The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-03
NEW JERSEYS SnihiE.
The Old Burying Ground Of the
FOrefatners at Newark.
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A Revolving Spectacle, Of WantOn Neglect,
Prostitution and Dissertation.
Bad Echoes from the Graves of Newark 3
Wise, Great, Virtuous and Patriotic
Their Tombstones Used for Build
ing Materials. Hog Pens,
Water Channels, Go.
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Interesting Sketch Of the Town-ReyOlu.
tionary Reminiscences-HOw tho
Mayor and Common Council
Respect Their Oaths-
The Herald.

The crying disgrace Of the city OF Newark, n. j.,
at the present moment, and for nearly half CEN
sury past, has been the shamefully outrageous In-
decent and appalling manner IN which the old bury
Ing ground the place OF sepulture for one hun
dred ana nifty years or the lustrious the great the
role, the eminent and the patriotic In the towns
early history, in those times that tried mems souls.
prior aud subsequent to the birth Of the American
republic. 1t Is extensive plot Of ground located
In the very heart OF the city, Or to be precise,
occupying about ore half the block Doupded on the
east by Broad, north by Market, west by Harrison,
and south by william streets. In order to properly
comprehend its ownership and furnish other con.
Meeting and interesting data it Will be necessary to
recur 10 =. T-~S~--:--r - & -s%%n>
THE EARLY HISTORY OF NEWARK.
In the month OF May, 1856, two years after the
settlement OF Eiizabethtown, Newark was settled by
emigrants from Connecticut The locality had pre-
vious!y been visited and selected by Captain Robert
Treat, John Curtis, Jasper Crane and John Treat,
who had been sent forward as agents The settlers
numbered IN oil thirty families and came from the
towns OF BranfOrd, Milford and New Haven. The
passage from these points to sour towne on the
Pasayak' is described by chronicer, forty years
ago. as having been las long and tedious as Is now
voyage across the Atlantic" The emlgrants had
liberal Offer OF Philip Careret one OF the then pro-
pretary lords'' OF West Jersey. On landing,
however, they were confronted by tae Hacken-
sack Indians, and required to pay over ere
they could take possession. sl3o New England cur
rency, twelve Indian blankets and twelve Indian
guns. Subsequently, it appears, two Indian chiefs
OF the Watching tribe, named Wmo0Esop and
6henooktos. put In an additional Claim for compen.
sat0n. According to deed made out in favor oi
"Mr. Obadiah Bruen, MIR. Samuel Kitchell. Michael
Tomp&fns, John Browne and Robert Denison, towns
men and agents Of the English inhabitants OF Pesay.
ako made out by the Indians these latter renOunced
ali claim 10 the land OF the settlement, which then
included Newark. Orange, Bloomfield, Springfield,
Livingston AMI Caldwell ''for and In consideration
Of SO double bands OF powder, 100 OF lead 20
axes, 10 coates, 10 guns, 20 pistols, 10 kettles 10
swords blankets, barrels Of Deere. 10 paire Of
breaches, sc Knives 20 howes, 1850 fathams OF wam
pem ankors OF lcquers, or something equivalent
and troopers coates" 1.-TWO guns, 3 coates and
10 cams Of rum" were further additionally claimed
and paid; 30 that thenceforth the title of the
settlers to the place considered clear and ample
beyond dispute. The several deeds were signed in
presence OF MIR. John Ward and Mr. Thomas john
son, Justices Of the Peace, and 'the Right Hon.
Phlhp Carteret, ESD, Governor OF the province Of
New Jersey"
ONLY CHURCH MEMBERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
Among the first things done by the setlers-who
In June, 1866 numbered in all sxty-nve efficient
men, besides women and children-was to appoint
a committee OF eleven to draw up code OF laws for
the government of the settlement. Among other
things it was declared That "n0 man could become
freeman or burgess or vote In our towne who was
not member OF one Of the Congregational Churches,
nor be chosen to The magistracy nor other civil or
military Offices"
In laying out the town Captain Robert Treat and
his colleagues, Messrs Curtis. Crane and John
Treat, set apart lands for the Church and other
pubic purposes the ownership OF which was vested
solely in the people. There was parcelled
out, 10 note from the town records "al tint small
tract allotted TO- the bureing place taking In the
pond and meeting house, beng seven cnaines IN
length ana foar chhnes IN BREADTH bounded west by
Jcnn treat, south by John Johnson north and east
by highways
THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE
was erected on the site now occupied by truck
company's house. fronting On Broad street. 1t was
wooden structure, 40 let WIDE by % long and ID
discuss the proptety Of is erection, thirty pounds
was voted towards IL anu a resolution passed. that
every Individual should per erin such labor rs
committee Of five, appointed for a. purpose,
might require towards its completion. The first
minister was Rev. Abraham Person. who TOOK
charge OF the s.irtua welfare Of the settlers in tie
year 1867. He was quite advanced IN years, IN
pety, n,wisdom and In learning. He originally came
X, u,
pears, he was ''episcopally ordained" The
records and traditions Of the town indicate
that he was dissatisfied with the corrupt and aro-
trary character OF Church and state in England and
annexed himself TO the party then called Moderate
Frespvterans.'" lie came with the settlers from
Gu.lford, Conn. His salary was liked at thirty
pounds per arnum. To nm, II would seem, Newark
owes lis name. For years previous TO his demise his
son, Rev. Abraham Person, Jr assisted, and rnally
did not extend over many years, however. In 17O1
he became President OF the College Of Connecticut
seven years OF his life. He was rcputed a man OF
talent, learning and accomplishments. Mr.. John
Prudden, Mr. Jabez wakeman and Mr. Nathaniel
Bowers succeeded successfully the Persons Dur
ing the pastorate OF Rev. Mr.. Bowers in 17Os, the
erection was commenced OF
A NEW AND LARGER CHURCH,
constructed or stone, on site to the northward Of
the wooden building. The new building was re-
Eardsd in these days as "a heayy Undertaking, much
now been settled forty years; sIlll when the walls
were knee nigh, all the inhabitants, men women and
children, could set OF them and even then have room
to spare II took thirty years to finisi it. Com
pleed, 1t was regarded as the most elegant euidce
Bnrr father Of the Vice President Of me united
StaEes OF the same name, became past,r. The
younger Eurr 1t may be stated e's passan was born
III a house within stones hr0w OF the church, on
Broad street, few doors south OF William street.
The property on which the house stood IL owned
and occupied by a Mr.. Brlnt.nghoaer Tie Rev.
Mr.. Burr's pastoratc was not long. He established
a Latin schoo. IN the town, which, during his time.
took great strides in the march OF progress and was
ufsctures and agriculture. Its wealth, populat on
AMI respectaDility had then reached the highest
point yet attained At home ami abroad Rev. Mr..
Burr was widely known as q distinguished aud emil
nept scholar and divine. He was succeeded In the
ministry by a man OF great picty and learning
REV. ALEXANDER MwHoRrER,
whose name one OF the streets Of Newark bears.
During this dvine's pastOrate, which EXTENDED Just
about haf a century, David Brainerl, celebrated
missionary to the Indians OF New jersey, was or
daned In mis- church on the 18th OF June, 1744, in
presence OF an immense assembage Here too, III
$780, the celebrated Whitfield preached 10 q crowded
audience. The continued prosperity OF the town is
Ihown from the fact that 1t found nccc ;sary TO
erect still larger edice. In 1887 the cornerstOne
81 Inc present First church" was laid by Dr.
hcWhorter OF an eligible site exactly oppos G the
former buildipg on broad street On Inc ist of Jan
uary 1881, II was first opened for divine worship.
Us appearance now - rough, simple massive and
arong, diu looks az though II night last, under ordi-
~ clrcumstances century TO come. Meanwhile,
between ne Years 1857 ana 1907, the original stone
edlrce was transformed into court hons.