History of Monmouth County, New Jersey

VOLUME I

The History of Monmouth County, here presented to its patrons for their approval, is the result of long and patient labor and research, which have been bestowed upon it with the view of producing an authentic and connected narrative of events of general importance or interest, which have occurred in the territory now comprised in the county of Monmouth, or in which its residents have been actors; confining the account as closely as practicable to the limits of the county, and to its former and present inhabitants, and referring to outside matters only so far as is necessary to show the connection of events.

To the general matter pertaining to the county, is added a history of each of its townships, embracing accounts of churches, schools, societies, and other local organizations, and also special matters intended chiefly for reference. Other portions of the work are necessarily arranged according to the subjects of which they treat. A prominent feature of the work is the mention of early settlers, and of the families descended from them. In this connection it is proper to remark that the family names of many of the pioneers and later residents of Monmouth county have been found spelled differently, (and sometimes in as many as three or four different ways), in the county, township and church records; and for that reason it has often been found impossible to decide with any degree of certainty, on the correct orthography, — if, indeed, there is any choice as to correctness, where, as is not infrequently the case in this county, different members of the same family, spell their surname variously, each in his own way. Under such circumstances, it should not be thought strange if the writer, being wholly at a loss to know which manner of spelling to adopt, has sometimes chosen one which may be regarded as incorrect by some who bear the name. Beyond this explanation, no apology will be made, for none is thought to be necessary. It is of course impossible to produce a history which shall be absolutely perfect and complete, but every effort has been used to make this as nearly so as possible, and it is now presented, with full confidence that the verdict of its patrons will be one of approval.

 

Table of Contents

CHAPTER I.
Location, Boundaries and Natural Features of Monmouth County 1

CHAPTER II.
Archaeology and Paleontology 7

CHAPTER III.
The Dutch, English and Proprietary Rule in New Jersey 16

CHAPTER IV.
The Indian Occupation 41

CHAPTER V.
Early Settlements and Land Titles 57

CHAPTER VI.
Early Settlements and Land Titles — (Continued) 71

CHAPTER VII.
The Provincial Revolt 85

CHAPTER VIII.
Organization and Subdivision of the County — Monmouth Civil List 101

CHAPTER IX.
Monmouth County in the Revolution 115

CHAPTER X.
Monmouth County in the Revolution — (Continued) 195

CHAPTER XI.
Monmouth County in the Revolution — (Continued) 227

CHAPTER XII.
War of 1812-15, Mexican War, Civil War of 1861-65 239

CHAPTER XIII.
The Bench and Bar of Monmouth County 271

CHAPTER XIV.
The Medical Society, Bible Society and Agricultural Society of Monmouth County 319

CHAPTER XV.
Internal Improvements — Population 369

CHAPTER XVI.
The Town and Township of Freehold 384

CHAPTER XVII.
Middletown Township 518

CHAPTER XVIII.
Shrewsbury Township and the Town of Red Bank 573

CHAPTER XIX.
Upper Freehold Township 611

CHAPTER XX.
Howell Township 645

CHAPTER XXI.
Millstone Township 655

CHAPTER XXII.
Atlantic Township 665

CHAPTER XXIII.
Manalapan Township 678

CHAPTER XXIV.
Raritan Township and the Town of Keyport 698

CHAPTER XXV.
Marlborough Township 727

CHAPTER XXVI.
Ocean Township and Long Branch 753

CHAPTER XXVII.
Wall Township

CHAPTER XXVIII.
Holmdel Township

CHAPTER XXIX.
Matawan Township

CHAPTER XXX.
Neptune Township

CHAPTER XXXI.
Eatontown Township

 

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VOLUME II

 

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VOLUME III - Biographical

 

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Monmouth is the most northern of the seacoast counties of New Jersey, its eastern border being the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, and its northern boundary being formed by Sandy Hook Bay and Raritan Bay. From the north- west corner of the county, on Raritan Bay, the boundary of Monmouth runs in a direction nearly southwest, adjoining the counties of Middlesex and Mercer. On the south, Monmouth is bounded by Ocean County, which was erected from the southern part of the original territory of Monmouth in 1850.