MIDDLESEX CO. NJ
HISTORICAL RECORDS
 

"New Brunswick Fredonian" [Middlesex Co. NJ] newspaper, Friday, May 6, 1870 (copy from Walter R. Stochel Jr., President, Metuchen-Edison Historical Society, Metuchen, NJ, 1/2003, with permission to post on my website; MAD: newspaper name handwritten on copy)
      Death of Bethune Dunkin, Esq.
      We learn with sincere regret of the death of Bethune Dunkin, Esq., for more than forty years principal of the public school in the Oak Tree district of Woodbridge Township. Mr. Dunkin died on April 30th, at the residence of his sister, Mrs. A.B. Adams, Waltham, Mass. He was nearly eighty-four years of age. No one in our county has been more beloved or respected than Mr. Dunkin, and few men leave so deep and lasting an impression upon any community as he has left upon the one in which he labored so long as an instructor. More than half a century ago, Mr. Dunkin came to the house of Mr. Henry Campbell a stranger, and by his introduction com... (blot at beginning of line in copy) ..ch in the Oak Tree School House. Year after year from that time, until the infirmities of a prolonged old age obliged him to desist, he faithfully performed his duties in such a manner as to win the deep love of his numerous pupils, and the confidence and regard of their parents and friends.
      As his pupils grew up, entered upon active life, and reared families of their own, the same teacher who had trained them was the instructor of their children, welcoming to his school again those of similar names, and seeing, as it were, the father or mother coming back again to sit in the old seat and to learn the old lessons. Thus Mr. Dunkin taught amid the same scenes parents, children, and grand-children. He loved these children and secured their love in return. Dwelling year after year among these families, whose veneration and regard for him constantly increased, the weddings and social gatherings of the entire region were not considered satisfactory unless he was present. His gentle manners and kindly feelings impressed themselves upon all under his charge. Fond of the best books, and surrounding himself with as many of them as his means allowed, he was always loaning them to his friends, making thus in his neighborhood's circulating library as it were of his own stock, and daily infusing a taste for literature into the people around. Besides his love of books, he had a strong passion for flowers. His school-room was constantly adorned by numerous plants, whose progress was watched with solicitude by his scholars, and at the residence of the family where his home was for years he enjoyed ample opportunity to cultivate the beautiful flowers that he admired so much. A bouquet of his favorites was always forthcoming as a bridal present or a souvenir of regard at the time when such a gift was most appropriate. Mr. Dunkin for many years kept a minute record of the personal history of his pupils, and although they were scattered over the whole country, he was constant in corresponding with many of them, and always gave them timely and profitable advice. His last days were spent with his beloved sister in Waltham, Massachusetts, where he enjoyed all the attention and care that attached and endeared friends can render to one in declining years. An apoplectic attack reduced his strength a few weeks since, and, without pain, and trusting to the love of his Heavenly Father, he calmly passed away. The gentle, unobtrusive influences of his prolonged life, so much of which was spent in our vicinity, demand this imperfect tribute at our hand. We willingly add our chaplet to the flowers that his numerous attached friends in Middlesex County lay upon his grave.
      Mr. Dunkin was a subscriber and reader of the Fredonian for more than fifty years.
 

"New Br..." (name cut off) newspaper, Wednesday, July 8, 1908 (copy from Walter R. Stochel Jr., President, Metuchen-Edison Historical Society, Metuchen, NJ, 1/2003, with permission to post on my website; MAD: Middlesex Co. NJ)
      Bethune Dunkin Alumni Meet.
      Pupils of Old Time Oak Tree Teacher Had a Reunion at Boynton Beach -- "Boys" and "Girls" of Half a Century and More Past.
      There probably has never been a gathering as unique in character, and certainly none of greater interest to those participating, than the reunion of the Bethune Dunkin scholars, which was held at Boynton Beach, recently.
      For nearly or quite forty-five years, Bethune Dunkin taught the Oak Tree District School in Woodbridge township, instructing three generations of its people, many of his later pupils being the grandchildren of those who were under his tuition when he assumed charge of the school.
      The exact dates when he came to the Oak Tree school, and when because of the infirmities of age, he relinquished charge of the school, do not seem to be known, but it is likely the years he taught were from about 1820 to 1865. This is indeed a most remarkable record, and it is doubtful if it has been equalled in a district school anywhere.
      It would seem strange, that during the nearly forty years since the death of Mr. Dunkin, no one had thought of a reunion of his scholars, until within the past few months, William Jackson and his wife, Margaret Campbell, who were scholars during the fifties, conceived the idea, and it is to them, that is due all credit for the very pleasant and entirely successful initial gathering of the Oak Tree pupils.
      It was very interesting at the reunion, to observe the efforts of many who had not met since childhood, to identify each other, and in but few instances were they successful. The gray hair and wrinkled faces having changed their appearances so greatly from the recollection of them fifty years or more ago.
      While the "boys" and "girls" did not engage in games of tag, and other youthful past times as in days of yore, yet "Becky" and "Rache" and "Corneal," "Josie" and "Mandy", and "Billy," "Ben," "Sank," "Lew," ["]Mart,["] and "Hank" and others, enjoyed themselves to the fullest extent in renewing acquaintance and recalling incidents of "Auld Lang Syne."
      More than fifty were present, among whom were:
      Lewis Kelly and daughter; Lewis T. Rogers, Wm. Force, Mrs. Osborne, Mrs. Georgia Thornall, Miss Addie Force, Mrs. L.H. Tappen, Mrs. Rebecca Kelly, Mrs. Alvin Decker, Mrs. A. Van Duzer, Mrs. Joannah Mundy, Mrs. Holt, Mrs. B. Vanderhoven, Mr. and Mrs. John Craig, Mrs. Amanda Ayres, Mrs. S.E. Merrill, Mis Josephine Campbell, Bethune Dunham, Thomas Payne, Theo. (bottom of column cut off) Benj. Wendover, Wm. H. Acken, Miss Elizabeth Kelly, Miss Rchel Kelly, Wm. Carman, Miss Mary Pyatt, Mrs. Almira Veghte, Miss Caroline Kelly, Mrs. Cornelia Acken, Mrs. Della Dunn, Mrs. Emma Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jackson and many other relatives and friends.
      The oldest ones present were Mrs. Joannah Mundy, 89 years, Thomas E. Payne, 87 years old and Bethune Dunham, 79 years, who were scholars during the earliest years of Mr. Dunkin's teaching in the Oak Tree school.
      After the lunch baskets had been relieved of their burdens, reminiscences of school days were given by Mr. Dunham and others. A permanent organization was formed to be known as the Bethune Dunkin Alumni Association of the Oak Tree School.
      The following officers for the ensuing year were elected: President, Henry R. Mayette, 952a Greene avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y.; vice president, Lewis T. Rogers, 413 Central avenue, Plainfield; secretary and treasurer, Wm. Jackson, 2721 Hayes avenue, Camden, N.J.
      The date fixed for the annual gatherings is the last Tuesday in June. The reunion in 1909 will be held at Sewaren.
      There are doubtless many living who were not present this year, and whose addresses are not known. It is desired that those who were present will endeavor to seek out such, and send their names and addresses to the secretary, so that all surviving scholars may be notified, and a much larger attendance be secured at future reunions. It is contemplated having a badge with an excellent likeness of Mr. Dunkin attached, to be worn at reunions.
 

"Plainfield Courier News" newspaper, 1908 (copy from Walter R. Stochel Jr., President, Metuchen-Edison Historical Society, Metuchen, NJ, 1/2003, with permission to post on my website; MAD: newspaper name and date handwritten on copy, but perhaps should be 1909; MAD: Middlesex Co. NJ)
      Paid Tribute to Their Old Teacher.
      Oak Tree Alumni Association Reads Memorial to Bethune Dunkin -- Will Meet Annually.
      (picture of Henry R. Mayette, President O.T.A.A.)
      The second annual reunion of surviving scholars of the Old Oak Tree School during the forty-five years Bethune Dunkin taught there was held at Boynton Beach on June 29th.
      The weather was perfect for an out-of-door gathering and the fifty or more who were present greatly enjoyed meeting again the companions of school days and recalling memories of Mr. Dunkin and of childhood years.
      Numbers of those present expressed regret that so many years had been allowed to pass before reunions of the scholars had been inaugurated.
      The association badge was greatly admired because of the excellent reproduction of a photograph of Mr. Dunkin attached to it; every member present securing one. Those who were not present can obtain badge by applying to the President of the Association.
      Every pupil who attended the school for however short a time, during the years Mr. Dunkin taught, is considered a member of the Association, and the Secretary especially desires to have the address sent to him of any survivor whose name is not in the list as published herewith. At the business meeting which was held in the afternoon all the officers for the past year were re-elected. They are as follows:
      President, Henry R. Mayette, 952 Greene avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Vice President, Lewis T. Rogers Plainfield, N.J.; Secretary and Treasurer, Wm. M. Jackson, Camden, N.J.
      The reunion in 1910 will be held at Boynton Beach during the last week in June, the exact date to be selected by the officers.
      At the first reunion the name adopted was "Bethune Dunkin Alumni Association of the Oak Tree School.["] At the meeting of the 29th the name was changed to "Oak Tree Alumni Association," and it so appears on the badge. At the close of the business meeting an interesting address was delivered by Rev. Ezekiel W. Mundy, in the family of whose father, Mr. Luther Mundy, Mr. Dunkin resided for many years. Among other things Mr. Mundy spoke of the ancestry of Mr. Dunkin, tracing it back to the Bethunes of Picardy, France, who from the 6th centry were prominent in church and state. George Bethune, a descendant of this family, who was a merchant of Boston, married Mary Fenuil, a descendent of wealthy Huguenots, who had come to America to escape oppression to which they were subjected in France.
      Susan, the daughter of George Bethune and Mary Fenuil, became the wife of Edmund Dunkin and the mother of Bethune Dunkin.
      Edmund Dunkin was an Irish gentleman, a younger brother of Sir William Dunkin, Chief Justice of India.
      This is a brief and but partial sketch of the distinguished ancestry of Mr. Dunkin, who was teacher, companion and friend of three generations of residents of the Oak Tree district. With the data collected by Mr. Mundy, it is contemplated at some time to prepare and publish, for benefit of members of the association and their descendants an article, with reminiscences of Mr. Dunkin's connection with the school.
      Among those present were Albert Acken, Howard Ayers, Mrs. C. Acken, Mrs. Barnett, Wm. Carman, Henry Carman, J.L. Carman, Miss Josephine Campbell, Miss Ella Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. John Craig, Wm. Coulter, John Carter, Mrs. Eliza Decker, Mr. and Mrs. Bethune Dunham, Mrs. Hampton, Wm. Force, Miss Charlotte Harrison, Mrs. Holt, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, Wm. Kelly, Mrs. Rebecca Kelly, Louis Kelly, Miss Rachael Kelly, Theodore Laing, Noe Laing, Mrs. Edw. Martin, Henry Mayette, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Morris, Miss Rebecca Mundy, E.W. Mundy, George Munn, Mrs. Merrill, Alex B. Noe, Mrs. Osborn, Thomas Payne, Martin Payne, Thompson Rowance, Mrs. Edward Seaman, Mrs. Tice, Mrs. B. Vanderhoven, Mrs. Wendover, Mrs. Warren, A.C. Kelly.
      At this meeting the following extract was read from the New Brunswick Fredonian of May 6, 1870, on the death of their old teacher.
      Death of Bethune Dunkin, Esq.
      We learn with sincere regret of the death of Bethune Dunkin, Esq., for more than forty years principal of the public school in the Oak Tree district of Woodbridge Township. Mr. Dunkin died on April 30th, at the residence of his sister, Mrs. A.B. Adams, Waltham, Mass. He was nearly eighty-four years of age. No one in our county has been more beloved or respected than Mr. Dunkin, and few men leave so deep and lasting an impression upon any community as he has left upon the one in which he labored so long as an instructor. More than half a century ago, Mr. Dunkin came to the house of Mr. Henry Campbell, a stranger, and by his introduction commenced to teach in the Oak Tree School House. Year after year from that time, until the infirmities of a prolonged old age obliged him to desist, he faithfully performed his duties in such a manner as to win the deep love of his numerous pupils, and the confidence and regard of their parents and friends. (MAD: see text of obituary as separate source)
      Mr. Dunkin was a subscriber and reader of the Fredonian for more than fifty years.
      The full list of members of the Oak Tree Alumni Association follows:
      Henry Ayres, Chas. Ayres, Metuch, N.J.; Mrs. Amanda Ayres, 718 West Fourth street, Plainfield, N.J.; Wm. H. Acken, Mrs. Cornelia L. Acken, Samuel Acken, Rahway, N.J.; Albert Acken, Howard Ayres, Mrs. Catherine Ayres, Metuchen, N.J.; Mrs. Jane Ayres, 25 Fulton street, Rahway, N.J.; Miss Mary E. Blackford, Oak Tree, N.J.; Mrs. Mary Barton, Terre Haute, Ind.; Mrs. Susan Barnett, Newark, N.J.; Isaac V. Brokaw, Astor place, New York; Wm. Barton Campbell, Rockwell, Iowa; Miss Ella Campbell, Metuchen, N.J.; Henry C. Carman, Mrs. Mary Crowell, Rahway, N.J.; Miss Anne F. Craig, 25 Fulton street, Rahway, N.J.; Miss Josephine Campbell, Wm. Carman, Metuchen, N.J.; James Lebbeus Carman, Thomasville, Ga.; Gen. Ezra A. Carman, Washington, D.C.; George E. Carman, Mapleton, N.C.; Joel Compton, Metuchen, N.J.; John Craig, Chatham, N.J.; Mrs. Susan Craig, Chatham, N.J.; Isaac Coleman, Girard College, Philadelphia, Pa.; Wm. Coulter, South Plainfield, N.J.; John Carter, 98 Passaic avenue, Newark, N.J.; Lewis Campbell, Chas. Compton, Metuchen, N.J.; Mrs. Dudley, care of Mrs. Laforge, Metuchen, N.J.; Mrs. Elizabeth Decker, Metuchen, N.J.; Mrs. Wm. P. Dunn, R.F.D., New brunswick, N.J.; Bethune Dunham, Mrs. Delia Dunn, South Plainfield, N.J.; Martha N. Force, Menlo Park, N.J.; Wm. Force, R.F.D. No.2, Rahway, N.J.; Miss Addie M. Force, 41 Washington street, Newark, N.J.; Mrs. Emma Hall, Rahway, N.J.; Edward C. Harrison, Rahway, N.J.; Geo. B. Harrison, Miss Charlotte E. Harrison, Oak Tree, N.J.; Elijah Hewitt, Rahway, N.J.; Mrs. Harriet Humpston, Point Pleasant, N.J.; Mrs. Holt, Metuchen, N.J.; Wm. M. Jackson, Mrs. Margaret J. Jackson, 2721 Hayes avenue, Camden, N.J.; Alex. C. Kelly, Metuchen, N.J.; Louis Kelly, Miss Rachel Kelly, Woodbridge, N.J.; Mrs. Catherine Kelly, 19th and Park avenue, East Orange, N.J.; Miss Caroline Kelly, Belle Mead, N.J.; Mrs. Rebecca Kelly, Wm. Kelly, Oliver Kelly, Miss Elizabeth Kelly, Miss Rachel Kelly, Oak Tree, N.J.; Noe Laing, Rahway, N.J.; Eden Laing, Asbury Park, N.J.; Theodore Laing South Plainfield, N.J.; George Munn, R.F.D., No.2, Rahway, N.J.; Wm. Marshall, Mrs. Mary Martin, Rahway, N.J.; Mrs. Margaret Martin, Delevan, Ill.; Mrs. Edward Martin, Metuchen, N.J.; Henry R. Mayette, 952a Greene avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Mrs. Jennie Melick, 162 Market street, Perth Amboy, N.J.; Mrs. S.E. Merrill, College Point, L.I., N.Y.; Charles Morris, Mrs. Charles Morris, Metuchen, N.J.; B. Dunkin Munn, Newark, N.J.; Alfred Mundy, South Plainfield, N.J.; Edward L. Mundy, 70 Fulton street, Rahway, N.J.; Rev. E.W. Mundy, Syracuse, N.Y.; Enos Mundy, Miss Rebecca Mundy, Metuchen, N.J.; Mrs. Joannah Mundy, South Plainfield, N.J.; Martin Munn, Frederic Munn, Perth Amboy, N.J.; Alex B. Noe, Plainfield, N.J.; Isaac P. Noe, Shellsburg, (end of page)
 

Newspaper article, name and date not given (copy from Walter R. Stochel Jr., President, Metuchen-Edison Historical Society, Metuchen, NJ, 1/2003, with permission to post on my website; MAD: probably 1910; MAD: Middlesex Co. NJ)
      Reunion of Oak Tree Alumni Association
      Held at Boynton Beach, Tuesday, June 21.
      Many were Present
      'Twas the Third Annual Reunion of Scholars Who Attended School at Oak Tree, Where Bethune Dunkin Was the Teacher From 1820 to 1865.
      The association is composed of all those who, for however short a time, were pupils of Bethune Dunkin, who taught the Oak Tree School from 1820 to 1865, covering a period of forty-five years, a most remarkable record of service in one school.
      At the time of his retirement in 1865 many of his pupils were the grandchildren of those who were under his care in the early years of his connection with the school.
      Mr. Dunkin returned to his former home in Waltham, Mass., and died there in 1870, aged 84 years.
      His long connection with the school had brought Mr. Dunkin into the closest and most intimate association with every family in the district, so that he had for many years been a part of the very life of the community, respected and beloved by every one.
      (picture of badge, "Oak Tree Alumni Association 1820-1865" on ribbon, a medallion with a picture of "Bethune Dunkin" hanging from the ribbon)
      The boys and girls of fifty years and more ago, by meting at these yearly gatherings, not only honor the memory of their old teacher, but also find a very great pleasure in renewing the almost or quite forgotten associations and friendships of their childhood days.
      Notice, which was sent to each "scholar," stated that the bell would ring at 9 o'clock, but a majority were tardy and did not arrive until near the noon hour, at which time the tables were spread and all gathered around them to partake of the good things with which they were burdened.
      Following this important and agreeable part of the program was the business meeting, which was called to order at 2 o'clock by the president, who in a brief welcome expressed gratification that there was such a large number present. He called attention to the fact that the association has one characteristic which is exactly similar to a condition found in the Grand Army of the Republic.
      Only people who lived within a certain period and did a certain thing within that time are eligible to membership in either organization. As all who are thus eligible for membership in this association are at least fifty years old, a large majority being much beyond that age, attention was called to the fact that the association, for this reason, can last but comparatively a few years, therefore members were urged to be present at every reunion, if possible.
      The secretary's report of the reunion of 1909 was read and approved.
      The treasurer reported a balance of $3.92, and in connection with his report stated that the dues as fixed at the first reunion are not sufficient to meet the necessary expenses of the association, and on motion were increased to 25 cents per annum.
      The mortuary report was presented by Mrs. William M. Jackson. Five members died during the past year -- Mrs. Jane Ayers, Mrs. Mercy Ann Dunn, Joel Compton, General Ezra A. Carman and George Morris.
      The following survivors were added to the roll of membership during the year: Mrs. J. Bedell, Hohokus, N.J.; H.A. Campbell, Metuchen, N.J.; Alexander Campbell, Metuchen, N.J.; Abraham Van Sickle, Metuchen, N.J.; Mrs. David Marsh, 703 Asbury avenue, Asbury Park, N.J.; Mrs. C.W. Moffett, 165 Brighton avenue, Arlington, N.J.; Henry Mundy, Newark, N.J.; Frazee Mundy, Belvidere, N.J.; Reuben Potter, 253 Washington avenue, West Haven, Conn.; David L. Ryno, 57 Irving street, Rahway, N.J.; William L. Ryno, Elizabeth, N.J.; Mrs. Abram Terrill, 72 Fulton street, Rahway, N.J.; George W. Tappan, White Plains, Ga. The officers for the ensuing year are as follows:
      President - Henry R. Mayette, 9529 Greene avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y.
      Vice President - Lewis Campbell, Metuchen, N.J.
      Secretary-Treasurer - William M. Jackson, 2721 Hayes avenue, Camden, N.J.
      The following were appointed a committee to secure speakers for the reunion in 1911: William Carman, William Coulter, Mrs. Carrie Wendover.
      Attention was called to the desirability of having a fixed date for the reunions so that members may not make other engagements which will prevent them from being present.
      On motion the third Tuesday in June was selected as the date, and Boynton Beach the place. Members are urged to make a note of this and keep the date free.
      Secretary Jackson especially desires that members interest themselves in seeking out and sending to him names and addresses of "scholars" who are not on the roll of membership and do not know that such an organization exists. Also that he be notified should any change their address.
      Association badges which have attached to them an excellent photograph of Mr. Dunkin may be obtained upon application to the president. Price 30 cents.
      Members Present.
      Between fifty and sixty members were present this year, among them the following: Mrs. Amanda Ayres, W.H. Acken, Mrs. C.L. Acken, Samuel Acken, Albert Acken, Howard Ayers, Mrs. Catharine Ayres, Miss M.E. Blackford, William Carman, James Lebbens Carman, Miss Josephine Campbell, John Craig, Mrs. John Craig, William Coulter, Louis Campbell, Mrs. Charles Compton, Miss Ella Campbell, C.L. Coover, Mrs. Elizabeth Decker, Bethune Dunham, Mrs. Bethune Dunham, Martin N. Force, Geo. Harrison, Mrs. M.A. Holt, Miss C.E. Harrison, William M. Jackson, Mrs. William M. Jackson, Alexander C. Kelly, Mrs. Rebecca Kelly, William Kelly, Miss Rachel A. Kelly, Miss Elizabeth Kelly, Louis Kelly, Miss Rachel Kelly, Eden Laing, Noah Laing, Theodore Laing, George Munn, William Marshall, Edward L. Mundy, Miss Rebecca Mundy, Enos Mundy, H.R. Mayette, Mrs. S.E. Merrill, Thomas Payne, Mrs. R. Rudders, Mrs. C.W. Muffett, David L. Ryno, Mrs. Edward Leaman, Mrs. Abram Terrill, Mrs. Bergen Vanderhoven, Abram Van Sickle, Mrs. Margaret Warren.
 

Notice, printed (copy from Walter R. Stochel Jr., President, Metuchen-Edison Historical Society, Metuchen, NJ, 1/2003, with permission to post on my website; MAD: Middlesex Co. NJ)
            May 22nd, 1911
Dear Friend:
On Tuesday, June 20th, at the hour of nine,
      The Oak Tree Alumni will fall into line:
Stern lessons of life we've been taught the past year,
      And have earned a days outing of pleasure and cheer;
So let nothing hinder,, but repair to the Beach,
      At Bonyton's, which trolleys from Rahway
            will reach,
Then with friends from the North, from the South,
            East or West,
We'll make our reunion of this year the best.
            Yours sincerely,
            W.M. Jackson,
2721 Hayes Avenue                  Camden, N.J.
 

Handwritten note, letter from Bethune Dunkin to Josephine Campbell, Monday morning, Nov. 4th, year not given (copy from Walter R. Stochel Jr., President, Metuchen-Edison Historical Society, Metuchen, NJ, 1/2003, with permission to post on my website; MAD: Middlesex Co. NJ)
      Miss Josephine Campbell (on separate piece of paper at top of copy)
      My dear Josephine,
      When in New Brunswick on Saturday last I saw at the Bookstore a small book which I thought would be of advantage to you as a Sunday School Teacher. Please accept of it as a very small mark of the regard of your friend most truly,
      Bethune Dunkin
Monday Morning, Nov 4th.
 
 

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