About 1820, the Rev. Richard Bulger, the second priest ordained by Bishop Connolly, was sent to Paterson as its first resident pastor, or rather as a missionary to Northern New Jersey, with his headquarters at Paterson. God only knows the patient and uncomplaining services, the whole-souled zeal of this truly Apostolic priest, as he travelled through the counties of Passaic, Sussex and Morris. Of a cheerful and gay disposition he delighted in telling amusing incidents connected with his travels. Some have come down to us by tradition curtailed or adorned as the narrator's imagination was lively or dull. One day when the snow was on the ground, trudging along with his pack on his back, making his way to Newton in Sussex County, he was overtaken by a farmer. The latter, as is customary in country districts, kindly "gave a lift" to the stranger, placing him at his side in the sled. Of course, the farmer's curiosity made him forget the world's politeness, and institute a series of leading questions. Are you a peddler? No. Perhaps you will open a store in town? No. A physician? No. A lawyer? No. Then, may I ask, what do you do for a living? Thus driven to the wall by the persistent questioner the priest was obliged to confess that he was a Roman Catholic priest. People in New Jersey had curious notions of what a priest might be: they attributed strange things to them, and had a holy horror of them. Our farmer was not exempt from the prevailing ignorant superstitions with regard to priests, and ordered Father Bulger to quit the sled. After driving on a bit the farmer repented of his severity, again took the priest into his sled, and after suitable instruction ended by receiving baptism as a Catholic.
Nearly thirty years later another missionary working in the same field which Father Bulger had cultivated reached the hamlet of Franklin Furnace. At this period, 1848, many Irishmen were engaged in iron mining in this neighborhood. For their spiritual help mass was celebrated in a miserable shanty, a dwelling built before the revolution. Among those who came to assist at it was a venerable gentleman, a Dr. Lawrence, whose history as a Catholic was by request briefly given. In the missionary days of Father Bulger Dr. Lawrence had made the acquaintance of the holy apostle, and by him was instructed, baptized and received into the church. In the long years intervening, he had kept the faith, and availing himself of all favorable opportunities, he received the sacraments, often going to New York city for this purpose.