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 63
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 63
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 63
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Membership of church, thirty. Value of church property, two thousand dollars.
Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church.' -The preliminary meetings that led to the organiza- tion of this society were held in the school-house, about a mile west from what was then known as the old White Horse Tavern, prior to 1848, by the Methodist preachers who were then on the cireuit that embraced this locality.
The first class-leader was William Mounce, in whose class were the following members : Mary Ann Mounce, Abigail Fisler, Frances A. Campbell, Abigail Campbell, Sophia Bartholomew, George Groff. Susan Groff, Abigail Simpkins, Elizabeth Simpkins, Thomas Jagard, Ann Jagard, Robert Carr, Francis A. Camp- bell, Jr., Sarah Jagard, Martha Ann Mounce, Levi Adkinson, Keziah Adkinson, Keziah Eastlack. Mary Eastlack, Ann Skinner, Sarah Skinner, Samuel Ches- ter, Mary Chester, and Martha Abbott.
Soon after the class was formed the tavern-keeper at the " White Horse Tavern" became one of the ad- vocates of religion, joined the class, gave up the tav- ern business, and became leader of the class. In a few years another school-house was built, for the better accommodation of the increased population. The new school-house stood on the site now occupied by the Mount Pleasant Academy, and in it another class was formed, with Richard Skinner, Sr., as leader. This was made a Sunday afternoon appointment, and in fair weather the services were held in the beautiful grove surrounding the school-house.
In 1860 a new Methodist Church edifice was built, on a site midway between the two school-houses, and near the site of the old White Horse Tavern, the corner-stone being laid by Rev. S. Y. Monroe, in 1860, and the church dedicated by Bishop Scott, in Feb- ruary, 1861. His text was the 137th Psalm, fifth and sixth verses.
The preachers who have served this people while occupying the school-houses were as follows: 1848- 49, N. Edwards and B. Andrews; 1850, N. Edwards and A. Gearhart; 1851, A. Gearhart and D. Reed; 1852, James White and Levi Rhodes; 1853, C. W. Heisley and J. C. Summerill ; 1858-59, IL S. Norris and J. P. Connelly ; 1860, E. Waters and A. Atwood.
Since the building of the church the following have been pastors at this, in connection with other places : 1863, Samuel F. Wheeler; 1865, James Vansant; 1867, N. Edward-, James F. Morrell, Thomas Wilson,
1893 the society is supplied by Rov. William Tomlin, a local preacher. Membership in 1882, forty-one. Value of church property, three thousand dollars. Officiary for 1882: Local Preacher, C. C. Souder ; Exhorter, Charles Jenkins: Class-Leaders, William E. Heritage, Henry Jackson, and Charles Jenkins; Stewards, C. C. Souder, HI. L. Jackson, and E. C. Heritage: Trustees, E. C. Heritage, Joseph D. Carr, . N. J. Justice, Robert MeKeighan, and William E. Heritage.
Ewansville Methodist Episcopal Church."-The Methodists occupied this field as early as 1825 as one of their outposts, and held the position as such until 1865, when a society was formed. At that time Josiah and Israel Ewan were the class-leaders, and soon after Jacob Dehart was appointed a class-leader.
The subject of a house of worship was discussed, which resulted, in 1866, in building the present meet- ing-house. a frame building, thirty by forty-two feet, which was dedicated the same year by Rev. John W. Hickman. The lot, building, sheds, and fence cost nearly four thousand dollars, and the property is at present valued at three thousand five hundred dollars.
In 1866 the preacher in charge of the circuit was Rev. Gardner H. Tullis. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry Belton, who was followed by Rev. Joseph Summerill, Rev. -- Pierson, Rev. Joseph Ashbrook. In 1880, Evansville was made a station, and in 1881, Rev. Lewis Clark was the pastor. and 1882, Rev. Wil- liam P. Clark. For 1883 the society was supplied by Rev. William Tomlin, a local preacher.
The officers of the church for 1883 were as follows: Stewards, Thomas I. French, Henry Lacey, Israel Ewan, John Tozer, and Peter Scott; Trustees, l'eter Scott, Israel Ewan, Samuel Moore, George Butter- worth, and Peter Strang; Class-Leaders, Peter Scott and Thomas I. French.
The Sunday-school connected with this society was organized in 1866, and is at present under the super- vision of Israel Ewan, with a school of eighty scholars.
CHAPTER XLIV. TOWNSHIP OF LOGAN.3
Geography and Topography .- This is the north- west corner township of the county, and is bounded on the northeast by Greenwich town-hip, on the southeast by Woolwich township, on the southwest by Salem County, and on the northwest by the Dela- ware River.
The surface is slightly undulating, sufficiently so to admit of good drainage in most parts of the town- ship.
1 By William E. Heritage.
" Data furnished by Feter Scott.
3 By W. E. Shaw.
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TOWNSHIP OF LOGAN.
The soil is mostly a dark sandy loam, susceptible of a very high state of cultivation, and most of the till- able land in the township is successfully occupied by truck-farmers. Repaupo Cedar Swamp occupies a small tract in the northeastern portion of the town. ship.
The township is well supplied with public high- ways, also the Delaware River Railroad crosses length- wise through the township from northeast to south- west, affording farmers and others ample railroad facilities, bringing the people in any part of the town- ship within an hour's ride of Philadelphia.
Revolutionary War Incident .- James Talman came from Sweden previons to the Revolutionary war, and settled at the mouth of Oldman's Creek, where the brick house which he erected still stands. During the war Mr. Talman, who was a firm patriot, The streams, aside from the Delaware River. are , had his property destroyed by a party of British Oldman's Creek, forming the border adjoining Salem County ; Raccoon Creek, running in a northerly di- rection across the centre of the township; Little Tim- ber Creek, running northerly across the northeastern half of the township; and Repaupo, or, as it is some- times called, Purgey Creek, forming the northeast border, adjoining Greenwich township.
The two first-named streams, Oldman's and Rac- coon, are navigable for sloops and steam-tugs, and are made available for the transportation of farm produce to the Philadelphia markets.
Landing-Place of the Swedish Pilgrims .- To what is now the township of Logan must be ac- credited the honor of having within its borders the spot upon which the first permanent settlers of West Jersey landed, at the mouth of Raccoon Creek. Mickle, in his " Reminiscences of Old Gloucester," says, "The exact spot of their debarkation might, we imagine, be determined upon an examination of the place, and if so, it would possess to ns quite as much interest as any point in our country." "This spot," it has been well said, "will ever be connected with recollections the most interesting to us, and which it becomes us to cherish. We labor with patient perse- verance to trace the streams of the ancient world. and become familiar with every torrent and brook. We visit in fancy the borders of the Euphrates, and linger by the side of the golden Hermus. All this is well; but we must not suffer the scenes in our own story to be forgotten. Let every spot be noted, that it may not be said in aftertimes, ' An ungrateful gen- eration permitted the memory of their fathers to perish.' Or, if we are prompted by no filial feelings towards the actors, we cannot be insensible of the movement here made.
"The advent of these pilgrims, sinall as was their number, was of more consequence to the interests of humanity than most of the brilliant achievements of martial hosts. Of the many battles that have been fought, of the many warriors who have figured upon the field of conquest, how few have left a lasting in- fluence for good. The victory of to-day is lost on the morrow, and both victors and vanquished sink to- gether into utter forgetfulness. But here a feeble band, without art or arms, with no standard but the olive branch, laid the foundation of a work which
we trust will stand forever; and not only ourselves, hat our descendants through all generations shall look back to that spot and that hour with increasing feelings of gratitude and affection.1 As yet no sculptured marble adorns our Delaware Plymouth. but to the source every true friend of man can exclaim, ' ('ireumspice !'"
soldiers, who burned his bay and killed his stock. Among the animals killed were two valuable im- ported mares, named "Swallow" and " Lady of the Lake." These MIr. Talman sewed np in white blankets and carefully buried. At the time of this raid Mrs. Talman, who had just been confined, was lifted by the British officers from her bed, that they might search it for plunder.
Joseph Talman, the son, who was then an infant, died at Clarksboro in 1846. His son, Edward C. Talman, is now (1882) a resident of Swedesboro.
Early Settlers and Pioneer Incidents .- Among the pioneers seeking a better home in the then new and undeveloped country, where religious freedom would be tolerated to the furthest and fullest extent. were those brave men who faced the dangers of the storm-tossed ocean, and risked themselves in the then wilds of the miasmatic swamps in South Jersey, and finally made their homes along the tide-water creek> of Oldman and Raccoon.
In what is now Logan, formerly a part of old Wool- wich township, quite a number of the sturdy pioneers from Sweden and Germany pitched their tents, and made old Gloucester County their homes.
Among the number of those who selected this local- ity we find the name of James Talman, who located at the mouth of Oldman's Creek some time previous to the Revolutionary war; also the names of Kelly, Black, Hurff, Thomas Ayres, Homan, Norton, and Dawson. Among the number who came previous to the war was Coonradt Shoemaker, who, like many others, sold himself for his passage,-that is, he bound himself to a Mr. Kelley to work a certain number of years after his arrival in this country if Kelley would pay the passage-money. After Mr. Shoemaker had served his time and earned his freedom, he located between the creeks named, about two miles from what is now Bridgeport. Here he became possessed of two hundred acres of land. and at his death, in 1790, he left his property to his five children, four sons and one daughter. They all lived to quite respectable ages. The first death among the children was that of his son, Samuel, who attained the age of eighty years, dying in Is33; Coonradt died in 1845, aged
! Mulford's Lectures, MS.
254
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
sixty-three; Jacob in 1858, aged eighty-two years; and George in 1863, at the advanced age of ninety- one years. Sarah. the daughter, was the mother of the venerable Nicholas Justu-, of Bridgeport. George Shoemaker, a grandson of Coonradt. Sr., now a resi- dent of Bridgeport, was born on the old homestead, July 22, 1811.
One of the peculiarities of the senior shoemaker was his manner of dress. Not only the old leather breeches, but a leather jacket or vest was a part of his attire. The vest was eut quite long, with a large deep pocket in each side, aud in oue of these pockets he invariably carried a bottle of his favorite old " schnapps," and in the other a bottle of water.
Although Mr. Shoemaker was a man of ordinary size, yet the weight of none of his children was less tban three hundred pounds when they arrived at the age of manhood and womanhood.
The grandfather of Nicholas Ju-tus located be- tween the two creeks named as early as 1700. His son, Isaac, father of the present Nicholas, died in 1834, ou the old homestead, between the ereeks.
Among the pioneers who located around what is | appointed, the horses were put upon the track, now now the town of Bridgeport, and on the same side of | Main Street in Bridgeport. The seoring-point was a the creek, we find the name of John Woodoth, who migrated to this locality in the early part of the last century, and settled between "Raccoon Lower Bridge" and Swedesboro, where was born unto him his son, David Woodoth, also where his grandson, Oliver II. Woodoth, now a resident of Bridgeport, was also born, Oct. 1, 1517.
The Thomas family were also among the pioneers of that neighborhood. There was also Thomas Bal- linger, the Clayton family, and Samuel Cooper, who owned a large tract, at one time a part of what is now Bridgeport. Jacob Makin was another pioneer, and also Thomas Gaskill, up at what is known as Oak Grove. He was here prior to the advent of the pres- ent century, and owned a large plantation at that place.
The Clayton farm, previously mentioned, was sub- sequently purchased by Richard Springer, who be- came one of the several successful " truckers" of this township. John Kelly was also at one time an ex- tensive land-owner at and near Bridgeport; and Jo- seph Clark owned a plantation that has since passed to the ownership of others not akin to the original proprietor.
The pioneer blacksmith of this section of the old township of Woolwich was Thomas Whiteear. His shop stood at the lower end of what i- now known as Main Street, near the creek. With the well-known frugal habits of the pioneer farmers and truckers, and the nature of the soil, but little of his skilled labor was required, and between shoe settings his leisure hours were employed in farming on a small scale.
Pioneer Sports .- Whoever imagines that the old pioneers of this low, level, sandy country led a duti
and monotonous life, and spent their leisure hours in solitude, are letting their imaginations lead them in the wrong direction. Mthough they were the labori- ous Swede and sturdy German, with their well-known love for the home circle, yet they had their seasons of recreation and out-of-door sports. Horse-racing. wrestling, quoit-pitching, and occasionally a social game at cards were enjoyed by the pioneers. At those seasons of the year when their work was not pressing them, and upon rainy Saturday afternoons. they would congregate at the old hostlery of George Sheets, and after a few social salutations in liquid form the conversation would naturally point to some of their aeen>tomed sports, of which horse-racing was the most exciting, as each owned, of course, the fastest horse. Fast trotting at that period was a gait uuknown to horsemen or horse-owners, and running was all the fashion. Fortunes did not change hands in a day, as at present. The wagers were small, usa- ally half a dollar or grog for the crowd, and in ex- treme cases a dollar and a few plugs of tobacco. When everything was ready, the scorer and judge>
mark made across the road from in front of the gate of the house where Nicholas Justus now lives, and the other end of the course at another mark drawn across the road opposite the tavern, down by the creek. The now venerable George Shoemaker was sometimes seorer and sometimes rider. The riders were not the jockeys of the present day, for each boy was honest and rode his horse to win, whether it was his father's or a neighbor's. Each boy had an honest pride in winning the race, and did his best. The winning rider usually received a "fip" or two. which, with the honor of riding the fleetest horse. was glory enough for one day. "Unele George" says that when he won a race, which was often, he felt, to use a modern phrase, as though he was a "bigger man than old Grant."
In their games of quoits or " keerds," as the name of the pasteboards was then pronounced, the wager was also small, consisting of two or four drinks of grog, as most kinds of liquors were then called. When four were engaged in a game of quoits, one of each of the opposing parties would stand at each hub and pitch back and forth. Sometimes an umpire. or judge, as he was then called, would keep tally, and the wager in such cases would be five drinks of groz. The same rule applied to cards, where the fifth man was required to " keep game."
Cadwalader's Island .- When this island was owned by Thomas Key, some time during the last century, there was a channel between it and the main- land of sufficient depth to admit the pas-age of a small steamer or sail-vessel. A man by the name of Shivas or Shover became possessed of one-half inter- est in the island, then known as Raccoon Island, a- it is at the mouth of Raccoon Creek. They banked
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TOWNSHIP OF LOGAN.
or dyked around the island, cleared it of everything standing in the way of erops, and brought it to a state of cultivation. Key sold his interest to his partner, who subsequently sold to other parties, and it is now owned by the heirs of George Cadwalader. The channel between the island and mainland bas been filled up by the action of the tide-waters.
Pioneer Trade and Commerce .- During the pio- neer period of this township the early settlers had no way of conveying their surplus produce to market except by wagons or earts to the ferry, and so on up to Philadelphia, for the city had not then enlarged its borders to a point nearly or quite opposite this town- ship.
After a few years small flat-bottomed boats, with a pole stuck up in the middle of each and a sheet fas- tened upon them, which served as sails, were brought into requisition, and produce, in very small quantities, was taken up to the then village of Philadelphia in that kind of craft.
New York market was ont of the question till 1835, when George Shoemaker, now living at Bridgeport, embarked in his first potato speculation. He en- gaged a sloop, put on board one thousand bushels of potatoes, and set sail for New York by way of Cape May, reaching New York in three and a half days, where he disposed of his cargo. This was the first sloop-load of potatoes ever taken from Raccoon Creek to New York, and Unele George is almost sea- sick yet whenever he tells the story of his first voyage to sea.
Pioneer Prison,-In ye olden time, when courts of justice were not as plenty as at the present day, and officers of the law were not often called upon to quell riots or preserve the peace, there would ocea- sionally arise a case in which the peaceable, law- abiding citizens would be under the necessity of performing the duties of proseentor, court, and jury. In pioneer days Raccoon Lower Bridge had no loek-up, as Bridgeport of the present day has.
There stood on Main Street an old buttonwood-tree, whose proportions were akin to the giant trees of California, and by some means the old buttonwood had become hollow near the ground. The tree being large, a hole or door was made in one side of the mammoth trunk and the inside cleaned out, leaving a cavity of sufficient dimensions to hold three or four persons, and for a time it was looked upon as a curi- osity, and soon became of practical use. Upon a certain occasion a pair of social spirits found their way to Raccoon Lower Bridge, became hilarious under the influence of apple-jaek. and for want of a better place were confined in the trunk of the old buttonwood. After this the old tree served as jail for several years.
Pioneer Weddings .- We were permitted by Mi. 0. II. Woodoth, since deceased, to copy the follow- ing marriage certificates from the originals in his pos- session :
" March 2, 1815. Then married samuel Creaghend and Sarah Howey. By me, Pamel England, J. P."
" May 15, 1515. Then married David Woodoth and Elizabeth Faw- cott. By me, Daniel England, J. P."
"June 29, 1:15. Then married James Harris and Mary Wallas, daughter of William Wallas. By me, Daniel England, J. P."
" May 2, 1816. Then married Jonas Mattsom and Margrit Brance, both of Woolwich township. By me, Daniel England, J. P."
" April 24, 1:17. Then married Isanc Davis, Jr., and sarah Ivins, both of Woolwich township, county of Gloucester. Daniel England, J. ['."
Sexagenarians. - The following-named persons now residents of the village of Bridgeport are over sixty years of age : John P. Sheats, 75; Edith Me- dara, 65; Ann Smith, 80 ; Mrs. Murphy, 65; Casper Schlagg, 65; James Platt, Mary White, John Graft. Maria Richards, Samuel Richards, Philip Bundance, 68 each ; Susannah Bundance, 70; George Becket, 80; Nicholas Justus, 75; Henry Norcross, Margaret Sayres. Robert Simpkins. George Shoemaker, 72 each; Oliver H. Woodoth, 65; Andrew Heinsen- snith, Capt. H. S. Wright, Winslow Jackson, M.D., Martha Jackson. Robert Beeket, Ann Lawrence, Wil- liam Atkinson, 80; Elizabeth Atkinson, 80; Andrew Stineman, Maria Thompson, James Hunt, John Horner, 80; Elizabeth Morris, Martha Gaskill, 80; Capt. George Cooper. 80; Mary A. Tomlin, Samuel Stillman. George Sane, William Sane, James C. Kirby, and Ethan Middleton.
Civil Organization .- The township was organized in 1877 by a division of Woolwich, and named " West Woolwich," and in 1878 the name was changed to "Logan." as will be seen by the two following nets of the Legislature of New Jersey, defining the bound- ary lines :
" Be it enacted by the Senate and General A-sembly off' the State of Nic Jer- sey, That all that portion of the township of Woolwich, in the county of Gloucester, lying and being within the following boundaries, to wil : Beginning in the centre of the road leading from Paulsboro to Swedesboro, at Pnigy bridge; thence along said road to the direct road leading past the stone meeting-house, to its terminus in the Bridgeport roa l ; thence across, in a direct line, to the lligh Hills, ou the west side of Raccoon Creek ; thence along the Avis new road to an angle in the old Ferry road; thence along the Homan road to the road leading from Harrisonville to Pedricktown: thence in a straight line to Oldman's Creek ; thence along Oldman's Creek to the month thereof al Delaware River ; thence al right angles with the shore, in a straight hne, until it intersects the boundary line of New Jersey and the State of Pennsylva- nia; thence up said Delaware River to a point opposite the mouth of Purgy Creek; theuce in a straight line lo the mouth of said l'argy Creek ; lhence along the said creek, the several courses thereof, to the place of beginning, shall be, and hereby is, set off from the township of Woolwich, in the county of Gloucester, and made a separate township. to be known by the name of the township of West Woolwich." Approved.
By the following act of the Legislature, approved March 6, 1878, the name of the township was changed from West Woolwich to that of Logan :
" Is it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jer- sey, That the name of the town-lup of West Woolwich. in the county of Gloucester, be, and the same hereby is, changed to the name of 'Jagan;' and that bereafter the township now called and known as the township of Writ Woolwich, in the county of Gloucester, shall be called the township of Logan."
First Annual Town-Meeting .- In pursuance to . publie notiee, the first annual town-meeting of the
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IHISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
township of West Woolwich (now Logan) was held at the hotel of John P. Sheets, Jr., in Bridgeport. March 13, 1877. Peter F. Lock was chosen moderator, and Samuel B. Platt elerk.
The following appropriations were then ordered : For repairs of roads, $600; for overseers of poor, $100; for Charles Feather, for support of poor, $50; for pay of township officers, $400; for Cooper road in the village to railroad station, $700; for B. F. MeAl- lister. collector for 1875, 850; for Peter Carey, con- stable (extra), 850; for gravel on roads where private parties furnish the same, $175.
The mecting then proceeded to the election of the following officers for the ensuing year :
Town Clerk, F. D. Springer; Assessor, B. F. McCallister; Collector, John F. Truitt; Chosen Freeholders, Benjamin Shoemaker, Peter F. Lock ; Township Committee, James C. Kirby, Caleb Kirby. Josiah B. Becket, William H. Feather, Samuel B. Gaskill ; surveyors of Highways, J. B. Becket, John B. Gray ; Overseers of Highways, Joseph Capaley, Conrad Shoemaker ; Constable, Peter Carey ; Over- seers of Poor, Joseph R. Norton, John F. Truitt; Commissioners of Appeals, Peter Torbert, Charles C. Davis, Peter C. Kille: Justice of the Peace, John F. Truitt; Judge of Election, S. L. Kille; Inspec- tors of Election, Caleb Kirby, D. F. McCallister; Pound-Keepers, Aaron Ilewes, Davis B. Warrington, Freedom Hurff.
The following is a list of town elerks, assessors, collectors, chosen freeholders, township committee, constables, and justices of the peace elected since 1877 :
Clerks .-- F. D. Springer, 1878-79, 1883; C. W. Barler, 1880-82. Assessora .- B. F. McCallister, 1878-82; Samuel B. Platt, 1883.
Collectors .- John F. Truitt, ISTS; Michael HI. Featherer, 1879-72; H. S. Bright, 1883.
Chosen Freeholdlers .- Peter F. Lock, Benjamin Shoemaker, 1878; Peter F. Lock, J. B. Beckett, 1879-81; Peter F. bock, W. H. Featherer, 1882-83.
Tornsido Committee .- James C. Kirby, Caleb Kirby, J. B. Beckett, W. H. Featherer. S. P. Gaskill, ISTS; S. B. Gaskill, Caleb Kirby, Wil- liam H. Featherer, 1879-52; Caleb Kirby, Jacob V. Holdcraft, S. B. Gaskili, 1883.
Constables .- Peter Carey, 1878 ; Elwood Usinger, 1879-80; John B. Carey, 1861.
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