From the printed sermon delivered at the funeral of John B. Osborn, Scotch Plains, NJ December 1848

Deacon John B. Osborn is supposed to be of English decent. His ancestors originally settled on Long Island, and about 100 years ago, they removed into this state, and located themselves in the neighborhood of Connecticut Farms. It was there that John B. Osborn was born on the 6th of June 1754, about one year before the overthrow of General Braddock by the French and Indians at his ??? upon Fort Duquesne, now Pittsburgh. His father moved to Scotch Plains, while his son was but a child and lived here until his death on the 6th of November 1774. Before he had reached his 21st year, Mr. Osborn was united in marriage to Mary Darby, the daughter of Wm. Darby, and the granddaughter of the Wm. Darby who was the first ruling elder of this church, and the original owner of the landed property which the church now claims. Miss Darby was in her 15th year, intelligent, amiable and pious. She was permitted to live with the chosen companion of her youth during the long period of 74 years, and she faithfully and honorably discharged her duties, an amiable wife, a kind and skillful mother, and an affectionate and faithful friend. On the 16th of last month, two weeks before her dear husband, she peacefully and calmly sunk into the arms of death, and was borne upward, as we confidently believe to sing her Saviors' praises in the world of glory.

She had but one brother, Hon. Ezra Darby, once a deacon of this church, and a member of Congress from this state, who died in Washington January 28, 1808. Mr. Darby was one of the most brilliant lights which ever shone forth in the civil and religious history of our parish, County, State and Nation. He was a bright ornament to his family, to his church, and to society.

In about two years after the marriage of Mr. Osborn, the American soldiers under Washington passed through this place. This was the darkest period in the war of the Revolution. Fort Washington had been taken, and with it some of the best troops which our country commanded. The time for which great numbers had enlisted had expired and they having returned to their homes, left the rest in a sad, dispirited condition. They passed through our village "without tents, blankets, shoes or provisions." and the family of Mr. Osborn, himself, and youthful wife, with true patriotic ardor supplied the wants of the poor wretched soldiers until hardly anything to eat, to drink, or to wear could be found in their house. In the following year, burning with desire to aid in resisting the encroachments of Great Britain, he left his endeared wife, and smiling enlisted in the Colonial militia. He was soon raised to the office of Sargent in his company, and faithfully and perseveringly discharged it duties, until the close of the war when our country unshackled by foreign tyranny enrolled its name among the Nations as the greatest Republic on earth.

Mr. Osborn was engaged with the enemy in the skirmishes near New Brunswick and Springfield and also in the battle of Monmouth, in all which positions he conducted himself bravely, and with the approbation of his country. During an interval in the war, he built the house in which he resided at his death, and which he occupied about 70 years, during which long period not one death ever occurred within it until that of his wife. On the 12th of August 1798 brother Osborn, his wife, and four other persons were baptized on profession of faith, into the fellowship of this church by Elder Van Horn. On the 13th of February 1802 he was chosen deacon and served 46 years.

The lord permitted him to raise up a family of seven children, one of which was killed in the State of Indiana a few years ago by the falling of a tree. The others are yet living, and three of them are respectable members of the Christian Church, two among its honorable and useful members. His son Jonathan once a deacon of this church, now occupies the same position in a Baptist church in Dearborn County, State of Indiana. Dr. Corra Osborn, his nephew, attended him at his death.