Northampton

Barber & Howe, Historical Collections of the State of New Jersey. 1844

NORTHAMPTON . (pages 85-86)

This township is about 80 miles long, with a breadth varying from 4 to 11 miles. It is bounded NE. by Springfield and Hanover, E. by Monmouth co. and Little Egg Harbor, S. by Washington, W. by Evesham and Chester, and NW. by Willingborough and Burlington. The surface is generally level or undulating. The south and east portion is mostly covered with pines and oaks; the N. and W. part is fertile, and has some of the finest cultivated farms in the state. The township contains 7 grist-m., 11 saw-m.; cap. in manufac. $238,100; 4 academies, 91 students, 6 schools, 386 scholars. Pop. 6,813.

Mount Holly, the seat of justice for Burlington co., is in the west part of the township, on the North branch of the Rancocus, 7 miles east of Burlington, and 19 from Trenton. The village is pleasantly situated, in a very fertile country, and contains the county buildings, 9 mercantile stores, a variety of mechanics, a saw, grist, fulling, plaster, and a paper mill, a woollen factory, a bank, 2 newspaper printing-offices, a large boarding-school, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopal, 2 Methodist, and 1 Baptist church, 2 Friends meeting-houses, between 300 and 400 dwellings, and about 2,000 inhabitants. Mount Holly derives its name from a hill, or mount, seen on the left of the engraving, called Mount Holly from the holly-trees upon it. This eminence, about 200 feet above the level of the sea, is said to be the highest land in the southern portion of New Jersey. From its summit an uninterrupted prospect is had, in every direction-where no “Alps o'er Alps arise;” scarce even the blue outlines of far-off hills are seen mellowing away in the distance. One here beholds the earth beneath, like a carpeted lawn, interspersed with woodland, cultivated fields, and smiling villas.

Southwest View of Mount Holly.

Mount Holly was settled by Friends, not long after the settlement of Burlington. A grist and saw mill was built on the North branch of the Rancocus at an early date. It originally bore the name of Bridgetown, and previous to the American revolution was a village of about 200 houses. “Some porches still remain, on the more ancient dwellings, to revive the recollection of the social manners which once prevailed, when neighbors freely and unceremoniously visited from house to house, taking the porches for their sittings and conversation. They were the delight of the young, for they facilitated visits and acquaintance between the sexes. The moderns scout them, even while they desire their use.”

In the war, Mount Holly was a place of considerable importance. The legislature for a time held its sittings here, and some British troops were temporarily quartered upon the inhabitants. The houses where they resided were designated by numbers, some of which remain, as relics of those perilous times. The late William IV., then a young man, was here with the British troops; between whom and the Americans some slight skirmishes ensued. Musketballs are frequently found on Topetoy hill, and vicinity. The yellow-fever in Philadelphia, in 1793, and the massacre of St. Domingo, filled the town with a surplus population. The French, partaking of the volubility and gaiety of their race, made the place lively with their conversation; forming a strong contrast to the staid, sober, but no less happy Quaker inhabitants, with whom,

“With silent course, which no loud storms annoy,
Glides the smooth current of domestic joy.”

About this period, Stephen Girard, “famous for his riches and gifts,” landed at Egg Harbor, came across the country on a peddling tour, and took up his residence in the village. He lived on the site of Mrs. Rebecca Rogers’ dwelling, in Mill-st., where he opened a cigar-shop, and sold raisins, by the penny's worth, to children. He is said then to have been “a little, unnoticed man, save that the beauty of his wife, whom he married here, worried and alienated his mind.”

View of the County Buildings, Mount Holly.

The courts of the county were removed from Burlington to Mount Holly, in 1796, and the present substantial county buildings soon erected. On the right of the above engraving is the jail, a dark stone structure; the brick edifice, with a cupola, is the courthouse, and the county offices are in two small brick buildings, one of which is seen in the view. There are in the village several elegant dwellings, among which is conspicuous Dunn’s Chinese cottage, erected by the proprietor of the late Chinese Museum in Philadelphia. It is at the base of the mount, at the western entrance of the town, and is a combination of the Chinese and English cottage style. The grounds are tastefully arranged, and the general effect of the whole is light, fanciful, and extremely picturesque. A little north, and also at the foot of the mount, a cemetery has recently been laid out, promising to be, in the course of a few years, one of the most elegant in the country. Among other curiosities of the village is the sign-post, fronting Stryker’s hotel, worthy of notice from having been one of the masts of the Hyder Ali, a noted privateer in the American revolution.

In the war of the revolution a singular cannon was made by a person who afterward lived in the village. It was constructed of wrought-iron staves, hooped like a barrel with bands of the same material, excepting there were four layers of staves breaking joint, all of which were firmly bound together, and then bored and breeched like other cannon. The artisan died only a few years since in Pennsylvania. The annexed notice of his death is from a paper published at the time. “Died on Sunday, the 19th ultimo, William Denning, in the 94th year of his age. The deceased was an artificer in the army of the revolution, —he it was, who in the day of his country’s need, made the only successful attempt ever made in the world to manufacture WROUGHT-IRON CANNON, one of which he completed in Middlesex, Penn., and commenced another and larger one at Mount Holly; but could get no one to assist him who could stand the heat, which is said to have been so severe as to melt the lead buttons on his coat.” The unfinished piece is now in the Philadelphia arsenal. “The one completed was taken by the British at the battle of Brandywine, and is now in the tower of London. The British offered a stated annuity and a large sum to the person who would instruct them in the manufacture of that article; but the patriotic blacksmith preferred obscurity and poverty in his own beloved country, though the country for which he had done so much, kept her purse closed from the veteran soldier until near the period of his decease.”

Woolman House, near Mount Holly.

The above is a representation of the “Woolman Place,” situated a little out of the village of Mount Holly, on the road to Springfield. The house represented was built according to the particular directions of John Woolman, the celebrated travelling preacher among the Friends, and in which his wife and daughter resided after his decease. John Woolman was distinguished for purity of heart and benevolence of principle, one of the genuine nobility of the human race. He was born in Northampton, Burlington co., N. J., in 1720. At a very early age his mind was drawn toward religious subjects. When about eighteen years of age he was powerfully impressed with religious truth, and with a strong and prayerful desire to be delivered from the power of sin.

In his Journal he writes, “I kept steadily to meetings; spent first-days’ afternoon chiefly in reading the scriptures and other good books, and was early convinced in my own mind, that true religion consisted in an inward life, wherein the heart doth love and reverence God the Creator, and learns to exercise true justice and goodness, not only toward all men, but also toward the brute creatures—that as the mind was moved by an inward principle to love God as an invisible, incomprehensible Being, by the same principle it was moved to love him in all his manifestations in the visible world—that as by his breath the flame of life was kindled in all animal sensible creatures, to say we love God as unseen, and, at the same time, exercise cruelty toward the least creature moving by his life, or by life derived from him, was a contradiction in itself. I found no narrowness respecting sects and opinions; but believed that sincere, upright-hearted people in every society, who truly love God, were accepted of him. As I lived under the cross, and simply followed the openings of truth, my mind, from day to day, was more enlightened.”

Mr. Woolman lived with his parents and “wrought on his father’s plantation, till he was about twenty-one years of age, when he hired himself to tend a shop and keep the books of a man who did business at Mount Holly, about five miles from his father’s house. His employer, though a retailer of goods, was by trade a tailor, and kept a servant-man at that business, of whom Mr. Woolman learned his trade. His first religious visit or tour was into East Jersey, in 1743, and in 1749 he was married to Sarah Ellis. Woolman, from the commencement of his religious course, felt himself bound to give his testimony against slavery, then so prevalent in all the colonies, and even to a considerable extent among Friends. He was frequently called to write wills for those who resided in his vicinity, but although a profitable business, he refused to write any in which the right of holding human beings as property was acknowledged.

Until this year, 1756, 1 continued to retail goods, besides following my trade as a tailor, about which time I grew uneasy on account of my business growing too cumbersome. I had begun with selling trimmings for garments, and from thence proceeded to selling cloths and linens; and at length, having got a considerable shop of goods, my trade increased every year, and the road to large business appeared to be open; but I felt a stop in my mind.

Through the mercies of the Almighty, I had, in a good degree, learned to be content with a plain way of living. I had but a small family, and on serious consideration, I believed truth did not require me to engage in much cumbering affairs. It had been my general practice to buy and sell things really useful. Things that served chiefly to please the vain mind in people, I was not easy to trade in; seldom did it; and, whenever I did, I found it weakened me as a Christian. The increase of business became my burden; for, though my natural inclination was toward merchandise, yet I believed Truth required me to live more free from outward cumbers; and there was now a strife in my mind between the two; and in this exercise my prayers were put up to the Lord, who graciously heard me and gave me a heart resigned to his holy will. Then I lessened my outward business, and, as I had opportunity, told my customers of my intentions, that they might consider what shop to turn to, and in a while, wholly laid down merchandise, following my trade as a tailor, myself only, having no apprentice. I also had a nursery of apple-trees, in which I employed some of my time in hoeing, grafting, trimming, and inoculating. In merchandise it is the custom where I lived to sell chiefly on credit, and poor people often get in debt; and when payment is expected, not having wherewith to pay, their creditors often sue for it at law. Having often observed occurrences of this kind, I found it good for me to advise poor people to take such goods as were most useful and not costly.

In the time of trading, I had an opportunity of seeing, that the too liberal use of spirituous liquors, and the custom of wearing too costly apparel, led some people into great inconveniences; and these, two things appear to be often connected one with the other; for, by not attending to that use of things which is consistent with universal righteousness, there is an increase of labor which extends beyond what our heavenly Father intends for us; and by great labor, and often by much sweating, there is, even among such who are not drunkards, a craving of some liquors to revive the spirits; that partly by the luxurious drinking of some, and partly by the drinking of others, (led to it through immoderate labor,) very great quantities of rum are every year expended in our colonies; the greater part of which we should have no need of, did we steadily attend to pure wisdom.

During the French war in 1757, Aug. 9th, the military officers of Burlington county received orders to draft from the militia a body of soldiers to go to the relief of Fort William Henry, then invested by the French and Indians. The militia were reviewed at Mount Holly and sent off under some officers. This was a time of trial for many Friends; but by the forbearance of the officers, such as were drafted were allowed to remain at home.

On the fourth day of the fourth month, in the year 1758, orders came to some officers in Mount Holly, to prepare quarters a short time for about one hundred soldiers; and an officer and two other men, all inhabitants of our town, came to my house; and the officer told me he came to speak with me, to provide lodging and entertainment for two soldiers, there being six shillings a week per man allowed as pay for it. The case being new and unexpected, I made no answer suddenly, but sat a time silent, my mind being inward; I was fully convinced that the proceedings in war are inconsistent with the purity of the Christian religion; and to be hired to entertain men who were then under pay as soldiers, was a difficulty with me. I expected they had legal authority for what they did, and after a short time I said to the officer, If the men are sent here for entertainment, I believe I shall not refuse to admit them into my house. But the nature of the case is such, that I expect I cannot keep them on hire. One of the men intimated that he thought I might do it consistent with my religious principles, to which I made no reply, as believing silence at that time best for me. Though they spake of two, there came only one, who tarried at my house about two weeks, and behaved himself civilly; and when the officer came to pay me, I told him I could not take pay for it, having admitted him into my house in a passive obedience to authority. I was on horseback when he spake to me; and as I turned from him, he said he was obliged to me, to which I said nothing; but thinking on the expression, grew uneasy ; and afterward being near where he lived, I went and told him on what grounds I refused pay for keeping the soldier.

Mr. Woolman died at York, England, while on a religious visit to that country in 1772. His opinions on plainness of dress, &c., was carried to a greater extent than would be thought necessary at this time. In the latter part of his life he allowed his beard to grow, and when of an inconvenient length, clipped it with scissors. He wore clothing of the natural color; the woollen white, the linen flax. The following summary account of his life is from the testimony of the monthly meeting of Friends, prefixed to the volume entitled “The Works of John Woolman.”

A TESTIMONY of the monthly meeting of Friends, held in Burlington, the first day of the eighth month, in the year of our Lord 1774, concerning our esteemed friend, John Woolman, deceased.

He was born in Northampton, in the county of Burlington, and province of West New Jersey, in the eighth month, 1720, of religious parents, who instructed him very early in the principles of the Christian religion, as professed by the people called Quakers, which he esteemed a blessing to him, even in young years, tending to preserve him from the infection of wicked children; but through the workings of the enemy, and levity incident to youth, he frequently deviated from those parental precepts, by which he laid a renewed foundation for repentance, that was finally succeeded by a godly sorrow not to be repented of, and so became acquainted with that sanctifying power which qualifies for true gospel ministry, into which he was called about the twenty-second year of his age; and by a faithful use of the talents committed to him, he experienced an increase, until he arrived at the state of a father capable of dividing the word aright to the different states he ministered unto, dispensing milk to babes, and meat to those of riper years. Thus he found the efficacy of that power to arise, which, in his own expressions, “prepares the creature to stand like a trumpet through which the Lord speaks to his people.” He was a loving husband, a tender father, and very humane to every part of the creation under his care.

His concern for the poor and those in affliction, was evident by his visits to them, whom he frequently relieved by his assistance and charity. He was for many years deeply exercised on account of the poor enslaved Africans, whose cause, as he sometimes mentioned, lay almost continually upon him, and to obtain liberty to those captives, he labored both in public and in private, and was favored to see his endeavors crowned with considerable success. He was particularly desirous that Friends should not be instrumental to lay burdens on this oppressed people, but remember the days of suffering from which they had been providentially delivered, that if times of trouble should return, no injustice dealt to those in slavery might rise in judgment against us; but, being clear, we might on such occasions address the Almighty with a degree of confidence, for his interposition and relief, being particularly careful as to himself, not to countenance slavery even by the use of those conveniences of life which were furnished by their labor.

He was desirous to have his own and the minds of others redeemed from the pleasures and immoderate profits of this world, and to fix them on those joys which fade not away; his principal care being after a life of purity, endeavoring to avoid not only the grosser pollutions, but those also which, appearing in a more refined dress, are not sufficiently guarded against by some well-disposed people. In the latter part of his life he was remarkable for the plainness and simplicity of his dress, and as much as possible avoiding the use of plate, costly furniture, and feasting; thereby endeavoring to become an example of temperance and self-denial, which he believed himself called unto, and was favored with peace therein, although it carried the appearance of great austerity in the view of some. He was very moderate in his charges in the way of business, and in his desires after gain; and, though a man of industry, avoided and strove much to lead others out of extreme labor and anxiousness after perishable things, being desirous that the strength of our bodies might not be spent in procuring things unprofitable, and that we might use moderation and kindness to the brute animals under our care, to prize the use of them as a great favor, and by no means abuse them; that the gifts of Providence should thankfully be received and applied to the uses for which they were designed.

He several times opened a school at Mount Holly for the instruction of poor Friends’ children and others, being concerned for their help and improvement therein. His love and care for the rising youth among us was truly great, recommending to parents and those who have the charge of them, to choose conscientious and pious tutors, saying, “It is a lovely sight to behold innocent children,” and that “to labor for their help against that which would mar the beauty of their minds, is a debt we owe them.”

His ministry was sound, very deep and penetrating, sometimes pointing out the dangerous situation which indulgence and custom leads into, frequently exhorting others, especially the youth, not to be discouraged at the difficulties which occur, but press after purity. He often expressed an earnest engagement that pure wisdom should be attended to, which would lead into lowliness of mind and resignation to the Divine will, in which state small possessions here would be sufficient.

In transacting the affairs of discipline, his judgment was sound and clear, and he was very useful in treating with those who had done amiss; he visited such in a private way, in that plainness which truth dictates, showing great tenderness and Christian forbearance. He was a constant attender of our yearly meeting, in which he was a good example, and particularly useful; assisting in the business thereof with great weight and attention. He several times visited most of the meetings of Friends in this and the neighboring provinces, with the concurrence of the monthly meeting to which he belonged, and we have reason to believe had good service therein, generally or always expressing at his return, how it had fared with him, and the evidence of peace in his own mind for thus performing his duty. He was often concerned with other Friends in the important service of visiting families, which he was enabled to go through with satisfaction.

In the minutes of the meeting of ministers and elders for this quarter, at the foot of the list of members for that meeting, made about five years before his death, we find in his handwriting the following observation and reflection:—“As looking over the minutes made by persons who have put off this body, hath sometimes revived in me a thought how many ages pass away; so this list may probably revive a thought in some when I and the rest of the persons aboved-named are centred in another state of being. The Lord who was the guide of my youth, hath in tender mercies helped me hitherto; he hath healed me of wounds; he hath helped me out of grievous entanglements ; he remains to be the strength of my life; to whom I desire to devote myself in time and eternity." Signed, John Woolman.

In the twelfth month, 1771, he acquainted this meeting that he found his mind drawn toward a religious visit to Friends in some parts of England, particularly Yorkshire. In the first month, 1772, he obtained our certificate, which was approved and endorsed by our quarterly meeting of ministers and elders at Philadelphia. He embarked on his-voyage on the fifth and arrived in London on the sixth month following, at the time of their annual meeting in that city. During his short visit to Friends in that kingdom, we are informed that his services were acceptable and edifying. In his last illness he uttered many lively and comfortable expressions, being “perfectly resigned, having no will either to live or to die,” as appears by testimony of Friends at York, in Great Britain, in the suburbs whereof, at the house of our friend Thomas Priestman, he died of the small-pox, on the seventh day of the tenth month, 1772, and was buried in Friends, burying-ground in that city, on the ninth of the same, after a large and solid meeting held on the occasion, at their great meeting-house, aged nearly fifty-two years; a minister upwards of thirty years, during which time he belonged to Mount Holly particular meeting, which he diligently attended when at home and in health of body, and his labors of love and pious care for the prosperity of Friends in the blessed Truth, we hope may not be forgotten, but that his good works may be remembered to edification.

Signed in and by order of the said meeting by Samuel Allinson, Clerk.

Read and approved at our quarterly meeting, held at Burlington, the 29th of the 8th month, 1774.

Signed by order of said meeting, Daniel Smith, Clerk.

Lumberton, two and a half miles from Mount Holly, on the south branch of the Rancocus, contains a store, a glass manufactory, a saw-mill, a Methodist church, and 45 dwellings. It lies at the head of navigation. A considerable number of vessels, sloops, scows, &c., run from here to Philadelphia with lumber and charcoal. A little more than half a century since, there were only 11 dwellings in the place. The names of some of the inhabitants at that period were Solomon Gaskell, a blind preacher; Joseph and Richard Edwards, storekeepers; Eber More, carpenter; John Wilson, tanner; John Barefoot, James Rogers, John Armstrong, and Isaac and Thomas Smith. Eayrs-town, three and a half miles from Mount Holly, on the south branch of the Rancocus, has a grist, saw, and a fulling mill, and about 20 dwellings. Shreve's Mills are two and a half miles from Mount Holly, on the North branch of the Rancocus. Buddstown, on the Stop-the-jade creek, about eight miles from the courthouse, on the edge of the pines, contains 2 stores, a saw-mill, several mechanics, and about 30 dwellings. Birmingham, four miles E. of Mount Holly, on the North branch of the Rancocus, contains a grist, saw, and fulling mill, and about 20 dwellings. There are several other localities, Situated principally among the pines. They are Red Lion, Mount Misery, Ong’s Hat, Burr’s Mills, White Horse, Friendship, Pine Cabin, Tabernacle, Retreat Factory, Prickets, Mary Ann, Half-Way, Turpentine, and Timbuctoo. Vincent-town, five miles SE. of Mount Holly, at the junction of Stop-the-jade creek with the South branch of the Rancocus, is a flourishing village, mostly grown up since the revolutionary war.

Central View in Vincent-town.

The village is compactly built, principally on a single street, with a slight elevation to the southeast, of which the annexed view, taken near the store of R. H. Woolston, is a representation. It contains 4 stores, a grist, saw, and turning mill, an extensive tannery, a select school, 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist church, and a Friends meeting, 90 dwellings, and about 600 inhabitants. In this vicinity excellent building-stone is found. There was anciently a settlement of Indians about a mile west of Vincent-town, on Quakeson creek, where stood a log church, in which the Rev. John Brainard, a brother of the celebrated missionary, occasionally preached. This clergyman lived at Mount Holly during the American revolution, in a dwelling now occupied by John Gibson, in the E. part of Brainard-st., where he died. The Presbyterian church in which he officiated at Mount Holly, was burnt in the war; whether by accident or design is unknown.

The following account of a hermit, residing near the western line of the township over 60 years since, is extracted from a newspaper of the time.

On the 19th inst. (Jan. 1778) died, in the 66th year of his age, Francis Furgler, the hermit, who existed alone twenty-five years, in a thick wood about four miles from Burlington, through all the inclemencies of the seasons, without fire, in a cell made by the side of an old log, in the form of an oven, not high or long enough to stand upright in, or lie extended. His recluse manner of living excited the curiosity of strangers, by whom he was often visited. His reasons for thus secluding himself from human society we believe he never communicated to any person in these parts, but it is thought he meant by it to do penance for crimes committed in his own country; for he was a man subject to violent passions. He subsisted upon nuts, and the charity of the people in the neighborhood. From whence he came, or who he was, nobody could find out, but appeared to be by his dialect a German, yet he spoke that language imperfectly, either through design, or from some defect in his intellects. The evening before his death a friend carried him a little nourishment, of which be partook, earnestly praying for his dissolution; and would not suffer himself to be removed to a more comfortable dwelling. Next morning be was found dead in his cell, with a crucifix and a brass fish by his side; and on the 20th he was decently interred in Friends’ burying-place at Mount Holly.