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Today in forgotten Matawan History - the fascinating life of Henry Stafford Little

August 17th marks the 203rd birthday of one of the most prominent Matawan citizens you probably never heard of; a man who shaped our community and even had two Presidents of the United States as pallbearers at his funeral at Rose Hill cemetery on Ravine Drive.

Henry Stafford Little was born in Matawan on August 17, 1823, the son of William Little and Deborah Scott. Henry’s father founded the Farmers & Merchant Bank in 1830 which was the first bank in all of Monmouth County. He would also help establish Middletown Point Academy; the most prominent private boarding schools in the country at the time. The former school still stands today on Church Street and has been beautifully restored.

William Little also had ownership in a steam ship company that would transport goods between Matawan and New York City. Gigantic steamships would commonly sail into Raritan Bay then slowly make their way around the curves of Matawan Creek to pick up passengers and cargo from docks up and down Main Street.

William’s son, Henry Stafford Little, was the first student of Middletown Point Academy and would graduate from the College of New Jersey in 1844 (now Princeton University). He studied law and became a prominent local lawyer in Matawan. He would go on to become the first president of the New York and Long Branch Railroad in 1868. The original Matawan train station that still stands today was one of the stops for this early railroad. The line he helped establish all those years ago still exists as the North Jersey Coast Line for New Jersey Transit. Little was also very active in New Jersey politics during his lifetime and even served in the New Jersey State legislature from 1864-1871.

Little was an enthusiastic supporter of his alma mater, Princeton University. His impact on the school is still very evident today. Stafford Little Hall, built in 1901, houses Princeton undergraduate students and is best known for its striking four-story tower complete with large bay windows and the university coat of arms supported by two tigers. In 1899 Little established a speakership at the university with a $10,000 donation to support lectures given by former President Grover Cleveland to Princeton students. This fund would go on to be called The Stafford Little Lectureship on Public Affairs. Little also enjoyed a close relationship with the president of the university at the time, future President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson.

After Little’s death in 1904, the entire town of Matawan came to pay their final respects. His funeral was one of the biggest events to happen in our area during the early 20th century, with Rose Hill bursting at the seams with mourners. Perhaps most interestingly, Little’s coffin was carried by former United States President, Grover Cleveland, and future President, Woodrow Wilson.

The Little and Terhune families were related through marriage and share a grave site in Rose Hill Cemetery. The monument at their burial site is very ornate and was estimated to cost $20,000 in 1910 ($623k in today’s dollars). It still stands on Ravine Drive to this day. Little Street, running from Main to Atlantic Avenue, is also named after the family.

Henry Stafford Little is one of the most interesting Matawan residents you may not have known about. His life and story represent just one of the many chapters from Matawan’s rich and fascinating past.

Want more local history? You can learn more about all of this and 300+ years of Matawan’s history by joining the Matawan Historical Society. Please click the link below to join.

matawanhistoricalsociety.org/join-or-donate/

The Matawan Historical Society is a group of local volunteers who help preserve our town’s unique history through events, education, tours, and the operation of Burrowes Mansion Museum on Main Street.

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