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151<br />

(^QXftn=3oW^f*^<br />

your erring steps. You have committed a great many sins against God, <strong>and</strong> you<br />

liilled that great <strong>and</strong> good man General Hamilton. I beseech you to repent, <strong>and</strong> fly<br />

to the Blood <strong>and</strong> Righteousness <strong>of</strong> the Redeemer for pardon. I cannot bear to think<br />

<strong>of</strong> you as being lost, <strong>and</strong> I <strong>of</strong>ten pray most earnestly for your salvation." The only<br />

reply he made to me, continued the excellent old lady, was " Oh !<br />

badly ;<br />

we<br />

Aunt, don't feel so<br />

shall both meet in heaven yet ; meanwhile, may God bless you !" He then<br />

tenderly took my h<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> left the house.' " "<br />

iv. ROBERT 5 '"born at Elizabethtown 23 March 1746. He<br />

entered the College <strong>of</strong> New Jersey at the age <strong>of</strong> 16, <strong>and</strong> graduated in<br />

1765 at the age <strong>of</strong> 19. While a member <strong>of</strong> the College he united with<br />

four others in the formation <strong>of</strong> the Cliosophic Society, then known by the<br />

name <strong>of</strong> " The Well-Meaning Society." He chose the pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>of</strong> the<br />

law, <strong>and</strong> pursued his preparatory course under the direction <strong>of</strong> that dis-<br />

tinguished jurist <strong>and</strong> eminent statesman Richard Stockton, one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Signers <strong>of</strong> the Declaration <strong>of</strong> Independence. Plaving completed his term<br />

<strong>of</strong> clerkship he was admitted to the bar, <strong>and</strong> received license from Gov.<br />

Franklin 21'* June 1770. In April 1772 Gov. Franklin appointed him<br />

" one <strong>of</strong> the Surrogates <strong>of</strong> New Jersey, in the room <strong>and</strong> stead <strong>of</strong> his father<br />

Robert Ogden Sen., resigned." He opened his Law Office at Elizabethtown,<br />

<strong>and</strong> soon acquired an extensive <strong>and</strong> lucrative practice, <strong>and</strong> the name<br />

" par excellence " <strong>of</strong> " the honest lawyer." Within ten years after his admis-<br />

sion to the bar he was called to the degree <strong>of</strong> Sergeant at Law, then held<br />

by twelve only <strong>of</strong> the most erudite <strong>and</strong> upright counsellors. His right<br />

arm having been disabled by a fall in childhood, he could neither wield a<br />

sword nor h<strong>and</strong>le a musket, but he rendered good service in the capacity <strong>of</strong><br />

Ouarter Master <strong>and</strong> Commissary <strong>of</strong> Stores, during the war <strong>of</strong> the Revolution.<br />

After the establishment <strong>of</strong> American Independence Mr. Ogden<br />

resumed his pr<strong>of</strong>ession at Elizabeth, <strong>and</strong> practised law with great success<br />

the state <strong>of</strong> his health<br />

until about the fortieth year <strong>of</strong> his age ; when<br />

required his removal to a place beyond the influence <strong>of</strong> the sea-air, <strong>and</strong> he<br />

returned to a farm in Sussex which descended to him on the death <strong>of</strong> his<br />

father. There he became a ruling Elder, <strong>and</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the chief supporters<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Sparta church, representing it in nearly every church-judicatory, <strong>and</strong><br />

being almost a st<strong>and</strong>ing Commissioner to the General Assembly. Having<br />

" "Autobiography <strong>of</strong> a Blind Minister, Timothy Woodbridge, D.D., p. 63."<br />

244

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