The Project Gutenberg EBook of Authors and Writers Associated with Morristown, by Julia Keese Colles This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Authors and Writers Associated with Morristown With a Chapter on Historic Morristown Author: Julia Keese Colles Release Date: October 24, 2011 [EBook #37834] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUTHORS AND WRITERS--MORRISTOWN *** Produced by D Alexander, Josephine Paolucci and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. Cover AUTHORS AND WRITERS ASSOCIATED WITH MORRISTOWN WITH A CHAPTER ON HISTORIC MORRISTOWN BY JULIA KEESE COLLES 1893 VOGT BROS. Morristown, N. J. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1893, by JULIA KEESE COLLES of Morristown, New Jersey, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. Painted by CHARLES WETMORE. 1815. Owned by HON. AUG. W. CUTLER. OLD MORRISTOWN. Pen and ink sketch by Miss S. Howell, from original painting. DEDICATION. TO THE MEN AND WOMEN, OF EARLY AND OF LATER YEARS, WHO HAVE SCATTERED THEIR PEARLS OF BEAUTY AND OF WISDOM ALONG THE DUSTY PATHS OF OUR HISTORIC CITY, THESE PAGES ARE INSCRIBED WITH AFFECTIONATE ADMIRATION BY The Author. PREFACE. This long-promised volume, the first of its kind, so far as known, ever given to the world, is now offered to the public. It is the result of a lecture given about three and a half years ago, which was repeated by request, and finally promised for publication, with the endorsement of one hundred and fifty subscribers. No effort has been spared to have every statement in the book accurate; nor has any name been omitted which has [Pg vi] presented a title to notice, in spite of the fact that the number of "Authors and Writers," has nearly doubled since the work of publication was undertaken. Any suggestion or criticism, however, will be gladly received by the author, as having a bearing on possible future work in this direction. Morristown, New Jersey, February, 1893. TABLE OF CONTENTS. PREFACE. POEM—MORRISTOWN. HISTORIC MORRISTOWN. GEORGE WASHINGTON. POETS— Wm. and Stephen V. R. Paterson Mrs. Elizabeth Clementine Kinney Alexander Nelson Easton Francis Bret Harte Mrs. M. Virginia Donaghe McClurg Charlton T. Lewis, LL. D. Miss Emma F. R. Campbell Mrs. Adelaide S. Buckley Rev. Oliver Crane, D. D., LL. D. Rev. J. Leonard Corning, D. D. Mrs. Mary Lee Demarest Hon. Anthony Q. Keasbey Major Lindley Hoffman Miller Miss Henrietta Howard Holdich William Tuckey Meredith Miss Hannah More Johnson Miss Margaret H. Garrard Miss Julia E. Dodge Charles D. Platt Mrs. Julia R. Cutler Miss Frances Bell Coursen Miss Isabel Stone Rev. G. Douglass Brewerton [Pg vii] PAGE. 33 40 42 45 48 54 58 63 63 68 69 72 76 79 81 84 87 89 90 96 99 100 102 Mrs. Alice D. Abell George Wetmore Colles, Jr. HYMNODIST— John R. Runyon NOVELISTS AND STORY WRITERS— Francis Richard Stockton Francis Bret Harte Miss Henrietta Howard Holdich Mrs. Miriam Coles Harris Miss Maria Mcintosh Mrs. Maria Mcintosh Cox David Young Mrs. Nathaniel Conklin Mrs. Catharine L. Burnham Hon. John Whitehead Mrs. Georgeanna Huyler Duer Madame de Meissner Miss Isabel Stone Augustus Wood Charles P. Sherman Miss Helen M. Graham Other Novelists and Story Writers TRANSLATORS— Mrs. Adelaide S. Buckley Miss Margaret H. Garrard Other Translators LEXICOGRAPHER— Charlton T. Lewis, LL. D. HISTORIANS AND ESSAYISTS— William Cherry, Ancient Chronicler Rev. Joseph F. Tuttle, D. D. Hon. Edmund D. Halsey 104 105 107 109 118 [Pg viii] 131 141 146 149 155 165 171 179 181 186 188 193 193 193 195 197 202 203 205 207 209 215 218 Hon. John Whitehead Bayard Tuckerman Loyal Farragut Josiah Collins Pumpelly Miss Hannah More Johnson Mrs. Julia McNair Wright Mrs. Edwina L. Keasbey Mrs. Marian E. Stockton TRAVELS AND PERSONAL REMINISCENCES— Marquis de Chastellux Rev. John L. Stephens Hon. Charles S. Washburne General Joseph Warren Revere Henry Day THEOLOGIANS— Rev. Timothy Johnes, D. D. Rev. James Richards, D. D. Rev. Albert Barnes Rev. Samuel Whelpley Stevens Jones Lewis Rev. Rufus Smith Green, D. D. Rev. Wm. Durant Rev. J. Macnaughtan, D. D. Rev. C. DeWitt Bridgman Rev. J. T. Crane, D. D. Rev. H. A. Buttz, D. D., LL. D. Rev. J. K. Burr, D. D. Rev. J. E. Adams Rev. James M. Buckley, D. D., LL. D. Rev. James M. Freeman, D. D. Rev. Kinsley Twining, D. D., LL. D. Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler, D. D. Rt. Rev. Wm. Ingraham Kip, D. D., LL. D. 218 221 227 229 233 237 239 243 247 254 255 257 [Pg ix] 260 264 270 271 275 278 279 282 286 291 293 296 297 299 300 308 310 314 319 Rev. William Staunton, D. D. Rev. Arthur Mitchell, D. D. Rev. Charles E. Knox, D. D. Rev. Albert Erdman, D. D. Rev. Joseph M. Flynn, R. D. Rev. George H. Chadwell Rev. William M. Hughes, S. T. D. PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND LAWYERS— Hon. Jacob W. Miller Hon. William Burnet Kinney Hon. Theodore F. Randolph Hon. Edward W. Whelpley Hon. Jacob Vanatta Hon. George T. Werts Joseph F. Randolph Edward Q. Keasbey SCIENTISTS— Samuel F. B. Morse, LL. D. Alfred Vail William Graham Sumner, LL. D. Elwyn Waller, Ph. D. George W. Maynard, Ph. D. Emory McClintock, LL. D. Andrew F. West, LL. D. Señor José Gros MEDICAL AUTHORS AND WRITERS— Condict W. Cutler, M. S., M. D. Phanet C. Barker, M. D. Horace A. Buttolph, M. D., LL. D. AUTHORS AND WRITERS ON ART— Thomas Nast Rev. Jared Bradley Flagg, D. D. 323 327 332 334 337 338 345 351 355 358 360 362 364 365 367 368 371 [Pg x] 376 380 382 383 384 386 388 390 392 395 398 400 Rev. J. Leonard Corning, D. D. George Herbert McCord, A. N. A. DRAMATIST— William G. Van Tassel Sutphen ILLUSTRATIONS. FRONTISPIECE—OLD MORRISTOWN. ORIGINAL FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1738, OLD ARNOLD TAVERN, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS, PLAN OF FORT NONSENSE, SPEEDWELL IRON WORKS, OLD FACTORY AT SPEEDWELL, POEM. BY WILLIAM PATERSON. MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY. These are the winter quarters, this is where The Patriot Chieftain with his army lay, When frosty winds swept down and chilled the air, And long, cold nights closed out the shorter day. The bell still rings within the white church spire, Rising toward heaven upon the village green, Whose chimes then called the people, pastor, choir, To praise and pray each Sabbath morn and e'en. And there with them, the Christian soldier sealed The common covenant which a dying Lord, To those who broke bread with him last revealed, And bade them ever thus His love record. A country hamlet then, nor did it lose Its rural charms and beauties for long years; The stranger would its quiet glories choose, Far from the toils and strifes of daily cares. The people, too, were simple in their ways, And dwelt contented in their humble sphere, The morning and the evening of their days, Passing the same with every closing year. There were the Deacons, solemn, sober, staid, 400 401 403 PAGE. 17 25 97 209 305 369 377 [Pg 1] [Pg 2] Beneath the pulpit each Communion Sunday, They never smiled, but sung there psalms and prayed; And then made whiskey at the still on Monday. Perhaps you smile just here, I only say, Men did not deem it then a heinous crime; Such was the common custom of the day, As those can tell who recollect the time. For further proof of this, look up the tract Of Deacon Giles and his distillery, Where you will find that for this very fact, He was set up high in the pillory. Young life for me began its early spring, Here in the freshness of the Mountain air, When nature seemed in fullest tune to sing, And all the world was beautiful and fair. And Death—Who stays to think of him, till age Comes stealing on with sure and silent tread? Nor even then can he the thoughts engage, Till his cold fingers touch the dying bed. He called one then in withered leaf and sere, And sent a warning, so wiseacres said, By causing apple blossoms to appear In winter, and the old man soon was dead. The Guinea Chieftain too, a century old, Born a young Prince beneath his native sky, Who with his banjo sang rare tales of gold— I saw him strive and struggle, gasp and die. A child was brought one evening, lived, and died, Almost before its eyes beheld the day; The infant and the old men, side by side, Were in the quiet churchyard laid away. I learned of Life and Death, but know no more Of their mysterious secrets now than then; No sesame can open wide the door, That veils those mysteries from the light of men. Upon the summit of the rock-bound hill That looks down on the lowland plains afar, Are seen the outlines of the earthworks still Remaining there, rude vestiges of war. That was a day to be remembered long, When crowds were gathered on the village green, To welcome with warm hearts and floral song, Him who a friend in war's dark hour had been. And not while nature's suns shall pour their light, Will Freedom's sons that honored name forget, Nor cease to, until worlds shall pass from sight, Keep green the memory of Lafayette. Hark, on the air tolls out the passing bell, Fourscore and ten and yet again fourscore; Tread lightly now, it is the parting knell For two great spirits gone out evermore. Together they had lived, together died As Freedom's Bell rang in her natal day, And what than this could be more mete beside That twinned in death, their souls should pass away? [Pg 3] There comes a memory of the bugle horn, Winding a blast, as with their daily load, The prancing coach-steeds dashed out in the morn To run the toll-gates of the turnpike road. Behold the change? now brakes are whistled down, And screaming engines wake the Mountain air; There is no longer, as of old, a Town Committee, but a Council and a Mayor. Go where the lake sleeps in the summer night, Kissed by the winds that on its bosom play, When the round moon sends down her fullest light, And evening glories in soft splendor lay. And you can almost fancy then that over, The moonlit mirror of the tranquil tide, You see the water spirits rise and hover, And on the sheen in laughing lightness glide. And I have seen those waters as they flow, Down on their course past bridge and wheel and mill, Where we as boys would "in-a-swimming go;" Do the boys swim in "Sunnygony" still? Oh, fellow scholar who along with me Learned the first rudiments of ball and book Within the grounds of the Academy, In vain for that old landmark now you look. Gone with the Master, yet a memory lingers, And will forever consecrate the spot, Nor can the power of Time's effacing fingers, While life shall last, the recollection blot. Teacher and pupils, few remain, and they Far on in years, lean on a slender staff; The school-house, all you see of that to-day Is shown you there upon its photograph. Change is on all things, and I see it here; Land that then grew the turnip and "potater," Now blooms in flowers and costs exceeding dear, Bringing some thousand dollars by the acre! And villas crown the rising hill-tops round, And stately mansions stand adorned with art, And liveried coaches roll with rumbling sound Where once jogged on the wagon-wheel and cart. Hail to the future, ages come and go, And men are borne upon the sweeping tide; Wave follows wave in ever ceaseless flow, The present stays not by the dweller's side. I stand to-day far down the farthest slope, And up the lengthened pathway turn and look, Where on the summit once stood Youth and Hope, Now soon to turn the last leaf of the Book. And I am glad that while there come to me These fragrant memories of life's early scene, That still in robes of purest white I see The Church Spire rising on the village green. [Pg 4] [Pg 5] HISTORIC MORRISTOWN. Throughout our country, there is no spot more identified with the story of the Revolution, and the personality of Washington, than Morristown. Nestled among its five ranges of hills, its impregnable position no doubt first attracted the attention of the commander-in-chief and that of his trusted quartermaster, General Nathaniel Greene. Besides, the enthusiastic patriotism of the men and women of this part of New Jersey was noted far and wide, and the powder-mill of Col. Jacob Ford, Jr., on the Whippany river, where "good merchantable powder," was in course of manufacture,— some of which had probably already been tested at Trenton, Princeton and elsewhere,—was also among the attractions. It was on December 20th, 1776, that Washington wrote to the President of Congress: "I have directed the three regiments from Ticonderoga, to halt at Morristown, in Jersey (where I understand about eight hundred Militia have collected) in order to inspirit the inhabitants and as far as possible to cover that part of the country." (Quoted by Rev. Dr. Tuttle in his paper on "Washington in Morris County," in the Historical Magazine for June 1871.) These were regiments from New England. The British, who were always trying to gain "the pass of the mountains," had made an attempt on the 14th of December, but had been repulsed by Col. Jacob Ford, Jr., with his militia, at Springfield. At this time the village numbered about 250 inhabitants with a populous community of thriving farmers surrounding it. To the north of the town were the estates of the Hathaway and Johnes families; to the east, those of the Fords, who had just erected the building now known as the Headquarters; to the south, those of General John Doughty and to the west, those of Silas Condict and his brothers. Morris county was settled "about 1710," by families of New England ancestry, who were attracted by the iron ore in the mountains round about and who came from Newark and Elizabethtown. The Indian name for the country round, seems to have been "Rockciticus" as late as the arrival of Pastor Johnes in 1742, according to the traditions in his family. The original name of the settlement of Morristown was West Hanover, and in court records this name is found as late as 1738. It was also called New Hanover. The present name was adopted when the county court held its first meeting here at the house of Col. Jacob Ford, on March 25th, 1740. The town was named for the county and the county was named for Governor Lewis Morris, who was Governor of New Jersey from 1738 to 1746. Evidently this was to be the county town of Morris County. At the time of the Revolution the church, the "Court House and Jail" and the Arnold Tavern were the most important buildings. The Magazine also, a temporary structure, stood on South street, near the "Green". To it casks of powder were constantly taken and sometimes casks of sand to deceive the spies who were always hanging about. The "Court House and Jail" was famous as the common prison of Tories caught in Morris and the adjoining counties. It was built in 1755 and stood on the northwest corner of the village "Green" as shown in the picture of Old Morristown. It was a plain wooden structure with a cupola and bell. Its sides and roof were shingled. One of the illustrations of this book is of the Arnold Tavern, as it appeared in Washington's time. The picture is from a pen-and-ink sketch by Miss S. Howell, made originally and recently for the Washington Association of N. J., under careful direction from study of the time, by one of its members. Taverns were dotted all about the country in those days and most of the public meetings were held in their spacious rooms. Whether it was this fact or because of certain qualities possessed by the early proprietors of taverns, we find that many of them eventually became the most eminent men of the community. The erection of the First Church building was begun in 1738 and finished in 1740, although the organization had existed from 1733. The first pastor, Rev. Timothy Johnes found it ready for his reception on his arrival in 1742 and for his installation, the following year. We are indebted to our young artist, Miss Emma H. Van Pelt, for a painting of this early church, from the only outline that remains to us, and to Miss S. Howell, for the pen-and-ink sketch, from the painting, for this book. This outline was embroidered upon a sampler owned by Miss Martha Emmell, and, according to family history, is a faithful representation of the building and the only suggestion other than traditional of Morristown's first place of worship. Miss Van Pelt's picture of the old church also follows in all respects her own, and the study of others, from the ancient records of the time. The structure stood about a rod east of the present building, facing upon Morris street and was always known as the "Meetin' House." It was originally of a somewhat plain and barn-like exterior, nearly square, with shingled sides, and windows let into the sloping roof. It was twice altered. In 1764, it was enlarged and two other entrances, besides the main entrance, were provided. A steeple also was erected in which was hung the bell in use at the present time. This bell was a gift, according to traditional history from the King of Great Britain to the church at Morristown. It had upon it the impress of the British crown and the name of the makers, "Lister & Pack, of London fecit." It was re-cast about thirty years ago. This early church and the Baptist church, which stood on the site occupied by the one quite recently removed, (because of the fine new building in course of erection), have honorable record for unselfish devotion to the cause of the patriots. Both buildings were nobly given up for the use of the soldiers, suffering with small-pox, in the terrible winter of 1777. Washington first came to Morristown, with his staff and army, three days after the battle of Princeton, on January 7th, [Pg 6] [Pg 7] [Pg 8] [Pg 9] [Pg 10] 1777, and remained until May of that year. He made his Headquarters at the Arnold Tavern, then kept by Colonel Jacob Arnold, a famous officer of the "Light Horse Guards", whose grandsons are now residents of Morristown. This historic building stood on the west side of the Green, where now, a large brick building, "The Arnold", has been erected on its site. The old building with its many associations was about to be destroyed, when it was rescued, at the suggestion of the author of this book, and restored upon its present site on the Colles estate, on Mt. Kemble avenue, the old Baskingridge road of the Revolution. It has recently been purchased and occupied for a hospital by the All Souls' Hospital Association. Though extended and enlarged, it is still the same building and retains many of the distinctive features which characterized it when the residence of Washington. Here is still the bedroom which Washington occupied, the parlor, the dining-room and the ball-room where he received his generals, Greene, Knox, Schuyler, Gates, Lee, de Kalb, Steuben, Wayne, Winds, Putnam, Sullivan and others, besides distinguished visitors from abroad, all of whom met here continually during the winter of 1777. One of these visitors and one of our authors, the Marquis de Chastellux, gives an interesting account of his experience and impressions. In one of the bedrooms of this old house, has been seen within a few years, between the floor and the ceiling below, a long case for guns, above which was painted on the floor, in very large squares, covering the entire opening, a checkerboard about which, in an emergency, evidently the soldiers expected to sit and so conceal from the enemy the trap door of their arsenal. About this ancient building many traditions linger and from it have gone forth Washington's commands and some of his most important letters. The road taken by Washington and his army, on coming first to Morristown, was, according to Dr. Tuttle, "through Pluckamin, Baskingridge, New Vernon, thence by a grist mill near Green Village, around the corner and thence along the road leading from Green Village to Morristown and over the ground which had been selected for an encampment in the valley bearing the beautiful Indian name of Lowantica, now called Spring Valley." It was here that the terrible scourge of small-pox broke out among the soldiers. One cannot but wonder continually at Washington's courage and serenity in the midst of such overwhelming difficulties. He had hardly entered his winter home, in the Arnold Tavern, when the loss was announced to him of the brave and noble Col. Jacob Ford, Jr., his right-hand man, upon whom he had depended. He was buried, by Washington's orders, with the honors of war, and the description of that funeral cortege is one of the most picturesque pages out of traditional history. Then came the alarm about small-pox, the first death occurring on the same day as Col. Ford's funeral. Washington himself was taken ill, says tradition, with quinsy sore throat, and great fears were felt for his life. It is interesting to know that being asked who should succeed him in command of the army, should he not recover, he at once pointed to Gen. Nathaniel Greene. It was during this time of residence at the Arnold Tavern, that Washington joined Pastor Johnes and his people in their semi-annual communion after receiving the good pastor's assurance: "Ours is not the Presbyterian table, but the Lord's table, and we give the Lord's invitation to all his followers of whatever name." This is said to be the only occasion in his public career, when it is certainly known that Washington partook of the Sacrament. The hollow is still shown behind the house of Pastor Johnes, on Morris street, (purchased Feb. 3rd, 1893, of Mrs. Eugene Ayers, for the Morristown Memorial Hospital,) where a grove of trees then stood, when this historic event took place in the open air, while the church building was taken up with the soldiers sick of small-pox. Of this fact, in addition to the confirmation of Rev. Timothy Johnes's granddaughter, now living, Mrs. Kirtland, we have the following from Mr. Frederick G. Burnham, who says, (Oct 12th, 1892); "My Aunt, Huldah Lindsley, sister of Judge Silas Condict, and born in Morristown, gave me, in the most distinct and definite manner an account of General Washington's having communed with the Presbyterian Church on the occasion of the encampment in Morristown. My aunt told me that the congregation sat out of doors, even in the winter, but were shielded from the severe winds by surrounding high ground, that benches were placed in a circular position, that the pastor occupied a central point and that it was in this out-of-door place, muffled in their thickest clothing and many of them warmed by foot-stoves and other arrangements for keeping the feet warm, with nothing overhead but the wintry sky, that the congregation, among them General Washington, partook of the Lord's Supper." Early in December 1779, came Washington once more, with his army, to Morristown, and remained until the following June, the guest of Mrs. Theodosia Ford, widow of the gallant Col. Jacob Ford, Jr., at her home now known as the "Headquarters." The story of the purchase and preservation of this building for the state and country, by the Washington Association of New Jersey, is given farther on. "It is still," says the orator of Fort Nonsense (the Rev. Dr. Buckley), "the most charming residence which Morristown contains and historically inferior only in interest to Mount Vernon and far superior to it in beauty of location and surrounding scenery." Among the treasures of the Headquarters is the original Commission to Washington, as Commander-in-chief of the Army. At the opening ceremonial of the Washington Headquarters on July 5th, 1875, Governor Theodore F. Randolph, in an eloquent address, said as follows: "Under this roof have been gathered more characters known to the Military history of our Revolution than under any other roof in America. Here the eloquent and brilliant Alexander Hamilton lived during the long winter of 1779-'80 and here he met and courted the lady he afterwards married—the daughter of General Schuyler. Here too was Greene— splendid fighting Quaker as he was—and the great artillery officer, Knox, the stern Steuben, the polished Kosciusko, the brave Schuyler, gallant Light-horse Harry Lee, old Israel Putnam, "Mad Anthony" Wayne, and, last to be named of all, that brave soldier, but rank traitor—Benedict Arnold." Many authenticated stories are extant of Washington, himself, and of the other distinguished inmates of the [Pg 11] [Pg 12] [Pg 13] [Pg 14] [Pg 15] Headquarters during this memorable winter. Of the women of Morris County too, and the country round, many historic tales are told. If possible, they seem to have been even more patriotic than the men, whom, on several occasions, they upheld when wavering with doubt or fear. They had knitting and sewing circles for the soldiers in camp upon the Wicke Farm. These were presided over by Mrs. Ralph Smith, on Smith's Hummock, by Mrs. Anna Kitchell at Whippany, and by Mrs. Counselor Condict and Mrs. Parson Johnes, in Morristown. In all this sympathetic work, Martha Washington led, and we hear of her that after coming through Trenton on December 28th, in a raging snow storm, to spend New Year's Day in the Ford Mansion, some of the grand ladies of the town came to call upon her, dressed in their most elegant silks and ruffles, and "so", says one of them, "we were introduced to her ladyship, and don't you think we found her with a speckled homespun apron on, and engaged in knitting a stocking? She received us very handsomely and then again resumed her knitting. In the course of the conversation, she said, very kindly to us, whilst she made her needles fly, that 'American ladies should be patterns of industry to their country-women * * * * we must become independent of England by doing without these articles which we can make ourselves. Whilst our husbands and brothers are examples of patriotism, we must be examples of industry'. 'I do declare,' said one of the ladies afterwards, 'I never felt so ashamed and rebuked in my life!'" (Rev. Dr. Tuttle.) The "Assembly Balls," a subscription entertainment, no doubt arranged to keep up the spirits of the army officers, were held that winter at the O'Hara Tavern, says Dr. Tuttle, a house facing the Green and on or adjoining the lot where now stands Washington Hall,—and probably also at the Arnold Tavern. In the meadow, in front of the headquarters, Washington's body-guard was encamped, originally a select troop of about one hundred Virginians. Painted by MISS EMMA H. VAN PELT. From Pen and Ink Sketch by MISS S. HOWELL. ORIGINAL FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1738. Martha Washington was a fine horsewoman and the General a superb horseman, as are all Virginians of the present day. Many were the rides they took together over the country, one of the most frequent, being to a certain elevation on the Short Hills, from which the General with his glass could see every movement of the enemy. Here was stationed the giant alarm-gun, an eighteen-pounder, and here was the main centre of the system of beacon-lights on the hills around. From this point can be seen the entire sea-board in the vicinity of New York City, which was of great importance when it was not known whether Howe would move towards West Point or Philadelphia. There is also a view of the entire region west of the mountain, "to the crown of the hills which lie back of Morristown, and extending to Baskingridge, Pluckamin and the hills in the vicinity of Middlebrook on the South, and over to Whippany, Montville, Pompton, Ringwood, and, across the State-line among the mountains of Orange County, N. Y., on the north." On our road to Madison, we may call up in imagination, the vision, which in those days was no unusual sight, says Dr. Tuttle, of "Washington and his accomplished lady, mounted on bay horses and accompanied by their faithful mulatto, 'Bill,' and fifty or sixty mounted Life-guards, passing on their way to or from their quarters in Morristown." At these times "the 'star spangled banner' was sure to float from the village liberty-pole, while our ancestors congregated along the highway where he was to pass and around the village inn, to do honor to the man to whose fidelity and martial skill all eyes were turned for the salvation of our country." [Pg 16] [Pg 17] [Pg 18] Sometimes this cavalcade would pass along the Baskingridge Road, (now Mt. Kemble Avenue), perhaps stop at General Doughty's house, or, galloping on, stop at the Kemble mansion, (afterwards the Hoyt residence and now that of Mr. McAlpin), four miles from town, or turning the corner up Kemble Hill to the Wicke farm, and Fort Hill, to view the soldiers' encampment, they would clatter back again, down the precipitous Jockey Hollow road, past the Hospital- field, or burial place of the soldiers, stopping at the Headquarters of General Knox, off the Mendham road, about two miles from town, for Mrs. Knox and Mrs. Washington were close friends. Returning, they might slacken rein at the house of Pastor Johnes, (Mrs. Eugene Ayers') on Morris Street, where a ring still remains at the side of the piazza, to which Washington's horse was tied, under an elm tree's shade; or, they would stop at Quartermaster Lewis's (Mr. Wm. L. King's) where they would find Lafayette, after his return from France, if he happened to be in Morristown,—then at Dr. Jabez Campfield's house, on Morris Street, the east corner of Oliphant Lane,—the Headquarters of General Schuyler. Again the General, with his Life-guards, would set out to attend some appointed meeting of the "Council of Safety" at the house of its president, Silas Condict. This was about a mile out on the Sussex Turnpike, where the house still stands, on the west side of the old cross-road leading from that turnpike to Brant's paper-mill. Here he would meet the high- minded and dauntless Governor Livingston and perhaps his son-in-law, Judge Symmes, who lived near by, and whom the Governor frequently visited; all were men whose lives were sought for, by the British. Nearly all these homes are standing now and representatives of these families remain with us. Stories and traditions also relating to these homes and people have come down to us. Silas Condict, the bold, the brave, the honored patriot, member of the Provincial Legislature and of the Continental Congress besides filling other high places of trust, is represented by his great-grandson, Hon. Aug. W. Cutler, who now occupies the second house this ancestor built. General John Doughty's interesting old house, with its curious interior, and many a secret closet, stands as of old, on Mt. Kemble Avenue, at the head of Colles Avenue. "He might be called," says Mr. Wm. L. King, "the most distinguished resident of Morristown, at whose house Washington was a frequent visitor and no doubt often dined." He is represented by a great-nephew, Mr. Thomas W. Ogden, who has written an important paper on General Doughty, for the Washington Association, which is published by them. General Doughty was the third in command of the American Army, and succeeded General Knox. A descendant of General Knox is with us,—Mr. Reuben Knox, of Western Avenue. General Schuyler's Headquarters has a romantic interest as the scene of the courtship between Miss Elizabeth Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton. Of Pastor Johnes descendants, three generations are now with us to some of whom we have referred in the sketch of this distinguished man. Out on the Wicke farm, stands the house as it was in those old days when Tempe Wicke took her famous ride ahead of the pursuing soldiers and saved her favorite horse by concealing him for three weeks in the guest chamber, until every man of the army had gone to fight his country's battles on the banks of the Hudson. This house is near Fort Hill from which is the magnificent view which embraces Schooley's Mountain to the westward and a line of broken highlands to the South, among which is the town of Baskingridge where General Lee was captured. On the northern slope of this hill, as late as 1854, 66 fireplaces of the encampment were counted in regular rows and in a small space were found 196 hut chimneys. Going up a long, high street, not far from the Park, gradually ascending over rocks, and rough winding pathways, we come upon an open plateau on which is "Fort Nonsense," so named, on leaving it, by Washington, says tradition, because the soldiers had here been employed in constructing an octagonal earthwork, only to occupy them and to keep them from that idleness which was certain to breed discontent when added to their poverty, poor shelter, hopelessness, and homelessness. Here, on a bright afternoon of April, 1888, a monument to commemorate the site, was unveiled with appropriate ceremonies by the Washington Association. Long will be remembered the strange and startling effect upon those who sat waiting, as the procession drew near at a quickstep, up the hill, and led by the Fairchild Continental Drum Corps, in characteristic dress. Nearer and nearer came the tramp of many feet, to the sound of fife and drum playing Yankee Doodle, and, as they emerged from the trees upon the hill, it seemed as if Time's clock had been turned back more than a hundred years. Standing upon the stone, the orator of the occasion, Rev. Dr. Buckley, made a memorable address, in the course of which he mentioned that this monument, though small, is higher, measured from the level of the sea, than the great Washington Monument, which is declared to be the wonder of the world. The plan of the Fort, drawn by Major J. P. Farley, U. S. A., is now at the Headquarters and the illustration in this volume, is given from an engraving of the Messrs. Vogt, by their kind permission. Probably no Author will again record the presence of the second "First Church", which has measured its hundred years and more, in its old familiar place upon the Park. Soon it will be replaced by a modern structure. In October, 1891, prolonged and interesting services were held to celebrate the centennial of its erection. Closely involved with all the history of Morristown, the influences of this old church are felt and shown all through this book. The picture we give of it and the Soldiers' Monument, is as we look upon both to-day. (For the use of the engraving, we are again indebted to the Messrs. Vogt). Sorrowfully, we note the passing of the old church building and number it among the things we would not lose, but which soon shall be no more. Behind it, is the old historic cemetery, where have been laid to rest the [Pg 19] [Pg 20] [Pg 21] [Pg 22] forms of many of the patriots and honored dead of the century gone by. The "Old Academy" was an outcome of the First Church organization, and its early history is recorded in the "Trustees Book," of the church. Its centennial was observed on February 13th, 1891, on which occasion, among others, Hon. John Whitehead, of Morristown, and Judge William Paterson, of Perth Amboy, told its story, and the "Old Bell", placed upon the stage, was rung by Mr. Edward Pierson, who attended the Academy in 1820. In 1825, Lafayette came again, from France, to revisit the scenes of the Revolution. It was on July 14th, about six o'clock in the evening, that coming from Paterson, he arrived at Morristown. The Morris Brigade under General Darcy was paraded on the Green and the firing of cannon and ringing of church bells announced his coming. General Doughty was Grand Marshal of the day and an eloquent address was made, in behalf of the town, by Hon. Lewis Condict. Lafayette dined at the Ogden House, the home of Jonathan Ogden, a large brick building corner of Market street and the Green (shown in the picture). He attended a ball given in his honor, at the Sansay House (now Mrs. Revere's, on DeHart street), and stayed over night with Mr. James Wood, in the white house, corner of South and Pine streets. Two of Morristown's citizens have given their reminiscences of this event to the author of this book, as follows: Mr. Edward Pierson, January 10th, 1893, says: "I remember well each member of the Committee who received Lafayette, but two. I remember very well the visit of General Lafayette to Morristown, in the year 1825. There was a delegation went from Morristown, in carriages and on horseback, to meet him beyond Morristown and escort him here. They came in by the Morris street road, past the Washington Headquarters. At that time there was only one small house on the north side of the street, below the present Manse of the First Church to the foot of the hill. The ground sloped from the graveyard to the street and was filled with people to see the procession come in. A reception was given and Lafayette was taken to the James Wood house (white house on the east corner of Pine and South streets, opposite my residence), to spend the night. I well remember the next morning seeing them start off with the General and his party in a four-horse carriage." Mr. A. H. Condict, well-known as a resident of Morristown, writes from Mansfield, Ohio, (January 12th, 1893): "My eldest sister has related to me that when I was about a year old, General Lafayette was given a public reception at Morristown, in an elegant brick building then standing on the corner of the Park and Market street; that suitable addresses were made on the occasion and that while he was being observed by the great crowd of people, she held me up and that I looked at him. This would fix the time in the Summer of 1825, which corresponds with my notes gathered from the various histories." Morristown has always been a centre, not only geographically, but a centre of influence from the time when it received its name. We have seen how, midway between West Point and Philadelphia, with roads radiating in every direction and with high hills well fitted for beacon-lights and commanding far-reaching views, Washington soon discovered it was the point for him to select for watching the movements of Lord Howe in New York, who might at any moment start up the Hudson for West Point, or Southwards, for Philadelphia. THE ORIGINAL ARNOLD TAVERN. FROM PEN AND INK SKETCH BY MISS S. HOWELL. THE ORIGINAL ARNOLD TAVERN. FROM PEN AND INK SKETCH BY MISS S. HOWELL. In the early religious movements of the country, Morristown was conspicuous, having among its theologians some of the most brilliant thinkers of the period. Recently we find, in the published minutes of the Synod of New Jersey, Oct. 1892, the significant fact recorded that after the division of the Presbytery of New York, into that of New York and of New Jersey, the "Presbytery of Jersey at its first meeting in Morristown, April 24th, 1810, did appoint supplies for fourteen [Pg 23] [Pg 24] [Pg 25] Sabbaths from May to September, to the pulpit of the vacant Brick Church in the City of New York". One of the first Sunday Schools, if not the first,—in New Jersey was started here, by Mrs. Charlotte Ford Condict of Littleton, the grandmother of Henry Vail Condict, now a resident of Morristown, and this was said to be the beginning of the great revival under Albert Barnes. In a scientific direction, Morristown was the cradle of perhaps the greatest invention of the age, the electric telegraph. Also at the Speedwell Iron Works were manufactured the first tires, axles and cranks of American locomotives and a part of the machinery of the "Savannah," the first steamship that crossed the ocean. Morristown also reflected the superstitions of the period; the people largely believed in witchcraft in those early days, and here was enacted, for about a year, the most remarkable ghostly drama that was ever published to the world, or influenced the best citizens of a community. The story of the Morristown Ghost will go down to future ages. For philanthropy, from Revolutionary times, Morristown has been famed, since Martha set the example of knitting the stockings for the needy soldiers and good Hannah Thompson voiced the hearts of her sisters round about, when she gave food to a starving company of them, saying: "Eat all you want; you are engaged in a good cause, and we are willing to share with you what we have as long as it lasts." This old centre of patriotism and Revolutionary enthusiasm has radiated philanthropic movements which influence not only the conditions of the whole State but the welfare of humanity. Here was commenced that voluntary work of the State Charities Aid Association, which considers, and practically carries out, through its counselors, measures for reform among the pauper and criminal classes in the State institutions, and out of them, and which will undoubtedly influence for good all future generations. This work is on much the same plan that was originally thought out and organized by Miss Louisa Lee Schuyler, of New York, the great- granddaughter of General Philip Schuyler whose noble devotion to his Commander-in-chief is memorable during those days in Morristown. So we see how the old life of the Revolutionary period connects itself with the new life of progression. The principles then so nobly maintained take new forms in new projects. Everywhere, we find the old and the new combined, for even the streets bear the names, with those of Schuyler, Hamilton and Washington, of Farragut and McCullough. In the Park there stands a granite shaft surmounted by a full length figure of a Morris County Volunteer, commemorating the lives of the noble men who fell in those hard-won fields, fighting to preserve the nationality which had been secured by their forefathers. Everything is significant of either noble deeds in the past or of honored names of later day and of private citizens whose personal influence has added moral dignity to this City of many associations. George Washington. Among the first notable writings associated with Morristown are the letters of Washington written from the old Arnold Tavern, and from the Ford Mansion, during the two memorable winters of 1777 and of 1779-'80. These noble letters are acknowledged on all sides to have been supremely efficient in promoting our national independence, filled as they are with the personality of Washington himself. They are very numerous. Many of them are published; some are in our "Headquarters", and many still are scattered over the Country, in the possession of individuals. All are interesting and none appear to reveal what we would wish had not been known, as in the case of so many other published letters. Of the man himself, our authors speak, here and there, throughout this volume. It is certain that no name, no face or character is more familiar to us than that of Washington, and no name in history has received a greater tribute than to be called, as he was, by the nation, at the end of his very difficult career, the "Father of his Country." Here is Lafayette's first impression, as he attends a dinner in Philadelphia, given by Congress in honor of the Commander-in-Chief. He says: "Although surrounded by officers and citizens, Washington was to be recognized at once by the majesty of his countenance and his figure." And this is Lafayette's tribute to Washington, when the two men have parted: "As a private soldier, he would have been the bravest; as an obscure citizen, all his neighbors would have respected him. With a heart as just as his mind he always judged himself as he judged circumstances. In creating him expressly for this revolution, Nature did honor to herself; and to show the perfection of her work, she placed him in such a position that each quality must have failed, had it not been sustained by all the others." (Quoted by Bayard Tuckerman in his "Life of Lafayette.") In the portrait of Washington which Chastellux gives us, occur these words: "His strongest characteristic is the perfect union which reigns between the physical and moral qualities which compose the individual, one alone will enable you to judge of all the rest. If you are presented with medals of Cæsar, Trajan or Alexander, on examining their features, you will still be led to ask what was their stature and the form of their persons; but if you discover, in a heap of ruins, the head or the limb of an antique Apollo, be not anxious about the other parts, but rest assured that they all were conformable to those of a God. * * * This will be said of Washington, 'At the end of a long civil war, he had nothing with which he could reproach himself.'" Thatcher, in his Military Journal, speaks of Washington as he appeared at a great entertainment given by General Knox, in celebration of the alliance with France: "His tall, noble stature and just proportions, his fine, cheerful countenance, simple and modest deportment, are all calculated to interest every beholder in his favor and to command veneration and respect. He is feared even when silent and beloved even while we are unconscious of the motive." [Pg 26] [Pg 27] [Pg 28] [Pg 29] [Pg 30]