NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899.

The progenitor of the Brittin family in Morris county was William Brittin. The "ensign armorial" of the family has descended from father to son, and the seal is, at the present time, in the care of the descendants of Joseph Brittin, at Schenectady, New York. It consists of a fine stag's head, and the motto, " Virtute, non Verbis" (by virtue, not by words). Tradition tells us "the eldest son inherited the title and the manor called ' Brightin,' which was standing fifty years ago," and the estate is still in possession of a member of the family of Brittin—which orthography, according to the etymology of the Welsh, is probably the correct one, instead of the other forms of Briten, Britton or Brittain, which are used by other branches of the family.

William Brittin came to America in early manhood from Sutton, in Ashfield-Notts, England, and in this country married Mary Thomas, a native of Wales. She was born in 1714, and died October 14, 1780. At the time of their marriage William Brittin and his wife located near Philadelphia, where they kept an inn called "The Fox Chase," in which tradition says Generals Washington and La Fayette, and probably other patriots of the Revolution, were entertained. The fact remains without a doubt that at least one member of the colonial army was born there—Jacob Brittin, whose birth occurred in 1744, and who served throughout the war as sergeant, while his brother Joseph was a member of General Washington's life guards. The latter lived to be ninety-six years of age. Through the efforts of the Brittin family the Washington Association of Morristown is in possession of a most interesting relic of the Revolution, in the form of an antique ordnance, a twelve-pound iron howitzer. This cannon, according to the well authenticated records of the family, was cast in England and brought over to this country by the Tories to be used against the Americans in the Revolution, and was captured from the British at the close of a hard day's battle—"the closest of the war," says General Maxwell, —the battle of Springfield, New Jersey, in 1780. The cannon was then removed to Short Hills, placed on an eminence which commanded a large range, and used as the "alarm gun," —a service which it successfully accomplished —to prevent the advance of the British in their attempt to reach Morristown. Subsequently the " Crown Prince," as the cannon was called, was taken to Morris Green, and its booming announced the arrival of General La Fayette on his visit to Morristown. At the last training of the militia at that place, General Benonie Hathaway presented the cannon to the militia, then commanded by Colonel William Brittin. After the war of the Rebellion it was remounted at the Speedwell Iron Works and placed in front of the soldiers' monument in the park, July 4, 1871. As it had no relation to the Civil war, William J. Brittin determined to present it to the Washington Association, at headquarters, and on the 9th of October, 1890, it was removed to the west corner of the association's building, where it will remain for all time, one of the most valuable relics possessed by the society. A suitable tablet, giving its history, was also engraved and placed by it.

Jacob Brittin, previously mentioned in connection with his service throughout the war of the Revolution, was married March 3, 1774, to Elizabeth Van Sickle, and came to reside in Morris county, near New Providence, where he bought one hundred acres of land, Nos. 23 to 27, of the Elizabethtown survey. He possessed great power of endurance and energy. His influence in the affairs of the struggling settlers was decided and salutary, although he died August 18, 1784, at the early age of forty years. His wife, Elizabeth, died July 15, 1795, at the age of forty-one years. Their children were Theodocia, who married Miller Walker, son of Asher Walker; William, who was born February 8, 1778, and married Margaret, daughter of Daniel Baker, of Westfield; Abraham, who was born February 20, 1780, and married Elizabeth Baker, a sister of his brother's wife; Isaac, who was born May 6, 1782, and married Abby Ludlow. William Brittin, Jr., settled in Auburn, New York, and built the state prison there. His brother John was ensign and sergeant in the Revolution, after which he located in Sussex county. New Jersey. Joseph, the youngest son of William Brittin, Sr. resided in Philadelphia until the marriage of his daughter, when he removed to Schenectady, New York, where his last years were spent.

The Morris county branch of the Brittin family was founded by the three brothers, William, Abraham and Isaac, who came to Bottle Hill, now Madison, in 1800. They were enterprising young men, who at once built a storehouse, which in 1898 was demolished to make room for the enlargement of James park. There they opened a country store nearly one hundred years ago. The first store in the place was kept by Mrs. Horton, the energetic wife of the pastor of the Presbyterian church. The times were hard and thus the lady eked out her husband's scanty stipend. The house that William Brittin first occupied was on the site occupied by this little store, and his brother Abraham lived just opposite until after 1820, when he purchased the large residence on the turnpike, where he died in 1859. William erected his house early in 1805, moved his family into it and there remained until the day of his death, January 9, 1869. His son, William Jackson, who lived to be nearly eighty-two years of age, was born, lived and died in that house, — a remarkable fact in this era of constant change.

During his long life William Brittin held all or nearly all of the local offices within the gift of his townspeople. He was commissioned justice of the peace and served in that capacity for many years. Possessed of a retentive memory he could be relied upon to recall the past, to state the precedents; and his familiarity with the law and its technicalities made him often the tribunal to which legal difficulties were taken, without recourse to the tedious delays of the courts. He was one of the assistant judges of the Morris county court, filling that position for a number of years with dignity and the approval of the public, until disabled by the weight of years. Abraham and William Brittin wrote all the deeds for exchange of land and drew up all the wills for the people for miles around, and the fact that no will was ever contested speaks well for the legal ability of the formulator. No young lawyer had the courage to begin practice in Madison during the life-time of William and Abraham Brittin.

Morris county's record in the war of 1812 was alike honorable with that it made in the Revolutionary struggle. Responding to. President Madison's call on the state for troops, Governor Pennington issued his proclamation, as follows: " The commander-in-chief thinks it his duty to remind the militia of New Jersey that the crisis calls for a manifestation of public virtue. The events of our war in Europe have left America to again contend singly with the British empire. The eyes of the world are upon us! Let us convince the enemy that the moment they land upon our shores they will be met by our men in arms and willing to defend their country. The citizens of New Jersey were among the first in our glorious struggle for national independence, and in the formation of our national government. They will not be the last in arms to maintain what they have so heroically contributed to achieve and wisely to establish."

In response to this stirring call, companies of infantry and light artillery and riflemen from every quarter of the state marched to expected points of attack on the coast from Paulus Hook, now Jersey City, to Cape May, and the coast was speedily lined with block houses. The militia of Morris county were posted in force at Sandy Hook, and served three months. Colonel William Brittin received a commission which read thus: "The Council and Assembly, reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, conduct and fidelity, have at a joint meeting appointed you colonel of the first regiment of the Morris brigade. You are therefore to take the said regiment into your charge and care, as colonel thereof, and duly to exercise both officers and soldiers of said regiment in arms; and as they are hereby directed to obey you as their colonel, you are likewise to follow such orders from time to time as you shall receive from your commander-in-chief or other superior officer, and for your so-doing this shall be your commission." This document is signed by Isaac N. Williamson, governor from 1809 to 1812, and until the last training day of the Morris militia Colonel Brittin was in command. He was promoted February 13, 1818. In addition to his military service and his service as magistrate and county judge, he was a member of the state legislature in 1815, 1819, 1824 and 1832, and was a member of the council from Morris county in 1837 and 1838.

In 1825, when General La Fayette was in the country for the last time and visited New Jersey, Colonel Brittin was commander of the military escort from Morristown to Springfield. The General left Morristown, July 15, 1825, at an early hour, and arrived at the hotel in Bottle Hill at 7 A. M. There the school children and citizens were awaiting him, his arrival in the village being announced by the firing of cannon and the ringing of bells. Passing under an arch tastefully arranged and decorated with flowers and evergreens, he was conducted by Colonels William Brittin and S. D. Hunting to the house appointed for his reception, where refreshments were bountifully spread. The pastor of the church, the Rev. John G. Bergen, gave an address, and thirteen girls, representing the states, sang an ode composed by the teacher of the school, John T. Derthick, to which the General very appropriately responded, after which he was conducted by Colonel Brittin to where refreshments were served amid an interchange of good feeling, and then to his carriage, the cavalcade moving off in the direction of Newark, where the citizens were awaiting to receive him. As the cortege was on Short Hills, the axle gave way and they had to substitute a rail until they could reach Springfield. As General La Fayette dismounted, he remarked, "When I return to France I will tell my countrymen that Jerseymen rode me on a rail!" This is one of the hitherto unpublished incidents related by the commander of the military escort at that time.

The Morris & Essex Railroad Company was incorporated by the legislature of New Jersey, January 29, 1835, the incorporators named in the act being James Cook and William Nelson Wood, of Morristown, William Brittin, of Madison, Jeptha Munn, of Chatham, Israel D. Condict, of Millburn, John J. Bryan and Isaac Baldwin. Thus did Colonel Brittin interest himself and his friends in every good enterprise. In politics he was an old-time Whig, and latterly an ardent Republican. In the domestic circle he was a kind and indulgent parent, and deeply attached to his friends and those near him. He continued in active business life until his earthly labors were ended.

Abraham Brittin first opened his eyes to the light of day in a farm house on Longhill, Morris county. He worked on the farm and attended the district school in his youth, and while still in his 'teens started for the west. He only got as far as Auburn, New York, however, when he decided to remain in the east, and located in Bottle Hill, in 1800, becoming prominent in every movement calculated for the good of the early settlers, giving freely of both his advice and his time, and never asking for any reward. He became a contractor, and in 1804 built a part of the turnpike from Morristown to Newark, also constructed the Morris & Essex branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, in 1836, and the stone bridge over the Schuylkill river, at Philadelphia. During all of his middle life he was continuously engaged on public works, and was very successful, becoming a wealthy man and at the same time enjoying a very enviable reputation for integrity and good judgment.

Like his brothers, Isaac Brittin early in life determined to be independent and self-supporting. He attended school for only a short time after the death of his father and then entered upon an apprenticeship at the mason's trade, serving for seven years. He afterward successfully engaged in contracting on his own account until middle life, when an attack of typhoid fever rendered him an invalid for the remainder of his life. He was always a resident of Madison, and by good management, industry, energy and perseverance while in health he acquired an ample competency for old age. For years the people of Madison had to do their banking in The State Bank, or in the Morris County Bank, of Morristown, and for the convenience of his neighbors Isaac Brittin began loaning money and doing a banking business in Bottle Hill. He died February 19, 1857, in the "Home on the Bank," generally known as Webb's Corner, near the railroad station, which place his brother William had owned in 1800. After the death of Isaac Brittin's wife the property was inherited by their only child, B. Ludlow Brittin, who sold it to James A. Webb. The daughter of William Brittin, who was born in that house in 1806, died there also in 1881. Mrs. Anna M. Brittin Baker was the mother of Mrs. Webb, and was a lady of the old school, amiable, educated, refined and a sincere Christian.

It would not be a complete family history of the Brittins were only mention made of its male members, and, accordingly, we give a brief account of the wives and mothers. Margaret, the wife of William, and Elizabeth, the wife of Abraham, were sisters, and granddaughters of Henry Baker, who emigrated from England and settled in Westfield. He married Phoebe Hedges, of Southampton, Long Island, a lady of Puritan parentage. Daniel Baker, the son of Henry, was born in 1753, and married Margaret Osborne. He was only twenty-three years of age when he joined the Colonial army for service in the Revolution, becoming a private of Spencer's regiment. He served for over seven years and during all this time his noble wife, who had to bear the equally hard part of quietly waiting at home, did all in her power to advance the cause of liberty. In after years at the Brittin fireside this " daughter of the Revolution " most eloquently told of the struggles and privations of 1776. Women love peace, but when they find themselves face to face with war they are patriotic and philosophic enough to accept the situation. Neither weather nor weariness nor sickness in any common measure could deter this faithful mother from offering her ministrations throughout the homes of the community when needed. She had fourteen children, who always claimed that "no more gentle, loving and faithful wife and mother ever lived." Much of their success in life is due to her companionship and sterling example. Mrs. William and Mrs. Abraham Brittin were true daughters of this heroic woman, and, like her, were ever active in good works and in all church enterprises, and were also very conversant with the local history of this section of the country.

Colonel William and Margaret (Baker) Brittin were the parents of seven children: Sylvester, who was born February 5, 1802, married Parmela, widow of Dr. Henry G. Elmer, and died July 21, 1828; Elizabeth, born June 4, 1804, married William Woodruff, and died July 9, 1836; Anna Maria, born August 6, 1806, became the wife of Jacob Baker, and died November 1, 1881; Harvey, who was born August 9, 1809, died November 28, 1832; Mary, born October 29, 1812, married Apollos M. Elmer, son of Dr. Moses Elmer, and her death occurred April 9, 1836; William Jackson, born April 9, 18 16, died September 14, 1897; Isabella Simmons, born March 16, 1823, died March 6, 1866.

The children of Abraham and Elizabeth (Baker) Brittin, four in number, were Edwin, who was born February 16, 18 12, was married in the south to Rosina Block, and died September 27, 1847, at his father's home in Madison; Alfred Bishop, born October i, 18 14, married Emma Dougherty, sister of Dr. Alexander Dougherty, of Newark, and died December 11, 1876; Margaret Osborn, born June 11, 18 19, married Thomas Garthwait, of Newark, and after his death became the wife of Thomas Carter, of Chicago, Illinois; Mary Walker, born February 4, 1823, became the wife of Joseph P. Turner, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she died.

The only child of Isaac and Abby (Ludlow) Brittin was Benjamin Ludlow, who was born November 14, 1807, in Madison, spent nearly his entire life in the south, and died in New York city, September 27, 1872.

No less prominent factors in the later development and advancement of Morris county have been the representatives of later generations of the Brittin family, who, emulating the example of illustrious ancestors, have aided materially in the progress and upbuilding of this section of the state. They have kept pace with modern advancement, and their lives and deeds have had an important bearing on the community.

William Jackson Brittin, son of Colonel William Brittin, was for many years an office-holder and at all times he was true and faithful to the trust reposed in him, discharging his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. He was born April 9, 18 16, and in early manhood he married Helen Maria Howell, daughter of Ezra Howell. For many years they traveled life's journey together, but now the wife is left to mourn with her four sons the loss of a devoted husband and father. Moral, educational and social interests receive his support. For many years he was an efficient member of the board of education, for more than twenty years was a member of the town committee, for six years was president of the fire department, and time and again was chosen freeholder. He was also a "Son of the Revolution." He gave to the colored citizens the lot upon which their house of worship was erected and to the fire department the site of their truck house. The athletic association was met in a liberal spirit at its formation, and the grounds, so centrally located, so well adapted for its use, are a part, and a very desirable part, of the Brittin estate. Charity and benevolence were synonymous with his name, and the poor remember him with grateful hearts.

At a meeting of the fire department of Madison resolutions of respect and sympathy were passed, and handsomely framed; and a copy of the resolutions were presented to Mrs. Brittin. In making the gift a member of the committee spoke as follows: "I would say that it is impossible in a memoir of this character to give full expression to the feelings of the members of the Madison fire department over the loss of one whom they have not only honored but loved. No man was richer in his sympathy, kinder in his heart, or more genuine in his love for his fellows. Therefore the impulse of eulogy arises quickly and spontaneously. In no case could a tribute of praise be better deserved, but above all sense of personal loss and readiness to praise there must arise the realization that what is best in man survives the incident which we call death, and does so not only in some future and distant sphere but here and now."

Alfred Brittin, another of the later representatives of the family, and a son of Abraham and Elizabeth Brittin, was a native of Madison and entered upon his business career as a clerk in the store of Cook, Vorhees & Company, of Morristown, afterward becoming a partner in the business. Later he was engaged in the same line in Newark, and subsequently became connected with Alfred Bishop, the great railroad king. This led to Mr. Brittin's becoming a railroad contractor on his own account and for a time he was successful, but later met with reverses. He then became a candidate for state treasurer, but the mistakes of some of his friends caused his defeat by only two votes. Later he was appointed collector of the county by the board of county freeholders, and made a most excellent officer, his service being probably unsurpassed by any incumbent ever in the position. He was a stalwart Republican and did much for his party. In religious belief he was a devout Presbyterian and gave freely of his means to church and charitable work. He had many noble traits of character, and those who had known him longest loved him best. At his death, which occurred in December, 1876, the stores of Madison were closed and the flag hung at half mast in honor of one who had ever been foremost in every good work and whose life was the outcome of an upright, honorable character.

Transcribed by Brianne Kelly-Bly

Copyright ©1999-2018 by Brianne Kelly-Bly, all rights reserved.