Josiah Hornblower was an English engineer, legislator, and judge.
Background
Josiah was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1729. He was the fourth son of Joseph and Rebecca Hornblower. His father was an engineering associate of Thomas New-comen, and his nephew, Jonathan Carter Horn-blower, was the inventor of the double cylinder or compound engine and other improvements later taken over by James Watt.
Education
After elementary schooling Josiah mastered mathematics, electricity, and astronomy at home and absorbed the engineering technology of his family.
Career
Hired to erect a steam engine for Col. John Schuyler at the copper mine on the Passaic River near Belleville, N. J. (then Second River), he took passage, apparently in the slow Irene, Nicholas Garrison, master, arriving September 9, 1753, with engine parts in duplicate and triplicate. This illegal export of the first steam engine to be erected in America had taken four years, despite Schuyler's wealth and influence. The pumping plant was in operation by March 1755 and became a marvel to travelers.
Schuyler persuaded Hornblower to stay in America and manage the copper mine. During the French and Indian War he was commissioned captain, January 26, 1756, but was not in active service. In 1758 he helped manage the Biles Island church lottery (Episcopal), though himself a Baptist. Having leased the house and store of Peter Bayard, deceased, at Belleville, and, from the Van Cortlandts, a ferry over the Passaic River, by 1770 he had bought these properties and 115 acres of land nearby, and led in building a new school. With John Stearndall he leased the Schuyler mine for fourteen years from July 1, 1761, at one-seventh the ore, the mine producing at the average rate of $3, 500 annually until the engine house burned in 1773.
Hornblower served on a war committee of twenty-one in 1776, in 1778 as commissioner for tax appeals, and in 1779 on a committee to present the grievances of Newark to the legislature. Elected to the Assembly, he took his seat at Trenton, October 26, 1779, and worked on committees to draft an election law, settle the treasurer's accounts, regulate enemy intercourse, and complete troop quotas, voting steadily for all measures to raise money and push the war. Reelected in 1780, he was chosen speaker and narrowly escaped capture by the enemy. Elected to the Council, 1781-84, he took part in the protest against claims of Virginia and other states to the western lands, headed a committee to urge that Congress locate the federal capital in New Jersey, and became a valued leader.
He was elected to the Congress of the Confederation October 28, 1785, and during his year's service worked steadily to strengthen the Union and protect the small states. Retiring to his farm, he took part (1793 - 94) in an unsuccessful revival of the copper mine and helped experiment with the steamboat Polacca (trial trip on October 21, 1798). He was appointed judge of the Essex court of common pleas in 1790, and held that office until his death in 1809. During his later years he presided at many public meetings.
He built a fine new house, though he and his wife would not leave the old one, and set up a gorgeous coach-and-four, but walked himself. Nine months after the death of his wife, "a very beautiful woman, " he died of "a long and painful illness. "
Achievements
Personality
He was a tall and commanding, a dignified judge, a courtly gentleman, noted for hospitality, energy, courage, wide knowledge, conciliatory nature, and honesty of purpose.
Quotes from others about the person
He was characterized by the Newark Centinel of Freedom (January 24, 1809) as "a useful, benevolent citizen. "
Connections
In 1755 Hornblower married Elizabeth Kingsland (1734 - 1808), daughter of Col. William and Margaretta (Coerten) Kingsland. To them were born eight sons and four daughters. His youngest son, Joseph Coerten Horn-blower, became chief justice of New Jersey.