W. Ingham, a brother of Hon.
(2J^?c^ e $J. Cr.
rK~cun^-i -£<<*
fc.9.
KING WOOD.
391
Samuel I>. Ingham, Secretary of the Treasury under
Gen. Jackson. She was a native of Warren County,
and ;i graduate of the female seminary at Penning-
ton, X. J.
JOSHUA PRIMMER.
Joshua Primmer was born in Hopewell township,
for rlj Hunterdon oo\i Mere* r) Co., X. J., June 25,
L818. He is the >"ii"i' Richard and Lydia (Bunn)
Primmer. The latter was :i daughter of Jonathan
Bunn, of Hopewell township. Both of bis grand-
fathere were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. His
grandfather Primmer was born in Germany, and
came to this countn when a boy. II- served in tin-
old French war, and was with Gen. Braddock in his
memorable defeat at Fort Du Quesne. He served
through the Revolution under Washington, and was
in many important battles, hut never wounded.
His grandfather Bunn was born within a mile and
a half of Bennington, where his hither, Rev. Joshua
Bunn. bought land, under George If., in 1748, which
is still in possession of the Bunn family.
Richard Primmer bad seven children, — tin.
and four daughters, — four of whom are living, — viz.,
Mary, wife of Joseph Waters, of Hopewell township;
Frances, wife of George Simmons, of Trenton ; Han-
nah, wife of Josiah Baldwin, of Bennington, Hunter-
don Co. ; and the subject of this sketch.
Mr. I 'ii muni's early life was spent mar Pennington.
He learned the blacksmith's trade in Trenton, and
ai t 1838 began to work at that occupation in Hope-
well. He then removed to Titusville, N. J., where
he continued to pursue the business seventeen
when he settled on a (arm two miles from Stockton,
in Delaware township. He carried on farming and
blacksmithing there twenty years. In the spring of
1 s7"> lie Imiiulit tin- jihn-i- where h< now resides, and
Settled Upon it that year. It is a neat place of twonty-
five acres, well supplied with home comforts, where
Mr. Brimmer, in a measure retire. 1 from the active
labors which have characterized him through life,
i ml w ith his family the remainder of his days
in peace anil quietness.
lie married Man \\\. daughter of Tunis Servis, of
Hunterdon County. April 26, 18o7. They have ha.l
no children of their own, hut partially brought up
their niece, — .Mi - Anna B. Brimmer, — who lived with
them till ber marriage to M r. l'.li-ha < ipdyke, in 1878.
Mr. Primmer is a Democrat in politic-, but has
held no offices of preferment, devoting hi- lite to his
calling as a mechanic ami farmer, having the reputa-
tion of an honest and upright man. He was (i
a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church,
l.ut withdrew from that body in L868. lie never
received a classical education, but studied the Eng-
lish ami Greek grammars under William, -on of the
Rev. John Bogga, a man horn blind, hut of remark-
able memory and attainments.
i\ I N G W O O D.
OBOGH M'llHAI, AND DES( RIPTIVE.
Enraw p is one of the west border town-hips of
Hie county, as well as Of the Slate, ami i- in shape
nearly a keystone or a wedge, the narrow end to the
south. The town-hip is bounded northeast by Frank-
lin township; southeast by Delaware; south, south-
west, and northwest bythe Delaware River and the
borough of Frenchtown; north by the town-hip of
Alexandria. It contains ::t square miles.
\ Mil: II n:\ it i:i;s.
A portion of the river front of this town-hip is bold
and picturesque with it- perpendicular rocks and over-
banging ledges, i Ine of the principal feature- i- " War-
392
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
ford's Rock," a short distance above Tumble Station.
The main rock at this point presents a bold perpen-
dicular front of 250 feet in height, and upon its sum-
mit stands a rock-shaft about 10 or 12 feet high, the
upper end projecting over all around, giving it the
appearance of an old-fashioned one-legged table, the
upper surface being nearly level. This is known as
" Tea-Table Rock." The top is large enough to hold
half a dozen or more persons. The spot is much
visited by pleasure-seekers during the summer months.
The upper half of the river front presents a gentle
slope, upon which are some of the best farms in King-
wood. The " divide," or ridge, runs from a little
east of the south point of the township northeasterly
through Baptisttown, passing out across the east end
of School District No. 34. The waters on the north-
west of this ridge find their way to the Delaware in a
westerly direction. Lackatong is the principal creek.
It rises in Franklin and flows into Delaware township.
Mud Run empties into the Lackatong at Kingwood
post-office. Warford and Copper Creeks flow into
the Delaware, as does also the Little Nickisakawick.
The islands in the Delaware belonging to this town-
ship are Ridges, Rush, Hawk, and Rittenhouse, all
between Tumble Station and Frenchtown.
The surface of the township, except a small strip in
the southwestern part, is pleasantly undulating.
EARLY SETTLERS AND PIONEER INCIDENTS.
Among the pioneers in the seventeenth century was
John Kugler, probably the ancestor of all the Kugler
families of Hunterdon County. He left Germany
when only thirteen years of age, sold himself to a
ship-owner for his passage, and worked for a man
named Eastburn, in Bucks Co., Pa. He subsequently
purchased 500 acres of land on the Jersey side of the
Delaware, which included what is now Tumble Sta-
tion. A part of the original purchase is still in pos-
session of one of his descendants.
Tradition says that Abraham Shurts came from
Germany in 1740, when but fourteen years of age,
and that he brought with him "Auche," who was
but twelve. This romantic young couple afterwards
became man and wife, and from them have sprung
the numerous Shurts family scattered all over the
county. He purchased 204 acres lying along the road
from Flemington to Clinton, about three miles from
the latter place, where stood, but a few years ago, an
old still-house or distillery. Abraham was a proud
old Dutchman, who buttoned his breeches above the
knee, instead of below, as was the custom, who wore
a pointed hat with a big rim, linsey-woolsey coat
reaching nearly to his heels, and a pair of flare-top
boots.
The Bcsson family were among the early settlers.
The late Mrs. Margaret Kline, who lived near Leb-
anon Station, said that her great-grandparents, Fran-
cis and Li/./.ie Besson, came from Germany with their
ten children in the same colony with Abraham Shurts.
Mrs. Kline remembered hearing her grandmother tell
of Indians who lived close by them ; she saw them
bury their dead on more than one occasion.
Mrs. Kline's father, William Yauger, served in the
Revolution, and often went out to hunt Tories, of
whom there were many in Kingwood, and for whom
he had a particular aversion.
The earliest tavern in Kingwood was kept in a log
cabin by William Campbell. He was an ardent Whig,
and kept the little tavern at the time of the Revolution.
William Hart next kept the tavern, then John John-
son, son-in-law of Hart, and it went by the name of
" Johnson's Tavern" for many years. Martha, wife
of Gen. Washington, was once a guest here.
John Bray was one of the first settlers in this
township. He was of Scotch descent, and early
settled in Middletown, Monmouth Co., where he and
his brothers, James and Andrew, were large landed
proprietors. In 1713 there was surveyed to John
Bray a 500-acre tract in Kingwood, which covered in
part the farms of Samuel Niece, Henry Fisher, and
David Manners.* Feb. 28, 1737, John Bray purchased
1033 acres in Kingwood of Samuel Bickley, of New
Castle, Del., for .£350. His sons were John, Samuel,
and James ; his daughters, Elizabeth, who married
Thomas Lequear, Sr., and Susannah, who became the
wife of John Smalley. Their descendants are now
occupying valuable farms on the land bought by their
ancestor, John Braj r , Sr. John, Jr., settled where
Joseph Pickle now lives, James where Rebecca Bon-
ham resides, and Samuel where Lewis Dilley is now
located. Susannah Smalley's farm is now occupied
by Rachel Brink and children. f Elizabeth Lequear
settled where Thomas Lequear now lives. This prop-
erty has descended from father to son without passing-
out of the family, the present occupant, Thomas Le-
quear, being the great-grandson of John Bray, Sr.,
and of Thomas and Elizabeth Lequear. John Bray,
Sr., died in 1765.
James Bray, brother of John, Sr., owned a tract of
560 acres in Kingwood, now occupied by the Rose
brothers, David Manners, and Mahlon Emmons.
James lived upon this tract and there ended his days.
He was struck by lightning and instantly killed while
returning from church at Baptisttown. In 1793, An-
drew, grandson of James Bray, conveyed 179 acres to
John Cowdric, whose descendants now own a portion
of it. After disposing of this farm, Andrew removed
to Newton, Sussex Co., N. J.
Gen. Daniel Bray and John, his half-brother, lineal
descendants of the above, lived and died a short dis-
tance north of the Kingwood Methodist church.
Daniel married Mary-Wolverton in 1772, and died Dec.
* John Bray, Jr., sold S67 acres of this tract, in 1727, to James Bray ;
it was afterwards purchased by Thomas Cox, who sold (1768) to Rynear
Van Syckol. It descended to Aaron and David Van Syckel, from whoso
estate Mr. Niece bought the portion ho owns.
t The farms occupied by Rebecca Buiihani and Rachel Brink are now
in the possession of John Bray's descendants.
KINGWOOD.
393
5, 1819, He figured prominently as an officer daring
the I.'' volution. (See page 48 of tliis work, i
Daniel Bray ligured in tlie State militia, in which
In' att a i n ri I to the rank of brigadier-general. He had
nine children, — John, Daniel, Wilson, A.ndrew, Jon-
athan, Delilah, Betsy, Hannah, and Susan.
Wilson Bray, son of Gen. Daniel, was horn in 179").
ami died in N'ovenilior, 1S.")0. [n early life he wa-
engaged in merchandising al Baptisttown, EverittB-
town. and Frenehtown. He married Mary, daughter
of Thomas West, of Kingwood. He subsequently
purchased his father-in-law's farm of - 1111 acres near
the Kingwood .Met hoi list church, lie hail seven sons
and eight daughters, — lohn W., Fletcher, Wilson,
.Stacy, Thomas \\\, William, Charles ]>., Lueinda,
Namy, Elizabeth, Ellen, Mary, Emeline, Anna, ami
Francelia, John W. and Fletcher are deceased. Of
the other miiis, only Wilson and Stacj B. reside in this
county. Fletcher bought the east end of the old
homestead-farm when Bold by the administrators,
and erected the buildings thereon; this farm is now
n« I In the Rev. Mr, Fogg ami Cavcinler ' >pdyke.
Fletcher married Lavinia, daughter of John Larison,
Esq., and died in 1876, in Frenehtown.
Wilson, the third son of Wilson Bray, was born in
1824) and is a coal-merchant in Lambertrille.
Andrew Bray, a son of Gen. Daniel, owned two
farms near what was formerly Elisha Rlttenhouse's
mill, near Locktown. lie married Sarah, daughter