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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. |
