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History of Town of Westfield New Jersey

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History of Town of Westfield New Jersey OLD PRESR'TTP:I~IAS CHVRCH. ISOX-1~61.CORSER OF P.RO.\D STREET XSD JIOT-S- TAUSAVF:SI'E. TlIE TJITltD C1IZ'I:CII OX I'I:I,:ST:ST SITIC. 1A)i; C!II~'l:l~~IJ1l!TOR TO 173.5; I'ItAAIE: I{CILI)ISG. 173>-lh@3: SECOSL, FI'.h.\IE RC'ILXJISC. 1803-1861; PRESEST BUILUISG ERECTED 1861 HISTORY TOWN OF WESTFIELD UNION COUNTY, .NEW JERSEY BY CHARLES A. PHILHOWER, M. A. New York Lewis Historical Publishing Company 1923 COPYRIGHT CHARLES A. PHILHOWER Genealogyinprint.com FOREWORD The history of the Town of Westfield has strongly appealed to the author of this brief review. The subject is capable of limitless research. While some work has been done, there is still more left undone than has yet been accomplished. The Indian history of this section is much obscured in oblivion. Accounts of the early settlements are still buried in the archives of our libraries, and in private manuscripts and maps. The general aspect of the Revolutionary period is generally recorded in print, and the odd moments of two years of investigation have been i~o- ductive of a chronological account of WestfieId's part in the great con ict. The history of the Town subsequent to these early periods is here presented in a fragmentary way at best. However, it will be to some extent of value to those who may wish to set forth the town records in greater detail. Tradition, old manuscripts, Westfield Presbyterian Church Records, Town Records, Hunting's sermon, Edgar's sermon, Hatfield's "History of Elizabethtown," Clayton's "History of Union County," Ricord's "History of Union County" and Whitehead's "Proprietors of East Jersey" (1st and md editions) are sources that have been of great service in following up and verifying lines of interest. Expression of appreciation and gratitude is herewith made to all who gave assistance in assembling material and giving information. Special help has been rendered by ex-Mayor Henry W. Evans, Mrs. H. W. Rob- erts, Major Leigh M. Pearsall, Hon. Arthur N. Pierson, Mr. Robert Woodruff, Mr. Oliver Pierson, and Mr. G. E. Ludlow. This work has been done with the desire to further establish the history of the Town and community, and is offered to the public with no thought of its being an exhaustive treatment. It may not be free from error. However, every effort has been made in so far as possible within the time available to substantiate all statements made, and conclusions drawn. C. A. P. January 6, 1923. / Genealogyinprint.com Genealogyinprint.com CONTENTS P Geological Story ............................................................... Formation of land area-Trap rock eruption-Glacial period-Prehistoric man-Paleolithic, neolithic, argillitic and flint cultures. Indian Inhabitants .............................................................. Lenni Levape, Unami sub-tribe-Minisink Trail (cultures)-Sanhicans or Raritans-Indran ltfe, Indran names, red sandstone mortars. Early Settlement ............................................................... Inroads of the Dutch, 1650-English settlement at Elizabeth Town, 1664- Purchases from the Indians-Baker tract-Presbyterianism established-First settlement in Westfield, 1695-'West Fields" of Elizabeth Town. Prior to the Revolution.. ....................................................... Early inhabitants-Presbyterian and Episcopal rivalry-Slave trade-Negro uprisings-Eliibeth Town claims-lottery craze. Revolutionary War ............................................................ Effect of Stamp Act-First Continental Congress-Cry "To Arms9'--Cap ture of "Blue Mountain Valleys'-Abraham Clark-Washington's retreat across New Jersey-British depredations-First battle of Springfield-First retreat of British-Washington stops at house of Sam'l Downer--General Maxwell sta- tioned in Westfield-British at New Brunswick-"Jersey Blues" under Captain Littell-Washington at Middlebrook-"Aunt Betty Frazee9'-British encamp in Wesffield, June 26, 1777-British withdrawal June q-General Dickinson invades Staten Island-Failure of British campaign-"London Trading"-Sec- ond encampment at Middlebrook-Washington visits military post at Wesffield- Severe winter of 177g-&Mad Anthony Wayne in charge of post at Westfield -Second battle of Springfield-Retreat through Westfield-Church bell stolen- "Old One Horn" captured-British raiding parties-Death of Reverend James Caldwell. Presbyterian Church ............................................................ Ministry of John Dickinson-Lag church in Westfield-First minister Nathaniel Hubbel-Purchase of present church property-First board of trus- tees and founders--Original frame building-Reverend Benjamin Woodruff, minister-Burial grounds-Revolutionary soldiers-The original chapel-First Sunday school-List of pastors. Some Old Houses.. ............................................................. Badgly houseConnet house-Scudder homestead-House of Sam'l Downer -Littell homestead. Westfield Township ............................................................ Organization, 17%-Minutes of first annual meeting-Celebration in 1894. Growth of Community.. ........................................................ Center of town-Early dress and customs-Town in 1794-In 1834-111 18j0-Farming activities-Mining-Feltville-Thvel to New York, 1750- Elizabeth Town and Somerville Railroad, 1831--Growth since 18&-Water supply-Public Library-Atlas Lodge-Children's Country Home-Newspapers -Post Office. Inns, Storis and Hotels.. ....................................................... Thomas Baker Inn-Westfield Tavern-Store of Abba Stiles. Doctors ........................................................................ War of 1812.. .................................................................. Westfield's response-Speech of Lieut. Sam'l Y. Clark--Great Seal of State left in Wesffield. Civil War .............. .,...................................................... Westfield met its quota-Civil War veterans. Genealogyinprint.com TOWN OF WESTFIELD PAGR The Town of Westfield.. ........................................................ 60 Incorporated 1903--Mayors, Welles and Grant-Mayor Randolph Perk&- Mayor Augustus L. Alpers-Mayor J. Alton Dennis-Mayor Henry W. EIIIII -War activities-Era of progress, 1918-Morgan disaster-Mayor Paul Q. Olive+Mayor Merton D. Littlefield. Schools of Westfield.. ........................................................... 64 District schools-Early supervision-District No. I-District No. eFwt school in the town-Prospect School-Lincoln School--Other buildihgs-Ted- ers-Private schools-Activities of schools during the war. Parks .........................................................................as Mindowaskin dedicated-Historic pageant of 1920. Churches ...................................................................... 70 Methodist, 1850-Baptist, 1865-Episcopal, 186/--Catholic, 181- gational, 188a Westfield and the World War.. .................................................' 13 Preparation-Fourth of July Parade, 1916-Declaration of War, iplp ' Organization of town-National Guard-American Red Cross-Mercy Gmi- mitt-Selective Service Act-Departure of First Quota-Farm and Gordm activitieeTraining camps-Liberty Loan and sundry "drives"-Cold winter of 1918-Water and coal shortage-Mindowaskin Park celebration-State Militia Reserves-First casualties-Morgan disaster-Influenza epidemic-Armistia;- Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense Gold Star Men.. ............................................................... .81 Honor Roll .................................................................... 4 Four-Minute-Men .............................................................. 9 Chronology ................................................................... 93 ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE First Presbyterian Church. ..............................................Frontispke Map Showing Baker Tract. ......................................................I? Westfield in Revolutionary Times.. .............................................. 12 Old David Pierson Home.. ..................................................... 17 Gideon Ross Farm.. .............................................................. Old Stitt Place. .................................................................31 Original Presbyterian Church Plot.. ............................................. 4 List of Seats in Church in 1803.. .................\..............................rl;r Old Benjamin Pierson Home .................................................... 51 Public Library-Central Railroad Station.. ...................................... 5( Westfidd Inn .................................................................. 56 Lawrence Clark Homestead.. .................................................... 6q Old Brick Academy.. ........................?. ................................ 67 Genealogyinprint.com TOWN OF WESTFIELD Geological Story-If the reader could turn back the hands of the clock 'of time some millions of years he would find the land where the beauti- ful town of Westfield is now located, far beneath the ocean waves, clouded over with impending sediment washed from the iron permeated forma- tions of the great Appalachian mountain system. Erosion continued on these stormswept mountains until thousands of feet of silty sands were deposited on the ocean floor, and the red sandstone of this section was the result. As time passed, the-temperature of both the air and the water grew warmer. Stwarms of animal life filled the waters of the sea and impenetrable jungles of plant life covered the land.
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