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Here’s a 1901 Autograph Letter Signed Prominent Turn-of-the- 20^th Century Monmouth County, New Jersey Historian, Genealogist, Librarian and Antiquarian from Keyport

JOSEPHINE “JOSIE” ADELIA BROWN

(1858 - 1951)

PROMINENT LOCAL HISTORIAN, LIBRARIAN, GENEALOGIST, ANTIQUARIAN, MAJOR COLLECTOR OF LOCAL HISTORY, and SCHOOL TEACHER FROM KEYPORT, NEW JERSEY.

The ALS is 1p. dated at Keyport, NJ, March 13^th 1901, Written and Addressed to Prominent 19^th Century Monmouth County Politician and Fellow Antiquarian

SENATOR JOHN STILWELL APPLEGATE

(1837-1916)

· CIVIL WAR MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR'S LIGHT GUARD OF NEW JERSEY- AIDING IN RECRUITING NJ TROOPS AND IN THE VIGOROUS PROSECUTION OF THE WAR,

· NEW JERSEY REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR FROM MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ,

· CIVIL WAR BIOGRAPHICAL AUTHOR OF HIS CLOSE FRIEND COLONEL GEORGE ARROWSMITH, KIA AT THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG,

· ELECTED 1^st PRESIDENT (MAYOR) OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF RED BANK, NJ AFTER ITS INCORPORATION IN 1871, and

· INFLUENTIAL RED BANK, NJ LAWYER, ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS RAILROAD PRESIDENT and FOUNDER & PRESIDENT OF THE 2^nd NATIONAL BANK OF RED BANK.

In this letter, Brown acknowledges receipt of a pamphlet titled, “Defence of Fort Mercer,” and asks Sen. Applegate whether he knows anyone who deliver an interesting address on a local subject, and mentioning Professor Arrowsmith* and others as worthy candidates.

*Professor Arrowsmith who was an educator and school visitor active in the Monmouth County area (associated with Red Bank and surrounding public schools).

The letter comes with its original stamped transmittal envelope cover with Keyport NJ cds postmark. The cover is docketed in Applegate's hand and dated "March 14, 1901."

NOTE: This document came out of the John S. Applegate Red Bank, NJ estate. Applegate was a prominent State Senator and notable 19th century lawyer who did much legal work in connection with the Railroads, Telegraph Companies, and other commercial interests. He worked with Civil War notables including General T. T. Eckert in railroad/telegraph company litigation, Vice President Garett Hobart, and many other American notables. He also wrote a rare book about his close friend and Hamilton College roommate, Colonel George Arrowsmith, who was killed in action at Gettysburg (by a bullet to his head). This rare book is titled: “Reminiscences and Letters of George Arrowsmith of New Jersey, Late Lieutenant-Colonel of the One Hundred and Fifty-Seventh Regiment, New York State Volunteers”

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: JOSEPHINE ADELIA BROWN

Birth: 13 Aug 1858, Keyport, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA

Death: 23 Aug 1951 (aged 93)

Burial: Green Grove Cemetery, Keyport, NJ

Josephine "Josie" Adelia Brown (1858–1951) was a prominent local historian, librarian, and antiquarian collector from Keyport, New Jersey. Josephine A. Brown was a student, and later a teacher at Keyport Graded School. She was also a Librarian at the Free Public Library of Keyport.
around 1901 and throughout the early 20th century, she was widely known as one of the chief custodians of Monmouth County's local heritage.

She served as a dedicated librarian for the Keyport Library. Over her lifetime, she compiled extensive volumes of local genealogical research, cemetery records, and early Methodist historical papers.

Josie Brown accumulated a massive personal collection of rare Keyport-area artifacts, documents, and historical curiosities. A notable piece from her collection—an 1800s straw leghorn hat originally belonging to a local oysterman named Lewis Morris—was handed down to her in 1908 and later donated to the Monmouth County Historical Association.

She worked alongside her niece, Josephine Mabel Brown, to ensure that early 19th-century artifacts from historic local families (such as the Kearny and Bedle families) were safely donated to regional archives rather than lost to the ravages of time.

She also worked as a court stenographer later in life.

BIOGRAPHIES OF THE HONORABLE JOHN S. APPLEGATE

John Stilwell Applegate (August 6, 1837 – November 10, 1916) was an American politician, lawyer and writer. He served in the New Jersey Senate, representing Monmouth County. He also served as the chief commissioner (mayor) of Red Bank, New Jersey.

Early life

John Stilwell Applegate was born on August 6, 1837, on the family farm at Nutswamp, Middletown Township, New Jersey, to Ann (née Gray) and Joseph Stilwell Applegate. His father was a farmer and a store owner. Applegate attended the district school at Nutswamp. He graduated Colgate University in 1858. He studied law in Red Bank, New Jersey with Robert Allen Jr. He then studied with William L. Dayton in Trenton and then with E. B. Wakeman. He was admitted to the bar in New Jersey in 1861.

Career

Applegate began practicing law in Red Bank, New Jersey. He then became a counselor of law in February 1865. In 1875, he formed a law practice with Henry M. Nevius. He remained with the practice until 1880. In 1884, Applegate partnered with Frederick W. Hope in a law practice. They remained partners until 1901. He later formed a firm with his son, John Stilwell Applegate Jr. He stayed with their practice, John S. Applegate & Son, until his death.

During the American Civil War, Applegate was commissioned as a special deputy of the Union League for Monmouth County. In 1862, he was elected as a Republican as the school superintendent of Shrewsbury Township, and was elected three more times. He served as president of the first building and loan association of the shore section of Monmouth County from 1871 to 1875. In 1872, Applegate became president of the Red Bank Gas Light Company. In 1875, he started a movement that would lead to the founding of the Second National Bank of Red Bank. He would serve as its first president until 1887. He remained a member of the board of directors of the bank until his death.

Applegate was involved in local politics and was part of the first municipal council of Red Bank after it was incorporated as a town in 1871. He was elected assistant commissioner in 1872 and was elected the chief commissioner (mayor) of Red Bank in 1873. He retired the following year and was replaced by James S. Throckmorton. In 1881, Applegate was elected as a Republican to the New Jersey Senate, representing Monmouth County. He defeated George Washington Patterson. A notable bill he helped pass was to contract out to the lowest bidder the public printing of the state. He remained in that role until 1884. He also drafted a bill allowing smaller towns and villages in New Jersey to construct and maintain their own water works. Following this act, in 1884, he became a member of the first board of water commissioners of Red Bank. He remained in that role until Red Bank changed from a town to a borough in 1900.

Applegate also served as president of New York & Atlantic Highlands Railroad Company. He served as president until its consolidation with the Central Railroad system. In 1893, Applegate published a memorial volume of George Arrowsmith, lieutenant colonel of the 157th New York Infantry Regiment, entitled The Life and Service of George Arrowsmith. He also wrote Early Courts and Lawyers of Monmouth County (1911).

Personal life and death

Applegate married Deborah Catharine Allen of Red Bank, daughter of Charles Gordon Allen, in 1865. Together, they had three children: Annie, Katharine and John Stilwell Applegate Jr.

Applegate died on November 10, 1916, at his home in Red Bank. He was buried at the family plot at Fair View Cemetery in Middletown.

Awards

Applegate received an honorary Bachelor of Laws degree from Colgate University in 1904.

References

1. Ross, Peter; Hedley, Fenwick Y. (1992). The New Jersey Coast in Three Centuries. pp. 310–312.

2. "John S. Applegate Dead". The Daily Register. Red Bank, New Jersey. November 15, 1916. p. 1.

3. "Death of Ex-Senator John S. Applegate At Red Bank". The Monmouth Inquirer. Freehold Township, New Jersey. November 16, 1916. p. 1.

4. "History & Tradition". catellilaw. com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019.

5. Moon, Eileen (2014). Legendary Locals of Red Bank. p. 32.

6. "Seventy-Seven Years Old". The Daily Register. Red Bank, New Jersey. August 12, 1914. p. 11.

7. William Nelson, ed. (1913). Nelson's Biographical Cyclopedia of New Jersey. Vol. 2. Eastern Historical Publishing Society. pp. 373–376.

JOHN STILLWELL APPLEGATE, LL.D

John Stillwell Applegate, LL.D., son of Joseph Stillwell and Ann (Bray) Applegate, was born at the home farm in Middletown township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, August 6, 1837, and died at his home in Red Bank, New Jersey, November 10, 1916. He obtained a good preparatory education in county schools of note, and then entered Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, whence he was graduated A. B., class of 1858. Forty-six years later, 1904, Colgate bestowed upon her son the honorary degree of LL.D. Choosing the law as his profession, he studied under the direction of the eminent William L. Dayton, (Attorney-General of New Jersey) for a time, and in November, 1861, was admitted to the New Jersey bar, and in February, 1865, as a counsellor.

The farm in Middletown township was the family home until 1857, when Joseph S. Applegate built his residence in Red Bank, and moved therein, the son, John S., beginning law practice there immediately after his admission to the bar in November, 1861. He practiced alone until 1875, then for five years was associated with Henry M. Nevius, who later was a circuit court judge. From 1884 until 1901 he was in law partnership with Frederick W. Hope, and from 1901 until his passing in 1916, he practiced with his son, John S. (2), as John S. Applegate & Son, 84-88 Broad Street. Red Bank. He was in turn admitted to all State courts, to the Circuit and District Federal courts, and was connected with many of the celebrated cases tried in the Monmouth courts during the more than half a century he was in active practice. His practice had always been large and he won a most honorable rank in the profession he loved.

In the business life of his community, Mr. Applegate was also a conspicuous figure. He was one of the incorporators of the New York and Atlantic Highlands Railroad, and President of the RR Company until its taking over by the Central Railway, of New Jersey; was President of the first Building and Loan Association of the shore district of Monmouth County, 1871-1875; President of the Red Bank Gas Light Company, 1872; a Founder and President of the Second National Bank of Red Bank from its organization in 1875 until his resignation in 1886, his share in the upbuilding of these now important corporations being their very life blood.

A Republican in polices, Mr. Applegate from 1862 when he was elected school superintendent of Shrewsbury township, took a very active part in public affairs. He was three times reelected school superintendent.

During the Civil War he was a member of the Governor's Light Guard, and aided in recruiting and in the vigorous prosecution of the war.

He was made a special deputy of the Union League of America, and formed a number of chapters in various parts of New Jersey. In 1865 he was a member of the Republican State Central Committee, and in 1870, when Red Bank was incorporated, he was elected a member of the first Municipal Council, and in 1871 was elected President of the Council.

In 1881 he was elected State Senator from Monmouth County, New Jersey the 1^st Republican to win that honor, carrying that then stronghold of Democracy by one thousand votes. Among the bills he introduced, championed and fought to successful issue was one requiring the public printing of the State to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, a bill fought by the newspapers, who had formerly held it in return for party service. He was also the father of the bill allowing smaller towns and villages to construct and maintain water works, and under that act Red Bank established the first city water system. Senator Applegate becoming, in 1884, a member of the first Board of Water Commissioners ever appointed in the city.

Senator Applegate was President of the Monmouth County Bar Association; a member of the New Jersey Bar Association; a member of the American Bar Association; a trustee of the Monmouth Battle Monument Association: a member of the board of managers of the New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution; a charter member and trustee of the Monmouth County Historical Association; a member of Phi Beta Kappa; Delta Kappa Epsilon; New York Genealogical and Biographical Society; honorary member of the One Hundred and Fifty-Seventh Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and deeply interested in these organizations.

In religious faith he was a Baptist and served the First Church of Red Bank as President of its board of trustees for many years. In 1880 he delivered the annual Alumni address at Colgate University, and in 1893 he published a memorial volume commemorating the life and services of George Arrowsmith, who was killed-in-action at the Civil War battle of Gettysburg, and whose memory is perpetuated by Arrowsmith Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Red Bank.

He was made supreme court commissioner in 1865, and a special master in chancery in 1885. He was a member of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, and one of the men who could always be depended on to lead or forward any pressing movement.

John S. Applegate married, October 5, 1865, Deborah Catherine Allen, daughter of Charles Gordon and Catherine (Trafford) Allen, granddaughter of James and Mary (Gordon) Allen, of Scotch-English ancestry. Charles Gordon Allen, born in Middletown township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, August 4, 1800, died in Red Bank, March 31, 1885. He was an olden time merchant and vessel owner, the builder of the steamers, "Golden Gate" and "Ocean Wave," which plied between Red Bank and New York. Mr. and Mrs. John S. Applegate were the parents of three children: Annie, a graduate of Vassar, 1891, wife of Professor Charles H. A. Wager, of Oberlin College; John Stillwell (2), of further mention; Katherine Trafford, a graduate of Vassar, 1897, wife of Francis J. Donald, and a resident of Broughty Ferry, Scotland.

Source: History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920 (1922)

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