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 50
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 50
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 50
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
la1&. Elijah Porch. 1-57-68. Charles C. Ford.
1×16. Aaron Wood.
1859-61. Jamies H. Pierson.
1817. Henry Hoe, Jr. 1562-64. Thomas P. Mathers.
IF_2-31, 1839-43. Joseph Sautiers.
1×6 -- 70. Adou W. Cattell.
1>32-38. Josiah S. Franklin.
1>71-73. Edward P. Steward.
1844-45, 1>65-67. David B. Leslie.
174. Samuel Taten.
1-46-47. William D Scott.
1>75-53. Chalkles Duell.
SAMUEL WELSIER, JUNR., Cler !.
Taxes Remitted, 1516.
The following is a Statement of All the taxes Remited by us. the Sul- Ecribers, Commissioners of Appeal for the Township of Deptford in the year 1816
Josiah Heritage.
S41,50
John G. Willians ..
Samuel Porch. 7.50
John Watson ( wrelright.
Appolo Wodan1.
.20
Heirs of Isaac Wilkins. 9 00
Lush Park Jon
Mark Clement ..
4 50 Dog tax 1
William Gardiner.
50 Dag tax
David Pigion ..
500 Dog tax
John Dawn
4.20 Dog tax
Vivirew Ware.
.60 Dag tax
William C'rump.
.50 Dog tax |
Thomas Rulings,
.50 Dog tax I
James Ligeand Jr
6.00 Do
Total
$62.47
WOODBURY, Novm 12th, ISIG.
THOMAS BEE. JAMES JAGGARU.
Dill for Sheep Killed, 1x20.
Gloucester, &s.
- on application to receive
Stephen Clark's Return of Loss on Sheep
a Compensation for dam- ages done by Dogs tu Sheep.
Whereupon Thomas 1. Sparks and Wm C. Dilkes Viewers called upon by Stephen Clark to view Sheep killed by Dogs ; having made out a return duly executed and affirmed to pursuant to an Act in such case made & provided.
Which return returns of record and Sets forth the damage to le
Cts.
" two dead valued at. 175 each, $3.50
three mortally wounded. 200 Do b.00
two lully wounded. 2.00
eight slightly wounded. 50 Do 4 ** )
I'ees for Appraisers
1.50
Do for Justice of the peace 50 Do .50
. $17.50
TINIDIAS 1. SPARES, APIE affd
STEPHEN CLARK owner ant 4
May 3d 1820 before me
JAMES MATLACK, J Peace.
In Testimony that the above is truly traosacted from my Docket I have set iny hand & seul this 3d day of May A.n. 1820.
Franklin Davenport.
John Tice, E-q.
Charles Ogden.
James Hopkins, Esq.
Phineas Lord.
James Jaggard, E.q.
Jonathan Brown.
John Rambo.
Henry Roe.
John S. Whitall.
Aaron Wood.
William Nicholdsou.
Sammel Whitall.
William Horves .
Benjamin W. Wilkins. William Jones.
And that this Committee be requested to present and bring forward agreeably to Law, before any Justice of the Peace in the aforesail town- ship, all and every person whom they may find guilty of vice and im- morality, and that we, the inhabitants aluive mentioned, will defend all persons who shall convict the guilty within the limits of the said towoship.
Resolved, That copies of the above preamble and resolution, signed by the presiding officer and clerk of this meeting. be sent to each town- slip in Gloucester County.
JAMES MATLACK, Presiding Officer.
COLLECTORS, 1- 9-23.
1800, 1815-1>. John Rambow. 1813. Josiah Clark.
Ialo. Josiah Clark, Jr. 1:14. James Muchman.
1.11. Handel Sharkm. 1816. Benjamin Wilkins.
1812. Jesse Smith.
I>17. John D. Scott.
12.11
Moses Wilson
$34.47
[SEAL JAMES MATLACK, Justice of the Peace.
1815. Thomas Saunders.
1820. Joseph Saunders.
197
TOWNSHIP OF DEPTFORD.
1.1 .. Ephraim Miller.
:... Amas Campbell.
1× 4-56. William E. Hopkins.
1-57. Clement Whitall.
1852-60. John I. Estell.
1861-69. John Clark.
1290. Joseph Paul.
1-71-77. William S. Cattell.
1874. Ezekiel C. Mount. 1-79-83. Michael Hays Perry.
FREEHOLDERS, 1809-1833.
1 . 1 -Joshua L. Howell and Amos Cooper. : - 14 -Amos Cooper and Benjamin Rulon.
1-11 .- James Hopkins, Esq., and Randel Sharks.
1-12 .- James Matlack and James Saunders.
1:15 .- Job Brown and William Tatem, Jr. 1:14 -Job Brown and Savil Wilson.
1815,-James Metlack, E-q., and Biddle Reeves.
1-16-18 .- Biddle Reeves and James Matlack.
1-19 -James Marlack aud Job Brown. 1-20-21 .- James Matlack and Henry Osborn.
1-22 .- Benjamin Wilkins and Ephraim Miller.
1-23 .- Jacob Ogden and Benjamin Wilkins.
1-24-27, 1833-37 .- Jacob Glover and Benjamin Wilkins.
1.2. - James Matlack and Jacob Glover.
1829-30, 1832 .- Jacob Glover and Joseph Dilks. 1-31 .- Juseph Dilks and Josiah Tatum.
1632-39 .- John B. Jessup and James Matlack. 1-40-41, 1843-43 .- Michael C. Fisher and Joho B. Jessup. 1542 .-- M. C. Fisher and Joshna Matlack. 1-46-50,-Joseph Saunders and Benjamin C. Tatum. 1851, 1-53-54 .- William R. Tatum and Joseph Franklin.
1-52 .- William R Tatum and William R. Clark.
1455-57 .- Juseph Tatum and Joseph Clement. 1-24-60 .- William C. Sparks and Carlton P. Stokes. 7-61-63 .- Samuel Hopkins and Nathan S. Abbott. 144 .- Samuel Hopkins and Daniel J. Packer. 1-05-67 .- Daniel J. Packer and Ezekiel C. Mount.
1xfs -E. C. Mount and John L. C. Tatem.
1-69-70 .- J. L. C. Tatem aud William Knight.
1671-73 .- George B. Ward and Caleb C. l'aucoast.
1-74 .- C. C. Pancoast atd Edward P. Stewart. 1:75-76 .- Edward P. Stewart and Heory MI. Leap. 1875 .- Henry M. Leap and Isaac Jaggard.
1×78-79 -Isaac F. Jaggard and D. Cooper Cattell. 1550 .- D. C Cattell and Jame. A. Porch. 16.1-82 .- James A. Purch and Randall M. Stevenson. 1>>3 .- R. M. Stevenson and Philip A. Mason.
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE, 1509-1683.
1.9 .- Thomas Bee, James Saunders, Savil Wilson, Samuel Ladd, and Bildle Reeves.
1810 .- James Saunders, Thomas Bee, Randal Sparks, Samuel Land, and William Cooper.
1-11 .- James Saunders, Samuel Wood, Esq., James Matlack, Esq , James Stephens, and John Tatum, Jr.
1812 .- William Cooper, Joshua Lord, IFenry Rulon, Jonathan Brown, and James Saunders.
1$13 .- Jonathan Brown, James Matlack, Esq., John Marshall, John Cooper, and Josiah Tatum.
1-14 .- Job Brown, Jones Stephens, James Sunnders, Ward Wilkins, and Joseph B. Smaulwood.
1-15 .- Jolin Tatemu, Jr., William Cooper, Aaron Wood, Marmaduke Wood, and John Morrow.
1:16 .- John Morrow, Jonathan Brown, William Cooper, Marmaduke Wood, and Josiah Tutum. 1×17 .- Samuel Word. Marinainke Wood, Jarub Glover, Thomas Bee, and Josiah Tatını.
1-18 .- Panl Spar :. Mark Brown, Josiah Heritage, Josiah Tatum, and Ephraim Miller.
1-19,-Joseph Wilson, Benajah Andrus, Moreton Stille, Job Brown, and Josiah Heritage.
1.20 .- James Davis, Jesse Smith, William Saller, John D. Scott, and. Joseph Wilson. 1x21 .- Paul Sears, John Downe, Jesse Smith, Charles Wilkins, and James Davis.
1522 .- Paul Sears, Joseph Dilkes, Jesse smith, Jeremiah J. Fisher, and Josiah Stokes
IS23-Amos Clark, Pant Sears, Charles Wilkins, Jesse Smith, and Josiah Heritage.
1824 .- Paul Seats, Jesse smith, J. J. Foster, Charles Wilkins, and Amos Cattell.
1825-26 -Jesse Smith, Charles Wilkins, Paul Sears, Randall W. Mor- gan. and Sammel M. Rreves.
1827 .- James Matlack, E4],, R. W. Morgan, C. Wilkins, P. Sears, and Jesse Smith.
: 1828 .-- J. J. Foster, Josiah Tatem, John Wilkins, Jr , Jesse Smith, and Peter Ramto.
1829 .- J. Smith, Paul orars, Charles Wilkins, and Josiah Heritage.
1830 .- J. J. Foster, Charles F. Wilkins, James L. Gibbs, Paul Sears, and John Downe.
1831 .- Randall W. Morgan, P. Sears, J. L. Gibbs, C. F. Wilkins. and J. J. Foster.
1832 .- R. W. Morgan, Thomas Bee, Paul Sears, C. F. Wilkins, and J. J. Foster. Michael C. Fisher, appointed.
1833 .- J. J. Foster, James Matlack, Josiah Heritage, Paul Sears, and Jesse Smith.
1834 .- Joseph Saunders, Josiah Heritage, P. Sears, Jewe Smith, and Charles Knight.
1835 .- R. W. Morgan, Charles Knight, Pant Sears, James Matlack, and Joseph Saunders.
1836-37 .- Joseph Saunders, James Matlack, James Davis, Charles Knight, and Joseph Stokes. IS38 .- J. Saunders, Ephraim Miller, J. Davis, Charles Knight, and J. Matlack.
IS30 .- J. Sanders, C. Knight, George M. Paul, James Matlack, and J. Davis.
1840 .- Charles Knight, J. Saunders, Peter Snyder, James Davis, and Daniel Lamb.
1841 .-- Daniel Laumnb, David B. Leslie, Joseph Saunders, Charles Hopkins, and Charles Knight. 1842 .- C. Hopkins, Joseph Saunders, Daniel I imb, Daniel J. Packer, and James Davis. 1843 .- Joseph Saunders, John Cattell, J. Davis, Griffith M. Hopkins, and D. J. Pacher. 1844 .- Josiah S. Franklin, James Davis, D. J. Packer, G. M. Hopkins, and Jolin Cattell.
1845-46 .- Edward H. Saunders, G. M. Hopkins, J. S. Franklin, J. Cat- tell, and D. J. Packer. 1847 .- James L. Gibles, G. M. Hopkins, E. H. Saunders, J. S. Franklin, and D. J. Packer. 1848 .- D. J. Packer, J. S. Franklin, Henry Bradshaw, James L. Gibbs, and Joseph W. Reeves. 1819 .- Williams R. Tatum, Joseph Clement, Jr., John M. Saunders, D. J. Packer, and Isaac Lodge.
1850 .-- Joseph Clement, Jr., William C. Sparks, William R. Tatum, John MI. Saunders, and D. J. Packer.
1851 .- George M. Paul, James Cooper, Charles Sterling, Benjamin L. Gibbs, and Joseph Clement, Jr.
1852 .- Robert Brewer, B. L. Gibbs, Joseph Clement, J. Cooper, and G. M. Paul.
1853 .- G. M. Panl, James Cooper, Richard MI. Wilkins, Harper Davis, and Saninel I. Kirby.
1854 .- James Cooper, Harper Davis, S. H. Kirby, Edwin Stokes, and Isaac Lodge.
1855 .- Edwin Stokes, Benjamin P. Howell, Harper Davis, S. H. Kirby, and Josiah Budd.
1836 .- William C. Sparks, George B. Ward, J. Bndd, B. F. Howell, and E. Stokes.
1:57 .- D. P. Howell, J. Budd, W. C. Spark<, George B. Ward, and Joseph Z. Pierson.
1858 .- George B. Ward, Benjamin C. Tatem, David Fletcher, D. J. Facker, and Sammel Hopkins.
1859 .- Ezekiel C. Mount, B. C. Tatem, D. Fletcher, D. J. Packer, and Samuel Hopkins.
1800 .- E. C. Mount, D. Fletcher, B. C. Tatem, D. J. Packer, and Samque! Hopkins.
1861-62 -Alfred C. Githens, William Rambo, B. C. Tatem, D. J. Facket, and E. C. Mount.
1863 .- E. C. Mount, D. J. l'acker, Benjamin S. Thackara, W. Rambo, and A. T. Githens. 1861 .- Isaac C. Stevenson, B. S. Thackara, A. T. Githens, W. Ramlw, and E. C. Mount.
--
.
1-1 Jeph Saunders. 1. 2 !- 11. Joseph Curts. 1- 3-97, 142-45. Joseph Franklin 1 ~~~ 39. Samuel E. Tatum.
1-40 Mines W. Mickle. 1-41. 1-10-49. George M. Paul. 1-212 Elwin Stokes.
1853. Robert Brewer.
198
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
1865 .- W. Rambo, A. T. Githeas, B. S. Thackara, Isaac C. stevenson, and Edward P. Stewart.
IS66 .- James Moore, E. P. Stewart, I. C. Stevenson, B. S. Thackara, and W. R.imbo.
1.67 .- Brauson L. Ore, William A, Mitllen, E. P. Stewart, J. C. Steven- son, and B. S. Thackara.
1868 .- John C. Budd, Henry M. Leap, Branson L. Ore, William A. Mul- len, and E. P. Stewart.
1869-70 .- William D. Hopkins, J. C. Budd, H. M. Leap, W. A. Mullen, and E. P. Stewart.
IST1 .- E. P. Stewart, Il. M. Leap, John C. Turner, Benjamin T. Haines, and Charles T. Malony.
1872 .- John Stewart, 11. M. Leap, John C. Turner, B. T. Haines, and C. T. Malony.
1873-74 .- Robert S. Muller, John Stewart, C. T. Malony, B. T. Haines, and J. C. Turner.
1875 .- J. C. Turner, George M. Eastlack, C. T. Malony, John G Stew- art, and Robert Muller.
1876-77 .- J. C. Turner, J. C. Stevenson, Isaac Carson, G. M. Eastlack, and Robert S. Muller.
1878 .- Ellison K. Turner, Isaac Carson, J. C. Stevenson, G. M. Eastlack, and J. C. Turner.
IS79 .- E K. Turner, Isaac Carson, and E. P. Stewart.
1880-82 .- E. K. Turner, Edward P. Stewart, and C. T. Malony.
1883 .- Edward P. Stewart, Allison K. Turner, and Benjamin T. Haines.
CONSTABLES, 1809-1>83.
1809-13. Andrew Ware. 1831-33. John Cale. Isaial: Dill.
Jolin Cade.
1814. John Cade.
1834-35. Isaiah Dill.
Thomas Whitecar.1
Samnel Kemble.
1515. John Cade.
1836. Samuel Kemble.
Job Jennings.
1×37-38. Samuel Coles. Samnel Kemble.
1816. John Cade. Jacob Dehart.
1839. Josiah Budd. Samuel Coles.
1817-18. Andrew Ware. Ward Wilson.
1819. Andrew Ware.
Chester Dilkes.
1×40. John Cade. Samnel Coles. 1:41. Sammel Coles.
1820. Andrew Ware. Jacob Dehart.
1842-44 Samuel Coles. Samuel Kemble.
1821. Andrew Ware. 1845-46. Samuel Coles. William Turner. 1847. Warner Cooper.
1822. William Turner.
1848-52. John W. Chew.
Thomas Scott.
1853. Josiah Budd.
1823. John Smallwood.
1854. Samnel Kemble.
John Cade. 1853-66. John Clark.
1824-27. John Cade. William Turner.
1867-70. Edward :. Packer. 1871. George C. Cattell.
1828. John Cade.
1872-76. Edward S. Stewart.
1829-30. Richard HI. Tice. John Cade.
1877-83. Jonathan D. Cunard.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
Almonesson is a small hamlet situated on the eastern border of the township, near the Camden County line. The hamlet derives its name from Almonesson Creek, on which the town is built. Just who the pioneer settler was is unknown to any one Mr. Cattell not only filled the position of local ! preacher, but acted as elas>-leader until after the organization of the society, and among his members we find the following names : H. F. Cattell and wife, Samuel Morgan, James A. Porch and wife, James Springer and wife, Edward Barber, Ocean Westeott and wife, Joseph Estlack and wife, Isaac F. Jaggard, Mary Jaggard, Susan Lord. John P. Curtis was also now living in this vicinity, but it is positively known that there was a grist-mill here as early as 1200, and that soon thereafter the property was purchased by Daniel Lamb, who, in 1830, removed the grist-mill, and built in its place a cotton-factory, also built several of the dwellings that are now standing in the hamlet for the accommodation of the factory opera- tives. As soon as this was accomplished the place . a local preacher at this place, and had been such for became known as Lambtown, and is so spoken of at some time previous to the organization of the society.
the present time by many of the middle-aged and older inhabitants, and the present name of Almones- son was given to the village in 1872 or 1878, when a post-othee was established at this place.
The factory was destroyed by water in 1842, when the property was purchased by Joseph Conrow, who, in 1854 or 1855, built a brick grist mill, and in 1873 a Mr. Carman had become owner of the property, when he removed the brick mill, and erected in its place the present frame grist-mill, now owned by Joseph Rawl, or Roll, and operated by Nathan Jen- nings, miller.
The pioneer store at this place was kept by Daniel Lamb, who commenced the mercantile business here when he built the cotton-factory. Mr. Lamb has been sneceeded in the mercantile business by Samuel Kirby, Joseph Conrow, James A. Porch, John Stew- art, Fruth Wood, and George C. Cattell, the present merchant. The store property is owned by Joshua Cunard.
Among the blacksmiths that have worked at this place we find the names of Jonathan Heulings, William H. Carter, George C. Cattell, and Joseph North, the present blacksmith. The wheelwright> have been John Heulings. Robert Morgan, and John Simmerman, who is now the village wheelwright, and William G. Estlack is the village shoemaker. The first postmaster at Almonesson was Fruth Wood, and the present one is George C. Cattell, appointed in 1882. Among the oldest male inhabitants of this vicinity are Amos Cattell and Haac F. Jaggard, each of whom has known Lambtown and Almonesson since the building of the first house in the place.
Methodist Episcopal Church of Almonesson .- Methodism at Lambtown, or Almouesson, owes it- ex- istence, no doubt, to Rev. Henry F. Cattell, who was a resident of this vicinity and a local preacher in the Methodist Church. He was in the habit of holding meetings wherever there was an opportunity, and in 1839 or 1840 a new school-house was built at Almo- nesson, and the deed specified " for school purposes, and meetings occasionally," whereupon Mr. Cattell took every occasion to comply with the terms of the deed, and the school-house was occupied by the Methodists till 1865, when their present neat and commodious little house of worship was erected.
In the spring of 1568 the question of a new church building, separate from the school building, was dis- cussed, and it was decided to build, when the follow-
1 Job Jennings and James Hinchman were elected Dec. 26, 1614, to fill vacancy.
199
TOWNSHIP OF DEPTFORD.
ing building committee was appointed : Samuel Pea- is now owned by the Kendrick estate ; also thirty- cock, Isaac F. Jaggard, and James A. Porch.
During the summer of 1868 the present frame meeting-house was built, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars, the lot upon which the church stands being donated by Mr. John Stewart. The corner-stone was laid in Angust by Rev. Samuel Vanzant. the pre- siding elder of the district, according to the formula of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in October of the same year the church was dedicated by Rev. Mr. Whiteear, with the services usual upon such occasions.
This society was placed on the circuit or charge with Blackwoodtown, and its first regular preacher was Rev. Joseph Stout. Among the ministers upon this charge we find the names of Revs. J. J. Sleeper, William Brooks, - Woolston. - Edwards, Sam- uel Parker, - White, John Stockton. This church was subsequently placed on the Hedding Circuit, where there appears to have been Revs. Johnson, - Thompson, - Lysel, D. Waters, P. Y. Calder, - Edwards, J. P. Conley, and Henry Zeller, the present pastor.
The first trustees of the church were Henry F. Cattell, Jacob F. Davis, James W. Pierce, and James Porel. The present ela-s-leaders are Isnae F. Jag- gard, Amos Cattell, and Edward Howey ; Stewards, I. F. Jaggard, E. Howey, and George C. Estlack ; Trustees, I. F. Jaggard, Amos Cattell, G. C. Est- laek, E. Howey, Peter Budd, James A. Porch, and George W. Estlaek. Mr. Jaggard is also super- intendent of the Sunday-school, with an average attendance of fifty pupils and ten teachers.
Westville is located in the extreme northwest point of the township, as well as that of the county, and on the line of the Woodbury and Camden turnpike, as well as on the line of the West Jersey Railroad ; also on the left bank of Big Timber Creek.
The little old town takes its name from Thomas We-t, who lived here as early as 1755, and at the be- ginning of the present century, and owned the land upon which the town is built. A tavern was kept here during the Revolutionary war, but attained no distinction as the headquarters of either American or British officers; neither was this place a strategie point worth striving for by either of the contending forces. In the early part of the present century Mr. West died, and his large plantation was divided and sold to parties not akin to the West family. That portion of the land lying west or southwest from the turnpike was purchased by Michael Newbold, and that portion now lying west of the railroad is still in possession of the Newbold heirs or descendants.
The old tavern was kept in 1828 by Thomas Knight, an unele of the senior Thomas Knight, now a wheel- wright in the village. As late as 1836 there were but seven houses in what is now the town of Westville.
In 1836 the old tavern was kept by Thomas Wil- liams. Since then the house has been rebuilt, and
three acres of land on the east side of the turnpike, and the wheelwright- and blacksmith-shops on the west side of the turnpike, now occupied by Henry Stanley. The Kendrick estate also own a large num- ber of the houses and lots in the village.
The pioneer store at this place was kept by I-aac Doughten, in 1820, in the building now occupied by H. Stanley as a wheelwright-shop. At that time Mr. Doughten owned the land on both sides of the turn- pike, and built the old store building. He was sne- ceeded in the mercantile business by Benjamin Brown, and Brown by Joseph Conrow, both in the old Doughten store, the latter being the last merchant in the old store, about 1858.
The next merchant in Westville was E. C. Mount, a carpenter by trade. Ile built the store house in which his son, Clement C. Mount, is now doing busi- ness. Here he continued in trade until his decease. The third store building in this town was that of Charles Redfield, just south of what is now Pratt's store. Joseph W. Pratt's store, between the turnpike and railroad, was built in 1879, and is now kept by Mr. Pratt.
The pioneer wheelwright in this place was John Chapman, who commeneed business here in 1836. David Bowers was also one of the early wheelwrights in this town, as was also a man named Ellis. Thomas Knight commenced the wheelwright business here in 1843, in Doughten's old shop, and subsequently pur- chased the property he now owns, where he is still carrying on the wheelwright and blacksmith business. Mr. Knight was born in Woodbury in 1820. His father, John Knight, was also a native of this county.
The pioneer postmaster at Westville was Faae Doughten, who kept the office in his store. He was succeeded by Benjamin Brown, and Brown by Con- row, and Conrow by Mr. Mount. The office is now kept in Mount's store, with Elwood C. Mount as post- master.
The pioneer blacksmith at this place was Hartley Briek, whose shop was down near the ereek. at the old crossing. He commenced business here as early as 1825. Isaac Doughten was the next blacksmith, in his old shop, and was succeeded by Thomas Knight.
In 1883 there was in the village one tavern, kept by R. Dillmore; two stores, C. C. Mount and J. W. Pratt; two wheelwrights, two blacksmith-shops, Methodist Episcopal Church, school-hon-e, post- office. railroad station, and a population of nearly two hundred and fifty.
Methodist Protestant Church. - The church edi- fice, a small frame building, was built by the Presby- terians in 1860, and in ISES it was purchased by Mr. Thackara, of Woodbury, for the Methodists of West- ville, since which time it has been occupied by that denomination. This society is connected with Barns- boro, with Rev. R. B. Waples the present pastor, and has a membership of forty-five, with Barciay Small
200
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
and William Patterson as class-leaders. The trustees in 1883 were William Patterson, Alexander Cobden, Zachariah Patterson, David Thompson, and Thomas Knight, Jr.
The Sunday-school connected with this society was organized in 1860, with Josiah Barber as super- intendent. The present superintendent i- Alexander Cobden, with a school of fifty pupils and teachers.
Wenonah is situated on the main line of the West Jersey Railroad. 1115, miles from Camden ferry, six miles in an air-line from the Delaware River, three miles from Woodbury, the county-seat of Gloucester County, and one mile from the flourishing village of Mantua. It is in the midst of a beautifully rolling country, surrounded on all sides by some of the most highly cultivated and most valuable farm lands, in a State where the average value of land per acre is greater than in any other State in the Union.
The charter of the company, upon whose lands the ' officers of the Mantua Land and Improvement Com- town is situated, reads as follows :
" AN Act to Incorporate the Mantua Land and Improvement Comp my, ap- proved Feb, 21, 1871.
" WHEREAS, Horatio J. Mulford, Samuel A. Whitney, George Wood, John M. Moore, and others, their associates, own and have contracted to purchase certain tracts of lau I situate in the county of Gloucester, on and near the route of the West Jersey Railroad, which, with other land on and near said railroad, they intend to divide into lots and tracts, with the object, as well of laying out a town, as also of improving the country through which said railroad passes; and it is necessary, for the success of the undertaking, that they shall possess corporate powers, and shall be able to convey from time to time to purchasers, and to do all nets expedient or necessary, notwithstanding the death of any of said asso- ciates; therefore,
"1. Be it enacted by the Sente and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, That William J. Sewell, Thomas P. Carpenter, George Wood, Samuel A. Whitney, Sammel Hopkins, Horatio J. Mulford, George S. Harris, John F. Starr, John JI. Moore, Benjamin F. Lee, and William F. Allen, and their associates, and all other persons who shall become subscribers to the capital stock hereby created, and their successors. shall be, and they hereby are, created a body politic and corporate, by the name of ' The Mantna Land and Improvement Company."
"2. And be it enacted, That the capital stock of the said company shall be $150.000, with the liberty to increase the same to $100,000, to be di- vided into share! of 30 each."
The above-named incorporators were made the first board of directors of the company.
The tract of land is bounded on the south and west by Mantua Creek (a navigable stream to within half a mile of the property), and has an average elevation of more than fifty feet above its waters, rising to a summit of about one hundred feet, giving a surface of ground than which nothing more desirable for facility of drainage could be required.
The town plot, as now laid out, is about half a mile in length, extending north and south on each side of the railroad, and about one-third of a mile in width, and embraces fourteen squares or blocks of twelve building lots each, not including the hotel square nor
which is one hundred feet, and West Jersey Avenue, one hundred and fifty feet (or seventy-five feet on each side of the railroad ). exclusive of one hundred feet occupied by the track.
The whole tract owned by the company compri-e- between five hundred and six hundred acres, and ex- tend- for a mile along the railroad, the station, con- sisting of a handsome passenger depot and freight- house, and convenient turnout and wagon-sheds, being nearly in the centre.
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.