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 83
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 83
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 83
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As to the value of marl as a fertilizer, it is regarded by those who have used it extensively as the most val- uable of fertilizers. The variety of substances which compose it, ranging through a list of seven or eight. each of value, operating mechanically as well as nutritively, the bulk that is applied, all favor this opinion. In much of the marl that has been used in this section of the county there was both potash and lime. While the farmer was marling he was, at the same time, liming. It is the testimony of some who, after marling, proceeded to lime their lands, that they could not perceive any benefit from the liming. It is a property of marl that adds to its value that it can be applied directly to the plant,-to the corn in the hill, to the potato and other vegetables, -while lime ean be applied only indirectly. The best maris are said to be those richest in phosphoric acid. It is a saying of those familiar with the use of marl upon worn-out lands that, ouce covered with marl, they never fail to show it, and that they never again be- come so reduced as before the marl was applied.
Considering the extensive use of marl, the great change produced by it over many square miles of farms, and the benefits that have resulted to all classes of the community, the period of land im- provement by mar) is an interesting and instructive one in the history of farming in Salem County.
Early Trade in Agricultural Products .- Soon after the arrival of the English colony under Fen- wick a trade was opened with New York, Boston, and the West Indies. The articles of export were the skins of wild animals, peltry of every kind, of which the woods, swamps, and marshes afforded an abundance, besides cedar posts, shingles, and bolts, staves, wheat, corn, some beef, pork, and tallow. A partner of these trading firms was located in New York, to whom cargoes were consigned, and on the return trips their vessels brought out such goods as would be most salable to the country people. The market-price of wheat and corn during the carly period is given, but not the exact date. The price for the former is put at three shillings nine pence per bushel, the latter at two shillings two pence per
bushel. This, being probably prior to the adoption .. the United States currency and the depreciation State currency, would be ninety cents per bushel : wheat and fifty-two cents per bushel for corn. T.i. average price of wheat and corn for the years from. 1782 to 1791 is given. for wheat, one dollar and elever cents; for corn, fifty-six cents.
It is recorded that Salem became a port of entry a. early as 1682, about seven years after Fenwick's an - val, and that it was at that time a place of some foreign trade. Vessels were regularly entered and cleared. There were exacted from vessels under one hundred tons entrance and clearance fees, one shi !- ling for each, and for all vessels of more than one huy- dred tons double that amount.
Further, fairs were established by law very soon after the settlement of the Fenwick colony. They were held on the Ist and 20 of May and 20th and 21 -: of October. At these all persons were at liberty to buy and sell all manner of lawful goods, wares, and merchandise,-an encouragment to the raising and making articles for sale, and an invitation to pur- chasers.
The Legislature of the State, at an early period. authorized the issue of one hundred thousand pounds of paper money, to be loaned ou mortgage on landed security. This was an aet to foster the agricultural industry of the State. The amount borrowed by citizen- of Salem County was sixteen thousand do !- lars. The loan-office account for this county wa- closed by Col. Robert G. Johnson, March 1, 1797.
The farming interests of the county were affected by events connected with the war for independence. and by those preceding it, involving the then present and future condition of the people. The magnitude of the interest at stake necessarily drew attention from individual pursuits, hence farms became nez- lected, and when aflairs assumed a settled condition. much was to be done to restore the lands to their pre- vious condition. It would be unpardonable, in thi- connection, to fail to record the part taken by the farmers of Salem County on the question at issne by contributing to the relief of the Bostonians during the closing of their port by Gen. Gage. At a meet- ing held in the court-house in Salem, the people of the county, sympathizing with the citizens of Boston, "unanimously resolved to give a portion of their -ab stance to assist in alleviating their distressed and op- presseil fellow-citizens of Boston." Grant Gibbon. Esq., of Salem, was appointed to solicit relief. He collected $157 38. 24., or seven hundred and sixty dollars and sixty-four cents. This was forwarded to the committee for the suffering poor of Boston by Thomas Sinnickson, Esq., of Salem. ( Vide history. by Col. R. G. Johnson.
At the close of the war the spirit of the people soon showed itself in land improvement. Old fieldi- were cleared up, new lands were added to the farm-, whereby the number of acres was increased, and.
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GENERAL HISTORY.
doubtless of more importance, the timber removed furnished increased means wherewith to carry on im- provements. The meadow- were embanked to shut out the tide-water -. New buildings were erected, and others repaired.
Merchants secured trade with foreign countries, and so opened the way to agricultural prosperity by opening new markets for farm produce. A genera- tion later, the second war with Great Britain had a decided influence upon the farming interests. The war, though not lengthy, was sufficiently so to induce citizens to buy land at high prices, on account of the high prices of produce. But this did not continue long; it fell, and land went down at the same time, eansing much trouble to all concerned. Even first purchasers, as speculators, in buying land after the war, not anticipating so great a fall, lost by still greater decline. Farmi produce became much reduced in price, and the labors of land tillers were moderately rewarded for a number of years. This state of things continued until the government adopted the policy of protection to Americau industries, -the American System, so ealled, -- which took place in 1824. It was remarked by an honored statesman, in the year 1$32, that the seven years just previous to 1824 exhibited a seene of the most wide-spread dismay and desola- tion of any since the adoption of the Constitution, and that the seven years which immediately followed
The potato, though recognized as one of the most nutritive of vegetables, hal been cultivated to a lim- ited extent. From some canse there was an increased demand for it, and as an article of food it took a high place. On this account the small portions of land previously assigned to the raising of the potato in- creased to whole fields, on which a liberal expendi- ture of means was bestowed to secure good returns. These were realized on a broad seale. Meats were largely in demand, which stimulated the grazing and fattening of animals. The high price to which poul- try attained made it of importance in the revenue of the farmer. Fruits and vegetables comman:led good prices. All these, with a low rate of taxation and of interest, moderate cost of mechanical and farm labor, combined to make the business of farming, for a period prior to the war of the Rebellion, an unpre- cedentedly prosperous one.
During the Rebellion the returns from farming op- erations were large, but the demands that fell upon this department of industry were also heavy. Of the greater number engaged in this pursuit it may be said that. after ati-fying the demands of trade, and the requisitions from county, State, and nation, they did . not add materially to their possessions.
The post-Rebellion period, to the farming commu- nity has resembled that following other wars, only intensified by the greater magnitude of the war of the the passage of the tariff of 1824 were the most pros- . Rebellion. Municipal, State, and national debts have perous since that event. There are few agricultural communities that did not realize a state of things indicating the truth of this remark.
weighed upon the people, and especially upon the farmer. Wages, both mechanical and farm, have ruled higher since than before the war. Taxes have been about double, mainly to liquidate war debts.
Since the utterance of this statement greater im- provements in the agricultural interests of Salem A high rate of interest prevailed for years after the war closed, there being exacted by law one-sixth more for the use of a dollar than before the war. Mu- tations and depreciations in money values took place. With the extension of railroads, Western trade in grain and stock produce affected injuriously the in- turests of Eastern farmers. Salem County, being largely eugaged in both grain and stock produce, has been correspondingly affected. County have taken place than ever before. The causes of the increased prosperity attendant are open to all. The demand for the varied products of the farm has been decidedly greater within the last half century than before. This implies a larger popula- tion, and an increase of purchasing means; it indi- entes men, employment, aud compen-ation. In a word, demand was ereated for farm produce, and to supply this the cultivation of farms was put into ex- Mainly through the combined operation of these eause», the pursuit of farming is at present ranked among the less remunerative occupations. traordinary requisition. The productive area was enriched, and its quantity increased. The stimulus of full hope of compensation drew to this pursuit energy Agricultural Statistics,-An examination of sta- tisties given in census reports shows somewhat of the contribution of the county towards the resources of the State. According to report for 1880, Salem County, although the ninth county in area in the State, is the first iu the production of wheat, the quantity raised being 209,670 bushels. The corn crop, by report for 1880, is put at 1,064.227 bushels, an in- crease of 315,446 bushels over that of 1860. As show- ing the changes that occur in agricultural operations and results, there ha- been, from 1860 to 1S60, 2 de- and capital. To this must be added the joint labor of seience and experience in furnishing material compounds, in the form of fertilizers, to aid in in- creasing the productiveness of the soil. In this county especially the vast stores of marl used at this period of need was an efficient aid to improve- ment. Genius, with its thought-in-pired handiwork, its useful machinery, lessened the laboriousness of many of the processes man had to perform in the great work of agriculture. It was but another in- stance of cousiderable results from small causes that . erease in the production of the round potato to the the humble vegetable, the potato, should perform so extent of seventy-two per cent., the destructiveness important a part in farming prosperity. of the potato-bug being the main cause of difference.
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HISTORY OF SALEM COUNTY.
The sweet-potato crop for isdo is put at 100, 465 it suggests the requisite means in judgment and ma- bushels ; that given for 1880 is 248,898 bushel-, nearly two and a half times as many as in 1800. The dairy products for 1580 are put at 429,902 gallons of milk, #14,559 pounds of butter, 1996 pounds of cheese.
Improved Agricultural Implements .- The farm- ers of this division of the State, largely interested as they are and have been in hay and grain products, have availed themselves of the various improvements in farming implements in the order of their appear- ing. They have regularly advanced from the rude plow, that required the grubbing-hoe as an accom- A number of citizens have shown praiseworthy efforts to ascertain the extent to which it would be profitable to fatten swine. Samuel Dare, of Pitts- grove, fattened a hog of mammoth weight ; this about 1830. Later, John Lawson, of Salem, fed one that exceeded in weight that ted by Dare. Some twenty paniment, to that constructed on mechanical princi- ples, suggested by experience; from the hand-rake to the single-row toothed horse-rake, to the double- row toothed revolver, to the sulky-rake; from the oriental mode of treading out the grain,-here the Indian corn as well as wheat,-to the toothed cylin- ; years later Judge William S. Clawson, of Wood -- cog-wheels, to the vertical conical sheller, propelled by horse-power or by steam ; and in the threshing of the wheat, from the primitive method to the single- horse endless chain, attached to a horizontal cylinder, to the two-horse endless chain, to the four- and six-
der with a fixed crank, to that worked by a system of . town, fattened one that weighed, alive, twelve hun- dred and twenty-five pounds. This animal was sold to Joseph Davis, and, after being kept on exhibition in this country for some time, was sent to London to be exhibited. Josiah Kline, of Mannington, is re- ported to have fattened a hog about this time that horse mammoth lever, to that with steam-power at- 'ranked among the heaviest in weight. Charles tached, by which the time required to get out a crop . Clark, of Pilesgrove, an extensive and successful of grain is reduced from weeks to days.
In the cutting of the wheat the sickle and cradle have yielded to the reaping-machine, operated by horse-power; to the reaper and binder, with an at- [ averaged over five hundred pounds each. Subse- tachiment for gathering together the sheaves, -a com- bination of operations effected by the power of three , a pen of twenty averaging several pounds heavier horses, under the guidance of one man. The valne of farming implements in the county in 1860 was $341,493; in 1880, 8427, 464, an increase of $85,971.
Stock-Raising .- A spirit of emulation and a desire to test the possibilities of the art of feeding animals . for the market has shown itself in the past, and a number of experiments in this direction have been made. Job Tyler, of Mannington, is named among the first who fattened cattle to an immense weight. One of these was regarded as a wonder at the time, which was about fifty years ago. This was before the successful experiment of Mr. Tompkin-, of Glouces- ter, in fattening two noted steers, the "Duke of Gloucester" and " Earl of Jersey." Arthur Green, of Upper Penn's Neck, fattened a steer of immense dimensions. The Messrs. Black, of Elsinboro, are said to have bred superior cattle. Within the past, since these successes were attained, feeders of cattle have operated on such a scale that, with special attention to animals peculiarly fitted, remarkable achievements in the fattening of cattle have been made. William Kline, of ManDington, some twenty- five years since, fattened a steer that attracted atten- tion as a fattened animal.
The raising of grain, grass, and vegetables constitutes the principal employment of persons engaged in farm- ing; and as this includes the art of land improvement,
terial resource- to accomplish success. As an adjunct of farming the care of and preparation for market of animals, involving as it does special judgment in adaptation of means to an end, the efforts of indivi]- uals in fattening cattle, hogs, and small stock have attracted the attention of the public. For grazing lands peculiarly favorable have been selected. and art applied to especially fit them for the purpose. The names of successful graviers and cattle-feeders are familiar to dealers and to the public generally.
feeder, about twenty years since fattened a hog that weighed, slaughtered, ten hundred and eighty pounds. The same year he fattened fifty-two other hogs that quently John H. Lippincott, of Pilesgrove, fattened than Clark's. A larger kind of hogs have been in- troduced of late, pens of hogs of greater average weight have been made, but whether a greater amount of pork has been made from a pen of less number than that of Clark does not appear. Clark's achievement in this line of industry is recorded in the annals of things done worthy of remembrance.
The rearing of horses and cattle carly engaged the attention of Salem County farmers. At first they ranged at large through the woods and lowlands, and were not brought into enclosures, except during the severity of the winter season. After grass was culti- vated on the farins, and pasturages were formed, par- tieular attention was paid to the raising of horses and cattle. A horse of medium size, suited to the face of the country, the heavier suitable for draught, and the lighter for the road, was the object aimed at. Phila- delphia and New York have been markets for num- bers raised here. Scions of stock noted for speed have, at different times, been introduced, and horses raised that have made records in time, ranking among the highest attained.
Agricultural Fairs .- Soon after the agriculture of the county began to assume brighter prospects, after the depression following the last war with Great Brit- ain, citizens of the county united in holding agricul- tural exhibitions.
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The first was in 1828. Col. Robert G. Johnson, year, and for two days. The interest taken in con- of Salem, was president of this association, and de- livered an address on the occasion of the opening. Col. Johnson, Dr. Thomas Rowan, and Samuel L. James, E-q., of Salem, and Michael Null, Paul Senli, and Dr. Thomas Yarrow, of Pilesgrove, were the leading men in the management. There were -ev- cral exhibitions. One of these was held at Sharp- town. There are a few reminiscences of this in the minds of those who attended. There was a plowing- match. Three entered for the premium. One soon retired. The contest was between Michael Null and Smith Hewitt, both of Sharptown. Hewitt is said to have won the premium. The celebrated horse Mark Anthony was on exhibition at the fair, having been brought there by a noted hor-eman of the time, David Smith, of Upper Penn's Neck. The exhibition was held on the farm of Aaron Pancoast, now James C. Pancoast's, near the site of the present school-house. There was an attendance from Gloucester and Cum- berland Counties.
Agricultural Societies .-- An agricultural society was formed in 1850, and incorporated in 1851. The exhibitions were held at Salem. This society had for its president William F. Reeve ; for vice-presi- dents, Isaac Senll, Samuel P'. Carpenter, and Capt. John Johnson ; sceretary, Charles P. Smith ; treas- urer, Thomas Sinnickson ; executive committee, Jon- athan Ingham, Edward H. Bassett, John H. Sinnick- son, Quinton Keasby, and Dr. Joseph H. Thompson. This association was regarded as a means of increas- ing an interest in farming in its different departments in this and adjoining counties. It stirred up to useful work. It drew large gatherings of the people to wit- ness the productions not of the farm alone, but of the arts. It was a social season. The officers chosen at a meeting held in 1870 were Richard M. Arton, president ; David Pettit. vice-president : David Davis, secretary ; Mason Vanmeter, treasurer ; executive committee, Jamies S. Johnson, P. 11. Hannah, John C. Craven, Frank Pettit, and David Davis. It is con- ceded that this society had its period of decided use- fulness; but at the last it is said that its charter was lost sight of, also the great object of the organization, and it was deemed best to cease the holding of exhi- bitions.
In the year 1870 citizens of Salem County, with those of an adjoining part of Gloucester, united in forming an agricultural and horticultural association. This was incorporated by an act of Legislature ap- proved Feb. 20, 1872. Isaac V. Dickinson, J. Morgan Barnes, Isaac Scull, James D. Lawson, Joseph K. Riley, Joshua Reeve, Jr., Charles D. Lippincott, Robert Vanmeter, and James L. Summerill, their associates and successors, were constituted a body politic and corporate by the name of the " West Jer- sey Agricultural and Horticultural Association of the Counties of Salem and Gloucester, New Jersey." The exhibitions have been held at Wood-town every .
tributing to the displays is general. The object is to encourage a laudable spirit of emulation in every branch of agricultural industry and in the arts. The officers of the association at first were Isaac V. Diek. inson, president ; Dr. Paulding, Robert Vanmeter, Col. J. W. Dickinson, and John Hanes, vice-presi- dents ; J. Morgan Barnes, secretary ; Isaac Seull. Treasurer ; executive committee, James D. Lawson, Robert Hewitt, Israel A. Hewitt, George Coombs, Charles D. Coles, Dr. Paulding, John Hanes, Charles C. Ford, Joshna Reeve, Jr., and Benjamin Tyler. The officers at present are Omar Borton, president ; Dr. l'anlding, Robert Vanmeter, Col. J. W. Dickinson, and John Hanes, vice-presidents; James D. Lawson, secretary ; Dr. L. A. D. Allen, treasurer ; executive committee, Charles D. Coles, Israel Hewitt, Robert Hewitt, George Coombs. Samuel T. Lippincott, Joshua Reeve, Isaac Dubois, Charles R. Burtt, and Barclay Edwards. The past of this association has been pros- perous. The attendance has been large. With the additional facilities for attending the exhibitions afforded by the railroad located at Woodstown, the attendance will be increased.
The people of Salem County are favored in soil, climate, and location, and in all that pertains to agri- cultural prosperity. Being part of a coast State, lying along the shore of one of the great bays and rivers of the Atlantic coast, it possesses the advantages belonging to such situations. Those who can appre- ciate the casting of their lot in this goodly heritage can never forget the trials, the incessant and perplex- ing cares which beset their ancestors in sertling on these shores, and especially the sufferings of that adventurous and great man who led them hither- Fenwick.
Exports .- The following estimate of the exports of Salem County was made by Col. Robert G. John- son, and published in the proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society for 1846:
" I will here remark that the county of Salemi con- tains about three hundred square miles, and the pop- ulation by the last census was ascertained to be 16,024.
"Grain.
Wheat, 63,919 bushels, at 90 cts $02.027.10
Corn, 356,25₺
193,127.00
Oats. 174.574
31 "
51,117.94
Buck wheat, 6,000 «
3,060.00
Rye, 2,302
60 4 1,392.00
$313,724 00
" Ment from Lir. . Stock.
Fat cattle, 880 head, average weight per head 575 lbs,
£25,300
Poik in the hour, Cop.o.m lbs., at $3. 90,000
f'alves, 1150 head at $4,50 por head .. 20005
8,0-0)
$53,325.00
Hay, straw, broms, husks
$28,400,00
I'lover, 500 bushels at $5.00 $2,50.0
Thathy. tal . 4
2.70.
1,3001
He: 1, 30,049
.45.
13,500
$17,500.00
at So per hund
Sheep, 4050 head at $2 =
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HISTORY OF SALEM COUNTY.
" Fruits
Apples, ; Iums, peaches, a ,mer Manchele, taken from Salen whaives ..
In which the people estimate guiden and field veget dies : also they have included in their sadlos fruits of different kinds This was from the principal truck-growers from the townships along the river ...... $50,475.00
" Torest.
Ship plank. 45000,000 feet, at $0 21, $00,000.00
sawed seautling, 215,000 . .15 36,750.00
Cordwood, 12, 100) cords, at 3,50 ... 42.50.00
Staves, 35,000, nt
.211 700,1%)
Houp-poles, 200,000. at .35,
7,250.000
Bark (ground .. 200 tons, at
22.010
5,720 00
Market-baskets, Hi,000, at
,31.
4,060.00
$187,730.00
"Vessel ..
Stephen Baldwin. 650 tous.
Sheunngo
Burlington.
600 4
Watagee.
450 4
Sarah Hand.
350 tons,
Fons (slaver)
250 4
29,000 tons, at $35 per ton .. ȘI01,500.00
" Sterile ps.
John McKeim. 300 tous.
Erickson ...
140 4
Empress ..
100 4
Cumberland
640 " at $3% per ton ... $22,400.00
" Schooners.
Monmouth. 140 tons.
Emma Louisa 120 *
Forrest
100 4
Two at Peunsgrove
200
Barge ..
140
Sloop Aun
60 4
Do
30 4
790 4
at 510 per ton $23,700.00
7 canal-boats.
700 4
at $15
10,500 00
Total
$158,100.00
" These vessels were built within the last six years, atlas it takes mitch time in preparing the materi ds, the labor of building them must necessarily rendel a length of time unavoidable, so as to run into different yopr -. The whole amount of their market value As above ining divided by six the number of years, makes the annual surplus $20,050.00
"There are now on the stocks building & schooners, " slomps, 5 Inrge canal-boats (largest size,) } lime-boat of outous.
"Furs and Wool.
Furs, principally sent to New York $:500
Wool.
5500
" Leither, Soap, and Candles.
$13,000
Soap and candles. 4,460
$17,460.00
" Miscellaneous.
Castings $5000
Scrap-iron 1000
Feathers and rags. 1000
Cider and vinegar and bricks 6-10
$7,640.00
Carriages .. $3000
Grain-threshing machines 923
Oil of sassafras .... 1000
Sumac, 50 tons, at $35 per ton. 1750
8769,777.00
exported. From what I have seen on board the steam !- boats from our town and have heard from the two upper township-, which send a great proportion by wagons to Camden, I am inclined to believe that we might safely set down our exportation at twenty thousand dollars."
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