USA > New Jersey > Historical collections of the state of New Jersey : containing a general collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, etc. relating to its history and antiquities, with geographical desciptions of every township in the state. > Part 14
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FRANCIS HOPKINSON, one of the signers of the Declaration of In- dependence, resided in Bordentown, at the time of the revolution. He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1738. After the peace, he held a place for some time in the loan-office ; and was afterward ap- pointed a judge of the district court of the United States. He died May 8th, 1791. He was distinguished for his vivacity and wit, and published, during the revolution, several poetical pieces, which were highly popular ; among which was the " Battle of the Kegs." This ballad was occasioned by a real incident. In January, 1778 while the British troops were in possession of Philadelphia, certain machines, in the form of kegs, charged with gunpowder, were sent down the river, to annoy their shipping, which was anchored be fore the city. The danger of these machines being discovered. the British manned the wharves and vessels, and discharged their small-arms and cannon at every thing they saw floating in the river. The ballad consists of twenty-two stanzas, from which the following are selected :
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" Gallants, attend, and hear a friend Trill forth harmonious ditty : Strange things I'll tell, which late befell In Philadelphia city.
'Twas early day, as poets say, Just when the sun was rising, A soldier stood on log of wood, And saw a thing surprising. * * * * * *
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' These kegs, I'm told, the rebels hold, Pack'd up like pickled herring ; And they've come down t'attack the town, In this new way of ferry'ng.'
The soldier flew, the sailor too, And, scar'd almost to death, sir, Wore out their shoes to spread the news, And ran till out of breath, sir.
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Sir William he, snug as a flea, Lay all this time a snoring ; Nor dream'd of harm, as he lay warm In bed *
Now, in a fright, he starts upright, Awak'd by such a clatter ; He rubs both eyes, and boldly cries, ' For God's sake, what's the matter ?' * * *
'Arise, arise !' Sir Erskine cries ; ' The rebels-more's the pity-
Without a boat are all afloat, And rang'd before the city.
The motley crew, in vessels new, With Satan for their guide, sir, Pack'd up in bags, or wooden kegs, Come driving down the tide, sir.
Therefore prepare for bloody war --- These kegs must all be routed, Or surely we despis'd shall be, And British courage doubted.' * * * *
The cannons roar from shore to shore; The small-arms loud did rattle : Since wars began, I'm sure no man E'er saw so strange a battle. * * * *
From morn to night, these men of might Display'd amazing courage ; And when the sun was fairly down . Retir'd to sup their porridge.
A hundred men, with each a pen, Or more, upon my word, sir,
It is most true, would be too few Their valor to record, sir.
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Such feats did they perform that day, Against those wicked kegs, sir, That, years to come, if they get home, They'll make their boasts and brags, sir."
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Residence of Joseph Buonaparte, Bordentown.
The above is a representation of the residence of Joseph Buona- parte, Count de Surveilliers, the ex-king of Naples and of Spain, and the eldest brother of the Emperor Napoleon. He came to this country in 1815, and settled here during the following season, where he has generally resided most of the time since. He has, however, recently been to Europe, where he has remained for three or four years past, leaving his residence here in charge of Mr. Prince. The park and grounds of the Count comprise about fourteen hun- dred acres, which, from a wild and impoverished tract, he has con- verted into a place of beauty, blending the charms of woodland and
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plantation scenery with a delightful water-prospect. His first man- sion, which stood on the site of the present one, was destroyed by fire, together with some rare pictures, from the pencils of the first masters, whose merit made them invaluable. In the present build- ing are busts of all the Buonaparte family, carved from the finest Italian marble ; among which is that of Pauline, the Princess Bor- ghese, the Emperor's favorite sister, who was considered one of the most elegant women of her time. In the collection there is a most exquisite statue of the infant Napoleon sleeping. The Count is now about seventy-five years of age, polished in manners, and charitable to the poor. While here, his time was occupied in plan- ning and executing improvements upon his grounds. He did not mingle in society ; but was frequently seen walking through his park, attending to his workmen, or, with hatchet in hand, lop- ping branches from the trees.
View of Crosswicks from the Bordentown Road.
Crosswicks and Recklesstown are also villages in this township. The latter, 5 m. SE. of Bordentown, is in a fertile country, and contains 15 or 20 dwellings. Crosswicks, 4 m. E. of Bordentown, on a creek of the same name, and on the road to Freehold, is sup- posed to have derived its name from the Indian word Crossweek- sung, (signifying a separation,) originally applied to the creek, which separates into two branches 2 m. E. of the village. It was first settled about 1681, by Friends ; and, in the early history of the county, was a place of some importance,-for we find that the pro- vincial assembly met here in Oct. 1716.
The village is principally situated on a ridge considerably ele- vated above the creek, across which is a handsome lattice-bridge of Town's patent. On the opposite bank is a collection of dwellings called Woodwardsville. There are here, including the latter set- tlement, several mechanic shops, 4 stores, a grist and a saw mill, 2 Friends meeting-houses, a Methodist church, and about 70 dwell- ings. Near the village is a bed of bog iron ore, formerly exten- sively worked and the ore transported to furnaces in the pines.
When the British troops marched from Philadelphia on their way
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to Monmouth, in June, 1778, they came through this part of the country in three detachments-one by Mt. Holly, one through Co- lumbus, and the third by Bordentown. The latter attempted to cross Crosswicks creek over a drawbridge near the latter place. The continental troops, and a great part of the militia stationed in that vicinity under Gen. Dickinson, had been withdrawn, excepting those of Cols. Philips and Shreve, who had been previously de- tached to guard a ford one mile further up the creek ; and only the three regiments of Cols. Frelinghuysen, Van Dike, and Webster remained, when a party of the enemy appeared, and with great zeal began to repair the bridge, the planks of which had been pulled up, and the draw raised. For this purpose, they ripped off the planks from an adjoining hayhouse. Upon their approach, the troops rushed down with the greatest impetuosity, and a small party from one of the regiments, happening to be considerably advanced, caused them to retire, with the loss of 4 killed and several wound- ed. This detachment then united with the other two at Crosswicks, and, in the course of the same day, attempted crossing the bridge there, which had also been destroyed by the Americans. Another skirmish occurred, in which a British officer and two or three men were shot. The wounded officer was conveyed to the dwelling now occupied by Mr. Thomas Newell. An American named Clev- enger was killed. He had cut away the last sleeper of the bridge, and, while retreating, was shot in the back of the head, fell among the high grass, and was discovered a few days after by the stench of his decaying body. The next day the enemy repaired the bridge and proceeded on their march. During this skirmish the Ameri- cans, who were stationed on the Woodwardsville side of the creek, fired several cannon-balls, one of which lodged in the Friends meeting-house, and there remained until the house was repaired, a few years since. Soon after the battle of Trenton the American troops, for a time, occupied the Friends meeting-house for barracks. On Sundays, the benches were arranged and worship held, as usual.
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A gentleman with the troops during these skirmishes, says, in a publication of the day, "The conduct of the militia saved, in my opinion, Trenton and the country adjacent from rapine and desola- tion. In short, their conduct during the whole time gave me the most pleasing ideas of the strong love of liberty which is natural to the human soul. Surely, while the farmers of the country are in- duced, by the mere fondness of freedom, to leave all their domestic concerns at this season of the year, and undergo the hardships of a soldier's life-to suffer the severest fatigues, and with pleasure face every danger,-I say, while this continues-Americans must and will be free !"
EVESHAM.
This township is 14 m. long, 8 wide ; and is bounded NE. and E. by Northampton, S. by Washington and Waterford, Glouces-
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ter co., W. by Waterford, Gloucester co., and NW. by Chester. The surface is level or undulating. In the S. part there is much pine timber ; in the other portions, the soil is generally fertile, and improved by marl. There are in the township 19 stores, 6 grist- m., 12 saw-m. ; cap. in manufac. $97,600 ; 21 schools, 167 schol- ars. Pop. 5,060.
The village of Medford is 7 m. S. of Mt. Holly. Sixty years since, it was called Upper Evesham, and then contained but a few houses. Twenty years later, its present name was given to it. The
UNION FIRE ENGINE.
View of the Friends Meeting-house, Medford.
village is mostly built in a compact manner, on a single street, and many of the buildings are of brick. It contains 7 stores, several mechanic shops, a bank, 1 Baptist and 1 Methodist church, 2 Friends meeting-houses, and a population of about 700.
The above is a representation of one of the Friends meeting- houses, said to be the largest in the county-measuring 74 ft. long by 42 broad. It is constructed of brick, and is a fair specimen of the architecture adopted by Friends in their houses for divine wor- ship, being substantial in material, and plain and unpretending in finish. Marlton, 4} m. W. of Medford, is a new and flourishing village, containing 2 stores, a Methodist and a Baptist church, and about 30 dwellings. Lower Evesham has 2 stores, a Friends meeting, and a few dwellings. At Taunton, 4 m. S. of Medford, is a manufactory for edge tools. Chairville, where there is an ex- tensive chair factory, Cross Roads, Hartford, and Green Tree, con- tain each a few dwellings.
Capt. Jonathan Beesley, in June, 1778, having been mortally wounded, was taken to the dwelling now occupied by Mr. Hinch- man Haines, in this township, where he died. He was a captain in the Cumberland co. militia, and had been in active service about two years previous to his death. Arduous in the cause, and guided by a sense of duty, he paid little regard to his personal safety. He was in the neighborhood of Haddonfield when the British were on their march across the state from Philadelphia. He, with two other officers, in reconnoitring, were fired upon by a party of Brit- ish secreted in a rye-field,-when he fell, wounded, into their hands.
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He was conducted to the enemy's camp, and questioned by the officers respecting the situation and probable movements of Wash- ington's army ; but he peremptorily refused giving them any infor- mation. Finding that neither entreaties or threats would prevail in extorting any thing from him to the injury of his country, the officer in command, seeing his agony, ordered his own surgeon to attend him, and to take proper care of him,-at the same time re- marking, " he was a brave man, and should not be treated with indignity." He lived until the next day,-the enemy taking him with them on their march to the dwelling above mentioned, where he soon expired, and was buried by them with the honors of war. His remains were soon after removed to Haddonfield, and interred there in the Friends burying-ground.
HANOVER.
This township is nearly triangular in form, its longest side measuring 17, and the other two, 13 miles each. It is bounded E. by Upper Freehold and Dover, Monmouth co., S. by the N. branch of the Rancocus, separating it from Northampton, and W. by Ches- terfield and Springfield. Pop. 3,045. The surface is level, the soil light, and in the N. part fertile and improved by marl. The SE. portion is generally covered with pines. The township con- tains 11 stores, 4 grist m., 8 saw m. ; cap. in manufac. $74,600; 9 schools, 474 scholars.
Pemberton, 6 miles from Mount Holly, near the SW. corner of the township, is built on a gentle elevation between Budd's run and the N. branch of the Rancocus. The land in this vicinity was originally owned by David Budd, who, about the year 1758, sold out to a company of four persons, who built a grist and a saw mill on the Rancocus, and called the place " New Mills," in contradis- tinction to a mill then standing on Budd's run, on the opposite side of the town site. The village was incorporated in 1826 by its present name, after James Pemberton. It is thriving, and contains 3 stores, 1 large saw, and 1 large grist-m., a turning-m., a pump manufactory, 2 carriage makers, several mechanic shops, 1 Baptist and 2 Methodist churches, and above 100 dwellings. The water- power on the Rancocus, on which the mills are situated, is one of the best in this region. Shelltown, Arneystown, Cookstown, Han- over, Lisbon, Scrabbletown, Greenwood, Wrightstown, Jacobstown, and Plattsburgh, lately called Sykestown, are small villages and localities in the township. At Jacobstown there is a Baptist church, and Methodist societies at Jacobstown and Wrightstown.
The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the graveyard adjoining the Methodist church :-
Sacred to the memory of the REV. WILLIAM BUDD, who departed this life 28th Sept., 1809, aged 67 years, 3 months, and 22 days-
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Stop, passing stranger, learn thy awful doom .
Ah! why that solemn and dejected air ? Is death so awful, that thou fear'st the tomb ?
Or life so sweet, thou wouldst not leave its care ?
The man who fears his God, dreads not the grave, Nor is life sweet, when future bliss is sure : Religion is the only power can save,
"Tis that alone can heavenly joys procure.
In memory of REV. JOHN MERRICK, who departed this life, July 30th, 1798, aged 39 years-
Ye who survey with curious eye This tomb where MERRICK's ashes lie ; His worth through various life attend, His virtues learn and mourn his end.
LITTLE EGG HARBOR.
This township comprises the eastern point or section of Burling- ton co. It is about 17 miles long, with an average width of 7 miles, bounded N. by Northampton, E. by Stafford, Monmouth co., W. by Washington, and S. by Little Egg Harbor river and bay. The soil is light, and a great part of the surface is covered by pines. In that part of the township adjoining the ocean, there is a marshy tract along the shore from one to three miles in width. Tucker's beach fronts the township, and in the Great and Little Egg Harbor bays there are numerous islands. In the northern part are extensive tracts covered with low pines and scrub oaks, known as the East and West Plains, in which deer and grouse abound. There are in the township 7 stores, 1 grist-m., 1 saw-m. ; cap. in manufac. $6,800 ; 7 schools, 285 scholars. Pop. 1,875.
Tuckerton is situated at the head of an arm of the ocean N. of Little Egg Harbor inlet, about six miles from the sea, on both sides of a stream called Tuckerton mill creek. It is a port of entry, containing a custom-house, 2 houses for divine worship, 1 for Friends, and 1 for Episcopal Methodists, 4 stores, two ship-yards, in which more or less vessels are built annually, a saw and grist- m., several mechanic shops, and about 100 dwellings: distant 50 miles from Philadelphia, 200 from Washington, and 60 from Trenton.
The district of Little Egg Harbor, and port of Tuckerton, com- prises all the shores, waters, bays, rivers, inlets, and creeks from Bar- negat inlet to Brigantine inlet, inclusive, 30 miles on the sea-coast, and extends to Batsto, at the head of Mullica river, 30 miles more ; within which boundaries are several furnaces and forges, one cot- ton factory, and one extensive paper-mill. There are about 50 sail of vessels enrolled and licensed at the port of Tuckerton.
Tuckerton was first settled by the whites about the year 1699, by Edward Andrews, Mordecai Andrews, Jacob Andrews,* and
* Jacob Andrews was a considerable proprietor of lands on both sides of Tuckerton mill creek. He was in those days a jovial companion, playing on the violin for the en-
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Daniel Gaunt, from Long Island. Edward Andrews purchased of Samuel Jennings a large quantity of land on the east and west side of an arm of the sea called Tuckerton creek. About the year 1704, he erected a grist and saw m. ; and about this time a num- ber of settlers moved into this neighborhood by the name of Shourds, Parker, Rose, Lippincott, Ong, Ridway, Falkenburg,-Mott, Carr, Mathis, Orsborn, and Willets. These persons settled each side of the creek, then called Andrews mill creek, and the " Middle of the Shore." The chief occupation of the inhabitants, then, was fishing, fowling, ship-building, manufacturing lumber, such as pine and cedar boards, rails and shingles, which were shipped coastwise to the cities, and direct to the West Indies. About 1765, Reuben Tucker emigrated from the state of New York and purchased the whole of the island called Tucker's beach, extending from Little Egg Harbor to Brigantine inlet, 10 miles in length, also a planta- tion near Tuckerton. In 1778, his son, Ebn. Tucker, located him- self in the settlement then called " Middle of the Shore," near An- drews mill, then owned by the Shourds family, and at the close of the revolutionary war purchased the farm of John and Joseph Gaunt, on which the main part of Tuckerton is now built. He soon laid out the tract into building lots, built houses, entered largely into the mercantile and shipping business, importing his groceries direct from the West Indies in exchange for lumber. In 1786, the people of the village and vicinity met, and resolved that the village should be called Tuckerton. In the early part of Wash- ington's administration it was established a port of entry for the district of Little Egg Harbor, the collector to reside at Tuckerton.
" There used to be," says Watson, " a considerable exportation of sassafras from Egg Harbor. Some vessels went direct to Hol- land with it ' north about,' to avoid, I believe, some British orders of trade therein. The Dutch made it into a beverage, which they sold under the name of sloop. This commerce existed before the war of the revolution."
This was a place of great resort for American privateers during the revolutionary war. A vast amount of property was brought into this port, captured from the British. Among the rich prizes were the ships Venus and Major Pearson from London. Sometimes upwards of thirty armed American vessels have been in the har- bor at one time. The British generals, at New York, finding their merchant ships and transports so much annoyed by the privateers rendezvousing at Tuckerton, determined to destroy the place. For this purpose they dispatched thither an armament of eight or ten vessels and 700 men ; the flag-ship being the Zebra sloop-of-war.
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tertainment of his neighbors, and treating them with rum and cider in their dances. He, however, came to a sudden pause in this career, laid aside his violin, became a Friend or Quaker in sentiment, and induced his neighbors for several miles around to come to meetings at his house, by which means was established a respectable congregation. He gave two acres of land, and with the assistance of his friends built a meeting-house for the Society, in which, for many years, yearly meetings were held.
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Gen. Washington hearing of the expedition, dispatched Count Pu- laski and his legion, and at the same time sent an express to Tuck- erton, and gave information, so that the privateers escaped. Pu- laski arrived at Tuckerton three days after the arrival of the Brit- ish, who had landed and burnt the village of Chestnut neck, on Mullica river, and 10 or 12 houses on Bass river, Tucker's mill, and about 30 prize vessels lying in the harbor. As the armament and troops retired, they landed at Osborn's island, 4 miles west of Tuck- erton, in the night, and having captured a sentinel, compelled him to lead them to the spot where Pulaski's picket-guard was station- ed. This guard consisted of about 30 men ; they were completely surprised by the enemy, who put every one of them to death. They then retreated to their shipping, tearing up a bridge in their progress, which prevented Pulaski from overtaking them. As the enemy's fleet was going out of the harbor, the Zebra grounded, and to prevent her from falling into the hands of the Americans, they set her on fire; and as the fire reached her guns they were dis- charged, much to the amusement of the Americans who beheld the conflagration.
During the revolutionary war, in the month of January, (1779, it is supposed,) a dreadful shipwreck occurred on the east end of Tucker's island. The ship was from Liverpool bound to New York, with passengers, among whom were several ladies, and goods, comprising heavy articles. She grounded on the bar during a gale in the night, bilged, filled with water, but did not immediately break to pieces. When the storm abated, it was found that every soul on board had perished with the cold ; about 30 bodies drifted on shore on Tucker's beach, among whom were a number of offi- cers in their regimentals, who were buried on the island. The ship finally went to pieces, but nothing of value was saved. Some- where about the year 1800, a new inlet broke through Tucker's beach, and at the same time closed up Brigantine inlet. This new inlet is now the best on the sea-coast of New Jersey, into which a vast number of vessels enter for shelter against storms. In 1829 and 1830, congress appropriated $15,000 to improve Little Egg Harbor ; but owing to the bad management of those employed, nothing of any use was effected. In 1815, John Hallock, from New York, settled at Tuckerton, and introduced the culture of the cas- tor bean and the manufacture of castor oil, which for several years yielded large profits. In 1816, Daniel Thatcher, from Mas- sachusetts, introduced the manufacture of salt by the evaporation of salt water, but this business with the other has gone down.
MANSFIELD.
This township is about 9 miles long, 5 broad; and is bounded N. by the Delaware river, E. by Chesterfield, S. by Springfield, and W. by Burlington. The surface is generally level, and the soil,
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of which there is a variety, well cultivated and productive. New. bold or Biddle island, settled about the year 1683, lies in the Dela- ware, opposite the township. The township contains 5 stores, 1 grist-m., 1 'saw-m .; cap. in manufac. $122,500; 1 academy, 12 schools, 144 scholars. Pop. 2,401.
Columbus, the principal village, is in the south part, 12 miles from Trenton, 5 from Bordentown, and 7 from Burlington and Mount Holly. This vicinity was originally settled by Thomas Scattergood, an English Friend. Before leaving his native coun- try, he purchased 160 acres, on Craft's creek, for which he paid five
Central part of Columbus.
shillings sterling. This farm, now in possession of Mr. C. G. Atkin son, is about half a mile from the village. When he first came, this region was an unbroken forest, excepting a few clearings made by the Indians, for the cultivation of corn. His wife emigrated with him. He dug out a cave, on the south bank of the creek, where they lived, and reared a family of nine children. This cave is now in existence, and near it a spring, from which they obtained water. The Indians were very kind, and presented to him beans, venison, corn, &c. The generosity of the natives, in his early trials, was held in just remembrance. He died, leaving a large estate; and in his will requested his children to act kindly, and allow them the privilege of residing on his estate, and cutting timber for fuel. Some of his descendants are yet living in the township. Columbus was founded previous to the American revolution. The names of some of the early settlers were Martin Gibbs, Abel Starkey, Thomas Kerlin, and Michael Buffin. The place was first known as the " Encroaching Corners," which name originated in a quarrel be- tween two of the settlers. relating to the right of occupancy of land. It was afterward changed to " Black Horse," from a tavern in the village, the sign of which had the representation of a black horse. This sign is still in existence in the village, and among
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elderly people the place now bears this name. About one hundred yards south of the tavern was formerly an Indian field, where the children of the whites and natives mingled in play. On the estate of Thomas Scattergood was an Indian burial-place.
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