USA > New Jersey > Burlington County > Burlington > History of Burlington and Mercer counties, New Jersey : with biographical sketches of many of their pioneers and prominent men > Part 16
USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > History of Burlington and Mercer counties, New Jersey : with biographical sketches of many of their pioneers and prominent men > Part 16
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acres, through which location flowed a ereek, upon which Thomas Olive erected a mill at a spot eighty yards below the present bridge over the said creek, on the Beverly and Mount Holly Turnpike.
The territory between Thomas Olive's location westward along the Rankokus River to the mouth, thence northeastwardly along the Delaware to the | erat, after the English type. He was the last Colo- town bounds of Burlington, which district compre- hended old Willingborough, was located by Richard Fenimore, Isaac Mariott, Abraham Halin, William Halin, William Pealees, and others, whose surveys are so indefinite in their description that it would be attended with difficulty to draught them together with aceuracy. At the present writing none of the afore- said settlers have descendants within the neighbor- hood of the locations, or own the title thereto, except- ing the descendants of Richard Fenimore. nial Governor of New Jersey; was appointed by the erown of Great Britain in 1763. At the time of the Revolution he remained loyal to the mother-country. and soon came in conflict with the new organization of State matters then becoming instituted. He was arrested by order of the Revolutionary body then sit- ting at Burlington, but refusing to recognize them as having any authority to question him, they banished him in 1776 to one of the New England States, from whence he sailed to England, and never returned. The location the longest in the name of the family is that of John Harding, which at his death, by deed executed by Jolin Wills, his executor, was conveyed to John Stokes, who came from London, England, when a small boy, with his father, Thomas Stokes. John Stokes married Elizabeth, the daughter of Thomas Green, and had three children, Mary, John, and Elizabeth. John the second married Mary, the daughter of Jervis Stockdale, a preacher in the So- . there. It was known as the " Franklin Park Board- ciety of Friends, and who came to this country in company with William Penn and others. He conveyed the title to his property in Willing- borough to his son, Temple Franklin, who occu- pied it as a farmer. At one time, after the property went out of the Franklin family, it was owned by Maberry Mcveigh, who erected the brick building now standing, and established a boarding-school for boys, which was celebrated at that time. Many of the first men of the older generation were educated ing-School." .The place is still known as the " Franklin Park," and is owned by Richard Buzby.
John married Susanna Newton, and settled on a .
farm in Haycock township, in Bucks County, Pa. Jervis married Elizabeth Rogers, David married Ann Lancaster, Mary married Isaac Newton. Han- nah married Jacob Haines, Rachel married Joseph Hackney, and Elizabeth married Robert French, from which marriages most of the Stokes families in
One hundred and fifty acres of the two hundred and fifty acres of land located by Thomas Harding, and conveyed as aforesaid to John Stokes, has been handed down from father to son, with additional purchases, which comprise most of the locations of William Evans and Robert Hudson to William Stokes, Gen. George H. Stokes, Hillyard, Charles: and Rowland Stokes, descendants and present owners.
In the record of the Monthly Meeting of Friends. held in Burlington in 1681, the following minute is to be found: " It is agreed that the meeting at An- cocas be held at the house of Thomas Harding."
The old mansion-house on the Harding farm was high and beautifully situated on the banks of the Rancocas; for several generations it was the home- stead of the Stokes family. The original house was destroyed by fire in about 1800, and was replaced by a frame structure, a part of which is now standing, but the present brick building, which is on the site of the original, was built by David Stokes, and re- built by his grandson, Israel Stokes. From its pleas- ant situation and attractive surroundings it has been April 25, 1682, Thomas Olive located five hundred . a popular summer resort, and bears the name of : "Stokingham."
William Franklin, the son of Dr. Benjamin Frank- lin, owned and resided on the central part of what was Thomas French's location. Then it was mostly covered with wood. He made a park, and stocked it with deer and other game. He was a proud aristo-
Thomas Olive, who located six hundred and thirty-
Engraved expressly for this work.
the Indians between the years of 1680 and 1690.
Westhampton, showing the location of lands as taken up from MAP of the present townships of Willingborough and
Beverly Township 1883%. ---.. --- Township line in 1862.
Thanks Olives
altivis Mill
500a
1.90 0.
Thomas olives
Town house
Thomas Eves 100 a.
John Roberts 08a.
Thomas French 600as
aGeo .Franklins
Robert Hudson, NEN
210 a
823 0
Wm. Evans oSchool House in 1700
T Harding
Thomas Harding, Stockingham
Bonj. Scott
Jno. Payne
200g.
Tirenshiptine in IS82
un
Friends Meeting house in. F.OD
Daniel Will
Dr. Daniel Wills
Gco.
500 a.
John Borton
John Woolmans' 150 a.
Walter Humphries
Barnard Devonisn' 400 a.
John Stekes 150 a.
John Storrs 150 a.
Thomas Gardner
MYownstap Line th 188:1
Anthony Ellons'
sthampton
Walter Clark Arthur Cook's 1000 a.
Samuel Junning
Mary Perkins'
5000.
RFenimore 90 G.
-- 7
Lawrence Morris 50 a.
1
Gnoc Ture at 1:00 Friends Meeting house 1
sova.
--
Townshipline in 1882 Easthamton
in
Northampton
Township in 188%.
Township
ST WOLLny
Rob. Powell! 150 a. . ---
Township line in ISS?
Rob. Powell
AWills Mul. Grave Yardl 1700
Township line in 188?
Burlington
Nortitampton River
Township
_. Township line in. 1882
Springfield Township
John Cripps 1852.
Township line in 1882
-
Draughted by Chas. Stokes, Surveyor, Rancocas, N. J.
511
WILLINGBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.
six aeres of land and built the mill as aforesaid. was shall be a highway surveyed and set forth between Burlington and Salem, the same to be begun at or before the first day of the second month next, and that twenty men in the whole shall be appointed for the said work, ten thereof from Burlington and ten from Salem." a man wise in council, energetic in business, and distinguished in public life. He came to America in 1677 as one of the London commissioners, as set forth in the chain of title. He served the General Free Assembly as Governor and Speaker. He discharged to the satisfaction of all concerned many publie and In 1747-48 there was a road established leading from Burlington to Cooper's Ferry at Camden. This ship of Willingborough ; this road crossed the Ran- cocas River at Bridgeboro' by means of a ferry similar to that at the " Queen's highway." private trusts. He was prominent in the location of lands and the institution of public and private im- : road in 1857 was made the line in dividing the town- provements. He was a preacher in the Society of Friends, was temperate, plain, and unassuming. Henry Armitt Brown, in his eloquent historical oration at the Bi-Centennial Celebration of the city of Bur- Bridgeboro' Ferry .- In the "Acts of the General Assembly of the province of New Jersey from the 17th day of April, 1702, to the 14th day of January, 1776," is to be found the following : lington in 1877, related the following interesting anecdote: "That when Thomas Olive acted in the quadruple character of Governor, preacher, farmer, and miller, a customer asked, 'Well, Thomas, when can my corn be ground ?' ' I shall be at the Assembly next third day,' replied the good man, 'and I shall bring it for thee behind me on my horse.'" This anecdote was told to distinguish between the honest simplicity of pioneer days and the proud spirit of the present era.
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The title to the aforesaid major part of the loca- tious made by Thomas Olive in Willingborough after- wards became vested in Benjamin Reidgway, who occupied it for many years; he distinguished himself in township matters, and transacted many public and private trusts. His hospitable mansion on the Olive location was an attractive resort, and whose pleasant and waggish disposition contributed to the pleasure of his many friends. In his more advanced life he sold his estate in Willingborongh and moved to Mount Holly, where he departed this life in 1880.
From the mansion-house, which is situate on the Olive location, there is a commanding view of the beautiful farm which surrounds it; it was purchased and much improved by Oliver Parry in 1881, its present "occupant, and now bears the name of "Olive Park."
Pioneer Highways, Etc .- Thoroughfares and pub- lic highways first claimed the united attention of the early settlers. The first road in the township, tradi- tion states, was the "Salem road, six rods in width," extending a northerly and southerly direction across the township from Burlington to Salem; it was laid out under the government of Queen Anne, and was 'called the "Queen's highway ;" it crossed the Ran- cocas River by ferry-boats very primitive in their model and construction. The ferry was on the farm of Seth Austin, who is said to have been the last ferry-man at this place. The old ferry-book is said to be in existence wherein are recorded the receipts for ferriage, refreshments, and stimulants, which were then an interesting feature at the ferry.
In the " Acts and Proceedings of the Legislature of West New Jersey between the 25th of November, 1681, and the 21st of May, 1701," is to be found the following act, passed in November, 1681 : "Be it also further enacted by anthority aforesaid that there . waid."
" And Whereas in Jan 19th 1747-8, it was proposed before the house of Assembly by each of the owners of the land on Rancocas Creek, at the place the said road will cross the same, that they will make and maintain at their own charge and risk sufficient wharfs and causeways from the uplands down to the said creek, with all other accommodations for a good ; and complete ferry ; therefore Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That John Buzby, owner of the land ou the east side of said creek, and James Sherrin, owner of the land on the west side of said creek, for them their heirs and assigns, owners of the said lands, do provide each of them one or more good and sufficient Boats or Flats for the keeping a ferry over the said Rancocas River at the place aforesaid ; and they and each of them and each of their heirs and assigns, owners of the said land, are hereby authorized and empowered to keep good and sufficient beats and attendants for the transporting or carrying over of Passengers, Horses, Carriages, and : ther things; awi they and each of them shall forthwith after the Publication of this act provide due attendance on the same, and respectively maintain, and from time to time and at all 1 times keep in good repair sufficient and convenient causeways of at least fifteen feet wide upon the surface for passing to and from the Ferry Boats from the landing place on either side, any Law, Usage or Custumu to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding, &c."
The Old Bridgeboro' Bridge .- From the follow- ing return, subscribed to by the commissioners, datedi the 8th day of February, 1793. and recorded in Book A of Roads, in the office of the county clerk at Mount. Holly, it would seem that the ferry existed from 1748 to the year 1793, when the toll-bridge was built, viz. :
" We, James Schurman, Archibald Mercer, and John Beatty, Esq., Com- missioners, appointed by an act of the Legislature of this State, passed at Trenton the 28th day of November, 1792, entitled . An Act to empower the Governor of this State to incorporate a company to build a Toll Bridge over Rancocas River,' to fix upon any place on Raucocas River, at the Ferry now kept for crossing said River, on the road leading from the City of Burlington to Cooper's Ferries, or within two mil-s above or be- low such Ferries, most suitable and convenient for the Public and least injurious to the navigation of the said river for building a bridge across the same; having viewed the s .id river near the aforesaid Ferry, as well as the Banks aud Landings most likely to answer the description in the said Act; it first appearing to us that fifty or more shares have beru subscribed pursuant to the directions of said Act. The Subscribers, Commissioners aforesaid, do deem and adjudge a place on the north side of said River, below the said Ferry now kept by Samuel Franklin. Beginning at a post or Stake fixed on the Tide bank fifty-eight hnks below a stone in said bank, bring in a division line between the lands of William Kemble and the estate of Samuel Kemble, deceased, and 2 chains so links below a cedar post on the lower side of the causeway at the said Ferry, und from said stake in a direct line across the said river to a Buttonwood tree. blazed of two sides, standing on the South side of paid Bank, two chains and 44 Iks. from the lower site of the wharf, nos; in the Tenure of John Taylor, to be a situation atost suitable atel cor- venieut for placing the Easternmost or upper site of said Bridge across the said River, and most likely to answer the Intentions of the uct afore-
512
HISTORY OF BURLINGTON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
New Bridgeboro' Bridge .- This toll-bridge suc- ceeded the ferry and accommodated the traveling public until 1838, when Charles Stokes and Benjamin ; Ridgway, of Willingborough, Benjamin H. Lippin- cott and Levi Borton, of Chester, and Thomas Han- cock, of Burlington, were appointed a commission by the board of freeholders of the county of Burling- ton to build the present pier-bridge, which was con- structed at a cost of nineteen thousand five hundred and thirty-seven dollars and fifty-nine cents. Most of the work was done by piece contraet. Evan Groom, a stone-mason from Pennsylvania, built the stone piers; Thomas Baker and John II. Braddock did the carpenter-work ; Capt. Thomas Deacon and Asa Aus- tin boated the stone ; John Matlock and William M. Rogers did the smithi-work, and Peter V. Coppuck lettered the bridge and painted the emblem and motto. This bridge at its completion was considered a wonderful structure.
1
Woodpecker Lane Road .- There was another road of early origin traversing the county from beyond Mount Holly Mount over the route of the present Woodpecker lane, thence on by Friends' meeting- house and graveyard and John Wills' mill, thence through Willingborough over Harding's location by a celebrated Indian spring and school-house near by Thomas Olive's mill to Dunk's Ferry, where is now the city of Beverly. The ferry was established prior to 1745. It enjoyed the reputation of being the best ferry on the Delaware River. On the Jersey side the earliest owner was John Wills. Afterwards it long remained in the Fenimore family, and later in the Vansciver name. The ferrying was done in row- boats open at one end, with a platform or door hung with hinges, so that when the wagons were taken on or off this platform or door was let down to serve as a plank from the gravel shore to the deck of the boat. While crossing it would be fastened to prevent the water from splashing into the boat when the river was rough.
When the horse ferry-boats and steam ferry-boats were introduced at Philadelphia, the accommoda- tions were so much better that Dunk's Ferry lost its patronage and went down.
Stokes' Landing Road .- The road from Stokes' Landing along Franklin Park to where it enters the Salem road was laid in about year 1800. This closed up an old road called "Free lane," a short distance to the east.
The other roads of the township were laid from time to time, as can be seen by referring to the Books of Roads, in the office of the clerk of the county of Burlington at Mount Holly.
Among the ancient and interesting institutions of Willingborough are the Coopertown meeting-house and graveyard. For full and complete history of Coopertown Mecting, see history of Beverly town- ship in this work.
Centreton Bridge .- The building of the Centreton i
bridge across the Rancocas, and opening a public road to it along the township line in 1832, was the next work of importance that interested the people of Willing- borough.
The board of ehosen frecholders having been peti- tioned by the inhabitants of both sides of the Ran- cocas River to build a bridge over said river at the end of the line between the townships of Willing- borough and Westhampton, on May 12, 1830, they appointed Abraham Merritt, Anderson Taylor, Jo- seph K. Hulme, Phineas S. Bunting, and James Shreve to be a committee to examine into the pro- priety of building a bridge over the Rancocas River below the forks of said river, and report to the next inceting.
At a meeting of the board held in February, 1831, the committee aforesaid made the following report :
" That your servants to the appointment met to view the ground on the 4th day of June last, and notwithstanding the day proved very un- favorable, a great number of the inhabitants of the surrounding country on both sides of the river attended who were in favor of a bridge.
" The committee having viewed the three different sites proposed and heard the applicants in favor of each location, and having materially considered the subject, taken into view the highly improved state of the country through which the said river passes from Mount Holly to the old toll-bridge, a distance of about nine miles, the intercourse at preseut existing between the inhabitants on each side, notwithstanding its diffi- culties, are decidedly of opinion that the middle site, that on the line between the townships of Northampton and Willingborough, will com- bine more public advantages than either of the others, and while they are aware that the erection of the contemplated bridge would be a con- siderable item in the expenditures ot the county, they are also sensible that its resources are daily increasing and fully adequate to the under- taking. They therefore recommend that commissioners be appointed to build a bridge across the Rancocas River ou the line between the towu- ships of Willingborough and Northampton. All of which is respectfully submitted."
The above report being read and considered, it was
" Resolved, That the report of the said committee be agreed to, and that commissioners be appointed to build said bridge, provided public roads be established within two years from the present time to accommodate said site for a bridge."
Charles Stokes, Benjamin H. Lippincott, Isaac Fenimore, John Larzalere, and Jededialı Middleton were thereupon appointed commissioners to build said bridge. Three of the commissioners, Charles Stokes, Isaac Fenimore, and Benjamin H. Ridgway, met, on the 9th, 18th, and 25th of the 1st month, 1831, to transact preliminary business in connection with the building of the bridge, and at the last meeting on the 25th, owing to the distant residences of the other commissioners, Charles Stokes, the commissioner living nearest, was directed to give his particular at- tention to the building of the bridge, and was vested with authority to direct the enterprise, which he did, and superintended thic driving the piling himself. Samuel Sailor did the carpenter-work ; Charles Huff. the mason-work ; George M. Kelly, John S. Haines, Elias B. Cannone, Jolin Hankinsons, and William Rogers, the smith-work; Charles Johnson did the painting.
The bridge was completed in 1832, at a cost of eight thousand dollars.
WILLINGBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.
513
Dunk's Ferry Tract .- In 1752 the tract of land known as Dunk's Ferry contained three hundred and fifty acres. It was then owned by Joseph Fenimore. Josepli Fenimore, by his will dated July 12, 1756, devised the said tract to his eldest son, Joseph Feni- more. Joseph Fenimore, the devisee, dicd intestate, leaving eight children, viz .: Joseph. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, David, Samuel, Richard, and Daniel Fenimore. Application was made to the Orphans' Court for a division, and in the term of August, A. D. 1795, the division was approved, and a tract contain- ing seventy-five and one-half acres was allotted and assigned to Joseph, Abraham, and Isaac Fenimore, and Timothy Bishop and Sarah, his wife; and being the same tract which William R. Vanseiver became seized by deed bearing date the 24th of March, A.D. 1846, duly executed by Charles Stokes, John W. Fenimore, and Samuel Perkins, commissioners ap- pointed to divide the real estate of which William Vansciver died seized. William R. Vansciver and Elizabeth, his wife, by deed bearing date the 15th of March, 1847, conveyed forty-nine acres, part of the seventy-five and one-half acres, bounded on the east by Dunk's Ferry lane, west by Samuel Perkins, north by the Delaware River, south by the road leading from Burlingtou to the Rancocas River, to John Dainty, who immediately built a wharf upon the present site of the steamboat landing, which im- provement seemed to revolutionize the whole neigh- borhood. The steamboats stopping several times daily at the wharf, drew to them the farmers who were thickly settled in the neighborhood, with vast quan- tities of produce, freight, and hundreds of passengers. The place was visited by strangers, who became im- pressed with the beauty of the location. The afore- said forty-nine acres was laid off for a town and named Beverly, after the first name of Burlington. Lots were rapidly disposed of, and thirty houses erected the first year.
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Richard W. Fenimore, who owned land adjacent the village of Beverly in 1847, had it surveyed into streets and building lots, and gave it the name of Churchville, in honor of the large and imposing Episcopal Church about to be erected. The two places are now consolidated, and bear the name of Beverly.
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Dunk's Ferry Steamboat Company. - Public spirit became general, there was an earnest effort made in 1850 to establish a steam ferry upon the site of the old Dunk's Ferry ; great interest was taken in the enterprise by the inhabitants residing in the neighborhood of both Pennsylvania and New Jer- sey shores. Acts were passed in 1851, both at Har- risburg and Trenton, incorporating the "Beverly and Dunk's Ferry Steamboat Company." By the Trenton act William Pettit, John Packer, Joseph W. Griffiths, William Soby, Leonard Soby, Caleb Per- kins, and Edmund Morris, were declared a body cor- porate and politic in fact and in law. Books for
capital stock were opened, and more than four hun- dred shares, at ten dollars per share, were soon taken ; among the subscribers were the names of Caleb Per- kins, Thomas Hollowell, William Pettit, John Packer, William H. Vanseiver, Charles Stokes, Abraham Per- kins, William Stevenson, William C. Stokes, William Soby, Richard White, Edmund Morris, Franklin Rabey, Paul Jones, William Bryan, Charles Williams, Samuel Perkins, Jr. The early proceedings of the company promised success, but for some unknown cause the enterprise was abandoned, and Beverly is permitted to remain at this advanced age of public improvements without a ferry.
Beverly and Mount Holly Turnpike .- In 1851 the public-spirited men of Willingborough made ap- plication to the Legislature of the State of New Jer- sey to iucorporate the "Beverly and Mount Holly Turnpike or Plank-Road Company." Accordingly, on the 18th of March an act was passed to that effect, and James Tuthill, Wesley Ballenger, William Pettit, Caleb Perkins, Nathan Cobb, Abraham Perkins, Benjamin Ridgway, Jarritt Stokes, Samuel N. Haines, J. L. N. Stratton, Moreton A. Stille, and Edmund Morris were appointed commissioners to open subscription books and receive subscriptions to the capital stock. Stock was rapidly takeu, and the building of the road immediately proceeded with. At the first meeting of the stockholders, held at Bev- erly, on June 5, 1851, Benjamin Ridgway, Nathan Cobb, John L. N. Stratton, John Packer, R. Franklin Raley, James Tuthill, and Jarrett Stokes were elected directors. The board organized by appointing Ben- jamin Ridgway president; Joseph W. Griffith, secre- tary ; and Dr. William Pettit, treasurer ; and Wil- liam Parry was employed to do the civil engineering. The road was pushed to rapid completion to Mount Holly. The first mile from the Delaware River to Bridge Street was originally handsomely graded, and planked eight fcet in width along the centre, and graveled on both sides, making a wide and beautiful avenue. The Beverly and Mount Holly turnpike continues to be one of the finely-improved and attrac- tive drives and thoroughfares in the county of Bur- lington. The present board of directors are James McIlvaine, Budd Deacon, J. Barclay Hillyard, Rich- ard Buzby, Samuel J. Wills, and Charles Stokes ; officers, James MeIlvaine, president ; and Budd Dea- eon, secretary and treasurer.
In 1853 there was an effort made to have a bridge built across the Rancocas River at Del Ranco. With this enterprise in view the Legislature of the State of New Jersey, on the 23d of February, 1863, passed an act incorporating the Beverly and Riverton Turnpike and Bridge Company. The undertaking failed for want of support, and was abandoned.
Burlington and Willingborough Turnpike Com- pany .- On the 21st of March, 1855, the Legislature incorporated the Burlington and Willingborongh Turnpike Company, whose road extended from the
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