HISTORICALLY SPEAKING: A look at the Allentown-Upper Freehold of the past.
By:
Reprinted from the "Allentown Messenger," dated Nov. 23, 1905:
Other Sons of William of Brigend, Scotland.
The subjects of the following sketches are descendants of other sons of William of Brigend who settled near Allentown, and who have not thus far been mentioned in the family history.
James Montgomery, a brother of the last Robert, was educated to the law; but at the commencement of the Revolutionary War he entered the army, holding a lieutenant’s commission in the New Jersey militia. He was under General William Montgomery in his expedition against Quebec, December 1775, and was at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. The latter part of his life was spent at Allentown.
Brigadier-General William R. Montgomery was a son of the above named James Montgomery. He was a graduate of West Point, and in the Mexican War was a captain in the Eight Infantry, U.S.A. He was afterwards breveted lieutenant colonel "for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Molino del Rey, September 8, 1947." In the Civil War he commanded the first New Jersey Volunteers at the battle of Bull Run. On August 17, 1861, he was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers, and was appointed military governor of Alexandria, Va., where he remained until the following spring, when he was placed in command at Philadelphia.
John Montgomery was a brother of the above mentioned James Montgomery. Before he was twenty years of age he parted with his share of his grandfather’s estate and removed to Philadelphia, his younger brother William following shortly after him. Here the two brothers united themselves together in business pursuits. In the Revolutionary War John took a part in military matters and was a member of the Philadelphia City Troop of calvary from 1777 to 1787 and saw service in that company in some of the New Jersey campaigns of the war.
Major William Montgomery, as he was known, was a grandson of William of Brigend. He had inherited from his father a handsome property which had improved and added to such a degree that he was at one period of his life one of the wealthiest residents of Monmouth county. He was residing on his estate in Upper Freehold when the Revolutionary War began. Although a member of the Society of Friends, he took up arms and became a major in the New Jersey line in consequence of which he was expelled from the meeting. He married, January 15, 1778, Mary, daughter of Robert Rhea, of Monmouth county, whose brother, Colonel David Rhea, commanded the artillery of the American Army at the battle of Monmouth.
William W. Montgomery of New Orleans, son of the above Major Montgomery, was born in Upper Freehold in 1778. In 1795 he went to New York, and after a few years residence there was sent as supercargo on different voyages, and in 1803 removed to New Orleans, in which city he made his home thereafter.
He spent much of his time in Paris, where a portion of his family resided for many years. During the invasion of Louisiana by the British, he was quartermaster of the Fourth Regiment, Louisiana Militia, and was in active service under General Jackson until after the retreat of the invading forces. He subsequently became President of the Branch Bank of the United States, and was prominent in mercantile circles of that city.
Dr. Thomas West Montgomery was a great grandson of William of Brigend and was born at Allentown in 1764. He was admitted to the practice of medicine November 6, 1787, after which he went to Paris, and there remained for about three years pursuing his medical studies. On his return, he practiced his profession for many years in Allentown, after having built for himself the residence which in later years became the home of Dr. William A. Newell. He afterwards removed to New York City.
Dr. Montgomery, in 1788, married a daughter of Hon. John Berrien, of Rocky Hill, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. It was at Judge Berrien’s residence [Rockingham] that General Washington wrote his farewell address to the army.
Historically Speaking is a regular feature presented by John Fabiano, president of the Allentown-Upper Freehold Historical Society. For more information about the Allentown-Upper Freehold Historical Society send e-mail to [email protected] or call (609) 259-9127.

