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BIOGRAPHY OF
JOHN H. POST.
Captain Adriaen Post first came to America from Harlengen,
Holland, about 1653, as agent or manager of Baron Van der Cappellan's
colony on Staten Island. Upon the destruction of that colony
by the savages early in 1655, , Mr. Post fled to Bergen (Jersey
City), whence, in September following, he, with his wife, five
children, two servants, and one girl, were taken prisoners by
the savages at what is known as the second massacre of Pavonia.
The family escaped by the payment of a heavy ransom, and Post
was thereupon dispatched by the Bergen colonists to treat with
the sachems of the Hackensack tribes for a release of other prisoners.
After his return from a successful performance of this duty
he settled at Bergen and eventually became one of the most active
and influential members of the struggling colony. Having had
some military experience in Holland, the Bergen colonists appointed
him Ensign of the militia September 6, 1665. On May 12, 1668,
he bought from Governor Philip Carteret lots Nos. 35, 55, 117,
100, and 164, of the Bergen common lands, containing in all about
165 acres. He built and resided on lot 164, containing fifty-five
acres. On June 10, 1673, he was elected to represent the Town
of Bergen in the provincial assembly, where he acquitted himself
with distinction. On July 19, 1672, he was appointed Prison
Keeper for East Jersey, and was the first person to hold that
position. "Captain Post," by which official title
he always went, died at Bergen in February, 1677. His wife's
name is not mentioned. He left a large family. He was the ancestor
of all the Posts in Bergen and Hudson Counties. He resided in
the town on lot No. 164. His children were Adriaen, William,
Elias, in the town on lot No. 164. His children were Adriaen,
William, Elias, Margaretta, Francis, and Gertrude. Adriaen (2)
became one of the patentees of the Aquackanock patent. The latter's
two sons, Adriaen and Abraham (3), came to Bergen County in 1735,
and married respectively Hendricke Ackerman and Rachel Hertie.
Abraham located on the upper Saddle River, purchasing lands
of Hendrick Vandelinda.
John H. Post, the subject of this sketch, is descended in
the seventh generation from Captain Adriaen Post. His paternal
grandfather, Henry Post, a farmer, was born in the western part
of the county, but died in Secaucus, where his son, Adriaen Post,
the father of John H., was born in 1818. Adriaen Post was a
farmer in New Durham and Secaucus, and died in the latter place
March 15, 1896, in his seventy-eighth year. His wife, Mary Van
Giesen, daughter of Garret Van Giesen, died December, [sic] 31,
1891, aged seventy-two. Her family was also a very early one
in Hudson County, and like the Posts was of Holland Dutch descent.
Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Post had five children, namely: Henry, Leah
Ann, John H., Adrian, Jr., and one who died in infancy.
John H. Post was born in New Durham, Hudson County, October
7, 1844, but has spent most of his life on a part of the old
family homestead on the Paterson plank road in Secaucus. He
received a thorough education, attending the public schools of
Secaucus, Union Hill, and Bergen Point, and a boarding school
at Deckertown, N.J., and since completing his studies has devoted
himself to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Post is one of the best
farmers in Hudson County, and has been eminently successful.
He has always taken a deep interest in public affairs, and,
though never aspiring to office, has served three years as a
school trustee and three years as district clerk. With these
exceptions he has declined political or public preferment. In
politics he is a consistent Republican, and in a quiet way has
rendered efficient service to his party. He is a progressive,
patriotic citizen, honored and respected, and enjoys the confidence
of the entire community.
Mr. Post was married April 6, 1868, to Fredericka Huber, daughter
of Frederick Huber, of Secaucus. They have four children: Adrian,
Christina, William H., and Walter.
Source: Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties,
New Jersey, Editor, Cornelius Burnham Harvey, The New Jersey
Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900, page 72-73.
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