History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
! ff.r': rn. •I..' -i L CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM Date Due Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924092227648 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY NEW JERSEY 1664—1920 UNDER THE ASSOCIATE EDITORSHIP OF JOHN P. WALL AND HAROLD E. PICKERSGILL ASSISTED BY AN Able Corps of Local Historians HISTORICAL—BIOGRAPHICAL Volume II 1921 LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. NEW YORK AND CHICAGO !• ('I; i>'t II UKUVI la-l'i Y II,- l;AI;V HISTORICAL—BIOGRAPHICAL JOHN WELLS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. NEW BRUNSWICK BUCCLEUCH MANSION, NEW BRUNSWICK CHAPTER XXVI. NEW BRUNSWICK—Concluded. The New Brunswick of the present day is preeminently one of the enterprising and progressive cities of the State. The markets of the world are open to her commercial interests and manufacturing indus- tries, located as she is in direct communication and connection with the two populous seaports of the eastern portion of the Nation. The traveler from the East, reclining in his comfortable seat in a Pullman of today, as he approaches the east bank of the Raritan river, sees spread before him the smoke rising towards the heavens from the large brick chimneys of her thriving manufactories, and in the distance the campus and classic college buildings. In his overhead passage, the highways and byways of the city attract his attention, glimpses are caught of twirling trolley cars, and a busy class of people engaged in the various vocations of life. If he is a student of history, he cannot fail to call to his mind the description of Kalm, the great Swedish traveler, and the autocratic New Englander, the second President of the United States, who in voluminous notes more than a century and a half ago recorded their impressions of New Brunswick, then in her infancy. In closing the history of the city we append mention of some of her native born sons and residents who in their chosen professions have gained not only a local but a national reputation. A naval career appealed to Charles Stuart Boggs. His mother was a sister of Captain James Lawrence, who is notable in American history as the commander of the "Chesapeake," and who, when mortally wounded in the engagement with the British frigate "Shannon," gave the famous command, "Don't give up the ship." The future rear- admiral of the United States was born at New Brunswick, New Jersey, January 28, 181 1. When quite young he became a cadet at Captain Patridge's celebrated military academy at Middletown, Connecticut. But the navy was his chosen profession, and on November 26, 1826, he received the appointment of midshipman from the State of New Jersey and was ordered to the Mediterranean squadron, which was engaged in protecting American commerce from Greek pirates. Here three years were passed, the next two years being spent with the West India squadron. Having been appointed passed-midshipman, he was for four years, one year excepted, on land service on board a receiving ship at New York. He joined the ship-of-the-line "North Carolina" in 1836 as master, and on September 6, 1837, was appointed lieutenant. He returned to this country in 1839, when the "North Carolina" was made a school ship in New York harbor. As lieutenant in charge of the 348 MIDDLESEX apprentices, Lieutenant Boggs displayed his fine capacity for command, combining mildness and courtesy of manner with absolute strictness in the enforcement of discipline. The decade between 1840 and 1850 was spent by Lieutenant Boggs on the sloop "Saratoga," on the coast of Africa, bombarding and destroying slave ports. Later, on the steamer "Princeton," in the Mexican War, he took part in the bombardment of San Juan de Ulloa and Tampico. With a boat crew he successfully destroyed the U. S. brig "Truxton," which had surrendered to the Mexicans; this was a mission requiring tact and courage on the part of the commander to prevent the capture of the attacking party. The "Princeton" was ordered to the Mediterranean, and was the first pro- peller to navigate those waters. Lieutenant Boggs, as executive officer of the frigate "St. Lawrence," carried the American contributions to the World's Fair held in London, England, in 1851. His next assignment was as inspector of clothing and provisions at the New York Navy Yard. Here he remained until 1854, and the following year was placed in command of the mail steamer "Illinois," in the service of the Califor- nia Steamship Company. At the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion he requested to be placed in active service, and was given command of the "Varuna," which was ordered to join Farragut's fleet below New Orleans. The "Varuna" was the first ship to force its way past the rebel batteries, but was demolished by the ironclad "Stonewall Jackson." Following the notable command of his famous uncle, Boggs ran the "Varuna" ashore, firing her guns until they were under water. For his gallantry in this unparalleled naval combat, his native city and State each pre- sented him with a sword. Having been commissioned a captain July 16, 1862, he was placed in command of the "Sacramento," of the blockading squadron off Cape Fear river. Here his health failed him and he was obliged to resign. During the last years of the war, he was on shore duty at New York, engaged in superintending the building and fitting out of a fleet of steam picket-boats planned by himself. One of these was the torpedo- boat with which Lieutenant Cushing sank the Confederate ram "Albe- marle." After the close of the war. Captain Boggs cruised in the West Indies, attached to the North Atlantic squadron. He was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral July i, 1870, and g^ven duty as lighthouse inspector of the Third District. He was placed on the retired list in 1873, and died April 22, 1888. A resident of New Brunswick for nearly thirty years was Theodore Sanford Doolittle. His boyhood days were spent in his native town of Ovid, Seneca county. New York, where he was born November 30, 1834. He became a student at Rutgers College in 1855, was one of the editors of the "Rutgers Quarterly," and in his senior year gained the CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK 349 Suydam prize for the best English composition. As a collegian, he familiarized himself with the works of essayists, historians, and poets, was a proficient student in the classics, and became especially versed in the German language. His mastery of this language enabled him to preach to German speaking congregations. Dr. Doolittle entered the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick in 1861, and after his gradua- tion became pastor of a church at Flatlands, Long Island. His pastorate was of short duration, as in 1864 he accepted the chair of rhetoric, logic and metaphysics in Rutgers College. He remained a member of the faculty of the college during his life, was elected vice-president in 1891, and from August, 1890, to February, 1891, acted as president. He was a contributor to magazines, reviewer of important works, a keen critic, and a brilliant writer. An extensive traveler, he twice visited Europe, and also toured the Bahamas, Canada, and the Pacific coast. He died at New Brunswick, April 18, 1893. For nearly a score of years president of Rutgers College, the Rev. William Henry Campbell was a familiar figure to the citizens of New Brunswick. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, September 14, 1808, a son of a merchant of that city. Young Campbell became a student at Dickinson College at the age of sixteen ; after his graduation a year was spent at the Theological Seminary at Princeton. Mr. Campbell's first settlement was as assistant to the Rev. Dr. Andrew Yates, at Chit- tenango. New York. This pastorate included a large number of depen- dent churches, and in the performance of his duties Mr. Campbell con- tracted a throat malady that interrupted his career as a preacher, and from 1834 to 1839 he became principal of Erasmus Hall, Brooklyn, New York. During the next decade he established a church in East New York, and was pastor of the Third Reformed Church at Albany, New York. Returning to educational pursuits in 1848, he accepted the principalship of the Albany Academy, and three years later was called to the professorship of Oriental literature in the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick. Here he also occupied the chair of belles-lettres under the trustees of Rutgers College for twelve years. On the death of Dr. Frelinghuysen, in 1862, after much persuasion on the part of the trustees. Dr. Campbell consented to become his successor as president of the college, and entered with exceptional enthusiasm and ability into the work both of teaching and securing a large endow- ment fund for the institution. During his administration over $300,000 was raised, six new professorships were established, the number of students was doubled, a large geological hall was erected, also a beauti- ful chapel and library under one roof ; an astronomical observatory was erected and thoroughly equipped; an addition made to the grammar school, doubling its accommodations ; and useful buildings were erected on the experimental farm. At the age of seventy-three years. Dr. Camp- 350 MIDDLESEX bell resigned the presidency of the college, and a new professorship was created, "The Chair of Evidences of Christianity," his services being his thus retained by the college until his death, September 7, 1890.