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F 142 CI Plot
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
Cornell University Library F 142C1 P96 + History of Camden county, New Jersey / b
olin 3 1924 028 827 990 Overs
UN
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1865
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Cornell University Library
The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.
There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028827990
THE
HISTORY
OF
CAMDEN COUNTY,
NEW JERSEY.
BY GEO. R. PROWELL, Member Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
ILLUSTRATED.
.
PHILADELPHIA : L. J. RICHARDS & CO. 1886.
341516B 15 X
PREFACE.
THE evident want of a comprehensive history of Camden County and the encouragement given by many prominent citizens whose opinions were consulted in regard to that need, induced the pub- lishers to undertake the task of preparing this volume. The promises made by the people of the county were generously fulfilled. After a year's diligent, faithful and well-directed effort, the book has been completed. It is now presented for the consideration and criticism of the intelligent reader, believing that it will meet his entire approval. Every effort has been made to prepare a work acceptable to its patrons, creditable alike to its author and the publishers, and worthy of the dignified name of history.
Great credit is due the Hon. John Clement, of Haddonfield, whose efficient aid and wise counsel were of inestimable value during the whole period of the preparation. His interest in local history was inspired by his intelligent father, and being a lineal descendant of one of the first settlers of West Jersey, he was naturally impelled to continue his investigations. The knowledge which he possesses in this field, was acquired after long and diligent research among original records and innumerable authorities.
Among the publishers' corps of writers were Edington P. Fulton, now on the editorial staff of the Philadelphia Times, Alfred Mathews, Austin N. Hungerford, J. L. Rockey, Edgar O. Wagner, Captain Frank H. Coles and Frank J. Richards. Dr. John R. Stevenson, of Haddonfield, prepared the chapter on medicine, Rev. F. R. Brace, the chapter on education and Hon. Edward Burrough the history of Delaware township. Benjamin M. Braker contributed material for the chapters upon Camden and Gloucester cities. Acknowledgements are due Peter L. Voorhees, Esq., for valuable suggestions, S. H. Grey, Esq., and Colonel S. C. Harbert, for the use of files of early newspapers, to John W. Wright, Colonel Robert B. Hull, Isaac C. Martindale and Howard M. Cooper, Esq., and to the members of the press and the clergy of the county.
In concluding these few lines a word concerning the department of illustrations, which supple- ments the literary contents of the volume, is not out of place. The illustrations consist largely of por- traits of some of those men who have been, or are, prominent residents of the territory to which this volume is devoted. These portraits, with the accompanying biographical sketches, form a feature which is sometimes the subject of ill-considered criticism, on the ground that they are of persons living. Nevertheless, in the judgment of the publishers, and of a great many persons who have given the matter careful consideration, the department is one which should neither be omitted nor limited by the insertion of the portraits and sketches of those only who are deceased. When it is borne in mind how swiftly the stream of life and time sweeps on-how quickly the present glides into the past-there will be few to find fault with this department; and when a score or more of years have elapsed-when the generations now marching in the front, and in the closely succeeding ranks, shall have passed away, this feature will be invaluable, serving as the best reminder of some of their most conspicuous and honored characters, to those who remain.
G. R. P.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov., 1886.
iii
CONTENTS.
GENERAL HISTORY.
CHAPTER I.
Topography and Botany
.
1-4
The Erection of Camden County .
179-186
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER XII.
The Indiane
4-16
Civil List .
186-196
CHAPTER III.
The Bench and Bar of Camden County ,
196-237
Early Colonial History
17-24
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER IV.
A History of Medicine and Medical Men .
237-308
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER V.
Education.
308-319
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER VI.
The French and Indian War
35-36
CHAPTER XVII.
Authors and Scientists.
330-339
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
The War of the Revolution .
36-77
Public Internal Improvements .
340-359
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER XIX.
The War of 1812-14 .
77-86
Navigation and Ship-Building .
360-385
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER XX.
The War with Mexico
86-89
Agriculture
385-395
CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER X.
The War for the Union
89-179
Old Grave-Yarde
395-400
7
PAOE
CHAPTER XI.
PAOE
CHAPTER XIII.
The Friends in Weet Jersey .
24-30
Early History of Old Gloucester .
30-35
The Press.
319-330
CITIES, BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS.
CHAPTER I. THE CITY OF CAMDEN.
Introduction-Early Settlements and Subsequent Transfers of Land on the Site of Camden-Early Settlements and Trans- fers of Land on the Site of South Camden-First Town Plan of Camden-Coopers Hill-The Kaighn Estate-Fet- tersville-Stockton-Kaighneville 403-424
CHAPTER II.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Incorporation-Supplemente to Charter-New Charter-The Firet City Hall-The New City Hall-Civil List-Water Department-Fire Department. 425-444
CHAPTER III.
EARLY BUSINESS INTERESTS OF CAMDEN.
Camden in 1815-Camden in 1824 -- Assessment of 1834-Manu- facturing Industries and interesting Facts-Pleasure Gar- dens-" Sausage Weaving." 444-454
CHAPTER IV. BANKS AND BANKING.
The First Bank in New Jersey-State and National Lawe Gov- erning the Banking System-The National State Bank of Camden-The Farmers' and Mechanice' Bank -The Firet National Bank-The Camden Safe Deposit Company-The Camden National Bank . . 454-467
CHAPTER V.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF CAMDEN.
Newton Friends' Meeting-Methodist Churchee-Baptist Churches-Protestant Episcopal Churchee-Presbyterian Churches-Lutherao Churches-Churches of the United Brethren in Christ-Church of the Evangelical Association -Young Men's Christian Association-Roman Catholic Churches. 467-497
CHAPTER VI. THE SCHOOLS.
Early Schoole in Camden-The Public-School System-The New Era-Progress since 1879-Newton Debating Society -The Worthington Library-Private Schools-West Jer- sey Orphanage 497-507
CHAPTER VII.
THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
Iron Worke-Lumber interests of Camden-Oil Cloth Menu- factories-Woolen and Worsted Mille-Miscellaneous In- dustries-Carriage-Making-Shos and Morocco Factories. 507-588
PAGE
CHAPTER VIII.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
The Post-Office-Market-Houses-The Read Family-Insur- ance Companies The Gaslight Company-The Strest Railway-The Telephone-Building and Building Aeso- ciatione-Drug Intereets-Old Military Organizations -- Cemeteries-The Tornado of 1878-The Cyclone of 1885- Hotels . 538-558
CHAPTER IX.
SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
Free Masonry-The Independent Order of Odd Fellows- Knights of Pythias-Improved Order of Red Men-Knights of the Golden Eagle-Ancient Order of United Work- meu-Brotherhood of the Union-Order of United Ameri- can Mechanics-Independent Order of Mechanics-Mis- cellaneous Societies .
558-581
CHAPTER X.
GLOUCESTER CITY.
Topography-Early History-Fort Nassau-Gloucester as a County Seat-County Courts and Public Buildings-The Original Town and Some of its Inhabitants -- A Deserted Village-An Era of Prosperity Arrives-Incorporation and City Government-Manufacturing Interests-Religious History-Schools-Societies-Gloucester as a Pleasure Re- sort-The Fox Hunting Club-Fisheries . 582-607
CHAPTER XI.
THE BOROUGH OF HADDONFIELD.
Early History-Francie Colline, John Kay, Timothy Matlack, Jacob Clement, Samuel Clement, Thomas Perrywelb, Thomas Redman, Hugh Creighton, William Griscom, Benjamin Hartley-Local Incidents of the Revolu, tion-Haddonfield in 1825 and 1835-Friendship Fire Company-Old Taverns-The Post-Office-Library Com- pany-The Friends-Baptist Church-Methodist Church- Episcopal Church-Presbyterian Church-Schools-Busi- ness Interests-Societies . .
CHAPTER XII. THE TOWNSHIP OF HADDON.
Early History of Old Newton Township-Notes from Town- ship Recorde-Thomas Sharp's Account of the Newton Settlement-Old Newton Friende' Meeting-Schools -- Camden and Philadelphia Race-Course-Collingswood- Weetmount .
PAGE
-
608-635
636-654
vi
CONTENTS.
vii
PAGE
CHAPTER XIII. THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERFORD.
Topography-The Matlack Family-The Colline'-Organiza- tion-Glendale M. E. Church-Gibhsboro' -- Lucas Paint Works-Church of St. John in the Wilderness- Berlin- "Long-a-Coming "-Business Beginnings-Societies-Li- brary-Churches-Berlin Cemetery-Village of Atco-So- cieties and Churches-Chesilhurst-Waterford Village- Churches-"Shane's Castle," the Wooe Brothers and the Beginning of Catholicism.
CHAPTER XIV. THE TOWNSHIP OF GLOUCESTER.
Description-Early Settlers-The Tomlinsone, Albertsons, Bates, Cathcarts, Heilmans, Howells, Thornee and others -Civil Organization-Villages of Kirkwood, Linden- wold, Clementon, Watsontown, Brownstown, Davistown, Spring Mille, " the lost town of Upton " and Chewe Land- ing-The Chew Family-Blackwood-The Wards and Blackwoods-Old Hotels-Stage Lines-Churches-Socie- ties-Education
CHAPTER XV. THE TOWNSHIP OF WINSLOW.
Character of the Township-Set off from Gloucester-List of Officers-Villages of Sicklerville, Williamstown Junction, Wilton, Tansboro', Cedar Brook, Braddock, Blue Anchor, Ancora, Elm, Winslow Junction and Winelow-Glass Works-Societies-Friends' Meetings and Churches . . . 694-703
PAGE
CHAPTER XVI.
THE TOWNSHIP OF CENTRE.
Surface and Soil-Early Settlers and Descendants-The Hugge, Brownings, Hillmans, Hinchmane, Thornes, Glovers and Later Comers-Civil History-Village of Snow Hill-Soci- eties-Churches-Magnolia-Gulnea Town-Mount Eph- raim . 704-712
655-671
CHAPTER XVII. THE TOWNSHIP OF DELAWARE.
Civil History-Affairs of the Township during the Civil War -List of Officials-Mille-Early Settlers-The Howells, Coopers, Champions, Colline, Burrowe, Ellie, Heritagee, Kays, Matlacks, Shivere, Stokeses, Davises, Frenches and others-Old Houses-Ellieburg-Batesville 713-738
672-693
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE TOWNSHIP OF STOCKTON.
Its Separation from Delaware-Jurisdiction over River Islands -Early Settlement-The Coles, Spicera, Woods, Willards, Nicholsons, Morgane, Rudderows, Fishs, Horners, Brown- ings, Starns, Oslers and others-Bethel Methodist Episco- pal Church-Old Taverns-Schools-Fisheries-Pavonia -- Wrightsville-Cramer Hill-Dudley-Merchantville- Stockton- Delair-Manufacturing Intereste 739-763
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
PAGE
Albertson, Chalkley
672
Cooper, Benjamin W 743
Albertson, Samuel C. 616
Cooper Hospital. 264
Andrews, J. R.
301
Cooper, James B. 60
An Old Stage-Coach 345
Cooper, John 466
Anthony, H. B. 535
Cooper, Joseph W
458
Autographs, early settlers in Gloucester township. 677
Cooper, Dr. Richard M.
455
Autographe, early settlers in Stockton township 742
Cooper, Richard M.
271
Autographa, early settlers, Newton township. 649
Cooper, W. B.
743
Autographs of Early Settlers 425
Cooper, William D
218
Autographe of English Noblemen
24
Cramer, Alfred.
758
Baird, David
518
Croft, Howland 524
Bartine, D. H.
295
Cuthbert, J. Ogden
654
Beatty, I. C.
526
Davis, Thomas H
136
Bell, Ezra C.
393
Davis, Thomas W
460
Bennett, Volney G
516
Delaware Indian.
5
Bergen, C. A.
229
Delaware Indian Family
7
Bergen, M. V
228
De Vries, David Pietersen 18
Braddock, Elwood,
632
Dialogue, John H
384
British stamp.
38
Dongen, John W
293
Browning, A. M. 158
Estaugh House.
647
Browning, Maurice 528
Evans, Ellwood
737
Brown, David B 192
Fetters, Richard
422
Brown, David S. 590
Fitch's First Steamhoat. 360
Burrough, Edward.
194
Fitch's Secoud Steamboat. 361
Camden Water-Front
403
Fitzgerald, Wilson. 579
Campbell, Geo.
557
Fitzsimmons, P. J. 497
Flint knives.
9
Chew, Sinnickson
322
Fort Mercer
Fort Mifflin.
48
Fowler, P. H.
593
Francine, Louis R.
156
Frazee, Andrew B. 372
Fredericks, Henry 514
Church, Second Presbyterian
491
Gatzmer, W. H. 370
Gettysburg Monumeut. 145
456
Great Ceutral Fair Building 163
Grey, Philip J. 320
Grey, S. H. 226
Gross, Onan B 290
Haines, Joseph M 712
Hall, New City 429
Hansell, William C
159
Cattell, Alexander G 763
744
Heath, Robert F. S
193
Cooper, Benj
ix
486
Church, Third Methodist Episcopal
468 Gill, John
Clement, John, 212
Clement, John, Sr 214
Coffin, William 698
Coles, C. B. 515
Coley, Benjamin D 121
394
Collings, E. Z.
50
Church, Broadway Methodiet Episcopal 470 Church, First Baptist 477
Church, First Presbyterian. 488 Church, North Baptist. 480
Church of Immaculate Conception.
496
Church, St. John'e Episcopal.
Carpenters' Hall. 41
x
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
PAGE
Hendry, Charles D.
267
Parker, Joel.
208
Heulings, Israel W. 457
Parsons, Stephen 556
Hillman, Samuel S 633
Piece of steatite.
9
Pratt, Jesse. 434
President's chair and desk, upon which the Declaration of In-
Howell, Joshua B. 154
Hudson, Henry
17
Read, Edmund E
544
Read, John S 543
Hylton, J. Dunbar, Residence of 748
Independence Bell
36
Reeve, Augustns. 522
Independence Hall
47
Reeve, Benjamin C
520
Indian autographe
16
Reeve, Richard H. 519
Indian Fort 8
Ridge, James M.
284
Jones, Frank S.
437
Rightmire, William H.
436
Kifferly, Frederick 534
Roe, David, Sr.
615
Kirkbride, Joel P. 671
Rose, Wilbur F.
461
Knight, E. C ..
641
Rulon, Elwood.
674
Lippincott, Joshua.
459
Sexton, William.
594
Livermore, Jonas
464
Sheets, John A. J
634
Lucas, John.
658
Shults, John S
438
Map (boundary) of East and West Jersey
23
Soldiers in 1812.
79
Map of Camden.
419
Soldiers' Monument
165
Map of Camden County 1
Stanton, L. N
517
Map of operations on the Delaware.
49
Starr, John F
463
Map, Thos. Sharp, 1700.
638
Stevenson, John R
287
Martindale, Isaac C .. 337
Stockham, Charles.
512
Mead, Wm. T.
548
Stocks and pillory
33
Michellon, F. F. 435
Taylor, H. Genet.
285
Middleton, F. P.
580
Taylor, Othniel H.
273
Middleton, M. F.
302
Thompson's Hotel and Fleheries
606
Morgan, Randal E 185
Tomlinson, Ephraim,
679
Mortar and pestle 8 Vessel of pottery
9
Mud Island, 1777. 52
Voorhees, Peter L. 222
New County Court-House 184
William Penn's burial-place. 29
Old-Time Doctor.
238
William Penn's coat of arms.
23
Ornamental pottery, flint, etc.
10
Wilson, George E
116
Hoe of Gray Flint. 10
Horsfall, Charles K. 140
dependence was signed, 46
Hylton, J. Dunbar. 747
Read, Joseph J. 541
OUTLINE MAP OF
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HISTORY
OF
CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
CHAPTER I.
TOPOGRAPHY AND BOTANY.
TOPOGRAPHY.
CAMDEN COUNTY has a front on the Del- aware River of ten miles, and extends south- easterly about thirty miles to the line of Atlantic County. Timber Creek, from the river, bounds it on the southwest to the head of the south branch of that stream, and by a short land line to the head of Four-Mile Branch, and down the whole length of that stream to Great Egg Harbor River and thence down that river to the Atlantic County line. On the northeast Pensaukin Creek from the river bounds the county to the source of the south branch, and by a line across the country to near the head of Mullica River, or a branch thereof, known as Atco Atco, and thence down the stream to where Atlantic County makes a corner near Atsion.
The streams running out of the hills are rapid, yet the volume of water has been materially diminished by thegradual removal of the timber from the upland and swamps. The effect of the tides from the Delaware River in these streams is felt for ten or twelve miles inland, although its flow is hindered by mill-dams in many places. The
land in parts is hilly and rolling, but no part is so flat or level but that it can be readily drained. The highest point, as appears by the gradients of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, is near Berlin, and shows an eleva- tion of one hundred and ninety-six feet above low tide-water at Camden. There is a gradual rise from the river southeasterly un- til it reaches the highest point at or near Berlin, and all the streams running north- westerly to the river find their sources in that region. The same features exist on the southeasterly slope, and the streams that drain their waters into the Atlantic Ocean, originate near the same place, thus making the region about that town the water-shed for a large extent of country. It may therefore be seen that the springs of water that come to the surface near Berlin find their way to the Delaware River by Timber Creek, Coopers Creek, Pensaukin Creek and Rancocas Creek on the western slope of the county, while the sources of Great Egg Harbor River and of Mullica River and their tributaries, which drain the eastern slope and empty into the Atlantic Ocean, may be found near the same place.
Timber Creek is navigable for vessels of light draught to Chews Landing, about ten miles from its mouth, and Coopers Creek
1
2
HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
to Coles Landing, about the same distance. Pensaukin Creek is available for the same purpose to the dam at the junction of the north and south branches of that stream. Along both sides of these water-courses are extensive tracts of low, marshy land, upon which the tide leaves a fertile alluvion de- posit, and which, when banked and drained, makes valuable meadow, while towards the heads of the streams good water-powers have been made and used for milling and manu-
. facturing purposes. Black, yellow and green marl is found in the belt that crosses the county in a northeasterly direction, and for building purposes a red sandstone is found in many localities, generally in thin layers near the surface, but occasionally in thick, compact bodies. Loam suitable for moulding purposes is found in some of the hills along the streams and clays for brick-making and pottery crop out in various places.
BOTANY.
To ontline the flora of so small a section of country as is usually embraced within county lines would ordinarily furnish but little matter of interest, and where an excep- tion to this general rule is known it becomes not only proper, but very desirable, to have it so appear, in order to obtain the most com- plete local history that can be prepared. That this exception is realized in Camden County is made abundantly manifest.
It is well known that the State of New Jersey, with its surface of seven thousand five hundred and seventy-six square miles, furnishes greater opportunities for the study of a varied flora than almost any other State or district of similar size in the whole United States. The more elevated or mountainous section in the north gives a somewhat sub- alpine flora ; the southern counties receive, by the washing of the waves from the shores of the Southern States, and by the birds in their migratory flights northward, the seeds of many strictly southern plants; the eastern
section supports the nsnal marine flora, and the western the usual fresh-water flora, while a section of the interior of the more southern counties give us what is elsewhere known as the "pine barrens of New Jersey," furnish- ing a peculiar vegetation, one unlike that of any other State of our Union.
O. R. Willis, in his "Catalogue of Plants growing withont Cultivation in the State of New Jersey," says of these floral features,- " The difference of elevation from the south towards the north gives a wide range of temperature, so that while in the northern boundaries of the State plants are found common to New England, the southern and coast regions yield the vegetation of Eastern Virginia.
" The whole western border is waslied by the Delaware River, fed by tributaries from Pennsylvania and New York, bringing to its banks the seeds of a vast territory north and west of it. Its eastern shores are washed by the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean, wafting the seeds of many lands to the allu- vial plains which skirt its eastern bounda- ries. Its varied soil is another remarkable feature of this State : limestone in the north, accompanied by iron and peat, marl, alluvial, arenaceous and clay deposits ; with red shales and heavy loam, impregnated with iron, in the middle ; while in the south and east loose sands, peat and sphagnous bogs and green sand deposits alternate with patches of loam, in which clay more or less predominates. The wonderful variety of soil, the differences of elevation aud the wide range of temperature combine to give rise to one of the most varied and remarkable floras of the Western Conti- nent. The cedar swamps, with which the pine regions are besprinkled, are the homes of the most beautiful and remarkable indi- viduals of the flora of the temperate zones. There the pogonia, the habenaria, the or- chis, the arethusa, the calopogon and the sarracenia flourish; while the forests of the north and middle are adorned with the lir-
3
BOTANY.
iodendron, the magnolia, the ilex, the kal- mia and the rhododendron."
Among those who early gave attention to botanical investigation in this district, or who became quite familiar with its flora, may be found the names of Bartram, Collins, Kalm, Michaux, Schweinitz, Barton, Pursh, Nuttall, Durand and others, many collections of New . Jersey plants being scattered through the herbaria of Europe as well as of America. The conditions they found have, in the lapse of many years, been very much changed. The marshy ground along the Delaware Riv- er just south of Camden, and running back into the country for some distance, was a noted place to visit in those early botanical days, many of the rarer plants of this section being found thereiu, some decidedly of a southern range, and which of late years have not been met with at all. Near Haddonfield is another locality, where recently has been collected a species not heretofore known to occur north of Virginia. The townships of Waterford and Winslow extend into the " pine barren " regiou, above referred to, where the rare and beautiful plants which characterize its flora may be found. On the banks of Little Timber Creek may, in shel- tered places, still be found plants of a more northern habitat, and this is, perhaps, the only place south of Trenton where they occur. An enumeration of these species would greatly interest persons scientifically inclined, and there are many such devotees among us, but it would be too voluminous to be inserted here ; suffice it to say that many of these plants, which are to be found described in the various text-books of botany, are yet quite local. This section has been so thoroughly explored that very few species new to science have been detected within the past thirty- five years.
Of introduced plants, those whose home is in other parts of the world, Camden County lias more than a full share, owing to circum- stances which are not likely to affect any
other county in the State. Isaac C. Martin- dale, of Camden, who is probably better ac- quainted with the flora of this section of New Jersey, and the localities where its rare plants may be found, than almost any other person now living, and who has of late years given special study to the introduction of foreign species and the geographical distribution of plants, says that the past twenty-five years has given a large influx of these. Nearly as far back as 1860 the late Charles F. Parker, of Camden, and himself, while botanizing on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware, de- tected a number of European plants growing on heaps of ballast that had been unloaded from vessels, most of which were not enum- erated in the text-books of North American botany, and as a new field for investigation was thus opened, the whole of the Delaware River front, both in New Jersey and Penn- sylvania, was carefully examined during the succeeding years, and the character and hab- its of the plants studied, it was found that many of the species of European origin were evidently from the middle section of the con- tinent, and a close investigation developed, the fact that large quantities of coal oil were being shipped from Philadelphia to the sea- port towns of Germany and those along the Mediterranean Sea; so large a trade had sprung up in this enterprise within a few years that many sailing-vessels were engaged in its transportation. Many cargoes of coal oil were thus shipped, and if no freight could be obtained for a return, the vessels came back in ballast, which was largely unloaded in the southern part of the city of Camden, where scores of acres of low, marshy land existed. This ballast material of course con- tained many seeds of plants, which in due season vegetated, and thus furnished, as it were, a new link in Flora's chain on Ameri- can soil. Occasional vessel-loads of ballast came from other parts of the world-some from Africa, Eastern Asia, South America and the West Indies. A few California
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