"Henry Applegate, an Englishman, settled in East Windsor township when it was comparatively a wilderness, purchasing a tract of land about 1750 on Rocky Brook, near Hightstown. He married Leo Wilson, and had children named Siah and Asher. The former served in the Revolution, and fell at the battle of Quebec; Asher married Sarah Higbee, and settled on the old homestead. His children were Henry, Delilah, Leo, Abijah, Peter, and Obediah. Henry became a physician, and died in Tennessee; Delilah married Dr. Enoch Wilson, and settled in Hightstown, where she died; Leo married Thomas Cox, and located in Monmouth County; Abijah married Sarah S. Hunt, and lived at Milford, and had two children, - Mary T., who died young, and Edward T. R. Applegate, of Milford, judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Mercer County, who has been twice married (to Amanda Rooth, and after her death, to Amanda Ely); Peter married Alice Mount, and settled on the road from Hightstown to Milford, where his descendants now live; Obediah married Sarah Vanderveer, and became a resident of Monmouth County."
~ History of Burlington & Mercer Counties, New Jersey, by Major E M Woodward & John F Hageman, 1888, pg 760
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Edward T. R. Applegate was born on 1 Jun 1831 in Mercer County, New Jersey, and was residing in Hightstown, New Jersey. He was 5' 9 1/2" tall with a broad full forehead, blue eyes, a slightly Roman and rather fleshy nose, small & straight mouth, round chin, straight dark brown hair, a florid complexion, a round and rather full facial whiskers - reddish brown - no mustache.
~ US Passport Application, Mercer County, New Jersey, issued 15 Feb 1873
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Edw. Applegate, Long Prominent in County, Dies - Well Known Hightstown Resident, Who Held Several Public Offices of Trust, Succumbs
HIGHTSTOWN, Feb. 23 - Edward T. R. Applegate, who died yesterday at his residence on Stockton Street, at the age of 84 years, was for many years prominent in the business and political life of Mercer County, and was one of the most esteemed residents of this locality.

Mr. Applegate was educated at the old Hightstown Academy and in the institute at Flushing, Long Island.

In 1851, he married Amanda _. Reed, only daughter of Benjamin Reed of Hightstown. After her death, he married Lavinia Ely, who survives him.

He commenced his business career as a member of the firm of Benjamin Reed and Sons extensive peach and live stock growers. Later, he was associated with Sidney C. Denise in the lumber business and with Joshua C. Norton in cranberry growing. He was one of the original stockholders and directors of the First National Bank of Hightstown, which was organized September 12, 1870. He was a former director of the Pennsylvania, Slatington, and New England Railroad, and of the Hightstown-Perrineville Turnpike Company, for which he obtained his charter from the legislature. In politics, Mr. Applegate was a Democrat having served in the New Jersey Assembly in 1859 and 1860. He fathered the bill creating Washington Township and was chairman of the corporation committee and was selected as speaker of the House pro tem for two weeks. In 1877, he was appointed judge of the Mercer County Common Pleas by the late Governor Pedie and reappointment in 1882 by Governor Ludlow. He served with the late Judges Buchanan, Woodruff and Yard. Governor Newell commissioned him a major of the entire state militia prior to the Rebellion. He was a charter member and past master of Hightstown Lodge No. 41 of Free Masons, which was organized March 19, 1856.

Mr. Applegate was a member of the first class initiated in Three Times Three Chapter No. 5 of Royal Arch Masons and was knighted at Jersey City. He was one of the eight founders of Peddie Institute and a member of its first board of trustees and acted as its treasurer for several years. He always took a keen interest in the affairs of the borough serving the borough in 1866 as a Councilman and served the township in several positions of honor and trust. In religion, he was a Baptist and for many years was a prominent member of the First Baptist Church here.

Mr. Applegate is survived by his widow and nine children; five sons and four daughters, Henry R., Abijah, and Thomas I. Applegate of Hightstown, Dr. Edward T. R. Applegate of Trenton, Wilson G. H. Applegate of New York City, Mrs. Lydia R. Stokes, wife of Edward D. Stokes of Mount Holly, Mrs. Mary H. Smith, wife of Daniel P. Smith, Freehold, Mrs. Sarah T. Field, wife of James Field of Hightstown, and Mrs. Lavinia A. Wicoff, wife of John V. B. Wicoff, of Trenton.

His funeral will be held from his home Thursday at 11:30 o'clock. The Rev. Dr. O. P. Eaches for 42 years Mr. Applegate's pastor and the Rev. Dr. W. A. Stanton, pastor of the Baptist Church, will officiate. Interment will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery under direction of Allen & Stults.

~ Trenton Evening Times (New Jersey), Tues., 23 Feb 1915
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1880 (Jun 21) Census, E Windsor, Mercer Co, NJ:
E T R Applegate, 49, farmer, b NJ, parents NJ.
Lavinia, wife, 39, keeping house, b NJ, parents NJ.
Lydia R, dtr, 22, b NJ.
Henry, son, 17, at home, b NJ.
Abijah E, son, 15, at home, b NJ.
Mary H, dtr, 13, at home, b NJ.
Amanda, dtr, 11, at home, b NJ.
Sarah, dtr, 7, at home, b NJ.
Wilson G, son, 5, at home, b NJ.
Edward, son, 2, at home, b NJ.
Thomas, son, 5 mos, b Jan, at home, b NJ.
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1900 (Jun) Census, Hightstown, E. Windsor, Mercer, NJ:
E T R Applegate, m 39 yrs, b Jun 1831 NJ, parents NJ, capitalist.
Lavenia, wife, 11 born/8 liv, b Feb 1842 NJ, parents NJ.
Edward, son, 21, sgl, b Feb 1879 NJ, at school.
Thos E, son, 20, sgl, b Jan 1880 NJ, at school.
Lavenia, dtr, 15, b Jun 1884 NJ, at school.