Robert T Middleditch Applegate

Other Events:

• Voress Number: 5A3E1A8
• Residence: 1870, Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA
• Residence: 1880, Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA

Robert married Eliza Jeffries 1885. Eliza (daughter of Thomas Jeffries and Lydia) was born Apr 1865, Jerseyville, Illinois, USA; died 25 Jun 1905; was buried , Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA. [Group Sheet]

1. Mary E Applegate was born Nov 1886.
2. Roberta S Applegate was born Jan 1890; died 21 Jan 1919.
3. Ada S Applegate was born Oct 1891.
4. Eunice Applegate was born Abt 1900; died 24 Mar 1918, Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA.
5. Bertha Applegate was born Abt 1903.
6. Lydia Applegate was born Abt 1905.

Other Events:

• Voress Number: 5A3E1A
• Occupation: 1850
• Residence: 1850, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1855
• Residence: 1855, New York City, New York, USA
• Occupation: 1870
• Residence: 1870, Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA
• Residence: 1880, Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA

Notes:

EDWIN FOREST APPLEGATE, the only child of William (4) Applegate, and his first wife, Elizabeth (Price ) Applegate, was born in New York City, June 3, 1831, and succeeded his father in the printing business on Ann street, which was later moved to Fulton, then to William, and back to Ann street, New York City. William (3) Applegate, was married to Hester Martin by the Rev. Ira Condict, pastor of the Low Dutch Church, New Brunswick, May 5, 1803. The latter’s father, William (2) Applegate, was a quartermaster in the Revolutionary War, and also served in the Colonial wars. His ancestor was driven from Yorkshire, England, prior to 1600, on account of religious persecution, and after a short stay in Holland, emigrated to Connecticut plantations, which he was forced to leave as he was a faithful adherent of the Church of England. Going first to Rhode Island, the family then settled on Long Island, then on Staten Island, and then moved to Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1674, or earlier, and all having very large families their descendents are numerous in Monmouth, Middlesex, and Ocean counties, the other parts of New Jersey, and throughout this and other countries.

The New York Typothetae states that William Applegate was “the first man who made a business of doing press work for the trade.” The office was on the east corner of Ann street and Theatre alley, the first floor being his press room, while the top floor was his composing room. The building isa still standing, but completely changed in appearance. He had six cylinder presses and com???? business for himself, in 1840, as a successor to Jared W. Bell, whose name is first found in the New York City directory in 1822. Bell had a large office for thosae days, but was always in pecuniary difficulities. As early as 1837 Bell had a mortgage of $10,000 on his concern. The earliest theatrical New York printers and Conrad. Applegate, upon his purchase of the plant, ordered one of the new-plan cylinder presses from London, and after its arrival waited three months for a mechanic to come from England to put it together. This was the first cylinder press that was operated with degree of success in New York City, and its improvements were viewed and utilized by various inventors in the United States, and itsa endless driven movement was about the same as now used. This press was exhibited at the Crystal Palace in 1854, after which it was broken up. William Applegate did a large business in theatrical, book and messotint printing, and also did the press work for the “Sunday Times,” “Sunday Mercury,” “Daily Arena,” “Sober Second Thought,” “New Dispatch,” &c.

Upon his death in 1847, his son, Edwin Forest Applegate, succeeded to the business and continued it until about 1855, when he was succeeded by his step-father, John Cameron, who in turn was succeeded by his son, John L. Cameron, who continued the business until his death, about 1901. Edwin F. Applegate was a member of the Empire Company, No 42, New York Volunteer Firemen, and captain of the Cameron Light Guards. Rem,oving to Warren, Rhode Island, as editor of the “Warren Daily Telegraph,” he served as captain of the Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. He edited a paper at Williamsburg, Virginia, and then went to Red Bank, New Jersey, to take charge of the “New Jersey Standard” for the Rev. R.T. Middleditch, and served as captain of the Shrewsbury Military Company of the New Jersey Governor’s Light Guards. He was elected colonel of the Twenty-ninth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, during the Civil War, and on account of ill health resigned a month before his enlistment expired, January, 1865, after having led his regiment at the Battle of Fredericksburg, December 15-16, 1864. He purchased “The Monmouth Inquirer,” March 30, 1865, from Benjamin Snyder, and remained Editor and owner until his death. He was engrossing clerk of the New Jersey Assembly during the winter of 1873, and was the first county auditor of Monmouth county, and organized that office, “conducting it with marked ability.” He joined Mystic Brotherhood, Free and Accepted Masons, at Red Bank, and demitted to Olive Branch Lodge, No 16, of Freehold, of which two successive generations are now members; He was also a member of Tennent Lodge, No 69, Knights of Pythias, of which his son is now a member; a member of Good Will Hook and Ladder Company, &c. He was also secretary of the Monmouth Battlefield Monmument Commission until his death, and a member of St.Peter’s Episcopal Church, clerk of the vestry for many years, as was also his son, Maxcy Applegate, Senior. He also was postmaster of Freehold from June 18, 1874, to March 3, 1883. After the death of Mr. Applegate his widow was owner of “The Inquirer” until 1891, when it was sold by her to her son, Maxcy Applegate, Jr., who is still the owner, editor and publisher (1922), a period of thirty-seven years.

On April 21, 1849, Edwin Forrest Applegate married Mary Lucinda French, daughter of Ensign and Mary (White) French, of Middletown, New Jeresy, in the Fulton street Baptist Church, New York City, by Rev. Lemuel Covell, and he died in Freehold, New Jersey, January 23, 1885, aged fifty-three years, and his widow died March 1, 1892, aged sixty-one years.

Edwin Forrest Applegate left the following ten sons and daughters: 1. Edwin Clark, of New York City, widower; one son, Edwin Reid Applegate, of California, retired United States Navy. 2. William French, died at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1916, leaving a widow, Mary (Rodgers) Applegate, who died at Connellsville, May 12, 1917, and two sons, William French, Jr., and Edwin Forest, also a daughter, Mrs. Mary Thompson, all of Connellsville. 3. Mrs Louis Angeline (French) Grant, widow of J.T. Grant, formerly of Trenton; one son, John T., Jr., who served i9n the world war, also daughter, Mrs. Rita, whjo has a sixteen year old daughter, Louise. 4. Mrs. Mary Hinkle, wife of Charles Hinkle, of Brooklyn; one daughter. 5. Mrs. Matilda Unie Keynton, of Brooklyn, widow of Douglas Keynton, died March 12, 1916, in Brooklyn, and one son, Douglas. 6. Maxcy, noted below. 7. Robert T.M. of Skillman. Married Eliza Jeffries, of Jerseyville, now deceased, widower, has children living: Mary, wife of William Krum, of Bordentown, New Jersey, five children; Ada, wife of David Lore, of Pitman, New Jersey, and child; Lydia of Howell, one child; and Roberta Rhodes, died January 21, 1919, leaves a widower, Elwood Rhodes, of Jamesville, New Jersey, and four children, Russell, Bertha, Eva, and Evelyn. Eunice Emmons, wife of Harry Emmons, died in Freehold, March 24, 1918, leaves a husband and a son. 8. Andrew G., of Newark, married Amy Sharman, at long Island City, New York, Marcg 3, 1889; children A. Spencer, married Mabelle Durner, of Long Island City, Februarl 2, 1918, and they have two children, Dorothy and A. Spencer, Jr., Edna Forest, unmarried. 9. Anna Amanda Wells, wife of Spencer Wells, died at Jamica, Long Island, November 3, 1920, leaves widower and son and daughter, Spencer and Amie. 10. Julia Clayton, died in Brooklyn, 1918, unmarried.

Maxcy Applegate, Sr., was born at Red bank, New Jersey, November 14, 1865, and commenced his work on “The Inquirer” in 1875, when attending school, as a carrier and press feeder, and with the exception of two years apent in the West in his early manhood, has always been connected with it, a period of forty-five years, making, the combined period of father and son fifty five years. Maxcy Applegate, Sr., served thirty-one years and eight months as a member of Good Will Hook and Ladder Company, and during that time held almost every position, including foreman, several years. He was also treasurer for a long time of the Freehold Fire Department, and is now on the exempt list. He also served seven years in Compant E, Seventh Regiment, New Jersey National Guard; a past councilor of the ????? Order of United American Mechanics; past deputy and chancellor commander of Tennent Lodge of the Knightsw of Pythias; is now secretary of ????? Council, Royal Arcanum; a former member of the New Jersey Editorial Association, a member of the New Jersey and Monmouth County Historical societies, and The Sons of the American Revolution. He was educated at Freehold Institute and Freehold Highschool, and graduated from the latter in 1879. He married September 25, 1884, Hannie Virginia Clayton, born January 23, 1865, at Clarksburg, daughter of Charles ? and Elizabeth (Conover) Clayton, ceremony performed by Rev. Louis A. Bearmore, and she died march 17, 1901, leaving the following children: 1. Jennie long, born October 7, 1885, married Charles I. Harris, of Jersey City, ceremony performed by rev. J.F. Millbank at St. Peter’s Protestant Episcopal Church, December 15, ????, they have one son, Douglas redfern, seven years old (1922_). 2. Trillie Hyers, born July 19, ????, married , January 3, 1914, by J.F. Millbank of St. Peter’s Protestant Episcopal Churchj, to walter Lewis Cartwright, who died March 11, 1922, at his residence, No 11 Conover street, Freehold, and leaves a widow and a six year old daughter, Virginia Cartwright. 3 Maxcy, Jr., born April 14, 1893, served eight years in the United States Navy, was one of the honor men at Vera Cruz, and attained the rank of chief yeoman during the World war, serving on the transport “America” and destroyer “Bernadou;” unmarried (1922).

Occupation:
Printer

Occupation:
Stage Printer

Occupation:
Printer

Edwin married Mary Lucinda French 21 Apr 1849, New York City, New York, USA. Mary (daughter of Ensign French and Mary White) was born 19 Dec 1831, Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA; died 21 Mar 1892, Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: 1850, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
• Residence: 1855, New York City, New York, USA
• Residence: 1870, Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA
• Residence: 1880, Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA
• Date of Will: 27 Oct 1885, Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA

Other Events:

• Voress Number: 5A3E1

Notes:

5A3E1A William Applegate
William was born in 1803, died 26 November 1847. He married Elizabeth Price.
William was a printer in New York City. According to son Edwin:
“he was the first man who made a business of doing press work for a trade. He had six cylinder presses and commenced business for himself in 1840 as a successor to Jared W. Bell. He did a large business in theatrical, book and messotint plating and press work for New York Newspapers.”
From the History of Monmouth County (Lewis, 3:416):
“The New York Typothetae states that William Applegate was "the first man who made a business of doing press work for the trade." The office was on the east corner of Ann Street and Theatre alley, the first floor was his composing room. The building is still standing (1888) as a front of the Everett building, but completely changed in appearance. He had six cylinder presses, and commenced business for himself, in 1840, as a successor to Jared W. Bell, whose name is first found in the New York City Directory in 1822. Bell had a large office for those days, but was always in pecuniary difficulties. As early as 1837 Bell had a mortgage of $10,000 on his concern. The earliest theatrical New York printers were Bell & Conrad. Applegate, upon his purchase of the plant, ordered one of the new plan cyclinder presses from London, and after its arrival waited three months for a mechanic to come from England to put it together. This was the first cylinder press that was operated with any great degree of success in New York City, and its improvements were viewed and utilized by various inventors in the United States, and its endless driven movement is about the same as now used. This press was exhibited at the Crystal Palace in 1854, after which it was broken up. William Applegate did a large business in theatrical, book and mezzotint printing, and also did the press work for the "Sunday Times," "Sunday Mercury," "Daily Arena," "Sober Thought," "New York Dispatch, etc. William died in New York City on 26 November 1847.”
As a commercial printer, William became involved in the scandalous “flash press” in New York City in the 1830s and 1840s. A history of the flash press gives a description:

How did the flash papers make money, and how could such young men enter the business? In general, start-up costs for any new four-page weekly produced on speculation were low if an editor subcontracted production to print jobbing firms, an option increasingly available in the 1830s and 1840s in New York City. Or, if an editor already worked on another paper (as did Thaddeus Meighan), he might have access, either ready or after-hours, to a printing press.

Because of a legal dispute over a promissory note that stretched out for a year, we have an unusually clear picture of how the Sunday Flash was produced. Snelling and Wilkes testified in a trial in November 1842 that they wrote their fall 1841 articles in Brooklyn and in West Broadway, probably in their living quarters. The type was set at various jobbers’ shops, after which the locked-up forms of the type for each page were conveyed to William Applegate, a major print jobber. Applegate ran frequent ads soliciting business for his shop at 17 Ann Street, on the corner of Theatre Alley, where he had thirteen presses including a “mammoth” press for printing large wall signage.

When Myer Levy sued the Sunday Flash for libel, Applegate worried about his own liability. He had printed the paper for four months, on a cash-and-carry basis, but now he wanted to stop. He offered to sell a press to the men for $750 so they could print the Sunday Flash themselves. Lacking cash reserves, Snelling approached Adeline Miller, and the wealthy female entrepreneur endorsed a note for the full amount to Applegate, who made it abundantly clear that he preferred Miller’s credit rather than Snelling’s. The press was removed to a rented site in Jersey City and one of Applegate’s pressmen was hired to run it. Wilkes and Snelling intended to pay Miller back out of the future earnings of the paper, but in fact the paper had only a short future. The Jersey City site was unheated and the cold weather chilled the ink, producing marred copies. Three issues were printed in December, followed by a long break until late January when the final two issues were struck. The trial of the two editors for libel against Myer Levy and for obscenity ended in a hung jury, Wilkes quit the paper. By the end of January Snelling, unable to carry it alone, shut down the Sunday Flash. Applegate demanded either full payment on the note, or partial payment of $500 plus return of the press; Mrs. Miller refused, and their legal battle dragged on for ten more months, at which point a court rendered a judgment of $422 in favor of Applegate.

“The Flash Press: Sporting Male Weeklies in 1840s New York”, Patricia Cline Cohen, Timothy J. Gilfoyle, and Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz (University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 2008)

Following his death, wife Elizabeth took over the business (Voress).

Willam — Elizabeth Price. [Group Sheet]

Ensign — Mary White. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Occupation: New York City, New York, USA

Notes:

Occupation:
Printer

William — Hester Martin. [Group Sheet]