YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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ooiaerville as It real
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'I give thefe Books
for the founding cf a College in this Colony"

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Somerville As It Really Is

ERRATA
^ In Judge Bergen's article, " Somerset County : A Able Resume,'
" Indians' Ferry " should read " Inian's Ferry." Also word " securities "
should read " sureties."
^ In iVIr. Hoagland's article "Historical Houses," descriplive of the Wallace
House, it should read " owned by the Revolutionary IVlemorial Society of
New Jersey."

SOMER VILLE
AS IT REALL Y IS

Copyright, 1909, by Nation Press, New York

Issued hy Board of Trade
Somerville, N. J.

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Photo Ity C. 8. Oernert, BomerinUe

Somerset County Court Mouse, Somerville

SOMERVILLE AS IT REALLY IS
By C. P. HOAGLAND
ALONG with the many natural advantages of Somerville that
go to make up a most beautiful and healthful section of
New Jersey, peculiarly adapted to the metropolitan home-seeker,
are the business opportunities that have been taken advantage of
in the past by hustling young men, and which enterprises are
now on the safe road to success. These young men have in the
past ten years built up mercantile establishments in Somerville
that rank high in every particular, with the stores of the city
merchants. By their business methods they have brought thou
sands of dollars' worth of new business to Somerville, and each
year sees a larger investment of capital in a ntimber of the grow
ing institutions. Somerville stores in every line are models of
practical modern business methods and every article on the mar
ket, from a paper of pins to the highest priced automobile, can
be purchased on Main Street at prices many times less than the
same goods are sold for in the city markets.
Since Somerville's younger generation took hold of business
enterprises, which even extended to the local government, which
within a year has been changed from the antiquated town form
to the modern borotigh act, things have been booming. By
judicious advertising Somerville merchants have thoroughly suc
ceeded in making it known that this is the place to shop, and every
day one can see hundreds of people from the surrounding coun
try come here in wagons, automobiles, trolleys and trains. They
go home laden with packages of goods purchased here. There
is a variety of merchandise manufactured here that is sold all
over the world. Orders for goods from Japan, Russia and even
from distant Africa have been manufactured here for some time.
The largest concern in the borough is the Somerville Iron Works,
which are now paying out in wages to their employees, about one
quarter million dollars per year. They manufacture soil pipe
which is shipped all over the country. The Carbon Stove and
Range Company have shipped their ranges to many foreign coun
tries, and are constantly receiving orders from all over the United
States. The Somerville Manufacturing Company manufactures

woolen cloth and not long ago ranked with the largest concern
of its kind in the East. The Glen Rock Woolen Company do a
mail order business in men's clothing and during the last four
)'ears have built up a large establishment.
The borough has three newspapers. They are the Somerset
Democrat, Umonist-Ga::ctte and Somerset Messenger. Their
circulations cover the entire county, and nearly every Somerville
merchant is an advertiser. They are published in eight page
forms and are clean, bright and interesting. The Somerset Demo
crat and Somerset Messenger cater to Democratic politics, while
the Unionist-Gazette champions the Repubhcan interests of the
borough and county. The printing business also is an important
industry, and in the three offices conducted by the newspapers,
any jol) of printing can be done as well and much cheaper than
in the cities. As a consequence the newest and most modern
printing machinery has been installed in these plants especially
to compete Avith metropolitan printers.
The trades of Somerville are all organized and labor conditions
are on a high plane. Only minor labor difficulties have marred
the existence of the organizations and the unions are conducted
for the benefit of both the employer and employees.
In Raritan, a mile away, and connected by trolley and train
service, are the large plants of the Raritan Woolen Mills and
the Somerset Manufacturing Company. Though these plants
have not been operated in full capacity since the panic of 1907,
they are now making several lines of new goods and their pros
pects for running on full time in the near future are very en
couraging. D. R. Kenyon & Sons are manufacturers of woolen
mill machinery and they have shipped their modern machines to
all parts of the world. There are many available factory sites in
Somerville with good railroad facilities, and it will only be a short
time when Somerville will be noted as one of the manufacturing
centres of New Jersey.
The banking business of Somerville is taken care of by two
large and flourishing institutions, which are conducted along safe
and conservative Hues. The First National Bank, with nearly
one million and a half in resources, caters to a larg'e number of
patrons. It is located in the center of the town in its own build
ing, which is equipped with the most modern burglar and fire-

proof vaults. The Second National Bank is the younger institu
tion of the two, but is rapidly increasing its business, and by
efficient and capable management ranks high in the list of nation
al banks in New Jersey. It also has a savings department. The
Somerville Dime Savings Bank is one of the most prosperous
banks of its kind in New Jersey. It is located on Division Street
in its own building and by careful and conservative business meth
ods has established a large clientele. The Raritan Savings Bank
of Raritan is also a growing institution and cares for the savings
of a large number of the thrifty mill operators of that town. The
Citizens' Building Loan and the People's Building Loan of Somer
ville have been successfully operating for many years, and thou
sands of dollars which have been paid in on shares in these Asso
ciations have been reinvested in Somerville and Raritan homes.
Above all things, Somerville is proud of its volunteer fire de
partment. There are four companies housed in modern homes
of their own with all the latest fire fighting apparatus. The
Lincoln Chemical Engine Company with their handsome ap
paratus and speedy team, have thirty-five men enrolled and they
are usually the first to answer the borough fire alarm. Central
Hook and Ladder Company have fifty men enrolled and own a
modern apparatus. They also have a team of horses ready at all
times for fire duty. Somerville Engine Company No. i have a
new home with all the latest appliances for fire fighting. Their
steamer has recently been rebuilt and is in excellent condition.
The West End Hose Company with forty men have saved thou
sands of dollars worth of property since they were organized.
They have a fire house on Dotighty Avenue and maintain a social
organization. Somerville boasts of one of the finest court houses in the State
of New Jersey. The building, completed at a cost of $300,000,
is located on the county property between Bridge and Grove
Streets. All the county officers are under its one roof. The
building is of white Alabama marble and makes a most imposing
appearance. The new armory of Company M. on Grove Street
and the new fountain erected to the memory of the late John H.
Lord add greatly to the beauty of the county grounds.
The Somerville Public Library has a cos)^ home on Maple
Street and is well stocked with the best literature and reference

books of the day. The postal and railroad facilities of Somerville
have aided largely in the steady growth of the various business
enterprises. The post office is equipped with fr^e delivery ser
vice and rural carriers that cover a large territory. There are
thirteen mails received daily and as many or more dispatched to
all parts of the world.
The Central Railroad has always given Somerville good rail
road facilities and there are now thirty trains daily to and from
New York. The trains in the morning run at half hour inter
vals to accommodate the large commuting element who long ago
saw the advantage of living in Somerville. The average run
ning time to New York is a little over an hour for the locals, but
all the express trains make the run in an hour. The Public Ser
vice trolley line extends through Somerville to Raritan and from
that point New York, Newark, Philadelphia and Trenton may all
be reached by this company's network of lines. When the New
Jersey Central complete their tube connections from Jersey City
to New York, Somerville will be less than an hour from Broad
way. But even better than this, plans are now being perfected
by the Central to electrify their road to Somerville which will
then bring the Somerville commuter within "45 minutes of
Broadway." These improvements will forever uphold property
values in and about Somerville.
Building operations in Somerville were exceedingly quiet for
several years, but within the past two years there have been many
pretty homes erected and several business properties. The ten
dency is for modern structures throughout and since the New
Yorker has been here and found that this was the ideal com
munity, there have been many changes from the old to the modern.
East Somerville a few years ago was nothing more or less than
farm lands, but to-day one sees a pretty addition to the borough
with many beautiful and modern homes. The prospect for con
tinued growth in this direction is most encouraging. North
Somerville has already taken a boom and the prospects point to
a large development in this section in the next few years. Build
ing lots can be purchased in this section now at prices that should
prove most interesting to the person who is tired of paying rent.
The social life of Somerville is featured in many ways and
serves as a good excuse for anyone to make it their home. There

are clubs for both sexes, and a series of amateur theatricals an
nually result from these organizations. The older men enjoy
their social meetings in the Bachelor Club which has been estab
lished about forty years. The younger men are members of the
Somerville Athletic Club which has a large membership and is
active in the entertainments of the town. The men also have
their fraternal organizations and nearly every secret order in ex
istence is represented here by the numerous lodges. The ladies
have their card clubs and organizations for charitable work.
Noted among these is General Frelinghuysen Chapter D. A. R.
This body holds monthly meetings and several events during the
year take place at the celebrated Wallace House, which is of Revo
lutionary fame and once sheltered General George Washington
during the war for independence.
Another noted woman's work in Somerville is the Somerset
Hospital, which has passed its tenth birthday and is now one of
the most commodious and modern hospitals in New Jersey. This
great work is largely carried on by the Woman's Auxiliary Board
and requires most of their time and attention, but their labors in
the past have been amply rewarded by the wonderful results that
have been accomplished. From a small emergency hospital it
has now grown to a large institution. Experienced nurses are
in constant charge and the medical stafif is composed of the most
noted physicians and surgeons in New Jersey.
To sum up : What more could be said — either by the home-
seeker, lover of pleasure, or the man who has money to invest
in business ? Somerville is not a city. It is a big, healthy, grow
ing town and its future is in the ascendency. A few months ago
a large fire destroyed two big manufacturing plants, making a
loss of $100,000, but this did not put them out of business, or
drive them away. To-day these plants are rebuilt on a larger
scale, and doing more business than before. In spite of the many
ofifers from other places, they wisely remained in Somerville for
their future home and where they had before built up their large
establishments. Good roads, fine shaded streets, good sidewalks,
sewer, water supply, trolleys, in fact every public utility added to
what Somerville naturally had, makes it a mighty good place to
live in and work.

Mountain Avenue looking South from High Street

SOMERSET COUNTY: AN ABLE
RESUME
By HON. JAMES J. BERGEN
Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey
THE County of Somerset was created by an act of the Provin
cial Assembly on May 14, 1688, and its boundaries are
therein recited as follows : "Beginning at the mouth of the Bound
Brook where it empties into the Raritan River, and to run up
the said brook to the meeting of Bound Brook with Green Brook,
and from the said meeting to run a northwest line into the hills ;
and upon the southwest side of the Raritan River to begin at a
small brook where it empties itself into the Raritan about sev
enty chains below the Bound Brook, and from thence to run up
a southwest line to the uttermost line of the province, to be di
vided from the said County of Middlesex, and thereafter to be
deemed and taken a county of this province; and that the same
county be called the County of Somerset."
This description shows that there were but three boundary
lines named, one was the Bound Brook on the east, another a line
from the junction of the Bound Brook with the Green Brook to
run in a northwest line into the hills ; and the third began in what
is now Franklin township on the river bank, seventy chains be
low the mouth of the Bound Brook, and from thence in a south
west line to the uttermost line of the province. This ran through
Franklin and Montgomery townships, southwesterly, until it
struck the dividing line between East and West Jersey, for, as
the act was passed by the Provincial Assembly for East Jersey,
the expression the province was manifestly intended to mean the
Province of East Jersey. No western boundary was given, nor
was there any legislation providing for the creation of a munici
pal government, or authority given to select and appoint officers,
and if such officers were appointed and acted, it must have been
under some implied power drawn from the general statutes, the
common law, or power arbitrarily exercised.
On January 21, 1 710, an act was passed changing the boun
daries, and making them more definite. As described, the line
began where the Bound Brook enters into the Raritan River and
followed the river to the mouth of a stream called Lawrence's

Brook, some distance below the city of New Brunswick. The
line then followed the course of the brook northwesterly, until it
struck "the great road that leads from Indians' Ferry to Cran
berry Brook"; from thence it ran southwesterly to Sanpinck
Brook; then down that brook to the division line of the province;
from thence it followed the division line, to the Essex County
hne; then easterly along that line to the Green Brook, and then
followed the Green Brook and Bound Brook to the beginning.
On March 15, 1714, the boundary line between Somerset and
Middlesex was again changed, and it was made to begin where
the road crosses the River Raritan at Indians' Ferry and to fol
low the road leading towards the Falls of the Delaware, until it
struck the eastern division of the Province of East Jersey. By
this change all of the city of New Brunswick lying south of the
great road to the Falls of the Delaware, being Albany Street
within the limits of New Brunswick, was taken from Somerset
and given to Middlesex. Indians' Ferry was located at the foot
of Albany Street and took its name from the owner and manager
of a ferry across the Raritan at that point.
On November 24, 1790, "the middle of the main six rod road
as established by law from the ferry at the city of New Bruns
wick formerly called Indians' Ferry to the boundary line of the
County of Hunterdon, on the road to Trenton," was declared to
be the boundary line between Somerset and Middlesex, and in
1850, the boundary line between Somerset and Middlesex was
changed, and so much of the County of Somerset as lies southerly
of the Mile Run Brook, between the Raritan River and the stage
road was set ofif to the County of Middlesex.
Other acts have been passed at different periods, some for
the better defining of the lines of the county, and others making
radical changes, but beyond the taking of a portion of the coun
ty to create, in part, the County of Mercer, no appreciable part
of our territory has been set off to another jurisdiction. The
burning of the court house at Millstone by the British soldiers
during the Revolutionary War destroyed many valuable records
and documents, the loss of which has made it difficult to trace the
institution of our courts and the practice followed in conducting
them with any degree of certainty. What judges presided, how
often they met, and the character of the cases heard and deter-

mined was all a matter of record, which if preserved would have
afforded the means for an intelligent presentation of the subject,
the loss of which makes the result of such an effort as mine un
satisfactory. It is not my intention to give in detail a history of the erec
tion and destruction of the successive court houses which have
existed in this county, for that work has been as successfully done
by others as the material at hand will permit; still as the place
where a court is held cannot well be disconnected from a narra
tive of the establishment of the court, I shall briefly refer to the
subject. While the county was created in 1688, it was not until
February 28, 1714, that authority was conferred to build a court
house. Under this act a court house and jail were built near
Six Mile Run. The precise time of its erection cannot be fixed,
but as the act of 1714 required the county to observe certain
regulations looking to that end, among which was a direction to
select a manager who should have charge of the building, we
have a right to assume that action looking to that end was taken
within a reasonable time. This building was accidentally de
stroyed by fire, and on March 15, 1739, an act was passed for the
building of another court house in this county. This act provided
that the location for the new court house should be ascertained
by an election, which resulted in the selection of Millstone, after
ward called Hillsborough, as the place for the building of the
court house, and it must have been completed as early as 1746,
because about that time the jail was broken into by rioters and a
prisoner released. This building was destroyed by the British in
1779, and with it all the records except the road book and some
books of mortgages.
The book of minutes of the Board of Freeholders under date
of May 10, 1780, shows that the county paid one hundred and
twenty-five pounds and five shillings to Cornelius Lott, for hiring
and paying men to collect the iron and bricks belonging to the
county, found after the court house had been "burned by the
enemy." The same minutes show that on April 10, 1781, a
meeting of the Board of Justices and Freeholders was held pur
suant to an advertisement, at the house of Cornelius Tunison, at
Raritan, now Somerville, for the purpose of raising money to
build a jail, and that at that meeting the sheriff laid before the

board the difficulties he labored under for want of a place to con
fine prisoners committed to his charge, and requested the board
to erect a jail. A motion was made to raise the money to erect
a jail at or near Tunison' s Tavern, the place selected by a vote
of the county agreeable to law, but the motion was lost, five vot
ing in the affirmative and six in the negative, those voting in the
affirmative being the representatives who lived north of the river ;
and in the negative those living south of the river. An analysis
of this vote leads to the belief that the majority of those present
were not disposed tp yield gracefully to the vote of the county,
removing the court house from Hillsborough to Raritan. At a
meeting of the board, held at the same place January 14, 1782, it
was voted to raise the money to build a jail; and on September 6,
1782, the board voted to join with the congregation of Raritan
in building a court house to be used jointly by the congregation
and the county, in pursuance of which a building was erected
under an arrangement with the congregation of the Raritan
Church by which the county was to refund to the congregation
their proportion of the cost whenever the agreement should be dis
solved. This arrangement did not continue very long, the first
meeting of the Board of Freeholders in the new court house be
ing May 12, 1784, and on May 10, 1786, Mr. Frelinghuysen, on
behalf of the congregation requested the board to order a suf
ficient sum of money to be raised by taxation to repay the congre
gation its constribution for building the court house, the congre
gation having decided to withdraw from its joint ownership with
the county, and the following year the county paid to Peter D.
Vroom, trustee of the Raritan congregation, two hundred and
twenty-eight pounds, six shillings and ninepence, being the
amount agreed upon by appraisers as due to the congregation.
The jail appears to have been insufficiently constructed, because
at nearly ever}^ meeting of the Board of Freeholders the sheriff
of the county, for his own protection, filed a protest with the board
stating that he was unable to hold the prisoners committed to his
charge because of the insecurity of the jail, and on January 3,
1797, a motion was made for the building of a new court house
and jail, which was lost, six voting in the affirmative and six in
the negative, the affirmative votes all coming from those living
on the north side of the Raritan River, but on January 3, 1798, it

was decided by a vote of ten to five to erect a new court house and
jail to be built of brick. This court house was placed on the lot
where the present court house now stands, and is the present
building except as remodeled, radically, in 1849, and since then
in other ways not important. With this short resume of the
places in which our courts have been held, I now turn to the
consideration of the establishment of the courts, and such mci-
dents as I have been able to gather relating to the character of
the administration of justice in this county. This of necessity
will be desultory, and to a degree unsatisfactory, because of the
impossibility, owing to the destruction of all the records m the
Millstone Court House at the time it was burned, of obtaining the
material for a connected or full account.
On January 21, 1710, an act was passed for dividing and
ascertaining the boundaries of all the counties in the province
of New Jersey, to which I have above referred. Section 10 of
this act, after declaring that "whereas at present there is not as
yet a competent number of inhabitants in the County of Somerset
for the holding of courts and for juries," ordained that the Coun
ty of Somerset should be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts
and officers of the County of Middlesex, but provided that "the
jurors might be promiscuously taken out of either or both of said
counties"; this arrangement probably continued until after the
erection of the first court house, for in 171 1, Thomas Farmer
was appointed judge of the counties of Middlesex and Somerset.
The records show that in 1739, the governor appointed as
judges in this county, Thomas Leonard, who lived in Prince
Town, John Corle of Rocky Hill, John Van Middlesworth, Gize-
bert Lane, and Paul Miller. The latter at one time resided in New
Brunswick, but from the fact that an advertised letter was ad
dressed to him at Bound Brook, the inference is, that he lived in
the latter place, at least part of the time. In 1749, the same
judges, excepting Lane, were reappointed, John Stockton taking
Lane's place. These judges appear to have held the court of Com
mon Pleas, Quarter Sessions, Oyer and Terminer, and all county
courts, the judges of the Supreme Court only appearing once a
year, if as often as that, to hear issues pending in that court.
In the year 1745, serious disturbances arose in the county
of Essex over the attempt of the New Jersey proprietors to dis-

possess persons occupying lands bought by them from the In
dians, who were described in a communication on the subject, as
the "native, owners and proprietors of the same." These pur
chasers and occupants learning that the proprietors of New Jer
sey had surveyed and located lands which they had purchased
from the Indians, which the proprietors claimed to hold by a
superior title, and by virtue thereof, asserting the right to eject
the occupants, those who had purchased from the Indians met,
and appointed a committee to act for them. One of this commit
tee, Samuel Baldwin, being arrested for cutting timber on lands
m his possession, was committed to jail in Newark, and a large
body of men, said to have numbered four hundred, gathered to
gether, and by force, rescued Baldwin, notwithstanding the read
ing of the riot act to them by the sheriff. This conduct aroused
the public authorities, who sought to suppress the rioters, but the
sympathy of those not especially interested, and the activities of
those who were, created a public sentiment which rendered an
efficient enforcement of the law difficult, and the uprising spread
to the adjoining counties of Middlesex and Somerset, where sim
ilar conditions existed, and in the latter county a large body of
men, some coming from Newark, broke open the county jail and
released one Abraham Anderson. I am unable to state the
reason for his commitment, but in view of the fact that the res
cuers were largely from Newark and of the party formed to re
sist the ejectment of land holders by the proprietors, it is a fair
inference that the charge against him grew out of the land
troubles. For this offence Abram Bainbridge, Samuel Price,
John Anderson and John Bunbridge, Jr., were indicted, charged
with, committing riot in Somerset County. The loss of the
records which I have referred to, deprives us of any knowledge
of the disposition made of the indictment. The action of jurors
in other counties in refusing to convict on similar charges, war
rants the belief that no penalty was ever inflicted.
In 1752, Jacob Van Nest from the North Branch of the Rar
itan was murdered by his own negro. The account of it published
at the time states, that all the provocation was, Mr. Van Nest
taking a little of the fellow's tobacco; and that evening having
been on a visit to Dr. Van Wagenens, his neighbor, two negroes
waylaid him, and knocked him off his horse, and with an axe split

his skull, and dragged him a little out of the road; the horse com
ing home soon after without his master, gave some alarm, and
the next day proper search being made, he was found. His negro
was thereupon taken up and brought before the coroner's mquest,
and being made to touch his master's body, the blood suddenly
gushed out of the dead man's nose and ears, as it likewise did from
the negro's, who thereupon being stung with guilt, confessed the
crime, and was together with his accomplice directly sent to jail
in order to receive their just demerits. This murder occurred in
December, 1752, and before the first of the year 1753, the Van
Nest negro had been tried, convicted, and burnt at Millstone,
The report states that "he stood the fire with the greatest intre
pidity." As Abraham Van Dorn was sheriff of this county in
1754, the probability is that he was the sheriff who executed the
sentence of death on this negro. AVhat disposition was made of
the other negro does not appear.
In the year 1753 three men were convicted and condemned
to die, two for burglary, one for horse stealing. Of these one was
reprieved and two executed, but the record does not disclose the
name of the one that was spared.
In 1756, a special court of Oyer and Terminer was called to
try John ConoUy, for the murder of an Indian woman called Kate,
the wife of one George, a Friend Indian, who had lived many
years in the County of Somerset. From the examination and con
fession of the prisoner ConoUy, it appeared that there was a com
bination between the prisoner, Joseph Chesney, Daniel Harnet
and one Muckleroy, to murder the family of Indians and take
their scalps to Philadelphia, and there swear that they were enemy
Indians that they had killed in the province of Pennsylvania, to
get the reward there offered for Indian scalps. These men, armed
with guns, cutlasses and an axe, went to the Indian wigwam
near Peapack on April 12, 1756, about the middle of the night,
broke open the door and called to the Indian man to come out.
He, not obeying immediately, Chesney fired his gun into the wig
wam but missed the Indians; upon which the Indian man in a
great fright burst through the back of the wigwam and ran for
his life. Conolly ran after him with an axe, the Indian having
fallen, but before Conolly reached him, he arose and made his
escape. The men then returned to the wigwam and Conolly, with

his axe, knocked down the woman and cut her head all to pieces.
They next proceeded to murder the children, one of them a girl
about eleven years old, the other two being twins of about twelve
months. The children, although badly hurt, were not killed.
Conolly was arrested and committed to the jail in Somerset Coun -
ty for trial. This outrage created considerable excitement and
resulted in a proclamation by the Go\'ernor commanding all mag
istrates to apprehend the murderers and to commit them to jail,
but no further record of this matter is to be found.
The unsettled conditions caused by the Revolutionary War,
prevented the Supreme Court from meeting at Perth Amboy or
Trenton, and on September 16, 1777, an act was passed by the
legislature authorizing the Governor of the State to appoint
places for the meeting of the Supreme Court, in pursuance of
which the Governor, on June 10, 1778, appointed Millstone and
Burlington as the two places where the Supreme Court of the
State should meet. It was directed to hold its sessions in Bur
lington on the first Tuesday in April and September, and on the
second Tuesday in May and November at Millstone. It is a mat
ter of tradition that Chief Justice Brearley heard at Millstone, at
a session of the Supreme Court, the argument of the question
whether the powers of the legislature were restricted by the con
stitution. The constitution not having been approved by the peo
ple, it was contended that it had no greater force than a legislative
act, and might be repealed by a subsequent legislature, but the
Chief Justice thought otherwise, and determined that the power
of the legislature was controlled by the terms of the charter or
constitution adopted by the provincial congress. This was the
first authoritative judicial determination in this country holding
that a legislative body must keep its legislative action within con
stitutional limits. After the war closed the courts gradually set
tled into normal conditions, and from that time the procedure
has been regular, and within well defined limits, and the admin
istration of the law received with respect by the people.
It is not inappropriate to the subject we are considering to
recall an incident in the administration of justice in this county in
which Judge Leonard was involved, and against whom serious
charges were made, although they do not appear to have been
well founded. In 1751, one James Bonney, then imprisoned in

Pkolus tu Geo. Benbroolc, SomervtUe
(1) Colored School. (2) Primary and Grammar School. (3) High Scho

Fhiitus hy (Jeu. BcnbruoJc, Somerville
( 1 ) Lafayette School (East Somerville). (2) Public Library. (3) Somerset Hospitcl.

the Somerset County jail for debt, presented his complaint to the
council and general assembly, charging Judge Leonard with mis
feasance in office and praying for legislative relief. This peti
tion was presented each year until 1754, and no action being
taken, it does not appear to have been further pursued by the
petitioner. In a communication dated Somerset Jail, December
17th, 1752, addressed to, and published in, the New York Gazette
Mr. Bonney complains that he had been divested of his estate by
an unlawful and disqualified sheriff; and was then confined in jail
for the payment of his debts, and notwithstanding his repeated
application to the legislature of the province for relief, he had not
been able to obtain it and therefore was obliged to appeal to the
public. To this petition was annexed a copy of the law providing
for the appointment of sheriffs, which, among other things, pro
vided that if one appointed as sheriff did not enter into a bond and
take the oath required, any act done by such person under color
of his appointment should be illegal and void. Following this
were the proceedings taken in the general assembly, which recited
the petition by Bonney, showing that one Riddel, acting as sheriff
of the county of Somerset, had sold the mills and estate of Bonney
and then removed himself out of the province with the money
thus obtained, without satisfying the debt, and being thus de
prived of his property and without other means for discharging
Ins debt, his creditors had caused him to be imprisoned, and
charged that Riddel had not properly qualified himself to be'sher
iff. Whereupon it was ordered that Mr. Van Middlesworth and
Mr. Fisher, two of the members from Somerset County, should
wait on the Governor and acquaint him that Thomas Leonard as
judge or Chief Magistrate of the County of Somerset, undertook
to take security of, and qualify the said Riddel as sheriff of said
county. On February nth, 1752, the facts were laid before the Gov
ernor at considerable length, a synopsis of which is substantially
as follows : that the securities given by the pretended sheriff were
neither of them freeholders of the county, and that this was well-
known to Judge Leonard; that Riddel neither signed the roll nor
took the oaths; that he was not a freeholder of the county as re
quired; that he was a person of infamous character and vicious
behavior, and had little or no estate, to which Judge Leonard

could not be a stranger ; that the appointment was recommended
by Judge Leonard, and was a matter of surprise, concern and
dissatisfaction to the principal inhabitants; that Judge Leonard
suffered the pretended sheriff to act under color of his commis
sion ; that he continued to act until the clerk of the county refused
to seal and deliver him writs ; notwithstanding which Judge Leon
ard suffered him to exercise the office, by color of which he sold
the mills and estate of Bonney and ran away with upwards of
two hundred pounds of the money arising from the sale ; for want
of which Bonney was then confined in the jail of the county of
Somerset, and his family in deep distress; that if the pretended
sheriff had not run away, or if his securities had been sufficient
to make good the damages, Bonney's creditors might have been
satisfied, and he at liberty to make provision for his wife and
family; that Judge Leonard induced one John Horner to become
security for the sheriff by representing to him that other persons
of sufficient means were to join in the bond; that the bond was
sealed and acknowledged before Judge Leonard and ought to
have been delivered by the said judge to the clerk of the County
of Somerset; that the House had ordered two of their members
to inform Judge Leonard in a private way that they wished in
formation on the subject which the judge refused; that these acts
discovered Judge Leonard's neglect and breach of duty to the
King, as well as his violation of the law of the colony, and that it
was not for his majesty's service, or the public good for Judge
Leonard to retain his respective offices any longer.
To this, under date of February 21, 1750, Judge Leonard
replied that John Riddel, late pretended sheriff of Somerset Coun
ty, lived in Prince Town for many years and kept store there,
where he married a woman with a good estate real and personal ;
that Riddel, so far as he knew, had behaved himself well and ob
tained a good reputation in the County of Somerset; that Bare
foot Brunson, then sheriff of the county, died, whereupon Rid
del obtained recommendations in writing to succeed Brunson as
sheriff from most of the magistrates and freeholders of the
county. That upon these recommendations Riddell was com
missioned as sheriff of the County of Somerset without any ap
plication from Judge Leonard, other than the signing of the rec
ommendation; that Riddel having obtained the commission came

to him as the nearest judge to give security, and because he had
no copy of the sheriff's act, he desired Riddel to have the bond
drawn, either by Mr. Cotman, acting as deputy in Somerset, for
the Attorney-General, or by Mr. Hooper, clerk of the county,
the bond as he believed having been drawn by Mr. Cotman ; that
Riddel told him that John Horner, William Montier and John
Denison would be his securities; John Horner was then deemed
to be the owner of real estate in Middlesex worth several thou
sand pounds ; that William Montier, then rented a house of Judge
Leonard, in Prince Town, and was building a house in Middle
sex on the other side of the street from where he then lived, and
though no freeholder in Somerset was deemed sufficient to join
with Horner ; that afterwards Riddel told him that Denison would
not sign the bond, and his name was crossed out, when it was
executed by Riddel, Horner and Montier and delivered to the
clerk of the County of Somerset; that as he had no copy of the
sheriff's act, and as the rolls for the oaths were in the hands of
Paul Miller, another judge of the county, who for many years
had usually administered those oaths, he ordered Riddel to go to
the clerk of the county with his commission, and be sworn bj
Judge Miller, and that until Riddel ran away he had never known
that he had not taken the oath ; that until a short time before he
ran away Leonard had never heard of any blot on his character
or any vicious behavior, but was then informed that he had
taken to drink privately, but never heard of any other vice; that
when he ran away he was indf^bted to him for thirty pounds, and
declared that whatever he did was bona fide according to the best
of his knowledge. Mr. Bonney concluded his statement by say
ing that he could not obtain a hearing nor a trial since the year
1746, for which he appealed to the records of the courts, and that
he could not get any relief by the legislature; notwithstanding
"they have taken out of my hands by pretext of law, I humbly
conceive, as good as 1,500 or 1,600 pounds, and not one penny
of my debts paid with it, and I do beseech all my loving country
men that have a regard to pity and compassion for their fellow
creatures, to assist me in bringing my case before his majesty and
Council." Concisely stated, the administration of justice in this
county permitted a sheriff to sell a man's property under an exe
cution, abscond with the proceeds, and then for at least six years

hold the former owner of the property in confinement for non
payment of a debt, to satisfy which his property had been sold
by a pretended officer, whose acts were made illegal and void
by the law because he had not properly qualified. A careful read
ing of the documents remaining undestroyed relating to this
question do not justify the charge of malfeasance against Judge
Leonard, but it would seem that there should have been some legal
method of redressing so manifest a wrong. If the sheriff's act
was void, the sale made by him could have had no legal effect;
if on the other hand he was a de facto officer, it would seem that
his bondsmen should have been liable. That they were persons of
property abundantly appears from Judge Leonard's statement.
Judge Leonard seems to have been a man of some conse
quence in the community, for he was not only one of the Judg'es
of the county, but for a long time served as a member of the
Council, a position which he resigned July 31, 1758, because of
advancing years and physical infirmities which prevented his
properly performing the duties of that office. He died during the
following year.
As indicative of public sentiment on a question which now
finds no support among law abiding citizens, and the evils flow
ing from which have for many years been recognized and sup
pressed with a vigorous hand, was the raising of funds to pro
vide for the building of churches, bridges and almost every char
acter of public institutions by lottery. The newspapers of the
period between 1750 and 1760 were filled with advertisements
of these lottery schemes. To be sure they were condemned b}"
some, and articles depicting the evils to result therefrom were
published, still the system was not without its open advocates, one
writer going so far as to assert that the practice of drawing lots
had the countenance of the scriptures, in that the ruler of the uni
verse had "ordered his chosen tribes to use them in the division
of their inheritance, and that they were used by the apostles them
selves." While an awakened public conscience Avas sufficient to
secure, in 1759, a law prohibiting lotteries in New Jersey, sub
jecting those who might violate it to a fine of five hundred pounds,
the evil was not cured, and the law was evaded by advertising the
drawing of lotteries to take place on Biles Island, which was lo
cated in the Delaware River near Trenton, but beyond the bound-

J. & A. G. NEVIUS
SOMERVILLE, N. J.
We extend to you a welcome. Make this store your
headquarters while in this town.
THIS store is truly a wonderful Dry Goods headquarters and the most satisfactory
and economical Dry Goods salesroom in this town. Every piece of Dry Goods in
our rooms is original in design, stylish in effect and moderate in price. Each article
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isn't a deficient article in the whole stock, and when these better goods actually cost you
less than the happy-go-lucky kind, who wouldn't take them if they knew ?
That is exactly where our store stands. Thousands know how we help them to save
on their Dry Goods wants, then there are others who don't and they are the ones we
cordially invite to visit this store and at least become acquainted with us and our stock.
Don't overlook this great Dry Goods store when in want of CARPETS, RUGS, DRY
GOODS, SILK, SHOES and all FANCY GOODS.
Sooner or later one learns the lesson of true economy — that it pays best to patronize
the store that exemplifies reliability in every article sold, from the smallest to the most im
portant. That's why the people do their Dry Goods, Carpet and Shoe buying at this store.
We greet you, stranger. You're welcome whether you desire to purchase or not.
Yours Commercially, J. & A. G. ISTEVIUS.
aries of the province. One of these lotteries advertised to be
drawn on Biles Island, had for its object the finishing of the
Lutheran Church in Bedminster, and it is with astonishment
that we of this generation learn that this lottery, contrary to the
spirit of the law, was advertised to be drawn beyond the jurisdic
tion of the province, under the supervision of Paul Miller, one
of the judges of the court of Common Pleas of the county, a
judge who not only heard civil, but also criminal cases, and im
posed the sentence of the law upon those convicted of its infringe
ment. With Judge Miller were associated as supervisors, Bryan
Leferty and Daniel McEown, two of the Justices of the Peace for
the County of Somerset. That these judicial officers should thus
countenance a violation of the law because the unlawful act was
to be performed beyond the jurisdiction of the courts authorized
to punish its violation, creates a situation that in this day would
meet with universal condemnation, and indicates an absence of
judicial ethics difficult to understand.
Many other instances of the peculiar conception which our
pre-revolutionary courts entertained of judicial functions might

be quoted, but the length to which this paper has grown forbids
their citation. Enough has been shown to disclose the want, to a
certain extent, of the sentiment now prevalent, that to entitle
a court to that respect and reverence which the efficient adminis
tration of justice requires, its judicial officers must be above sus
picion. That the judges of our county courts prior to the Revolu
tionary War were men of honor and probity is not to be denied,
and we must assume that the burning of men at the stake, the
execution of prisoners for burglary, the maiming of men by cut -
ting off their ears for conspiracy, and the supervision of lotter
ies by judicial officers in violation of the spirit of the law, was
consistent with the popular sentiment of that era, or at least that
it did not fall under the condemnation of the great majority of
the pubhc.

BY WAY OF COMPARISON
By JUSTICE CHARLES W. PARKER
TN a guide book, published by the Central Railroad of New Jersey in 1864, I find
the following: "The road from Elizabethport to Somerville was built by the
Elizabethtown and Somerville Railroad Company under a charter granted in 1831.
The company was poor and the road was opened first from Elizabethport to Elizabeth.
and then to Plainfield, then to Bound Brook, and finally, in 1842, to Somerville by a
desperate effort, resulting in the failure of the company and the foreclosure of the
mortgage upon the road; the road being sold in 1846, the strap rail was taken up by
the new organization, the track relaid with a heavy rail and preparations made for a
large business."
But the large business had to wait until by degrees the road was completed from
Elizabeth to Phillipsburg, and extended to New York as its easterly terminus. This
occurred in 1864 when the little book referred to was published. Of Somerville the
author has little to say and that damning with faint praise. The copper mines adver
tised in the gazetteer thirty years before, and in Smith's History a century earlier, are
again to the fore; and the sanguine writer anticipates a great transcontinental railroad
line from Somerville via South Branch Railroad to Flemington, thence by what is
now a branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad to Lambertville, and by the Bel-Del to
Trenton and Philadelphia, while the northern road conducts to Easton and Belvidere.
"Thus," says the enthusiastic writer, "will Somerville, apart from its natural attractions,
become a prominent centre of interest on account of its important position as respects
commercial intercourse." But Somerville, both as a great railroad centre and as a
great mining centre, has proved a disappointment. It remains a healthy, honest, whole
some county town, the centre of a rural community already invaded by the homes of
the wealthy and destined to further invasion as the automobile extends its ravages
and as new railroads are built and the common roads improved and multiplied.

Somerville iron Works

THIS COMPANY will at an early date
occupy its handsome and commodious
new plant, the largest of its kind in the
East. The main building, 248 x 246, is erected
of brick and steel throughout, with a bonanza
tile roof. In addition to this structure there
are machine, pattern and woodworking shops,
whose construction are modern to the most
minute detail. That the product of the Somer
ville Iron Works, Soil Pipe and Fittings, is of
a high grade can be verified by the popularity
in which its product is received by the commer
cial world, shipments being made throughout
the United States, Canada, West Indies and
Honolulu. This assertion is doubly proven,
however, by the fact that throughout last year's industrial
depression the plant of the Somerville Iron Works ran full
time, with increased force.

Somerville Iron Works
Somerville, New Jersey
New York Office "Resident Manager
740 East I 4th Street W. J. Kirby

SOMERVILLE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS
By MR. W. A. ACKERMAN
PUBLIC education in Somerville had its inception more than
a century ago, in the foundation of an academy, "for the
instruction of youth in the learned languages, the English, the
arts and sciences and public speaking." The oldest building" that
is still in use was erected in 1856, ten or twelve years before the
school district of Somerville was incorporated, and the free
schools were established.
The present ec[uipment comprises three buildings centrally
located on ample grounds, and a four room building recently
erected in the eastern section of the borough. In the main the
structures are substantially built of brick, and are generally well
equipped, lighted and ventilated. It may not be wise to offer here
any coming expectations, but those citizens who look most clear
ly into the future predict the erection, at some date not far dis
tant, of an imposing building well equipped for high school pur
poses. The school numbers this year more than twelve hundred
pupils and thirty-four teachers and supervisors. In its organi
zation are represented all the educational departments usually
found in a municipality of this size, including some of the manual
arts, music and physical training. In the kindergarten department
three separate classes are now maintained, and a fourth is pro
jected. The elementary classes are closely graded, with small in
tervening steps, and with a flexible system of promotions ; so that
the individual aptitudes of pupils may easily be recognized and
encouraged. The secondary department, or high school, which employs
at present seven teachers and has an attendance of one hundred
and fifty students is constantly increasing in size and in efficiency.
Here are ofifered three courses of study of four years, each aiming
to secure the attainment of character, of culture, and of economic
worth; but differing in the attention given to the ancient lang
uages on the one hand and to commercial subjects on the other.
While the curriculum aims first to give the best possible educa
tion to those who have no prospects of further formal training,

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Bottled at the Spring, Pluckamin, N. J.
The Greatest of all Table Waters
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Your neighbors drink it
Thousands have been benefited by it
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Write for the Water Book

Culm Rock Spring Water Co.
Somerville, N. J.

BURNER'S BAZAAR
Post Gards, Stationery
Phonographs Boohs, Toys

26 WEST MAIN ST.
SOMERVILLE, IST. J.

Long Distance Telephone. Call No. 20
Private Direct Wires to New York
SNYDER & WRIGHT

STOCK AND BOND
BROKERS

stocks, bonds and
investment securities
Bought or Sold for Delivery or on Margin
32 West Main St., Somerville, N. J.

%fjt Winioni^t (ia^ette
The Advertisers' Medium
Largest Circulation in Somerset County
The Newspaper that goes into the homes. Linotype composition
Fine Job Work. Half-tone Work ofthe finest grade. Maga
zines and Pamphlets. The largest and most complete
printing plant in Central New Jersey
Wi)z Winioni&t (gajette Association
C. H. BATEMAN, Manager

the school undertakes to prepare students for any of the American
colleges and technical schools, and admits graduates on certifi
cate to many of the same.
Efficiency first, then economy. This seems to have been the
constant aim of the school authorities and citizens. The school
is not charged with extravagance. The average cost of educa
tion per pupil enrolled was last year approximately twenty-five
dollars, and the local tax levied for school support amounts this
year to not more than 43 cents per hundred dollars of assessed
valuation; which is, in either case, considerably less than obtains
in many similar districts in this suburban section.

I

HISTORICAL HOUSES
By C. P. HOAGLAND
N all that has been said about "Modern Somerville" a few
_ instances of ancient Somerville are in order, several of which
remain almost in the same condition as they were in the Revolu
tion. Most noted of these is the Wallace House, now owned
by General Frelinghuysen Chapter, Daughters of the American
Revolution. This house is in Somerville and was built by Wil
liam Wallace. During the winter of 1778-9 it was occupied by
General and Mrs. George Washington and to-day the house is in
exactly the same condition as then. Naturally a number of
Revolutionary relics have been added, but the house remains un
disturbed, in charge of a competent caretaker, and is naturally
the mecca of all curiosity seekers who visit SomerviUe.
Another house of historical fame is the old house occupied.
by Joshua Doughty at the end of Doughty Avenue. This was
the old parsonage, built in 1750 by Rev. John Frelinghuysen with
bricks imported from Holland and in which Dr. Hardenburgh
resided during the whole of the Revolution, sleeping with a loaded
o-un beside his bed. General Washington and his wife often
visited this house and spent many pleasant evenings in the society
of Dr. Hardenburgh and his wife. There are still a number of
old houses in Somerville that figured prominently in the Revolu
tion, but one by one they are being razed to make place for modern
structures. However, the future of the Wallace House is assured,
and from its present good condition may even remain standing
another century.

Photos by (ieu. Benbrooh, Somerville
(1) Church of Immaculate Conception. (2) First Reformed Church. (3) Second Reformed Church

Photon by Geo. Benbroolc, SomerviUe
{]) Si. John's Episcopal. (2) First Baptist. (3) Methodist Episcopal. (4) Si. Thomas A. M.E.

Somerville Stove Works
Manufacturers of Stoves and Ranges
Factory and Show Room
Somerville, N. J.

W

Telephone 1-J
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E can save you $10.00 by buying a range direct from the manufac
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COURTS OF SOMERSET COUNTY
By JUSTICE CHARLES W. PARKER
WITH the opening of this beautiful structure for use by the
courts and county officials, the County of Somerset may be
said to enter upon a new epoch of her existence. For the fifth
time since the erection of the original court house have different
or increased accommodations for the county business been found
necessary; and as we set apart this building to-day for its appro
priate uses, it is well for a few moments to look back over the two
centuries and a quarter of the existence of this county and note
in the briefest possible manner the beginnings of our seat of
justice and the changes which have culminated in the erection of
this noble and fitting edifice. I am well aware that my friend and
associate Justice Bergen, as a native and lifelong resident of this
town and county and an authority on local history, is much better
qualified than I to present the facts in an interesting way ; and no
doubt he will have something to say on this subject. So I shall
confine myself to sketching the outlines and leave it to him to fill
in the details as he may be inclined.
In New Jersey, as in Massachusetts and perhaps other States,
a noticeable feature of the names of the older counties is their
identity with those of similar subdivisions of England. So we
have appropriated the name of Middlesex, wherein lies London;
of Sussex, the county of the South Saxons, lying along the Eng
lish Channel, and where William the Conqueror landed on his
invasion of England, and which very illogically, is the most north
ern county of our State ; while Cumberland, one of our southern
most counties, is named for one in England that marches with
the Scottish line. Essex lies on the Thames River, and Mon
mouth, Gloucester and finally Somerset, all lie about the British
Channel, facing the Atlantic ; so that though Eastern New Jersey
was so largely settled by the Dutch (and Somerset not the least
so), the only early counties with Dutch names are Bergen at one
end of the State and Cape May at the other.
Somerset was not created in the first important divisions
of counties in 1682, but was carved out of Middlesex in 1688 and
then began its official existence, during which its boundaries have

Nolan & Swinton

insiurance
1 Liberty Street, New York
12 West Main St.
Somerville, N. J.
611 JOHN PHONES 32-W

experienced frequent changes, especially on the south and east.
It originally included New Brunswick, then called Inian's Ferry,
and Princeton. By changes in the lines New Brunswick went to
Middlesex in 1714; and as to Princeton the county line for many
years ran through the middle of Nassau Street, its main street,
giving to Middlesex the honor of holding both Rutgers and
Princeton colleges within her borders until finally the creation of
Mercer in 1838 sliced off the lower parts of both Middlesex and
Somerset, and took Princeton with them; so that if Princeton
College grounds are ever sold, the title will have to be searched
in three counties.
Some years elapsed after the setting off of Somerset from
Middlesex, before the county organization was complete. The
Middlesex courts at first did double duty, and as they were held
at Perth Amboy, litigation must have been carried on by Somerset
suitors at considerable inconvenience. In fact we cannot help
wondering how it was carried on at all, with no telephones or
telegraphs, no railroads or steamboats, no mails worthy the name,
with few roads and those of a primitive character. Lawsuits
must have been infrequent, for not until 1714, a quarter of a cen
tury afterward, was an act passed authorizing the erection of a
court house and jail in Somerset County. This building was
erected at Six Mile Run, a hamlet now called Franklin Park, some
five or six miles southwest of New Brunswick; and according to
Mr. Mellick's valuable and interesting book called the "Story of
an Old Farm," its foundation is still visible. From data kindly
furnished me by Judge Bergen and other sources of information,
I learn that this building went the way of most of our early
churches and public buildings, being destroyed by fire in 1737;
and in 1739 an act was passed providing for another court house.
That the referendum as a means of legislation is no new thing is
shown by the fact that its location was determined by a popular
election, and fixed at Hillsborough, now known as Millstone ; and
this edifice saw many of the stirring events of the Revolutionary
War. In May, 1775, the Somerset Committee of Correspondence
met in the court house and heartily agreed to arm and support
such number of men as the authorities should order raised in Som
erset County. This we read in Lee's book on New Jersey as a
Colony and a State. In the same volume we hear that Hills-

O. J. BROWN
REAL ESTATE
OFFICE HALF BLOCK UP FROM DEPOT cr^^/ICD\/II I C M T
CORNER SOUTH AND DIVISION STREETS 3(JMt.KVlLLIl, IN. J.
Parties taking the 8 A. M. train from foot of West 23d or Liberty Streets New York, need not make
an appointment in advance
OUR AGENCY IS WELL EQUIPPED TO SERVE YOU AS GUIDE to the very best bargains in
Somerset Co., whether you want a single lot, a farm, a country or village home, or a large acreage tract.
Our list of property for sale is very large and is rich in bargains that will prove money makers,
Our office the largest and best equipped in Somerville with three automobiles at your service and
provided with everything necessary for transacting business in a modem up to date manner.

CHARLES FRITTS Telephone CaU 42-W MILTON J. STIRES
FRITTS & STIRES
Somerville Steam Laundry
ESTABLISHED 1882
173-177 MV. Main Street - - SOMERVILLE, N. J.
GREEN KNOLL DAIRY FARM PRODUCTS
WILLIAM J. QUICK
Dealer in
Pure Milk, Cream, Butter, Cheese, Selected Eggs
and Select Groceries
No. 5 and 7 Division Street - - SOMERVILLE, N. J.
STANDARD AUTO GARAGE
167 WEST MAIN STREET
SOMERVILLE, ; ; : ; NEW JERSEY
REPAIRS OF ALL KINDS DONE WITH THE
BEST OF MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP
VULCANIZING AND RECOVERING OF TIRES

borough was made the location of a market for wool, flax and
articles relating to their manufacture— so as to aid local manu
facturers and thereby benefit the inland trade. Washington's
army bivouacked around or near Millstone on the march from
Princeton to Morristown in the early days of 1777. Here, in the
late winter and early spring of that year, camped General Dickin
son with the Jersey militia, scouring the neighborhood and watch
ing the roads while Washington remained at Morristown; and
as Somerset County lay directly between Washington's army and
the main British line of communication across New Jersey, it was
thick with our outposts. In June, 1777, Millstone witnessed some
of the preliminary sparring between Howe and Washington, when
the former unsuccessfully tried to draw the American army into a
losing battle and free the way to Philadelphia from a menacing
danger on the flank. Notwithstanding the apparent activity of
the opposing forces in this neighborhood. Millstone seems to have
been considered by the State authorities as a fitting place for the
sessions of the Supreme Court, for in September, 1777, it was
designated as one of the seats of justice for the State, Burhngton
being the other, and the Supreme Court sitting in each alternately.
In October, 1779, the Queen's Rangers, under Col. Simcoe, swept
through on their famous raid, and that was the end of the Somer
set court house at Millstone, for they burned it, after releasing
three Loyalist prisoners confined there. On their way to Mill
stone they had already burned the Dutch church at Van Vech-
ten's Bridge, and Mr. Mellick remarks in his book: "Had Col.
Simcoe magnanimously spared the Dutch meeting and the court
house at Hillsborough, it is not impossible that to-day there would
be no Somerville, or at least that that town would not now flour
ish as the county seat of Somerset. The people of Bridgewater
Township, therefore, can at the present time reflect with equa
nimity upon the devastations perpetrated during this famous raid.
But I may add that the people of the county at large may well re -
gret that the destruction of the court house included all the
records except the road book and some books of mortgages. With
commendable thrift, the unburned materials, iron and brick, were
collected next year by order of the Freeholders ; but whether they
were used for the next court house I do not know. The records
show, however, that the people decided to change the county seat

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W. H. MOREHEAD
Stationery, Sporting Goods
Musical Instruments
Victor and Edison Phonographs
Pictures and Picture Framing

141 MAIN ST. SOMERVILLE

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make a particle of difference
whether it embraces Design
ing, Illustrating, Compiling
or Editing, I am always look
ing for business and won't
dodge.
BEDFORD CODRINGTON
WITH NATION PRESS
20 Vesey Street New York City
Caution : — Give your local printer the work his
facilities enable him to handle satisfactorily.
I'm after the business he can't do — and I'm
getting it.

to a place then called Tunison's Tavern, at Raritan, and the coun
ty and the local church in 1782 clubbed together to build a build
ing to be used for both a church and a court house, a noteworthy
precedent for the arrangement which has been in force during the
building operations just completed. The plan did not work well,
and in 1787 the county bought out the church and became sole
proprietor of the building, which, as I understand it, stood on or
about the site of the Somerset Hotel at the next corner. It did
not remain long as a court house, for in 1798 a new brick court
house and jail were resolved on and erected on the present site
This building, practically rebuilt in 1849, was torn down to make
room for that in which we are now gathered.
Such, in brief, is the history of the county buildings, keeping
pace with the gradual development of the county itself. There
has been no boom, but the growth of Somerset has been that
of a normal agricultural county with no extraordinary natural
resources. We read in "Smith's History of New Jersey," pub
lished in 1765, of a copper mine under the Raritan, at New Bruns
wick, and other mines at Rocky Hill, which with still others near
Somerville, are mentioned, as we shall see, in later descriptions
of the county; but whatever dreams of mineral wealth may have
existed in the old days have so far not been realized, and the
steady and moderate growth of the county is best indicated by the
figures of population, which was from ten to thirteen thousand in
1790; 17,000 in 1830; 21,000 in 1855; 24,000 in 1870; 28,000 in
1890; 33,000 in 1900, and 36,000 in 1905, doubling in 75 years.
A glance at Somerville in 1834, as depicted in a gazetteer and his
tory of New Jersey, published in that year, may be of interest.
"It lies upon a high well cultivated plain of red shale, about two
miles south of a ridge of the South Mountains ; in which are some
noted copper mines. It contains a Dutch Reformed Church, a
Methodist meeting, an academy where the classics and mathe
matics are taught, a boarding school for young ladies, three tav
erns well kept, and seven stores, one large grist mill, five prac
ticing attorneys, four physicians, 3nd one resident clergyman, 600
inhabitants and about 100 dwellings. The court house and other
public buildings are large and commodious.'

n *

* Synopsis of an addre.ss deli\ ered by Jlr. Justice Parker at dedication of Somerset County's new
court hou.se at Somerville, April 4, 19n4.

OLDEST NEWSPAPER IN THE COUNTY. ESTABLISHED OCTOBER, 1822
W^t g>omerget Jlteggenger
(Democratic in Politics)
An Official Newspaper for the State and County. Terms:
One Dollar per annum when paid in advance
J. H. MATTISON, Publisher since 1881
P. O. Drawer B, Somerville, N. J.

PHONE 30-L

JOHN ENK

INSURANCE and REAL ESTATE
Fire, Life and oflccident Insurance
Second National Bank Building
Cor. Main and Bridge Streets - SOMERVILLE, N. J.
C. SCHWED & CO.
Clotijicrsi anb JJlcrcfiant tCatlors!
The finest goods in the market. The largest assortment.
The lowest prices. Ready made or made-to-order. All
varieties of Gents' Furnishings. Agency for Stet
son and Young Hats. Everything for Boys'
Wear. The oldest established business
house in SOMERVILLE, N. J.
F. W. WOOLWORTH & CO.
5 AND 10 CENT STORE
THOMAS BUILDING - - SOMERVILLE, N. J.
VERY BEST VALUES
REASON :— We started in 1879 and now have 230 Stores in the United States.

AN IMPARTIAL IMPRESSION
NEW YORK HERALD
WITH a gradual development of its industries during the
last ten years and a realty boom that is gaining in
strength every season, Somerville finds itself to-day one of the
most favored communities in New Jersey among residents of New
York and other cities who are seeking new business locations or
home sites. Many natural advantages, with indications of pro
gress on every side, insure a bright future for the town. In the
development of the community, the Somerville Board of Trade
has played an important part. That organization was formed
about ten years ago and has since been actively employed in ad
vancing the industrial and other interests of the place.
Still retaining many of the traditions and associations of a
rural community two centuries old, and at the same time present
ing all the appearance of a modern, bustling little Western city,
Somerville is unique among the communities of New Jersey. In
the first place, Somerville has an ideal location. It lies in the pic
turesque Raritan Valley, yet on a knoll that insures natural drain
age in all directions. On one side the Raritan River picks a tor
tuous path through woods and fields on its way to the sea. Back
of the town the continuation of the Watchung Mountains looms
up against the sky.
Somerville is the county seat of Somerset County, which
from the time it was first settled by white men has been a farm
ing country. Larger cities, like Trenton, New Brunswick and
Plainfield, are far enough from Somerville to make the latter thor
oughly independent from a business and political standpoint.
For that reason it has become a county metropolis in every sense
of the word. It is seldom that residents feel the need of visiting
New York or any of the large New Jersey cities to do their shop
ping. Main Street is lined on both sides for several blocks with
large up-to-date stores of all kinds. This business section is not
able for its attractive buildings, and the excellent and varied
stock carried by the merchants.
But Somerville's fine buildings are by no means confined to
the business centre. The town abounds in high class architecture.

Star Somerset Range

WE came here to stay, and can save you $10 on every
Range you buy from us. All Stoves guaranteed
to bake. Full line carried in our show rooms. Come and
see them before you buy elsewhere. Free Delivery.

Somerville Stove Works
Office and Show Rooms at the Works
T.WW... Somerville, N. J.

The most notable structure to-day is the ne\\' white marble county
Court House, which is now complete. The total cost, complete,
is considerably more than $300,000. In other parts of the town
may be found fine churches, schools and other public edifices. It
is also said that Somerville has more attractive residences in pro
portion to its population than a large majority of towns in the
State. The attractiveness of all Somerville's buildings, whether pub
lic or private, is enhanced by the beautiful shade trees that line
every street. Somerville's trees are as noted as the magnificent
elms of New Haven. Another feature is that practically all of the
dwelling houses are surrounded by sufficient grounds to afiford
green lawns with shrubbery and flowers in front and on the sides,
and thereby to permit plenty of light and air to find their way
into the rooms. Many of the more pretentious structures are sur
rounded by large gardens.
It is not to be wondered at that there is a continual demand
for houses that cannot be supplied. During the last year, at least
twenty new dwellings have been erected, yet the real estate dealers
declare they could have rented or sold at least twice that num
ber. Almost all of the houses now in course of construction have
been engaged, and plans for many more to be built in the spring
are being prepared.
Dozens of persons have come from the cities to locate on the
outskirts of Somerville. Picturesque scenery, fine macadam
roads and fertile land have proved an attraction to both those who
have tired of city life and wish to live in the real country and
those who want to farm in a small way. There are many large
and small tracts suitable for both purposes. To some of those
who have turned from the city the quaint old farm houses appeal
as no other form of habitation can, while persons whose tastes are
not quite so bucolic find ideal sites on the hillsides on which to
build modern homes.
James B. Duke, of the American Tobacco Company, was the
first to discover and appreciate the beauties of Somerset County,
especially near Somerville, as a place of residence. About fifteen
years ago Mr. Duke purchased the old Veghte farm of 150 acres.
He has added to that property until now he has an estate of more
than two thousand acres.

Photo by Geo. BenhrooU, Somerville

Partial View of an Artificial Lake and Imported Shrubbery in Duke's Park

TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS

SMITH-SCHOONMAKER CO.

DEALERS IN

Coal, Lumber, Doors, Windows, Blinds
Mill Work, Picture and Window
Glass, Mason's Materials, Terra
Cotta and Drain Pipe
Building Paper
Agents in Somerset Count;^ for Caret's Magnesia
Flexible Cement Roofing
SOMERVILLE, N. J.

WM. H. H. WYCKOFF COMPANY

cy\4ERCHANT MILLERS

W^

Proprietors of WyckofE's
Mills, Dealers in
Roller
Process^ Flour
Feed, Meal
Hay, Etc.
Highest Cash Prices
Paid for All Kinds
of Grain
MIDDAGH STREET
Somerville N.J.
Telephone 103

It is credited by persons who have seen it, with being the
finest private park in the United States. There Mr. Duke has
built a great mansion surrounded by Italian gardens, lakes,
groves and every other desirable feature connected with land
scape architecture. Statuary has been imported from Italy and
rare shrubs and flowers have been brought from all parts of the
world. Millions of dollars have been spent in the development of
this estate. The barn alone cost $90,000, while Mr. Duke has
erected for his employees ten or twelve dwelling houses, some of
which cost $8,000 each.
Mr. Duke not only takes great pleasure in the fine park he
has established, but he wants the public in general and the resi
dents of Somerville in particular to enjoy it. Visitors are not
only privileged to drive or walk through the grounds, but at Mr.
Duke's direction they are made welcome by the employees who
point out objects of interest and convey any information neces
sary. Next to the Duke place in size is the stock farm ("Ardmaer")
of William Bradley, prominent contractor, politician and horse
owner, of New York city. A year or two ago Mr. Bradley began
to buy up small farms near Somerville until he had acquired about
twelve, aggregating one thousand acres. Mr. Bradley has beauti
fied his place, built a private race track for training purposes, and
breeds thoroughbred horses.
Although Somerville had long been the political and social
centre of Somerset County, it had few large industrial estab
lishments up to ten years ago.' About that time most of the lead
ing merchants came to the conclusion that from practically every
standpoint the town would be benefited by the establishment of
manufacturing industries. For that reason it was decided to
form a Board of Trade, which has ever since been accomplishing
excellent results. The board was first instrumental in bringing to
Somerville a shirt manufacturing company. The latter engaged
successfully in business, but later sold out to the Commercial
Shirt Company of New York, which moved the plant to Raritan,
adjoining Somerville. Five years ago the Board of Trade gave
the land and erected a plant for the New York Agricultural Com
pany, which made agricultural implements. That concern failed
the following year, and the plant was bought by Benjamin Liss-

Subscription price
$1.00 per year

ALL THE NEWS IN

tCi)^ ^omcrsiet democrat
The Paper Ever^hod^ Reads

Advertising rates
on application

Issued every Friday mornins by the
SOMERVILLE PUBLISHING COMPANY
(The only Day and Night Print Shop in Somerset County)
Prinlers of Books, Magazines, Catalogs, and all Commercial work. Special facilities for Law Printing.
Linotype composition on short notice.
SOMERVILLE PUBLISHING CO.,
E. M. WIGHT, Prjp. C. P. HOAGLAND, Manager,
New Yorit once. 280 Broadway, Somerville OlRce and Plant, 99 & 101 W. Main St.
New York: 3585 Worth-TELEPHONES-Somervaie: 41 R.

Garretson Automobile & Cycle Co.
Dealers in
Automobiles and Bicycles

Cameras and
Photographic Supplies

Automobile and Bicycle
Repairing a Specialty

SomerviUe, New Jersey

J. W. BEAVERS
SHOEMAN TO MEN AND WOMEN
OF SOMERSET COUNTY
IS SOLE AGENT
For the celebrated Walk-Over Shoe for Men $3.50, $4.00, $5.00
And the faultless-fitting Dorothy Dodd Shoe for Women $2.50 to $4,00
also
The Famous Holeproof Hosiery for Men, W^omen and Children
66 MAIN STREET near post office SOMERVILLE, N. J.

"A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever"
Let us Convince you
That's Why Our that Our Work Is
Photos Are pf • Come in and
looK at some of it.
Appreciated others are pleased.
We -^vill please you.

C. S. GERNERT'S STUDIO
32 West Main St., SOMERVILLE, N. J.

G. H. mu:n^dy
DEALER IN
Groceries and Provisions
Teas and Coffees
a Specialty
76 SOUTH BETDGE STBEBT
SOMERVILLE, :N^. J.

berger, who established the Somerville Iron Works for the manu
facture of soil pipes. Since then the plant has been doubled in
size and employs about two hundred and fifty hands. It ships soil
pipe to the Western States, the Hawaiian Islands and South
America. During the financial stringency of the last year the
company operated its plant at full time, without any reduction of
wages and without laying off any of its men. It has never ex
perienced any labor troubles.
Another plant brought to Somerville through the efforts of
the Board of Trade was the Carbon Stove Works, owned by
Michael Baum. The factory was built by the company on land
donated by the Board of Trade, adjoining the iron plant. The
Carbon Stove Works has also doubled its capacity since it came
to Somerville and now employs nearly seventy-five hands. The
Glen Rock Woollen Company located in Somerville about three
years ago. Prior to the formation of the Board of Trade there
was only one concern in Somerville that employed a large force.
That was the Somerville Woollen Mills, with property valued at
$500,000, and employing four hundred hands. That plant has
been closed for the last year, but it is said operations may be re
sumed soon under a reorganization of the company. W. H. H.
Wyckoff & Sons, who have a large grain elevator and mills, have
been engaged in the flour and feed business in Somerville for
many years.
Next door to Somerville is Raritan, and from all appearance
a stranger would take them for the same town. Many persons
who are employed or engaged in business in Somerville live in
Raritan, while many who are occupied during the day in Raritan
reside in Somerville. For these reasons the county seat shares
some of the advantages resulting from industrial establishments
that are located within the boundaries of its neighbor. Among
the plants in Raritan are the Somerville Manufacturing Com
pany, which employs six hundred hands; the Raritan Woollen
Company, which employs one thousand hands; the Commercial
Shirt Company, fifty hands ; D. R. Kenyon & Son, manufacturers
of woollen machinery, fifty hands; the Raritan Creamery Com
pany, which operates several wagons in Somerville and which
ships its products to New York and other places.

After the iron works had been erected, there were not enough
houses in Somerville for the men employed in that plant. A
realty company with which several members of the Board of
Trade were identified, erected a number of dwellings within easy
walking distance of the works.
Several improvements are now being planned in Somerville.
One is the repaving of Main Street, the principal business thor
oughfare. Main Street is now paved with macadam, as are all
the other streets in the town, with two or three exceptions. The
new pavement will be brick blocks, or something else that may
be considered just as serviceable. The Somerville Water Com
pany has now under advisement the placing of new thirty-six
inch mains through the town. This will afiford a better water
supply and increase the pressure for fire fighting purposes. The
repaving of Main Street will not be done until the water company
has completed the work of laying new mains. Somerville's water
supply is obtained from the Raritan River above all points of pol
lution by sewage. To safeguard against contamination of any
kind, however, the water is filtered. The institution of large
mains, as proposed by the company, will extend the supply con
siderably beyond the town limits, which will be of great benefit to
those living on the outskirts.
In other respects Somerville also has modern improvements.
The residents enjoy the use of both gas and electricity, while the
latter is employed for street lighting. There is an excellent sew
erage system and general sanitary laws are rigidly enforced. The
volunteer fire department consists of four companies, which own
the horses used, while the apparatus is furnished by the town.
The Gamewell electric fire alarm system is employed and every
other feature of the department is up to date. The drivers are
paid and are on duty day and night. The town has an adequate
police department, in which there are five uniformed and three
special men.
Residents of Somerville have excellent school facilities, there
being a high school with a four year course that prepares for col-

Q Q 1 1* JP Crwko Largest Retail Grocers in New Jersey
kJ» UUICUCI UC UUllO Established 1860
Q"? Main St * 
VO main Ol. ^ Headquarters 92-94 Park Place
Somerville, N. J. Newark, N. J.

lege and two schools for the lower grades. All three schools are
in modern brick buildings. There are more than one thousand
pupils. Somerville has a hospital, which has recently been en
larged and which has an ambulance service; a public library,
which occupies an attractive edifice erected about ten years ago;
two national banks, a savings bank and two building and loan as
sociations. There are churches of all the principal denominations
and the leading secret societies are represented by lodges in the
town. Located on the Central Railroad, Somerville is thirty-six
miles from New York. There are fifty trains a day, the fastest
of them making the distance in a trifle more than an hour. The
town is connected by trolley with Trenton, New Brunswick, Eliz
abeth, Newark and other North Jersey cities and New York.
There are several good hotels in Somerville.

POSTAL CONVENIENCES
By JOHN G. GASTON
SOMERVILLE for a place of its size, has exceptional postal
facilities. The post office is centrally located in the new and
commodious Gaston Building on the main street of the Borough,
and is kept open from 6:15 A. M. until 7 o'clock P. M. and is well
equipped with all modern appliances, such as cancelling machines,
combination lock boxes, etc., and is up to date in every respect.
A competent and obliging force of clerks is in charge of the Gen
eral Delivery and the Mailing, Registry, and Money Order Divi
sions. There is also a city and rural carrier service, and the de
liveries are so arranged that the principal mails are in the hands
of the patrons in a very short time after their arrival at the office.
The dispatching service is also excellent, mails leaving nearly
every hour in the day for every city and country in the world. Som
erville being in the heart of a prosperous farming district, special
attention has been paid to bringing the rural delivery to a high
state of efficiency, but this has been done without impairing in
any sense the town carrier system which is conceded by those who
are qualified to judge to be one of the best in the entire state of
New Jersey.

J. T. STRYKER DEALER IN
GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS

30 WEST MAIN STREET
SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY

Get it at Cron's

HOI EL CAWLEY
AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN PLANS
GUSTAV WINTER. Prop.
SOMERVILLE, - N. J.

THE UP TO DATE DRUGGIST
38 W. MAIN STREET
SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY

Gunzelman and Cramer

H. K. STREETER

Contractors
and Builders
Somerville, N. J.
Telephone 21SJ
Shop: 29 Warren St., opp. Court House

PAINTER AND DECORATOR

Dealer in
PAINTS, OILS, ETC.
189 W. Main St., SomerviUe, N.J.
Telephone 136-J

O T T D A I fUi ^° retain your business by prompt service and
To give you value received by good goods and reasonable
prices.
We give you at a medium price the very best your money can buy in
that grade. A special part of our business is the Bedding Department.
A share of your business is solicited and we guarantee satisfaction
Discount for Cash TAU Goods Delivered
WM. E. MAXWELL, 63 W. Main St., SOMERVILLE, N. J.

HISTORY AND ROMANCE OF
OLD SOMERSET
By GEORGE QUARRIE
IN his time George Van Nest, or "Prince George," as he was
commonly called, was unquestionably one of the most pic
turesque figures of Somerset County. Born in 1736, he was the
son of Peter Van Nest, after whom Peter's Brook, near Plucka
min, was named. He was also a great-grandfather of the Rev.
Dr. Talmage. Peter's father, also named Peter, was the orig
inal, or pioneer, Van Nest in America. He emigrated to this
country from the Netherlands in 1647 and lived in Brooklyn,
N. Y. Peter Van Nest, the second in America, was the first of
the family in New Jersey. He owned a large tract of fertile land
along the north branch of the Raritan River, between the village
of North Branch and' Somerville, and in time his estate was por
tioned off among his sons, whom he left all well to do. George, es
pecially, lived so sumptuously, dispensed such a royal hospitahty
and moved at all times with so much pomp and dignity, that noth
ing short of the title of prince seemed to fit him. Naturally, it rose
to people's lips in speaking of him. When he went out driving,
one of his many slaves in high hat and stiff "choker," held the
reins ; another in equally correct garb sat by the driver with fold
ed arms, bolt upright, ready at all times to get down and open
gates, brush oif stinging flies from the horses, or clear away any
obstruction, alive or dead, from their patlx Alongside the lordly
master himself sat his little darky page, who always followed
close at his master's heels at home or abroad, ready to fill his pipe,
hold his greatcoat and cane, open and close doors and perform
the thousand little ofiices of personally and obsequiously waiting
upon him. "Prince George's" picture hangs in the fine old home
stead of his great-grandson, Henry Van Nest Garretson, near
North Branch, where a number of Talmage's youthful years were
spent, and where the old-time upper and lower half doors are
still to be seen. Over the latter of these the doctor (Talmage)
used to swing when a little boy and look longingly down the road
for the return of his parents from church. At the height of his
fame the great preacher delighted in going over this and other

D. R. KENYON & SON

Manufacturers of

Textile Finishing
Machinery

RARITAN, N. J.

PHILIP CASE (®, SON
SOMERVILLE, N. J.
Dry Goods, Millinery, Outer Garments
Corsets Laces Notions Dress Goods
Hosiery Embroideries Neckwear Bed Coverings
Silks Upholstery Underwear Ribbons
Veilings Linens Domestics
A Modern Retail Store

Carrying at all times a most complete and up-to-date stock of merchandise
Catering in an intelligent manner to the needs of the public
Endeavoring to do the right thing, at the right time, in the right way
Selling only trustworthy goods, giving honest value and honest service

^ .J

Photos by Geo. Benbrook^ Somerville Wallace House {Washington's Headquarters)

TERMS CASH

'PHOKE 30-L

S. B. VAN NESS
Dealer in
Lehigh - Jeddo Coal
2nd National Bank Building
YARD: SOUTH SOMERVILLE, N.J.

The Hillsborough Mutual
Fire Assurance Association
of Somerset County
ORGANIZED MARCH 4th, 1844
M. W. SCULLY, Secretary
Also Agent for London and Lancashire Insurance
Co., Liverpool, England, and Seva of Cothenberg,
Sweden.

Loans Negotiated Estates Managed
Rents Collected
D. N. MESSLER
Real Estate Broker
SUBURBAN PROPERTY
A SPECIALTY
178 WEST MAIN STREET
SOMERVILLE, N. J.

A. V. Sargeant S. S. Sargeant
SARGEANT BROS.
Dealers in
LUMBER, COAL, MASONS'
MATERIALS
Also Manufacturers of
SASH, DOORS, BLINDS and all
MILL WORK
Main Street, Somerville, N. J.

Telephone 39 J
MILTON LABAW
HARDWARE, HOUSE FURNISHINGS, STOVES, RANGES,
PLOWS AND FARM IMPLEMENTS
LUCAS PAINTS
81 W. MAIN STREET - - - SOMERVILLE, N. J,

JOS. W. CAIN

Telephone 40-W

JUDSON V. CAIN

WM. N. ADAIR & CO.
JOS. W. CAIN & SON, Proprietors
Manufacturers of and Dealers in
SNOW FLAKE — HERCULES FLOUR
GRAIN, FLOUR, FEED, BRAN, SHORTS, ETC.
The Highest Marke: Price Paid for all Kinds of Grain at the Raritan Mills
RARITAN, NEW JERSEY

familiar scenes of his early youth, in company' with friends from
the great cities.
Any one who knew Dr. Talmage, and who looks at the por
trait of "Prince George" can hardly fail to see a striking likeness
between the two. The doctor was taller and his countenance
showed greater mentality, but in his great-grandfather's face in
the picture the same strong lines of intellectual individuality and
force are plainly discernible. With all his magnificence, "Prince"
George fell an easy victim to the charms of Catherine Williamson,
an attractive young woman who lived with her parents in Seneca
County, N. Y. His parents had taken him there on a visit when
he was a mere lad, and he and Catherine played together with oth
er children. Young as he was, however, George was deeply im
pressed with his playmate, and more than once he told her with
what must have been comical gravity that he considered her a
very nice girl and that when he was big enoueh he would come all
che way from Jersey on a prancing steed to get her for his wife.
"And," said he one day, "I'll bring a fine horse and a side saddle
for you, so that you can ride back with me." Catherine was then
swinging on the garden gate. She stopped her swinging to listen
and stood demurely looking at her little cavalier. Suddenly her
mother burst out laughing just behind her :
"Oh, for goodness sake," the mother cried, "look at George
and Cattie sweethearting !"
Instantly and without a word Catherine hit George a sting
ing smack on his cheek and ran into the house crying. That was
the last George and Catherine saw of each other for more than
ten years. But George had not forgotten her. When next they
met his face was protected by a beard, and the red marks of
Catherine's fingers seemed to have been transferred to her own
cheeks. The chubby little boy was now transfigured into the
handsome rich and regal-looking "Prince George." The girl had
become a charming woman. This time she did not smite him
upon the cheek, although he had the temerity to repeat the very
same proposal that he made to her that other time, when she, ma
dimity pinafore, was swinging on the garden gate. It is freely
admitted that her mother did not make fun of her on this occa
sion As a result of the talk that the couple had on this occasion
••Prince George" rode awav to his Jersey home as happy as a

TEN EYCK HOUSE
/. ROSS LAKE, Prop.
The Leading Hotel in
SOMERVILLE, N. J.
In the heart of the business district

WALDORF HOTEL

L. ROLLER, "Proprietor

No. 1 29 West Main Street
¦Phone 101-w SOMERVILLE. N. j.

JACOB MILLER
Dealer in
Foreign and Domestic Wines
Choice Liquors, Ales
Beers & Porters
For Family Use
No. 140 West Main Street
SOMERVILLE, N. J.
Telephone No. I33-L

HENRY REIMER
Real Estate Broker and Builder
SOMERVILLE, N. J.
Office: No. 5 W. Main St. Resid:iice: 129 £. Main St.

I will sell your farms, houses and lots,
Money to Loan, and Acre plots,
If you buy of me.
The Title I will Guarantee.

MEN'S YOUTHS- SUITS
AND OVERCOATS
MADE TO ORDER
$10.00 to $18.00
Clothing Made to Order
GLEN ROCK WOOLEN CO.
SOMERVILLE, N. J.

p\EALERS can say what they please
'-^ about a shoe but the truth will out
when the shoe is worn. Therefore, we
ask that you wear a pair of our
Douglas, Sorosis or Supreme Shoes
ior the truth you learn from them will
bring you back for another pair.
THOS. COHEN, The Shoe Man
Main & Division Sts.
SOMERVILLE, N. J.

L. M. ( ()DIN(rrOX

C. W. BOWMAN
(With Tiffany & Co. 8 Years)
Jeweler- Optician
^Watch Inspector for (?. R. R. of JV. J.
10 ^V. MAIN ST.
SOMERVILLE, N. J.
Phone 32-R

INSURANeE
51 WEST MAIN ST.
SOMERVlIvI.K, X. -T.
Oldest Agency in the County

lark. He had Catherine's permission to bring her that horse and
side saddle, and in his heart he knew that she would return with
him as his wife. Early in the following summer— that eventful
summer of 1765, just when the news was permeating the indig
nant colonies that the British Parliament had passed the stamp
act— "Prince George" appeared at her home once more, and they
were duly married. Catherine, an expert horsewoman, vaulted
to the back of the shining and fiery bay mare which George had
brought to her, and dashed out over the meadows for a prelimin
ary or trial spin. There were ejaculations of wonder and fear
from the town-bred visitors for Catherine's safety. After a ntim
ber of evolutions and sprints, with the mare under perfect control,
she rode back at a canter, patting and stroking the arched neck
of her mount. Then, reining the horse, the young woman jumped
to the ground.
"George!" she cried to her husband, "I'd follow you on that
mare around the world! She's my queen! And the saddle like
herself, is second to none. It is the blue ribbon of perfection \"
The long wedding march from the young bride's home in
New York was commenced immediately and continued daily until
the travelers finally reached their home, within about a mile of
Pluckamin. The only roads to follow were bridle paths or Indian
trails. As the Indians were then plentiful, and in an ugty mood,
the "Prince's" escort of four mounted and armed blacks in ad
vance and four following his wife and himself and their two
pages, was no more than the case called for. The red men had
been growing- more and more dangerous since the termination of
the French War in 1760, until in 1763 that able and warlike chief,
Pontiac, arose and fell upon the English in the Northwest, cap
turing all their posts west of Oswego, Niagara, Fort Pitt and De
troit. Following the tremendous prestige and daring this gave
them, the Indians were scouring the country in bands far and
wide, plundering, murdering and burning all before them, deter
mined, as they said, to exterminate the white , grovelers, who were
increasing and multiplying so alarmingly.
If the wedding party had delayed setting out just one day
longer, in all likelihood it would never have reached the "Prince's"
home, but would have perished as so many other parties did in
those perilous times, leaving no record behind of \\hat had be-

To the Home-seeker, Greeting:

THE Board of Trade of Somerville be
lieves there is no other community in
New Jersey that can equal Somerville, all
things considered. It is a clean, progres
sive and modern community, whose aim is
to invite the outsider and not to exclude the
insider. The streets are clean, paved and
well shaded; the religious side of life is
firmly assured; the educational and social
opportunities are of the best; commerce is
fully recognized; residential and industrial
life do not conflict, the segregation being
natural and not artificial.
Somerville also possesses all the modern
conveniences and just sufficient of the old
to mellow and ripen the new era.
Therefore, Mr. Homeseeker, the Board
of Trade and citizens of Somerville respect
fully invite you to make your home in their
midst, feeling assured you'll never regret
having done so.

Board of Trade, Somerville, New Jersey
Trustees of Board of Trade :
PHILIP CASE, Pres. JAS. Q. TEN EYCK, Vice Pres.
SELAH SCHOONMAKER, Sec. JOHN ENK, Treas.
C. P HOAGLAND, W. D. NOLAN, J. S. FRELINGHUYSEN
W. J. KIRBY, HENRY REIMER, JOHN MAXWELL
A copy of this book may be secured by applying to Board of Trade

fallen them. As it was, at the end of their first day's ride,
"Prince George" and his fellow travelers put up for the night at
a little settlement village called Painted Post. They left there
the next morning at daybreak, continuing their journey by forced
marches along the Susquehanna River and through Pennsylvania.
It was well for them that they did so, for they just escaped a des
perate gang of more than fifty savages, who the very next night
surrounded Painted Post, killed every white person thev could
find and burned the place to the ground. Fortunately, "Prince
George" and Catherine's honeymoon in the saddle ended propiti
ously and all arrived at the old homestead in safety. If, as so
nearly happened, it had been otherwise, the whole Christian world
would have been the loser, for it would never have known T.
DeWitt Talmage. TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
/^NE remarkable fact connected with the Central Railroad of
V-' New Jersey is the cordial sentiment existing between the
company and the traveling public. In every community along
its lines an active bond of fellowship prevails. In plain words,
these people swear by it, and the company cherishes and con
sistently endeavors in all ways to perpetuate this co-operation
To fully anticipate the depth of this cordial sentiment one has
to become a patron of this corporation and the reason will
not long remain unrevealed. A gentleman on being requested
to give his views on this matter laconically answered: "Well,
the road is clean." He put emphasis upon the word clean.
And after all that is the story in a nutshell.
Somerville being situated on the main line the train service is very good. From
Liberty Street, New York, trains leave at (A. M.) : 4:00, 6 ;oo, 6:30, 7:15, 8:15, 9:10,
10:00, 12:00. (P. M.) : 12:4s, 1:10, 2:00, 3:00, 3:45, 4:00, 4:3s, 5:00 (express) 5:00
(local), S:io, 5:30, 5:45, 6:15, 6:30, 7:00, 8:30, 9:15, 10:30. (A. M.) : 12:01.
Somerville for New York— (A. M.) : 5:3s, 6:00, 6:30, 6:55, 7:13, 7:24 (express),
7:43 (express), 7:43 (local), 8:17 (express), 9:07, 9:40 (express), 10:04, 10:30,
11:34 ^express), 11:37. (P. M.) : 1:09, 2:14, 2:20, 3:26, 4:20, 5:28, 6:11, 6:22,
7:10, 9:21, II :0S.
Sundays — New York (Liberty Street) to Somerville — (A. ^I.) : 4:30, 7:30, 10:00,
12:00. (P. M.) : 1:00, 2:30, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 7:30, 10:00,
Somerville to New York — (A. M.) : 7:32, 8:24, 9:23, 11:34, 12:15. (P- ^1.):
i:iS (express), 1:18 (local), 1:51, 3:00, 5:15, 6:23, 7:47, 8:11, 10:11.
The above refers to schedule in efifect September 9, 1909. The
reader, of course, understands this is liable to changes. The
Central also operates a branch to Flemington from Somerville.

FARMS FOR SALE
At Farmer Prices by the
Osgoodby Farm Agency {%%T) Somerville, N. J.

ALL STOCKED FARM, near SomerTllle, 75
'^ acres; excellent nine room house, elegant
outbuildings ; owned and modernized by New
Yorker whose business takes him South; will
include fine team horses, cows, pigs, 200 chickens,
dilcks, geese, pigeons, hay, corn, everything on
place except furniture; $8,400, half cash, bal
ance five per cent.
A TOWN MANSION, 6 acres, cost ^30,000, sell
'^ for $12,000, magnificent country estate,
right fn town, 15 room mansion, hard wood
floors, gas, electric light, bath, steam heat ;
grand old shade, beautiful lawn, abundance de
licious fruits, apples, peaches, pears, plums, var
iety of grapes, large vegetable garden, asparagus
bed, celery ; carriage house, horse stable, hen
nery, &c. ; overlooking Duke's Park; five minutes
to depot; 50 trains dally; cost $30,000; widowed
owner going to California sacrifices for $12,000,
half cash If sold at once.
A DANDY CHICKEN FARM, could be made
'^ out of this 30 acres, stone house^J 300 fine
peach trees; running stream; price $2,600, terms.
A 120 ACRE FARM, % mile commuting depot;
'*¦ 13 room brick house, outbuildings, all best
condition, abundance all kinds of fruit, two good
streams water, windmill supplies water through
house and outbuildings ; 3 acres woodland ; price
$9,500.
BEST FARM AROUND SOMERVILLE
l^INETY ACRES, excellent Colonial house, 12
" rooms surrounded by grand old shade and
large fruit trees; one mile depot, hour N. Y.,
fine train service ; rich soil In highest state of
cultivation; large productive vegetable garden.
Including one acre delicious asparagus, every var
iety of fruit ; excellent barns and outbuildings •
property Is owned by estate which must be closed
and will be sacrificed for $10,000, worth $18,-
000 ; this Is an exceptional opportunity to get
the best farm around Somerville at sacrificed
price, only account death of aged owner.
A COMMUTER'S FIVE ACRES
D EAUTIFUL new modern house, eight rooms,
•" bath, hot and cold water, heat; best macad
am road; several fruit trees; desirable location;
good neighbors, near school and depot ; large
stable, cement floor, bullT ror owner's use ;
change of business requires immediate sale : only
.'<4.500 ; terms to suit ; we have personally in
spected this property and another 10 acre property
at the same price and urgently recommend them.
AN IDEAL CHICKEN FARM
pARM, 37% acres, main line Pennsylvania R.
*^ R. ; hour N. Y., 2i^ story house, slate roof,
eight rooms, decorated ; water In house ; running
brook and shade ; 50 fruit trees, large barn, out
buildings ; no repairs necessary ; high elevation,
near neighbors, schools, churches ; one mile vil
lage; buildings insured $3,000; taxes last year
$25 ; owner includes two -»od farm horses, cows,
chickens, wagons, buggies, mowing machines,
plow, cultivator, harrow, hay rake, harnesses,
feed cutter, lawn mower, 100 bushels wheat,
1,000 bushels corn, hay, feed, &c. ; this would
make an ideal chicken farm ; land slopes gently
toward south, $4,800.
TOWN RESIDENCE located on land equal to
* nine city lots, right In Somerville. flve min
utes' walk to depot, variety of vegetables, fruit,
apples, peaches, pears, cherries, grapes, fine old
shade and rare English walnut tree in full bear
ing, purchaser has access to Duke's 2000 acre
Park, the property cost $12,000, owner going
West win accept $6,500.
A STOCK FARM
tiOO acres, risrht in village
Xew York Commiitation, $11 Monthly
NEVER before have we had an opportunity of
offering such extraordinary bargain in a
Village Farm of 200 acres flne land, all under

epot
cultivation, excepting five acre chestnut grove ;
an excellent Colonial residence of 14 large, cheer
ful well lighted rooms; lawn, shaded with grand
old sugar maples; six large barns; the best apple
orchard of 200 trees in New Jersey, 50 cherry
trees, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries ;
$7,000 worth of peaches sold In one year ; seven
pure, sparkling springs of health giving water,
with flne stream connecting every field; 50 acres
winter grain, wheat and rye; also 30 acres oats
already planted and growing ; ground plowed and
prepared for 40 acres corn; this excellent farm,
(none better) is located right in village of re
tired rich farmers and bankers, flve minutes* walk
to Post Office, schools, churches, hotel, depot and
creamery. Never before have we had listed with us such
a magnificent village farm ; sacriflced to close
estate; only $20,000; easy terms arranged; this
Is a money maker now (a whole family has re
tired wealthy from it) and a fortune maker In
the natural increase of value of property during
the next few years.
ANNUAL INCOME OVER $5,000
A 163 acre farm, 1% miles depot, main line
'^ Jersey Central ; stone house, 10 rooms, tenant
house, 4 rooms, good condition; 1,400 peach
trees ; exceptionally large apple orchard, abund
ance pears, plums, quinces, cherries, &c ; large
number of good outbuildings; 30 acres woodland;
cuts over 50 tons hay ; adjoins farm of New
York's famous potato King; valued $75,000; this
magnificent farm considered one of the most fer
tile In the State. $8,500.
A 300 ACRE FRUIT FARM
$3 ,000 Yearly Income
rjEPOT on property, communtatlon $11.00
*^ monthly, never before and never again will
such an opportunity be available to secure 300
acres of excellent farm land; 2,500 healthy bear
ing fruit trees ; positively no scale or disease :
fruit sold on farm, good old fashioned bouse, 12
rooms ; telephone, four acres pines, 1,000 cord
wood ; cuts 70 tons hay ; Income doubled by
carrying 30 head of cows ; would make excellent
gentlemen's estate; magnificent scenery; excel
lent streams water ; State put on this farm 50
English pheasants and 12 Hungarian quail; this
exceptionally desirable farm being sacrificed by
widow account husband's death; worth to-day
double asking price; $15,000, half cash; If you
know a real genuine bargain see this.
AN INDEPENDENT Income awaits the purchaser
of this 16 acre farm, on main road, high ele
vation, pronounced by experts to be the healthiest
spot in the State; two story house, eight rooms,
excellent condition, nearly new ; fine old shade,
stone milk house, with flowing springs : large
barn, wagon house, granary, hennery, piggery,
good condition ; 30 apple trees, 7 choice cherry
trees, pears, peaches, plums, strawberries, rasp
berries, blackberries and walnuts ; land in gooii
state of cultivation for trucking and vegetables ;
price $2,000.
A COLONIAL FARM MANSION
19 Roonis, 50 Acres, 1 Hour Out
O EAUTIFUL rolling rich soil In the highest
" state of cultivation, within two miles of three
stations, on macadamized road, one hour from
New York ; counted among the best and most pro
ductive farms In the state ; divided into fields
bordered by fiourishing osage hedge: fine stream
of water. Colonial mansion situated high overlook
ing farm, with lawn dotted profusely with variety
of invaluable old shade, commanding an excellent
view of the Musconetcong Mountains ; cemented
cellar under whole house, windmill and artesian
well supplying abundance of pure sparkling water;
large apple orchard, cherries, plums, quinces, pears.
blackberries, raspberries, grapes, &e. ; this
charming home and productive farm will be sacri
ficed by present owner for $15,000, the buildings
alone cannot he reproduced under $25,000.

To see any of the above Farms take 9 a. m. or 1 p.m. Jersey Central train from foot of
Liberty St. or West 23rd St., New York, and call at
OSGOODBY'S (Opposite Depot) SOMERVILLE, N. J.