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 65
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 65
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 65
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Mantua is watered by the numerous branches and small lakes of the head-waters of Mantua Creek. The West Jersey Railroad crosses the east part of the township, running near Barnsboro and near the grounds of the " Pitman Grove Camp-Meeting Asso- ciation."
Pioneer Settlers .- Just who was the pioneer settler of what is now Mantua township is not definitely known. However, the territory embraced quite a number of settlers previous to the middle of the last century, among whom was John Driver, who took up what was for a long time known as the " Driver tract," and which is still spoken of as such.
This tract was taken np in 1740, and lies on the northeast side of the village of Barnsboro. After Driver's death the plantation was sold to Samuel P. Tice. Tice soll a portion of the plantation to West Jessup. reserving the Driver homestead for himself. At the death of Tice his property was left to hi- widow, his son, and John T. Ogden, an adopted son.
1 By W. H. Shaw.
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261
TOWNSHIP OF MANTUA.
the latter of whom now owns the old Samuel P. Tice homestead, and is one of Mantua's honored citizens.
Josiah Heritage was another of the pioneers of ' this township. In the carly part of the last century be located a traet of several hundred acres along Mantua Creck, east of what is now Barnsboro village.
Timothy Yonng was a part owner with Heritage, and in time became possessed of most of the traet. Sharp's daughter married William Sharp, who in turn became the owner of what was for many years known as the Young traet.
The Young traet lay along the road from what is now Barnsboro to the railroad station, and it is owned by West Jessup.
The Israel Heritage traet lay a little northwest from Barnsboro, and was subsequently sold to William- Early, who sold to Allen Moore, and it is now owned by Samuel Pierson.
Elisha Chew was one of the pioneers of Mantua, , northeast side of the Barnsboro turnpike.
and owned a large tract, extending along the road from Mantua to Bee's Corners. The Chews, like the Heritages, were as numerous in pioneer days as at the present day, and probably more so, according to the population of the two periods.
David Eldridge was the owner of a large planta- tion, which was subsequently owned by Nathaniel Chew. This included that valuable piece of land known as the Marl IIole property.
The John Conley tract lay between the old Chew tract and what is now Pitman Grove, and included that property, or a portion of it. It was afterwards ; of Mantna. owned by James Matlack, who, by the way, became a large land-holder in this township. A portion of this large tract is now owned by - Kerns, Dr. one hundred and fifty acres. Clark, of Woodbury, and George C. Allen.
Adjoining the Matlack, MeElwaine, and Skinner traet was the tract of Presmul Dilks' property, now owned by John Lamb.
Adjoining the above is the Skinner tract, surrounded by the MeElwaine, Matlack or Conley, Carpenter, Skinner, and Becket farms, and now owned by Ferry Wood and Thomas Lavin.
The old homestead, or first portion of the old Conley tract, is now owned by Nathaniel Chew Turner.
The old John Jessup traet was subsequently divided into several farms, and bounded on the south by the Jefferson rond, then by Gooding Somers' farm, the lands of John Gaunt, John Sharp, Josiah Allen, Ben- jamin II. Lodge, Aaron Paul, Henry C. Bendler, Joseph Sweeten, Isaac F. Dilks, and Pancoast Roberts. It is now owned by West Jessup. He also owns a tract of land running from Barnsboro to Brady's mill-pond, along the Mullica Hill turnpike.
The William Skinner tract joins Samuel Lodge, David Eldridge, Thomas Bee, John Driver, and others, and is now owned by Aaron Paul. son-in-law of John Crane.
The old William Stewart tract joins the property of Aaron Paal, Thomas Bee, W. Jessup, and property of
the Dilks heirs, and it is now owned by Henry C. Bendler.
The old Dilks traet joins the lands of HI. C. Bend- ler. Tomas Bee, and the Joseph Hannoll tract.
The Joseph Hannold tract lay on the northeast side of what is now the Mantua and Barnsboro turnpike, and joined the Dilks, Job K. Chew, and Driver tracts.
In the west part of what is now Mantua township was Amos Eastlack. one of the pioneers. His plan- 'tation lay along the northwest side of the Mullica -- Hill turnpike, from the Mantua Creek southwest for half a mile.
Thomas Carpenter was another pioneer of this local- ity. His tract lay on the south side of the village of ' Mantua, on the east side of the turnpike.
Archibald Moffett located about six hundred acres of land on the east side of Mantua village as early as 1750, and built the stone house now standing on
Joshua Cozzens' tract, adjoining Amos Eastlack tract, and farther down the Mantua Creek, is now owned by James Gardner.
The James Jessup tract, southwest of Mantua vil- lage, containing two hundred acres, is now owned by Joseph Jessup. On this traet is the Jessup grist-mill, built in 1818 by James Jessup, and owned by his son Joseph, who is now eighty-one years of age.
The John C. Eastlack farm comes next, and con- tains ninety-five acres. This joins the Amos Eastlack and Joseph Jessup tracts, southwest from the village
The next two farms are those of Girard Wood, one hundred and thirty-five aeres, and Josiah C. Allen,
West Jessup is the largest land-owner in this town- ship. Besides those already named are the follow- ing: The old Moffett plantation, the John W. Jessup, Cooper Jessup, Lewis Jessup, and several others, each containing from forty to two hundred aeres.
CIVIL ORGANIZATION.
First Town-Meeting .- Minutes and proceedings of the first annual town-meeting of the inhabitants of the township of Mantua, in the county of Glou- cester, held at the Union school-house, Carpenter's Landing, March 9, 1853. Dr. John M. Sickler was chosen moderator, and Hugh A. Long, clerk for the day. The following is a list of the names of per- sons elected to office for the ensuing year :
Town Clerk, Hugh A. Long; Assessor, James B. Albertson ; Collector, William Beckett ; Commissioners of Appeal, Andrew'S Chew, Al- yxander R. Long, Lewis V. Atkinson ; Choson Freeholders. John Daniels, John Gaunt : Surveyors of Highways, Alexander R. Long, Isaac C. Dilkes; Overseer of Pour and Constable, Joseph R. Norris; Township Committer, John Haines, Elijah Chew, Allen Muore, I- var C. Dilks, John Crane; Judge of Election, Charles Ballinger; School Superintendent, John Daniels; Over-tere of Highways, Asher Turner, Jacob Batten; Pound-Keeper-, John Y. Madan, Daten L. Chew ; Pound-Keeper for the Village, Franklin Denn.
" Resolved, That the township of Mantui raise One hundred dollars for Schooling purposes, and the System of maintaining our roads to be
262
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
done by labour. The Committee are authorized to borrow any sum of money not exceeding One hundred and fifty dollars for immediate township purposes. The Committee are also authorized to hapowet the Assessor how much tax are to be used for township purposes, and he to raise it by asses ment. The next general election will be held at the Union School-house, at Carpenter's Lamling, and the next annuinl town- meeting will be held at the School-House in Barnsboro. " A true Copy. HUGH A. LANG, Clerk"
The following is a complete list of township clerks, assessors, collectors, chosen frecholders, and township committee men from 1854 to 1883, inelusive:
TOWN CLERKS.
1854 Hugh A. Long. 1871. Joseph A. Daniels.
1855-57. Sanmiel D. Lodge.
1872-74. Wilham A. Morgan.
1858-59. William S. Danford.
1875-77. Benjamin A, Carson.
1860-62. William C. Long.
1878-82. Thomas C. Dilks, Jr.
1863-65. Benjamin F. Sweeten.
1883. Charles H. Ferris.
1866-70. Benjamin H. Lodge.
ASSESSORS.
1854-56. 1866-68, John Haines.
1872-74. Hugh A. Long.
1857-59. Jesse C. Chew.
1×75-79, 1883. John Daniels.
1860-62. Charles Ballinger.
1880-82. Benjamin A. Carson.
18G3-65. William C. Long.
1883. John Daniels,
1869-71. Jacob S. Bendler.
COLLECTORS.
1854. William Beckett. 1865. Amos Gaunt.
1855. George C. Clark.
1867-69. F. Smith Parker.
1856-58, 1803-64, 1SCG. E. C. Pan- coast.
1873. Samuel T Sooy.
1859-61. Allen S. Morgan.
18.0-78. George C. Dilhs.
1862. John S. Somers.
1879-83. Samuel D. Lodge.
CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.
1854. John Daniels. 1870. Amos Gaunt.
John Gannt.
1871. John R. Sickler.
1855-56. John Gaunt. I. C. Dilks.
Allen Moure. 1872-73. I. C. Dilks.
1857. Jeptha Abbott.
Allen S. Morgan.
Allen Moore. 1874. Oliver C. Boody.
1858. Samuel P. Tice.
A. S Morgan.
John Ilaines. 1575. O. C. Body.
1853-60. John Baines. John R. Sickler.
Niaired Woolsey, Sr.
1876. O. C. Hoody. Franklin Deno.
1861-62. John N. Sickler. John T. Madara.
. 1877. R. J. Hurff.
1863. John T. Madara.
Franklin Deou.
Thomas Reeve.
1878. F. Deun.
1864-65. Thomas Reeve, I. C. Dilks.
1879. Isaac Newton.
1866, I. C. Dilks. William C. Long.
Jacob Ballinger.
1887-68. W. C. Long.
Lewis V. Atkinson.
1881-82. G. W. Grier.
1809. L. V. Atkinson. Joha R. Sickler.
1. Cooper Dilks.
1870. Joho R. Sickler.
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE.
1854 .- William Haines, Isaac C. Dilks, John Moore, Joho Crane, Isaac J. Newkirk.
1855 .- John Gaunt, Joseph Sweeten, Daniel R. Ackley, John T. Bower, Allen S. Morgan.
1856-57 .-- Williant D. Richards, Joseph Sweeteo, Daniel R. Ackley, Allen S. Morgan, J. T. Bower.
1858 .- Mark Heritage, A. S. Morgan, Samuel D. Lodge, W. D. Richards, Joho S. Somers.
1859-61 .-- Ehjah Chew, William Haines, Aaron M. Wilking, John S. Soniera, Mark Heritage.
1862 .- A. M. Wilkins, Franklin Denn, Thomas Reeve, Josiah C. Allen, Elij th Chew.
1803-04,-Elijah Chew, John Crane, John Haines, Samuel F. Madara, Frankliu Deon.
1865 .- Jolin Haines, Allen Moore, A. S. Morgan, Lewis V. Atkinson, Samuel D. Lodge.
1. 00 .- John Haines, Nathaniel W. Chew, L. V. Atkinson, S. D. Lodge, Allen Moore,
1867-68 .-- $ D. Lodge, N. W. Chew, E. C. Pancoast, Andrew P. Glandon, Benjamin Vanderslice.
1St9 -W. C. Long, S. D. Lodge, N. W. Chew. E. C. Pancoast, B. Vander- slice.
1×70 .- W. C. Long, B. Vanderalice, F. Smith Parker, John D. Shute, John D. Turner.
1871 .- John Haines, F. S Parker, W. C. Long. J. D. Turner, J. D. Shute. 1873-74 -George W. tirier, Benjamin II. Lodge, L. V. Atkinson, Enstice : Eggie, Leonard Chew.
1875 .- L. V. Atkinson, L. Chew, Samuel D. Lodge, Jesse L. Ehlridge, George C. Dilks.
1×76 .- J. L. Eldridge, Samuel D. Lodge, William C. Long, John D Price, Randall J. Hurff. 1877 .- F. S. Parker, S. D. Lodge, W. C. Long, J. D. Price, Henry C. Bendler. 1878 .- F. S Parker, J. Leo Eldridge, J. D. Price, H. C. Bendler, Jacob Ballinger.
1879 .- F. S Parker, H. C. Bendler, William A. AHen.
1880 .- W. A. Alleo, John Colbert, William Middleton.
1881-82,-W. Middleton Samuel T. Sooy, Daniel C. Chew. 1883 .- S. T. Sooy, B. Il. Lodge, John H. Sharp.
Settlement of Township Accounts .- In February, 1881, a portion of the west end of the township was detached for the purpose of forming the township of East Greenwich, which necessitated a settlement of aceonnts between this and the new township. The township committees of the two townships, Mantua and East Greenwich, met April 11, 1881, at the hotel of Isaac Newton, in the village of Mantua, for settle- ment, -- S. T. Sooy, William Middleton, and Daniel C. Chew for Mantua, and David B. Gill, John A. Loudenslager, and Job S. Haines for East Green- wich. The meeting was organized by electing Wil- liam Middleton as chairman of the joint commit- tee, and the appointment of T. C. Dilks and W. H. Brown, clerks of their respective townships, seere- taries of the meeting. The act of division of the township and organization of East Greenwich was read.
"On motion of David B. Gill, the figures 8838,415, for Mautna, and $130,426, for East Greenwich, for our basis of settlement, making a total of $968.841.
"On motion of S. T. Sooy, that Mantua township's percentage be eighty-six and one-half per cent , and the percentage of East Greenwich be thirteen and one-half per cent.
"On motion of S. T. Sooy, that we take town-meeting as our time of division (being the 8th day of March, A.D. 1881) of all liabilities and resources.
"On motion of Job S. Haines, that Mantua township shall have $1041,22 as their portion of tax warrant, and East Greenwich shall have $162 30.
"On motion of D. B. Gill, that $611.50, the cash in hand, shall remain in Mantna township, and $95.45 shall be paid to treasurer of East Greenwich.
"Ou motion of D. B. Gill, that the report be signed and filed by the clerks of each township.
"On motion of D. B. Gill, we adjourn.
" THOMAS C. DILES, " WILLIAN B. BROWN, "Secretaries."
VILLAGES.
Mantua .- This thriving little town is situated on the northeast border of the township, on an elevated ! bluff overlooking the Mantua Creek, from which the
1
Paschal M. Newlings.
-- +
John T. Ogden.
1880. George W. Grier. Jacob Ballinger.
1670-72. Lewis V. Atkinson.
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263
TOWNSHIP OF MANTUA.
town derives its name, and is also at the head of navi- gation on the Jiantua Creek. The town is also on the line of Woodbury and Mullica Hill turnpike, and is also the northwestern terminus of the Mantua and Glassboro turnpike.
The town stands upon the Thomas Campbell, Ben- jamin Allen, Martin Turner, Amos Eastlack, and Archibald Moffett tracts, Morgan's carriage manu- factory is on the northwest side of the Moffett traet, and the Methodist Episcopal Church and distriet school-house stand on what was the Martin Turner tract, while the balance of the village is on the other tracts named.
As late as 1812 there were but sixteen dwellings in what is now Mantua village, owned by the following- named persons: John Heritage, Samuel Barber, . occupied by Franklin Denn, corner of Glassboro pike and Morgan Avenue. He carried on the busi-
George Cozzens, Samuel Van Leer, Robert Wallace, Gilbert Asheroft, Andrew Winsey, Isaac Collins, Rev. ' ness there till 1877, when he built his present car- Moses Crane, Abram Park, John Asheroft, Amos , riage mannfactory, corner of Morgan Avenue, Union Eastlaek, John Tonkin, William C. Tonkin. Street, and Mantua Avenue, where he manufactures all kinds of light carriages and sleighs, employing ten men. His shop is the largest building in Mantua, and is one of the most thoroughly equipped for the busi- ness of any in the county. It is in size thirty-six by eighty feet. three stories high, with basement thirty- six by eighty feet. When he removed to his new place the laudlady, as the house was kept in her name for , of business, in 1877, he sold his old shop to Franklin Denn, who still carries on general blacksmithing at that place.
In 1812 the Tonkin brothers, John and William, owned the large frame house now standing in the forks of the turnpikes, fronting the toll-house. It was then kept as a tavern by Mrs. Taylor, a widow woman and housekeeper for the Tonkin brothers. Although she was their housekeeper, she was also ; several years. William C. Tonkin married the daughter of Mrs. Taylor, and after Mrs. Taylor's death William kept the tavern for many years. He . Mr. Morgan was born in Barnsboro, N. J., Feb. 14, 1824, and at seventeen years of age was bound to the service of Josiah C. Sparks, of whom he learned the in the old tavern. It was no doubt quite a conveni- . trade of carriage-making. After serving his time as an apprentice, he worked two years as a journeyman, and then commenced business for himself, and now en- joys a State reputation as a first-class carriage-maker. was also the pioneer postmaster at Mantua. As was the custom in pioneer days, the post-office was kept ence for those in the habit of taking their " grog." as spirituous liquors were then called, as they could obtain both mail matter and grog at the same time. After the Tonkin brothers, a Mr. Allen kept the old The steam planing-mill near the creek was built tavern for a few years, when the building was con- . by Samuel T. Sooy, and it is now owned by George verted into a private dwelling. Dickinson.
The Tonkin brothers were also among the early merchants of Mantua. The old frame store-house stood in front of the tavern, down nearer the forks of the turnpike. The old building was subsequently moved across the Mullica Hill road and converted into a dwelling.
The pioneer blacksmith of Mantua was Samuel Archer, who located here in 1815. His -hop stood between what is now corner of Main and Union Streets and the Tonkin tavern. John Curry and Ed- ward Pancoast were successors of Archer and of : each other in the blacksmith business.
the same line, but later in years, were Benjamin Wood and Casamajor Pancoast.
John Ashcroft was the village shoemaker in 1820, and Thomas West was the knight of the " goose and shears." James S. Porch also made "fits" for the outer man in later years.
The pioneer carriage-maker at this place was J. C. Sparks, whose shop stood on the site now occupied by the residence of James Gardner. He subsequently built the shop now occupied by John Pinskey.
After the death of Mr. Sparks his son, Thomas T. Sparks, carried on the carriage-making business for a few years, when he sold out to Pinskey.
Allen S. Morgan commenced a general blacksmith and wheelwright business in 1848, in the shop now
Jacob L. Stratton established the foundry business at Mantua in 1860, when he built the blacksmith- shop now occupied by Charles II. Ferris, where he remained until May, 1881, when he removed to his present place of business, corner of Broadway and Union Street, where he makes all kinds of -mall east- ings. In connection with the foundry is a small machine-shop, in which all kinds of farm machinery L. Stratton & Son, who make a specialty in the man-
Previous to the opening of a store by the Tonkin brothers, there was a store kept by Richard Clark as early as 1825, on the site now occupied by the store ! are repaired. The firmn-name of the concern is Jacob of Harry Bradshaw. Joseph C. Gill and a Mr. Lodge had a store in 1830 where now stands the store of ; ufacture of the celebrated " Cast-Iron Diamond Steel- John Trunear. Pointed Mill-Picks."
The Mantna canning establishment was built in 1880, by John Colbert, on Centre Street, where he is packing hundreds of thousands of cans of fruit each season.
The Mantua Steam Grist-Mill, located on Broad- way, was built in 1881, by Henry Lippee, the present
Robert Wallace was the pioneer wheelwright. His proprietor. The extensive coal- and lumber-yards at shop was near Archer's blacksmith-shop. Others in . Mantua are owned and conducted by Job Scott.
264
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
There is probably a greater number of sexagena- rians in Mantua village than in any other town of the same population in Gloucester County. Of such we give the names of a few, as follows: Ann Hen- driekson, aged 88; Di. John R. Sickler, 83: Mary Dilk-, 79; Amanda Lodge, 78; John C. Eastlack, 75; Thomas C. Dilks, 64; Sarah Long, 90; Rebecca Brad- shaw, 73; Keziah Turner, 74; Mrs. Lydia Bower, 76;
This quaint old tavern has been ocenpied as a place of entertainment for at least one hundred and sixteen years continuously. The original or middle part was built of cedar logs. about twelve by sixteen inches square, and they are in as good a state of preservation as when first laid up. The original old fireplace and jambs are intact, and as ready to receive eight-feet wood as when first built. Which of the addition- Mrs. John C. Eastlack, 72; George Kugler, 65; Mrs. ; was built first no one now living can tell, as either George Kugler. 65; Joseph Cooper, 73; Mr. Carry, . antedates the birth of the oldest inhabitant of Barns- 70; Mrs. Carry, 65; George W. Brown, 63; Mrs. G. 'boro. The present proprietor and genial landlord is W. Brown, 63; Andrew Sweeten, 63; Elizabeth Bar- nard, 75; Mr. A. Dilks, 60 years.
In 1883 there were in the village four general stores, one hotel, one canning-factory, one harness- shop, one light-carriage factory, one wheelwright- shop, four general blacksmith-shops, foundry and machine-shop, planing-mill, coal- and lumber-yard, and the usual number of small shops in a town of , now occupied as a wheelwright-shop.
this size. There is also one Methodist Episcopal Church and one school-house.
SOCIETIES.
Concordia Lodge, No. 39, K. of P.,1 was insti- tuted Feb. 1, 1870, in the Masonic Hall at Mantua, N. J., by Grand Chancellor James H. Pierson, as- ; sisted by members of Mariola Lodge, No. 9, of Woodbury. The charter members were J. Cooper Dilks, Merriel T. Park, Samuel P. Ferris, Charles Keen, John R. Sickler, Thomas J. Heritage, Wil- liam C. Long, Asher Turner, Allen S. Morgan, and Enstace Eggie. The first officers of the lodge were : V. P., John R. Sickler ; W. C., Thomas J. Heritage ; V. C., Merril T. Parks ; R. S., William C. Long ; F. S., Asher Turner; W. B., Allen S. Morgan ; W. G., J. Cooper Dilks; I. S., Samuel P. Ferris ; O. S., Eustace Eggie.
Since the organization of the lodge the title name of the officers has been changed, as will appear in the following list of officers for September, 1833: P. C., . Paul S. Heritage ; C. C., J. Cooper Dilks ; V. C., J. ' his trade in Mantua for nine years, when he moved Leo Eldridge ; P., Joseph T. Sickler ; M. of E., Eus- tace Eggie; M. of F., Merrill T. Parks; K. of R. and S., William C. Long; M. at A., Jolin Matson ; 1. G., Louis Boettcher ; O. G., Jacob F. Beckett.
Barnsboro is a small village, located near the : he sold his store property and engaged again in the centre of the township, on a gravelly ridge of land sufficiently elevated to give one an extended view in almost every direction. It is also on the line of the Mantua and Glassboro turnpike, and at the intersec- Barnsboro Station, on the West Jersey Railroad, by reference to the civil list. and is surrounded by a productive agricultural dis- triet.
The town derived its name from John Barnes, who ' built the middle or original part of the present tavern, and probably one of the additions, as early as 1767.
The pioneer store-keeper in Barnsboro was Swayne Blundridge. The store building stood on the site now occupied by Kirkbride's store, and the present store building stood in rear of it, and was for many years occupied as a place for storing heavy groceries. The old store building was subsequently removed, and it is J. F. Talman.
The pioneer blacksmith at this place was Allen | Sharp. His shop stood on the site of the present residence of Mary Ann Chew, on the corner opposite the hotel.
The pioneer postmaster at this place was Charles Ballinger, who was appointed in 1852. He was suc- ceeded in 1860 by John Crane, who was succeeded in 1866 by Charles F. Moffett, and in 1870 the present postmaster, David Kirkbride, was appointed. He is also one of the village merchants.
The store now occupied by Clement A. Ware was built in 1839 by James Jessup for Andrew Weather- bee.
The pioneer shoemaker was Mark Murphy, who located here in 1843, in a large house below the Methodist Episcopal Church. The present shoe- maker is John Crane, whose shop is on the Elmer road. Mr. Crane was born in this township May 19, 1819, aud when seventeen years of age went to learn the trade of a shoemaker with Samuel Lock, of Mantua village, and graduated in 1840. He then worked at
to Creesville, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for four years, and in 1853 moved to Barns- boro, where he has since resided. His first five years at this place were occupied in merchandising. when manufacture of boots and shoes, in which business he still continues. lle was married, March 25, 1841, to Elizabeth A. T. Allen, of Mantua, who has borne him nine children, six of whom are living. He has been tion of four other roads. It is one mile distant from : honored many times by his townsmen, as can be seen
There is at present in the village one church, one school-house, two stores, one hotel, one blacksmith (Clement Tomlin), one wheelwright ( Isaac Bowen i, one shoe-shop (John Crane).
The town of Barnsboro is surrounded by the farmns of Joseph Hannold, Henry C. Bendler, West Jessup, Pancoast Roberts, and James A. Clark.
1 By William C. Long. .
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265
TOWNSHIP OF MANTUA.
CHURCHES.
Methodist Episcopal, of Mantua Village .- Re- ligious services were at what is now Mantua village as varly as 1800, and the first class was formed in 1 05. Just who the leader or leaders were at that time is not positively known, but probably Abram Park and Nathan Chew, as these two veterans of Methodism wore the class-leaders in 1815. Among the pioneer members of the class are found the names of Nathaniel Chew, Sarah Chew, Nathaniel Chew, Jr., Andrew S. Chew and wife, Elijah Chew, Elisha Chew, Nathan Chew, Abram Park, John Heritage, Amos Eastlack,
Mary Richards, Cyrus Richards, Anna Richards, James Dilks, Martha Dilks, William C. Dilks and wife, and since 1828, John C. Eastlack, Thomas Da- vidson and wife, and David Chew. The Chews were quite an extensive family, living and owning lands for miles along the banks of Mantua Creek. David Chew, above named, was one of those good Christian pioneers who became widely known for his eccen- tricities, and of whom many laughable anecdotes might be told did time and space permit.
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