History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1, Part 70

Author: Cushing, Thomas, b. 1821. cn; Sheppard, Charles E. joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 856


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 70
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 70
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 70


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88


As near as can be ascertained, the pioneer class-


leader at this point was Samuel Bates, with the ff lowing-named persons forming the larger portion a This class: Marchal Bates and wife, Thomas Lary and wife, Sarah Moore, Hannah Lafferty, Stacy C' ... sady and wife, John Heaton and wife, Wade I :. Mulford and wife, Joseph Nelson and wife, James Nelson and wife, Jacob Schatt and wife, Hannah Becket, and Charlotte MIoliea.


The first trustees of the church property were Wade B. Mulford, John Heaton, and Ma-chal Bate -.


The following are among the preachers who have served this church and congregation, and is probably nearly a correct list : Revs. Noah Edwards. the first preacher in charge, Joseph Atwood, ---- Gearhart. Samuel Hugg, ---- MeDougal, Joseph Ashbrook, Joseph Pierson, William Stockton, Matthias Shimp. Levi Herr, -- Waters, Jno. Warthman, D. B. Harris, and William Abbott, the present preacher of this cir- cuit.


The trustees of the church for 1882 were Jacob Armstrong, Abram Morgan, John C. Nelson, Ed-


Soon after the class or classes were formed the building of a house of worship seemed to be the next thing necessary to be done, and in 1848 the present. church edifice, located in the village of Harrisonville, was built, at a cost of two thousand four hundred dollars. Rev. John K. Shaw, then presiding elder on this district, preached the dedicatory sermon. The . ward P. Roske, and James Nelson. The present steward is James Nelson; local preacher, Rev. John V. Becket; membership, forty ; value of church prop- erty, five hundred dollars. The Sunday-school con- neeted with this church is under the supervision of pupils.


In 1875 the present parsonage was built. This is a modern frame building, standing on the lot adjoin- ' John C. Nelson, with an average attendance of forty ing the church.


CHAPTER XLVIII


TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON.I


Geographical and Descriptive. - The territory now comprising the township of Washington was taken from Deptford iu 1836, and named in honor of "the father of his country." In the formation of Camden County, in 1844, it was set off to that county, and remained a portion of the same until reannexed by act of the Legislature, approved Feb. 20. 1871. In order to more fully define the act we quote the first section :


" Bei en elel, etc., That all that part of the county of Camden, con- prising the townships of Washington and Monroe (except that part of the township of Washington included within the boundaries of Catulon County almshouse farm, which is to remain a part of sa'l county of Camden, and be annexed and made a part of the township of Gloures. ter, in said county . shall be, and the same is hereby, annexed and made a part of the court, of Gloucester, and shall be subject to all the laws appdying to the said county of Gl acester; and the residue of the said township of Washington -halt hereafter Le known as the inhabitants of the township of Washington, in Gloucester County ; and the said town- ship of Monroe shall hereafter be known as the inhabit ints of the town- ship of Monroe, in the cotraty of Gloucester ; and the division line be- twern the townships of Washington and Monroe, on the one han ], and the towhelps of Gloucester and Winslow, on the other hand, az -aid townships are hereby constituted, shall be hereafter the boundary line betyrren the counties of Canela did Gloucester."


] By W. B. Shaw.


283


TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON.


originally, Washington township was sixteen miles


se and four miles broad. This extensive area has erty of Ephraim Watson. .on le-sened by the formation of Monroe township Al other alteration-, till it now contains but thirteen : wu-and seven hundred and thirty acres. The soil is nerally light, yet under good cultivation it is suscep- .O.le of large crops. It was what was formerly known o pine land, and in many places it still retains not nily the name but the pines.


4


The township is bounded on the east by Camden County, south by Monroe, west by Mantua and Clay- ·on townships, and north by Deptford township.


Early Settlers and Pioneer Incidents,-Among the pioneers of what is now Washington township we find the name of James Dilks, who came from England and purchased of John Ladd a tract of two hundred and seventy-two acres, the deed bearing date the last day of May, 1714. The sum paid was £30 silver money. This tract embraced what is now con- tained in the lots of land owned by Peter Carr, Wil- liam Beeket, Thomas W. Hurfl, Brooks Hurff, and the store property at Bethel.


The deed from Ladd to Dilks wa- witnessed by Sarah Ball, Sarah Eastlack, and R. Bull, the surveyor of the farm. The deed is recorded in secretary's office at Burlington, in Liber of Deeds, folio 515.


July 17, 1748, James Dilks deeded to his son, Jo- -eph Dilks, one hundred and eighteen acres of the original tract. This deed was witnessed by James Cattell, James Dilks, Ir., and Michael Fisher.


Andrew Dilks, living about a mile west from the Bethel Church, is a lineal descendant from James, through his son Joseph, grandson Audrew, great- grandson Andrew, making the present Andrew a great-great-grandson of James the first. Andrew las one son, Presmul, who has a son, Andrew War- ren Dilks.


From James Dilks, who located here in 1714, have sprung the numerous families of Dilks, or Dilkes, as some of the families still spell their names. Andrew is among the older ones now living, and is one of the most enterprising farmers in the township.


The Josiah Heritage tract is now owned by Johu Hurff, Martha Swope, and Albert Hurft.


Jesse Leonard was another of the old settlers, and owned quite a large tract of land. It is now owned by John W. Downs, sheriff of Gloucester County, Thomas W. Hurff, and Matthias Chew. These are Among the most productive farms now in the township. John Leonard's old plantation is now owned by Samuel Evans and John C. Turner. Mr. Turner also owns the farms formerly owned by Thomas and Ephraim Bee, two of the pioneers of this township. The Edward Turner plantation is now owned by the heirs of John Wilson, deceased.


The Thomas C. Creese plantation is now owned by the heirs of the late Robert Wilson.


The Elijah Poreh plantation has passed into the possession of Jesse Nicholson.


Bartholomew Carter's plantation is now the prop-


The old plantation of Maryall Turner is now owned by Jeremiah Paulin.


The plantation of Patrick Flanigan, containing one hundred and twenty-two acres, is now owned by Thomas W. Huff. Upon this farm is one of the best marl-beds in the county.


Civil List. TOWN CLERKS.


1836-37. James II. Chester.


: 1857-59. William C. Garwood.


1838-39. Thomas B. Wood. IsC0-62. Charles T. Carter.


1$40-42. John C. Turner. 1863-64. Richard Gut.


1843-44. Jonas Keen.


1871-75. Jesse K. Prosser.


1815-47. Richard Gant.


1876-81. John Wilkins.


1848-51. Isaac S. Turner.


18-2. Jezse K. Prosser.


1852-56. Charles W. Sailer.


ASSESSORS.


1836-37. Joel Wood. 1857-59. John W. Downs.


1:40-11. Thomas B. Wood. 1800-62. John D Heritage.


IS12-45. Isaac S. Turner. 1503-61. Daniel W. Bakley.


1540-47. Ira Bradshaw. 1871-73. William Beckett.


. 1848. Gerrard Wood.


1874-76. Charles Swope.


1 1849-51. Wilham C. Garwood.


1977-$1. Thomas F. Farley.


1852-53. Samuel D. Sparke.


1882. Thomas W. Huri, Jr.


1854-56. Abijath S. Hewett.


COLLECTORS.


1836-38. Joseph Hurff.


1856-58. Simon Rammel.


1839. Andrew Dillis.


1850-60. Jesse R. Turner.


1840-42. Thomas W. Hurf.


1861-62. David C. Wood.


1843. Thomas B. Wood.


1503-64. Thomas F. Farley.


1841. Peter S. Eliott.


1-71. Isaac Champion.


1815-51. Joel Steelman. 1872-74. Joseph T Hurff.


1852-51. David Ward. 1875-78. Daniel W. Wood.


1855. Charles Wilson. 1879 82. George G. Weatherby.


CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.


1>40-43, 1SC1. Germrd Wood.


1857-58. Edward S. Ireland.


1840. Jacob Park.


1859-60, 1:75-77. David C. Word.


1811-45. Josiah Heritage.


1802-61. Sammel D. Sharp.


1.44-46. Williams Corkley.


1871. Biram Wilkins.


1546-48. Thomas W. Hurff.


1871-73. Eli Gant.


1847. Samuel B. Porch.


1872-74. 1-75->0. George Hurff.


1518-49. John Harding.


1374 -76. Benjamin F. Sickler.


1849-53. John W. Downs.


1877-78. Abijah S Hewitt.


1830-52. John Wilkins.


1879-60. Joseph A. Leep.


1853-35. Andrew D. Turner.


1881-82. Jacob P. Williams.


1:54-56. John F. Dodine.


John Eavans.


1856-58. Randal E. Morgan.


TOWN COMMITTEE.


1936-37. Paul Scars. Thomas C. Crease. Nicholson.


1836-10. Randal W. Morgan.


IN14-45, 1-48-49, 1857. Chas Camp- bell. 1845, 1617, 1:57. Alijah S. Hewitt.


1836-38. Samuel C. Sharp.


1838-39. James HI. Chester.


1-32-13, 1945-46, 1sts. Geo. HImiff.


1546-47. Thomas Marshall.


1838. Jacob D-hart.


JNIG, Matthias S. Simermin.


1833. Jacob Wick.


1539-40. Thomas Black.


1 -10-11, 1844-46, 1-31-52, 1$59-6), 15/6. Joei Wond.


1540. Israel Ilewin.


1:41-42, 1:48. Abell Babeoch.


1841, 1814-45, 1819-52, 1550-61. William Gardner.


1841, Josiah G. Hewen.


1842-43. John Downs. Thomas D. Wood. William Corkley. 1843-11. John Turner Carp.


1410-52. Julın Wilkins. Sminuel P. Tice. --- 1850-55. Andrew Dilks, Jr.


1850. Richard II. Tice.


1>51. Christopher Sickler.


1-52-56. John Prosser. 1-23, 1853-59, 1861-64. Isaac S. Turner. 1853-54. Jesse B Thompson.


1:53-55. Jesse R. Turner.


1844, 1816-17, 1850-51. Joseph :


1817. Gerrard Woud.


1448-19. Jacob Parks.


1:15, Thanas P. J'aith.


284


HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.


1853. Richard Stevenson. 1:54-55, Jorl >treiman.


1:51. Job D. Eldridge.


1-55. Simon Humel.


1836, 1871-75, John N Wick.


1856. Andrew D. Turner.


1856, 170-80. John W. Downs.


1873-75. Clark J. HurD.


Is57. William H. Bodine.


1-57-58. Charles W. Sailer. Isas, John Handling.


1874-13. George Bakley. Randle Nicholson. 1876-17. Jesse S. Nicholson.


1:58, 1:60-62, 1564. Coarad Hires.


Edward Scott.


1559-61. Randal E. Morgan.


1850-0, 1-72-75. John S. Wood.


1861-63. Moses Crque.


1862-63. David Ward.


ISTs-s1. Evan D. Pearson.


1863-61. Jolin Pease.


1881. William Beckett.


1264. David C. Wood.


18$2. Deunis Colliu.


1$71-72, 1878-80. James }:, Cook.


John Wilkins.


CONSTARLES.


1836-42. Isual Dill.


. 1855-56. Emluy Gifford.


1-36-39. Joshua Eldridge.


1857-58. Joshua Eldridge.


1-42-45. Thomas J. Cheeseman.


1839. Jesse Il. Turner.


IS43-46. 1:50-54. Sam'l D. Spaks.


: 1860-63. Thomas F. Farley.


1546. John Elwill.


1:71-79. Benjamin Batchlor.


1847-48. Nich ird II. Tice.


1881-82. Johu S. Barret.


1:49. John Harding.


JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.


1838. Jacob Wick. 1855. Thomas S. Batman.


1939-40. J.ups H. Chester.


1871. Daniel Aldridge.


1543-46, 1850. Joel Wood.


174-76. Jonas Keen.


1945-46. Thomas T. Firth.


1475. Thomas Pilling.


1650. Samuel P. Tice.


1877. Jesse P .. Turner.


1851, 1856, 1861. Isaac S. Turuer.


Is78. Daniel L. Lamb.


1851-56. llosen Hustrd.


1880-8 ?. William C. Nicholson.


1853. Paul H. Sickler.


Iss1. Charles Dakeu.


1-53-60. William C. Garwood.


JUDGES OF ELECTION.


1840. Josiah Heritage.


1537-55. Claten B. Tice.


1841, 1×45-18. Joel Wood.


1859-01. Daniel W. Bakley.


1542. Thomas B. Wood. : 1803-04. Isaac S. Turner.


1843-44, 1852. Joel Steelman. 1×71-75. Jolin S. Wood.


1849-50. William S. Elvall. 1872-74. Thomas Pilling.


1851-53. Abijah S. Hewitt. 1×76-79. Charles Bakeu.


1851, John N. Wi.k. 1650-82. Henry Sybitt.


1855-50. John W. Downs.


VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.


Turnersville is a small village situated on the easterly border of the township, on the line of the Williamstown and Good Intent turnpike, and at the head-waters of Timber Creek.


Among the pioneer settlers at this place were John Turner, after whom the town is named, Peter Cheese- ! man, Henry Hurff, and John Williams. Turner's . was formerly owned by John and Samuel Porch, and


Daniel Lamb, baving become one of the heirs of Porch by marriage, sold, in 1833, seventy acres of land to Thomas W. Hurff. a carpenter by trade. At that time there was but one house in what is now Hurffville proper. In 1841, Mr. Hurff built his pre -.


tract covered what is now the northerly part of the subsequently by their heirs. village of Turnersville, and the tract of Peter Cheese- man the other part of the village, or rather the other part on which the village is located. The pioneer store in this vicinity was that of John Turner, and was kept in the front part of the house where Joseph Turner now lives, about three-quarters of a mile | ent residence, also his old store-house, and the same from the centre of what is now the village. He com- menced here in a sort of primitive way, with but a few goods, such as were actually necessary for family use, and increased his stock as trade through the de- velopment of the county demanded, and continued the business here till 1840, having commenced iu 1800.


Having a large tract of land as well as his mu re tile business to attend to, he transferred the st .. business to his son, Jesse R. Turner, and built store-house on the site now occupied by the store George G. Weatherby. He also built the store a. . dwelling occupied by Frank Van Sickler, and sub . quently sold to a Mr. Godshall. Jesse Turner was sie. ceeded in the old store by William Garwood, the :. came George Ilurff, followed by Andrew D. Turner then Joseph and Daniel Turner, and Joseph sul .... quently sold the property to Daniel Turner, wlan rented it to Mr. Weatherby.


The pioneer blacksmith at Turnersville was Lemt: Sheldon, in the shop now occupied by W. HI. Carter, and a man by the name of Brown was the pioneer wheelwright.


The pioneer san -mill was built by Isaac Collins in 1800, and stood on the site now occupied by the saw. mill of Joseph Prosser.


The old stone grist-mill was the first of its kind in this vicinity, and was built by Peter Cheeseman some time previous to 1800. It is now owned by Abram Nash. The next grist-mill at this place is the one now owned by Thomas Brady and Samuel Sharp, Ji. It was built by John Turner for John Williams a few years after the Cheeseman mill was built.


Israel Furth was a school-teacher here in 1825. Andrew Turner was the first postmaster, and Frank- lin Van Sickler the present one.


There are at present in Turnersville one saw-mill, two grist-mills, two stores, blacksmith-shop. shoe-shop. school-house, and Methodist Episcopal Church. Tin population of the towa is about one hundred and fifty.


Hurffville is situated in the southwest part of the township, six miles southeast from Woodbury, the county-seat, and two and one-half miles from Barn- boro Station, on the West Jersey Railroad. The vil- lage of Ilurff'ville incIndes the settlement long knows as " Bethel," the two settlements numbering about sixty-five dwellings. That portion of the settlement on the east side of the creek came to be known :: Bethel as early as 1800, from the fact of the Method- ist Church located there having been given that name. The land on the west side of Bethel Creek


year built three dwellings or tenement houses alou! the road northwest from his residence. At the erer- tion of the last house, John Brick, a blacksmith. named the embryo town " Hurffville," which nani. the town still retains. Mr. Huif now owns eleve! dwelling, in the little town, a fraction more tl .. Ione-sixth of the total number in the village.


...


IST1. Joseph T. Hurd.


IST1-13. Jesse S. Hanf. Paniel W. Woo !. 1571. William Hamilton.


18.2. David Hurg.


1973. Thomas T'. Farley.


1570, 1877-78, 1881-82. Joseph Gardner. 1870-78. Himno Hurff.


285


TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON.


1-


The pioneer store was that of Mr. Hurff, and for twenty-one years, 1811 to 1862, his was the only store


6. Richman, who in 1862 opened a small store, now kept by Mrs. Richman, Mr. Richman having deceased within the last year. Thepre-ent store-house of Mr. Hurff was built in 1872. The third store in Hurff- ville was opened by John W. Chew, in 1870 or 1871, he having built at that time the store-house located opposite Bethel Church. He was succeeded by Rob- ort C. Clark, who purchased the property in 1880, and still continues the mercantile business.


The pioneer blacksmith at what is now Hurffville was John Brick. llis old shop stood a little north- east from Hurff's old store. The next blacksmith was David Ward. He purchased a building-lot of Mr. Hurff, and built a shop and dwelling-house. The present blacksmiths are Evan D. Pearson and Joseph Kercher. There are also two wheelwright- shops at this place.


The pioneer tavern-house at this place was built by Charles Pearson, in 1860, and it is now owned by Wil- liam Gilmour. It was kept, in 1883, by J. L. Tomlin.


A post-office was established here in 1852, and named Hurffville, with Thomas W. Hurffas postmaster. John- son Becket was the pioneer mail-carrier. He wasrun- ning a stage between Philadelphia and Glassboro, and when this office was established he was induced to make a deflection in his route in order to take in Hurffville. This was done at the expense of Mr. Hurif, as he had agreed with the post-office depart- ment at Washington to pay all the expenses for carrying the mail between this place and Philadel-


15- store, opposite Bethel Church. Mails are received and despatched daily by Fisler, who runs a stage from Ilurffville to Barnsboro, on the West Jersey Railroad.


BURFFVILLE CREAMERY, located in the village of Ilurffville, was built in 1880, and openel for business June 15, 18ST. It was built by John McClure, James MeClure, and Levi Parsons, and bas at present ( 1883) . a working capacity of five thousand pounds of milk per day, with room in the building for double that amount. The land upon which the creamery stands (one acre) was purchased from Thomas W. Hurff. Mr. Parsons retired from the firm in January, 1882, sole owners. William S. Burrough is the present superintendent of the creamery.


leaving then, as at present, the MeClure brothers the . office of Gloucester County, lib. C of deeds.


There is also at Ilurffville a lodge of Knights of Pythias and a lodge of the Mystie Chain.


CHURCHES.


Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, Hurffville,1 founded in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy, and incorporated the 17th day of l'ebruary, 1819, as follows :


" THE STATI AF NEW JERSEY.


" Whereas the Religious & Plety or congregation of Christians of the in the little village. The next store was that of C. I Methodist Episcopal church at Bethel in the township of Detfond in the county of Gloucester and State af gerald, does consist of and amount to thirty furailies and upwards as by the act entitled 'An art to Incor- porate Trustees of Religious Societies passed the thirteenth day of dune in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred & ninety-mitte. D' lassemble on the Seventeenth day of Februny An. Lighteen hundred and nine- teen, at the Meeting house above said, & by a plurality of Votre of such of the Society and congregation as were present having given ten dayz notice agreeable to Law, Did Elect Meryall Turner, John Downs, Jessee Pratt, Andrew Ware, & Chester Pillks, as Trustees of said Society & congregation, by Virtue of the bef re recited act.


" And the said Meryall Turner, John Dowes. Jesse Prate, Andrew Ware, and Chester Dillis, as trustees aforesaid, biving severally taken and subscribed an affirmation to support the Constitution of the United States, and the affirmation prescribed by law of this State, and an affir- mation for the faithful discharge of their dutys as trustees afortsaid, as by these respective affirmations hereafter annexed will more at large appear, do tike upon themselves. by virtue of the above-recited act, the name of ' The Trustees of the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church in the township of Debpford, in the county of Gloucester."


" In testimony whereof they have hereunto set their hands and scals, this seventeenth day of February, A.D. eighteen hundred and nineteen.


" MERYALL TURNER, " JESSE PRATT, " ANDREW WARE, " JOHN DOWNS, " CHESTER DILES, " Imeter.


" Witness present, " REv. PETER VANNEST, " JOHN FFERTH."


Next follows the statement of the fact by Justice Fferth that the above-named trustees appeared before him, one of the justices in and for the county of Gloucester, on the 17th day of February, 1812, when each subscribed to two affirmations, the first bound them to support the constitution of the United States, and hold trne and faithful allegiance to the phia for a term of four years. Robert C. Clark is , goverment of the State and the authority of the the present postmaster, and the office is kept in his , people; and, second, that they would faithfully, im- partially, and justly perform all the duties enjoined on them as trustees of the Bethel Methodist Episco- , pal Church, in the township, county, and State afore- said. Each of these two affirmations were required of each of the trustees separately ; all of which was then recorded in the clerk's office of Gloucester County, in DD, folio 190, of deeds.


Next in the archives is the copy of a deed from Aaron Dilks and wife to the Rev. Francis Asbury and others, in trust for the use of the Methodist Dpis- copal Church, or Society, of North America, dated March 10, A.D. 1794; also recorded in the clerk's


Copy of Deed .- Elijah Porch to the trustees of the Methodist Society, recorded in elerk's office of Gloucester County, in lib. O, folio 513, ot deeds, dated April S, 1811 :


" John Eearley and Andrew Dilks to Meryall Tur- her, Jesse Pratt, Andrew Ware, Chester Dilks, and John Downs, trustees of Bethel Church, the meeting- house and lot of land containing half an arre, and to their successor- in office forever." Recorded in the clerk's office of Gloucester County. bb. DD, fol. 232, of deeds. This indencare bears date Feb. 24, 1813.


1 By Elijah F. Watson.


= r. 0 r, 11 F- = 18


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286


HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.


Following is the deed in tru-t in full, giving all the duties of trustees, together with all privileges and purposes for which said house and grounds were originally intended, in detail, viz., to be held in trust for a place of worship and burial-place, and no other purpose, and use of the Methodist Episcopal Society of Bethel.


Following this on the record is a deed for a lot of land lying before Bethel Church.


" From John Tonkin and William Tonkin to Meryall Turner, Jesse Pratt, Andrew Ware, Chester Dilks, John Down, trustees of Bethel Church, and their successors in office." Dated Feb. 22, 1819. 'there are in her archives evidences of antiquity Recorded Feb. 23, 1819, in the clerk's office of Gloucester, in lib. DD, folio 226, of deeds. The lot on which the school-house now stands contains thirty-five-one-hundredths of an acre, more or less.


Directly following this last deel of the old church property is recorded the following. which is so concise and business-like, and written so long ago by hands long since returned to dust, that we cannot refrain from copying the entire page :


" Be it remembered, that on the first Monday in February, eighteen hundred and twenty-one, we, the trustees of the incorporation for the Methodist Society at Bethel, did meet at the house of Meryall Turner, for the purpose of organizing ourselves for business, at which meeting . glory such as is seldom seen or felt this side the river was chosen by election John Downs, president ; Jesse Pritt, secretary. ; And business being commenced, we proceeded to note the expenses per- tamning thereunto, and first,-


" To expenses for a book of records .. $2 50 To cash paid to John Fferth for services in surveying the gronuds pertaining to the meeting-house, and writing deeds for same .. 5.00


For recording two deeds and the incorporation 2.50


To the lot of ground purchased of John and William Tonkin, for the lise of the somety above mentioned ... 53.00 To expenses paid for Fitth at Mrs. Tailor's inh for mian and


horse.


563.6215


"JESSE PRATT,


" Secretary."


The first subscription-list recorded is for the pay- ment of the bill just mentioned, consisting of forty- two names, in sums from fifty cents to five dollars, amounting in all to 862.25, and acknowledged by the trustees by the following minute, viz. : "The trustees , received, Feb. 5, 1822, on the above subscription, $62.25, to rebut the amount on the preceding page. Jesse Pratt, secretary."


which we will not stop to write, but simply give the aggregate amount, 801.94, all in lumber. except 83 cash. Following is another bill itemized for another shed, with each donor's name annexed, and the amount donated carefully recorded in detail.


On Oct. 28, 1823, is recorded an election, or re-elec- tion, of trustees, together with the affirmations sub- scribed to, according to the then existing law, the names of Josiah Heritage and Presmeal Dilks being added. Quite a lengthy account is given of the ap- pointment of a sexton al this time. At this point alzo occurs a list of names, sixty-four in number, a


subscription for an aggregate of $44.75, to purel ... . stoves. Some settlements of minor importance ... recorded in 1824, and no elcetion of trustec- is r . corded until September, 1839, when, after havi : given ten days' notice, John Down, Andrew Di.k. Josiah Heritage, and Presmeal Dilks were re-elect i and Thomas Chew, Elisha D. Chew, and Joel Wo .. ] were elected.




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