A History of Washington Valley New Jersey

Washington Valley plotted from earliest available deeds

In 1949 a committee came together to prepare a history of Washington Valley New Jersey. From its origins as a settlement in 1749 through the pivotal moments of the Revolutionary War and into the nineteenth century, they delve into the lives of the early families who once called this valley home. Despite the challenges of piecing together a fragmented historical record, their endeavor aims to illuminate the valley’s heritage, drawing on a diverse array of sources, from land deeds and wills to personal anecdotes and genealogical research. This book is free to read or to download as a PDF.

Biographical Sketch of Nathaniel Horton

(V) Nathaniel, son of Caleb (2) Horton, was born at Southold. October 13. 1719, and married, about 1740. Mehitabel Wells. They removed to Chester, New Jersey, in 1748. She died December 10. 1801. He died January 24, 1804. Children, the first two born in Southold, the others in Chester: Deacon Nathaniel, 1741, mentioned elsewhere; Benjamin, 1743; David, September 2, 1750; Daniel, married Martha Terry; Polly, married Caleb Terry; Mehitabel, married Edward Lewis.

Biographical Sketch of John Burwell

John Burwell, retired farmer; P. O. Oakland; born in Morris Co., N. J., Feb. 1, 1813, where he engaged in the manufacture of wrought iron until 19 years of age, when he emigrated West and engaged at his trade in the States of Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio, until 1840, when he abandoned his trade and located upon his farm in Delaware Co., Ohio, where he lived until 1851, when, selling his farm, he emigrated West and located in Embarrass Tp., Edgar Co., Ill., purchasing a farm of 480 acres, which he worked until the spring of 1856, when he removed … Read more

Biography of Hon. Ezra Scollay Stearns

Hon. Ezra Scollay Stearns, Secretary of the State of New Hampshire since 1891, came to that office superabundantly qualified to meet its most exacting requirements. He was born in Rindge, N.H., September 1, 1838, son of Samuel and Mary Fitch (Moore) Stearns, his father being a native of Brattleboro, Vt., and his mother of Sharon, N.H. Through his mother he is connected with the Fitch family, several members of which were men of distinction during the Colonial period. The family was of Scotch-Irish origin; and the city of Fitchburg, Mass., was named in honor of John Fitch, a descendant in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Caleb Horton

(IV) Caleb (2), son of Barnabas (2) Hotrod, was born at Cutchogue, December 22, 1687. He married, December 10, 1714, Phebe, daughter of Nathaniel Terry, son of Richard Terry, born in Southold, 1698. In 1748 he removed to Roxbury, now (1910) Chester, New Jersey, and settled there. They were both members of the Southold church and its liberal supporters. He died August 6, 1772, and his wife, December 24, 1776. Children, born in Southold : Caleb, 1715; Hannah, 1717: Nathaniel, October 13, 1719, mentioned elsewhere; Nathan, about 1720; Phebe, about 1722; Elijah, June 19, 1724; Richard, about 1726; Rhoda, about … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Isaiah Horton

(VIII) Isaiah, son of Elisha Horton, was born at Chester, New Jersey, died in Springwater, Livingston county, New York, May 22, 1873. He was a carpenter. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married at Aurelius, Cayuga county, New York, January 31, 1817, Charlotte Chatfield. who died February 21, 1854. Children: 1. Amarilla, born 1818, married Stephen Pearl. 2. Elisha. 3. Miranda, married Luther P. Norton. 4. Eliza, married Luther P. Norton, for second wife. 5. Hiram, married Mary Briggs. 6. Esther, married Augustus Boughton. 7. Lucinda. 8. Isaiah. mentioned elsewhere. 9. Mary. married J. B. Tiffany. … Read more

Biography of Colonel Jacob H. Bartles

Time is the perspective which places the individual in his true position in relation to the history of the community with which he has been identified and time serves but to heighten the fame and brighten the good name of Colonel Jacob H. Bartles, in whose honor the town of Bartlesville was named and who was also the founder of Dewey. He was ever a man of most progressive spirit, of which many tangible evidences may be cited, including the fact that he was the first man to establish electric light and waterworks plants in the state. He was also … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Elisha Horton

(VII) Elisha, son of Deacon Nathaniel (2) Horton, was born in Chester, about 1777, and married, about 1800, Polly, daughter of Caleb and Sarah (Benjamin) Horton, his second cousin, born in Chester about 1779. They removed to Scipio, New York, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Children, born in Chester: Isaiah, mentioned elsewhere; Aaron, unmarried; Phebe, married Stephen Robinson; Esther, married Warren R. Atwood.