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 68
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 68
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 68
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Cross-Keys,-This hamlet is located in the north corner of the township, and a part of it situate on the northwest side of the road, in Washington town- ship. The place was thus named from the fact of the roads crossing each other at an angle of nearly or quite forty five degrees, and from the fact that six roads centre at this point.
There has been a tavern kept at what is now Cross- Keys for nearly or quite one hundred years. Among the genial old landlords who dispen-ed " Provender and Jersey Lightning" at this old hostelry may be mentioned the names of -- Whitney, William Nicholson, William Lashley, Joseph Nicholson, - Kirby, and lastly Eli Gauntt, who closed up the busi- ness at this place in 1876.
The pioneer store at Cross-Keys was opened for the transaction of business by Thomas Parks, in 1840, in the building now occupied by Hiram Hurff. Iu 1860, John Jones commenced the mercantile business in . has since been occupied as a hotel, which was the the store now ocenpied by Joseph C. Nicholson.
The business of the hamlet is now conducted by J. C. Nicholson and ITiram Hurff, merchants; Charles K. Lewis, blacksmith ; Jacob Burrows, wheelwright; Nathaniel Foster, tinsmith. A steam saw-mil! was built in 1870 by Samuel Tombleson, and it is now owned by Charles Simmerman.
Brooklyn is a small hamlet on the northeast border of the township, where were once the glass-works of Thomas W. Stanger, and at one time it promised to be a place of considerable importance. The first store at this place was opened by Mr. Stanger, in 1850, where he has continued in the mercantile business for one-third of a century. There is also at this place a saw-mill, school-house, small Methodist Church, blacksmith-shop, and ten or twelve dwellings. The town lying as it does, two miles from the line of rail- road, will probably never be any larger than at present.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
and barn-yard are located, for school and men houve purposes, but he never deeded it as such, . sequently when he deeded the residue of the thousand acres as unsold by his deed of 1sus it t the said lot with that deed. In connection with a lot we quote from the church records: "They did n however, continue to hold their meetings here il. >ey house), but in 1800 transferred the preachin. .. Squankum, and the first society organized, con-i.t .:.. of about twelve members, who were formed inter . class, with Joseph B. Smallwood leader. Thom. . Everhardt was the preacher at the time." The hos- used for holding the meetings was a log school-hot .... that was built upon the lot above referred to on ti - two and seven-eighths acres. The small and young society was not long left to peaceable worship in this humble place ; they encountered the opposition .: the owner or would-be owner of the log building. who was not of the same household of faith. Through. this opposition they were compelled to change their quarters, and again occupied a part of a building ths
one known as the "Sears" tavern. Here they were not long left in peace and quietness, but, as welt many others in the early days of Methodism called to suffer, so were they called to endure opposition and persecution. They were beset by a mob, though hap- pily no force was used, and reproached with being false prophets and preaching the false Christ. Thi- drove them to buy a lot and build a church. The lot was bought from William Strong, by deed dated Sept. 25, 1804, and contained one acre of land. The first trustees were John Sickler, Joseph B. Small- wood, Joel Westcott, Henry Crover, and Israel Lash- ley. They soon after built a meeting-house, which was considered very large for that time. In this meeting-house quarterly meetings were held for Gloucester Circuit, which took in a large territory. In fact, the family of John Swope say that they en- tertained in the old-fashioned hospitable way visitors and attendants upon these meetings in such numbers that the whole floors of the house would be filled with "shake-downs," as they were called, who came church was the one in use in 1839. It had a gallery around three sides, and the high pulpit, the old style movable seats, with one and two bar- across the backs, and everything as clean and neat as soap and water could make it, but no paint had been applied to the inside of the building. This building was occupied as a church till 1844, when the congregation decided to build a more commodious structure. The old church building was moved from the lot, loaned to the public for school purposes, and occupied as such for five years, when a new and commodious school- house was built.
Methodism in Squankum .- The old Hoffsey place, spoken of in the carly history of the township, has . long distances to attend these meetings. This old further claim to notice as being the birthplace and cradle in which Methodism in Williamstown was rocked. It was here that the pioneer Methodist meetings were held in this vicinity. The Hotlsey house, or an old house standing on the Hoffsey tract, was one of the preaching-places in the old Glouerster Circuit, and the history of that aggressive denomina- tion in this vieiuity runs back to 1796 or 1797. Hutchinson, Cawn, Turk, and others of the pioneer preachers are among the names of the old veteran- of the cross who dispensed the word of God in the then wilderness of old Gloucester.
The second Methodist Church was dedicated in the fall of 1844, aud occupied for church purposes till
John Williams, the owner of the tract upon which Williamstown is situated, set apart two and seven- eighths acres of land, just where the present tavern . 1860, when the congregation had outgrown this build-
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TOWNSHIP OF MONROE.
iuz also, when the trustees decided- to build a tiew The present membership of the society is fifty, and the value of church property four thousand dollars. church, provided they could raise five thousand dol- Lars. Two of the trustees were walking through a The present stewards are Moves Peace, Abiah piece of words, looking at some timber, when the. Collins, Richard Evans, and J. C. Nicholson ; Trus- conversation turned upon the new chunch project ; tees, John Pease, Moses Peace, Charles Stewart, David Bates, Joseph N. Tombleson, Samuel Gaskill, and ,Joseph C. Nicholson. taking pencil and paper from their pockets, they wrote the names of the members of the congregation, and marked at the end of each name the sum they The Sunday-school connected with this church was organized in 1859, with Jo-eph Nicholson as superin- tendent. The present superintendent is Richard Evans, with an average attendance of seventy pupils. thought cach should give to make the amount re- quired. When they got through they found their figures amounted to nearly the required sum. They had some blanks printed, and one of the trustees took upon himself the task of calling upon each individual, and received notes for three, six, nine, and twelve months for the sum fixed. all of which, except one, were paid as agreed, and the present Methodist Epi- copal Church was built, and in the tower of it was placed the town clock.
The Williamstown Presbyterian Church.1-The Williamstown Presbyterian Church was organized Sept. 9, 1840. Previous to 1510 there had been no Presbyterian preaching in. the place, but about that time several Presbyteri in families having moved into the neighborhood, a request for the organization of a i church was sent to the Presbytery of West Jersey,
The old church, built in 1814, was sold to the town- ' and a committee was sent from that body to organize ship for a town hall, and used for that purpose until 1882, when the present beautiful and commodious two-story hall was built.
Methodist Episcopal Church, Cross-Keys .- The Methodist Society at what is now Cross-Keys is the outgrowth or result of a small class formed at Chest- nut Ridge, in Washington township, in 1780, as near as can be ascertained. The place of meeting was in the old cedar-log school-house built by the Friends, which was occupied both as school- and meeting- house. This log school-house served the double pur- pose till 1835, when a frame building was erected on the site of the old log building, and this served as sanctuary and school-room till 155. when the present neat and comoodious frame meeting-house was built in the village of Cross-Keys, at a cost of three thousand six hundred dollars. The new church edifier was dedicated in 1575 by the late Bishop Scott, assisted by Revs. - Hartranft and Jesse Thompson, then preacher in charge.
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The pioneer class-loader at Chestnut Ridge school- house was Jolin Pease, with the following-named persons as members of his class: Richard Gauntt, Margaret Gauntt, Anna Pease, Hannah Young, John Peace, Abijah Collins, Patience Collins. Martha Col- line, William Corkrey, Ellen Corkrey, George W. Williams, Patience Williams, Marian Nicholson, Rev. William V. Darrow, David Hutchinson, Pri -- cilla Hutchinson, Isaac Champion, Ann Champion, Mrs. George Bakely, Moses Pease, Priscilla Pease.
In 1835, Cornelius Pease was the class-leader, and another of the poncer class-leaders for a long term was Richard Gauntt.
The following are among the many preachers who have served this people for the last century : Revs. David Duffield, R. V. Lawrence. James White, Thomas Wilson, Joseph Atwood, Abraham Lane Jacob Truatt, William Margerum, -- Andrews, Jese Thompson, John P. Connolly, Gliden Alvine, John Cakes, and John Seacrist, present pastor.
the church. The use of the Methodist Epi-copal Church having been kindly granted for the time to the Presbyterians, several services were held there, which resulted in the organization of a church of five members. The original members were John MeClue, Mrs. John MeClure, William Tweed, James Tweed, and Benjamin Harding. Benjamin Harding and John MeClure were the first ruling elders.
The church struggled forward through many dis- couragement-, being for months at a time without preaching. Rev. Mes-rs. Peck and Smythe served the church for a few Sabbaths each at different times, but it was nearly three years before a settled pastor was secured. Meanwhile, however. good progre-s had been made. The corner-stone of a church building was laid in July, 1841, and the church was dedicated in May of the following year. The cost of this church with its lot was two thousand four hundred dollars, of which sum one thousand dollars was raised at the time of dedication. Thomas B. Wood, Abel Bab- cock, Richard HI. Tice, James MeClure, Thomas Black, and Thomas Marshall were the trastees under whose care the church was built.
In April, 1846, the first pastor of the church, Rev. Charles D. Ford, asenmed charge and served for twenty- five years. Under his carnest efforts the church en- tered on a career of steady growth. The debt of fourteen hundred dollars was cleared within a few years, and year after year new members were gathered into the church. Through this constant increase the original building became too small for the congrega- tions, and in 1859 the church was enlarged by an out- lay of three thousand dollars to its present size. Throughout all his pastorate Mr. Ford preached the gospel in outlying stations around Williamstown, reaching in all ten different points, so that the intlo- once of the church has been felt over a wide region round About. Three Presbyterian Churches, at Ber-
1 By Rev. H. L. Janeway.
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
lin, Waterford, and Clayton, were once preaching stations of this church. After twenty-five years of untiring service Mr. Ford resigned the pastorate in 1808, having received two hundred and fifteen persons into the church during that time, and leaving ninety- three active members in place of the handful that he found when he came.
Rev. Chester Bridgman suceceded Mr. Ford as pastor, and had charge of the church from Oct. 18, 1869, until July 11, 1871, when the pastoral relation was dissolved by the Presbytery of West Jersey, under whose ecclesiastical jurisdiction the church, as well as the Rev. Mr. Bridgman, was placed.
On Sept. 6, 1871, a unanimous call was extended to the Rev. George H. Stuart Campbell, of Philadel- phia, Pa., to take charge of the church as pastor. Mr. Campbell accepted the call at the fall meeting of the Presbytery of West Jersey, which met at the Pres- byterian Church, Salem, N. J., and on the 7th of No- vember, 1871, he was regularly ordained and installed pastor of the church. The Rev. Caspar R. Gregory, D.D., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at ; church holds property valued at about eight thousand
Bridgeton, N. J., presided as moderator, and pro- posed the constitutional questions; the Rev. Alex- ander Prondfit. pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Clayton, N. J., preached the sermon ; the Rev. T. W. J. Wylie, D.D., pastor of the First Reformed Pres- byterian Church, Philadelphia, Pa., delivered the charge to the pastor ; and the Rev. Charles E. Ford (being invited) delivered the charge to the people. The pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Campbell extended to Dee. 4, 1876. During that time fifty-one persons were added to the church. A debt of sixteen hundred dollars on the parsonage of the church was entirely liquidated, largely through the efforts of the pastor. Rev. MIr. Campbell preached from Jan, 1, 1872, mutil Oct. 1, 1872, at the Presbyterian Church of Bunker Hill, seven miles distant from Williamstown, N. J., on every Sabbath afternoon, and he officiated at the Presbyterian Church, Williamstown, N. J., every morning and evening. After October, 1872, until December, 1876, Rev. Mr. Campbell preached at the Presbyterian Chapel at Franklinville, N. J., on alter- nate Sabbath afternoons. A debt of four hundred dollars on the Bunker Hill Presbyterian Church was also canceled through Mr. Campbell's exertions. . During the year Mr. Campbell preached at Franklin- ville, N. J., he had the chapel entirely remodeled, both inside and out, at a cost of one hundred and fifty dollars. The number of the active membership of the Williamstown Presbyterian Church (including the chapel at Franklinville, which has never been a regularly organized church, but for some years under the charge of the Presbyterian Church at Williams- town) was one hundred and ten. The condition of the church, both spiritually and temporally, was ex- cellent. About that time (1876) Rev. Mr. Campbell received and accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church, Phoenixville, Pa., which he accepted. Ae- .
companied by the good wishes of the people of : 1 charge, he went there. After Mr. Campbell's dep :: ure the church was vacant antil October, 1877. wir. a call was presented to Rev. Alexander Sevilen of Yonkers, N. Y., which he accepted. Mr. .. land continued the pastor of the church for fears. two years, and then went to labor in the West. Re: H. L. Mayers, formerly pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Millville, N. J., supplied the pulpit for nearly a year, and then accepted a call to Kittanning. Pa.
The present membership of the church number- eighty-eight. This is less than the number severa. years ago, but the church has lost heavily by removal- and deaths, overbalancing the gain by new member -. The field has also been narrowed by the organization: of neighboring Presbyterian Churches. But through all its years the church has held to what it believe i to be sound gospel truth, and the seed sown has no: been lost. The present pastor is Rev. H. L. Janeway. who has been in charge since September, 1881. The dollars.
CEMETERIES.
There are in Williamstown village three ceme- teries,-the old Methodist, on Main Street, and the Williamstown Cemetery, in rear of the Methodi -: Church, containing five acres of land, beautifully platted in driveways, walks, and burial lots. These are both owned by the Methodist Episcopal Societ; of Williamstown. The Presbyterian burial-ground lies in rear of the Presbyterian Chmch, on Main Street. In the two former may be found the follow- ing, among the many inscriptions, on tombetout. therein contained.
In the old cemetery :
Hugh Ayars, Born 1800, died 1877.
Randel Nicholson, died March 7. 1879, azzed 80 years. Drusilla Nicholson, died July 11, 1571, aged 6] years. John Young, ched Aug. 31, 1573, aged Sĩ years.
Hannah Young, died Nov. 26, 1868, aged 76 years. Tolo Strang, born Aug. 19, 1783, di d Oct. 10, 15€5.
Milligent strang, born April 4, 1702, die \ Jan. 14, 1871.
Hannah Albertson, died April 9, 1878, aged 77 years. Thomas Ware, died June 20, 1565, aged 47 yeris. John Ware, died Nov. 16, 1810, aged 41 years. George Ware, died Sept. 8, 192>, aged 57 years. William Ireland, dird April 18, 1868, aged 55 years. Sarah Ireland, died Oct. 1, 1-16, aged 61 years.
Rachel Whitecar, died Sept. 16, 1-49, aged 63 years. Pant Seats, died April 19. 1848, aged 78 years. Patience S ar-, died July 2, 194.4, aged GS years. Keziah Sears, born 1800, died 1879.
John Swope, diel May 1, 1-75, ag 1 86 years. Rosanna Swoje, died sept. 25, 1845, aged Go years.
Martha Dodine. die.l Aug. 25, 1,50, aged 3; years.
Willisin Steelinan, died Oct. Is, 16Ga, aged $2 years.
Elizabeth Steriman, died Dec. 4. 1875, aged 73 years.
Jogoph A. Steelmian, Co. C. 5th Pa. Cav , died at Aunapolis, Md., D.c 13, 1861, aged :0 years.
Thumas Whitecar, died Feb. 7, 1845, aged #3 years. Margaret FMri lge, died Nov. 1, 1805, aged 45 years. Cornelius Ppies. died Sept. 18, 1850, agrd 58 years David H. Halound,, hel Feb. 28, 1553, ageil 47 years. Peterson Flowers, died Nov. 16, 1976, aged To years.
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TOWNSHIP OF MONROE.
I-nac Albertson, died March 9, 1873, agred 64 years. Father Campbell, lied May 4, 1857, age 1 18 years.
Heuty Graver, Co, P, 25th N. J. Vola , died ut Falmouth, Vi , Juin 22, 1863, aged 34 years.
George If. Collett, died April 4, 1831, aged 43 yeats. Alexander Scott, died Feb 14, 1849, aged 75 years. Alice Scott, died March 25, 1866, aged 86 years. William Nicholson, born April 8. 1760, died May 20, 1-39. Sarah Nicholson, died Vet 1, 1>37, aged 65 years. Joseph Nicholson, djed Jan. 20, 1873, aged 78 years. Miriam Nichot-on, died Jan. 18, 1879, aged 79 years. Jacob Dehart, died August 25, 1865, aged ST years. Cornelius Dehart, died Jan. 13, 1867, aged 39 years. Edith Dehart, died Jin. 19, 1876, aged &t years.
Joseph Sykes, died March 13, 1868, aged 76 years. Sarah Sykes, died April 18, 1874, aged $0 years.
Edward Barber (soldier).
Samuel G. De Hart, died Dec. 29, 1900, aged 51 years. Charles Wilson, died May 30, 1878, aged 68 years.
Levi P. Wilson, Co. A. 10th N. J. Vols., died at Washington, D. C., May 21, 1962, aged 17 years.
Daniel Graver, died Feb. 26, 1872, aged >7 years. Thomas E. Graver, bora April 4, 1838 ; died Sept. 24, 1878. William Kirby, died Dec. 21, 1862, aged 68 years. Here lies an honest man.
In the Williamstown Cemetery :
Joseph Tidmarsh, died March 13, 1875, aged 69 years. Jacob Leigh, died Nov. 13, 1881, aged 68 years. Rebecca Doughty, died Oct. 25, 1>79, aged 50 years. Hannah Simmernion, died Oct. 17, 1551, aged 85 years.
John G. Adkisson, born Nov, 20, 1820 ; died Oct. 31, 1877.
Philip Rouee, died Jan. 0, 1874, aged 60 years.
John W. Ireland, born April 25, 1516; died Ang. 28, 1842. Amelia Smith. wed Oct. 19, 18SI, aged 40 years.
Jocl Bodine, born in Burlington County, N. J., Dec. 4, 1794; died in Camden, N. J., May 10, 1879.
Leh, wife of Juel Bonline, born in Burlington County, N. J., Feb 21, 1609 ; died in Camden, N. J., May 2, 1879. l'hebe, wife of Jiel Bodine, died Sept. 11, 1851, aged 35 years. Horatio W. Sinimuimon ; burn Sept. 16, 1805, died Nov. 4, 1872.
Jacob Hilyard, died Aug. En, 1863, aged 55 years.
Anu Eldridge, Torn Jan. 26, 1815; died Sept. 6. 1876.
Repry Tico, bon Ang. 26, 1700: died Ang. 7, 18Gu. Elizabeth II. Tice, born De. . 25, 1:03; diel Ang. 25, 1876. Jolin Intz, born Feb. 28, 1900; died June 21, lo5]. George C. Hunter, died Aug. 31, 1852, aged hy years. Christiana Hnoter, died April 27, 1852, aged bo years. Amy Ireland, dann vet $, 1836 ; died Oct. 4, 1866.
In the Presbyterian Cemetery :
Robert Sterling, died March 23, 1869, aged 49. Susanna Lutz, born Der, sa, 1846; died Sept. 12, 1-72. John Carvin, Jr .. die.l Jan. 9, 1871, aged 33. Louisa Melrose, dieI May 19, 1871, aged of. Jolin Crist, died April 20, 1851, aged 11. Ruth D. sheppard, die .! Dec. 1, 1878, aged 36. Bliza J. Mahr, died Ang. 8, 1870, aged 3%. Elizabeth Wilson, died Sept. 17, 18;2, aged 51. Robert Wilson, died Sept. 12, 15-1, aged 72.
Abel Babcock, born Pine 13, 178; died June 24, 15:9. Hannah R.l.b, died Jan 12, 15is, aged 73. William S. Elwell, born May 1, 1521 : died Ort. 28, 1879 (a soldier of Co. E, Both Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers). Jane Gaston, born June 9, 1792; died Nov. 9, 1564. Samuel Bateman, boin April 1, 1819; died Jan. 14, 1>79. Betsey Scott Bateman, born Jan. 16, 1-19; died Jan. 25, 1875 Richard H. Tice, died Oct. 3, 1864, agel 65. Hannah Tico, died May 15, 1875, aged il. Mary W. Back, died Jan. 23, Isol, aged 26. James McClnie, died Oct. 25, 1895, aged 50. Eliza MeCiure, died July 24, 1851, agel 36. James MeClure, died Match 4, 153, aged 45. Mary McClure, died Aug. 11. 1846, aged 20. Martha R. hardeon, died March 8, 1550, aged 30. Sarah Ann Tice, died Sept 19, 1840, aged 43.
I-MAC K. Vice, died Ine 13. 1571, aged 67. Thomas Bre h, died Nov. 2, 1411, agod 41. Aun Maria Back, che l Nov. 25, 15to, aged 32. Jane Twerd, dird Nov. 19, 1-37, aged 31.
William Tweed, diel Nov. 5, 1:39, aged 13. Rachel Tweed Wilson, died Oct. 25, 1916. aged 28.
John Richar Is, died April 21, 15, 8, aged 5).
Jolin Minlett, born June 11, 1834, died April 24, 1870.
Ann C. Mallett, died June 26, 1872, aged 45.
James MeQuigg, died March IT, 1870, aged 36. Martha MeQuigg, died Jan. 23, 1876, aged 50. Margaret Hemidiill, died July 10, 1865, aged 63.
Catharine Wenban, died Jone 10, 1964, aged 37.
Rachel M. Henry, died Jan. 7. 1867, aged 35.
James McLaughlin, died May 10, 1859, aged 68. Elizabeth Rodgers MeLaughlin, lied July 25, 1871, aged 65. Jane Findley, died July 9, 1x72.
K. Armstrong, died Oct. 1, 1802, aged 38.
Andrew Todd, died Nov. 11, 1870, aged 80.
Aun Charles, died Feb 17, 1850, aged 63. Thomas Charles, died May 3, 1850, aged 76.
J. Meleighan, died Jan. 17, 1dl, aged 49. Thomas Roney, born March 6, 1777, died June 20. 1855.
James Whitehead, born Dec. 18, 1800, died Nov. 23, 1851. Moore Tweed, born Aug. 7, 1823, died June 28, 1863.
Mary Ann Pfeiffer, died Out. 13, 1874, aged 43. George Pfeiffer, Sr., died Sept. 1, 1866, aged 79.
Rosina Pfeiffer, died Dec. 17, 1865, aged 78. James Moore Blair, died hily 7, 1-73, aged 23. Thomas Giunagin, bort May 3, 1833, died May 23, 1863.
SOCIETIES.
Williamstown Lodge, No. 27, A. O. U. W .-- This lodge was instituted at Williamstown, N. J., Aug. 23, 1883, by Deputy Grand Master Workman, C. H. Wilson, of Atco, assisted by a deputation from Reliance Lodge. No. 20, of itco.
The following officers were installed: P. M. W., L. M. Halsey ; M. W., George W. Ireland ; F., James Trout ; O., Elmer Hurff; G., E. S. Ireland, Jr .; Re- corder, Eli Marsh ; Fin., George W. Janvier ; Ro- ceiver, William Tront; I. W., William F. Tweed ; O. W., George W. Mellvane; M. E., L. MI. Halsey, M.D .; Trustees, J. H. Sickler, Lewis Westcott, and J. Mossbrook. The institution and installation ex- ercises took place in Twilight Hall, the place of meeting of the Knights of Pythias and Odd-Fellows. The new lodge is mainly due to the exertions of the Deputy Grand Master of the district, Mr. C. II. Wilson, who was also one of the most active projec- tors of Reliance Lodge.
The charter members of this lodge were Elmer llurff, Jacob Wilson, W. F. Tweed, George W. Ire- land, Eli Marsh, James Trout, William Trout, George W. Janvier, Joshua B. Sickler, Dr. L. M. Halsey, C. Rouse, L. Wescott, MI. Huntsinger, George Mell- vaine, J. Mossbrooks, M. S. Tice, J. Hilyard, C. H. N. Bodine, Ed. Brown, Dr. L. T. Halsey, E. S. Ire- ; land, Jr., T. B. Hewitt.
The regular meetings of the lodge are held on the first and third Friday evenings of each month.
INDUSTRIES.
The Williamstown Glass-Works .- Williamstown is located on the Squankam Branch of Great Egy Harbor River, and was for a number of years known i by the name of Squankum. In 1800 there were but
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
four houses in the village and they widely separated. The town progressed slowly until the glass-works were established and the railroad constructed, since which it has advanced rapidly in population and im- portance, until now it contains about cleven hundred inhabitants. A railroad nine miles in length, built in 1872, connects Williamstown with Ateo, on the Camden and Atlantic Railroad.
In the year 1835, Israel Ewing, Richard H. Tice, , The pay-roll calls for ten thousand dollars per month. and J. De Hart selected the locality of S quankum for a glass-works, and in that year erected one furnace. Benjamin Smith, Jr., of Philadelphia, and Wood- ward Warrick, now of Glassboro, subsequently . dred and fifty thousand dollars. The glassware man- became associated with William Nicholson in the ufactured by this firm is shipped to all points in the United States and Canada, but principally to New York, Pennsylvania, and the New England and Southern States. Shipments of considerable value are also made to California and other parts of the far West. The firm hold farm interests in three hun- dred acres, also own timber tracts, and do a large country trade in building materials, farm implement -. fertilizer«, etc. The office is connected by telegraph with the Western Union Telegraph office at Philadel- and the business was conducted for a year or two i phia, Pa., and telephone wires also run from the office to all parts of the works. ownership of the works, the firm being Nicholson, Warrick & Co. Abont this time Williamstown was substituted for that of Squankum as the name of the village. In 1839, MIr. Joel Bodine purchased the interest of Mr. Smith, and associated with him Gabriel Iszard, the two gentlemen assuming the interests of all previous owners. After one or two intermediate changes, Mr. William Coffin, Jr., then of Winslow, purchased an interest in the concern. . under the firm-style of William Coffin, Jr., & Co., when Mr. Joel Bodine became possessed of Mr. Cof-
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