USA > New Jersey > Salem County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 1
USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 1
USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83
Gc 974.901 G51cus v.2 1588379
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02250 7468
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofcountie02cush
HISTORY
OF THE
COUNTIES OF
GLOUCESTER. SALEM. AND CUMBERLAND
NEW JERSEY,
vel. 2
WITH
T
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF THEIR
PROMINENT CITIZENS.
BY THOS. CUSHING, M.D. AND CHARLES E. SHEPPARD, ESQ.
PHILADELPHIA: EVERTS & PECK. 1883.
PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO , PHILADELPHIA.
365
1588379
GENERAL HISTORY.
a great extent had driven the traffic from rural dis- triet- into the more populous centres.
Temperance Alliance .- It was, however. evident to the friends of temperance that if the traffic was ever to be driven from its strongholds there must be more harmony of sentiment and unity of action. Accordingly, Sept. 4, 1$72, in compliance with a call for a temperance convention, seventeen persons met at Sharpstown, and a permanent organization of the Salem County Temperance Alliance was effected. The design, as'set forth in the second article of the constitution, was as follows:
" The eljeet shall be to secure unity of action on the part of temper- ance men throughout the county, of whitever name of order, on nt) oljeet calculated lo whvance the cause of Iemiperance."
The Washingtonians, the Sons of Temperance, the Good Templars, and such juvenile and church organ- izations as had existed from time to time had been more strictly moral agencies, devoted to the work of reform- ing the drunkard or keeping others from becoming such, but this convention in its resolutions expressed an unqualified conviction that the " ultimate success of the cause of temperance depends upon the enact- ment and enforcement of just laws in its behalf," and pledged itself to local option by declaring it " the duty of temperance men to vote only for such legis- lative candidates as favor and will vote for its enact- ment."
The following have been officers of the Alliance :
Presidents. Enoch S. Popp.
Sreretarles. 0. Il. Allerman.
1.73. .Samuel l'utrick.
Daniel P. Datrell, Sr.
..
=
.Hev. O. B. Mel'urdy.
=
.-
I Majd W. C. p.r.
J. O. k. Corliss.
1277 P.v. William A. Ferguson. I. M:Krever.
3
leave F. M. line.
Jev. C. Pollin Smith.
1 .- 1 Realen W han.
Kev. Julius Wilcox. Jesse F. Bodinc.
A special session of the Alliance was convened at Woodstown, Oct. 5, 1878, to consider the expediency of appealing to the ballot-box in behalf of temperance through a third party movement. At the previous November election forty-five votes had been cast in the county for the Hlen. Rudolphus Bingham, of Camden, the Prohibition candidate for Governor. After a thorough discussion of the matter, it was de- cided to nominate a Prohibition ticket, independent of all other parties. Although the convention was in reality a session of the Salem County Temperance Alliance, there has been from that time a political organization distinct from all other temporanee as30- ciations. The Temperance party, however, has not been accustomed to nominate a ticket at the munici- pal elections except in Salem City.
CHAPTER LXIV.
SOCIETIES AND COP.PORATIONS.
Salem County Bible Society .- Pursuant to notice previously published, a meeting was held in the l're -- byterian Church at Salem on the 22d of September. 1847, at which it was resolved to organize a County Bible Society, to supply those in the county who were destitute of Bibles.
A constitution was adopted. the second section of which -tated, "The object of this society shall be to promote the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, with- out tinte or comment, and in English, the commonly received ver-ion." The society was made an auxil- iary of the American Bible Society, and was recog- nized as such by the litter in October, 1847.
The first officer, elected were : Rev. G. W. Janvier, president ; Revs. James II. Dandy, J. W. MeDougal, James Newell, and Mr. Meses Richman, Jr., vice- presidents; Rev. James P. Helin, secretary ; Henry B. Ware, treasurer ; Benjamin Griscom, W. R. Mor- ten, T. V. F. Rusling, George C. Rumsey, John 3 !. Brown, and Henry Freeman, executive committee.
In 1818 Mr. John P. Harker was enployed as a colporteur, to explore the county, and his work was perforDied during the years 1848 and 1319. No re- fort of the results of this exploration appear on the minutes of the society. Another exploration wka made, in 1855, by Rev. J. Nelson ; in which he dis- trilinted books to 501 families whom he found with - ont Bibles, 1275 without Testaments, and 415 without citler.
In, addition to its work of supplying the destitute with the Scriptares through its local agents and co !- porteurs, the society has. from time to time, distributed Bibles to the almshouse, the prison, the sleeping-room:s of hotels, schools, steamboats. etc. In 1369 it assumed $2.50 ms its share of the expense of supplying the New Jersey soldiers with Bible:
In 1876 a sub-committee, consisting of Rev. Dr. W. Bannard, Rev. C. W. Heisley, Rev. W. Reeves, Rev. P. Cline, Rev. O. B. MeCurdy, and Col. Willia ?: B. Robertson was appointed to visit through the county, under the direction of the executive committee. In 1877 this committee reported that the total number of families that were visited was 4015; of books soli, 410; books donated, 736; books distributed, 1176; total value of books sold, $275.09. The work was dune partly by voluntary labor and partly by paid agents. The committee reported that visits were everywhere kin.lly received, and that the Scriptures had been supplied in all places where destitution was found.
The presidents of the society have been : Rev. G. W. Jun.vier. D'huezer Dunn. Junea Nt well. W. S. Vanneenan, M.D. Moses Ichidan. P. .. L. Vansant.
Juba R. Murphy, D.i. J. D. Hogate. W. H. Pearte, b. 0. Sinitin Patterson.
366
HISTORY OF SALEM COUNTY.
Dr. W. II. Izara.
W. Bannar I. D. D.
Hon. R. M. Arton.
Rer. J. R. Westwood.
Blev. W. t. Yorguson.
Rev. Il. P. Frans
liev. James B. Turpin.
Rev. O. B. McCurdy.
The present officers are : Rev. J. P. Conelly, presi- dent; one vice-president for each township; H. M. Rumsey, secretary ; and Clinton Bowen, treasurer and depositary.
Salem County Sunday-School Association.1- Pursuant to a call of the county secretary of the New Jersey Sunday-School Association, a meeting was held in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Wood-town, Sept. 16, 1863, for the purpose of organizing the Salem County Sunday-School Association. After au inter- change of view, it was resolved that there be a per- manent organization formed, and a committee, con- sisting of I. V. Dickiuson, J. R. Alderman, and M. D. Dickinson, was appointed to draft a constitution. ' for fifty years. The following officers were chosen for the ensuing year : President, Rev. Daniel Stratton, Saiem ; Vice- Presidents, J. R. Hackett, Robert P. Robinson, Wil- liam Sayre, Samuel S. Thompson, D. Garrison, Rev. J. Unrue, T. B. Stow, Jeremiah Anderson, E. Patrick, Rev. M. Johnson ; secretary and treasurer, Rev. A. J. Hires, Woodstown; township secretaries, Salem, William 11. Wood; Mannington, George Mulford; Elsinhoro. E. P. Wallen ; Pilesgrove, I. V. Dickin- son ; Upper Penn's Neck, J. K. Louderback ; Lower Penn's Neck, J. H. Sinniekson; Upper Alloways Creek, James Freas; Lower Alloway- Creek, Samuel Patrick ; Upper Pittsgrove, B. F. Burt ; Pittsgrove, M. Thomas.
There were but few in attendance at the organiza- tion, but sufficient to indicate who the Sunday-school workers throughout the county were, and in order that more might be enlisted there was one viee-presi- dent chosen in each township.
It is a custom to change the presidents every year, not only in person but also denominationally. Rev. A. J. Hires vas continued county secretary and treas- urer uutil 1858, when B. F. Burt was elected to the position, and continued until removed by death in 1871, after which Rev. J. R. Burt was elected, but only served one year, having moved from the bounds of the association, when J. R. Lippincott, of Salem, was elected, And still holds the position of corresponding secretary and treasurer.
At the annual meeting held Sept. 26, 1876, by the request of the county secretary, the office of recording secretary was created, and M. D. Dickinson was elected to the office, which position he still hold -. The present president is Rev. A. W. Lentz, of Freas- burg; corresponding secretary and treasurer, J. R. Lippincott, with a vice-president aud township scc- rotary from cach township in the county.
Since the organization of this association the Sun- day-school work in the county has greatly increased, and the attendance at the annual gatherings has , ence with the Delaware River. It is bound i north
1 Hy M. D. Diclin:sou.
doubled several times. At the children's meetin ... usually held in the evening. some of our large. churches are usually filled to overflowing. The work. ings of the association have been harmonious, and a general good feeling has prevailed throughout the various denominations represented.
The Friends, as a denomination, are much inter- ested in their First Day's school work, and ho !!! their union meetings of several schools semi-annually. which services are very interesting and instructive.
COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES.
Salem County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. -This company was incorporated by an act of the Legislature in February, 1849. The limit of it charter was thirty years, and on the expiration of , that period, in 1879, it was, by another set, renewed
This company takes general risks, but insures for no longer term than one year. By careful and prudent management it has not only been able to meet its losses during many years without assessments. but it has accumulated a reserve fund of thirty-five thousand dollars.
The presidents of the company have been William J. Shinn, John Tyler, Richard M. Acton. D. W. C Clement, and the present president, William Patter- son. The names of the seretaries are Samuel C. Harbert, Joseph Petit, and, since 1866, Thomas T. Ililliard.
Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Salem County .- This company was incorporated by an act of the Legislature passed March C, 1831. At first the business of the company was limited to the insurance of farm property, but afterward risks were taken on buildings in villages. During the thirty- two years of its existence this company has made but one assessment, and that of ouly four per cent. on its premium notes. It has conducted its business plu- dently, and has aimed at mutual protection, and not at the payment of salaries that enrich agents at the expense of patrons.
The presidents of this company have been, in suc- eession, Jonathan Ingham, Thomas Sinnickson, David Petit, and the present incumbent of the position, Alfred Bilderback. The office of secretary and treas- urer has been held by Samuel Prior, James W. Mecum, Clement H. Siunickson, David Pettit, and J. B. Grier.
CHAPTER LXV. CITY OF SALEMI.2
Situation and Boundaries. -- The city of Salem i- situated on Salem Creek, three miles from it; couda- 1
: By M. O. Rolfe.
S
CITY OF SALEM.
36.
ly Lower Penn's Neck and Mannington. east by ' lighted; it contains unmerous mannfacturing enter- Mannington, south by Lower Alloways Creek and Elinboro, and west by Lower Penn's Neck.
Descriptive .- Salem is an attractive and well-built city, the seat of justice of Salem County, and the centre of a large trade, extending for miles inland, and reaching out to Philadelphia and other impor- lant markets, aud has equal claims upon the resident and the business man.
As a place of residence, Salem has many advan- tages. Being the county-seat. the court-bouse, county offices, and other public buildings are located here. They are at a central point, whence the principal streets radiate in different directions, lined with handsome stores and comfortable dwellings, ap- proached by broad paved sidewalks, fringed with shade-trees. The streets are well graded, and in nearly all parts of the city wide and attractive. With a population of over five thousand, Salem is noted for its healthfulness and immunity from contagious and infectious diseases ; the cost of living is fully one- third less than in larger cities not far distant. or in most New England towns; building lots are obtain- able at low prices, enabling mechanics and others to secure comfortable homes at a small outlay ; the mar- kets are well supplied with all of the necessaries of life; the town has an extensive public library, mu- merous and efficient educational advantages, and sev- eral influential and well-sustained religious organiza- tions.
prises, and is surrounded by a country unsurpassed in the fertility of its soil and the variety of its agri- cultural products, and fully capable of supporting ten times its present population.
Settlement.1-Many Quakers or Friends of wealth and influence in England early made great efforts to procure a home in the American colonies. In 1674, with an understanding with Edward Billinge, John Fenwick purchased all of West Jersey, of which Bil- linge was to have nine shares and Fenwick one, or the tenth. Soon after the purchase Fenwick made arrangements with a number of persons, members of his own religious society, naturally, at first, but also with Episcopalians, Baptists, and Presbyterians, to purchase lands of him while in England, so as to enable him to emigrate and take possession of his newly-acquired territory in the wilds of North Amer- ica. These were the initial steps toward the establish- ment of the town of Salem, and the improvement, civilization, enlightenment of a wide stretch of terri- tory, of which it soon became virtually, if not nomi- nally, in a sense the capital, and of which it has to this day maintained its position as the chief town, through the changes of more than two centuries.
John Fenwick and his family are elsewhere spoken of.
Edward Wade emigrated from Monmouthshire, Wales, and came to Salem in company with John Fenwick. Having considerable means, he made large purchases of land in different parts of the county, and bought a sixteen-acre lot on Market Street, Falem, and built on it, near the present residence of Dr. Gibbon, a story and a half brick dwelling, where he and his wife, Prudence, cuded their days. Edward Wade had been a cloth-maker in London, was a tran of force of character, and proved to be one of the
As a place of business, Salem's location and sur- roundings are no less favorable. Its facilities for travel and transportation are excellent. The West Jersey Railroad, with which it is connected by the Salem Railroad, provides two trains each way at con- venient hours between it and Philadelphia. The completion of the new railroad between the Salem Railroad and Swedesboro makes a direct route to | leading immigrants to Fenwick's colony, participating Philadelphia, thus increasing the advantages of largely in its religious and civil organization. His residence, which was traditionally the first ever built on Market Street, was, after his death, occupied by Isaac Smart until the death of the latter, and was standing, in fair condition, as late as forty-five years ago. Salem. Salem Creek, a navigable branch of the Delaware River, laves the very border of the city, providing nearly two miles of water-front, consider- able of which has been long occupied, levying no tribute upon the transportation of products and man- ufactures, as is the case with many less-favored lo- Oct. 5, 1675, Fenwick had the nucleus of the present city of Salem laid out, a street being opened from the creek cast so as to enable him to sell building lots to the emigrants. This street, from the fact that it ended at n wharf afterwards constructed, was long known as Wharf Street. Later it was called Bradway Street, in honor of Edward Bradway, and in time the latter name was corrupted into Broadway, the name of the street for many years past. calities depending on artificial outlets for their trade; and upon it, besides numerous sailing craft, are three stramboats, two for passengers and freight, running a great part of the year, one to and from Philadel- phia and the different places on the river daily, the other running from Philadelphia and intervening places to Salem and returning, the third being em- ployed almost entirely in the transportation of bulky - freight. The city has the advantages of expre- and Edward Bradway purchased a lot of sixteen acres, extending from Wharf Street to Fenwick Creek. Bradway and his wife, Mary, and their three chil- dren, Mary, William, and Susannah, with their Alegraphie lines; has three influential newspapers, aula banking company of sufficient capital to supply its present business needs ; is provided with efficient water-works, recently introduced at an expense of "eventy-five thousand dollars; its streets are well I Largely from data fortested by Theu. Shours.
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365
HISTORY OF SALEMI COUNTY.
three servants, William Groon, Thomas Buckel, and John Allen, embarked from London in March, 16.7, in the ship " Kent." They landed at Salem in the August following. Bradway was a man of consider- able means. When he came to this country he had purchased one town lot and one thousand acres of land of Fenwick, while the latter yet tarried in Eng- land. In 1691, Bradway built on his town lot a large brick house, which is still standing, and which, in size and appearance, far surpasses any other house built in Salem earlier or for many years afterwards, if not those of William Penn, in Letitia Court, and Samuel Carpenter, on Second Street, at the corner of Norris Alley, Philadelphia, built about the same time. For some time after the death of Bradway (supposed to have occurred in 1693) the Governor of New Jersey lived in the old Bradway house, which, in conse- quence, came to be known as " the Governor's house" for many years afterwards. Thomas Hill Bradway, who later inherited this property, repaired the old mansion. It had then been long neglected, and was without doors or windows. At the beginning of the present century it was again fitted up, and a piazza built in front of it, by John S. Wood, son-in-law of Thomas II. Bradway. This ancient dwelling is still
John and Thomas Mason were natives of Glouce -. tershire, England, and before their removal to inter- ica resided in the parish of Winehcome. i boy' 1690 they came to Salem from Virginia, and bough .: two sixteen acre lots on Broadway, east of Oak Stree . extending beyond the Nelson House and to the tou !! meadow. The Mason residence was originally built in 1693. It was a one-story brick building. Later a frame building was attached, facing the street. The whole was removed stine years ago by A. N. B .... and stores have been erected on its site. In 1695. owned by the lineal descendants of Edward Bradway, . John Mason removed to Elsinboro, where he had in the seventh generation. After his arrival Edward Bradway had two children born in Salem,-Sarah and Hannah. The Bradways and other descendants of Edward Bradway have intermarried with other of the pioneer families of Salem County, and have been well-known and prominent citizens.
Adjoining the Bradway lot William ITall pur- chased one of sixteen acres. In J677, Hall emi- grated to this country, in company with John and Andrew Thompson and their families, landing at Elsinboro, December 22d of that year. Before they sailed from Dublin he engaged in the service of John Thompson for a number of years, at the expiration of which he removed to Salem and kept a store. He was a man of great ability, and about 1709, upon the death of Judge Thomas Killingsworth, he was appointed by the West Jersey Legislature a judge of the court of Salem County. In 1688 be married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Pile, of l'ilesgrove, and it is be- * Jieved he came into the possession of much property, both real and personal, through his wife. Ilis wife died about 1670, and he later married Sarah Clement, of Gloucester County. He is thought to have died in 1719. He held the office of judge up to the time of his death, and was then the greatest landholder in Salem County, owning a one hundredIth part of Fen- wick's tenth. The Hall property in Salem formerly extended to the town meadow. The Hall family has intermarried with branches of most of the other dis- tinguished families of South Jersey. Judge Ilall's widow, Sarah Clement Hall, built the large bric !: dwelling, now of Morris Hall, in which for many years she kept a store. It has been twice repaired.
East of Hall's lot Samuel Nicholson bought a -in- teen-agre lot, on which he at once built a log due'- ing, and which, in 1681, he deeded to Salem Month. . Meeting of Friends. Previous to sailing with F .... wick and his colony, Nicholson had purchased of il. Proprietor two thousand acres of land, which, toget. ; with the town lot mentioned, was surveyed to him : 1676. The same year he was appointed the first ju- tice of the peace in Fenwick's colony. He had ber: a firmer of Wiseton, Nottinghamshire, England. H wife was named Ann. Samuel Nicholson died, on Li- property in Elsinboro, about 1693. His descendant- have been well-known citizens of Salem County an.l elsewhere.
bought property, and Thomas continued to live in Salem. Nearly opposite this old house stood Wil- liam Cattell's two-story brick mansion, which wa- removed many years ago. Where it stood stores have been built, and at the present time there is mate business done in the grocery line there than in auy other part of the city. A short distance farther dow !! the street, where the First Baptist Church is, stond the venerable mansion of Thomas Thompson, which was built by his father, Thomas Thompson, a native of Elsinboro. He learned the tailoring busine-s. purchased and built himself adwelling, and followed the trade the remainder of his life. His son Thoma- was born in 17-44. Subsequently he learned tailoring of his father. After the death of his father he in. herited the property and married Rebecca Hedre. daughter of Samuel and Hannah Woodnutt Hedge Thomas followed his trade for a number of year -. Ile and his wife were noted for their kindness te hoth rich and poor, and their house was one of enter- tainment to their numerous relatives and friend -. Neither of them was a member of the Society of Friends, but only attended Friends' Meeting oce: - sionally. Thomas was born a member, but lost hi- right for the active part he took in the war of :le Revolution. Rebecca's mother was a member, being the daughter of Joseph Woodnutt, of Mannington. There was a law in the State that persone could !" imprisoned for debt, but there was no provision is the law for their maintenance while in jail. They were cared for by the benevolent. Thomas Thouq- son and wife sent provisions daily for many years to , that class of prisoners. They lived to more than
....
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300
CITY OF SALEM.
fourscore years, and died much regretted by their numerous relatives and friends.
The next lot but one to the Mason lot contained twenty-four aeres, and belonged to Bartholomew Wyatt. The name of the owner of the intervening lot is not known. Bartholomew Wyatt was a young man of culture and considerable means, who came to this country in the latter part of the seventeenth cen- tury. He purchased the lot referred to about 1695, and married Sarah, the daughter of Robert Ashton, of Del- aware. He also purchased twelve hundred acres of land in Mannington. Soon after his marriage he went to live on his farm in said township, and at that place he and his wife ended their days. In 1731 his son, Bartholomew Wyatt, employed Thomas Miles (who) at that time was the most prominent surveyor of the county) to resurvey the Wyatt lot in the town of Salem. The following are the boundaries of said lot : " Beginning at a post standing on Salem Street, at the corner of Margaret's Lane ; thence southwest 2% degs. down the same 132 perches to a stake set in the marsh. by the side of a ditch; thence southeast 48 degs. along said ditch 21 perches to another corner ; thence northeast by north, joining on the lot now in posses- sion of Hugh Clifton, 119 perches to a post set by Salem Street aforesaid ; thence joining on the said street northwest 35 degs. 18 perches ; thenee northwest 37 degs. 22 minutes to the place of beginning. Con- taining within the-e bounds 24 acres of land, swamp and marsh. Resurveyed on the second day of April, 1731."
There is no record showing that any of the Wyatt family ever occupied this lot, and to whom it was sold by the Wyatts is unknown, but William Parrott was the owner of the larger portion of it in the latter part of the last century. When William l'arrott died the greater part of his real estate was left to his widow, Clarissa Howell Parrott, She died at the age of ninety. At her death the Parrott property (formerly the Wyatt's and the Richard Johnson lot) was di- vided among Parrott's distant relatives. Streets were opened (Seventh Street on the Johnson lot, and sev- eral streets on the Wyatt tract, on Margaret's Lane, now Walnut Street), and the greater part of ground is now built upon, which a few years ago was used for farming.
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