The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-09-11

Old LANDMARK GONE
The Tuers Homestead De-
molished to Make Way
for the Armory.
INTERESTING REMINISCENSEs
In the House Indians Tried 10
Murder One of the Tuers--A
Story of The Revolution.
INTERESTING REMINISCENSEs

Very little o remains OF the old
Tuers homestead. anu in q couple OF DAYS
it will be entirely demolished to make
room for the new armory. Il Ia one of
the Oldest of Colonial dwellin0s.and the
original structure has probably stood
there for over two centuries. A number
of changes have been made IN it sincs
me building was first erected. The
original building was of stone with a
roof that cane down almost to the
ground. A stone extension was hon
built and a long while afterwards rhe
wooden part was built on top Of the stone
work. which acc united for the heavy
ap pear, nee of the building.
H ToERs FAMILY.
One Of the oldest families in this part
OF the country, the Tuels. have many of
the m left records on the pages of New
Jersey history. They owned large tracts
of land in this and other cities in this
county.
Claus Arentse Toers. SO an early record
say was appointed Coroner OF Bergen
County. December 6. 1858. Whss is now
Hudson County was then "a part of
Bergen County and he was the secoad
coroner appointed. At his house on
April II, 1918. the Indians tried to murder
bis nrotLer, Jan Arentse Toe s, and one
uf the Indians, whose name Was knats-
clos III, was captured and held prisoner
tyr some time to await the result of his
victims Injuries. Many mn ludian battle
has ragged round the walls of the old
house aud if they could speak they could
tell Of many an exciting tale. One of the
most Interesting storie told of the house
is of the family of Nicholas Toers VINO
live there during the Revolution.
Nicholas came into the world ON March
%. 1871. On the eleventh day of May.
1866, when he WIS twenty nine years old.
he marrled Jannefje Van Reypen, grand
aunt or Mr.. GnrrsJ Van keypen. Ten
years after they wers tna-riei, the war
broke out A "trip TO New York in those
days included d voyage across the. river
In a sail Goat, aud ft was considered
quite II journey. Airs, Toers was in the
hai il of d1iug her marketing in New
York, aud when there, always stopped ut
Il Resort known M "Btsck Sain's'' Hotel.
THE PLOT Fooled.
The proprietor knew her well and re-
spected her highly. While the British
were occupying New York. she went as
usual To market To dispose of ION pro-
auce. w hen she weut to the hotel, she
found Sam very much excited. He called
her aside aud. uuder the pledge of
secrecy. told her of q conversation which
nv uaa OSClAGak4 OctHfCu Gl6 OEftiSu
Cfhcefs who were eailug their
meals ut his hotel. The patriotic
army was then encamp pc on the
Hudson, and the officers were talking
of u conspiracy which was on foot to
surrender il. Sam wanted to get the
news t. Gen, Washington aud decided
to tell Mrs. Toers. whom he knew to bs
Il patriot. aud take the chances OF her
succeeding IN getting it to the con-
niaud-r Mrs. Toe-s told the story to
her Dfo:her. Cornelius Van Reypeu. aud
he mounted q horse aud hastened i'm
mediate;Y 70 Hne&eusack and To Gen.
Washiugton's headquarters. He told
hiEi the story and Washington offered to
ren arti him for his bravety. Cornelius
Indignantly refused TO be rewarded I. bat
asked for protection iu ease he wers
captured. The story was investigated
Major Andre was captured Il few days
later aud the whole plot was revealed.
~Jannetje threw her right shoulder cut
of shape carrying heavy loads of food oil
her buck 10 Tue patriot prisoners in New
Yurk.
CHANGE OF THE FAMILY NAME.
The change in the spsliIag Of the
family name from Toers TO Tuers was
m ide about the year 1870 by Nicholas
Tners.
Ee left the house and property east OF
Bergen avenue to his son Aaron, Aaron
4SAe ~ ~ AAS Coi GNiCbOiaNs tE0ao4h AAG
and left 10 Will. Nichols wife had an
infant son as the lime OF his death. He
WAS the last Of tue family. He died
when he was our years ole.
The property was partftioned on fan
nary 2. 1858. Amon9 the heirs OF Edo
Wine. They were Jane. the wife OF
Garrett Vreeiand; Nicholas, and Hannah,
wife OF DeMott, and Margaret. wife OF
Demare-t. The las5 Two representing
their mother, AniJe. wife OF John II.
z .briskie, then dead.
LATER DAYS,
When Montgomery street was cut
through Mr.. John Wheilhan's property
he boughs ths OH homestead and lived
there until the State purchased 1t for the
site OF the new armory. Cousi ierahie
money has been found buried around tn,
grounds and it Is thought NAT more will
be found when the foundation OF the
house is taken away. Some weeks ago
a picture WAS taken of the old house.
and soon that and d memory will be ali
that is lett of ii.