History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2, Part 19

Author: Cushing, Thomas, b. 1821. cn; Sheppard, Charles E. joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New Jersey > Salem County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 19
USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 19
USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 19

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).

The Delaware Shore Railroad crosses Oldman's southwesterly, terminating at Penn's Grove. in Upper l'enn's Neck, and the various portions of the town- ship are connected with each other and points be- yond by a convenient number of good wagon-roads.

Settlement.'-That portion of Oldman's lying con- tignous to the boundary between it and Upper Penn's Neck was carly settled by the Swedes. Those por- tions bordering the Delaware River and Oldman's Creek, and extending inland, were purchased by early English landhollers and emigrants.

John Haddon, a Friend, resident in England, bought four thousand acres of John Fenwick, ex- tending from Salem Creek to Oldman's Creek, and lying partially within the present town-hip limits, bordering on Pilesgrove.

lladdon never came to America, but empowered John Estaugh, who married Elizabeth Haddon, to have this property resurveyed in 1733. Estaugh sold fourteen hundred and fifty acres to Harman Riebman about that time, and the balance of the tract wa- dis- posed of a short time afterwards, and the whole was subsequently transferred to different later comers, from whom it has passed to present owners.

Roger Pedrick, the progenitor of the numerous l'edrick family of Oldman's and other portions of Salein County and New Jersey, came from St. Paul's Parish, England, in 1662, and located near Salem. The Indians burned his cabin, and, in 1675, he pur- eba-ed of John Eldrige one thousand acres of land ou Oldman's Creek, in the present town-hip of Old- man's. The consideration was only five pounds, or two and a half cents per acre. The tract embraced the present site of the village of Pedricktown.

1 Souls of the dsin for this article was contributed by William H. Ped- rack and Thosea. Shands, I. s.

The only son of Roger Pedrick was pamed John, and he inherited the entire purchase, which was yet unbroken at the time of the death of the pioneer, leaving it to be divided between six sons and two daughters. Elihu Podrick, grand-on of John and William Somers, the paternal and maternal grand- fathers of William HI. Pedrick, E-q., of Pedricktown, became the owners of as much of the tract as had not been sold at the time they assumed possession. By them and their heirs much of the land has been sold, but William H. Pedrick, Esq., now owns one hundred and thirty acres of the original purchase of Roger Pedrick, it having been owned in the family two hundred and seven years.

The Somers family were comparatively early set- tlers, and some members of it have been prominent citizens.

Edward Mecum, Cornelius Copner, Thomas Lamb- son, Thomas Baldwin, and William Hewes were among the first English emigrants who purchased lands in the upper district bordering on Oldman's Creek. Hewes purchased a large tract direct from Penn in 1689. It was surveyed by Richard Tindall, in accordance with an order of James Nevill, of Salem. Ilis great-grandson, Hezekiah Hewes, was a cabinet-maker and undertaker in Salem as early as 1780, and he continued in business as much as twenty years.

George Clark's ancestors probably first located in Gloucester County, but he became a large landholder in the vicinity of Auburn. Thomas, his son, was born in 1742, and married Deborah, daughter of Thomas Denny. George, one of their sons, located on his father's property near Auburn.

John Seull is supposed to have emigrated from Holland to America about 1660, and located on Long J-land, N. Y. His son, John Scull, located at Great Egg Harbor as early as 1690.

Gideon Scull, Jr., his graudson, came to the site of Auburn, which was for more than sixty years known as Seulltown, where he engaged in mercantile pur- suits, dying in 1825. JIe had Dine children, most of whom became useful and influential in different walks of life, some of the sons making their marks as men of business, and some of the daughters marrying into well-known and respectable families. Sarah James Scull was born in 1759, and died in 1836. She was a recommended minister of the Society of Friends. The family belonged to Pilesgrove Monthly Meeting.

Thomas Lambson and Thomas Baldwin have been referred to as among the pioneers. Thomas and Ann Launb-on came to America in 1690, and are supposed to have located near Salem Creek, in what is now Upper Penn's Neck. They had numerous children, many of whom became well known in what is now Oldman's township, and had their residence within its borders. Thoma, Baldwin did not long remain in Salem County, soon removing to Chester County, Pa.

The last of the race of red men who inhabited the

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HISTORY OF SALEN COUNTY.

wilds of what is now Salem County died in this town- was sneceeded by Samuel Ba-sett, he by William ship in 1828 or 1829. He was known as Indian Tom, and lived in a cabin at the north end of Bradford's Swamp. Samuel Lynch and his neighbor, S. Ped- rick, both of whom were boys in 1776, believed that Indian Tom was unintentionally left, when a child, upon the removal of his tribe from this section.

Organization .- The following is a copy of the more important portions of " An Act for the division of the township of Upper Peun's Neck, county of Salem, and to create a new township of the same, to be known as Oldman's township," approved Feb. 7, 1881 :

"1. Be it rua led by the Senate und General _Family of the State of Art Jerwy, That all that part of the township of tipper Penn's Neck, In the county of Salem, lying within the following boundaries, to wit: Begin- ning at the malldle of uldnian's Creek, bring the rast turner of said town- ship, and corner of Pilesgrove township, and running along old town- ship line until it internecie the middle of the Courses Lauding road; theocr down the middle thereof to a toiblic ron'l from the I'llesgrove Ilue, year Atwood's house; thence down the Diddle thereof 1; north fifty two and three-quarters degrees west thirty-seven chaine, seventy- five links ; (2) worth twenty three degrees, forty minuter went thirty- seven chulos, twenty-five links; (3) north thirty and one-half degrees weet seventy- one chains, seventy-five links; (4, north thirty nine dr. greta, lurty minutes west seven chains, twelve links; (5%) north thirty- three aud vue half degrees west nine chinins to a public rond leading from Perkintown to the Forket bickury ; thenco north fifteen degrees west about one and a half inties to the Delaware River Rallroad, where It internette Were Hunk Run, and from thence running down the midille of the minin stream thereof, along its peueral windings, to the Delaware River, being about one mile ; thence agnare out lu the Delaware River to the ship-channel : thence up the mun shipchannel to opposite the month of Oldman's Creek ; thence equare in until it intersects the Sulem and Gluurrefer Counties' line in the middle of said creek, and from thence running up the mi ! llo of the main stream there if, along ite gen- eral windings, about twenty-one miles to the place of beginning, shall be and hotely is cel of from the township of Upper Penn's Neck, In the county of Salem, wind mude. a sejuraste township, to be known by the mama of ' The Township of Oldman's.'"

Civil List .- The following were the officers elected for 1881-82:

Township Clerk, Asa G. Turner; Judge of Election, John S. Hampton ; Inspeet ne of Election, Robert C. Pedrick, Juseph L. Hurnes ; As- Buenors, Jantes Sweeten (1-51), Benjamin 1. Stranghu (1-2); (o)- lector, samuel M. Hunt; Comationer of Appeal, Thomas s. Weatherly, Williat 11. Pedrick, David Taylor ; Chosen Treeholder, Elward 11. Green ; Surveyors of Highways, Willlam II. Mattson, Denman Layomn; Constables, John Hewitt, William P. Titos; Township Comnuitter, Alexander 1 .. Justice, Jucob Stiles, Benjamin W. Cheesenan; Overseers of Pour, John Hewitt, William P. Titu -; Pund-Icepers, Silas Pedrick, Abraham Curry.

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.

Pedricktown .- Pedricktown, the largest village in this township, was named in honor of the pioneer, Roger Pedrick, whose extensive possessions embraced its site. It is located northeast of the centre of the township, in the midst of a good agricultural country. near the Delaware Shore Railroad, enjoys a good local trade and a fine shipping trade in dairy and garden products, and has a population of four hun- dred and five.

Gregory, in 1846, and Gregory by Daniel Lamplugn in 1852. In 1$60, Lamplugh built a new store oppe- site Odd Fellows' HIall. His successors there have bien William Biddle, Charles S. Plummer, At. James l'edrick, who keeps a restaurant. Benjamin Pedrick occupied the old store after Lamplugh's ro- moval, and was succeeded by Stephen Straughn, William Allen, and others, until the establishment passed into the ownership of James Sweeten, Ien years ago, and so remained until 1882, when Swreten was succeeded by G. Spitzer. After removing from the Lamplugh store, Charles S. Plummer built a store, which he has sines occupied.

The first blacksmith was John Dennis, who was succeeded by Reuben S. Pedrick, and the latter ley Alfred Stetsler, blacksmith and wheelwright. Thomas Pedrick and Charles Saxton were early whrelwrights : Joseph E. Pedrick is a present well-known represen- tative of that trade.

Joel Haines was an early tavern-keeper. Among his successors, Samuel Lynch, John Somers, John Soos, and Samuel Bond are well remembered. Ther- has been no liquor license granted in Pedrick toown for any length of time since previous to the war, and consequently tavern-keeping there was found unprot- itable, and has been long abandoned. The old building has been destroyed by fire.

Pedricktown contains about one hundred dwali- ings, a school house and hall, two churches, several stores, shops, and business-places, and a flouring-mill doing a large business. Mueb produce is shipped to Philadelphia.

Auburn .-- Auburn is located on Oldman's Creck. in the extreme southeast part of the township. 1: was formerly known as Sculltown, iu honor of the Scull family, who were formerly large property- owners and leading citizens there. It contains our store, a coal-yard, one church, a school-house, and about fifty dwellings, and has a population of a little over two hundred.

The first store was opened at an early date by Gideon Svull, who was succeeded. about 1825, by hi- son David. Among the best-remembered of sulle. quent comparatively early merchants at the old stam have been Samuel Bolton, who kept a lumber-yard in connection with the store, William Groff, Winfield S. Love, French & Morgan, James Morgan, and John Leap. Sinec Leap ceased business the store has changed hands quite frequently. It is now kept . by Samuel Taylor. Formerly there was a store at the upper end of the village, which was kept by Mark Mayhew and others.

The Sculls carly built a blacksmith-shop, which was rented to various occupants, well remembered among whom were James Hoffman and Samuel Lot !.

The first store was kept by Hudson Springer from The present blacksmith at the old furgo is Hubert 11. early in the present century until about 1838. He corn. Joseph Poulson orcupies another blacksmith- was sucereded by Ira Bradshaw. In 1841, Bradshaw

shop of later erection.

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TOWNSHIP OF OLDMAN'S.

A coal-yard is kept by John Sivel, who rontem- plates the early establishment of a brick-kiin. Dur- iny the season two tugs ply between Auburn and Philadelphia, employed in the shipment of produce.

Pedricktown Station .- This is a hamlet near Ped- nicktown, on the Delaware Shore Railroad, which has tion of the railway mentioned. It contains a depot, a store and restaurant, kept by Samuel L. Pedrick, and the grain and sweet potato warehouse of John Burk, who does an extensive business.

Perkintown .- Perkintown is a hamlet lying south of Pedricktown, and contains only a few houses. For- merly there was a church here, which was converted into a school-house. The residents are farmers.

Five Points .- This is the name of a hamlet at the intersection of several roads just beyond the western limits of Pedricktown. It contains a church, a schon]- house, and several dwellings.

Industrial .- The energies and capital of the citi- zens of Oldman's are mostly invested in the cultiva- tion of grain, fruit, and garden produce, and as an agricultural township it takes high rank.

In various parts of the township are sundry black- sinithy' and wheelwrights' shops, mentioned else- where. Formerly lumbering and a trade in wood was carried on to some little extent.

The most extensive business conducted within the township borders is that of Messrs. William Justice & Sons, of Pedricktown, manufacturers of flour and feed, dealers in grain, coal, lumber, and hardware, shippers of sweet potatoes and other produce, and agents for the sale of guanos, super-phosphate, and crude fish. This firm handles about twenty-two thou- sand barrels of sweet potatoes, and grinds about twelve thousand five hundred bushels of wheat and about the same amount of corn yearly, doing an an- nual business of one hundred and forty thousand dol- 'lars.

The grist-mill now the property of this firm was built by William HI. Pedrick in 18-19, and owned by William H. Pedrick and by Justice & Pedrick until 1860. It has since been owned by William Justice & Co., 1800-61; Justice, Diament & Co., 1564-65; J. HI. Diament & Co, 1805-66; Justice & Vanderbilt, 1866-67; William Justice, 1867-71 ; William Justice & Son, 1871-79; William Justice & Sons, 1879-32.

A change of the mill by the introduction of rollers, how contracted for, will increase its capacity to que hundred barrels of flour and feed euch per diem.

CHURCH HISTORY

Friends' Meeting .-- The Friends early worshiped at l'edricktown, in the schoolhouse, which was ro- moved, and the present frame meeting-house built about 1812. The upper part of the building was adiled about 1853.

This society is connected with the File-grove Monthly Meeting. Priscilla Lippincott, of Auburn. preaches every First Day, and a Monthly Meeting is held on the first Sunday of each month.

Among the early Quaker families in this vicinity the Pedrick-, Somerses, Ridgways, Erwins, Hahnses. grown to its present proportions since the construc- Greens, Goodwins, Suodens, Kirlys, Perkinses, and others were prominent, and the Hugheses and Owenses, from Gloucester County, were early attendants.

The Former Church at Perkintown .- The his- tory of Methodism in Perkintown is the history of what a single earnest effort may do. In 1792, Ben- jamin Abbott and David Bartine traveled Salem Cir- cuit. Mr. Abbott was invited to preach in a log house, the home of John Strimple, about half a mile from the present school-house.

In the " Life of the Rev. Benjamin Abbott" we find the following : "An appointment had been made in Upper l'eun's Neck by John Ffirth, at the house of John Strimple, a neighborhood famous for vice and immorality, where they had no regular preach- ing nearer than ten or twelve miles. I was informed that when this appointment was made there were some persons present who were nearly men and women grown who had never heard a gospel sermon. When the day came John Farth met me at Murphey's Church. We set off, and on my way thither my mind was solemnly impressed with these words, 'I have a message from God unto thee' (Judges iii. 20). We went to William Barber's, where we dined. When we arrived at the place we. found a large con- gregation assembled ; for, in consequence of the nor- elty of a Methodist meeting, and the talk of an in- tended interruption by disolute persons, the people had generally got together." The leader of a rude band had anchored his vessel in the Delaware, in order to attend this meeting, and had sworn that he never meant to weigh anchor again until he had driven every Methodist out of the Neck. Ile ius there with his company prepared for fight. Mrs. Hews, an oldl Quaker woman, encourage:t Mr. Abbott not to be afraid. He poured out the terrors of the Jaw upon him, until he was glad to get out of the house. As he passed out a Quaker gentleman said to him, " Thou hast met with thy match." Mr. Ah- bott says, " While I was praying for him God con- vinced a woman of sin, and with her husband joined society. Blessed be God, notwithstanding all the malice of men and devils, we had a solemn and prof- itable time. Soon after a soriety was formed, and they became a precious people." Some years after the organization of the society a frame building was erceted to accommodate the people. In 1892 the present brick building was built.

Perkintown was once the centre of Methodism for miles around. a> there was no Methodist Church near. Chutcho springing up at the surrounding centres of population- Auburn. Penn's Grove, and . Pedrichtown- drew so heavily upon this society as

" For reference In early Baptist interests In Oid.nawet, "so history i.f the l'ittegrove Ih ; tist Church.

1- 1-

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HISTORY OF SALEM COUNTY.

to completely exhaust it, and in 1800 it ceased to be a regular preaching-place, and the church was con- verted into a school-house.

Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church, Auburn. -The present building, called New Ebenezer Church, was built in 1832. The old Ebenezer Church stood just over Oldman's Creek, in Gloucester County, and had stood there and was used as a house of worship for nearly half a century, but was demolished when the present one was built.

The society at Auburn was organized nearly eighty years ago. This and " Ohl Pilesgrove," three miles below, were the only preaching-places in all this sec- tion of country.

Auburn was originally an appointment on what was called Bridgeport Circuit of the New Jersey Con- ference, and was supplied with preachers from the Methodist Episcopal Conference General. Two mar- ried men were sent, one living at Bridgeport and the other at Auburn.

Among carly pastors were S. Y. Monroe, D.D., afterwards a pre-iding elder und secretary of the Church Extension Society of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, who was killed on the cars between New- ark and Jersey City in 1866; Rev. S. E. Post, who was presiding elder on the Camden District, 1877-81 ; Rev. J. S. Hei-ler, who was presiding elder on the Bridgeport District, 1874-78; Rev. J. I. Corsen, Rev. J. C. Summerell (deceased), Rev. G. H. Tullis, Rev. S. M. Hud-on, Rev. James Vansant, and Rev. Edwin Waters.

In 1861 Auburn was made an independent station. with Rev. . Joseph L. Roe as pastor. His successors have been Revs. P. Y. Caller, G. W. Dobbins, S. S. Bellville, N. Mac Nichol, S. H. Asay, Firman Robbins, and the present pastor, J. P. Connelly.

Some of the original members were Elias Jester and wife, James and Sarah Hoffman, John and Eliza- beth Butcher, Malachi Horner, Sr., and wife, Joseph Humphreys, Sr., Benjamin Heritage, and Jonathan Matson, all deceased.

Rev. Jonas, for several years a traveling preacher, but now dead, was a member and local preacher here; also lev. Jesse T. Humphreys, now a traveling preacher in New York. S. T. Horner, now a travel- ing preacher in Minnesota, was a member of this >0- ciety also. Some of its carly members still living are Elisha Horner. Joseph E. Roberts, of Camden, and Malachi Horner and wife.

The pre-ent officers are Enoch Shinn, local preacher ; trustees, Malachi Horner, Joseph 1. Horner, Elias Horner, J. M. Given, S. IT. Given, A. N. Curry, B. W. Cheesman; class-leaders, John M. Given and Malachi Horner, Er.

The membership is eighty. The Sunday-school has thirteen officers and teachers, and seventy-five scholars. Jonathan Matson was superintendent many years, and latterly Rev. E. Shinn, but at present Elias Horner is in charge of the school.

Pedricktown Methodist Episcopal Church. - The house of worship of this society was built is 1860. There had been services in the school-hou -.. twenty-five or thirty years previous to this tin Ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church cam and preached once in two weeks. The people gen. erally went to worship at the Methodist Episcopal Churches at Perkintown and Centre Square. Up to the year 1865 the Methodi-t Episcopal Church of Pedricktown formed a part of Auburn Circuit. In the same year Pedricktown and Centre Square were organ- ized into a charge, and they continue thus. At the time of the creation of the church Rev. Samuel Hud- son was pastor. His successors have been as follows: Revs. M. C. Stokes, 1865-67; J. J. Graw, 1863-69: Noah Edwards, 1870-72; James Moore, 1978 ; Jacob Price, 1874-76; George Hitchens, 1877 ; James Van- sant, 1878-79; John Morris, 1880-S1; John Wage, 1882. During the pastorate of Rev. M. C. Stokes the parsonage was built, which has been occupied by the successive pastors since.

First German Baptist Church of Pedricktown. -A Sunday-school was organized among the German residents at and near Pedricktown in 1856, and in 1859 a church under the above name was formed, and a small frame house of worship was erected at Five Points, all under the ministrations of Res. Casper Schlag. The constituent members of the society wie Caspar Schlag, Barbara Schlag, Jacob Ices, Matteu- Schneider, Exceptina Schneider, John Herti, Jacob Schleich, Dorothe Schleich, and John Schafer.

The first trustees were Caspar Schlag, John Herti, John Schafer, JJacob Schleich, and Jacob Hees. Rev. Mr. Schlag has been pastor since the organization of the church. The present membership is thirty-one.

Methodist Protestant Church, Pedricktown .-- A Methodist Protestant Society was organized at Pedricktown, and twenty years or longer ago a house of worship was built, which was dedicated by Rev. Thomas Il. Stockton. This is a station on the Bridge. port and Pedricktown charge, which formerly in- cluded Penn's Grove. Among pastors of a compara- tively recent date have been Revs. J. W. Laughlin and Isuac MeDowell. During the past year the phi- pit has not been regularly filled.

Public Schools .- This township is divided into five school districts known as Districts Nos. 41, Auburn : 45, Pedricktown; 46, Literary ; 47, Brick; 53, Per- Lintown.

The schools are well kept and fairly attended, and take rank with the best in other similar townships.

Burial-Places .- The earliest burials in this town- ship were made on the farma of the settlers. There are two public burying-grounds. One of these is the Methodist churchyard at Pedricktown; the other i: located in the southern part of the township. That at l'edricktown contains some early graves. The other is not large, but holds the remains of some who died in that section years ago.

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TOWNSHIP OF PILESGROVE.

SOCIETIES.

Winona Lodge, No. 131, I. O. O. F., of Pedrick- town, was instituted Sept. 29, 1805, with the follow- ing-named charter members: Benjamin F. Straughn, Jonathan II. Bradway, James P. Stanton, Charles O. Pedrick, David Kille, and Thomas H. Robinson. The first officers were Benjamin F. Straughn. N. G .; T. Il. Robinson, V. G .; Charles O. Pedrick, Sce. ; J. HI. Bradway, Treas. The successive Noble Grands have been as follows : T. H. Robinson, R. S. Pedrick, Edward Urion, J. HI. Bradway, Charles O. Pedrick, S. M. Layman, David Kille, W. L. Justice, S. M. Ilunt, C. C. Barber. Joseph E. Pedrick. George R. Myers, W. Hewett, 11. C. Springer, S. Sparks, J. Cor- son, J. W. Norton, J. K. Justice, William F. Hunt, James Sweeten, Martin Carney. In September, 1582, the officers were as follows : J. B. Ware, N. G. ; C. P. Corson, V. G .; T. II. Robinson, See .; E. U'rion, Treas. Meetings are held on Tuesday evening> each week.

Pile-grové has a population of three thousand four hundred and ninety-eight. Its people are thrifty and S. M. Hunt, N. N. Jordan, J. B. Ware, A. Stetser, . enterprising, education and religion are well advanced, and, socially and politically, this is one of the most im- portant townships in the county.

Logan Tribe, No. 37, I. O. R. M., was instituted at Pedricktown, Feb. 28, 1873, with the following charter members : C. O. Pedrick, David Kille, C. T. Shinn, , grove and contiguous townships in more dircet com- J. W. Norton, William HI. Park, Charles Pedrick, C. munication with the outside world than many other portions of the county. Munion, Asa Pedrick, O. T. Justice, S. R. Justice, S. M. Layman. C. O. Pedrick was chosen Fachem ; S. R. In 1881 the assessed valuation of real estate in l'ilesgrove was $1,824,750, and the personal property was a-sessed at $1,195.050, showing it to be the wealthiest township in the county, the city of Salem only surpassing it in its property valuation. Its total indebtedness was $GS1,200, the number of its voters $78, its poll-tax 8761, its school tax $5905, and its county tax $5001. Justice. S. S. ; O. T. Justice, T. S .; C. F. Shinn, C. of R. ; N. N. Jordan, K. of W. ; and J. W. Norton, I'. The successive presiding officers have been O. T. Justice, William H. Park, S. MI. Layman, C. C. Bar- ber, C. F. Shinn, David Kille. G. W. Jordan, I1. T. Gruff, I. Harbert, Thomas Roberts, E. L. James, MI. Gaventa, and R. C. Troll. The tribe numbered thirty- three members in the fall of 1882, and meetings were held regularly, Thursday evening», in Odd-Fellows' IIall.

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History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2, Part 19

Author: Cushing, Thomas, b. 1821. cn; Sheppard, Charles E. joint author Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 920

Author: Cushing, Thomas, b. 1821. cn; Sheppard, Charles E. joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 920