USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 12
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Abijah Reeves, another of the three brothers mentioned above, was born in Cumberland county, New Jersey, in 1750, and came to Cape May county about 1772. He did not marry until his fiftieth year, when he wedded Miss Mercy Hand, of Cape May county. They had four sons and two daughters: Abraham, David, Andrew H., Joshua H., Sarah and Mercy. The last named died in infancy. The father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was also a member of Captain Joshua Townsend's company of militia in the war of 1812. That company consisted of brave and hardy men, inured to toil and fearless of danger. The stories of the hardships they endured now seem al- most incredible, but were then stern reality, and the country will ever owe to them a deep debt of gratitude. Abijah Reeves died in 1822, at the age of sev- enty-two, and his wife passed away in 1847, at the age of seventy-four. Both were buried in the Cold Spring graveyard.
Abraham Reeves, the eldest son of Abijah and Mercy Reeves, was born in Lower township, Cape May county, October 23, 1802, and at the age of twenty-five was married to Miss Eliza Widdefield, with whom he lived happily until the 6th of November, 1845, when they were separated by the death of the wife. On the 3rd of November, 1853, he married Miss Mariah James, a most estimable lady, of Dennisville, New Jersey, with whom he lived to the time of his death. He was a man of fine physique, six feet in height and of robust frame. He also possessed a lively and humorous disposition and in this respect never grew old. He was the embodiment of that "merry heart" which is a "continual feast." He was fond of young society and young peo- ple delighted to have him with them, for he entered into their games and
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amusements with almost childlike zeal and enthusiasm. He was familiarly and lovingly known throughout the county as "Uncle Abe," being so called by young and old. He was generous and obliging to a fault, often contribut- ing of his time and money to the comfort and relief of the sick and needy. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, of broad mind and public spirit, possessed a retentive memory and was a great reader, being especially fond of history and biography. His early opportunities for acquiring an educa- tion were very limited, both for want of means and of available schools, he attending school but little and for only three months when he could study arithmetic. Notwithstanding his limited advantages, his scholarly attain- ments were not inconsiderable, and this, together with his sound judgment and strict integrity, caused his advice and services to be frequently sought by his fellow citizens. At the time of his death, although he was eighty-two years of age, he was serving his second term as lay judge of the court of com- mon pleas of his county. He was also judge of elections in Lower township and served as such for twenty consecutive years. He was a Sunday-school superintendent and ruling elder in the Cold Spring Presbyterian church, of which he was a consistent member, regularly attending its services for more than forty years. He was also the chairman of the Cape May County Bible Society, of the Cape May County Sunday-school Association, of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Debating Society and of the Mechanics' Building & Loan Association. He served also as a chosen freeholder, township committeeman and in other local positions. His well known reliability and probity led to his selection to settle the estates of many decedents and to act as the guardian of minor children. He was faithful to every trust, and no thought of sus- picion was ever breathed against him. In politics he was a Native American, then an old-line Whig. In the fall of 1858 he was elected to the general assembly of New Jersey, and in 1859 was returned to serve another term, and this notwithstanding there were three parties in the field and the old Whig party was fast disintegrating and being embodied in the new Repub- lican party.
At the breaking out of the Rebellion, he took an active part in the raising of troops and equipping them for the front. His were always words of hearty cheer to the "boys," and again and again in addressing them he would say, "Stand by the Union right along." In the summer of 1862, although more than sixty years of age, he went to Beverly, New Jersey, with a company of volunteers from his county, and with them offered his services to the government, but was refused on account of his age. He then joined the Christian Commission, procured a pass and went to the front, where he cared for the sick and wounded, without pay or profit of any kind, except
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the gratitude of those whom he comforted and relieved. He was always and everywhere "Uncle Abe" to all of them. He died May 5, 1884, and was buried in the Cold Spring graveyard. Upon his tombstone is the following inscription: "Then Abraham died in a good old age, an old man and full of years; and was gathered to his people."
David and Andrew Reeves, second and third sons of Abijah and Mercy Reeves, were twins. They were born in Cape May county, New Jersey. April 10, 1805. Their resemblance to each other was most remarkable, so much so that in infancy a blue ribbon was tied and kept upon the arm of one of them, by the mother herself, that she might not mistake them. This strik- ing likeness lasted all through life. It was not alone in personal appearance but their voices also were as much alike in sound as their features and stature. Amusing instances of mistakes made by parties doing business with or for one would often be reported to the other, and the party making the mistake was generally left to discover it himself some days later! They were men of well built and powerful frame, six feet in height, erect and well proportioned. They were of active habits, energetic and persevering, of good judgment and business tact. Progressive and public-spirited, they encouraged and cheer- fully aided every enterprise calculated either to improve the neighborhood or to benefit the laboring class by providing work for them. They were honest in all their dealings with their fellow men, and said what they had to say in plain, unmistakable English. Charitable and benevolent, they were good friends to the poor and obliging to all. As in their babyhood, so all though life, they were seen together. Their business was in partnership, their purchases and possessions joint. Unfeigned brotherly love was never more marked than in these men; their souls were truly knit together. In the early years of their business career they were largely engaged in vessel building, also in moving houses and in getting off wrecked and stranded vessels from the beach, and in saving their cargoes and crews,-a dangerous task ofttimes. Andrew was for many years the captain of the life-saving crew at Cape May Point. They also cultivated large farms, engaged in merchandising and thus furnished employment to many workmen. They were always energetic and could tolerate no idle hands about them, yet they were not hard taskmasters. They were both members of and ruling elders in the Cold Spring church and were deeply interested alike in its temporal and spiritual welfare. They gave liberally of their time, service and means to its support, and exemplified in their daily living their Christian belief.
David Reeves was married, April 10, 1826, on the twenty-first anniver- sary of his birth, to Letitia B. Biers, and they became the parents of three sons and two daughters: Abijah Davis. Abraham Baldwin, Courtland Van
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Renssalaer, Elizabeth and Mary Rhoda. The mother died August 15, 1841, and in May, 1843, David Reeves married Tryphena Hand, by whom he had a son, Moses Williamson. After a busy and useful life Mrs. Tryphena Reeves died, October 12, 1868, and David Reeves passed away October 4, 1876, at the age of seventy-one and a half years, both being buried in the Cold Spring churchyard.
Andrew H. Reeves, twin brother of David, was married to Isabella Mat- thews, January 30, 1834. Their children were: Andrew H., who died in in- fancy; Clement B., born August 26, 1835; Emma Rush, who died in infancy; Samuel W., who was born October 1, 1839: Mary E., born July 18, 1841; William H., born January 17, 1843; Charles C .; Emma J., born May 30, 1848; and Charlotte M., born October 15, 1850. Isabella M. Reeves was a true wife, a fond mother and an earnest Christian woman. She loved the church of her choice,-the Presbyterian,-and stood ready to make any sacri- fice for its good. She died June 23, 1861, and was buried in the Cold Spring churchyard. On November 8, 1865, Andrew Reeves married Mrs. Eliza Hand, the widow of Aaron Hand. She died March 16, 1867, and Mr. Reeves departed this life February 5, 1875. Like the others of the family, his remains were interred in the Cold Spring churchyard.
Joshua H. Reeves, the fourth son of Abijah and Mercy Reeves, was born in Lower township, Cape May county, July 22, 1808, and at an early age was apprenticed to Isaac Whildin to learn the shoemaker's trade. He completed his apprenticeship, but as the work did not agree with him he then accepted a position as a farm hand. At the age of thirty-two he joined the Presby- terian church. He was a man of the strictest integrity and honorable in all his dealing. He was a kind father, but strict in family discipline; was care- ful in his dress and always neat in his personal appearance. A strong advo- cate of temperance, he was an active member of the order of Sons of Tem- perance. He was one of the first scholars in the Cape May Sunday-school, was always a worker in the school, and it was largely through his efforts that it had an existence. It stands now as a monument to his Christian de- votion,-more desirable than any monument of stone could be. At the time of his death he was serving as the superintendent of the Sunday-school.
Joshua Reeves was married to Eleanor Woolson, January 1. 1833, and to them were born seven sons and four daughters: David, born October 15, 1833; Swain S., born July 17, 1836; Andrew H., born May 26, 1838; John W., born December 31, 1840; Charles W., born January 1I, 1842; Joshua H., born December 1, 1844; Mary E., born January 26. 1847; George H., born January 29, 1849; Ann E., born December 22, 1850: Eliza W., born July 29, 1852; and Annie M., born September 19, 1854. The father. Joshua
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Reeves, died November 26, 1855, and was buried in the Cold Spring church- yard.
Sarah Teal, a daughter of Abijah and Mercy Reeves, was born April 5, 18II, and became the wife of Jacob Teal, August 27, 1830. She has for many years been a consistent member of the Methodist church and is still interested and active in church and Sunday-school work. Her life has been a busy and useful one, and she is the mother of four children: Adaline Mat- thews, Lydia Hand, Eliza B. Shaw and Tryphena Matthews.
LOREN P. PLUMMER.
Loren P. Plummer, the surrogate of Salem county, New Jersey, is a gentleman of pleasant address and affable manner which have made him an unlimited number of friends throughout the surrounding country where he is well known. He is a son of William and Rebecca (Carll) Plummer and was born at Canton, this county, September 12, 1857. He has resided in Salem since his boyhood and his upright, manly bearing and honorable dealings in all transactions have caused him to be regarded with favor by his employes as well as the general public.
His father, William Plummer, Sr., is one of the county's most substantial and esteemed citizens and like the son is a native of the county. He was born in Lower Alloway Creek township January 17, 1818, and developed into one of the shrewdest business men of Salem county. He was at one time the proprietor of a general country store at Canton and later dealt in hay, feed, etc., in this city, purchasing valuable property along the wharf which he still holds, and owning a sloop that carried merchandise between Salem and Philadelphia for many years. He is still actively engaged in busi- ness, managing all his interests in the most able manner, although he is now in his eighty-first year. He married Miss Rebecca Carll, by whom he had five children: Elizabeth K., deceased, Mrs. George Hires; Sarah, Mrs. George R. Morrison; Rebecca, Mrs. Benjamin Patterson; William, Jr., and Loren, our subject. The mother died in December, 1881, leaving a wide circle of friends who felt her death to be a personal loss.
Loren P. Plummer was educated in the Salem public school and then en- tered his father's store, where he clerked for a short time; but, not finding the work of a salesman congenial to his taste, he turned to railroading as being less confining and more to be desired. He began as a baggage-master and in 1880 was made a conductor on the train running between Camden and Salem, a position he held for seventeen years. He was considered to be
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the most popular conductor that ever ran on that road, and the popularity has followed him in his other lines of employment. He was a salesman of the store of Wanamaker & Brown, large clothiers of Philadelphia, for a year, and was then elected surrogate of Salem county for five years, the position he now holds and the first he would accept from the people. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and in 1886 was a delegate of the Order of Rail- way Conductors to Denver, Colorado. He was married November 17, 1898, to Miss Elizabeth H. Armstrong, a daughter of James S. Armstrong, the agent of the West Jersey Railway, located at Salem.
SAMUEL W. REEVES.
For almost a third of a century Mr. Reeves has given to the professional duties that fall to the lot of the legal practitioner a close and undivided at- tention. He became identified with the bar of Philadelphia in 1867, at which time the law was to him an untried field. Success and prominence in almost any calling lie along the line of patient, persevering and faithful work. This Mr. Reeves realized and resolved that if earnest labor could secure success it would be his. His career has therefore been characterized by this factor of prosperity, and supplementing this are his keen perception, sound judgment and natural abilities. There are no other qualities absolutely essential to advancement, and upon the ladder of his own building Samuel Winchester Reeves has climbed to eminence in the legal profession.
Since 1865 he has been a resident of Philadelphia, but maintains a sum- mer residence in Cape May county, which is the ancestral home of the Reeves family. So prominently have the representatives of the name been connected with the upbuilding, progress and improvement of this locality that the life history of any who bear the patronymic could not fail to prove of interest in this connection, and especially so of Mr. Reeves of this review, who is so widely and favorably known throughout southern New Jersey, where he has quite extensive property holdings.
He was born in West Cape May, October 1, 1839, his parents being Andrew H. and Isabella Reeves. The ancestral history appears on another page of this work. He pursued his literary education in the private schools of his native town, in the West Jersey Academy, at Bridgetown, where he remained three years, and then entered the junior class of Princeton College, in 1863, being graduated with the class of 1865. The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon him and two years later that of Master of Arts. Upon his graduation he became a law student in the office of E. Spencer Miller, of
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Philadelphia, who was one of the professors in the law department of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Reeves accordingly attended the lectures at the University and won his degree from that institution. He was admitted to the bar in 1867, and continued in Mr. Miller's office as his assistant until the death of his preceptor in 1879. He then formed a partnership with J. Howard Gendell, and succeeded to Mr. Miller's business. The firm of Gen- dell & Reeves has since continued practice and their business has been of a distinctively representative character in the civil courts of this district. Their office is located at No. 1420 Chestnut street, in the Crozer building, where they have a fine law library. Mr. Reeves had a broad knowledge of the vari- ous departments of jurisprudence, but has always made a specialty of civil law, and now has a large clientage, which indicates that he ranks among the best practitioners of the city.
Mr. Reeves has been a resident of Philadelphia for thirty-four years, but has a beautiful summer home at Cape May, and owns three farms in that locality, including the old homestead property in West Cape May. Visiting his native county each summer, he is thus widely known within its borders, and has the warm regard of a large circle of friends, many of whom have known him from boyhood. While in college he was a member of the Whig Literary Society. Since attaining his majority he has given his political support to the Republican party and is one of the stanch advocates of its principles. He holds membership in the Tabernacle Presbyterian church, of Philadelphia, has been secretary of its board of trustees for thirty years, an elder in the church for twenty years, and for a long period superintendent of the Sunday-school.
On the 25th of April, 1872, Mr. Reeves was united in marriage to Miss Tryphena B., a daughter of Downs Edmunds, and they have four children: Lottie, born June 12, 1873, became the wife of Robert H. Barr, then a drug- gist of Philadelphia, but now a resident of Asheville, North Carolina. Jennie M., born November 23, 1875, died at the age of seven weeks; Harry McCook, born in 1877, died at the age of seven months. Nellie W., born June 23, 1880, is now a student in the high school.
Mrs. Reeves is also a representative of one of the old families of southern New Jersey. Her paternal grandfather, Downs Edmunds, Sr., resided at Fishing Creek, Cape May county, where his birth occurred. He was a farmer and had one hundred and fifty acres of valuable land, which is now owned by Mr. Reeves. He also engaged in general merchandising at Fish- ing Creek and conducted an extensive and profitable business. He was well known throughout the community as an upright, honorable man, a loyal and public-spirited citizen and a gentleman of firm convictions on the side of
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morality and right. He held membership in the Cold Spring Presbyterian church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Stillwell, was a daugh- ter of a sea captain. Their children were six in number, Downs, Jr., being the eldest. Joanna became the wife of George Foster, a farmer of Cape May. Tryphena married Page Crowell, a sea captain, and their children were: Aaron D. E., a farmer, who married Jane A. Foster, of West Cape May; Thomas Stillwell, Edward M., Tryphena C., Anna F. and Sarah Edmunds. Abigail became the second wife of Page Crowell, and had two children,- Thomas S. and Abigail E. Luther C. married Mary Edmunds, and they have a daughter, Roxanna, who became the wife of N. C. Price, a farmer and merchant of Cape May city, by whom she had two sons,-William C. and Luther E. The former is an attorney at law, was the society editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer, and married Carrie Holliday, by whom he has one child, Marion. Luther E. Price is now on the staff of the New York Herald. Zeruiah E. married James S. Hewett, a sea captain, residing in Philadelphia. Their children are Dr. George A., a physician of Philadelphia; Eliza E .; Mary B .; James, a wholesale grocer, of Philadelphia, who married Hannah Bray- man, and has five children: James K., W. Montgomery, Mary B., Florence and George A. Luther E. Hewett, the next child of Captain Hewett, is an attorney at law of Philadelphia, and married Nellie Jennings, by whom he has two children, Robert P. and William J. Downs E. Hewett is a wholesale dealer in white goods and notions, in Philadelphia, and married Susan Hall, by whom he has three children,-H. Hartley, Anna C. and Downs E.
Downs Edmunds, the father of Mrs. Reeves, was born at Fishing Creek and became a farmer and general contractor. He was associated with David and Andrew Reeves in the latter business, they taking contracts for the con- struction of and moving buildings, building bridges, light-houses, teaming and the wrecking of vessels. He resided in West Cape May and became the owner of considerable land in this section of the state. In his business under- takings he prospered, his capable management and enterprise bringing to him a handsome competence. He was also a leader in public thought and movement, taking an active part in public affairs. He was several times elected to represent Cape May county in the state senate and left the impress of his individuality upon the legislation of the state. He also served as county judge for several years and did considerable legal business. His political sup- port was given the Republican party, and public opinion accorded him a prominent and honorable position in political, social and business circles. He was a member of the Cold Spring Presbyterian church, took an active part in its work and served for many years as a trustee. He was three times married, his first union being with Sarah Wales, who died in 1850. Their
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children were Sarah E., Eli D. and Tryphena B., the last named the wife of Mr. Reeves. For his second wife he chose Ellen Wales, a sister of his first wife, and his third union was with Electa R. Hand. The children of this marriage are Charles H., Herbert W., N. Perry, Charles H., Abigail P., Ada F. and Electa H. The father of this family died September 1, 1891, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years, and the community thereby lost one of its most valued citizens, a man whom to know was to respect and honor.
ISAAC K. LIPPINCOTT.
The Lippincott family is not only one of the oldest and most honored families in the United States but has also a similar record in England. The name was derived from Lovecote, which occurs in the Domesday Book, or census, made by order of William the Conqueror, in 1086, of lands held by Edward the Confessor, in 1041-66. This name, of Saxon origin, implies that a landed proprietor by the name of Love, was the holder of certain estates and the house-cote, and hence was termed Lovecote. As the centuries rolled away the family patronymic underwent numerous changes, becoming Lough- uyngcote, Lyvenscott, Luffingcott, Luppingcott and finally Lippincott, in which latter form it has continued for more than two centuries.
In 1639 Richard and Abigail Lippincott emigrated from Devonshire, England, to Boston, Massachusetts. For several years they endured the hardships and fortunes of the little colony at that point, but eventually, in 1851, were excommunicated for "non-conformity" to the severe rules laid down by the local church. They then returned to England and made their home at Plymouth, Devonshire, where they later identified themselves with the Society of Friends. This sect, then in its infancy, was greatly persecuted by the intolerant people of that day, and at last Mr. Lippincott decided to cast in his lot once more with the inhabitants of New England, hoping to find a home where he might worship God according to the dictates of his conscience. Consequently the little family returned to America, and after abiding for some time in Rhode Island ultimately removed to Shrewsbury, Monmouth county, New Jersey. There Richard Lippincott became one of the largest patentees of land in the new colony, and won a well merited . position among his neighbors. He died November 25, 1683, and was sur- vived by his widow, whose death occurred in 1697. They left a valuable estate, and handed down to their posterity an honored name and a blameless life record.
Isaac K. Lippincott of this sketch is a son of Jesse and Henrietta (Kay) Lippincott, the former a native of Haddonfield, New Jersey. He was a plain.
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unassuming citizen, devoted to what he believed to be his duty, kindly and just by nature and loved by those who knew him well. He settled in Woods- town in 1866, and thenceforth lived retired from active work until his death. when he was in his seventy-fifth year. He was a consistent member of the So- ciety of Friends, and politically was first a Whig and later a Republican. For some years prior to his death he was one of the directors in the First Na- tional Bank of Woodstown. His wife, who died at the age of fifty-three years, was a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Kay) Kay. The father, who was a native of Camden county, this state, was influential in the politics of that county in early days, and at one time he was its representative in the state legislature. He lived to attain the advanced age of ninety-four years.
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