USA > New Jersey > Salem County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 34
USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 34
USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
1 -
128
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
continued in office until 1655. The authority, in all probability, only extended to that of Orphans' Court. Quarter Sessions, and Common Pleas, and was held for the julicial division, as named in the law, until the year 1686, when the third and fourth tenth were made one bailiwick by the inhabitants, and thereafter so recognized by the Legislature of the province. No records seem to have been kept until 1686. when they began to be preserved in the Gloucester County clerk's office. He was also one of the land commis- sioners, a responsible duty in those days, having to examine titles, direct the deputy-surveyors in locat- "ing land, etc. He gave the land for the first Friends' meeting-house built at Newton, and William Cooper and he were selected by the Friends to sign the ad- dress of the Newton Meeting to the Yearly Meeting of London, protesting against the conduct of George Keith in his differences with the Society of Friends. His first wife probably died after his settlement here, as in 1689 he married Hepsibah Eastlack, a resident of these parts. His death occurred in 1702.
was highly recommended by the State officers for his efficient management. in 1873, Governor l'arker ap. pointed him a member of the State Constitutional Commission, and he served therein on the committees on the judiciary, the executive, and the appointing power. In 1875 he ran for State senator, but wa: defeated by a small majority. Twice he had the honor of serving as a member of the Electoral Col. lege of New Jersey, once in 1876, when he voted for Samuel J. Tilden, and again in 1880 (to fill a vas caney , when he cast his ballot for Gen. Hancock fol President. ITis career as a judge began in 1:58 when he was appointed by the joint meeting of the Legislature, and he was reappointed in the same way in 1868, and again in 1868. In 1877, Governor Bedle appointed him judge for a term of five years. He ranked as one of the ablest Common Pleas judges in the State, and had he desired it he could, in 1881 have received the appointment as a member of the Court of Errors and Appeals for the State. He is al `present a member of the board of managers of the Richard Matlack Cooper, of Camden, pre-ided over the Common Pleas courts for many years, and ranked State Lunatic Asylum. Judge Carter has always been very active in church work, and was one of the very high in that position. He was born in this county . original trustees of Christ Episcopal Church of Woodbury, superintendent of its Sunday-school for a quarter of a century, and at the present time it- >enior warden and treasurer, and frequently has rep- reseuted this church in diocesan conventions. He is also president of the Gloucester County Bible So- ciety, and is the author of the " Historical Lectures on Woodbury," published in 1873 by the citizens of the town. A leading citizen and an affable neighbor, Judge Carter stands among Gloucester County'> most respected citizens.
in 1768, and was a direct descendant of William Cooper, one of the first English occupants of Sonth Jersey, it being at his honse at Pyne Point (now Cooper's Point) wbere some famous Indian treaties were made, and in his house that the first Friends' meetings were held. R. M. Cooper was a member of the Legislative Council, and in 1829 was -ent to Con- gress, and re-elected in 1831. His judgeship covered very many years, and his official duties were carried out in a straightforward, plain manner, that won for him the respeet and confidence of all. He died March 10, 1844.
Another distinguished presiding judge of Common Pleas courts of the county was Benjamin F. Carter, who was a judge of this court for twenty years, and most of this time acting as its presiding officer. He was born in Philadelphia. Nov. 2, 1823, and is a son of the late Joseph Carter, a native of Gloucester County, but for many years a hardware merchant in Philadelphia, where his son Benjamin was at school up to his eleventh year, after which he attended the private schools of Woodbury. Judge Carter has held many positions of honor and trust, and always with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all with whom his duties brought him in contact. Hle was Woodbury's postmaster during the terms of Presidente Pierce and Buchanan, and one year onder Pre-ident Lincoln. He was a member of the first Borough Council of Woodbury, and one of its first mayors. He was elected mayor by the Council after the place became a city, but declined. In 1863 he was ap- pointed by Governor Parker post quartermaster, with the rank of captain, and stationed at Beverly as a disbursing offieer for the State troops engaged in putting down the Rebellion, and on his retirement
John M. Watson was appointed Common P.Pas judge in 1849, again in 1851, and again in 1856. He was born in Salem County. in March, 1796, and died at Woodbury on the &d day of July, 1878. He was at one time Woodbury's postmaster, and for many years a director in the Woodbury Bank.
John R. Sickler, M.D., of Mantua, was first ap- pointed a judge in 1544. and reappointed in 1852- 1857. and 1862, serving altogether about twenty-three years. He was born at Chew's Landing, Camden Co .: was for many years a member of the board of freeholders, and a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1840. Ile is still living at Mantua.
Simeon Warrington was on the bench for ten years from 1864, and in 1874 represented the eonnty in the Legislature. He was born in Burlington County in 1808.
The present Common Pleas judges are Samuel T. Miller. M. D., of Paulsboro; John M. Moore, of Clay- ton; and ex-Sheriff Edmund Jones, of Franklin- ville, all of whom have proved themselves efficient and capable to discharge the duties of the office.
The office of prosecutor of the pleas of the county has been held but by a few mea, the list comprising Elias D. Woodruff Iduring his term the office was
129
GENERAL HISTORY.
called deputy attorney-general), Thomas Chapman, Samuel L. Sonthard (as attorney-general of the State). Morris Croxall (one term, in 1830. by appointment of the court), Jeremiah HI. Sloan tone term, in 1832, by appointment of the court), John Moore White, Rob-
The Tighe murder case was tried in May, 1879. ert L. Armstrong, Thomas P. Carpenter, John B. " Michal Tighe and John Burke were both Irishmen Harrison, Joshua S. Thompson, and Belmont Perry. and both near neighbors, living at Centre Square, in During their incumbeney there were very few murder cases tried ; indeed, we think that the Gooby case, the Mercer trial, the Stewart case, and the trial of Michael Lighe comprise the list. the lower end of the county. On the day of the ; murder they were engaged with others in filling up a gulley in the highway near their homes. Burke had a cart which he had just driven on a piece of land The first case was the trial of John Gooby, a col- . owned by Tighe, and which he was about to load ored man, aged about fifty years, who lived at okl Dilk's Mill, near the present town of Wenonah. He shot another colored man, named George Tiller, during with rubbish therefrom. He had a fork in his hand, and Tighe stood by with a shovel. After Burke had thrown a few forkfuls into his eart. Tighe objected to a quarrel. This occurred near Gooby's house in the . his taking any more, and sharp words followed, when spring of 1820, and at the June term of that year he | Tighe started up Burke's horse. Burke stopped the was indieted. Chief Justice Andrew Kirkpatrick pre- sided at the trial, and the case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney-General Elias D. Woodruff, of the Woodbury bar.
Gooby was convicted and sentenced to be hung in June, 1821, but after the gallows had been built by Amos Campbell and erected on the lot in the rear of where Daniel Packer's wheelwright-shop now stands, Gooby was reprieved until the following December, when the gallows was re-erected on the Salem turn- pike, just below the forks of the road, in the south end of Woodbury, and on the lot now occupied by the house of Edward Haur, and Gooby duly hung by Sheriff John Baxter. Gooby was buried alongside of the wall of the old jail.
The Mercer case was prosecuted by Attorney-Gen- eral Molleson and Prosecutor Thomas P. Carpenter, Below will be found sketches of all the lawyers who were actually resident in Gloucester County. The list is not very long, but embraces the names of many who were eminent for their learning and probity. and Mercer was defended by the famous eriminal lawyer, Peter A. Brown, of Philadelphia, assisted by Abraham Browning, Esq. Judge Daniel Elmer pre- sided. Singleton Mereer shot Hutchinson Heberton, the alleged betrayer of his sister, while they were on a ferry-boat crossing the Delaware from Philadelphia 1 to Camden, the latter city being at that time in old Gloucester County. Both of the parties were mem- bers of prominent families, and the case created widespread interest, the old court-house being con- stantly erowded almost to suffocation during the ; and particularly distinguished himself at Fort Mifilin, trial, which took place in April. 1843. Although a clear case of murder was made out, Mercer was ae- quitted through the eloquenee of his counsel and the strong popular feeling in his favor.
The next murder ease was that of Joseph Stewart, a colored boy, who killed a colored companion named Prague, by holding his head under the water while the two were together in Woodbury Creek. This was in 1861. Chief Justice Whelpley presided at the trial, and Attorney-General F. T. Frelinghuysen and Prosecutor Thompson conducted the case for the State. Stewart was ably defended by Abraham Browning and Samuel HI. Grey, of Camden, but the jury brought him in guilty, and he was sentenced to be " county prior to the Revolution, and we find his name 9
hung. This sentence, however, was afterwards changed by the court of last resort, and Stewart Was sent to the State's prison, where he still is, undergoing a life-sentence.
horse, and started for the rear of the cart again, when Tighe raised his shovel and brought it down upon Burke's head, breaking the skull, and from this wound Burke died a few days thereafter. Judge Woodhull presided at the trial, and the prosecution was conducted by Prosecutor Belmont Perry, as- sisted by his brother, Samuel E. Perry, Esq. The defense was ably handled by James Moore, Esq., and John S. Jessup, Esq. Their plea on behalf of Tighe was self-defense. The trial was a long one, and ex- cited great interest throughout the county, people coming from miles away, and bringing their Inneh along so as not to lose their seats at the noon recess. The verdict was " Guilty of murder in the second degree," and Tighe was sent to State's prison for twenty years.
FRANKLIN DAVENPORT .- It is believed that the subject of this sketch was Woodbury's first lawyer. He was one of the most distinguished men in the State, and the most noted citizen of old Gloucester County in its early days. During the Revolutionary war he served as an officer of the New Jersey troops, under Gen. Samuel Smith, and after the war wa. known as General Davenport. When the office of county surrogate was created Gen. Davenport was appointed to the position by Governor William Livingston, and was sworn in Feb. 15, 1785, before Judge John Wilkins. He practiced law at the same time he was surrogate, and from the frequent mention of his name in the early county records it is evident that he had an extensive practice. Dur- ing 1798 and 1799 he was a United States senator from New Jersey, and for two years thereafter a member of Congress. He was a member of the famous " Fox Hunting Club," established in this
130
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
among the original trustees of Woodbury Academy, erected in 1791, also among the original mem- bers of the Woodbury Library Company, instituted in 1794. He was one of the first members of the Gloucester County Bible Society, founded in 1816. During the " Whiskey Insurrection" in Pennsylvania, in 1794, Gen. Davenport was a colonel command- ing New Jersey troops. Among the records in the surrogate's office. Woodbury, occurs the following :
" December term. 1791. No business, the surrogate (the first ap- pointed) Frantitin Davenport. having miauched from Trenton, N. J, through Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh, as colonel commandant of a detachment of New Jersey unlitia, consisting of seven hundred and twenty-four, rank and file, with a double proportion of field and staff officers, by order of the President of the United States, George Wash- ington, to assist in quelling an insurrection raised by the patriots of the day."
His house and office were in a frame building that stood on the site just south of Paul's Hotel, now . of one child. a daughter, who died when about six- occupied as the residence of George Brick.
ELIAS D. WOODRUFF .- Among the very first, if ! not the first, lawyers to locate in Woodbury were, we believe, Franklin Davenport and Elias D. Wood- ruff. The latter was a son of Elias Woodruff. of Elizabethtown, N. J., where Elias D. was born about the year 1765. He was a brother of Aaron Dickinson Woodruff, attorney-general of New Jersey from 1793 to 1817, and also a brother to George W. Woodruff, United States district attor-
moved to Woodbury, and lived there until the close of his life. Ile was very successful as an advocate, and was well versed in the common law as applied to matters where real estate was concerned, and wa- generally charged with cases where boundary-line- were involved. During his professional life he was prosecutor of the pleas for several years in the coun- ties of Salem and Cumberland. During the early part of his residence in Woodbury he was elected a member of Assembly from Gloucester County, and was several times re-elected. He was appointed attorney-general of the State in 1833, and in 1838 he was elected a judge of the Supreme Court of the State. He served his term of seven years on the bench, and at its close retired to private life. Ile had married, about the time of his admission to the bar, Miss Luntzinger, and his family consisted only
teen years of age. Judge White's years were pro- tracted beyond fourscore years and ten. He died in 1862, in the ninety-second year of his age. Ilis widow by a second marriage still survives him, and resides in Woodbury.
ROBERT L. ARMSTRONG, Sr., was the only son of Rev. Jas. F. Armstrong and Susannah Livingston. who were married by the famous Dr. Witherspoon, at Princeton, in August, 1782. Rev. J. F. Armstrong was a native of Maryland, a chaplain in the army ney. Elias D. Woodruff was a man of medium size . during the whole Revolution, and settled in Trenton, and rather small features ; his manner was quick and impulsive, and he was accounted a rather brilliant
as pastor of the Presbyterian Church, in 1786, and con- tinued as such till his death in 1816. Robert L. wa- man. He held the office of deputy attorney-general . born at Princeton about 1785. One of his sisters was for many years, and as such performed the duties of State's attorney for the county up to 1821. It was the custom at this period for the attorney-general to deputize a prosecuting officer for the counties where he did not attend court. Ile had charge of the pros- ecution when John Gooby was tried for murder, in June, 1820. His law office was the one now occupied by Belmont Perry, and lately the office of Hon. John C. Smallwood. Ile died in Woodbury about 1825. the wife of Chief Justice Ewing, another the wife of Chancellor Green, and another the wife of Judge Caleb S. Green. Soon after attaining his majority he was admitted to the bar and settled in Woodbury. He was made prosecutor of the pleas for this county in January, 1838, and held the office until his death, which occurred the following year (1839). He was a very distinguished lawyer, and as a pleader ranked among the first in the State. In all matters affecting the welfare of his native county he was ever active, and always as a leader. During the war of 1812 he commanded a militia company known as " The Blues of Gloucester County," but just what service they performed is not known. Among the records of the Woodbury Presbyterian Church he appears as a trustee in 1834.
HON. JOHN MOORE WHITE .- He was born in Bridgeton, Cumberland Co., N. J., in 1770, and was the youngest son of an English merchant who had originally settled in Philadelphia, and his mother was the daughter of Alexander Moore, who had >et- tled in Bridgeton about 1730. lli- mother died wbile her youngest son was but an infant, leaving also two other sons. His father returned to Eng- land, leaving his children under the guardian-hip of their grandfather, Alexander Moore, who educated them. When the Revolutionary war broke out he returned to America, obtained a commission in the American army, was an aide to Gen. Sullivan, and
The last whipping-post was erected in Woodbury about 1821 ; it remained standing three days when it was burned down by some boys, and Mr. Armstrong always got the credit for having it done.
THOMAS CHAPMAN was among the first lawyers to settle in Woodbury. He came to this county. was killed in the battle of Germantown, Pa. Judge , about the year 1818, from Rahway, N. J., of which White studied law with Joseph Bloomfield, received his license as attorney in 1791, a- coun-elor in 1799, and as sergeant-at-law in 1812. He practiced law in Bridgeton, where he resided until 1808, when he re- place he was a native, being a son of Rev. Robert Hett Chapman, a famous Presbyterian clergyman, atoi at one time president of the University of North Carolina. Mr. Chapman was a gentleman of the old
131
GENERAL HISTORY.
school, and wore the old style of dress so common during the Revolutionary period. As a lawyer he was somewhat slow in manner, and ranked higher as an office lawyer than as an advocate. From 1822 up to 1.29 he was prosecutor of the pleas of old Gloucester County, and filled the position with much credit ; but hi- duties as prosecutor were evidently not laborious, as we find by the records that the number of indict- ments found in those days was very small. He lived in the brick house on Broad Street, Woodbury, lately
JOHN LAWRENCE .- John Lawrence was a brother of the famous Capt. James Lawrence, who was mor- tally wounded at sea during the conflict between the American frigate "Chesapeake" and the British frigate "Shannon," off' Boston, in June, 1813, and whose memorable command, as he was being carried below decks in a dying condition, " Don't give up the ship," made him a true hero.
His father, John Brown Lawrence, was a mem- ber of the Council, a distinguished lawyer, and a loy- ali-t. He resided at Burlington, N. J., where the subject of this sketch was born.
member of the bar. The criminal docket was heavy at that time, and his prosecutorship about expiring. Ilis duty required work, and his unremitted labor overtaxed his energies. After the adjournment of the court but a day or two, he was attacked by typhoid fever, and in a brief week's illness departed this life. Hle was a member of the bar for forty-five years, and was never married. "lle was a man remarkable for honesty and directness of purpose. It was the great feature of his character." R. K. Matlock, Esq., said of him, "Quite half a century we were comrades ; as boys we met in the school-room and on the play- ground ; in after-years we were in daily intercourse, personal or professional. In yonth, manhood, and old age he was characterized by the same elements of character. No one ever challenged his truth or his sincerity, hi, generosity or his courage."
To the common school, the Sabbath-school, and church of every Christian denomination he con- tributed largely of time and substance. He was not a politician, but he was a political scholar, and no books in his library were so attractive to him as books on government.
ROBERT K. MATLOCK .-- The son of Hon. James Matlock, at one time a member of Congress from Woodbury, N. J., whose American ancestor, William Matlock, was among the Quakers who settled at Bur- the residence of Dr. Benjamin Howell, and the office | lington, N. J., about the year 1670. His mother's now occupied by Squire William Watkins was built by him and stood in his day on the lot just north of his residence. Soon after he left the office of prose- cutor he removed to Camden, where he remained until his death.
name was Elizabeth Matlock, nie Kennedy. He was born in Woodbury, Jan, 22, 1804, and died April 27, 1877, at his home in Woodbury. His law preceptor was Charles Chauncey, Esq., of Philadelphia. He was admitted as attorney Nov. 15, 1827, and as coun- selor Sept. 6, 1833, and alway- resided in Woodbury, and ranked high in profession. As a citizen he was highly respected, and his services were always valna- ble to any cause he championed.
LEAMING MATLOCK, son of the above Robert K. Matlock, was born in Woodbury, March 26, 1854; was educated in Woodbury and Philadelphia. His law preceptor was his father, R. K. Matlock. He was admitted as attorney June term, 1876, and coun- selor June term, 1879, and is now in full practice in his native town.
THOMAS PRESTON CARPENTER, lawyer and ex- HIe resided in the house now occupied by John S. Jessup, Esq. Among the early court records his name appears very frequently in civil cases, and he evidently had a large practice. With Gen. Daven- port, he was a member of the ante-Revolution " Fox Hunting Club." He died and was buried in Wood- bury, but the exact date could not be obtained. judge of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, late of Camden, was born on April 19, 1804, at Glassboro, Gloucester Co., N. J., where his father, Edward Car- penter. was then living and operating the glass-works now owned by the Whitneys, his mother being a daughter of Dr. James Stratton, of Swedesboro, well known through that portion of the State as a JOHN B. HARRISON .- Ile was born in Gloneester County, educated in the same county, and, save three years of his law studies in Philadelphia, pursued his profession in the county. He was known as a scholar, a ripe lawyer, and a high-toned gentleman. He died Dec. 21, 1868. in the sixty-sixth year of his physician and a churchinan. He was a descendant of Samuel Carpenter, Thomas Lloyd, and Samuel Preston, well-known men in the early days of Penn- sylvania. His father dying when he was quite young, Mr. Carpenter spent his early life with his grand- father, at Carpenter's Landing (now Mantua). After age. At the time of his death he was the eldest . receiving a liberal education. he studied law with
Judge White, of Woodbury, and was admitted as an attorney in September, 1830. On October 26, 1838, he was appointed prosecutor of the pleas of Glouces- ter County, and took a prominent part in several very important trials, and among the first the one known as the " Mercer trial" ( March, 1843). On Feb. 5, 1845, he was appointed by Governor Stratton one of the associate judges of the Supreme Court of the State, his circuit comprising Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties. On his retirement (after seven years) from the judgeship he devoted himself to the practice of his profession, principally as a counselor, and was eminently successful. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he joined the Union League of Philadelphia, and gave his entire sympa- thies to the Union cause. In 1865 he was active in promoting the success of the Sanitary Fair, occupy-
132
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
ing as he did the position of president of the New 1839, after a four years' course, zealously pursued. Jersey auxiliary. He married Rebecca, daughter of with a degree of A.B. In 1844 he received the de- gree of A.M .. in regular course. Electing to join the legal profession, he began the study of law in the office of Hon. Wyman B. S. Moore, at Waterville. Here he enjoyed exceptional advantages in legal training, his preceptor being among the eminent lawyers of the State. Subsequently Mr. Moore be- came, in 1848, attorney-general of the State, and, later on, was appointed by the Governor to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate, eaused by the death of Hon. John Fairfield. Some years after- wards he was nominated and confirmed as United States consul-general for the British North Ameri- can provinces. Under the guidance of this distin- guished lawyer Mr. Thompson completed his legal studies, and was admitted to the bar in his native county, in the State of Maine, in June, 1841. There- upon he entered into a law partnership with Stephen Stark, Esq .. a prominent lawyer of Waterville. This connection lasted, however, for about a year only. the delicate condition of his health, eaused by ex- cessive mental labor. constant sedentary habits, and the severity of the winters in that latitude compel- ling him to seek a more genial climate for a residence. Dr. Samuel Clemens Hopkins, formerly of Wood- bury. He was an earnest Christian, and in the church (Protestant Episcopal; he always held an honored position, being for many years vestryman, warden, and deputy to the diocesan and general con- ventions. He was not only an able lawyer, but amid the eares of an active practice he was thoroughly versed in classical and general literature. He was greatly respected throughout the State of New Jersey, of which he was at the time of his death one of the best-known citizens. As a judge of the Supreme Court he was held in high esteem by his associates, and by the bar of the State for his ability, learning, and for the uniform good judgment whieb he brought to the consideration of cases. In the counties where he presided at circuits, and which he visited during his term of office at regular periods, his genial man- ners and kindly intercourse with the people made him very popular. Judge Carpenter was interested and active at home in all enterprises which affected the prosperity and welfare of his town. In church, at the bar, and in society he was, during his life, one of the most prominent men of his native State. Overwork and a death in the happy home-circle, ; After due consideration he concluded to settle in where, after all, his loveliest traits were shown, broke his health. In 1872 he had a slight threaten- ing of paralysis, and he never fully recovered from the shock. He died at his home in Camden on the 20th of March, 1876.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.