USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > Port Elizabeth > History of Port Elizabeth, Cumberland County, New Jersey > Part 2
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL. CIIURCII.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
During the year 1773, Benjamin Abbott, having been con- verted the year before and joined the Methodists, entered upon his work as an evangelist. Abbott at that time resided in Pitts- grove township, Salem County. He was no doubt the most remarkable man among carly Methodists. Stephens in speak- ing of him says, " Religious biography hardly records his fellow, except it be in the 'glorious dreamer' of Bedford jail. His early life had been riotously wicked, and, notwithstanding the Spirit of God had often alarmed his guilty soul of its danger, he continued in sin until the fortieth ycar of his age. When, after the most desperate resistance and a struggle with despair itself, he sought relief in the labors of the field, his troubled heart beat so loud that he could hear the strokes. Finally yielding, he threw down his scythe, and stood weeping for his sins. Such is the reclaiming, the sublime strength of conscience in the rudest soul, when once awakened." In 1778, Abbott attended a quarterly meeting in Maurice River, most probably at Port Elizabeth. About this time the society was organized.
William Donnelly, who resided in Port Elizabeth, was a local preacher of the Methodist connection, and at the time of his death, August, 1784, the question of building a church was being agitated. Henry Reeves offered a lot on the north side of the dam, and Mrs. Bodly a portion of the present church lot.
At the time of his funeral it was decided to bury him on his own land, very near the line of the lot offered by Mrs. Bodly. It was finally decided to accept Mrs. Bodly's offer. Accord- ingly, on October 1, 1785, for the nominal sum of five shillings, she deeded a lot containing one acre and twenty-seven hun- dredths, " for the purpose of building a preaching-house on, and a burrying yard, and to build a school-house for the use of the neighborhood after the said meeting-house is built." The deed was given to "Phillip Cressey and Abraham Wolson, of Cape May, Henry Firth, of the county of Salem, James Sterling, of the county of Burlington, John Champion, Esq., of the county of Gloucester, and William Furnis, Daniel Heisler, Eli Budd,
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HISTORY OF PORT ELIZABETH.
and Martin Long, of Maurice River, in the county of Cumber- land, trustees chosen in behalf of the society of people called Methodists of the Episcopal Church." On March 28, 1809, Mrs. Bodly deeded another lot, containing twenty-five square rods, bordering on the first lot on the south, to trustees William Silvers, Elisha Smith, Benjamin Fisler, Joseph Gray, John Young, Stephen Willis, James D. Park, Henry Gray, and John Budd, for twenty-one dollars. On December 25, 1840, William Donnelly, administrator of Silas Long, deceased, deeded to Benjamin Fisler, John Spence, William Wriggins, John Wish- art, William Heisler, John McKaige, and Jacob Coombs, trus- tees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, for one dollar, a lot on the northeast side of the church lot, ten links wide and fifteen and a half perches deep. This was to bring the grave of the late William Donnelly within the graveyard. There is nothing to mark the spot, and no one knows just where he is buried. The first church erected on the ground, which was the first church in the county for the exclusive use of the Methodists, was about half the size of the present one, a frame building, and was probably built some time during the year 1786. The present brick edifice was built in 1827. Dr. Benjamin Fisler furnished the plan and superintended its erection. The dedica- tion took place the latter part of 1830, and the dedicatory ser- mon was preached by Rev. Robert Geary, of Bridgeton, from Ezra v. 9, " Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls ?" When this church was completed, it was considered the most complete and beautiful church within the State south of Trenton.
This church has had connected with it several very accept- able local preachers, the most prominent of whom was Dr. Benjamin Fisler, who was born in 1769, and converted at Fislerville, now Clayton, Gloucester County. He was licensed as a local preacher in 1792, and immediately commenced travelling, first in Nova Scotia, and in 1797 on the Salem circuit. In 1799 he located in Port Elizabeth, practised medicine and preached in a very acceptable manner until July 4, 1854, at which time he died. His last sermon was preached about one week previous to that; his text being from Gen. xxvii. 2: "I
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
am old, I know not the day of my death." Fithian Stratton, who lived at Schooner Landing, on the Menantico, was also an energetic local preacher for a number of years. He died in 1810.
This church has always been served with ministers in con- nection with other churches. In 1781 it belonged to the West Jersey circuit, and the ministers were as follows :
1781 .- Caleb Pedicord, Joseph Cromwell. In November they were changed, and James O. Cromwell and Joseph Everett were sent in their stead.
1782 .- Joshua Dudley, Richard Ivy.
1783 .- Woolman Hickson, John Magary.
1784 .- Samuel Rowe, William Partridge, John Fidler. 1785 .- Thomas Ware, Robert Sparks, William Phœbus. 1786 .- Jacob Brush, John Simmons, Jacob Lurton. 1787 .- Robert Cann, John McClaskey, John Milburn.
Salem circuit was formed in 1788, and Port Elizabeth was included in it.
1788 .- Joseph Cromwell, Nathaniel B. Mills, John Cooper.
1789 .- Simon Pyle, Jethro Johnson, Sylvester Hutchinson.
1790 .- Joseph Cromwell, William Dougherty.
1791 .- James Bell, John Clark.
1792 .- Benjamin Abbott, David Bartine.
1793 .- Willson Lee, Hugh Work.
1794 .- Richard Swain, Anthony Turck.
1795 .- Moses Crane, Jacob Egbert.
1796 .- Robert McCoy, Peter Vannest.
1797 .- William McLenahan, Benjamin Fisler.
1798 .- Jacob Egbert, Jesse Justice.
1799 .- Richard Swain, Wesley Budd.
1800 .- Richard Swain, Richard Lyon.
1801 .- Thomas Everard, Asa Swain.
Salem circuit was divided into Salem and Cape May circuits in 1802, Port Elizabeth remaining in Salem, and Jesse Justice and David Dunham were the preachers.
1803 .- Richard Swain, Asa Smith.
Quarterly meeting at Port Elizabeth, March 5.
1804 .- John Walker, John Durbin.
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HISTORY OF PORT ELIZABETH.
In 1805, Salem and Cape May circuits were again united, and John Walker and Nathan Swain were appointed preachers. Quarterly meeting was held at Port Elizabeth this year.
1 806 .- William Mills, Caleb Kendall.
Cumberland circuit was formed in 1807, which included all the southern and eastern portions of Cumberland County. The preachers appointed were David Bartine and Joseph Stephens.
1808 .- William Smith, Charles Reed.
1809 .- Daniel Ireland, John Fox.
1810 .- Samuel Budd, Daniel Ireland.
ISII .- Thomas Dunn, Joseph Bennett.
1812 .- William Smith, Joseph Bennett.
1813 .- Nathan Swain, Daniel Fidler.
I814 .- Daniel Fidler, Daniel Ireland.
1815 .- Solomon Sharp, Nathan Swain.
1816 .- Solomon Sharp, Thomas Davis.
IS17 .- Thomas Neal, Thomas Davis.
ISIS .- Thomas Neal, John Creamer.
1819 .- Edward Stout, John Creamer.
1820 .- Edward Stout, Daniel Fidler.
1821 .- John Finley, John Collins.
1822 .- John Finley, James McLaurin.
1823 .- Edward Page, Eliphalet Reed.
1824 .- Edward Page, Eliphalet Reed.
1825 .- William Williams, William Lunimis.
1826 .- William Williams, William Lummis.
I827 .- John Woolson, Robert Gerry, and Sedgewick Rus- ling.
1828 .- John Woolson, Sedgewick Rusling, and Joseph Ash- brook.
1829-30 .- Watters Burroughs, James Ayars.
IS31 .- William Folk, William Stevens.
1832 .- William Folk, Nathaniel Chew.
I833 .- John Henry, Joseph Ashbrook.
1834 .- Edward Stout, George Raybold.
I835 .- Nathaniel Chew, George Raybold.
1836 .- William Williams, J. W. McDougall. 1837-38 .- J. J. Sleeper, Thomas G. Steward.
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
1839-40 .- J. F. Crouch, Thomas G. Steward.
1841-42 .- J. Loudenslager, George Jennings. Mr. Jennings's health failed during 1842, and Dr. Perdew was the supply.
1843 .- Abraham Gearhart, Levi Herr.
1844 .- D. Duffield, William Rogers. Mr. Rogers's health failed, and Samuel Parker was the supply.
1845 .- D. Duffield, Joseph Gaskill. 1846 .- Thomas Christopher, Joseph Gaskill.
1847 .- N. Edwards, S. B. Beegle. Mr. Beegle left the circuit, and S. Parker was the supply.
1848 .- N. Edwards, Joseph White.
1849-50 .- Joseph Atwood, J. T. Canfield.
Port Elizabeth circuit was formed in 1851, and Cumberland circuit ceased to exist by that name.
1851 .- A. K. Street, W. A. Brooks.
1852 .- William A. Brooks, William Walton.
1853 .- Edwin Waters, J. B. Heward.
1854 .- Edwin Waters, Benjamin Parvin.
1855 .- Firman Robbins, William H. McCormick.
1856 .- Firman Robbins, M. H. Shimp.
1857 .- William Walton, Napoleon B. Todd.
1858 .- William Walton, Garner H. Tullis.
1859 .- John S. Beegle, Garner H. Tullis. 1860 .- John S. Beegle, Willis Reeves.
1861 .- James Vansant, John H. Hutchinson.
1862 .- James Vansant, Jos. L. Roe. 1863 .- David McCurdy, Ananias Lawrence.
1864 .- David McCurdy, George L. Dobbins.
1865 .- Henry G. Williams, George B. Wight.
1866 .- Henry G. Williams, Chas. B. Moffatt. 1867-68 .- William C. Stockton, Edwin J. Lippincott.
1869 .- Jos. B. Turpin, Joseph Wilson.
1870 .- Jos. B. Turpin, John W. Morris.
1871 .- Jos. B. Turpin, Joseph O. Downs.
Up to 1872, Port Elizabeth, Dorchester, Leesburg, Heisler- ville, West Creek, and Cumberland Furnace formed the circuit. 1872 .- Calvin C. Eastlack.
This year the circuit was divided into two parts, the lower
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HISTORY OF PORT ELIZABETH.
one called West Creek circuit. Port Elizabeth, Dorchester, and Leesburg formed Port Elizabeth circuit after 1872.
1873-74 .- Calvin C. Eastlack.
1875-76 .- James Vansant. 1877-78 .- Firman Robbins.
1879-81 .- Godfrey E. Hancock.
1882-84 .- Charles W. Livezly.
1885 .- Edwin J. Lippincott.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL PARSONAGE.
The first parsonage owned by the Methodist Episcopal soci- ety was situated on the north side of Broadway, where Daniel Harris, Esq., now lives. It was purchased June 12, 181I, of Dr. Benjamin Fisler. On September 5, 1812, the trustees sold it to Thomas Lee.
The present parsonage, situated on the southwest corner of Second and Quaker Streets, was purchased July 25, 1815, of John Eggman for six hundred dollars. It is quite a large, commodious house, and well adapted to the purpose for which it is used.
FRIENDS' MEETING-HOUSE.
The Friends' Meeting-House, situated on the north side of the dam, east of the road, was built previous to August 13, 1799, it being mentioned in a deed of that date. It was proba- bly built by Stephen Murphy, as he was a carpenter and a member of the society at that time. The deed for the land on which the church stands was given by Henry Reeves and wife, October 16, 1804, to Nathaniel Buzby, James Langstaff, Eli Stratton, and Stephen Murphy, trustees; the price paid being thirty-seven dollars and thirty-three and one-half cents. Cape May Preparative Meeting, belonging to Egg Harbor Monthly and Haddonfield Quarterly Meeting, and Maurice River Pre- parative, belonging to Greenwich Monthly and Salem Quarterly Meeting, believing it to be right for them to join and form a monthly meeting, laid their desires before their respective monthly meetings, and the monthly to the quarterly meetings.
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.
Their request was granted, and the meeting called Maurice River Monthly, belonging to Salem Quarterly Meeting, was established. The meetings were held alternately at Port Eliza- beth and Cape May, commencing with Port Elizabeth, Septem- ber 28, 1804, and so continued until May 15, 1817, at which time Salem Quarterly Meeting granted that in the future the monthly meeting should be held altogether at Port Elizabeth. This continued until December 2, 1854, when, with the consent of the quarterly meeting, Maurice River Meeting was laid down, and the members, forty-eight in number, were attached to the Greenwich Monthly Meeting. Since that time there have been several appointed meetings held by travelling Friends and others, the last being held on October 23, 1881, and conducted by Samuel Parrish, of Woodbury. There being no Friends in this place, the church was advertised and sold on November 21, 1884, to Captain Thomas M. Reeves for twenty-five dollars. The church is still standing, but will no doubt be removed in a short time. The burying-ground has lately been cleared, re- paired, etc., and is now in a good condition.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Although a majority of the inhabitants of Maurice River township at an early date belonged to the societies of Method- ists and Friends, still there were some who held to the Presby- terian doctrine. They were scattered all over the township. The Revs. Ethan Osborne and Jonathan Freeman were ap- pointed by the Presbytery of Philadelphia to organize a church in Maurice River. They accordingly met at the house of James Park, in Port Elizabeth, August 12, 1820, and organ- ized a church with the following twenty constituent members : Nathaniel Foster, Lydia Foster, Jeremiah Stratton, Jerviah Stratton, Preston Foster, Mary Van Hook, Ruth Stratton, Hannah Stratton, Hannah Glaspey, Hannah Jordan, Hannah Newcomb, George Bush, Betsey Craig, Robert McGriffin, Mary McGriffin, Virgil M. Davis, Elizabeth Davis, Samuel T. Barry, and Ruth Barry.
Jeremiah Stratton, Nathaniel Foster, and Samuel Barry were chosen elders at this time. No church was ever erected in Port
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HISTORY OF PORT ELIZABETH.
Elizabeth, but meetings were most probably held in private houses, conducted by the Revs. Osborne, Freeman, and others.
As many of the more influential members resided in Mill- ville, the church was soon called " Millville Presbyterian Church," which was erroneous. The organization was main- tained in Port Elizabeth until some time during the year 1823, when it was removed to Millville.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
This society, according to the minutes of the Baptist Associa- tion, was organized in 1810. On the 7th of November, 1807, James Lee and Deborah, his wife, deeded to Elemuel Edwards, William Price, James Prickett, Elias Wilson, John Tice, and Isaac Wynn one and one-fourth acres of ground bounded on the south by the present African Methodist Episcopal Church lot, " one acre to be used for burying strangers without cost," which was given. For the one-fourth of an acre they paid thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents.
On the 4th of May, 1811, Joshua Brick deeded to Elemuel Edwards, Elias Wilson, John Tice, James Prickett, Isaac Wynn, and William Price, trustees of the Baptist society, a lot on the " southwest corner of Church and R- Streets, being on the street leading from the glass-works to the 'Turkeyhoe' road."
On the first of these lots a church was erected, which was not completed, although it was used for some time in which to worship. While the troops were quartered here during the war of 1812, to prevent the British from ascending Maurice River, they used the church for a barracks.
In 1832 the society stated in its letter to the Association, “ We have nothing especial to report relative to this little church except that it is very weak, and therefore claims an interest in the prayers of those who pray that the walls of Jerusalem which are prostrate may be raised again." They had eleven members at that time, and, as their letter states, were weak but hoped for better days. They made no more reports until 1837, when they had twelve members, and talked of removing to Millville. John P. Walker served them as pastor in 1841,
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SOCIETIES.
although he did not live in Port Elizabeth. In 1842 they re- ported, " At peace with all the world but have no pastor." In their last letter to the Association (1843) they stated, "This church, being small and weak, united its thirteen members with others, December 29, 1842, in forming the Millville Church." The building was left to go down, and was used on several oc- casions as a place of shelter for sheep that used to graze over the old fields. Several persons were buried in the yard, many of whom have been removed. The only stone left standing at the present time is one to mark the grave of Elemuel Edwards, who died June 10, 1811, aged seventy-five years, seven months, ten days.
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This society was formed in 1836. They bought a one-story frame building, which stood on the north side of Stable Street, between Front and Second, in 1838, and moved it to the south side of Church Street, in the neighborhood of the present build- ing, and fitted it up for a church, which they used as such until the erection of the present building.
May 30, 1861, Thomas Lee and wife, Rhoda, conveyed to Edward Wright and Thomas Miller, trustees of " Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church of Port Elizabeth," a lot of land joining the old Baptist Church lot on the southeast. On this lot the house now occupied by them as a church was soon after erected.
SOCIETIES.
FRIENDSHIP LODGE, NO. 22, F. A. M.
Friendship Lodge, No. 22, of Free and Accepted Masons was established during the summer of 1810. The first officers in order of their rank were John Dunham, Josiah Ray, William Darmon, John Young, Ephraim Leake, and Jacob Stanger. They occupied the upper room of the old Federal School under the agreement before mentioned. The lodge continued to meet regularly until 1829, since which time there are no records of the lodge known to exist. The Masonic excitement was in the
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HISTORY OF PORT ELIZABETH.
United States at that time, and it no doubt went out of exist- ence in consequence of it, as did many others. In 1842 it was stricken from the roll of lodges.
DORCAS SOCIETY.
A society called the Dorcas Society was organized April 13, 1819, with the following preamble : “ Forasmuch as our blessed Lord in His Holy Word teaches us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, relieve the distressed, and visit the fatherless and widow in their affliction ; and that, by so doing, we mani- fest our love and regard for Himself: Therefore, in obedience to His command, we, the subscribers, do agree to form our- selves into a society, which shall be called the 'Dorcas Society of Port Elizabeth ;' the object of which shall be to make up articles of clothing for the naked and destitute outcasts of so- ciety, and to afford such other charitable offices as may be in our power." Signed Ellen Lee, Mary Brick. Joshua Brick donated five dollars; Stephen Willis, three dollars; and two others, one dollar each. Little is known of its subsequent history, but we do not doubt that many a helping hand was extended to the poor and needy by the good women in this society.
LITERARY SOCIETY.
A society known as the Port Elizabeth Literary Society was organized December 2, 1880, with twenty-eight charter men- bers and with the preamble as follows: "Growth and develop- ment of mind, together with readiness and fluency of speech, being the result of investigation and free discussion of religious, political, educational, and other topics, the undersigned agree to form a society, etc." The society met in the school-house weekly, and a lively interest was manifested by many of the young people for a time. It finally disbanded October 9, 1883, after having done much to elevate the intellectual and moral standing of its members.
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EAGLE GLASS-WORKS.
EAGLE GLASS-WORKS.
The ground on which the Eagle Glass-Works stand was owned by Abram Jones previous to April 15, 1782. At that time he deeded it to his son, Thomas Jones. On October 26, 1785, it was purchased by Nathan Hand, who owned it until January 29, 1805, when he sold one hundred and seventy-seven acres to James Lee, for two thousand dollars. The factories were built by James Lee previous to May 23, 1799. He prob- ably rented the ground previous to buying it. The factories were run by Lee until July 25, 1810, when he sold three-fourths to James Josiah, Samuel Parrish, and Joseph L. Lewis & Co., for ten thousand dollars. On the Ist of September, that year, a partnership was established, to last seven years, under the firm- name of J. Josiah, Parrish & Lee, with capital stock amounting to thirty thousand three hundred and thirty-three dollars and thirty-three cents, with James Lee continuing as manager. During the seven years the partnership changed somewhat. James Lee sold his one-fourth interest on August 22, 1815, to Joseph Lewis and Jacob C. Wyckoff for seven thousand dollars. Joshua Brick was in the firm during the time, owning one-eighth. At the end of the seven years the firm- name was J. Josiah, Harrison & Co., and the members thereof, in consideration of twenty dollars, signed their rights to Jacob C. Wyckoff, who was to settle the business. On August 31, 1818, the said Wyckoff conveyed to Samuel P. Wetherell, of Philadelphia, for three thousand and fifty dollars, all the land, buildings, etc., known as the Eagle Glass-Works, containing five acres, two roods, and twenty-eight perches. Mr. Wetherell rented the factories to a company of Germans by the name of Getsinger, until January 28, 1831, when they purchased them of him for four thousand dollars. They continued to run them until February 6, 1846, when they deeded thirty-six tracts of land, of which number one was the Eagle Glass-Works, to George B. Cooper and Charles Townsend, for twelve hundred and fifty dollars. Cooper retired from the firm August 31, 1850, after which Charles Townsend had several partners, among them
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HISTORY OF PORT ELIZABETH.
John R. Andrews and Francis Allen, all of which firms failed. The factories were mortgaged May 26, 1852, for three thousand dollars, Dr. E. L. B. Wales holding the mortgage. This he transferred to Samuel Townsend, who foreclosed, and on April 30, 1862, they were sold by the sheriff for three thousand three hundred dollars, Samuel Townsend being the purchaser. He rented them for a time to Mitchell & Irwin, after which they stood idle until the fall of 1881, when they started with John Focer as manager, and continued to run under various firms until during the winter of 1883-84, since which time they have been idle.
UNION GLASS-WORKS.
These works stood on the north side of the Manumuskin, just west of the road from Port Elizabeth to Millville. They were erected previous to 1811, by Jacob Stanger, Frederick Stanger, and William Shough, on land leased of Henry Reeves. On the 5th of April, 1811, Reeves sold to Jacob Stanger, Fred- erick Stanger, and William Shough the land on which the works stood for three hundred and twenty dollars, selling to each one an undivided third. On June 6, the same year, they sold to Randall Marshall an undivided fourth for one thousand dol- lars. The factories were probably run by the said parties until some time during 1814. On November 5, 1814, Joshua Brick, Isaac Townsend, and Stephen Willis, commissioners appointed by the court, divided the property among the four owners. The buildings were afterwards partially destroyed by fire, and finally fell down from age on a still, clear day. A store was established at the head of the dam, on the east side of the road, by Randall Marshall, and probably used in connection with the Union Glass-Works. It has long since been taken down, and nothing is left to mark the spot but a low place in the ground.
BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
A tannery was established on the place now occupied by John Coombs by Randall Marshall, between August 13, 1799, and October 16, 1804. This was conducted by Marshall until
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BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
September 9, 1815, when it passed into the hands of Job Iloff, who continued the tannery business for a number of years, but finally made a failure, and the property was sold by the sheriff to Frederick Faring June 22, 1821. Faring made an assign- ment, and his assignees sold it to the Bank of Northern Liber- ties, Philadelphia. It probably ceased to be run as a tannery about this time.
The old Silvers tanncry, on the north side of Broadway, was established by William Silvers between 1802 and 1809, who conducted it until April 23, 1818, when it passed into the hands of Samuel Silvers. After the death of Samuel Silvers, May 16, 1829, his property was divided into two lots front and two back; one of the latter being the tannery. The business was probably discontinued soon after the death of Samuel Silvers. Edward Townsand used the building in which to manufacture castor oil for a long time. He also had a drug-store on one of the front lots as late as 1838 or thereabouts.
Isaac Townsend had a large store in the yard north of Francis Lee's house at an early date, which was taken down and removed to Newport, New Jersey, about 1840.
Eli Stratton had a large storehouse, shop, etc., on the south side of Quaker Street previous to 1802.
The store now occupied by David Lore was built on the land owned by the heirs of Mrs. Bodly by Joshua Brick, who kept it for a long time, doing a large business. It was after- wards kept by Brick & Lane, then by Lane. The Lores pur- chased it April 10, 1847, since which time it has been owned by them.
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