Clayton, W. Woodford, History of Union and Middlesex Counties. p. 739-757.

CHAPTER XCVIII. 

NORTH BRUNSWICK.*

Situation and Boundaries, etc.— As originally surveyed, North Brunswick contained an area of 23,000 acres, of which 5000 were unimproved. By the organization, partially from its territory, of the township of East Brunswick and the separation of New Brunswick from it, the former extent of the township was reduced to 8256 acres, and most of the formerly unimproved land has been put under cultivation. North Brunswick is bounded north by New Brunswick, east by East Brunswick, south by South Brunswick, and west by Franklin township, Somerset County.

The population of North Brunswick, according to the last census, was 1251.

In 1880 the assessed value of real estate was $496,380; amount of deduction therefrom, mortgages, $19,850. The value of personal property was $120,170; amount of deduction therefrom, notes, $1825. The total amount of real and personal property taxed, including mortgages and notes, was $638,257. The rate of tax for State purposes was $2 per $100; the rate of tax for county purposes was $6.10 per $1000; and the rates of tax for local purposes was as follows: for incidental expenses, $0.60 per $1000; for the maintenance of the poor, $1.60 per $1000; for road construction and repairs, $1.10 per $1000. The whole amount of tax ordered to be raised, including a special school tax, a poll tax, and a tax on dogs, was $7833.73. The expenditures during the previous fiscal year amounted to $400 for incidental expenses, $1000 for the maintenance of the poor, and $700 for road construction and repairs.

Physical Features.— The surface of this township is level. The soil is red shale and sandy loam, and much of it is under a high state of cultivation; the drainage being provided by Lawrence’s Brook on the east, One-Mile Run on the west, and in the southern part and centrally by Oakey’s or "Cow Yard" Brook and other tributaries to Lawrence’s Brook. The latter is by far the largest and most important stream washing any part of the township. It has its source in South Brunswick, and flowing in a northeasterly course separates North Brunswick from East Brunswick, emptying into the Raritan at the eastern extremity of the city of New Brunswick; and at Milltown and at Brookford, just above, affords excellent water-power, which has been employed for manufacturing purposes since early in the history of the country south of the Raritan. The Trenton and New Brunswick turnpike traverses the town in a direct line from the northeast to the southwest, west of the centre, and George’s road of historical fame has its deviating course in the same general direction near the eastern boundary. The Princeton and Brunswick turnpike forms the western boundary of the township, the dwellings on the west side of that thoroughfare being in Somerset County. One branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad crosses North Brunswick from near its northern to its southern extremity, with a flag station, known as Adam’s, within the township. The branch railroad to Millstone has its junction with the Pennsylvania Railroad near the northwest corner.

Settlement.— Much that would be interesting concerning the early settlement of this township has long since been buried in the grave of the past, and no clue remains by which it can be brought to light. The ancient Reformed Dutch Church at Three-Mile Run was doubtless the earliest outgrowth of civilization within the present borders of North Brunswick, and it is so much a thing of the past that it is not improbable that some of the present residents of the township are ignorant that it ever existed. At Three-Mile Run was first planted the banner of Christianity in that portion of Middlesex County south of the Raritan. The interesting story of a long struggle to establish a permanent church there and its final abandonment is told by Dr. Steele in an historical discourse published in 1867. It is published in this work in connection with the history of the First Reformed Dutch Church of New Brunswick, to which the reader is referred.

"The names of the following persons are attached to a subscription designed to raise means to import a minister from Holland in 1703: Dollius Hageman, Teunis Quick, Hend. Emens, Thos. Cort, Jac. Probasco, Neclas Wyckoff, Mic. L. Moor, John Schedemeun, Nec. Van Dyke, John Van Houten, Wil. Bennet, Folkert Van Nostrand, Jac. Bennet, Hend. Fauger, Ab. Bennet, Cor. Peterson, Philip Folkerson,— avi L. Draver, George Anderson, Stabel Probasco, Isaac Le Priere, Simon Van Wicklen, Cobas Benat, Garret Cotman, Lucas Covert, Wil. Van Duyn, Dennis Van Duyn, John Folkerson, Jost Banat." Hon. Ralph Voorhees, Middlebush.

It is not probable that many members of the Three-Mile Run, and later of the New Brunswick Church, resided within the limits of North Brunswick as now bounded. Many of the family names are familiar ones in the township to-day, however, and it is certain that some few present residents are able to trace their descent from those whose labors and strifes in the cause of Christianity have been depicted. A majority of representatives of pioneer families are of Holland Dutch descent, and the old families, through successive generations, have intermarried with each other till they form practically one family. It is worthy of note, too, that these families have all along been identified, with few individual exceptions, with the Reformed Dutch Church at New Brunswick, the continuation, in a certain sense, of the historical church which centred at the old house of worship at Three-Mile Run and sowed the seeds of religious development in all the country round about.

One of the oldest families of North Brunswick is the family of Voorhees,** descended from one or more of several members of the original family in America, who came from Long Island to New Brunswick and vicinity at an early date. Who was the first settler of the name in the township is not ascertainable. An early resident, who was contemporary with others of that name there, was (1) John G. Voorhees, who lived on a farm adjoining Henry Van Liew’s and died in 1800, leaving two daughters. These were named Catharine and Helena. (2) Catharine became the wife of John Voorhees and died before he did, leaving a son named Peter, who died some time ago at Princeton, where he lived. (3) John Voorhees remarried, and afterwards had two sons,— Craig, a silversmith, resident at New Brunswick, and Stephen, who was killed during the late war. (4) Helena married Dennis Vanderbilt.

Jeremiah Voorhees was many years ago a resident near Bodine’s Corners. He was a wheelwright by trade, and married Margaret Outcalt. His daughter Catharine died in 1804, and his son Frederick only twelve days before. Abbie, one of his daughters, married Nicholas DeHart. Another, called Gettie Ann, became Mrs. Dennis Bodine. None of his sons are living.

John S. Voorhees, who died in 1877, was of the eighth generation of descendants of Stephen Coert, and his father was the fourth (1) Peter in the line of descent. The latter married Jane Schenck, and was a prominent resident of North Brunswick. The children of (2) John S. Voorhees were A. DeHart, Peter, John S., Jr., and Anna M.A. DeHart and Anna M. live on the homestead, and Peter and John S., Jr., are lawyers at New Brunswick and in Canada respectively.

(1) Jaques Van Liew was an early resident on the Henry Van Liew place. He married Maria Voorhees, dying in 1810, she in 1824. Their children were Henry and Garret Van Liew. (2) Henry married Ann H., daughter of Enos Ayres, who survives him, and lived on the farm previously occupied by his father. (3) Garret Van Liew was also a farmer, living on George’s road, and died some years since. His son, Jacques Van Liew, died on his father’s farm at a recent date.

(1) Nicholas Bodine, blacksmith, is said to have been the first of the name at Bodine’s Corners. His best-known son, (2) Cornelius, lived on his father’s place after the latter’s death, and died an old man some time before 1850. His sons, who lived and were known in the township, were Abraham, Dennis, and John. Others died early in the present century. Abraham, a farmer and speculator, for a time kept a hotel in New Brunswick, and died of the cholera in 1849. Dennis was a wheelwright, and passed his life at Bodine’s Corners, where he died a few years ago. John is a farmer, and lives near New Brunswick.

(1) Frederick Outcalt was an early resident in the vicinity of Bodine’s Corners, and died there at an advanced age in 1818. His sons, Frederick, Henry, John, and Richard, were well known. (2) Frederick lived at Three-Mile Run, and died there about fifteen years ago, very old, leaving two sons, Jacob and Frederick. (3) Henry removed to New Brunswick, and died there twenty-five or thirty years ago. His sons were Frederick, Jacob, John, and Richard. Jacob and John are living in New Brunswick. (4) John found a home in Ohio in 1820, revisited the place of his nativity about 1866, and returned to Ohio and died there. His family all live in the West. (5) Richard was a farmer, and spent his life on his father’s homestead, dying there past ninety. John, Henry, and Frederick are names of his sons. John and Henry are West. Frederick lives in New Brunswick.

The Vanderbilt family has become firmly rooted to the soil of North Brunswick by several generations’ residence. The first there of the name of whom their descendants have any knowledge were two brothers, Cornelius and Jeromus. (1) Cornelius owned the farm now known as the John Brush place, and died in 1800. He had a son (1) Dennis, and a daughter (2) Johannah.

(1) Dennis married Helena, daughter of John G. Voorhees. Their children were John, Cornelius, James C., Dennis, Henry, Garret, Catharine, and Johannah Jane. John died in 1824, at the age of twenty-one. (2) Cornelius married a Tunison, and had sons Cornelius, William, and Dennis; Cornelius lives in New York; William died in 1881; Dennis lives in New Brunswick. (3) James C. married Sarah, daughter of Luke and sister of Matthew Edgerton, and is living, at the age of seventy-two, on George’s road. (4) Dennis went West, and married and died there. (5) Henry lives in New York, and married there. (6) Garret G. is living in New York, unmarried. (7) Catharine married John Bergen, of Milltown, and is dead. (8) Johannah Jane is married and living in Raritan.

(2) Johannah married Cornelius Bodine.

Jeromus Vanderbilt, brother of Cornelius, Sr., early lived near Milltown, subsequently removing to New Brunswick, where he owned property and died nearly half a century since.

(1) John Ryder was one of the early corners. His sons, John, Bernardus, and Stephen Ryder, all lived on Lawrence’s Brook, in the northwestern part of the township, early in the present century. (2) John had sons,— William, now living on the place where his father died, and Stephen, now of East Brunswick. (3) Bernardus was a bachelor, and has been dead about fifty years. (3) Stephen has been dead forty years, and none of his descendants are in the township. The Ryder property is a portion of the three-thousand-acre tract, embracing the brook, once owned by Thomas Lawrence, and which came into the possession of Cornelius Longfield and Governor Barclay in 1689. John Ryder, Sr., bought one hundred and forty-four acres of Longfield in 1741, and from him it passed to his heirs.

(1) Martin Stevenson located early where his son, the late Peter Stevenson, lived and died. John, his eldest son, has been dead some time. (2) Peter married Mary, a daughter of Jeremiah Voorhees. After her death he married the daughter of an early resident at Cheesquake. (3) Borent Stevenson, son of Peter, married a daughter of James Edgerton, and is a well-known citizen.

A man named Runyan lived for many years opposite Peter Stevenson’s, in a house which has long since disappeared, and had two sons, named Reuben and Walter. The former removed to New Brunswick and spent his days there, the latter lived on his father’s homestead on George’s road until 1849, when he died of cholera.

(1) Cornelius Tunison came about 1765, and though he was not a land-owner was a farmer of repute, renting land. His family consisted of Cornelius, John, Caroline, and Mary Ann. (2) Cornelius married and had a large family. (3) John married a Miss Walker and removed to Ohio. (4) Caroline married William Brookfield, a stone-cutter, of New Brunswick. (5) Mary Ann became the wife of Jacob De Hart, of North Brunswick.

James Bennit was a settler in the southwestern part of the township considerably earlier than 1800, and reared a large family. His sons, John, James, and Daniel, are men of families residing in the vicinity.

At an early date (1) Capt. Jehu Dunham located in the township, and later removed to East Brunswick, where he remained until his death in 1841, past eighty. His wife was Eleanor Van Tine, born in 1767, who died in 1737. Their children were Elizabeth, David, James, Lewis, William, and Abraham, and all of the sons were useful citizens. (1) Elizabeth, born in 1792, married Nicholas Rappleyea and died in 1857. (2) David, born in 1794, married Jane Wilson and died in 1840. (3) James, born in 1796, married Eleanor Peterson and died in 1872. (4) Lewis, born in 1799, married Mary Perry and died in 1843. (5) William was born in 1801 and died in 1863. (6) Abraham was born in 1802. Rev. Dr. Ira Condict, fourth pastor of the First Reformed Dutch Church of New Brunswick, in 1798 removed to a farm of one hundred and thirteen acres near Milltown, late the property of Henry H. Booraem, but still known as the Condict farm.

Christian and Simeon Van Nortwick lived near Lawrence’s Brook early in the history of settlements and clearings thereabouts. The former had quite a family, including Christopher, Jr., John, and Cornelia, Christopher, Jr., married a daughter of Archibald Gordon, of Machaponix; John, a blacksmith, removed to Englishtown.

(1) Cornelius De Hart in 1720 settled at the upper forks of Six-Mile Run, in the present township of North Brunswick, purchasing two hundred and ten acres of land of the Indians, which he was afterward compelled to repurchase of the proprietors, paying there-for a second time. He had a number of children. Some of his sons died early. Those who survived were named Cornelius, Guisbert, and Abraham. After the death of the pioneer, (2) Cornelius, Jr., owned and lived on one-third of his late father’s property, now in the possession of Charles Dunham (Guisbert and Abraham owning the remaining two-thirds), living in the house his father had erected, and which with additions which have been made to it from time to time is now the residence of the widow and family of the late John S. Voorhees. (3) Guisbert never married. (4) Abraham married Sarah, daughter of John Van Cleef, Sr., and died in 1832, his wife surviving till 1844. (5) Sarah, one of the daughters of Cornelius De Hart, Sr., married Roeloff Voorhees, grandfather of Abraham D. Voorhees, of Adams Station. (6) Another daughter married Jacobus De Hart.

The children of (4) Abraham were as follows: (1) John, who married Anna Ayers and died in 1819; (2) Cornelius, who died in 1805; (3) Moyca, who married Peter P. Van Doren, of Somerset County, and died in 1857. The children of the last mentioned were Margaret and Sarah Ann, the latter being the widow of John S. Voorhees, and now in possession of the old De Hart homestead.

The Indians were often attracted to the neighborhood of Cornelius De Hart, Sr.’s pioneer home by the various kinds of game with which the neighborhood abounded, including deer. Mr. De Hart was a successful deer-hunter. Behind his barn he kept a decoy doe, by whose presence susceptible bucks were lured within range of his monster shot-gun. This weapon has been preserved in the family as a relic. It is doubtless two hundred years old, and is nearly eight feet long, and weighs fifteen pounds.

(1)Powe De Hart lived on Lawrence’s Brook, and was identified with the earlier history of the township. His wife, Dinah Bodine, died in 1815. They had several children, among whom were Cornelius, Jacob, Henry, and Nicholas. 

(2) Cornelius was a carpenter and died many years ago. His son William lives in East Brunswick.

(3) Jacob died recently in the township. His son, Samuel B. How, is a resident of Long Island; Jacob, another son, is living in Milltown. (4) Henry is a cabinet-maker of New Brunswick. (5) Nicholas; a railway conductor, was killed by the cars.

Harle Farmer, a native of the township, was the son of an early settler. He was for many years a prominent agriculturist and dealer in ship-timber, dying past eighty a few years since, and leaving numerous descendants. The names of Verdine E. and Arnold Farmer, Jr., are familiar as those of leading citizens.

In 1816, (1) Thomas Letson, from New Brunswick, purchased and located on the Letson farm. His children were John S., Warren, Lewis G., Johnson, Maria, and Henry. (2) John S. located in New Brunswick early in life and engaged in tanning. He married Letitia Brunson. Their children were Mary F., Ann, Sarah, William, Julia, Louisa, and Thomas W., the latter now living on the Letson homestead. (3) Warren was long in government employ. (4) Lewis G. became a farmer in North Brunswick. (5) Johnson located in New Brunswick, was a merchant there, and is now president of the New Brunswick Rubber Company. (6) Maria married and has been dead many years.

Enos Ayres came from Metuchen about 1800 and bought land near the Black Horse Tavern. Later he removed to the Trenton turnpike, and lived there until his death in 1835.

Jacob I. Bergen was early at Milltown, and owned the old grist-mill there early in the century, and was for a time a prominent merchant and business man.

Peter Gordon was living in the vicinity of Milltown in 1800 or a little later. His sons were Jacques Van Lieu Gordon, deceased, once sheriff of Middlesex County, and Archibald, living near Milltown.

Nicholas Booraem was an early wheelwright and millwright at Milltown. He had sons,— Jonathan, Henry, and Nicholas. Jonathan was a millwright and ship-builder, and early established a ship-yard at Washington, in East Brunswick, which is now the property of his son Nicholas. Nicholas was county collector, 1825—68, and county clerk of Middlesex County, 1833—57. Theodore B. Booraem, the latter’s son, was county collector in 1872 and 1873.

James Counet was an early blacksmith at Bodine’s Corners. Subsequently he removed to Washington, and for a time he lived there, and returned to North Brunswick, where he died. Some of his descendants are well known in North Brunswick and adjoining townships.

The names of Williamson, Buckalew, Vanderveer, Snedeker, and Messeroll have long been prominent among those of residents and office-holders in East Brunswick. Isaac J. Williamson is mentioned early in the records, and William A., Nelson S., Lucius, and John W. Williamson are referred to therein at a more recent date. The Buckalew family have long been both numerous and well known in North Brunswick and the country surrounding. The names of Peter G. Buckalew and others are familiar to elderly citizens. Probably the most prominent present citizen of the name is Frederick S. Buckalew. Thomas Vanderveer was a township officer in 1881. Richard Snedeker’s name appears at a comparatively early date. Garret I. Snedeker, once a resident here, lives in East Brunswick. David P. Messeroll has figured more or less prominent in local affairs during recent years.

Civil History.— North Brunswick was among the first townships organized, immediately after the erection of Middlesex County and the permanent establishment of the local government of the same. It was formerly embraced within the borders of the ancient township of Piscataway, and early in the present century was referred to in the township records of North Brunswick as the North Ward of New Brunswick, but since 1803 it has been uniformly mentioned therein by the name now so familiar.

Until 1860 New Brunswick was within the township limits of North Brunswick, and the annual town-meetings were generally held there. By an act of Assembly, approved Feb. 28, 1860, New Brunswick was separated from North Brunswick, and a large section of the township set off to form a portion of East Brunswick, then erected. It was enacted that at ten o’clock A.M. on the first Tuesday in the ensuing May the town committees of North Brunswick, New Brunswick, and East Brunswick should meet at the public-house of Saxon M. Tice, in East Brunswick, to adjust all the mutual interests of the said townships, and effect an equitable division of the assets and liabilities of the former township of North Brunswick between North Brunswick, New Brunswick, and East Brunswick, on the basis of the proportion borne by the population and amount of taxable property of each of the parts of the townships set off to the whole population and amount of taxable property of North Brunswick as previously bounded.

The western boundary line of North Brunswick, formed by the Princeton and New Brunswick turnpike, separating it from Franklin township, Somerset County, has at times been slightly changed in places by local alterations in the course of the road, which, as so altered, was subsequently declared the township and county boundary line.

THE TOWNSHIP RECORDS.— The earliest township records of North Brunswick are contained in a book devoted to the preservation of the minutes of the successive town-meetings, and date back to the year 1800. The first entry in the said book, on a page numbered "1," is as follows: 
     "No of Votes given for Representatives in Congress for the State of New Jersey, in the North Ward of New Brunswick, at an Election held the 23rd and 24th of December, 18OO, for the Seventh Congress: 

"Whole Number of votes given in Three Hundred and ninety-two.

(Signed) "JACOB DUNHAM, Clerk."

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL TOWN-MEETING, 1801.— The earliest town-meeting recorded was that of 1801, the minutes of which begin on page "2" of the record, and read as follows:
     "At a Town-meeting held at the Court-House on the 2d Monday in April, 1801, for the North Ward of New Brunswick, the following persons were by plurality of votes chosen officers for the ensuing year,
     "Abraham Schuylar, President; Jacob Dunham, Town Clerk.
     "The Town Committee report that they have examined the accounts and vouchers of the collector & Overseer of the Poor, do report the same to be accurate, and find by the same a balance a balance of three hundred and ninety-two Dollars & 63 Cents due from the township to William Ten Brook, the said collector and overseer, and that he has prosecuted Elisha Cox, late constable, for the sum of £13 3 6, deficiency remaining in his hands of the year 1799, and reports that there is no probability of recovering the ad sum.
     "Ordered, that the sum of £500 be raised for the use of the Poor for the ensuing year, equal to $1333.33/100.
     "Ordered, that the sum of £500 be raised for The use of the Roads, equal to $1333.33/100.
     "Ordered, that the above-mentioned sums be raised by the 15th of May, 1801.
     "A communication from the township of Franklin, in the county of Somerset, requesting the sense of this Township on the subject of erecting a Poor-House for the joint benefit of the counties of Somerset and Middlesex, It was agreed that this Town will unite with the other towns in ad Counties to effect under such regulations & on such principles as may he deemed just & equitable.
     "Elijah Phillips, Assessor; John Van Nuise, Isaac Williamson, Surveyors of the Highway; John Neilson, Benjamin Taylor, Freeholders; John Dennis, Senr., David Voorhees, Nicholas Bodine, William Lawson, Commissioners of Appeal; John Whitlock, Daniel Brinson, Samuel Carlile, Jephtha Cheeseman, Constables; William Tenbrook, Overseer of the Poor and Collector; Abraham Schuylar, Judge of Election; Nicholas Booram, William Tenbrook, Abm Bennit, Pound-Keepers; Abraham Schuylar, James Schureman, James Bennit, Abraham Blauvalt, William Lawson, Town Committee.
     "The above were appointed a Committee to Settle with the Several Town officers and report Annually, stateing at the Town-meeting in their report the amount of all moneys expended for the use of the Town, and specifying the purpose to which they were applyed.
     "Resolved, That the several town officers exhibit their accounts and Vouchers to said committee for settlement at least Ten days previous to the next annual town meeting.

 "OVERSEERS OF THE ROADS.***

"1. John Van Harlingen, from John Messeroll’s to the end of the town lane, and from thence to Lyle’s Bridge.

"2. Robert Boggs, from Matthew Sleight’s corner to the mouth of Georges, and from thence to Reuben Runyon’s bridge, as well as the Road from James Richmond’s to Queen street, and also the road from the late Johannah Wilson’s to the dutch church, together with that piece of road from the mouth of the drift (?) road to the Post road that leads to the 3-mile Run, likewise including George and Prince Street, and from Prince Street to Henry Guest’s.
     "Nicol. Smith, from John Meseroll’s brook to Benjamin Taylor’s Mills.
     "4. Nicholas Bodine, from Nicholas Van Brint’s Mills to Nicholas Van Harlingens brook, and also the lane that leads to the 3 mi1e run, as far as Van Sickles’ fields.
     "John Dennis, Senr., of the road from Van Harlingen’s Brook to Cornell’s brook.
     "6. Abraham Bennit, from Cornell’s Brook to Oakley’s brook.
     "7. John Denham, from Taylor’s Mills to Runyon Buckilew’s, and from thence to the landing formerly Robert Eastburn’s, and from thence to Stanlie’s brook; likewise that piece of road beginning on James Commeline’s lands and John Norman’s, & from thence to the end of McKeel’s lane.
     "8. Jacob Stults, from Runyon Buckelyew’s to the old bridge, and from thence to the post road to James Hays’; also the new road from the end of McKeel’slane to the post road.
     "9. Lewis Johnson, of the road beginning from Johnson Voorhees’ Ears; thence to Sparling’s Tavern; then to Jonathan McKeil’s lane, and from Sparling’s to the Post road; then beginning on the road laid out by Act of Assemb1y to McDowell’s tavern, where it crosses the old Post road; thence down the same to James Hay’s road: then beginning at the Post road near Pondwater’s field, leading to Abraham Berkellew’s landing, as far as James Hay’s road.
     "10. Winant D. Hart, from Van Brunt’s to Peter Sparling’s Tavern, and the road from Archibald Thompson’s blacksmith-shop to Sanlie’s brook.
     "11. Jacobus D. Hart, from George’s road to Freeland’s brook.
     "12. Jacob Dunham, of the Road called Great Post road, as far as the old corporation line; also Church Street Barrack and George Street too Prince Street.
     "13. Simon Addis, from the Corporation line to the Six-mile Run.

(Signed) "JACOB DUNHAM, Clk."

 The proceedings of the annual town-meetings of the years 1811—14 are not recorded, and the names of township officers chosen during that period cannot be ascertained.

Below is as complete a civil list as the records would aid the writer to make. The names of chosen freeholders elected previous to 1801 were obtained from the records of the board of freeholders of Middlesex County:

The Care of the Poor.— The first formal provision for the poor in North Brunswick of which there is any mention in the records was made in 1802. At the annual town-meeting held on the second Monday in April that year the following resolution was passed:
     "Resolved, that for the ensuing year a committee be appointed to rent a house in behalf of this township, and that the poor of the town be collected and maintained in said house at the expense of the town and under the superintendence of the said committee who are further authorized to employ them in such useful labor as in their discretion they may think advantageous, and provide such attendance and supplies as may tend to their comfort and support." William Lawson, John Baker, John Plum, Robert Eastburn and John Neil were appointed to carry the above resolution into effect. It was ordered that $1200 be raised "for the use of the poor." Also that the above mentioned committee should "be allowed the same compensation as the township committee." At the annual town-meeting of 1803 it was ordered "that the overseer of the poor be permitted to call one per son to his assistance to superintend the business of the poor-house, and that a compensation be allowed him for his services by the township committee, and for advice he shall call on the said committee from time to time."

At the annual town-meeting of 1804, in the annual financial report of the township committee, appeared the following charges on account of the maintenance of the poor:

At this time it was ordered that $1026 "poor money" be raised. In 1805, upon the expense of maintaining the poor during the preceding year, the township committee reported as follows:
     "It appears to your committee that there have been supported in the poor-house 10 adult paupers and three children for the whole year past, 2 adult paupers and 5 children for three months, and 1 adult pauper for six weeks,— all in the poor-house for the sum of $670, and that four adult paupers have been supported out of the poor-house the whole year for the sum of $263.50."

In 1805, $1000 "poor money" was ordered to be raised, $800 in 1806, and $1250 in 1807. In 1808 $1500 was ordered raised "for the support of the poor, building small bridges, and for incidental expenses." In 1809 the allotment of "poor money" was $1000; in 1810, $14,000. The mode of supporting the poor, which, as is indicated, had prevailed from 1801 to 1810, does not seem to have been found satisfactory during the next five years. Whether it was changed in the interval cannot be ascertained, there being no record of township business from 1810 to 1815, but at the annual meeting of the last-named year it was
     "Resolved, That a special committee be appointed to report to a future township meeting to be called on the second Monday in June ensuing the best place of supporting the poor of this township, and that John H. Lain, Thomas Hance, and Phineas Mundy be that committee."

The annual expense of maintaining the poor seems to have about doubled since 1810, as it was found necessary this year to authorize the raising of $2500 for such use during the ensuing twelve months. At the special meeting appointed, held in the court-house in New Brunswick, June 12, 1815, the committee reported as follows:
     "The committee appointed by the last town-meeting to investigate and report to the adjourned meeting of said township on the propriety of changing the mode of supporting the poor of the township beg leave to submit for consideration the following statement, obtained by them from persons to whom the poor of the township of Woodbridge are in-trusted, it being, as he informed us, the result of five years’ experience:

which leaves a surplus of $100, which has generally been sufficient for all the incidental expenses. When the institution was first established they purchased 3 cows, one of which was for a beef, 8 sheep, a wagon and horses, and farming utensils. . . Their stock has increased to 5 milch cows, and one for beef, 1 yoke of oxen and (1) pair of young cattle, 20 ewes, and 17 lambs; they have 4 hogs and plenty of poultry; they have now on hand upwards of 100 bushels of corn, a great sufficiency of rye, wheat, and other grain to support them, and salt meat and vegetables to spare. Your committee had the satisfaction of seeing the comfortable manner in which the poor were supported, the cleanliness and good order that prevailed, and the industry of those that were able to labor, and they are satisfied that if the whole township had been present they would cheerfully, in compassion to the poor, adopt a similar mode. Your committee recommend the purchase or renting of a farm on which the poor may be supported as a committee to be appointed may recommend:

which is calculated much higher than in Woodbridge, and will leave a clear gain to the township of $1500, an object well worth the consideration of the township, as no one of us can tell where we shall stop whilst the present mode is pursued."

The following resolutions were passed:
     "Resolved, That the report be referred to the next annual town-meeting for their consideration.
     "Resolved, That James Schureman and Staats Van Deursen be a committee, with the present members, to investigate on what terms a farm may be rented or purchased for the use of the township, and report to the next annual town-meeting."

At the annual town-meeting of 1816 the committee reported:
     "The committee appointed to investigate on what terms a farm can be rented or purchased for the accommodation and support of the poor do report that they have ascertained that there are three or four farms for sale in the township, either of which would be convenient and suitable, that the prices are from $45 to $60 per acre; that yr committee would recommend the purchase of a farm in preference to renting. And in order to carry the proposed plan into speedy operation, they do advise that a select committee be appointed at this meeting to purchase a farm and such stock and farming utensils as are necessary. 

(Signed) "THOMAS HANCE.
"JAMES SCHUREMAN.
"PHINEAS MUNDY.
"STAATS DEURSEN."

In compliance with the recommendation of the committee, James Schureman, Thomas Hance, Staats Van Deursen, Squire Martin, and Jan Van Nuis were appointed a committee to carry into effect the object of the report. The following resolutions were passed:
     "Resolved, That $10,000 be appropriated by the township for the purchase of a farm for the support of the poor, and that the committee be authorized to purchase such a farm within that sum as shall in their opinion answer the object in view, and that the sum of $2000 be raised by tax on the township for the present year to answer the first payment and that such farther sum shall be raised annually as shall be sufficient to meet the successive payments as they become due.
     "Resolved, That the sum of $700 be raised on the township for purchasing such implements of husbandry, cattle, furniture, etc., as may be wanting on said farm.
     "Resolved, That $2000 be raised for the support of the poor for the present year."

At a township-meeting held at the court-house April 14, 1817, the following report of the township committee was read, adopted, and ordered to be entered upon the records:
     "The committee who were appointed by the inhabitants of the township of North Brunswick at their annual meeting in April last, under an appropriation of $10,000, to purchase a farm as a poor-house establishment, report that they have bought a farm on George’s road of Jacob Klady, containing 139 84/100 acres for $50 per acre, which will amount t $6992, the payments to be made in the following manner, viz.: They have assumed a debt due to the estate of the late Robert Morris, Esq., on the first day of May, 1816, for $2000, to be paid on the first of January, 1817; one-third on the first day of January, 1818, and the balance on the first of January, 1819. The committee further report that being largely within the appropriation made by a vote of the town, and desiring to carry into effect the wishes of the inhabitants fully expressed at the last annual town-meeting, they were obliged to erect a building, fencings, and other improvements on the farm absolutely necessary before any number of paupers could there be accommodated and supported. The expenses of the above building and improvements will amount to $1546.96, which will make the cost of the farm $8538.96. The committee also report that in further prosecuting the plan adopted by the town they employed Henry Marshall on the 28th of April last, at $225 per annum, to be the township farmer, and to take charge of all such persons as should be sent to the farm, and that as soon as the buildings were prepared all the regularly admitted paupers were taken to the poor-house. Mr. Marshall having resigned his charge, your committee have contracted with William Henderson to be the township farmer for the ensuing year for the sum of $170. To enable your committee to comply with the contract above mentioned it will be necessary for the town to raise by tax or loan the sum of $2140, due to the estate of the late Robert Morris, Esq., and the farther sum of $3444.40, to meet the first and second payments due to Mr. Klady.

(Signed)

"JAMES SCHUREMAN.
"JOHN VAN NUIS.
"THOS. HANCE.
"STAATS VAN DEURSEN.
"SQUIRE MARTIN."

It was resolved at the annual town-meeting in 1816:
     "That the sum of $1200 be raised for the ensuing year for the support of the poor and the salary of the overseer of the farm," and ordered that the sum of $2000 be raised towards paying for the purchase of the farm, "and that $280 be raised towards discharging the interest due on the mortgage to Robert Morris."

The following extract from the report of the township committee in 1817 shows how satisfactory were the operations of the new place in comparison with the experience of the past:
     "It also appears from the account of the overseer that about $800 have been expended for the support, clothing, and medical attendance of 21 paupers maintained at the poor-house farm during the last year. The town committee beg leave to draw the attention of the town to the sum expended for the support of the poor in the year 1816, previous to the present plan being adopted, and it will be found to have exceeded $2484, while their support under the present arrangement does not amount to more than $1290, calculating the interest on the purchase money of the farm at $490, and the amount expended in the last year at $800, making a difference in favor of the present plan of $1200, all which is respect. fully submitted.

(Signed) "JAMES CROMMELIN,
"JOHN VAN NUIS,
"SQUIRE MARTEN,
"CORNELIUS BERDINE,
"STAATS VAN DEUSSEN,
"Township Committee."

In 1819 it was ordered that $1897 be raised "for the last payment of Jacob Klady’s bond for the poorhouse farm," and that "$500 be raised for the support of the poor."

At the annual town-meeting in 1820 the following ordinance was passed:
     "Be it ordained by the inhabitants of North Brunswick in town-meeting convened that the township committee for the time being with the overseer of the poor shall be and they are hereby constituted a board of directors, whose duty it shall be to employ some suitable person to work the poor-house farm. Said board shall also direct and advise the manner of cultivating and improving said farm, and from time to time form such rules and regulations for the internal government of the house as shall appear to them necessary and expedient."

In relation to the care of paupers in the township, the committee rendered the following report at the annual town-meeting of 1821:
     "They report that your farm is in a progressive state of improvement, that there is between 40 and 50 acres of young, flourishing wood belonging to it which is carefully husbanded. This year the money you have allowed has been amply sufficient to secure every desirable object, and when you compare the amount raised for the poor with that formerly required you will have cause to be gratified at the vast diminution of expense. Your poor are well clad and abundantly supplied with good and wholesome food. There is as much comfort and content diffused among them as is reconcilable with a state of poverty, dependence, and their attendant ills, and your committee congratulate you upon the complete success of this system, which combines in its operation with the least possible call upon the property of individuals a perfect relief extended by society to its indigent members and a liberal fulfillment of the great laws that of benevolence and humanity.

(Signed) "JOHN VAN NUIS.
"STAATS VAN DEURSEN.
"SQUIRE MARTIN.
"JAMES CROMMELIN."

It was ordered in 1823 that $60 be raised for painting the poor-house.

In 1836 it was ordered:
     "That the township committee be authorized to erect a suitable building on the farm in some most convenient place for the accommodation of all or any insane person or persons which is now or may hereafter become a town charge to the amount of any sum not to exceed four hundred dollars."

The following statement of expenditures on account of the poor was rendered by the committee at the annual town-meeting in 1838, covering the time from March 1, 1837, to March 1, 1838:

In the compilation of the above history of the inception and establishment of the township poor farm and poor-house of North Brunswick the records have been drawn upon liberally, for the twofold reason that they contain all that there is of interest connected with the early history of the institution, and that such a presentment of the facts embraces not alone the names of those prominent in the affairs of the township during the period 1802—38, but a contemporary record of the part taken by each, and of dates and measures and amounts which will be more and more interesting as the early days recede into the past. From time to time additions were made to the accommodations afforded by the institution. Its buildings increased in number, and the poor-house proper was rendered more comfortable and cheerful as the years went by. The poor-house is a two-story wood building, about 20 by 40 feet, with an addition about 15 by 23 feet, kept in good repair, and painted white. There are two good barns and other necessary outbuildings on the farm. In the settlement of the accounts of the townships of North Brunswick, East Brunswick, and New Brunswick, after the division of the township of North Brunswick, in 1860, the poor-house and farm, which had been established and maintained at the expense of the taxpayers of the whole township of North Brunswick as previously bounded, were allotted to New Brunswick, and have since been maintained at the expense and for the benefit of that city. The average number of inmates has been thirty-three for several years past. At present there are thirty, ranging from two to eighty-five years of age, about equally divided between the sexes. In 1881 the amount of money devoted by the city of New Brunswick to this institution was $6000. The steward, Mr. Alexander Gulick. The farm now ranks with the best in the township, consisting of one hundred and forty acres, one hundred and five of which are under cultivation. Since 1860 the township of North Brunswick has adopted the plan of having its paupers kept in private families.

The township records show that from 1820 to 1821, inclusive, the following sums were voted by the inhabitants of North Brunswick for all purposes connected with the care and sustenance of paupers within its limits, the figures having been copied from the minutes of the annual township meetings: 1820, $1870; 1821, $700; 1822, $700; 1823, $560; 1824, $300; 1825, $650; 1826, $800; 1827, $750; 1828, $700; 1829, $650; 1830, $700; 1831, $700; 1832, $1100; 1833, $1100; 1834, $1100; 1835, $1300; 1836, $1500; 1837, $1500; 1838, $1500; 1839, $1500; 1840, $1000; 1841, $800; 1842, $900; 1843, $1000;(4*) 1844, $1200;(4*) 1845, $1200;(4*) 1846, $1200;(4*) 1847, $1000;(4*) 1848, $1000;(4*) 1849, $1200;(4*) 1850, $1500; 1851, $1500; 1852, $1500; 1853, $1500;(4*) 1854, $1500;(4*) 1855, $2000; 1856, $2500; 1857, $2500;(4*) 1858, $3000;(4*) 1859, $5000;(4*) 1860, $300; 1861, $100;(5*) 1862, the money in the hands of the collector; 1863, $300;(6*) 1864, $375; 1865, $450; 1866, $600; 1867, $600; 1868, $600; 1869, $800; 1870, $800; 1871, $600; 1872, $700; 1873, $700; 1874, $700; 1875, $700; 1876, $700; 1877, $850; 1878, $800; 1879, $1000; 1880, $1000; 1881, $1000.

Educational.— The early school-houses in the township were built by subscription, and teachers were hired by those who were well enough off to bear the expense, much as select schools of a late date have been supported. The first entry to be found in the township records relative to the provision of means of education to those too poor to pay for it in North Brunswick was made in 1827, and reads as follows:
     "Resolved, That the sum of five hundred dollars be raised for the education of poor children in this township."

This resolution was passed that year at the annual town-meeting. In 1828 three hundred dollars was likewise appropriated, and the same amount was voted in 1829. That year the first school committee was elected, consisting of Staats Van Deursen, Lewis D. Hardenbergh, Peter Dayton, James Gable, and Isaac Brower. In 1830 it was ordered "That the balance of two hundred and fifty dollars in the hands of the collector, belonging to the fund for educating poor-children, be transferred to the school committee."

There seems to have been no other provision made for public schools in the township than the annual election of a school committee until 1833, when it was ordered:
     "That the balance of $600 in the hands of the collector of school fund be divided among all the schools organized by the 1st Monday of April next.
     "That the town committee pay the expenses of publishing the school act for last year, $6, and also for the present year the same sum for the like publication."

In 1834 it was ordered:
     "That the school fund now in hand be distributed in due proportion to such schools as the trustees thereof have or may report on or before the first of May next ensuing."

Similar provision for public school was several times made at the annual town-meetings during the ensuing five years. The following report was rendered by the school committee in 1840:
     "The school committee of the township of North Brunswick report that the whole number of children between the ages of five and sixteen years, as reported by the trustees of the several districts in said township to your committee, is 1535, viz.: From District No. 1, 930; No. 2, 28; No. 3, 44; No. 4, 16; No. 5, 74; No. 6, 87; No. 7, 12; No. 8, 26; No. 9, 72; No. 10, 59; No. 11, 148; No. 12, 39.
     "And they further report that the apportionment of public school money to this township is $411.39, giving to each scholar 26 cents, amounting to $399.10, leaving a balance in the hands of the collector of $12.29 to meet expenses."

Below are the statistics of the schools of the township, 1841—45:

In 1841 the tuition ranged from $1.50 to $5 in District No. 1; it was $2 in Districts Nos. 3 to 11, and $2.50 in District No. 12. School was kept open all the year in Districts Nos. 1, 3, 5 to 8, and 11 and 12; three quarters in District No. 10; and two quarters in Districts Nos. 4 and 9. The money received from the collector was apportioned to parents in all the districts, and by them used in paying tuitions. In 1842 the tuition was $2 to $5 in District No. 1; $2 in Districts Nos. 2 to 11, and $3 in District No 12. Schools were kept four quarters in Districts Nos. 1, 3, 4, and 6 to 12, and two quarters in Districts Nos. 2 and 5. The money was paid directly to the teachers. In 1844 the tuition was $2 to $3 in District No. 1; $2 in Districts Nos. 5, 6, 9, and 11, and part Districts Nos. 3, 4, and 7, and $2.50 in District No. 12, and part District No. 2. School was kept open twelve months in Districts Nos. 1 and 11, and part Districts Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 7; nine months in part District No. 10; seven months in District No. 9, and six weeks in part District No. 8. In 1845 the tuition was $2 to $6 in District No. 1, $2 in Districts Nos. 5, 6, 11 and 12, and part Districts Nos. 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10, and $2.50 in part District No. 2. Schools were kept a year in District No. 1, and part Districts Nos. 2, 8, 4, 7, and 10; nine months in District No. 9, and half a year in District No. 5.

The only time the names of the school trustees were entered in the record was in 1843, when the following named were serving: Peter P. Runyan, George G. Nevins, J. Whitnach, John Christopher, Richard DeMott, J.H. Outcalt, H. Cock, Benjamin L. Smith, H.H. Booraem, J. Van Deventer, Peter L. Buckalew, Matthew Gilland, J. Combs, Abraham Rappleyea, R.D. Applegate, F. Stutts, Stephen Smith, J.L. Pierson, and Cornelius W. Tunison.

School committeemen were not elected after 1846. In 1847 Dr. Henry B. Poal was elected the first township superintendent of schools. The annual reports upon the condition of the schools of the township were not thereafter entered in the records till 1851.

"The report of the superintendent of schools was received, showing the whole number of districts to be 12; whole number of children taught, 1005; amount of money raised and expended, $653.91; whole number of children between the ages of 5 and 16 in the district (township), 2440."

The "free school" system was adopted in 1851. The report of the superintendent for that year, rendered at the annual town-meeting of 1852, showed the following comparison between the years 1850 and 1851:
     "Schools upon the old system, in which the bills of tuition averaged $3 per quarter, were open for eleven months in 1850.
     "Free schools were open ten and one-fourth months in 1851.
     "The whole number of children taught was 1055 in 1850.
     "The whole number of children taught was 1351 in 1851.
     "The average number of children attending school in the several districts was as follows: 

This surely must be regarded as a triumph for the free school system.

Statistics of schools, 1852: Number of districts, 12; number of children of the school age, 2785; number of children taught, 1765; average number of months schools were kept, 10 1/4; amount of school money raised by tax, $7803; amount received from the State, $1463.23; number of teachers (11 male, 7 female), 18; total amount appropriated for school purposes, $9366.23.

School statistics of 1857: Number of districts, 12; number of children of the school age, 3403; number who attended school, 2217; average number of months schools were kept open, 10 1/2; amount of money raised by tax for the support of schools, $10,209.

This showing, together with all previous statistical statements, included the schools in the city of New Brunswick and those in the then portions of North Brunswick now embraced within the limits of the township of East Brunswick. It is probable that the advanced thought and educational experience of members of the successive committees resident at New Brunswick— the cradle of learning in Middlesex County and a wide range of country in all directions beyond— had their influence in emancipating the schools of North Brunswick from the primitive condition of contemporary country schools in New Jersey at an earlier period than that at which improvements would otherwise have occurred. With the separation of New Brunswick from the township in 1860 came a marked change in the organization of school affairs in North Brunswick; but the seed that had been sown by the early and long alliance, and the community of interests educationally that had existed between the two sections of the old township as a whole, has borne good fruit since the division, and at this time the opportunities for the acquirement of a common-school education are as good in North Brunswick as in any town of similar status in New Jersey.

The number of children between the ages of five and eighteen in North Brunswick during the period from 1867 to 1880 is shown below: 1867, 335; 1868, 319; 1869, 354; 1870, 381; 1871, 400; 1872, 312; 1873, 302; 1874, 326; 1875, 350; 1876, 344; 1877, 352; 1878, 364; 1879, 347; 1880, 360.

There are in the township three school districts, numbered in the enumeration of the school districts of Middlesex County 27, 28, and 29, and known respectively as "Oak Hill," "Milltown," and "Red Lion" districts. Their statistics in 1880 were as follows:

Amount of apportionment from State appropriation: No. 27, $300; No. 28, $565.08; No. 29, $300. Amount of district school-tax voted for payment of teachers’ salaries: No. 28, $400. Amount of district school-tax voted to be used for building, purchasing, hiring, repairing, or furnishing public school-houses: No. 28, $100 ; No. 29, $75. Total amount of district school-tax ordered to be raised: No. 28, $500; No. 29, $75. Total amount received from all sources for public school purposes: No, 27, $300; No. 28, $1065.08; No. 29, $375. Present value of school property: No. 27, $1500; No. 28, $3500; No. 29, $800. Number of children of the school age in the districts: No. 27, 90; No. 28, 199; No. 29, 71. Average number of months schools have been kept open: No. 27, 9 1/2; No. 28, 10; No. 29, 10. Average attendance: No. 27, 22; No. 28, 76; No. 29, 24. Estimated number of children in the districts attending private schools: No. 27, 15; No. 28, 6; No. 29, 2. Estimated number of children in the districts who attended no schools during the year: No. 27, 33; No. 28, 48; No. 29, 9. Seating capacity of school-houses and condition of same: No. 27, 50, good; No. 28, 150, very good; No. 29, 60, good. Number of male teachers employed: No. 27, 1; No. 28, 1. Number of female teachers employed: No. 27, 1; No. 28, 1; No. 29, 1. Average salary per month paid male teachers: No. 28, $45. Average monthly salary of female teachers: No. 27, $31; No. 28, $30; No. 29, $25.

Industrial Pursuits.— A grist-mill was built where Milltown now is, on the North Brunswick side of Lawrence’s Brook, at a very early day. Soon after the beginning of the present century it was owned by Jacob I. Bergen, and called Bergen’s Mill. Its previous history the writer has been unable to trace. The water-power at Brookford was first made use of as long ago as 1750, when it turned the machinery of a grist-mill which stood within the area now occupied by Parsons’ Brookford Snuff-Mills. Early in the present century a saw-mill was in operation there under the same roof with the grist-mill, and the concern was owned or operated, or both, by Isaac Petty, who after a number of years sold out to Matthew Edgerton.

A fulling-mill was introduced, and when machinery put an end to the domestic carding of wool and the periodical bringing of it to a mill to be made into cloth for private families, the works were converted into a snuff-mill, and as such were operated by Mr. Edgerton from 1839 to 1856.

In 1851 the establishment was destroyed by fire, and whatever remained of the old grist-mill and saw mill disappeared forever. The snuff-mill was rebuilt in 1852, and the manufacture of snuff was carried on with considerable success by Mr. Edgerton until he disposed of the property to Mr. William G. Parsons in 1856.

Such, in brief, is the history of manufacturing enterprise at this locality, which from about the time of any general settlement in the surrounding country has been a scene of industry and business activity second to no other in the country south of the Raritan either in importance or celebrity.

THE BROOKFORD SNUFF-MILLS.- These mills, the property of Mr. William G. Parsons, he purchased of Matthew S. Edgerton in 1856, and has improved them from time to time, erecting the large brick building, now so conspicuous, in 1872. He is engaged in the manufacture of four varieties of snuff, known to the trade as "Scotch," "Maccaboy," "Lundyfoot," and the "French Rappee" snuffs. His purchases of tobacco are large each year, and it comes mainly from Richmond, Va., though some is bought from Missouri, Kentucky, and in the New York market. Little or no Connecticut, Delaware, or New Jersey tobacco is used, that grown in these States being too light for use in this factory. Of the four varieties mentioned, the Brookford mills make many times a much "Scotch" as of all the remaining three kinds. The quality of the snuffs manufactured here is good and the price they bring as high as those of any snuffs in the market. Mr. Parsons sells in large quantities, and to a considerable extent supplies the New York jobbers. But it is to the South that snuff is sent in the largest quantities, and there it is in most general use, and there it is that Parsons’ yellow "Scotch" snuff is in the greatest demand and has the best reputation.

The Brookford mills are situated on the bank of Lawrence’s Brook, the old-time water-power previously referred to supplying the motive-power about three-quarters of a mile from Milltown. In the management of the concern Mr. Parsons is assists by his sons, James M. Parsons and William G. Parsons, Jr.

THE MEYER RUBBER COMPANY.(7*)— The cradle of rubber shoe manufacture is undoubtedly at Milltown. It was there that Christopher Meyer, who had begun his investigations soon after Goodyear and Day, mad his first essay at manufacturing, and there, obtaining his right under the Goodyear patent and fighting the battles with Day under the Goodyear banner, he went on inventing and improving machinery and perfecting the process of rubber shoe making. Today no man more thoroughly understands all the branches and details of the rubber trade than Mr. Meyer. He is the leading spirit of three companies, all having manufactories in the county,— the Meyer Works at Milltown, and the New Jersey Works an the Novelty Hard Rubber Works at New Brunswick,- and all occupying important places in the rubber trade.

In 1839, Mr. Meyer went to New Brunswick from Newark to put up for Horace H. Day the first steam-engine and machinery Day ever owned for the first rubber-works ever put in operation there. Day was then making carriage-cloths and rubber shoes, but the former was so odorous as to be intolerable, and so soft that when the carriage-top was put down the folds of the cloth stuck together and peeled off, an the latter in summer were similarly unfit for use, while in winter they became hard as bricks. Mr. Meyer devised a plan by which the unpleasant smell was almost entirely obviated and the cloth and shoes rendered more durable. Mr. Day refused to recognize the value of this process, and Mr. Meyer there upon decided to leave his employ, even insisting upon doing so after Day had reconsidered his refusal.

In 1840, Mr. Meyer began business on his own account near the Landing Bridge in New Brunswick, and remained there three months. Messrs. Hutchinson and Onderdonk had meanwhile dissolved partnership in a rubber business they bad been Carrying on in Water Street, New Brunswick, and the latter started the rubber manufacture in James Neilson’s old saw-mill, the former going to Newark. Failing in his experiment, Mr. Onderdonk sold out to Mr. Meyer, who ran the works with his own machinery two years so successfully that Mr. Onderdonk in turn bought him out, and, in company with Mr. Johnson Letson, established the works now of the New Brunswick Rubber Company.

At this juncture Mr. J.C. Ackerman proposed to Mr. Meyer to build for him a factory on the site of the old Milltown grist-mill, and this was done, Mr. James Bishop joining with Mr. Meyer in the management. This was in 1843. In 1844 the works were started and engaged in the manufacture of shirred goods, carriage-cloth, and rubber shoes with leather bottoms, the latter being soon substituted by the Goodyear all-rubber shoe, for though Goodyear had a patent on the process, it was not respected and soon became common property. Before the process of vulcanization was understood the rubber had to be dissolved in turpentine and acids. The caoutchouc was received from Para in three forms,—in sheets, in bottles, and in rough shoes formed by dipping clay moulds in the sap. All these were utilized by Mr. Meyer. The rough shoes were fur-tipped and prepared for sale; the gum bottles were dissolved and spread over cloth for carriage-cloth; the imported sheets were cut into fore-uppers and joined with cloth quarters to cover leather soles for shoes. In this manner the works turned out about one thousand pairs of shoes per week. These shoes, however, were found to get hard in winter and sticky in summer, and were soon condemned by popular disfavor, and the business received a serious check. The works also turned out rubber ponton-bridges and boats for government use, in the Mexican war. In 1845 the factory was burned down, with Mr. Meyer’s residence, leaving him absolutely without a cent of capital and without stock or machinery. Mr. John R. Ford then came in and furnished capital to start the works anew, and under the name of Ford & Co. they continued in operation for several years. The new buildings measured twenty-five by one hundred and thirty and thirty by forty feet, and in them the business steadily grew and improvements were made until in 1851 a second fire visited the establishment. In 1852 a stock company was formed, named the Ford Rubber Company, and all of the present buildings except the new brick building were occupied. In 1858 the name of the company was changed to the Meyer Rubber Company, and so it still remains. The company is now working with $200,000 capital stock, and is officered as follows: President, Christopher Meyer; Treasurer, John R. Ford; Superintendent, John C. Evans. Mr. James C. Edmonds very efficiently filled the office of secretary from 1846 until his death, Dec. 6, 1879. For a long time Mr. John Evans, father of the present superintendent, was in charge of the factory, and his close attention to all the details of manufacture, of which he had an admirable knowledge, conduced much to the success of the enterprise. The present superintendent has a practical knowledge of the business, gained by years of experience, which fitted him to fill the responsible position made vacant by his father’s death.

The buildings occupied for manufacturing purposes by the Meyer Rubber Company are eight in number, the larger ones so separated that some of them might be saved in case of fire, and the smaller ones attached to them. A large frame building, measuring fifty by one hundred and twelve feet, four stories high, with a wing extending from it about thirty feet, contains machinery for steaming, crushing, and washing crude rubber, obtained in immense quantities from Para, Nicaragua, Esmeralda, and other places in Central and South America, store-rooms, the "stripping"-room, a last-room, a varnishing-room, a large room occupied as a stock-room and for the manufacture of "Arctic" overshoes, and a room in which rubber boots are made. Attached to one end of this building is a steam heater in a building forty by fifty-eight feet, to which is attached a boiler-house containing apparatus for supplying steam to the heater, and attached to this building also are two round dry heaters. In the wing are located the offices of the company.

In 1878 a brick building (now the main building) was erected. It measured fifty by one hundred and fifty feet, is four stories high, and contains on the ground floor machinery for preparing rubber for manufacture into boots and overshoes, while on the three floors above are carried on the various processes of cutting and manufacturing until the boots and shoes are turned out complete. Attached are an engine-house, twenty-two by fifty feet, containing an engine of five hundred horse-power; a boiler-house, thirty by forty feet, containing three boilers; and a building, thirty by sixty feet, in which are compounded from divers ingredients the various colors given to rubber for use in these works. The other buildings are a three-story brick store-house, sixty by seventy-five feet, where are stored both the crude material as received at the factory and the products of the same awaiting shipment, and a frame three-story building, forty by sixty feet, on the opposite side of Lawrence’s, Brook, in which are manufactured the boxes in which goods are packed for shipment. The two principal buildings are connected by an elevated gangway over the street, and the box-factory is connected with the large wooden building by a narrow and slender bridge, which spans the brook. Besides these factory buildings the company owns a farm of about one hundred acres, upon which is raised produce to supply the stock, consisting of a dozen or more horses.

From 350 to 400 hands are employed by the Meyer Rubber Company, mostly German, and about equally divided between the sexes. Over 7000 pairs of sandals, boots, shoes, "Arctics," etc., per day, or between 1,400,000 and 1,800,000 per year, at a value of $1,000,000, are turned out. Most of the shoes are made for city wear, light and stylish, and the works often introduce new and attractive styles. It is at this factory that most of the important improvements in machinery for rubber manufacture have been invented and perfected. For example, the sole of a rubber shoe was formerly made in three parts, because three different thicknesses were required for the sole, the shank, and the heel. Here a machine was invented which converted a sheet of rubber at once into shoe-soles of three thicknesses in one piece, all ready for the uppers. The machinery for making the present style of sandal was prepared here; also the patented engraved steel roll, by which a permanent impression is made upon the upper to resemble the ridge-effect obtained in other factories by laying rubber cords on top of the fore upper, which by saving the manufacture, the cutting it, and the laying it on by hand, cheapens the cost over a cent and a half per pair, and saves eight thousand dollars or ten thousand dollars a year to such companies as have secured the right to use it. The new process of mixture for the manufacture of shoes, including the use of resin and tar, was also devised here by Mr. Meyer, and is next in real importance, in the estimation of practical manufacturers, to the invention of vulcanization itself, but was never patented on account of the difficulty of sustaining patents at the time against infringements. It was kept a secret for a while, but has now become common property. Altogether, the Meyer Rubber-Works are interesting, both on account of their extensive business, and as being the birthplace of most of the improved machinery for making rubber shoes, and of all the new styles of shoes which the market brings out. As a local industry they take rank with the first in the State, and Milltown and the surrounding country are better off for their presence and that of the substantial workingmen to whom they afford well-paid employment.

THE VOORHEES STATION TANNERY.— In Franklin, Somerset County, is a stopping-place on the Branch Railway to Millstone, known as Voorhees Station. The depot is just west of the Princeton and New Brunswick turnpike, across which highway, within the borders of North Brunswick, is located a tannery, which was first put in operation at a date so remote that it cannot be more definitely stated than as during the latter part of the eighteenth century. In 1806 it was the property of Daniel King, and at that time was by no means a new structure. In 1826 it was destroyed by fire.

The present building was soon erected on the old site by Mr. King, who was the proprietor until his death, about two years later. The property was then sold to James Moran, who disposed of it to John Christopher in 1836, when he could not have been the proprietor more than a few months. Mr. Christopher carried on quite an extensive business there until his death in 1850, when the premises passed into the possession of his son, Jacob V.D. Christopher, the present owner. The tannery contains twenty-eight vats. A fifteen horse-power engine is used, and four men are employed. Harness, shoe, and upper leather is manufactured.

OTHER INDUSTRIES.— Considerable nursery stock is raised in the township, and in various localities are a convenient number of wheelwrights’, blacksmiths’, shoemakers’, and other small mechanics’ shops.

Church History.— THE GEORGE’S ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH.— The field occupied by the George’s Road Church was missionary ground of the New Jersey Baptist State Convention. Before any church organization was formed Rev. John B. Case labored there as a missionary of the Convention. Brethren also from the New Brunswick Baptist Church— G.S. Webb, Randolph Martin, and Robert Lyle— used to visit the place and hold preaching services, prayer-meetings and Sabbath-school sessions. Those who were baptized as the fruit of these labors were received into the fellowship of the New Brunswick Church. After a while measures were taken to constitute the present church. This movement seemed to be a proper one as the distance from New Brunswick was five miles and to some of the members it was twice that distance; and besides this, the road was a hard one to travel. Nevertheless there were sisters who used to walk then to attend Mr. Webb’s ministry.

At a meeting held at John T. Bennett’s on the 20th of January, 1843, articles of faith, church covenant, and the name of the church were agreed upon. On the 23d of January, 1843, a Council met, consisting of the following Baptist Churches: First New Brunswick, Independent Bethel at Washington, Hightstown, Penn’s Neck, Nottingham Square, Piscataway and Jacksonville. Everything being satisfactory to the Council, the new organization was recognized with appropriate exercises as a regularly constituted Baptist Church.

The number of members thus organized were 33 whose names are as follows:

Rev. John B. Case and his wife, Mary B. Case from the Independent Bethel Church at Washington; Mary Steward, from the Abysinia Church, New York City; and the following thirty members dismissed from the New Brunswick Church: David Provost, William Suydam, Elizabeth Creamer, Ann Meseroll, Thomas W. Bastedo, William W. Dehart, Jane Eliza Buckelew, Phebe Drake, William Bound, Peter Z. Buckelew, Jane Suydam, Mary Thompson, Elizabeth Sperling, Margaret Ann Bennett, Eliza Dehart, Frederick W. Buckelew, Maria Ann Bennet, William Major, Ida Buckelew, David Creamer, Phebe M. Thompson, Louis Sperling, Elizabeth Meseroll, Leah Dehart, Fanny Buckelew, Mary Buckelew, Catherine Major and Sara Hendricks.

Its first pastor was Rev. John B. Case, who remained a little over two years. At this time the church had no meeting-house, but held meetings at private houses and at the school-house. In March, 1845, Rev. Mr. Case resigned, and an invitation was given to Rev. David P. Perdun to become the pastor, which he accepted, commencing his pastorate in April, 1845. In this year the church began to build a house of worship, which was dedicated on the 17th of March, 1847. Rev. Mr. Hopkins, from New York City, preached the dedication sermon from Haggai ii. 7: "And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts."

Mr. Perdun was noted for revival effort, and quite a number were brought into the church through his protracted meetings. In his last will he left a legacy of $300 to the church, which it found to be very useful. In December, 1847, Rev. Mr. Perdun resigned his charge of the church, after which the pulpit was supplied for a few months by Rev. Mr. Gesner. The next pastor was Rev. B. Stelle, who came as a supply, and later assumed the pastorate, remaining until the close of 1853. In October, 1854, Rev. Morgan Cox came, and remained until April, 1860, after which the pulpit was supplied for a time by Rev. Mr. Nightingale. In 1862, Rev. Charles Cordo was called to the pastorate, and was in charge until June, 1863. After this few meetings were held during the succeeding two years, the church having neither supplies nor pastor. In March, 1865, Rev. Christian Brinckerhoff was called, and was pastor until 1868, and remained somewhat longer as supply. Rev. Mr. Brinckerhoff was a builder of churches both spiritual and substantial. During his pastorate the house underwent a very general alteration, which much improved it in appearance internally and externally. During the winter of 1868 and 1869, Rev. "Father" Webb acted as a supply, when an interesting state of religious feeling was manifested. In the early part of the latter year Rev. Louis Silleck became pastor, remaining until February, 1874, and the parsonage was built during his pastorate. Rev. Messrs. Davis and Babbage acted as supplies for a few months, and in 1875 the latter accepted a call to the pastorate, the duties of which he still continues to discharge.

From the organization of this church to 1880 there were added to it by baptism, 144; by letter, 33. The decrease was as follows: Dismissed, 67; deceased, 33; excluded, 60. The membership at this time is about 60.

The first officers of the church were the following:

William Major, David Provost, Matthew Edgerton, Peter D. Buckalew, and John Wolf, trustees; William Major, John Hendricks, and John Wolf, deacons; William W. Dehart, clerk.

The present officers are William Major, Ross Drake, and Isaac Messeroll, trustees; William Major and Ross Drake, deacons; Edwin B. Drake, clerk; David Pearce, treasurer.

The Sunday-school connected with the George’s Road Church has four officers, nine teachers, and seventy-three scholars. The average attendance is forty-five. The library numbers one hundred volumes, and the superintendent is Mr. E.B. Drake.

THE MILLTOWN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.— In 1844 a Methodist class was formed at Milltown by Rev. Ralph Stout, a local preacher and a member of the Liberty Street Methodist Episcopal Church of New Brunswick, the meeting-place being in an old school-house opposite the site of the present parsonage, and was attached to the Liberty Street Church. In the spring of 1846 this class and the organizations at Washington, Old Bridge, and Fresh Pond were formed into a circuit, known as the Middlesex Circuit. Three years later the Milltown charge was separated from the Middlesex Circuit, and again attached to the Liberty Street Church, and in the spring of 1851 it was separated from the New Brunswick charge for the second time, and since that date has been an independent church.

The constituent members of the Milltown Methodist Episcopal Church were nineteen in number, named as follows: Christopher Meyer, Margaret Meyer, James C. Edmonds, Mary E. Edmonds, Ella Evans, Evans Edmonds, David Evans, Mary A. Van Arsdale, John Evans, Elizabeth Howard, Lewis S. Hyatt, Hannah A. Hyatt, John M. Thompson, Charles C. Hyatt, Catharine Atcherson, Elizabeth Titatus, Susan Stephens, and----- Brown.

A meeting was called by the society, Feb. 19, 1851, at which arrangements were made for the erection of a house of worship, and John R. Ford, Christopher Meyer, John Evans, James C. Edmonds, Isaac G. Van Arsdale, Lewis S. Hyatt, and Charles C. Hyatt were elected trustees. The board of trustees organized with Christopher Meyer as president, Isaac G. Van Arsdale as treasurer, and James C. Edmnonds as secretary. The trustees started a subscription with pledges of eleven hundred dollars. John R. Ford donated a lot, upon which a church was built by Edward B. Wright, contractor, at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars, and dedicated Dec. 25, 1852; the bell, which cost one hundred and twenty-two dollars, being donated by Mrs. John R. Ford. A wing was attached to the main body of this church, which was occupied as a chapel.

The church above, described was torn down, and the chapel sold and removed, and the present brick church was erected on the old site in 1872, at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars, and was dedicated by Bishop Simpson, of Philadelphia. It is located on Main Street, nearly in the centre of that part of the village northwest of Lawrence’s Brook.

The following-named preachers have served the class and church in Middletown in the order named: Revs. Ralph Stout, 1844—46; James Ayers, 1846—47; James Jaquette, 1847—49; James Hilliard,1849—52; James Freeman, D.D., 1852—54; I.D. King, 1854—56; Joseph Horner, 1856—57; A. Owen, 1857—58; H.P. Staats, 1858—60; T.D. Hanlon, 1860—61; S.E. Post, 1861—63; Jesse Styles, 1863—65; William Franklin, 1865—67; A. Lawrence, 1867—71; G. Reed, 1871—73; T.C. Carman, 1873—74; C.F. Garrison, 1874-77; S.C. Chatlin, 1877—79; L.M. Atkinson, 1879—81.

In 1858 the trustees purchased the present parsonage, at a cost of seven hundred and fifty dollars. It is a comfortable two-story frame dwelling, situated on Main Street, near the church.

The Sunday-school was organized in 1851. James C. Edmonds was the first superintendent. At his death, in December, 1879, he was succeeded by E.J. Carhart, having served continuously twenty-eight years. The membership of the Sunday-school in 1881 was one hundred and sixty-five. The library contained about one hundred and fifty volumes.

THE LIVINGSTON PARK CHAPEL.— This is a small frame building, occupied by any or all of the denominations of Christians represented at and in the vicinity of Franklin Park. It was erected in 1875 and 1876 on land donated by the late Henry K. How, and dedicated in June of the latter year by Rev. Henry F. Smith, pastor of the First Baptist Church of New Brunswick, just one year to a day from the death of the generous donor of the site, religious services having previously been held in the house.

On the first Sunday in each month in 1881, Rev. Henry F. Smith or Rev. Mr. Marsh holds a service in the chapel. On the remaining Sundays in each month services are conducted by theological students from Rutgers College.

Soon after the completion of the chapel a Sunday-school was organized, with William M. Van Sickle as superintendent. The present superintendent is Eugene Carrigan. The school numbers thirty-five scholars, and has a small library.

Burial-Places.— There can be little doubt that the earliest interments within the present township were made at the old graveyard now included in Van Liew Cemetery, and at the ancient burying-ground at Three-Mile Run. Which of the two places has any claim to priority would be a difficult question to answer. In both grounds are graves with monuments on which the inscriptions have been rendered undecipherable by the hand of Time, and in both are doubtless many graves unmarked and unrecognizable as such. The earliest legible inscription to be seen in the old portion of Van Liew Cemetery is in the German language, and is to the following effect:
     "Johannes Martinus Van Harlingen was born January 11th, 1684, at Westbrock, in Holland, and died October 22nd, 1768, at Lawrence’s Brook."

Near by are other time-worn monuments, bearing the following inscriptions:
     "In Memory of Maria Van Harlingen, Relict of J.M. Van Harlingen, born March 10th, 1700, and died October 8th, 1788."
     "Richard Jaques departed this life May 9th, 1792."
     "In memory of Eva Van Harlingen, who departed this life October the 6th, 1799, age 64 years, 9 months, and 12 days.

"Holland was her nation,
New Jersey was her dwelling place,
And Christ is her salvation." 

The following-named persons were interred in this burying-ground previous to 1825, as appears by the dates on the headstones erected at their graves:

Johannah, wife of Garret Voorhees, Oct. 22, 1799; Samuel, son of John and Hannah Outcalt, June 11, 1800; John G. Voorhees, Sept. 7, 1800; Caty, wife of Jacob Musero, Sept. 8, 1800 ; Cornelius Van Derbilt. Sept. 26, 1800; Hannah, wife of Peter Buckerlew, Feb. 28, 1803; Frederick, son of Jeremiah and Margaret Voorhees, Aug. 31, 1804; Catharine, daughter of Jeremiah and Margaret Voorhees, Sept. 12, 1804 Sarah, daughter of John M. and Frances Bloom, Jan 12, 1807; Cornelius Vanderbilt, son of Cornelius and Jane Bodine, March 31, 1807; Johannah Vanderbilt April 17, 1807; Nicholas Bordine, Jr., May 21, 1807. Catharine, daughter of Nicholas and Eliza Van Brunt Feb. 23, 1808; Jacob Meserole, Dec. 12, 1809; Jacques Van Liew, Aug. 28, 1810; Peter Buckerlew, Dec. 28 1810; Mrs. Johannah Voorhees, Jan, 9, 1811; Ruth, widow of William Budd, March 30, 1814; Dinah Bordine, wife of Powl DeHart, Jan. 31, 1815; Nicholas Bordine, March 16, 1814; Cornelia Ann, daughter of Cornelius and Jane Bodine, May 1, 1815; Jane, wife of Cornelius Bordine, May 14, 1815; George, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Van Brunt, May 12, 1815 Frederick Outcalt, Jr., Aug. 26, 1818; Elijah Hunt Dec. 3, 1818; John Ryder, Jan. 2, 1823, aged eighty one years and ten days; Peter Voorhees, Oct. 10, 1823;

Elizabeth Stephenson, wife of Peter Voorhees, Jan. 11, 1824; Bernardus Ryder, Feb. 3, 1824, aged seventy-five; Maria Voorhees, wife of Jaques Van Liew, Oct, 1, 1824; John Vanderbilt, Nov. 18, 1824.

The old graveyard at Three-Mile Run had no connection with the early church at that spot, as it was not used as a place of burial until some years after the church was removed. Rev. Johannes Leydt second pastor of the First Reformed Dutch Church of New Brunswick, died June 2, 1783, and he was buried there. His tombstone stands directly in front of the gate, with an inscription stating the day of his death and age. His wife, Treuntje Sleight, died Dec 2, 1763, and is buried by his side. Two other stones mark graves of his children,— Elizabeth, who die Oct. 22, 1760, aged twelve, and Anna, who died Jun 10, that year, aged seven months.

The following names and dates are from other head stones there:

Johannes Van Liew, Oct. 10, 1794; Mary, wife of John Hampton, Aug. 28, 1796; Gertrude, wife of Cornelius Cornell, March 19, 1805; Henry Cortelyou, Feb. 22, 1806; Dorothy Lott, wife of Johannes Van Liew, Oct. 9, 1813; Cornelius Cornell, March 29, 1819; John Hampton, Aug. 30, 1822, in the seventy-eighth year of his age.

There is a burial-place on the Princeton and Brunswick turnpike, in the southwestern part of the township. In the vicinity of the George’s Road Baptist Church is another. Neither of these possesses sufficient antiquity to render it interesting historically.

The burying-place of St. Peter’s Catholic Church of New Brunswick is located on the Princeton and Brunswick turnpike, about a mile from the city line, and in the northwestern corner of North Brunswick township. It has an area of about seven acres, and is laid out in lots. The earliest grave that can be found there is that of Bridget Win, who died Jan. 14, 1865. This cemetery contains several beautiful monuments, those of the O’Neal, the Lyons, the Dixon, and the McGahill families being conspicuous. This cemetery is in charge of a committee constituted as follows: Rev. Father O’Grady, Martin Kelley, John McCloskey, and John Lawrence.

THE VAN LIEW CEMETERY.— The Van Liew Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1861. The first officers were Dennis Vanderbilt, president; Henry H. Booraem, treasurer; and Philip Kuhlthan, secretary; Directors, Dennis Vanderbilt, Ross Drake, Philip Kuhlthan, Henry H. Booraem, and Peter Stevenson. Van Liew Cemetery embraces about five acres, including the old cemetery, in which were buried many members of the Van Harlingen, Voorhees, Vanderbilt, Van Liew, Bodine, Buckalew, Messeroll, and other old families of North Brunswick, and which has been referred to. It is beautifully laid out, and is rendered attractive by several fine monuments.

ELMWOOD CEMETERY.— This cemetery is situated on George’s road, near the northern border of the township, not far distant from Van Liew Cemetery, and contains about forty acres. It is the property of the Elmwood Cemetery Association of New Brunswick. This association nominally succeeded the Cedar Lawn Cemetery Association of New Brunswick, which was incorporated by an act of the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, approved March 18, 1868, of which the following is the first section:
     "Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, That Lucius P. Porter, John W. Newell, Henry R. Baldwin, M.D., Levi D. Jarrard, Henry L. Janeway, Johnson Letson, A.D. Newell, M.D., Simon Van Wickle, and such other persons as are now or shall hereafter become stockholders, their successors or assigns, be and are hereby made and constituted a corporation and body politic by the name of the Cedar Lawn Cemetery Association of the City of New Brunswick."

A supplement to this act was passed and approved March 26, 1873, of which the subjoined is a copy:
     "1. Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, That the name of the Cedar Lawn Cemetery Association of the City of New Brunswick’ be changed to the ‘Elmwood Cemetery Association of the City of New Brunswick,’ and by such name shall be invested with all the powers, rights, and duties which belonged to said Cedar Lawn Cemetery.
     "2. And be it enacted, That the first section of the act to which this is a supplement is hereby amended by striking out the names of the corporators individually named therein and inserting in lieu thereof as such individual corporators the following persons, viz.: Henry H. Booraem, Daniel G. Stubblebine, Garret Van Liew Booraem, Levi D. Jarrard, Henry Arbogast, Cornelius Farley, and Davis Carel.
     "3. And be it enacted, That all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act be and the same are hereby repealed, and this act shall take effect immediately."

"Elmwood" is one of the largest and most beautiful burial-places in this section, and is marked by a number of elegant and costly monuments. The officers of the association are as follows: Daniel G. Stubblebine, president and superintendent; Cornelius Farley, secretary; and Davis Carel, treasurer; Directors, D.G. Stubblebine, William G. Parsons, Davis Carel, L.D. Jarrard, John C. Meyer, Van Liew Booream, and Henry Arbogast.

Villages and Hamlets.— MILLTOWN is the only village lying wholly or partially within the township of North Brunswick. It is located on Lawrence’s Brook, mostly in North Brunswick, but partly in East Brunswick, and is a small but thrifty and home-like place, owing its existence to the presence there of the extensive factory of the Meyer Rubber Company which affords employment to nearly the entire adult and a good share of the juvenile population. It has an aspect of comfort and solidity which is to be seen only in villages in which a majority of the heads of families own their own houses, the policy towards its employes of the Meyer Rubber Company (which pays cash for labor and has no store) being to extend an opportunity to such as so desire to purchase or easy terms and own a house in the village, thus insuring the permanent service of desirable artisans, and diffusing a spirit of thrift and contentment among its workmen, which redounds to the benefit of the company eventually by going far to prevent disaffection through the absence of the abject subservience of labor to capital, which is the fruitful source of that rancor and antagonism which engender strikes, and result only too often in the stagnation or utter prostration of manufacturing industry.

The history of this village is brief. Its nucleus was the old grist-mill known early in the present century as Bergen’s Mill, in honor of its then proprietor, Jacob I. Bergen, the locality being known at that time and later as Bergen Mills. This mill changed ownership several times, and finally, in 1843, the last vestige of it disappeared with the utilization of the water-power by Mr. J.C. Meyer for the manufacture of rubber goods. The beginning of the new enterprise was insignificant when compared with its present extent, but it made the beginning of the growth of the settlement called Bergen’s Mills to the later flourishing village of Milltown.

In 1816 the place consisted of the old grist-mill, a little tavern, and five or six houses west of the brook; east of it were only two or three dwellings. The population was not more than twenty-five all told. Early tavern-keepers there were Jeptha Cheeseman, John Outcalt, Robert Watts, and Daniel Lott. Jacob I. Bergen, the mill-owner, was an early merchant. Christian Van Nortwick was another.

The present merchants west of Lawrence’s Brook are Philip Kuhlthau and Dennis Vanderbilt, and there are also located there a brick Methodist Church, erected in 1872, at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars, the factories of the Meyer Rubber Company, covering a considerable acreage, and many substantial and comfortable dwellings. East of the brook are the Meyer Rubber Company’s box-factory, two stores, two meat-markets, a German Reformed Church, two taverns, and quite a number of dwellings. The population of the village is about four hundred. The post-office was established Dec. 13, 1870. Philip Kuhlthau was commissioned postmaster, and still retains the office.

Milltown has a large German population, whose love of music led, in 1880, to the organization of two cornet bands, one of nineteen, the other of twenty pieces, with John Fuchs and George Schlosser as their respective leaders.

LIVINGSTON PARK.— This is the name by which a hamlet is known containing a union chapel and eight dwellings, and located a little north and west of the centre of the township, on the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Trenton and New Brunswick turnpike. This turnpike is locally known as Livingston Avenue, it being a continuation of an avenue of that name of New Brunswick. A large tract of land there was inherited by Mrs. Henry K. Haw; and, in 1865, Mr. Haw had it surveyed into lots, which’ he offered for sale at a low price, in the hope of gathering sufficient population at that point to induce the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to make it a stopping-place for trains between New Brunswick and Trenton. This hope was not yet realized at Mr. Haw’s death, in 1876, since which time no effort has been put forth for the attainment of that end.

ADAMS STATION.— This is a flag-station on the Pennsylvania Railroad, a little south of the centre of the township, and is the only railway station in North Brunswick.

Taverns.— The "Red Lion" tavern, on George’s road, about the centre of the township, north and south, has been built more than a century, and was formerly the scene of sundry public meetings and local jollifications. It is now merely a halting-place for travelers over this thoroughfare.

The "Black Horse" tavern was erected on George’s road, near the present southeastern boundary of the township, some time during the latter half of the seventeenth century, as is supposed.

The Brunson hotel, in the northwestern part of the township, was built about 1800, and was later, for a number of years, kept by Daniel B. Brunson. At his death he was succeeded by his son, who, after doing the honors of the house several years, sold the stand to Richard De Mott. After the death of Mr. De Mott in 1850, the hotel was managed by his widow two years, when a German from New York purchased and renamed it the "Hines House." In 1873 he sold it to John Tolen, who has since repaired and renovated it, leasing it to other parties.

Local Nomenclature.— Bodine’s Corners is the name, derived from pioneers there, of a neighborhood on George’s road in the northern part of the township Three-Mile Run is a name which in common use designates a small portion of North Brunswick andFranklin (Somerset County) townships, near a streamof that name. Six-Mile Run is a title similarly applied to another neighborhood, also on the countyline, farther south.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

HENRY H. BOOREAM.

The subject of this biographical sketch was the son of Joseph Booream, an enterprising farmer, residing at Matchaponix, Middlesex Co., who married, in January, 1798, Miss Abigail Potter. Their children were Gilbert, born in 1797; Jane, whose birth occurred in 1799; Joseph, born in 1802; Elizabeth, in 1803; Nicholas, in 1807; Henry H., in 1811; and Sychee Maria, in 1813.

Mrs. Booream’s death took place April 11, 1865 her age having been generally believed to have exceeded one hundred years.

Their son, Henry H., was born Oct. 6, 1811, at Matchaponix, where his early life was spent upon the farm of his father. He later acquired the mason’s trade under the direction of his brother, which was successfully followed until failing health compelled its abandonment, when he pursued the business of marketing. In 1837 he purchased the property now the home of his widow, where he resided during the remainder of his life. He was on the 28th of February, 1833, married to Maria, daughter of Garret Van Liew, of North Brunswick, whose birth occurred Nov. 20, 1812. Their children were Garret Van Liew, born Dec. 7, 1833, who married Miss Martha Gilliland, Dec. 6, 1855, and Mary Elizabeth born Sept. 29, 1836. She was married to Daniel C Stubblefine, and had three children, of whom one, Henry L., is still living. Mrs. Stubblefine died Sept. 29, 1866.

Mr. Booream was a dealer in general produce, an followed the business of marketing during his active career, having been generally regarded as a successful man. He was also a man of much public spirit, and participated in all enterprises having the interest of the township of North Brunswick in view. He was in politics a Republican, and at the time of his death was the chosen freeholder of the township. He had also been for twenty years its collector, and held other offices of minor importance. He was an exemplary member of the Reformed (Dutch) Church of New Brunswick, N.J., in which he was formerly a deacon. Mr. Booream was greatly esteemed, not less for his capacity and energy than for his integrity. He enjoyed the reputation of having a more profound knowledge of the township interests than any other resident, and by his watchfulness and executive ability aided greatly in reducing its expense account.

The death of Mr. Booream occurred Jan. 10, 1879, in his sixty-eighth year. As a useful public man, his place cannot be readily filled. 

HENRY K. HOW. 

The earliest members of the How family, who are of English lineage, located in Burlington, N.J., the grandfather of the subject of this biography having been John How, who was united in marriage to Mary Ann Blanchard. Their children were James, a clergyman who settled in Delaware; William, Anna, Jane, who became Mrs. Fairbairn, and Samuel Blanchard. The last-named son was born Oct. 14, 1790, at Burlington, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1811. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Philadelphia as a minister of the gospel in 1813, and was first settled at Salisbury, Pa. where he remained two years. He was then called to Trenton, N.J., where he resided for five years, after which he accepted the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of New Brunswick. He later removed to Savannah, Ga., where he was for seven years pastor of the Independent Church of that city. After filling for a brief period the presidency of Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, he engaged in a new enterprise in New York, and on the 18th of May, 1832, accepted a call to the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, N.J., where he remained until his resignation, June 14, 1861, on account of failing health. Dr. How’s ministerial labors in New Brunswick were eminently successful. During the twenty-nine years of his pastorate there were received into the membership of the church five hundred and thirty-eight persons on profession, and two hundred and twenty-five by certificate from other churches, in all the large number of seven hundred and sixty-three. His relations with his people were harmonious and cordial, and his death was sincerely lamented by all who knew him.

The doctor was first married to Miss Mary Snowden, to whom were born children: Cornelia (Mrs. Potts), Henry K., and Samuel B., who died in early childhood. Mrs. How died Dec. 12; 1837, and he married a second time, Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Chief Justice Kirkpatrick and his wife, Jane Bayard. Dr. How died March 1, 1868, in his seventy-ninth year, and his wife on the 17th of April, 1882, in her ninetieth year.

Henry K. How was born April 21, 1825, in Savannah, Ga., and during childhood removed with his parents to Carlisle, Pa. He later became a resident of New Brunswick, where he began a course of study preparatory to entering Rutgers College, from which he graduated in 1842. He then entered the Theological Seminary with the intention of studying for the ministry, but was compelled by failing health to relinquish his purpose.

After a brief residence in Texas he engaged in the drug business in New Brunswick, and subsequently removed to Trenton, where he embarked in business. He afterwards returned to New Brunswick, but at the time of his death was a resident of the township North Brunswick. He was married in 1857 to Miss Mary, daughter of John Kinnan, of New Brunswick to whom were born children: John K. and Mary Blanchard. Mr. How was in politics a stanch Democrat, and although at all times manifesting a keen interest in public affairs he cared little for official distinctions, and could not be induced to accept office. His excellent judgment and practical wisdom made his services invaluable to the township of his residence, and measures having for their aim improvements which redounded to the public welfare met from him a hearty sympathy.

He was not only president but one of the founders of the Farmers’ Club of Middlesex County, and member of the State Agricultural Society. Mr. How possessed fine mental endowments and a ripe culture which, had his health enabled him to pursue a professional career, would doubtless have led to distinction in any field of labor. Both himself and wife were members of the First Reformed Dutch Church of New Brunswick. The death of Henry K. How

occurred on Sabbath morning, June 20, 1875, in the fifty-first year of his age. 

PHILLIP KUHLTHAU. 

The town of Oberzell, Kurhessen, Germany, was the early home of the Kuhlthau family, where the grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch was engaged in agricultural employments. He was married and became the father of four children, among whom was John Henry, who was born and resided in the town above named. The latter was married to Barbara Lins, also a native of Oberzell, and had children: Anna Margaretta, Conrad, Phillip, A. Elizabeth, Eva Margaret, Henry, William, Kunigunda, John, Barbara, and Seaman.

Phillip, of this number, was born at Oberzell on the 22d of October, 1829, where his boyhood was spent at school. At the age of sixteen he was employed and filled for two years the position of clerk on the public highway. Having determined to explore the resources of the New World, he, in 1848, emigrated to America, and, landing in New York, finally located in Middlesex Co., N.J. He for two years engaged in farm labor, and was for the succeeding three years employed by the Ford Rubber Company, at Milltown. In August, 1852, he decided to visit the fatherland, mainly for the purpose of seeing again his maternal grandfather, to whom he was strongly attached. On his return the following year he brought to America his parents and their family.

Mr. Kuhlthau again became an employe of the Ford Rubber Company until Apri1, 1855, when he determined to engage in business pursuits, and opened a grocery store at Milltown, in a building 16 by 32 feet in dimensions.

This enterprise steadily increased in magnitude until more spacious apartments were found necessary, and its owner ultimately became one of the leading merchants of the village. He also, in 1856, erected a residence adjoining the store, which he now occupies.

Mr. Kuhlthau was on Feb. 17, 1856, married to Miss Catherine, daughter of Christopher Klein, of Milltown, N.J. They have had children: John H., Philip C., Mary A., Catherine, Conrad W., and three who are deceased.

Mr. Kuhlthau is in politics a Republican, and has been honored by various public offices. He has been freeholder of North Brunswick for two years, member of the township committee for ten years, justice of the peace for five years, commissioner of deeds six years, collector, and postmaster for twelve years of the village of Milltown.

He is a man of much enterprise, and has been active in the purchase of property and the improvement of the village. Mr. Kuhlthau is also a trustee of the Van Liew Cemetery Association. He is in connection with his mercantile enterprises actively engaged in farming. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlthau are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Milltown, of which the former is both trustee and steward.  

* By M.O. Rolfe.

** The ancestor of the family of Voorhees in this section of the country is Stephen Coert, or Koers, who emigrated from Holland in 1660, and settled on Long Island. Having no surname, members of the family subscribed themselves Van Voorhees, or "from before Hees." Stephen Coerte married Willimpie Raelefse, and died about 1684. His son, Lucas Stevense, married on Long Island, and six of his children emigrated to New Brunswick and vicinity. See genealogy of the Bergen family, p. 61.

*** This appears to have been the first division of the township into "road districts."

(4*) And the interest of the surplus State money or other surplus funds deducted.

(5*) And any necessary amount from money in the collectors’ hands not otherwise appropriated.

(6*) And a portion of the previous years’ surplus tax, aggregating $251.67, if needed.

(7*) Largely from a pamphlet entitled "New Brunswick and its Industries," revised to date, with additions.

(8*) Messeroll.

(9*) Buckalew.

(10*) Bodine.