FOURTH OF JULY – In the 20th and 21st centuries, Independence Day hasn't received the amount of attention in Frenchtown that Memorial Day gets. But newspaper accounts give a couple of glimpses into some substantial 19th-century observances.
In 1834 the Hunterdon Gazette told of a Fourth of July celebration that apparently took place outside Prevost's old brick tavern (future site of the Frenchtown Inn). It was arranged logically enough by a Committee of Arrangement: William Case, Peter Leonard, James Dalrymple, Hall Opdycke and Sergeant Lake. (Mr. Lake [1797-1879] was a Kingwood farmer, not a soldier. “Sergeant” was his given name. He had seven children, including a son named Washington and a daughter named Louisiana.)
The event started with the display of the American flag and the firing of salutes by a cannon brought in by Capt. William A. Loder's Hunterdon Artillery Company. Then the company “went through a series of maneuvers and drilling, in which they displayed an acquaintance with their art which does them credit, and augers well for their future usefulness. This done, they refreshed themselves from the dining room, where everything was free...”
Then the committee appointed William Case president, Peter Leonard vice president and John Blanc marshal of the event.
While “a committee of toasts” retired to write a series of public remarks. Blanc and assistant marshal Isaac R. Srope organized a parade in this order: first, members of the Committee of Arrangement, then musicians, then “thirteen young ladies appropriately decorated for the occasion, and bearing insignia emblematic of the 13 old states,” then “citizens generally,” and finally officers of the militia and military.
After marching around the village, everyone returned to the shade outside the tavern where Leonard read aloud the Constitution of New Jersey and the Declaration of Independence. Then “heart-stirring addresses,” apparently prepared by the toast committee, were presented, and everyone “felt the weight and spirit of the occasion.”
Then “the more sentimental drank the toast of the day, while the young ladies partook of a delicious repast... The military kept time by timely and repeated discharges of their six pounder, while the band of music filled all occasional vacancies in the amusements.”
The committee praised the “unremitting exertion and politeness” of innkeeper George Stull. (Thanks to Hunterdon historian Marfy Goodspeed, who sent me the Gazette's reportage.)
Three years later, William Case would buy the tavern and its 1.42 acres from the Prevost family, and in 1838 he'd tear it down and build the Railroad House hotel, which is now the Frenchtown Inn.
In 1873 Frenchtown's Odd Fellows lodge organized festivities devoid of artillery and Miss Rhode Island, but did feature a parade and a picnic.
The grand marshal was Civil War hero Capt. William H. Slater, and on “fiery steeds” were assistant marshals William H. Stahler, a cavalry veteran with a bad back, and Gabriel H. Slater, hardware merchant, carriage maker, real estate developer and brother of the captain. The line of march included Company C of the New Jersey National Guard and its drum corps, the Frenchtown Cornet Band, and additional Odd Fellows from Riegelsville and Bridgeton Township, Pa., and Bloomsbury.
The procession went a mile east of town to a grove off the Baptistown Road where food, including ice cream, and fireworks were enjoyed.
From "Rick's Frenchtown Encyclopedia"
Sounds like alcoholic refreshments were liberally enjoyed in 1834.