The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-11-21
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JERSEY e~hqH0LIoITY
Interesting Review BY ].
D. Mccormick, of
Trenton
ALL SAINTS BIG CONGREGATION
An Assistant to Be Appointed in
LafayeHe-Successf Fairs at
st. Johns and 81 Paul's-
Lycenm TheatricaIs.
ALL SAINTS BIG CONGREGATION

In b American Catholic Historical
Researches for the quarter beginning
january, 1897, John D. Mccormick, of
Trenton. has an Interesting and instruc-
tive article entitled "Cathoiicity in New
jersey" in which he traces the history
of that religion in this State. The maya
zine is published TN Philadelphia, and IS
devoted to the interest of the Catholic re-
hgicn. and especially to its history. Mr..
M~cCormick's article is as follows
Catholdcfty IS an old and venerable I'M
stitutfon In New Jersey. Vt was at the
birth of all New Jerseys capitals. 1t was
an active agency in giving US those fun
basis of our Constitution and laws, which
jerseymen so dearly prize. 1t was at the
Fails of the Delaware, site of the pres
ent city of Trenton. in 16S2, and came in
had religious liberty inscribed upon his
banners, and sought so establish the COL
ony Of New Albion. He was violently OPP
posed by the Dutch on the Delaware, and
after enduring many sh~ardships and mar
rowiy escaping death itself,he abandoned
the undertaking.
beth Town. the first capital of Nova
Caesarea, in 1664-5. The very name of the
town suggests Catholicity. in being called
after Lady Elizabeth Carteret, THE wife
- OAhS VI LLAC ~
prietors. Both IN her domestic life and
at the Court of Charles II. her whole
course was a protest against the lax.ties
of the court. She was in the hospitals
nursing the plague stricken speople of
London when even the most courageous
fed from that terrible scourge. She aided
of public affairs and consoled him in times
of adversely. 1t Is well that her memory
is perpetuated in our State.
Later William Douglass helped to
L fra m 011T | q rfc In fhh AoShr1hJ- - nr.r
second capital, Perth Amboy, was named
after James. the Earl of Perth, a Catholic
member OF the twenty-four Preprietors.
He signed the document giving us trial
by jury. John latham, afterwards Gov
ernor, was at Burlington, West Jerseys
capital, in 16S1-1700. He was an active man
in public affirs. He was a member of
more than one Governors council. He
introduced the pottery industry in Amer
lea for the first time. His library was
larger h those of all the public men
in the colony combined. As a lawyer
practising at the bar h a Judge on
the bench, he was one of the founder of
what is now the New Jersey Supreme
Court. He administered Jersey Justice
with an impartial hand.
Before the Revolution and during its
progress Patrick CoIvin was the only
Catholic known to live near Trenton. He
owned the only ferry over the Delaware
at that point and rendered important SER
vice to Washington and the cause of
Independence by the readiness with which
he transported the American forces over
the Delaware in times. of victory or de-
feat. His services during the memorable
Trenton campaign were most conspicu-
Gus. 4f4
When Washington stood on the banks
OF the Delaware on the night
Of December Is, I7T6. he eagerly asked:
who will man the boats?" Some peas
ants and Gfover's M~arblehead fishermen
gained the battle OF Trenton went for
| ward to victory.
A few days later, when a much larger
army was massed on the western bank
of the Delaware, intending to cross to
give BATTLE, with New Jersey-as the prize,
no such word of inquiry fell from Wash
ington's lips. Patrick Colvin was there
Of r j ned ffeusppeu ie awSo WIN ma ~, not f6r lne
| else to do" with his boats that were
the best ever constructed for the trans
portatfon OF passengers in time of wind,
freshet or Ice" and the perilous voyage
was safely made, to be followed by two
\ momentouS victories.
So fully were these services recognized
Washington passed through TrerSton to
be ~inaugurated first President of the Re-
public. Patrick Colvin was appointed a
western bank of the river. History tells
US that he personally ferrsed Washington
across, to be received aby a multitude
of distinguished patriots; and it is a
fact that he was close to the Father of
His Country" when he passed under the
triumphal arch at the bridge over the
Assunpink,
said mass at the Fox Chase Tavern, on
Brunswick avenue, a few PAGES from the
base of the Battle Monument. Some nom
believers spoke of him "as a good man
and an honest man" but did not know
his name: investigation has shown that
he was the Rev. Ferdinand Farmer, the
distinguished Jesuit missionary.
When Father Farmer died all the
Protestant ministers Of Philadelphia at
tended his funeral In. body. as a proof
of high esteem in which they held him.
Such was Trenton's first missionary,
lished by the Rev. D. Bouwry, assistant
pastor at ST. Joseph's Church, Philadel-
phfa. in 179S. Soon after Joh B. Sartori
was a native of Rome. Italy. He was a
gentleman of high social standing and
ample means. He gathered the little flock
together; ana mass was said at his house
Philadelphia. Soon after Captain John
Hargous. a gallant officer in the French
Navy, came to Trenton, and heartily CO.
operated with Mr.. Sartori. Through their
joint efforts the Church of st. John the
Baptist was built at the corner of Mar
ket and Lamberton streets. and dedicat-
1914 by Right Rev. Michael Egan. first
Bishop of Philadelphia. That was the
first Catholic church ever built in New
Jersey. Captain Hargous died before the
10
John B. Sartorf was one of the most
enterprising and public-spirited men in
Trenton at that time. He invited
| skilled workmen from abroad to the
Delaware, ind paid them literally. He
introduced new industries and added to
the prosperity of the town in many
ways. Under his jealous guidance the
Church of o the Baptist, dedicated
under the title to commemorate his
memory, gained influence and strength
but not without trials that tested his
fortitude and his purse. He returned to
Italy at the close of HIS thfrtfes. as a
Consul of the United States, and died In
his native city of Rome, IN the early
ffties, at an dvanced age. One Of his
descendants, Commodore Sartori. upheld
the honor of our flag in many waters.
Divine service was held In the church
at regular intervals soon after 1t was
opened by priests from Philadelphia. In
1928, the Rev. James Smith oficiated,
He was succeeded by Fathers Doyle,
Whelan and Cummisky. The first reglI-
lar priest was Father Gheegan. The
Rev. Patrick Rafferty, came in 1882; the
Rev. William Whelan was here in 1893
September, 1884. the Rev. william Riley
in 1885, the Rev. Richard Hardy was
here. and in June, 1885, the Rev. Daniel
McGorian had charge. In November,
1898, the Rev. John Charles Gilligan had
charge, and In 1874 the Rev. John p,
Mackin. Owing to financial troubles. the
church was sold at Sherin's sale soou
after 1894 The church had many vicissi-
tudes until Father Mackin built the
I Cburcb df at 1obn Tho Ropffat rs ar