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 62
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 62
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 62
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In the early party of this century there was a black- smith-shop standing opposite the present tavern. This shop was destroyed by fire. Benjamin Gibson had a shop just back of the restaurant, or rather the rear end of the restaurant building was the shop, and the front part was built for a shop and subsequently con- verted into a saloon. Amasa Garwood was one of the pioneer blacksmiths in this shop, and built the front part. The Benezet brothers worked in this shop for some time, then came Frank Cole, and after him Elijah English.
Among the pioneer wood-working mechanics were Jesse Rice and Jacob Kier, who were here as early as 1810 or 1812. Rice was a wheelwright, and Kier a cabinet-maker. They were brothers-in-law, and had their shop on the site now occupied by the residence of John Garwood.
The pioneer school-house stood, in 1811 or 1813, in what is now the Friends' burying-ground. It had been occupied as a meeting-house, and it was removed in 1822, and another built on the site of the present one. Archibald Silvas was the teacher in 1812.
The pioneer store on the north side of the creek, as nearly as can be ascertained, was kept by Enoch Egens, in a building then standing on the site now occupied by Parker's tin-shop, south of the Union store. There were at times other parties engaged in the mercantile business on the north side of the creek. Whoever they were, they occupied a building between the the early part of 1866 the "Union Store Company" was organized, commencing business in the building now occupied by Albert Parker as a stove- and tin- ware-store, and in May of that year moved into their pre-ent large and commodious store-house, which is the only one north of the creek. Mr. Parker com- menced the stove and tin business here in 1880, snc- eeeding Sampson and others who had been engaged in the business at this place.
The pioneer tavern on this side of the creek was known as the "Blne Ball" tavern, having a blue
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
globe for a sign. The lot occupied by Erick Mollica, after whom the town was named. is now owned by Jacob Il. Mounee. The pioneer lawyer of Mullica Hill is R. M. Ware, who came here in 1542, and in 1850 built his present beautiful residence and cosy office, just south of the Episcopal Church. This church is said to be the oldest house of worship in the village or township, having been built in 1805, and the Friends' meeting-house, south of the creek, in 1806.
MULLICA HILL IN 1882 .- The last sixty years has wrought many changes at this place. The veteran merchants and tavern-keepers have all passed away. The dwelling- in which they lived have nearly all disappeared. The forests that surrounded the town have given place to broad fields heavily laden with the golden harvests. The old " water.mill," that stood over in the meadow. has been succeeded by a modern flouring-mill. Enterprises and improvements in the mechanic arts have crowded out the old slow process of hand-work. The faithful old mail-carrier bas retired from his arduous and responsible duties, and he is no doubt tooting his "mail-horn" among the stars, while his place here is filled by a " coach and four," bringing in its well-filled mail-pouches twelve times per week. The business of the town may not have increased to any considerable extent, as far as dollars and cents ate concerned, bat the population and residences have increased in a tenfold ratio. Although the town is not blessed with railroad facilities, yet a well-graded turnpike, leading to the county-seat, is a great advance and improvement over the old mud-roads of pioneer days.
At present there are four churches,-Episcopal, Friends', Methodist, and Baptist; one tavern, by Frye Hopkins; three general stores, by Stratton Brothers, James Benezet & Son, and Union store; two tin-stores, by Albert Parker and L. T. Schweble; notion-store, by M. F. Parker ; drug-store, by Wil- liam Hassinger; harness-shop, by W. F. Iredell; fonndry and machine-shop. by Hoffman & Reece ; grist-mill, by J. H. Monnee ; wheelwright and black- smithing, by Phineas Ledden and Edwin Kane, at north end of town, and Ifoffman & Reece, in the centre of town ; one tailor, two shoemakers, and one cigar-shop. Population of the town, about four lmundred.
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Mr. Horner operated the mill till 1862. when he sold it to Samuel Coles, who sold a half-interest in it to Joli Duell. and in 1866, Mr. Duell sold his half- interest to J. Il. Mounce, and in 1870, Mr. Mounce purchased the half-interest of Samuel Coles. During the different ownerships the mill has been improved by the addition of new and modern machinery, and it is one of the several first-class mills in that part of Gloncester County.
Jefferson is a small hamlet on the north border of the township, about two miles distant from Mullica Hill. It was known for many years as " Cox's Ilill," also " Allenboro," then Lawrenceville, and lastly by its present name. Previous to 1800 Abraham Cox owned a portion of the land at this place, and lived in the house now owned by Charles Jenkins. The place naturally took the name of the owner of the land.
The land upon which the village is located was next owned by Thomas Allen, when the name was "changed to Allenboro. By that time there had been built a few dwellings near the house in which Allen lived, now owned by George Waters. The inhabi- tants at that period had not the best reputation for hard labor. or, in other words, hard work didn't agree with their frail constitutions, and the name " Lazy Lawrence," or "Lawrenceville," was given to the locality, and remained till 1872, or thereabouts. when the post-office at this place was established, with Thomas P. Darlington as postmaster, who was also the merchant at that time.
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The pioneer store at this place was kept by John I. Sitley, who came here in 1855 or 1856, and commenced the mereautile business in the store-house now occu- pied by John Riggins. The next merchant here was Jesse Chew. He was succeeded by John Riggins, the present merchant, who is also the present post- master.
The pioneer blacksmith was John Jenkins, who was sneceeded by his son, William Jenkins, who ocenpies the same shop in which his father worked. The pio- neer wheelwright was a man by the name of Frazer. who worked in the shop now occupied by James Pen- nington.
The extensive wagon- and carriage-works of Ed- ward E. Lewis were established at this place in 1874. Mr. Lewis employs several of the best mechanics in this section, and manufactures all kinds of heavy and light farm- and truck-wagons, carriages, and sleighs.
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The old grist-mill at Mullica Hill was built as early as 1785, and stood on the opposite side of the creek from the present mill. Christopher Knisel is sup- Among the old settlers in this immediate vicinity were Reuben Haines, Thomas Cole, and James Tom- lin. Mr. Tomlin owned a large tract of land, and Andrew Sweeten owned "quite a good bit." In or about 1780, Peter Sitley owned the place on which Joseph Orens now lives. Mr. Sitley was a sheep- shearer. He was a humorous old gentleman, and enjoyed the pleasure of frightening the youngsters posed to have built the old mill, and about the year 1800 sold it to Joseph Doran, who, about 1807, built the original part of the present mill, thirty- eight by forty feet, and in 1840 an addition, twenty- four by thirty-eight feet, was built, and in 1850 an ad- dition was built to the south end, making the mill thirty-eight by eighty-two feet, its size in 1852. At the death of Mr. Doran the property was sold by . with his sheep-shears, telling them that they were the commissioners to Malachi C. Horner, in 1851 or 1852. instruments of torture used in the infernal regions by
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TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON.
the gentleman dressed in black, and that he had come to execute judgment upon their cars. Jacob Tomlin is the son of the pioneer James Tomlin, and owns a farm near the village of Jefferson. Joseph Orens, one of the oldest settlers in this place, was born in Greenwich township, near Paulsboro, May 28, 1800.
Ewansville .- Previous to 1861 there was not much beyond the grist-mill, saw-mill, a small grocery, and two or three dwellings at this place. The village was named in honor of Israel Ewan, who built the large wheelwright- and blacksmith-shop now stand- ing near the mills. The first shops that Mr. Ewan built were destroyed by fire, when he immediately erected the present buildings. The shops and mill property are now owned by Daniel Brown. Mr. Ewan died in 1876.
The pioneer blacksmith at this place was Elijah English, whose shop was at the bend of the road, near the centre of the town, on the site now occupied by the residence of William French. The pioneer wheel- wright-shop stood on the corner opposite Robert Ewan's place of business, and was occupied by Wil- liam Stanton. The building was subsequently re- moved, and converted to other uses.
The building now occupied by Robert Ewan as a store and tavern was originally built for and occupied as a wheelwright-shop. It was built by John Meiser. in 1870, and occupied by Ewan in the spring of 1882.
The first general store at this place was opened by Henry Swigert, in 1862 or 1863. He was succeeded by Thomas Darlington, who was succeeded in 1879 by Allen Clark, the present merchant. The old brick house near the mill was built, in 1793, by Jonathan Iredell, who, it is supposed, built the mills.
There are at this place two general stores, two black- smith-shops and one wheelwright-shop. grist-mills and saw-mills, school-house, Methodist Church, and about twenty-five dwelling -.
Five Points .- This is a small hamlet in the eastern part of the township, so named from the number of roads concentrating and forming the points or eor- ners. There is another locality of the same name about half a mile farther east, both on the Mullica Hill and Glassboro road.
At the eastern points John Heritage built a black- smith shop in 1858. IIe wassneceeded by the present blacksmith, Charles Jenkins, in 1863, and in 1879 Mr. Jenkins built his present wheelwright-shop. The district school-house is near Mr. Jenkins' shop. At the western, or Five Points proper, there is a store by Frank Souders, who succeeded F. A. Campbell in the mercantile business, and also keeps the post-office. Mr. Campbell was the pioneer merchant at this place. Here is also the blacksmith-shop of Robert Me- Keighan, who located here in 1874. Leonard S. Pancoast is the Five Points wheelwright. Rulon Hall, a small hall for public meetings, was built, in 1877, by Esquire Rulon. Here is located also the Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church.
This locality was formerly known as Hell Town, from the fact of the once celebrated " White Horse Tavern" being located here, and nearly on the site now occupied by the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In the old " White Horse" days it was rather an isolated locality, just suited for the gathering of a class of persons whose appetites would naturally lead them to congregate at such a place for seasons of conviviality,-hence the name Hell Town.
Harrison in the War of 1861-65 .- No sooner had the first rebel shot been fired than the patriotism of Harrison township was aroused, and as the great confiiet waxed hotter, so were the patriotic hearts of Harrison aroused to meet the emergency of the hour. At the first call for troops some of the best blood of this township answered to the call, and sprinkled itself upon the altar of the common country. As the war pro- gressed, and troops were needed, Harrison responded nobly. At a special meeting held at the Blue Ball Tavern, at Mulliea ITill, July 30, 1864, resolutions were adopted authorizing the township committee to issue bonds in sums of twenty-five dollars each for the purpose of paying volunteers and substitutes. The following committee of one in each school district was appointed for war purposes: Clem's Run District, John P. Rulon; Pineville, C. P. Whita- ker; Oak Grove, Joseph Applegate; Cloverdale, B. Il. Lippincott ; Harrisonville, Amos T. Eastlack ; Cedar Grove, J. D. Kier; I'nion, John Benezet ; Co- lumbia, Joseph Jones; Harmony, William Gordon ; Paul's, Jacob G. Tomlin ; Chestnut Grove, B. G. Pan- coast; Mount Pleasant, Jacob I. Heritage; Union- ville, Richard S. Stratton : Washington, J. Chapman.
A like committee was also appointed in each school district to collect money on behalf of the township and give receipts for the same. The following were the committee appointed, corresponding to the fore- going distriets : John S. Rulon, C. P. Whitaker, Charles String, Jr., Isaac HI. Lippineott, Samnel H. Weatherby, John D. Kier, John Benezet, Atley Shute, George Walter, Samuel L. West, Jonathan G. Foster, William E. Heritage, R. S. Stratton, and Jeremiah Chapman.
For further military history, see chapters on that subject in general history of county.
SOCIETIES.
French Lodge, No. 89, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Mullica Hill, March 15, 1849, by Distriet Deputy Grand Master David B. Gill, assisted by Past Grand James W. Shoff, acting as Grand Master ; Bowman Sailer, acting Grand Secretary; Charles Sterling, Joseph J. Moore, and Hiram R. Herald, with the following charter members, who were also the first officers of the lodge: Joseph A. Shute, N. G .; John M. Kitchen, V. G .; E. B. Knight, See. ; John Rider, Asst. See .; and William F. Martin, Treas. Of this number, only one, E. B. Night, was living in 1882.
On the evening of institution the membership was
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
increased by the initiation of Benjamin C. Rulon, John J. Dunlap, William Foster, Daniel Benezet, Alexander HI. Pine, Job Ballinger, and Samuel Ash - craft. In 1882 four of that number were still mem- bers of the lodge.
From 1850 to 1865 there were received by initiation and by card forty-five members, and in 1866 forty were added to the lodge, and from 1867 to 1882 sixty more were added.
In 1882 (July) the assets of the lodge amounted to four thousand five hundred dollars; paid for benefits since institution, three thousand dollars ; paid for funeral benefits, six hundred dollars.
Present membership (1882), sixty-five. Past Grands, forty-four.
The officers of the lodge in August, 1882, were as follows:
N. G., Collins A. Hazleton ; V. G., John C. Rulon ; Sec., John P. Reece: Treas .. Samuel Ashcraft ; War- den, George Walter ; O. G., Franklin E. Lloyd; I. G., Christian Morgan ; R. S. to N. G., Jacob MI. Hoff- man ; L. S. to N. G., William F. Turner ; Con., George R. Hazleton; R. S. S., Andrew Nichols ; L. S. S., Markell Dubois; R. S. to V. G., Thomas Bunning ; L. S. to V. G., William C. Gardner.
There was also at this place in September, 1882, a lodge of Knights of Pythias, data for which were promised by the secretary, but never furnished the historian.
RELIGIOUS.
There seems to be no doubt that the religious de- nomination at Mullica Hill known as Quakers, or Friends, is by several years, and perhaps a cen- tury, the senior of any other, though the Protestant Episcopal may date back nearly as far. Just when the pioneer organization was effected is difficult to learn, but it is positively known that the old men and women in the early part of this century were members of the Friends' Society as far back as the middle of the last century, or 1750. The old meet- ing-hou-e stood in what is now the Friends' burying- ground, and was occupied as a school- and meeting- house in the latter part of the last century. The present brick meeting-honse was built in 1806. This and the lot on which the old house stood were purchased of Jacob Spicer, the original settler on the south side of the creek.
Among the early members of this meeting may be mentioned the following names who were promi- nently identified with this people : Joseph Allen, one of the elders; Benjamin Heritage, a minister ; James Gardner, Charles French, Joseph Gruff, Nathan Fol- well, Joshna Moore, Silas Moore. Chalkley Moore, Benjamin Moore, -- Engle, father of the present venerable Joseph Engle: Joshna Engle, Elijah Bower, Abel Robbins, Isaac Snowden, Jonathan Iredell, Thomas Iredell, Nathan Iredell, Charles French, Abraham Iredell, John Pancoast, father of the pres- ent John Pancoast, who is ninety years of age ; Sam-
tiel Allen, Enoch Allen, Joseph Allen, Mathew Allen, George Tatum, and many others whom Mr. Pancoast could not name. Besides those above named were their families, which in many cases were numerous, most of whom were members of the Society or Meeting.
The present elders of the Mullica Hill Meeting are John Pancoast. Joshua Engle, George T. Atkinson. Samuel Gaunt, Richard S. Ridgway, Elizabeth B. Atkinson, Caroline Gaunt. Mary Engle, and Sarah Ann Ridgway.
Overseers, Asa Engle and Joseph T. Fogg. Present value of church property, ten thousand dollars.
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.1-About the be- ginning of the present century the services of the Episcopal Church were read, in the grist-mill at Mul- lica Hill, by Joseph Chatham, Esq., there being but few persons of that denomination in the vicinity. In the year 1813 a small frame church was erected on the south side of the village, and named St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, and the pulpit was at first sup- plied by the respective rectors presiding over the Episcopal Church at Swedesboro, as they succeeded each other. In a few years the congregation and membership had rapidly increased, the Sabbath- school was large and flourishing, and it was consid- ered expedient to have a resident rector. In succeed- ing years several rectors at different periods held the church in charge; prominent among them was the Rev. Thomas Tanser, an English gentleman of much Christian merit; but death suddenly removed him from a devoted congregation and from a community which entertained for him the most profound respect. In 1851 a new church edifice, built of stone, was erected in the north part of the village, in the Gothic style of architecture, and was dedicated by the Right Rev. George W. Doane, bishop of the diocese.
Of late years the church has met with many re- verses, having had no resident rector for several years, and her membership having greatly dimin- ished. However, the spirit of Episcopacy still exists in the hearts of the little band assembled each Sab- bath, summoned to the house of God by the -onorons tones of the fine-toned bell that crowns the church edifice, a recent acquisition, secured for the church through the noble efforts of R. M. Ware, Esq.
The old village of Mullica Hill can boast of no greater attraction than the little Gothic. ivy-clothed church, free from debt. The building committee for the present church edifice were Alexander HI. Weath- erby, Enoch Aggings, R. M. Ware, and Thomas G. Batten.
It is probable that Enoch Aggings and Joseph Chatham were most prominent in the establishment of the Episcopal Church at Mullica Hill. They con- tinted to be fearless worker- up to the time of their decease. Mr. Aggings lived to be past ninety years of
1 By R. 3I. Warr, Esq.
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TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON.
age, and Joseph Chatham died in -. They were undoubtedly the first wardens of the church.
At the decase of Joseph Chatham. his son, Joseph A. Chatham, a most excellent and useful man, seemed to take the lead in church matters, and during his life the church prospered very much.
Among the resident clergymen were the Revs. Thomas Tanser, Ernest De Wolf, William Bryant, , pastor, and continued as such till November, 1864, Richardson Graham, and Samuel Rose Mead.
Revs. Edwin Nock, James Lamb, Charles Duane, Rev. William B. Tolan succeeded him, and labored Jesse Y. Burk, and a Mr. Hoskins have presided at i with the church till October, 1871, when he was sue- different times, Mr. Hoskins being the present rector. ceeded by the said Rev. Charles Kain, who continued The wardens now in office are Dr. D. P. Pancoast and Henry C. Chatham. The vestrymen are S. L. Pancoast, R. M. Ware, Jonathan Tomlin, Edward E. Lewis, E. M. Chadwick, and Albert Parker. as pastor till November, 1879. when he was succeeded by Rev. William Warlow. who remained as pastor till May 16, 1883. Mr. Kain's last pastorate was seven years; total, twenty-seven years.
Methodist Episcopal Church.'-Previous to 1827, probably as early as 1800, the old itinerant found his way to Mullica Hill, for here was a settlement long before the latter date, and where there was a settle- | Kain, Thomas Bunning, Sr .. Jos. Neal, I. S. Stratton, ment there was Methodist preaching, especially in Amos Lloyd; Treasurer, William Bunning : Clerk, Isaac HT. Lloyd. South Jersey. Services were held in private houses, school-houses, barns, groves, and, in fact, anywhere
Jefferson Methodist Episcopal Church .- This that the people would gather themselves together ; society is located in and around the village of Jeffer- there was found the old veteran of the cross. The . son, in the north part of the township. Just when Methodists at Mullica Hill became so numerous in , the first class was formed is not positively known by 1827 that they built a house of worship that year on what is known as High Street. In this old meeting- house they worshiped until 1848, when the present church edifiee was built.
The following are the names of some of the preach- ers who served this people in the old church and pre- vions to its building: Revs. Thackara Morton, T. Sovereign, S. Rusling, William Williams, J. Grover, W. Burroughs, William Stevens, J. Walker, S. Town- send, J. Thompson, William Vansant, W. Fong, Wil- liam Morrison, William Stewart, William Garmon, J. Canfield, E. Stout, and others. The following is a partial list of the preachers since 1848: Revs. S. Parker, - Reed, Joseph Ashbrook, D. Duffield, -- Pierson, -- Gearhart, - Williams, - Car- man, G. H. Tullis, L. O. Manchester, G. T. Bishop, and, in 1882, Rev. S. S. Belleville.
This church, like many others, has had its lights and shadows. It was in 1882 in a flourishing con- dition.
The Mullica Hill Baptist Church, Gloucester County, N. J., adopted, May 19, 1845, as their rule of faith, the articles published by the New Hamp- shire Baptist State Convention. Two deacons were then appointed. Those composing the member-hip of church were John Mulford and wife, Enoch Ashton and wife, Josiah S. Rowand and wife, Benjamin Lloyd and wife, Amos Lloyd, John B. Chattin and wife, John Dubois and wife, Benjamin Gibson and wife, Ann Peterson, Deborah Lacey, and Abigail Cooper (eighteen).
1 Data furnishen by J. II. Mounce.
2 By E. L. Stratten.
Recognition services took place June 5, 1845, in the grove at the south end of the town. Sermon by Rev. J. M. Challis, from the words, " Thou art Peter, upon this rock I will found my church." Services were participated in by Rev. Charles Kain, pastor of Pittsgrove Church, Salem County, N. J. On the 30th day of June, 1845, Rev. Charles Kain was called as when he resigned.
Membership in 1883, one hundred and sixty-one. Trustees, Richard Black. John B. Chattin, Aaron M. Ridgway, and Edward L. Stratton ; Deacons, Edwin
any one now living. The first class-leader that is re- membered was David B. Shute, in 1845. Previous to this, however, preaching services were held in the Paul school-house, then standing about a mile north of the present church. Here, in the old school-house, for many years the old pioneer preachers held forth to such audiences as could be congregated in such small quarters. The little old school-house served the purpose well, and the neat and commodious church edifice that now adorns the sprightly village of Jeffer- son has been erected.
Among the early members of Mr. Shute's class were William D. Richards, Silas Richards, John Jen- kins. Charles Jenkins, Richard Steward, Nathaniel Weldy, Eliza Jenkins, Jesse Chew, who is now one of New Jersey's ablest preachers, Mark Heritage and wife. and Nathan Chew and wife. Nathan Chew was one of the pioneer local preachers, and preached oc- casionally in the old Paul school-house.
The present church edifice was built in about 1868, at a cost of three thousand dollars, of which sum John W. Richards gave five hundred dollars, and the services at the laying of the corner-stone and dedi- cation of the superstructure were conducted by Rev. Je-se Stiles.
The first trustees were William D. Richards, John Kitchen, David Shute, Harmon Abbott, Silas Rich- arde, and Henry Tomlin.
The following are among the preachers who have served this people: Revs. Jesse Stiles, Dickinson Moore, James Myers, - Hutchinson, -- Strick- land. J. R. Thompson (two terms), - Westcott, Richard Clark, Lewis N. Clark, -- Lippincott, and
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IHISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
William Clark, the present preacher in charge. Jef- Calvin Eastlack, Samuel Hudson, J. B. Stewart. For ferson is now connected with Ewansville.
The stewards for 1852 were George Walter, James Pennington, Jasper Scott. Trustees, Henry Il. Tom- lin, George Walter, Jasper Scott, William Jenkins, George Batten. Jeremiah (. Sweeten, William Dolan. Sunday-school Superintendent, Jasper Scott. As- sistant Superintendent, Henry H. Tomlin.
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