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 30
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 30
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 30
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Capt. James Dunlap, of Upper Pittsgrove, was the son of Capt. James Dunlap, Sr., of Penn's Neck, whence the Dunlaps came from Delaware. The family are supposed to be of Irish descent. James Dunlap died in 1758.
The names of early members of some of these and other families who were identified with churches at their organization in Upper Pittsgrove, and are most of them reasonably supposed to have been residents of the township, are as follows : Baptist (1771), John Mayhew, Sr., William Briek, Jacob Elwell, Jolin Dickinson, Cornelius Austin, Samuel Brick, Johanna Mayhew, Eleanor Nelson, Esther lewes, Hannah Elwell, Matthew Aarons, Pamannah Garton, Fulida Hudson, Matthias Dickinson, Phebe Nelson, Reu- hama Austin, and Rachel Brick. Presbyterian (1741), Rev. David Evans and the families Dubois, Van Meter, Newkirk, and Mayhew. Later the Coombs and other families united with the last-named society.
Judge David Davis, third son of John Davis, a prominent carly resident of Pilesgrove, and one who left the impress of his character on the township and
492
HISTORY OF SALEM COUNTY.
county, owned a large tract of land near the Presby- terian Church in Pittsgrove, on which he built a roomy and substantial brick house, which is still standing, and in which he lived until his death, at the age of sixty. His wife, Dorothea Cousins, an Englishwoman, lived to the age of ninety-six. Thomas Chalkley wrote that in 1740 he had a religious meet- ing at the house of David Davis, and benches were brought from a neighboring meeting-house, which is presumed to have been the old log Presbyterian Church, which stood near by. He further stated that the meeting was large, and the people were orderly.
Organization .- Upper Pitt-grove was set off from Pittsgrove by an act of the Legislature approved March 6, 1846.
Civil List.
CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.
1846, 1819. Judah Foster.
Isto, James A. Dare.
1841. Jonathan Burroughs.
1×61. Hobert l'. Robinson.
1846-48. Le Johnson (24).
1961. Samuel Borton.
1818. Charles Brown.
1ss:, 1406-67. John W. Janvier.
1:49-50. James Van Meter (2d).
1602, 18+4-65. I-aac J. Newkirk.
1-50-51. Samuel S. Bean.
ISGA. Francis A. Camp.In.Il.
1:50-2. Hartan Richwan.
1883. William Beckett.
1-32-33. Joseph Conk.
1864, 1575. Charles F. Il. Gray.
1853-54. Benjamin F. Johnson.
1865. Henry H. Richman.
1231-35. Annuins G. Hicher.
1855-56. S.nnuel Dubois,
1948-19. William A. Cool.
1×56, 1-18. Benjamin F. Pean.
1>68-tu. John Bish. . p.
1857. lraac John-ou.
1-71-79. Allen Moure.
1857. James Hurst.
1873-74. Will'nm .A. Wood.
1:58. Cornelius Nowhisk.
1576-75. Hiram strang.
1849. Israel Conover.
1879. William Newkirk.
1819. William Loper.
18:0-81. I. F. Riley.
1260. Leonard Swing.
1882. HHiram W. Smith.
CI.I.RKS.
1846-48, 1-70-71. Clement Now. -- Cornellus D) kirk.
COMMISSIONERS OF APPEAL ..
141, 1,50. Thomas Harding, Jr.
1800-11. John Bishop.
1,14 47, 1×19. Su) Deau.
1560 -- 61. Benjamin 1.1w. 11.
1846-47, 1819, 1:55-36, 1860, 1850. Willian A. Cumnls. 1×47. Thomas Peacock.
1613. John Martin.
1818. Govige Dickinson.
1818. 1855, 1866. David Hean.
1-4. John Vanmeter.
1850-52, 1563-65. Joseph C. Nelson.
1865. John B. Harris.
1650-52. William La.per.
ISC6. John Ganut.
1:06. John Inlks.
1853-51, 1-61-65. Abijah Dubois.
1-53. Clement B. Richman.
1574-55, 1857-59, 1861. J. W. Jan- vier.
1853-55. 1837-55. Samuel l. Riley. 1864. John Wilson.
1835. l'eter Beckett.
1876. Oliver Alderman.
1877-80. A. D. Kichman.
1882. T. C. Avis
ASSESSORS.
1:16-47. James Coombs.
1861. Moses Thonins, Jr.
1448, 1553-54. William Richman. 1549, Wallace Taylor. 1x64-65. Joseph L. Richman. 1566 -67. Joseph Nowhich.
1850-51. Matthew N. Foster. 1568-73 Abram Cochran. 1874-76. Imvid B. Elwell.
1552. Edmond Dabeis.
1-53-56, 1.62-14. C. 11. Newkhk.
1877-60. Charles li. Eurt.
. 1×37.58. Garrett Dubon.
| 1431-82. Onew Il. Newkick.
. 1850-60. Dasil Sithatis.
1856. William Cooper.
1856, 1858, 1860. Thomas B. Moore. 1837-58. Benjamin C. Sitheu.
1×59. Samuel Johnson. 1560-61. Garrett Duhml -.
1860-61, 1866. Clarence Streeper.
· JeGl. Benjamin F. Hiệnn.
1869. Sammel Edwards.
1862. Benjamin Elwell.
1863. Matthias Kandle.
1663-65. Damon T. Dickiusan.
1.18, 1861-62. John R. Alderman.
154. Hammını kichen. 1618, 1841-62. Corneliu- Dubois.
1840-4001. 1-37-55, 1802. James A. Dare, Jr.
1849-60. Filward Dubois.
1810, 1871, 1-57. Darid S. Dean.
1:50. Tonie Johnanu (2d).
1550, 1:54-5. William Løper. 1850, 1552-33. William Beckett.
1550. George Dickinson.
1850, 1872. John Dilks.
1×50. George R. Martin.
1850. George W. Janvier.
1851-52. William M. Newkirk.
1851-52. Stunnel Garrison. 1$52. Ananias G. Kicher.
1873. Henry P. Ketchum.
1850. Joseph Newkirk. 1554. Charles Brown.
1867. Bartholomew Coles.
1850, 1×67. Garret! Dubola.
1968-74. Enoch Maybew.
1851-53, 163-56. Joseph Forter.
1605-73. Samuel Martin. .
1574 Elmer Gaunt.
1675. John B. Dunham.
1975. Joseph C. Lambert.
1854-5. Isaac Julitaon.
1:75. Charles H1. Powell.
1.64. Samuel Dubois.
1877-78. Ilenezer 1 .. Sheppard.
1-37. Jeptha I.implon.
1×79. Saintel 31. Johnson.
1979. Charles Hitelner.
1857-58. Leonatil Swing.
1580. Adam S. Craf ..
1639. Znccheus Bassett.
1881-82. Ambrosy Whitaker.
18.9. Benjatuil C. Sithen.
: 18-2. James Mel'arland.
1×50. John Ti. Alderun.
1842. I'dwand Buzby.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1346. Jere lich Dubole.
1846. Wallace Taylor.
1516. JJeremiich l'unter.
SURVEYORS OF HIGHWAYS.
1846-48, 150. 1835, 1556. Ambrose | 1560, 1971, John Mayhew. Whitaker.
1×70, 1:75. William Say res. 1846-47, 1-57-55, 1-61-62. Henry | 1570. David Hewitt.
Harding
154 -- 501, Garrett l'rickett.
1-49 Seth Loper.
1×50-51, 1933. John l'inyard.
1451. Martin Nivon.
1852. Harman Richman, Jr.
1852-53. William G. Kelly.
1-AH, 1.0. William B. Brown.
1854. Damon T. Dickinson.
1855-56 Andrew Serran.
1-57-55. William A. Coumls.
1639. Francis B. Harris. ISC7-68, 18;1-75. 1473-81. Henry Counibs. 1867. John A. Newkirk.
1867, 1572. Francis B. Harris.
151.3, 1x-2. Jeredlinh Duluiis.
1868, 1570-71. Adam S. Graff.
15%(-82. Benjamin D. Brooks.
1880-81. Ibram W. Smith. 1882. Henry J. Dubois.
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE.
1846-17. J.conurl Swing.
1516. Thomas R. Clement.
Is46, Isil. Jonathan Burroughs.
1846, 1855 -3G, 1364. Garrett Prick- ett.
1815-47, 1543, 1859. Matthew N. Foster.
1-47. 1x50, Jeptha Hampton. 1$47. Chule- Brown.
1847. 1859. Cornelio. D. Newkirk.
1813-49, 1853. J.nuthan 1. Swing. 151%. derewith Funter.
1663-64. Helon l'aster. 1>€3-66. Mosrs T. M. Garrison.
1863. Elljah Dabois. 1961. Jusinh Garwood.
1864. I-pue J. Newkirk. 1565. Benjamin F. Burt.
1865. Benjamin Robinson, 1565. Francis M. Swing. 1566-67. Enuch Mayhew.
1506, 18: 0-78. Juryb H. Menn. 1969. Abraham K. Swing.
1$67, 1871-23. John B. M1 minde. 1840-50, 1853-54. Henry Newkirk 1851-52. Benjamin C. Sithens. 1556. William Richman.
1857-50. Mosrs Thomas, Jr. 1860-61. Albert Coombs. 1862. George Coom!s. 1863-64. Willian: R. Tinker. 1865. Charles S. LIwell. 1806-67. Feredinh Habofs. 1808-69, 1873. David B. Ilwell. 1×72. Charles R. Burt. 1874-75, 1884. Joseph N. Cray.
155G. Hobert Patterson.
1856. Williams Urion.
1.72-74. James MeFalland.
1872. 1-anc Newkirk. 1872-73. George Coombs. 1873-74. Allen Moore.
1874. Bennett G. Pancoast.
1874. Robert J. Summerili.
1875. 1877. Charles F. Newki:k
1873-76, 1878. Wm. M. Newkirk 1875. Clement Nrwkirk. 1876-78. Joseph L. Richman.
1876 Charles R. Burt. 1×76. Jacob Sarish.
1577-78. Charles Witcherr. 1978. James T. Mayhew. 1877. Joseph Ackley. 18:9. David B. Elwell.
1879. Millard F. Hiley.
1565-69, 1871. Charles Campbell. 1869. Charles C. Garrisati. 1863-71. Forman Wentzell.
1541-02. Junnthan Dubois.
1×02. leaish A. Darc.
| 1869. Hollins L. Foster.
1863-04, 1870-75, 1980-61. HAIman Richman. 1863, 1676-78, 1-80-81. JA *. Wurst. 1864-63. John Baldwin.
1×53-54. Juhn C. Bichman.
1853, 1868-74, 1876, 179. James Coonit.a.
1-57-54. Robert Patterson.
J93
TOWNSHIP OF UPPER PITTSGROVE.
TOWN MI HERINTENDENTS.
! 1º. Th mas R. Clement.
1 - 27-71. William A. Wood.
1. 1-32, 1:03-64. Nathani-l G. 1:35-56. Ebenezer L. Sheppard.
150, 1:58-12. James Coombs.
1865-66. Henry I1. Elwell. 1.05. Alnam Cohrao.
JUDGES OF ELECTION.
1-46, 1-19. Charles Brown.
1:17. Jeremiah Foster.
1863-65. William lichman. 1×66. Samuel Edwards.
1545. 1-59.641. Lonne Johnson (2d).
1869, 1>:1. Franc'+ B. Harris.
rin. Joseph C. Nelun.
1669-70. John B. Mounce.
1550, 1837-58. Judah Foster. 1-51. George Dich Ina03. 1852. Daniel R. Ackley.
1-69-70. Samurl D. Bitchner. 1$70. William Curry. 1872. Benjamin F. Dean. 1873-74. David Dran.
1-73-51. Peter Beckett.
1976. Hamman Richmao.
1875-76, 1878-54. D. P. Cochran.
J&61. Edward Laper. 1.62. Leonard Swing.
1881. Joseph 1 .. Richman.
1552. Adam S. Graf.
COLLECTORS.
1-16. Nathanlel G. Swing.
1447, 1562. Garrett Dubois.
1563. William Stratlou. 1464. Benjamin F. Burt.
1-45-10. Joseph Faster.
1$63-66. Francis 1. Campbell.
1-50-51, 1856-57. Wallace Taylor.
1567-65. Muses T. M. Garrison.
1:52. Manuel D. Hitchtier.
1-69-73. Jobu MI. Krom.
1413-51. Garrett Pickett.
1871-75. George MI. Elwell.
1.5. John C. Richman.
1576-$1. George W. Richumn.
1558. Joshua Lippincott.
1882. William M. Aris.
Isio-Cl. Cornelius b. Nowkirk.
CON-TABLES.
1-16-47. Joseph Jones. 1-1%-50. Ananias G. Riches. 1-32. David \ 21. Smith. 1853. Jolin Witt-io.
1864, 1-77-78. David Danelsbeck. 1865-66. Jame, J. Med.
1×65-70. lapiel s. ('lurk.
1973-54. David P. Cochran.
1:34,1:71-2. Aaron Shoulder.
1875-70, 1879-50, Thomas Munyon.
1-55, 1802-63. Franklin Beckett.
1881. Lewis S. Vanlear.
1366. John G. Vyres.
1882. J. H. Mayhew.
1-57-61. John B. Mounce.
Schools .- That the emigrants who first settled Upper Pitt-grove were families of advanced thought and much intelligence is evidenced by the educational advantages which they early introduced, by the es- tablishment of a good school, which afforded a thor- ough and full course of instruction for that time, and was in charge of competent and zealous instructors. Parents from long distances sent their children to this school, and men who became distinguished in the State were proud of the learning they acquired at the " Pittsgrove College," as it was called. The primitive public schools were "pay-schools," sup- ported by the contribution of stated tuition from parents. The carly -chool-hou-es were built of logs. Improvements were introduced one after another, and in time the public school system of New Jersey was adopted throughout the township. Under this system Upper Pittsgrove is divided into ten districts, known and numbered as follows :
Whig Lane District, No. 54; Centre District, No. 55; Independence District, No. 56; Washington Di -- trict, No. 57; Jederson District, No. 58; Friendship District, No. 59; New Freedom District, No. GO; Walnut Grove District, No, 61; Monroe District, No. 62; and Union District, No. 63.
The schools of Upper Pittsgrove are provided with good accommodations, are well conducted and well attended, and take high rank among the public schools of Salem County.
Burial-Places .- It is said some few early burials in this township were made in private graveyards, which have long since disappeared.
There are three public burying-grounds in Upper Pittsgrove, all of which were opened early, though the Presbyterian churchyard at Daretown doubtless antedates the two others,-the Pillsgrove Baptist churchyard near Daretown, and Friendship (Meth- odist) churchyard, in the northeast part of the town- ship. All of them contain okl head-stones, and many carly graves entirely unmarked,
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
Daretown .- This is an ancient settlement and post-town, located in Upper Pittsgrove, near the Pilesgrove line. It is principally noted as contain- ing the site of the old Pittsgrove Presbyterian Church, which was constituted April 30, 1741. It enjoys the advantage of being on the line of the Salem Branch of the West Jersey Railroad, thirteen miles northeast of the county-seat.
There was little suggestive of a village here prior to the completion of the railroad, though a store had been built by James Richman in 1857. Mr. Rich- man was suceceded by Joshua Lippineout in 1865, and the latter by James R. Robinson in 1968. Sam- uel Allen, the present proprietor, bought the business of Mr. Robinson in 1871, and built an addition to the building in 1879, by arrangement with Mrs. Eliza D. Richman, widow of James Richnan, who owns the , premises;
Isaac Pedrick was proprietor of the first blacksmith- shop. Eli Harris opened a blacksmith-shop in 1866, and in 1888 sold out to Asa D. Long. In 1878 the latter was succeeded by AAlfred Riger, the present blacksmith, who built and opened his wheelwright- shop in connection in 1875.
The village also contains the machine-shop of Dr. Jo-eph Cook and the distillery of Jacob Wies.
Whig Lane .- Whig Lane is a hamlet in the north - we-l part of the township, and is so known from the fact that during the Revolution the owners of land thereabout were almost unanimously outspoken Whigs. The name was early applied to consid- erably more territory than is embraced within the settlement now so called, the patriot residents living for a mile or so along the road running nearly east and west through the hamlet.
Benjamin Pedrick opened a wheelwright-shop here in 1830. His successors were M. Shaw, John Bald- win, Yost Elwell, Joseph liedrae, and Washington Wright until the shop was closed in Issu.
The blacksmith-shop at Whig Lune was built by Harmon Richman, and by him occupied until his death in 1875, when it became the property of William Richman, who Jeased it from 1875 to 1879 to Thomas Mills, who was succeeded by Oliver J. Ziegler, the present occupant.
The first store was established in 1852, by William
!
194
IHISTORY OF SALEM COUNTY.
A. Wood, and at his death, in 1877. passed into the ownership of his son, Charles Wood. the present pro- prietor. A second store was opened in 1855, by Jo- siah Richman, who owned and managed it till 1863. Thomas Richman. was proprietor from 1863 to 1868, after which the building was closed until 1870, when William Richman, Jr., the present proprietor, took possession.
.
Pole Tavern .- By this name is known a hamlet located a little easterly from and abont midway be- tween Daretown and Whig Lane. It derives its name from the fact that a liberty-pole has long stood in the central part of the settlement, before the old tavern, which is traditionally claimed to mark the site of the first liberty-pole ever erected in New Jersey. The name of the post-office here is Pittsgrove.
The tavern, the fame of which is, by local nomen- clature, linked with that of the pole just referred to, is thought to have been part of it standing at least a century, but its early history is lost in the past, and traditions concerning it are shadowy and uncertain. It had ommervos successive landlords years ago, among whom were Peter Ludlow, Jacob Smith, and William Middleton. Joseph MI. Downan, the pres- ent " mine host" of the ancient hostelry, took pos- sessiou in 1869.
This place contains two -tores. One of them was established by Jacob Hitehner, who sold out to George MI. Elwell a few years ago. In 1876 it was purchased by the present proprietor, Samuel Martin. Mr. Martin is postmaster. The other store was for- merly occupied by Henry H. Richman and I. C. Sweatman. The present owner is Charles K. Rich- man.
A blacksmith-shop was built by Joseph Fox in 1876, and is now occupied by him. Another, and the older of the two, has been in possession of Frank Seibert since 1861. In 1872, Mr. Seibert purchased a wheelwright's business of Edward Loper, who had established it in 1867.
Besides the interests mentioned, a prominent one is the tannery of Gottlich Kress, elsewhere referred to.
Monroeville .- This settlement, sometimes referred to as Monroe Station, is a flag-station on the West Jersey Railroad, in the northeastern part of the town- ship. It contains a few dwellings and the store of James McFarland, who has been trading there for some years, and has been a resident since 1845. The station here is a great convenience to adjacent parts of this and adjoining townships.
Swing's Corners .- Swing's Corners, named in honor of the Swing family, of whom N. G. Swing has been long a well-known local representative, is a ham- Jet situated at the crossing of two roads, near the south- ern line of the township. It contains several dwell- ings and a small store. Wheelwrights and black- smiths have plied their trades there from time to Lime.
Pittsgrove Presbyterian Church ' was constitu !. April 30, 1741. This is the oldest Presbyterian or- ganization in Satem County, and was originally call !! Pile-grove.
The following are the original members as they appear in the old church records:
I-axc Van Meter. Mary Rose (his wife).
Hanuah Van Meter (his wife).
Simeon Sparks.
Henry Van Meter ( their son).
Jane Sparks this wife).
Sarah Van Meter itheir daughter).
Elizabeth Sparks (their daughters
Cornelius Newkirk.
Rach. 1 Newkirk (his wife).
Richard Sparks.
Abraham Newkirk (their son).
Barnet Dubois.
- Dubois (his wife).
Mary Craig (his wife).
Lewis Dubois.
Margaret Dubois [his wife).
Mary Sherry.
Anna Dut-ris (their daughter). Garret Dubois.
Nathan Tarbel.
Margaret Dubois this wife).
Priscilla Tully.
John Miller.
JIngh Moore. Hannah Moore (his wife).
Mary Moore.
Francis Tully.
Ilunnath Tully (his wife).
Peter llaws.
Eleazer Smith.
James Dunlap.
Mary Smith ihls wife).
Elizabeth Dunlop (his wife).
William Alderman.
Jacob Dubois, Jr.
Abagul Alderman (his wife).
Joshua Garrison.
Jeremiah Garri-en.
Samh Garrison (his wife).
Joast Millar.
Juhu Koso.
The membership of the church at the present time is three hundred and three, composed chiefly of the descendant- of the original members.
The first church building was a log structure, like most of those erected in those carly days. It stood near the middle of the old graveyard, but there are no records to show either the dlate or cost of it- erection.
The second building was of brick, erected in the year 1767, and it is still standing in a good state of preservation. This house was built during the pas. torate of the Rev. Nehemiah Greenman.
The third church building, in which the congrega- tion now worships, was completed in 1867, during the pastorate of Rev. E. P. Shields. It is a large and! imposing brick edifice, and cost, including furniture. about twenty-five thousand dollars. The following persons composed the building committee : Charle- Wood, Enoch Mayhew, John R. Alderman, John W. Janvier, and George Coombs. The trustees of the congregation at the present time (November, 182) are John Sweatman, William T. Richman, John Campbell, Ephraim Garrison, Charles Hitchner. Oliver Alderman, and Samuel Allen.
The congregation owns a large and convenient parsonage with ample grounds attached, which is most eligibly located near the church.
There are good reasons for believing that this lo- vality enjoyed preaching by Presbyterian minister- for some time before the organization of the church. The first settled pastor was the Rev. David Evan -.
1 By Rev. J. D. Randolph, pastor.
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Mary Garrison (his wife).
Thomas Sparks itheir son).
Elizabeth Sparks this wifes.
John U'rulg.
Sarah Cair.
William Millar.
Phæbe Couklin.
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495
TOWNSHIP OF UPPER PITTSGROVE.
a native of Wales, who organized the church and ministered to it till hi- death, in 1751.
The second pastor was the Rev. Nehemiah Green- man, who was ordained and installed in 1753, and labored here till his death, in 1779, a period of twenty- six years. During the thirty-two years following the congregation was ministered to by Rev. William Schenck, Rev. Mr. Glassbrook, Rev. Isane Foster, Rev. Mr. Laycock, Rev. Buckley Carle, and Rev. John Clark, though there are no records to show how long they respectively labored.
The Rev. George W. Janvier was ordained and in- stalled pastor May 13, 1812, and labored here till laid aside by the infirmities of age in the year 1858, a period of forty-six years. This was the longest pas- torate in the history of the church, and produced the deepest impression upon its life. There was steady growth and prosperity throughout his entire ministry, and the records show the remarkable fact that during the six months immediately following his resignation. and while he was still consenting to supply the pulpit outil a suitable successor could be found, there were added to the church on profession of their faith ser- enly persons, many of whom are among the active members of the church at the present day. Another special work of grace was enjoyed during Mr. Jan- vier's ministry in the year 1842, when seventy-eight persons united with the church.
Mr. Janvier was succeeded in 1858 by the Rev. E. P. Shields, who labored here till 1870, a period of twelve years. flis successor was the Rev. William 1. Ferguson, whose pastorate extended from 1371 till 1881. During both these pastorates the church enjoyed steady growth and prosperity and several reasons of special reviving.
The present pastor, Rev. J. David-on Randolph, has just entered upon hi- labors, having been installed on the 15th of June last (1892).
It is a remarkalde fact that five of the pastors who have served this church, viz., David fraus, N. Green- man, Isaac Foster, Buckley Carle, and George W. Janvier, are buried side by side in the old grave- yard ; they sleep in the midst of those to whom they preached. But few congregations enjoy the privilege of having the graves of so many pastors in their midst.
The following persons have filled the office of ruling eller in this church from its organization till the prezent time :
Isaac Van Meter. Klarnet Dubois. William Aidenuan. 1.Jeazer Smith. Gidoup Conklyu. Matthew Dubois Daritt Dubois. Jacob Dubois, Jr.
James McClung. Jurph Van Meter. Hosta Laurence. Isaac farris
Abraham Dubois. Eleazer Mayhew. Benjamin Van Meter.
Jeremiah Dubois.
John Stration.
Jehn Mayhew. Jeremiah Jo-ter. Abrabaia Saing. Erasmus Van Meter. Jonathan I .. Swing. Memes Hchnian. Gilbert 11. Craig.
Lennard Swing. Ebenezer Dartis. lichar) Har :.
Thomas Darding. Samuel D. Krom. Gariet Dubois.
Enoch Mayhew. Josoph L. Richman. Benjamin F. Burt.
Adam S. Grad. Richard B. Ware.
There are at present three Sabbath-schools main- tained in the bounds of the congregation, the aggre- gate membership of which is about two hundred and fifty.
There is a Ladies' Missionary Society and also a Ladies' Mite Society, both of which are vigorous and efficient organizations.
Pittsgrove Baptist Church .- Rev. Robert Kelsay began his labors in Pittsgrove about 1741, and a good, substantial meeting-house was built in 1743.
In 1771, when the record of the Pittsgrove Branch began, seventeen members of the Cohansey Church applied for letters of dismission, to become united with the Pittsgrove Baptist Church. Their names were John Mayhew, Sr., William Brick, Jacob Elwell, John Dickison, Cornelius Austin, Samuel Brick Jo- hannah Mayhew, Eleanor Nelson, Esther Hewes, Hannah Elwell, Matthew Arons, Pamaunah Garton, Fulida Hudson, Matthias Dickinson, Phebe Nelson. Reuhama Austin, Rachel Brick. They were consti- tuted into a regular gospel church on the 15th day of May, 1771.
" Then is recorded their church covenant, consist- ing of ten artieles, prepared for them by Mr Kelsay, and which continued to be used as such until 1867, when, to be in conformity with sister churches, the manual by J. Newton Brown was adopted."
The church takes its name from the township in which it is situated. Its location is on the road :17- ning from Daretown to Wood-town, and half a mile distant from the former place.
An act of incorporation was secured for the church on the Cth of March, 1786, and John Mayhew, Wil- liam Brick, William Dickson, John Kelly, Samnel Rose, David Nichols, and Jacob Wright were made the trustees.
The first house used for worship was made of logs and stood in the graveyard, on the same spot where, in 17-13, the frame meeting-house was built, during the pastoral labors of Rev. Robert Kelsay. It was · of quite moderate size, but a very substantial struc- ture, and after serving this church for over a century, in 1844 was soll to and used by the colored people for a house of worship. The present brick house was built during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Kain, in 1844, at a cost of two thousand two hundred dollars.
In 1771 a comfortable dwelling-house and other buildings were built on the parsonage lot of sixty acres. At some subsequent period a part of the land was sold, leaving about thirty acres, which continues to be the Baptist parsonage of Pittsgrove. It is situ- I ated about two miles from the meeting-house, near Pole Tavern.
Rev. William Worth was ordained pastor May 16,
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HISTORY OF SALEM COUNTY.
1771. This relation he held until 1796. In 1803 he WAS excluded for heresy, having long been a Univer- salist.
The names of the members of the church adhering to the Baptist confession of faith in 1803 were Su- sannalı Elwell, Catherine Harris, Revhama Austin, Anna Robinson, Tabitha Mayhew, Mary Nichols, Susannah Garrison, Lovien Elwell. Elizabeth Atkin- son, Priscilla Blue, Abigail Joslin, Reuhama Moore, and Rachel Robinson. Rachel Brick, about this time, declared her adherence to them. Renhama Austin and Rachel Brick are the only constituent members surviving.
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