Preface ~ First History of Bayonne, New Jersey
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Bayonne City Seal |
Bayonne is approaching the 250th
anniversary of its settlement. It seems appropriate, therefore,
that a history of the place be published at this time; not only
to commemorate the anniversary, but also because such a history
has never before been written or published, and it is well to
have collected in some substantial form the historical records
of the locality for preservation in our homes and libraries, and
to serve as a reference and reminder of the days gone by.
The author, with this in mind, undertook the task some time ago
of preparing a history of Bayonne. After spending considerable
time in difficult research, consulting numerous histories,
archives, genealogies, ordinances, reports, maps, documents,
files of old newspapers, and in interviewing and corresponding
with old inhabitants and past and present city officials this
book is the result.
The writer feels justified in saying that he has always sought
the most reliable sources of information, striving to give as
accurate, concise and interesting an account of the past as
possible.
Although much labor has been spent sifting statements in search
for any inaccuracies, it is to be hoped that errors, if any, are
very few.
The task, while agreeable, has been no light or superficial one,
and the author is very grateful to all persons who have assisted
him in the work. He feels especially indebted to the following
named:
Thomas Brady, Mayor; George Carragan, President of
Bayonne Bank; Mr.1 and Mrs. Nicholus
Van Buskirk; William C. Farr, ex-Mayor; Rev. Mitchell Bronk,
Ph.D.; Frederic Chamberlain, Board of Education; Mabel E. Smith;
William Nelson, Secretary New Jersey Historical Society; Emmett
Smith, City Surveyor; Edwin H. Alexander; William Dexter; Rev.
F. W. Jones; Principal E. C. Earl; George W. Yates, Sr.; Edmund
Stinson, Councilman; Nicholus Cubberly; John F. Lee,1
ex-President Board of Education; H. T. Hewitt, Secretary Board
of Education; C. J. Rooney, Clerk of County Board of Health and
Vital Statistics; Egbert Seymour, ex-Mayor; H. G. Saltzman;
Joseph Brady, City Treasurer; C. L. Robinson, Collector of
Revenue; Cornelius Van Horn.
That this volume may enlighten and interest the reader, and be
the means of developing and reviving that honest civic pride
which is essential to the best citizenship is the sincere wish
of…..
R. P. W.
Number Twenty-four East Thirty-seventh Street, October, 1904.
1. Recently deceased.
Source: First History of Bayonne, New
Jersey, by Royden Page Whitcomb, Published by R. P. Whitcomb, 24
East 37TH Street, Bayonne, N. J., 1904.
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