William Newton Pool

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

William Newton Pool

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

Only twenty years after the landing of the Pilgrims from the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock, the Pool family was planted on the American soil, the ancestors coming from England. John Pool, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Connecticut and when the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of British tyranny he joined the American army and loyally fought for the independence of his nation. He It was who established the Pool family in Morris county, and for more than a century his descendants have been identified with its development and progress. They were connected with that picturesque and somewhat romantic period when the men were attired in knee trousers, velvet coats and frilled shirts, and when traveling was done by means of private conveyance or the stage coach, and the way often led through wild regions, where civilization had left untrammeled the beauties of nature.

John Pool secured a tract of land in what is now Randolph township, Morris county, and developed there a farm on which occurred the birth of our subject's grandfather, William Pool, who first opened his eyes to the light of day in 1780. He, too, devoted his time and energies to the quiet pursuits of the farm, coming into possession of the old homestead, which he operated for many years. His son, Henry Pool, was born at the old family residence April 10, 1810, and having arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Charity Clark, the ceremony being performed on the 1st of October, 1837, Rev. Mr. Carpenter, a Baptist Minister, officiating.

Thus were united two of the oldest families of America, for the Clark family, also of English origin, was established in the New World at a very early epoch in American history. The first settlement was made on Long Island, New York, whence the great-grandfather, Nathaniel Clark, removed to New Jersey, settling west of Morristown. The grandfather was Ebenezer Clark, who was born in Morris county, March 22, 1767, and married Joanna Newton, born July 18, 1762. Their only son was Ebenezer Clark, the father of Mrs. Pool. He was born in Mendham township, Morris county, March 17, 1787 and married Phoebe Blackford, a native of Plainfield, born July 22, 1792. Mrs. Pool was their third daughter, and was born in Mendham township, October 14, 1816.

To Henry and Charity Pool were born three children, yet living, namely: William Newton, the only son and the immediate subject of this review; Sibley A., wife of William Alpaugh; and Phoebe, wife of Wesley Bonnell, a resident of Morris county. Mr. Pool resided on the old family farmstead and there reared his family. His attention was given to the cultivation and improvement of his land, and he was regarded as one of the leading farmers and valued citizens of the community. He died August 4, 1891, respected by all who knew him. In the Baptist church he held membership and his wife also belongs to that organization, attending its services when the weather permits. She is now in her eighty-second year, yet is in possession of all her faculties and can read and write without the aid of glasses.

William Newton Pool, whose name begins this review, was born on the old family homestead, near Mt Freedom, where his ancestors, located more than a century ago, on the 13th of August, 1838. He early became familiar with the duties and labors incident to the life of an agriculturist, and always assisted his father in the work of cultivating and improving the farm until the latter's death, when he assumed the management of the place. He is now operating seventy acres of rich and arable land and the well tilled fields indicate his careful supervision. He is a worthy representative of two old and honored families of the County and all who know Mr. Pool entertain him in high regard.

Transcribed by Wallace W. Poole