History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens

Front matter

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.40,

Preface

In the pirepai'atjon of this work every available source of information has been utilized. Jocks, paiuplilets, and manuscripts in the libraries at Trenton, Newark, and Philadelphia have been cousalfcd, records in the departments at Ti'enton and in the offices of the clerks in tlie different counties have been searched, the files of newspapers have been examined, and information lias ijeen obtained from individuals who had studied the history of different localities.

Aclcnowlodgmeiits are due to the clerks of the counties, and of the boards of freeholders, for access to the records in their offices, and to the editors of journals for the use of their files.

TJiose who have contributed articles for this work, and whose names appear in connection with tlieir articles, are Eev. J. Y. Burk, Indians of New Jersey; J. Down Heritage, M.D., Geolog)' of rtouthern New Jersey; J. Ingram, M.D., Meteorology of Southern New Jersey; Belmont Perry, Esq., Bench and Bar of Gloucester County ; Luther F. Halsey, M.D., Medical Profession of Gloucester County; William Milligan, Gloucester County School System; Wallace McGeorge, J\I,D., Gloucester County Bible Society, and Gloucester County Sunday-School Association; Re\. D. Thackara, Temperance in Gloucester County; Samuel Prior, Meadow Improvements in Salem County ; William H. Reed, Agriculture in Salem County ; Quinton Gibbon. iVl.L)., ^[edlL';4l Profession in Salem County; H. P. Davidson, Temperance in Salem County; and M. D. Dickin-^on, Salem County Sunday-School Association.

Many others have contributed local articles and have freely given valuable information. Wh'le some cirors of former historians have been corrected, there will doubtless be found others which, as in ill similar cases, have eluded the closest vigilance of the compilers of this work : for the-;e the indulgent charity of the critic is asked.

The bisioriau of Cumberland County, Charles E. Sheppard, desires to acknowledge his

nidebteduess o tlie following publications: History of the Medical Men of Cumberland County.

an '^ev'; Historj' of Cape May, and to the authors of the various historical sketches of

.:} iio county which have been published ; and especially to acknowledge his indebtedness

t L,s History of Cumberland County and the other publications of the late Hon. L. Q.

< iio sent for the writer immediately after he became engaged upon this work, and,

'tended to him permission to use any of his writings, to the fullest extent; to Mr.

1 )i,[er, whose valuable assistance and extensive information on the local history of the

een a great help; to the pastors and other members of the various churches, and

cioties, and to Dr. J. B. Potter, Col. W. E. Potter, Mr. George F. Nixon, James

sq., H. (). Newcomb, Esq., Dr. Enoch Fithian, and the many others who have

irnished information and assisted him in the preparation of the History of Cumber-

! 1883.

lii

OOMTEJSTTS.

Chapter I. Page

Indians of New Jersey.

Their Primitive Condition— The Lenni Lenapes — Their Primitive Conditioo, Character, and Habits — Their Eelics found in Southern New Jersey 1

CHAPTER ir.

First Discoveries and Sf.ttlkbients on the Dei.awaee Kivee. Discovery by Hendrick Hudson — Visit by Lord Delaware — Exploration by CorneliB Hoodrickaon and Cornelis Jacobson Bley — West India Company — Visit of De Vries 5

CHAPTER III. Swedish Regime

First Swedish Settlomenta — Early Swedish Governors — Difficulties with the Dutch — Couquest of the Swedes — Swedish Cnstoma 6

CHAPTER TV.

Dutch B£gime.

Commerce of the Dutch on the Delaware — Dutch Governors — Policy of the Dutch toward the Swedes— Condition under Dutch Bu!e 9

Chapter V

Eari-t Settlements and Final Conquest by the English. Early Claims by the English — Royal Gran ts — New Haven Colony — Sir Edmund Ployden'p Grant — Trouble with the Dutch — Their ConquMstby tlie English 10

CHAPTER VI. English Regime

Early Condition of the People — First Proprietary Government — DiflScultiea among the Proprietors — Influx of Quakers — DifBcuItiee with the Governors of New York — Extensions of Settlements — Surrender of the Proprietary- Government — Conflicts with Royal Governors — French and Indian War 14

CHAPTER XII. Gloucester, Salkm, and Cumberland Counties in the War of the

Rebellion.

Part tfi-en by the Counties — Three Months' Troops — First Brigade, First, Second, Third, and Fourth Regi m en ta— Lists of Soldiers... 53

CHAPTER Xni..

Civil War— (OoHKnued).

Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Regiments — Lists fil

HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.

Chapter XXIV. Page

Oeganizatiox and Subsequent Divisions of the County.

Orgftnizatioa — Constitution of the County — Early Administration of Affaire — County Recognized — Egg Harlior Annexed — Atlantic County Erected — Attempted Removal of County-Seat — Camden Couuty Erected — Townships Incorporated — Wasbington and Monroe Restored — Goography and Topography — New Townships — Population — Land Titles 105

Chapter XXV

Ear-i.v Doings of thk County Authorities. Extracts from Court Records — First Court — Question of Jurisdiction — First Tax — Early Ferries — Weights and Measures Regulated-^Foreigners, Vagrants, Servants — First Capital Crime — Marriages and Births — Miscellaneous Extracts from Records — Justices and Freeholders — Sheriffs' Fees — Importation of Paupers — Hotel Prices Prescribed — Boundaries Regulated 107

CHAPTER XXVI. EoADS AND Bridges

Old King's Highway — Action of Court concerning Roads and Bridges — Turnpikes 112

CHAPTER XXVII. Public Buildings

First County Prison— Second Prison and First Court-House — Second Conrt-Houso and Jail — First Stocks and Whipping-Post — Public Buildings Improved — Court-House and Jail Burned — Location and Erection of Present Court-House — Present Jail — Clerks' and Surrogates' Offices— Firet Almshouse— Purchase of County Farm and Erection of Present Almshouse 114

Temperance in Gloucester County.

leraperance Societies — County Temperance Alliauce 164

CHAPTER XXXVI. Miscellaneous Matters

Old Names of Creeks — Trial of Siugleton Mercer— Manumission of Slaves — Rppaupo Meadow Company — Population 166

CHAPTER XXXVIL

City op Woodbury. page Early History— Woodbury in the Wars of 1776 and 1812— Woodbury in 1815— Pioneer Dwellings — Balcony House — Incorporated as a Borough — As a City — City Officers — P'ox-Hunting Club — Library Company— Whirligig Society— Secret Societies — Loan Association — Real Estate Mutual Loan Association— Railroads— ■\^oodbury Academy — Churches— North Woodbury Seminarj'- Industries-Green's New Factory— Green's;Plaiiing-Mill— Standard Window-Glass Works— Woodbury Glass-Works-Fru it-Canning House — Woodbury in 1883 168

CHAPTER XXXVIII. Township of Deptford

Geogmphical and Descriptive — Pioneer Settlers— Pioneer Records —Villages and Hamlets— Almouesson— Methodist Episcopal Church of Almonesson — Westville — Methodist Protestant Church of Westville — Wenonah— Presbyterian Church of Wenonah— Methodist Episcopal Church of Wenonah 188

Township of Harrison.

Geographical and Descriptive — Early Settlers — Civil Organization — Township Officers— Villages and Hamlets- MuUica Hill— -lefferaon- Ewansville- Five Points— Harrison in the Warof ISGl- 65 — Societies — Ecclesiastical 24'i

CHAPTER XLIV. Township of Logan

Geography and Topography— Landing-Place of the Swedish Settlers-Early Settlers and Pioneer Incidents— Pioneer Sports- ■ Cadwalader's Island- Pioneer Trade and Commerce— First Prison — PioneerWeddiu^— Sexagenarians— Civil Organization— First Town-Meeting— Villages and Hamlets— Bridgeport — Repaupo— Churcbes 252

CHAPTER XLV. Township of Mantoa

Geographical and Descriptive- Pioneer Settlers— Fi rst Town-Meeting — Township Officers— Villages— Mantua— Barnsboro-Societies — Churches 260